My FAVORITE Moisturizing Deep Conditioning Treatments

Hey all-- I'm so sorry for the delay!  I've been super busy and haven't been able to spend a lot of time on the blog, but I'm here :)  I just wanted to drop in and share my favorite deep conditioning treatments with you all especially because winter weather wreaks havoc on our delicate curls!

Trader Joe's Balance Moisturizing Nourish Spa Conditioner Product Review

Chantell, previous Spotlight Monday feature, Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner Reviewer

So lately, I've been reading a lot about this Trader Joe's Balance Moisturizing Nourish Spa Conditioner on several natural hair blogs that I stalk daily.. hourly.. so of course I had to see for myself.  I finally have a regimen that I've been following, and although my favorite deep conditioner-- Camille Rose Algae Mask-- provides much needed protein and moisture, the slip is missing from the equation.  My research led me to believe Trader Joe's could fill this void in my product lineup.

Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner Product Description:

When your hair is dry, it needs to be nourished.  This balanced hair remoisturizer is ideal for replenishing dry, brittle hair.  Perfect for daily use, it infuses moisture and exceptional shine, without weighing hair down.  Enhanced with organic botanicals, it does not contain laurel/laureth sulfates.

Ingredients:

Purified water, organic rosemary oil, organic valencia orange citrus, organic mango, organic lemongrass, organic ginko biloba, organic echinacea, organic willow bark, organic sea kelp, organic chamomile flower, organic textured soy protein, organic lavender, organic grapefruit citrus, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Acetamide MEA, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, propylparaben, botanical fragrance

My Review:

Let me tell ya'll-- this conditioner is amazing; you can believe the hype!  Now, I have three standards for hair products: 1. Contributes to hair health 2. Contains mostly natural ingredients 3. Reasonably priced ($2.99).  Not only does it provide major slip, but it's extremely hydrating!  My 3c/4a curls were smooth and clumped together.  I consider myself a stickler for ingredients who tries to stay away from words I can't pronounce or ingest in my hair products, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that Trader Joe's came through with such ingredients!  Most importantly, all of the (organic) botanical oils came before the parabens.  Trader Joe's Balance Moisturizing Nourish Spa Conditioner has passed all of my tests and at less than $4, it's budget friendly and regimen worthy!

- Chantell, xo

*Reading Chantell's review is going to send me back into PJ mode!  I'm definitely going to have to try the Nourish Spa Conditioner now, especially because hydration is key for our curls in cooler months :)


Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Have you tried the Trader Joe's Balance Moisturizing Nourish Spa Conditioner?  Tell us your experience below!

Spotlight Monday: Moné

Hi all!  I'm so sorry for the delay with the posts.  I've been suuuper busy trying to balance 2 jobs :(.  I know it's no excuse, but a shorty is pooped after work!  Anywho, let's meet this week's Spotlight Monday feature, Moné... 

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Moné (yes it’s French but I am not lol) and I am a senior studying Information Management and Technology at Syracuse University.  I was born and raised in New York City and have already been to over 12 different countries!

How long have you been natural?  What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!  

> I have been natural for a year and 8 months. I don’t like to focus on hair types such as 3a and 4c.  My hair has a couple of different curl patterns but the majority of it is a tight curl pattern.  My curls get dry rather quickly so I have to moisturize often.  This can be frustrating and time consuming especially for a college student.  But when I do properly moisturize, I can tell my curls are happy because they are soft and bouncy.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?

> I decided to transition and clipped my ends periodically until there weren’t any more relaxed ends.  I wasn’t too sure about going back to my natural state and didn’t want to rush things.  I wanted to see if I could even take care of my hair since I didn’t remember what it was like to have coarse hair.  With protective styling and finding a detangler that worked for me, transitioning was not as hard as I have read about.  I also haven’t used any type of heat since my final clip in May of 2013.

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?

> Once I finished transitioning, my hair was extremely thick and I hadn’t seen it like that for a very long time.  I was unsure about it and a little self-conscious.  I decided to hide it for a month with a protective style (Senegalese twists) until I became a little more knowledgeable on styling.  Once I began trying new styles and seeing how different products made my hair look, I got more and more comfortable wearing my hair out and trying protective styles without added hair.  The compliments from friends, family, and strangers helped as well.

What are some of your fav products? (top 3)

> My top 3 favorite products are my cantu shea butter leave-in conditioning repair cream, grapeseed oil, and Shea Moisture raw shea butter.  I have been styling and moisturizing my hair using the LOC method (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) before I even knew what the LOC method was.  These products have never failed me and I have tried others that just don’t get my hair moisturized and defined the way these do combined.

What are your go-to hairstyles?

> My go-to hairstyle would definitely have to be my “reverse bun” as I call it.  I simply put my hair in a pineapple and then pin the ends towards the center of my bun instead of the outside. I also like to bantu knot my hair but that takes a little longer since my hair has grown.

How do you feel about your hair today?

> I am in LOVE with my natural hair!  I do miss my straight hair at times but I'm too afraid of heat damage to try straightening it.  I want to have extremely healthy hair before I flat iron again.  I love the versatility of my curls and none of my styles ever look the same, even when I try to make them lol.  I think I have hand in hair syndrome and it's simply because my hair is always so soft.  Going back to my natural state has been a challenging, yet great decision and I do not plan on ever relaxing my hair again.

That's all now, folks!  

Until next time, 

Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Moné about her natural hair?  Comment below!

Spotlight Monday: Mommy Robin

So Mommy Robin is one of my many moms-- she's Reecie's mom to be exact (see previous Spotlight Monday post http://curlsfothegirls.blogspot.com/2013/10/spotlight-monday-reecie.html).  Mommy Robin is a woman of many styles, and her latest is her locs.  So let's meet Mommy Robin, shall we..

How long have you been loc'ing your hair?

> I started my loc journey in 2008.  In 2011, I cut my locs but, I missed them so much; I started loc'ing again in 2012.

Why did you make the decision to do so?
> I was looking for a natural way to wear my hair.  I have tried braids, curls, perms and none seemed to be right for me.

How did you feel after beginning your journey?
> I was hesitant at the start; my hair took nearly a year to start loc'ing.  I almost gave up!  Then, there was getting past the baby stage.  However, having patience paid off.  I am confident and very happy now!

What are your hair goals?
> My current goal is to regrow my locs and to maintain strong, healthy hair.

Do you try different/creative styles?  If so, what are your favorites?
> Yes, I'm always looking for new ways so style my locs!  I'm also always on the lookout for a place to get my locs styled.  I like different updos, and have tried twists and buns.  I also enjoy just letting them flow.

How do you feel about your hair today?
> I am so very happy with my locs!  It is the most rewarding decision I have made about my hair.  No more bad hair days.  I love my locs.

*Side note: If anyone in the NYC area knows where Mommy Robin can get her locs styled, please let us know!

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Mommy Robin about her locs?  Let us know below!

My Recent Pre-Poo Treatment Experience/Review

I'm not a consistent pre-pooer, but i decided to give it another chance as the cooler months roll in.  Our hair needs as much moisture as possible, especially as the air changes, and a pre-poo treatment is one of the best ways to provide our hair with much needed moisture.

A pre-poo is a conditioning treatment pre-shampoo, or cowash.  Oils (EVOO, EVCO, JBCO, etc.) are usually used, but conditioner can be used as well.  The oils, and conditioner, restore and manage moisture, protect the hair, aid in detangling, and increase the hair's overall health and shine.  A pre-poo treatment allows the oils in so the shampoo doesn't strip the hair of its natural oils.  This way, hair will remain moisturized post wash.

My Pre-Poo Experience/Review

yes-- this is a pic of the hair i lost with pre-poo detangling :)

I applied my mixture of EVOO & EVCO last Friday night-- I wanted to make sure that my hair had plenty of time to soak up the oil mixture.  I applied the mixture on my dry hair, grabbed some hair pins (different from bobby pins), placed my hair in a bun, pinned it, and put on a plastic cap.  I left the mixture on until Sunday, which is my usual wash day.  Before I actually washed my hair, I applied more EVOO to the back of my hair where my scarves had shifted and rubbed against.  Then, I prepared for my wash.

Before stepping into the shower, I decided to detangle my hair so I wouldn't waste time (I had to be done before the Walking Dead came on!).  I took my Suave coconut conditioner and my EVCO into the bathroom, sectioned my hair, applied the conditioner and oil mix, and began to detangle.  I noticed that I lost less hair than I normally would have had I detangled in the shower per usual (yes, i have had hairballs bigger than this!).  After detangling each section, I put my hair into twists.

While in the shower, I washed my hair, only applying the L'Oreal EverCurl Hydracharge Shampoo to my scalp, and I used my As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleanser to condition my hair.  After rinsing the cowash cleanser out, I applied my Avanti Silicon Mix Hair Treatment, clipped my hair up, and showered.  After rinsing off my shower suds in warm water, I rinsed my hair in cold.

After washing my hair, I noticed a difference and I attribute that difference to the pre-poo treatment.  My hair felt softer and more moisturized; I lost less hair during the pre-poo detangling sesh than I would have had I detangled my hair in the shower using just my conditioner.  I also found that my detangling session went a lot smoother and faster than usual.

I would definitely recommend pre-pooing especially because it is getting colder out.  The cold air outside and heated indoors can wreak havoc on our delicate strands.  A pre-poo treatment is one of the best ways to combat dryness, protect our hair from the elements, and restore the oils that have been lost.  I mentioned before that I used EVCO and EVOO, but you can create your own pre-poo mixture using oils that work for your hair including JBCO, which is a bit heavier.  A conditioner base can also be used and combined with an oil for added moisture.  The more moisture, the better!

I can definitely see myself incorporating a pre-poo sesh into my regimen especially during the cooler months.  It is time consuming, but it's so worth it!

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you pre-poo?  What's your favorite pre-poo mixture?  Share with us below!

CURLS Cashmere Curls Leave-In Conditioner Review

CURLS Cashmere Curls Leave-In Conditioner

I've seen a few blogs, and videos, where naturals have been using the CURLS Cashmere Curls Leave-In Conditioner, and raving about it.  I wanted to try the leave-in after hearing how it left their curls soft, moisturized, and defined, but I was skeptical about paying $20 for the product especially because I just wanted to try it.  Luckily, I stumbled across the product at a charity sale at work, and was able to purchase it for only $.50!  I felt like it was in the cards..

The Cashmere Curls Leave In-Conditioner is supposed to "Repair, Moisturize and Define Curls".  It is sulfate, silicone, paraben, and mineral oil free.  

The ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Lactamide MEA, Acetamide MEA, Polyquaternium-7, Polysorbate 80, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Certified Organic Aloe barbadensis Leaf Extract, Certified Organic Anthemis nobilis (Flower) Extract, Certified Organic Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Extract, Methylheptyl, Isostearate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Lactic Acid, Diisopropyl Adipate, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

The back of the bottle reads:

"Every curly dreams of soft, manageable, healthy curls... Cashmere Curls is your dream come true!  Formulated with Cashmere Extract, Certified Organic Aloe Leaf Juice & Coconut Milk, Cashmere Curls conditions, softens, and repairs damaged tresses leaving them bouncy, shiny, and silky smooth.  By bonding to the hair shaft, Cashmere Curls strengthens 3 layers of the hair thus enhancing the curl pattern."

Directions:

Apply to wet hair to soften, define, revive, condition and moisturize curls.  Can be used alone or under your favorite CURLS styler for extra sheen and protection.  

air drying with the CCC Leave-In

MY Review:

The CURLS Cashmere Curls Leave-In Conditioner has a very light mango scent.  It is not overpowering, at all!  It has a serum-like consistency so it is key to pay attention to how much product is applied.  I was able to distribute the leave-in easily, and I concentrated more on the ends of my hair.

The photo to the left shows my hair while it was air drying.  I applied the leave-in only, and finger coiled some of my hair in the front for a little bang action lol.  While drying, my hair felt soft, and my curls seemed to be defined and frizz free.

Now, this morning is another story.  My hair is fully dried, and I had bonnet hair (if you sleep with a bonnet, you know what I'm talking about).  In terms of what the leave-in claimed, I don't think my hair was as soft or moisturized as it could have been.  I don't see much curl definition, but I do see lots of frizz!  I also feel like I should have diffused my hair before bed to speed up the drying process and help define my curls a little more.  However, I did notice that the mango scent wore off!  

I'm going to steam my hair while I'm in the shower to see if it'll reactivate(?) the leave-in.  Maybe then I'll see a reduction of frizz and more curl definition.  If that doesn't work, then I'll spritz my hair with some water, apply a little more leave-in, a curl defining cream, and diffuse it before I head to work. 

I will say that at this moment, I'm not 100% sold on the Cashmere Curls Leave-In Conditioner, but I'm not really complaining after spending only $.50 on it!  I will try the leave-in again with ample time to air dry, and update my review.  But as of right now, I'm not a fan.

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Have you tried the CURLS Cashmere Curls Leave-In Conditioner?  Tell me your thoughts!

Spotlight Monday: Malanya

For this lovely Spotlight Monday feature, we'll be meeting Malanya.  She is the girlfriend of a friend who actually suggested that I feature Malanya and her beautiful locs.  Shall we begin..

How long have you been loc'ing your hair?
> I've had my locs since I was around 7 so... about 15 years.

Why did you make the decision to do so?
> My mother made the decision for me when I was young actually haha... The whole family- my mom, my dad and my younger sisters started our locs at around the same time.  I made the decision to keep them when I was in middle school though because, for me, they began to represent commitment, creativity and patience.  I feel like they're a part of me in every way possible.

How did you feel after beginning your journey?
> I felt more aware of the positive and negative connotations associated with locs and more ready and willing to deal with them.

What are your hair goals?
> My goal for them is to keep them happy!  Clean, moisturized, and free to grow.  I've always had A LOT of hair so taking care of it can sometimes be stressful but I'm used it.

Do you try different/creative styles?  If so, what is/are your favorites?
> After I wash and twist them, I'll usually leave them straight or braid them to make them a little curly.  Then I'll put it in a pony tail or let it hang.  Occasionally I'll wear a bun. I've dyed the back of my hair blonde a few times. It's actually past due for another application.  My favorite hairstyle is when I put in bantu knots that look like huge brown roses on my head.  I leave those in for about 24- 36 hours and when I take them out, they're ridiculously curly.  I love that!  It's funny though when I wear the big bantu knots in public, I either get compliments or awkward stares but I just do what makes me feel good.

*Side note: I have occasional fantasies of shaving just the back of my head... but I probably won't ever do it.  I feel like I would cry so much and feel naked (in a bad way) afterward.

How do you feel about your hair today?  
> Right now, I have two new baby locs and I'm really happy about them.  One is awkwardly in the front and the other is hiding at the top among its older sisters.  They're so tiny!  It's exciting when new ones grow.  I'm proud of them.

I absolutely loved Malanya's story.  She was a little nervous, but who would be with locs like that?!

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Malanya about her lovely locs?  Comment below!