***OBI Natural Hair Care Product Review & Giveaway***

So I was introduced to this product line a little while ago and I'm finally getting around to writing my formal review. In December of last year I was contacted by OBI Natural Haircare and given the opportunity to use 4 of the products from the line. Now, I will admit that I had not heard of the line prior to them contacting me so I immediately went to their website to see what products they had to offer and the ingredients in them. I was nervous about how I would like the products due to the high glycerin levels in them but was willing to give them a try and I'm glad I did. Check out my review.....

Name: Neem & Tea Tree Shampoo Bar

Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Coconut, Palm, Castor Bean, Safflower; Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water, Essential Oils: Neem, Tea Tree, Rosemary Essential Oil, Sorbitol, Soy Bean Protein, Sorbitan Oleate, Fragrance. **

Product Promise: This invigorating shampoo soothes dry scalp and helps remove unwanted buildup, while alleviating itching and flaking. This cleansing shampoo is excellent for dandruff and psoriasis of the scalp.**

Review: After pre-pooing my hair I used the Neem & Tea Tree Shampoo Bar to cleanse my hair and scalp. The bar produced a lot of lather but was still gentle on my hair and scalp. After rinsing the shampoo my hair did not feel stripped however, my hair and scalp definitely felt clean and free of any buildup. The shampoo smelled just like tea tree oil (which is not my favorite scent) but to my surprise it failed to provide me with the "tingly" sensation that most products with tea tree oil in them do. Overall, the shampoo bar was just ok and for this reason I probably would not purchase this item.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Name: Curl Moisture Cream

Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Vitis vinfera (Grape seed) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) oil, Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Arctium lappa (Burdock Root), Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycine soya (Soybean) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Oil, Triethanolamine, Fragrance (Parfum). **

Product Promise: Use to add moisture and hydration to your hair.  Infused with argan oil, lavender oil, grape seed oil, vitamin E, and burdock root. Promotes hair growth without leaving your hair weighed down. **

Review: I've used the Curl Moisture Cream as my moisturizer before styling with the Curl Enhancing Custard and I used it alone to twist my hair with and I definitely prefer it coupled with the Curl Enhancing Custard. The cream does a good job at moisturizing my hair however, my kinky hair prefers heavier creams when doing twist styles. This cream is very light and fluffy which I didn't expect since it comes in a jar as opposed to a bottle. As the product promises it does not weigh your hair down which makes it great for a daily moisturizer/leave-in. Glycerin is the 5th ingredient listed so I expected the product to have that sticky feeling I have found products with glycerin to have but it did not which I was very happy about. The product smells kind of perfumey but it is not over bearing and does not linger.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Name: Curl Enhancing Custard

Ingredients: Purified water (Aqua), Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Vitis vinfera (Grape seed) Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Oil, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Vegetable Glycerin, Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Xantham Gum, Fragrance. **

Product Promise: This alcohol-free formula hydrates, elongates, and provides super shine to all types of hair.  Does not leave a waxy residue or buildup. **

Review: I absolutely LOVE the Curl Enhancing Custard!! Of all the products I was sent the custard was the one I figured I would like the least. If you follow my blog you know that I mainly wear twist-outs and normally I do NOT like to twist my hair with gels. For the purpose of this review however, I decided to use it on my twist as opposed to doing a wash-n-go since those are usually hit or miss for me. I applied the Curl Moisture Cream as my leave-in and then added the Curl Enhancing Custard to each section of hair that I would twist. My twist-outs came out soft, shiny, and well defined each and every time I used the product. I couldn't believe that I enjoyed a gel for my twist as much as I did. The product has a pleasant smell, very similar to KCCC and the consistency is like a jelly. I would definitely purchase this product!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Name: Curl Hydration Spray

Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Vegetable Glycerin, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Rose Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Soybean Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Fragrance (Parfum). **

Product Promise: Use daily to moisturize your hair and scalp, or to refresh your style. **

Review: The Curl Enhancing Custard and Curl Hydration Spray are tied as my favorite products from this line. Having vegetable glycerin as the second ingredient in this product I just knew I would not like it although I really wanted to. I've been searching for another hydrating spray to put in my rotation and I think I found a winner. As I do with all products that contain glycerin I applied a little to my hands so I can see if the product felt sticky. I was so shocked when it did not give me that feeling. I was still convinced that it would turn into a sticky mess when applied to my hair but contrary to my belief it felt great! I have been using the Curl Hydration Spray every morning and evening as a "refresher" spray to give my hair a light mist of moisture before styling and setting it for the night. This product absorbs into my hair quickly and leaves it soft and moisturized. In addition to loving the way the product works, I absolutely love the way it smells. It reminds me of rose water which I happen to love! Definitely purchasing this product!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overall, I enjoyed the products from the OBI Natural Haircare line and was happy to have been introduced to them. The products are reasonably priced and packed with good ingredients that I'm sure you all will love. To find out more about the line and to shop visit their website at http://www.obinaturalhair.com/.



Here are a couple of pictures of my hair styled with the Curl Moisture Cream and Curl Enhancing Custard.

**information obtained from the OBI Natural Haircare website.

Disclaimer: I was given the above mentioned products solely for the purpose of completing this review. I was NOT paid or encouraged to provide a positive review. I have given an honest description of my experience with these products and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company.


Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win ALL 4 of the products I reviewed. Good luck!!!

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Product Review-Ebonnet by EboniCurls

A few weeks ago I posted on my Instagram and Facebook pages that I had finally purchased my first Ebonnet by EboniCurls and shortly after receiving it I expressed how after just a couple of days I was already in love with the product. Well, I'm happy to report that I'm still loving my bonnet, probably more now than I did before! I first learned about these handmade Charmeuse Satin bonnets when my sister and kurlfriend Janeen aka CoilyHeadChick did a review on her YouTube channel. I must admit that my initial thought was that the bonnets were expensive. I even told Janeen it was going to take some strong convincing to get me to buy one. I saw a few other reviews and every video I watched was a positive one. I happened to stumble upon the video Eboni did to explain the difference between her bonnets and the bonnets purchased at local beauty supply stores. After watching it I was convinced and made up my mind that I would purchase one. 

A little over a year ago I stopped wearing my bonnet and just slept on satin pillow cases because I noticed that my hair would feel and look dry after sleeping in the "satin" bonnets that I purchased from the beauty supply store. One of the first things I was told I needed as a natural was a bonnet, everyone swore by them so I was so confused when I felt like the beloved bonnet was working against my natural hair. I began searching natural hair forums to see if anyone else was experiencing the dryness that I was and was surprised that there were several naturalistas who were going through the same thing and that is when I gave up on the BSS bonnets.

Given my past with bonnets I was a little leery about wearing one again but I must say that I am so happy I gave this one a try. Upon receiving my Ebonnet in the mail the first thing I noticed was how well it is made. I could tell immediately that with proper care it will last me a while unlike the bonnets you purchase from the beauty supply stores. That alone makes the Ebonnet worth the money so any other benefits are a bonus. I have been wearing my Ebonnet every night since I received it and the way it keeps my hair moisturized is amazing. I still moisturize and seal my ends every day but the rest of my hair has not needed to be re-moisturized. This is a bonus for me because that means I don't need to add more product to my hair which allows me to wear light, fluffy twist outs that I love. The final thing that I would say I love the most about the Ebonnet is the size. It is so spacious making it perfect for any afro. The true test for me was wearing the bonnet to bed without re-twisting my hair. The bonnet is big enough that it protects my hair without smashing it so my fro does not lose its shape. I love that I can save so much time on styling my hair. I can take off my Ebonnet, spritz my ends with water, seal with an oil, shake, and go! 

Overall I am so impressed with the Ebonnet and definitely plan to buy more. I honestly don't have anything bad to say about it. On a scale of 1-5 it is definitely a 5 and I would recommend it to anyone! 

In addition to the bonnets Eboni makes and sells scarves, pillow cases, and scrunchies. All of her items can be purchased from her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ebonicurls. While there are a lot of bonnets out there, there is only ONE Ebonnet so please make sure you all are getting the real deal!!


xoxo Kurlfriends   

Product Review-Ouidad Double Detangler

Name: Ouidad Double Detangler

Ingredients: n/a 

Price: $24

Where To Buy: Ouidad or Sephora

Product Promise: This next generation tool is designed by Ouidad to slide through your curls without the ripping or tugging.**

Review: When I first received the double detangler I thought it would be difficult to use because it was a lot heavier than any other tool I have used to detangle my hair. I was use to detangling my hair in several small sections so when using the Ouidad Double Detangler for the first time I approached detangling my hair the same way. The comb felt too "massive" for these small sections of hair. I detangled my entire head as normal but once the task was complete I was in no way impressed with the double detangler. So the next week I decided to approach detangling my hair differently in an effort to put this tool to the test. My hair is kinky but fine with densely packed strands that are tightly coiled. I separated my hair in just SIX sections, applied ReVe Essentials Hair & Body Moisturizer to each section and then went to work. I started in the back of my hair as I always do where my hair is more 3c/4aish so when the double detangler slide through these sections with no problem I was like ok, nice but no big deal. Welllllllllll, when this bad mamma jamma detangled the four sections in the middle and front of my hair in one pass I was completely sold. I have NEVER been able to detangle my hair in six sections with only one pass. It probably only took me less than 10 minutes to detangle my whole head. Now this may be the normal detangling time for some but not for me. Detangling my hair use to the be one thing I hated about wash day. Don't get me wrong, it's still not my favorite thing but I no longer dread the task because the Ouidad Double Detangler cuts down on time and difficulty. 

Summary: I totally love this tool and would definitely recommend it to others. The price may deter others from buying it but I definitely think its worth the investment if your hair is difficult to detangle. This is now my detangling tool of choice and I'm so happy I was introduced to it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

**information obtained from Ouidad's website

Disclaimer: I was given this product solely for the purpose of completing this review. I was NOT paid or encouraged to provide a positive review. I have given an honest description of my experience with these products and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company. 

Product Review-Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

Name: Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

Ingredients: Unrefined coconut oil

Price: starts at $19.95 for a 1 pint jar

Click here to buy: www.tropicaltraditions.com

Review: I first learned of this coconut oil when one of my favorite YouTubers mentioned it in one of her videos. My hair and I love coconut oil so I was really interested in trying this brand to see for myself if it was a noticeable difference between it and all the other EVCOs I've tried. I purchased my first jar just a few months ago and immediately fell in love. Although I heard many good things about this brand I must admit I wasn't convinced that it would be any different, well I was wrong. The first thing I noticed was how creamy the Tropical Traditions Gold Label coconut oil is and I'm assuming the fact that it is hand-made (not machine made) contributes to that. It is made in small batches by family producers and contains the highest level of anti-oxidants. These facts are what make the gold label coconut oil stand out amongst the other Tropical Traditions' coconut oils and other brands of coconut oil. I was given the food grade coconut oil for the purpose of this review however, I have only used it on my hair and body. On my hair I use the oil for a pre-poo, as a moisture sealant, and with a few drops of peppermint essential oil for scalp massages. After showering I apply to my damp skin to retain moisture. My hair and body are always left feeling soft and well moisturized after use.

Summary: Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil has definitely become my EVCO of choice. While it is slightly higher in price than the EVCO I use to purchase from my local health food store I don't mind paying a little more for a higher quality product. I would definitely suggest this brand to all of my kurlfriends who like and use coconut oil. The only negative thing I can say which isn't really negative is that I wish it was available on the ground, other than that I have no complaints.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Additional info: Tropical Traditions also offers the Gold Label EVCO for hair treatment and 3 different organic hair oils that have the gold label coconut oil and several other organic oils in them. The difference between the food grade and hair treatment gold label coconut oil is that the hair treatment contains more protein because it contains more coconut solids. For more information and help with deciding what coconut oil you should buy read the following article: Buy Coconut Oil: A Guide To Buying Coconut Oil Online.

Check out this video to see how this coconut oil was discovered and produced.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review. I was under no obligation to review it nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. I have given an honest description of my experience with this product and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company.

Product Review-Jane Carter Solution

I was given another awesome opportunity to try a product line that I had heard so much about but hadn't had the chance to try. Jane Carter Solution provided me with 9 products from their line to try and in this post I will provide my review for 5 of them. Below I will provide the name, ingredients, product promise, review, and rating of each product. Enjoy!

Name: Moisture Nourishing Shampoo

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Poly- quaterium-7, Glycol Stearate, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Panthenol, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid. **

Product promise: This shampoo gently cleanses your hair and scalp, restoring your hair's proper moisture balance. Moisture Nourishing Shampoo is a natural shampoo with extracts of Coltsfoot, Lemon Balm, and Myrrh. This unique combination infuses moisture into your hair, leaving it incredibly shiny and bouncy. It smells terrific and is gentle enough for daily use, plus it's paraben free! **

Review: I used the Moisture Nourishing Shampoo after doing my normal JBCO/coconut oil pre-poo that I do whenever I am using traditional shampoos. Unfortunately, my pre-poo did not prevent the product from making my hair feel like it was stripped. In addition to the fact that the product contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate I did not care for the consistency of it. If you've ever made or used flax seed gel you know that it feels kinda slimy (for lack of a better word), well that is how this shampoo felt in my hands. There are a host of other wonderful ingredients in this product however, the presence of sulfate and the fact that it made my hair feel stripped will prevent me from using the product in the future.

Rating: 1 out 5

Name: Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Extracts of: Green Tea, Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Mullein, Licorice, Thyme, and Vanilla, Certified Organic: Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Lavender Oil, Lemon Oil, Wheat Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Panthenol, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. **

Product promise: This product does just what is says…it replenishes. It works especially well when used with heat, leaving your hair in better condition than ever before. There is nothing better than soft, shiny, healthy hair. Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner contains ingredients that permanently bond to your hair’s cortex, leaving it stronger and with greater elasticity. Once in awhile, you come across a product that is truly "the best" -and this conditioner is certainly one of those rare commodities! **

Review: Immediately after rinsing the shampoo out I applied the Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner. I first used the product to detangle my hair. Having kinky hair it is important for me to have a conditioner that provides a nice amount of slip in order to prevent the detangling process from damaging my hair. The slip provided by this conditioner was average meaning it was not great but definitely not the worse product that I've used to detangle. I allowed the product to sit on my hair covered with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes. After rinsing the product out I was impressed that my hair felt soft and replenished especially after using the shampoo that I felt had stripped my hair. Although fairly low on the ingredient list this product does contain wheat protein; just an fyi for those of you who may be protein sensitive. I loved the citrus smell and liked the consistency of the the product but because slip is one of the most important factors I consider when choosing a conditioner I can't say this product will be my first pick of conditioners to use going forward. 

Rating: 3 out of 5

Name: Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Extracts of: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Watercress, Myrrh, Panthenol, Anthemis Noblis Flower (Camomile), Symphytum Officinal Leaf (Comfrey), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Rosemarinus Officinalis Leaf (Rosemary) ,Humulus Lupulus (Hops), Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Certified Organic Essential Oils: Lemon, Vanilla Extract, Polyquarternium11, Soyamid DEA, PPG30, Cetyl Ether, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, Phenoxyethanol. **

Product promise: Looking for a light product that is ideal for detangling? This is it! Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner seals in vital panthenol and humectants and acts as a protective barrier against heat styling and sun damage. Use it daily as a re-hydrator. Mist your hair in the morning and evening, and it's great for flat ironing or roller setting fine hair. A "must" for every bathroom. **

Review: I will admit that my initial thoughts on this leave-in conditioner was that I was not going to like it. I normally use creamy leave-ins which my hair responds well to. However, I immediately inserted foot in mouth after using this leave-in. I was wowed!! I loved that it did not leave my hair feeling like it had a residue on it as some spritzer have in the past. While I had previously detangled my hair I was still able to see how awesome this product would be as a detangler. As I spritz my curls they automatically began to separate. This product smells great, feels great, and simply is great!! I would definitely recommend it and use it again.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Name: Wrap & Roll

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Anthemis Noblis Flower (Camomile), Symphytum Officinal Leaf (Comfrey), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Humulus Lupulus (Hops), Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Certified Organic Essential Oils: Lemon, Grapefruit, Coco-Sultaine, Glycerine, Phenoxyethanol. **

Product promise: Wrap & Roll is the best soft mousse, setting and wrapping product available on the market today. It dries clean and soft without leaving any residue. Great for dry color-treated or damaged hair, the natural glycerides, essential oils and moisturizers leave your hair soft and shiny. Cut dryer time in half by applying Wrap & Roll liberally to wet hair, then wrap/set and dry as usual or let it dry naturally. **

Review: I used the Wrap & Roll to set my curls while using faux curlformers. I applied a small amount of product to each section of hair prior to putting the curler on. I slept with the curlers allowing my hair to set over night. The next morning I removed the curlformers and was greeted by soft, bouncy, and shiny curls. As with several other products in the line I loved the smell and most importantly I loved that my hair was not left crunchy. I can honestly say of all the wrapping products I have used in the past I enjoyed Wrap & Roll the best. I will use this product in the future when setting my hair with rods or curlers.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Name: Nourish & Shine

Ingredients: Shea butter, Kokum butter, Illippe butter, Mango butter, Vitamins A, D, & E, grapefruit essential oils, squalene. **

Product promise: You have never experienced a product as fabulous as Nourish & Shine! We blend all natural vitamins and essential oils to create this incredible hair nourisher. It completely melts in your hair and adds amazing shine and never leaves your hair feeling greasy or limp. Nourish & Shine helps reduce dryness on your scalp and your skin! Be careful … daughters and husbands have been known to abscond with this product, so buy two for them and one for you! **

Review: Nourish & Shine was by far my favorite of all the products I tried from this line. I had high expectations as I've heard nothing but good things about it. I love that this product is able to be used on hair and body however since it cost $22 for a 4 oz jar I would mainly use it on my hair. A little product goes a long way which is a good thing given the price. I used the product as a moisture sealant when twisting my hair and to minimize frizz when separating my twist and spiral curls. My hair was left shiny and soft as a result of using the product. The consistency of the Nourish & Shine is similar to old school hair grease but does not leave your hair feeling greasy at all. It has a light citrus smell that I find to be very pleasant. This is definitely a product I will look to score at natural hair expos where I can get it a discounted price.

Rating: 5 out of 5

My hair after using Wrap & Roll to set my curls and Nourish & Shine to separate them.

Jane Carter Solution products can be purchased from select Target and Whole Foods stores. Or visit www.janecartersolution.com to place an order. 

**information obtained from the Jane Carter Solution website

 

Disclaimer: I was given the above mentioned products solely for the purpose of completing this review. I was NOT paid or encouraged to provide a positive review. I have given an honest description of my experience with these products and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company.

 

 

Product Review-Original Moxie

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to choose 4 products from the Original Moxie line to try and write a review on. After much consideration I chose Get Clean!, Intense Quench, Lux Locks, and  Hair Bling. I was so excited to try products from this line as I've heard nothing but great things. In order to provide an accurate review I used nothing but the four products I was given from start to finish on my hair. Below I have provided the ingredients, product promise, review, and rating of each product. Enjoy!!

Get Clean!

Name: Get Clean! No-Foam Shampoo

Ingredients: Distilled Water; Aqueous Extracts of Amla, Bhringraj, Neem, Red Sandalwood, Rosehips, Soapnut,  St. John’s Wort, Tumeric, & Yucca; Coco Betaine; Decyl polyglucoside;  Sodium PCA; Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol; Karanja Oil; Wheat Germ Oil; Vegetable Glycerin; Mango Alfonso; Banana; Organic Aloe Vera; Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol  (Paraben & Formeldahyde-Free Preservative); Silk Amino Acids; Hydrolyzed Soy Protein; Acacia Gum; Guar Gum;  Dead Sea Salt; dL-Panthenol; Vitamin E; Essential Oils of Cedar Leaf, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lime, Litsea Cubeba, & Palmarosa.

Product promise: A sulfate-free shampoo that takes a gentler approach, harnessing the cleansing properties of botanicals to remove dirt & build up without disturbing your scalp's natural balance.

Review: This product definitely lived up to it's promise. After using Get Clean! my hair felt clean without feeling stripped of its natural oils. I did not pre-poo prior to cleansing and was happy to find out it was not necessary. Get Clean! provided excellent slip allowing me to detangle my hair with ease. I would recommend this product especially to those who have dry and sensitive scalp. Overall I really enjoyed this product however I didn't love the smell.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Intense Quench

Name: Intense Quench Deep Conditioner

Ingredients: Aqueous Extracts of Amla, Bhringraj, Comfrey, Ginger, Hibiscus, Horsetail, Irish Moss; Neem, St. John’s Wort, Strawberry, & Yucca; Distilled Water; Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol; Soy Wax; Fractionated Coconut Oil; Vegetable Glycerin; dL-Panthenol; Organic Aloe Vera; Hydrolyzed Soy Protein; Cyclomethicone; Dimethicone; Wheat Germ Oil; Olive Oil Infused With Amla, Bhringraj, Burdock, Comfrey, Horsetail, Kelp, Neem, Stinging Nettle, & Yucca; Cupuaçu Butter; Sorbitol; Potassium Sorbate; Sodium PCA; Vegetable Glycerin; Polyquaternium-10; Citric Acid; Acacia Gum; Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (Paraben & Formeldahyde-Free Preservative); Menthol Crystals; Silk Amino Acids; Honey; Vitamin E; Essential Oils of Bergaptene-Free Bergamot, Coriander, Lavender, Lime, Litsea Cubea, & Palmarosa.

Product promise: A unique blend of botanicals, herbs, proteins and emollients that are nourishing from the inside out. Continued use will make hair will be stronger, fuller, and more vibrant.

Review: After cleansing my hair and scalp with Get Clean! I applied Intense Quench to my previously sectioned hair, covered with a plastic cap, and let it sit for 20-25 minutes. I then rinsed the product completely out of my hair. My hair felt soft but I can't say that I was wowed by this conditioner. The consistency was thinner than I prefer my deep conditioners to be. Although I had previously detangled and sectioned my hair, the Intense Quench did provide good slip and would have worked well if detangling was needed.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Lux Locks

Name: Lux Locks Styling & Shine

Ingredients: Distilled Water; Vegetable Glycerin; Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol; Soy Butter; Ucuuba Butter; Soy Wax; Olive Oil Infused With Amla, Bhringraj, Burdock, Comfrey, Horsetail, Kelp, Neem, Stinging Nettle, & Yucca; Jojoba Esters; Castor Oil; Organic Unrefined Shea Butter; Fractionated Coconut Oil; Beeswax; Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol  (Paraben & Formeldahyde-Free Preservative); HE-Cellulose; Polyquaternium-10; Organic Aloe Vera; Vitamin E; Essential Oils of Black Pepper, Clove, Rose, Rosewood, Vanilla (3% Dilution), & Ylang Ylang.

Product promise: A rich styling butter that delivers moisture, shine and definition, all in one delicious little package.

Review: I used the Lux Locks on twist that I would use to create a fab twist out. My hair totally loved this stuff and I loved the thick, creamy consistency. On dry hair I applied about a dime size amount of product to each section from root to tip focusing on my ends. It actually felt as if the product melted into each section. I let the twist set over night and then removed them the next morning. As promised Lux Locks provided moisture, shine, and definition to my hair. I was able to wear the same twist out for 5 days preserved by pineappling and retwisting only the small section of hair that frames my face. This is a great product that I would definitely recommend for us type 4 gals. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Hair Bling

Name: Hair Bling High Shine Pomade

Ingredients: Jojoba Oil; Jojoba Esters; Mango Butter; Tucuma Butter; Beeswax; Stearic Acid; Vitamin E; Essential Oils of Bergaptene-Free Bergamot, Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Lavender, Tangerine & Vanilla (3% Dilution).

Product promise: To deliver high shine along with amazing softness and subtle hold.

Review: After twisting my hair with Lux Locks I used the Hair Bling to seal in the moisture particularly on my ends. I also rubbed a small amount in my hands prior to taking down my twist to help prevent frizz. The results: shiny, soft twist. This product was highly recommended by several naturalistas and as many of them claimed Hair Bling was one of the top natural pomades. I really liked this product and the way it left my hair blinging. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Here is a picture of my twist out on day 2, I LOVED the shine and definition!!

So I'm sure you are all wondering how you can get your hands on these products. Check out http://www.originalmoxie.com/ for a full list of products, pricing, and more. 

Disclaimer: I was given the above mentioned products solely for the purpose of completing this review. I was NOT paid or encouraged to provide a positive review. I have given an honest description of my experience with these products and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company.

 

Product Review-Terressentials Organic Pure Earth Hair Wash

Name: Terressentials Organic Pure Earth Hair Wash

Ingredients: (fragrance free wash) Organic aloe vera juice, clay minerals, organic extracts of organic linden flower, organic nettle, organic chamomile and organic shavegrass.**

Price: 2 fl oz $4, 8 fl oz $10.75, 16 fl oz $20.50

Where to buy: http://www.terressentials.com/haircare.html

Product promise: Taken directly from Terressentials website: Try it for yourself to find out what everyone is talking about! Our revolutionary Pure Earth Hair Wash does an incredibly beautiful job of cleaning your hair without any chemical detergents, foam boosters, protein thickeners and coating agents, emulsifiers, preservatives or fragrance. Our Pure Earth Hair Wash is simple, pure and effective. Leaves nothing on your hair, so your hair will be clean, full, soft and shiny. Once you've experienced it, you'll never want to use anything else! Works well for thin or fine, normal or wavy hair, and sensitive or irritated scalps. Kids love our "mud," too!

Review: So if any of you follow Naptural85 on YouTube you already know that she totally raves about this product. I seen her video a few months ago where she explained how she discovered it and I immediately wanted to try it until...I read that it was not recommended for chemically treated (relaxed or colored) hair. Interested in how an all natural organic product could be bad for chemically treated hair I decided to do a little more research. Upon viewing the Terressentials FAQs on their site I discovered the reason this wash was not recommend for chemically treated hair was simply because it would not provide the same feeling of having healthy hair as synthetic products do. Since I only have a small section of hair that is colored and I normally use all natural hair products I figured using the mud wash wouldn't be so bad but I really wanted to try the product before purchasing my own. Then my ever so gracious curlfriend and head Kinky Peach, Monique sent me some to try. Now let me tell you, she absolutely loves this stuff so it was definitely out of the kindness of her heart that she shared it with me! Anywho, back to the review, I used the product Saturday evening to cleanse my hair. I did not pre-poo, I just soaked my hair with water and applied the wash to a small section of hair, detangled, and twisted until my entire head was covered with product and in twist. I let it sit on my hair for about 30 minutes and then with the twist still in I rinsed the mud wash out until the water ran clear. Soon as I touched my hair I knew this was a little bottle of goodness. My hair was amazingly soft and felt so clean. I have never been able to cleanse my hair (relaxed or natural) and feel like I did not need a conditioner until now. After cleansing my hair I applied a small amount of a leave-in and sealed with a shea butter mix and the next day my hair still felt so freakin soft!!

 

Summary: So clearly this is my initial review of the Terressentials Organic Pure Earth Hair Wash as I've only used the product once however, I truly believe me and this wash will have a lasting relationship. I can use it and not feel like I'm cheating on Reve' Essentials since we do not offer a similar product. So until we do this will be my wash of choice. As always please do your own research and make a decision on what is best for you and your hair!

Rating: 5 out of 5

**scented washes include additional ingredients

NYC New York Color: Liquid Lipshine

A few weeks ago I received my very first Influenster VoxBox. I was so excited that I was selected to sample the products in the Holiday VoxBox. While I enjoyed testing all of the products my favorite complimentary item was the NYC Liquid Lipshine. If you know me well, you know I LOVE all things lip gloss and this was no different. The color I received was Nude York City and I loved everything about it. It offered moisture and high shine without feeling sticky. It is a perfect gloss that can be worn daily. The lipshine is available in 10 shades that range from nudes to bold hues and best of all it retails at only $2.49!!! You can purchase it from your local Family Dollar, Target, Rite Aid, Walmart, CVS, Duane Reade, Kmart, HEB, and others. Check out www.newyorkcolor.com to view all the products available from New York Color and find locations near you...happy shopping!!

Product Review-Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner

Name: Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Jojoba Oil, Panthenol, Silk Amino Complex, Coconut Milk, Egg White Protein, Coconut Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate- Vitamin E, Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Price: 13 fl oz $6.99

Where to buy: Target, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart

Product promise: organic coconut milk nourishes your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, and weightless coconut oils add hydration and balance.

Review: I've been wanting to try the Orgnix line for a while so when I learned that Walgreens had a BOGO free sale going on I thought it would be the perfect time to try it out. I've only cowashed my hair using the conditioner once so this is my initial reaction to the product. First of all the product smells great! I love the scent of coconut so I figured  I would enjoy this. It provided good slip making it fairly easy to detangle my hair. While the product was in my hair it felt soft however once I rinsed it out my hair did not feel as great. I attribute this to the fact that this product and several other Organix products contain silicone. Silicone is said to create the illusion of silky hair because it coats and smooths the hair cuticle making it appear to be healthy. For this reason a lot of naturals avoid using products that contain silicone. That's a story for another day so let me get back to the review. After rinsing my hair I sealed my ends with EVCO and put it in about 8 chunky twist. I didn't want to use any other products that may cause my review to be skewed. This morning my hair smells great but unfortunately feels really dry. I am really disappointed but can't say I'm surprised, my review seems to be aligned with several other reviews I read online.

Summary: Not the best product for this 4a/b naturalista. I like the price and fragrance but the silicone and drying effect it had on my hair is a no no!!! I will save this product and try to give it away at a product swap. I don't foresee buying the product again.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

Product Review-Reve' Essentials Hair & Body Butter

8oz Hair & Body Butter

Name: Hair & Body Butter

Ingredients: raw unrefined shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil, vitamin E oil, fragrance
(contains ingredients that are derived from nuts, if you have a nut allergy please seek medical advise before using)

Price: 4 oz jar $8, 8 oz jar $12

Where to buy: www.ReveEssentials.blogspot.com

Product promise: to lock moisture into the hair and skin, soften dry and rough skin

Review: Most of you know that my friend Rebecca and I started a natural hair and body care line so you are probably thinking my review of our product will be biased but I assure you that I am sharing my honest opinion. While I stand behind all of our products the Hair & Body Butter is by far my favorite of them all. I use this product on both my hair and body. On my hair I usually apply it to freshly washed or refreshed hair to lock in moisture when twisting my hair. I apply a leave-in conditioner to my hair and then less than a dime size amount of butter to each section that I am going to twist. The results are a well defined, soft, and moisturized twist out. On my body I apply the butter after getting out of the shower. I pat my skin dry so that all the moisture is not wiped away and then add the butter to my body focusing on my feet, elbows, and hands. These are the driest parts or my body but after continued use I can say that these areas are a lot softer. I have very sensitive skin and I have eczema. There aren't many products I can use on my body that will not cause irritation but this product does not bother me at all. I will definitely continue to use Reve' Essentials Hair & Body Butter and hope that you will to!

Summary: In my opinion this is a quality product that is reasonably priced and I would recommend it to others. A little product goes a long way so you will definitely get your money's worth.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Product Review-Tangle Teezer

Name: Tangle Teezer

Ingredients: n/a 

Price: $9.99

Where To Buy: Sally Beauty Supply

Product Promise: gently and effortlessly detangle all types of hair, wet or dry

Review: The Tangle Teezer was raved about by the natural hair community so I rushed out to purchase one at my local Sally Beauty Supply store. I first used the product on dry hair after taking my hair out of braids that I had for a sew-in. Then I used it on wet hair that was saturated with conditioner. Initially, I was totally impressed by the ease of detangling my hair with this product. The only thing I would change would be to add a handle to provide additional support. I used the Tangle Teezer to detangle my hair after cleansing for about 4 weeks before I realized the number of fairy knots I had was not normal. Being that I had just started wearing my hair in its natural state I was unsure if having a lot fairy knots was a common problem for tighter coiled naturals or not so I began to do more research. After reading and watching several reviews about the Tangle Teezer I came to the conclusion that the excessive amount of fairy knots may be a result of using this tool. I immediately stopped use to see if that would help with the problem. Sure enough within a few weeks I noticed a huge difference in my hair. I have not used my Tangle Teezer since and if I use it in the future it will only be after detangling with my fingers or a wide tooth comb.

Summary: In my opinion the Tangle Teezer is not a tool that should be used often or at all by people who have kinky hair. While it is said to be ideal for all types of hair, due to the small amount of space in between the bristles I think the tool is more advantageous for people with straighter/finer strands.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5