Product Review: Luv Naturals

Luv Naturals "Wash Me Gently"Hair & Scalp Cleanser

Cost: $13.00 (www.luvnaturals.com) 

Size: 8 oz.

Scent: Peppermint/Tea Tree
Consistency: Rich & Creamy

What They Say:
Gently and effectively cleanses hair & scalp of mild to moderate build-up
pH balanced (5.0 - 6.0 pH) to encourage the hair's cuticles to close which:
Helps to minimize hair strands from swelling during wash
Helps to prevent hair from feeling "stripped" of surface oils.

Naturally derived and organic ingredients
No artificial fragrances
No artificial colors
Food grade preservatives
Shelf life is 1 year from purchase date

What I Say:
I was excited to try this shampoo after seeing her video tutorial.  I can't say that I was blown away, it was okay, I mean after all it is a shampoo.  It had good slip and the hair did feel clean without feeling stripped and moisturized but I need a shampoo that lathers and the lather I saw in the video I did not get on my daughter's hair.  Its not a bad shampoo but its not something I will re-purchase.

Ingredients: 
Aqua, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Organic Oil, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Glucono Delta Lactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Mentha piperita (Peppermint, Triple Distilled) Essential Oil, Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil

**** I give this product a 4 out of 5 Baby Curls****

Luv Naturals "Don't Be So Clingy" Hair Detangler

Cost: $13.00 (www.luvnaturals.com)

Size: 8 oz.

Scent: Orange
Consistency: Rich & Creamy

What They Say:
Helps to release knots, tangles and shed hairs (which help to prevent hair breakage)
pH balanced to help reduce breakage caused by clingy hair (4.5 - 6.0 pH)

Naturally derived and organic ingredients
No artificial fragrances
No artificial colors
Food grade preservatives
Shelf life is 1 year from purchase date

What I Say:
I like this a lot!  The slip is crazy good.  I spritz the hair first and then applied this product and the knots literally melted away.  I was actually able to successfully finger detangle (I still used my trusty detangling comb though!).  The more water used, the less product you have to use.  This product can also be used as a pre-shampoo; the directions does call for it to be rinsed out, so it cannot be used after washing which is fine with me because I have always detangled before washing so this is right up my alley.  The question for some may be does this work better than regular cheap conditioner...I think it may be a little better because it releases the knots effortlessly. However, the product can get expensive when you include shipping.  I have always used a detangling cocktail to detangle the girls hair, so I have substituted this product in place of the usual conditioner and love it even more plus I get more use of the product and don't have to purchase as often.  I will definitely re-purchase.

Ingredients: 
Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrus sinensis (Orange, Sweet) Essential Oil, Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) Extract, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Mangifera indica (Mango) Butter, Corylus avellana (Hazelnut) Oil, Olea europaea (Organic Olive) Extra Virgin Oil, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Organic Oil, Brassica oleracea italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Acrylic Polymers, Glucono Delta Lactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Mica

**** I give this product a 5 out of 5 Baby Curls****

INGREDIENT CHECK: Panthenol? What is It?

Panthenol is a very popular ingredient in skin and hair care products which is a derivative of vitamin B5 products.  It is a humectant, emollient, glossifier, detangler and moisturizing agent. It is highly water soluble and is also easily removable with mild plant-derived oils or via conditioner cleansing (co-washing).  Panthenol can be found in shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioners, leave-ins, hair lotions, etc.

Excerpt from Naturally Curly:

{...Panthenol is capable of penetrating the cuticle and entering the hair shaft as well, where it aids in moisture retention and provides volume.

It is important to note that sometimes penetration of the shaft by ingredients can create a rough cuticle surface and lead to frizz, due to swelling of the hair shaft. This may not occur for everyone and is dependent upon several factors, including porosity of the hair and the amount of the ingredient used in the product. It is a potential undesirable effect, so keep this in the back of your mind when using a product containing the ingredient.}

Ding, Ding, Ding...something hit me!  I have been currently battling with BG "S" hair being ridiculously frizzy and couldn't figure out why and then it all made sense.  I have been using a new leave-in with panthenol and although I love the product and it leaves the hair super soft and moisturized it would also be super frizzy, that's a big NO-NO!  And then I thought about past products that yielded frizzy hair and they all had one common ingredient...Panthenol.  This is obviously not something that will happen to everyone just like with other ingredients but just in case you may be experiencing a similar issue, check the ingredient list on your products!

So for now, I will discontinue using I will monitor "leave-in products" with panthenol and pay close attention to how the hair reacts since I can't completely avoid it as it is in most leave-ins (especially the good ones, lol).  Experimentation and listening to your hair is the best way to find out what works well on your own hair.  I'll keep you guys posted...

FYI..this is not to say panthenol is bad because it isn't, just for you to be educated on what may work or not work for your hair!

What have been your experience with Panthenol?