Cro-Havana twist from freedom hair collection - Product review.

This post has been on my desk for some weeks now. I have been procrastinating publishing it till now. 

This is a review on my first Havana twist crochet braids. I got many questions and compliments and even made new friends during its installation, so it is worth making a review on it. Though I could not get pictures of the process of install but I will show you similar pictures.

What I used
I used Cro-Havana twist from freedom hair collection, 3c 12 inches color 1. I must say, I like the beautiful attractive quality packaging. Each pack contains 8 pieces of 2-in-1 pretwisted hair. I used 6 packs and still felt it wasn't full enough.

Freedom hair collection does have other different crochet braid types in varied length and limited colors. You will see some of them displayed at the back of the packaging.

Below the back side of the packaging are pictures of crochet braid pattern and the process of installation.

Actually, I did not use the suggested crochet braid pattern. I got stylist close home to make mine like that in the picture below. Mine was 10 cornrows in all, 3 one each side and in the middle, 2 pairs meeting midway into one cornrow. Then I installed the crochet braids myself. It was so easy and quick. In 2 hours or less you are done.

Pros
The crochet braid is soft and feels real light on head and bouncy.
Its a preferable type for quick crochet braid install.
It is easy to wash hair underneath, so wash day is less dramatic.

Cons
The no-good thing about it is that, it frizzes and tangles easily, with hair sticking out easily from the hair body which my left eye will testify to.
It can get real rough in about 2 weeks when not handled with care. I have come across ladies that wore theirs for barely 2 weeks and it looked like they have had it on for months. So I challenged mine to 4 -6 weeks.
To prevent the early tangles and roughness, I do not hid the bed without wrapping the braids up in a satin scarf. To lengthen the life span, it is best to pack it up in a pineaple method, then wrap up in satin scarf.


Styling Options

The first few days of install, I was not just feeling the braids, so I had it most times in an uphair do styling with scarf covering the exposed back side. As the days run into weeks and with the compliments that came along, I got more comfortable and came to like it.


Is it reusable?
I doubt. Even with all the pampering I gave it, I got a bit disappointed when taking it down. At the time of uninstall, it looked like it will go in on a reinstall, but the tangles and frizzes dominating the cornrows area made the crochet braids removal process tricky and unsmooth. I had to cut out about 6 crochet braids with scissors close to the cornrows to save my natural hair from forcefully detaching from the root.


This the picture of what it looks like after taking it down. Does it look reusable?

Rating
 I give it a 7/10. Because I intend recycling it into a full hair wig, I would have rated it less.

Will I repurchase?
I don't think so but I might try other freedom hair crochet braids types.

It is the crochet braid revolution!!

I love to know your views on this Havana twist review in the comment box below.

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AN AMAZING ONLINE OFFER!!

Hello Lovelies!!

Here comes a so-real mind-blowing offer from  @onlinetrainingng on IG.

Join the August edition of the monthly 5 days interactive whatsapp coaching on all you need, to achieve healthy long hair of your dream.

What to expect :
-Know your hair type
-Learn the truth about popular hair beliefs
-Know the bad haircare practices you need to stop
-Learn to build a healthy hair regimen
-Natural products for hair growth
-Proper washing techniques
-How to use direct heat properly
-How to tackle slow growth
-How to prevent your edges from breaking and thinning out
-How to regrow hair edges
-Moisturizing deep conditioning recipe
-Hair growth serum recipe
-Protein deep conditioner recipe
-How to tackle hair breakage and shedding
-List of quality products for healthy relaxed and healthy hair
-Where to get these hair products and so much more.

You will also be part of hair challenge that will push you to make the necessary changes for a healthy long hair..

And whats more??

At the end of the coaching, you get an e-book containing all the knowledge shared during the traing, so that you can refer to it at anytime.

Get all of these for #1000 naira only

This seems to good to be true, but IT IS REAL!!!

Here are testimonies from the just concluded online training

Upcoming training
Date : 8th-12th August 2016
Venue : whatsapp

If you are interested, indicate by send a whatsapp message to 08174434894

Make your healthy hair or natural hair journey an easy one . Get a COACH!

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COILY CROWN BAOBAB MOUSE AND SHAMPOO - PRODUCT REVIEW

Howdy friends?

I am excited to inform you that Coily Crown products are in Nigeria!

I stumbled on Coily crowns stand at the WedExpo in Portharcourt recently where I met Korkor  and Esther of Kibet essentials. We had a nice chat and they told me  about how wonderful Coily crown products are. One thing that kept ringing in my mind after our chat was how softening, coily crown shampoos are. Hard hair is one of the challenge faced by most naturalistas in this part of the continent. So here's a solution! Get any of Coily crowns softening shampoos and thank me later.

I got Coily Crown Baobab set  , reminiscing my childhood moments with the baobabs in Ghana and Lome. As kids, we could lick so much of the baobab fruits till our mandibles get fatigue and mouth gets sore.

 So here I am making a review. IMO!

Coily Crown Moisturizing Mousse

What Coily crown says
Baobab oil has a way of leaving your hair silky and soft. This moisturizing mousse is a blend of baobab oil, cocoa butter and peppermint oil which works wonders for dry, itchy scalp. It helps to seal in moisture after each wash and works well for daily application to your hair, scalp and skin.


Ingredients
Cocoa butter, baobab oil, orange oil, peppermint oil.


Smell
It has a raw earthy aroma and nutty, chocolatey smell that makes one think of chocolates.

You can see what it looks like inside.

It can get real hard in very cold weather and melt easily in warm weather. So keep in cool dry place.

Benefits of the major ingredient - Cocoa butter
Hair
*Adds moisture to hair without weighing it down.
*Gives hair extra conditioning and nourishment.
Skin
*It is an excellent skin moisturizer.
*It minimizes fine line and wrinkles.
*It smoothens patches of skin at joints.
*It fades dark spots and heals wound scars.
*It increases skin elasticity so that skin stretches and expands without tearing during pregnancy or weight gain.

Note: If you are allergic to chocolates, you might show similar reactions with this mousse because they are both made from cocao.

Pros of the mousse
You get the benefits of the cocoa butter and the other natural ingredients.
+It is good for a pre- shampoo treatment.
+It is very suitable for hot oil hair treatment.
+It can serve as a hair leave-in-conditioner. Even regular daily use on hair does not weigh it down.
+It gives the skin a superficial silky shiny glow all day.
+It controls acne and pimples. Personally, I was scared to use it on my oily sensitive face. Then I tried it out. Five days of use to publishing of this post, I could confidently boast of no new pimples popping out.

Cons
-The price is a bit on the high side. 2900 naira for 250ml. A little discount will be appreciated.


Rating
4/5

Coily Crown Baobab Softening Shampoo

What Coily crown says
This has a conditioning shampoo formula which is a mix of Alata samina (Black soap), honey and baobab oil. It cleanses without leaving your hair dry or brittle.


Ingredients
Baobab oil, distilled water, cocoa pod, plantain skin, palm kernel oil, honey, peppermint oil.


Smell
It has a sweet honey minty smell.

Benefits of the major ingredient - Baobab oil.
*It treats dandruff, dry scalp, excema, psoriasis and rosacea
*It protects hair from sun damage.
*Has anti-aging properties.
*It is quickly absorbed into skin leaving a silky feel.
*It does not clog pores.


Pros of softening shampoo
You get the benefits of baobab oil and the other natural ingredients.
+It contains No sulphates, No parabens, No artificial additives. 100% natural.
+It is a moisturizing shampoo.
+It conditions hair while cleansing. So you do not need to use a rinse-out-conditioner after use.
+It softens hair and leaves it noticeably silky.
+Its adds volume to hair.
+It perfectly double as body wash. Excellently cleansing and refreshingly rich to the skin.
+You get more value for your pay, 1900 naira .

Cons
-One needs to be careful when pouring out the shampoo to prevent waste from spill. One way I prevent this, is by pouring out a quantity into a nozzle container for use.
-If you use it as a body wash, you can experience the same drying potential, characteristics of the raw african black soap.  So after bath, immediately follow up with your moisturizer to retain moisture.


Rating
5/5. I could give it 7/5 if there is any such rating.


*Remarkable of 100% natural products brands is the fact the they are multi-taskers. Its perfect for use from head to toe unlike the commercial chemical brands.


Will I repurchase?
I am a happy advocate of natural brands. I can go for Coily Crowns anytime. Infact, the softening shampoo is now one of my ride-or-die staple. The moisturizing mouse will stay as long as I have dark spots to clear and stretch marks to prevent.


Other Coily crown products
Coily crown softening shampoo with coconut oil & Tea tree oil
Coily crown Daily dew Hair spray with coconut oil $ Tea tree oil
Coily crown Sheabutter crea with Aloe
Coily crown Miracle detangler with coconut oil $ tea tree oil
Coily crown Paya puree mask
Coily crown Daily dew hair sprsy with Aloe $ tea tree oil
Coily crown Liquid gold enriching oil.

Which of Coily crowns products have you used and what was it like? Please comment in the comment box below.


To get yours Nigeria- Delivery is nationwide.
Call: 08139021319
         08166766867
         08033088770
       

Coily crown is going global
Johannesburg : +27 832383961
Cotonou: +229 9790609
Lome: +228 99047313
Ghana: +233 268891622

Online connect
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Website: thebodybutterco.com

Catch ya!

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PRODUCT REVIEW - NATUR VITAL HENNA SHAMPOO BLACK HIGHLIGHTS

Today, I choose to make a review about this product, Natur Vital henna shampoo , l  used during my relaxed hair years. You remember, I wrote a post about my damaged hair and what I did to save it. It was during that period, I quit using the 'mass produced' conventional shampoos that's common in most salons here. Then, I picked Natur Vital which served me about 2 years. I wanted something close to nature and as the name goes, I fell for it.

Natur Vital Henna Shampoo promises to
*Protect and brighten hair ccolour.
*Make hair shiny.
*Make hair healthy and soft

How it looks

Front

Back

Note: Opinions expressed are mine and my conclusions were made after extensive read.

Natural ingredients that make my eyes pop
*Henna extract
*Sunflower extract
The natural action of this two natural ingredients are written on the product label as you can see above.

Henna 'Lawsonia inermis' : It is a natural coloring agent obtained from crushed Henna leaves. Henna extract makes your hair shiny and strong and gives it lots of body. It also brightens natural and dyed hair colour.

Sunflower 'Helianthus annus L' : The extract from sunflower seeds is rich in polyphenols and protects the colour of natural and dyed hair from the aggression of ultraviolet rays and free radicals. Its action is increased by a UVA + UVB sun filter to protect yoir hair and prolong its colour.


Ingredients that are just okay
Sodium chloride, Glycol Distearate, Sodium PCA, Polyquaternium 10, Citric acid, PEG-55 propylene glycol oleate, Disodium ADTA and All the Cl.(Colors)


Ingredients that are a bit of concern
Sodium laureth sulfate - Most naturalistas opt for sulfate free shampoos because it can strip off all the oils from hair leaving it very dry and brittle. Others do not mind using shampoos with sulphates as long as their hair is rinse well and deep conditioned after shampoo to replenish and strengthen the hair.

Cocamide DEA - helps shampoo lather and foam like sulfates do too. It can leave the hair dry and studies show that it carcinogenic when combined with some preservatives.

Benzophene-4 -it protects products against photo degradation. There is fair amount of scientific evidence points to adverse effects with use and considered unsuitable for children under 2years who do not have developed enzymes for the breakdown of it.


The No - No ingredients
All the parabens - Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben,  Methyl paraben. The parabens serves as preservatives but there are claims  that the parabens are carcenogenic and cause endocrine disruption, development and reproductive toxicity.
Phenoxyethanol - is an chemical alternative to parabens. FDA warns that it can be toxic with effects on brain and central nervous system even at moderate concentrations.

Pros
*It does restore damaged hair to healthy shiny look after several use, coupled with good hair care practice.
As you can see from the picture below it did restore my hair color from a former dark yellowish weak hair texture to dark shinier look and remained so even after i stopped using it for years.

*It is mild on hair.
*It is suitable for use on permanently dyed hair.
*Its not that pricey (At least, I could afford it as a student)

Cons
*It might stain a brightly colored cloth but it comes off easily when washed.
*Oh! The parabens. There should be a better substitute for it.

Will I like to use it again?
I would have said I wouldn't mind to use it, if I feel the need. But, I just found online that Natur Vital has a line of paraben-free hair products in abroad. So I am on a look out for it here.

Rating
4/5


What was it like using the Natur Vital henna shampoo?



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RAW AFRICAN BLACK SOAP REVIEW

Raw African black soap is that kind of locally made product that has been given a lot of yays around the globe but I am not the type that proudly supports the crowd about any natural product without first giving it a try.

Praises
It has been praised to be effective in skin exfoliation, deep cleansing,  even skin toning, fading discololorations, healing skin problems like eczema and psoriasis and skin fungal infections.



To begin my trial session, I chose to make my raw african black soap (Ghana soap)  into a body wash instead of using it directly in a solid form  and started using it 3-4 days in the first two weeks.

 During the period, I observed the effects on my skin and  then ended up using it every day. Moisturising with oils or oil based lotion is a must within 5minutes after wash to prevent skin dryness.

Positives
 I noticed a gradual even skin toning. Hehehe, I didn't say skin bleaching. It evened the skin areas that usually suffers from sun exposure, reducing the  hyperpigmentation. So, its a skin repair product. I find it to be very ideal for us living in the tropics where the sun is not always kind.

I also attest to its deep cleansing action. Does not really need extra help by exfoliating scrubs. Only the hands and the soap with cool water will do, for a clean feel.

It was also fast in clearing some cluster of skin 'wahala' that popped up somewhere around my mid-chest.

Negatives
But it was not all positive. My face rejected it. In the first few days of use, it was so drying that I couldnt stand the burning pain in some parts of my face like under my nose and the tightening effect as if my face was been stretched. So I  tried using it twice a week. My face felt no better. I tend to attribute this effect , not just to the harsh stripping off of the oils on the face but the pH effect. Raw african black soap alkalinity level was not suitable for my face. It struggled to balance the pH to normal which manifested in discomfort, breakout and acne.

Also bathing with the soap and warm water can leave the skin extremely dry. So cool water is better.

It also stinks and burns on bruise or any opening on skin. Its temporary, though.


Finally, I would say, incorporating the raw african black soap in my skin care regimen was worth it. Yeah, am stuck now. My homemade black soap body wash will always be standing right there in my bathroom.

You can also give it a try. Find out how it works best for you. You can gradually increase or decrease  the frequency at which you use it depending on your skin's response. Find a balance and always make sure to moisturize with oil after use.

Who knows, It could become your BEST!

Note
The original Raw African black soap has an natural earthy scent. No fragrance or perfume. It not hard and jet black. Its loose and crumbly and it looks like 'faeces'. Oh! Am sorry I just said that, but that's how it looks to me. Beware of fakes.

To buy original raw African black soap, click here



What are your views about African black soap? We will love to know. Share with us in the comment box below.


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