From France with Love- Garnier Ultra Doux with Aloe and Shea butter

Garnier Ultra Doux Conditioner and Shampoo with Aloe Vera and Shea Butter

While I have not yet travelled internationally for the year, I feel like I have done so with scoping out international bloggers and what new product launches have hit their market. As a fan of Fatou's BlackBeautyBag blog, I of course am psyched with what she has to say about new haircare and makeup colors that debut and I also like how she charts her journeys with video.  Just this month Fatou reviewed and also starred in Garnier's new Ultra Doux Aloe Vera and Shea Butter line and all I could think was- I have to try it.
Only one small problem, Garnier Ultra Doux is not sold in the US! Luckily, my beauty angel from Paris was in town this past weekend and brought me the best smelling shampoo and conditioner on the planet!

Garnier Ultra Doux (Ultra Soft) Aloe Vera and Shea Butter is suitable for those with frizzy and relaxed hair. I have the former, dense, kinky, curly springs that are experiencing a near drought due to the 90 degree weather here in NYC. The Garnier Ultra Doux line is so much bang for your buck in terms of drugstore and mass quality. Though the shampoo has sulfates, it doesn't contain parabens or silicone ( if you are cautious of those ingredients). I was surprised that there wasn't a lot of "foaming action" despite the fact that there are sulfates. For both the shampoo and conditioner, a little goes a long way. While I am so used to cupping my palms with shampoo and conditioner, I only had to use 2 quarter sized amount of product for both. 

The conditioner also serves as a detangler, which cut my post wash, pre-style combing session down to no more than 10 minutes! But while the practicality of the products were fantastic, the scent of this stuff is AMAZING! I don't know how to describe it- warm, vanilla-y... like vacation in a bottle.

I love this stuff so much, I'm contemplating tossing everything else.. but first I need to get a bunch of back-ups. I'll have to let me BA from PA know and I'll buy her brunch the next time she's in town.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender reviewed

Living Proof Prime Style Extenders- Biggie Shorty 

 Calling all hair enthusiasts who heat-styles their hair, whether fine, wavy, curly or kinky Living Proof Prime Style Extender does as claims- extends your style from wash-to-wash without dirt and grime from buildup!

Prime Style Extender is a weightless creme that detangles and repels humidity and environmental hair destroyers while smoothing your hair and locking in moisture and provides shine. All this without the aid of silicone. Its OFPMA miracle molecule is truly a miracle- let me tell share my experience with this amazing product.

I anticipated Prime Style Extender sample in my January Man Repeller x Glossybox but my box came about a month late (I will save the story for another time) so I ended up picking up the 5.0 fl oz full-size from life-saving Sephora. When I did get home, lo and behold I received my Man Repeller x Glossybox and the 1 fl oz. sample was in the box. On my next wash day, pre-styling, I applied a quarter-sized amount of primer and distributed through my tightly curled hair. Next I detangled with a wide-tooth comb and then applied coconut oil and blow dried my hair on a low setting. The results were fantastic! My hair was easy to manage, weightless and had a pleasant smell.  I kept my blow-dried tresses for one week, intermittently applying my coconut oil every 3-4 days. My ponytailed style stayed in place during a snowstorm and fashion week.
For the whole week I kept thinking, "How is this possible?" Repels humidity but locks in moisture annndd allows me to moisturize my hair? A++++

For natural, curly, kinky haired girls who want the benefits of easier detangling, no humidity and no silicone and a great base for pre-heat styling, Prime Style Extender is the way to go. This time I just blowdried my hair but next time, I will definitely add this product to my regimen the next time I flat iron my hair. Bliss all-around!

Winter 2013 Hair Survival: Winter Shea Hair mix

John Snow's puzzled as to why its not GOT cold in NYC yet.. So am I.

Winter is..here! Though it is mild (mid 40's to mid 50's Fahrenheit) for now, your hair can be in for a tail spin between the dry air and chill. Fret not! my hair has gone through a lot of changes since we have touched base. For one, I have been chemical free for the past 10 month. For the first time in my 20+ year hair journey I know what my curls and kinks look like and I love them. My hair is long enough to pull into a pony tail, something I rock 370 days out of the year anyway (welcome to the comfort zone!) but it really doesn't matter how I wear my hair, I have to make sure its moisturized to the max. So I started asking around, googling, youTubing and the like and found a super luxe mixture for my kinky-curly hair. Here is my winter 2013 shea mix.

Winter 2013: Shea hair mix

 Winter Shea hair mix

1/2 oz. 100% Shea Butter
1/2 oz.  Coconut oil
1 tblsp. Avocado oil
1 tblsp. Argan oil
1 tblsp. Jojoba oil

I mixed all these in a 2oz glass container and did a double boil to heat the glass container without getting water in the mixture. When heated, the mix looks clear with a slight hint of green from the avocado oil, once it solidifies - its ready for use as a leave- in conditioner.

I gathered these ingredients at Whole Foods and shops on Atlantic Avenue here in Brooklyn. I would say that these all cost me roughly $25 but will last for the rest of the year.

As for use, I apply a dime size of the winter shea mix before I airdry or blowdry my hair. It instantly moisturizes my hair for 3-4 days without re-application (a leave-in to believe in). I also extend the wear by wearing a satin scarf before putting on my beanie when facing the cold outdoors.

How are you protecting your Winter tresses?