Product Review - Say Yes to Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner

I posted about the hair mud mask a while back, but I just tried the Yes To Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner and I like it as well. My hair was so soft and tangle free after just one use. I will use this as a regular conditioner as I do with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration.

The Pampering Hair Mud conditioner nourishes, conditions, softens, and tames my tresses with the same ingredients as the mud mask but at half the cost. The mud mask retails around $22 at Walgreen's, but I found it at Target for $11. The mud conditioner is at Target for $6.79.

Now don't get me wrong, I will still use the mud mask as a weekly dc, but now I have another friend.

• Paraben Free
• SLS Free

Happy Healthy Hair!

Product Review - MoroccanOil Oil Treatment

O.k., I did a review on the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask and now the verdict is in on the Moroccanoil Oil Treatment.

I used it for a month as a hot oil treatment and as a leave in for my twist and braid outs. I really like the smell of this product, but I did not notice much difference in my hair after using this product versus my trusty (and cheaper) coconut or olive oil. Now I must say my hair felt really soft and moist after using it, but it feels that way after using coconut oil and olive oil. It is not as messy to apply as the other two because its consistency is a little bit thicker. Also, I did not have anyone saying I smelled like coconuts either. (I was in J.Crew shopping and a lady commented on how yummy I smelled, but like coconut)

Anyhoo, my verdict is this - I will stick with either coconut or olive oil because it is much cheaper than the Moroccanoil Oil Treatment (over $30) and the coconut and olive oil are all natural. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment is not made with pure Argan oil. It is made up of mostly silicones and while this will definitely tame frizz, it is not the best thing for natural hair on a regular basis.

Needless to say, after my bottle is empty, I will not be replacing this one.

As always, my opinion is my opinion and someone else may really like this product. I always believe you should try something for yourself and see how you like it. I'm just here to give you my insights on the "stuff" that's out there.

Chime in and tell me what you think if you have tried this product. I will definitely continue using the mask, but the oil is a bust.

Happy Healthy Hair!!!!!!

Product Review - Fit Flops

Check these out! Trust me when I say they really work! They work just like the Shape Ups and MBT Shoe, but they are thong flip flops. I have three pair and I have been wearing them since last year. You can get them from the website or through the Victoria's Secret catalog or website. My butt, thighs, and legs love them! Unlike regular flip flops, my legs never get tired when I am wearing them. They also come in a lot of different styles and colors. I just bought a pair of black ones and they came in the mail today.

I wish I could wear them to work!

Happy Stepping!

Product Review - MOROCCANOIL INTENSE HYDRATING MASK

For me, hydration is a must!

Let me introduce to you the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask. I just have to say my hair loves this stuff. I use it as a weekly deep conditioning treatment and my hair holds moisture like never before. My curls are also very plump and hydrated after each use. It is pricey - $30, but it is worth it for me. I also get the same results from using coconut oil and olive oil(which is much cheaper) but I don't like the messy application or the oil running down my face. I love being natural, but I also love convenience.

I will do a review on the Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream and the Moroccanoil Hair Treatment after I have used them for at least a month.

Happy Hydrated Hair!

Product Review - Say Yes To Carrots!

O.K. ladies, listen up! You all know I love to try new products and when I come across a good one, I am definitely sharing the info.

I received a full-sized jar of Say Yes To Carrots Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask in my goodie bag at the Shecky's Girl's Night Out event this past summer and I have been using it for about 4 months now. Well, I am hooked! Not only does it make my hair really soft, but I have noticed my hair holds on to water like a sponge after I use it. Say Yes To Carrots for hair care contains extracts of organic carrot, organic pumpkin & organic orange, rich with Beta-Carotene, Alpha-Carotene, Vitamin E and other enzymes that keep your locks in tip-top condition.

Ingredients List
Water (Aqua), Silt (Maris Limus), Dead Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Oil, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacin, Dimethicone, Algae Extracts (Rhodella, Dunaliella, Spirulina), Ipomoera Batatas (Sweet Potato) Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Juice, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Organic Extracts, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Juice, Panthenol, Chamomila Recutita (Chamomile) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Juice, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance (Parfum), Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Oil, Apple Vinegar (Acetum), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract.

It smells divine and it does wonders for frizz control. I use it as a deep conditioning treatment twice a month. Sometimes I will use it along with either extra virgin coconut oil or Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie. I put whatever concoction on my hair after cleansing or co-washing (either the Say Yes To Carrots by itself or with one of the above mentioned), then I put on a plastic cap and do something around the house for about 3 hours. If you don't have that kind of time (or patience) you can put on the plastic cap and sit under a dryer for about 15 minutes. Rinse completely and style as usual.

I am sure you will like it and it is good for all hair types (natural or relaxed).

I am going to try the Say Yes To Tomatoes Daily Volumizing Conditioner one day in the future and I will give you a review. I am definitely sticking with the mud mask!

Product Review - Skechers Shape Ups

OK ladies! If you are anything like me, you are usually leary of claims that this or that will help tone your legs. Well, I can tell you the claims these shoes make are true. I own a pair of MBT shoes which are a more expensive brand of the same shoe. I purchased them five years ago at the suggestion of my physical therapist after I injured my knee bike riding. I tore some cartilage after riding for 30 miles after I walked in a Prostate Cancer walk which was 5 miles. (I had lost my mind that day) Well, the MBT shoe worked wonders. My knee felt great after I wore them for about two weeks straight and now I wear them when I feel a twinge in my knee and I am usually all better after a few days. They also work the heck out of my butt and legs. I think it is because they are so heavy, but the claim is that the way they are engineered make you walk upright, therefore forcing you to use your lower body more to sustain you.

This new shoe by Skechers makes all of the same claims, but they are $125 cheaper.

MBT brands are still available, but the Skecher brand feel great and they work your butt and legs too. I needed a new pair and decided to try these. I don't know if anyone was planning on trying them, but I can tell you they are worth it. Your back, butt, and legs will thank you.

Try wearing them shopping and you will get a workout in while getting your shop on too!

They look really cute on your feet too!

Happy Toning!

Product Review - HPO Twisty Locs & Shampoo

Well ladies, I have stumbled upon another great find! It is HPO's Twisty Locs Moisturizing Creme and Hair & Body Shampoo. I recently purchased both at the Shecky's Ladies Night Out Event from the lovely Deborah Smalls of New York, New York Salon here in St. Louis. She is a HPO rep and she specializes in natural hair care. I've had the jar for a little over a month but I had never used it. Well, my hair was extra dry the other day so I decided to use both products. OMG - my hair loved it. The shampoo is sulfate free and contains honey, avocado, coconut oil, vitamin A&E, and wheat protein. After shampooing with this concoction, my curls were definitely in the house. My hair felt soft afterwards, even before I applied conditioner.

The Twisty Locs butter is a heaven scent! It is a little waxy at first, but once you emulsify it in your hands and apply it to your hair, it is a lovely thing. It has the same consistency as natural shea butter and it is great for sealing your ends or using as an all over moisturizer. My hair shined all day and held the moisture much better than before. It left my hair very soft without the buildup. It also helps your hair stay frizz free and it brings the curls like no ones business. Twisty Locs contains shea butter, jojoba oil, honey, and vitamin A&E. It smells divine and very clean - sort of like lemons.

Make sure to use only a little at a time because a little goes a long way. Also, make sure to melt it in your hands completely or you will have a white film in your hair.

It is available at Whole Foods for about $11 each.

To learn more about it you an visit their website at http://hpospatreatments.com/products/twisty_locs.php

Happy Hair!

PRODUCT REVIEW - MISS JESSIE'S QUICK CURLS

O.k, you all know I am in the beginning of my natural hair journey (2 years), so I am still experimenting with what products work best for my hair. Well, I tried Miss Jessie's Quick Curls to see if it would cut down the time it takes me to rod or twist my hair. I tried the product and simply used a diffuser to dry my hair. The curls were there, but they were hard(thanks for the heads up Curvy Gurl) and very loose. Also, my hair seemed to be very stiff and weird looking on the ends(thanks to the relaxer that is still on some strands).

Needless to say, I think I will try this product at a later date after I have cut all of the relaxer off my ends. The entire top and back of my head is 100% relaxer free(yeah) and the curls were very nice in those areas. The problem is I relaxed my front because I was wearing a sew-in weave and my ends are still evidence of that. One more inch cut off and I will be free, but until then I will have to rod/roll the front.

Anyhoo, I feel this will be a great product for a curly fro, but you will definitely need some type of moisturizing cream to use along with it for softness.

Pros - Smells nice, very lightweight, great hold

Cons - Holds too well (made my hair hard)

HAPPY HAIR!

Miss Jessie's Quick Curls

I just purchased some Miss Jessie's Quick Curls and I can't wait to try it out on my hair.

I am hoping this will allow me to shorten the time it takes me to roller set my strands. I will try it this weekend and let you in on the results.

Hopefully this how-to-video will help someone in their journey.

Happy Hair!

Product Review - Elasta QP Conditioners

I am always looking for a great conditioner. My hair craves moisture and can be very dry at times. Also, since I am transitioning and I still have some relaxed ends (which are about 80% gone after Friday's trip to my stylist for a good trim), I cannot have a lot of oil in my hair daily because it makes my hair really weighed down. I decided to try the Elasta QP DPR-11 conditioner since I read rave reviews about it on curlynikki.com. While I was purchasing that treatment, I ran across another one that had good ingredients and it is the Elasta QP Intense Recovery Conditioning Treatment.

Let me tell you, my hair loved it. I actually used both products the first time to really give my strands some much needed moisturizing. I applied both products and put on a plastic cap. I let the mixture site on my hair for 3 hours. Let me say I overdosed my hair with moisture and it responded very well. I did not have a lot of shedding and my hair was very moist throughout the week. It also helped with detangling.

I applied my Cantu Shea Butter and Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme probably twice last week instead of everyday like usual.

Next time, I will probably use one or the other, but I am pleased with both products.

Product Review

My new best friends are Kinky-Curly Knot Today and Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz. I read about this line on a blog I follow and I must say it is great! Not only did my tangles melt away, but my curl definition was more pronounced and my curls seemed larger and much tighter.

I purchased my bottles from Whole Foods.

The Spiral Spritz made my hair feel weird when I applied it to my hair, so I applied the Knot Today first, then I applied the Spiral Spritz to my ends only. Then I applied shea butter to my ends an rolled my hair on small, yellow, magnetic rollers.

I'm thinking about trying the Kinky-Curly system which consists of the Come Clean Shampoo (sulfate free), Knot Today and Curly Custard in that order, but I think I will wait until I have removed all of the relaxed ends from my do. I think this line works best for wash-n-wear hair.

If you are looking for a great leave-in and some easy help with tangles, then the Knot Today leave-in just may be the answer. It is for me!

Has anyone else used this product? If so, tell me what you think.

Product Review

I read about this product called Cantu Shea Butter and I thought I would try it. Well, I love it! It is great for my ends and it smells wonderful. Also at $3.99 a jar, it is very affordable.

Here are the claims:

Cantu Break Cure Strengthening Treatment is made with pure shea butter and essential oils to replace vital oil in your hair leaving it stronger and healthier with a natural shine.

Cantu Break Cure Strengthening Treatment prevents breakage before it starts by penetrating and moisturizing hair from the roots to the tips.

Cantu Shea Butter Break Cure Strengthening Treatment helps stop breakage before it starts.
It moisturizes dry brittle hair with deep penetrating oil and emollients and nourishes

dry damaged hair.

I have been using it for a week and I think it will stay in my collection of go to hair products.

Oh, by the way, I am also using the Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey for my ends too. It is too thick for my hair, but great as a sealant for the ends when rod setting. I may not buy the Mimosa product again, but I will not waste this jar. Sorry ladies, but maybe later I will have something to give away at a later date. As a matter of fact, I'm sure I will!

Happy Hair!

MIMOSA HAIR HONEY

One of my fellow bloggers suggested that I try this wonderful smelling concoction. Well, I did try it last night and it was o.k.

I feel my hair is too thin for this product, but I think it would be great for sistas who are locking or twisting on a regular. The scent was fresh but the product is thick. I did use it with my rod set so I will try it once I do a twist out. Hopefully it will work better and not weigh my hair down too much.

If anyone has tried it let me know your thoughts and help me find uses for it or I will be giving it away.

Happy Hair!

Product Review

It's Sunday and that means it is "co-wash" day. I have not combed my hair since last Friday (see the pics under my stylist review). I was dreading the tangled mess I would have to face but to my surprise, there was nothing but curly love going on. When you see my hair in some pics, it is not as curly as it is when I first co-wash, but today was a dream. I cut a lot of my ends and my curl pattern is becoming much more pronounced. Well, today I want to tell you my thoughts on the Mixed Chicks line. For me, it is great while my hair is wet! I am experimenting to see what my hair does once it dries.

I co-washed with Hello Hydration then I left much of it in my hair and added the Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioning Treatment. I left it on for about 1 hour while I made breakfast and watched a little golf with my future husband (Go Tiger - He won the Buick Tournament today).

After I rinsed (I rinsed completely this time), I added Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner to my, separated and twisted my hair into about 15 twist, coated the ends with shea butter and I let it air dry. I am still in the drying process so I will show pics of the results tomorrow because I am at my sweethearts home at I did not bring my camera. This is my first time trying this so wish me luck. Even if it turns out to be a complete mess, I will let you know.

Next time I am going to try this product and just wash and go! I love experimenting with my hair!

Happy Hair!

Product Review - Totally Twisted Curl Mousse

For those of us who are transitioning from relaxer to natural without doing a big chop, trying to get curls without the use of some type of roller is usually hard because for me, the root is very curly and the ends stay straight. But at last I have found a great mousse that helped me achieve great curls without rollers. It is Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Curl Mousse and it is fabulous. I used it along with the Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Conditioner. I co-washed with the conditioner and left it in as a leave-in, then I twisted my hair into about 30 twist all over my head and secured them with pin-curls to form a circle with each twist. I let it air dry overnight. The next morning I untwisted and separated each twist, applied some Carol's Daughter Tui Oil to my scalp and ends, finger styled and out the door I went. The curls had mad definition and a great hold. Usually, my hair is so soft, it does not hold the big look long, but with this product, I had a lasting hold all day. Below are pics after 1 week. I found this cute headband at Forever 21 for $3.

Product Review!

Aveda has a product called Dry Remedy and it is great! It is a moisturizing treatment masque and it really pours moisture into my hair. I paired it with Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie and left it in my hair for 3 hours while I cleaned the house. I put on a plastic cap and wrapped a towel around my head turban style (for heat). When I rinsed it out, my hair and curls popped. Normally, my hair is really tight and shows straight strands that still have relaxer on them. After using these two products, my hair was moist and curly all over. Try it and tell me what you think. I have tried them each alone and together and I like them either way. The main reason I add the Tui Hair Smoothie is because it smells so good.

Happy hair!

My first product review

Well hello natural sistas! I have a product review for today. I purchased a kit from Miss Jessies http://www.missjessies.com/ and I am going to try them all out and give you my personal opinion on the products. This is a great website and a great product for women with natural hair. Not only are the products designed by women with natural hair, they also smell divine and make your hair so manageable. My stylist highly recommends this product and she also uses and sells it in her salon (Marie @ Shi Salon - Myspace/Shi Salon)

The first two products are the Curly Pudding & Baby Buttercreme by the Miss Jessies line. I first co-washed my hair with my cheapie conditioner Herbal Essence Hello Hydration (Blue Bottle) (My Favorite). Washing the hair with conditioner versus shampoo is much better for the hair and it helps with detangling. You may wash with a shampoo if you like, but make sure to use one that is sulfite free so it won't strip the hair of its natural oils. I leave a lot of the conditioner in my hair to help with tangles and combed through it with my fingers, then a big toothed comb. Some people use the denman brush to de-tangle, but I found it to pull on my hair way too much. I then take a towel and blot my hair to remove the drips (I can't stand water dripping down my face and neck while I'm styling). I then proceed with styling. If you have wash and wear hair, you can apply a generous amount of this product to your hair, twist in sections, then let it air dry or sit under a dryer. Once dry, untwist and mosturize and you will have a head full of bouncy, shiny, curls that smell god enough to eat. If you are like me and you still have relaxer on the very ends ( I am transitioning from relaxer to natural and I get my relaxed ends trimmed every four months until all of the relaxer is gone. This way I keep length without the bc) then you can apply curly pudding to small sections and roll on rods (the ones used for jerry curls back in the day) throughout the hair. I use the meduim ones in the front and small rods in the back. I have chin length hair (when straightened) and they work well for me and give me a bobbed look. If you would like a more tight curl to do a mohawk look or if you have shorter hair, the small rods (not the tiny ones) will work great for you. Buy a set of them all and use different ones throughout your hair to see which curl pattern you like best. They are really inexpensive and they give a really tight curl. Do not part hair because this will cause parts after you have dried. Once the hair is dry, unroll and apply the curly baby buttercreme for moisture, finger style or pick out and go!

I will wash my hair tomorrow and I will post pictures of each stage to help. I did this style for months during my in-between stage and it really helped me. I usually only used mousse and conditioner as my setting lotion, but I heard this stuff is has a great hold which is what I was missing. This style usually last me a week if I don't work out. If I work out, then it last about 3 days. It's great for humid weather because the more I sweat in my head, the curlier it gets. The only problem is when I work out, I shower at the gym and my hair gets frizzy. I am on a mission to find a product that helps with frizz after your hair is days old. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to share. Happy Hair!