Hey coffee addicts,
Hope you had a wonderful week, and I hope coffee was involved! Also, Pumpkin Spice Coffee/Latte is back...I've been on it like no tomorrow.
As you've read the title, I've be doing a hair product review. Since March, I've been on this "going back to natural" journey.
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WANT A CHANCE TO WIN THIS PRODUCT? KEEP READING FOR MORE INFORMATION!*
Reasons I decided to go back to natural:
1. I've found that relaxers weren't doing anything for my hair anymore, and I was like well what's the point in continuously placing this chemical on/inside me.
2. Also, it does more harm than good, but like a lot of things I was doing it (hypocrite).
3. The last two times I've gone to the hair salon to get it done, they just blow it out really good. It looked like I had a fresh relaxer after styling. (I did have a lot of relaxed, but my roots were laid is what I mean)
4. BREAKAGE!!!
(yes, I have a top on)
BEFORE!
IN THE BEGINNING
I think either mid to the end of March was when I decided to just stop the relaxer all together. In the beginning, it was cool because I still had a lot of relaxed and a little bit of new growth. Usually around the warmer months June/July is when I would normally braid my hair; however, I didn't want the easy way out because I figured this isn't a temporary thing for me. My hair is VERY THICK/COARSE/HARD TO COMB/TANGLE CITY!!! But I was up for the challenge to see how far I'd get through the summer months wearing my hair out. Surprisingly, I didn't very well this summer and even did a roller set a few times. The problem started when more new growth started coming in.
My hair started to tangle like crazy, and my edges were suffering from the pulling and tugging I was doing. The hair products I was using before no longer worked for me. I was always going to Creme of Nature for my hair problems, but I think when the original formula changed, my hair was no longer a fan. Now that I have about 4-5 inches of new growth, I needed something that was going to treat my natural and relaxed hair
EQUALLY! My constant Google searches on how other people treated the same issue wasn't working for me. REMEMBER: EVERY ONE'S HAIR IS DIFFERENT FROM YOURS, SO NOT EVERY PRODUCT WILL WORK THE SAME! I wasn't so concerned about having the "baby hairs" or being part of the "curly hair crew". I just wanted to make sure that my hair was
MANAGEABLE!
I can say that Coconut Oil is one of the best for detangling my hair. I always have trouble getting the tangles in the front/top of my hair. That's where my edges are becoming weaker (stated above). I've never had weak edges, so this
SCARES ME!
TRIAL AND ERROR
My friend Ashley suggested that I try Shea Moisture products. Ashley (who is my go to hair consultant), said that she likes them. I wasn't too thrilled on the price of the products, but at the same time you get what you pay for. I finally decided I was going to just try them because Walgreens was having a BOGO sale on Shea Moisture! Like I mentioned before, I wanted a product that was going to work good with my natural and relaxed hair, so I was happy they had the Transition Kit. Me being the trial and error person, I threw my hands up thinking what's the worse that can happen...I don't like it, return it and try something else.
WHAT YOU GET
The Walgreens price is $22.99 which isn't bad because you would get two regular sizes for about that price.
You get four 4 oz. of each product: Shampoo and Conditioner, Deep Treatment Masque and Elixir Finishing Spray
*I also like that it doesn't have all those nasty chemicals found in a lot of the hair products I use to use.*
OMG, WHERE DID I GET IT (MEAN GIRLS REFERENCE)
Walgreens
*You may be able to find it cheaper somewhere else though...if so LET A SISTA KNOW!! Thank you ;)*
WHAT YOU NEED
Wide tooth comb
Thermal cap/Plastic bag
Hair ties
Spray bottle filled with water (OPTIONAL)
Coconut Oil (helps to detangle)
Jamaican Black Castor Oil (OPTIONAL)
Additional conditioner (OPTIONAL)
HOW I USED THE PRODUCTS
Step 1: Section hair in four parts. Tie use either hair clips or hair ties to secure them.
Step 2: Detangle each section thoroughly.
Step 3: Shampoo each section. Make sure to massage your head rather than scratch. For years I was using my nails...NO NO NO! NO BUENO! Rinse. If you need to repeat, then do it.
Step 4: Apply the conditioner (root to tip) evenly. I used my wide tooth comb to help distribute it more.
Step 5: If you are going to wash your hair in the shower, you can go ahead and do your regular routine, while the products does it's job. If not, you can massage just sit and wait for the time allotted (I believe 5 minutes).
Step 6: Rinse each section one at a time thoroughly. Twist the sections of hair and place them back (picture above).
Step 7: Instead of using a towel to dry your hair, use an old t-shirt. This will help
DECREASE the frizz. It also speeds up the drying time.
Step 8: Since my hair dries very quickly, I went ahead and strayed each section until my roots were a bit damp.
Step 9: Place some Coconut Oil and Jamaican Black Castor Oil on each section of hair for further detangling before the deep treatment masque. Comb each section. (this is optional, but I found that the product left my hair a bit dry)
New growth (where this curl come from?)
Step 10: Repeat Step 4! Make sure during this process you keep the four sections divided. This will make everything easier!!
Hair is getting longer...shrinkage though
Step 11: Place the thermal cap/plastic bag on your head. Leave for the allotted time, or for as long as you need it. *I left the product in my hair for 40 minutes. I also massaged the product in my hair to penetrate my scalp more.*
From this point, I made me a cup of coffee, and was on the computer!
Step 12: Rinse each section thoroughly and use the wide tooth comb during this process.
**NOTE: My hair still felt dry, so I used my Carol's Daughter conditioner to soften my hair**
Step 13: Repeat Step 7. Then comb your hair ENDS TO ROOT!
*At this point, you can style your hair as usual, or you can continue reading*
Step 14: The elixir says to only use it after styling your hair with a heating tool. However, I'm over using a blow dryer these days because it takes hours to go through my 2 textured hair! I was most pleased with this product because it left shine and softened my hair. Taking down one section at a time, I simply braided four individual braids per section. I also took this time to clip my ends because....dang!
(I placed a bonnet on my head and went to sleep)
NEXT DAY (TAKE DOWN AND RESULTS)
In the morning I sectioned my hair in for parts and began taking my braids down. To help with the frizz, use coconut oil or some other oil...just a little...or even the elixir.
I was pleased by how soft my hair had become after using the products. My hair doesn't feel weighted down by the stray. I can definitely run my hands through my roots with ease. That's a plus!
AFTER
PROS
- Smells good
- Softened my hair
- Added shine
- Moisturized
- Controls frizz
- Elixir is GREAT!
CONS
- Not the best at detangling
- Shampoo left my hair feeling dry
- Had to use an additional conditioner to retain the moisture other than the elixir spray
RATINGS
8/10
Other than the cons listed below, this product was good. If I had to go from best product to the least in the kit would be the elixir spray, conditioner, deep treatment masque and shampoo.
The shampoo and masque were ok, but not great. The shampoo left my hair feeling dry and stripped, while the mask didn't seem like anything new to me. In other words, I didn't feel much of a different.
The elixir was FANTASTIC! It was like having coffee after you haven't had it in a week. The conditioner helped bring that moisture to my hair after I used the shampoo.
*I will do an updated review as I use the product more. I try not to shampoo it too often, but I will use the elixir and the conditioner (co-wash) more.*
Hope you found this product review helpful and informative. If you would like more, don't forget to leave a comment and tell me. Also let me know what other products you like.
GIVEAWAY
I'VE SAID I WANTED TO DO A LITTLE GIVEAWAY FOR A WHILE NOW. JUST A LITTLE THANK YOU!!!!
WANT A KIT OF YOUR OWN?? READ THE INFORMATION BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN. DEPENDING ON HOW THIS GOES I WILL DO MORE IN THE FUTURE!
GOOD LUCK!
HOW TO ENTER
**OPEN TO EVERYONE (INTERNATIONAL AND U.S.)**
**GIVEAWAY CLOSES 9/26 MIDNIGHT**
**WINNER ANNOUNCED ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE EITHER 9/27 OR 9/28**
RULES
- Like my Facebook page CoffeeNOfilter with Denisha: https://www.facebook.com/coffeenofilterwithDenisha?ref=bookmarks
- Follow me on my radio show CoffeeNofilter with Denisha: (this is one of my segments) http://tobtr.com/s/6882123
- Follow me on my blog CoffeeNofilter with Denisha: coffeenofilterwithdenisha.blogspot.com
- Follow me on Twitter: Ninibonitachica
*Let me know if you have an issue with one of the links*
3 WAYS TO WIN
Facebook or Twitter:
- Leave a comment with the #coffeenofilterwithdenisha plus Retweet/Share!!
Radio:
- Listen to one of my segments and on my fb page which one is your FAVORITE!
Blog:
- Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite hair care product is. (natural, transitioning, relaxed)
ALSO, you CAN enter as many times as you want to. I encourage you to listen to whatever segment you want. There's plenty of variety. As a bonus, let me know what you want to hear more of...same with the blog. Want more product reviews or what other giveaways in the future you'd want?
**THIS ISN'T SPONSORED! I USED MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO BUY YOU THIS GIFT AS A THANK YOU FOR THE AWESOME SUPPORT! I'M NOT ON THAT SPONSORED LEVEL YET! BHAHAH** I know how people feel about those overly sponsored reviews!
Gonna relax with a cup of coffee on this rainy day!!!
PEACE!
This giveaway isn't about trying to get views. It's about celebrating education and thanking the ones that have been supporting me since I started my radio show and blog(s). My education is a huge part of my life, and I love to encourage people to continue to do well in school and life. I appreciate you so much and from the bottom of my heart, I love you! With all that being said, I wanted to shower you with a gift because when you share it means you care. Back to school shopping can be either exciting or frustrating. It can be a very expensive time of the year as well, so why not lend a hand and take some of the strain off your shoulders. If you don't need school supplies, but know someone who does, you can enter for them!
