My current product line-up

These are my current hair product keepers -

Pantene Pro-V Time Renewal Replenishing Mask - I use this deep conditioner after every shampoo. It smells great and makes my hair feel smooth and healthy. What's great about this dc is that you can put it on your hair with a plastic cap for about 5 minutes and still get a great treatment. I also take this to salon too. The cost is about $5.00. It goes on creamy, thick and lasts.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - I use this to moisturize my scalp and give my hair sheen. I bought an applicator bottle from Sally's to apply this directly to my scalp. All it takes is a few drops. It can get greasy so I go lightly. But I do have to admit that it doesn't leave my hair heavy or with a lot of build-up. I use this a couple of times a week. Cost about $6.00 for a huge bottle and lasts.

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - My newest product! I saw this in Walmart and it was reduced to $7.00 for 16 oz. It was in the vitamin aisle. I am so glad I bought this. I use this to roll up my hair, apply through out my scalp, and on my ends. I alternate this with Olive Oil. This is another go lightly product and it doesn't leave alot of build-up like other products. I also use this on my lips and skin.

Mashooq - I love this oil. I used this before I tried the other above oils. It is a combination of some good stuff. Its light and does the job.

I use the above oils also after a salon visit since my scalp is dry after all the heat.

As far as shampoos - I have not found the one to knock my shoes off. While at CVS a couple of months ago, I stumbled across some CVS shampoos that were comparable to Pantene shampoos. They were a buck a piece. I like them when I shampoo at home.

I don't really like styling products because of the build-up. If I need my hair to behave a bit more, I will reach for the Carol's Daughter hair milk and hair butter. I apply overnight put on my silk scarf. Then the next morning your hair will have a nice hold and look smooth. I usually use this to style the week before shampooing and as needed.

Also, since I deep condition - I don't use a regular conditioner anymore.

That's it.

Now as soon as these products run out - I am looking forward to trying Pantene's relaxed and natural products. Also, I am looking forward to trying some dominican products.

I did have to catch myself because I was making frequent trips to wander around Sephora (for no reason) and checking out sites that had expensive products. I've decided that I will not buy any expensive products. Especially after my Carol's Daughter experience - I really cannot trust that just because the price is high or a product is sold at a certain high-end store that I should expect it to work for me.

I'm sticking with what works and my hair is looking and feeling healthy.

Product Review - Carol's Daughter Hair Milk and Healthy Hair Butter - Part II

After first trying out Carol's Daughter hair milk and hair butter I wasn't too happy. I just kept reading all the positive reviews online and thought that - this is a must have product line. So I had to try something.

In my first few tries - I was disappointed. I was really expecting a moisturizing light product. Which these aren't. These products are clearly styling aids. Then I couldn't get over the smell. Also I was stuck on the price. I had never paid $25 for a total of 2 hair care products. So, yes, I was looking for immediate results...

Anyway, I've been looking in my hair product basket and wondering what am I going to do with these products.

So I started working with them again. I mostly use the hair milk as a finishing aid. After styling my hair it seems to keep it in place and I have less flyaway strands.

The hair butter I told my sons to use. And although they like the hair butter - they still prefer to use my other hair/scalp conditioner.

The hair butter does seem to stop my scalp itchies. I dab and rub a bit into certain areas of my scalp and it seems to do the trick.

And I am learning to deal with the smell.

I have even used the hair butter in the evening for a smooth over before putting on my scarf and was very pleased with the results in the morning. My hair stayed flat, styled and needed very little manipulation the next day.

So I guess instead of giving the products a thumbs down - I would give them a -- ok.

I think as more of my natural hair comes in I may find these to be more useful.

Product Review - Carol's Daughter Hair Milk and Healthy Hair Butter

So for the past couple of months, I've been in and out of Sephora trying to decide whether to try out the Carol's Daughter products. I didn't know where to start. So I researched online and after all the information... I still didn't know what to buy. I was just about to walk out the store last week and I turned around and bought the Hair Milk and Healthy Hair Butter.

Now as a former NYC resident I remember hearing sisters rave about CD's products back in the mid-nineties. But upon further reflection, I remember everyone raving about the skin care products.

I also didn't want to rush into purchasing more products because of the recent hype and because I wanted to use up other products. Its hard doing product reviews because you want to give a clear and honest review. I don't want to get a free product and feel forced to give a positive review. I also don't want to read everyone else's hype and swept up into it.

I remember how I would try a new product or go to a friend's salon and would agree with 'oh, this is great, I love this'. But would realize later - what was great about that? So I try to keep a very open mind, use the product more than once, not overlap with other products, enjoy the experiment and share with you.

Back to Carol's Daughter. I was surprised to see on someone else's blog they shared their negative opinion about the products around the same time. I was hoping I could like them.

I applied the butter to my scalp. It took some rubbing in and just a dab will do. I parted and applied and ignored the smell.

I took the milk and applied to my hair and ignored the scent. I put my scarf on and removed a few hours later before heading out the door and my hair looked nice. It had a nice sheen to it.

Now my hair was done earlier at the Dominican salon so my hair was already shiny. But after a Dominican salon visit I always moisturize my scalp when I have a chance. So that's why I used the butter instead of my usual oil scalp treatment.

I did this routine for a few days and I'm not too happy with my CD products. They leave buildup and my scalp feels dry. I like what they do for my hair but don't love what they do. I don't have time to shampoo every few nights. And did I mention the smell?

So after a few nights use of the products - I'm kinda ticked off. Is it me? Why aren't I feeling these products. Why can't I get over the smell? Is it only for natural hair?

So I decided to try again.

I shampooed my hair, deep conditioned, toweled dry and then applied the hair milk. I rolled up my hair, sat under the dryer for 20 minutes and then air dried for a couple of hours. I took out the rollers and my hair looked pretty good. My curls looked nice and strong. I finger styled and was kinda surprised still.

So I have found a use for the hair milk on days when I want to curl my hair without using lots of heat.

I will keep up experimenting with the hair milk.

As far as the butter is concerned.... I don't know. I want to like it but my scalp is still dry. I guess I can add a bit of EVOO but I honestly cannot justify buying an expensive product just to add my own products to it.

All in all, CD's products are not the miracle products for my hair. I don't want to knock anyone that enjoys the products, but honestly, what is the big deal? I can see where these products would last a long time. But this is where reading all the hype comes in... after reading about these products, did I expect something more than CD could deliver?

Anyway, I may see if my kids want to try the hair butter (they keep their hair short and natural) and I'll see if they see any difference. They get all my shampoos that I no longer want to use. I like their opinion because as 16 years olds they don't care about hair product names or read hair blogs and will give me a true opinion of how their natural hair takes to the products.