Monday, February 29, 2016

Product Review: Detangling Co-Wash by Mielle Organics

Price: $13.99 for an 8 fl. oz bottle 

Where I bought it: www.mielleorganics.com
*Mielle Organics is now available at Sally's (selected cities). Be sure to call your local Sally's to see if it's in stock at the location. If your Sally's doesn't carry it, make sure you let them know you want Mielle Organics sold at the store.

Why I bought it:  My original go-to co-wash conditioner was Shea Moisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Co-Wash but I found myself wanting to try something new. My hair was still thriving with Shea Moisture but I felt like it was time to explore other options. Plus, I wanted to try the hair products after falling in love with their vitamins.

Product Description: Our Detangling Conditioning Cleanser is for thin, thick, curly, hair removes impurities without stripping hair of natural oils. Lightweight moisturizers soften and control frizz . Made with detangling properties making it easier to detangle while co-washing. Made with natural and certified organic ingredients. Smells wonderful. Designed to strengthen, lengthen and moisturize hair. Can be used daily and notice how you will have less breakage and shedding. Made with pure natural oils and natural preservatives. Gently helps with tangles and knots"- description from website

Directions: Apply to the scalp and ends of the hair and gently massage all throughout the hair to cleanse the hair of natural products. Use in between shampoos.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cocos Nucifera (coconut oil), Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, ButyrospermumParkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica (Abyssinia) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Kernal oil, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum (derived from the guar bean- thickening agent), Hyrdolyzed Silk (Silk Amino Acids), Potassium Sorbate, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Phthalate-Free Fragrance, Tocopheral, Citric acid

How I use it: I use this c0-wash once a week on wash day. I apply it to my scalp and add a little extra to the ends of my hair.

What I love about it: This Detangling Co-Wash has a soft, lightweight consistency. The fragrance is light and smells like berries to me. It is not overpowering or strong at all, for those of you sensitive to fragrances.  

Unlike other co-washes I've used before, this co-wash doesn't cling to my scalp. It's so gentle on my scalp, that sometimes I find myself questioning if I've used enough. After I wash out the co-wash, my scalp feels clean but not stripped. My hair is also soft and 
my tangles or knots melt away.

 But, one of my favorite things about this cleansing co-wash is that it brings out my curls. I can honestly say that I've never experienced that with another co-wash. 

What I don't like:  I wish this came in a bigger size. I'm able to get about a month/ month and a half from a bottle. It's not an expensive co-wash but it adds up (when you include shipping costs). Hopefully Mielle Organics will introduce a big pump bottle for this co-wash.  

Final thoughts: I started using this co-wash in October and my hair loves it! If you're looking for a co-wash cleaning conditioner that is lightweight, you should check out Mielle Organics. This is definitely one of my staple products and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Any reviews or opinions expressed about items in this post are my own personal views. I purchased all items with my own funds and have not received any compensation for writing my opinion. I have no connection to the products or brands mentioned in this post.



Sunday, February 28, 2016

Wash Day | Strawberry Protein Treatment


I can't believe that February is almost over. It will be summer before we know it! Anyway, today's wash day was very simple and straightforward.


Wash Day line-up


Pre-pooed with my spritz mix and The Antidote by Tangles and Beyond. I made sure my hair was wet before adding The Antidote. I worked the mixture into my hair paying special attention to the ends of my hair and removing any shed hairs or tangles along the way. Then, I put on a plastic cap and wore my Hot Heads Cap for about an hour. 

My hair was soft and fully moisturized after I rinsed out my pre-poo mixture. #winning. I plan on using this as my new pre-poo method for the foreseeable future.

Co-Washed with  Detangling Co-Wash by Mielle Organics
 Protein Treatment with Monthly Strawberry Protein Treatment from Tangles and Beyond. I promised I wouldn't buy any new products but when Ashley (the owner) announced this new product on Instagram, I knew I needed to try it. Today was my first time using it and my hair loved it. I left the treatment on for about 15-20 minutes and put on my Hot Heads Conditioning Cap.




Deep Conditioned with Babassu Oil and Mint Deep Conditioner  under my Hot Head cap for 40 minutes. Before rinsing out the deep conditioner, I used my handy Eternally in Amber Detangling Comb.

ACV Rinse- After I rinsed out the conditioner, I used a spray bottle filled with ACV and water. I massage the mixture into my scalp to remove any excess product buildup.

T-shirt dried my hair for about 20 minutes. I didn't have time to style my hair before pole class so I wore a puff.




After class I styled my hair using the LOC method. First, I applied my spritz mix (Aloe Vera Juice, Water, a few oils and White Peony Ultra Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner). Then rubbed Mint Almond Oil on my scalp and strands. Next, I applied Jia's Caribbean DreamCream and  twisted my hair with Kera Care Twist and Define Cream. Instead of rocking mini twists, I'm wearing regular twists this week. I'm making another trip to the salon for another updo, so I didn't want to spend the time doing mini twists.

Right after I twisted my hair. You can still see the product in my hair



                 How was your #WashDayExperience? Feel free to comment below.



The Wash Day Experience

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Wash Day | The Mini Twists Are Back

Hello everyone!

It's been awhile since my last wash day post. This month has been busy so the blog has been a little neglected. But as we get closer to wrapping up filming for Grimm, I hope to get back to posting regularly. 

After rocking my protective style for two weeks, it was time to wash my hair and prep it for mini twists.


The protective style aftermath. 



Pre-Poo/ Hot Oil Treatment with The Antidote from Tangles and Beyond under my Hot Heads conditioning cap for about an hour or so. My hair needed the extra moisture boost and I love the way my hair feels after rinsing out The Antidote.

The Antidote- If you look closely, you can see some of the oils.

Co-Washed with  Detangling Co-Wash by Mielle Organics

Protein Treatment with GPB Balancing Protein Conditioner by Aubrey Organics for two minutes.

Deep Conditioned with Babassu Oil and Mint Deep Conditioner  under my Hot Head cap for 40 minutes. Before rinsing out the deep conditioner, I used my handy Eternally in Amber Detangling Comb.


Amount of hair lost during the pre-poo & detangling part of my wash day



At first I was a little freaked out with the amount of hair I lost. But then I remembered my hair was in a protective style for two weeks. I also didn't pre-wet my hair before doing my pre-poo session.  This was something I did in the past but have neglected in recent wash days. I plan on incorporating this change in my next full wash day.

As usual, I t-shirt dried my hair for about 15 minutes. Then I applied my Mint Almond Oil, my spritz mix (Aloe Vera Juice, Water and I added White Peony Ultra Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner), Jia's Caribbean DreamCream and Kera Care Twist and Define Cream.  I twisted my hair in mini twists, which took about 2 1/2-3 hours.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics of my mini twists. I promise to take pics next time.



             How was your #WashDayExperience? Feel free to comment below.

The Wash Day Experience

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Product Review: Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil


Price: $13.99 for an 8oz bottle

Where I bought it: www.mielleorganics.com

Why I bought it: I loved the hair vitamins from Mielle Organics and wanted to try some of the other products. I also wanted to add more oils to my hair care regimen.

Product Description: "Our Mint Almond Oil is a favorite and it is our second step in promoting healthy hair and growth by working on the last two phases of the growth cycle by soothing and re-balancing the scalp by promoting circulation. Studies have showed that blood flow to the scalp plays an important role in hair growth. This natural oil promotes circulation with our peppermint oil. This almond oil is a protein( in which our hair is made up of protein) so this oil binds to the hair sealing it and locking in moisture preventing breakage and shedding. This is a lightweight natural oil"- description from the website

Directions: To add protection and sheen apply a small amount into palm of hands, massage directly onto scalp. Hair can be wet or dry.

Ingredients: 
Glycine soja (soybean) oil, prinus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, mentha piperita (peppermint oil)

Peppermint oil is a popular oil used for natural hair. The oil comes from the peppermint plant (a cross between water mint and spearmint), a plant that grows in Europe and North America. Although it is used to flavor foods or as a scent for body products, it can also be used on hair.  It can help promote a healthy scalp, hair growth and also prevents hair loss.  This is a great oil to use as a moisturizer and you can mix it with other natural oils.

Sweet Almond Oil  is another great oil used for hair. This oil comes from the almond, native to the Middle East and South Asia. The oil adds sheen and moisture to hair. Like peppermint oil, almond oil can also stimulate hair growth when massaged into the scalp. Sweet almond oil contains vitamins A, B, and E along with omega 6, omega 9, omega 3 fatty acids that help keep hair healthy and strong. It also fights split ends by holding moisture in the hair for longer periods of time. 

How I use it:  I use this as the oil in my LOC method on wash day. I also use it during the week to add moisture to my twists.

What I love about it: Absolutely everything! The smell is amazing and I love how soft my hair feels after using it. Oh and my scalp loves it too. So it's a win-win for me :).

What I don't like:  I don't have any complaints.

Final thoughts: I started using this oil back in late October/November and I've definitely seen some improvement in my hair health. If you're looking for a lightweight moisturizing oil that's promotes healthy hair, you should definitely give this a try.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Any reviews or opinions expressed about items in this post are my own personal views. I purchased all items with my own funds and have not received any compensation for writing my opinion. I have no connection to the products or brands mentioned in this post.