Sunday, July 17, 2011

Shea Moisture

**Note: ETA changes/update ratings on July 30, 2011

As I use up the last of my Aphogee Pro-Vitamin, Dove Moisture Mist and NTM I am happy to crack open my newest hair products. I am first and foremost proud of the fact that I refrained  from buying these products before I used up most of the stuff I currently have because I could easily spend a mini fortune on hair products . It was hard, but my wallet appreciated it. I think my hair appreciated the wait as well because now I truly know what is working and not working on her. It also didn't hurt that most of these product are only available in the US and can not be shipped here (as far as I know), which forced me to wait until I could take a trip down (for another matter of course). I figured they were worth mentioning despite the limitation in accessing them since many of my current followers all live in the and you will be able to find these product fairly easy as they are available at your local Walgreens or Target.



Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo ($9.99 US)

Promise: Hydrates, smooths and repairs strands. leaving hair manageably soft. For dry, damage hair. Heal, grow and strengthen. Sea kelp trace minerals detoxify hair follicles of impurities and residue. Argan oil restores shine and rebuilds hair elasticity. Shea butter deeply moisturizes and repairs damage to hair and scalp.

Ingredients: Deionized Water , Decyl Glucoside (Sugar Beets) , African Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Aloe Vera Leaf Juice , Argan Oil , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) , Rosemary Extract , Sea Kelp Extract , Vitamin E, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract (Honeysuckle) , Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Japanese Honeysuckle)

Results: First I must say I was soooo happy to finally find an all natural shampoo that lathered and didn't make my hair feel like straw *cough* Aubrey Organics--. I will be honest I had to use this product on two different occasions to really see if I liked it or not, which should not be the case if it is in fact a good product (at least I think so). I did this because I wasn't in love with the product and was concerned it was stripping my hair too much, however I told myself to give it one more try because it wasn't horrible. On the second attempt it felt a bit better. Now the only difference I can think of is the fact that one week I was washing out a protein pre-poo and the second time I was washing out an oil treatment pre-poo. Should that matter? I'm not sure, but apparently it does on my hair because the second time it did not feel as stripped. My scalp did begin to itch slightly in some areas shortly after washing my hair, which truthfully I have not experienced in a long while since changing shampoos. The itchy scalp actually continued days after washing my hair despite oiling my scalp--not a good sign. The shampoo is on the thicker side, providing a rich lather, so a little goes a long way. I used less than a dime size per section (I section my hair in fours) and only needed to wash my scalp once. It felt clean, smooth and detangled. I'm not a fan of the smell, but overall it did a good job cleaning my hair/scalp.  Overall, I will give this product a Smiley. I would have given it more, but I still find my Aveda Dry Remedy more moisturizing and the return of the itchies may be an indication that it is in fact stripping (or just irritating my scalp). By the way when I switched back to my Aveda the itchies stopped, so you be the judge. Given these results I highly doubt this will replace my Aveda Dry Remedy. Oh well...


Shea Moisture Organic Curl and Style Hair Milk ($9.99 US)

Promise: Detangles, conditions and controls curls, while restoring body and shine. Provides moisture and body. For thick, curly hair. Coconut oil hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage. Silk protein reduces breakage, strengthens hair and adds smoothness and silkiness. Neem oil and old age ayurvedic oil that strengthens hair and provides brilliant shine
  
Ingredients: Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Sugar Starch , Silk Protein , Essential Oil Blend , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem), Caprylyl Glycol , Sorbitol Esters , Algae Extract , Hlyssopus Officinalis Extract , Salvia Officinalis Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract (Sage) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Results: I must begin by saying that this product smells great. Now I'm sure you are wondering, "why are you using something that is made for curly hair", well "just because" I like to try new things. The ingredients looked great, so I figured why not give it a try. It is light, non-greasy and absorbs beautifully in my hair. When my hair dried, it wasn't as smooth, shiny or as soft as I am use to. It wasn't bad, but I am use to a particular feel and look on my hair and as of late it has been air drying a lot smoother and shinier than it has in a long while, that is before I used this product. I also tried it as a daily moisturizer and it worked out much better. My hair was soft and felt very moisturized. With that being said I have to give this product a Smiley because I wanted more from it as a leave in, but it turned out to be a really good moisturizer. I recognize it is a protein based product and I have recently discovered that certain proteins effect my hair differently.  As well, I did use this product with the Moisture Mist initially (see below), which simply may be too much for my hair. This may be the reason it didn't dry as nicely as I would have liked.


Shea Moisture Organic Hold and Shine Hair Moisture Mist ($9.99 US)

Promise: Our all-natural moisture mist eliminates frizz, while hydrating hair and creating brilliant shine and curl control. For thick, curly hair. Coconut oil hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage. Silk protein reduces breakage, strengthens hair and adds smoothness and silkiness. Neem oil and old age ayurvedic oil that strengthens hair and provides brilliant shine

Ingredients: Deionized Water , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Silk Protein , Essential Oil Blend , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Algae Extract , Hlyssopus Officinalis Extract , Salvia Officinalis Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract (Sage) , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Results: Now as you noticed this is another protein based product so similarly to the above product it didn't do too much for my hair. Again, not horrible, just okay. I didn't have any frizz, so it kept its promises. My hair also felt a bit fuller, so that is a plus. I also tried it with my Giovanni and the results came out much better when it air dried. I guess this is an indication that these products should not be used together. Overall, I will give this product a Smiley because it smells great, its a good alternative to my Aphogee Pro-vitamin since it didn't hurt my hair in any way. My scalp itched a little bit with this product however, but eventually subsided.





Smiley - Smiley = not worth the money, don't waste your time.

Smiley - Smiley = neither hit or miss; just okay

Smiley - Smiley = good product; really worth trying.

Smiley = amazing product!

Regimen (old)

Since I have made a few "small" changes to my regimen in February I have noticed a huge difference in the texture and health of my hair. Logging theses changes on a daily basis has also made it easier to adjust my products as needed, which has helped me save my hair from a lot of damage that in the past would have me in tears. Since February I have removed some products and added a few. You'll notice my product list is now 99% natural, which was a long time coming. I also got this protein-moisture balance thing working--FINALLY! So here's where I am so far:


Basic regimen:
  • Pre-poo with EVCO overnight 2x/month
  • Scalp treatment overnight 1x/week
  • Shampoo w/ moisturizing shampoo 1x/week
  • Co-wash 1x/week 
  •  Apply moisturizing conditioner 2x/week
  • Apply mild protein 1x/3 weeks overnight
  • ACV/herbal rinse 1x/week
  • Apply moisture or protein based leave ins as needed
  • Air dry with scarf
  • Bun as low manipulation/protective style 
  • Moisture and seal ends 1-2x/day
  • Clarify as needed
  • Henna as needed
Additional things:
Oil scalp 2x/week with JBCO/EVCO/Jojoba mix
Massage scalp daily
Relax every 8-10 weeks; apply EVCO to scalp and ends prior to relaxer
Multivitamin, Vitamin B Complex, Iron, Vitamin E and Omega 3-6-9 daily (I take these because I am a vegetarian and lack some nutrients)

Products:
Henna Treatment:
  • (After prepping scalp with JBCO) apply henna on hair from root to tip on air dried hair, cover w/ saran wrap, plastic bag, old shirt and let sit for 8 hours/overnight (be sure to cover pillow with an old towel as well).
  • Rinse out henna thoroughly and lightly shampoo scalp w/ moisturizing shampoo to remove traces of henna.
  • Apply AOHR/AOWCC mixed with conditioning oils. Cover w/ saran wrap for 2-3 hours. 
  • Rinse then apply moisture base hair as leave in.
  • When hair  is dry oil scalp with oil blend, add moisturizer, seal and twist or bun.
Henna recipe: 
4 tbsp art quality henna (lawsonia inermis)
Filtered water
1/2-1 tbsp of JBCO, EVOO and moisturizing conditioner of choice after colour release
Allow to sit overnight
** I apply oil to my scalp before applying any henna because it seems my scalp is VERY sensitive. Lightly shampooing after application seems to help my scalp as well. I continue to use henna because I really like how my hair feels and looks after I use it.

ACV/Hair Rinse
3/4 tsp ACV
2 cups filtered water
mix of herbs of choice (optional)

Boil water and remove from stove, add mixed herbs (1 tbsp) and let sit overnight
In the morning strain herbs and add ACV

Mini Goals Reviewed

Well I've been gone for a minute I know, but it was unavoidable. Life keeps me busy and frankly exhausted. It has taken enough energy to make sure I maintain my regimen, which has paid off. Anyway, It just occurred to me that I did not do an update after my relaxer in May, but there wasn't much to report anyway. As you know I had a serious breakage mishap at the back of my hair, which has really slowed my progress--bad weave mishap. Since I've been paying more attention to my hair I have seen a significant difference in terms of health. Unfortunately, this change hasn't translated to the length due to the fact that I am cutting off the damaged ends gradually.  Lately I have felt so defeated and frustrated because of the set back I experienced, even toyed with the idea of going natural, but I am trekking on.

This is where I am so far:

Mini goals:
  1. Eliminate (or at least seriously reduce) dry/itchy scalp
  2. Obtain and maintain strength/moisture balance
  3.  Reduce/stop breakage!!!!!!!!!!!  (much better)
  4. Reduce shedding
  5. Increase thickness (or at least seriously reduce) 
  6. Low manipulation style 95% of the time  
  7. Daily 1 min scalp massages  (slacking here)
In addition, these are my overall health goals which should help me get to my hair goals:
  1. Drink minimum of 2 liters H2O/day (a lot better)
  2. Eat 6 small well balanced meals everyday (much better) Take a good quality multivitamin (3x/day) as well as regular Iron, Calcium and B-vitamin complex 
  3. Get adequate sleep (need to be more consistent)
  4. De-stress with regular exercise/fun activity (ummm.....)
Well I am finally seeing some real movement in terms of my mini goals. I believe all of the changes I have seen has to do with the fact that I have made minor, but significant changes to the way I handle and manage my hair. The result has been much healthier feeling/looking hair. Please take a moment to look at the changes I've made to my regimen as well as a review on some of the new products I am trying.

Next check in August 2011