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...

Great Linkage: All About Shampoos

My sister, Auset, did a great two-part post about shampoos. I like to think of her as the shampoo queen because she has tried quite a few of the popular brands we naturals love. I took her suggestion when looking for a new shampoo because I no longer like my old brand :-(

Anywho. She covers so much informative information in the posts such as the following: (1) mini reviews on the various shampoos she has tried (2) her thoughts on shampoo bars (3) if moisturizing shampoo is a myth (4)the no poo method (5) the low poo method. And so much more!!

The posts can be found {HERE} and {HERE}.

Switching Shampoos

For awhile now I have been thinking of switching to a new shampoo. My main shampoo is currently Giovanni Deep Moisture and Giovanni Triple Tea Tree Therapy. However, lately I have been feeling as if those shampoos are too stripping. For this reason, I was only shampooing my hair once a month and I still thought that was too often.

At first I was considering Aubrey Organics--and I am still curious about their shampoo. But, I noticed that my sister Auset Abena and my fave YouTuber Ahsiek1118 were using Shea Moisture products. The sheen and moisture of their hair is out of this world. I was thinking, I want that for my hair.

So, recently my sister Auset Abena bought me two different types of Shea Moisture shampoo. How great is that!!!! So, I will be using the shampoo and letting you ladies know how I like it.

I also plan on trying out some of their other products...

My Fab Five

I mentioned before that I am not a major product junkie. Of course, I do have some products on my wish list like the Oyin Handmade line and different types of oils. But, for the most part I stick to my main products. So, I started thinking about what are my Fab Five products that I would need no matter what. Meaning, if someone said you are going to an island and can only bring 5 products these are the ones I would bring.

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: So, this is my main oil. I adore the weight of EVOO, the smell, and its many benefits. Also, my hair and skin loves this stuff so, this product has many functions. It is one of the few products that I use everyday no matter what.

2. Shea Butter: I adore shea butter! Usually, I mix my shea butter with EVOO in the microwave and let it set. I use this mixture to seal my ends and lay down my hair edges. I love this product because it is a great sealant.

3. Suave Naturals in Tropical Cocounut: I own a few conditioners but, this conditioner has earned it spot as my FAVE (HE Hello Hydration used to be my fave). It contains no cones, which is good. I am not against cones but, I do try to limit the amount of cones I apply to my hair. This conditioner is lightweight. Also, this is one of the few conditioners I will co-wash with, deep condition with, and use as a leave in. When, I apply this conditioner as a leave-in it does not weigh the hair down or leave a film behind. I know I love this stuff because I buy it like I buy tissue. If I am in the store, I will pick up a bottle of because I use it that much. And did I mention the price is so nice?!? It usually ranges from 0.94 to 1.09.

4. Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo: This is my only shampoo and I love it! Why change a good thing??? I do have an interest in trying out other shampoos but, this is my main shampoo. This shampoo contains great ingredients--sulfate free. And its easily accessible. I usually buy mine from Target and I heard that they now sell it at Walmart. The price is usually about $7-$8 but, I feel this is a very good price considering what a great product it is and its many benefits. I do like the Giovanni line as a whole but, this is my FAVE product from their line.

5. Water (H20) : Ok, I know that technically water is not a product but, it is essential to me. I was trying to think of a 5th product and I was having such a difficult time. Then, it came to me...water! Of course, we use water to wash our hair but, it also aids me in my numerous hairstyles. I constantly keep water in my spray bottle. I may mix it with conditioner, or a leave in, or oils, or just use it in its pure state. No matter how I use it, it is a crucial part of my natural hair care regimen. Also, it is the only product that I can consume and it will benefit my entire body:-)

So, do you have a Fab Five???

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...