Whipped Creations for Winter - Ouidad’s Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner and Styling Primer (The Return of The Curly Girl Chronicles!)

Whether outside in the snow or getting cozy by the fire with hot cocoa, Ouidad has just the whipped winter treat for strands! Gentle enough for daily use, the Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner and Styling Primer can be used as a conditioner, to soften and restore hair, or as a primer to serve as a foundation for styling. This whipped creation is ideal for winter and will instantly moisturize hair and smoothes frizz, while enhancing shine. {Product sent for review}

CGC for the Mini Me's: Tangled Tantrum

My two curly girl princesses!

I learned of Tangled Tantrum via Instagram, and as the mommy of two curly girls, I was immediately intrigued. I reached out to the brand and was very happy that we agreed that, a) my girls are too cute, and b) we needed to try the products out on their curls!

Fab Five Friday (+1) - My Ouidad Favorites! (A Curly Girl Chronicle)

First off, did you know that Ouidad is not just a brand, she is a person? Not just a person, but a curly girl, who sought out to create a salon and extensive line of beauty products specifically for curls and waves {despite the rest of the industry calling her crazy}. Amazing, right!?! With the goal "to empower everyone to see that curly hair is a gift to be celebrated and enjoyed," Ouidad believes that "curly hair is the most beautiful hair" and wants her fellow curly girls to love our hair everyday {which can be a struggle}. All of the products in the line are gentle, moisturizing and water-soluble. They work from the inside out to  not only make your curls look beautiful, but also to "transform hair into its healthiest condition," {win win, huh}!

Curly Girl Chronicle: Luxor's The Wet Brush

Luxor's The Wet Brush (MSRP $14.00) was designed to "eliminate tangles quickly and painlessly." It also massages the scalp! It can be used on wet or dry hair and is suitable for all hair types. It features a soft, rubberized non-slip grip for a secure, comfortable hold and the flexible bristles detangle hair with ease.

Original Sprout Natural Styling Balm AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

Original Sprout offers natural hair styling products that help improve hair health and are ideal for all hair types. Their Free & Clean formulas contain soothing emollients & organic botanicals to smooth frizzies, tame flyaways & support curls softly. Their leave-in treatments restore moisture and help protect hair from UV damage and dryness.

Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Moisture Balancing Conditioner AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo (MSRP $6 for 10 fl. oz.)- was created to both correct and prevent. A special combination of lipids, vitamins and polysaccharides provides needed hydration to correct moisture-depleted hair. To further prevent dryness, a special surfactant derived from coconut oil is used. Moisture Benefits shampoo is exceptionally color friendly. This dual purpose (gentle cleansing and conditioning formula) shampoo detangles and improves your hair's manageability and texture. Perfect for dry and/or color-treated hair. This moisture-adjusting formulation selectively determines the proper level of moisture needed. Excess moisture is simply dismissed in the lather during rinsing.

L'Oreal EverCurl Line AKA: An Introductory CGC

I'm calling this an introduction because in this post I will only be covering 3 of the 5 products in the line I received for review. The Sculpt & Hold Cream-Gel (pictured below) and the Cleansing Conditioner (not pictured) will be featured in a future post.

Hydracharge Shampoo, Hydracharge Conditioner, Hydracharge Leave-In Cream, and Sculpt & Hold Cream Gel

L’Oreal Paris has launched a new line created specifically for curly girls called EverCurl! It’s a sulfate-free hair care system developed to handle all of our unique curly needs, from cleansing to styling. EverCurl products are designed to keep your curls, coils, and waves hydrated and conditioned.

Here is my first impression of the line:

Honey Curls 4 Step System Set AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

If you follow me on Instagram (which you really should be doing), then you got a bit of a preview of this CGC. Honey Curls is a cruelty free hair care line (targeted towards the junior market) from Canada. This is my first time using them, and at first my expectations weren't high (idk exactly why, probably because they have no discernible scent), but now I am super impressed. My curls look fantastic, shiny, and defined AND I'm pretty sure the amount of shrinkage that usually occurs was reduced. I used all four products as directed, and my hair is not crunchy, sticky, or heavy. I think I may be in love...

Redken's Curvaceous Curl Care Line! AKA-A CGC Preview

I will be reviewing the Redken Curvaceous Line soon, so I thought I'd give you lovelies a preview of its goodness! Stay tuned for the full Curly Girl Chronicle review!

My Tropic Isle Living (JBCO) Routine! AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

A while back, I did a post about a hair care regimen I was trying out, that incorporated products that included Jamaican Black Castor Oil. They garnered decent results, but being the true product junkie that I am, I jumped on the chance to try another line of products featuring the “miracle” ingredient. Enter Tropic Isle Living!

Hydratherma Naturals AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

There is one more product that I received to review from NaturallyCurly.com and Hydratherma Naturals, but this is the series of products I used initially. The review on the last product, the Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioning Treatment, will be covered in a later CGC. 

L'Oreal Paris EverSleek Precious Oil Treatment AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

Product Description: EverSleek Precious Oil Treatment with Argan Oil from Morocco (MSRP $12.99) is lightweight, salon-inspired oil treatment that does more than just smooth frizz – it revitalizes dry, frizzy hair to reveal smoother, softer strands with incredible shine. Instead of just coating the surface, this luxurious formula rapidly absorbs into the hair to condition and help seal in smoothness without feeling heavy or greasy. Supremely sleek, purely luminous, frizz-defiant hair. The multi-use product is perfect for all hair types and can be used day or night on damp or dry hair. Product provides frizz control and acts as an anti-humectant.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Olive Fruit Oil (Olea Europaea Oil), Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argania Spinosa Oil), Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil), Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Coumarin, Carrot Oil (Beta-Carotene). Product is sulfate free, paraben free, protein free, and glycerin free.

My Take: This oil perplexed me a bit at first. It smells fantastic (which I love) and I love just about anything with argan oil in it, so I was excited to try it out. I followed the directions (1-2 pumps applied evenly on damp hair), and the results were only so so. So I tried to use it when dry detangling my hair, but though the oil is on the thinner side (thinner than olive oil, thicker than grapeseed oil), it has a bit of stickiness to it, so that didn't work out too great. But then I had a "a ha" moment and tried it again after using a spray bottle to dampen my fourth day hair; this time I sectioned my hair and used a pump (or two) on each sections. That did the trick! My curls were smooth, frizz free, and shiny. And the oil didn't weigh them down at all so I had nice volume. Plus it soaks into the hair very well, so there was no greasy residue afterwards (though to be safe, I would wait a while before resting your head on most surfaces). It now resides under my sink (the second most coveted spot in my bathroom, after the countertop).


Until next time...

HPO Spa Treatments Butter Drops AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

HPO Spa Treatments Butter Drops (MSRP $11) available at drugstores...



Product Description: This aromatic blend of citrus and lavender provides deep hair conditioning with just a few drops. Use Butter Drops as a hot-oil treatment before shampooing hair or apply a few drops to reduce frizz and keep unruly hair in line. Butter Drops provide frizz control. You can also add a drop to HPO Body Lotion to relieve extremely dry skin or use it to soften stretch marks. 


Ingredients: Jojoba oil, extracts of orange and lavender and HPO essential oil blend.
Product is silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, protein free, and glycerin free.

My Take:  I'm all about oils and this one has a bright, citrusy scent that I love. I use it as a detangler on dry hair: concentrating it on my scalp and on my ends. It works wonders that way! I also really like that it is multi-purpose and that I can rub any excess oils into my elbows, knees, and cuticles.

Until next time...

Pureology Precious Oil System AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

Quick side note: I can't see the name of this line without hearing Golam in my head saying "My precious."

I was super stoked to try out this line, because as y'all know, I'm OBSESSED with oils! Plus the information I read on it said that it would do some awesomely major stuff for my hair: Experience radiant haircolour and 10X softer hair after just one use with Pureology Precious Oil™ haircare system for all hair types for ultimate softness. The Precious Oil system features the groundbreaking Green Seal Certified Versatile Caring Oil, the first 100% biodegradable product that is free of silicone and parabens for colour-treated hair, as well as a first of its kind Shamp’Oil – an oil-infused Zero Sulfate and silicone free featuring a unique oil delivery system that penetrates deep into hair fiber to deliver 4X the active ingredients to drastically replenish hair from the inside out. The Precious Oil system also includes an oil-infused Condition and Softening Masque. Together, the system evenly recharges every hair strand for softer, shinier, fuller and longer-lasting hair colour guaranteed. Each product in this system is designed to cleanse, condition, treat, or restore the health of the hair’s protective layer. Additionally, the Precious Oil haircare system features Sunflower Seed Oil for softness, Coconut Oil for elasticity, Olive Oil for shine and Jojoba Seed Oil for moisture. The Precious Oil system also features the exclusive oil-based OleoAntiFadeComplexTM/MC that replicates the way hair absorbs nutrients to deliver 4X active ingredients from root to tip to provide superior colour retention for longer lasting hair colour, guaranteed.

See? Pretty awesome! I don't have color treated hair, but often times I find that products marketed towards color treated hair are well suited for curly hair as well, as they are super moisturizing and non stripping. So here's what I thought after trying Pureology's Precious Oil Line...

Jane Carter Solution Scalp Renew AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle

Jane Carter Solution Scalp Renew (MSRP $20 for 2 fl. oz.)

Product Description: This all natural pre shampoo scalp treatment is great for stimulating hair growth by cleansing and exfoliating the scalp. The fundamental to growing great hair is a healthy scalp. The tea tree oil, sweet orange and peppermint will invigorate your scalp and exfoliate all of the toxins and sludge that slow hair growth. Not only does it make your scalp feel tingly clean, peppermint and tea tree revive your energy. Scalp Renew is a must!

Ingredients:  Pure essential oils of peppermint, lavender, tea tree, sweet orange, Vitamins A, D, & E, and Hybrid Safflower Oil 

silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, protein free, glycerin free

My Take:  They had me at the convenient applicator tip! The oil is thin enough to seep into the scalp well (I find that thicker oils lay on top of scalp and just gunk up my hair). It leaves a refreshing, tingling sensation and really relieves dry scalp and flaking. Plus, it smells like yummy peppermint. I like to use it at night, preferably as part of my pre poo treatment, after detangling my hair. 

Until next time...

I Think I'm In Love! AKA: Paul Mitchell's Curls Line (A CGC)

Paul Mitchell's Curls Line was provided to me for the purpose of review by Paul Mitchell and NaturallyCurly.com

This CGC will be a little different because instead of just discussing a single product, I'm covering a whole line (with the exception of the Beachy Texture Cream Gel, which I will discuss in a future CGC). Just so you know, my overall opinion of the Paul Mitchell Curls Line is that it ROCKS!!!

Tropic Isle Living Leave In Conditioner & Detangler- AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle (CGC)

Tropic Isle Living's Leave-In Conditioner and Detangler

Product Description: Give your hair that extra vibrancy it needs by using Tropic Isle Living's Leave-In Conditioner and Detangler with a fusion of Rosemary, Shea, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This conditioner not only conditions your hair,  it also calms tangled hair making it so much easier to comb through. It adds extra sheen and moisture-helping to keep your curls looking fresher and more defined than ever. Use on dry hair to refresh your style. Do not rinse out. Squeeze an adequate amount of product into palms and apply over, under and through hair. For more defined curls apply product to wet or fairly damp hair.  

Ingredients:  Organic Aloe Juice, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Shea Oil, Vitamin E, Vegetable Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Stearalkonium Chloride, Meadowfoam Oil, Phenoxyethano, di-Pathenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Black Willow Bark Extract, Rosemary, Bay, Basil, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Pimento, and Cetearyl Alcohol.   

My Take:  I *love* a spray detangler/leave in conditioner, and with the all star list of ingredients (aloe juice, JBCO, and Pro Vitamin B-yes please!) in Tropic Isle Living's Leave In Conditioner and Detangler, I had very high hopes for this one. And I was not disappointed! It was a great introduction to the brand (stay tuned for more reviews of their products), and a great product to boot. I used it on Kenzie to detangle her ever growing mane (I promise she has more hair every time I do it) and was so pleased with the results that I attempted French braided pigtails on her for the first time...

The only way her hair could have turned out better is if she had actually stayed still :)

Thusly motivated, I aimed the spray at my own tresses in order to dry detangle my own hair (my normal pre poo habit) and was once again so impressed with the results, that I actually held off on washing my hair. The conditioner left my hair so shiny and soft and smooth, I just couldn't convince myself to wash it away! The only slight caveat to this product (and it is not at all a deterrent, even for me the fragrance snob) is that, in order to maintain the integrity of the formula, there are no fragrances added to any of the products in the Tropic Isle Living line. What you smell is a combination of all the wonderful, natural ingredients within-a scent that I can only describe as nuanced, earthy, and herbally-not at all unpleasant, just perhaps something that you are not used to. Until next time...

CGC (For the Mini Me)! AKA: Curly Q's Curly Q Custard

Product Description: This rich and creamy custard textured cream provides great curl definition, weight and sheen for curly girls. It is loaded with certified organic ingredients (Certified Organic Sunflower Oil and Certified Organic Aloe Leaf Juice) and moisturizing butters (e.g. Shea and Mango) to hair strengthening ingredients such as Panthenol and Lecithin. Curly Q Custard will naturally elongate her curls. Provides moisture, definition, shine, frizz control, and acts as a anti-humectant.

Ingredients: Purified water, certified organic sunflower oil, octyl palmitate, certified organic aloe vera leaf juice, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, potassium stearate, panthenol, stearic acid, sodium carbomer, allantoin, cetearyl alcohol, certified organic sweet almond oil, shea butter, certified organic jojoba oil, soy tocopherols, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.

silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, organic


My Take: Curly Q's Curly Custard is from Curls' hair care line for kids. It is a medium weight curl cream that adds definition without hold. Because I would be primarily using it on my babies, I love that it is sulfate, silicone, paraben, mineral oil and petrolatum oil free. Purified water is the first ingredient so this is definitely meant to act as a moisturizer, but I found that I needed to seal it, in order to add shine to the hair. The jar says that it will "naturally elongate" the hair, but I didn't notice any obvious change in the amount of shrinkage in Lo's hair.

A look inside  the jar. The product is really rich and creamy, but not at all greasy. 

"Custard" is the perfect way to describe the texture of this thick and rich cream and it has a very light and pleasant scent. I suggest waiting until the hair is merely damp, and not soaking wet, to apply the custard, as it did not seem to soak into the hair when applied immediately after washing. We shampooed and then conditioned the hair and I attempted to use the custard as a detangler/leave in conditoner, but it didn't really work in that capacity. I recommend detangling with a leave in first, then using this after. Lo's 4a/b curls were soft and very well defined, and though I would've liked for them to have more sheen, her hair did look beautiful.

Lo's 2nd day, wash and go hair after using the Curly Q Custard :)

I would say that this is comparable to Shea Moisture's Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie , which we are already huge fans of. I think this is perfect for someone that is looking for something similar, but prefers products with a lighter scent. Ultimately, while I liked the product in Lo's hair, I think it is better suited for Kenzie's finer hair and perhaps even my own 3a/b curls.


Until next time...

PS-The product was supplied to me for the purpose of review by NaturallyCurly.com and the company. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)

Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion-AKA: A Curly Girl Chronicle (CGC)

Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion

Product Description: Get the ultimate in styling control for your hair with Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion. Formulated for wrapping and setting, this styling lotion gives hair superior control to create defined curls. Keeps hair looking glam and gorgeous all day long. It is an anti-humectant and provides definition. (Retails for about $5.50 for 8.5 fl oz)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Polyquaternum-11, Alcohol Denat., PEG-12 Dimethicone, Oleth-20, TEA-Lauroyl Collagen Amino Acids, PEG-75 Lanolin, Cetrimonium Chloride, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance (Parfum), Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Panthenol

sulfate free and paraben free

My Take: I would never have thought to use setting lotion in my hair, I grew up watching my mom use it for roller sets on her relaxed hair, so I didn't think it's use translated over to my natural tresses. I used the Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion in my oldest daughter's transitioning hair. She's determined to go sulfate and paraben free in the products she uses so this was a perfect fit for her roller set. We used a spray bottle of water to dampen her hair (her natural texture is 4b/c) and then used a generous amount of the foam throughout before putting in foam rollers. While I don't exactly like the scent (it's not bad, it's just not good) and the fact that it leaves your hands quite sticky, the results are undeniable. After leaving the rollers in overnight, she woke up with lovely curls that I'm positive will stay in her hair all day, despite the humidity. We did need to apply some cream moisturizer, as her hair did look a bit dry, but the important thing is that her hair will hold, thanks to Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion! I still can't figure out how to use it in my 3b hair, but we will definitely be using it again in hers!

Until next time...


Ciao, XxO


Q


PS-Product was sent for review by the company and NaturallyCurly.com. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own. This post does contain affiliate links-if you choose to click on the picture or text links AND make a purchase, I will receive a small commission :)

CGC: Carol's Daughter Macadamia Heat Protection Serum

(photo via Naturally Curly)

Product Description: Macadamia Heat Protection Serum harnesses the power of Macadamia Oil’s frizz-shield to smooth the hair cuticle and provide a barrier for heat styling. Hydrolyzed Silk, a moisturizing protein, and pro-vitamin B5, known for its strengthening properties, shield hair from damaging heat styling such as blow-dryers, diffusers, curling irons and flatirons. Apply before heat styling. Product aids in straightening, adds moisture, gives frizz control, and is an anti-humectant.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alcohol Denat., Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Silk, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sprout Extract, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate),Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum) 

sulfate free, paraben free, glycerin free

My Take: I don't know what took me so long to use this! The consistency was light and not at all greasy or sticky. The smell is fantastic (light and fresh, with not even a hint of nuttines, lol), and most importantly, it worked. Mind you, I used it after a poor hairstylist's failed attempt at a blow out, so I wasn't working with a full head of curls. But, it got my hair sleek, smooth, and shiny without an ounce of grease. I like that I really didn't need a lot of product to get the desired results-just a pump or two for each half of my hair and I was good to go! I will definitely be reaching for this whenever I want to straighten my curls!

We'll call this "before" even though technically it's "after " a blow out.

Before

After! I used the Morroconoil's Frizz Control the night before and CD's Macadamia Heat Protection Serum (purchase here: http://rstyle.me/e4dtz8nade) right before straightening. I used my flat iron from Flat Iron Experts (which I posted about here: http://bit.ly/MnXfDb )

I had to include this picture because I love Kenzie's face and you can really tell how shiny my  hair is!

Ciao, XxO

Q


PS-Product was sent for the purpose of review by Carol's Daughter and Naturally Curly. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own. Click here to purchase from Sephora: http://rstyle.me/e4dtz8nade  This is an affiliate link, if you choose to click it AND make a purchase, I will receive a small commission :)