The Second CoWash Experiment

Creme Of Nature Pure-Licious Co-Wash Product Review

I recently did a product review for the first cowash product I tried. I don't know what I expected but I'd heard so much about that particular product that I couldn't resist.

I've always shampooed my hair about every two weeks. Now that I think about it, that may be a part of why I think my hair is always dry! I don't have a staple shampoo but I think I may have found one with the ORS shampoo I tried recently. I shampoo so often because of product build-up but after defining my hair type, I learned I don't need to pile on products AND that cowashing might be the way to go for my type of hair.

I know many naturalistas use conditioner to cowash but I guess brands are getting "hip to the game" because I've been seeing many products advertised as cowashes. I usually don't think twice about trying new products because they're new, but I'm still subscribed to curlBOX and they recently sent this product. I figured since I had it, why not try it...especially after that last attempt.

The First CoWash Experiment

Head and Shoulders Product Review

Now that I've laid out my hair goals and what hair products I've already tried, we can talk about some of the things I've been doing with my hair.

One of the styles I decided to master as a protective style is the wash and go. I've tried this style several times throughout my journey and each time the shrinkage has steered me away from rocking the style.

There was never anything wrong with this style but I've never been a fan of shrinkage. Now with my new hair goals in tow, I knew it was time for a revisit. I had two sew-ins back to back so I had a little free time on my hands to do something evaluating. With this time, I decided to look into products to try for wash and go's. I must admit...my biggest influences were a conversation I had a few naturalistas in one my favorite FB groups and my friend's blog post.

So, with that, I went on a journey to find this Head & Shoulders Moisture Care Co-Wash (affiliate link)!

Sew-In Home Maintenance

Washing My Sew-In

Let's start this post off by giving me a round of applause for making it this far. If you remember this post, then you understand where I'm coming from.

Here's the real. I paid for this hair and it's on my head, so I have to make sure it's maintained properly. I questioned myself about what I wanted to do with it. My thought was, let's get past my birthday without looking crazy first, then I'll make some decisions. Goal Accomplished!

I don't put products in the hair because everyone (knowledgeable about sew-ins) says products will weigh it down. The stylist said natural oil from my hair would eventually spread throughout the sew-in and I'm guessing that's what's happened because it seems the hair has become "weighed down".

I decided against paying money to have someone else wash the hair because I didn't think it was worth it! I asked around to see how other ladies washed their sew-ins and to see what products they used. Then I went to the University of Youtube and got my knowledge up. After that I was pumped!! This is just hair, so what if it's sewn in, I know how to wash hair!! Plus, I'm a visual learner and I found the perfect video to help me feel comfortable enough to wash these extensions. So, here's what I did:

July Curlbox & Product Review

Herbal Essences 'The Sleeker The Butter' & Pantene Hair Masque and Custard Product Reviews

If you're not getting a curlBOX, you might just be missing out!!

Getting these boxes is like getting Christmas presents full of goodies each month! I wouldn't try a lot of these products if they weren't being sent to me but (like I've said before) you can't find what you like unless you try different things! I'm still getting over split ends but most of the products are treating my hair well, so I'm not complaining about that part.

July's box was a Beach Box theme! This box was packed with a trip to the beach in mind. All you'd have to do is throw this box in your suitcase and you wouldn't need much else. It included:

• Herbal Essences 'The Sleeker The Butter' Shampoo
• Herbal Essences 'The Sleeker The Butter' Conditioner
• Herbal Essences 'The Sleeker The Butter' Creamy Hair Milk
• Pantene Pro-V Stylers Texturizing Sculpting Wax
• Aussie 3 Minute Miracle
• Covergirl Queen Collection Jumbo Gloss Balm
• Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash
• Secret Clinical Invisible Solid Antiperspirant
• Crest Be
• Ivory Soap

June curlBOX & Product Review

Lottabody Product Review

You guys know I get a curlBOX every month and every month curlBOX hosts a chat to talk about the items in the box for that month. I always participate. Most times the brands participate and it's a good opportunity to connect with the brands and other naturalistas about that months products.

The June curlbOX was full of goodies. It included:

• Cantu Sulfate-free Cleansing Cream
• Cantu Sulfate-free Hydrating Cream Conditioner
• Softee Extenshine Morrocan Argan Oil Perfecting Serum
• Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer
• Lottabody Control Me Edge Gel
• Organix Kukui Shampoo and Conditioner

May curlBOX & Product Review

Creme of Nature Product Review w/ Nov 2015 Update

I know it's June and my next curlBOX is probably halfway to me by now but May was a busy month for me. There was my vacation, then family reunion, then playing catching up...I was exhausted! I still managed try the curlBOX out, so let me share my views on the products. In this month's box were: 

May curlBOX

• Crème of Nature Strength & Shine Leave-In Conditioner
• Crème of Nature Pudding Perfection Curl Enhancing Cream
• Ojon rareBlend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner
• U R Curly Soya Shampoo
• Grandma's Pure and Natural Lye Soap
• Earth's Nectar Coconut Curls Conditioning Detangler
• and a curlBOX Postcard

I tried two products out of this box. The first product I tried was the Crème of Nature leave-in. I couldn't tell a difference between using this leave-in versus using other leave-ins, therefore I can't really give an extensive product review about this product. I know, I know...boo to me. But if it helps, I've used it about two or three times, and nothing negative has come from it!

This product review is mainly for the Crème of Nature Pudding Perfection Curl Enhancing Cream. I'm going to preface this by saying I didn't want to use it because I love my Pantene custard so much, especially for twist outs; but what else is the curlBOX for other than to try new things?!

The product was very light and didn't have a hard hold, so when I untwisted my hair it absorbed so much moisture from the air. The product has a decent smell so that wasn't an issue. As a matter of fact, most of the products I'm exposed to these days has a decent smell, so I think brands are being more cognizant of that. If I had to use this product again, I would use it as a moisturizer for a wash and go, rather than use it as a holding agent for my twist outs, because it didn't work at all!!!

Of course I didn't take good pictures of the final result. I didn't really like how it turned out, so I wasn't in the photo snapping mood. I kept meaning to get at least one good picture for the blog, but I'm still in off-the-grid mode so my phone (and other devices) stay out of my hands more than they stay in my hands. From the outside looking in, most people would say it looks fine...and it does, I just prefer the more defined look Pantene gives me. This look was too puffy and shrunken for me. The humidity played a big role in this look (and I have to remember that for future styles), but I only kept this look for about a week before throwing some Pantene on it!

NOVEMBER 2015 UPDATE

The only products I've used out of this box, still, are the two mentioned in this post. This was the first time my hair was exposed to the brand, so I'm thankful to curlBOX for the exposure. Back then, I had no goals for my hair so I didn't know any better. I was trying products just to try them. Now with my goal of having healthy hair, I'm more cognizant of what I'm putting in my hair.

I don't use the Pantene custard anymore. My NC cosmetologist told me that product wasn't good for my hair because the pH was way to high. Since then, it's been on my to-do list to start testing the products I use for pH.

I have used the Creme of Nature leave-in a lot since this post. It's one of my favorite spray leave-in conditioners. It's a great moisturizer and very light, so it doesn't weigh my hair down. That's also what I love about the Pudding Perfection Curl Enhancing Cream.

When I tried this product the first time, I was more interested in getting length out of my twist-outs. Now, I don't stretch my twist-outs, I wear my twist outs as pictured here. Also, my wash day technique has changed. Perfecting my technique has a lot to do with how my hairstyles turn out. So, while the products I use play a large part of that, the technique is key.

Creme of Nature is one of my go to brands now, I use many of their products and would highly recommend them to anyone. I guess the next thing I should do is test these products for pH!

What's your favorite hair product??

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Trying Again

My Third Wash and Go

I tried this wash and go style for the third time in my natural life. I'm not a fan of SHRINKAGE!! Summer's coming and I know I'll have to battle very hot weather and humidity. I wanted to jump out in front of the ball by figuring out some styles now that I can wear to combat with the elements!

Since this is a wash and go there aren't too many products or steps to achieving this style, but I'll reveal what I did to get the look along with how I preserved the look overnight.

April curlBOX & Product Review

Pantene Defining Curls Styling Custard

April's curlBOX came while I'm at an impasse with my hair. I started going to the salon and found out that the stylist I chose works more comfortably with straight hair, so now I'm not as encouraged to go. My two weeks would have been Easter weekend but now I'm starting to feel like every two weeks might be too frequent.

That's definitely a conversation for another time, so let's get to this curlBOX. The items included in this month's curlBOX were full size Pantene Pro-V products. They include:
~ Curly Hair Series Moisturizer + Styler, No Crunch Curls Whip
~ Defining Curls Styling Custard
~ 2 Minute Moisture Hair Masque Deep Conditioner
~ Stylers Heat Protection Spray
~ Truly Natural Hair Shine Serum
~ Expert Collection Keragloss Oil Mist

Coming into this experiment, I was worried about using Pantene products. I've heard a lot of naturals talk about how Pantene's natural hair products weren't for them BUT everyone's hair is different, so I wasn't going to let what I heard form my opinions. I needed to try them out myself!! Out of the items listed, I decided to try out the Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Hair Defining Curls Styling Custard first...to hold me over until my next hair wash. I got flexi rods the last time I went to the salon, so I decided to use my revamp method to preserve the look. I followed a very similar method this time around.

I didn't want to invest too much time into revamping the hairstyle because I knew it would only be temporary. I separated my hair into medium sized sections; used a water bottle to dampen each section, applied the custard, then twisted each section.

I loved the results. If I had to compare these results to anything I've used before I would say it reminds me the most of Design Essentials Natural Defining Creme Gel. The custard was light weight, it smelled nice, and there were no flakes after a few days! I will definitely use this product in the future!

The results!

Don't mind my mean mug! It was the best picture of my hair!!

Have a great day y'all!!

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curlBOX Product Review

Aunt Jackie's In Control

I'm finally here with my first curlBOX review! It seems like forever since I signed up. There was a big mix up with delivery THEN I had to wait until wash day to try an item in the box because this was a box full of conditioners!

If I would've known Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter was going to be in the box, I would've held off on buying a new container. Now I have 3 containers but it won't be for naught because I'll definitely use it all!!


Now, let's get to this product. I followed my normal wash routine. There was a difference and that difference was Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils in control "Anti-Poof" Moisturizing & Softening Conditioner - Sulfate-free/Paraben-free/No mineral oil/No Petrolatum: For Natural Curls, Coils, & Waves.

I'll be honest and mention that I was skeptical about trying this product. I've only used products that were well known to me or my cosmetologist. I've never heard of this product or this brand so it made me think twice BUT the world of natural hair is growing and changing every day! How else will you know what new things work for you hair if you don't try?!

Here's what my hair looked like after I applied the conditioner and detangled (to the right).

How does this conditioner compare to past conditioners?

My hair was much softer while and after using this product. My curl pattern was much more defined after putting this product in my hair and it looked like it would be a great product to use for a wash and go. I'm actually tempted to try one when it warms up...all because of this product! You know smell is a big factor for me and this product passed that test. Some would probably consider the smell a bit strong, but after putting other products in my hair (leave-in conditioner, moisturizer, etc.), I could no longer smell it. I also didn't have to use a lot of product. It worked well as a detangler and I can definitely see myself using this product again.

The picture on the left shows my hair after washing out the conditioner. You can't tell me this isn't wash and go material!! The only thing I'd do differently for a wash and go is define the curl rather than combing the curls out!

I'm not going to recommend this product after only one use, but in my next post I'll show you how the style turns out after having used this product!

Have you heard of or used this product?? If so, what are you thoughts about it??

April 2016 Update

I haven't used this product much after writing this post. I found myself in several situations that made me come to the conclusion that I needed to be seeing a professional.

I will say that I've used this product as a detangler but it didn't work well for my situation. It could be because this product isn't a good detangler or it could be that my hair was far beyond DIY detangling when I tried to use this. I would still recommend using this product as just a conditioner. It didn't harm my hair, but I've found better conditioners since writing this post.

Also, my twitter handle changed since making this pictures, so follow me under my current handle!

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Product Review: Mixed Chicks

Although I've only tried the Mixed Chicks products once, I made an instant decision about how I felt about the products!