Product Review: Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat.

Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat (not to be confused with Redken Smooth Down).

The promise: > Ultra-rich, cream treatment> Provides intense, deep moisturization> Delivers super, long-lasting conditioning, nourishment and control> Leaves hair streamlined, manageable and shiny.

My experience: After leaving this treatment on for a couple of hours without heat while I cleaned, my hair was very soft after rinsing. I didn't think it would be because the consistency of the conditioner isn't buttery at all. It's very light in comparison to the moisturizing conditioners that I normally use. My hair was also much easier to detangle and I lost less hair than I usually would on wash day. I would say this product delivers on it's promises without the use of the exaggerated adjectives like "ultra-rich", "intense" and "super, long-lasting".

I haven't invested in the normal retail size. The sample is $4 at Ulta. I cant be certain whether my positive experience with this product is due solely to it's efficacy because I also cowashed on that day rather than my normal shampooing. So... Idk. If you've tried it, I'd love to know your experience.

Product Review: GVP Paul Mitchell Detangler

Get this! Lol. I bought this conditioner and it was like the greatest aha moment ever. All this time I've been missing out on slip.
I used it while I was detangling after I deep conditioned. I didnt wash it out. I used a pea size on small sections. My hair stayed soft and detangling was a breeze. This is a definite staple for me. It's $4.99/ 3.99 with the club card.

• Compare to: Paul Mitchell The Detangler
• Detangles instantly
• Smoothes and softens
• Adds instant shine
• Diminishes static

The promise: For medium to coarse and chemically treated hair. Used daily, GVP Conditioning Detangler will leave your hair smooth, soft, shiny and static free. Helps to protect hair from harmful UV rays. An extremely moisturizing, fast detangling conditioner.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone, Algae, Aloe Barbedensis Leaf, Anthermis Nobilis (Chamomile), Henna, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), PEG-12 Dimethicone, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Staiva (Carrot) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance (Parfum), Hexyl Cinnamal, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Orange 4 (CI 15510), Red 40 (CI 16035)

The Baking Soda Treatment

The first time I heard about this treatment was on youtube from ItsMsHeatherNicole. (Click here if you haven't seen it). I thought it very brave of her to deep condition with baking soda. Then, Traycee blogged about it. Even though Traycee's relaxed, I connect with her simplicity. She's not jumping on every fad and she maintains a pretty consistent routine. So, when she gave it the OK, I decided to give it a try.

I added a Tbsp of baking soda to 3/4 a cup of Nexxuss Humectress, mixed, left it on for 15 mins with a plastic cap and rinsed. I'm a believer! It softened my hair and made it more manageable.

Now, how in the dickens does this work? I have no clue but, I recall someone on LHCF saying that she added a teaspoon of salt to her conditioner and it made her hair very soft. I thought she was crazy.
Baking soda is a chemical salt and a weak alkaline. It acts to neutralize acids and breaks down proteins making it an effective meat tenderizer.

I dont know whether this is harmful or why it does what it does and I havent found any scientific research that would bring to me recommend this as a treatment to anyone. But, if you've tried it, let me know your experience!

Product Review: CHI Keratin Mist

The promise: Specifically developed to work in conjunction with the CHI line. CHI Keratin Mist is an advanced leave-in spray designed to provide hair with strength, protection and softness, while leaving hair silky and shiny with incredible manageability.
Ingredients: Rosewater, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Silk Amino Acids, Acetamide MEA and Lactamide MEA, Lauryl Pyrrolidone, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazoline and Methylisothiazolinone, Nettle, Chamomile Extract, Algae, Aloe Vera, Lavender Extract, Rosemary Extract, Parfum, FD&C Yellow 5, D&C Red 33, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Boron Nitride Powder.

I really love this product. I've tried other leave-ins and nothing compares to this. This leaves my hair strong, soft and slightly silky.
The price varies but it's around $10 for 8 oz. It's pricier than a lot of the leave-ins at the average beauty supply store, but for me, it's worth it.
Some may have a problem with the smell. A few of the CHI products give off the faint smell of men's cologne. It's not over bearing though. I happen to like it.
The only problem I have is the bottle. The circumference is a little larger than other spray bottle products making it somewhat difficult to pump. But, I just transfer the product into a cheap .50 cents spray bottle.
Try this product, you may like it. Let me know how it works for you.

My Best Tressed Hair Set Experience.

Rosemary Mint Shampoo with Sea Moss, 8 oz.- Hated it.
Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, 8 oz.-::shrugs: like the smell.
Lisa’s Hair Elixir, 8 oz.- Liked the product, not exactly loving the smell.
Hair Milk, 4 oz.-Liked the product, hate the smell.
Mimosa Hair Honey, 4 oz.- Liked it, but wouldn't use it often.

Honestly, if I had paid $58.00 for this set, I'd be dissatisfied and underwhelmed. This line is over-hyped and poorly marketed. Someone with less knowledge of ingredients or a less refined taste in product lines may be intrigued by the scents, the celebrity endorsements and the crafty product titles, but do not be fooled! This is not the end all be all in natural hair care. There are better alternatives (and much cheaper) that will give you the same, if not better, results.

Having been raised in Brooklyn, I would love to see a fellow resident succeed, and I think Lisa means well, but these products and the price could benefit from some tweaking.

I called it!

I don't know if anyone recalls my review of Carol's Daughter Hair Milk, but I stated that for my hair type it would probably be great for twist-outs and braid-outs.
Well, I almost passed for a curly girl today! Lol!
Yesterday, I bravely took my braids out not knowing if the results would be acceptable for work but after taking them down, I thought I could upgrade the crimps and crinkles
I added some Hair Milk to 8 sections and tightly braided each one. I then tied my hair down (already parted) with my satin scarf. (No comb was used during any step)
The morning results were FAB! ------HERE'S THE BEFORE:

Product Review: Lisa's Hair Elixir

Experience why Jada Pinkett Smith attributes her beautiful hair to this long time favorite. Sage and rosemary essential oils condition the hair and combat dry scalp while peppermint gives a refreshing tingle. (8 fl. oz. 19.00)
Benefits: Essential oils of rosemary and peppermint promote circulation, strength and contain scalp-protecting antioxidants. Performs double duty as a daily shine solution and a weekly hot oil treatment. Ingredients: Soy Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Essential Oils Of Peppermint, Sage, And Rosemary And African Gold Fragrances

This product, along with the hair balm, is apparently part of Jada's Dynamic Duo. At a whopping $19.00, it's the most expensive product in the Best Tressed Hair set. I was apprehensive about using it because of my lack of knowledge on Soy bean oil but after a fellow blogger gave it the go ahead, I tried it.

I like the consistency, it's a little lighter than Jojoba oil. It does seem to be penetrating and moisturizing. While the smell is not as offensive as the hair milk, it reminds me of my grandmother's Sunday morning church perfume. It also contains some pretty good ingredients but... $19.00 for 80z? Really? I'd rather take a trip over to GNC and get a 16oz. bottle of Jojoba oil for $15.00.
I'm looking forward to using this as a hot oil treatment to see what results it yields. Stay tuned...

R.I.P: Denman D3

I bought the Denman months ago because of the rave reviews and recommendations it got. I was attracted to the promise of getting rid of knots, tangles and shed hair. It delivers on those promises. It even helps define curls.
Unfortunately for me, it's also a killer on fine hair. I had to carefully examine the bundle of hair in the brush and, to my horror, among the strands with the root bulb were broken pieces of hair of every length.
I wanted this brush to be for me but, my hair thrives with low-manipulation and the denman is too much manipulation for it.
What are your experiences with this brush?

Product Review: Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner

Promises: A deep-conditioning treat for dry hair.Damaged hair will say "hallelujah" with one use of this great-smelling, every day conditioner, which detangles, detoxifies and restores tresses to their natural splendor. Lavender, rosemary and marigolds rejuvenate dry, damaged tresses while delicious vanilla soothes the senses.
-Super-conditioning nettles naturally restore lost shine. Conditioning formula replenishes essential moisture and manageability. ($11.50) 8 oz.
Ingredients:Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Water (Aqua), Ceteth-20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Peg-8, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Peg-12 Dimethiconeglycerin, Panthenol, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol(And)Caprylyl, Glycol(And)Potassium Sorbate(And)Hexylene Glycol

(BLANK STARE)

This product smells good...That's all. I'll leave it up to the individual to decide how much they're willing to pay for hair perfume.

Pomade ingredient: Beeswax

Wiki on Pomades & Beeswax:
Pomade (also called pomatum) is a greasy or waxy substance that is used to style hair. Pomade makes hair look slick and shiny. Unlike hairspray and hair gel, pomade does not dry and often takes several washes to remove - a special shampoo though, may be used. Other de-greasers include olive oil dishwashing liquid and lemon juice. Most pomades contain petroleum jelly (and in fact petroleum jelly can be used alone as a pomade) and mineral oil, and many also contain some sort of wax. They may also contain perfume and coloring agents. A plethora of pomades are still in production today and vary in factors such as weight, shine and scent. The stiffest will have a higher proportion of beeswax while the lightest may have a higher proportion of oils.
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis.

Product Review: Mimosa hair honey

Ingredients:

Corn Oil, Lavender, Rosemary, Nettles, Red Roses, Sage, Blue Malva, Marigolds, Red Clover, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Annatto Seeds, Alkanet Root For Color, Essential Oil Of Sweet Orange, Fragrance.

Promises:

This herbal infused pomade improves manageability and tames fly-aways while delivering a sweet citrus scent. The blend's lack of water makes it ideal for those combating frizzies. ($9.50)

This pomade is very light in consistency (think Hollywood Beauty Castor oil grease) and it smells great . I kept smelling it over and over because the scent was familiar, it smells like many of the drugstore pomades hair dressers use. Honey is not listed as an ingredient, so it must be the beeswax that gives the scent. Natural hair care enthusiasts, who don't have locks, may take issue with the beeswax because it's known for being hard to wash out. I saw a customer review calling this product "scented lard".

When I got cornrows last year, the braider used this nasty petroleum based green grease. Just like the grease, MHH tames fly-aways but it's a better alternative to those heavier pomades when you're getting braids. Or you can always opt for old faithful -Shea Butter, adding essential oils for fragrance. Shea butter is listed as an ingredient in this product but again at 9.50 for 4oz, corn oil and beeswax as a base is disappointing. I wouldn't purchase this because I've never finished a pomade in my 20 years of life, I dont even remember purchasing one. It's just always in the house under the bathroom sink, collecting dust.

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk

This light, fast-absorbing lotion for the hair is made with essential oil of lemongrass to stimulate natural oil production. Vitamins C and E provide an antioxidant boost while a hint of lily of the valley fragrance perfumes hair beautifully. Hair Milk is ideal for defining natural curls and giving hair loads of shine and bounce. ($12.00 for 4oz.)

Benefits: Lemongrass stimulates scalp circulation and adds luster to dull hair.Sweet almond oil, a natural nut oil that is high in fatty acids and easily absorbed by the scalp.

This product delivers on some of it's claims. I used this to smooth a ponytail overnight with a scarf and I was pleasantly surprised in the morning, I had no fly-aways and my hair had some sheen to it without looking greasy.
For my hair type I think it would be great for twist outs and braid outs. I used this before I did large twists on blow dried hair and I almost didn't want to style my hair when I took them down! The twist-out looked great. It goes on feeling a bit sticky so I think that helps to provide some hold.
My advice to the company would be to market it, not as a moisturizer, but as a natural styling product. Someone looking for a natural moisturizer may be disappointed. My hair wasn't soft and the moisture didn't last.
I also was not a fan of the smell. It's the kind of smell that would give me a headache. When my little brother came in my room he asked me what it was- it was that strange. But it faded eventually
Overall, this is a good product that I'll use until it's finished. However. the smell and the price would not draw me to this product again.

Corn Oil

One of the Carol's Daughter products I used contains corn oil so I took it upon myself to do a little wiki research on it.
Here's what I found:

Corn oil is extracted from the germ of corn . Its main use is in cooking, where its high smoke point makes it a valuable frying oil. It is also a key ingredient in some margarine's. Corn oil has a milder taste and is less expensive than most other types of vegetable oils... A high consumption of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are found in most types of oils, including corn oil, may increase the likelihood that postmenopausal women will develop breast cancer. Similar effect was observed on prostate cancer. Other analysis suggested an inverse association between total polyunsaturated fatty acids and breast cancer risk.

I'm not alarmed about the cancer risk because I didn't cook with the product but I am less inclined to purchase a product with a high price tag if it contains cheap ingredients.

R.I.P: Carol's Daughter RMHS w/Sea Moss

Rosemary Mint Herbal Shampoo with Sea Moss.

Here's some info on this shampoo:

Parched, damaged, and unruly hair doesn't stand a chance against this soothing blend of lavender, rosemary, nettles, and sage, blended with organic oils of coconut, olive, jojoba, conditioning sea moss, and detangling rosemary.What it is formulated without: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro, Chemicals, Phthalates, GMO, Triclosan (price 12.50)

When I applied this product to my scalp it lathered quickly. I experienced the expected tingling that comes along with products containing mint. I enjoyed that. However, my enjoyment faded when I rinsed my hair. My hair almost immediately felt stripped and tangled. This product claims to combat "parched" and "unruly" hair but I could not vouch for any moisturizing benefits.

Overall, it's a pretty average shampoo but it's over priced and I would not purchase it again.

I think there's a common consensus that a lot of natural shampoos are disappointing but what was even more disappointing with this set was a notably absent conditioner to combat this harsh shampoo. I thought that was weird. I know Carol's Daughter sells treatments but I'm cautious of a hair care line that wouldn't include that combo in a set.

Stay tuned for more reviews!

The BSM Experience

It was everything everyone said it would be. I noticed:
-Less breakage
-Soft yet strong feel
-Looser curl (temporary)
-Easier detangling

The negatives:
-The evidence of my Blackstrap Molasses Experience is all over my beige rugs in the bathroom
-It stained my shirt
-My 9 year old brother refused to go into the bathroom until every trace of BSM was cleared from the sink. I was in such a haste that I missed a spot. He's such a diva.

My method:
I poured some BSM into an old conditioner tub, added some EVCO and Aussie moist conditioner. I didnt measure. I just mixed and added to get a semi thick consistency and when I realized it wasnt going to get any thicker without me adding more product that was likely to be wasted, I stopped. I did a prepoo w/ just Organix tea tree conditioner, then I shampood with Nexxus Therappe and clarified w/ baking soda to make sure I got the full effect of the BSM treatment.

Overall- The mess is a little discouraging for the potential of adding it into my weekly rotation. The results alone would cause me to use it when I feel like I need a special treatment or when I'm in the mood for that mess again. It may be better as a pre-poo because it's humectant capabilities dont seem to be as potent as honey.
Love the immediate results. Hate the mess.

R.I.P: The Body Shop detangling comb.

The description:
Best if you want to: Teach wet hair to co-operate with a wide-tooth wooden comb that evenly distributes conditioner and detangles without splitting ends. $7.00

I have tried so many combs but I had such high hopes for this one.
Wooden combs are supposed to be great for fragile hair because they are seamless and smooth.

The problem for me was more in the structure than the material. The comb itself is 5 inches long and it's teeth are 1.2 inches long. The teeth are squared at the ends and the space between them is about half a centimeter. The teeth are too narrow and short my hair. If I had seen it in person I wouldn't have bought it. The proportions were not listed on the site.

This comb would probably be better for straighter, less dense hair.

I've read that the Mason Pearson also has square teeth so maybe I'll go with a bone comb instead.

Product Review: Biolage UHB

Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Conditioning Balm. (HydraTherapie Line)

When I initially moved to Atlanta, I went to a salon that used this conditioner on dry hair before shampooing.
The stylist kept telling me how great my hair felt after the treatment. I thought she was trying to get me to buy the product so I just smiled and nodded.
When I got home, I researched the product reviews and after getting a general consensus, I ordered it online. I had to see how well it would hold up at home.
After using it for my steam treatments, I knew it was a definite keeper.
The consistency was just right-not too light or heavy. It made my hair more manageable and soft, the smell was fresh not strong and overbearing, and I had less breakage. I had no complaints.
This is an overall great moisturizing conditioner.
I'm still in the experimenting stages when it comes to my moisturizing conditioners but if I don't find anything better (and I haven't), this is my old faithful. Love it!

Product Review: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

EVCO is one of the few oils proven to penetrate the hair strand.
Continued usage provides strength and flexibility to hair.

It high in saturated fats and antioxidants which give the oil a long shelf life.

Because it is not broken down easily, it holds moisture keeping hair soft while preventing breakage.

Other components of EVCO include high amounts of lauric acid, vitamin E and anti-dandruff capabilities.

When I add EVCO to my deep conditioning treatments, my hair comes out soft, manageable and shiny. It's one of my favorite oils for hot oil treatments and it added strength to my hair like nothing I've ever used for my daily regimen. I try to use it in different steps throughout my routine. Love it!

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Fear of Glycerin

Glycerin is hailed as an effective natural hair moisturizer by many who use it. I was well on my way to Publix to try some out before I found some troubling user reviews. The accounts were all similar. They went outside and ended up with dried out hair.
Why would a humectant dry out hair?
If you live in a very dry environment, a highly concentrated humectant can pull moisture from your hair onto the surface where it evaporates.
This is why it is important to factor in the climate when measuring out the glycerin to water ratio.
Dry hair scares me to death. I'm too intimidated to experiment, even with all the reviews from people who use it successfully.
How does your mix measure up?

Product Review: Burt's Bees Hair Repair

Burt's Bees Hair Repair, Shea and Grapefruit Deep Conditioner.

This conditioner is about $8-$8.50 for 5oz.

Ingredients: water, cetrimonium bromide, cetearyl alcohol, sucrose laurate, glycerin, honey, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), glucose, betaine, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus tangerina (tangerine) peel oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract, citrus reticulata (tangerine/petitgrain) leaf oil, acacia senegal gum, polysorbate 60, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase

-The consistency is somewhat creamy, almost like a balm. So someone with fine, thin hair  may not like it.

-This product left my hair feeling more lubricated than moisturized but, it didn't provide a lot of slip for me. 

-Overall, I'm not impressed with this product enough to purchase it again. It's a small amount of product for mediocre results. I got two uses out of it.