I'm Back... and with an Ouidad Review!

So sorry to anyone following that noticed me drop off the face of the blog world! I just moved to a new state and in the mist of the whole ‘setting up home’ scenario. The hair adventure continues though!!

I told you that I was starting what I call “Ouidad Challenge” but what they call “Curl Confidence”. LOL. Nothing against them, but it’s a challenge for me not to use 5 different products in my hair daily and want to wash them out at the end of every day. My hair is very thick and curly and frizzes easy as well as just gets a little out of control. With Curl Confidence I shampooed and conditioned with my own products (sulfate free!) and then used Curl Confidence to style.

Source
Verdict?
Love it! Although out of my price range as an unemployed college student, the products made me feel good and look good! I used the Leave in conditioner every day after I showered and used the gel after brushing through the leave-in. On days when I didn’t wash my hair I used the botanical boost to what they call “refresh” the curls.
I didn’t see much difference in using the botanical boost, although I also used it as a detangle-r when I brushed my hair after a shower and that at least left me knowing I was nurturing my hair. As far as I can tell I think the Leave in worked great. The gel was a little too weak to keep humidity from frizzing out my hair, but a fresher dose or two throughout the day did the trick. Because of the mid-day frizz it was really hard not turning back to doubling up with other products, but I lasted !
And I am happy to say that my hair looks a lot more healthier and the split ends are more tamed than they otherwise would have been.
YAY Ouidad! Now I gotta get rich and buy their other products to try, as well as the leave in and gel in mass quantities.
Don’t worry I didn’t forget about Curl Friend! Youre next!!! To review!!

Wen

So I tried out the Wen system...
First off, I got the cucumber Mint scent. VERY Minty almost too much so in the shower, when you get out though it is not too bad in the hair scent (must get washed out well?)
Anyways, I used about 18-24 pumps, the recommended was 16 or more with thick curly hair (and you wonder why its so expensive to have thick curly hair!). It is a sulfate-free cleansing conditioner that does not suds up.

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I used it on it's own several more times that I used it with the mask, but both was worked fairly well.
A hydrating mask. I dont know if it was just me, but it made my scalp a tiny bit tingly while sitting on there. No big deal though, the only annoying part was that you have to leave it in for 30 minutes before rinsing it out.

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Overall this system left my curly in tack and slightly minty. I think that they helped the the texture and keeping my hair healthy overall. I def like the sulfate-free aspect of it!

The associated products that came with this kit are the two on the right:

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A texture Balm and a gel.
I used up the gel in about two uses, it was what I consider a travel size (not something to get one through a month as the program suggests). While I think the gel helped some, it is not a product I would use on it's own with nothing else. I did not hold my curly together for too long and the top layers of hair were frizzy in less then a hour. The balm was way thick and sticky making it a major turn off in trying to use. It was also hard to simply get out of the tube! It was suppose to be used on dry hair which made the product even more difficult to use. I may try it again, but the initial test was a negative in my book.
Overall I enjoyed the experimenting of the Wen system, it was not the best but it did leave positive benefits in my hair. I liked the cleansing products the best. The styling ones left something to be desired

Guess what! I order the special OUIDADs one month supply!! Super pumped for testing out this product and playing around with my curlys (when I find the time!) and a review of Curl Confidence is coming as well!!!

More reviews !

Here are more products that I am currently using! Enjoy and like always leave suggestions on what works best for you!


More product reviews:
1) Alagio- Silk Obsession Smooth Leave in Detangler
This is another one of those products that I use because I got two at a really low price and I like the purpose of the product (detangle and condition). I like the intentions but I don't know that it is actually doing anything. It is not terribly noticeable if it is. But it does make me feel better when I have to brush my hair, I use this first. I probably won't buy it again but it wasn't bad to have while I did.2) Aussie Sprunch Hair SprayThis is not the kind of hair spray that you think of, like from the canister. It is a spritz top and the product is in liquid form. Better for the environment. I really like this product, it holds my hair tight and is good for several hours at a time. Just a heads up the spray is sticky like any hair spray! Can't remember if there is alcohol, but its a hair spray so probably :-(
Like more Aussie products, I likey :-)
3) Freeze It
Strong gel! Yay! Cheap, so Try it! Plus I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pump top

4) Garnier Fructis Leave In Conditioning Cream
I use to love this product, or maybe more so the idea of this product. Like many I am not sure that it was actually doing the job or if I just liked the idea. But sadly there is alcohol in this product, and I think (not sure) that many of their products do :( This is really sad because I use to love everything Garnier Fructis made but they are great because they use alcohol which is what gives the reaction I want in the moment but kills my hair eventually. :(

Products Oh Products...

In my 22 years of caring for my curly q’s it has been a struggle let me know you! But I have a short (and growing) list of products that I have used that I like/liked and want to review here for both myself to remember what I've used as well as you to read and try!

Here goes:
1) L’oreal Sulfate-free (green bottle)This stuff I am pretty positive is the reason my hair has become softer and more together over the past month or two. I like the smell- I like the way it works with my hair-I LOVE the fact that it is Sulfate-free. Only compliant? The bottle is hard to squeeze especially when the product is lower or running out! Otherwise get it and love it!

source: http://canadianbeauty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lorealeverpure.jpg

2) Garnier Fructis Shine Wet Gel
This stuff holds tight, but does make my hair crunchy. I however, don’t really care as much as others who are totally appalled to the idea of having crunchy curls. I can go through a bottle of this in less than a month (more like 2 weeks)! It is very sticky and you have to wash your hands good afterwards. I believe it has alcohol though and I am trying not to dry out my hair so much so may have to turn away from this gem :-(

http://www.cozycot.com/files/garnier_fructis_brilliant_shine_wet_shine_gel.jpg

3) TRESemme Shampoo and Conditioner Moisture Rich like these products, I don’t know how true it is that they are “salon level” but they did make a change in my hair initially when I used them. However, this line is not the natural line and hence has sulfate in the shampoo, boo! :-( Yes, after a while I wasn’t noticing a difference anymore, another :-( Note to self, try the Natural Line!

http://www.overstockdrugstore.com/product_images/k/022400641966.jpg

4) Rave Sculpting Gel This is a low cost brand that is alcohol free! If you use a lot it works better. It is a standby for me now since it is alcohol free and a gel. Both things my long thick DRY curls NEED.
http://static-resources.goodguide.net/images/entities/large/182806.jpg

5) Aussie Dual Personality Mousse Leave In Conditioner Flexible Hold

While the jury is still out on if this is actually doing something all the time.... I do love the fact that is it a mousse and a leave in conditioner both good ideas for these crazy curls! I love just about everything Aussie actually :) As for alcohol free... i didn't look, its from a canister so that worries me (usually there is alcohol in canister products) but I love it too much to break my heart just yet ;)

http://www.cloettafazer.com/product/Aussie-Dual-Personality-Mousse-Leave-In-Conditioner-Flexible-Hold.html

More reviews later on! Let me know some of your fav and not so fav products!

Hey all your Curly Heads!

“Curly hair is beautiful“

That’s what I always hear, not always what I believe. Yes, I have it. Tons and tons of frizzy curly thick hair. Yup, I understand everyone wants what they don’t have, the grass is greener on the other side effect.
At the same time…
When you learn to love and care for your curly and you will see the beauty in it yourself. It does take longer to care for, you do have to get earlier in the mornings to make it look good. But hey, thats what your born with, a gift or a curse. you choose!
It was really all through middle school and high school that I was a ‘Curly Hair Hater’ the most. I did the bun and the pony tail look all through middle school NEVER wearing it down. I tried straightening it only to have it puff in less than 30 minutes, even at the salons! And don’t tell me I was going to cheap ones, because I tried many!Both professional and at home with Chi and others, and yes both with and without product, didn't matter.
In High School I started wearing it down much more. Now I am usually wearing it down unless it’s a rushed day, super hot, you get the idea…
Now, post-undergrad college, I am learning to care and treat my hair well and in return it is actually… sometimes… dare I say, Pretty!

Feel free to follow along as I document what I use, what works, what doesn’t and my continuing trials and tribulations of life with Curly Hair!

Top beliefs I currently live by for my hairs care:
1) SULFATE FREE IS THE WAY TO BE!
2) Alcohol-free gels are best! (though not always possible for me yet)
3) Organic is ideal, though pricey on my post college budget sadly :(