Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-In Conditioner - Kinky, 4c Hair Product Review

Sometimes less is more and moisturizing my hair with Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave - In Conditioner is proof of that. 

I got this product in one of my curlBOX's a few months ago, but you can purchase it for around $10! It's affordable, smells great, and gives my hair life! Check out my review below and see what my typical results look like using this Elasta QP's Leave - In Conditioner below. 

Conscious about ingredients? See the ingredients list below the video. 

 

Ingredients: Water , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive Oil) , Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (Mango Butter) , Argania Spinosa Nut Oil (Argan Oil) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut Oil) , Panax Ginseng Root Extract , Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary Extract) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit (Shea Butter) , Tocopherol , Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean Oil) , Propylene Glycol , Dimethicone , Acrylamidopropyl Trimonium Chloride (Acrylamide Copolymer) , Glycerin , Polyquaternium 37 , Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate , PPG-1 Trideceth-6 , Cetearyl Alcohol , Ceteareth 20 , DMDM Hydantoin , Phenyl Trimethicone , Polysorbate 20 , Imidazolidinyl Urea , Daucus Carota Sativa Root Oil (Carrot Oil) , Fragrance , Benzyl Benzoate , Citral , Citronellal , d-Limonene , Geraniol , Linalool

Toni Daley's "The Big Chop" Natural Hair Wig - 1st Impressions Review

I love, love, LOVE tapered cuts, but I have a serious case of style remorse. I love to change up my look from time to time, so cutting my hair to shorter lengths isn't quite ideal.  However Toni Daley, a kinky natural hair vlogger and advocate of supporting black owned business (#SUPPORTASISTA), has changed all that. You see Toni also owns a small business of her own in which she sells earrings, hair tube wraps, and wigs designed to blend with type 4, kinky naturalistas.   

 

I snatched on of her latest wigs called "The Big Chop" which gives me all the kinky hair in a tapered cut life I need. I placed my order and received my wig within a week. So I just had to try it on!   

  Check out 1st impression of Toni Daley's "The Big Chop"wig in the video below! Also feel free to get more specific details on The Big Chop wig and all of Toni's amazing wigs on her website ToniDaley.com.

Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow, & Restore Treatment Masque Review

Hey everyone! I've got another hair product notch on my belt. If you haven't seen my review on Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow, and Restore Treatment Masque, check it out in the video below.  If you've seen it, but wanted to see the ingredients check them out below the video. 

Thanks! xoxo

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Stearyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PGPropyl Silanetriol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vinegar, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Niacin, Dextran, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Caramel, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract *Certified Organic Ingredient

4C HAIR PRODUCT REVIEW: Carols Daughter Mirabelle Plum Conditioner

Hey everyone! I want to give you a review of one of the products that I did use from the February 2015 curlBOX. Check out the February 2015 curlBOX unboxing below. I promise it's short and sweet and not filled with rambling about a product that I'm just seeing for the first time.

The first product that I've been using is  Carols Daughter' s Mirabelle Plum Conditioner. With key ingredients like mirabelle plum, biotin, grapeseed oil, aloe leaf juice, and sweet almond oil, this conditioner claims to strengthen, moisturize, and improve the fullness of your hair. 

Here's my review of Carols Daughter's Mirabelle Plum Conditioner. Also see the full ingredients for this product listed below. Enjoy! 

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Biotin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Methyl Gluceth-10, Panthenol, PEG-45M, Phytantriol, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Prunus Insititia Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-12, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

4C KINKY HAIR PRODUCT REVIEW: FELICIA LEATHERWOOD DETANGLING BRUSH

I've been using a new detangling tool during my wash day lately and I absolutely love it! It's Felicia Leatherwood's Detangling Brush! Felicia Leatherwood is a celebrity hair stylist and her natural hair styles have been on the red carpet (of course) and all over Instagram. 

Teyonah Parris , "Dear White People" actress, rocking hairstyles created by celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood

I got the opportunity to talk with Felicia Leatherwood at the Miss Naturalista "I Am Beautiful" Hair Expo (October 2014). After modeling  my 4c hair to represent the hair type for her presentation, she decided that she would send me a brush. I was so excited to get it and give it a try. It's the only detangling brush that I have ever been interested in trying and I absolutely love it .

Here's a video I just uploaded that talks all about the technique I use to detangle my hair with the brush using conditioner, how to clean the brush, and my overall review. 

   If you found this helpful make sure to like this blog post, subscribe to my LUVMIKA87 channel, and thumbs up the video!

4c Kinky Hair Product Review: Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave -In & Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer

Hey everyone! Back in October, I finally got my hands on some Alikay Naturals products for the first time ever. I attended a local hair event and not only was there an Alikay Naturals booth, but the CEO of Alikay Natural's, Rochelle Graham aka BlackOnyx77 on YouTube, was there doing hairstyle demos. Ahhhhh! Yes I did have a fan girl moment. Anyways, two of the products that I purchased for my hair were the Alikay Natural's Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner and the Alikay Natural's Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer.

Both the Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner and Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer are recommended for kinky hair as indicated by the hair typing system on the labeling.  

Both products have a consistent smell of Lemongrass that I absolutely loved! My boyfriend asked if I was baking Lemon Cake (one of his faves) when I first used these products in my hair. It filled the room and hallway with it's fragrance. So now I know what I can improvise with when I'm out of air freshener.

OVERALL RATING
 Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In
5 out of 5 Luvs

Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt
5 out of 5 Luvs

 How Did I Use Them: I incorporated these products into my LOC (Liquid Oil Cream) method of moisturizing my hair. First I would moisturize a section at a time with the Lemongrass Leave-In (my liquid). Then I would use whatever hair oils I had on hand as you guessed it my oil. Then I would seal in all that moisture with the Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt, (my cream). I used this method for all styles and even when I just wanted to put my hair in big braids to sleep at night.


How Did That Work Out: My hair was super moisturized as a result of using the LOC method with these products. Not only was my moisturized but that moisture was long lasting. In a weeks time, I only need to remoisturize my hair maybe once. I absolutely loved that I could just retwist/braid my hair at night and not have to use products on a daily basis.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In 

I would definitely recommend that you dilute the Leave-In. It works great in it's concentrated form however I found that I was going through it way too quickly. One of the sales representatives at the booth did make that recommendation, but I was afraid to compromise the efficacy of the product. I did end up diluting the leave in half way through it and again when there was only a quarter amount of the diluted form left. By diluting it, the leave in has lasted me from October up until mid February. Other than that Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In is the business (or whatever the hip word is at the moment... on fleek maybe?)
 

Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt

"A Little Goes A Long Way" definitely applies to this product. If you think you have enough on your finger, you should probably put a little bit back. You cannot be heavy handed with this product or you will be Soul Glo-ing in no time I promise you. If you do find that you used to much and the product is just sitting on you hair strands, just wipe it off with an old t-shirt and you'll be fine.
 

 INGREDIENTS

Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In:  Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice(Aloe Vera Juice) , Cetearyl Alcohol(Coconut derived), Stearalkonium Chloride(Coconut derived), Silk Amino Acids(Natural protein), Vegetable Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Cymbopogon Flexosus ( Lemongrass) Oil Extract, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Natural Detangling Agent), Sorbic Acid(Food Grade Preservative), Fragrance (Parfum), Color Additives, Botanical Blend

Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Moisturizer:  Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Botanical Blend , Fragrance

I absolutely love these products and would definitely repurchase them.

Beautè Organics Product Review (on Kinky, 4c Hair)

Hey everyone! I was sent some hair products from a brand spanking new product line called Beautè Organics based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Check out my review on Beautè Organics in the video below.   I've also listed the ingredients for all the products below the video. 

Give Beautè Organics a try and purchase HERE.

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Coco Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived),Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Conditioner

Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Deep Moisture Treatment

Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Leave-In Creme

Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate(Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol(Coconut oil Derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Styling Butter

Water (Aqua), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

You can also check out the interview I did with Erica Rivers, the owner of Beautè Organics by clicking this link HERE.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap by Thermal Hair Care

  Here's a short and sweet read for you. I rate the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap by Thermal Hair Care...   5 out of 5  

 Here's why!  

     

CURLBOX OCT '14: Carol's Daughter's Marula Curl Therapy Set Product Review

In October '14's curlBOX, I got the opportunity to try out Carol's Daughter's Murla Curl Therapy Set.  I also received a sample size of Carol's Daughter's MONOI Oil. I did not use the MONOI Oil and it's such a small amount that is not worthy, in my opinion, of providing a reliable review. This set of products claims to soften and increase hair manageability as will as intensify curl definition. 

  This set includes the following products:    Marula Curl Therapy Gentle Cream Cleanser (I got a sample size)- 8.5oz - $18 Marula Curl Softening Hair Mask- 7oz - $24 Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum - 2oz - $18 Marula Curl Therapy Diffusing & Styling Lotion - 5oz - $20

  HOW I USED THE PRODUCTS:  

I replaced my shampoo with the Marula Curl Therapy Gentle Cream Cleanser for  this particular wash day. I washed my hair as usual with the cleanser focusing first on cleansing my scalp and then distributing the product down my hair shafts to remove any product  build up. At this point, I noticed that my hair was already beginning to soften and I was able to easily finger detangle hair that was clumped together from a week long twist out. Then I switched out my usual detangling conditioner and deep conditioner, and replaced it with the Marula Curl Softening Hair Mask. 

 

I sectioned my hair in four quadrants and applied generous amounts of the hair mask to my hair one quadrant at  a time. My hair got even softer and detangling each section with my wide toothed comb was a breeze! After I detangled each section and secured them with claw clips, I put on a plastic cap, followed by my Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap. I deep conditioned for about 20 minutes as I tidied up my home and took intermittent sips of my red moscato ;) .
 

I rinsed out the hair mask and blotted out the excess water from each section with a t-shirt. I styled my entire head in two strand twists using the LOC (Liquid - Oil - Cream) Method. The liquid in this instance was simply the moisture still in my freshly washed hair.  I used the Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum as the oil product, and the Diffusing & Styling Lotion as my cream product. My hair was super moisturized throughout the following week. I remoisturized my hair with a miniscule amount of the Softening Serum every other day as necessary.

I  valued the opportunity to use all the Carol's Daughter Marula Curl Therapy products at once. Individual hair products often recommend that we use all the other products associated with it to get optimal results. This was the first time that I was able to do that with any hair product line and my hair thoroughly enjoyed it.
 

OVERALL REVIEW  

Hair Manageability- These products left my hair super soft and manageable. I rocked my hair in twistouts for that entire week, and retwisting at night (in larger sections of course) was so easy. No detangling was needed.

Smell - The cream cleanser and the hair mask had a  rich almond essence smell. It smells edible and it gave me cravings for  a nice big bowl of Cream of Wheat (it's an island thing). The softening serum and the styling lotion smells like a bouquet of roses. It's a very floral smell, but it's not overpowering at all. 

Moisture - Using the LOC method with these products left my hair very moisturized. A light application of the Softening Serum every other night when I retwisted  was all I needed for a week of moisturized twistouts.

MY FAVORITES

My absolute favorites from this set are the Marula Curl Softening Hair Mask & the Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum! I just can't get over how delicious the hair mask smells and how soft and manageable it made my hair. It's a rare thing for me to not need my usual detangling conditioner (*ahem Tresseme Curl Hydration), but this mask softened my hair so much that I was able to  easily detangle my hair with it. The Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum served as a great way to re-moisturize my hair every couple of days until my next wash day. The delicate, lingering scent of spring that I smelled as the wind blew in my kinks was a most welcomed plus.

OVERALL RATING:

4 LUVS OUT OF 5!

 You should give it a try! 
 

If you found this review informative and helpful please let me know in the comments below! 

   

4C HAIR WASH DAY: Renpure Originals, Hibiscus Tea Rinse, and the Best Conditioners Ever

Hey everyone! I had a wash day this past weekend and decided to share it with you. It's definitely not your typical wash day product commercial. I think ladies on a tight budget would appreciate this one because the products that I used were very cheap. One of the products was actually made by yours truly. 

My wash day regimen is pretty consistent in regards to the steps I take. I shampoo, rinse, detangle with a conditioner, rinse, and finish it off with a deep conditioner. What isn't quite consistent is the products that I use. What can I say, I love to see what else is out there and how my hair responds to it! 

Check out my wash day method and what products I used on this particular day!