Dark & Lovely: Au Naturale Review

Alright, I said I was going to review it in a few weeks....yeah, I don't need a few weeks. Okay, so this is what I bought:

This line of products promises to ant-shrinkage, all day elongation, moisture, shine, and hold. Before I get started, please remember that this review is only relevant to the experience on MY hair. I am not being paid to do this (I mean my page only has about 100 views anyway, so Dark & Lovely did not send this to me), I bought these products with my own money because I wanted to see how they would do!

Hydrating Soak Shampoo: Umm.....not so much! I mean, this shampoo was nothing to write home about in my opinion. It did not strip my hair which made me happy, but I don't know that it made my hair feel any different than any other sulfate shampoo I have used. It lathers really well and cleans the hair. If you like heavily scented products, then you will like the scent, if not, then you will not be happy. I would not re-purchase this. I have used cheaper shampoo's with better results. In my honest opinion: there are better shampoo's out there and I will not buy this again once the bottle is gone. ( I bought it, so I'm using it!)

Knot Out Conditioner:I was also not impressed by this conditioner. A conditioner called "knot out" to me would imply that it is super slippery and makes detangling a breeze! Well, that is not the case with this conditioner. When I apply it to my hair, it has slip, but not as much as I would expect given the name. I do not instantly feel moisture being re-introduced to my hair and you have to apply a significant amount ( I am also a lil heavy handed with conditioner). Lucky for me, I already detangle my hair when I do my pre-poo, so once I washed and applied this conditioner, I did not have a ton of work to do. With that said, if I was applying this to hair that had not previously been detangle, I could easily see it being a nightmare to detangle because the slip is just not significant. Again, I have used cheaper conditioners with better results ie. HE Hello Hydration, Suave naturals Coconut conditioner, V05 conditioners, etc. The conditioner is also heavily scented, not completely moisturizing, and lacking the slip you would expect with the name. Will not be re-purchasing this either once it is gone.

Curl Moisturizing Souffle: Okay, this product was definitely not a win for me. I can't quite describe the texture of the product. It has kind of a creamy consistency but a little thicker? IDK, it's weird! Anywhoo, this stuff did not do anything it says! It's supposed to give definition without crunch and add moisture. UMMM......NO! First of all, I did not use this product for a wash n go. I thought about it, but the consistency and the non-slippery quality of it let me know that I would not be applying this to wet hair to be worn out all day! I used this to do braid out and twist outs. If you do not let your hair dry COMPLETELY with this stuff in, you will have a frizzy, poofy, tangled mess! There is not much moisture, but it didn't dry my hair out which I guess is a plus. It does not get crunchy which is what the product promises. However, it does leave your hair dull looking, maybe a tiny bit of a sheen, but nothing that says "hey look at me! My hair is moisturized, soft, fluffy, and I want to keep my hands in it all day!". Absolutely not! The anti-shrinkage claim is non-existent also. But, I will say that I don't believe any product that claims ant-shrinkage. Natural hair shrinks....period. So yeah, this was also disappointing to the point that I'm not sure I will even use this till it's gone. I may be tossing it in the trash. As we speak, I am sitting with the conditioner in my hair, thinking of a style and trying to determine if I get lazy and do a twist out, will I even use this product. This product was definitely not for me.

10-in-1 Gelee: Definitly not for me. It's a thing, goupy gel. It reminds me of the Murray's Loc and Twist Gel, but I like the Murray's better! I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this is or why it's in the line, but whatever. What I did find it useful for is when I would pull my hair up into a puff or bun or something and didn't want to gel my hair, this would provide the hold without the build up or that "slicked down" look. I will use it for that purpose in the future, but nothing else. It did not make a difference or add definition when twisting. Will also NOT be re-purchasing!


So overall, I guess you could say that I was not pleased with this line and it just was not for me. My hair is probably a 4b/4a mix with some 3c in the back. So yes my hair is highly textured and this line did nothing for me. I look for my products to not only be good stylers, but to be nourishing for my hair. This line definitely did not do that. It's full of bad ingredients,  but we all know that some of those products can do very well in our hair. Well this one does not fit into that category for MY hair. In all honesty I have gotten better results using TreSemme Naturals Shampoo and conditioner as well twisting with some coconut oil and eco-styler gel. My hair looked and felt better than with using this line. So I will not re-purchase this line EVER, and my fix for trying this product has been satisfied!

I will be reviewing the ORS CURLS Unleashed line next. I have reason to believe I will have better results. Ultimately, I am convinced once I my product junky fix has been completely satisfied, I will be sticking with my Oyin, Qhemet Biologics, oils, and eco-styler gel!


Hope this review was helpful and I will holla at you peeps later!


Peace

Braid Out FAIL!!!! (Products or technique?)

So yall know I'm on this new hair journey of styling my hair! So yesterday, I attempted my first braid out. I think it was a total fail! Maybe I just prefer twist outs to braid outs, but I'm not done testing it out. Yesterday, I washed and used the Au Natural line by Dark & Lovely (not a review.....yet). I also did a treatment because my hair is just raggedy and I need to get it back into shape. So maybe the results had to do with that too. IDK, but I was not pleased.


So I started with a pre-poo...

 

These are the products and tools I used as well as what my hair looked like after all the product was in. That wide tooth comb, afro comb, and Denman brush are a MUST!!!! These are what I use to complete my pre-poo. I covered my hair with a plastic bag and left this on for about 30-45 min.

 

Next, I rinsed the pre-poo out and washed my hair section by section. I washed with the Au Natural shampoo and conditioner...not pictured here, but it's the Hydrating Soak Shampoo and the Knot Out conditioner. Before putting the knot out conditioner in. I used ion Repair Solutions Effective Care Treatment. I was at Sally's and they had the 1 oz packs on sale for $.99. I bought 4! Hey, my hair needs to get back into shape! After rinsing the treatment out, I put in the Knot Out conditioner. I left the conditioner on for about 35-45 min with a plastic cap on and then rinsed. Next came the braiding.

 

 So, the products pictured above are what I used. In the applicator bottle is my Vatika Frosting. The other oil  is CoCasta Oil. To each section I put the Vatika frosting on first, then the moisture soufflé and a tad bit of the gelee and braided. Once I was all done, I rubbed a bit of the CoCasta oil in my palms and smoothed over all my hair and coated my ends.

I had to sit under the dryer to let them dry as I had places to go! Once I untwisted...this is what my hair looked like....

Crappy pic, I know cuz I have not invested in a camera yet, but I didn't like it! Maybe it's because they only set for a couple of hours, or because I let my friend help me take them out who has no respect for my hair!!! She just doesn't get it and she did not take it down carefully which contributed to the frizz. UGH!!! So I'm trying to figure out if my technique was just wrong, if the product is just crappy or what! Anywhoo. I'm going to maintain the braid out all week. I have begun my work out routine again which means I will be co-washing a couple times a week and maybe I can get a better braid out. I'm going to go for a chunkier one next time!  So yeah, this was a total FAIL!!!! I told yall this was trial and error for me. Consider this a styling FAIL!!!!!




Peace

Skeletons in my hair closet!!! (Confessions)

Confession #1: I've been natural five years and I am just now learning how to apply product and style my hair! Thus the re-birth of the product junky! Soooo.....not only am I trying out these products for you....but I want to see if I can even use them right for myself.

Confession #2: I don't even think they are going to work! Okay...I might be presently surprised, but I have reason to believe, that I will end up sticking with my EVCO, Qhemet Biologics, Hairveda CoCasta Oil, and Oyin Handmade products. I am in the market for a good butter....suggestions welcome in the comments!!!!

Confession #3: I have never found a shampoo and conditioner that I absolutely LOVE!!! I know, after 5 years, the only thing I consistently use is Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo for clarifying periodically. So yes, I am on the hunt for that!

Confession #4: I'm a YouTube Junky just like the rest of you! Who are my faves? Naptural85, Ms. Vaughn, MsAriella89, Meechy Monroe. Just to name a few....but I do watch others...these are just my faves!

Confession #5: I'm a nail polish addict also! I love Zoya, Sinful Colors, Revlon, Sally Hansen, and China Glaze! Finger paints is a fave of mine along with Deborah Lippman. Makeup is my other love and I have recently fell in love with drug store products as well as Coastal Scents! However, Mary Kay tinted moisturizer will always be my go to foundation (or tinted moisturizer, whatever makes you happy!).

Confession #6: I think my hair is breaking, falling out, shedding, or something! All I know, is I want to repair it now!! Thus the blog, experimentation with products, and new found love for learning to style my hair!

And lastly.......

Confession #7: I secretly hate long hair....but want to grow my hair long so I can cut it off! My hair is now probably a little longer than shoulder length, which is more than I have had in a long time! I think I just want to grow it long to see if I can. Once satisfied....I'm chopping this mess off!!!!!!


These are my confessions! I know you have some too!


Hit me in the comments!

Peace

Drug Store and Beauty Supply products.....Yay or Nay?

Alright. So there has been an influx of products geared toward natural hair. Are they any good? What's in them? Will they reduce shrinkage? Will they define my curls?

Well, who knows! All I know is that these hair care company's like Dr. Miracles, Dark & Lovely, and ORS to name a few, have jumped on the natural hair band wagon. I mean, after all, black hair care is a money maker, so why not. I have seen so many reviews of people being disappointed because they did not give them curls or reduce shrinkage. Well, here is my two scents on the whole situation!

I've been natural for 5 yrs now and here is what I learned: No product...I don't care what it claims....is going to give you curl definition that you do not naturally have. Period. And shrinkage....well, it's just a part of being natural! For these companies to promise such things is absolutely absurd! My suggestion to those reading is to not fall for the okie doke! Experimentation with products is all part of the journey to find out what works for your hair and what doesn't. So us naturals will go through many products usually before we find out what works. What's most important is that the products we choose moisturize and keep our hair health. You don't want your products to cause a lot of buildup on your scalp or hair, and you don't want them to dry your hair or cause breakage.

So will drug store and beauty supply products get the job done? Some say yes. Some say all natural is the way to go. I say.....I don't really know...but I'm willing to find out and tell ya!

When I first went natural, I tried everything from Carol's Daughter to Bronner Brothers Oil Moisturizer! I never tried any for an extended period of time, but what I did find to work, I stuck with. My tried and true are Qhemet Biologics: Amla and Olive Heavy Cream, Amla Pomade, and Athiopeka hydrate and twist butter, Oyin Handmade: Juices & Berries, Burnt Sugar Pomade, Whipped Pudding, and Honey Hemp conditioner, Hairveda: Cocasta Oil and Vatika Frosting, and good old Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I always rotate the two brands and usually don't have them both at the same time. These always have and most likely always will work for my hair.

However, I am on the commercial natural products bandwagon! Why? Well, I have 2 main  reasons.

1. I am now in grad school and on a budget.

2. I want to see if there are alternatives that will nourish and moisturize my hair without having to order online or spend a ton of money

First up...Dark & Lovely Au Natural line.

Give me a couple of weeks. I want to use them several times in different ways before I tell you what I think! Just know...I DO NOT DO WASH AND GO'S!!!  This means that the defining creams I use will be for styling. I do desire definition when setting twists, braids and curls! So I will be using the defining creams for that purpose. I will be looking to see if they define without getting hard and causing crunch, if they will moisturize, and if they cause build up!

Alright, see you guys in a few! I'm sure there will be posts and updates until the full review!


Peace

Twist out with Oyin Handmade Products: A Review

Alright, so wash day has been completed! What I discovered is that I need to do more research before I do my henna! AND......Mini twists make it hard to detangle my hair! OMG....this wash day was quite a task! So this is what I did and how I started!!!!!




Pre-poo and detangle: Products-water, Tresemme naturals conditioner, Africas Best ultimate herbal oil

So I parted my hair into 4 sections and clipped them. Then, one section at a time, I added about a quarter size amount of the oil and worked it through the section. Next, I sprayed with with water to get it very wet. Once the section is wet, I added a very generous amount of conditioner and worked it through. I detangled using a wide tooth comb, then an afro come, and went back through it with my knock off Denman brush to make sure it was knot free. Last, I divided the section into 4 twists. I repeated this process for the other 3 sections. The hair is then covered with a plastic cap and I let it sit for about an hour.

Wash: Products-Tresemme Naturals shampoo
To wash the hair, I wash in sections. So section by section, I undid the twists, rinsed the pre-poo out, then shampoo'd. After rinsing, I would but 1 or 2 jumbo twists in then move on to the next section until my entire head had been shampoo'd and rinsed.

Deep Condition: Products: Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner
For this part, I just undid my hair section by section, added a generous amount of conditioner, and put the 4 twists per section back in. I re-covered the hair with a plastic cap and let it sit for an hour or more. After I was sure my hair had soaked up all of that goodness, I rinsed with the twists still in Can I just say that I have been using the Tresemme for about 6 months and really like it! It is cheap and does a good job. However, once my shampoo and conditioner are gone, I will switch to V05 conditioners for my pre-poo. I will be returning back to grad school this fall and will be on a tight budget. The V05 are cheap and they do an excellent job as well.

Style: Products-Oyin Juices & Berries (J&B), Oyin Hair Dew (HD), Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade (BSP)
To style my hair, I undid the twists in a section and combed through it again. Can I just say that my hair was so soft and moisturized after the previous process! I love my Honey Hemp, but I have to give it up this year due to my budget cuts...but I will always revisit this conditioner!!!!!!! Anywhoo, back to styling! So after the section was undone and combed through, I sprayed with the J&B, then added about a nickel sized amount of hair dew, and about a dime size amount of BSP to the section. To twist, I put about 6-8 twists in. I repeated this process for each section.

THE END RESULTS.....




So it's evident that I need an actual camera....don't judge the cell phone pic! But this is a somewhat decent view of the definition I got for my twist out using the above products!!!! I love it! Next week, I think I will be using.....ah, well, I haven't decided yet!!!!!! Peace

5/6/13
So I wanted to update you all on what my hair looked like the next day. All I did was re-twist with large twist the night before, undid them in the morning and fluffed. No product used....Oh, wait I lied! I did spritz my hair with Crème of Nature Argan Oil Gloss and Shine mist.

Not bad aye! Not sure I will do a twist out in this capacity again with my Oyin. I like it better for my smaller twists that I wear for 2-3 weeks. The BSP is great for setting your edges for a puff or ponytail but when twisting for a twist out, I think it is a bit to heavy. For my hair anyway! I will still always purchase this because it's great for my regular twists!!!!

Peace

Started from the bottom......

So my last blog was a bust! I just didn't keep up with it and lost interest. One thing I have not lost interest in is my love of products! Health and beauty is my vice! I have tried, disliked, liked, and loved so many things, IDK where to begin! But first I want to start with my hair since it is my obsession! Nail polish is too, but I will incorporate it somehow!


As it stands right now, I am on a mission to find a good shampoo, and a good moisturizer! But surely I can't stop there.....I need some awesome stylers too! I know I'm late on the whole..."natural hair" movement, but the truth is, I've been natural for going on 5 yrs now! I thought it would be a good idea to blog because people ask me all the time: what do you put in your hair? How did you get it to look like that? So what do you use to twist your hair? How do you get it to stay?? blah blah blah! So now, if you wanna hear about it....here it goes!


These are things I have tried and absolutely hated!!!!!

Carol's Daughter-too high priced for corn oil! IJS! Didn't do anything for my hair besides make it greasy.

Darcy's Botanicals-I really think my hair is just too thick for these products. However, that was at least 2 yrs ago I tried them and may revisit now that I am more experienced with my hair.

Shea Moisture-Okay, I didn't totally hat it, it just wasn't for me. It worked really well at first, but I don't think it was right for my texture. After a while, it just didn't get the job done, so I gave it away


Why so few products? I found Oyin handmade and Qhemet Biologics and decided that these worked the best in my hair and I was good! So I didn't try much anything else. But now.....dun dun dun!

I have this crazy amount of hair that I want to experiment with as I have NEVER had this much hair before. So I am learning what to do with longer natural hair. PRODUCT LINES is what I want to experiment with! I'm now off my all natural products bandwagon, and am willing to try more things if they will work! So what am I using right now you ask?

OYIN HANDMADE!!!!! Which I love and will never get rid of, but I need more options. Especially since I will be doing more stuff to it!


What I use now and works:

Ecostyler Olive Oil Gel
Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade
Oyin Hair Dew
Tresemme Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner
Coconut oil
Hairveda's Cocasta oil

What I want to try and have started buyin:
CON Argan Oil
Dark & Lovely Au Natural
ORS Curls Unleashed
Cantu naturals
Entwine Couture
As I Am
Original Moxie


I think that's it for now! Stay tuned! I want to use up what I have, so I will be doing my hair this weekend with my Oyin, which I will post (using some other treats too), and then it's off to product junkie ville!!!

Pray for me!!! lol!


Peace
Monaps