Twist, Glide & Shine. The hair products I can't live without!
Hello, Hair Lovers! So far we've covered basic guidelines for natural hair, transitioning, a few protective styles, and things transitioners should prepare for. What we haven't discussed are hair products. Naturally I am going to cover the products that work best for me, but of course there a million and one products for you to choose from...seriously, I went to Target yesterday (who happens to have an awesome natural hair care section btw...who knew?!) and was shocked. After a long conversation with one of the ladies in the aisle who looked just as shocked as I was - I ended up purchasing a hair butter called Karen's Body Beautiful Butter Love Pomegranate and Guava. It smells delicious! I glided out of target looking like a deranged person inhaling the jar - but that's a story for another day. :o)
WARNING: This post will probably be obnoxiously long, BUT it will be jam packed with information....so now is the time to go to the bathroom, get a snack, some juice, whatever.
Ready? Here we go!
Step 1. Take a quick look at the ingredients list for the shampoo you are currently using. Do you see an ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)? If so, then I suggest you stop using those products immediately. SLS & SLES are chemicals that can also be found in cleaning/hygiene products, as well as toothpaste and soaps, why? - because the chemicals act as a foaming agent and are cheap to include in products. Though they do remove the oily buildup in your hair, it is not a healthy choice.
-Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:
SLS is an oregano sulfate compound synthesized from either coconut or palm oil. It can be found in detergents, cleaning products, toothpaste, shaving creams, and bubble bath formulations.
Toothpaste, though. Jesus - we need to come up with some sort of organic teeth cleaning solution.
-Sodium Laureth Sulfate:
SLES is also in detergent! Apparently, it can dry out the skin, and is a common eye irritant found in shampoos. Now you know why your eyes always burn like hell if some of that soap gets up in there!
Do you really want these two things on your scalp? Humm...
Did you know that putting chemicals on your skin or scalp is actually worse than digesting them? When you place chemicals on your skin they can possibly be absorbed directly into your bloodstream!
Blah!
These chemicals and chemicals like them can affect your health in the long run. Many of the poisons that pollute the environment are sitting pretty in the jars and bottles in your bathroom cabinets...need I say more?
Well, on a lighter note - now that I'm done scaring the shit out of you, it's time to talk about some of the products that I've grown to love.
S/N: When purchasing natural hair products one of the first ingredients should be WATER. Remember people, water is not the enemy.
S/N: When purchasing natural hair products one of the first ingredients should be WATER. Remember people, water is not the enemy.
When I find something that works for me, I hold on to it for dear life, - and keep it pushing - hence my obsession with Shea Moisture and Cantu.
I remember the day I walked into The Hair Shop I didn't know what I was supposed to look for, what ingredients to avoid, which brand to use, how to go about using it...I stood in the shampoo aisle like
I swear I was so confused. Then I spotted the Shea Moisture line. Honestly, I picked up the bottle because I loved the packaging and the font (don't judge me). The first product I used was the African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner. I didn't purchase the shampoo or the masque until I started using the conditioner and getting results. Below I've included a picture of what the entire collection consists of.
Product Name: Shea Moisture - The African Black Soap Collection - (Conditioner)
Price: $10.99
Size: 12oz
Product Description: "SheaMoisture's African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner moisturizes and detangles hair while it soothes dry, itchy and flaking scalp. Use as a pre-shampoo or rinse out conditioner, as needed. - Made with natural and certified organic ingredients. - Plantain Enzyme helps to alleviate itchiness and irritation. - Tea Tree Oil removes buildup for enhanced shine and volume. - Willow Bark Extract exfoliates and detoxifies hair and scalp."
Ingredients: Plantain Enzyme - Can be found in bananas.
Tea Tree Oil - Natural antiseptic, treat for scalp infections and dandruff.
Willow Bark Extract - Removes flakes.
Tea Tree Oil - Natural antiseptic, treat for scalp infections and dandruff.
Willow Bark Extract - Removes flakes.
My Experience: I plan, my hair laughs. My scalp does whatever it pleases, so there is always a constant battle between it and I - on the regular it tends to attempt to be dry (which is why I moisturize 3 times a week... so I'm winning!) Due to the dryness and itchiness I decided to try the conditioner and I can honestly say it has worked miracles for ME. It has a nice fragrance, sort of like a spicy, creamy, minty sort of thing. I mentioned in one of the posts that I moisturize with olive oil, water, and a conditioner - this is the conditioner I always use in that concoction.
Product Name: Shea Moisture - Yucca & Baobab Collection - (Shampoo)
Price: $9.98
Size: 12oz
Ingredients:
Baobab Oil - contains Vitamins A, C, D, E and F to fortify and strengthen hair -(pressed from the mineral rich seeds of the baobab fruit!)
Yucca - (A plant) Thickens hair while adding volume. (Also prevents hair loss)
Plantain Extract - Rich in Vitamin B complex, Nourishes hair with moisture
BIOTIN: B Vitamin that helps to strengthen hair follicles - faster, thicker, healthy hair growth
My Experience: When I started my transition process my hair was extremely thin and practically holding on by a thread. This product is what helped me achieve the thickness I have now! Interestingly enough, whenever I apply the shampoo to my hair the bubbles/lather is thick as hell... I don't know, maybe I'm applying too much shampoo but all in all it gets the job done. The shampoo softens, strengthens and thickens my hair while preventing breakage. The only drawback - well I can't really say it's a bad thing but whenever I am lathering sometimes the shampoo feels a bit slippery. It's hard to explain. The other shampoos in the line are silkier and softer, but this one is a bit thick. Honestly, I think you would have to try it for yourself to understand. Besides the weird thick sensation - the shampoo does exactly what it's supposed to.This collection is for people who have thin, or fine hair. My hair is coily and fragile, but it works for me. Detangling is always a slow process so I use the Volumizing Conditioner to detangle as well as the Cantu Coil Detangler. Whatever works for you use it!
Product Name: Shea Moisture - SuperFruit Complex 10-in 1 Renewal System
Price: $10.99
Size: 13oz
Product Description: This antioxidant-rich conditioner helps to perfect and renew vibrancy to dull, lackluster hair. When used in our System, it detangles while providing anti-aging benefits, color protection, hydration, nourishment, rejuvination, strength, anti-stress, managability, softness and shine. Our Superfruit Complex nourishes the scalp, while Marula Oil and Biotin combine in a moisture rich formulation to support hair's elasticity. Hair looks vibrant and lustrous. Ten Benefits Specific for our CONDITIONER: Age-Defy Nourish Anti-Stress Revive Body Color Protect Shine Hydrate Strengthen Manageability Soften.
Ingredients: "Superfruit - A blend of Red Raspberry, Ketones, Goji, Acai and Guava Extracts rich in anti-aging antioxidants. Marula Oil - Contains natural plant peptides that help support hair's elasticity. Biotin - Nourishes individual strands for thicker, stronger hair. Shea Butter - Deeply moisturizes while conditioning hair and scalp."
My Experience: It smells so good...omg. It's principal purpose is to perfect and renew vibrancy to dull, lackluster, half dead hair. Lord knows I needed a product that would help soften my hair - like I said earlier these are products that work well for me. Doesn't necessarily mean they will have the same effect on you, but it's worth a try! It is also a great detangler...honestly any Shea Moisture conditioner can work well as a detangler. They're all soft and gentle and make the hair soft as soon as it is applied. Of course, I don't have all of their conditioners but I imagine they're all great.
Product Name: Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retnetion Shampoo
Price: $9.79
Size: 12 oz
Product Description: "Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo cleanses, hydrates and repairs dry, damaged or over-processed hair. Sulfate-free"
Ingredients:
Sea Kelp - mineral-rich nutrition seals and smoothes hair cuticles.
Argan Oil - restores shine while helping promote hair elasticity.
Shea Butter - deeply moisturizes while conditioning hair and scalp"
Deionized Water, Decyl Glucoside(Coconut Oil), African Butyrospermum Parkii (shea Butter)*, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Argan Oil, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Rosemary Extract, Sea Kelp Extract, Vitamin E, Guar Gum, Lonicera Capifloium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Avacado Oil
My Experience: This was actually the first shampoo I used from the shea moisture brand - it smells AMAZING. It moisturizes, cleanses, and hydrates dry damaged, or overprocessed hair. Most importantly it's sulfate free! I use this on my twists as well - it is not a necessity, just a personal choice. The Reggae braids don't have a smell so sometimes I rub this conditioner onto my twists. It doesn't affect the synthetic hair because it's already twisted, but it does make them smell amazing. I can't tell you how many "omg you smell good what is that?" compliments I've gotten in an elevator. That's the thing about tight spaces - all the smells seep out. So, keep it fresh people!
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We have officially covered all of the Shea Moisture products I've used thus far. I definitely plan on purchasing other shampoos and conditioners in the line. I will keep you guys updated with all that stuff & do a few reviews.
**Half way through this post I realized I don't have every single product I use because I need to restock. Once I make those necessary purchases, I'll do a part 2 for hair products. Your average person would double check to make sure they have everything before they start yapping...and then there's me. smh
Right, moving along!**
Cantu & Jane Carter Solution = Perfecto!
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Product Name: Cantu Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream
Price: $5.29
Size: 16oz
Product Description: Cantu Shea Butter claims to make high-performance formulas at a great affordable price. They also want their products to help you look good and smell good. Their leave-in conditioning repair cream was formulated to treat severely damaged, dry or coarse hair, while it promises to stop and mend hair breakage as well as leave hair soft, manageable and shiny.
Ingredients: Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin (Soja) Soybean Oil, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprylate/Di- Caprate, Ppg1, Trideceth-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerine, Stearalkonium Chloride, Trimethylsilylamodimethacone, Panthenol, PPG-1-Peg 9 Laurel Glycol. Ethyl, Lanolin Oil, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Protein, Benzophenone-3, BHA, BHT, Zea Mays (Corn Oil), Idopropynolbutyl Carbonate, DMDM Hydantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
My Experience: 16oz for 5 bucks, it doesn't get any better than that! The conditioner tames frizz, moisturizes, and hydrates the hair and to top it off, it smells like candy! I use this as "edge controller" as well. Regular edge control no longer works for me. I'll apply Creme of Nature with Argon Oil edge control slick down my edges with a toothbrush, tie it down - and the moment I walk from my room to the front door POOF! Edges just all over the damn place. The cantu conditioner works a bit better than your average edge control for me, but my edges are never under control all day. A couple hours in they do their own thing... *shrugs* whatever. When conditioning your hair, a little goes a long way so you don't need to plaster it all over your head.
Works on many hair types, smells pleasant, leaves hair soft and silky, does not weigh hair down, great detangler. What can I say, I really love this stuff! It's inexpensive and totally worth a try.
Where to get it: Walgreens, Walmart, local beauty supply store, and Amazon
Product Name: Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine
Price: $22
Size: 4oz
Product description: You have never experienced a product as fabulous as Nourish&Shine! We blend all natural vitamins and essential oils to create this incredible hair nourisher. It completely melts in your hair and adds amazing shine and never leaves your hair feeling greasy or limp. Nourish & Shine helps reduce dryness on your scalp and your skin! Be careful... daughters and husbands have been know to abscond with this product, so buy two for them and one for!
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Kokum butter, lllippe butter, Mango butter. Vitamins A D & E, grapefruit essential oils, squalene.
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Kokum butter, lllippe butter, Mango butter. Vitamins A D & E, grapefruit essential oils, squalene.
My Experience: I use this product mainly to seal in moisture and add shine. I usually use a small amount and distribute it through my hair, before I start my twists. Oh, and by the way it smells great - it has a citrusy grapefruit kind of scent.
At first glance, it seems very greasy or oily, but surprisingly enough it's the exact opposite. It does not leave the hair feeling greasy or weighed down.
Price: I can understand why this product would be a bit pricy - based on the ingredients, but it's only 4oz ... c'mon. I do my best to make it last. No one has time to spend $22 consistently every two weeks for 4oz. of "hair butter." Use wisely!
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Well, there you have it - a few of the hair products that live by. I hope you guys find this post helpful and informative. If you have any questions, or care to share your experience with one of the products mentioned above then comment below. Don't forget to share, like, and subscribe!
Remember: There are a few products missing - I will definelty review them as well as the Karen's Body Beautiful Butter Love Pomegranate and Guava as soon as I get the chance.
"Wear your afro with confidence its a gift everyone cannot have"
Be encouraged ladies!
Happy Washing!
Love,
- Sassy ' N ' New York Images: (My camera :o) (Giphy,naturallycurly,bedbathandbeyond,youtube,un-ruly,thedandylife,ifreenaturally)
****FTC Disclosure Statement***
I am in no way paid to review by any of the companies or brands seen on this site. I buy all my own products with my own money unless noted otherwise.
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