PRODUCT REVIEW: CHERIS HIBISCUS MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO BAR

BOBEAM HAIR PRODUCTS

PRODUCT:  Cheris Hibiscus Moisturizing Shampoo Bar (Remedy Line), 4 oz.,  sale $3.50.

COMPANY:  Bobeam Natural Hair Products by Laquita

APPLICATION:  My shampoo bar arrived quickly after ordering.  The owner, Laquita, also sent me a pretty yellow flower hair accessory (see pic above), as well as a sample of one of her hair teas (chamomile and calendula).  Thanks Laquita!!!  For those who do frequent summertime wash and gos, don’t sleep on the hair teas.   It’s  a great hair rinse and/or refresher.  I made the hair tea per the included instructions.  Once cooled, I added the tea to a spray bottle along with a tablespoon of almond oil.  I keep it refrigerated and it’s the perfect hair and scalp refresher for this hot, humid weather we’ve been experiencing lately.  My hair loves it!

RESULTS:  The Bobeam Cheris Hibiscus Moisturizing Shampoo Bar leaves my hair moisturized, shiny, and clean without feeling stripped or dried out.  The perfect shampoo bar for all hair types with yummy ingredients (cocoa butter, shea, honey, hibiscus powder, etc.) essential to healthy scalp and hair.

    

VERDICT:  My hair has been behaving so well, I definitely don’t want to be without this shampoo bar.  My hair is definitely more shiny and moisturized.  Please check out her Etsy store which carries shampoo bars to take care of all of your hair care needs (including locs), hair teas, hair accessories, etc.

Check out Laquita’s blog, Allnaptural Blogspot.  This very informative and busy lady also writes for Clutch Magazine and can be heard on Napturalite Radio.

Hair Routine Update

  

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but wanted to give a little update on my routine.  My hair has endured health issues and unintentional neglect this past year and, surprisingly, continues to thrive.  I have established an even simpler routine that works.  My hair is 10-12 inches stretched, major shrinkage.

ROUTINE:

1. Shampoo every 2 weeks.
2. Deep condition weekly.
3. Henna gloss monthly.
4. Co-wash twice a week and apply shea + almond oil mix.  Depending on style, may use homemade flaxseed gel for styles requiring hold.

STAPLE PRODUCTS:

1. SHAMPOO:  Healing Herbs by Rene Herbal Black Soap Shampoo & Body Wash, (4 oz, $5.95) or bentonite clay.  For the wash and go girls in the warmer climates, use this shampoo with the Extra Moisturizing Herbal Conditioner, 4 oz. $6.95, for the most amazing wash and go ever.  ***Healing Herbs by Rene also has new products; Peppermint Ginger Lime Shampoo, Roots of Aloe Coconut Hair Polish, and Herbal Soaps. 
2. CONDITIONER:  Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner, 25 oz., $5.99.
3. STYLERS:  Homemade Flaxseed gel, Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel  (32 oz., $5.92), or shea butter + almond oil mix.
4. DEEP CONDITIONER:  Lustrasilk Shea & Mango Cholesterol (20 oz., $2.79), henna + amla for monthly henna gloss.  Note:  Full henna gives me tangly hair and it turns my gray hair a yucky orange color.  I do the henna gloss for conditioning results only.  
5. OILS:  Mustard, olive oil, and almond oils.  Please don’t sleep on mustard oil.  Replaced castor oil with mustard oil for the cold weather and my scalp and hair are loving it.  Purchased mustard, almond, and olive oil at an Indian food market.  Prices definitely cheaper. 

Links for products I’ve tried and would purchase again.  

• Pure Shea Chai-Hemp Shampoo Bar, 3.5 oz, $3.00.  I bought this at a local downtown market (Eastern Market).  This shampoo bar smells so good.  Scalp feels clean and moisturized, hair soft, fluffy, not stripped.
• Shea Essentials Hair Butter, (dry scalp and hair formula), 4 oz. $6.75.  Truly a multipurpose product and perfect for cold weather.  I use this for scalp massages, hot oil treatment, pomade, and sealant.  Ayieta (owner) also has a new Protein Rich Natural Hair Milk (6 oz., $8.00) with the ingredients we like to see in hair products.  I also purchase my shea butter, (8 oz., $6.00, free shipping)  from Shea Essentials.  This shea butter + almond oil is used for my hair and skin.
• Oils:  Mustard, almond, and olive oils.  Don’t sleep on the mustard oil, though.  Mustard oil is rich in beta carotene, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 acids.  I purchased this at an Indian market, 8 oz., $3.99.  No itchy scalp or dry hair since using this oil.  I’ve even noticed a little hair thickening which is an added benefit.

I’ve been gone for a minute and can’t believe the new products, companies, and distributors we have for natural hair.  It’s definitely a good thing and the right time for them. Yay for us!!!



PRODUCT REVIEW: Koils By Nature Herbal Soothing Unscented Gel

COMPANY:  KOILS BY NATURE

PRODUCT:  Koils By Nature Herbal Soothing Unscented Gel, 16 oz., $12.00.

I’ve been searching a long time for a “natural” gel like this and I’m absolutely loving it.  One of the reasons it’s the perfect summertime gel for me is because it has no glycerin.  I plan on incorporating this gel in my summertime styling for buns, puffs, wash and gos, etc. 

APPLICATION:  I used the Koils by Nature gel to make finger coils, a style I haven’t worn in a long, long time and I was very pleased with the results, especially due to the fact that some areas of my hair won’t coil.   After co-washing, I applied my homemade shea mix  (shea, coconut oil, AVG) throughout hair, then applied the Koils by Nature Soothing Unscented Gel on top of that.  I prefer to add the gel all at once instead of section by section.  I proceeded to finger coil, spritzing my hair with water from time to time to keep it damp.  It took about 1-1/2 hours.  The following pics show three day old finger coils. 

               

I have serious hair shrinkage, regardless of what product I use.  You’d think I cut my hair, but I didn’t.  

   

What I like about Koils by Nature Soothing Unscented Gel:

1. Natural ingredients that my hair loves.  
2. No glycerin. 
3. Nonsticky. 
4. Light to medium hold.  

Koils by Nature Soothing Unscented Gel is a keeper.  Although it says unscented, it does have a light, pleasant herbally smell which dissipates quickly.   Customer service is awesome and shipping is fast.  I received a sample of the Nourishing Hair & Body Butter in Heavenly Delight, which smells good enough to eat, as well as a nice handwritten note from the owner herself, Ms. Pamela Jenkins.  Definitely have to purchase more of her products, especially the butters and conditioners.

For the month of June, Koils by Nature is having a 20% off sale for Grads and Dads.  The perfect opportunity for you to try Koils by Nature products.  Don’t miss out!