**REVIEW** Uncle Funky's Daughter Travel Kit

 Since I've tried Aunt Jackie, Miss Jessie, and Carol's Daughter, I figured I'd give Uncle Funky a shot. The first thing I can tell you is that getting a trial kit or samples is best. The full-sized items tend not to be cheap...

The first thing I did was text one of my nephews to tell him that I was going to try some hair products by "Uncle Funky". After we got through laughing about it, I did actually give all 5 products in the travel kit a test.

By the way, I'm being silly. The product line is Uncle Funky's Daughter, and I (kind of) love the name. But it's a long 'un so I'll tag it as UFD from now on.

First I have to admit that I only got the travel kit (with some Google Rewards money) because honey chile! The individual products are priced as if they are Uncle Funky's Gold... You can take a peek at the UFD Amazon storefront or go to the official UFD site.

The kit is nicely presented in a little plastic zip case. There was even a security zip tie on the zipper when it arrived. I appreciate that because we've all gotten products that were wrapped in cheap, stained plastic.

The insert cards give an overview of the key ingredients for each product. As when trying any new hair product, I first did a wash and condition. I began applying the UFD products to my towel-dried/damp hair in the order suggested on the insert. I will use that order to give my take on them. The descriptions are from the Amazon product's "About" section.

(When ordering via the UFD official site, shipping is free on orders over $49 & customers can earn "reward points".)

Step 1 - Midnight Train (8oz) Amazon: $18.54 ($2.32 / Fl Oz)  UFD: $10.99 

Lightweight, herbal conditioning mist. Strengthens dry, weak strands. Adds softness and pliability for comb-out. Works best on curly and kinky textures. Mist generously on hair strands.

Me: 4 .5 stars for the effects and pricing. This smells good - Has a very light, soapy-green scent. It is moisturizing and I think it's what kept my hair from drying out for a few hours after washing. That moisture did not last and I can tell that I would have to re-use the spray more than once a day. It does make my hair feel very soft while it is working. As with the next product, this worked better on my day-old hair.

Step 2 - Supercurl (8 oz) (or Extra Butter) I used Supercurl first. Amazon: $21.99 ($2.75 / Fl Oz) UFD: $19.99

Smooth, lightweight, no-hold formula; Adds amazing softness and moisture, Stretches tight curls to aid in comb-out, Works well on all curl patterns and styles, Rub in palms or on strands and style;

Me: 3 stars for the effects and pricing It smells okay - like a basic rinse-out conditioner. This added more moisture and softness on top of the Midnight Train. My hair does not love coconut oil products for some reason. this did not help my newly washed hair. It works much better on my "day-old" hair and it really boosted the moisture. If I use this to freshen my hair after having used my usual products (StaSofFro), it's wonderful. I like that it softens my hair without adding a heavy or greasy feel. I don't like it enough to pay what it costs...

Step 2b - Extra Butter Curl Forming Creme (8oz) Amazon:$19.99 ($2.50 / Ounce) UFD: $19.99

Thick, creamy, whipped formula; Fortifies curls with natural shea butter, coconut, and palm kernel oil. Elongates curls, detangles & deeply moisturizes to aid in comb-ability. Provides residue-free style ability with this moisturizer. Apply evenly through damp or dry hair, then style.

Me: 3.9 stars for the effects and (mainly) the pricing Another light, clean and unobtrusive scent. This is a product that I would think about getting in spite of that ridiculous price. My hair is a mix of curl patterns - some strands are really curly/coily, some are straight and some are just slightly wavy. This crazy hair of mine is also resistant to curl creams. The only ones to work best are the eco-styler types and Taliah Waajid's Curly Curly Cream. This one is somewhere in between those types. It's not super thick like Curly Curl and it's not a "sticky styler" like the eco gels. I like it the most out of the products in this kit. The downside is that this works best on day-old hair after I have used other softening products. There's not a lot of reason for me to switch from the Curly Curl by Taliah Waajid. On the other hand, if someone with a more consistent curl pattern asked me, I'd recommend this.

Step 3 - Curly Magic (18 Fl Oz) Amazon:$24.99 ($1.39 / Fl Oz) UFD: $24.99

Aloe-based formula; natural fragrance.  Firm hold provides lasting curl definition. Delivers unmatched frizz-fighting ability. Defines curls in curly, wet hair. Finger comb thru soaking wet hair.

Me: 2 stars for the effects and pricing (and smell) I hated the smell of this one (like Eau de floral gasoline) and the texture is of an almost obscene slimy viscosity. I guess some people would say that at least it has "good slip"... Ugh. To be honest, I think I used this one wrong. The product page says to use it on soaking wet hair while the insert says wet or damp hair. By the time I tried it, my towel-dried hair was only still damp from the other products. I just can't with this one - because of the smell and that price.

Step 4 - Thirsty Curls (8 fl oz) Amazon: $14.99 ($1.87 / Fl Oz) UFD: $14.99

Lightweight, coconut water-based mist. Revives the bounce in frizzy, fallen curls. Aids in comb out and styling. Great for day-after Curly Magic use. Spray generously and fluff style.

Me: 3.5 stars for the effects and pricing The smell of this one is neither bad nor good, but it is odd. In my opinion, this is a decent product but, like the others, it does not play well by itself. It was good on my day-old hair but, as I mentioned, by then I'd had to use some StaSofFro. This did help refresh the moisture but I have several cheaper products that do the same.

So, overall, what do I think about these products? 

I have to tell you, nothing really wows me enough to pay the current prices. I'd be more inclined to dish out for the Midnight Train at $10.99 and the Extra Butter at a much lower price (if I didn't like my current and more affordable products better).

Eh...

The main issue for me is that these don't really work well as stand-alone products. Also, they don't solve my dry-hair issue without my having to supplement them with something like StaSofFro. That's not a big problem because I find that to be the case with several other products. But these are much pricier. If I'm paying 15 to 25 bucks for a hair product, I don't want to have to spend more money to boost its effects. 

On the other hand, I can see that for some hair types, UFD products would be really good. As I mentioned, my hair doesn't like some of the key ingredients and my nose obviously hates some of the smells. 

I have one niece with a 2b hair type and I think I'm going to send her this kit. As for me and my nappy naps, I will stick with my current regimen - which now includes a hairdressing cream I'm loving. I will review that soon (or have, depending on how I schedule the posts!).

Peace

--Free

**HEADS UP** Head & Shoulders Royal Oils

The "Heads Up" posts are going to be for my take on products or ideas without a lot of my usual chatter. First up: Head & Shoulders Royal Oils line of products.

Head & Shoulders was not a brand I ever thought of when thinking of products to care for my naturally nappy hair. That's too bad because this stuff is the truth.

I was looking for a product to soothe my dry scalp when a product popped up in an Amazon product search:

Not only is the product good, but the dispenser nozzle is perfect.

Since I never had a problem with dandruff, I never thought of Head & Shoulders. However, until recently, I never had a problem with a dry scalp so... The product sounded like it might work for me. Also, I was kind of intrigued that Head & Shoulders had jumped on the natural hair care wagon with a "Royal Oils" line. Good name.

The scalp cream worked. I used it in conjunction with my JBCO which was not doing the job by itself. Within a few days, my dry scalp problem was done with. I asked around in some hair care forums about suddenly experiencing a dry scalp. More than a few commenters mentioned that age, climate, and certain styling products could be the reason for my problem. One good suggestion was to try switching up my shampoo and conditioner as they could be the biggest reason.

I normally use a variety of shampoos but for a long time, I have stuck with Aussie Moist conditioners. And maybe it was time for a change because my hair has also been bone dry for a while - ever since I cut it.

Anyway, the H&S scalp cream had worked so well that when I needed to buy conditioner, I got the Royal Oils Moisture Renewal Conditioner. I still had some Aussie shampoo but that conditioner... That stuff is the truth.

My hair has never felt so good both during and after using a conditioner.  Here are the products (if you can find them at your local Dollar General, the prices are much better).

I got the shampoo and conditioner at Walmart for $6.97 each (cheaper than Amazon's $8.56 each); the scalp treatment for $8.57 at Walmart and $8.94 at Amazon; the moisture mask $9.99 for a pack of 10. I didn't see the mask at Walmart plus I ended my Plus membership with them.

Each moisture mask pack gives me 3 treatments because my hair is so short now. For my previous head of hair, I could probably make a packet last for 2 full treatments. It's a thick cream and you have to add a little water or keep your hair very wet for it to work.

I was worried that the 5-ounce bottle of scalp treatment wasn't going to last very long but it's been worth it. I've used it about 3 times a week for 3 weeks as of today and the bottle is just under half full. Not bad.

Right now, I am using a routine with the H&S Royal Oils shampoo, conditioner, scalp treatment, and deep moisture mask. This is in conjunction with the JBCO that I use on my scalp for oil treatment and some Eden BodyWorks leave-in (for dry hair). I will go over the Eden BodyWorks next time.

Our winter weather has started here so my hair is extremely dry. For now, the best of the H&S products, IMO, are the shampoo, conditioner, and scalp treatment. I'm not sure about the moisture mask yet.

Ladies, this stuff is very affordable so it's worth trying out on your nappy naps. Here is the full product line. Make sure that you shop around for the best price.

Peace

--Free

My Hair Loves Henna

 One thing I have to say before I rave about my henna results: I think a lot depends on the brand. I used Rainbow Research.

I decided to try using henna because I read somewhere that it is great for taming hair that is affected by humidity. And, living here in Iowa, I can tell you a little something about humidity. Or I can show you a couple of screenshots from my phone's weather app:

 

Yeah. This is why I save so much money on lotion during the summer... Anyway...

Before I decided to try using henna, I did a lot of internet "research" and I read so many conflicting things. 

• It's great for thin hair, straight hair, type 4C hair (mine), long hair, short hair...
• It will dry out the hair
• It will strengthen the hair
• It will damage the hair
• It will heal the hair

Not to mention that there were so many suggestions for how to use henna:

• Leave in overnight
• Leave it in just a little while
• Let the mixture rest before using
• Use the mixture right away

My brain ached from all the information. In the end, I decided to go all Nike and just do it. This is the brand I went with:

Rainbow Henna from Rainbow Research

I want to tell you how amazingly helpful the people at Rainbow Research are about inquiries. I wrote them more than once with questions. I wanted to clarify how long to leave the henna in; the liquid to powder ratio; and whether or not they are the same as "Rainbow Henna", "iHerb Henna", or under any other name other than Rainbow Research. These people quickly responded with answers every time. 

By the way, the main thing to know is that - no matter how many bloggers and YouTubers say differently - Rainbow Research is the only name this henna is under. The logo is the giveaway. I saw YouTube videos showing the Rainbow Research jar and saying it was iHerb or just "Rainbow". To clarify:

• Rainbow Research henna can be bought at several online places. iHerb.com is one of those places. I got my first jar from PipingRock.com and my second jar from Amazon. I won't tell people to look for "Piping Rock Henna" or "Amazon Henna"...
• Raindance Cosmetics (out of Canada) sells Rainbow Research henna.
• Maybe because of Rainbow in the name on the front (and not Rainbow Research) and being the logo, people shorten the name to "Rainbow henna" and use it generically. All photocopies are not done by Xerox but we use the term Xerox to mean a photocopy. See what I mean.

What you need to know is that, when you are looking for directions or other information for this particular brand, email the people at info@rainbowresearch.com or check their site here.

Because I don't want you to have the same runaround I had, the instructions on the Rainbow Research site and the Canadian Raindance Cosmetics site are the same. While helpful, I found the most helpful set of instructions on the Walmart page for the product. I will copy/paste those at the bottom of this post with the link. Just in case something gets moved around online!

Now about my experience:

• Because I had recently dyed my hair black -very black - and regretted that. I used the Dark Brown/Sable color of henna.
• I washed my hair beforehand with a clarifying shampoo.
• The smell of this reminded me of wet grass and dirt. It's very earthy. 
• It was not nearly as messy as I expected. To keep my floors, counters, and carpeting safe, I took the same precautions as when using regular dye. There were some spots on the backsplash of the kitchen sink that wiped out with some olive oil. I have some kind of plastic-material shower and the residue from rinsing wiped out easily.
• This did not stain my skin. I used the Dark Brown/Sable color. I did use gloves.
• I added olive oil to my henna mix because I wanted to protect against drying.
• I left this on for an hour with a thermal heat cap.
• I did the hot rinse first, then had to do several cold rinses. Every time I thought I was done, I saw or felt more of the gritty henna.
• After rinsing and before conditioning, my hair felt AWFUL! Like straw. Like when I used a coconut oil pre-poo. I was very worried.
• I used Aussie Moist 3-Minute Miracle (and left it on for 5 minutes!)
• That conditioner did the trick. My hair softened up even more than it usually does after deep conditioning. But the strands didn't feel weak or fragile.
• I can't tell you how well it covers grays. My regular dye job colored all of those so black that it's unnatural.

Both are about the same color. The Sable powder is
slightly darker.

Honestly, the minute my hair dried completely, I knew it loved the henna treatment. Normally, my hair needs a lot of baby-ing to get to a soft and manageable state after a wash. There are sprays and creams I've used that help it get there faster, but without that, my hair is generally dry and crunchy. After the henna and before I added any after-care products (except for some light sealing oil while my hair was still damp), my hair was wonderful. 

One thing I had heard is that henna can change your curls - the pattern or definition, etc. This did slightly loosen my curls but that was a good thing for me. I still have good definition and I still get great results from an overnight twist-up.

I guess the main thing I've noticed is how my hair reacts to products. My moisturizers work better and I am not seeing as much hair breakage. I don't plan to do henna as often as some people. I think I will wait a month or a month and a half before doing another treatment. I need this black to fade some!

So, yes, for me, using henna was a great experience. Next time I will be using the "Persian Burgundy Dark Auburn" shade. Hopefully, by then, my hair will be light enough that photos will show some of the results.

Peace

--Free

**The instructions for Rainbow Research Henna as copied from this Walmart product page. I added spaces and bold emphasis for ease of reference.

 Instructions: Store in a cool, dry place. Do not use in the area of the eye or if scalp has open cuts. Not for use on bleaches or white hair.

 A strand test should be done if hair is over 10% grey.

Helpful Accessories: Plastic or glass bowl; Plastic or wooden spoon; Oil, vaseline, or cream; Plastic or rubber gloves; Tint brush or 1-1/2 paint brush; Cotton or tissues; Plastic bag or plastic wrap; Protective cape or old towel.

Preparation: Rainbow Henna may be applied on wet or dry hair, but it is important that the hair be clean. If you wish to shampoo first, towel hair dry. Apply cream, oil, or vaseline around the hairline, ears, and neck to avoid staining your skin.

Directions: Pour 4 oz (1 cup) Rainbow Henna into a glass or plastic bowl. Gradually add 1 cup boiling water. Use a wooden or plastic spoon to mix thoroughly to a creamy consistency. (More liquid can be added if mixture is too thick.)

For Rainbow Neutral Henna, mix 2 oz (1/2 cup) with 1 cup boiling water. Application: Wear plastic or rubber gloves to avoid staining your hands.

 1. Section hair. Sections should be about 1 inch thick.

2. Begin at the scalp and paint on the Henna with a brush from roots to the ends.

 3. Continue until all the hair is thickly coated with the Henna mixture.

4. Place a cotton or tissue band around the hairline. Cover the hair with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Timing: For best results, use a dryer, heat lamp, or Thermo Heat Cap (see other fine Henna products).

Leave on as follows:

Black, red, sherry, mahogany, burgundy, dark brown, medium brown, and copper - with heat 45 minutes; without heat 60-75 minutes.

Strawberry blonde, blonde, marigold blonde, light brown and neutral - with heat 30 minutes; without heat 45-60 minutes.

When timing is completed, rinse thoroughly with hot water, then rinse with cool water. Follow with henna shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and style.

Special Recipes and Hints -

Coffee: To help tone down red tones, deepen brown-red tones, or cover grey, substitute coffee for water. Use brewed, black coffee (not instant or decaffeinated). After coffee is brewed, bring to a boil. Mix as directed.

Teas: Ceylon or black China tea will add gold highlights to light brown henna. Red zinger tea enriches red tones in burgundy, sherry, mahogany, and red henna. Chamomile tea brightens and adds highlights to neutral, blonde, or marigold blonde henna. Let tea steep for 20-30 minutes. Bring to a boil. Substitute tea for water. Mix as directed.

Apple Cider Vinegar: To help color hold on grey hair, add 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to Henna mixture.

 Lemon Juice: To lighten blonde shades, add 2 tbsp lemon juice to Henna mixture. To Deepen Red Shades: Red, sherry, mahogany, or burgundy can be deepened by mixing a darker shade. For example, 3 oz (3/4 cup) Mahogany + 1 oz (1/4 cup) Dark Brown = Dark Auburn.

Dry Hair: Add 1 egg, 2-4 tbsp olive oil, or 2-4 tbsp plain yogurt to Henna mixture. These natural ingredients not only condition, but help with the application and rinsing processes.

Questions and Answers:

 Can I Try a Test Strand First? Yes. Mix about 1 tsp Henna with 1 tbsp boiling water. Apply to 1 inch section of hair (enough to wrap around a finger). Wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for required time (see Timing). Rinse off, shampoo, and dry.

Can Henna Be Used on Grey Hair? If you have over 10% grey, we suggest doing a test strand first. The following formulas work best: Medium Brown Henna + brewed coffee + apple cider vinegar. Dark Brown Henna + brewed coffee + apple cider vinegar. Light Brown Henna + Ceylon or Black China Tea + apple cider vinegar (see Special Recipes and Hints).

 Can I Henna After a Perm? Yes. After perming, wait 2 weeks or 5 shampoos before applying Henna. This will allow the hair to be free of any chemical residue.

Can I Perm After a Henna? Henna coats the hair shaft and, in some cases, prevents the chemicals in the perm lotion from penetrating. Prior to a perm, remove Henna (see following question).

What Is the Best Way To Remove Henna? To help remove Henna from the hair shaft, apply warm mineral oil to the hair. Leave on 20-25 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Shampoo out. This procedure is good prior to using a perm or chemical tint/color.

Is Henna Safe to Use Over a Chemical Tint? Yes. If the hair is in excellent condition, Rainbow Henna can be used over a chemical tint. However, this is not its purpose. Henna should never be used over bleached or white hair.

Can Hair Be Lightened After a Henna? No. The Henna color will remain on the hair even if high lift blonde tints or bleaches are used.

Will Henna Lighten Hair? No. Henna does not contain any lightening chemicals. Blonde Henna brings out yellow and light brown highlights. Marigold Blonde brings out gold and yellow highlights. Both add shine and body to grey hair.

How Often Can I Use Henna? Neutral Henna can be done every 4 weeks. All other shades can be used every 4 to 6 weeks.

 

UPDATE **REVIEW** Soft Sheen Carson Hydra Steam System

UPDATE:

I had to come back and amend my opinion about the Hydra Steam Masque. I gave it a rough review but, after having used it more than once and contrasted the difference in my hair using ONLY the Curl Design, I think the Masque is good. I have used the Curl Design once without using the Masque first and, um... No Bueno. At least, the Curl Design works ever so much better with the Masque. Now, the Curl Design is pretty awesome with any deep conditioner beforehand but it just works 5 times better with the Masque conditioner.

I want to always be fair in how I review a product and I have no problem admitting when I have been wrong.

 Ladies, let me tell you what...

If you have hair that is dry like mine, hair that doesn't hold curl definition well, and hair that chews up moisture and spits it back out so dry it can be used for kindling. Oh, and 4C hair - which is a beautiful texture but a bit problematic. If this is you, then you will want to try at least one part of a multi-part system from Soft Sheen Carson.

I tried Steps 2 and 4. Step 2 is going to be a return for a refund. Step 4 makes me understand why some people talk about holy grail products. 

This represents a WEEK of groceries

First, let me talk about Step 2  - Hydra Steam Moisturizing System Steam Masque - and why it's a fail for me.

For one thing, the price is ridiculous. Actually, it not that bad for products that work and that come in such a large size (14.4oz) tub.

This is a "steam" system and I know that a while back steaming was a popular hair treatment. I, however, don't have a hair steamer and my conditioning cap is getting old but it's all I have. That's what I used - an electric heat cap with a hot towel inside for added heat. (I read reviews where some people used a simple plastic cap and warm towel setup.) 

I washed my hair and left it almost dripping wet and applied the masque from root to tip. The product doesn't seem to have much "slip" at all, by the way. I sat under the heat cap for the recommended 20 minutes before I did a thorough, tepid-water rinse.

Let's stop here.

I've used cheaper deep conditioners with better noticeable results. This one had not felt all that moisturizing while I applied it. As I mentioned, there was very little slip and, unlike with most conditioners of any kind, my hair didn't seem to be softening or smoothing with the application. However, I didn't want to judge so quickly. I have used other conditioners with the same lackluster application results only to see benefits during or after the rinse. Not so with this one.

Rinsing this felt like rinsing a mild type of shampoo from my hair. It didn't leave my hair feeling awful, just not feeling any different as with no conditioner. (I hope I am making sense tonight.) I was not impressed but, again, I didn't want to judge too quickly. I spent too much money on this to give up now...

After the rinse is when I really noticed that this was going to be a Thumbs Down product. My hair tangles easily but is much more manageable after a deep (or even regular) conditioning. This was only very slightly helpful and it took forever to section my hair. 

Now here comes the good part, Step 4 - Hydra Steam Moisturizing System Curl Designing Cream:

Right away, I felt more positive about this step. For one thing, the texture is silkier. Step 2 has a thick ad lotion-like texture. Step 4 isn't thin but it has a more "wet" feel. Wonderful.

Again, I was working with very, very damp hair. I kept my spray bottle nearby to make sure. I followed the directions (except maybe I went a little heavier on the product than needed) and after applying the cream to each section from root to tip, I styled my hair in loose (or hanging) 2-strand twists. I slept with a satin scarf on and...

Well, hold on a second cos you won't fully appreciate the magic that is Step 4 until you remember what my hair looks like without it. I labeled the photos for an Amazon review and they are:

• #1 Dry for about 5 or 6 days after the last twist out and in need of a condition & leave-in.
• #2 (should have been 1) This is about 3 days after a twist & not quite as dried out as #1
• #3 After doing Steps 2 & 4
• #4 Tried to enhance lighting so you get a better look. Doesn't do it justice.

Thirsty. SO thirsty.

Now, let's take a look at this beautiful natural and nappy-licious hair:

Add caption

C'mon now. Let's hear it for those curls! 

Chile...

 Next time, I will take more time doing the twists for an even better set. I think I was not expecting much so I did a half butt job of it. Now I know. 

The "Curl Designing" part of the name fits. And because my hair is so dark, you aren't even able to see just how amazing the difference is. I tried playing with the lighting here to show it better

I have to tell you that I can't believe how amazing this stuff is. Step 4 anyway. We won't mention Step 2 again. Ever.

I have had products that I thought gave my hair the moisture it needed but this gave me moisture and definition. Usually, if I get a lot of moisture, it's at the expense of curl definition. My hair tends to "floof" out and go all Lion King on me.

No wonder that this product is from the same brand that I get my StaSofFro. I love that stuff and this Step 4 reminds me of the softness and moisture it gives - but with the curl definition.

So this one is a split kind of review. I will be sending back Step 2 with a quickness. If it was cheaper, I wouldn't bother but... that right there is grocery money.

By the way, I mentioned that this is a multi-part "system".  Apparently, it is no longer being produced in full (if at all). I found this photo of  6 pieces that seems to have been the entire system on a Brown Girl Gumbo article from 2014. 2014, you guys. You know back when the world wasn't being all 2020?

It looks like you could get either the entire system or the individual steps for around 13 bucks back then. I'm not clear. When I search it out now, I can only find individual steps. That's okay though because the 2 I found run in 20-dollar circles and they can keep that...

Here is the nuttiest thing of all: Before I got this, I snagged some of that Hair Honey on sale but have to wait for it to get here since not everyone does the 2-day Amazon thing! I have heard that the Hair Honey does amazing things. On top of this, it might be too much for my hair to handle. I will let you know.

To summarize:

Natural hair - afro hair - needs a good balance of moisture. Moisture is important for natural hair. Hair growth depends on many elements of care. Steaming hair can be beneficial. Steaming hair can be done without a lot of equipment. Steaming the hair can be healthy. Steaming the hair can promote growth and reduce damage. 

Peace

--Free