NOTE:
When products are accepted for review or bought and reviewed by me, it is my intention to be fair, clear and honest when doing such. I believe readers/consumers must know the facts, but remember that products may react one way with one person and give a different result for me.
I will not go about beating a product into the ground. If I think it might be damaging I'd much rather delay posting or not post at all. However, with that said, I will not be bought into giving a good a review for a product which has caused some harm to my skin or body.
As I type this review, one question comes to mind that I would like to ask fellow loc-heads: Are you retwisting/relocking too tightly? I have always had a thin hairline or edges, as I realise some people use that alternative word. So, I have always been careful not to braid my hair too tightly and in the case of being natural, locking my hair too tightly. I would advise, that if you do have a thinning hairline, please do not reloc to the point where your locs are pulling from the scalp. I mean, you have got to know when that is happening. So tell your loctician or if you reloc your own hair, take your time. If there is one thing I do not like to see is a head of locs with a patchy hairline.
Description: If there is one thing you should know about the Dr. Miracle's brand is its "Feel It" Formula's tingling sensation, which according to the company "...supports strong growing hair and healthy scalp." The blurb on the box goes on the say that "...[this] stimulates blood flow to the scalp in the temple and nape areas...balm continues to work even after you stop feeling it." The manufacturer promotes this product as being excellent on hair that is braided, natural, relaxed and weaved. And I will add, definitely for those who experience some kind of thin or frail hairline/edges around the temple and nape area (back of your head).
They suggest using the product two times a day for thirty days - roughly a month's use - by massaging into the temple and nape areas.
It's ingredients include: Clove Leaf oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy and Wheat proteins. Sadly at least for me, there is some Methly- and Propyl- parabens. The more I do reviews, I realise it is harder to get away from some of these substances I wish to avoid :)
Click this link for the entire review HERE!
Nubian Heritage Raw Shea Butter Soap
According to the company's website, Nubian Heritage brand has risen from very humble beginnings to what can only be described as an enviable position in terms of their retailing, their manufacturing plant and the production process as a whole. It pushes an all natural, organic approach when it comes to its products:
- it does not engage in animal testing
- it sources and purchases ingredients directly from African farmers and women cooperatives
- the company supports the view too that whatever we put into or onto our skin is quickly absorbed. Therefore, why put harmful chemicals in their products if they will potentially affect consumers? To this end, their products do not contain harmful ingredients.
Nubian Heritage has also established itself as a philanthropic organization, working to build schools in Liberia and other African states to ensure that impoverished young girls have access to education. If you remember, in an earlier post on Shea Butter, it highlighted the fact that much of the process of producing Shea Butter is done by WOMEN!
TO READ MORE OF THIS REVIEW GO HERE!
Have you had an occasion to use any of the products from the Nubian Heritage line? What has your experience been like? Why not share it with us? :o)
ECO Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel
This submission was by a .::Naturaleza::. reader.
Please follow the link below to read more about this product review!
ECO Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel ~ Product Review
Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter - Moisture Retention Shampoo (12. oz.)
Description: It claims to hydrate and leave hair soft and more manageable. It targets persons with dry and/or damaged hair.
Ingredients: Now this is what sold me, this impressive line of what's NOT in it:
- NO parabens, phthalates, paraffin, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance or colour.
- NO animal ingredients nor was it subjected to animal testing.
It does contain:
- Sea Kelp - trace minerals to detoxify hair follicles of impurities and residue
- Argan Oil - restores shine and rebuilds hair elasticity
- Shea Butter - Deeply moisturizers and repairs damage to hair and scalp
- Pro-Vitamin B5, Aloe Vera leaf juice, Japanese Honeysuckle flower extract and Vitamin E, just to name a few
This shampoo just felt different. I could not resist touching my hair to feel the softness. She used the same loc gel as Nola does. So, other than the shampoo (I had a cold-water tea tree rinse, too), there was no other major product change. My scalp feels more tender. I guess it is hard to explain. Usually by now I would have started to scratch just a bit. So, I'd have to say that the ingredients have not had any adverse affects. I have never used Argan Oil, Shea Butter nor Sea Kelp/Weed in any shampoo or conditioner that I can recall.
The ingredients of course, too, are important. I've been trying to stay away from mineral oil, petroleum, parabens and other ingredients that can have an adverse effect on my skin and health on a whole. Substances that I had no clue even existed prior to Nov. 2010. So, where possible I'll stick to the all-natural, organic shelf as much as possible.
Decision: It's a keeper!!!
Soft & Beautiful Botanicals 3-N-1 Botanical Oil
Target group: women and men with dry hair
Description: provides brilliant and lustrous sheen to dull, dry hair or severely damaged hair. The natural and refreshing oil: Helps control frizz, revitalizes hair without weighing it down, for beautiful results every time. This oil can also be used for moisturizing dry skin. Also, recommended for manicures, pedicures and massages.
Ingredients: Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Lanolin Oil (Lanolin), Tocopherol, Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bht, Fragrance (Parfum).
Insight: This product line is not new to me. When I had relaxed hair, I used on a repeated basis the Soft & Beautiful Botanicals 3-in-1 dry scalp Treatment. Not because of any real problem, but I liked it lightness, scent and manageability on my hair.
Reasons for purchase: To keeps locs moisturized and to add shine.
Likes: It does not sit on my hair like the JML Sproil does. I like its light sweet scent. The Botanicals 3-in-1 Oil may not tingle like the JML - which I had been using for sometime - but, I don't have that "greasy hair" feeling I had with the JML. Nor, have I been having as excessively oily pillowcases as before.
Decision: Will complete this current bottle.
Avalon Organics Tea Tree Mint Treatment Shampoo
Target group: Men and women with itchy scalp
Description: Fortified with a vitalizing elixir of tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary to clean and treat the scalp, as well as to help protect against dry, itchy or flaky scalp.
Ingredients: No parabens, no sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate.
Purified water, organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium cocoyl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, vegetable glycerine, organic malaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, jojoba oil, organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, panthenol (pro-vitamin B-5) and the list goes on.
Insight: This product really sold itself to me as it has an extensive and natural cast of ingredients which promote healthy hair. For example: tea tree, rosemary, jojoba oil and aloe.
Likes: The deep cleaning feel from the mint and eucalyptus.
The smell - was invigorating actually.
Dislikes: Sadly, it left my hair too dry. Way too dry. I thought it would have done more to help me with my very itchy scalp, as I used it two weeks after I'd gotten my hair relocked. To me, it has not. I did not like the way my hair felt. I did not follow up with a conditioner, but, personally I don't think it should have mattered. I am aware that sometimes the combination of EO's maybe too much for some hair textures. And also that overuse might have adverse effects. But, I know the latter does not apply in this situation for me. I'm not even too sure if to bother with a second try - I mean money doesn't grow on trees, and in these trying times, it's going to be a sin for me to toss this. Think I'll put in the bathroom cupboard :) until I decide if to take it to the shop and have my loctician us it on my hair. Or, just give it away to someone else who may have better luck using it.
Kiss My Face Pomegranate Acai Moisture soap
KISS MY FACE Pomegranate Acai Moisture Soap
- Pearlish-white in appearance
- Mild but fruity scent
- Leaves hands soft and very moisturized
- Contains other ingredients such as Chamomile Flower extract, Olive fruit oil, Lavender extract, Sage flower extract and Aloe Vera extract [essential oils]
- Not tested on animals, no harsh chemicals
Here are some links you might find useful.
Tresemme
Shea Moisture
Qhemet Biologics
Oyin Handmade
Nature's Gate
Nubian Heritage
Miss Jessie's
Maybelline
M. A. C. Cosmetics
JASON Naturals
Jane Carter Solutions
Giovanni
Carol's Daughter
Avalon Organics
