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Hey loves! This year, I figured, why not share some of my favorite beauty must-haves, in the hair category? I love when the media shares their editor’s faves, as this is where my quest begins. Based on ingredients, properties and benefits – how will it improve my “hair situation” – all attribute to me choosing beauty products for review and feature. And I mean overall! I rarely chase trends, unless I’m piqued enough to do a beauty challenge. I rate based on my hair’s behavior and appearance (frizzy, limp, dull, curly- coily, full, etc).
2013 had it’s fair share of ups and downs, as the waves of the ocean. But the following natural beauty products I am about to share with you, have proven more than reliable, when it came to the many moods of my 4a tresses! So, it’s my pleasure to introduce to you, the top 10 natural beauty must-haves…*Drum roll plz*
My healthy natural locks
10. Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Twist and Lock Gel
Beauty Hypothesis (what it does, according to brand’s claims)
“Made with 100% Pure Shea Butter and formulated without chemicals or harsh ingredients, Cantu for Natural Hair restores your real, authentic beauty. Embrace your curly, kinky, or wavy hair with Cantu for Natural Hair.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
This worked well for me over the summer. The gel did perform great, taming my frizzies and refreshing my edges. Worked best on wet hair, but does a fine job on dry, “neatening” my edge, all around. Go easy on the amount you use, as moderation is key. Works amazing on curls, great on definition. Check out the review and tutorial on Steel Feather, Lace Elephant.
Beauty Tip
To avoid morning hair nightmares, I try to smooth a dose of shea or argan oil through my tresses, beforing tying them down at night. This makes taming and molding my locks, so super sweet… The definition is always appealing! Overall Grade: A
9. Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk w/Coconut Oil, Silk Protein & Neem Oil
Beauty Hypothesis
“Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk has coconut oil, silk protein and neem oil that adds moisture, body and shine to your curls. Keeps curly hair frizz-free, shiny and healthy.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
I am an avid Shea Moisture fan, so whenever there’s a new collection, I am eager to try! I trust the brands, and have had success with the products my family and I used! I loved the feel of my damp locks, in addition to the shine. My ends curled with full, bouncy, softness. Hair looked and felt great, and dried without frizz.
Beauty Tip
I wash, and (sometimes) condition my hair, then prep for styling with curl and style milk. Smooth on, from root-to-tip. Twist/style, then allow to air dry. I usually finish fierce with Argan Oil. My coily locks can get really dry and frizzy, so refreshing with added shine and moisture…best way to start your morning hair routine! On my children’s natural tresses, it leaves smiles and receive raves from my satisfied junior beauty ambassadors (which prior to, wasn’t the case). Overall Grade: A+
8. Shea Moisture Yucca and Baobab Thickening Shampoo & Oganic Yucca Growth Milk (Yucca & Aloe)
Beauty Hypothesis
“This product is for thin, fine hair and is color-safe. It thickens, volumizes and softens. This product does not contain parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, animal testing, PABA, synthetic color, DEA, animal ingredients or sulfates.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
The stress of 2013 had my mane thinning at the roots, looking dull, limpless and overall lifeless :-(. Then Shea Moisture to the rescue. My fragile tresses, wastes no time signaling me, how unhappy it was prior to using this brand’s shampoos. My mane responded to the shampoo. The sudsy creme formula was smooth, as it cleaned my tresses and scalp. It washes clean out, leaving no residue. Over a period of 2 months (8 washes, one per week), I noticed my locks appeared and felt fuller. It had great volume and vivid bright color (its color safe).
Growth Milk, much like the Curl & Style Milk, was applied to my damp, towel dried locks, after shampooing. Growth Milk, in combination with the thickening shampoo, worked amazingly. I smoothed on at night time, before tying my tresses down (using a satin or cotton wrap) for bed. My hair volume did indeed increase. This collection is a definite must for thin or thinning hair.
Beauty Tip
Massage Argan Oil, gently onto scalp, every night, between washes, keeps roots nouished and healthy. Pure Argan Oil won’t clog pores, as it conditions and protects.. Overall Grade: A+
7. Shea Moisture Raw Moisture Retention Shampoo w/ sea kelp and Argan Oil
Beauty Hypothesis
Organic raw shea butter moisture retention shampoo used For: Repairing, Strengthening, Hair Regrowth. Can be used on all hair types. Contain Argan Oil and Shea Butter.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
I have to admit, I truly obsess over healthy, moisturized, thick hair! Shea Butter and Argan Oil are my super beauty weapons of choice. Somehow, you can’t go wrong with this power combo. Many of the other brands shampoo, strip hair, leaving them dull, weak and lifeless. This shampoo cleans thoroughly, as it adds moisture. My locks weren’t coarse, frizzy, dry or dull. I used in combo with the Yucca and Baobab Thickening Shampoo, for 8 weeks. My hair had great volume & shine and was very receptive to me molding and shaping it into my desired look. Overall Grade: A+
6. Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir
Beauty Hypothesis
“Carol’s Daughter lisa’s hair elixir restoring hair oil, is a fan favorite hair oil, which takes care of the last two phases as it rebalances and soothes the scalp. Basil oil strengthens, mint oil rejuvenates and eucalyptus oil clarifies.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
I remember Carol’s Daughter, when Lisa Price cooked her products in her kitchen in Brooklyn, NY. The packaging was a stick-on label and pruduct’s name was handwritten onto it. I was excited to see her in Sephora, Macy’s; with her many retail shops and online (Amazon). This miracle oil conditions the scalp, as it tingles with rebancing powers. This definite beauty must-have is the cherry on top – of my SPAtacular Sundays. Sundays are the one day of the week, I try my best to relax, rejuvenate and prep myself for the week ahead. This SPAtacular find is perfect to combat midweek blues. It has a great shine affect as well. It washes residue, clean out. Overall Grade: A+
5. Pantene Truly Natural Collection
Beauty Hypothesis
“Pantene’s Truly Natural Line is a line of products designed to help manage your natural hair. Pantene knows that your hair has a unique structure with distinctive twists & turns so hair can knot and be unmanageable.” A.
Beauty Conclusion
I had an amazing time, with my Pantene Truly NaturalClarifying Shampoo, Deep Conditioner, Defining Curls Styling Custard and Shine Serum w/ Argan Oil. This campaign was sponsored by POPSUGAR Select & Pantene. My hair looked and felt great. It wasn’t harsh, contained safer ingredients, compared to other brands, and cleaned, conditioned and brightened my tresses. Overall Grade: A
4. Organix Argan Oil and Shea Butter
Beauty Hypothesis
“Indulge your senses with this creamy blend of moisturizing shea butter to balance hair and scalp while weightless argan oil restores luster and shine, giving you silky smooth strands/softens your natural curls for hydrated perfection.” A
Beauty Conclusion
This chic little must-have works perfect for finishing fierce or as a touchup refresher, midweek. It contains Argan Oil and Shea Butter (my faves), its not too greasy, not sticky and works great on adding vibrant shine.
Beauty Tip…I love to use after I washed and styled my coily tresses. Use on damp or dry hair. I personally prefer using on my damp hair as it seals in the moisture, as it air dry. Overall Grade: A+
3. Organix Argan Oil of Morocco
Beauty Hypothesis
“An extra powerful blend of Moroccan argan oil to deeply heal, smooth and restore luster to damaged, dry and coarse hair. Beauty pure and simple. It’s the perfect indulgence for soft, seductive, silky perfection in an intense hydrating formula custom made for dry, coarse hair. This exotic precious blend of extra strength Moroccan argan oil specially formulated for coarse hair, penetrates, moisturizes, renews, and creates softness and strength. While protecting your hair from harmful styling heat and UV damage, it gives you smooth, sexy tresses.This rare formula has a centuries-old history of providing natural vitamin E and antioxidants while renewing your hair’s cell structure, sealing in shine, and creating lush softness. Not tested on animals.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
This oil is super convenient, as you spray it on. Spritz on from root-to-tip, to add flawless shine. Works and smells great. Overall Grade: A+
2. Cleopatra’s Choice 100% Organic African Shea Butter
Beauty Hypothesis
“Highly moisturizing and beneficial for Hair & Skin health and beauty, raw & unprocessed100% Pure, Natural & Organic. Highest Quality. Fair Trade Guaranteed, Sustainable Farming.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
Shopping for products that give back, is my huge passion of mine. I love the fact that this product is fair trade, cruelty-free and sustainably farmed. I get a high quality product, while giving back to the families of the farmers. This product is boasting with moisturizing and healing properties. Great for fusing for DIY concoctions. Overall Grade: A+
1. Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges Control Hair Gel
Beauty Hypothesis
“Perfect Edges hair gel, infused with Argan Oil, controls and holds down edges, while moisturizing and adding Exotic Shine to hair. This nutrient-rich formula makes hair stronger and gives superior hold without flaking. Perfect for creating sleek, smooth styles, ponytails, sculpting & styling the hair. Perfect for smoothing and molding the edges, nape & sides of short hair cut styles. Can also be used to spike and shape short hair.” A+
Beauty Conclusion
This little must-have is guaranteed to be found in my chic beauty bag. I’m totally obsessed with this beauty innovation. It works great on damp hair, and perfect on dry hair. I use to retwist my tresses, after washing – and as a refresher mid week. Its nonflakey and nongreasy, with a strong hold, yet its not stiff to the touch.
Overall Grade: A+
So there you have it. The top 10 beauty must-have of 2013, in the “Hair” category. Which is your fave? Share your thoughts & comments below!
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