Shea Moisture: Product Review

This cruelty-free company was started by a Sierra Leonian family in 1912, who use shea butter as their main ingredient.

Ill start with the Deep Treatment Masque. For my hair this was a no go. I used this after shampooing, and also after co-washing. This was really thick and had a nice consistency, but for some reason it felt dry as soon as it touched my curls. It had some sort of clay or paste like feeling once I applied it to my hair which was NOT cool for me. Each time I used this product I ended up having to follow this with another deep conditioner to give my hair the slip and suppleness I'm used to. I don't think I'll be using this product again. 

Next up was their Curl Enhancing Smoothie which gets two thumbs WAY up from me! My hair loves this pudding-like curl holder. It smells great, sort of flowery but not too overpowering. I use this to smooth my edges daily. I've never experienced cakey, white product buildup flakes with this as I have with some other products...(side-eye to Kinky-Curly). I also use it as a curl enhancer after washing. Once I towel dry my hair I add a golfball sized amount to my curls and let them air dry, or if I'm in a hurry I blow dry on the cool setting. This individually defines each and every single one of my 4b curly-q's and gives them great suppleness and more bounce to the ounce! I use this nearly every day and will continue to do so! My only qualm is that I wish it would give my hair more shine, but it can't be perfect, right?

These products are available at; Walmart, Target, and Walgreens, and are super cheap ranging from $9.99-$12. They also make bath and baby products that I have yet to try, but if they're anything  like the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, I surely will partake.

As I Am: Product Review

So while I do make my own moisturizers and conditioners for my hair, I still look for products I can purchase which will save me time and ingredients. I came across As I Am products as a recommendation from a transitioning friend. The products were reasonably priced so I just bought two items that I needed most at the time, an everyday moisturizer and a deep conditioner.

First up was the CoCoShea Spray. A daily moisturizer with coconut oil, shea butter, and vegetable glycerin as its key ingredients. Can I tell y'all how much my hair hated this stuff? Firstly, the smell was something comparable to beeswax which I didnt find too pleasant. Secondly, it didnt, spray nor disperse easily into my hair. My hair didnt absorb it at all. It just sat there on my strands like a white cream. Eww. Finally after it dried it left my hair feeling crunchy and I couldn't stand it. Ive used it several other times to give it second, third, and fourth chances. Immediately after washing on damp/wet hair, and between washings on dry hair, this does not agree with my curls. 

Next up was their Hydration Elation deep conditioner. This one gets an A+ from me. It smells great, not too   fruity, coconutty, or flowery. It left my hair soft and my curls defined. I put it on immediately after washing, on damp hair, sit under the dryer for 20-30 mins, then rinse out. I also added some extra virgin olive oil, and jojoba oil for a booster. Me likey!

I will try more As I Am products in the future, I just hope they're more like the Hydration Elation, than the CocoShea. http://www.asiamnaturally.com/index.html

Damage Control

Naturally curlly hair is prone to breakage because of its twists and turns. I have a 4c curl pattern. Meaning that my hair has many twists and coils, but does not form an "S" shape. Therefore my hair is very fragile and must be moisturized on a regular basis. These are my go to products...

Coconut oil, castor oil, vegetable glycerin, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. I use a mixture of these oils with rose water (no specific measurements) and place them into a spray bottle for daily spritzing, or add a tablespoon of honey and heat, for a hot oil treatment. What are some of your tricks to maintain moisture?