Product Review ~ Bronner Brothers Tropical Roots Twist Cream

***Note***
This post has been long in coming. Due to some technical issues, I was unable to retrieve the photos from my camera. I hesitated somewhat but I will still post this review. I just think it is the right thing to do. I trust you will find it informative. 


Thank you, everyone! 

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This product review will be slightly different. I personally did not use this product as I felt it best to be used by women with natural kinky hair, free flowing natural kinky hair. So the majority of the samples I received I distributed between some of my colleagues and I kept a bit to use on my daughter's hair. So these comments are based on these 3 experiences.

Overview

Similar to the Stimulating Growth Oil, the BB company has marketed this product as one for people with all natural hair. It goes on to state that "...[this product is good for] braids, locs and twists, promotes healthy growth, no build up, lasting hold with no flaking, no dyes or artificial color."

And as before, the directions are quite easy to follow. And I will add, that this fact might help to persuade an indecisive customer to purchase this product. Why? Let's say you knew nothing about the process behind twisting your natural hair, this step-by-step method may very well be the icing on the cake for someone. It's clear and easy to follow.

The manufacturers have also suggested that the product be used on damp hair but this is a suggestion I did not follow as you will soon see.

Ingredients

Remember what I said about desiring to be a purist and the difficulty in finding all natural products? Well, this is one. Here is a list of some of the agents and I will let you decide:

Water, Petroleum, Beeswax, Castor Seed Oil, Copolymers (AMP-Arclates/Allyl Methacrylate - for which there is no direct link to allergies nor cancer), Paraffinum Liquidum (another name for Mineral Oil). 

Length of use

Both Petra and Dion have used this product for over a month, with Petra's use being more consistent and for a longer time period.

My daughter - 3 weeks

Other details

I found the smell of the cream to be very nice, not too over-powering. Initially, I did not like its grainy texture but soon found that it did not stop the cream from being worked smoothly into the hair. 

In the case of my daughter' hair, I did not want to use it on her damp her. As she is just 3, I prefer to dry her hair thoroughly first and then style. The cream left her hair really soft and smelling nice. Days after being use, I always check it to see if the cream left a sticky touch or a dull film and it never has. And for that I was happy :) 

Guest reviewers

This product really gained much love from Petra and Dion as they used it on a consistent basis.

This is a picture of Pet's hair.

She spoke highly of smell of the cream. It is truly a nice fruity smell. She also made mention of the consistency of the product, how easy it was to apply on the damp hair and to twist. But, Petra seemed most happy with the cream's curl definition 'power'. Pet's hair is quite thick, VERY thick and even I could see how much stretch she gained from using the product. 

Although I do not have any photos for Dion, she spoke of the ease with which she applied the cream to her hair. She, too, liked the cream's scent!


For more information: www.mytropicalroots.com
There you will find FB and Twitter info.

Product Review ~ Bronner Brothers Locking Gel vs. Firm Locking Gel

The very first thing I noticed about these products was the scent. This product line has definitely won me over with its lively, tropical aroma. The guava and pineapple definitely fill the senses when being applied to the hair.

Now side by side...

Both products give detailed instructions on how to apply.


There is nothing different about the ingredients in either of the products and both have a similar colour and texture:


Water, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Copolymer, Panthenol, DMDM Hydation, Vitamin B-12 and Fragrance. 

I used the Locking Gel only once though. Whereas I have used the Firm Locking Gel at the salon and several times at home; when either I washed my hair myself or when retouching just a couple locs that grew too fuzzy.

The terms of engagement...
Used both products on my locs and styled in the exact style - roll pin up.

Product Review ~ Bronner Brothers Tropical Roots Shampoo Spray

My new duo! Tag team.

When I first saw this product I thought to myself: "shampoo spray? How?" My concept of a shampoo involves lots of water, at times teary eyes, lots of suds and a towel; all working to produce a clean head of hair and scalp. So to be honest, I was doubtful as to what this 'shampoo spray' could do. But...

I'm glad I gave it a try! I like that it does what it says it would do: Clean my hair and scalp; and, soothe the itching! Itchy scalp is something we all probably deal with from time to time. I know I do. So when I tried this product and felt the tingling effect (I believe that is the Tea Tree) and then realised that a couple days later my scalp still felt relieved and had no major build up, I was HAPPY!!

Length of use: 6 weeks

Details: 8 fl. oz. Interested Barbadian readers may purchase from the new express ShopSmart in Worthing. I saw it being retailed there for about $10.

Ingredients: This Shampoo Spray contains some of the same ingredients as the Growth Oil, like: Sheep Sorrel, Sage, Chamomile, Slippery Elm Bark. But, goes on to include: Silk Amino Acids, Goldenseal, Tea Tree leaf extract, Lanolin, Methyl- and Propyl-parabens (sadly). 

Observations: This is a very light spray with a fragrant fruity, yummy scent. From the moment it is sprayed, you can feel it going to work on the scalp. The manufacturers recommend massaging the scalp for 3-5 minutes after application to ensure intense penetration. However, I do it for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute. Don't call me a bad girl...just my routine doesn't allow me that privilege :) 

I tend to use the Shampoo Spray after I take my pinup down and that is usually 7 - 10 days after I have washed and relocked my hair. You will find me using it anywhere from 2-3 times a week. If I have not taken the style down as yet, I will spray the concoction onto the parts and still massage into the scalp. 


And, I can say that I don't have any serious product buildup either. I like that when I check my scalp in the mirror, I don't see any residue. This photo was taken a couple days after I had gotten my locs re-styled. But, I had used the Shampoo Spray the day before. 

Decision: I will try to maintain my current regime using the Growth Oil to condition my hair and scalp, then when I feel the need to, I will use the Shampoo Spray. This a nifty product and I would definitely recommend that others try it :)


For more information: www.mytropicalroots.com
There you will find FB and Twitter info

Hey! My first video!

Well, it's not of me doing anything per se. It's just a trial of sorts.

I decided to try a video blurb, well more of an alert to let people know to visit the blog and read up/comment on the reviews of the BB Tropical Roots. 

Here's a look!

Product Review ~ Bronner Brothers Tropical Roots Stimulating Growth Oil

PROPS!!

From the get go, I must give props to Ms Mann of the BB company for reaching out to me and asking if I'd be interested in doing a review of the Tropical Roots line. As I have said before, having this blog was meant to be an outline to chart the growth of my locs this second time around and to hopefully inspire others who were lost like I was. But, the game was stepped up when this happened. But that is the content of another blog post :) So thanks, Dyci!


So onto the review!
I really, really like this product! I had been using Soft and Beautiful's 3-n-1 Botanical oil spray as my go to spray for months now. But, since having tried the BB Tropical Roots Stimulating Growth Oil, I know that I will not be going back to it! The company promotes this product one for "...ALL natural hairstyles." So therefore, it's not just for locs but for ladies who do twist-outs, wash n go styles and the like. The back of the bottle goes on to state that "...[it] maintains locks and twists keeping the hair frizz free with a natural luster. Tropical Roots is filled with agents that promote growth and healthy hair." And the agents are there indeed!


Ingredients: Just a few highlights

• Pineapple and Guava are the first two mentioned.
• Castor Oil - helps increase hair growth, adds shine and body
• Sweet Almond Oil - it's claimed that this carrier oil was used by the Egyptians of centuries ago to keep their hair looking luxurious. It is used to promote hair growth and apparently when mixed with Castor oil, can aid in preventing hair loss. 
• Slippery Elm bark- It is suggested that this product aids in soothing psoriasis. 



Chamomile is also an ingredient

• Canola Oil - No, we are not cooking our hair! Canola oil is high in protein and penetrates the hair shaft to repair damaged cells and the oil works at sealing any broken ends of hair.

Details: 8 fl. oz bottle. For all you Barbadian readers, I saw the entire line at the new express ShopSmart in Worthing, retailing for about $10.

Length of use: Just over 2 months

Observations: Something that is so cool about his product is the instructions section. Each of the products has a clear, step-by-step method on how to apply it. 


Next, I have been really trying my best to be a purist when it comes to skin and hair care products. It does not always work that way. So, I have had to start a routine where, if the ingredient/agent list of a product includes 90% herbal, natural products; and, one or two of the ingredients I have on my 'do not use' list, I will not feel as bad using it. It's not easy finding 100% natural hair or skin care products in Barbados. 


Needless to say, how pleased I was to see the effort made by this company to make a product were the vast majority of the ingredients are NATURAL products. In other words, it goes beyond saying it on the label and having nothing plausible to back it up with. That makes me upset. 


The 'stimulating' tingle must not be forgotten either. You can most definitely feel a slight tingle once the oil settles and starts to do its job.

In addition, I love the smell of the oil. It is very light on the senses. Fruity. I took it to work one day and had a male friend of mine with locs try it. He, too, liked the scent. I also appreciate the fact that it is not heavy and 'oily'. That had been my issue with the Soft and Beautiful which was too heavy on my hair. This oil has hardly stained my pillowcases and that is something I like as well. But being light does not mean that you have to use alot. When my locs are not pinned up, I would spritz about 2-3 times in the palm of hand and rub into my scalp and onto the locs. I do however spray the oil directly onto my temple areas and hairline, then rub it in. For a pinup style, I simply spray my hairline and a give a light mist onto the do and tie my locs so it has a chance to seep into the hair and moisturize it. 

Decision: It's a keeper for me! I use this product almost everyday and it's definitely one that I'd use again. I like how my locs feel and how healthy they look. Could it be as a result of this product? Maybe. I have also noticed that I don't have much of a itchy scalp issue like I did before. Actually, I spray a little on my pumpkin's hair after it is washed and dried. And even on days when her cornrows are beginning to look fuzzy. I would usually tie her hair down after doing so, too.


So, YES! I will use it until the bottle is ALL GONE  :) 


For more information: www.mytropicalroots.com
There you will find FB and Twitter info.