Search Results: Christina Patrice

By Christina Patrice · Published March 14, 2014

This #WashDay meme spread like wildfire in the natural hair community, and while utterly hilarious (ranch dressing and a Bible though?”>, this fun-poking photo does hold a grain of truth.

I’ve come to realize that many naturals and transitioners simply do entirely too much on wash day.

As hilarious as this meme is (I get the giggles all over again just looking at each item individually”> it’d be nice if wash day wasn’t a joke.

Here are three key ways to make wash day a little more manageable, and a little less, well, see above.

1. Product Overload

Pre-poo with this. Detangle with a mix of this, this, that, and that, with a little bit of that over there plus water in a spray bottle. Cowash with this product. Condition with another product. Deep condition with a homemade concoction that looks like a menu item from Robek’s, or a blend of your favorite conditioner and water.

Solution: Stop. Using. Products. That. Don’t. Work.

If you have to mix 18 things together to make a detangler, then what you’re doing isn’t working too well. If you constantly have to add oils to your conditioners to make them more moisturizing then well….you might need a new conditioner.

Wash day gets easier when you actually use products that work well at what they’re supposed to do, or when you discover it has a better alternative use. I cut the fuss between detangling and co-washing because I discovered that Aussie Moist makes a phenomenal in-shower detangler, and I can also use it to co-wash.

I only stick to conditioners and deep conditioners that do their job in 10 minutes or less. If it takes any longer, then the formula isn’t working for my hair. Sure, an extra 10 or 20 minutes for more softening is fine. But if after 10 minutes I don’t feel or see any discernible difference in my hair, it’s time for me to move on to greener pastures.

2. The Detangling Nightmare

As a transitioner and a natural, I can recall needing quite a few things to detangle my hair. Either a complex concoction or conditioner, water, an onslaught of tools, and a Law & Order: SVU marathon. I bought into the blog hype everywhere that detangling had to be some nightmarish event of epic proportions that couldn’t be done in under two hours. I detangled slowly with my fingers, in some of the smallest sections imaginable. At some points, I even went practically strand-by-strand. I ended up with pruny fingers, cramped hands, towels full of shed hair and conditioner muck, and a sense of resolve that had been beaten into submission. And I did this every week. Sometimes twice.

Solution: Try it once or twice, then move on.

Learning which detangling method works for you is a classic case of throwing a bunch of stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. There are tons of different methods – dry detangling, damp detangling, soaking wet hair detangling, detangling with oil, detangling with conditioner, detangling with a detangler, with your fingers, with a Denman, with a wide tooth comb, with a Tangle Teezer, with a Q-Redew…the possibilities and combinations are seemingly infinite.

If your current method has you taking forever and a day, and you’re still losing insane amounts of hair due to breakage, or you always have a bajillion knots that don’t want to come undone, it’s time to lay that method to rest and move on.

I’m a huge proponent of slathering the hair with conditioner, and detangling in the shower darting my hair under the shower head a few times for extra slippage. With this method, I’m able to make it through my head in 15 minutes or less. I would have never found this out, if it wasn’t for drama point #1 and making a conscious decision to try different methods until I had one that worked. And you better believe that if this one stops working, I’m on to the next!

ILLUSTRATION: TALLNCURLY FOR NATURALLYCURLY

3. The Time/Patience Matrix

For me, my week of wash-and-go’s typically runs something like this (left”>.

Solution: Find the time for your hair (double entendre”>.

The first part of finding the time for your hair relates to literally finding the time for your hair. There is nothing worse than putting off wash day farrrr beyond what you know to be best for your tresses. Extra tangles and matting, even more buildup than you thought possible, and sometimes the dreaded itchies and flakes. It is vital to the health of your hair to find time for it. It is important that the time you set aside for your hair not be rushed, when you’re dead tired, or irritated. Any three of those individually or in combination spell disaster, breakage, and utter frustration with your hair. Take it from me: although you don’t want wash day to take forever, don’t give yourself 30 minutes and a prayer. You’ll always end up losing more hair than necessary.

And although wash day should never literally be an entire day in my opinion (like this meme suggests,haha!”>, you have to carve out some time to tend to your hair on a regular basis. This brings me to the second part of finding time for your hair — which is finding the most optimal time table for wash day. Some transitioners and naturals go two or three weeks, and sometimes a month between washes. For me, I know that one week (seven days”> is my cap. If I don’t wash and condition by day seven, I’m in for an uphill battle. I learned this by, you guessed it, trial and error. A good starting place is two weeks. If you try washing your hair every two weeks, but realize you don’t have as much buildup, dryness, or tangling, then you are one of the lucky ladies that can push it out a week or two more. If two weeks is giving you all sorts of grief, amp it up to weekly. If your tresses still can’t handle a week, move it up to twice a week.

 How else do you avoid the wash day drama? Leave us a comment below, and be sure to visit my blog-ManeObjective.com.

By Christina Patrice · Published March 10, 2014

• Paying around $70 (or more!”> every two weeks to have a professional hairdresser wash, condition, and straighten your hair.
• Visiting said professional regularly, and despite being in their care and following their instructions, never seeing any hair growth past your shoulders.
• Receiving conflicting or counterintuitive information about how to best care for your hair in their absence.
• Suffering from dryness, breakage, and stalled growth.
• Thinking that your hair could never be long and thick.

When I first visited their website, I wasn’t sure if this was a brand I should review because all of the women have straight hair. Gorgeous hair, but straight. But once I began seeing all the rave reviews on social media (seriously, just search the hashtag #rapunzelthefutureofhair on Instagram”> and looking at pictures of Rasheda’s naturally curly mane, I was convinced that I needed Rapunzel in my life. I was all the way thrilled when I received the Hair Lotion and Hair Silk to test drive and review, along with a soooo right-on-time tape measure for my hair. Without further delay, let’s jump in to this review!

Hair Lotion

Product Claims

Rapunzel’s Hair Lotion is a deep moisturizing cream made with Shea Butter and other natural oils to help stop breakage, repair split ends, adding manageability and shine with every application.

When used daily as directed, Rapunzel’s Hair Lotion helps promote long healthy hair growth by protecting the hair from heat damage through hydration and moisturization. Perfect for natural, relaxed, and transitioning hair.

Ingredient List

Water, Persea Gratissima (Avocado”> Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut”> Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Bromide, Sorbitol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steareth-2, Santalum Album (Sandalwood”> Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon (Barley”> Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Mangifera Indica (Mango”> Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter”>, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia Nut”> Seed Oil, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E”>, Allatonin, Sodium PCA, Fragrance (Parfum”>, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl AlcoholFor natural, relaxed and transitioning hair

• Leaves hair soft, light and shiny

• Non-greasy formula

• Moisturizes dry hair without leaving a residue

Top Ingredients 411

• Avocado Oil: Moisturizing oil that is high in omega 6 and 9, which helps improve elasticity, strength, and shine in hair.
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid”>. One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
• Stearyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol that acts as a thickener, and emollient. It gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• Cetrimonium Bromide: An ammonium salt used in hair prevents static build-up that causes flyaway hair. It is also able to penetrate and condition the hair, and acts as an emulsifier and preservative.
• Sorbitol: Naturally occurring element in fruits and veggies, but can also be synthetically made from hydrolyzed corn starch. Much like glycerin, it adds slip to a product, as well as functions as a humectant and a thickener. It helps cosmetics from drying out in their containers.

Performance

One of the best things in the world for me is when a product actually does what it says it will do.

The Hair Lotion is incredibly creamy and moisturizing without weighing hair down. The consistency is rich and creamy, but not greasy. My hair is a huge fan of avocado oil, so the fact that it was the 2nd ingredient was a definite plus. In fact, the second I put it on my hair, it just soaks right in and leaves it feeling super soft, fluffy, and moisturized.

The Hair Lotion played an epic role in my satin strip braidout, and in my wash and go’s. In fact, I recently OD’d on my favorite curl definer (TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier”> during a routine wash and go, and it left my hair feeling super crunchy. I applied Hair Lotion on top of it, to soften it up and it worked like a charm! My curls felt amazing afterwards, and had so much body and bounce!

The one thing I’m not wild about is the fragrance. It has a grapefruity, passionfruit, floral-esque fragrance that I found to be a little to strong for my liking — but definitely not a deal breaker. The smell doesn’t linger too long in the hair, and it didn’t trigger any allergies.

Overall product rating: 4.5 Stars! I love the Hair Lotion, but had to deduct slightly for scent. Not a deal breaker, but I’d definitely prefer something a little milder.

Hair Silk

Product Claims

Rapunzel’s Hair Silk smooths ends, conditions and, with daily application, you will notice less breakage and damage caused by chemicals and heated styling.

With combined usage of the Hair Silk and Rapunzel Protein Conditioner, hair will be more manageable, with a “silk-like” luster all the way from root to tip.

• Non-greasy formula

• Soft, silky, smooth hair and extra shine

Ingredient List

Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Fragrance

Top Ingredients 411

• Olive Oil: Olive Oil is rich in high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which is good for hair growth. Both mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E are good for moisturizing, protecting and nourishing hair. Olive oil makes hair grow stronger and its emollient properties prevent hair loss.
• Castor Oil: Emollient and humectant oil, touted as a treatment for thinning hair, hair loss, dry, and itchy scalp. Has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Nourishes hair, smoothes hair cuticles to control shedding, promotes hair growth and thickness, prevents hair loss, and boosts shine.
• Safflower Oil: Protects hair, nourishes hair follicles, moisturizes, and stimulates blood circulation to promote hair growth and thickness. And it is extremely beneficial for natural as well as dry chemically treated hair.
• Wheat Germ Oil: Ceramide rich oil that helps replenish moisture and strength within the cuticle, helping to ciment them. Great for sealing and correcting porosity issues.

Performance

Hair Silk is a godsend. When it comes to oils and butters, I don’t know how to act. I either end up using way too much (and staining my scarves and pillowcases”>, or not enough to make a difference.

Hair Silk literally saved me from myself. What I love about Hair Silk is that the blend is spot on, and works perfect for those in need of conditioning and softness without the hair being weighed down and feeling greasy. As I’ve mentioned in other blog posts, I suffer from dry end syndrome. This is new to me, because as a transitioner, my ends were heat damaged and straight, which oddly enough, allowed them to retain moisture better.

Once I got chopped, I had to work a little harder to maintain my ends. Heck, I still have to work a little harder. Applying Hair Silk has been nothing short of a miracle. I use it to seal my ends every time I style, and around every other night as a part of my bedtime routine. My end roughness has not emerged since! In fact, my ends are in better condition now than they were when I chopped–seriously. They are smooth, silky, and don’t feel rough in the slightest. The curl on my ends has even improved, and I am seeing less and less of those thin whispy breakage hairs that come from your ends when you detangle.  The fragrance of Hair Silk is mild, powdery, and slightly floral — definitely not as strong as the Hair Lotion. I’m not wild about this fragrance either — when it comes to oils I’m a huge fan of peppermint essential oil, rosemary, and other herbal-esque fragrances. Again, this is totally a preference of mine and in no way preventing me from using Hair Silk down to the last drop!

Overall product rating:  4.75 Stars. Seriously, the fragrance is the only thing keeping Hair Silk from getting 5 stars. Fragrance aside (which is not overbearing in the slightest…I just am not a huge fan”>, Hair Silk is a total win. Total!

See more of my product reviews for transitioners & Type 3s here on my blog, ManeObjective.com.

By Christina Patrice · Published March 7, 2014

At some point in your natural hair or transitioning journey, you will likely do a blowout. Blowouts are incredibly versatile, and have the added benefit of allowing you to work with stretched and detangled hair for styles like braidouts, twistouts, bantu knots, updos, and even flat ironing.

But there is a right way and a wrong way to do a blowout. The correct products and methods will yield a full, voluminous, bouncy, soft, and moisturized blowout. The wrong stuff will leave you with a blowout that is stiff, greasy, crunchy, and brittle.

Caution!

Blow drying with heat causes a “flash drying” effect, which literally zaps the moisture from the surface of the hair as well as the water deep within the cortex.

As a result, the cuticles of the hair become dry, stiff, and brittle. When the hair is flexed or moved, the pressure of the movement causes the cuticles to crack.

In this weakened state, the hair is more susceptible to breakage during manipulation such as styling and combing.

1. Preventing Damage

There are a few ways to help ward off the damage and dryness that can result from a bad blowout.

Start with CLEAN hair

• tgin Moisture Rich Shampoo
• Koils By Nature Refreshing Tea Tree & Mint Cleanser
• L’Oreal Eversleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo

Always deep condition

• ApHogee Curlific Texture Treatment
• Hydratherma Naturals Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment
• Palmer’s Coconut Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack

Never skip the heat protectants

• Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray
• ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer Spray
• Blow Dry Addict
• Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment

Once you’ve done all you can to protect your hair in, then it is time to blow. I did not make any mention of oils and butters because I am a big believer that oils and butters on their own are more inclined to cook the hair than protect it. There is a lot of misinformation out there about smoke points of oils (like Grapeseed”> and the ability to protect the hair.

In truth, all a smoke point is, is literally, the temperature at which oil begins to smoke — signaling the breakdown of nutritive properties and rancidity. This has no correlation to heat protection, all it means is that the oil itself can withstand heat to a certain temperature before smoking and breaking down.

2. The Steps

After using your moisturizing heat protectants, it is time to blow dry! Here are some simple tips and steps to go by:

1.  Always allow hair to air dry or use a t-shirt/microfiber towel to dry at least 50% before blow drying. Blow drying hair that is dripping wet can lead to the formation of bubbles within the hair shaft that can lead to mid shaft splits and breakage.
2.  Blow dry in sections. Doing hair one section at a time makes hair more manageable and helps prevent tangling.
3.  Blow dry on no higher than medium heat, at high speed. The higher the heat, the more at risk you are for heat damage and drying the hair out completely.
4. Don’t dry the hair 100%. When your hair is about 75-80% dry, stop. Leaving some water in your hair will help better retain moisture and ward off dryness and breakage. After each section is nearly dry, hit it with the cool shot. This helps lock in your volume in place, and cut down on frizz.
5. After the cool shot, apply a small amount of moisturizer and a sealing oil and then prepare to loosely braid or use the banding method to keep hair from reverting. Selecting a light, penetrating moisturizer will help keep your hair nourished and moisturized in its blown out state. Moisturizers like Rapunzel’s Hair Lotion, Curls Curling Soufflé, and Camille Rose Naturals Fresh Curl are great for this purpose. Sealing with a light oil after applying moisturizer will help keep your hair soft and smooth. My favorite oils for this are jojoba oil, Rapunzel’s Hair Silk, and Darshana Ayurvedic Oil.
6. Shake and enjoy! Look at you, being all fabulous with your blowout!

Alternative Methods

If the thought of applying dry heat to your tresses makes you apprehensive, there are two other methods to achieve blow outs that pose a lot less of a threat to your hair than the standard blowout. The first option, is blow drying the hair on cool. Because there is virtually no heat used, it does not dry hair out the same way, or pose any threat whatsoever in terms of heat damage. You can still follow all the tips above, just dial the heat setting down. All the way down.

The second method involves a special little tool known as the Q-Redew. If you don’t have this handheld steamer yet, I highly suggest investing one. The Q-Redew gently infuses the hair with moisture, and helps improve elasticity and hydration. Beyond that, it has 8 prongs that can be used to detangle the hair and of course, produce a super soft and moisturized blowout!  Because dry heat is not involved, you don’t need to worry about heat protectants! Just use the Q-Redew to blow out, and apply a little leave-in if you like, and seal with a light oil!

PHOTO THE STYLE AND BEAUTY DOCTOR 

By Christina Patrice · Published March 5, 2014

As you all probably know by now, I love products. There is close to nothing that makes me happier than coming to a package of goodies, or spending excessive amounts of time in the aisles of Target and Sally’s. So imagine my thrill when I received a package of goodies from the Jessicurl Rich and Radiant Collection! The collection itself contains 7 products, and if I were to review them all, this article would go on forever.

So to give you all the best impression of the line, I’ve narrowed the review down to focus on 4 products: the Hair Cleansing Cream, Deep Conditioning Treatment, Spiralicious Styling Gel, and Awe Inspiraling Spray. All of the products are in the Island Fantasy scent, which I am head over heels about. It is light, tropical, sweet, slightly floral, and in no ways overpowering. But just in case that isn’t your cup of tea, there is a Citrus Lavender and an Unscented option. All of the Jessicurl offerings are Curly Girl-friendly, and Jessicurl.com offers tons of information and tips on how to best use the products.

There is something for everyone of every texture – from the kinkiest curls to the loosest waves.

Hair Cleansing Cream

Description

Mild and moisturizing shampoo alternative.

Ingredient List

Water (Aqua”>, Decyl Polyglucose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and”> Cetearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado”> Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, C 12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG 150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Diazolidinyl Urea (and”> Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Top Ingredients 411

• Decyl Polyglucose: Mild, non-ionic synthetic surfactant derived from glucose and starch.

• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: Salt surfactant derived from the fatty acid of coconut oil.

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Coconut oil-derived detergent, anti-static, and hair conditioning agent.

• Vegetable Glycerin: Humectant  which draws moisture from the air into the hair.

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

Performance

I had high hopes for the Hair Cleansing Cream, especially since a “to die for” shampoo alternative is hard to come by. I haven’t had much success in the cowash/poo-alternative department. Unfortunately, this product didn’t work for my hair the way I hoped it would. It has great slip, smells amazing, and my hair and scalp were clean – but that’s where it ended for me. My hair felt dry and a little rough, which was disappointing. I wanted so much to like this stuff! Upon further inspection of ingredients, I realized it contains sodium cocoyl isethionate – an ingredient I have discovered that my hair hates. I have used other shampoo alternatives that contain sodium cocoyl isethionate, and the results have been the same. I’m not a fan of the Hair Cleansing Cream, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. After all, every head of hair is different!

Deep Conditioning Treatment

Description

Intense pampering for dry hair.

Ingredient List

Water (Aqua”>*,  Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and”> Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter”>,  Persea Gratissima (Avocado”> Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa”> Seed Butter, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera”> Leaf Juice Powder,  Soy Lecithin, Diazolidinyl Urea (and”> Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

*These ingredients are part of a water infusion:  Equisetum Maximum Lam (Horsetail”>, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint”>, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary”>, Laurus Nobilis (Bay Leaf”>, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil”>, Arctium Lappa (Burdock Root”>, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow Root”>, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano”>, Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass”>, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme”>, Salvia Officinalis (Sage”> and Urtica Dioica (Nettle”>

Top Ingredients 411

• Infused Water: The extracts, herbs and essential oils in the water infusion work together to strengthen the hair, stimulate the scalp, provide slip, and impart moisture and softness.

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

• Cetearyl Alcohol: Combination of cetyl and stearyl fatty alcohols and emollient conditioners known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the east or west African shea nut tree. Used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Avocado Oil: Moisturizing oil extract rich in omegas that is able to nourish and strengthen hair.

  

Performance

Love, love, love! One thing that I find to be particularly awesome about the Jessicurl brand is that rather than provide superfluous product claims and descriptions on their bottles, they allow customer feedback to speak for the products. I read so many good things about the Deep Conditioning Treatment – and they were all TRUE! I simply adore this stuff — it is thick without being unbearable (it has a hearty lotion consistency”>, spreads easily through the hair, smells delightful, and easily helps detangle the hair. It is also super versatile- I’ve used it as a pre-poo, leave-in, and deep conditioner. As a pre-poo and deep conditioner, it leaves hair super soft, shiny, and moisturized. Not to mention, it cures my rough end woes! The ends of my hair tend to be more porous and dry than the rest of my hair, and Deep Conditioning Treatment corrects that like a dream! As a leave-in, it is a Godsend for thirsty hair, and helps encourage curl definition and clumping. All in all, this is definitely going on my Must Haves for 2014 list!

Spiralicious Styling Gel

Description

Provides all day hold and frizz control for all hair types.

Ingredient List

Water (Aqua”>, Polyquaternium-69, Polyquaternium-11, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba”> Seed Oil, Panthenol, C 12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Fragrance, Diazolidinyl Urea (and”> Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

Top Ingredients 411

• Polyquaternium-69 and 11: quaternary ammonium compounds known for film-forming/anti-frizz, conditioning, shine-imparting, cuticle flattening, and improving elasticity and combability of hair.

• Hydroxyethylcellulose: Naturally derived polymer used for thickening.

• Jojoba Seed Oil: Light moisturizing and sealing oil, known for being closest in composition to sebum naturally created by our scalps.

• Panthenol: Form of vitamin B known to moisturize and soften hair. Is also able to penetrate the cortex of the hair shaft, but cannot repair or thicken hair.

• C 12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Surfactant-free emulsifier and stabilization polymer.

  

Performance

Yes to Spiralicious! Right now, I am really into cream-based definers as opposed to gels. And although Spiralicious is labeled as a gel, it definitely does not look or feel like one. As far as consistency is concerned, it is slightly more watery  than my holy grail TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier. But unlike Curls Rock Amplifier, Spiralicious is free of cones and other CG-unfriendly ingredients. It spreads super easily through the hair, and has tons of slip which makes it ideal for raking to define curls. Not only has Spiralicious given me great wash and go curls, it gave me the most epic braidout EVER! It was soft, fluffy, bouncy, and still had hold, but was nowhere near crunchy to the touch. I was even able to rock a super shiny twistout thanks to Spiralicious and Awe Inspiraling Spray. Talk about a total win, and super versatile product!

Awe Inspiraling Spray

Description

Midday Curl Refresher

Ingredient List

Water (Aqua”>, Vegetable Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt”>, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera”> Leaf Juice Powder, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba”> Seed Oil, Diazolidinyl Urea (and”> Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Top Ingredients 411

• Vegetable Glycerin: Humectant  which draws moisture from the air into the hair.

• Magnesium Sulfate: Epsom salt – known to be a natural hair volumizer

• Aloe Vera Leaf Juice Powder: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.

• Jojoba Seed Oil:  Light moisturizing and sealing oil, known for being closest in composition to sebum naturally created by our scalps.

Performance

Admittedly, I’ve never been one for refresher sprays. Most of it has to do with the fact that as a transitioner, refresher sprays spelled out sudden death for any texture blending style. But now that I am completely natural and totally into wash and go’s, refresher sprays are slowly creeping into my routine — and Awe Inspiraling is a keeper! It made my hair soft, moisturized, bouncy, shiny, and voluminous – without a tacky, icky, greasy, or product-y feeling that can accompany some refresher sprays. Plus, it has some pretty good detangling ability, which I didn’t expect! I was able to get a pretty sassy twistout using Awe Inspiraling to refresh and detangle my hair, and Spiralicious to set it. I definitely love this spray!

Final Thoughts

I really love the Jessicurl line of products. The packaging is colorful and fun, and the Island Fantasy fragrance is everything I could ask for in a scent.  Although I didn’t care for the Hair Cleansing Cream, I will definitely be stocking up on the Deep Conditioning Treatment ASAP! Don’t be surprised if you see me on Instagram ordering it by the gallon (seriously”>!

By Christina Patrice · Published February 7, 2014

Every naturalista has a must-have stash. You know, those products, accessories, and tools you can’t just make it without. Although this list could have easily been 25 or 30 things I can’t live without, I took a good hard look at everything I own, and narrowed down the 10 most essential and important things for my natural hair. Enjoy!

My curly hair can’t live without…

By Christina Patrice · Published January 31, 2014

Almost every day, there seems to be a new miracle ingredient that promises to revolutionize haircare; powerful moisturizing, 5,5000x stronger hair, frizz-banishing, super nourishing, mega growing – the list goes on and on. Usually the new miracle ingredient is some sort of uber exotic oil that costs $40 for .5oz, and in truth, won’t be any more discernibly different than your run of the mill virgin coconut oil that cost $7.

Today, we’re going to take a different approach and talk about an ingredient that:

• Is essential to healthy hair and growth

• Is naturally occurring

• Can be replenished fairly inexpensively

What ingredient is this? Ceramides.

What Ceramides Are and What They Do

Ceramides are one of three types of oils found inside the cuticle of the hair. For those that care, 18 MEA (methyl eicosanoic acid”> and Cholesterol are the other two. Ceramides exist inside the hair cuticle to act as a cement of sorts, keeping the hair in tact. Hair cuticles are often thought of as densely packed shingles on a roof, and ceramides are the glue that keeps the shingles together (flattened, as opposed to raised”>.

Why Ceramides Are Important

Hair strength, elasticity, moisture retention, porosity, shine, smoothness, and resistance to weathering/breakage all depend upon how flattened cuticles are. Raised cuticles allow moisture to escape more readily, increasing porosity and the likelihood of breakage and weathering.

Note: Hair naturally weathers over time, but this can be accelerated when cuticles do not lie flat. On the other hand, when cuticles lay flat, hair is shinier, retains moisture better, feels smoother, porosity and elasticity are improved, and of course, the hair is stronger. All of this is possible with proper amounts of ceramides in the hair.

If Ceramides Are Naturally Occurring, Why Do I Need A Product With Ceramides In It?

Much like other elements of hair, through chemical processes (coloring”>, heat (blow drying, flat ironing”>, washing, and general handling can weather and deplete the amount of naturally occurring ceramides in the hair. Utilizing products with ceramides in them will help restore proper balance within the hair, and minimize damage.

It should also be noted that ceramides are most beneficial for hair that has been chemically treated–relaxed or colored. Natural hair benefits from products containing ceramides too; it is just that as with any conditioning, nourishing, or restructuring ingredient, the more damaged the hair, the better it works.

How Can I Incorporate Ceramides Into My Regimen Without Breaking The Bank?

Luckily, ceramides are readily available in tons of products – either naturally occurring or synthetic. Both are valuable to hair, but the synthetic ceramides more closely mimic those inside the hair cuticle than plant based ones. When determining if your hair products contain ceramides, look for the following ingredients:

• 2-oleamido

• 1-3 octadecanedio

• Wheat Germ Oil

• Safflower Oil

• Grapeseed Oil

• Sunflower Oil

• Hemp Seed Oil

PHOTO FAIRWAY MARKET

Here are some products that contain ceramides as well:

• L’Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm (my favorite”>
• Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner
• ORS Hair Mayonnaise
• Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner
• Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Fortifier

By Christina Patrice · Published January 30, 2014

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA PATRICE OF MANEOBJECTIVE

For the majority of the time I spent transitioning, I never bothered purchasing a leave-in conditioner. Not a single one.

The Foundation of Moisture Retention

I’m sure you are familiar with the LOC, LCO, and other methods of layering products to maximize moisture retention.

The L in both methods is often interchangeably referred to as “liquid” or “leave-in”. Essentially, the idea is to first apply a water-based product to the hair.

I like to stick firmly to leave-ins for this particular step of the method, because I can be assured that the water content in the product moisturizes my hair, while the conditioning agents soften, tame frizz, and help eliminate snarls and tangles. All the while I can be confident that the product won’t weigh my hair down, coat it too much, or make it feel waxy when dry.

It’s Not All the Same

Leave-in conditioners are actually formulated differently. They tend to be lighter, and more watery than standard rinse-out conditioners. Regular and deep conditioners are designed to have certain ingredients stick to your hair after washing out, which can lend itself to buildup if used regularly as a leave-in.

Leave-in conditioners are designed to well, be left in the hair and do not contribute so easily to said buildup. Because rinse out conditioners are “stronger” in a sense, they also have the potential to cause irritation on the scalp due to being left in.

And depending on which conditioner you use and how much, it can result in white flaking on the hair (from personal experience”>. Both irritation and white flaking are unlikely with specified leave-ins, because they are created to serve that exact purpose in remaining on the hair. 

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Do You Really Need Another Product?

The honest truth is, maybe. I know, such a cop-out answer, right? But it is true.

Whether you need a leave-in, DIY concoction, or to repurpose regular conditioner is totally dependent upon your hair and what works best for you.

In my DIY days, I found that concocting my own mix was perfect for moisturizing and softening my transitioning tresses that I wore in protective styles 80% of the time.

But as a fully Type 3-something natural who relies heavily on 4 and 5 day wash and go’s, I can’t afford to risk buildup from regular conditioner. Nor do I want to further aggravate my scalp psoriasis.

So, leave-in conditioner it is for me! But if you are going to go the DIY or regular conditioner route, heed the following: 

DIY Conditioner

If you make your own mix of conditioner, water, and oils, be sure to make only enough for a few days (3 max”> at a time. Because the preservatives in the product are diluted from their original formulation (due to the water and oil”>, your mix can go bad in a few days. Prolong the shelf life with tea tree oil, Vitamin E oil, and store it in a cool place away from sunlight (fridge not recommended for mixes containing oils that are solid when cold”>.

Repurposing Product

If you are going to use regular conditioner as a leave-in, avoid the scalp (it is best to start 1 – 2 inches from the scalp”> when applying product. Also, avoid using conditioners with silicones in the first 5 ingredients if you do not regularly use shampoo. If you are a regular shampooer, silicones are not an issue.

Leave-In Recommendations

In case you were wondering, my favorite leave-in conditioners right now are

• Koils By Nature Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner
• ApHogee Curlific Moisture Rich Leave-In
• Infusium 23 Leave-In

MORE: 6 Steps for Deep Conditioning Your Curls

By Christina Patrice · Published December 27, 2013

As a product junkie and blogger, I’ve been very aware of Jane Carter Solution products – especially since they are available at places I frequent like Target and Vitamin Shoppe. I never made the leap to try out any of the Jane Carter Solution products, primarily because I wasn’t entirely convinced that they would work for my 3b/c hair.

Imagine my surprise when my boyfriend’s mom told me that Incredible Curls was her new staple, and I had to try it. So I caved in. We took advantage of the Jane Carter Solution online sale, and while I waited for mine to arrive, I went ahead to Target and purchased a tube.

I told you I was a product junkie. Was my “while I wait” purchase justified? Keep reading to find out.

Ingredient List

Water (Aqua”>, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea”> Butter, Glycerin, Glycerly Stearate, Hydroxypropy Trimonium Chloride (Guar Gum”>, Ceteareth 20, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba”> Seed Oil, Persea Gratissim (Avocado”> Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Anthemis Noblis Flower (Chamomile”> Extract, Symphytum Officinal (Comfrey”> Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail”> Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle”> Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary”> Leaf Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops”> Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopherol (Vitamin E”>.

• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant, absorbs water from the air to help maintain and retain moisture in hair and prevent dryness and breakage.

• Glyceryl Stearate: Glycerol ester of stearic acid (coconut derived”> that is an emulsifying agent and surfactant.

• Guar Gum: Legume-based thickener and conditioner that does not build up on the hair.

• Ceteareth 20: Emulsifier derived from fatty alcohols, used primarily to mix oil/water/alcohols, and help evenly disperse ingredients in a product.

• Jojoba Seed Oil: Emollient that coats the hair shaft (its molecular structure prevents it from penetrating the cuticle”> and aids in providing slip and protection. Jojoba oil is also the closest in composition to the sebum that our scalp naturally produces.

Availability

I’ve seen Incredible Curls on CurlMart and on shelves at Target, but I purchased my particular tube at www.janecartersolution.com during one of her recent sales.

Affordability

On CurlMart Incredible Curls is currently available for $15.00 for an 8oz tube, while the same size product on the Jane Carter Solution website is $20. Considering my innate heavy-handedness, I’d feel a little better about a 12oz tube of product for the $20 price tag.

Product Claim/Description

“Curly wash & wear styling cream for fine to medium curly hair. Incredible Curls is the perfect curl definer for finer curly, wavy, and coily hair. It gives your hair great hold, drying soft and shiny with great curl definition. It is a great product for curly hair that gets weighed down easy. It’s the perfect creamy consistency, making the application process quick and simple. Shea butter and Avocado oil seal moisture into the cuticle giving you bouncy, shiny, manageable curls. This product never flakes or builds up.”

Performance/Delivery

Although I do not have fine hair, I was hopeful that Incredible Curls would provide some sort of definition and hold. Because it is creamy in consistency, I did not expect tons of hold on my hair. I followed the instructions and applied the product liberally (and I mean liberally”> to my freshly detangled and cowashed hair while it was dripping wet. The product did go on easily, but it does have a slightly tacky quality to it. Not quite sticky, not thick and goopy, but an ever so slight stick. If you rub a little between your fingers and pull them apart, you’ll see what I mean. After my hair dried, it was definitely soft and defined, although not as defined as I would like for it to be. This product is definitely for fine textures of hair. I had to use half the tube to get through all of my hair, for a moderate hold as the end result. I didn’t particularly mind though – all it meant is that I would have day 3 or 4 wash and go hair on day 1.

Drawbacks

I’m not wild about the fragrance. I’m not sure if it is the chosen essential oil blend, or the extracts themselves that result in the earthy, herbal cologne-esque fragrance. The scent isn’t overbearing, just not what I expected. Luckily, it doesn’t linger in the hair.

Bonuses

I do like the fact that if I am seeking a more defined curl and more hold, Incredible Curls plays nicely with other products. I can layer it with tgin Twist and Define Cream, or Soultanicals Curl Blaze Hair Glaze without issue (no flakes or balls of white goop”>, and get a wash and go that lasts 4 days or more.

Bottom Line

Incredible Curls is probably one of those products I will revisit when my hair is longer, and has more weight to it. As it stands, I can’t quite fit it into my regimen, but it is by no means a bad product. I will definitely finish out the tube, and there is always the possibility that I will buy more if it goes on sale. It is truly a product for fine curly hair, or those who seek big hair on day 1. It won’t give you multi-day hold, but it will definitely define your curls.

Best Practices

If you’re going to try Incredible Curls, I definitely recommend applying the product to soaking wet hair. It will not clump curls together the same way on dry hair that it will on wet. Also, be sure your hair is detangled thoroughly, as the product does not have a lot of slip.

Happy curl defining!

For more product reviews and curly hair tips, visit ManeObjective.com.

By Christina Patrice · Published December 23, 2013

 If I had to describe the Cream and Coco line in one word, it would have to be luxury. Not because it is incredibly expensive, but because the line offers up sophisticated, upscale, and one-of-a-kind products that appeal to the newbie natural, the seasoned vet, and everyone in between.

Cream and Coco is a family-owned product line, and brainchild of Victoria Vick. Victoria has always had a passion for natural body care that was intensified during her time of studying science as an undergraduate in college. Since her young days crushing dandelions and daffodils, Cream and Coco has grown from a hobby to a full-scale brand with dozens of high quality products for hair, skin, and baby. Cream and Coco products never contain petroleum, mineral oil, and parabens. All fragrances used are phthalate free.

To test drive the Cream and Coco line, I was sent a small collection of moisturizers and cleansers, including two soap bars; including the infamous “Pink Cookie”. Read more on that here. But for the purpose of this review, let’s focus on two kinds of products naturals are always on the prowl for: gentle cleansers and effective moisturizers.

CocoMallow Cowash Fluff

Description

The CocoMallow Fluff has all the yummy hair softening detangling benefits of our cowash bar blended into a rich cream. Packed with organic cocoa butter that slides across your hair, but rinses cleanly away in the water leaving amazingly soft hair.

Ingredients

Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cocoa Seed Butter, Shea Butter, Apple Cider Vinegar, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Aloe Leaf Juice, Avocado Oil, Glycerin, Parfum, Cocoa, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Nettle Leaf Powder, Marshmallow Root, Caprylyl Glycol, and Sorbic Acid

Top Ingredients 411

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

• Cetyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol and emollient conditioners known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Butylene Glycol: Slip-providing agent and humectant similar to propylene glycol, but lighter.

• Cocoa Seed Butter: Antioxidant rich butter that improves shine, body, strength, and elasticity in hair. Also a powerful emollient and softening agent, and provides some protection against UV rays.

• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree, used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Raw and unfiltered vinegar with an acidic pH, which serves as an antifungal and antimicrobial agent, promoting scalp health. Also helps lay down the cuticle, promotion smooth, shiny hair that better retains moisture.

Performance

In all the time I’ve spent blogging and becoming a product junkie, I’ve never seen anything quite like the CocoMallow Cowash Fluff. It has a pudding-like consistency, and smells of a decadent perfume. It definitely fits the cowash mold, but where most cowashes are white and focused on looking like conditioner, Cream and Coco takes pride in making their cowash stand out. The cowash is effective for gentle cleansing (and great smelling hair”>, if you don’t have a lot of buildup or just want a quick cleanse between washes. I wouldn’t recommend it to do heavy lifting and removing serious buildup. It leaves hair super soft, shiny, and feeling as though conditioner isn’t necessary. I has some pretty good detangling ability as well. If you want to try a different kind of cowash, check this one out. You won’t regret it!

Island Nectar Cleansing Milk

Description

Creamy coconut soap blended with rich oils and shea butter to gently cleanse and moisturize at the same time.

Ingredients

Water, Saponified Oils of Soybean, Olive, and Coconut, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Honeyquat, Parfum, Panthenol, Xantham Gum, Amla, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidnyl Urea, Idopropynyl, and Butylcarbamate

Top Ingredients 411

• Saponified Oils: Oils cured with a base product (generally sodium hydroxide”> that produces soap and glycerin.

• Hydrogenated Soybean Oil: Cost-effective carrier oil of the soybean that can be used to soften, nourish and impart shine to hair.

• Castor Seed Oil: Pressed oil of the castor seed that has antibacterial and antifungal properties, that can help with dandruff and other scalp ailments. It is also a great moisture sealant, and promotes hair thickening and growth.

• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree, used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Aloe Leaf Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. The low pH of aloe vera helps seal the cuticle and retain moisture within the hair.

Performance

Island Nectar Cleansing Milk is something like a sweet tropical dream. I used it from head to toe, and I can’t stop sniffing the bottle. It definitely does not look, feel, or smell like a shampoo. It is incredibly versatile and truly can be used from head to toe. It is a great alternative to both shampoo and body wash, for a gentle cleanse that doesn’t dry either out. It is definitely better at lifting buildup on the hair than CocoMallow Cowash Fluff, but does not leave the hair stripped – a total winner in my book! It also had a nice amount of slip, and helped keep my hair from getting super tangled during cleansing.

Gooseberry Aloe Pudding

Description

Soothing botanicals, amla and avocado oils nourish curls giving definition, body, hold, and shine. This pudding is thick & rich, perfect for stretching out curls that want to shrink up and rolls with naturally wavy hair patterns. It gives fabulous hold without making hair hard or crunchy. Defines almost every curly hair type with beautiful results.

Ingredients

Pure water, Persea Gratissima (avocado”> Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (shea butter”>, glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cera Alba, xanthum gum, perfume, dl-Panthenol, hydrolyzed oat protein, Equisetum Arvense Extract (horsetail”>, amla, Ulmus fulva (slippery elm”>, Phenoxyethanol (and”> Caprylyl Glycol (and”> Sorbic Acid

Top Ingredients 411

• Avocado Oil: Moisturizing oil extract that helps improve elasticity, shine, and softness.

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

• Cetyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol and emollient conditioners known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Butylene Glycol: Slip-providing agent and humectant similar to propylene glycol, but lighter.

• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree, used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant.

Performance

This is another one I can’t stop sniffing. The sweet berry vanilla fragrance is especially welcome at this time of year. Formerly known as Curls for Days, this thick creamy pudding is an exceptional moisturizer and curl hydrator. My hair loves avocado oil and aloe vera, so this product was a welcome alternative to a lot of coconut oil based products out there. It definitely defined my curls, but didn’t provide much in the way of hold. I tend to gravitate toward gels and jellies for wash and go’s because the fixatives in them allow my curls to last 3-5 days. If you are looking for definition and moisture without hold, this is a great product for that. I love how moisturized my hair was, so I will definitely continue using the product. I just know that to get the kind of long-term style I want, I need to add a defining product on top. It can also be used to refresh curls and add moisture to hair mid-week. Did I mention that it smells heavenly?

All in all, the Cream and Coco line is pretty awesome, and contains some of the most unique products I’ve seen to date. If you’d like to get your Cream and Coco on, visit www.creamandcoco.com!

Product photos courtesy of www.creamandcoco.com.

For more curly product line reviews, visit ManeObjective.com.

By Christina Patrice · Published December 13, 2013

I’m sure by now you’ve heard of big name natural and curly hair subscription boxes, like curlBOX and CurlKit. But have you heard of Curl Collection? According to their website, Curl Collection is:

“The ultimate experience for women and kids with curly hair. Sample FULL size products, from the hottest brands, delivered to your door.”

You had me at full size.

As a natural/transitioner (I’m almost there!”> with thick hair and long layers that reach a little beyond bra strap length (BSL for you acronym lovers”>, I get a little frustrated with sample sizes. It’s difficult to determine whether I want to actually spend my money on a product based upon a 1oz sample packet. Enter, Curl Collection with the brilliant idea to ship nothing but full sized product lines to your door. Yes, lines. So not only is everything full-sized, there is some continuity in terms of what you get in the box itself. Let me stop gushing over how much I love the concept and get to the actual review. Here are a few basics:

Founded by Nadja Renise, Curl Collection is built on supporting small business, and getting the hottest brands out to customers at a great price. Curl Collection prides themselves on being ingredient conscious, and promises to never send products with sulfates, parabens, drying alcohol, sulfates, and more. The goal is to help natural women find products and brands their curls will love.

Curls Collection Review

By Christina Patrice · Published December 6, 2013

 Koils by Nature

Everyone’s talking about Koils by Nature, as many naturals rave over the ultra lush conditioners and butters offered by the small business brand. In fact, one product is even referred to as the other “creamy crack”. With a reputation like that, I had to try it out.

After returning to natural hair in 2007, Koils By Nature founder Pamela Jenkis became incredibly passionate about healthy hair care. Driven and focused by how expensive some natural hair products were, she decided to begin researching, mixing, and testing out her own product blends. After some trial and error, she soon found her mixing stride in 2009. Koils By Nature officially launched in 2010 online, and has expanded to include national and international retailers.

All Koils By Nature products are made by hand with natural ingredients and certified organic essential oils. Koils By Nature products do not contain parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petroleum, parrifin, DEA, synthetic color, or animal products.

Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Cleanser: Tea Tree Mint

This was the first product I opened, and I could NOT stop sniffing it. I live for the peppermint aroma, especially during the holiday season. The mint smell is refreshing, but not overbearing, and totally derived from tea tree and peppermint essential oils.

Description:

This sulfate free foaming cleanser that will sooth, purify and stimulate, while removing dandruff from your scalp. The burdock root & bay leaf are natural antiseptics that will rid the scalp of dandruff. The healing properties of the calndelua is excellent for those with sensitive skin. The aloe leaf juice has healing and moisturizing qualities that will leave hair and scalp healthy and beautiful.

Ingredient List:

Distilled water infused with Organic Calendula, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Horsetail, and Organic Nettle Leaf, Aloe Leaf Juice, Potassium Palm Kernelate, Organic Castile Soap, Glycerin, Marshmallow Root Powder, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil

Top Ingredients 411:

• Distilled Water infused with Organic Calendula, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Horsetail, and Organic Nettle Leaf: This water infusion is scalp soothing, contains anti-oxidants, promotes growth and elasticity, and helps improve the strength of hair.
• Aloe Leaf Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
• Potassium Palm Kernelate: Potassium salt of fatty acid derived from palm kernel oil that acts as a gentle cleansing agent and thickener.
• Organic Castile Soap: A gentle soap made from vegetable-based fats that cleanses the hair.
• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that attracts water from the air to moisturize and hydrate hair.
• Marshmallow Root Powder: Extraction that creates a slippery, mucous-like substance that adds incredible slip (translation: awesome detangling”>, and contains high amounts of plant proteins for strengthening and conditioning hair.

Performance

Ultra-Moisturizing CocoAloe Deep Conditioner

I’m a sucker for a good deep conditioner. Of all my hair products (and trust me, there’s a lot of them”>, there are two things I’ll shell out more than $10 on: deep conditioner, and curl definers.

Because I’ll spend significantly more on those than any other products in my arsenal, I expect them to deliver. A lot. I need easy application, some detangling ability, a super moisturizing punch, and for my hair to feel buttery smooth after I rinse out.

Description:

Ultra-Moisturizing CocoAloe Deep Conditioner is excellent for color treated hair or for those who apply heat to the hair. Coconut oil is excellent for retaining moisture, preventing breakage and is a natural conditioning agent that provides a protective barrier that will add luster, body, & manageability provide extra moisture so that the hair feels soft and smooth. Hydrolyzed Oat Protein holds 1000x its weight in water and will help your hair retain moisture, and restoring all the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy hair.

Ingredient List:

Aqua (Distilled Water”>, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf Juice”> Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil”>, Cocos Nucifera Oil / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Butter”>, Argania Spinosa (Argan Oil”>, Macadamia integrifolia (Macadamia Nut Oil”>, Vitis vinifera (Grape Seed Oil”>, *Organic Olea Europaea (Olive Oil”>, Mangifera Indica (Mango Alphonso Powder Fruit Extract”>, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Potassium sorbate , Salix Nigra (Willow Bark Extract”> Tocopherol (Vitamin E”>, D-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5″>, Fragrance (Parfum”>, Citric Acid

Top Ingredients 411:

• Water: Moisture.

• Aloe Leaf Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. Because of Aloe’s low pH, it can also help seal the cuticle to aid in moisture retention and prevent damage.

• Cetearyl Alcohol: Combination of cetyl and stearyl fatty alcohols. Emollient conditioner known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid”>. One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, prevent breakage, and protein loss.

• Aloe Butter: Combination of Aloe Vera extract and fractionated coconut oil to produce a rich, emollient butter that soothes, strengthens, imparts shine, and improves elasticity and moisture retention in hair.

• Argan Oil: Oil derived from the seeds of the fruit of the Argan tree, touted for high concentrations of vitamins A and E that can help prevent and reverse damage to hair.

Performance

I expected a lot of this deep conditioner, and I must say — it delivered. Sometimes, deep conditioners can be thick and paste-like, which is okay, but having a DC on deck that is easy to work through your hair is a plus.

My hair is in the 3-something range. I don’t always hair type, but when I do… it’s in the 3’s (excuse my lame Dos Equis spin-off joke”>, and loves anything aloe. Juice, gel, butter, or otherwise. So it was almost no surprise that when I rinsed it off, my hair it was shiny, soft, moisturized, and everything that I needed it to be.

The ends of my hair had been feeling frazzled as of late, and I am happy to report that the Ultra-Moisturizing CocoAloe Deep Conditioner fixed that problem right up! I believe that the pH of the conditioner being somewhere between 4.5 and 5 helped really remedy my ends. 

Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner

Before this lush leave-in came into my life, I only had one favorite leave-in conditioner. Now I have two. I know there’s a reoccurring theme running through this review – new staples and Holy Grail Must Haves. It may seem crazy, but it’s all true. And that still holds, especially when it comes to this product. By the way, this is the one dubbed “the other creamy crack”!

Description:

Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner is an excellent creamy herbal infused creamy conditioner and detangler intended to smooth the cuticle and remove knots, snarls, and tangles from thick kinky textured hair.

Ingredient List:

Aqua (Distilled Water”> infused with *Organic Calendula officinalis (Calendula Flower Whole”>, *Organic Arctium lappa (Burdock Root”>, *Organic Equisetum arvense (Horsetail Shaved Grass”>, & *Organic Urtica dioica (Nettle Leaf”>, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf Juice”>, cetyl alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, *Organic Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow Root Powder”>, *Organic Arctium lappa (Burdock Root Powder”>, *Organic Calendula officinalis (Calendula Flower Powder”>,*Organic Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm Bark Powder”>, Matricaria recutita (Chamomile Flower Powder”>, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea oil”>, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran Oil”>, *Organic Olea Europaea (Olive Oil”>, Macadamia integrifolia (Macadamia Nut Oil”>, Ricinus Communis (Jamaican Black Castor Seed Oil”>, Argania Spinosa (Argan Oil”>, Cocos Nucifera Oil / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Butter”>, Vitis vinifera (Grape Seed Oil”>, Mangifera Indica (Mango Alphonso Powder Fruit Extract”>, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Salix Nigra (Willow Bark Extract”> Tocopherol (Vitamin E”>, D-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5″>, Essential Oil & Fragrance, Citric Acid.

Top Ingredients 411:

• Distilled Water infused with OrganicCalendula, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Horsetail, and Organic Nettle Leaf: This water infusion is scalp soothing, contains anti-oxidants, promotes growth and elasticity, and helps improve the strength of hair.

• Aloe Leaf Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. Because of Aloe’s low pH, it can also help seal the cuticle to aid in moisture retention and prevent damage.

• Cetyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol and emollient conditioner known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

• Marshmallow Root Powder: Extraction that creates a slippery, mucous-like substance that adds incredible slip (translation: awesome detangling”>, and contains high amounts of plant proteins for strengthening and conditioning hair.

• Burdock Root Powder: Rich in fatty acids, which aid in improving shine and elasticity. Burdock Root also stimulates blood flow to the scalp, encouraging growth. It is also rich in silica and phytosterols, which soothe irritate scalp conditions like dandruff, psoriasis, seborrhea dermatitis. The mucilage in Burdock Root is great at providing slip, making it easier to detangle hair.

• Calendula Powder: Known to be soothing to sensitive scalps, and also helps prevent damage by protecting hair from free-radicals. It also contains some antibacterial properties, helping keep the scalp and hair clear of infection and bacterial growth

• Slippery Elm Powder: Known for high slip content (hence the name”> when steeped or added to water. Slippery Elm contains procyanidins (a flavanoid”> which bind to the surface of hair and can help prevent protein loss, damage, and aging in hair, while increasing tensile strength.

Performance

Oh. My. Goodness. Please forgive me, but I am fairly new to this leave-in conditioner phenomena. Up until a few months ago, I thought leave-in conditioner was optional, or a hack job at best. By hack job, I mean shake up some regular conditioner in a spray bottle with a little water. I now understand the error of my ways, and that leave-in conditioner is a must, in terms of setting the foundation for moisture and a great style.

Like I mentioned a little earlier, I used to have only one favorite leave-in conditioner: the Coco Creme Leave-In Conditioner by Shescentit. Now, I have two. The other creamy crack has undoubtedly made the list of products I refuse to live without. It is ultra moisturizing, it softens the hair, and helps keep the detangled hair party going.

I can easily apply a little of the leave-in and run my fingers through my hair with little to no snagging and stopping – which is major! Ever since I got the Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-In, I have used it at the base of my styles for everything – from wash and go’s to braidouts.

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Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Peppermint Gel

Remember what I said earlier about spending extra money on deep conditioners and curl definers, and the subsequent high expectations? The same thing applies here. Right off the top, I was already in love with the smell. Peppermint (but not overbearingly so”> really does it for me.

Description:

Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Lavender & Eucalyptus Gel contains no alcohol and will not dry out your hair. Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Lavender & Eucalyptus Gel will provide your hair with great hold and is excellent for defining your natural curl, two-strand twist and excellent for smoothing your edges. The Shea oil & honey will keep your hair moisturized, soft and lustrous. Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Lavender & Eucalyptus Gel works great in combination with the Nourishing Hair & Body Butter.

• No Alcohol
• No Flaking
• No Artificial Color

Ingredient List:

• Distilled Water infused with OrganicCalendula, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Horsetail, and Organic Nettle Leaf, aloe vera juice, Shea Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Carbomer, Organic marshmallow root,organic slippery elm bark, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, potassium sorbate, willows bark, lemon & peppermint essential oils, citric acid.

Top Ingredients 411:

• Distilled Water infused with OrganicCalendula, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Horsetail, and Organic Nettle Leaf: This water infusion is scalp soothing, contains anti-oxidants, promotes growth and elasticity, and helps improve the strength of hair

• Aloe Vera Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. Because of Aloe’s low pH, it can also help seal the cuticle to aid in moisture retention and prevent damage.

• Shea Oil: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree, used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Grapeseed Oil: Rich in omegas 6 and 9, grapeseed oil helps promote hair growth, elasticity, and shine, while helping to ease scalp conditions such as eczema.

• Macadamia Nut Oil: Another oil rich in omegas 6 and 9, grapeseed oil helps promote hair growth, elasticity, and shine, while helping to ease scalp conditions such as eczema.

• Jamaican Black Castor Oil: Castor oil infused with burnt palm ash, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is also a great moisture sealant, and promotes hair thickening and growth.

• Carbomer: Emulsion stabilizer that is responsible for forming gels in products.

Performance

As mentioned previously, I have high standards for curl defining products – gels especially. I like to avoid too-frequent manipulation as much as possible, so I need a curl definer to work for at least 3 days (if not 4…5 is unheard of since I wash my hair every 4 days or so”>. For gels, jellys, and custards, I expect hold, definition, shine, and some softness.

I understand that for my wash and go’s to last as long as I would like, I have to sacrifice a little softness for some crunch, but I am okay with that. Worst case scenario, I do a little scrunching, and the crunch is gone. There was no need to scrunch the crunch on this gel, because it was incredibly soft.

I loved the fragrance, it went on easily (although not with as much slip as I would have liked”>, and my curls were shiny. Unfortunately, because the gel is really light, my wash and go pretty much washed and went after one day. I don’t do all of the diffusing, pineappling, and root stretching that some bloggers do, but perhaps those methods might have made a difference in how long the product lasted for me. But all hope is not lost – for those that prefer a lighter hold, or have finer textures of hair, this gel would be perfect. I would likely purchase this gel again, to see how it works on a wet-to-dry style such as a twist or braidout.

Marvelous Mango Nourishing Hair and Body Butter

This butter smells soooooo good. Seriously. I didn’t think I’d be one for the mango scent, but it is bright without being overbearing. When sealing my hair’s moisture in, I prefer butters to oils – especially butters with more than just shea (and sometimes other than shea entirely”>.

Description:

Nourishing Hair & Body Butter is made from the best butters & oils nature provides, it will moisturize, revitalize, heal, and protect your hair and skin. The lightly scented fresh mango scent will have you thinking of a tropical island! This butter smells delightful, please do not ingest, for external use only.

Ingredient List:

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter”>, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil”>, Garcinia Indica Seed (Kokum Butter”>, Mangifera Indica (Mango Seed Butter”>, Hydrogenated Avocado Oil (Avocado Butter”>, Cocos Nucifera Oil / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Butter”>, Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil”>, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed Oil”>, Vitis vinifera (Grape Seed Oil”>, *Organic Olea Europaea (Olive Oil”>, Ricinus Communis (Jamaican Black Castor Seed Oil”>, Shorea stenoptera (Illipe Butter”>, Tocopherol (Vitamin E”>, D-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5″>, *organic essential oils & fragrance.

Top Ingredient 411:

• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree, used to moisturize and soften hair.

• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid”>. One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, prevent breakage, and protein loss.

• Kokum Butter: Butter native to India, prized for essential fatty acid content. Its emollient, inflammation-reducing, and skin healing properties make it ideal for use on dry and damaged hair and skin.

• Mango Seed Butter: Rich in beta carotene, essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. This ingredient also helps to treat dry skin and protect against future dryness.

• Avocado Butter: Moisturizing oil extract that can penetrate the hair’s cortex and strengthen hair.

• Aloe Butter: Combination of Aloe Vera extract and fractionated coconut oil to produce a rich, emollient butter that soothes, strengthens, imparts shine, and improves elasticity and moisture retention in hair.

Performance

Overall, I really enjoyed the Koils By Nature Line. The combination of high quality ingredients, and formulations that deliver on their promises has me sold, and will definitely make me a repeat customer!

For more product reviews, check out The Mane Objective

By Christina Patrice · Published December 4, 2013

For naturally curly girls suffering from conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis, finding effective treatments can be tricky. Medicated shampoos that contain coal tar, salicylic acid, and pyrithione zinc are affordable, over-the-counter solutions that can help lift flakes, and soothe irritation. On the up side, they are affective. According to Dr. Susan Stuart, board-certified Dermatologist, “some of the best over the counter shampoos contain coal tar as in ingredient in concentrations of 0.5 – 5.0%. It has been used as a safe remedy for decades.” Dr. Stuart also notes that, “a scale softener that contains salicylic acid can soften the thick, stubborn patches of psoriasis” – which will help ingredients designed to help penetrate better.

On the downside, many medicated shampoos can leave your curls going from bouncy to brillo pad in 2 seconds flat. They’re harsh, tend to have multiple sulfates, less than stellar inactive ingredient lists, and very few natural oils and extracts (if any”>. So what’s a flaky-scalped curly to do? Here are some tips for getting the most out of your medicated shampoo without ruining your curls:

1. Coat hair (not scalp”> in conditioner or oil (or both mixed together”> first. If you pre-poo with conditioner, just up the ante and absolutely lay it on thick! That way, when it’s shampoo time, you won’t have any major stripping and dryness.
2. Detangle hair well prior to using shampoo. Do not, by any means apply medicated shampoo to your hair before detangling it. I don’t care what stage you detangle at in your regimen, when using medicated shampoo, your hair MUST be detangled as much as possible prior to. Medicated shampoos aren’t concerned with slip, and as a result, your hair will tangle and mat like nothing you’ve ever seen – unless you detangle first. Bonus: if you coat your hair with a super slippy conditioner, you can get a 3 for 1 deal: coated hair, a pre-poo, and detangle!
3. Oil scalp generously prior to washing, but after you have already wet your hair and scalp. “A common way to soften and loosen scalp scales is to apply oils, lotions, creams, or ointments to the damp scalp”, says Dr. Stuart.
4. Dilute shampoo in an applicator bottle, and apply to scalp, not scalp and hair. If you can help it, an applicator bottle with slanted nozzle will help target the scalp directly, minimizing the amount of drying shampoo that ends upon your strands.
5. Always deep condition. Whenever you use a shampoo, and especially when using a medicated shampoo, a good deep conditioning is always in order. To help restore the moisture balance in hair, opt for deep conditioners or intensive masks that are rich in softening ingredients like fatty alcohols (cetyl, stearyl, cetaryl”>, butters, and oils, and cationic surfactants that help correct the charge of your hair (like behentrimonium methosulfate”>.

Hopefully, by following these steps, you’ll be able to walk away from the shower with a clearer scalp and beautiful hair!

NEXT: AVOIDING SCALP IRRITATION 

By Christina Patrice · Published November 19, 2013

Have you heard? The Fetish Fix Box is a bi-monthly subscription box of handcrafted Purgasm Shop goodies, free of phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, artificial dyes, colorants, and more.

Priced at $25 every other month, it is a great way to experience the best of Purgasm Shop, as well as try out exclusive for-Fetish-Fixers Only products.

November Box contained:

• Wild Cherry Curl Poppin’ Gel, 2oz
• Wild Cherry Treatment Hair Truffles, 6 count (featured item”>
• Island Rum Soap Bar
• Honey Mud Soap Bar
• Pink Blossom & Sugar Scrub
• Exfoliating Glove

The inaugural box theme is “Fan Favorites,” and contained some of their best-selling goodies. I couldn’t wait to dive in.If you’re looking for great value and a simple way to experience the best of the Purgasm Shop brand, look no further than the Fetish Fix Box.

In terms of value, the truffles alone pretty much cost the same as the box itself ($22 for 6″>. The other products aren’t full sized – which gives you just enough to experience what Purgasm Shop has to offer.

Let’s break down the box contents:

Wild Cherry Curl Poppin’ Gel & Hair Treatment Truffles

I’ve already done a full review on Purgasm Shop before, and the quality and performance of both products remains consistent. I do however have a new update for the Hair Truffles: I’ve found a new way to incorporate them into my regimen!

They are excellent as a stand-alone deep treatment, however, when I incorporated just one truffle into my conditioning henna treatment, my whole life changed. Normally when I henna, I use Jamila Body Art Quality Henna, conditioner (Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa or Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter”>, unrefined coconut oil, and hot water. This time around, I decided to experiment and throw in a truffle.

Boy, am I glad I did. All of that amazing softening and conditioning that the Wild Cherry Treatment Hair Truffle did on its own significantly enhanced the results of my henna. My curls were moisturized, soft, lightweight, and full of body.

All of that was great, but here’s the best part: I didn’t need to condition my hair afterwards. Normally after a henna treatment, I have to deep condition my hair to ensure softness and manageability. Not this time – and I totally attribute it to the truffle. For more on that, click here.

Island Rum & Honey Mud Lather Bars

As far as the Island Rum Lather and Honey Mud Bars are concerned, I found them to be on par with the Cocoa Yogurt bar I previously reviewed. Both bars are gentle, effective, and multi-use. The Island Rum Lather Bar smells amazing – and I can see why it is clearly a fan favorite. The added bonus of the turmeric infusion boosts the bar’s already natural ingredient list by incorporating anti-aging, elasticity-improving, dandruff-fighting, and acne healing properties to the multi-use bar. I have psoriasis and not dandruff, so the bar did not help improve my scalp condition. It did however, effectively clean and impart shine to my hair.

Ingredients

Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Safflower Oil, Glycerine (kosher, of vegetable origin”>, Shea Butter (refined naturally crushed”>, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide (saponifying agent”>, Sorbitol (moisturizer”>, Sorbitan oleate (emulsifer”>, Honey, Soy bean protein (condition”>, and Titanium Dioxide (mineral colorant”>.

The Island Rum Bar contains turmeric, while the Honey Mud Bar is filled with rhassoul clay, yogurt, and yucca – which add qualities of purifying, conditioning, and strengthening to the hair and skin bar.

The Honey Mud Bar is definitely my favorite of the two – not only because it is infused with rhassoul, yucca, and yogurt, but because it was psoriasis-friendly.

I love smell-good stuff, but synthetic fragrances can agitate conditions like psoriasis. Of the two shampoo and skin bars, I found the honey mud bar to be more mild, which makes it a great option for gentle cleansing. The only down side to either bar is that they don’t have tons of slip.

I personally prefer super slippy shampoo bars, but that shouldn’t be an issue if you detangle thoroughly pre-shower. Either way it goes – super shiny and soft hair is on the menu after using the Honey Mud Bar.

Pink Blossom & Sugar Scrub

Although not haircare related, the Fetish Fix Box does include an amazing and exclusive skin exfoliator. I found myself fascinated by the scrub, because it looked very coarse and had flakes of what appeared to be flax seeds in it. I thought it would be good for my skin, but definitely to abrasive on my face. I was wrong!

Although it was an exfoliator, it felt incredibly soft. It didn’t have that stiffness that can sometimes happen with other scrubs. This was definitely not your run-of-the-mill sugar scrub. Though I have not been able to get my hands on the full ingredient list, I can tell you that the ground flax seed, oats (I believe”> and other natural exfoliators make a ton of difference.

The fragrance is lightly sweet and floral, without being overbearing. Overall, it is a great scrub, and scores different from others that I’ve tried! The exfoliating glove was also a nice touch, and especially right on time for Winter. I use it to target dry skin problem areas in the shower.

Final Thoughts

All in all, I really enjoyed the Fetish Fix Box. Although it is an already great value, I think what would help set this box apart is more full-sized products. Twenty five dollars is an incredibly reasonable price for a box full of goodies, but if the Pink Sugar Scrub or Wild Cherry Curl Poppin’ Gel had been full sized, this box really would have been taken to the next level.

But I still maintain the value is excellent! As I said before, 6 truffles normally runs about $22 (they’re made from incredibly high quality ingredients and well worth the money”>, so Purgasm Shop did a great job of featuring them in their first box. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for December!

If you’re interested in checking out a Fetish Fix Box, visit www.purgasmshop.com!

By Christina Patrice · Published October 31, 2013

When it comes to naturally curly hair, we know all about oils and butters – which to use for what, nutritive properties, and more. Increasingly, DIY curlies (and some natural hair brands too”> are turning to herbal extracts, leaves, and powders to enhance their healthy hair regimen. Let’s take a look at 8 amazing herbs for your hair that pack a powerful punch.

8 Healthy Hair Herbs

By Christina Patrice · Published October 30, 2013

Qhemet Biologics

Back in 2004, Felis Butler began her mission to cater to kinkier textures of hair. She believed that naturals in the 4c category had become the most frustrated with this texture, even though there was no reason to be. Pulling from her background as a historian, she was inspired by indigenous ancestors who embraced their hair in all of its textures. With the right combination of ingredients, Butler was able to create a rich, multipurpose, top of the line brand of products for the ingredient-conscious natural.

Qhemet Biologics was the first natural haircare line to feature MSM, which is essential for hair growth and health. QB is also shea butter-free, vegetarian,cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and formulated specifically to address the needs of those struggling with dry, tangle-prone hair. The products also conform to the stricter EU and Japanese cosmetic safety standards, which means they do not contain mineral oil, silicones, sls, phthalates, parabens, dmdh hydantoin, triclosan, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, diazolidinyl urea, or imidazolidinyl urea.

Burdock Root Butter Cream

The Qhemet Biologics line in entirety is huge, but I definitely have a few favorites in the Burdock Root Butter Cream, Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee, and Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter. Let’s dive in!

Ingredient List

Distilled water infusion of Burdock Root Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract, and Oatstraw Extract, Olive Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Wheat Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Steralkonium Chloride, MSM, Citrus Limon & Citrus Aurantium (Essential Oil Scent”>, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin (food grade paraben and formaldehyde free preservative”>

Performance

“Lighter than the Amla & Olive Heavy Cream, this lusciously rich formula softens and nourishes normal to dry hair. Our Burdock Root Butter Cream is a light, water based leave-in for fine haired naturals, straight styles and those looking for a light penetrating moisturizer. It conditions and softens while nourishing the scalp. Leaves hair healthy, soft and supple!”

Top Ingredients 411

• Distilled water infusion of Burdock Root Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract and Oatstraw Extract: Burdock Root is rich in fatty acids that stimulate blood flow to the scalp, nourishes and strengthens hair follicles, to promote healthy hair growth and improve the overall condition of hair. The silica and phytosterols in burdock help soothe irritated scalp conditions like dandruff, decrease breakage and repair hair while adding sheen, hydration and luster. Nettle stimulates the scalp, improves circulation, and helps promote fuller, more radiant hair. Nettles have a long-standing reputation for preventing hair loss and making the hair soft and shiny. Oatstraw has emollient qualities promotes softness, body and shine. It contains nutrients that aid in healthy scalp maintenance and hair growth. Oat straw tea brings out highlights in blond hair.

• Olive Oil: Olive Oil is rich in high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which is good for hair growth. Both mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E are good for moisturizing, protecting and nourishing hair. Olive oil makes hair grow stronger and its emollient properties prevent hair loss.

• Vegetable Glycerin: Humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.

• Wheat Extract: Rich in essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and anti-oxidants that promote hair strength, growth, nourishment, shine, elasticity, and regeneration.

• Cetearyl, Cetyl and Stearyl Alcohols: Fatty alcohols and emollient conditioners known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Stearalkonium Chloride: Cationic surfactant derived from stearic acid, a fatty acid found in plants and animals. It is an antistatic agent, and positively charged salt that attracts and binds proteins, which are negatively charged. It is found to increase luster and improve the condition of wet or dry hair, often serving to detangle the hair.

Performance

I love everything about the Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream. As indicated in the description, it is an awesome alternative to the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream – which although incredibly nourishing, I found to be a wee bit too heavy for my transitioning tresses. The Burdock Root Butter Cream is creamy enough to thoroughly moisturize my hair, while being light enough to not make it feel greasy or weighed down. A little bit definitely goes a long way, which means the 8.5oz jar will definitely last a long time. It has an airy, citrus scent that doesn’t linger and won’t bother allergies (I’ve discovered that my eyes itch line crazy and I sneeze forever if fragrances are too strong”>.  I love to use the Burdock Root Butter Cream when my tresses are especially parched, as a mid-week and sometimes daily moisturizer. It also makes a great foundation for wash n’ go’s, twist-outs, braid-outs, and other stretched styles. The thing I love the most about the Burdock Root Butter Cream is that my hair soaks it up – leaving it light, moisturized, soft, and strong, minus the grease-coated feeling.

Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee

Product Claim

“Our thick, rich cream softens and detangles with pure Cocoa Butter and nourishing botanicals! Restores manageability, softness and elasticity to normal to very dry hair. Smooths cuticles, improves combing ability and reduces breakage.”

Ingredient List

Distilled water infusion of Nettle Leaf Extract, Barley Extract, Horsetail Extract, Pure Cocoa Butter, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, MSM, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin (food grade paraben and formaldehyde free preservative”>

Top Ingredient 411

• Distilled water infusion of Nettle Leaf Extract, Barley Extract, and Horsetail Extract: Nettle stimulates the scalp, improves circulation, and helps promote fuller, more radiant hair. Nettles have a long-standing reputation for preventing hair loss and making the hair soft and shiny. Barley is high in niacin content, which promotes and stimulates hair growth. It is also known to make hair incredibly shiny and improve elasticity by laying down the hair cuticle, thus improving moisture retention. Horsetail is nourishing and hydrating, stimulates blood vessels in the scalp and has been used for centuries as a hair growth herb. The silica in horsetail helps to keep hair strong and adds shine and luster to hair.

• Cocoa Butter: An anti-oxidant rich, nourishing, moisturizing, shine enhancing, and UV protecting emollient known to help reduce damage to hair, soften, and stimulate growth.

• PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate: shine-enhancing emollient and plasticizer found primarily in hair care products. It provides a silicone-like feel, can enhance shine in hair products, and high solubility of UV filters, improving SPF value.

• Cetyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol and emollient conditioner known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair.

• Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine: Vegetable oil-based (rapeseed”> cationic surfactant used to condition the hair, smooth the cuticle, and provide slip without excessive buildup.

Performance

First things first: the Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee smells heavenly – thanks to the cocoa butter. When I think about detangling products, the first things that come to mind are thinner consistencies, a little runny (if not liquid entirely”>, and definitely containing ingredients like marshmallow root with tons of mucilage and slip. Definitely not a shiny, light-buttery looking product. Needless to say, I was skeptical. However once I used it, I definitely saw why many naturals and bloggers rave about the Detangling Ghee. It works. Well!!! I prefer to use it on freshly washed damp hair to finger detangle or in conjunction with my Q-Redew, although it works well on dry hair too. It really does somehow melt the tangles away and make it easier to catch shed hairs. Because of the awesome nourishing ingredients, you can feel free to leave it in as a moisturizer, too! My only wish is that the Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee came in a 16oz jar, because I’m so heavy-handed with product.

Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter

Product Claim

Use this thick, rich butter to soften and maintain twists, braids and loose hair! Ideal for dry, highly porous hair! Use as a body butter too! Softens thick, extra dry hair with an ultra rich blend of Pure Olive Oil, Mango Butter and Rice Bran Oil! A touch of plant wax helps reduce frizz and smooths edges and soy extract adds humectancy. Use sparingly. A little goes a long way.

Ingredient List

Olive Oil, Mango Butter, and Rice Oil Blend, Behenyl Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Soy Extract, Plant Wax, Phthalate Free Fragrance

Top Ingredient 411

• Olive Oil: Olive Oil is rich in high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which is good for hair growth. Both mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E are good for moisturizing, protecting and nourishing hair. Olive oil makes hair grow stronger and its emollient properties prevent hair loss.

• Mango Butter: Rich in beta carotene, essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. This ingredient also helps to treat dry skin and protect against future dryness.

• Rice Oil: Vitamin E rich oil high in ferulic acid and esters that stimulate hair growth. Rice oil also contains antioxidants, such as omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, that have been shown to nourish hair and improve elasticity and shine.

• Behenyl Esters: The end result of the hydrogenation of castor oil, acting as an emulsifying and conditioning agent.

• Cetyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol and emollient conditioner known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.

Performance

For me, a reoccurring theme with the Qhemet Biologics line is “things that shouldn’t be possible but are”. An ultra nourishing cream that isn’t to heavy for transitioning hair. A cocoa butter based detangler. And now, with Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter, we have a butter that really doesn’t act like a butter. What I mean is that it looks like a whipped butter, but the consistency and performance is so far above and beyond that of a regular butter, I almost want to call it a thick pomade. It is super creamy instead of really oily when rubbed between the hands, and makes an excellent sealing product as well as styling – especially for stretched styles like twist or braid-outs. It leaves hair shiny and soft without feeling greasy or full of buildup. It is also great to sleek edges for a polished bun, puff, or ponytail. I also love the mango-y tropical and slightly floral fragrance. A little bit of Aethiopika goes a long way, so you can count on having that 5oz jar for quite a while! As an additional bonus, I accidentally left my Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter in my car one afternoon in the blazing hot sun for hours. When I returned to my car, I panicked and hoped to high heaven that it hadn’t melted (sometimes product consistency and performance changes when they melt”>. I was SUPER relieved that the consistency of the butter had not changed whatsoever. It was warm, but not liquidy, gooey, or melted to any degree. Amazing!

By Christina Patrice · Published October 25, 2013

” src=”https://www.beautycon.com/curlreading/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hydratherma-Amino-Plus-Protein-1.jpg”>Hydratherma Naturals

Even though I’ve been on this transitioner journey for well over a year and a half now, I have yet to find a staple DC that I know will pack a punch and deliver on its promises. And I won’t lie to you, when Hydratherma Naturals Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment arrived at my doorstep in an unassuming black and white bottle, I didn’t think much of it. That is, until I used it and it changed my life.

I finally have a staple protein deep conditioner. Let me share with you why it made it to my list of the Top 10 Deep Conditioners for Transitioning Hair.

Product Claim

Performance

I almost did a praise dance in the shower after using this stuff. Do you see that  SHINE? Let me be the first to tell you that the product has an amazing slip, provides super softness (which is a feat for a protein conditioner”>, and just made my hair feel super buttery and smooth. Even the heat damage. In fact, just by touch alone, I could not tell where my natural hair ended and my heat damage began. Normally conditioners make my natural hair feel great, and my heat damage feel ok. But not this DC!!! My hair’s elasticity and strength was instantly improved. They said I would see and feel a difference after just one use — and I did. New staple, hands down.

Top Ingredients 411

• Cetyl & Stearyl Alcohol: Considered “fatty alchols” — NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Both Stearyl and cetyl alcohol are lubricants, thickeners, and emollients. They give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• Dicetyldimonium Chloride: Cationic (positively charged”> surfactant that helps correct the slightly negative charge of hair and closes cuticles to prevent damage, chipping, and weakening of hair.
• Dimethicone: Silicone-based polymer used as a lubricating and conditioning agent.
• Tocopherol Acetate: Vitamin E. Supports hair growth, and believed to assist in preventing hair loss. Also has been known to be a proven UV protectant.
• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that absorbs moisture from the air.
• Sclerotuym Gum is a gel-like thickening agent and polysaccharide produced through a fermentation process (basically fermented sugar”> that acts as a conditioning agent for hair

Availability

This product and others from Hydratherma Naturals is available in select stores across the country, mainly in the midwest, south, and on the east coast. There is also some international availability. Unfortunately, the only place in Cali I can find this stuff is in San Leandro, 361 miles away. Looks like I will be purchasing online at www.hydrathermanaturals.com. To find out if there is a retailer near you, click here.

Affordability

The 8oz bottle runs for $16.99. Under normal circumstances, I would consider this expensive. To be honest about it, it is…but still not as expensive as some other deep conditioners I’ve seen, like Miss Jessie’s or Carol’s Daughter. Because it is a protein conditioner, I would not consider it a product for weekly use (maybe monthly”>, which can ease some of the expense.

Christina’s hair after Hydratherma

Bonus

I feel like I showed up late to the protein/moisture and pH balance party that most naturals rave about. With the exception of a failed apHogee experiment or two, I usually rely on henna and ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer Spray to strengthen my hair. And for the most part they’ve worked quite well. But I always felt like my hair was missing something. Like it was good, but not great. I used to think pH balanced was a fluff, but now I’m beginning to see how the right pH can take your hair to the next level. And the Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment has definitely done that.

Drawbacks

I’m not a huge fan of the fragrance. It’s slightly sweet and synthetic-smelling, but definitely nowhere in the ballpark of being a deal breaker. It doesn’t bother my allergies, isn’t overbearing, and doesn’t linger in the hair. If you noticed, none of the proteins or aminos were listed in the top 6 ingredients after water. I don’t particularly see this as a drawback, although some looking for a stronger treatment might. As far as I’m concerned, the higher up on the list the proteins, the higher the concentration, the harder and more straw-like your hair will become. The proteins and aminos in this DC sit squarely in the middle of the ingredient list, making it (in my opinion”> ideal for most hair types to benefit without being overpowering.

Bottom Line

This product is awesome for so many reasons. It delivers on it’s promises, does not contain mineral oil, petrolatum, or parabens. It is pH balanced, which I am beginning to understand is kind of a big deal (haha”>. Lastly, it is an amazing high quality product created by a small business owner, Saleemah Cartwright. I love, love, LOVE this deep conditioning treatment. If you’re looking for a great product to provide an amazing protein, moisture, and pH balance to set your hair RIGHT, look no further. Seriously.

By Christina Patrice · Published October 9, 2013

Transitioners face a lot of unique struggles in their pursuit of natural hair. One of the biggest challenges is preventing breakage at the line of demarcation between the new natural hair and the heat damaged or relaxed hair. Preventing breakage is key to avoid extreme thinning of ends, and having to cut hair prematurely. One of the best lines of defense against this breakage is having a great deep conditioner, and walking the line between moisture and protein.

Here are the top moisturizing and strengthening deep conditioning treatments for transitioning hair, and why they work.

10 Deep Conditioners for Transitioning

By Christina Patrice · Published September 27, 2013

Soultanicals

Don’t get me wrong — all of the small businesses I feature are phenomenal. But I have a soft spot for a few businesses in particular; and Soultanicals is one of them. 

Soultanicals owner and creator Ayo Ogun-McCants adiates love and positivity, and those vibes spill out of every product in her hair, bath, and body line. Inspired by her love of cultures, traditions, and the natural richness of African design, the Soultanicals line features products with botanical ingredients, bright designs and fun names, inspired by Ayo’s own earthy, fun, and afro-original nature. Soultanicals products are made for naturals of all textures and lengths who want to experience high-quality handmade natural products, while promoting self-love and wellness.

A little over a month ago, Ayo reached out to me about sampling some Soultanicals products, and I couldn’t be happier. It was perfect timing — I had just seen my hair crush HeyFranHey raving about the line, and I was looking for more high-quality businesses for the 2nd round of my small business features. Ayo provided me with some amazing products to try out: Curl Blaze Hair Glaze, Knot Sauce Coil Detangler, Honey I Shrunk the Frizz Strand Poo Bar, Fluffalicious Curl Nutricious, and Knappylicious Kink Drink. Of all the products, Curl Blaze Hair Glaze, Knot Sauce Coil Detangler, and Fluffalicious Curl Nutritious were my absolute faves. But in totality, all the products were AWESOME. I could go on and on forever…but for the sake of time, let’s explore my favorite Soultanicals products!

Curl Blaze Hair Glaze

Product Claim

WARNING: Extremely Curl Reactive!

Top Ingredients 411

• Blue Malva and Marshmallow Root Water Infusion are noted for their ability to strengthen and moisturize hair, while providing tons of slip due to their high mucilage content
• Aloe Juice acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness
• Vegetable Glycerin is a vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air
• Guar Gum is a white flour-like substance made from an East Indian seed. Use small amounts as a thickener, binder, and volume enhancer
• Panthenol is a form of vitamin B known to moisturize and soften hair. It’s also able to penetrate the cortex of the hair shaft, but cannot repair or thicken hair
• Sclerotuym Gum is a gel-like thickening agent and polysaccharide produced through a fermentation process (basically fermented sugar”> that acts as a conditioning agent for hair

Performance:

When I first opened up the Curl Blaze, I thought it was going to be one of those “light” hold curl defining products that left me with some definition, but mostly frizz. I. Was. Wrong. Don’t let the liquid-y nature of the product fool you. It has tons of slip, and glides easily on top of and throughout the hair. It mixes with virtually ANY moisturizing product, making it ideal for mixing and layering. My curls were super defined, shiny, soft, had tons of body, and lasted for days. I loved this product so much, I went ahead and ordered some more already! I mean, just check out the definition and shine on this wash n’ go!

Knot Sauce Coil Detangler

Product Claim

Ingredients

Distilled Water Botanically Infused with Certified Organic Blue Malva, Nettle, Horsetail, Slippery Elm, Oatstraw, Chamomile, Coltsfoot & Marshmallow Root, Certified Organic Aloe Juice, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Flaxseed Gel, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocoa Butter, Brocolli Seed Oil, Crambe Seed Oil, Pro-Vitamin B5, Guar Gum, Algae, Coconut Nectar, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Natural, Fragrant & Essential Oil Blends, Potassium Sorbate, Black Willowbark Extract, Citric Acid, an extra pouring of soulistic flava & LOVE!

Top Ingredients 411

• Blue Malva, Nettle, Horsetail, Slippery Elm, Oatstraw, Chamomile, Coltsfoot & Marshmallow Root Water Infusion:  Blue Malva, Slippery Elm and Marshmallow Root provide slip, shine, and nourishment to hair while Nettle, Horsetail, Oatstraw and Coltsfoot promote strength, shine, and combat breakage. Chamomile sooths scalp and softens hair
• Aloe Juice acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness
• Meadowfoam Seed Oil is an incredibly stable oil of the Meadowfoam plant, known to provide softness, shine, and seal in moisture
• Coconut Oil is extracted from the meat of coconuts. It is unique in the sense that it is one of the few oils that can penetrate the hair shaft to provide moisture. It also reduces protein loss when used as a pre-poo treatment.
• Olive Oil is a moisturizing oil extracted from the meat of olives. It can penetrate the hair’s cortex, so it may make hair stronger. 
• Flaxseed Gel is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that promote shine, strength, elasticity, and also provides slip.

Performance

I think here would be the appropriate place to take a time out and pay tribute to how AMAZING everything in this line smells. It is gentle and sweet without being overbearing or irritating to those with sensitivities to fragrance. Knot Sauce is no exception. It worked amazingly well as a detangler and a pre-poo, making my hair feel nourished and moisturized. It is strong enough to melt tangles (especially when paired with the amazing steaming effects of the Q-Redew”>, yet light enough to act as a mid-week moisturizer or even a leave-in.

Fluffalicious Curl Nutricious

Product Claim

Top Ingredients 411

• Blue Malva and Calendula Water Infusion strengthens and moisturizes hair while providing slip, and Calendula is soothing to sensitive scalps, rich in plant minerals that protect the hair from free radicals, and protects the scalp from bacterial growth while conditioning and adding shine
• Aloe Vera Juice acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness
• Cetyl Alcohol is considered “fatty alcohol” — NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Provides velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating
• Vegetable Glycerin is a vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air
• Rice Bran Oil  is a cerimide-rich oil that helps strengthen hair similar to protein without the drying effects. Also promotes elasticity and shine.
• Behetromonium Methosulfate is a mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (canola”>. Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair

Performance

For me, this product absolutely defies logic. In my hands, it feels very rich and creamy. But when I put it in my hair, it is light as a feather. It packs a super moisturizing punch without weighing hair down at all. I can’t think of a better moisturizing product for transitioners, or anyone dealing with medium to fine strands of hair. After using Fluffalicious, my hair feels immediately nourished, softened, and most of all — stays that way. I can go 2-3 days without reapplying the product. Because my hair isn’t weighed down afterward, it has tons of body to it. This is the perfect foundation for a great wash n’ go or refresher!

Bottom Line

All in all, the Soultanicals line of products is definitely one to experience. All of the products are handmade fresh with 100% botanical (vegan”> ingredients. They do not include phthalates, parabens, sulfates, petroleum, mineral oil, glycols, or other controversial ingredients. The products are all 100% toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and do not contain artificial preservatives, fragrances, or dyes. The Soultanicals line of products is great for the ingredient conscious, vegan, or for those with allergies and sensitivities.