Ishimma Review for 4C Natural Hair

Just recently uploaded my video about my Ishimma run.
Products:
Ishimma Eucalyptus Rose Shampoo - $10.99
Ishimma Papaya Lime Creme Conditioner - $10.99
Ishimma CocoMint Hair Oil - $6.79
Ishimma Hydration Hair Butter - $9.79

What I loved:
NO FRIZZ! FRIZZ PROOF!
The sulfate free shampoo didn't feel as if it was cleaning my hair, but it did WORK! My hair was in need of a good moisturizing yet, powerful cleanser and this was it! I love how a little goes a long way with the conditioner. I also like how you can use the conditioner as a detangler, moisturizer, AND a deep conditioner.
The CocoMint hair oil was also nice because it has a subtle smell.

What I wasn't so hot about:
The conditioner. I feel like its missing a little something, but for now just need to use my favorite leave-in as a substitute.

Pooka Pure and Simple Lemon-Aide Hand Exfoliator - CurlKit Product Review

Recap story made short:

I worked, cooked, cleaned the dishes, did laundry and then organized my room which gave me the opportunity to notice my hands were dry and rough looking.

I remembered that in my June 2013 CurlKit, a product named Pooka Pure & Simple Lemon-Aide Hand Exfoliator ($10.00 for 4 oz) was also in the package.

Ingredients: 

• Organic Cane Sugar
• Soybean Oil
• Olive Oil
• Lemon essential oil blend
• Vitamin E

Directions:

• Wash hands
• Scoop a small amount
• Rub-a-dub-dub
• Rinse

After rinsing I used some of my favorite lotion (which also happened to be in the June 2013 CurlKit)

And it then I decided to write a review. 

I LOVE IT! While I was massaging it into my palms I didn't feel the Pooka doing much but once I used some lotion, I felt the Pooka magic! lol

Seriously, it smells great and my hands have never felt more moisturized. 

When this runs out, I'll definitely stock up on more.

Remember, olive oil is a hands best friend. Add a few drops to your hands before night time or in the morning before you take a shower. Skin care and Inner care is just as important as Hair care. 

Did I mention this Lemon-Aide Hand Exfoliator smells blaaaaayyyyzannnnn!?

4C Transitioning to Natural Hair - Review Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream

A few people recently asked me what I used when I was transitioning.
They asked me because they are convinced they have 4C hair.
If you are planning on going natural, or if you are deep in the transitioning stage PLEASE DO NOT try to type your hair.
Right now you have more stresses on tresses than what a chart can "fix". The demarcation line (the point where your natural hair (new growth) and your relaxed, damaged, colored, heat-stressed meets) being one. How to make a style last a few hours let alone a whole day or week, being two. Growing anxieties over how those around you are going to react, being three.... and so on and so on.

Good news: I'm here to help!

When I decided to transition, the first product I was told to purchase was Cantu's Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream $4.99

My transitioning hair style was the two-strand twist, then using the blue, yellow, and red perm rods. I would use Cantu and hair pudding or Cantu and twist gel or Cantu and curl defining creme or Cantu and.... whatever I came across and trust, I came across A LOT of trial and error.
Then I would set over night, using a blow dryer in the morning ONLY if I needed to, and then proceeded to take out the perm rods. I would leave it as is and after two days undo the two-strand twist for a magnificent curly twist out.

This product became my holy grail! No matter what product I used or what style I was going to (attempt to) display, my Cantu Leave In was going on my 4C kinks first! During my 6 months of transitioning to natural hair, I used almost 3 full jars. This product is great for slip between new growth and relaxed tresses and it doesn't break the bank. I used to try different oil mixes with my Cantu Leave-in and I also tried to use it in the KimmyTube Leave In recipie.


If you're transitioning and you feel like your hair looks dull and needs more conditioning then buy a jar of Cantu's Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner. It's super cheap and even if you don't like it, I'm pretty sure you will find a way to use it that suits your needs (i.e. as a rinse, a mix, overnight conditioning, give to a friend to try, etc)

*Here's a picture of my hair 1 month before I transitioned (5 month transition). It looks very short because:
1 - I was scissors happy, so if my ends were sticking out of the perm rods then I would just snip it off and
2-  My 5 month new growth were tight, weighed down coils that will not form to the perm rods. The little spirals at the top was strictly just the remaining of my relaxed hair.

So for Transitioner's I am #TeamCantuLeaveIn... But for natural heads....? wellll maybe I should go back to my roots (lol) and let you guys know? hmm... Indeed. 

4C Natural Hair - Marley Twist; Review Caviar Curls Leave-in Detangler cocktailed W/ Curls (Target) Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste

Last night, around 7pm I took it upon myself to start twisting my hair knowing VERY well I had a funeral to prepare for early the next morning.
I didn't finish till 3am!
I can't say it wasn't expected (the long time that is). This was my time first ever braiding extensions into my own scalp and I decided to do smaller twist towards the front, which was definitely my bad.

I LOVE IT!

My CurlKit came yesterday as well so I used Caviar Curls - Velvet Leave-In Detangler
(Usually I would leave the price but...... I've searched this product and it seems as if the website www.caviarcurls.com and the actually product is missing from the cyber world.
Anywho.... )I reallllllly like it for my 4c kinks.
For the twist I cocktailed it with Curls - Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste  $7.99
The combination is SUPERB for braiding with Marley hair.
And I think the combination would be fine for a Shingle n' Go as oppose to a wash n' go. I can't realistically do either if you are a 3a-4a person, then take my Shingle n' Go idea and GO lol

For hair I brought a total of 4 packs of Marley hair. - $4.99
-2 packs from the Janet collection:
     -M1B/BURG
     -1B
-2 Packs:
     -Plain store 100% Kanekalon Marley Baird - $4.99

I really like the Janet collection's M1B/Burg color. Always have like that color with my complexion; I would color rinse my permed hair every month and Love the results
Jane Collection hair is better for kinky twist I THINK. For it too look like Marley hair I had to comb out two strands of hair and then proceed to twist. The plain 100% Kanekalon Marley Braid gave me the look I expected just by stretching the strands apart.

My hair with the extensions are slightly past the breast area so it's long...well it's the longest braid extensions I've ever had.

I still haven't sealed the ends, trim the individual strands with scissors, or roller set the twist because I'm still tired from falling asleep at 3am last night lol

Here's my first vlog about bout it ;)

June 13 2013 - 4C Natural - Ouidad $5 Sample Pack Sale!!!

And FREE SHIPPING! Get on it! 

Sample pack includes:

Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo

Climate Control Defrizzing Conditioner 

Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

Moisture Leave-In Conditioner 

Curl Quencher Hydrafusion 

AND

Comes with an extra Free Control Heat & Humidity Gel (sample size)

For $5

Woooo Ouidad!

Affordable 4C - Natural Hair Products and Sales? (CurlKit)

If you read my previous post, you may get the vibe that I'm cheap. If so, always trust your vibes! Lol. But seriously, I don't like dropping bombs of money on products just to test them out because:

1) I don't have bombs of cash to drop

...and 

2) The product may not be the best for 4c me. 

Some websites offer sample packages or samples of their best selling product. That is cool and everything but why are the samples still soooo expensive?!? 

Anywho.... I am subscribed to tons of brands that us naturlistas love. I will keep you guys posted on when I find awesome sales that catch my eye. 

Another thing....

I recently became a subscriber to CurlKit. 

Their June kit will be the first one to be sent to me and I'm pretty excited. CurlKit's previous month didn't get great reviews because the products weren't considered "very natural" to their subscribers. CurlKit heard their customers and decided to up their kits! I don't know what's coming but I'm really excited to try some new products that I probably wanted to buy but didn't want to spend my whole paycheck on. CurlKit is $20/month and you can unsubscribe whenever you want with no extra fees. Also they always have some promo code laying around, usually for up to $2 off and free shipping. 

If I like what's in my CurlKit, I'll do a review. I'm considering video. Considering. Just a consideration. 

Stay posted. 

4C Product Review: Twist-Out - ELASTA QP - Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-in Conditioner; Entiwne The Manipulator - Creme Jelle Styler; Curls - Curl Gel-les'c - Curl Serum/Gel; Curl's Unleashed - Take Command Curl Defining Crème; Homemade Whipped Shea Butter

So I decided to do a tutorial-like review on some of my staple products.
The night before I had co-wash and semi-stretched my hair using a little heat with the blow-dryer (yikes!) so of course I had to re-moisturize, before bad became worst.

1. Leave-In and Detangle
I parted my hair in 4 sections and use the same leave-in moisturizer in each section. My favorite leave in conditioner is ELASTA QP - Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-in Conditioner Elasta QP Leave-In - Click Here
This stuff is holy! I like to use it every other day or whenever my hair feels dry. And it's mega affordable! I think I bribed my sister into buying it for me for about $5. I'm not complaining. It's thick, it smells terrific, and it's what I've been looking for since I've decided to BC.
Anywho... using a combination of my knock-off denman brush, a large tooth comb, and my fingers, I detangled  my tresses - taking a piece away from the part, starting at the ends and working my way up to my roots. It's super easy to detangle with this leave-in.

2. Apply Product/Review Section
a) Entiwne's The Manipulator - Creme Jelle Styler - $28.99 (I brought a small size for $10 back when it was on sale)
I chose to put this product on the back left section I parted. I applied it on a small-medium sized piece of hair, used my fingers or the "denman" to make sure the product was well on each strand, and proceeded to twist. Even though this product is pricey, it really does what it claims. If you expect elongation from this product you will get a good amount of hangage without trying as much. Another good thing about this product is you don't have to use a lot at all! You can use less than what I did in the picture below. I've seen many reviews on this product and 4a's and 4b's like it a lot for elongation as well as 4c's. I PERSONALLY like it better for hold. I like a product that would do the work of a gel but not have my hair feel like I used gel. I don't use this product for everyday styles like a twist out only because of product buildup. Once this style is done I will definitely wash my hair WITH shampoo. Even though I don't use it often, I like having this product around. Once it's almost done (and when it's on sale again) I will be buying another tub.

b)Curls - Curl Gel-les'c - Curl Serum/Gel (only found at Target) - $25

I used this product on the back right section. 

Let me start off by saying I DID NOT pay $25 for this product. I remember buying it back in November after I BC'd and not liking any of the Curls Professional hair products. I don't remember how much I paid but it DEFINITELY wasn't $25.

I do NOT like this product on my 4C hair... on my sister's hair which is more wavy and on my mothers hair which is transitioning this product had satisfactory results.

When I used this to twist my hair, I used a little bit more leave-in conditioner. On a positive note this product got the job done, I'm just not a gel person. It's takes forever to dry and when it is dry it's hard as a brick, plus it does the work of a cheap gel but instead for $25....Not. About. THAT. Life. (although I must admit, I'd rather use this gel versus a cheap gel. Again the product gets the work done, I personally just don't like gels)

But if you're mixed chick with 3 type hair, you may love it. Contact me and maybe we can make a trade.

c)Curl's Unleashed - Take Command Curl Defining Crème - less than $15

I used this product on the top right section of my head. =)) 

No need to use a lot at alll! A very little goes a long way.

I LOVE this product. I've had it since December 2012 and now it's June 2013 and there's still product left over. I've let people take containers of it home to try for themselves and I've let my mom use it unsparingly. Price compared to how much product you get is a steal! 

It's IMPERATIVE that I cocktail this curl defining creme with some kind of moisturizer. This product is only as good as your leave-in. If you have coils, kinks, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4z hair, and you worry about constant daily moisturizing and elongation, then give this product a try. I don't ever want to run out of this. It holds a very special place in my nappy heart. Wait...whaaaa?

d) Homemade Whipped Shea Butter - free if you have an awesome non-biological sister like me!

I like using this on dry yet moisturized hair. It keeps it from drying out in extreme weather and if used when hair is dry it fights shrinkage noticeably. This time, I added jojoba oil over the twist for a nicer hold because my leave-in made my hair kinda wet.

You can find how to make whipped shea butter anywhere online. It's veryyyyy expensive. The shea butter isn't but the avocado oils, vanilla extracts, grapeseed oil...etc get very pricey. But I've always had this idea and maybe you guys would like to use it: Get a whole bunch of people to want to try whipped shea butter and then have each person buy one component. Once you whip it all up, the shea butter grows. There will be enough for everyone and since a little goes a long way, it'll be enough to last.

3) Go out, come back home, etc... scarf it up!

and that's exactly what i did 

4) un-Twist

Did a twist out the next evening. 

Let me know what you think! question or comments!

Rain. 4C Hair. Fake summer.

It's 4:10pm in good ol' southern Connecticut and I just noticed my perfect morning twist out stretch 4C kinks are no longer stretched. 

Figures. 

I didn't use any holding creme or gel and this random (beautiful) rain shower is not helping. 

Also, sticking to my summer hair regimen is impossible! One day is scorching hot.... Just how I like it - and then the next day there's a blizzard. 

I'm don't want to fall out of love with my coils sooooo I'm considering an alternative. My first attempt at installing extension braids on myself should be coming soon. 

In the meantime, I'll enjoy this rain as a slight moisturizer and as time prepare for my talk tomorrow afternoon.... Possibly prepare for the whole meeting. I make no promises, not trying to get ahead of myself.