Jarrow Formulas 100% Certified Organic Coconut Oil: Product Review

Jarrow Formulas Coconut Oil is a versatile product, it is primarily used for cooking but I use it in my hair plain or in my various hair care creations. I like this product best when I mix it with other ingredients such as jojoba oil, shea butter and glycerin for when I make my “Special Blend Creamy Oil.” I also love plain coconut oil as a pre-shampoo oil treatment. 

To apply as a pre-shampoo oil treatment, I take my twists out and comb my hair out with a wide toothed comb. Then, I divide my hair into 4 sections (the sections don’t have to be neat.) I take a bit of coconut oil and rub it into my palms and apply section by section. 

First, I apply to the front right section of my hair. Second, I apply to the front left section of my hair. Third, I apply to the back left section of my hair and finally to the back right section of my hair. I comb through each section, twist or braid each section again and put a plastic cap on over night. The heat from my head will work with the oil to penetrate the hair shaft. The next day I wash my hair, condition, detangle and twist my hair with my “Special Blend Creamy Oil” or other oil.     

Features:

16 oz  brown jar
It is completely solid at cool room temperature. It softens at warm room temperature and melts when placed near moderate heat or when the jar is placed in hot water
Its scent reminds me of petroleum jelly (yet does not contain it)
100% pure and natural with nothing added

Product description on bottle: "Jarrow Formulas Organic Coconut Oil is expeller-pressed from the dried fresh of the coconut palm fruit and does not utilize any solvents in the manufacturing process. Coconut oil is a source of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), such as lauric acid (C-12) and caprylic acid (C-8). Coconut Oil is stable even during long periods of storage. Because its melting point is 75-76 degrees Fahrenheit, coconut oil can be used in both liquid and solid forms."       

First five ingredients: 100% pure certified organic coconut oil 


Grade: I give this product an A+ because it increased the manageability and softness of my hair before and after I washed it. It aided in a smooth post-shampoo comb out. 

The Vitamin Shoppe 100% Jojoba Oil: Product Review

The Vitamin Shoppe's Jojoba Oil was the very first natural product that I have purchased. I am so glad I did. I use to use this oil a lot when I initially began two-strand twisting my hair. It worked well to moisturize my hair but I felt it wasn't heavy duty enough for my hair texture. 

As time went on I started mixing my own blends of oil and I used the jojoba as an ingredient, which worked wonders with the other oils. So I decided to use jojoba in blends rather than alone. I will occasionally put it on my hands to keep away dryness and sometimes I also like to moisturize my arms, legs and feet with it.  



Features:
4 oz clear bottle, $9.99
This light yet effective golden colored oil is liquid at room temperature and has a mellow neutral scent.
100% pure and natural with nothing added

Product description on bottle: "Pure jojoba oil from The Vitamin Shoppe is a moisturizer, makeup remover and hair conditioner derived from natural plant extract. Massage a few drops of this rich, moisturizing oil into your hands and feet for a luxurious treat that leaves your skin feeling softer than ever. Jojoba's natural emollients also make it an excellent makeup remover. Use it to gently and thoroughly smooth makeup away. Jojoba oil is also healthy for your hair. It conditions and moisturizes your hair and scalp."  


First five ingredients: 100% pure jojoba oil
 
Grade: I give this product an A because it is so versatile and I especially love it on my skin. I would recommend this product to anyone.  

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie: Product Review

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie (intense conditioner treatment) smells divine like real vanilla. The scent lingers for a week or two, however my hair does not feel moisturized after I use it, detangling is not improved with it in my hair and it doesn't add any luster to my hair. I've been using this product on and off for a year year and a half. I'm trying to use it up so it doesn't go to waste.

Since my hair is very dry and doesn’t retain moisture well, I would not recommend it to others with dry hair despite the fact that its label calls it an intense conditioner treatment. I would recommend this product for people whose hair does not have a moisture retention problem. I love this product’s scent and would only use it to scent my hair.  


Features:

8 oz clear jar 
The color of the conditioner is light brown and has the thick, smooth consistency of pudding.  
Its scent is AMAZING, smells like lightly spiced vanilla pudding, which makes me want to eat it. But the scent translates into a great hair scent.
It is free of  parabens, petroleum, mineral oil and artificial color. 

Product description on bottle: "Our bye-bye tangles recipe contains naturally moisturizing oils of olive fruit, sunflower seeds and rapa seeds. Detangles and conditions for healthy shine."

First five ingredients: Water, cetearyl alcohol, glycerin, amodimethicone and sunflower seed oil. The shea butter was sixth to the last ingredient, so there probably wasn't much in there to have any moisturizing effect on my hair. I'm sure if the shea butter was in the first five ingredients it would have made a noticeable difference on my hair. 

Grade: I give this a C+ because the scent was amazing but it wasn't the right ft for my hair.  

Note: I received this Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie as a gift from my parents for Christmas 2009 and it cost $25 from AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Services). This product came in a set called "Recipe for Smooth and Shiny Hair." The other products included were Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo, Healthy Hair Butter and a plastic tortoise shell style comb.  

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo: Product Review

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo (for dry, damaged hair) smells divine like real vanilla. It has a great lather and the scent lingers for about a week. However, my hair never feels moisturized after I use it. My hair is very dry and doesn’t retain moisture well, which is probably the reason. I've been using this product on and off for a year year and a half. I'm trying to use it up so it doesn't go to waste.

But I would  definitely recommend this product for people whose hair does not have a moisture retention problem. I love this product’s scent and would only use it to scent my hair. 

Features:

8 oz clear bottle
Shampoo is a brown liquid the consistency of maple syrup
Paraben free, no petroleum, mineral oil or artificial color

Product description on bottle: "A thick, rich recipe of gentle cleansers infused with intense moisturizers, nettle, lavender, red clover and comforting notes of warmed vanilla." This sounds so irresistibly luscious and hard to pass up.  

First five ingredients: rosa centifolia flower extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, rosemary extract, nettle extract and lavender extract. The ingredients are interesting to me because no where on the label was there water or glycerin. I don't know how I feel about that.


Grade: I give it a C+ because of the great scent, lather, my hair felt clean but the only short coming was that my hair just didn't feel moisturized after using it, which is key for me. 

Note: I received this Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie as a gift from my parents for Christmas 2009 and it cost $25 from AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Services). This product came in a set called "Recipe for Smooth and Shiny Hair." The other products included were Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo, Healthy Hair Butter and a plastic tortoise shell style comb.    

Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade: Product Review

Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade is the first product that started my love affair with Aveda. I can't say enough good things about Aveda and no I am not being paid to say that nor sponsored. I spend my hard earned money on this and it is well work it. LOL. 

This pomade is a wonderful product that I discovered when I was looking for some hair oil while living in NYC. I didn't want to go the traditional hair oil route by buying some cheap petroleum-based product in a drugstore so I settled on this and I am glad I did. The only issue I have with it is that it smells like men’s after-shave or cologne, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The scent is just a bit strong for my taste.  



Features:
2.6 oz white jar
This product's consistency is a thick, creamy oil and is white in color. It smells like men’s after-shave or cologne. It melts well into warm palms of your hands and it is oily but in a subtle, moisturizing way.
The product comes with a tiny fold out label in the back that lists ingredients and instructions on usage. An interesting thing I found is their "fragrance" blend. Aveda uses its own "Pure-Fume" aroma with jasmine, rose and other pure flower and plant essences. I think this is great because most hair and skin care products use synthetic scents. 
 
Product description from Aveda's website: "This satiny pomade repels moisture from your hair, helping to prevent frizziness and flyaways. Tames curls to give hair a polished look. Excellent in humid weather. Work through hair before or after styling."

First 5 ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1 and Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2.
 
Grade: I give this product an A+ because over all it is a great moisturizer and fights frizz well. It aids in a great Afro blowout and it does everything Aveda claims it will do. The smell of it is the only drawback for me.