A new look for Barbie!

Curls Unleashed Organic Root Stimulator -- In Review

"Take Command Curl Defining Creme"

Perfect for:  Kinky Textures (3c and 4's)

Great for Twists, Twists Outs, Coiling, Freestyles

Shingling and Updos

Moisturize and Define Your Curls Without Shrinkage and Flakes

The search for a "Holy Grail" product is always a quest in progress.  Well ladies I've come across a new product line for "naturals" or people with wavy, curly, and kinky textures! 

Most hairlistas, will admit to having a "little" product junkism tendency.   This is fueled by our desire, our need to find the "perfect product" that we can apply to our tresses without a lot of ado but consistent successful results.

Naturals know all too well, that our tresses can be very tempermental.  Also, natural hair can be resistant to our desire no matter how much product is applied and no matter how much coaxing is used.  

I decided to try the product since its advertisement stated that it was good for 3c hair types.  My hair ranges from 3b to 4 and I prefer a creme-based styler in contrast to a gel.  Organic Root Stimulator's Curl's Unleashed Curl Defining Creme product description is as follows:

Curls Unleashed Take Command Curl Defining Creme is ideal for curly and kinky textures.  Made with coconut, sweet almond and safflower oils, our curl defining creme moisturizes, defines and elongates tightly coiled curls, and does so without flakes or shrinkage.

Fragrance:  A light mango, watermelon fruity smell that doesn't stick around or becomes 

                      annoying.

Consistency:  Thick and creamy and smooth.

Packaging:  Clean, Contemporary, Eco-Friendly

Price:             $12.99 to $17.99 - I purchased mine from Duane Reade for $12.99

Size:               16 ounces

Product Ingredients:

AQUA (WATER), SODIUM C14-16 OLEFIN SULFONATE, SODIUM DISODIUM COCOAMPHODIPROPIONATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, POLYQUATERNIUM-7, COCAMIDE MEA, GLYCERIN, POLYQUATERNIUM-10, HYDROLYZED KERATIN, YARROW, HOPS, ROSEMARY, CHAMOMILE, LEMON BALM, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, PPG-5-CETETH-10-PHOSPHATE, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, BENZYL ALCOHOL, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), BENZYL BENZOATE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LILIAL, LYRAL, METHYL IONONE.

MY RESULTS:

From past product experience, I felt that I should apply the product on wet hair.   I used Tresemme Naturals, as my leave-in.  The product went on smoothly and my tresses began to clump rather nicely and were well-defined.  Within 45 minutes my hair was dry, shiny, and bouncy.  I was very impressed.  Hair had a soft, flexible hold which I like.  

Hair did feel well moisturize and I did get a little more hang from my tighter coily section in the back of my head.

PROS

• Easy to Apply
• Creamy and Thick
• Light, Mango/Watermelon Fragrance
• Good Price Point
• Earth-Friendly Packaging is a Huge Plus
• A Little Goes A Long Way

CONS

• Best Applied on Damp to Wet Hair
• Can Cause Damp Limp Hair if Too Much is Applied

My overall opinion is that Organic Root Stimulator has put out a great natural product line for us natural ladies.  The clean, contemporary packaging is attractive and easily accessible for use.  Would I purchase again?  Yes, this product has moved to first place in my line up!  At least until the next upsurper in search of the Holy Grail product.

Happy Curls to You!

© 2012 Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks.  All rights reserved.

Tracillynn Jewelry

carmen-tracilynn:

See something you like send me a message for more information or visit http://www.tracilynnjewelry.net/, click on “Shop Now” and use Consultant ID 10296.

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner -- In Review

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner

I purchased this product after my beautician had done my b/c (Big Chop) and I was trying to figure out how I was going to take care of the hair that I had left on my head. She told me that some other clients of hers had recommended this product for natural hair care.

It took no time to locate the website and make my purchase.

When visiting their site, I liked the clean, contemporary, and earthy feeling of the site. There were great pictures of the creators themselves displaying the diversity of their curls. It also displayed pictures of young girls with diverse hair types to show you how well the products worked on children.

They do have stand alone products just for children.

10 oz. $16.99

Source: http://www.mixedchicks.net/leave-in-conditioner.ht...

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner

This product is promoted to "define your curls and block frizz."

This product has been created/designed for "us" who they say are "many." The creators,Wendi LEVY and Kim ETHEREDGE,are themselves of "mixed" heritage but persists in the following philosophy toward hair: "Even if you are not mixed, you may have frizz and unruly curls, right?"

While there concept may be true, there are those who tresses are curly and are not of mixed background that feel the product does not cater to there 4a,b,c hair types.

The creators also suggest that this products tames frizz and define curls on "many hair textures and weaves (synthetic or human).

Product Ingredients

Water, glycerin, amodimethicone, emulsifying wax, hydrolyzed wheat protein,/pvp crosspolymer, methylgluceth-20, hydroxypropyl trimonium choloride, octyl methoxycinnamate, hydroxyethyl celloluse, jojoba oil, safflower oil, primrose oil, wheat amino acid, crosilk, hydrolyzed collagen (marine), phenoxyethanel, methylparaben, proplyparaben, butylparaben, FD&C red #40, FD&C yellow #5, fragrance

Sulfate Free

Creators of Mixed Chicks Conditioner

Wendi LEVY (left) and Kim ETHEREDGE (right), two "mixed chicks"

Review of the Product

I liked the fragrance of the product first off. It went on smoothy and I was able to disseminate it throughout my tresses easily. I didn't have to use a lot (at that time I had about an inch of hair!) I did find that at the end of the day my hair was a little crunchy but personally, that doesn't bother me. It did define my curls well and kept it frizz-free.

I purchased my first 10 ounce bottle in March of 2010 and as of July, 2011, I still have the same bottle. The reason being is that as my hair grew longer, it took much more of the product to get a good "defined" look which caused my hair to become "hard!" It also seem to dry my 3c hair out which then caused me to move on to another product.

I did find "refreshing" the product for another day was not as successful as when you completely re-co-washed my hair and then re-applied the leave-in conditioner.

Mixed Chicks Hair Products

	Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner, 10 fl oz Amazon Price: $16.60 List Price: $20.00
	Mixed Chicks Kids Quad Pack Amazon Price: $37.75
	Curly Like Me: How to Grow Your Hair Healthy, Long, and Strong Amazon Price: $5.99 List Price: $16.95
	Mixed Chicks Hair Silk, 1.7 oz. Amazon Price: $11.99 List Price: $12.00

Pros and Cons of the Mixed Chick Conditioner

Pros

• Product Smells Good, Light and Refreshing
• Easy to Apply to Your Tresses
• Mixed Chick Offers .99 Cent Samples
• Leaves Hair Shiny
• Across Hair Types, Good Under a Moisturizer to Define Curls
• Great for Mixed Nationalities and Curly Caucasian Hair Types
• Product Works Well In Humidity

Cons

• Can Cause a "Waxy" Build-up on Tresses
• Dries Hard
• Works Better on 2 through 3c Hair Types
• Product Will Flake When Too Much Product Has Been Applied
• Product Does Have Parabens and Silicones
• Pricey -- Too Costly if you Wash Product Out Frequently to get that "Fresh" Day Look
• Product IS NOT a NATURAL Product
• Product is not "moisturizing" Enough
• Product Seems to Work Best on "Looser Curl Types"

Finally

If you try the product and REALLY like it, Mixed Chicks offers a 1 liter size for $50.00!

Do I still have the product? Yes. Do I still use the product? No. Will you try the product again? Maybe.

Okay, you know what to do! Leave me a comment!

Mixed Chick Question

Have You've Tried Mixed Chick Leave-In Conditioner and...

•  Liked It!
•  Didn't Like It!
•  Thinking About Trying It!

Hand In Hair Syndrone

Since going natural on Easter Weekend 2010, I discovered that I opened the door to something that I had never experienced before "Hand in Hair Syndrone!"

I didn't realize that I was even doing it until one day my family and I were in the car and on our way to our destination when I happened to look in the mirror on the visor at my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter and I saw that she was twirling her braids.  My 26-year old son must have saw the quizzical look I had on my face because he quickly chimed "that's because she's been watching you do that!" and everyone in the car busted out with laughter!  I was so floored!

I must admit that no matter how hard I try, this Hand in Hair thing is hard to stop!  I love feeling the texture of my hair through my fingers.  It amazes me when I can feel the coils so perfectly formed without a comb, some sort of implement, or coaxing.  They just are!  Some coil-ier (if it be such a word) than others but all that is God-given!

Will I ever stop!  No, I won't because I'm in love with my texture all 3 of them and counting....

© 2012 Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks.  All rights reserved.

Cantu Coconut Curling Creme -- In REVIEW

A new product has hit the shelves of your local Walmart!  Cantu Coconut Curling Creme!  I was already in the midst of doing another product review when I came across this new product.  I purchased the item for $5.49 for a 12 ounce jar at Walmart ($7.99 at Walgreens) to try later after reviewing the other product.  


I usually keep a jar of its predecessor Cantu Leave-In Conditioner in my rotation, which I like and I thought the Curling Creme would be worth a try.


How I Applied the Product:


My hair texture is 3b in the front and 3c/4a in the back and I'm an avid "Wash N' Go" natural since my hair is very wavy and coily.  As a rule, I don't need a "curling creme" to get more definition but I do like a "hold" since my 3c tresses can be very unruly and will frizz out as soon as it's moisture retention has dropped.


I applied the Cantu Coconut Curling Creme on "wet" hair that had already been sectioned into approximately 8 large twists and the Cantu Leave-In Conditioner had already been applied.  Immediately after co-washing my hair, I always apply a leave-in or a "watered-down version" of Tresemme Naturals Conditioner on my hair, twist into large sections, cover hair with a plastic cap and scarf and leave on overnight.  When I wake up in the morning, hair is wet but not dripping and then I apply my "styler" in the morning then I'm off to work.


The product went on very smoothly and consistency was just a "tad" bit thicker than it's counterpart "Cantu Leave-In Conditioner."  Product was very creamy and had a light fragrance of coconut.  From past experiences with curling cremes, I knew that I didn't need to apply too much so I used about two "quarter-sized" amounts and that was enough to get soft, bouncy curls.


This product also yields a "flexible" hold!  It will not "freeze" your coils or curls! This product will allow your hair to maintain a curl and shape but blow in the wind. It's hold is very similar to "Let's Jam!"


Conclusion


I did find that if you applied too much of the product, you will have limp, greasy, but SOFT hair!  I suggest that you start with a small amount then apply more, as needed!  I like the creaminess and the fragrance of the product.  The price was comparable for the amount of product you get.  I did find that it was a great substitution for Miss Jessie's Curling Creme.


If you like light, fluffy hair, with a soft/flexible hold, this is your product.  Hair did feel hydrated and moisturized which is a MUST for my 3c strands.  


Product Description:


Cantu for Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream will define, condition and add manageability to your curls, leaving them soft, shiny and deeply moisturized. Made with 100% Pure Shea Butter and formulated without chemicals or harsh ingredients, Cantu for Natural Hair restores your real, authentic beauty. Embrace your curly, kinky, or wavy hair with Cantu for Natural Hair.

Product Ingredients:

Water, Canola Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol/Ceteareth-20, Fragrance, Cetearyl Alcohol/Ceteth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycol Stearate, Petrolatum, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Olea Euopaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernal Oil, Silk Amino Acids, Lonciera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Laminara Cloustoni (Sea Kelp) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, PEG-75, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. 

Ingredient Attributes: silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free

Would I purchase again, sure will!  Leave me a comment or your experience with this or a comparable product that you'd like to share!

Happy Curls to You!

© 2012 Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks.  All rights reserved.

Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding Review

This has been a product that I've peruse over the two years that I have been natural but because of its price, avoided.  Well, I finally broke down and purchased a 16 ounce jar for $38.00 at Target.  I must say the shelf was full of Miss Jessie's products.

I washed my hair with Tresemme Naturals Shampoo, followed by Reve Essentials Hair and Body Moisturizer in the Lemon Scent.  I shingled the product through my 3b-4a tresses as usual.  The product went on smoothly and I soon realized that I didn't need to apply but a dime-size amount to each section. The consistency of the product was very creamy and thick.  The Curly Pudding does have a fragrance that may be too much for some which is why I believe that they do offer it in an unscented version.  I do recommend applying the Curly Pudding to very wet hair, it seems to take less to cover the strands.

The clumping that I got with this product was off the chain!  Curls were shiny and bouncy.  The product gives a soft "hold."  I can foresee a learning curve of three to four tries in order to get your application of this product down pact.  It took about 2 hours for the product to dry without a leave-in under the product.   Today, I used a leave-in and applied the Curly Pudding at 4:30 a.m. and at 10:58 a.m. the ends of my hair are dry but from the scalp to three quarters down my hair is still damp.  Therefore, I have that "just applied product" look and I haven't been able to "fluff" into style yet.

The products ingredients are:  

Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Fragrance, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Silk Amino Acids, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Oleth-5, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Ext. Violet 2. 

Pros:

• Goes on smoothly
• Doesn't take much to get the job done.
• Curls are well-defined
• Curls are Shiny
• Curls Clump Well
• Works Well on 2b - 3c Hair Types
• You Can Get 4 to 5 Day Hair with Product
• Great for Twistouts and the Like for 4a-z Hair Types
• Product Gives a Soft, Shiny, and Flexible Hold
• Frizz-free Curls
• Style Easily Refreshed with Water

Cons:

• Product Pricing is a HUGE deterrent to repurchasing product
• Let's Jam is a comparable substitute for this high-end product
• Drying can take hours
• Product Ingredients are not "embraced" by the "natural" community
• Not great for wash n goes for 4a-z Hair textures
• Will Leave Hair Crunchy if you've Applied Too Much
• Artificial "Grape" Scent can be Overwhelming for Some but can last for days

My observation is that people either really love the Curly Pudding or Hate it!  For hair types 2b to 3c it is a good product for Wash N' Goers and for 4a to 4z great for twistouts, bantu knots and the like.  I've used the product twice and haven't gotten below the top of the label on the 16 ounce jar yet.  Therefore, in order to be fair the initial cost of the product is a shocker but the jar holds a lot of applications that can balance out the price!

I also liked the detailed instructions, on the jar, on how to use the product.  From what I've heard is that Miss Jessie's is coming out with a 2-ounce jar  ($7 - $9) that will allow people to try the product without having to shell out so much money.  I would try visiting their site to get one.  Will I be repurchasing?  No, I have a feeling that my jar will last me a long time and I'm satisfied with the Let's Jam as a substitute.

This is my review of Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding.  Leave your comments, experiences, and thoughts with this product below!  

Until next time, Happy Curls!

© 2012 Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks.  All rights reserved.