Please note that I no longer use hair chemicals that can permanently straighten hair. This includes hair-dyes, relaxers, other straightening agents. I do however, have plenty of experience with these products. Also, there are plenty of women in my network who may be willing to use these products and give their reviews. So where applicable a third party review may be used.
Look forward to some awesome product reviews.
My Favourite things: 2014
In 2014
I undertook a massive product search. I
usually buy my hair products in the US but in 2014 my regular travel route was
altered. Which meant that my supplies were running low and I had to formulate a
plot. While my heart remains the most adventurous part of me my hair on the
other hand is very unforgiving. Being my own guinea pig comes sometimes comes
with the price of ball of knotted wool on my head. Sometimes by process others
by product I have made some pretty expensive mistakes. While I can now laugh at
this stupidity; in those very moments I just stood there looking absolutely free
of wisdom and far from freedom. One step away from cracking a tear was lesson
999 I did not want to learn.
Here’s
how I narrow the path to trying a product. First search for product reviews.
Next, find substantiating reviews. Then I consult the product ingredient list
and compare each ingredient to a directory of product ingredients. Followed by
an ingredient evaluation.
The
product makes the cut if it has excellent or good ingredients right at the top
of the list. While I do tolerate some ‘not recommended’ ingredients they have
to be at the bottom of the list, which means that they are in smaller
quantities. These include ingredients that such as fragrances, additives,
synthetic substances and such derivatives. Contrary to popular belief not all
natural ingredients are good for hair and not all chemicals are equally
harmful. For those of you ready to blow stream at my assertion please recall
that some of the most potent toxins known to man are organic and natural.
Animal and plant toxins are organic and natural. Bacteria are natural too and
it loves to infest anything that comes into contact with water.
Here’s
how I classify the use of products. I am not as fussy about products that I
will wash out of my hair. Provided that those products won’t have an immediate
and massively destructive effect. If my hair does not like a product I will
happily put it to some other use such as using conditioner as shaving cream or
using a shampoo to clean my cosmetics applicators. I am however a lot more
fussy about products that I will leave in my hair. Because the time of the
exposure is longer these products should be of a higher quality. So, leave-ins
have to live up to their claims. Lest they be demoted to my ever growing shelf
of conditioner-shaving creams.
I would
like to stress here that while I have a bias for natural products to my
knowledge most products including many listed as ‘natural’ are not 100%
natural. They often contain chemical preservatives due to the fact that to
produce purely organic or natural products production becomes an expensive exercise.
Hence most ‘natural’ products qualify to a 99% natural standard. For the
majority of products preservatives are a necessary evil. Aqueous solutions such
as creams, lotions, shampoo and conditioner has to be preserved. Otherwise they
would become rancid and unsafe for use because they can develop some very
harmful bacteria.
Thus I
recommend that if you are making your own products then do so in small batches
so you can use the lot before you run any risks. While oils have a longer shelf
life anything that is mixed with any water needs to be used up in 3-5 days and
stored in the fridge for that period. This goes for your diluted conditioners
as well. 48 hrs. is enough time to rack up a pretty steady growth of bacteria.
So, be safe.
Avoid
any product that is not from a reputable source as well as any product without
an ingredients label. The cosmetic industry in South Africa does specify
guidelines for manufacturers but enforcement of those guidelines exist in
theory. Stick to the main road and should you want to do some off-road testing
then do your research and make your own stuff.
Bag of
lessons to my left and Freedom to my right, front center are the products that
did make the cut for My favourite Things
of 2014.
Here is
the abridged version of my list. I will add the sections daily to give the long
thesis in smaller doses.
My Favourite Things 2014:
Entry- Level Products
Tresemme
Smooth
Tresemme
Naturals
Nature’s
Gate
Mid-Level Products
Wen and
One Hair
Frizz
Ease
Dove
Heavy Hitters
L’Occitane
Naturalmente
DIY Natural stuff
Bentonite
clay
Brown
Rice Vinegar
Oil
mixtures.
Entry-level products
Good to
use yet economical choices
Tresemme
Products
These
entry- level products are a great place to start when trying out DIY hair. I will
however limit my commentary to the shampoos and conditioners. The Smooth and
Naturals ranges are good quality and value for money. These are a good source
of bulk product and I sometimes use them in conjunction with other products as
combing conditioners that I rinse off. Not so sad that they cost less than R 70
for 900 ml. I tried the Split Remedy Range and did not like it at all.
Natures
Gate
This is
an eco-friendly brand has made some reputable lists for its ingredients. The
product is available at Dischem in limited variants at a cost of R55 for 350ml.
Some health stores does carry the brand such as Wellness Warehouse.
Mid Level products
Cleansing
Conditioners
Wen vs.
One hair
Wen is
the US version of popular cleansing conditioners that have made waves across
the hair industry in recent years. The local equivalent is “One Hair” available
at Dischem in a few variants. Both products are a balsam and resemble a thick
paste with absolutely no foaming agents. That along with its sulfate-free formulation
is the Ace.
Benefits:
Product
reduction: both products are cleansing conditioners able to replace shampoo and
double as conditioner and leave-in. Do dilute this product since the balsam
texture can lead to unnecessary waste.
The
downside:
Wen is overpriced at $30 per 500ml bottle.
Hair One is more affordable at under R150. With repeated use it sadly contrary
to brand claims does cause build-up. Over a six month use period of Wen as a
cleanser, conditioner and leave-in I ended up with an unruly, undefined, albeit
soft afro. I also had some unpleasant scalp flaking. Lesson: Shampoo in
moderation is necessary. I typically shampoo once per week or once per fourth
night. Please note that if you are using the max hydration or other type of
clarifying wash then it is not necessary to shampoo your hair since the baking
soda or vinegar rinse at the start is doing a good job of keeping your hair and
scalp clean.
Wen has
been deservedly criticized for its overpowering scents. Even an unsuspecting
variant: Fig, will assault your olfactory sense. Both conditioners also contain
the unnecessary Menthol (an absolute irritation) that gives a tingling feeling
and illusion that a product is working.
Jumping
off the bandwagon: Moroccan Oil
In
2013-14 Moroccan oil made a big bang for hair in need of moisture. My residual
stupidity and faith in the superiority of professional products led me to spend
hundreds of Rand on this said wonder for curly hair. The result was an absolute
waste of my money. The products did very little for my hair. This product in my
opinion is a total miss.
On my
kids’ hair: infinitely easier to manage the Moroccan Oil does an ok job.
Honestly, outside of the pleasant smell I do not see the point of applying ‘dry
oil’ to hair that evaporates just as fast as the wind moves. The Moroccan cream
and conditioner failed the Afro test.
Frizz
Ease: Dream Curls
This
product lives up to its slip/ detangling and smoothing promise. It is useful as
a co-wash and or conditioner. The formula is thick and can be diluted to
stretch the product and your money.
The Dove
Intensive Repair Range
Works
similar to the frizz ease and is definitely useful. Both Dove and Frizz Ease contain
silicones such as cyclomethicone and dimethicone that helps with detangling and
smoothing of hair. Both are moderately priced at R100-120 for a shampoo and
conditioner. Both get an unreserved; Yes. However, I despise that manufacturer’s
have five or more products in a range. Also, the on-selling of unnecessary and
useless additions with each product recommending the use of all the other
products in a range ”for best results”. It is irritating and creates the faulty
perception that you need to use the entire product line to get a good result. More
annoying still is when they keep re-packaging products so that when you go
looking for regular supplies you need to look through everything to find a
single item. The more fancy the packaging becomes the more worried I get about
how much more I am paying for fancy outsides that are not going toward the
purpose of the product.
My Favourite Things 2014: Heavy Hitters
L’Occitane
This
conditioner makes the top two for the fact that the ingredients check out as
good thus making it fine as a leave-in. This conditioner is great subject to
the following notes. It is pricy at R240 for 200 ml. The formula is very thin
thus better used as a leave-in. Available at L’Occitane stores.
Mark
Anthony Curl Cream
While
this is not a natural product it does help with curl definition. It provides smoothing
and clumping ability to hair. Particularly straw-like and dry hair that tends
to fluff when dried. It keeps curly fly-aways at bay and somewhat weather
proofs hair. This product lacks some staying power, the effects disappearing
within a 24 hr. period.
A special mention:
Bentonite
clay: used as a hair mask in conjunction with a hair regime has amazing cleansing
effects. The downside: it is not complete and requires some DIY mixing of
additional ingredients. It extends wash-time since it is an in-betweener used
after a wash/ co-wash and followed up
with a leave-in. Surprisingly, clay goes on very smooth but requires some heavy
rinsing to get the product out of the hair. I use the “Natures Source” brand
that is readily available at most pharmacies and grocers.
Lesson
number 1000 I did not need to learn: Clay forms a waxy layer over the hair.
Rinse clay as you would a hair colour. First lather then rinse. The clay on the
inner part of your head will not rinse off as easily as a conditioner. So be
patient unless you want to end up with a coat of ash. Lesson1001 do not invert
yourself to rinse clay. While the rinsing may happen down the shaft of your
hair and in the supposed ‘right direction’ he clay tends to clump the hair on
your scalp inverting your head over a bathtub will knot is. The more you rinse
the more knotted it can get. Rinse under the shower or sitting in a bathtub
with your head erect and pouring water top down from root to tip till all the
clay is off. Do check the bottom layers for residual product.
Brown
Rice Vinegar/ Rice Water
This I
love. It is a natural protein treatment and or rinse for your hair. If you are
into max hydration then use brown rice vinegar instead of Apple Cider Vinegar
(ACV). Do check the PH of your product. Do dilute it down to a 4.5 or 5.0
level. If you are unfamiliar with using vinegar then read up on it before you
try it out. Do not apply vinegar undiluted onto your hair.
#The
Number One Product: Naturalmente
The
ingredients in these products are organic, natural and environmentally
friendly. Their corporate ethos is unmatched with responsibility and
sustainability to consumers and the environment. Every single element in their
chain is carefully managed. Their ingredients are superior and their packaging
is reusable and their sources are renewable. Disposal of packaging is done by
composting, meaning you dispose of it along with wet waste in the organic pile
should you wish to do so. Alternatively, they offer a refill service. The
company holds international certifications from Qualita Reale and the Ethical
& Environmental certification Organic and Wild Harvest Institute (ICEA).
The company also subscribes to a code of responsibility through all its
practices. What I love about brand is that it is consumer focused. They
subscribe to keep consumers fully informed of their practices and manufacturing
process.
Their
ingredients and formulas are simply superior. They subscribe to a ‘no yuk’ code
and do not use any harmful and irritant ingredients. Their consumer centered
focus and responsibility- missing in most brands- extends to transparency of
ingredients and their sources. Meaning that if it is not listed on the label it
is not found in the product.
I tend
to be more forgiving of natural products that more often than not sound better
than they actually are. In this case though I have gone from wow to wow. At
R240 per pop it is not cheap but it is definitely worth your money.
Here are
the ones I have tried:
Aloe and
Sandalwood Shampoo
Aloe and
Sandal multivitamin restructurising treatment
Yoghurt
and millet conditioner intensive revitalizer
Intensive
hydrating treatment fennel and geranium- I love this one most
Moisturising
and modeling glaze
Macassar
restructuring fluid
The
shampoos are not atypical in that while they do cleanse well they don’t feel as
smooth. Don’t be alarmed when your hair feels a bit rough during a wash. This
is due to the fact that the typical commercial ’yuk’ is not there. This
conditioners stands out with a string of actual essential oils, hydrolysed proteins
and other ingredients that are non-irritant, good and not harmful to your health.
The
fragrance experience: The products have subtle and natural scents instead of
the usual nose numbing.
I use
one of the aforementioned conditioners to detangle and finger comb my hair. I
prefer the fennel and geranium as a leave in. The formula dilutes easily in
warm water and slides onto the hair like a gel. It sets curls beautifully,
dries fully absorbed into the hair. Best of all once hair is dry you can
actually see and feel the oils without any residue. I find maintaining my bush
a great deal easier. With this product there is no need to constantly be
worried about pre-poo and additional oil applications. My hair can go for days
without needing care. I just love the way this stuff works.
#Dr Baumann Products
#Best Natural Hair products
#Dr Baumann Products
#Best Natural Hair products
Dr. Bauman products are a German brand
created by a Dermatologist Dr. Ernst W Henrich and Dr. Baumann a cosmetic
chemist under the Bionome brand.
Dr. Baumann products are better known for
their award winning work on skin care products. The skincare products make up
the bulk of their business.
Their work includes two decades of
dermatological and allergological expertise. Using scientific and clinically
proven ingredients that are both healthy and beneficial for the skin.
Their products are free of chemical:
preservatives, colorants, sunscreen, oxygen, fragrances, animal derivatives,
mineral oil and paper packaging. More impressively it is skin compatible and
identical.
Here is a link to a comprehensive range of
outlets that carry Dr. Baumann products.
These products are available at select
health food stores and natural pharmacies and some online hair retailers.
Dr. Baumann products
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Use
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INCI ingredients
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|
 |
Mild cleansing substances that cleanse the hair and
scalp. Herbal extract
diminishes itchiness and flakiness & an active
ingredient reduces dandruff. Won’t weigh the hair down. Recommended with the
same line of
Hair Conditioner.
Also suitable for pets.
|
Aqua, Sodium Laureth
Sulfate(and)Laurylglucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarkosinate, Urea,
Cocoglucosides(and) Glyceryloleate, Butylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate(and)
Steareth-4, Linoleamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Dicaprylyl
Ether(and)Laurylalcohol, D,L-alpha-Tocopheyl Acetate, Panthenol, Sodium
Lactate, Extr. Urticae e Fol, Polyquaternium 10, Sodium Lactate, Oleum
Chamaemelum ormensis
|
 |
Detangler- the D-panthenol and
other active ingredients
give a healthy, silky sheen.
The macadamia nut oil has an intensely
Nourishing effect on the hair and scalp, without weighing
the hair down.
|
Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Oleum
Macadamiae, Urea, Ethyl Hexyl Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methyl Glucose
Distearate, Panthenol, D, L-alpha- Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Alcohol,
Sodium Lactate, Polyquaternium-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride,
D-mixed- Tocopherols, Oleum Chamaemulem ormensis
|
 |
A gentle product designed to keep both the hair and
scalp healthy. Reduces hair loss and supports the growth of hair where the
roots are still intact.
|
Aqua, Alcohol, Iso Propanol,
D-alpha- Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate-20, D-mixed-Tocopherols, Extr.
Thymus vulgaris, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, myo-Inosite, Biotin
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Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla (moisture and shine)
Leave-in Conditioner
“For Dry, Dull and Brittle Hair”
The product promises to:
Replenish moisture
Improve manageability
Adds shine
Made from Aloe, Pro-Vitamin B5 and wheat Protein
First impression and description of the product
The product is basically a tea like substance in a spray bottle. Atypical of what one expects from a leave-in conditioner. Unlike with most products where one needs to get under the packaging to see and feel what the product is this one is a straight up clear tea type of hair spray.
First Use: This product for me is just not thick enough to use alone. I used it with one of my favourite leave-in hair conditioners and finished it off with the spray instead. If you are looking for a very light weight leave in then this may be a great product for you. However on my thick bush of hair it is just not enough. The water base would not give enough weight to my hair and so I did not even try to test it alone.
The product has a very strong Vanilla fragrance as is clearly described on the container. It smells sweet enough to attract both bees and ants. Even though I felt that I needed to layer it with a conditioner I still liked it. It dried well and left a slight sweet smell on my hair.
This product would be great for adding moisture with protective styles and braid or twist hairstyles.
This product is available locally at za.strawberrynet.com at a cost of R229. It is as expected more pricy here than at the 11$ price I paid in DC.
The Ingredients:
Water,
Polysorbate 80- is a mild cleanser, emulsifier and binder used in hair as a conditioner. Its okay.
Glycerin- A humectant. A sweet water soluble substance derived from either animal or synthetic sources. It works to give slip on hair in the product it gives longevity by slowing evaporation.
Panthenol (VIT B5) Is a hair conditioner. Is able to penetrate the shaft and give a soft feeling. it is a good ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium PCA-humectants. Both are ok items.
Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract- is a common ingredient in perfume as flowers are fragrant.
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) leaf extract- its a common herb and food flavour. its an ok item.
Calendula officinalis flower extract- Marigold extract. It may have some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, ragweed sensitivity may lead to skin allergy with this ingredient. Its a cautionary item.
Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice- is an anti-inflammatory for the skin. Its an okay item.
Hydrolysed wheat protein- is an emollient and moisturiser. It is not advisable for those with wheat protein allergies
hydrolysed wheat starch and hydrolysed corn starch
Its a carbohydrate from various plant sources. Wheat, rice, corn tapioca and potato variants are common sources. In hair products they function as an absorbent which acts to reduce product concentration. It acts as a coating to hair and can give it a thicker feeling. Starch can have a non-slip feel and so alone it is not ideal for curls.
Potassium sorbate- A mild food grade preservative. Is generally safe in cosmetics.
Citric Acid- acid derived from fermenting fruit sugars. Used to adjust the PH to a more acidic level. Its has preservative and anti-foam and astringent qualities. Its an okay item.
Caramel- heated sugar
Fragrance
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