Deep Conditioning Treatment of the Week: Honey-Mayo Miracle Masque

     As a 4c kinky haired girl, I try to deep condition my hair at least once a week so that my hair gets the nourishment it needs to keep growing. For the past few weeks, I've had my hair in Senegalese twists, which I uninstalled about a week ago. After many days in the sun and at the pool, my tresses were in dire need of moisture and repair. This week I returned to my tried and true, semi-homemade hair masque to restore my fro to its full glory. I started using the DR. MIRACLES FOLLICLE HEALER  deep conditioner treatment last winter, and to my surprise, I really really like this product! I originally started using this product because I detested the smell of the mayonnaise mask I was using at home. I liked the benefits of using mayo, but I just couldn't stomach the smell or the texture. Luckily, I came across this Dr. Miracles product in the isle of my local dollar store, and on a whim I added it to my Mayo masque. I named this deep conditioning treatment the Honey-Mayo Miracle Masque. Check the ingredients below:

the follicle healer treatment cost about $1.25

2-3 Tblsp of MAYO

2-3 Tblsp of HONEY

1 packet of DR. MIRACLES FOLLICLE HEALER

 1-2 drops of  OIL (I used olive and vitamin E oils)

* make sure you have equal parts mayo and honey for a consistent texture.

     I mix these ingredients in a small mixing bowl and the mayo was transformed into a caramel colored- silky textured hair masque. What's more, I didn't smell mayo at all! I prepped my hair for deep conditioning by spritzing apple cider vinegar on my scalp and strands. I then applied the mixture to my hair and waited about 45 minutes, then I co-washed and styled my hair as usual. I give this treatment 4 out of 5 ankhs because my hair just loves it. My curls are SOFT and SPRINGY the next day too. Just look at this super defined twist out! Let me remind you, I have 4c hair and achieving definition is veeerry rare!

defined strands after untwisting.

this is what my hair looked like after fluffing and separating.

smiling because my hair is crazy defined, frizz free!

 PEACE and LOVE,

aphroKiKi

P.S. Let me know if you use this recipe and if it works for you too!

An aphroKiKi Review: Carol's Daughter Monoi

Click here to try these products for yourself!

     It's been a while since I've done a review, and I've been postponing this one for two reasons. The first reason is that I've just been enjoying these products so thoroughly, and secondly, I wanted to make sure they actually delivered the results promised.
     Before I get into the actual review, let me just say, these were a Christmas gift and I don't normally spend exorbitant amounts of money on hair products! That being said, I probably won't make them a part of my weekly routine because they are a bit pricey-- at least to me they are-- for those naturals who got it like that and can afford to make high end hair products a part of your regimen, I ain't mad at ya! Well, maybe just a little. Even though I would consider them to be high end hair products (the conditioner cost about $20 and the split end sealer was $25), these products are not all natural (!!!) But, moving on!
     I began using The Carol's Daughter MONOI REPAIRING CONDITIONER AND REPAIRING SPLIT END SEALER in January. Used in conjunction, these products claim to produce 92% less breakage and 93.3% fewer split ends instantly. The conditioner contains Cetyl alcohol, glycerin, and fragrance. Speaking of fragrance, both of these products are VERY HIGHLY scented, almost to the point where it can be a little overwhelming at first. It smells as if they emptied an entire bottle of expensive perfume into the container. I found that after about 2 uses I got acclimated to it, and I even got a few compliments that my hair smelled great. Also, the conditioner has Shea butter, Coconut oil, and two sulfates-- Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Centrimonium Methosulfate. So as far as ingredients go, the conditioner has a balance of the natural and synthetic.  I noticed that the thick, creamy texture of the conditioner really agrees with my 4C hair and works well as a Co-wash conditioner. Though it didn't leave my hair feeling stripped, it doesn't provide the best slip, so you really want to make sure that you detangle your hair well beforehand. After rinsing, my hair felt soft and silky-- probably due to the hydrolyzed silk. In total, you get 8.5 ounces of conditioner which is good for about 5-7 wash days. I alternate between the Carol's Daughter conditioner and the Organix Coconut condtioner, and I only really use the Monoi collection when my hair is feeling fragile and can use a boost.

5 months without a trim! Look at my ends!!!

    After Co-washing and light blow-drying I applied the split end sealer, starting with my ends, and working my way up the hair shaft to the roots. I didn't notice an immediate change, but my hair did feel smoother. The following day, my hair was less frizzy and my twist-out was more defined. I've used the split end sealer pretty consistently over the past three months, and I do notice less shedding and breakage. In fact, I may continue to purchase this product, once every three months or so, because I do feel like it has helped me retain  length. I haven't had to trim my hair at all, and whenever my hair gets a little frazzled, I slick some of it on, and my hair looks freshly trimmed the next day. The SPLIT END SEALER is more of a serum than a creme or butter in consistency and is alcohol, paraben, petroleum, and mineral oil free. Like the conditioner, it contains Monoi oil and a blend of Tiare Gardenia Flower and Copra Coconut Oil. It also has another of my favorite ingredients, Babassu oil which is very strengthening.
     If I had to choose, I would recommend the split end sealer over the  conditioner because it's a life saver! I'm sure they work best when used together; I really have noticed a difference in the texture and resiliency of my hair after prolonged usage of both of these items. If I had the cash, I would probably make them staples because they deliver what they promise. If you're hair is in need of some TLC and you want to treat yourself a bit, these are definitely the products to splurge on!

PEACE and LOVE,

aphroKiKi

AphroKiKi's Deep Conditioning Treatment of the Week

Coconut oil, Olive Oil, Honey, Egg (for added protein)

So it's that time in my regimen to deep condition. I've actually been avoiding my hair regimen for a few days (which I now regret!), because of unnecessary laziness on my part. I'm ashamed to admit that it's going on two weeks since I actually washed my hair. Alas, I have to take care of my strands eventually, and there is no better way to nurse it back to health than with a hot oil treatment. I combined Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and Honey for my deep conditioning treatment. Whenever I use this combination of ingredients, my hair is instantly softer, shinier, and moisturized. I mix them all together, heat in the microwave for one minute, and apply directly to my scalp and hair shaft. I let it sit for about 25-30 minutes, then I co-wash, apply leave-in conditioner, and then I can decide on a style. It's a long process, but you natural gals are already accustomed to time-consuming hair care! WE GOT THIS!
That's it for now! Gotta go wash my hairrrrrs! 

Nite,

AphroKiKI

Product Junkie Diaries: Out with the Old, In with the New

     I must confess that I am a recovering Product Junkie. If there was a support group for natural hair product addicts, I would be among the first to sign up. Now that it's 2013, I'm beginning to see the error of my ways (and the exorbitant totals on my Target receipts). In 2013, less is more. This post is about the products I used in 2012 that didn't make the cut for 2013.

      Let's start with the shampoos. 2012 was the year I discovered sulfate-free shampoo. My inaugural sulfate free poo was Nubian Heritage's Honey and Black Seed Heat Protectant Keratin Shampoo ($10 at Target). A few notes on sulfates-- they are cleansing agents placed in shampoos. Unfortunately they can be very drying,and strip the hair of the natural oils it needs to stay moisturized. Typically they are listed as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I'm still doing my Co-Wash Challenge, so I've discontinued using shampoo for the next month at least. The Honey Black Seed shampoo is definitely a step up from regular shampoos; it is silky and slippery in texture, and it didn't seem to strip my hair. My curls were fresh and bouncy when I stepped out of the shower, and easy to detangle. In addition to the honey, this product also contains coconut and shea oils. The smell is a bit underwhelming-- it's really not appealing in any way, but it does get your hair and scalp clean. Even though this product wasn't in any way damaging to my hair, I won't be using it in 2013 because I don't need it! However, I may consider finishing my current bottle in the summer to better protect my hair from the sun's damaging rays.

      I also briefly used TRESemmé's Luxurious Moisture shampoo for 2 wash days. This was an unintentional buy; I thought it was conditioner in the store! It's a little thicker than most shampoos, and it's very smooth in texture. It felt nice and silky on my hair but after I rinsed it out, my hair felt a very dry. This was the last shampoo I used before I started my Co-wash Challenge. It isn't sulfate free, but it is alcohol free. It could be a nice alternative to other shampoos for that reason-- that and it cost about $4.

     Another product I'm not head-over-heels about is the Shea Moisture Organic African Black soap Purification Masque. It aims to relieve dry itchy scalp and it contains Plaintain Enzyme, Tea Tree and Willow Bark Extract. I used this product as a pre-poo and deep conditioner. Although this product has AWESOME ingredients, I feel like it didn't do very much for me. I will say that it did temporarily relieve my itchy scalp. It is gooey and slippery in texture, grayish in color, and smells a little bit like banana bubble gum (if that makes any sense...let'st just say I wasn't in love with it.) In accordance with the Shea Moisture creed, it consists of all natural ingredients, is sulfate, paraben, and paraffin free. It cost about $10 at Target.

      The last product I can do without in 2013 is Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Blow Dry Protector. It's supposed to be infused with argan oil, but considering that I can't pronounce most of it's ingredients, I think it has less argan oil and more synthetic ingredients that could harm your hair. I'm not sure it protected my hair at all from the blast of my hair dryer. It cost about $7 at Walmart, and I consider it a definite waste of money, because I no longer blow dry my hair 100% of the way. The best heat protectant is a leave-in conditioner followed by an oil to seal in the moisture. There is nothing remarkable about this product-- at least that's the verdict of my 4c hair! I think it might work best for texlaxed or relaxed hair.
      This concludes my Product Junkie Diaries! Hopefully I'll be smarter about buying products that I don't serve any purpose for my hair in 2013, and I'll be sure to follow up with a post about my staple products this year. What products did you use in 2012 that you wish you hadn't?

 Keep it Nappy,
AphroKiKi