Tender Love and Care: Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque Review

The last several months I have been neglecting my hair in the worst way.
I was always diligent with deep conditioning and pre-pooing my tresses, and the fact that I added honey blond streaks to my hair was a big motivator to keep up the high maintenance.
Now I am back on my TLC (tender love and care) vibe and been searching for some deep conditioner masks that don't break the bank and are easily accessible.
I already have my holy grail from Shea Moisture, however in Canada it is $20+ and I wanted to see if I could find something comparable in the beauty supply store.
I do not believe I have found a comparable replacement for my Shea Moisture masque and will discuss some information about this deep treatment masque and my impressions.

Information on Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque:

• Cantu Shea Butter masque is a deep conditioning treatment that is suppose to nourish dry, damaged and brittle hair
• This masque is made with 100% Shea butter 
• Cantu is formulated without harsh chemicals and ingredients
• This product contains no mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, gluten, or DEA (something hard for me personally to find in a beauty supply)
• This product is not tested on animals
• Cantu Shea butter Masque contains 340g of product (very reasonable) 
• Cantu should be applied all over the hair with special attention paid to the ends of your hair
• The instructions indicated to leave it on for 30 minutes and rinsed out 
• It can be left on really dry hair as a leave in conditioner
• I picked it up at my local beauty supply Clore in Toronto and it retailed for $8.99 CAD

My Personal Impressions/Experience:

• I was very excited at the reasonable price tag on this masque in store and noticed it is always on sale
• I was thrilled with the product ingredient listing because I find it challenging to find products in the beauty supply that have no mineral oil, sulfates or parabens
• The smell of the product is pleasant
• The consistency of the masque is very nice and thick and coats the hair very well
• The amount of product in the treatment is great and can be used at least 4-5 times (even on my thick hair)
• I applied the masque to my hair for over 30 minutes (typical for me) but my hair felt stiff and dry on my first attempt
• Upon my second attempt with this masque I left it in for a little over 30 minutes and my hair felt a bit better, however wasn't as soft as I would prefer
• I will not be repurchasing this product once I have finished it because it didn't provide any stellar results

Nume Curling Wand on Natural Hair

Tahitian Treat: Monoi Tiki Tahiti Review

  I love to research new products, I mean LOVE to research them, and when I overheard a blogger mention the use of Monoi oil (moh-NOY is how it is pronounced) my Carmen Sandiego search commenced.
Let me provide some background on this product and why it sparked my interest!

  It is said that the beautiful ladies of Polynesia use monoi oil to moisturize and condition their beautiful long locks and skin for centuries and the unique blend of ingredients within the oil is what is said to be beneficial with keeping hair healthy, shiny, and beautiful.
I personally went through tons of articles, blogs, and information about the oil since I was quite unfamiliar with it.
Monoi oil's claim to fame is that it contains immense soothing and moisturizing properties, and have been used by Polynesian woman for centuries.
I will provide more detailed information as well as my personal thoughts on this product I adore.

Information on Monoi Tiki Tahiti Oil

• According to the website Monoi.com, monoi oil is a unique blend of cosmetic grade coconut oil, tiare flower (a Tahitian gardenia flower) and vitamin E
• There are no preservatives, or animal products added 
• The handpicked tiare flower is placed into the monoi oil to add a beautiful scent to the product (soaked in for 15 days)
• The tiare flower is said to slowly release their unique properties and legendary virtues into the coconut oil
• There are several scents of monoi oil sold: the original monoi tiki taire, ylang ylang, coco coconut, vanilla, santal sandalwood etc
• Monoi is commonly used among Polynesians as a skin and hair softener
• There are many monoi oils on the market however authentic monoi oils follow a very strict manufacturing code that supervises the entire process from handpicking the tiare flowers to storage and shipping of the final product. 
• There is an official Appellation d'Origine seal on every Monoi product
• Monoi oil retails for $14 CAD
• Contains 120ml of oil in each bottle
• Can be purchased at Monoi.com, at some natural health food stores, and Honeyfig (Toronto)

My Personal Thoughts:

• The smell of this product is absolutely divine and leaves a sweet smell in your hair for days (I have purchased the Vanilla scent)
• Even though it comes in a small bottle it lasts for a long time because very little product is actually needed to coat ends of hair
• The actual tiare flower is in the bottle floating around 
• After washing and conditioning hair I add monoi oil after my moisturizer has been applied to seal the ends of my hair
• I also will use the oil sparingly when my hair is dry and I am braiding/twisting it for the night
• I also will add it sparingly to my hair throughout the week
• I have used monoi oil not only in my hair (which it keeps moisturized) as well as on my skin in the winter months (does wonders to keep skin hydrated)
• I stick to the original brand of monoi because of the product ingredients (no preservatives)
• The coconut usually gets solid (in the packaging) in the winter/spring time so I let it sit in a bowl of warm water to melt down the product
• I have found it has helped reduce split ends when used consistently and adds shine and bounce to the hair when used moderately
• Coconut oil has always helped me throughout my hair journey and this is like a step up from regular coconut oil
• Too much of the monoi oil can weigh down hair and make it feel and look greasy so use moderately 
• I absolutely recommend this product to any woman that wants to improve the condition of their hair

November Hits and Misses (+playlist)

Top 12 Tips for Growing Longer Hair (+playlist)

Honey I'm Home : Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Review

Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp 

When I first started my natural hair journey I became obsessed with finding products that would moisturize and help my hair grow!
I had big chopped my hair after being impatient and annoyed with two textures and was on a rampage to grow my hair as quickly as possible.
When I say obsessed I mean I would spend hours on YouTube, blogs, forums, etc getting ratings and peoples opinions on various products and watching video after video on hair regimen and routines and that is where I became familiar with Oyin handmade hair care line.
Oyin handmade is one of the standout hair product lines for me and I have dabbled with a couple of their products over the years.
Oyin honey hemp is by far one of the best leave in conditioners I have ever used, and due to me being a product junkie who always needs the "hit" of a new product in my arsenal I have strayed. However I am back and happy as before. I will go over some information on the product and my personal thoughts.

Sample of Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp 

About Honey Hemp:

• Honey hemp is a multifunctional conditioner 
• It can be used as a pre poo treatment,  in the shower as a conditioner, used as a leave in conditioner or applied as a deep treatment
• Contains aloe vera gel, hemp oil, honey, silk proteins, coconut oil, hydrolized silk, and fragrance
• This product is paraben free
• Best to be used within 3-6 months after opening but can be used up to one year
• Can be purchased in three sizes: 8.4 oz, 16.9 oz, and 33 oz (with a pump)
• I purchased the 8oz bottle for 20 CAD at Honey Fig (Toronto)
• Can be purchased directly on Oyin handmade's website or in other natural hair stores

Wash and go with Honey Hemp as the Leave in Conditioner 

My Personal thoughts on Honey Hemp

• I personally use honey hemp as a leave in conditioner and love the softness, sheen, and smell it leaves in my hair
• I have used it as a wash out conditioner in the past and it really aids with detangling
• To use Honey hemp as a pre poo or deep conditioner you can add olive oil,  coconut oil, castor oil etc
• The ingredient list is incredible and really makes my hair feel very soft 
• I have used this product up to a year with no problems, it just needs to be kept in a cool place such as a cupboard or closet
• I have personally seen some of my best results in terms of moisture and growth with this conditioner
• This leave in conditioner mixes well with a lot of different products I have tried in the past
• The honey acts as a natural humectant in the hair so is perfect for the spring and summer months, however I still use it in the winter without any issues (humectants used in low humidity (cold dry winter air) can sometimes cause moisture to be removed from the cortex of the hair shaft creating really dry hair) however I have never had an issue with this product
• Defines my curls very lovely and leaves a nice sheen in the hair 
• I love the smell of the product is has a nice fruity light scent and it lingers in the hair for days
• The packaging is decent because it come in a squeeze bottle that allows you to disperse the right amount of product 
• It is a bit on the pricey side but works so well (is worth every penny to me)
• I am fortunate to be able to pick it up/or order directly from Honey Fig in Canada 

First at home Blow out 

Overall I really love this product and glad I have returned to it after my hiatus! So far I have been applying it to my hair after washing as my leave in conditioner strictly and adding some more to my dry tresses every few days as needed. 

If you are looking for a vegan hair product line this is a great brand to try out! 

Product Fails: Elf, Shea Moisture, Hourglass, YSL, ETC (+playlist)

Winter Hair Care Regimen- Combating Dry Hair

Hair Chat: My Favourite Hair Products for Healthy (Natural) Hair

Deep Conditioner: Shea Moisture African Black Soap Purification Hair Masque

Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap- Purification Masque

When I cut my hair off and went natural I read endless blog posts and watched many YouTube videos about deep conditioning. I remember as a little girl my mother deep conditioning my hair from time to time and I hated it and didn't see the big deal and how it was helpful. 

Then when I wanted my hair to grow as fast as possible I started deep conditioning on a weekly basis and really saw a lot of improvements in the texture of my hair, the moisture, as well as the strength. 

As my hair got to the length I was content with I got lazy and stopped deep conditioning  every week. That made for more tangles and more dryness and now I am jumping back on the bandwagon. I intend to deep condition at least 2 x a month but ideally weekly would be best. I then went on the hunt for a new deep conditioner.

I purchased Shea Moisture's African black soap purification hair masque and really enjoy it.

This product contains:

• Deionized Water
• Coconut
• Shea Butter
• Mango
• Avocado
• African Black Soap Extract
• Sea Salt
• Kaolin Clay
• Grapeseed Oil
• Jojoba
• Willow
• Neem
• Aloe Vera Leaf Juice 
• Tea Tree
• Vitamin E
• Rosemary Extract
• Sage
• Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle
• Silicone free
• Sulfate free
• Paraben free
• Protein free
• Glycerin free

As you see this is loaded with great ingredients and is completely organic. I was hesitant to purchase it initially because I saw the words "purification" and "clay" together and figured it wouldn't replenish the moisture I was looking for. 

I was wrong in fact I put it on my hair before bed time, put on a plastic bag on my hair and slept with it over night (use your discretion my hair is very thick and strong) and woke up with very soft and moisturized hair. So far I have been really enjoying this product and glad I gave it a try. This is going to be added to my staple products because I was that impressed by my first few uses. 

The texture is quite thick on the product and saturated my hair very well so I can see I will be able to get quite a few uses out of this product. 

The smell of this conditioner is very nature-like but it is very bearable and does not linger in your hair.

My hair was so soft that I was able to de-tangle with the deep conditioner on and it cut my time and agony in half!

It says that it is good for itchy dry scalp but I don't suffer from any of those issues to comment.

I purchased this deep conditioner at my local beauty supply for $10.00 CAD now this was a mis-marked item (the cashier looked sad) :) but I see that the other ones retail for $16.00 CAD. This can be purchased at Clore (if you are in the Toronto area), Honey Fig (Toronto), Target (in the states) and online as well. 

Getting your Hair clean: Shampooing your hair

Cleansing the hair is another important part of building your regiment. Washing your hair removes dirt, build up, dust and product from you hair and is a big step when deciding on what direction your regiment needs to go in. 
The first thing you will have to decide when picking your shampoo of choice is what are you personally looking for in your shampoo? 
Do you have dry brittle hair? Do you have itchy dry scalp? Do you have hair that tends to be oily? You must ask yourself these questions to determine the best suited shampoo for your own personal use. 
If you have dry and brittle hair you likely will need a shampoo that is moisturizing. 
If you have itchy and dry scalp you may need a shampoo that combats that and has tea tree oil. 
If your hair tends to be oily and greasy you will need to find a shampoo infused with aloe, fruit extracts and olive oil.
It is also a good idea to purchase a clarifying shampoo treatment that can be used once a month to rid of the excess oils and build up that regular gentle shampoos won't remove. 
This is something you will need to research, trial and error is really the only way to do that. 
Now you have decided what type of shampoo you will be looking for another decision you have to make is do you want one that is sulfate free? Or is that important to you? Now I am sure you have gone in the stores and noticed some brands boasting that they are sulfate free. What is a sulfate you ask? 
I will provide you a little background as to what a sulfate is and why a lot of people are opting to go sulfate free with their shampoo.

• Sulfates which are usually written out as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), dium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) is a chemical used to provide foam and lather to many household items. Now I'm sure you are thinking that exactly what I want?! However this is an chemical that has been in the spotlight for causing issues with users
• Sulfates tend to cause a lot of irritations to the skin, and scalp and a lot of people who have stopped using products containing sulfates have seen a lot of improvements 
• Sulfates tend  to be very drying on the scalp and removes a lot of the natural oils your scalp produces and dryness of the scalp can also lead to dandruff, itching,  and boils on the scalp
• Sulfates are also blamed for causing a lot of frizz in hair and users who stop using sulfate infused shampoos tend to notice hair is much softer and frizz free
• Sulfates on color treated hair is a bad mix because color treated hair tends to be much more dryer and the detergent that are in sulfates tends to suck out any remaining moisture from the hair shaft

For me personally I aim to steer clear of shampoos that contain sulfates because I have noticed a difference when I use ones that are without. However if you opt to use shampoos that contain sulfates try to take a peak at the ingredient list and go for the shampoo that has it towards the end of the list because that means that it contains a much less concentration of it. 

So now you have chosen the shampoo you want to use and are going to cleanse your hair. Pre pooing is very helpful because it puts moisture in your hair and allows for more moisture to remain even after you have shampooed your hair. 

During washing there are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Wash your hair with shampoo once versus twice because this can combat the dryness of using shampoo. Remember washing with shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils and you do not need your hair to be squeaky clean. Take your time on your first wash to concentrate on the scalp and roots of your hair then wash out.
• Gently massage your scalp and let the shampoo do the cleaning. Do not bunch your hair up like you are in a Herbal Essence commercial it really is unnecessary and tangles hair and makes for a mean de-tangling session in the end.
• Try to concentrate shampoo on scalp only and try not to apply shampoo directly on the ends of your hair. The ends of your hair are the oldest hair on your head and generally need a lot of moisture. Do not suck all the moisture away from it, allow the water to gently have the shampoo flow to your ends. 
• If you have long, or thick hair try washing your hair in sections to reduce the amount of tangles. If you need to bring claw clips into the shower to separate your hair don't be scared! Do what you must. 
• Try to limit the use of shampoo to no more then once a week
• If you need to wash your hair a few times a week try using conditioner to wash your hair (co washing) to cleanse your scalp to combat drying
• Immediately select your conditioner you will use after shampooing and apply it

Overall selecting a good product will aid in making wash day easy. 

For myself I use Creme of Nature that is infused with Argan oil and can be purchased at most beauty supply store or drug stores. 

I few other brands I have used and really liked are:

• Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo (can be purchased at Honey Fig, Target, Beauty supply stores and Amazon)
• Kinky Curly Come Clean (can be purchased at Honey Fig, Target, Beauty supply stores and Amazon)
• Dr. Bronner Peppermint Liquid Soap (can be purchased at Honey Fig, Target, Grocery stores, American Apparel, Whole Foods and Amazon)

Next on my list to try are:

• Sunny Isle YlangYlang Jamaican Black Castor Oil Moisturizing Shampoo (can be purchased at Honey Fig and Amazon)
• Jamaican Black Castor Oil Moisturizing Shampoo with Shea Butter (can be purchased at Honey Fig and Amazon)
• Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo (can be purchased at Honey Fig and Amazon)
• DermOrganic Conditioning Shampoo (can be purchased at Winners, Marshall's, Trade Secrets, and Amazon)

Co Washing Time: Live Clean Professional Damage Therapy Conditioner

I love to co-wash my hair when I wear it curly. What is co-washing you ask? Co- washing is when you

Live Clean Damage Therapy Conditioner

wash your hair only using conditioner.
It is beneficial because instead of using shampoo that is drying on hair you are using only conditioner that is cleaning your hair but still moisturizing it in the mean time.
This is very beneficial if you are a person who suffers from dry hair, damaged hair, or weak hair because it nourishes the hair and packs it with moisture.
Hair that is moisturized is one of the keys to healthy hair and combats against split ends and brittle hair. I like to go between Suave, Tressemme, and various conditioners for co-washing and stumbled upon Live clean in Walmart on sale.
I have always seen this brand in the store but overlooked it because I wasn't interested in it particularly. Put a sale sign beside something and now you got my attention.
Live clean is a Eco friendly brand that prides its self on using natural plant based ingredients. On the website they say that there formulations are made with a minimum of 96% replenishable, renewable and sustainable plant ingredients and are great for the earth so come packed with many benefits.
This line has many different formulations but I decided to go with the Professional Damage Therapy Conditioner. I love getting conditioners who work to help damaged hair because I find they are the most moisturizing in the entire line. This one is loaded with benefits described on Live Clean's website:

• Enriched with Kendi Oil which has strengthening omegas
• Avocado Oil which is moisturizing 
• Quinoa to deeply nourish and protect the hair shaft and fortify the hair
• Vita-Bond Complex™ technology builds hair’s intrinsic layer treating and preventing damage caused by heat styling, chemicals, and environmental exposure.
• Certified Organic Botanicals
• SLS/sulfate free
• Petroleum Free
• Paraben Free
• Pure Vegan

Those listing alone got my attention because I tend to lean towards products that are natural and have limited chemicals in them. They tend to make my hair feel really good and produce the best results for me personally. A few things I noted about the product with my personal use.

• Has a nice light smell
• Has a nice thick consistency
• Does penetrate the hair
• Good enough for co washing but didn't find it left my hair really soft as other products have
• Curls where nice and tight after use
• The bottle a bit small considering the amount I personally use
• Pricing reasonable: $4.95 CAD on sale
• In most drug stores readily available
• Great product listing

All in all I was satisfied with my purchase. I wasn't blown away, this won't be added to my holy grail product listing but I would definitely purchase it again if I am unable to get ahold of my usual suspects or it is on sale again. 

No Pain No Beauty

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Lets Get it Started in Here: Pre poo Tips, Tricks and Info

Alright so you have decided to create your hair regiment and you are thinking to yourself "dammit google is giving me some information overload!" Yes I know how this feels and I felt like this the moment I decided I wanted to give some of the information I got a try.
By the time I gave my long list a try I was spending hundreds of dollars and many  hours on the weekend putting my regiment into action.
I personally do not recommend going out and going crazy like I did and purchasing every bush, tree, and ingredient you read up on, it is not worth it. However researching a few inexpensive, common items is the best bet, and trying it out for a month or two is going to be the best way to see if there are improvements with your hair. One of the first parts of a regiment and planning to get your hair on the healthy track is pre- poo. What is "pre poo" you ask?
Pre-poo is a treatment done prior to shampooing your hair that moisturizes the hair and scalp to combat dryness associated with washing and use of shampoo.

Almond Oil

Olive Oil

Coconut Oil

• Various aids can be used for pre poo but typically they are oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, virgin olive oil, etc. There are MANY different oils with MANY great benefits that you can try, so do not be limited to my list.
• You apply your treatment to your hair and scalp and let it sit on for 20-30 minutes (or as long as you want depending on the condition of your hair)
• Some of my personal favourites are castor oil, argan oil, almond oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and coconut oil to name a few, but these days as I tend refer to my coconut and castor oil mix http://nopainnobeauty.blogspot.ca/2013/03/hair-talk-deep-conditioning-with.html
• Pre pooing protects the hair from the drying that generally occurs after washing and shampooing. It aids in adding moisture to your hair. 
• Typically applying conditioner to the hair dry allows for the oil to penetrate the hair better and reap the benefits. 
• There are many ways to go about applying a pre poo to your hair.
• It can be warmed up to provide a hot oil type of treatment to scalp.
• It can be applied at room temperature and you can wear a warm towel or wear a shower cap to provide a green house affect (where humidity builds up and moisture is locked in)
• You can also just use a plastic bag and put in on your head and cook, clean, read or surf the web! Multi-tasking is a must.
• Typically I use the coconut oil and Castor oil in my hair and go to bed with it, but be weary because my hair is extremely thick so takes this method very well, thinner and weaker hair my not appreciate this and cause limp or weakened hair if on too long. 
• A few other mixtures that can be considered for the pre poo are cheap conditioners mixed with avocado, honey, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and safflower oil.
• Pre pooing can be done as frequent as you would like but generally once a week will be beneficial.
• Try oils and different mixtures for a month or two to determine if you are seeing improvement 
• Pre pooing can be done for any texture of hair and aids with the health of hair.

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Hair Care Tips Volume 1: The Quick Pick List

Hair care regiments are important if you wish to venture on a hair care “journey” as it is called in the hair world. It is similar to weight loss, muscle building or anything that requires constant work and dedication, you need a regiment in place to achieve your goals. With that said there are a few things you must keep in mind to get your goals on the right track.

I have been asked to cover some topics about hair care and I figured instead of only writing about my reviews on products it is also a good idea for me to add my research and findings so that my readers can have some ideas on how to start their own personal regiment and some good tips and tricks to use.

 I will break this up into volumes so that each subject can be written about in depth.

At first I was going to say this is catered to natural hair girls but in truth this can be applied to anyone that wants to improve the health of their hair whether be natural, relaxed, texlaxed or color treated! 

Keep in mind these are my own personal suggestions and what I have done for myself so tweak your routine based on your preference and hair needs.

First thing first there are 5 things that you need to think about prior to finding a regiment for your hair.

 Determine what your goals for your Hair Are

 Now this may seem simple at first, but "I want long hair" or "I want hair like my friend" will not cut it. The goals should be realistic and attainable goals such as: " I want to prevent split ends", "I want to retain growth in my hair", etc. You have to pin point what is preventing you to getting to your overall goal with your hair. 

 Determining what needs to be done to get to the Goal

Now this is a little more easier with the aid of the Internet and books and this plethora of information we have at our finger tips. If your hair is constantly shedding, or thin in spots, or has a lot of dandruff in areas there are tons of helpful guides and information that are readily available to help. You need to decide which one might be something you are willing to try and give it an honest shot for some time to determine if it is right fit for you.

 Put your plan into action and stay consistent 

We can all say we will deep condition our hair every week and stop using the flat iron daily, but it takes determination and serious effort and dedication to do the same thing with our hair through busy schedules, work, family life and life! Making little changes or at least incorporating some in between your week can make a huge difference.

 Looking at some of the bad hair habits you Have 

Determining some of the bad hair habits that your have acquired over the years and  reducing or stopping them all together to maintain your hair as you go forward. Curling your hair everyday, or colouring your hair every other month are damaging and you need to reduce or stop some habits all together if you want to see a difference.

Enrich your mind with information and ask for advice when needed

Products only help to maintain your hair. They do not grow your hair, make it healthy, or  do magic without the aid of you doing the right thing. So learn techniques, research foods, vitamins, and natural ingredients that you can use towards your regiment that will help you in the long run.

Now that that housecleaning is out of the way there are a few topics I will discuss in length:

• Prepoo
• Shampooing
• Conditioning
• Deep conditioning
• Leave in Conditioner
• Co Washing 
• Styling aids
• Hair Abuse
• Hair Maintenance 
• Tips and Tricks 
• Products

These are topics are easy breezy ways to determine the right regiment for yourself. Also do realize your regiment will be altered and change from time to time but keeping some basic principles in mind are essential. 

Moisture Maniac: Hair Talk: Shea Moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Constantly I am asked about the hair products that I use to maintain the health of my hair, and I really try and keep it very simple. Keeping my hair moisturized and feeling soft and manageable is crucial and finding a product that does all the above and doesn't break the bank is like hitting the jackpot. 
Shea moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a all natural leave in conditioner, styler and cream that moisturizes curls and leaves hair with a beautiful shine and defined curls. It helps with minimizing frizz in the hair as well as enhancing the curls. 
In the summer months when I want to do a wash and go and don't mind my hair getting big I use it on its own and it holds curls. When I want tamer more defined curls I apply my argan oil, this enhancing smoothie and a gel or butter to my hair and it works like a charm. I have gone through my 4th tub of this moisturizer and absolutely love it. I was so excited when it could be purchased in Canada, because for the longest time I had to get family or friends to bring it over for me. There are many positive things to note about this leave in conditioner:

• Curl enhancing smoothie contains coconut, Shea butter,Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado), Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silk Protein, Ammonium Salt, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem), Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot), Sorbitol Esters, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Caprylyl Glycol, Essential Oil Blend, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) which are all found to help with hair growth, hair maintenance  and many other benefits to hair. 
• The smell of the product is very nice and sweet and stays in your hair for quite awhile. 
• The consistency of the product is thick but penetrates the hair very nicely and is light weight
• Mixes well with many different products
• Great for woman with relaxed hair, as well as natural hair
• A little of this product goes a long way
• Also another great thing about the product is that it is paraben free, silicone free, sulfate free, and organic. 
• Can be purchased in: Honey fig (Toronto), Clore (Toronto), Amazon, Target, etc and retails for $19.99 CAD

Back to Basics: Coconut Oil and the many Benefits and Uses

Dr Bronner's Magic All in one Fair Trade Organic Coconut Oil

Haircare is a huge topic for woman and I get asked frequently what I do in terms of my regiment. I have discussed prior that I used to buy everything from every line in the beginning of my hair journey but as time flew and money shortened I realized I must stick to what works and stick with the basics. In my previous post about my mixture of argan oil and coconut oil in a deep treatment I touched briefly on using coconut oil but decided you guys must know the full benefits and why this is a product you shouldn't neglect purchasing. (Hair talk deep conditioning-with Argan oil and Coconut oil)
Coconut oil is my holy grail item because it is jam packed with so many benefits and is truly a underrated inexpensive product that is full of greatness. I will go over some of the many uses and benefits of coconut oil when added to a beauty regiment.

Uses and Benefits in Hair

• A great conditioner for the hair when applied as a pre- poo (overnight before wash time)
• Great hot oil treatment for dry damaged hair
• Helps rid of dandruff and dry scalp
• Promotes hair growth
• Makes hair soft and shine
• Helps treat damaged hair 
• Can also get rid of lice 

I must say that I have been using coconut oil to deep condition with for the last two years and see tremendous amount of growth, shine, and strength in my hair. This is the one product I will never remove from my hair journey because it is inexpensive and works really great.  

I do not recommend leaving it in for more then 10 + hours in your hair because your hair will be extremely greasy and start to smell. A good idea is to deep condition and wear it to bed or while doing some housework and wash it out.

Uses and Benefits on Skin

• Great moisturizer for the skin
• Is said to aid in the prevention of wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines 
• Relieves irritations like sun burns of insect bites
• Softens skin and provides a natural glow
• Treats chapped, dry lips in the harsh winter time
• Has no side effects, is natural, and organic with no added ingredients

When using coconut oil on the skin you really start to feel the texture of your skin get so buttery soft and radiant right away. It is great to use it on the legs after you shave, on your skin before you go into hot weather, as well as use as a massage oil. All the lotions and gels of the world don't compare to the feeling of using coconut oil on the body but just be careful to use a little at a time.

What to look for when Buying Coconut Oil

• Certified organic and non-GMO
• Made from fresh coconuts
• Unrefined
• Chemical-free
• Unbleached
• Maintains pure white color
• Unhydrogenated
•  Has a fresh coconut fragrance
• Cold pressed (the way the oil is extracted from the coconut) 

I have two brands of Coconut oil that I use: Dr. Bronner's Organic White Virgin Coconut Oil or Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Both work great and I have no complaints. However I do prefer Nutiva for a few reasons. Nutiva can be found at most grocery stores(so easier to purchase) and has a smoother consistency.  Whereas Dr Bronner although very good has a slightly graining consistency  Both are great products and are worth checking out and using non the less. 
Nutiva retails for $12.99 CAD (depending on size you get)
Dr Bronners retails for $8.99 CAD 

No Heat Styling: Tips and Tricks -Flexi Rods

   The health of my hair is something I have been working on for the last few years since I have gone natural (stopped chemically straightening my hair). When I had perms I used to use a curling iron and flat iron nearly every single day. I will be truthful I never noticed any issues with it because I used to cut my hair a lot and get trims so regularly that my ends where never and issue. What I will say is most people don't cut their hair a lot, most people will see damage, most people will get split ends, and growth will not be maintained. 

Flexi Rods

   Now because I wear my hair curly for the most part I really don't use styling tools ever anymore. In fact I purchased a expensive hair drier, I own a hooded drier, flat irons and curling irons that are collecting dust. 
   Now that the weather is mild and the humidity is at a all time low I am wearing my hair straight to avoid tangles and dreadlocks from forming (no joke) To maintain the work my hairdresser did in my $40 visit I had to get creative with the way I prep my hair. Low heat has in fact aided with my growth significantly. That is a huge part of a hair journey is limiting the heat you apply to the ends of your hair and changing some of your bad habits you have.
    I went to my beauty supply store and picked up flexi Rods. I was very anxious because I purchased some from Sally's before and they kept slipping out of my hair. I now realized that I was not putting them in my hair properly and that was the main issue. My second run with them and some youtube on the side was very successful and they are now a staple.            
   They leave such pretty, bouncy curls in my hair and are very low manipulation and of course absolutely no heat! They are also extremely cheap, I believe the pack I purchased was only $4.99 CAD. I see so many on eBay selling for about the same price in different sizes. I think the next time I go to the store I am going to get smaller ones for a drop curl effect. Every few days as I see my hair getting dull I apply my argan oil to my ends, apply the rods, put on my silk bonnet and call it a day. The next day I wake up like I just came from the hairdresser. 

Tropic Isle Leave In Conditioner & Detangler : First Impression

Tropic Isle Living: Leave in Conditioner and Detangler

   I have been asked to share some of the products I use in my hair that have aided me along my hair journey thus far. When I first began my hair journey I will tell you I lived, slept, dreamed hair. It was so brand new to me and so exciting to learn everything about my hair, and how I could go about regrowing it back (I big chopped aka cut off my hair) I would go out and buy nearly anything for my hair, and at times I had so many products sitting in my vanity I couldn't use them fast enough.

   Purchasing a lot of products is something I strongly warn against when you are trying to start improving the health of your hair. One of two things happen: either you are overwhelmed by so many products and do not know what product is working for you, or you have a lot of products that are not working for you and have spent a lot of money. My suggestion is research a shampoo, conditioner, leave in, and styling product that you may what to start using and start with those until you have an idea of how you feel. Keep in mind what works for me, or your friend, or your momma might now work for you as well. With haircare you really must give things a try and see if they are a good fit for YOUR hair.
    Right now I am in the mood to try and experiment with new products from lines I have enjoyed over my few years! My natural hair is extremely thick and very curly and with this comes a wicked forearm and patience of steel when it comes to wash days. I have decided to stick with ingredients and product lines that have really done justice and ones I have seen results with in the past, and that is why I am now trying Tropic Isle leave in Conditioner and Detangler.
I have only been using this product in my hair for the last month but I can give my first impression of the product offhand.

• It has a very watery consistency (something I'm not exactly fond of)
• The ingredient list is great: organic aloe juice, Jamaican Castor oil, Shea butter, vitamin E, rosemary, Basil, lavender and black willow bark extract (just to name several)
• The scent is extremely earthy (by that I mean nearly every ingredient I can smell there is no fragrance added)
• Has many organic oils and herbal extracts that are shown to help with growth and strength of the hair
• Works pretty well, leaves hair feeling very soft and moisturized, provides a nice sheen as well
• Can be found at local discount beauty supplies all over for $23 CAD (price I paid)

All in all I have not used it to detangle my hair as of yet because I have been flat ironing my hair for spring with my hairdresser. I can't wait to see what kinds of results I get and if it aids me with my sessions. I am very fond of natural hair care products, and have noticed a lot of success in terms of growth. So far I enjoy it! 
Are you using any leave in conditioners that you want to share? Do you have any questions about this conditioner or other products? Please comment below! 

Hair Talk: Deep Conditioning with coconut oil/Castor Oil

Very frequently I am asked about my hair care regiment and I literally stutter and try to provide a decent response. I will be honest I am a big time slacker. I abuse my hair on levels that do not even make sense some months, and then other times I treat it like a newborn baby. I am trying my best to stick to a little action plan and solid regiment to really get some growth and thickness back. My hairdresser scolded me in my last visit and told me I must do better. When I decided to go natural I was so diligent, my hair became a part time job. Deep condition every week religiously, trims every three months, vegan products and the whole nine yards! Now? If I deep condition every few months I'm excited. The hairdresser became a distant friend and my products dried up. I don't know what happened to my zest? Well may be because I attained the length I really liked and then the "Chaka Khan" hair i dreamed of suddenly took so much time to detangle, dry, and style. I am back on my A game though.

I will be flat ironing my hair for spring to prevent breakage. It is always an internal battle I have being natural and keeping my hair straight all the time. Dodging rain drops, sweat and all the jazz and work that goes along with straight hair was something I thought I retired from. However the dreadlocks and tender-head is wearing my patience thin so I am doing what I must for now. So tonight I am preparing to visit my hairdresser and get back on her team. I am going back to my old life. Deep conditioning with coconut oil (organic fair-trade Dr Bronners to be exact) and Jamaican castor oil. I coat my ends and hair shaft with the oils, pull my hair up, get my trustee plastic bag (wal-mart in this case) and wrap my head with a towel and shower cap and go to bed. I know in the past this made a huge difference in retaining my length, keeping my ends healthy, and helped with growth. This will only work if you are consistent with it though, so don't think you can do a one time fix and see something happen because that will be a fail. Tomorrow I will bring my shampoo and conditioner of preference for my appointment.  I will share my recipe for deep conditioning methods I do with my favourite conditioners and added oils and products very soon.
Do you have any questions about my deep conditioning? Do you use a different method that works for you? Are there any other oils that you recommend readers to try out? Please comment down below!

Hair Talk: Creme of Nature Perfect Edges

I can’t be the only person that experiences unruly edges and fly away nappies when I am going for a look of sleek pulled back hair. I do not want to deal with using harsh gel on my hair in all cases and for a woman with natural hair gel tends to make the curls start popping. Curls popping are not a bad thing but when I flat iron my hair I truly do not want that effect. I was in my Beauty hair supply store and was cruising down the isle and found Creme of Nature’s perfect edge on sale for $4! I placed it in my basket and figured I have nothing to loose. Good choice because “honey my hair was laidddd” (in my American neighbor voice). This perfect edge is like pomade that has a thick consistency and allows for hair edges to literally lay down. 

Normally I steer away from pomades because they tend to leave you hair feeling stiff and weighed down and within a day or two you need to wash it right out. This edge control does not leave that tacky feel and ugly residue a lot of products have the reputation of doing. It also contains argan oil which I truly love and claims prolonged use will provide benefits. I don’t know how true that is because I do not use it that frequent to comment on it providing any benefits to my hair, but it caught my attention. I really like a few of the products from this line Creme of nature has and love they are infusing products with argan oil. This is going to be added to my Holy Grail hair products! One criticism I do have about this product is that it doesn’t really work well in curls. I tried to use it when I had my hair up in a puff and that was a fail and a half and I ended up needing a gel to really get the look I desired. 

Aside from the fact that is does not preform well when I have my hair curly, I do like the scent of the product and even though it is in a small jar you do not need much to get the desired look. Check out your local beauty supply store if you are interested in this product and if you happen to be in the Toronto area it is constantly on sale at many beauty supply stores. 

Do you have any questions about this perfect edge product? Are you using another product that works really well for smoothing down your edges and hair? Do you have any suggestions for readers? Comment down below and let us know!!