Name Your Top 5 Hair Products/Supplies

Hello Readers:  Keep in mind that I no longer update this site, the new updated blog can be found at www.uneautrenaturelle.com.  Thank you!

I just read this post written by sassncurlz.  The goal is to list your top 5 hair products / hair supplies; basically the ones you can’t live with out.  The tough part is just keeping it to 5 items!  Here’s my list:

1.  Hair Milk – I am currently using Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Milk, but I have also tried Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk.

2.  Jumbo Rake Comb – basically a wide tooth comb…it’s on sale at Sally’s right now!

3.  Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner

4.  Satin Hair Scarf

5.  Renpure Amazing Miracle Deep Penetrating Reconstructor – there are mixed reviews on this product, but for me it has been working wonderfully!

So, I feel good, I was able to complete a list with only five products!  Can you?  What are your top 5 products?

Product Review – Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner

 Hello Readers:  Keep in mind that I no longer update this site, the new updated blog can be found at www.uneautrenaturelle.com.  Thank you!

 

I tried this product for the first time last week and since that moment Hello Hydration and my hair have been in love!  OK – this may be a little over the top, but here’s what I think of the product: 

Product Information: 

Herbal Essence Conditioner Hello Hydration 

12 oz bottle /$2.99 

Where I purchased:  

In store: Harmon Beauty Discount Store 300 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 

On-line:  Harmon Beauty Discount 

Ingredients: 

water, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract, glutamic acid, fragrance, bisaminopropyl dimethicone, benzyl alcohol, edta, propylene glycol, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, citric acid, blue 1 

Product Details: (directly from the website) 

With a fusion of orchid & coconut milk. Let me soak it to you. I’m deliciously hydrating. Give your hair a drink. I say you can never get too much of a good thing. So say hello to a deep dousing of lush hydration with my rich formula fused with orchids & coconut milk. Drink up and replenish your hair’s much needed moisture. It’s time to be reunited with manageable, silky, smooth hair. Made in USA. 

My Experience 

So far I have used this product four times for co-washing.  Each time I find that it gives my hair that “clean, product free” feeling and leaves my hair moisturized. 

What does it look like?  

This conditioner is blue in color, just like the bottle.  It has a great coconut flower scent – please note, I love scents so this may be a little strong for some.  It has a great thick consistency.   

What does it really do?  

Once I applied this conditioner, I left it in for about three minutes before detangling my hair.  I felt that it provided a great amount of slip and was easy to detangle.   The conditioner washed out easily and my hair felt product free.  I applied hair milk and some olive oil to my hair (as usual).  The next morning my hair was shiny and soft.     

Any cons?  

This conditioner contains both alcohols and silicones.  For me, that didn’t matter much, because I plan to use this only for co-washing, and it seems my hair likes silicones.  For those of you who are that “hate silicones type” I would avoid this product. 

Rating?  

I really like this product as a co-washing conditioner.  I would not substitute it for my weekly deep conditioning, but for an every other day co-wash product, I love it!  If you want another option on this product, check out Journey’s of a Black Bella’s opinion as well! 

Disclaimer:  I am not a hairstylist or beautician.  I bought this product on my own, and these are my opinions.

Corporate Hair Challenge: How do you wear your do?

It is rumored that a natural woman has it harder at work because it is hard to have what is considered a suitable hairstyle. Is this true? How do you wear your hair to work? Email me your pictures (uneautrenaturelle@yahoo.com), I’ll post them on the website! Remember: let’s be a resource for all other natural ladies out there!  In the meantime, here’s how I’ve been wearing my hair..

BTW – The first picture is Claudia Gordon the first deaf African-American female attorney in the U.S.

Product Review – Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Mask

 

Hello Readers:  Keep in mind that I no longer update this site, the new updated blog can be found at www.uneautrenaturelle.com.  Thank you!

Back in February I had a wonderful opportunity  to visit the Karen’s Body Beautiful store in Brooklyn, NY.  Shortly after that, I started this blog, so this first product review is actually another Hallmark for me.  Before I begin, I think it’s important to let you know my hair type – I’m what people would categorize as type 3c/4a combination.  You will not hear this type thing again – because I really hate the typing system, but I guess it’s important when discussing the results of a hair product.  Let’s begin:

Product Information:

Karen’s Body Beautiful

Luscious Locks Hair Mask

8oz jar

$25

Where you can Purchase:

In store: Karen’s Body Beautiful

436 Myrtle Avenue

Brooklyn, NY  11205

On-line:  www.karensbodybeautiful.com

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Aloe Butter, Jojoba Oil, Agave, Vegetable Wax, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera Juice, Panthenol, Arnica, Calendula, Echinacea, Nettle & Horsetail Extracts, Carrot Seed Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil, Arnica, Shikakai & Amla Extracts, Vitamin E & Natural Enzymes.

Website Product Details:

The Luscious Locks Hair Mask is a wonderfully nutritious conditioning treatment that you can use as often as your hair needs it.

Conditioning doesn’t get deeper than this because everything you need for your hair is in this jar.  Detangle, soften, strengthen, grow.  Saturate your strands with this rich blend of herbs like shikakai and rosemary which are known to promote hair growth, arnica and nettle to strengthen your hair follicles and aloe for much-needed moisture.  It is called Luscious Locks for a reason.

Product Directions:

Use it after you shampoo instead of your regular conditioner. Coat your hair from root to tip and leave it in for 20 minutes.  If you can apply heat that’s a great way for the nutrients, herbs and other ingredients to penetrate your hair and scalp really well.  Gently rinse and style as usual.

My Experience

I used this product four times before writing this review.  I must admit, I fell in love with this product from the first application.  This deep conditioner does exactly what it says it will do:  detangle, soften, strengthen.  Each time I used this deep conditioner, I utilized it a little differently. The first time I left it in my hair with a plastic cap for a few hours (no heat applied).  The second time, I was in a rush, so I left it in for 20 minutes but went under the drier for those 20 minutes.  The third time, I left it in my hair for about an hour plus an additional 20 minutes under the drier.  And this very last time, I left it in my hair overnight.  I found that the product worked wonders every time regardless of how long it stayed in my hair.  I did find the deep conditioning a little more effective when I used it with heat.

What does it look like?

This hair mask is white in color, unscented (very light herb scent), and has a thick creamy consistency.  A little goes a long way, which is good since this product cost $25.

What does it really do?

This conditioner provided a lot of slip with just a little product.  Once I applied this to my freshly washed hair, I was easily able to detangle with very little hair shedding – basically excellent slip factor.  The conditioner washed out very easily, regardless of how long the product stayed in my hair.  Once the product was rinsed out, my hair was super soft and moisturized.  Another plus was that my hair was still clean; have you ever used a conditioner and no matter how many times you rinsed your hair it still felt weighed down?  Well this conditioner doesn’t do that.

Any cons?

Honestly, I felt that there were no cons with this product.  My only issue (which is a rather silly one) is the fact that the packaging / jar has no directions on how to use it.  When I went to the store, Karen explained how I should use this product, but to be honest, I forgot what she told me.  It would have been nice to have that written somewhere on the jar.

Rating?

This product is AMAZING!  $25 well spent!  My rating, three naps and a curl! So, go out and buy this product yesterday.

Disclaimer:  I am not a hairstylist or beautician.  I bought this product on my own, and these are my opinions.

A Possible Product Junkie in the Making

This natural hair thing has become quite a process.  I went from simply palm rolling my hair every two weeks with water and a little olive oil to co-washing, conditioning, and moisturizing every other day.  Hey – did I say styling ????  Sorry, I digress; but, to add insult to injury, there are SO MANY natural hair products available.   So my goal is to find those particular hair products that work for my hair.  In order to do this I will need to try several products until I find the “ONE”.  What does this mean for you, the reader?  It means I will provide a detailed product review of everything that I try – until I decide what works best for my hair.  Hopefully this  process will cure the potential product junkie in me as well as provide readers with some great information.

Here is a list of products I have tried with product reviews to come:

• Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Butter
• Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Milk
• Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Nectar
• Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Mask
• Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner
• Burt’s Bee Avocado Hair Butter
• Giovanni Hair Products

Here is  a list of products I have purchased – product review coming after I have tried the product at least three times.

• Darcy’s Botanical NEW Herbal Tea Leave-in Conditioning Spritz
• Darcy’s Botanical Coconut Cupuacu Butter Natural Hair Pomade
• Darcy’s Botanical Organic Coconut Butter Styling Pomade
• Yes to Carrots Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask
• Yes to Cucumbers Leave-In Conditioner

Here is my wish list of products:

• Boutique de Fleurzty Hydrating Hair Butter
• Boutique de Fleurzty Curls Nurture Cream
• Hairveda CoCasta Shikakai Oil – The Ayurveda Oil Blend
• Hairveda SitriNillah Masque-Ultra Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
• Hydratherma Naturals
• Dr. Miracle’s Hair Products

Natural Hair Care: Grapeseed Oil

For those of you who do not know me yet…I LOVE A GREAT DEAL and that’s what I found this weekend.  I went to HomeGoods (alone – no children and no husband – best time ever) and stumbled upon the international foods section when the stock person was shelving a truck load of 100% organic oils;  I was like a kid in a candy store.  Aside from all the lovely oils I purchased, I wanted to talk about one in particular – Grapeseed Oil.

I’ve never had the opportunity to try this but here are the benefits of grapeseed oil for you hair:

• has regenerative and restructuring properties
• great base for hair conditioners
• odorless and full of vitamins and minerals
• adds shine and moisture to your hair – extremely high in Vitamin E
• high content of “linoleic acid” – important fatty acid which supports hair growth
• other useful properties of grapeseed oils can be found here.

I plan to use the Grapeseed Oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil as a hot oil treatment.   I will share pictures once I try it!

***Disclaimer: The information provided on oils has been collected from various sites and is provided for informational purposes only ***

 

Grandmother’s Advice: Natural Hair Care

Here’s a great article I found on the Epoch Times

Anca Hubert
Epoch Times Staff Created: Feb 21, 2010

Here’s a great article I read on the Epoch Times….

Ingredients for natural remedies. (Cat Rooney/The Epoch Times)

 

In winter we need to pay more attention to hair care due to low temperatures, wind, and wearing a hat as well as the drying effects of indoor heating.

Some of the tips we heard when we were young have been forgotten in the switch to new and improved products, but they worked for generations and when we go back and try them, we find they still work today.

Did your mother pass along her mother’s admonition to brush your hair 100 strokes a day (gently, not harshly) when you were young? I wonder how our hair would look if we did that each day now. Besides that physical activity, there are several natural hair care treatments that you might like to try.

Hair conditioners and masks

Hair mask with honey and lemon: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with lemon juice (1 lemon) and 1 tablespoon of water. Apply the mixture to your hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash your hair with lukewarm water.

Honey: an excellent natural ingredient. (Cat Rooney/The Epoch Times)

Hair mask with honey and milk or sour cream: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of sour cream or milk. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then wash hair with lukewarm water.

If you want your hair to be soft and silky, I recommend a natural conditioner.

Mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) Latin proverb

Honey conditioner: Mix 1/2 cup honey with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash your hair with lukewarm water.

Treating problems

The following are natural treatments for hair growth and thickening.

Castor oil treatment: This oil stimulates hair growth and strengthens the hair. It’s recommended to massage your scalp every night with it, for 5 to 10 minutes. Then shampoo and rinse your hair with plenty of water.

Castor oil and olive oil treatment: Use 2 to 3 garlic cloves crushed well, 3 tablespoons honey, a spoon of castor oil, 3 egg yolks, and 5 teaspoons olive oil. Mix all ingredients until you get a homogeneous mixture.

Apply the mask to dry hair and massage the scalp and roots for 5–10 minutes. Cover your head with a warm towel and let the mask sit for an hour. Then, wash your hair with a little moisturizing shampoo and plenty of water. It’s recommended to use the mask once a week, and three times a week in serious cases of hair loss. Link the simple natural treatment with castor oil (see recipe above).

Use the following recipes to fight dandruff and stimulate hair growth

Rosemary rinse: Add 50 g (1 3/4 oz.) of rosemary leaves to 500 g (2 cups) of hot water (boiling). Leave it covered for 30 minutes and strain the leaves. When cool enough to use, apply to the hair as a rinse.

Lotion with olive oil and rosemary oil: Mix 50 ml (3.3 tablespoons or 1/5 cup) of olive oil with 3/4 teaspoon of essential rosemary oil and apply the mixture to your hair. Pay more attention to the ends, as they need more care. After this, tie your hair in a towel (turban-style) and leave it on for an hour. Then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.

The following natural treatments are for damaged hair

Lotion with olive oil and lemon: Prepare a regenerating lotion with 3 teaspoons of warm olive oil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Pour them in a small bottle, mix them well, and apply to your freshly washed hair, massaging the scalp well. Cover your head with a towel for 30 minutes; then wash your hair again.

Fresh lemon:another natural ingredient. (Cat Rooney/The Epoch Times)

Conditioner with egg and olive oil: Prepare a conditioner from a fresh egg, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice or lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey. Apply the mixture on your freshly washed hair, massaging the scalp well. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Lotion with honey: Prepare a lotion from honey, apple cider vinegar, and warm water. To make this lotion, add a teaspoon of honey and one of vinegar to a cup of warm water. Mix well. To use it, pass a comb through the lotion and then comb your freshly washed hair. After the treatment, don’t rinse the hair, but let it dry by itself.The following natural treatment is help for dry hair

Lotion with olive oil, egg yolks, and rum: Mix 2 egg yolks with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a tablespoon of rum. Apply the mixture to clean, damp hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes, covering your head with a headscarf. Then rinse with lots of warm water.

This natural treatment is for oily hair with excess sebum

Leave-in treatment with herbs: Massage the scalp with a lotion prepared from 4 teaspoons of dried plants (nettle, rosemary, horsetail, and thyme—1 teaspoon each) mixed with 150 ml (5 oz.) water and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Prepare an infusion of the herbs, strain, and add the vinegar or lemon juice. Massage the scalp well after washing the hair. Do not rinse and let it dry naturally.

Special ingredients

The application of these natural treatments is valid only if it is combined with a balanced diet based on fruits, vegetables, cereals, and sufficient protein combined with exercise or walking outdoors and recreation. And don’t forget to smile, be positive, and spend more time with loved ones—and if your grandmother is with you, give her a big hug!

Source of information:www.mayra.ro, http://www.healthy.ro, www.util21.ro

The Little Train that Could & Me!

Did I happen to say that not only is the twist out one of the most popular hair styles for a natural, it is also one of my favorites!  I use to do twist outs and braid outs with my locs all the time…and I LOVED IT!  Because of my love for this style and my inexplicable need to not be defeated… I decided to try the twist out a second time; this time with a little more power under my belt…YOU TUBE! 

I found this person on YouTube, who seemed to have the same problem as I did – a flat twist out.  Takes a look at what she did…be sure to watch part 2 as well.

 

If you’re still reading after you watched the video, I want to tell you what I did differently than taren916:

1. First off I immediately realized that she did not have the same texture hair as me, but she did have the same problem.
2. I used Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk (again – trying to finish the bottle so I can try the KBB’s brand!)
3. I parted my hair into three sections – each section having about three double strand twists
4. Then I used Burt’s Bee Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment ( a small amount on each twist)
5. I locked the ends with 100% organic coconut oil
6. I bantu knotted the twist – yes, I was not playing, I wanted my big hair back!
7. I lightly spritz my hair with my homemade aloe vera spritz
8. Wrapped my hair with a satin head wrap for the night!

This mornings results – I am HAPPY with my hair!

Final thoughts:

Never give up,  learn your hair, and always have fun being Natural!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend I will discuss how I combed out my locs (tear), ’til than stay happy being natural!