PRODUCT REVIEW: Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque

       

          Ok, can I just start by saying Shea Moisture takes the award for longest product names ever? Like seriously, I got tired just from typing the title. I discovered the Shea Moisture JBCO Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque from the lifestyle and hair vlogger, Charisse Christine. The product was featured in a video entitled "Charisse's Relaxed Hair Must-Haves". I loved how healthy and strong her relaxed hair looked so I was convinced I needed that product in my regimen. It was the first purchase I had ever made from the Shea Moisture brand. Shea Moisture, being a brand associated with natural hair, claims that this JBCO Strengthen, Grow & Restore line is also suitable for chemically processed, colour treated and heat styled hair. The masque specifically contains Shea Butter, Peppermint and Keratin which each aids in the strengthening, growth and restoration of hair follicles. I have very few complaints about this product. As a matter of fact, I quite like it as you'll soon discover.

     Cons     

          Shea Moisture's Strengthen, Grow & Restore masque does contain proteins; namely Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein and Hydrolyzed Keratin; one of which is in the first ten list of ingredients. Because my hair is so sensitive to protein, I found it best not to use this product every week. When I used it once a week for a month, my hair became quite stringy and sticky on the third week's washing. Thus, I use it every other week or once a month in alternation with a moisturizing conditioner. There is also the concern of Shea Moisture's high prices. This product undoubtedly falls into the pricey category. However, it is totally worth the price if you're willing to spend the money.

     Pros     

          Now we've reached the part where I'd like to fast forward to the end. And I mean that in the best way possible. Every draft I've written thus far just sounds so redundant. What I'm really trying to say is, This Product Actually Produces Every Benefit It Claims! Let's make a checklist:

• replenish moisture and soften while strengthening hair? Yes!
• helps promote hair growth by supporting hair's elasticity? Yes!!
• reduces the appearance of breakage? Oh yes!
• and Shedding? Yesss!
• stimulates the scalp for an invigorating experience? Ohh yes!
• leaves hair soft, manageable and shiny? Uhmm, how do you say.... YES!

It's all there already. I literally could not state it any better. I have experienced every single benefit stated by this product and I'm totally satisfied with it. It has improved the health of my hair by a ten-fold. The Shea Moisture JBCO Treatment Masque is hands down one of the best deep conditioners to ever grace my hair. In terms of its deep treatment qualities, it works well with and without heat. For those with low porosity hair, however, it is recommended to use heat. Otherwise, it can be left on the hair for up to an hour and equal results should be noticed.

As previously mentioned, the price of this product is high. On the plus side, however, one container lasts a very long time. I've had my treatment masque for about a year so far and its just now finishing. A little (or even a lot) definitely goes a long way with this conditioner. The cool thing about it is that, even after heavily scooping it out, by the following use it magically appears to have an even surface. It makes you feel like the product is never ending. Quite frankly, it might as well be, given the length of time it lasts. It also has an amazing scent. And you know I'm hard to please when it comes to scents. I would describe it as a warm, custard-like scent. It definitely smells edible (but in a good way). The scent even lasts long after you've dried and styled your hair. I almost fall in love with my hair every time I catch a whiff of it.

I am incredibly pleased with this deep treatment masque from Shea Moisture. I'm also encouraged to try other products from their Jamaican Black Castor Oil line. My hair responds very well to this Strengthen, Grow & Restore masque. I definitely look forward to a long, healthy hair journey with Shea Moisture.

Til Next Time. Xoxo, Shanz


Also see: PRODUCT REVIEW: Shea Moisture Yucca & Plantain Anti-Breakage Strengthening Styling Milk http://letshairthis.blogspot.com/2016/06/product-review-shea-moisture-yucca.html

Protective Hairstyle: Marley Twists

This was my first time trying Marley Braids. It was a huge change for me but I ended up really liking it. I was 4 months post relaxer at the time and in great need of a protective yet cool hairstyle. It was Carnival time in Trinidad and I wanted to look anything but basic. So I had my friends vote between black and burgundy braids, and well, we can obviously see the clear winner.

Initially, I intended to do box braids, however, there were no stores selling the colour in X-pression Braid Synthetic Hair. I ended up finding the brand Janet Noir Afro Twist Braid in the colour, BURG. It is Synthetic Kankelon hair with a human hair feel. I used 6 packs to complete my entire head. 

This was a great protective style that lasted 2 months. I did wash and condition my hair whilst in the style, and moisturized using a spray bottle. On the take down, I was pleased to notice that my hair was quite soft and well moisturized. I did however experience a great deal of shedding but that was due to the lengthy time with the style.

STORY TIME: Inversion Method FAIL

       Like most women out there, if not all, I want longer hair. And I want it Now! Realistically, I know that's not possible because my hair grows about half an inch every two months. Since I never remember to take my vitamins, hair vitamins like Biotin was out of the question. Therefore, I decided the next best option would be the inversion method. I had been interested in this method for a couple years but never got around to trying it. It's fast and easy and claims to bring guaranteed results of an inch of growth in just 7 days.  So I did my research, watched tons of YouTube videos and when I got the gist of it, eventually tried it. I used pure, unrefined coconut oil to massage into my scalp for about 1-2 minutes. After this, I flipped my head over and held this position for exactly 4 minutes as recommended. I timed it to ensure that I didn't cross the time limit (as that can have harmful effects). Then, I slowly rose up and went about my day. This process was repeated for 7 days consecutively. 

When I tried the inversion method I was already 11 weeks post relaxer and had an inch of new growth. I had hoped that the extra inch of growth would give a decent increase in length at my next relaxer (which I planned to be in week 15). On the 7th day of the treatment, I followed the same procedure and waited until day 8 to properly check the results. Upon washing my hair on the 8th day I discovered, to my dismay, that I had no more than the growth of 11 weeks post relaxer. I measured with a ruler and even sent pictures to a friend but both proved I still only had 1 inch of new growth. I was quite disappointed since I had such faith in the method. It has been 2 weeks now since I attempted the inversion method. My hair has grown an extra half inch, however I cannot confirm if it was due to that. Typically, those who have done the inversion method saw the results of an inch of growth by the final day. Determined to know where I fell short, I considered my possible limitations (a step to which I thank my years of writing lab reports). 

First of all, I critiqued the action of flipping over my head. Some days I would just bend my head down (as if in deep prayer), whereas other days I'd sit at the edge of the bed and completely bend over. The success of this method weighs heavily on the ability of the blood to flow toward the scalp. Therefore, I recommend properly "inverting" your head to ensure proper blood flow to the scalp. Secondly, the oil was not heated prior to application. I'll admit I overlooked this step during my research as the massage should help warm the oil on the scalp. Also, some videos I watched did not specify the need to heat the oil. However, I highly recommend doing so as the warm oil helps promote hair growth by penetrating the scalp (as experienced by hot oil treatments). Lastly, the massage technique has great influence on the effects of this method. Because my scalp tends to be quite itchy, I sometimes unconsciously substituted gentle massaging with light scratching (and that's a big No-No!)There are many videos online on how to properly massage the scalp so I recommend checking them out before attempting this method. 

Although the inversion method was unsuccessful for me, I would like to try it again. Because I have seen positive results on others, I want to improve on my mistakes in attempt to achieve similar results. I do plan to do a relaxer pretty soon so I would have to wait about a month to try this method again. If you plan on doing the inversion method, please consider all the steps carefully. Unlike my experience, I hope it works out well for you. 

Til Next Time. Xoxo, Shanz