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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ALL ABOUT EYEBAGS AND PUFFY EYES #2

Am happy you enjoyed reading the #1 of this subject. Thanks for the DMs. If you have not read it, please click here to read.

What can be done to prevent and reduce eye bags/puffy eyes?

* Have adequate night rest. 7 to 8 hours of sleep is enough because sometimes oversleeping can also give you puffy eyes.

* Cut down your intake of foods and beverages that encourage fluid retention eg. Alcohol, coffee white sugar, fried foods, white flour, salt foods etc.

* If you work long hours before the computer screen, get an anti-reflex prescription glasses from an eye care professional for protection. Following the 20-20-20 rule can be helpful. The 20-20-20 rule means, for every 20 minutes of work before the computer screen look away at a distance of 20 feet for 20 seconds.

* Avoid allergens. If you identify any thing you are allergic to, try to stay away from it to prevent body sensitivity reactions.

* Drink enough clean water each day for general good health and hydration. The more hydrated, the better.

* Follow all occupational safety rules. If in the course, you experience any negative eye effect like eye swelling, see an eye care professional and check protective equipments for faults. There might be need for change or upgrade to adequately protect the worker.

* If you are in the habit of squinting, see an eye care professional for examination to correcf any refractive error that strains the eye area. Constant squinting can cause early wrinkling of eye area and other symptoms like puffy eyes.

*  Eye creams can be helpful too. They are formulated specially for the eye area and to slow aging in the peri-orbital areas.

Examples of eye creams that have proven to be effective with regular application.

Oriflame Collagen wrinkle correcting eye cream.
It is made to reduce wrinkles, eye puffiness and dark circles. It improves microcirculation around the eyes and the skin around eye becomes smoother and firmer.

Oriflame seeing is believing eye cream
It is formulated to reduce puffiness, dark circles and refreshes eye area.


* Try cold compresses over the eye for 20 minutes or more. The cold compress act as vaso-constrictor to reduce the fluid beneath the eyelids. For a cold compress you can use cotton pads soaked in cold water or cold milk ; chilled sliced potato; chilled tea bags. Place it over eye for about 20 minutes. You will notice temporary reduction in eye bags.

* Natural butters and oils are loaded with vitamins, minerals and anti-aging components. Regular use of them for the skin can promote elasticity, tightening of skin generally and around the eye, minimizing lines and wrinkles. Examples include sheabutter, cocoa butter, olive oil, coconut oil, baobab oil etc.


* For the ladies, you can apply makeup and concealer to disguise the pronounced eye bags for a momentary gorgeous look. Be gentle anytime you are working on the skin around the eye.


To round up this subject, I believe proper general health care and and a good inner personality is more attractive. This should be priority!

Did this article prove helpful? I will like to know.

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ALL ABOUT EYEBAGS AND PUFFY EYES #1

The struggle with eye bags and puffy eyes is real. When you have tried your best to hide them, they sit out steering in the open and can be annoying at times. As a doctor of optometry, this subject is of interest to me too. I wouldn't bore you with medical terminologies. I will put it out very simple.

The skin around the eye is the thinnest of the whole body and most fragile and among the first to show signs of aging.

Early morning eye bags
When asleep, the body's circulatory system moves slowly, leaving excess fluid beneath the eyes. Early morning bags are normal. They disappear gradually during the day. If the eye bags persist throughout the day, then it is an indicator that your body needs more rest.

Genetics
Eyebags /Puffy eyes can also be inherited. Personally, I got mine from my mom. Mom and her siblings got theirs  from their mom, my granny. So eye bags do run in family and there is little or nothing you can do to eliminate them.


Aging eyebags
Eyebags that come with aging are caused by weakening of the tissues and muscles supporting the eyelids. Consequently, it falls forward to form eye bags as one ages.


Work Hazards
People who sit very long hours before computer screens without protection do experience what is called computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS symptoms include eye fatigue, heavy eyes, eye pain, itching , edema (puffy eyes) and more.
Certain jobs like welding, expose the eyes to harmful rays. Therefore its important
that workers in that environment follow safety procedures and guidelines.

Food
Certain foods encourage fluid retention in the body like salty foods, processed foods containing sodium and food loaded with carbohydrates. Some people identify jollof rice for dinner as what gives them early morning puffy eyes.

Other factors
Other factors that can cause puffy eyes include smoking, alcohol consumption, hormone level changes, change in weather, allergens, certain medications, sinus infections, kidney or liver problems etc.

When does an eye bag become a serious cause for concern?
When they persist for days and/or get worse, it can be a sign of a serious underlying health problem.
When eye bags/puffy eyes are accompanied by itching and redness, see your eye care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Continued on next post.....


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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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How to properly take care of your hair under braids.

When tired of weaves and every day hairstyling, braids are next resort. Braids are great low manipulation protective styles that also help in hair length retention. But, you can feel regrets after taken them down, if you do not properly take care of your hair underneath your braids during the period you have them installed.

Your natural hair within the braids needs to be cleansed, conditioned, moisturised as you would when not in braids.

Cleansing
To cleanse your hair, you can use just water, liquid shampoo or dry shampoo. For easy application of the liquid shampoo, dilute and gently massage your scalp with your palm. Take care not to cut hair strands from the root with your nails or better still keep short nails, your hair will thank you for that. Cleanse your hair and scalp once every 5-10 days.

Condition
Follow up cleansing with conditioner. Dilute your conditioner to prevent build up on scalp and for easy rinse off.

Moisturize
The first few days of braid installation, you need to massage your scalp and hair at the roots and edges once or twice daily. This strengthens the roots  to prevent uprootof the hair due to tightness. After which you can reduce the frequency.

Have your hairspray filled and handy for during the day moisturizing. This will prevent your hair from drying out and breaking . Just shake and spray on scalp and the entire length of your hair in the braids.

For my present faux locs,  I have water 80%, coconut oil+olive oil+ Nature and Nurture 10-in-1 growth trigger oil for daily use in my spray bottle. Even when on faux locks and the length of my hair is not exposed as its in braids, I spray along the length of my hair hoping water get in . Point :Our hair thrives on moisture. The first few days of faux locs installation, I massaged my scalp  and hair at the roots with Nature and Nurture 10-in-1 growth trigger oil which calmed the tension at the roots and hairline.

Protect hair at night
Use your satin scarf or satin pillowcase if your satin bonnet cannot contain the braids. You can also raise hair to an updo, if its too long and wrap you hair round.
Remember to massage and moisturize hair before covering it.

Donts
Choose braid styling that are not tight, painful and pull on the edges. No need to risk loosing your natural hair from the roots to a momentary gorgeous braid styling. Infact it took me more than a month to be able to style my faux locs. and still wasn't too comfortable restyling it.

Optional tip
After wash, you can seal up moisture in exposed hair not scalp (so as not to clog the pores on scalp) with melted Shea butter or any natural butter. Rub between your palm to melt and rub along the length of you natural hair.

Throughout the period of your braids are installed, your hair will look really clean, neat and smell good. You might be tempted to leave your braids on for so long b. A maximum of 8 weeks for braids and 12 weeks for faux locs is okay. If you do not take it down at a reasonable time, breakage from hair matting can occur and benefits of length retention and growth will be forfeited.

I know you got it!

I hope you enjoy your braids and keep slaying!


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