PSA: Target is a DANGER Zone!!!

I decided to take a trip to Target today to visit the hair aisle of course ^_^ and to my surprise I found (3) "new" brands that Target is now carrying...hence the title "DANGER Zone".  Target is now carrying Oyin Handmade, Carol's Daughter and Alikay Naturals Products...say what?!!  Yes that's the same thing I said, well if you don't believe me here are a few snapshots.  Of course I have tried something from all (3) brands, but the fact that its in my local Target is a BIG DEAL!!!  The shelves are a bit empty but I believe there were stocking up.  What's not to love about Target?

Oyin Handmade

Carol's Daughter

Alikay Naturals

Are these brands carried in your local Target?

The Struggle: Hair Products

The past couple of months have been a struggle to find the "perfect" product combo or products at all for that matter.  My youngest daughter is only three and I have been thru a ton of products.  Throughout this process I have learned what her hair likes and dislikes!!! #atruejourney

A little background:  BG "M" hair can use most if not all and any products.  BG "S" hair on the other hand is protein and panthenol sensitive and acts funny with glycerine and MOST products have these ingredients.

To get an idea, here is a list of the brands I have purchased with my own money and tried.  The number beside the product line indicates how many products I have tried from that line.

Terressentials (1), JessiCurl (1), As I Am (2), Blended Beauty (5), Shea Moisture (14), Original Moxie (2), Alikay Naturals (3), Eden BodyWorks (4), HoneyChile Hair Love (2), Qhemet Biologics (7), B.A.S.K (2), Ynobe (5), Carol's Daughter (7), Darcy's Botanicals (6), Curls (3), Oyin (4), 4Naturals (1), Luv Naturals (3), Entwine Couture (3), Obia (4), Camille Naturals (2), Noire Naturals (3), Curly Q (3), Kinky Curly (3), Trader Joes (2), All Things Natural (3), KeraCare (2), Beautiful Textures (2), Taliah Waajid (2), Karen Body Beautiful (3), Herbal Essence (2), Uncle Funky's (1), Jane Carter (3), Koils by Nature (1), Reve Essentials (1), Giovanni (3), TresSemme (1), Bee Mine (1), Aubrey Organics (2), Eco Styler (2), Cara B (3), Dr. Miracles (1), Nothing But (1), Curl Junkie (3), MyHoney Child (1), JessiCurl (1) and more...

Here are a few pictures of just some of the products I have purchased...

So as you can see, I have a lot of product reviews to do, lol. I won't be doing reviews on some products because some products just didn't work, not any fault of the product but because they contained ingredients that her hair just didn't agree with, so in all fairness I won't post on them.  However, if you have a question about a product feel free to ask ;)

And just in case you're wondering, any products we disliked or couldn't find a permanent place for in our regimen we sold!!!

Stay Tuned...Product Reviews on the way and our newest staple products!

Product Review: OBIA Natural

OBIA Natural

**I tried these products with the Trail Pack which only cost $10.00...great deal!!!  At the time they had a special which included the shampoo bar** 

This is SUPER late so, let's jump into the review...


Obia Coconut & Shea Shampoo Bar

Cost: $10.00 (www.obianaturalhair.com) 

Size: N/A

Scent: Very light coconut scent
Consistency: N/A

What They Say:
This rich moisturizing shampoo will leave your hair soft, conditioned, and hydrated.  Shea butter deeply moisturizes and repairs damage to hair and scalp, while coconut oil protects hair from heat and chemical damage.

What I Say:
This is my favorite item from the line!  This was my very first time using a shampoo bar and I must say, I was very impressed.  This shampoo does a very good job at cleansing the hair and leaves the hair very moisturized.  It lathers very well and it also washes away very easily.  After washing BG "S" hair with this shampoo bar, her hair was left soft and clean...oh it smells so good!

Ingredients:
Saponified Oils of Coconut, Palm, Castor bean, Safflower; Shea Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water, Rosemary Essential Oil, Sorbitol, Soybean protein, Sorbitan Oleate, Fragrance.

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

Obia Curl Moisture Cream

Cost: $10.00 (www.obianaturalhair.com) 

Size: 4 oz.

Scent: Light Floral
Consistency: Creamy

What They Say:
Use to add moisture and hydration to your hair.  Infused with argan oil, lavender oil, grape seed oil, vitamin E, and burdock root. Promotes hair growth without leaving your hair weighed down.

H balanced Curl Moisture Cream seals in moisture and minimizes frizz by smoothing and closing the cuticle.

What I Say:
I used this product as a leave-in/moisturizer and it did a good job at moisturizing.  It left BG "S" hair soft and fluffy.  It also gave her hair a nice sheen and it smells great.  Overall, I liked the product because it is very light but moisturizing plus it doubles as a moisturizer and twisting cream if you don't require much hold and the ingredients are nice!

Ingredients:
Purified Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Vitis vinfera (Grape seed) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) oil, Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Arctium lappa (Burdock Root), Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycine soya (Soybean) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Oil, Triethanolamine, Fragrance (Parfum).

**** I give this product a 4.5 out of 5 Baby Curls****

Obia Curl Hydration Spray

Cost: $10.00 (www.obianaturalhair.com) 

Size: 8 oz.

Scent: Light Floral
Consistency: Liquid

What They Say:
Use daily to moisturize your hair and scalp, or to refresh your style. Infused with argan oil, rose oil, and vitamin E.  Hydrates curls, adds shine, detangles, and conditions hair.

What I Say:
This product smells great and is an excellent daily moisturizer, it brings back life to the hair.  It sprays nicely and leaves the hair soft and moisturized.

Ingredients: 
Purified Water (Aqua), Vegetable Glycerin, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Rose Oil, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Soybean Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Fragrance (Parfum).

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

Obia Curl Enhancing Custard

Cost: $15.00 (www.obianaturalhair.com) 

Size: 12 oz.

Scent: Light Floral

Consistency: Thick custard

What They Say:

This alcohol-free formula hydrates, elongates, and provides super shine to all types of hair.  Does not leave a waxy residue or buildup. Infused with argan oil, grape seed oil, and olive.

Use to define curls, to smooth edges, or to aid in up-do styles.  Curl Enhancing Custard defines and conditions hair leaving it soft, shiny, and deeply moisturized. 

What I Say:
This is a great styling product, it is moisturizing and provides great hold.  It also does a wonderful job at defining your curls. I tried this product on both dry and damp hair and it works best on damp/wet hair. The only problem I have with this products is that it makes the hair a little crunchy but still a great product overall.

Ingredients: 

Purified water (Aqua), Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Vitis vinfera (Grape seed) Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Oil, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Vegetable Glycerin, Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Xantham Gum, Fragrance.

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

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****

**pH Balance and Hair**

When I first began educating myself on natural hair, I ran across YouTuber KimmayTube and became an instance fan!  I learned so much from her as it pertained to understanding the science of natural hair.  The thing that stuck out the most for me was her video on "pH Balance".  I was so anxious and excited, I watched all her videos that spoke on the topic and ordered pH Balance Test Strips (the exact strips she used) from Amazon to start testing all the hair products I owned and products I made (please don't judge me, smile)!  They are very easy to use.  Learning about pH Balance has become an important part of understanding why hair responds the way it does to products.  This is how the infamous "kimmaytube leave-in" came about.

What is pH?
pH is a scale measuring the acidity and alkalinity of a product. It is calculated by determining the number of hyrogen ions. The scale goes from zero (strongly acidic) to 14 (strongly alkaline), 7 being neutral.

Helpful pH Balance Charts

How To Control Your Hair with pH Balance (KimmayTube)

pH Balance TEST Results (KimmayTube)

Here are some products I tested along with the results of the pH Balance Test Strips:

Shampoos Bert's Bees Baby Bee - 5.0 Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention - 6.5 Cara B Naturally - 5.0

Conditioners Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition (Old Formula)- 4.5 KimmayTube Leave In w/ Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner - 4.5 Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut - 5.0 Shea Moisture Black Soap Masque - 5.0 Curls Coconut Sublime - 6.0

Homemade Products Detangle Mix (Conditioner and Distilled Water) w/o Apple Cider Vinegar - 6.0 Detangle Mix (Conditioner and Distilled Water) w/ Apple Cider Vinegar - 5.0 Homemade Shea w/o AVG - 7.0 Homemade Shea w/ Aloe Vera Gel - 4.5 Homemade Moisturizer Spritzer - 4.5

Stylers Shea Moisture Curling Souffle - 4.5 Barry Fletcher Twist Putty - 5.0 Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey - 7.0 Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste - 6.5 Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque - 6.5 Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter - 8.0 Dr. Miracles Soft Hold Creme - 6.0

Moisturizer Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk- 6.5 Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Volumizing Hair Milk - 5.5 Cara B Naturally Leave-In/Daily Moisturizer - 5.0 Cara B Naturally Hair Mist - 5.0 Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream - 5.0

Other Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)- 2.0 Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee - 6.0 Aloe Vera Gel - 4.5 Oils Most oils tested - 7.0 (Neutral)

I have not discontinued using products because the pH Balance fell in a certain range. (SN: Most products used are not over the 7.0 range-neutral). I simply use the information collected to educate myself by understanding why hair responds different ways and how to adjust the pH Balance of products for desired results. An example of "desired results"would be if you want the ends of the hair to curl up or remain bushy. It really depends on you!

I will be ordering more pH Balance Test Strips soon because I used every single one and I still have more products to test. :)

~Happy Curls~