Pamper Your Skin with Kensington Apothecary!

A good cleanser is the essential first step in any skincare routine. While daily cleansing is important to healthy skin, the right cleanser can do more than just remove dirt and impurities.

Formulated with organic and non-GMO raw materials, as well as the most advanced natural actives available, Kensington Apothecary draws inspiration from a time before synthetic chemicals existed - the Renaissance through the Victorian eras. Containing Certified Organic, Ecocert approved, GMO-free, cruelty-free, conflict-free, and sustainably-harvested ingredients, the line’s collection of cleansers are state of the art in old world beauty. {Product provided for review/feature consideration}

Blackberry & Coconut Oil Hot Oil Hair Treatment From Giovanni Eco Chic Cosmetics

From face to hair, oils have become one of the best beauty breakthroughs. The benefits of oils are endless and Giovanni Eco Chic Cosmetics NEW Blackberry & Coconut Oil Repairing Hot Oil Hair Treatment is the latest and greatest oil on the block. It strengthens and restores hair with their exclusive Dual Repairing Complex; an essential blend bursting with antioxidant power combining fresh blackberries and the organic oils of coconut. {Product provided for review/feature consideration}

Parker Time All Natural Pediatric Massage Potions are Love in a Bottle—For Sleep, Play & Everyday

You may have heard massage for babies and children is a good thing, but did you also know massage creates an important bond between parent and child while also improving long-range emotional, physical, and cognitive development? According to Founder & CEO Kelly Johnson, Parker Time Potions' mission is to focus their all-natural, quality pediatric massage oils to nurture the bond between parent and child. Johnson developed the massage oils for her son Parker (whom the brand was named after) as a way to connect with and focus on him. Parker Time Potions give parents peace of mind, knowing they are using all-natural massage oils and allowing them to slow down and savor those precious bonding moments with their child.

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...

It Started as a Supplement for the Kiddies, Turned Into My Newest Beauty Obsession; AKA: The Many Faces of Sea Buckthorn Oil

I'm not gonna lie, I've had these supplements for a while, but it wasn't until recently that I enjoyed them enough to share with you lovelies. To me it's just proof that life is about perception; when you can't accept or embrace something initially, try looking at it in a different way.

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...

CGC: Sunny Isle Organic Pimento Oil with Black Castor Oil

Sunny Isle Organic Pimento Oil with Black Castor Oil (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:  Sunny Isle Jamaican Organic Pimento Oil is blended to promote Rapid Hair Growth as it includes Grape Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, and Peppermint Oils. Peppermint is antibacterial and antiseptic so this is a self-cleansing blend that eliminates bumps and other scalp issues. The Pimento Oil stimulates the blood flow to the hair follicles and nourishes your hair. Massage into your scalp and edges to address traction and other types of alopecia. Use as a hair dress to moisturize and seal dry, breaking and fraying hair ends. 
Ingredients:  Jamaican Pimento Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Grape seed Oil, Peppermint Oil, Eucalyptus Oil

silicone free, paraben free, protein free, glycerin free

My Take:  I really like this as an overnight or hot oil treatment. It feels tingly on the scalp and smells slightly of peppermint. The applicator makes it easy to apply so it is very user friendly and there is minimal mess. It's thicker than coconut and argan oil, but thinner than the other castor oils I tried, which is just perfect for me!

PS- Product was sent for the purpose of review by NaturallyCurly.com and Sunny Isle. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)

Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl Face & Body

I'm kind of ashamed to admit it, but I know I'm not alone, so here goes: I really like TV. And I really enjoy "reality" TV. In fact, I think Bravo may be one of my favorite channels. For me, it started with the first season of Top Chef and just exploded from there. So I actually remember the first season of Real Housewives of New York, when Bethenny Frankel stood out as the lone "non" wife in the cast. She also didn't talk like the other wives, or live the same lifestyle (or on the same side of town). She was easier to relate to, because her story, her life, mirrored other women's life in a way that the other cast members just did not.


I also remember the sense of happiness I felt for her to see her business ventures flourish (did you see the Bethenny Ever After where she and her hubby visited the Skinnygirl bottling plant? And have you seen the commercials for Skinnygirl cocktails lately? There's 4 vodkas, 5 cocktails, and 3 wines now!), we were pregnant at around the same time, and to see her tie the knot and live and learn the challenges of being part of the partnership that is marriage. 


It was only a couple of  years ago that Bethenny was single and struggling to pay rent on her 750 foot apartment in New York. When she was on the Real Housewives of New York, she quickly became a sensation because she is relatable – she tells it like it is! Women across America reacted to  her being herself and being honest. Now, Bethenny Frankel is a reality TV star, mother, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and a talk-show host!

CGC: Matrix Total Results Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil

Matrix Total Results Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description: Sleek Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil instantly restores shine and silkiness. Lightweight oil treatment quickly absorbs into hair to smooth and control frizz all day. Provides shine and frizz control.

Ingredients: cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, olea europaea oil, parfum, benzyl salicylate, hexyl cinnamal, butyrospermum parkii butter, linalool, limonene, carrot oil

 paraben free

My Take:  And so my ongoing love affair with oils continues... I really didn't think I could like anything as much as I like coconut oil and Mizani's Supreme Oil, but Silk Wonder has proven me wrong! It's thicker and more viscous than coconut oil (and Supreme Oil), similar in consistency to EVOO. Despite it's thickness, it was not sticky and absorbed quickly in to my dry hair. I used it initially to detangle, and while it worked for that purpose, I think it's better suited as a treatment for fizz control and shine and as a sealer. The scent of it is divine, something like a mix between citrus and the ocean, perfect for the summer time! I love that it is packaged with an applicator tip: it means there's less mess and it's easier to apply to the scalp if so desired. I also like that a little goes a long way, so even though it's a bit pricey (it retails at professional beauty salons for $32/3 oz.), you really are getting your money's worth.

PS-Product was sent for review by NaturallyCurly.com. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)

CGC: Mizani Supreme Oil

Mizani Supreme Oil Hair Treatment (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:   Delivers intense moisturizing and exceptional softness. Imparts incredible shine. Nourishes hair and skin. Leaves hair and skin soft and silky. Fortifies and strengthens hair to reduce breakage. Locks out humidity for continuous frizz-control. Adds moisture, shine, frizz control.

My Take:    This oil was a wonderful surprise! It absorbed into my hair beautifully and didn't leave an ounce of greasiness. It had enough slip for me to use as a replacement for my usual coconut oil to detangle my hair while it was dry and had a lovely, delicate scent. I love that it was not heavy at all, but left my hair feeling soft and silky. 

PS- This product was sent for review by NaturallyCurly.com. I was not paid for this review and the opinions stated are 100% honest and my own. :)

CGC: Hempz Couture Oil Treatment

Hempz Couture Oil Treatment (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:  Prolong the life of your hair color while nourishing hair with Hempz Couture Hempz Oil Treatment. This treatment not only conditions hair, it protects hair against damage caused by UV rays and heat styling. Enriched with pure organic Hemp Seed Oil, the formula absorbs into hair instantly, smoothing down split ends and eliminating frizzies without weighing hair down or leaving an oily residue behind.

Vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free and THC-drug free formula. 

My Take: LOVE this! It is perfect for sealing and layering over cream products for added moisture and lovely shine! It is wonderfully thick, so a little goes a long way! I recommend using it on wet or damp hair, and it's perfect for refreshing second and third day curls.

PS- This product was sent for review by NaturallyCurly.com. I was not paid to do the review and the opinions stated are 100% my own and honest. :)