Showing posts with label product review shampoos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label product review shampoos. Show all posts

Product Review: Shea Moisture Products

I have been using these products for a while now: the pictures below are evident of that :-) I have been very happy with the benefits I have received from each of these products. There are some that came out much better than others, and there are some that I was not entirely crazy about. 

Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist


Price: 20 USD   
Purchased at: amazon.co.uk
Size: 8 oz
Promises: "SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist for thick, curly hair hydrates and tames frizz while providing a soft hold. Creates brilliant shine and curl control."
Ingredients: Deonized Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Silk Protein, Essential Oil Blend, Melia Azadirachia (Neem) Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride (Conditioning Salt), Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hibiscus Flower Extract



Directions: Spray liberally through damp hair from root to ends. Use a wide tooth comb to distribute evenly. Style as desired. Use on dry hair to refresh style.

My review: I saw this product on relaxedthairapy.com, where Jay had given it a very good review. I was most attracted to it, as I was looking for a moisturizing spray that I could use when I had protective styles on. 


What I liked
- The scent reminds me of a similar Dark 'n Lovely product that I used a very long time ago. Anyway,I like the scent. 
I spray it on my ends, occassionally for added strength, since it is balanced (coconut is strengthening). It works well in this regard.

What I did not like
- It is not as moisturizing as the transitioning milk, but it does a decent job. 
- I would not use this product as a daily moisturizer as it is not moisturizing enough for my liking. 

I would buy this product again if I passed by it on a shelf, but I would not go looking for it. I give it a 3/5


Raw Shea Butter Extra Moisture Transitioning Milk


Price:  20 USD 
Purchased at: Sheth Naturals Kenya 
Size: 8 oz
Promises: "SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Transitioning Milk for dry, damaged hair strengthens, smoothes and restores brilliant shine. Promotes healthy growth while transitioning chemically treated hair to natural healthy hair."
Ingredients: Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii(Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Sugar Startch, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat)Germ Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Essential Oil Blend, Algae Extract, Panthenol, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf and equisetum Arvense Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Caprylul Glycol, Topopherol (Vitamin E) *Certified Organic Ingredient



Directions: Apply as a no-rinse, protective styling cream to damp hair. Use as needed.

My review: This is definitely my favourite product amongst the Shea Moisture products that I have used, and one of my favourite products for 2015. I know that the description prescribes it for people who are transitioning to natural, but it works just as well for texlaxed hair. 

What I liked

It has a thick consistency, but very easy to apply to the hair once you rub it in your hands for a few seconds. 
- It is very moisturizing, and does not leave my hair feeling like it is greasy. 
- The combination of oils and water is spot on in this product. It is also great to note that it does not contain any hair softening alocohols/ chemicals such as ceteryl alcohol, behentrimonium sulphate,etc.
- It has a sweet vanilla'ish scent, which was a bit strong for me at first, but I have since gotten used to the scent. 
It worked very well for my ends, keeping them moisturized and smooth.  

What I did not like
- I have used it as a leave-in conditioner and as a moisturizer. I found that it worked much better as a moisturizer. 
- I also used it for my new growth in the last 8-10 weeks of my relaxer stretch, and it worked very well, but it did not help my hair to retain moisture for longer than a day. I still have to moisturize my hair daily with this product.
- I have probably been a bit heavy-handed with this product, but the bottle is almost finished, and I bought it 3 months ago...

Overall this moisturizer was and is a total hit, and I will be using it again and again. 
I give it a...you guessed right, 5/5!


Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Price: 16 USD
Purchased at: amazon.co.uk
Size: 12 oz
Promises: "SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie defines curls, reduces frizz and smoothes hair for a soft, silky feel. Restores moisture, creates brilliant shine and conditions hair without weighing it down for bouncy, healthy curls. - Made with natural and certified organic ingredients. - Coconut Oil hydrates and protects hair while reducing breakage. - Silk Protein smoothes hair for a soft, silky feel. - Neem Oil controls frizz while adding brilliant shine."
Ingredients: Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut ) Oil*, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Magnifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silk Protein, Ammonium Salt, Melia Azadiratcha (Neem) Seed Oil,Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed oil, Sorbitol Esters, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Caprylyl Glycol, Essential Oil Blend, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hibiscus Flower Extract

Directions: Section hair and apply product sparingly to damp or dry hair. Do not rinse out. Style hair as desired. For best results, use as a styling cream for twist-outs, braids and wash-and-go styles.


My review: To be honest I have not used this product on a variety of hair styles. I have used it before doing a flexi-rod set, curlformer set and a braidout. 


What I liked
- it moisturized my hair in the process
- it had a lovely scent (like a vanilla cake, I guess Hibiscus is similar to vanilla in scent), but not overpowering
- it defined my curls relatively well, and there were no crunchy curls
- it left my hair very soft and smooth. My hair is well moisturized throughout the week after using this product

What I did not like
- it is a bit difficult to remove it from the tub, it's quite buttery so it's as if it is escaping from your fingers as you try to dip your fingers into the tub to scoop some out
- it does not always give a good hold, so I use it with Eco Styler gel when I need a stronger and longer hold on my curls.
This is now my staple styling product, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a styling product that is both moisturizing and curl defining. I give it a 4/5


Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo


Price:   24 USD
Purchased at: amazon.co.uk
Size: 16 oz
Promises: "A clarifying, Sulfate-free shampoo that removes product build-up, while infusing hair with moisture. Leaves hair soft and shiny. Gentle enough to use every day. Promotes growth by nourishing and strengthening damaged or chemically processed hair, reducing the appearance of breakage and shedding. Apple Cider Vinegar aids in regulating and balancing pH levels on the scalp, while softening hair to promote enhanced growth."
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Vinegar, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Niacin, Dextran, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caramel, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract *Certified Organic Ingredient*

Directions: Apply to wet hair, gently massage from root to ends. Rinse Thoroughly. Repeat if necessary.

My review: I have been using this shampoo for almost a year now. I use it for clarifying purposes only. I know that the description says that it can be used daily, but I would not go that far as to describe how gentle it is! 


What I liked 

- It is indeed very moisturizing, and my scalp always feels clean after using this shampoo. 
- It lathers up even though it is sulfate-free
- My hair feels smooth after using this shampoo

What I do not like

- it has a very watery consistency, hence I find myself applying a lot of it at a time. 
- Some of it runs off my hand while in the shower, it can be a bit messy when it comes to applying it onto my scalp.

This has become a staple product in my stash, my only worry is that it may not be easy to source locally. But I will worry about that when this bottle gets finished. I give it a 4.5/5, I wish it was thicker in consistency...


Have you used any of these products? What was your experience with them?



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Product review: Creme of Nature vs. Keracare Sulphate-free Shampoos

I have been meaning to do these reviews for a while since these are the most frequently used products in my product stash. Anyway, better late than never...

Prices
Creme of Nature: 800 KES (+/- 8.50 USD)
Keracare: 1850 KES (+/- 20 USD)

Sizes
Creme of Nature: 12 oz.
Keracare: 8 oz.

Purchased at 
Super Cosmetics Store, Nairobi

Promises

Creme of Nature: "Sulfate-free moisture and shine shampoo is a sulfate-free formula that hydrates hair and adds exotic shine, while gently cleansing without harsh moisture stripping agents. It strengthens hair while optimizing the moisture balance of the hair and scalp."

Keracare: "Gently cleanses hair and scalp while neem leaf extract helps eliminate scalp bacteria leaving hair healthier. Shikakai proteins naturally moisturize and nourish the hair and scalp. Amla extract plus Argan and Abyssinian oils add natural shine to the hair."

Directions

Creme of Nature: Apply a generous amount to wet hair and massage into lather. Rinse thoroughly and repeat. Follow with Creme of Nature with Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment. Tip:Combine a small amount of Oil Treatment with the Moisture & Shine Shampoo for increased moisture supply to damaged, dehydrated hair.

Keracare: Wet hair thoroughly. Rub a generous amount between palms and distribute throughout hair. Lather product throughout hair and massage into scalp.  Gently detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb and leave lather on 3-5 minutes to eliminate shedding scalp debris. Rinse well. Repeat when necessary to remove excessive product build-up. Follow with Natural Textures Leave-In Conditioner.

Ingredients

Creme of Nature: 
Aqua, Trideceth-7, Carboxylic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Stearate, Polyquarternium-10, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Quaternium-15, Perfum (Fragrance), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 14700(Red4), CI19140(Yellow 5).

Keracare: 
Aqueous (Water, Aqua Purificato, Purified) Extracts: Azadirachta Indica (Neem)1, Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla)1, Acacia Concinna (Shikakai)1, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol2, Cetyl Alcohol2, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Glycerin1, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil1, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil1, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil1, Poyquaternium-10, Piroctone Olamine, Potassium Sorbate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance/Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate.

My review

Price: Creme of Nature is definitely cheaper, the question is whether it is good value for money..
Winner: Creme of Nature

Ingredients: As you can see Keracare does not have any of the ingredients that most naturalistas stay away from. Creme of Nature does have parabens, although they are quite far down the list. Keracare also shows its pH level which is awesome if you are trying to use specific products with a specific pH to maintain the right pH balance in your hair.
Winner: Keracare

Cleansing power: With Creme of Nature, I feel that my hair is cleansed well despite the fact that its a sulphate-free shampoo. It also lathers which is a plus (although I think it's just psychological to associate lather with cleansing power).

Keracare does not produce any lather no matter how much I put in my hair. However, if i leave it on my scalp for a few minutes, I do feel that my scalp has been cleansed and my hair is still feeling very soft. But I do not feel that it removes product buildup as well as Creme of Nature.
Winner: Creme of Nature

User-friendliness: Both shampoos are thick in consistency but I have a harder time trying to get the Keracare shampoo out of the bottle.
Winner: none

Promises made: Creme of Nature definitely delivers on its promises. My hair always feels softer and easier to manage after using this shampoo. My hair also feels clean afterwards, but after towel drying for a few minutes the softness does fade.

Keracare on the other hand delivers on the moisture from the moisturizing proteins. My hair feels soft even after towel drying for a few minutes. My only issue with this product is that my hair does feel a tad oily after using it, and my scalp does not feel as clean as when I use Creme of Nature. I have tested this by slightly scraping my scalp with my finger after using the shampoo and there was still some product buildup on my scalp.

Overall Winner: I prefer Creme of Nature because cleansing ability with minimal harsh chemicals is more important to me than a shampoo that moisturizes more than it cleanses.

Have you used any or both of these products? Which one is your favourite?



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