Ingredients

Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) Juice, Fragaria vesca (Strawberry) Distillate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) Extract, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Prunus dulcis (Almond, Sweet) Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Organic Oil, Olea europaea (Organic Olive) Extra Virgin Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E),  Glucono Delta Lactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Mica

State of Hair prior to application

Freshly washed hair

Process

Pre-poo, detangle & Shampoo

Price

$14 for 8oz plus the cost of shipping

Pro

After the application to my freshly washed hair, my hair felt moisturized . It felt like the product sunk in. It smelled like fresh strawberries, really liked that; also loved that the ingredients were all natural.

Con

The moisture didn’t last very long, I sealed with my CD HHB and banded my hair. The next morning I had to apply something extra to give my hair more moisture (this is not something that I normally have to do).

General Thoughts

It’s a nice product but not worth the cost and in hindsight I’m wondering if I should have gone with the Deep Conditioner as a leave in instead. My hair needs a product that can take care of dry thirsty hair; my normal leave in of choice is the Curl Junkie Curl Rehab.

Would I repurchase?

No

Ingredients

Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrus sinensis (Orange, Sweet) Essential Oil, Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) Extract, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Mangifera indica (Mango) Butter, Corylus avellana (Hazelnut) Oil, Olea europaea (Organic Olive) Extra Virgin Oil, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Organic Oil, Brassica oleracea italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Acrylic Polymers, Glucono Delta Lactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Mica

State of hair Prior to application:

Hair was in Cornrows

Process

 This product is touted as a detangler so I sectioned my hair into four. I slightly dampened one section and applied the product, applied to the next section w/o wetting hair and the final two sections I added an oil (which is my normal process) and then applied the conditioner. I then sat underneath steamer for 10-20 minutes.

General Thoughts

 My hair was fairly tangled and the product did what it stated but felt a bit drying, my belief is that the aloe vera may be the cause since aloe vera and my hair are not the best of friends. I will say that my hair felt soft, not as soft as when I use the Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment but still soft and the detangling process was good and adding the oil to two sections did give it a bit of umph.

Price

$13 for 8oz plus shipping

Pros

Good slippage, detangles well and smelled like those orangesicle ice cream pops from back in the day (with the cream filling).

Cons

 Aloe Vera causes a bit of dryness for me but didn’t take away from the detangling factor. I did have to use a good amount, at least half of the bottle.

Would I repurchase? 

The answer would be no only because while it detangled, I don’t think it did a better job than my normal go to which is Jessicurl’s Weekly Deep Treatment and also factoring in the cost plus shipping deters me as well (when I find something that I like I normally purchase in bulk so liter or gallon sizes are always a plus).  Also, when I’m done detangling even though I will be shampooing afterwards I like my hair to feel soft and have a bit more of a barrier prior the cleansing process.

Ingredients

Water, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Capryl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, O-Cymen-5OL, Fragrance (Parfum)

State of hair prior to application

Freshly Washed/Conditioned Rollerset Hair

Process

Normal process = detangle, shampoo, leave in conditioner, rollerset

General Thoughts

My sister was nice enough to offer me a sample of her Marguerite’s Magic. While I love the healthy butter she swears by the MM and it’s one of her staples so since a smaller size is not available for purchase on the CD website or store, she let me scoop up about 2 ounces to try on my hair.  I normally like applying my HHB to a fresh rollerset and then begin the process of two strand twisting which is my style of choice.  My first impression is that Marguerite’s Magic provides way more moisture to my strands than the HHB which is nice but the con is that once I applied and began twisting, my hair began to shrink a bit which is a no no for me when I’ve gone through all of that trouble to stretch my hair .

Pro

Provides moisture and nice sheen

Con

Aids with shrinkage, not great if you’re starting point is stretched hair.

Wish it came in a 4oz option (only available size to purchase is 8oz)

Would I repurchase?

Maybe…. If I wanted to lightly stretch my damp hair via braid outs or twist outs then this would be my choice but for my current purpose, it’s a no go. I’m also a bit peeved that the only size option for purchase is 8oz, good if it’s an instant hit but horrible if you purchase and dislike it. I give this three out of five fros.

It’s been two months since I first reported on my usage of the healthy hair butter and I wanted to follow up and inform my readers on whether or not I’m still using the product.

Drumroll please………………………..

HIZELL YEAH. I love this product, I mean truly truly truly love this stuff. This product provides me with the moisture that I need, it protects, it nourishes and I think with my fine hair it’s also aiding in length retention.  HHB has truly been added to my keeper list and so happy that we have reunited and it feels so good (wink, wink).

Side Note: I only apply Healthy Hair Butter to dry stretched hair. I will be updating soon on  my complete routine for my tresses.

This product gets 4 out of 5 fros

Ingredients
Distilled Water (infused with Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis Linn (Hibiscus) Petals), Cetyl Alcohol*, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Honey, Behentrimonium Methosulfate*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Cetyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate*, PEG-100 Stearate*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Butter, Panthenol, Plantago Species (Plantain) Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride*, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Seed Butter, Simmondisa Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Arnygd alus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Beeswax, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dimethicone PEG-8 Benzoate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth- 10 Adipate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed, Hydrolyzed Silk Amino Acids, PEG -7 Olivate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA , Fragrance.
*Vegetable Derived

State of Hair prior to applying

Freshly Washed/Conditioned Hair

Process

My normal process is pre-poo with a deep conditioner and steamer, let it cool and then detangle. The next step is to shampoo and then condition, apply leave in and continue on with my process of styling my hair.

General Thoughts

It’s touted as an all in one styling product. It’s supposed to be a combination of a leave in plus a styling product and is great for braid and twist outs.

Pro

None

Con

The Sahara desert process continues, just like with the Smoothing Lotion I did not like this with or without an additional leave in. I don’t know what’s going on with Curl Junkie 0/2.  The price tag on this one is $22 for 8oz.

Would I repurchase?

Nope

Carols  Daughter Monoi Hair Repairing Mask

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccaride, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Extrac, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, Octyldodecanol, Ceteareth-20, Quarternium-91, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone

State of Hair prior to applying

Mini Twists

Process

My normal process is pre-poo with a deep conditioner and steamer, let it cool and then detangle. The next step is to shampoo and then condition, apply leave in and continue on with my process of styling my hair.   With the Monoi, I mixed it with Oyin Whipped Pudding to help provide slip before sitting underneath the steamer.

General Thoughts

The mask is supposed to help with breakage; I had a little bit of breakage while taking out my mini twists so thought it wouldn’t hurt for me to apply. I think the combo of the whipped pudding and the mask wasn’t enough, I should have used coconut oil like I normally do.

Pro

At this time, I think it’s just ok but will try again with coconut oil to see if adding coconut oil makes me love this like I like the smoothie when mixed with CO.

Con

The price; this ish is expensive. $29 for 7oz.

Would I repurchase?

I can’t say at this time, let me use it further and I’ll be able to determine if it’s worth joining the roster.

Carols  Daughter Smoothing Collection

Chocolat Smoothing Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Macadamia Seed Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Coconut Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Fragrance (Parfum), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Amodimethicone, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Polyquaternium-4, Quaternium-91, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polyquaternium-7, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Butylene Glycol, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Glycol Distearate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool

Chocolät Smoothing Conditioner

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Isododecane, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Fragrance (Parfum), Quaternium 91, Amodimethicone, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Panthenol, Jojoba Esters, Hydrolyzed Silk, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-4, Cetrimonium Chloride, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool

Chocolät Smoothing Blow Dry Cream

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyester-5, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Isohexadecane Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Fragrance (Parfum), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Methoxy PEG-16 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sorbitan Stearate, Steareth-2, Jojoba Esters, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Hydrolyzed Silk , PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Polyimide-1, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Trideceth-6, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Octyldodecanol, PVM/MA Copolymer, Polyquaternium-4, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool

State of Hair prior to applying

I had been wearing my hair in crochet braids with my own hair braided underneath

Process

My normal process is pre-poo with a deep conditioner and steamer, let it cool and then detangle. The next step is to shampoo and then condition, apply leave in and continue on with my process of styling my hair. I wanted to blow dry so this was the main reason why I decided to try this trio.

Pro

Not much, the conditioner was nice, filled to the rim with cones but nothing special.

Con

I understand the use of cones especially when it comes to applying heat but jeez Louise, this was a lot and as such I felt like 1) The Conditioner was just ok 2). The Shampoo didn’t feel as if it cleaned more so felt as if it were coating my hair and I had to use my trusty Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo to cleanse my hair.  The next step calls for applying the Blow Dry Cream but if I put that in my hair alone, my hair would be dry as hell so I used a bit of the Giovanni Leave In and then the Blow Dry Cream. Final results: HATED IT!!!!!! I had to redo my hair again from scratch.

General Thoughts

This may be good for some but was definitely not good for me and wouldn’t be something that I would ever repurchase. The price for the collection was $54. I believe I paid less since I ordered from HSN.

Would I repurchase?

No

Ok so a couple of greenbacks left my pockets as I purchased some products that I have been interested in trying for some time.  I have been hiding my hair with crochet braids and have been content but I’m feeling a bit of an urge to have my hair be wild and free (a.k.a braidout time). Sooooo after careful hunting on Youtube for reviews I decided to purchase the following:

Curl Junkie Pattern Pusha Hair Styling Gel

Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion

Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta

I plan on using the Smoothing Lotion in junction with the Pattern Pusha for hopefully what will be awesome braidouts and the Honey Butta alone for braidouts as well.

 Mini First Impression:  I love the feel of the products on my skin (I always test on skin first) and the consistency of each seems nice, can’t wait to try these out on my hair. I’m already a fan of the Rehab and the Repair Me.

I also purchased the following:

Carols Daughter Chocolat  Ultimate Strand Smoothing System (shampoo, conditioner, blow dry cream and Finishing Shine Mist).

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Healthy Haircare Set (Black Vanilla Smoothie, Black Vanilla Shampoo, Black Vanilla Conditioner).

 Mini First Impression: The shampoo on my skin felt drying and when I read the ingredients I can see why, it has sulfates which is no bueno for my hair so I may just apply it to one section for testing. The Blow Dry Cream is thick, not as thick as  HHB but thick enough, I can see this sticking to my strands and protecting it from any possible heat damage but we’ll see.  The Black Vanilla Shampoo seems nice and moisturizing and the conditioner seems to be ok but we’ll see. I  can’t see myself using the finishing mist so there will not be a review on this.

Until then…….

I used to be a hardcore user of Carols Daughter in the past when she was up and coming and when it was DIFFICULT to find her products unless you trekked to her former flagship store in Brooklyn. I’ve made mention before that I fell off the bandwagon once she became more mainstream and the ingredients in my favorite product changed.

Well let’s rewind to May in which I was trying out some crochet braids and I wanted to place something in my hair that was going to lock in moisture since I wouldn’t have access to my strands for a bit and my sis had some healthy hair butter and I thought you know what let me try it again and see if this will do the job for me. I did the usual (shampoo, condition, etc) applied Giovanni as a leave in, applied HHB, placed my hair in large braids and let dry overnight. The next day I had my mother place my hair in cornrows and I made it a point to ask her how she thought my hair felt (I thought it felt good but I wanted additional confirmation) and she said your hair feels really nice so I thought hmmmm ok HHB I see you.

Fast forward to June, I decided to purchase a small container for myself and figured if I didn’t like it then I wouldn’t have spent too much money (CD was having a 25% off sale).  Now by this time I had taken my crochet braids out and realized that my hair was still moisturized which of course is a plus for me so Round 2 and once again the results were great. I went for round three over the weekend and the only difference is that instead of air drying, I decided to blow dry my hair and HHB, for me, is fantastic as a heat protectant.  OMG I don’t know if the formulation has changed, if she’s moved things around but I’m back in love, truly in love. I just love the fact that it moisturizes and seals my hair. Here’s to hoping that my reunion with HHB lasts forever.

Hola Chicas, on to the next product line in the Shea Moisture line up which is the Moisture Retention Line.

Let’s commence with the ingredients

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

Contains de-ionized water, Decyl Glucoside (sugar beets), African Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea butter) (denotes certified organic ingredients), aloe vera leaf juice, Argan Oil, Panthenol (pro-vitamin B-5, rosemary extract, sea kelp extract, vitamin E, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract.

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Restorative Trauma Masque

Contains de-ionized water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea butter) (denotes certified organic ingredients), Argan oil, vegetable glycerin, emulsifying wax, sea kelp extract, Panthenol (vitamin B-5), essential oil blend, avocado oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (sage) leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract, soybean oil and Daucus Carota Sativa (carrot) seed oil.

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

 Contains de-ionized water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea butter)*, Argan oil, coconut oil*, Behentrimonium chloride, essential oil blend, vegetable glycerin, emulsifying wax, sea kelp extract, Panthenol (vitamin B-5), avocado oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E) and Daucus Carota Sativa (carrot) seed oil. *Denotes certified organic ingredients.

State of Hair prior to applying:

Twists

Process:

I took out each twist one by one and applied the Restorative Masque. If you didn’t know I normally pre-poo and either leave it in for a couple of hours or overnight.  I left the masque in overnight.  The next morning, undid each twist, detangled with fingers and combed through with the tangle teezer. I rinsed and shampooed with the Moisture Retention Shampoo and from there I applied the Restorative Conditioner but did not rinse it out. I finished my shower process, sat underneath a heat cap to help it absorb and then sat underneath a dryer until hair was close to dry. I then applied Karen Body Beautifuls Creamylicious and braided my hair.

Pro Thoughts:

Shampoo is very moisturizing

Leave In Conditioner (or rinse out depending on how you use it) is very good, absorbs well provides lots of moisture

Price is very good for what you get

The ingredients are all natural

Easy to find this particular line in the Shea Moisture roster which is very interesting.

Con Thoughts

The Masque sucked, does not go on as smoothly as the Yucca or Black Soap (have to review this one as well but can I tell you that TOOT TOOT, this is my favorite conditioner). I actually had to use some of the black soap on other sections of my hair because the Shea Butter Masque was not cutting it.

General Thoughts

I have very dry hair and what I love about this line is that it provides much needed moisture but I notice that for me what’s helping also is the fact that I’m pre-pooing with their masques and it’s allowing the shampoo not to strip my hair since it’s essentially “stripping” the conditioner.  I had to re-shampoo a section of hair for some reason and noticed that the moisture factor wasn’t there as it had been before and I experienced tangles in that section.

Would I repurchase:

Yes to the shampoo and conditioner, HELLZ NO to the masque.  Since I still have a good amount left, I will be combining it with coconut oil before using as a pre-poo.