Product Review - Pantene Pro V Relaxed & Natural Mask

I've been very happy with my Pantene deep conditioner. I've used it every time I shampoo either at home or at the salon. I ran out and it was time to either get the same one or try something else.

I compromised and purchased Pantene's Relaxed and Natural mask. I've been wanting to try something from this product line for quite a while. I believe that's why I picked up the other Pantene masque because I couldn't find the R&N products at that time.

Now, even though I was happy to purchase it and try it out. I was wondering... am I buying the same product but just a change of marketing geared toward women of color? Am I ok with that? But since I enjoyed their previous deep conditioning masque... I thought, hey, let me give it a try.

I opened it up and thought that they smelled very similar, the consistency looked about the same and the ingredients are almost similar.

So I try it out and the R&N deep conditioner did the job. My hair felt great. The outcome was the same if not a bit better. The ingredients on the R&N does have coconut and jojoba oil and I think this is what will keep me buying this as opposed to the previous masque that doesn't have these key beneficial ingredients.

This is the new staple in my hair product basket!

So far I have a regular shampoo and deep conditioner. Now if I could get a decent style.....

Product Review - Dove Shine Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner

So I decided to wash my own hair instead of going to the salon.

I checked my product basket and found some samples from Dove. This is their shine therapy shampoo and conditioner.

I was not happy with the shampoo. It actually was ok on the natural portion of my hair (the roots) but it made the rest of my hair hard and tangled.

I was so glad that I had my CVS shampoo to get in a good washing. This CVS brand is a copy-cat cheaper version of Pantene. I may have mentioned on a previous posting that I was in CVS a few months ago and grabbed a bunch of these products. I couldn't pass up the price (less than a buck). This gave my hair and scalp a good cleansing. I really needed it because I kinda got heavy handed the past week with olive oil and coconut oil on my scalp. This gave me a slight build-up.

Back to the CVS shampoo, to my surprise it undid the damage of the Dove shampoo. My hair easily untangled and felt soft.

I followed with the Dove Shine Therapy conditioner. It is pretty good. Its light and creamy. But the end results still didn't knock my socks off.

I still deep conditioned with my Pantene Pro-V Replenishing Mask to get my hair to feel really nice. This is the deep conditioner that replaced my use of regular conditioners and I use it every time after washing. It leaves my hair soft, smooth and manageable. I can't wait to finish it up to try Pantene's other conditioners.

My feeling on Dove's Shine Therapy - no shine, no great results and a shampoo that tangles my hair - No thanks!

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 - Pantene Pro V Restoratives Mask

As far as deep conditioners go - this is it!

My hair is damaged and dry. So at this point I am skeptical of every product that promises any improvement.

So I used up my organics deep conditioner. This stuff was lame and needed a mix-in of molasses to get it working.

Well, now that I've tried this - I will be getting rid of the molasses too.

So I've been sticking to my self-made promise - not to buy anything unless I need it. So I was glad to be done with that conditioner I couldn't wait to purchase something new.

So I was checking the Pantene relaxed and natural products which I've been hearing such great things about but there were no more deep conditioners.

But I spotted this and thought I'd try it.

I am so glad I did. I look forward to using Pantene's other products too in the near future.

I can even say good-bye to the molasses add in. This topped it.

So I shampooed, rinsed and applied this cream all through my hair - hairline to ends. I then put on my shower cap and got to showering. When done, I then rinsed this creamy stuff out and my hair felt great.

My hair was so soft I just put my hair in twists and let it air dry. No dryers today.

My hair is still soft and more manageable this evening.

Do yourself a favor and try this stuff. It's under $7.00 and worth more than that!

This will be a keeper!

i may be relaxing my hair real soon...

I've started to monitor what i was doing to my hair since June 2008.

My last relaxer was October 2008 and now its January 2009 - over 3 months. And guess what?

My hair looks terrible.

I had a lot of hair fall out over the past 2 years. This is the main reason why I decided to lay off the relaxers. But now I am miserable without it.... is this what withdrawals from drugs is like???

I've always had issues with the hair in the back of my head. So I really thought that this time i have to stick with the no relaxer route so i can get some healthy hair.

But I am so tired of looking in the mirror and seeing very little progress.

I was worried about my new job - but its a casual environment so I don't feel any pressure in that sense but I would still like to walk away from the mirror feeling confident.

I started taking biotin a few weeks ago. I will give it until my birthday in March to see if that made a difference. That will be 2.5 months.

I just ran out of deep conditioner so now I will allow myself to purchase another product - I will only buy new stuff when I use up or toss out something else.

I've added EVOO and I like it so far.

Also, I've bought a cheapie flat iron which I am only trying to use once a week.

Maybe since the weather is so cold here (upstate ny) - I will put off the decision until spring. That way it will be 6 months (in April) of transitioning/stretching and I can see if my hair has gotten any healthier and has grown.

if anyone has any ideas on what I should do or add to my routine let me know... I am desperate!

Product Review - Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil Deep Conditioner

My product review is on Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil Deep Conditioner. I purchased this product primarily because of its price which was about $3.99. Also, I was lured by the Olive Oil on the label.

I've been using this deep conditioner for about 6 weeks. I use this weekly and pre-condition my hair before shampooing.

How I used this conditioner was to apply the cream throughout my hair from roots to ends and walk around with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes. I then rinse it out, shampoo, use a rinse out conditioner, then a leave in conditioner and then either air dry or sit under my dryer.

Most deep conditioners that I've used in the past have made some difference. My hair would feel softer or more manageable.

To me, this conditioner didn't do much of anything. As a matter of fact, I've been just using it steady to see if there would be some improvement.

Right now I am 2+ months post relaxer, so I am doing a lot of playing around and experimenting with my hair.

But as with anything in life, you learn to enhance on what you have. So this is the product that I was able to mix my molasses with and apply to my hair.

Since this is a cream, the molasses mixed well and wasn't a mess or sticky.

The molasses definitely made a difference in my hair. As I rinse this mix from my hair, my hair feels smooth and soft.

So I would not recommend this product but if you need an inexpensive deep conditioning creme to mix another product - then this would help.