Oil Mixture

One of the biggest adjustments for me going natural was accepting oil into my hair care regimen.

I was accustomed to using grease for many years and had considered that oil because besides the petroleum there is oil in grease as well. So when I heard of people putting oil in their hair I was opposed for a while as many of the vloggers I was following warned of the hazards of petroleum in your hair. I soon educated myself more and now swear by using natural oils for many reasons.

One of my favorite ways to use oil is my oil rinse. I have a concoction of natural oils that I have in an applicator bottle that I apply in the shower after pre-pooing, washing, conditioning, and rinsing my hair. After the mixture is in I rinse it with water (since water won't rinse away all of the oil) then seal with aloe vera juice (as long as I am not out).

Below see the oils I use

Jamaican Black Castor oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E, Almond Oil, Jojoba oil, and Lavender oil.

 

All of the oils, with the exception of the lavender oil, are carrier oils. The lavender is an essential oil which should always be diluted to avoid a negative reaction. I add the lavender to add scent and for aroma therapy. This lovely mixture is also great for your body and I will often apply it after a shower as well.

Product Review | got 2b Oil-licious

A few weeks ago Walgreens had a deal which involved you getting a coupon for the amount you spent on several products. One of those products that I purchased was got 2b Oil-licious Triple Oil Golden Shimmer Conditioner by Schwarkopf. I was excited about the idea that I may see some shimmer in my hair and that it was triple oil. It also claims to repair, strengthen, provide anti-frizz benefits, and glisten.
My basic read on this product is that I am glad it was free.

Pro: I love the smell (its creamy and sweet)
        Water is the first ingredient
         I love the way it leaves my hair smelling great
         I have noticed more shine in my hair

Cons: It contains alcohol
          The three oils it brags about are near the bottom of the ingredient list
           It is artificially fragranced
           It provides no slip (I finally found out what that is and this doesn't have it)
           My hair feels no more moisturized after it is applied
           I didn't notice the shimmer at all

I will finish the bottle but I will not purchase more in the future. I am glad that I was able to try this out as I had seen it from time to time and wondered. I do really enjoy the fragrance as my shampoo is naturally fragranced and it doesn't last very long. I think this conditioner is meant for someone that is looking for a light moisturizing conditioner as it mentions being non-greasy, I need EXTRA moisture. I don't mind grease :)

I purchased this product with my own money and receive no compensation for my view on the product. All views are expressly my own.

I appreciate subscriptions and comments.

October Birchbox review

Happy fall! And happy new Birchbox!

Click below to see what came in this month's Birchbox. Also see what I thought of some of the things in last month's box. Spoiler alert! I finally got Ms. Jessie's but haven't tried it yet :)

Have you subscribed yet? And why not?

Product review: Davines- Love/Lovely shampoo and Lovely smoothing conditioner

In this month's (June) Birchbox I received a trial size Lovely smoothing shampoo and a sample of Lovely smoothing conditioner. I no longer use products with sulfates but I paid for these products through my monthly subscription. Though I believe in researching products before trying them, I have done this extensively and found that you have to try things to know how they work for you.

About the products

The Lovely Smoothing Shampoo contains Indian fig extract and states it is for dry frizzy hair, I have that on occasion. The Lovely Smoothing Conditioner contains Borage oil and indicates its use for harsh and frizzy hair. The instructions suggest that you apply evenly the right amount of product on towel dried hair, leave in hair for a few minutes, rinse well. 

I mixed the shampoo with my last Tresemme Luxurious moisture conditioner, I wanted to add as much conditioning potential to this shampoo as possible. I only had a little left, see below. 

My research on the ingredients:
I decided to look up the benefits of Borage oil for my own knowledge. I found it is found helpful for inflamed hair follicles, dry scalp, and thinning hair because of the fatty acids found in the oil. I could not find any other information on why Indian Fig extract is good for hair other than that Davines uses it as well as a few other hair product producers.

The verdict:
I found the products to be good smelling, reminding me of citrus and some of the better smelling relaxers I used a few years ago. ( I know that sounds odd most perms do not smell good, but I had a few that did). I found that after using the products my hair felt moisturized for a day or so after dry. In my eyes this is a success, I don't know that this will be a product I use regularly. Actually I know it is not simply because it contains sulfates. Overall though I will use the remainder of the product until it is gone.

Amika Nourishing Mask and Oil Treatment review

In my May BIRCHBOX I received the Amika: Nourishing Mask and Oil treatment which can be used together. I was a little skeptical since I have extremely dry hair, which is often the case with curly girls. So I tried this with my normal shampoo and was amazed I think I finally experienced "slip" while washing my hair. I also noticed that my hair remained moisturized for the majority of the week. I wash my hair typically once a week and leave it styled until the next wash day. I enjoyed the smell of this product and the consistency. I have not yet researched how much it costs but if it is economical I will likely purchase it soon. So I thought I would share it with you.

I pay for my monthly subscription to Birchbox and receive no compensation for a review of this product.

My New Hair's resolution

 I have decided I needed to revamp my current approach

to some aspects of caring for my hair.

My plan is to not purchase, not one new hair product until

I have used up all of the half used or lesser used products

I have. I own so many products that I have used once or twice

then bought something to replace them with.

Not necessarily because there was anything insufficient about them.

I am just in the habit of searching for that perfect product.

I advise against this to others but I am a major perpetrator.

 

So no more products: oils, shampoos, conditioners, leave in's, deep

conditioners, gels, or hair accessories.

The hair accessories will be the hardest for me but I honestly rarely wear

them, I always feel so dressy with them in....

But maybe I need to dress up more often.

I hope that by restraining for purchasing more products

I will discover which ones I really can't live without

and purchase more of them.

 

 

I am also planning to give my hair a little rest, I am getting braids this weekend!

 

I am very hopeful I can keep them in a while, the last time I tried braids I couldn't keep them in for more than 7 days. My scalp is so tight the pain was immense. I have always been a braid person and used to get them every summer at least, I hope to be able to return to this at some point.

 



DIY hair products

For some reason I had been rather resistant to making my own products. Possibly due to time constraints, the risk of wasting money for now good reason, and just being resistant to change.

So a few weeks ago my bestie was down and I met her at her friends home. They were planning to make products and do hair that day. My plans were different for the evening but I watched the how to video with them that night and found myself on the hunt for the products needed to make my own leave in. This sparked a desire to also make my own moisturizer. I have been needing a good moisturizer for a while and have not found a product that meets my needs in the stores.

So I am now a convert....I have made two sets of my leave in and one of the moisturizer that I have not yet had to remake. I LOVE the moisturizer (Shea butter, coconut oil, grape seed oil, honey, and olive oil)  and I like the leave in (your favorite commercially made leave in conditioner, Aloe Vera juice, Castor oil, and jojoba oil). The added bonus? you buy the products once and can make the products yourself many times.

The benefits of the moisturizer: my hair feels soft all week and has shine to it, but it is not so oily that I have gross hands if I touch my hair. I have also been able to use a very minimal amount and receive a great benefit. So DIY is the way for me. Next task a shampoo I can live with......