Hmmmm, I just discovered Oragnix Nourishing Cocount Milk and I’m in love – with the smell.  I picked up a bottle at Walmart ($5.95 for 13 fl. oz./384.5 ml) and rushed home to try it out.  Kudos to Organix because I think the bottle packaging is very appealing and I realize that the way a product is marketed definitely influences whether or not I will buy it or not.  Anyhow,   I co-washed and was instantly taken in with the smell – I love coconut and this stuff smells yummy.  It had relatively good slip, but I didn’t think that it left my hair particularly soft – which is disappointing.   But I still have about 3/4 of the bottle left to use (I’m a PJ but I’m won’t waste product) so hopefully I will have a better experience the more I use it – I think I will try it as a leave-in next.  I also wish my hair would smell as good as this condish – the smell totally faded.  But using this product has inspired me to read up about experimenting with actual cocount milk by adding it as a pre-poo or into a DT – its supposed to minimize breakage, strengthen the hair shaft and protect hair from UV rays

Product Description:

Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner is an exclusive blend of organic coconut milk to nourish your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, along with weightless coconut oils to add hydration and balance. The luxuriously creamy, foaming, hydrating formula leaves your hair feeling clean, glowing, softly scented and super soft.

Ok, so I tried Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Gellie to define my curls and to my shock and surprise it worked.  Like seriously – I’m really surprised.  I’ve tried some other lines (KCCC and Miss Jessie Pudding and Meringue) and so far this one is the best!  Very easy to apply – I cowashed my hair, applied a leave conditioner and then sectioned my hair.  It says its best applied to wet hair so I made sure that have a spray bottle on hand.  I started from the right hand side – squeezed out a nickel size amount and then smoothed and then raked the product into my hair.  Instantly my curls were defined and stretched and looking lucsious.  I followed the same method for my entire head.

WHAT I LIKED:

I like that it was easy to apply and manipulate the product on my locks.  I also liked that I didn’t need a lot of product and that by spraying some water I was able to distribute it even more.  I also like that my hair didn’t shrink up as much as with other products.  Mind you, my hair did shrink but not as much.  Best of all, it didnt take forever and half to dry – honestly with some other curl defining products I find that it can take forever for my hair to dry.  With CJ – I applied, diffused for like 5-10 minutes and then let air dry.  Within like 4 hours I was almost completely dry.

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

Next time I will make sure to layer in a moisturizing product when using the Smoothing Gellie.  I felt my curls were a little parched once they were dry.

MY RESULTS:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Crunch no more! This creamy and moisturizing styling gel is formulated to help get rid of frizzies and smooth your fabulous curls. Rich in shine enhancing Broccoli seed oil and herbal extracts, this “Gellie” gives your hair definition and bounce without the hard hold/crunch. Honey and Aloe Vera are added for their moisturizing and shine enhancing properties. Adding water after application, “activates” the gellie even further and helps smooth and seal the hair shaft for added shine and swing. This moisturizing, glycerin free gel has a light to medium hold and is best for fine to normal hair types. It is not a traditional clear gel, it’s creamy texture is due to the Broccoli seed oil content. Lightly scented with a delicious tropical Mango-Coconut-Papaya scent. Give everyone curl envy!

DIRECTIONS:

Best applied to wet hair. Apply generously to hair, section by section, smoothing through curls with your fingers. Use more water to help distribute and activate product (don’t skip this step!), then scrunch/blot with a towel and allow to air-dry or use a diffuser. I have found that this gel works best with a small amount of Curl Assurance leave-in or styling water beneath it or on top (depending on your preference). You can also apply this gel to dry hair to define curls and smooth frizzies.

A lot of people have been telling me about Giovanni products -  its supposed to be a great natural product line that is also vegan.  Well, I finally got my hands on Givoanni Direct Leave In Conditioner (if you are in the TDot – you can pick it up at health food stores and Loblaws /Superstore also carries it in their natural food section).  I bought mine on sale $8.99 CAD at some healthy food store on Queen Street.  Anyhow, I used the leave in after I co-washed and set my hair in china bumps (bantu knots) .  I found it had great slip and made it easy to detangle and finger comb thru my hair.  While my hair felt moisturized, I will probably layer another product on for additional moisture.  I’ve been using Knot Today and I’m a big fan – but since that product isn’t as readily available and is double the cost I think that this would be a good alternative.  I will let you know if  this changes.

Product Description

* Weightless leave-in conditioner.
* Prevents and repairs split ends.
* Detangles while adding body.

Ingredients

Aqua (purified water) with *rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil, *nettle (Uritica dioica) oil, *thyme (Thymus vulagris) oil, birch leaf (Butela alba) oil, *chamomile (Anthemis nobilus flower) oil, *clary (Salvia sclarea), *lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), *coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara), *yarrow (Achillea millefolium) oil, *mallow (Malva sylvestris), *horsetail (Equistetum arvense) oil, *soybean protein (Glycine soja), cetyl alcohol (plant derived), tocopherol (vitamin E), trace minerals, citric acid (corn), sodium hydroxymethyglycinate, grapefruit seed (citrus derived)

For 2009 – I’m in the mood to grow my hair.  I want big hair, but I want it long.  As a kinky curly gal, I deal with a lot of shrinkage – so the longer my hair is – the better.  I came across an e-book from Jane Carter where she dished on secrets to hair growth.  Jane has been a hairstylist with 20+ years experience and has styled many different textures.  After being frustrated with the products on the market she created her own line of hair products called Jane Carter Hair Solution – a natural based hair care line with a conscious.  I’ve never used her stuff but I plan on checking it out if it ever makes it way to Canada.

Anyhow, here’s her top 3 secrets to great looking hair:

A HEALTHY SCALP

Exfoliating + Deep Cleansing + Nourishment = A Healthy Scalp!

AN EFFECTIVE HAIR CARE REGIMEN

Use of Natural Ingredients for Exfoliating + Cleansing + Nourishing = Great Hair!

and

Cleansing + Sealing in Moisture = Great Hair

A HEALTHY BODY

Sweat + Drinking Water + Eating Healthy foods for your hair + Taking Effective Vitamins = Great Hair and a Strong                     Body

Liquid Keratin Products

Have you heard about this new hair treatment called Liquid Keartin 30 Day Straight, Smooth, Strong and Long.  Geared towards people with curly, frizzy, unmanageable hair, where after 1 application it promises straight smoother, softer frizz free mane.  Apparently it contains no toxic chems like formaldehyde and is supposed to be an at home safe treatment.

So this is how it supposed to work – cleanse with their Keratin Infusing Healthy hair De-Frizz shampoo, towel dry and then apply the 30 day treatment, letting it penetrate for 30 minutes.  Blow dry, then flat iron to seal keratin peptide and protein to hair shaft.  Keep hair dry and straight for at least 48 hours for best results.  Check out the before and after results on their website.

I wonder if this would work on ethnic or multi-racial hair and if any damage would occur.  I’m not gonna lie – even though I’m a curly I still love wearing my hair straight – it’s just such a hassle.  The starter kit retails for $69 – if it ever comes across my desk at work – perhaps I will give it a try or maybe have one of my Curl Advisors try it out. 

Have you tried Kerastase before? If you haven’t, let me tell you it is the best treat for your hair. I’ve tried the Oleo Relax line and my hair never felt better. My hair felt soft, looked thick, was easy to comb and looked incredibly healthy. I will not lie though – this stuff ain’t cheap. If you have the money, defintitely worth adding to your kitchen of hair products. I’ve noticed that Shoppers has been carrying the line lately, but you can pick it up at a lot of high end beauty salons.

Anyhow, now that I am all on the curly tip, I’ve just learned that Kerastase is launching a curl instensive hair masque called Kerastase Oleo Curl Instense – that wil nourish and discipline curly, thick hair. Jam packed with lipids, the masque promises to nourish, detangle and hydrate hair fibres to create the perfect curl. Can’t wait to get my hands on this goodie – you know I’m always on the chase for the perfect curl.

Kerastase Oleo Curl Intense

Daisy Fuenetes does it again! According to the WWD – Daisy will launch an eponymous hair care line geared towards multi cultural hair. I’m sure you remember her from her many hosting and spokesperson duties and from her line of clothing at US retailer Kohl’s. Well its good news for curlies, The Daisy Fuentes Style Pro Line will include paraben and sulfate free products – Curls & Wave shampoo, Conditioner and Mousse, All Day spray and Ultra Deep conditioner. And for the days when you want to wear your locks straight, check out the Straightening Blow Dry Flat Iron Finishing Spray, and High Shine Finishing Spray.

Wonder if it will be any good?

Photo courtesy of WWD