A Staple Product: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

I received the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie as a Christmas gift from my sister, Alison. Did I mention I love it? It is definitely staple product, which I love to use for my braids, twists, braid-outs, and twist-outs. So, I pretty much use it whenever I am styling my hair. Well, let me get into the review...

Pros:
1. Great ingredients: No parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, animal testing, PABA, synthetic color, DEA, or animal ingredients
2. It's a product that is geared towards "Thick and Curly Hair" (I hate when products say "for all hair types".)
3. It is great for applying to the ends of my hair to prevent breakage and more fairy knots.
4. Produces a great sheen to the hair.
5. Smells wonderful because it has a subtle but, not overpowering scent.
6. Great texture meaning its not messy or too thick
7. Does not cause a change in the hair meaning it keeps my hair soft and supple

Cons:
I really can't think of any as of now. I love it just that much :-)

INGREDIENTS: De-ionized water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea butter)*, Macadamia Ternifolia seed oil, Mangifera Indica (mango) seed butter*, Persea Gratissima (avocado) oil, Cocos Nucifera (coconut) oil*, Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract, silk protein, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) seed oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (carrot) seed oil, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitol Esters, essential oil blend, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract and Tocopherol (vitamin E). *Denotes certified organic ingredients.
Well, that's my review for the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I plan on purchasing some more in the future so, it is officially added to my hair arsenal. I used it just last night while styling my loose twists and I love the results.

A Staple Product: Shea Moisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo

So, its official. I have changed my shampoo. I previously used Giovanni Deeper Moisture for my hair but, I found it too harsh. My sister, Auset, bought me some Shea Moisture and I absolutely love this shampoo. I have now been using it for a little over 2 months and the verdict is in. Check out the pros below.

PROS:
1. Great ingredients (look below for ingredients listing)
2. Does not strip the hair
3. Really cleanses the hair and scalp without drying it out
4. Does not have an overbearing smell
5. Easily available (Local Target, Walgreens, etc.)
6. Sulfate free

CONS:
1. None

Ingredients:
Contains de-ionized water, Decyl Glucoside (sugar beets), African black soap, Salicylic Acid, Salix Alba (willow) bark extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) seed oil, charcoal powder, Melaleuca Alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed (Jojoba) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) oil (denotes certified organic ingredients), aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin E, rosemary extract, plantain extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract.

I could go on and on about the greatness of this product but, I won't. Simply put, I love it and I don't see myself changing it any time soon...

A Staple Item: Nail File

I know this is not a hair tool but, if you have natural hair it is a necessary tool. I keep a nail file in the same area with my hair products/tools.

So, why is a nail file necessary? Needless to say, if our nails aren't completely smooth all around then, there is potential for our hair to snag on our nails. Snagged hair means unnecessary breakage. As for me, I do style my hair and detangle with my fingers so, it is imperative that my hair is not being damaged by being caught in my nails. Many times, I don't even know that I have splits in my nails until I do my hair. It is then that I break out my trusty nail file and smooth and buff that nail.

So, give yourself a good manicure or get one done professionally. Because in the end, you're ultimately protecting your hair.

A Staple Product: Castor Oil

So, as an early Christmas present my sister bought me some castor oil! As I mentioned in a previous post, I have many plans for my castor oil. Listed below I have detailed how I have used it so far.

For my skin:
1. I mixed the castor oil with my Curel lotion to give me more moisture to my skin. It worked really well for my horribly dry eczema skin.
2. I use the castor oil as an oil rinse. I mixed it in a 50:50 ratio of EVOO and castor oil.
3. I also use a small drop of the castor oil as a moisturizer for my face.

For my hair:
1. I use the castor oil as a moisturizer for my hair.
2. I have plans to use the 50:50 mixture as an oil rinse.

There are many benefits to castor oil as previously mentioned but, I am finding other great uses for it also!

NOT a Staple Product: Cantu Shea Butter Leave In

Now, I know that there are many naturals who are big fans of this products and I am not knocking them at all. This is just a personal review of my experience with this product. But, we must remember we all have different heads of hair and what works for one may not work for another. Now on to the review...

I first bought this product when I began transitioning. I really did not know the results of it on my hair because I kept my hair cornrowed through most of my transition. Then, when I was fully natural I wasn't really feeling the results from the leave-in. I feel a leave-in should leave your hair feeling soft, moisturized, etc. But, this did none of those things. Then, this past weekend I decided to give Cantu another try for my braid-out. And I realized I hated this product! My hair was weighed down, felt so nasty because of build-up, and a white film was left on some parts of the hair that was hard to get off.

Ingredients: Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Shea Butter), Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean), Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium 37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG 1 Trideceth 6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearalkonium Chloride, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone, Panthenol, PPG 1 PEG 9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Lanolin Oil, Cinnamidopropyl Trimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Benzophenone 3, BHA, BHT, Zea Mays Oil (Corn), Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, DMDM Hydrantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

Cons:
1. Leaves the hair feeling weighed down.
2. Takes away the natural volume of natural hair.
3. Leave a nasty filmy build-up.
4. Contains one of the worst silicones, which means its hard to get off of your hair.
5. This product actually has warnings on the back of it. I just noticed this the past weekend.
6. One of warnings state: "Avoid applying directly to new growth." Uh, my whole head is new growth. Duh.
7. I feel this product is mainly targeted towards relaxed tresses.

Pros:
1. Very economical price (But, I can understand why.)
2. You get a lot of product (But, again, I can understand why.)

A Staple Product: Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Conditioner

You already know that I am a big fan of the Giovanni product line. I did a previous review for the leave-in conditioner HERE. And I did another review on the shampoo HERE. So, now I am moving on the Giovanni Deep Moisture conditioner.

I adore this conditioner. I always use it in conjunction with the entire Giovanni line. Meaning, if I am shampooing with the Giovanni then I will be conditioning with the Giovanni. This conditioner has a creamy consistency and is great for detangling. However, since this is one of my most expensive conditioners I usually mainly deep condition with this only.

Pros:
1. Great consistency.
2. No overpowering scent.
3. Provides great moisture to the hair.
4. Great for detangling.
5. Gives great sheen to the hair.
6. Decreases the amount of frizz.

Cons:
1. Other conditioners can provide these same results. So, there is not a need to purchase this particular brand.

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water) With *Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, *Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Valencia Orange) Extract, (Mangifera Indica (Mango) Extract, *Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Extract, *Ginkgo Biloba Extract, *Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, *Salix Alba (Willow Bark), *Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Leaf Extract, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, *Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Extract, *Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysulfaine, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disteareth-75 Ipdi,C11-15 Pareth-7, Citric Acid, C12-16 Pareth-9,Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance With Essential Oils. *Certified Organic By Guaranteed Certification Services.


I am a loyal consumer of Giovanni and I will be purchasing this product again. When I go to Target, I just pick up all three of my main products from this line--and the conditioner is apart of it. Now, I do plan on trying some of their other products from this line. So, stay tuned for that...

A Staple Product: Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo

I have already reviewed the Giovanni Deep Moisture Leave-in so now it is time to move on to the shampoo.

I have been a faithful user of this shampoo since I first became natural. I heard many great things about it on numerous blogs so, I knew I would definitely be using that shampoo. Currently, this is my only shampoo. I do love what it does for my hair. I do want to try other shampoos in the future but, I am pleased with my current shampoo. So, why mess up a good thing?

Pros:
1. Has no bad ingredients--no sulfate.
2. Does not leave hair feeling stripped and/or dry.
3. Does what it says--provides deep moisture.
4. Does not give too much lather. It just lightly suds up.
5. I only have to lather once (no repeat) to achieve great results.
6. Price is not ridiculous for such a great product.
7. Does not have an overpowering scent.
8. Can be found at Target, Ulta, etc. so, there is no need to order it.
9. No animal products and cruelty free. Vegan.

Cons:
Honestly, I can't think of one con for this product.

Ingredients: Aqua ((purified water)), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Valencia Orange) Extract (*), Mangifera Indica (Mango) Extract (*), Cymbopogon Schoeanthus (Lemongrass) Extract (*), Ginkgo Biloba Extract (*), Echinacea Angustifolia (Coneflower) Extract (*), Salix Alba (Willow Bark) (*), Marcocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract (*), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Leaf Extract (*), Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract (*), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract (*), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract (*), Sodium C14 16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyglycerin, Disteareth 75 IPDI, C11 15 Pareth 7, Citric Acid, C12 16 Pareth 9, Glycerin, Trideceth 12, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance with Essential Oils

This is definitely my go-to shampoo. Even if I try other shampoos in the future, I will definitely still purchase this product. It is a must have, in my opinion, in my household.

Next up, the Giovanni Deep Moisture conditioner...

A Staple Item: Satin Bonnet

Oh, the importance of a satin bonnet (or satin scarf)!! I am sure you have heard on many natural blogs or from naturals around you (and even relaxed girls) the importance of their satin bonnet. I wear my satin bonnet every night and even when I am taking a brief nap. I can not imagine my hair rubbing against harsh cotton. I know some naturals choose to sleep on a satin pillow but, I love the cool feel of cotton.

Can you believe that last night I forgot to sleep with my satin bonnet?!?! It just totally slipped my mind. This morning I was so annoyed with myself I kept touching my braids to see if any frizz occured. I did have some. So, I smoothed it down and then bobby pinned those pieces in place that were out. I could have avoided all of this if I would've slept with my bonnet.

So, why is a satin bonnet so important? Simply put, our hair can not take constant rubbing or movement against other fabrics (i.e. cotton, wool, acrylic). This can cause friction which can lead to breakage. And that is something we all wish to avoid. This simple bonnet is a life saver.

The bonnets are not hard to find. They sale them at most pharmacies, department store, and beauty supply stores. And the cost is not ridiculous at all. Also, the boneets come with a wide range of options. You can get a bonnet with a tie string, with ruffly elastic edging, or a smooth stretch edging. The smoothy stretch edging is my favorite, however; I do own the ruffly elastic edging also.

Recently, I started to wear a satin bonnet under my slouchy hats. I make my hats with an acrylic yarn and I have always been nervouse that the acrylic would rub against my hair. So now, I simply put the bonnet on and put my hat over the bonnet. So simple.

Where would I be without my satin bonnet???

A Staple Product: Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner

So, I have had the Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner since I first became natural. I really didn't know how I felt about the leave-in, which is why I have been hesitant to review it. However, this past weekend I used it again and I realize that I do like this product. My initial hesitant feelings was mainly due to the frothy white residue that is on the hair after you apply the leave-in. I guess I was used to leave-ins that don't leave any type of residue. Yet, what's amazing about this residue is that is soaks into the hair and eventually disappears. So, here's my thoughts on this leave-in conditioner...

Pros:
1. This product has great ingredients.
2. This product promotes moisture in the hair, which is always good.
3. There is not an overpowering scent to this product.
4. This product soaks into each strand of the hair once applied.
5. This product does not leave a build-up.
6. This product gives control to the hair but, it keeps the hair soft.

Cons:
1. There is a white frothy residue on the hair but, it eventually leaves.
2. The price may be considered too high--considering that you can get these same results with some cheapie conditioners.

Ingredients:
Aqua (Purifed) Water, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Oil, Nettle (Urtica Dioica) Oil, Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) Oil, Birch (Butela Alba) Leaf Oil, Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis Flower) Oil, Clary (Salvia Sclarea), Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), Coltsfoot Leaf (Tussilago Fargara), Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) Oil, Mallow (Malya Sylvestris), Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) Oil, Soybean Protein (Glycine Soja), Cetyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Tocopherol (*Vitamin E), Trace Minerals, Citric Acid (Corn), Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Derived)

Overall, I am pleased with this product. Will I be buying it again? Most likely. I am loyal to the Giovanni line of products. They have some great products. So, I know that when I go to my local Target to restock on my Giovanni I will be repurchasing this product. Also, I think its good to spoil yourself sometimes.

There will be more reviews of the Giovanni line coming in the future...

A Staple Item: Bobby Pins

I usually do posts about my staple products but, what about my staple items? First up is the bobby pin.

I use bobby pins for every single one of my updos. And I also use them to pull hair away from my face or to the side. I'm sure many naturals can attest to the fact that bobby pins help to achieve a number of hairstyles.

My usage of bobby pins will increase in the coming months. Because the weather will soon get colder, I will be utilizing styles that tuck the ends of my hair in. To tuck those ends under, I will need the help of the bobby pin.

The thing I also love about the bobby pin is how inexpensive it is. You can find bobby pins for such a low price. Also, bobby pins are wide in availability. You never have to go to a certain store to find them. They are in department stores, pharmacies, discount stores, grocery stores, etc.

However, despite its availabilty you must be careful when choosing bobby pins. All bobby pins are NOT the same. For instance, I bought this tub of bobby pins from the local Beauty Supply store. Initially, I was happy because there were 500 bobby pins in the tub. And how much I use bobby pins (and lose them) I thought these were perfect. Yet, I only paid $1.99 for them and they were not the best. The little gummy end was not seamless and because of that it would pull strands of my hair out. The best brands of bobby pins that I like are Scunci and Conair. Those brands are usually found at department stores and pharmacies.

Therefore, the bobby pin is definitely a staple item. I can't even imagine not using the bobby pin. Those little things help to achieve so much!

A Staple Product: Herbal Essence Dangerously Straight Conditioner

Do not be afraid of the title of this conditioner. It will not straighten your hair. However, I will tell you what it will do.

I used the Herbal Essence Dangerously Straight conditioner last Sunday when I was putting in my twist for a twist-out. I used this conditioner as a leave-in. I am already a fan of the Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and the Herbal Essence Totally Twisted conditioner. So, I decided to give the Dangerously Straight a try. I may not be a product junkie but, I do adore conditioners.

These are the pros of this product:
1. The scent is simply divine. It is pear flavored.
2. It provides great slip for the hair.
3. Helps with detangling the hair--very easily.
4. This has a thick consistency so, it distributes in the hair perfectly.
5. This product really helps control frizzy hair. My twist-out was much more defined for a longer period of time.

These are the cons of this product:
1. This product will leave more residue in the hair when used as a leave-in. I apply oil to eliminate the residue but, I still has some residue. This may not be a problem if you do not use conditioners as a leave-in.
2. I adore the scent however; some may think that it is too strong.

Overall, I do like this product. I like the control it gives to my hair. I will be purchasing this product in the future because of the many benefits it has. This is another staple conditioner in my line of conditioners. This is my hair on Day 1 with the HE Dangerously Straight. This is my hair on Day 6 with the HE Dangerously Straight. There was a light drizzle on this day and my hair still held up.

A Staple Product: Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil

This is my second review for a Hollywood Beauty product. I bought this HB Castor Oil because of the ingredients that were listed--they're very good and understandable. I must admit that it is not a product I use a whole lot. However, I do use it.

This product claims to do the following: Provide Moisturizing, Healing, Strengthening, and Conditioning for the Hair and Scalp.

I mainly use this product on my scalp. I use it only when I feel my scalp is very dry, which is not very often. I also use it on my missing patch of hair. (Click HERE for that blog post). I must say that I really appreciate this product.

Here are the pros of the product:
1. It is great for a dry scalp.
2. It really does help with problem areas of the scalp--my hair has begun to grow back in this area in a little over a month.
3. If you like to apply "grease" to your scalp or your child's scalp, this is the better choice.

Here are the cons of the produt:
1. This product can get a "greasy" feel to it when used on the hair.
2. If applied to the hair, it can feel as if there is build-up from the product on the hair. It has a heavy feel and I like my hair lightweight.

Ingredients: Hollywood Beauty Oil Complex , Castor Oil , Mink Oil , Sweet Almond Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate- Vitamin E , Jojoba Oil , Paraffin Oil , Safflower Oil , Lanolin , Cocoa Butter , Propylparaben , Fragrance

Overall, I do like this product. I feel it is a great product for providing moisture to the scalp. This is not a product that I use everyday but, it is a product that is used. I try to apply it about every 1-2 days to my problem are to promote conditioning, healing, and strengthening. So far, I feel it is a great aid in this area.

List of Products to Care for Natural Hair

When my sister, Joy, first went natural. She had many questions about the type of products she should use and what not. I'm not sure if she has followed my advice because she insists on using that Blue Magic (how I hate that stuff). However, I feel this list would be really beneficial to others so that they may have an idea of what they should use for their natural hair. And how they should use it.

How to Care for Natural Hair

Oils
1.Extra Virgin Olive Oil – this will give you shine, moisture, and softness
2.Coconut Oil – this will give you moisture, softness, and great nutrients
3.Grapeseed Oil – Great for hair growth—but this oil will run into your face.

Shampoos
1.Giovanni Deep Moisture – found at Target and Ulta
2.Aubrey Organics – more expensive, harder to find

Conditioners
1.Suave Naturals in Coconut
2.Herbal Essence Hello Hydration – blue container
3.Herbal Essence Totally Twisted – purple container
4.V05 Moisture Milks – all flavors are cool
5.Giovanni Deep Moisture Conditioner – more expensive than the rest, can be found at Target and Ulta

Leave-Ins
(I don’t really use leave-ins but, a few decent conditioners are…)
1.Giovanni Deep Moisture Leave In – found at Target, more expensive
2.Garnier Fructise Leave In
3.Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I use this as my leave-in, its perfect for to get soft moisturized hair

Great “Grease”
1.Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil – costs about $4 at Maxway, CVS, and just about anywhere else
2.Shea Butter mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil – microwave it to mix it, shea butter is sold at the wig markets for about $3

A Few Instructions:
1.Co-Wash (wash with conditioner) at least once a week.
2.Deep condition with the conditioner after co-washing—put a plastic cap/bag on the hair for about 15 minutes then wash out
3.Put braids or twists in hair after washing it (this is for when its longer) to prevent tangles
4.Shampoo with one of the listed shampoos at least once a month
5.Seal the hair ends (when it gets longer) about everyday
6.Stay away from anything that may pull or put pressure on the hair
7.You NEED a satin bonnet to prevent the hair breaking
8.Oil the scalp with natural oils or the HB Castor Oil
9.Do NOT buy any products that have these words in the ingredients: Pretrolatum/Pretroleum, Mineral Oil, Sulfate
10.Do NOT get any of these treatments – Texturizers, S-Curl, Baking Soda Treatments, Kiddie Perms (These are NOT natural products and will damage your hair.)

** Please Note: Do NOT buy every product listed. Choose one from each section.**

A Staple Product: Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Conditioner

In a previous post, I discussed the importance of buying cheapie conditioners. I am an avid co-washer and it is imperative that I am always stocked with my conditioners. I have a few of my staple cheapie conditioners and I am usually reluctant to try new types. However, my sister Auset, is an avid buyer of conditioners and she bought me this Herbal Essence Totally Twisted (it was a 2 for $5 special).

I must admit that I simply adore this conditioner and it will be added to my list of conditioners that I regularly buy.

These are the pros of this product:
1. It has a thick and creamy consistency.
2. It leaves the hair with a nice sheen.
3. It is great for leaving in because it gives a nice hold without being hard.
4. It is made specifically for hair that has curls and waves (my twist-out is super defined today).
5. The smell is just divine. It consists of lavender and jade.

The cons of this product:
1. Because the texture is thick and creamy it will leave some white residue on the hair. However, I alleviate this by applying my olive oil after my hair is fully dry. (This may not be a con for most people because they may wash their conditioner out, but I leave it in my hair.)

Below is the result of my hair from using this conditioner as a leave-in.

NOT a Staple Product: Blue Magic

Everywhere I go, I can't seem to get away from Blue Magic. They sell this stuff at almost every store I go to--CVS, Family Dollar, WalMart, etc. And my mother and sister still has jars of this stuff in their house for my nieces. (I continuously tell them to stop using this stuff). And I even have a jar of this stuff in my house from my permed days.

Now, let me say something about this product. NO one should use this grease. Whether you are permed, pressed, or natural. The ingredients are simply horrendous. In the past, I would use this grease right before I flat ironed my permed tresses. My hair would feel so heavy, have no body, and dirt would catch on it so easily. When my mother and sister puts Blue Magic on my nieces hair all I can do is cringe. First off, this stuff is too HEAVY to be used as a scalp treatment. Then, my nieces would go outside to play and all this dirt would be on their scalp because it caught onto the Blue Magic like a magnet. Ewww...

Let's look at the ingredients: Petrolatum , Lanolin , Lecithin , Mineral Oil , Fragrance , Green 6 , Violet 2

First off, there are two MAJOR no-no ingredients that I see off the bat.

Petrolatum and Mineral Oil. Petrolatum is bad for the hair because it will clog the scalp and block moisture from entering the scalp--this is bad for growth. Then, we have mineral oil which is horrible because it is a by product of the distillation of crude oil to produce gasoline and other products made from petroleum (Carother,2009). Doesn't this just sound horrible. Also, mineral oil is also responsible for clogging the pores.

Green 6 and Violet 2. There is NO need to add color to a hair product--or any products. Products should be as natural as possible. Adding colors makes this product un-natural and add ingredients that can not be good for your hair.

Fragrance. What type of fragrance? And this stuff does not smell so great. So was it really needed?

Lanolin. Lanolin is actually a decent ingredient. It is very effective at penetrating the surface and enhancing moisture retention. Lanolin is also beneficial because it continues to absorb moisture from the air, and can thus act as a humectant for the skin or hair. (Hairlicious Inc.com) Yet, by adding the mineral oil and the petrolatum the benefits of this ingredients is now null and void.

Lecithin. Lecithin is also a good ingredient. Lecithin is important to healthy hair growth. It also helps to break down fats, is essential to cell membranes, improves brain function and keeps cells from oxidating. (eHOw.com). Lecithin does aid in hair growth. There is even a lecithin supplement that may be used for healthy hair growth and other benefits. However, I again reiterate that you can not have Petrolatum and mineral oil in this product and expect to get the benefits from this ingredient.

Therefore, this is NOT a staple product. Simply put, this product will not allow for your hair to prosper and grow to its full potential.

Sources:
Carother, D. (2009, July 19). Should Mineral Oil Be Used on the Hair? Retrieved July 21, 2010 from, http://www.articlebase.com/hair-loss-articles/should-mineral-oil-be-used-on-the-hair-get-healthy-hair-now-1050163.html

Hairlicious Inc. (2009, August 9). Hair Question: Is Lanolin Good for the Hair? Retrieved July 21, 2010 from, http://www.hairliciousinc.com/2009/08/hair-question-lanolin-good-for-hair.html

eHow.com (2010) Lecithin for Hair Growth. Retrieved July 21, 2010 from, http://www.ehow.com/about_5366825_lecithin-hair-growth.html

A Staple Product: Grape Seed Oil

I must admit that I have never really thought about grapeseed oil until my hair loss. It was suggested on some sites/blogs/vlogs that grapeseed oil really helps with hair loss. It was for this reason that I bought it.

I initially used grapeseed oil on my scalp, but this did not work out at all. See...grapeseed oil is a very lightweight oil (not like the EVOO or the cocount oil). The oil was running down my face ALL DAY. I felt like I had a Jheri Curl and the juice kept leaking. I thought maybe I used too much and the sun (I was at a cookout) was making it do this. So, then I put on a lighter amount. It was still running down my face (and this time I was in a building). My sister, Alison, was like "you have something on your face". Aargh! So, then I thought maybe I should only use the oil in that spot--where the hair loss is. And it still leaked onto my forehead! I said, "I can't do this. I don't want to walk around with a cloth to soak up the oil on my face/neck." So, I stopped using it all together. But, since I am a thrifty chick I started thinking maybe I could use this oil for something else. I now apply it to my hair after my twists have been put in and on the twisted out hair. It works wonderfully for application to the hair only--NOT the scalp. And I still use a small amount. I simply spray it into my hands, rub them together, and gently distribute it through my hair. It gives my hair a nice sheen and makes it feel so soft. The brand of Grapeseed oil I use is Spectrum Grape seed oil.
These are some of the known benefits of Grapeseed Oil:
Grapeseed oil is popular because it is odorless and full of minerals and vitamins that help strengthen your hair. It is an odorless oil, and can help add shine and moisture to your hair. Grapeseed oil is known for having a high content of linoleic acid, an important fatty acid that supports cell health.(CareFair.com) Also, because it is lightweight it is better able to penetrate the scalp.

My pros:
1. Gives a great sheen to the hair without weighing it down.
2. It claims to strengthen the hair (I still need to use it over a period of time to note any change). I am seeking to have stronger hair.
3. It is odorless and does not compete with any scents from my other oils or perfumes.
4. Provides moisture to the hair and therefore, makes my hair feel so soft!

My cons:
1. May be too lightweight for the scalp because it will run into the face/neck. Not a great oil for the scalp.
2. This oil has a relatively short shelf life of 10-12 weeks. So make sure you put the date that you bought it on the bottle.

A Staple Product: Fantasia IC Olive Gel

I must admit that I am not an avid user of this gel. However, recently I have tried to increase my use of this gel (since I bought it). In the past, I used it about 2-3 times on my edges before I went to bed. Then, I stopped using it. However, since I am wearing twist-outs more often I decided that I could test out this product and provide a review of it.

Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Dimethicone Copolyol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polysorbate-20, Benzophenone-4, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum).

Pros:
1. Gives great hold to the hair.
2. Brings out the curls in the hair.
3. Does not give the hard, crunchy feel to the hair that some gels do.
4. This gel does not contain any alcohol which can be very drying to the hair.
5. Gives a great hold to the edges of the hair.

Cons:
1. It is not the most moisturizing gel.
2. It claims to provide a sleek shine but, I have to add oils in order to obtain a sheen.The shine it provides is not the best--my other hair gel has a better shine.
3. It makes my hair feel dryer which is another reason I add oils to my hair.
4. The smell is average--this is not a major con.

I can say that I will most likely continue to use this product. I am still on the fence on whether I will re-purchase it. I think I may stay on the hunt for a moisturizing gel that gives great hold. So far, my favorite gel is still the Jamaican Mango & Lime Locking gel. Look at my previous post here of my twist-out with the JML gel. There is a much better sheen.

I mainly used this product to set my twists when the hair is wet. And I must admit my twist out today is looking beautiful to me. Below is my hair today. I wet twisted it with the Fantasia IC Olive Gel yesterday after I co-washed it.

A Staple Product: Water

I know it sounds cliché, but water is ESSENTIAL for all of our lives. Our hair thrives from water. It is the most natural hydrator. It helps with the growth of our hair. It is used in conjunction with a number of primary hair products. I could go on forever--which I will later--but lets first look at the facts of water.

I would give the definition of water, but I'm sure that we all understand what water is. It is essentially the liquid,H20, and essential to all forms of life--plant, animal, humans.

But how exactly is water good for hair--especially natural hair?? Water allows for natural hair to be easily detangled. Water hydrates the hair and is therefore great for dry thirsty hair. Water will promote the growth of the hair because that is the main benefit of it.

How does water effect our body?? Water is great for use on the hair, but it also essential that we have enough water in our diet. By having an intake of 6-8 glasses of water a day, we are promoting the ultimate health of our body (this includes the hair). Water will prevent dehydration of the body. It will promote healthy skin. It even helps with my menstrual cramps (this is a personal account). The benefits are endless.

My pros of water are all listed in this post. There won't be any cons for this stape product:-)

A Staple Product: Shea Butter

If you are familiar with the natural world then, I am sure you have heard a lot about the benefits of Shea Butter. Even before I was fully natural, I bought a thing of Shea Butter. Many people use shea butter for their hair, but some also use it for the skin.

The definition of Shea Butter: Shea butter is a slightly yellowish or ivory colored natural fat extracted from the seed of the African shea tree by crushing and boiling. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer and salve. (source: www.wikipedia.org)

These are some of the known benefits of shea butter: Daily skin moisturizer (face and body),Dry skin relief, Dry scalp, Skin rash- including diaper rash, Skin peeling(after tanning), Blemishes and wrinkles, Itching skin due to dryness, Sunburn, Shaving cream to reduce razor irritation, Small skin wounds, Skin cracks, Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels), Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy, Minor burns, Eczema, Sun and wind protection, Even skin tone, Reduce blemishes and scarring, Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing, Preventing bumps after shaving, Reducing acne (especially in combination with African Black Soap), Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, helps restore elasticity to skin, Restores luster to hair (source: www.treasuredlocks.com)

Now here's my take (experience) on shea butter: I have tried in the past to use shea butter on my skin because I have eczema. However, the shea butter has made it even more irritated. So, I use shea butter solely for my hair. Shea butter has a very thick texture and has to be melted down in order to use it on the hair. In the past, I would transfer some to a microwaveable safe bowl and just melt it down with no added products. Now, I add olive oil to it and then melt it down and mix the two together. The benefit of adding olive oil is that it softens the shea butter so that I may use it again without having to melt it down. Adding olive oil also gives me the benefit of having even more moisture and sheen.The pros of this product are: (1)it provides a great sheen/moisture to the hair (2) it softens the hair (3) its thick texture allows for me to control frizzy hair--like around my edges. (4)it works wonderfully for sealing the ends of my hair. The cons of this product are: (1)it has a hard texture that must be melted down or mixed with other products in order to make it soft. (2)the smell is not the best (not the worse either).

This is a staple product for me and it is very beneficial to the hair. Additonally, shea butter is growing in popularity so much! You can walk down the hair product aisle at any store and find so many shampoos, conditioners--even relaxers--that boast about having shea butter in their product. However, I have always felt it best to eliminate the middle man and go straight to the source. That is why I buy shea butter in its pure form. This way, I can gain all the nutrients of the product without it being diluted with other ingredients that I know nothing about.

A Staple Product: Cheapie Conditioners

Cheap Conditioners are a must for me since I have been natural. I co-wash (washing with conditioner only) my hair once a week and sometimes twice a week. So it is imperative that I have my cheapie conditioners.

The reasons I co-wash are listed below:
1. Retain my natural oils in my hair.
2. Avoid harsh sulfates on my hair.
3. Effectively clean my scalp.
4. Moisture, moisture, moisture!

There is a vast amount of information on co-washing on a number of blogs/websites if you wish to learn more. Google it:-)

My favorite conditioner that has been a staple--even when transitioning--is Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner. I learned about the benefits of this conditioner from CurlyNikki.com. I buy this product in the family size bottle because I use it that much. I love the following about this conditioner: (1)the texture is rich and thick (2)provides great moisture to the hair (3)the smell is wonderful.
Another conditioner that I buy in bulk is the V05 Moisture Milks conditioner. This is the cheapest of the conditioners with a price range of .77 at my local CVS. I love the following about this product: (1)comes in a wide range of flavor (strawberry, passion fruit, lavender, etc.) that smells simply divine (2)very inexpensive (3)provides moisture to the hair (4)and though the texture is very thin/watery I still love that it is effective.
The last conditioner I will discuss is the Suave Naturals Cocunut Conditioner. I have just started using this product because my sister Auset is a faithful user of it and she loves it. So, while at Target I bought a bottle for $1.12. This past weekend was the first time I ever used this conditioner and I must say that I love it. This is what I lvoe about the product: (1)the texture is not too thin or too thick (2)the cocunut scent is wonderful but, not overpowering (3)this conditioner made my curls/coils POP! (4)provided great moisture to my hair.
These are the cheapie conditioners I am currently using. If I try any new conditioners I will be sure to provide a post about it. In addition, I use all of these conditioners to deep condition my hair. This simply means I saturate my hair in the conditioner and then put a plastic shower cap on my hair. I usually deep condition for 15 minutes and then wash it out.