Product Review: Natural Hair Community

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me to review. I am not affiliated with nor compensated by this company. This review is based on my experience and opinions are my own and quite honest.

On Natural Hair Community website:

“(Allie)I began to have an interest in making my own products shortly after my big chop, I tried to find products that would keep my hair moisturized, shiny and healthy and I began to research Ayurvedic Powders and Herbal Blend. I spent hours researching and experimenting using only 100% organic, natural products. Soon I began making products for myself, friends, and family. This was the beginning of Allie’s Natural Hair Community Products. These products were designed to work for natural, curly, locs, transitioning or relaxed hair. I hope you love them as much as I do!“

Pic heavy and oh so worth it..

From top to bottom: Relaxing Herbal Bath Tea, Sweet Almond Honey Body Scrub,  Whipped Amla Butter,  Growth Stimulating Hair Tea and two strainer bags. Only one is shown because the other was in use.

Allie, admin of  Natural Hair Community fanpage  has surely OUTDONE herself! Each of her products are bomb!! #realtalk

Ingredients: lavender buds, rosemary and hibiscus petals

Love this hair tea!  I apply three teaspoons into the cloth strainer. Once the water boils, remove from stove and drop the strainer in the pot. Let it sit for 45 minutes, remove strainer and let it cool so I can put it in a spray bottle. I made about 3 quarts (thats how much water my pot can take)  put some in the spray bottle and the rest in the fridge. This last for about two weeks.

How I use it: This tea is used as an after rinse.  After I cowash and rinse my hair, I spritz the  Growth Stimulating Hair Tea on soaking wet hair. Apply my leave in, seal with oil and walk away.  After using this every day for a couple of weeks, I can feel the difference in my hair. Less shedding and the hair strands feel stronger. It’s similar to a protein treatment but without the worry of your strands breaking off because it’s too hard.  A++++

Whipped Amla Butter

This hair butter tricked the hail out of me! Let me tell ya’ll..

Ingredients:  shea butter, amla powder, hibiscus powder,castor oil, sweet almond oil and essential oil blend

As you can see in the pic above, the Whipped Amla Butter looks whipped, frothy possibly light. Not the case! I applied a quarter size in my hand and booyy is the butter heavy and thick. Which is a really good thing! Some may find it too heavy for their hair  but you can get a two for one with this product. You can also apply it on the skin. With this butter, less is indeed more!

Scent: I am having a hard time figuring out the scent. I get some lemon and almonds. Scent is really light so as soon as you apply it to your hair and skin, you wont notice it.

Sweet Almond Honey Body Scrub

Ingredients: Dead sea salts, sweet almond oil, honey, essential oil blend

I don’t use a body scrub often since I use those puffy body wash sponge. But I do use body scrubs in the summer after tanning. I did however used this Sweet Almond Honey scrub once and I LOVED it! It made my skin smooth and silky. I placed it in the fridge to make it a little firmer or not as oily/watery as you see in the picture. But fridge or not, it still works the same.

Scent: Smells like almonds and honey.

Relaxing Herbal Bath Tea

Ingredients: lavender buds, rose petals and chamomile

Unfortunately I haven’t gotten the chance to use the Relaxing Herbal Bath Tea. But I will soon! :]

Verdict: I can see all Natural Hair Community products being a staple at my home. I love the fact that they’re all natural products for the hair and body and cost effective since a little goes a long way with each product. They’re affordable anyways since you can stack up and not feel like you broke the bank. Allie, is a mixstress and natural hair connoisseur. If you have issues involving hair or need help with a DIY product, hit her up because the woman knows her stuff!

The ONLY con are the labels. They come off rather easily when wet and I discuss this with her. She said once the current labels are sold out, she will order waterproof labels. Woot!

Check out her store Allie’s Natural Hair Community and her fanpage via Facebook Natural Hair Community.

Julep January 2013: Escape & Unwind

This month is all about escaping the winter weather and unwinding on a sunny beach, getting a tan and looking fly with nude and neon polish.

Here are the swatches..

**Those colorful bands are pony tail holders! At least that’s how I use them as. :]

Front of card

Back of card

Left to right: Nina, Nikki and Amelia

Amelia, one coat: Not my favorite out the bunch. This is only one swatch but I don’t like the consistency of it.

Nina, one coat

Nikki, two coats

**Polishes shown here were applied without a basecoat but used Anise Fast Dry Top Coat for them to dry faster and for added shine.**

Sign up to Julep here and enter PENNY (pay only ONE CENT for your FIRST box) or FREEBOX.

GlossyBox December 2012

This review is long overdue. I was hit with a case of “the lazies” so my bad. :\

I really liked December 2012 Glossybox. Some of the contents I haven’t used yet ‘cause well, I either forgot about it (lol) or don’t care to use it anytime soon.

Bring on the pics!

Glamour, Glitz & Gloss

Left to right: Heartland Fragrances Co Bath Salts in White Tea scent Full size $10, Zoya Nail Lacquer in Storm Full size $8,

Forest Essentials Luxurious Ayurveda Madurai Jasmine & Morga Bath & Shower Oil Full size $22,

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray sample

Two of the products I haven’t used here is Heartland Fragrance bath salts and Oscar Blandi heat protect spray. I smelled the bath salts before I even opened the box. It smelled like I guess what White Tea would smell like, heh. It’s tolerable and smelled good to me.

Now, let’s talk about the Madurai Jasmine & Morga oil. This oil right here, omgosh, smelled SOOOO GOOOOD!! I used this after the shower on wet skin and I love the way it feels. The smell lingers in the bathroom for quite awhile. If you’re done with the bathroom, close the door and dont go in for a few minutes to an hour, once you enter the smell just hits you in the face. I love this. If they can come out with a perfume with this exact smell, I will rock it til kingdom come! You can also apply this oil in your bath water.

Forest Essentials Luxurious Ayurveda Madurai Jasmine & Morga Bath & Shower Oil ingredients:

Cold Pressed Organic Sunflower Oil 40%, Cold Pressed Organic Sweet Almond Oil 20%, Cold Pressed Apricot Oil 15%, Cold Pressed Organic Avocado Oil 15%, Jasmine Sambac Absolute 4%, Gokharu 3%, Deodaru 2%, Mogra Essential Oil 1%

Awesome ingredients right?  Also love this oil for the hair as well!

Here’s Zoya Nail Lacquer in Storm on my nails. One of my favorite polishes that I own. So pretty.

ECRU New York Acacia Protein Oil sample; Pleats Please Issey Miyake sample

Have not used Acacia Protein Oil yet but I have used Pleats Please and it smells so good and girly! I wouldn’t mind shedding $92 for the full size. It smells really good and last long on skin as well as clothes.

Jewelmint piece $29.99/month

What a lovely surprise to get this Jewelmint jewelry piece in my box. It’s a thumb ring but my hands a kind of small so they don’t really fit the way I would like them too. But it’s hella cute though!

This box surprised me in a GOOD way! Glossybox hasnt disappointed me yet. If you’re looking to subscribe to Glossybox, click here, choose your plan: monthly subscription is $21, 3 months is $60, 6 months is $115 and 12 months is $220. Shipping is FREE and you can unsubscribe at any time. <3

Product Review: The Natural Me Whipped Shea Butter

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me to review. I am not affiliated with nor compensated by this company. This review is based on my experience and opinions are my own and quite honest.

On their website:  Mother and son duo. The Natural Me, which is based in Houston, Texas, is a Family owned and operated supplier of quality products, specifically formulated for moisturizing and cleansing hair and skin. We are proud to say our products are 100% all natural, and are a safer alternative to the hundreds of products containing chemicals and other artificial and synthetic ingredients which can be harmful to the body. While we acknowledge that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we hold firmly to the foundational belief that all people are beautiful in their own unique ways. We seek to enhance that individual beauty through our evolving product line. We encourage everyone to accept and embrace their own unique and individual natural beauty, hence the name “The Natural Me”. We develop our products with these principles in mind, and go to great lengths to ensure that all of our products are effective and useful in their intended use. Whether its products for the skin or for the hair, our commitment is to utilize the highest standards in quality ingredients and processes with the ultimate goal of delivering maximum satisfaction to our clients. We know you, the consumer, have many choices in products, and we are humbly thankful and appreciative for you selecting ours.  Please know, we acknowledge such support, and do not take it for granted. Thanks!

The Creators: Samori Diallo founder and CEO of The Natural Me and his mother (tssk awww!) Marilyn Wade COO of The Natural Me.

Sidenote: Love that this is a family business!

Samori contacted me and wanted me to review his whipped butters as well as his headbands! I was excited because I follow their fanpage The Natural Me and love the pictures they post.

Ingredients: Shea butter, pineapple/black coconut fragrance oils, hempseed oil

Each sample has their scent on the label but they have different ingredients.  However, the base ingredient is still shea butter.

Ingredients of each sample scent from left to right:

Amber : avocado oil, olive oil

Cherry: vitamin e, aloe vera oil

Peach: apricot oil, olive oil

Coconut:  jojoba oil, olive oil

Thoughts: I really like this product! The most that I like about this is it’s good for the hair and body. Which is great because if it doesn’t work for your hair, just apply it on your skin and vice versa.

Tried it in my daughters hair and was great but it wouldn’t work on my two year old hair. Her hair is really fine so it’ll just weigh it down. My hair likes it only when wet and in a pony tail. I’ve tried to use this to set my twist for a fro but it weighed it down.

Texture: Natural Me Whipped Shea butter has a whipped consistency that emulsifies really well on contact.

Scents/Con: They smell good except for coconut. It was the only one that didn’t smell like the label. It had a weird, funky smell. It actually smelled like doll hair to me. You know those cheap dolls you get at the bodega? Yeah, that. Maybe I just got a bad batch but I couldn’t stomach the smell at all.

Here are pics of me wearing the headband! <3

Will I purchase? Yes indeedy!

Pricing: For a 8oz of The Natural Me Whipped Shea Butter is $14.99 which is great since a little goes a long way!

Websites:

Facebook: The Natural Me

www.thenaturalmeonline.com

Product Review: Shea Botanica

Disclaimer: These products were complimentary. I am not affiliated with nor compensated by this company. This review is based on my experience and opinions are my own and quite honest.

On their website:

Shea Botanica is hand crafted lines of Shea Butter-based Hair & Skin care products created for people who wish treat their Hair & Skin with the utmost care, love and respect.

Shea Botanica has been developed to take advantage of the skin moisturizing, conditioning and softening properties of Shea Butter.

All of our products are 100% natural, made in small batches and never tested on animals.

Shea Botanica products are formulated with all natural ingredients and are produced in small batches to ensure quality and freshness. Since our products are created from natural ingredients there may be slight differences in the color, consistency and smell/scent from one

About the creators:

Mat Owusu and Denise Trott developed SheaBotanica in Atlanta, GA and have been operational for a year. They have an online store at the moment but they plan on having the products on ground come this spring/summer.

Packaging: The logo is quite eye catching but my only con about the packing is, the lettering smears if your hands are greasy or wet.

Hair Moisture Cream (Almond): $7.59

Ingredients: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Silk Protein, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Natural Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Chathamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Natural Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang ylang) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea tree) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate.

This worked really well for my oldest daughter hair. I used this as a leave in on damp hair, did not seal with oil and set the edges with gel. It left her hair soft all day and as a refresher in the morning, I just spritz the hair with water and add a little more gel to the edges. No buildup.

Smell: I got it in Almond scent. It smells a tad earthy with hints of almonds, a light scent.

Face Cream for Dry Skin (Geranium, Chamomile & Patchouli): $7.99

Ingredients: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Emulsifying Wax, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Palm Stearic Acid, Avena Sativa (Oatmeal), dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Natural Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Perlargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil, Chamaemelum Nobile (Chamomile) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate

I like this facial cream a lot. It’s pretty thick so when I applied it on my face, I had to rub it in a bit more so the skin can suck it up since it appeared white. I use this cream day and night and it is super great on sensitive skin. I use doctor prescribed facial wash and cream and they leave my skin dry, itchy and burning. It’s hard for me to use certain over the counter products since they will have my skin burning like a chemical peel (never had one but one can imagine!).

Smell: The scents are Geranium, Chamomile & Patchouli. Never smelled Geranium nor Patchouli but I noticed Chamomile right away. It’s not a strong smell it’s quite tolerable and those with sensitive noses will find this scent pleasant.

Foot Cream (Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Rosemary): $8.09

Ingredients: Purified Water, Shea Butter, Natural Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Oatmeal, dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Vitamin E, Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Essential Oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Rosemary.

This worked pretty well, kept dry heels at bay. I would rub a dime size on my heel before bedtime and apply socks. I do this every night and keep my heels moisturized. For the rest of the foot I would use spray oil from another brand.

Smell: Smells exactly like Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Rosemary but the peppermint is stronger.

Curl Styling Cream (Lemongrass): $8.29

Ingredients: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Argan Oil, Soybean Oil, Natural Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Silk Protein, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Sunflower seed oil, Castor Seed Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Natural Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Essential oils: Lavender, Rosemary, Ylang ylang, Tea tree, Lemongrass

I tried using this as a wash n go and as you can tell from the picture above, it was a fail lol. So I pretty much will use this as a leave in. This could be really awesome for twist outs as well but the way my hair is shaped, my twistouts always come out funky lol.

**I mentioned this earlier that the con of the packaging is that the lettering smears when hands are wet or greasy. See picture above.**

Smell: a light scent of lemongrass

Will I purchase any of the products mentioned?

I would purchase the Hair Moisture Cream and Face Cream for Dry Skin.

Pricing: These products are affordable being that a little goes a long way. Some might think that the more hair you have, the more product you need and that may be true for some products but not with this brand!

Website:

www.sheabotanica.com

Facebook Store:

www.facebook.com/SheaBotanica/app_149696141763776

Etsy Store:

www.etsy.com/shop/SheaBotanica

Twitter:

@sheabotanica

Get A $50 Julep Gift Certificate For Only $20 At Bloomspot

Just found out about this uhh-mazing savings for you guys. If you’re a polish luvr such as myself then you need to hop on this deal REAL quick! Bloomspot is offering a $50 gift certificate for only $20!! This would be great for those who have been wanting to sign up to Julep. You can get your Julep introductory box for FREE! All you have to do is sign up here, fill out your profile, put in coupon code: FREEBOX. Once you’ve signed up you’re officially a Julep Maven and get 20% off and free shipping at the store. When you use the Bloomspot $50 certificate (actually $50 off your purchase), you can only use it on one order. The remainder will not carry over. If you don’t plan on subscribing but know someone else who is a Julep Maven, you can also gift this certificate!

Palmolive Fresh Infusions

I am truly excited to be selected by Influenster to receive three full sized, 16oz bottles of the new premium dish soap called Palmolive Fresh Infusions! If you would like to know more about Influenster is, check out this post I wrote about them here.

From left to right: Lemon Thyme, Lime Basil and Ginger White Tea

For many years I was a hardcore Reeva dish soap user. It cuts the grease, didn’t destroy my hands – it pretty much got the job done until I used Palmolive dish soap. Palmolive did the same job as Reeva but with much less soap used. I would go through one bottle of Reeva every month and with Palmolive, one bottle will last me a few months. Long story short, I haven’t looked back since.

I’ve been using Palmolive Fresh Infusions for one week and here are my thoughts:

The packaging: Quite different than their signature shaped bottles but still effective. I have no problem with handling the bottles.

Scents:  Ginger White Tea has a floral scent with a touch of ginger in the background; Lime Basil (my fav!) has a very citrusy scent. The lime is very pronounced with a hint of basil, and then there’s Lemon Thyme, a very light scent and pretty much bland. Except for Lemon Thyme, they smell REALLY good and permeate the kitchen when using it.

***Just want to mention if you have a sensitive nose, you may not like Lime Basil since it is the strongest scent out of the three. You may really like Lemon Thyme though.***

I gave away the Lemon Thyme to a neighbor along with 2 coupons saving $1.50 each (the soaps came with 5 coupons) if she were to purchase Palmolive Fresh Infusions. She said she really likes the smell!

Performance: The consistency is thinner than their predecessors, but cleans dishes really well. And talk about suds galore! You seriously do not need a lot. About a dime size and you’re good to go. You can always add more if necessary. I actually use Palmolive Fresh Infusions as a perfume after the pots and pans have been de-greased using Palmolive Oxy Power Degreaser.

The hands test: Not rough on the hands at all and THAT is a major plus!

Cost: They’re $2.96 each at Walmart.

Will I purchase? Absolutely!

Websites:

Palmolive

Influenster

 

Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary through Influenster.

 

Happy New Year!

Just wishing you and yours a very loved, safe and healthy Happy New Year! God bless.

Black Friday Haul: Better Late Than Never

Past Black Friday my idea was to go IN but I had a budget to maintain. At least $100 – but mind you, I went slightly over it. Shh, don’t tell hubster *nervous laugh*.

Left to Right: OyinHandMade Hair Dew in 1Liter $34, Honey Hemp in 1Liter $34 and Whipped Shea $10

Went to a natural event earlier this year and had two one ounce samples of OyinHandMade Hair Dew. Smells so yum, like sugar cookies, and my hair loved it as well. Jumped the gun and purchased their largest size (33.8floz). Honey Hemp is in the same size as well. Never tried Honey Hemp before but I recall all reviews on it was nothing but good plus I needed at conditioner at the moment. The Whipped Shea in Rich Almond scent smelled delish (roasted almonds and spices). I got that for my daughter but I do plan on purchasing another for our hair. It emulsifies really well and not greasy, major plus!  Now, for the price of the conditioners ($34 each before their 20% off BF sale) I don’t think I would have gotten this. I know, it’s not bad at all I just normally don’t spend that much on ONE product. But I will purchase whenever there is a sale.

Alikay Naturals Avocado Cream Moisture Repairing Hair Mask $15

I made a post about a sample of this some time ago. You can read it here. I had to get this hair mask because of the smell (oh yes, smells oh so divine) and the performance. Made my hair and my oldest daughter hair so soft! Using this deep condish with and without heat to get the same results is perfection. I am seriously in love.

Top to botton: Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles $21, (their kids line) Blended Cutie Butter Me Up $21 and Soft Curls & Swirls $19

I won these Blended Beauty products at a blog giveaway Dominique (she’s super nice!!) from Natural Hair Care Info was having some time ago.  These products came in just a nick of time though because my budget was tight, and yet I wanted everything haha! I’ve been wanting to purchase Blended Beauty forever and a day but those prices man *clutch pearls* too much for my blood! BUT THE PRODUCTS LAWD, they are oh so worth it! I tried Butter Me Up on my girls hair first. Let me tell ya’ll something, you do not and I repeat DO NOT need a leave in for this. All three of these products have shea butter in them(I think they’re whole line has shea butter in it). They moisturize, detangles seals and tames the frizzes all in one! Plus it has a very light scent of gingerbread cookies. I think it’s safe to say, Blended Beauty products can easily be staple products for my girls.

Lucretia Body Oils and Sprays (LBOS) body butter in watermelon berries scent $5.50 4oz

I’ve liked Lucreata fan page last year yet been on her site every month lol. I finally made a purchase on her Cyber Monday sale (15% off). This body butter emulsifies really well. I use this butter to seal my ends every night. Smells great too! Check out this great review from Kokofemme on YT here.

Last but certainly not least…

Urban Expressions Afternoon Bag in Blue $72

This is actually an early Christmas present to myself. I desperately needed a bag. I had an Urban Expressions bag for many years and it met it’s maker a couple of weeks ago. So then I recall I had another Urban Expressions bag laying around, that too met it’s maker due to water damage we had past summer. Smh. Luckily, BagHaus had a sale from Black Friday into the holidays. This bag specifically went from $72 to $45. I snatched that up so quick, the interweb spun lol. I need to go back and get it in black.

So there you have it! All my little treats I purchased on Black Friday. What did you get?

Merry Christmas!!!

From our house to yours! <3