Healthy Strands

I wanted to give a review on this product that I purchased on a whelm after seeing it in a beauty supply store.  I was looking for some new natural hair products to try when I cam across Jamaican Mango & Lime’s “Coiling Creme Pudding”. When I saw the name and the fact that it included mango and lime I knew it had to be good. I immediately wanted to try a coil out with the product. The container states that it is a “styling cream that will help you create that bouncy, curly, head full of style.” I can honestly say that it held up to its word. The pudding seemed to make the hair “slick” and it made obtaining the coil out style with a fine toothcomb effortless. Not to mention, this pudding smells divine. It had a tropical scent to it that’s hard to resist. The pudding not only made my hair silky but added moisture to my hair. This product contains nourishing ingredients such as glycerin, honey, Alma oil, argon oil, and marigold, aloe, papaya, kiwi, sweet almond, mango, and lime extracts. I really have nothing bad to say about this coiling cream pudding.

On the other hand, after I saw this product I was compelled to try Jamaican Mango & Lime’s “Naturalizing Detangling Shampoo”. This product was somewhat of a disappointment. Now because the product had such a “natural and good vibe”, if that even makes sense lol, I didn’t even look at the ingredients on the back of this shampoo. First things first, this shampoo does include Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.  This ingredient is the number one no no for natural heads. However, I have used shampoos such as Organic Root stimulator’s “Creamy Aloe Shampoo”. This shampoo also contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate but its other ingredients are so moisturizing that you hardly notice. I will say with the Jamaican & Lime shampoo that I most definitely noticed. After washing with the shampoo my hair feels stripped and brittle. If it wasn’t for my pre-poo treatments I know that it would have felt much worse. I would not recommend this shampoo at all. It has the same fragrance of the “Coiling Creme Pudding”, but do not be fooled

Please enjoy the pictures I’ve included as proof of my coil out results. Stay natural & beautiful!

When you need a little extra conditioning to your hair or simply want to incorporate some very beneficial natural ingredients into your hair regime, I would greatly suggest experimenting with your own deep conditioning treatments. The following treatment includes two of my favorite natural ingredients, Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. I combined these ingredients plus a few additional with my conditioner of choice. Any conditioner can be substituted, so I would recommend using what’s best on your hair. Also, I did not include any measurements in this recipe. It can vary depending on how much hair you have or have much of each ingredient you find works best for you. Just eyeball it and add or subtract where you see fit. You really can do no damage by adding too much of anything.

Again, this recipe is great when you want to give your strands some much-needed love. Add your favorite natural ingredients and essential oils to make your own personalized deep conditioning treatment. Here’s my recipe

Shea Butter

Coconut Oil

Cholesterol

Aubrey Organics Jojoba & Aloe Desert Herb Conditioner

Rosemary essential oil

Directions: Add your desired amount of shea butter and coconut oil into a small microwavable container. Microwave until fully melted. Next add your conditioner, the cholesterol, and essential oil if desired. Mix until well blended. Use a mixer if needed. Put the mixture in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This will make the mixture creamier.  Give the mixture one final mix with a spoon then apply to your hair. I would recommend leaving it on for at least 30 minutes and covering with a plastic cap. Good Luck. Stay Natural & Beautiful! 

Natural Shea Butter is collected by extracting it from the nut of the Shea tree. It has many uses in cosmetics as it is very moisturizing. You may have noticed Shea butter being sold in a bright yellow or soft ivory color and wondered; what’s the difference? There is a slight misconception concerning the two butters. In fact, yellow and ivory butter are not both from the Shea tree and are similar but different.

The butter which is a bright yellow color is actually called African butter, and grows from a completely different tree in a different climate. African butter comes from a tree from dense forest that requires moist and shaded conditions, while Shea butter comes from a tree in the open savannah and is drought tolerant. This alone goes to show there are differences between the butters.

Although the butters are different they do contain similar properties. Confusion erupted between the two butters when one began to be marketed as “yellow Shea butter” in America and Europe. Some companies will even dye Shea butter to look like the African butter, because of consumer demand.

Depending on whom you are asking the ivory or the yellow butter is the best. Some may prefer the ivory Shea butter because it is creamier and has a light smell. The African butter has a strong earthly smell that some may not like, but it’s easy to get used to. Both have great moisturizing properties for your hair and skin.

So if you happened to purchase a yellow tub of “African shea butter”, you really have African butter. But it’s ok, because it’s just as beneficial. Both can help you on the road to healthy strands.

Quick Fact: Coco Butter can be substituted for Shea butter as well. They are basically the same thing.