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

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. 

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

Promote Your Page Too

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

To go Natural or Not: A few things You must think about before taking the plunge

Two and a half years ago I decided to go natural. It was a spur of the moment decision due to me being at a friends house and seeing her nieces hair looks so beautiful. She flat ironed her hair and it was long, thick and healthy and I loved the look. I enquired about her hair and she told me she was natural. I was in awe that hair could look that way and be natural with no aide of relaxer (perm) or harsh chemicals. The actual sign, seal, delivered decision to go natural was after seeing the movie "Good hair" by Chris Rock and I was instantly on board.
To give you an idea of my mindset at the time is a little hard, but my main plan was that I was going to research to the death (which I did) and transition until my hair was at a length I felt comfy with and cut off my relaxed hair (which I became impatient and cut early) I at the time wanted long, flowing hair similar to my friends family and was going to do whatever it took. Reminiscing I realize I wish I could have known some of what I know now when I began my hair journey and decided I will share that for any readers that are making that decision.  I love being natural and I think it is the best decision I have ever made in my life but I personally do not believe it is for everyone and I am very open to all hairstyles and choices. Overwhelming information is available online and so much jargon and beliefs are there too. Do whatever makes you feel happy and do what works for you.
 Now let me start, to big chop (BC) or to transition is the question.

• Big Chop is cutting off all your hair and starting your growth journey over from scratch. It is a bold move and requires a lot of confidence on your part. Keep in mind it sounds easy but depending on your family, friends, spouse etc you might get a lot of heat and backlash when you do it. Now I believe in doing what you want and not to let peoples opinion effect you but sometimes it can be nerve racking and without support can be very controversial.
• Transitioning is instantly stopping any use of relaxer, texturizer, or chemical agents. It involves letting your hair grow out and cutting off chemically hair gradually. This is definitely the safe way to go and I think it is a good idea if you are not as bold or as comfortable with short hair. I did this but I only transitioned for maybe a year or less and got impatient and cut my relaxed ends off. Deciding how long you wish to transition for it the hardest part because some are impatient and just want to start the journey instantly so it is something you must decide, but really no rush. 
  

Now that we have covered some of the basics I will go over some house keeping that is imperative on the journey.

• Changing the way you handle/mistreat/style hair is a must. The days of the flat iron daily, applying heat frequent, colouring frequent and avoiding trips to your hairdresser, cuts and regular maintenance are gone. With natural hair comes a little more work and TLC if you want it to be healthy and grow, and mistreating it will leave you with the same results you had when relaxing your hair.
• Using good quality shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that help moisturize and style kinky, curly hair. Also being familiar with the ingredients that are contained in the product, and avoiding some ingredients that come in a lot of beauty supply hair products all together. Also researching oils, and butters that are good for the hair and aid with styling
• Moisturizing the hair is going to be a MUST. The thing is regardless of hair being natural, relaxed, etc this is really the crucial step in haircare and seeing hair growth that counts. The hair ends are the driest and oldest and need constant care and product being added to prevent breakage. Water or water based conditioners are the best and sealing the hair with oils such as almond oil, or argan oil are helpful to retain the moisture in your hair. 
• Conditioning your hair is also another crucial part that woman tend to skimp on. Picking moisturizing conditioners, applying deep conditioners to your hair, and selecting leave in conditioners that help add moisture that is lost from day to day outings or washes is very important and creating a decent regiment that allows for that is going to be the most helpful part of the journey. 
  
  

Detangling your hair is/and will be the most time consuming, dreadful part of being natural. You will need to give yourself plenty of time to carefully and gently detangle your hair after you wash it and remove any knots or tangles through the hair. Detangling when wet and soaked with product is good because there usually is a lot of slip to your hair and allows for easier sessions.

• Comparing your hair to others will not get you far through your journey. Every one's hair is totally different and no matter what products are used, heritage they are, or maintenance given to the hair will not determine how your hair will look, feel or act. What may work for me may not in fact work for you and trying products is the only sure fire way to determine if it works. I get asked frequently for recommendations of products, and I see natural hair mavens show you products they are using and get totally different results and that will be a part of the journey. If it was so easy that everything would work for each of us we would have no journey so try things out and go with the flow of YOUR hair.
• Everyone will not like or support your decision to go natural. So do not look from validation from family or friends because you may not get it. Our society has been conditioned to seeing long, bone straight hair as beauty and some people can't look past it and thats fine but do not let it detour you or your end goals. Try not to allow negative opinions of your decision stop you from embarking on your hair journey you have set out for yourself. Really allow yourself to learn your hair, and research different products, oils, and styling that you can do for yourself. 

No Pain No Beauty

Promote Your Page Too