Good news, everyone. The once tiny aisle of hairstyling offerings for women of color is ever-expanding with the literal explosion of the natural hair movement. Pantene Pro-V, known for its Relaxed & Natural line, has decided to separate the two and create the Truly Relaxed line (formulated for those with chemically-treated hair) and the Truly Natural line (formulated for those with natural kinks, curls and waves). Understanding that natural hair requires a different approach, Pantene maintains its dedication to uniquely addressing the growing needs of Black women.

Here’s the scoop on the products, which are infused with natural oils, intense moisturizers and Pantene’s smart conditioning technology.

Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Clarifying Shampoo

Like most clarifying shampoos, this type of cleansing is not necessary very often. They’re meant to thoroughly cleanse the hair and scalp of product build-up, which can be good for the natural who tends to use a lot of product. However, these shampoos are known for their drying effects, which is why they’re not recommended for frequent use. Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Clarifying Shampoo is fairly soft during the wash and doesn’t create the usual squeaky feel. It has some serious cleansing powers and will rid of flakes or oily build up. True to the description on its label, it is gentle, but you probably want to save it for beach or pool days or create a useful cocktail of a dollop of conditioner + a nickel-sized amount of clarifying shampoo.

Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

Co-washes truly come in handy when you want to quickly rinse product from your curls and re-style. Use this cleansing co-wash for a mid-week restyle sans the deep treatment.

Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Deep Conditioner

This rich conditioner is an affordable must-have for any curly girl. Upon applying, it immediately starts to soften curls, which is a feat for most conditioners when it comes to natural hair. Those with fine or medium textures will be able to start detangling immediately, while those with kinkier textures should massage for a minute before tackling with a wide tooth comb or paddle brush. Upon rinsing, your hair will still be soft. It doesn’t do that irritating switcheroo where your curls are soft and limp until rinsing, where they become hard and shrunken.

The smell? Well, it’s fresh, floral and pretty amazing. The scent lingers long after your hair is dry. It’s a pretty good prep for any type of styling.

Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Defining Curls Custard

This silky custard falls somewhere in between a gel and a crème. It’s light and not very tacky. It gives soft definition and doesn’t require much water to spread it throughout your hair. It can be used on fine to medium textures for fingerstyling and kinkier textures will want to add a little more. Your hair will dry soft with plenty of fluff and last for 1 – 2 days.

By Wes (of HoneyBrownSugar.com)

I recently posted this pic on Instagram and many people asked if this was a twist out. It isn’t – It’s my version of a simple wash & go. I usually use Let’s Jam Custard Cream Gel to achieve my wash & gos but for the curls above I used Cantu’s Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream (from the August Curlbox).

Here’s how I did it:

Step 1: Start with freshly washed and conditioned strands (keep a spray bottle handy in case your hair dries quickly; you’ll want to keep it wet).

Step 2: Section hair (I go from ear to ear), starting at the bottom. For each section, apply about a fingertip full of the Curling Cream. Be sure to coat the hair through to the ends (trust me, a little goes a long way). Next, apply the Eco-Styler Olive Oil Gel over the Curling Cream (once again, a little goes a long way). Twirl the ends of your hair around your finger (this helps create and maintain curl shape).

Step 3: After you’ve completed each section, allow your hair to dry (either naturally or underneath a tabletop or bonnet dryer). I personally like to dry my hair under a bonnet dryer – it gives me more precise results.

Step 4: Once your hair is dry, you might have to separate the curls that may have clumped. Separating the clumps promotes volume (a LOT of it!) and definition.

This wash & go lasted me about 3 days (I don’t usually get more than 4 days out of a W&G). My hair did stay moisturized but the curls ended up shrinking (the gel helped elongate the curls). I think if the Curling Cream was used alone, my curls would have shrunken even more simply because this is a lightweight cream.

Have you tried the Cantu Coconut Curling Cream? What are your thoughts?

Instagram: @mswesb

Pinterest: @mswesb

Twitter: @honeybrownsugar

www.honeybrownsugar.com

Ouidad

Watch my video here!

One of the perks of this job is being able to test brand new products before they ever even hit the market!  I’ve been a fan of Ouidad for quite some time.  I’ve tried nearly every item in the line and it’s clear that they understand curly hair.  When I was approached with the opportunity to test on of their new products, I could NOT resist (uuuummmm … I AM a self-professed product junkie)!

 Let me tell you a bit about the all-new SALON SERIES by Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi-use Hair Treatment:

Free of silicones, sulfates, parabens and waxes

 2 FL OZ: $36.00; 4FL OZ: $58.00

What is it?

A super-concentrated, multi-tasking oil that provides immediate & long term moisture to hair, restructures and restores a health appearance to the dullest locks.

cB noticed:  It really refreshed dull hair because we DO NOT tie our hair down at night … We prefer to luxuriate scarf-free. *lol* 

 Ummmm … Is this for MY hair type?

This is for all types & textures in need of extra nourishment, repair & protection.

What’s in it?

Mongongo oil is know for its high vitamin E content and superb regenerating and antioxidant properties.  It also has linoleic acid, omega-6, palm seed oil and broccoli seed oil which deeply repairs damage.

What will it help?

It protects against UV rays, aggressive styling, smooths frizz, restores natural luster and sheen and even speeds up drying time!

How do I use it?

Spray it in the palm of your hand and work through clean, towel dried hair.  DO NOT spray directly on the scalp … This is super-concentrated!  Comb through and style.  You can also use for shine and frizz-control on 2nd, 3rd and 4th day hair!

By Wes (of HoneyBrownSugar.com)

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending Optimum Haircare’s launch party for their new 6-in-1 Miracle Oil. Curly Nikki and Tracee Ellis Ross were the guest hosts and all in all, it was a beautiful evening. The kinky, curly and coily headed crowd looked radiant! It was exciting to see all of the various textures and skin tones of gorgeous women in one place.

I’ll admit that my main reason for attending the party was to catch a glimpse of (and possibly take a pic with) the lovely Ms. Ross (my original hair idol), but unfortunately that didn’t happen and I was devastated to say the least! In any case though, I received a tiny sample pack of the Miracle Oil that I tried on my 2 day old wash & go a few days later. It is a lightweight oil that absorbed pretty quickly and left my curls with a soft sheen (no pun intended). I used a generous amount and it didn’t weigh my hair down or make it greasy. It has a light, delicate scent that isn’t overpowering. The oil boasts of the inclusion of 6 oils which include: Argan, Coconut, Sunflower, Apricot, Jojoba, and Avocado. According to their website, the oil can be used on the hair, scalp, and skin as a hot oil treatment, daily leave-in conditioner, moisturizing scalp oil, braids/locs maintenance, all-day frizz controller and dry skin hydrator. All of this, in one bottle, for $8.99.

Now, I’m not heavily into assessing ingredient lists but I always check the first 5 ingredients for petrolatum, mineral oil or any other funny fillers. I was expecting to see the 6 oils mentioned first but I was wrong; the Argan and Coconut oils are listed in the 10^th and 11^th spots, respectively. This was a little disappointing to me, but like I said, I’m not very much into analyzing product ingredient lists and I’m not really into oils for my hair honestly.

So, tell me – What are YOUR thoughts? Do product ingredients make or break your hair product purchases?

Instagram: @mswesb

Pinterest: @mswesb

Twitter: @honeybrownsugar

www.honeybrownsugar.com

]]> http://www.curlbox.com/blog/2012/08/27/review-softsheen-carson-optimum-salon-haircare-6-in-1-miracle-oil/feed/ 1 http://www.curlbox.com/blog/2012/08/25/charyjay-august-curlbox-review-best-box-yet/ http://www.curlbox.com/blog/2012/08/25/charyjay-august-curlbox-review-best-box-yet/#comments Sat, 25 Aug 2012 14:13:01 +0000 myleik http://www.curlbox.com/blog/?p=867

Best BOX yet?  What say you?

I remember the first time someone told me about “Sage.”  On Black Friday last year I wanted to know what some of the other “curly” brands were doing.  I sent out a tweet to ask around to see what I’d be able to “come up” on.  Someone tweeted me back that they took advantage of the sale online at “Sage.”  I remember replying back with, “What is SAGE?”  I had never heard of it.  Was it a new product line?

The person tweeted me back that it was a store that sold products for natural hair – it was a brick and mortar store and they sold products online.  I looked online and was a bit intrigued but not enough to buy until a random day that I happened to randomly turn a corner after getting a tattoo (at City of Ink).  I saw the little store and remembered the name … I had to go inside.

I fell in love the moment I walked in.  Cindy (the owner) had EVERY product that you’ve been meaning to try but probably haven’t purchased because most things can only be purchased online and which few things do you REALLY want to take a chance on when buying online?  Exactly.

Sage Naturalceuticlas carries a plethora of amazing lines for curly hair and the best part about it all?  Every single product has a tester for you to touch, feel and smell!  Every time I’m in Sage I get at least two new things to “try.”  My latest find and RAVE is the:

Qhemet Biologics – Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter

Have you been to Sage yet?  What are some of your favorite products?  If you haven’t been yet, you can walk in or visit online: http://www.sagenaturalceuticals.com/shop/

In the May curlBOX we raved about the Elasta QP Mango Butter.   It’s definitely one of those “ride or die” products.  This product is like that one girlfriend that you have that gets along with EVERYBODY!  There are a few ways you can use it and we’d love to share some of the “formulas” that just may help get you to your happy place.  Try using the Elasta QP Mango Butter these 3 ways:

1.  Alone (as a moisturizer).  You can easily use EQP as a moisturizer after you poo, condition and leave-in.  Whether your twist, braid or just wear loose, you will notice moisturized hair and even a bit of “stretching” going on.

2.  EQP MB + Gel = Defined Curls.  You can pair the EQP with one of your favorite gels (Ampro Olive Oil Gel, Eco Styler or Curls Unleashed Curl Boosting Jelly) for defined stretched curls after a twist or braid out.  A fave way to use this combo is with a flat twist-out.  Simply Gorgeous.

3.  EQP MB + Your Favorite Oil = Really Moisturized & Fluffy Fro.  If your hair is in need of some extra TLC, pair the EQP with the oil that your hair loves most.  We’ve used it plenty of times with coconut oil and the stretch is amazing on this and the twist/braid out lasts and lasts!

What EQP combo have you tried?  We’d love to know! 

photo courtesy of: Lovely Malia

No matter curl type or pattern, we have the best expert-approved brushes for your texture.

Detangling Fine Curls | Tangle Teezer | $12.99 | Painless detangling without any hair left in the brush.

Detangling Thick Curls | Corioliss Fashion Brush | $25.00 | Comes with a detachable pin on bottom  for sectioning.

Medium – Long Curls | DENMAN Paddle Brush | $11.95 | As you hair grows you should update your brush.

For Dandruff | Goody Styling Therapy Reduce Dandruff Copper Infused Brush | $13.00

All Hair Types “The Rolls Royce of Brushes” | Mason Pearson Handy Mixture Brush | $170 | Brush stunts.

Most hilarious curlBOX review on Youtube!  $55, John?? *lol*

How to find Melshary:

Instagram & Twitter: @melshary
Tumblr Blog: http://naturalhaireverything.tumblr.com/