Product Review: Ishimma

You all have heard me speak about how important natural products are to me, so I was VERY excited to be introduced to Ishimma hair care! They boast a line of shampoos, conditioners, oils and cremes that will cleanse, soften and style your tresses without harsh chemicals, parabens, mineral oils and the like. We tried the products (Eucalyptus Rose Shampoo, Papaya Lime Creme Conditioner, and CocoMint Hair Oil) for an entire month prior to sharing so we could offer a balanced view. Look below for a giveaway of these products!

I will start with my favorite... CocoMint Hair Oil!

4.0 fl. oz. (118ml)

Price: $6.99/4 oz.

Site claim: "Immediately softens your hair with cocomint hair oil , a mixture of rich oils to protect the hair structure and add luster. End breakage with this blend of conditioning and nourishing oils, such as coconut hair oil.  Infused with peppermint oil for soothing the scalp and a pleasant aroma. Our oil is completely natural with no silicones, mineral oils, or parabens.

Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, Coconut oil, Olive oil, Peppermint oil, Vitamin E, Fragrance

Directions: Spray or pour into hand or directly onto hair and massage into hair/scalp. Use as a moisture sealant, hot oil treatment, or conditioner daily as needed.

My use: I used this oil in every way suggested on the packaging. I found it helpful all around, but most useful for adding daily moisture. 

My opinion: I LOVE this product! The scent is reminiscent of a delicious dessert. Dreamy! The feel is light enough for daily use, yet effective enough for truly sealing in moisture. The greatest plus about this product (other than the great smell) is that it doesn't build up. We tried various styles and were able to seamlessly transition to each one while using this oil. I will not hesitate to add this product to my routine going forward.

Honestly, I was originally skeptical about trying new products and how I would present this to you. Would veteran naturals and DIY ladies really be interested in another oil? My answer is simply...YES! We have nail polish at home but we go out and get manicures and pedicures. Why? Because we want to treat ourselves. View this product as a treat to yourself and you will not be disappointed!

8.0 oz. (237ml)

Product: Papaya Lime Creme Conditioner

Price: $10.99/8 oz.

Site Claim: "If you’re looking for a natural conditioner for dry hair, you've come to the right place!  This Papaya Lime Conditioner moisturizes, conditions, and nourishes the hair with wonderful oils such as avocado and moisturizing fruit extracts.  Formulated to make for easier combing and styling, it is also safe for co-washing, overnight conditioning, and general conditioning. Fortifies and strengthen the hair strand with hydrolyzed protein.  After just a few minutes of having this conditioner on your hair, it is softer and more manageable.  For ladies with relaxed hair, you’ll experience silkier, bouncier hair after one use.  Believe us, your hair will thank you!"

Ingredients: Aloe Vera juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (author's note: this is not a sulfate, rather a derivative of rapeseed oil), Cetearyl Alcohol, Avocado oil, Wheat germ oil, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Vitamin E, Papaya extract, Lime extract, Hibiscus extract, Peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Fragrance

My use: I used this conditioner on damp hair, after cleansing my scalp.

My opinion: I agree with the site claim of softening and higher manageability. The scent is also great; very tropical. The only drawback for me personally is I could not use this conditioner to aid in detangling tight, dense coils. This seems like it would be great for type 2/3 curls or as a co-wash.

8.0 oz. (237ml)

Product: Eucalyptus Rose Shampoo

Price: $10.99

Site claim: This mild, moisturizing, sulfate-free eucalyptus rose shampoo with rosehip seed oils cleanses the hair, while helping to prevent damage and restore natural beauty and shine. Infused with green tea and essential oils to promote hair growth as well as chamomile extract, which soothes and conditions.  Your hair will be left feeling clean, soft and supple after use instead of stripped, tangled, or over-washed as often happens with harsher shampoos. Our eucalyptus rose shampoo is the perfect gentle, natural hair shampoo!

My opinion: A problem I've faced in trying new cleansers is that my hair ends up feeling extremely dry. This was not the case with this shampoo. Again, great scent but most importantly it lives up to it's claims. The eucalyptus is not too overpowering and felt amazing on my scalp. The ingredients are well balanced and come together in a delightful experience!

Do you want to try these products for yourself?! Special thanks to Crystal of Ishimma for offering a giveaway. Check out their FB page for more details!

Smoothie Savior

The past two weeks, my love of honey roasted peanut butter had taken over my better senses. In order to get back on track this weekend I turned to my trusty smoothies. The one pictured above contained: strawberries, spinach, peaches, wild blueberries, carrots, chia seeds, vanilla, coconut and yogurt. 

Wild blueberries - This little fruit contains the most antioxidants. It also masks the color of your 'green smoothie' for those in your home that are not fans ;)

Chia seeds - I used them as an alternate to my usual ground flax seeds. Chia seeds are packed with fiber, protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Vanilla - another great ingredient to help influence rookie smoothie drinkers. One to two teaspoons added bring to mind the scent and taste of a milkshake!

What are your favorite smoothie additions? 

Mustard Vinagarette

The beginning of this month I began participating in a challenge to eat fresh veggies (namely, salad) everyday. The challenge, #saladjam, actually has no end date. We are encouraged to keep it up forever! Being a veggie head this wasn't much of a 'challenge' for me, so I added a few details of my own. One is doing away with salad dressings that contained more than 5g of fat per serving. The average serving is 2 tablespoons, which in itself is a bit of a challenge for me! So goodbye to one of my favorites, ranch. 

While watching out for one factor, I was neglecting another. Sugar! Just today Chef Angela encouraged me to create my own dressing at home to help curb the hidden pitfalls of prepacked bottles. From the items she suggested I created a Mustard Vinagarette. Here are my ingredients:

Dressing:

1 tsp ground spices (my grinder contains: sea salt, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander, onion, garlic, paprika, and chilli pepper)

1 tbls apple cider vinegar

1 tbls water

2 tbls extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp honey

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 tsp yogurt

(yields aprx 6 tablespoons)

I combined all ingredients and shook. After chilling for 30 mins I used it as shown above. I purchased small twist top containers to use my creation at work as well. 

I LOVED it! I am definitely looking forward to trying out different recipes. If you have any dressing recipes that you make yourself, please share!

Piña Colada Smoothie Smarts

Piña Colada Smoothie!

This is my favorite smoothie to date! This creation contains: mango, carrots, pineapple, spinach, ground flax seeds, vanilla, coconut and yogurt. A ton of nutrients, but wonderfully tasty at the same time. Great 'segue' smoothie for beginners ;)

Almond milk is added until the ingredients blend smooth. I usually look for this tunnel of deliciousness in my blender.

Which make and model of blender do you use? Any special techniques?

Goals for Purposeful Beauty in 2013...

Most mentioned topics in 2012 on PurposefulBeauty.com

Purposeful Beauty was created this year as a platform to share my research, tips, and general ideas 
about wellness. With natural hair care being our focus, I am so pleased to see that we stayed true to 
that this year. We were able to travel to and attend several hair shows, host our own meet-ups and 
consult with several local beauties. Ideally, there would have been more written posts and videos, 
and that is exactly what we are planning for 2013. As PB goes into it's second year, we have listed 
a few goals for the blog we are planning to achieve:

1. Create a posting schedule
2. Consistently post hairspirations
3. Regularly add fitness to our wellness posts
4. Post reviews for each new product tested
5. Advertise and execute consulting services
6. Upload styling videos
7. Update design package
8. Consistently add recipes
9. Purchase camera to capture better pics/vids
10. Effectively utilize social media

Is there anything you would like to see from Purposeful Beauty in 2013? Please feel free to 
comment below!

This post was created as part of IFB's Project #76. Check it out here.

My Tousled Hair

Tousled Hair Salon - Jersey City, NJ

Ideally, one would have their hair cut or trimmed more than once a year. Factors include how often you manipulate your hair, how much heat is used, how ends are treated and protected, etc. Thankfully my stylist is patient and skilled enough to take on my 'negligence' of waiting so long. This past weekend I finally went back home to have my hair pampered. Hair can effectively be cut wet (curly) or dry (straight) but we prefer to create my shape while dry. Find below reviews of the products used.

Aveda's Rosemary Mint shampoo is a go to product for me when my scalp is in need of an extra 'umph'. The tingling effect of the peppermint helps to soothe my scalp and it smells amazing! I have suffered from dermatitis for many years and this is one of the best in treating it for me. 

Finding a conditioner to soften dense, tight natural curls is no easy feat. Thankfully Aveda's Brilliant line has a conditioner that does just that. Honestly, I use the Brilliant line primarily because of the scent, but the effectiveness can really stand on it's own. 

My hair is only blown out and straighten when getting trimmed, so I was not already familiar with this product. Heat damage is my number one concern when using thermal tools, so a great protectant is necessary. So far, the products claim of straightness and shine have held true. My hair is silky to the touch and the shine is amazing.

As you can imagine, after one year there were several inches of single-strand knots and split ends to remove. Here is a before and after shot of how much we trimmed and the layers that were built in.   

                                        

With each trim we are clipping out the brown color that was my TWA two years ago. To maintain my straight hair for about two weeks or so I will pin curl my hair nightly. This will help maintain the volume and curl without using heat tools again. 

I absolutely love the cut! Interestingly enough, it both rained and snowed the weekend I got my hair straightened, so I'm not the only one that realizes I am truly a curly girl! But I will attempt to keep this style for two weeks. An update photo with my curly hair will be posted at that time.

Tousled Hair Salon in the historic district of downtown Jersey City, NJ. Owner, Rita Sanders is an American Board Certified master hair colorist, Aveda hair color educator, and editorial & runway hairstylist. Visit her and Tousled's team of straightening and color specialists online at www.mytousledhair.com

Recipe: Tortilla Soup

A few years back my sister, Winnie, made one of the most scrumptious dishes I have ever tasted. I make it year round, but especially in this, which I call my 'season of soups'. It was previously posted to my FB page as 'Sopa de Pescado'.

Ingredients

Soup

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbls olive oil
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp cumin
• 28 oz diced tomatoes
• 10.5 oz condensed broth
• 1 1/4 c water
• 1 c corn
• 1 c white hominy, crushed
• 15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 c chopped cilantro
• 8 oz fresh salmon, skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces

Garnish

• tortilla chips
• sour cream
• shredded cheese
• chopped green onions
• diced avocado

Directions

1. In a stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in dry seasonings, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10 mins.
2. Stir in corn, hominy, beans, cilantro then cover and simmer over low heat for an additional 30 mins.
3. Just prior to serving, add salmon. Remove from heat and let the soup 'cook' the fish for 10 mins.
4. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls and garnish as desired. Serves 6.

Tips

• The spices as listed make this a pretty spicy soup. Season to taste. If you find it is too hot for you add broth, water, and/or sugar to 'cool down' the heat. 

• This recipe is adapted from a Chicken Tortilla Soup. Feel free to use chicken or another fish if desired. (If using chicken, add fully cooked chicken after step 1)

If you try this recipe, please feel free to share your experience on our FB page! Enjoy ;)

Mind Right Mondays

I love stumbling across great blogs. Other than my passion for reading and learning new things, I adore 'meeting' others that seem to be able to write the words that are in my head. Just this morning I was working on my updated dream (which are basically long term goals in picture form) board. So imagine my thrill when I came across Ok, Dani.  I need this focus! This 'Mind Right Mondays' feature is from her blog...

My goals for the week are:

• Get event flyers out
• Organize lil hunny's clothes for consignment
• Prepare for the assembly this weekend
• Set up blogging/vid schedule
• Work on Charlotte, NC research

I am grateful for:

• My mother (a.k.a. Grandma extraordinaire) 
• My siblings
• My lil hunny
• My faith
• Butternut squash soup

What are your goals? What are you grateful for?

It's my Nappiversary!

Today October 9, 2012 my hair has been natural for two years. It has really been a thrill for me; I had no idea it would be so amazing! I felt like I was on a no-lye high all day. For every time I wanted to take a scissor to my tresses, every time I considered going back to the 'other side', every time I felt my arms would fall off from the amount to time it took me to detangle... today made every one of those moments melt away. This is the light that was at the end of the tunnel and it is SO worth it. I will try not to get all sappy but I definitely wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you that choose to peek in on my journey. It really means so much to me!

How about a giveaway? I would love for one of you to be my guest at our upcoming meet-up here in Dover, DE. If you are not local, no worries! The second winner will be chosen to receive a prize package of select Twisted Sista products. All entries will be collected by rafflecopter below. I have included the option on the rafflecopter to show some love to Tousled Hair Salon of New Jersey. My big sis, Rita, is the owner and lead stylist of this beautiful boutique salon. Rita did my big chop two years ago and has been my mentor of hair and heart every step of the way. Please be sure to tell them Purposeful Beauty sent you.

Good luck! ;)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Dreamy Afternoon at Oyin Handmade

My goodies from Oyin's Bottling Party!


This afternoon I was able to attend an Oyin Handmade Bottling Party. The below video details the day:

Product Review: Curly Kinks' Curlycue ReNew

Photo Credit: Curly Kinks

Product: Curly Kinks' Curlycue ReNew - Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

Purchased:  http://curlykinks.com

Price: $5 (2oz) $13 (8oz) $21 (16oz)

Site Claim: "Our protein-free deep conditioner strengthens each strand while wrapping them in rich moisture. Ayurvedic herbs add strength and shine while gently conditioning your hair and scalp. The rich oils provide moisture & softness and penetrate the hair shaft conditioning from the inside out. Turn your hard, dry, brittle hair into beautiful luscious coils and say good bye to weak dull hair!"

Ingredients:  Distilled Water, Certified Organic Burdock Root (Arctium lappa), Certified Organic Amla (Emblica officianalis) , Certified Horsetail(Equisetum Arvense), Pro-Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ulmus Fulva (Slippery Elm), Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root, Guarsilk, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance

Directions: Apply liberally to freshly washed, wet or damp hair. Cover with plastic cap and allow to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour. For deeper conditioning, use with a steamer or hooded dryer.

My use: I used this product for three months prior to reviewing. A treatment was 

performed each time I treated my hair (every 1 to 1 1/2 weeks) Each time the DC was 

applied to freshly shampooed hair.

My opinion: The site states that this deep conditioner will hydrate and strengthen your curls, coils, waves & kinks. I have definitely noticed a change for the better since starting this treatment. The ingredients are mostly from natural sources and I believe add to the strength of my tresses. My hair is especially partial to the marshmallow root for its 'slip' properties. This conditioner smells great (like cake) and leaves my hair feeling rejuvenated. I will definitely purchase this in future and am interested in trying other products from this line.

I used this product in this video:

"You don't eat no WHEAT?"

It seems invariably more acceptable to be a vegetarian than to forgo wheat products. The amazing thing is that wheat (and various products made from it's protein - gluten) is found in almost everything from soups and sauces to meatless soy options. So with that what is a wheat sensitive vegetarian to do?! As I started this journey of researching wheat protein I thought surely I was headed for a life of starvation. My favorite cereals? Pasta? My veggie lunch meats?? The only gluten-free products in the past I had tried resembled and tasted more of cardboard and sandpaper than anything edible. But alas, the market has widened! Many large companies, such as Frito-Lay and General Mills, have stepped it up.In the past two weeks I've tasted a delicious chocolate brownie, enjoyed a bowl of pasta, and smashed some very fluffy pancakes. If any of you are in the same boat, please feel free to share your tips and tricks with me. In the meantime, I will keep a list of the products that hit (and missed!) the mark for me in the notes section of my FB page. Cheers! (but no Cheerios)

Drop it like it's hot...gracefully

Artwork credit: H. Al Harthy

When you hear the terms hip drops, pivots, and rolls associated with dance you may be inclined to think of a music video. However, the ancient art of belly dancing is much more graceful. And beneficial! Here are a few of the benefits:

• Utilizing muscles groups in the abdomen, pelvis, trunk, spine and neck improves posture and tones muscles. The gentle and repetitive motions used can help prevent lower back problems, enhance flexibility, and strengthen bones.
• Weight loss. Belly dancing can burn 300-400 calories per hour (depending on each individual person and effort) Combined with sensible eating, this routine increases energy and overall health.
• Stress Reduction/Depression Reliever. A steady regime of exercise helps loosen muscles and stimulate circulation. The repetitive movements of the dance and the concentration needed to do them can help a mind filled with daily stress to "let go" for a while and relax. 
• Exercising the abdominal area, not just by rolling the belly but also by swaying the torso, helps move food along the digestive track. Any form of exercise will have this effect to some degree but belly dancing is considered especially good for aiding in digestion. 

While I am far from sporting a tight belly dancer's physique (soon come!) I am excited about tying on my hip scarf and dropping my hips, gracefully.

200 Beauties! Mini-Milestone Giveaway!

A special thank you for everyone that stops by to check us out! Whether it is on YouTube, Facebook or here on the blog you are appreciated. As a giveaway gift I thought it would be a neat idea for you to select your gift. I am a fan of the concept CurlBox created with receiving a box of samples to try out before you purchase. Even better? Selecting the products you want to try. In exchange I would love to see photos of your hair! Please post a photo of your favorite go-to style (it can be yourself, or a style you created) on our Facebook page. Enter your information in the widget below to be counted. One winner will be selected to create their personalized box. Ready...set...post!
a Rafflecopter giveaway





* One (1) winner will be selected to create a personalized box of six (6) samples (or one (1) full sized item)


* There are two mandatory entries and one bonus entry for this giveaway. Both mandatory entries must be completed to be eligible.


*An opportunity for eight (8) entries per person.


*Winners will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter (via Random.org) The winning party will be announced on Purposeful Beauty's website on Monday, May 28th.

Product Review: Amazing Botanicals

Photo Credit: Amazing Botanicals

Product: Amazing Mini Pack (Black Soap Poo, Honey Condish, Hibiscus Gel, Pumpkin Pomade)


Purchased:  http://www.amazing-botanicals.com

Price: (While I selected the sample pack, each of these products can be purchase separately. Prices start at $5)


Site Claim: Shampoo - "This super sudsy formula cleanses without drying" Conditioner - "Honey is known to aid in moisture by restoring dry brittle hair" Gel - "Use this gel for soft hold for your curls and waves, giving a full bounce throughout the day" Pomade - "Our pomade locks in moisture without leaving a greasy feel."


Ingredients:  (Varies by product. Listed online and on product)


Directions: (Varies by product. Listed online and on product)


My use: I used all four products as directed, on freshly washed hair. I used only this line of product. 


My opinion: The products in this line live up to the name - Amazing Botanicals. Each product had a earthy, live smell and feel to them. The site claims were clear and true. The shampoo (poo) is hands down the best product (in any category) that I have tried since being natural. I have experimented with it for almost a month before stating this. I am not usually a fan of gel but I found this gel to be a welcome change to my normal wash and go flow. Pomade is another thing I wouldn't grab off of a shelf for any reason, but I am extremely pleased with the results! Interestingly enough, there is no particular claim on the conditioner (condish) other than the fact about honey. I did not find this product helpful, as I am usually able to detangle my hair during the conditioning step. I was not able to do so with this product, so I will not be using it again. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed 3 of 4 of these products. I will definitely purchase the shampoo (stock pile if I can!)  in future. 


My video review of these products:

Shea Moisture: Review & Giveaway!

Please check out the below video for my review of two of my favorite Shea Moisture products. For the giveaway, please enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Thanks and good luck! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


All entries will be verified, please make sure you 'like' or subscribe accordingly. Incomplete entries will be removed. Thanks!! 



* One (1) winner will receive both products.


* There are two mandatory entries and one bonus entry for this giveaway. Both mandatory entries must be completed to be eligible.


*An opportunity for eight (8) entries per person.


*Winners will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter (via Random.org) The winning party will be announced on Purposeful Beauty's website on Wednesday, April 11th.

Product Review: ReVe' Essentials

Photo Credit: ReVe' Essentials

Product: Hair & Body Moisturizing Creme (unscented)

Purchased:  http://reveessentials.com (Payment via PayPal)

Price: Starts at $8.00 for 4oz.

Site Claim: "This thick hand whipped creme is perfect to use when twisting or braiding your hair, or keeping your body moisturized."

Ingredients:  water, aloe vera juice, shea butter, castor oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, behentrimonium methosulfate (natural emulsifer), cetyl alcohol (natural thickener), optiphen (preservative), fragrance 

Directions: (Hair) Apply to wet or dry hair in sections and twist or braid as usual. (Body) Apply to skin as needed for moisture.

My use: I applied the product as on freshly cleansed and detangled wet hair. I sectioned my hair, smoothed product through, and twisted into small twists. The twists were allowed to air dry overnight, were pulled apart sparingly, and styled.

My opinion: The site is fairly easy to navigate, but could be clearer to order from. Product pictures would also be nice on the site (I was able to see photos of each product on FB, however) I LOVE paying by PayPal, and will give any company an A+ for that portion of the ordering process alone. My products came well within the estimated five (5) business days.

As far as the product description, I enjoy how the company simply states the facts. There is no outlandish or overly wordy claim. The ingredients list is on the front and each one described, if needed. I really appreciated that!

The product feels like whipped butter in my hands and hair. I absolutely loved the feel. My hair immediately curled up as the product was applied and smoothed well for the twists. The style created from this product lasted longer than any other twist out of this type I've tried. The strands maintained moisture and each curl held it's definition. I would definitely use this product again and am looking forward to trying other products from this line. 

Video Review of this product:

Maintenance: Bentonite Clay Treatment

Since going natural 17 months ago I have heard a lot about Bentonite Clay. Various different clays have been used both internal and externally for centuries. They are included in common medicinal items such as Clearasil and Rolaids due to their absorption properties. For your hair, Bentonite will do just that. It is used to clarify and remove buildup from the scalp and strands. A more indepth look at BC can be found here: All Things O'Natural Blog - So What's the Rave about Bentonite Clay?

Last night, as Dominique of ATON posted pics of her BC results, I remembered I had a brand new jar I had yet to try! One of the results many people are excited about with this treatment is a more defined curl pattern. I was also interested to see how my scalp reacted. Normally I wash my scalp with a medicated shampoo to control the symptoms of psoriasis. Here is how the process went for me...

The BC I used is Aztec Secret. I purchased it from our local Vitamin Shoppe for around $6. Most of the recipes I found for this treatment have you mix the clay with equal parts apple cider vinegar. Adding aloe vera juice is said to infuse moisture. I did not have aloe vera on hand so I added a few tablespoons of almond oil. The mix is done by sight, depending on how much you will need for your hair. 

The consistency is similar to batter. Not to worry about lumps as it is smoothed into the hair. I sectioned my hair into four and worked it in.

Almost each review of this treatment mentioned not to let it dry in your hair or it would be near impossible to rinse out. Just to be safe I covered my hair with a plastic cap to make sure it remained moist. I allowed it to sit on my hair for 25 mins then rinsed with cool water. 

My hair had a natural sheen to it and my curls had serious hang time! Shrinkage was only about half of what is usually is when I have finished washing my hair. I was able to run my fingers through prior to conditioner and detangling. I have never been able to do that before! After the treatment I did a deep conditioning treatment, detangled and twisted my hair. Overall, I am very pleased with the results. Even though the process was lengthy (and messy!) I will probably shoot to complete it once a month. 

Curls of Joy: JOIN THE CHALLENGE!!

Credit: Curls of Joy blog

Check out this great challenge by Curls of Joy hosted by some of our favorite YouTube ladies! My favorite part - individual goals!

Curls of Joy: JOIN THE CHALLENGE!!: Curls of Joy  “Know Your Hair, Love Your Hair” Challenge Registration April 1-June 23, 2012 Every week during April 1-June 23, 2012, we w...

Product Review: HoneyChile HairLove

Credit: HoneyChile HairLove website

Product: LushCurl Custard (unscented)

Purchased: http://www.wix.com/honeychilehairlove/1 (Order via form, invoice sent, payment via PayPal)

Price: Starts at $12.95 for 8oz.

Site Claim:  LushCurl Custard is designed to...Increase your curl definition while at the same time conditioning your hair strands and not drying them out. Adds luster & shine, to enhance the overall appearance of your style.

Ingredients: Unrefined Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe Vera Juice, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, a blend of essential oils for fragrance.

Directions: Use a dime sized amount per section and style as desired

My use: In contacting the site prior to use they recommended styling on wet or damp hair. I applied the product as directed on freshly washed hair. I sectioned my hair, smoothed product through, and twisted into large twists. The twists were allowed to air dry, were pulled apart, and styled.

My opinion: The ordering process is not similar to most online sites, so I was initially leery. However, invoicing was almost instantaneous and I was able to pay via PayPal, which I prefer so my information is not widely available. The price is a little more than I pay for my favorite brand, but considerably less than a higher end favorite. I decided to let the results sway my view on the price. The website's claim for the effectiveness of the product was true for me. My hair was soft, wave pattern was well defined, and my tresses felt hydrated for days. I would definitely use this product again and am looking forward to trying other products from this line.

My video review of this product: