Product Review: Ori Essentials Cleansing Conditioner

     I received this product in my May 2013 Curlkit and I couldn't wait to try this cleanser. It is described as a gentle cleanser that removes residue and soothes scalp, while maintaining  and adding moisture to curls. This cleanser is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, petroleum, alcohol, and dyes. It has a very creamy texture and has a very sweet scent, you can definitely smell the coconut. I was a little nervous due to the ingredients list with alcohol being listed twice, but surprisingly, I loved this cleanser, it cleaned my hair and scalp like a dream and provided enough slip for easy detangling. This one's a keeper I definitely plan on incorporating this one in my regimen...can you say staple. This conditioner can be purchased on the Curlkit website for $12.00.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Nettles, Horsetail, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polysorbate-20, Stearlkonium Chloride, Coconut Oil, Carrrot Oil, Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Phenoxyethanol and Capryloyl Glycine and Undecylenoyl Glycine, Fragrance.

My Nappiversary/ Naturalversary!

Recapping May 2012 to May 2013

So May 17th marked my natural anniversary! Yaaaayyyyy! I was worried I wasn't going to make it this far, but I an so glad I did. Things I have learned thus far...

*Water is your best friend; inside and out

*What works for one person won't necessarily work for you

*Travel/trial sizes are your BFF (prevents you from being a product junkie and wasting unnecessary money)

*Protective styles are a blessing (twist outs, braids, etc)

*Not all products are created equal and just cause you pay more doesn't make it better. 

*Your hair is growing, so don't compare your growth to someone elses

Revealing My May 2013 CurlKit..........

     So I received my long awaited May Curlkit today and I was a bit worried because it seemed a bit lighter than the previous kits. Although lighter than usual there were some good items in the kit. This months kit included.......

     CurlLife (Curlkit Magazine)

     Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Threat Invigorating Shampoo (2 fl oz)

     Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Threat Invigorating conditioner (2 fl oz)

     Nyah Oatmeal & Honey Soap (1.5 oz)

     Ori Essentials Cleansing Conditioner (8 fl oz)

     Satin Triangle Scarf 

     UR Curly Tight Curl Enhancer (1.75 fl oz)

     Yum Yum Candle Limoncello scent (4 oz)

     

Product Review: Kiss My Face Upper Management Gel

     I was introduced to this gel at a natural hair meet up back in September of 2012. This product states it is a medium hold gel that is perfect for all hair types: nourishes hair, natural formula with out build up, free of SLS, free of parabens, free of phthalates, no animal ingredients, no animal testing, and no artificial colors/fragrances.  I finally decided to use this gel in aiding in my twist-outs and to help lay these edges down........my verdict it actually worked. After twisting my washed hair , I place this gel on top of my cream styling agent for hold. It has a grapefruit scent and has the texture of a jelly without the stickiness and it doesn't cause flakes. In addition, this gel comes in a bottle so you don't have to dip your finger in a jar. I definitely plan on continuing to use this product again, I really like it (May even become a staple product, hmmm.) I purchased this product at Publix for approximately $6.00 for an 8 ounce bottle. 

Ingredients: Purified, Deionized Certified Organic Floral Water of Nettle, Calendula and Chamomile, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (Amino Acid derived), Yeast Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Grapefruit Extract

My Perfect Twist-Out

To those who don't know my favorite style is........drum roll please.......a twist-out. After  going through these steps I absolutely fell in love with my results.

1. Wash: Wet hair then applied SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo concentrating on the ends the first time, then the second time on my scalp.

2. Condition: I applied SheaMoisture Mango & Carrots Kids Extra Nourishing Conditioner to my hair and let it sit for about 45 minutes; then rinse.

3. Seal: Applied coconut oil to seal in the moisture.

4. Applied Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave In.

5. Style: I parted my hair in sections and detangled each section with my Denman; then I placed them in my 2-strand twist using SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. (15-20 twists)

6. Rubbed Kiss My Face Upper Management Gel in hands and applied it to my twist. Let dry overnight.

7. The following morning twists were taken down and fluffed.

*My hair was left with definition, shine, body, hold and most of all it was soft to touch. Loved It!

Revealing My April 2013 Curlkit

     I received April's Curlkit about a week and a half ago and unfortunately one of the products had completely wasted out and another half way.....I know wonk,wonk. I was a little ticked off about it so I decided to contact the company in which I can appreciate the fact that they personally apologized. Despite the mishap in the mail handling, there were some great items in this kit some old favorites and some new.

CurlLife Magazine Volume 8
Amazing Botanicals AloeMint Spritz (2 fl oz) *
Ampro ProStyl Vitamin E Oil (6 fl oz)
Ampro ProStyl Silk Edges (.14 oz sample packet)
Ampro ProStyl Shine n Jam (.14 oz sample packet)
HoneyCurls Hair Honey Oil Blend (2 fl oz)
Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave In (2 fl oz)*
Naturalista Juicy Leave In Conditioner (2 fl oz)
Ori Essentials Moisturizing Leave In Conditioner (8 fl oz)

*wasted product

Product Review: Dark and lovely Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Line

     I finally ran across these products in my local Walgreens a couple a months ago after hearing about this new natural line from Dark and Lovely. These products run about 9.99 a piece a and smell like mango, like a very tropical smell. I really enjoyed the products, so here we go......

Coil Moisturizing Souffle is described as "a moisturizing delight with a low crunchless hold that instantly defines and softens tight curls and coils." The directions state to apply to conditioned, detangled, damp hair and allow to air dry; finish off with Sheen Sealing Nectar. So, I followed the instructions and applied it to my damp, detangled hair at night while doing a twists for a twist-out; I sealed the end of my twists with KBB Love Butter. I let them stay in overnight and in the morning removed the twists and my hair very moisturized and my coils were very defined. My twist out lasted about 2 to 3 days. It had a very light creamy texture like that of a conditioner. I really liked the product because there was no flakes or residue after applying. I used this product several times and there were great results each time.

Ingredients: Water , Cetearyl Alcohol , Cetyl Esters , Glycerin , Fragrance , Phenoxyethanol , Isopropyl Alcohol , Mangifera Indica Seed Oil/Mango Seed Oil , Tricedeth-6 , Cetrimonium Chloride , Benzyl Salicylate , Methylisothiazolinone , Linalool , Benzyl Alcohol , Limonene , Yellow 5 (CI 19140) , Yellow 6 (CI 15985) , Geraniol , Bambusa Vulgaris Sap Extract

10-In-1 Styles Gelee is described as a crunchless firm hold gel that controls frizz and elongates coils. It says it can used on wet or dry hair. I tried this product alone on twists for a twist-out and along with a couple of styling moisturizing creams (Moisturizing Souffle and CocoCurls Styling Cream). When I tried it alone, I loved the definition but it felt a little dry and crunchy, that's why I decided to use it together with a cream which yielded awesome results which I loved. It has the texture of flaxseed gel. I received so many compliments on my twist out results.

Ingredients: Water , Sorbitol , Glycerin , Benzyl Alcohol , Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate , Dehydroxanthan Gum , Phenoxyethanol , Fragrance , Panthenol , Mangifera Indica Seed Oil/Mango Seed Oil , Ethylhexylglycerin , Benzyl Salicylate , Linalool , Limonene , 2 Oleamido 1 , 3 Octadecanediol , Bambusa Vulgaris Sap Extract , F.I.L. D55074/2

10-in-1 Gelee alone

10-in-1 Gelee with Styling Cream

Sheen Sealing Nectar is a sheen spray that conditions both the hair and scalp while providing a succulent sheen used after styling. What I really like about this product is that it provides a light sheen of an oil to my hair in a spray bottle. I liked the product it did what it said it would do...I am not going to get rid of my oils, but it provides a great option.

Ingredients: Isopropyl Myristate , Helianthus Annus Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil , Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil , Dicaprylyl Ether , Isopropyl Isostearate , Fragrance , Mangifera Indica Seed Oil/Mango Seed Oil , Benzyl Salicylate , Linalool , Benzyl Alcohol , Limonene , Geraniol , Bambusa Vulgaris Extract , F.I.L. D55090/2