Thursday, July 26, 2012

My Hair Hates Water!!

Okay I may be over exaggerating, but I am seriously beginning to think that water and my hair aren't friends! A lot of naturals consider water to be their number one ingredient, but for me that just doesn't seem to be the case.
Since my big chop, I have been trying to get to know my hair better by experimenting with different products and figuring out what really works. I have been seeing a trend with my hair being really dry or frizzy after using a product that has water as its first ingredient. Even if I use water to "moisturize" my hair and seal it with a butter my hair just doesn't react well. 
I still have to experiment and see if it is the combination of products I use or the hot weather that is causing the dryness.


When they say natural hair is a journey, that sure isn't a lie! 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Review: Original Moxie-Emollience Penetrating Moisture

These days I have been craving more moisture and shine for my hair and when I was younger I used to do a lot of hot oil treatments. I just thought I would go back to basics and do what works.


Source: itsAvalon (Instagram)
Emollience Penetrating Moisture by Original Moxie is a Castor oil based pre-poo. When I first heard of this product I was so intrigued because the name sounded very luscious and moisturizing. This product claims to give an extra boost of moisture to dry hair and give it back it's luster. Emollience is enriched with Cupuacu butter which is a rich thick emollient found in Brazil and has ultra moisturizing properties due to its high phytosterol levels (helps to trap in moisture). 
I ordered a sample size to try it out but now I'm thinking I should have bought a full sized product. On wash day, I would apply this product to dry, dirty hair. I would usually keep it on for about an hour or so with a foil cap to trap in the heat. On removal of the foil cap, my hair is so soft and so moisturized I get tempted to not wash it out. It is fairly thick and melts easily to apply to the hair. It has a very earthy and spicy scent that doesn't linger after it's washed out.

The sample size (1oz) costs $5.50, 3oz-$16.00, 6oz-$30.00 and can be purchased here: www.originalmoxie.com


Verdict: A. I haven't seen drastic changes in the moisture level of my but I know with continued use I would see a difference. This will definitely be a staple in my hair regime. If you love pre-poos and oils you should definitely purchase this product.


Thank you for reading!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Facebook

Hey there!


So I decided to expand my brand and make a Facebook page where we can have open conversations about natural hair! I am really excited about this and I am excited to see my page grow into something awesome!


If you are interested in "liking" my page here is the link:
www.facebook.com/CoiledTresses


Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Guide to Natural Hair Companies and Sample Products

Have you ever wanted to try out a new product but didn't want to commit to a full sized product? I have found that receiving sample sizes is a great way to experiment with products without making that commitment. When I first went natural, I was all about using sample sizes and I was happy I didn't have to spend a great deal of money on something that possibly didn't work. 
These days a lot more companies are offering sample sizes because they know that it will bring in more customers to try out their products.


Below is a list companies that provide sample sizes. Most sample sizes or "mini's" range from 0.5-2 ounces and costs anywhere from $1.50 to $6.95. Some companies offer sample packs that have 3-9 products and those range higher in price.
(This isn't an all inclusive list. If you know of any other companies don't hesitate to comment below!)
  1. Pura Body Naturals (Price: $4.99; Size: 1-2 oz): www.purabodynaturals.com
  2. Jessicurl (Price: $1.50-$6.95; Size: 0.5-2 oz): www.jessicurl.com
  3. Original Moxie (Price: $5.00; Size: 0.5-1 oz): www.originalmoxie.com
  4. Miss Jessie's (Price: Free -$7.00-$9.00; Size: 0.46 - 2 oz; offers sample packs): www.missjessies.com
  5. Evene Naturals (Price: $4.00-$20.00; Size: 2 oz): www.ebenenaturals.com
  6. HairVeda (Offers sample pack; Price: $25.00): www.hairveda.com
  7. Bee Mine Products ( Price: $4.50-$5.75; Size: 2 oz): www.beemineproducts.com
  8. Hair Rules (Price: $7.50; Size: 2oz): www.hairrules.com
  9. Curl Junkie (Price: $12.00-$17.00;Size: 0.5 oz; offers sample packs): www.curljunkie.com
  10. Oyin Handmade (Price: $3.50 Size: 2 oz; Price: $12.00-$50.00 Size: 2 oz): www.oyinhandmade.com
  11. Kozamaa Hair Care (Price: $5.00; Size: 2 oz): www.komazahaircare.co
  12. My HoneyChild (Price: $5.00; Size: 2 oz): www.myhoneychild.com
  13. Reve Essentials (Price: $2.50-$6.00; Size: 2 oz): www.shop.reveessentials.com
  14. Chagrin Valley Soaps (Price: $2.60- $3.75; Size: 1.5 oz): www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com 
  15. Cush Cosmetics (Price: $3.50-$7.00; Size: 0.5 oz): www.cushcosmetics.com 
  16. Karen Body Beautiful (Offers sample packs; Price ??): www.karensbodybeautiful.com
  17. Terresentials (Price: $4.00; Sizes: 2 oz): www.terressentials.com
  18. Blended beauty (Offers sample packs; Price: $22.00): www.blendedbeauty.com
  19. Koils By Nature (Offers sample packs; Price: $25.00): www.koilsbynature.com
  20. Amazing Botanicals (Offers sample packs; Price: $8.00-$60.00): www.amazingbotanicals.bigcartel.com
  21. Curls (Offers sample packs; Price: $22.00-$25.00): www.curls.biz
Thank you for reading!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Review: Camille Rose Naturals-Almond Jai Twisting Butter

I bought this product at the April WNHS and I was sooo excited to try the product everyone has been raving about. I have used it for a month and a half and I feel like I could give a decent review on it.
Source: www.mynaturalhairstore.com
Camille Rose is a company that prides itself in providing hair and body products that are pure and natural. Almond Jai Twisting Butter contain no parabens, petralutam, mineral oil or silicone. The product claims to restore, rejuvenating and nourish dry, frizzy and thirsty curls and coils. It will leave your twists soft, strengthened, elongated and oh so lovely.
The butter is very creamy and lightweight. I was impressed of how creamy the product was and the way it felt when I applied it to my hair. It felt like butter and I think it is due to the first ingredient being almond milk. The smell is intoxicating, it is like coco butter mixed with cake batter.


I applied the butter on freshly washed hair, two strand twisted my hair and I let the twists dry over night. The next day I expected great definition and shine when I took the twists down, but the results were disappointing. My hair felt dry and the shine wasn't there. It felt like I needed to add something else to make my hair shine and feel soft.
The following week I used it again and I decided that maybe more of the product needed to be used to achieve the results but once again I was left with sub-par results. 
Even as a moisturizer it really didn't step up to the plate, it felt like the product disappeared once I applied it to my hair.
One reason I believe the butter didn't work is that it isn't thick enough to give my hair the hold and moisture it needs. For my hair I need a product that is thicker and if it claims to be a twisting butter it should be thicker or have a consistency where it gives more hold.
I really had high hopes for this product but this proves that what works for one natural may not work for another. 


Verdict: D-: I am still eager to try her other products like the Algae Deep Conditioning Mask but this is one product I will never buy again.


Have you tried this product? Does it work for you?


Thank you for reading!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

BIG CHOP #2

Okay, so if you read this blog post: Tempted to Big Chop, you may be very shocked to what I am about to confess.

I DID THE BIG CHOP!!!










Okay, yes I said I wasn't going to do it but I realized holding on those those damaged ends was damaging my attitude about my hair. I have about 3.75in of length now and I feel so much better not having to style those ugly straight ends. 

I feel scared and at the same time very excited to start on this journey again!
Here is a video of my process!



Thank you for reading!