Archive for October 2017

How to Use Combing Cream for Long Natural Hair Growth

These curls are only about to get longer....

Sis, get in here. We need to talk about combing cream and your length goals.

Fall is officially here, and colder months always kick off protective styling stints, and more vigilant care in hopes of acquiring a few inches before spring. I'm right there with you. I'm finally ready to call my hair 100% free of hair color damage, and it's about that time to start adding inches.

In my quest for hangtime, I've decided to incorporate a new product from Zotos Professional - the 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream. What is it exactly? How does it work? And where does it fit in your regimen to promote growth?

Don't worry, I got you. Let's dive in and break down this game changer for #lengthgoals!

How to Use Combing Cream for Long Natural Hair Growth - 180 PRO Length Revival Combing Creme

My new secret weapon - 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream

What is Combing Cream?
Combing cream is a multi-use, lotion-like product that serves several functions in a natural hair routine. Borrowed from the women of Brazil, combing cremes have gained popularity among naturalistas in the US thanks in large part to how flexible and effective it is. Combing creams are known for having intense slip, which reduces the friction against the hair to make detangling a breeze. They're also known for their moisturizing and frizz fighting properties.

Where Does Combing Cream Fit in My Natural Hair Routine?

Between pre-poos, shampoos, co-washes, rinse-out conditioners, deep conditioners, oils, rinses, moisture mists, refreshers, balms, butters, and edge controls - the average natural's regimen is packed full of product. But what if I told you combing cream could easily replace 3 products in your regimen?

Up close and personal with the 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream

Yes ma'am! It surely can. If you're not pressed for length, but want to reap the benefits of replacing a few products in your regimen with one powerhouse product, jump ahead to the video breaking down the 3 ways I use 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream.

But if you're on a hair growth quest, let's get down to the nitty gritty.

Combing Cream for Hair Growth
When it comes to maximizing healthy hair growth and achieving length goals, there are two major factors - actual hair growth from the scalp, and length retention. Personally, I believe length retention is more important than the actual rate of hair growth - and here's why. Often times, when we feel like our hair isn't growing, length retention efforts (or lack thereof) are to blame. When we focus too much on increasing rate of growth and don't give enough attention to proper maintenance, the hair we did grow ends up breaking and keeping our length stagnant - creating the illusion that our hair isn't growing.

These four will have your hair RIGHT!

My philosophy - barring major medical conditions, our hair is going to grow. Proper maintenance and care will ensure the growth is visible.

And this is where 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream is about to change the game.

It's no secret that our kinks, coils, and curls are structurally weaker than straight hair - hence how we comb, brush, style, and handle our hair gently (or at least, we're supposed to). Look at a peice of your hair in the mirror. Did you know that each bend along the strand is a structural weak point and hotspot for breakage? And detangling is where our hair is the most vulnerable.

180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream eliminates the fuss and drama notoriously associated with detangling our natural hair. Whether you use a comb, brush, or your fingers, combing cream lubricates and coats the strands with lightweight moisture and slip - protecting the hair from damage caused by friction during detangling.

Pre-pooing with 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream

In addition to moisturizing, softening, detangling, and priming the hair, 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream works alone or in conjunction with the Length Revival Shampoo, Conditioner, and Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator to fortify and strengthen hair that is prone to breakage, dryness, and damage. This is major for naturals experiencing increased breakage and thinning due to excessive use of heat or color.

3 Ways to Use Combing Cream in Your Natural Hair Regimen
As I mentioned previously, 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream is a multi-use product that can easily replace 3 or more products in your hair routine. Here's how I've used it in mine:

Pre-Shampoo Detangling Treatment
As a rule of thumb, I always detangle before shampooing. Even the slippiest shampoos sometimes can't safely unravel all of my tangles, and detangling prior to sudsing helps ensure a fuss-free wash day. Because the 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream is packed with slip, it lubricates the shaft of the hair, allowing strands to glide past each other and release tangles with ease. As a result, I'm able to manipulate my hair while shampooing without causing breakage and damage.

Leave-In & Curl Primer
Y'all know I love me a good leave-in. Leave-ins are a key ingerdient in the secret sauce of a great wash and go style. They help capture your curl pattern in it's most hydrated state, helping your curls ascend to epic levels of washing and going. For highly textured kinks, coils, and curls, 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream offers lightweight moisture and continued detangling while capturing the curl pattern for styling.

But here's why I'm really about to go peak #lengthgoals:

These two are a must-have for naturals who use heat often or have color treated hair.

It involves Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator, which you guys know I love dearly. (receipts) As my primer and leave-in duo, I combine Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator and Length Revival Combing Cream because the two are formulated to work together - binding to the weakest spots along the hair shaft to prevent breakage. The Pro-Peptide complex proteins target and reinforce the hair's weakest points like a magnet of sorts, protecting against breakage while conditioning the hair. Basically, the two help my hair not break off - whether I'm combing, brushing, or letting it all hang out!

Plus, I've found the two are incredibly gel friendly, mixing with some of my favorite gels sans white, goopy balls and flakes.

Healthy curls! Used 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream as my leave-in

Refresher
Even if my hair isn't begging and screaming for moisture, I make it a habit to put something water-based on it on days 2, 3, 4, and sometimes 5 (if I let it go that long). Hydrated hair is less prone to breakage, and 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream is lightweight enough to not make hair feel oil or greasy while hydrating, and enhancing shine. Plus, you still reap all the breakage-fighting benefits!

Oh and here's a bonus - if you've got a bit of a gel cast still on day 2, you can use the combing cream to break it while leaving hair soft and not disrupting the curl pattern!

The 180PRO Length Revival Combing Cream and the entire Length Revival Collection is available exclusively at Sally Beauty.

Alright now, I done gave y'all the secret sauce. Check for me in April 2017 - my comparison pics are about to be pahhhhhhpin! What are you doing differently this fall to help retain length? Let me know in the comments below!

This blog post is sponsored by Zotos Professional.

Soultanicals 'Fro Despair Vitamin Hair Repair Review

So many great ingredients make 'Fro Despair a powerhouse for natural hair.

So, I typed a post to a DC I used to see,
Saying that I chose a new condish with whom I wanna be,
And I apologize if this blog post gets you down,
Then I CC'd every DC that I bought around town...

Somebody tag Andre3K and let him know I ain't got no sense! 😂

I am completely, utterly, and hopelessly obsessed with 'Fro Despair Vitamin Hair Repair. I'll tell you why - but first, let me break down how we got here (and why I dedicated the opening verse of Int'l Players Anthem to it lmao).

Y'all know I've been ride-and-flourish ('cause I don't want nothing related to them to EVAH die) for Soultanicals since my transitioning days. Ayo is incredibly blessed and gifted at what she does, and the handcrafted hair and beauty products she creates are nothing short of a blessing in a bottle. I fell truly, madly, deeply in love with Afrotastic Curl Elastic in mid-2015, and I've got the blog posts to prove it:

Suffice it to say, Afrotastic Curl Elastic and I were meant to be together.

But then, the strangest thing happened. Through my 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals series, I was introduced to 'Fro Despair Vitamin Hair Repair on Day 5 of the series, inspired by tending to my home garden.

It was love at first detangle.

The slip is off the chain.

I was immediately conflicted - like, am I 'bout to sit up here and cheat on Afrotasticbae? If I had to choose sides, who do I pick?

By the time I reached the end of the 'Fro Despair bottle, I knew. And by the end of this review, you'll know too!😂

Cost
$16 for 8oz (but I highly recommend the 32oz for $40. ESPECIALLY during the $25 salon size sale. #wortheverypennyandthensome)

Where to Buy

Exclusively at www.soultanicals.com. My prayer is that eventually, this deep conditioner will enter Target in the way that Afrotastic has done.

Ingredient closeup. Yes, there's even MSM!

Active Ingredients

Water infused with Horsetail, Rosemary & Sage: Herbal infusion that promotes growth, strengthens the follicles, and staves off hair loss by stimulating blood circulation.
Biotin: A water-soluble vitamin, vital for the body's normal processes such as synthesis of protein and conversion of food and stored fats into energy. It's also a major role player in maintaining the health of the skin, nails and hair.
Organic SuperGreens (Spirulina, Wheatgrass, Barley Grass, Oat Grass, Chlorella, and Alfalfa): This combination of superfood algae and grasses work in tandem to help slow and reverse signs of aging and damage while nourishing the scalp to promote healthy hair growth.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Gentle surfactant made from non-GMO rapeseed (canola oil), and is one of the mildest detangling ingredients out there. It doesn't cause buildup or irritation to the scalp.
Cetyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient and gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
Organic Olive Oil: Olive Oil is rich in high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which is good for hair growth. Both mono-unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E are good for moisturizing, protecting and nourishing hair. Olive oil makes hair grow stronger and its emollient properties prevent hair loss.

Protein Free?

No - contains brown rice protein

Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!

The Good
WHERE DO I BEGIN?! Seriously, 'Fro Despair is life giving. It's literally like a green juice shot for your hair and scalp. First of all, the ingredients are freakin' stellar. I could be totally wrong, but I've yet to see any brand pack so many greens into a deep treatment. And it's not just a "very bottom of the list, just a pinch in there so we can claim it on the label" amount, either. 'Fro Despair is literally green, and you can see the flecks and grains of green powder without putting your face all up in it.

Consistency-wise, 'Fro Despair is creamy like Afrotastic, but not quite as thick. It's very spreadable, but not at all watery. And the slip? Off theeeeeeee charts. It's so easy to use, and I'm deeply appreciative. The last thing I want to do on wash day is fight with my deep conditioner. The fragrance is a toss-up. My first bottle (back in July) and my re-up (September) both have a deeply green and grassy fragrance - which played quite nicely into the whole "SuperGreens" theme (and made me feel like I was doing my hair major favors).

I don't EVER want to run out of 'Fro Despair.

But then I got another 8oz bottle with the grassy essence played way down in favor of a fragrance that I could only describe as something I'd grab from the cat selling oils and incense on Crenshaw (is he still there? Or did gentrification get him?). It's a yummy fragrance that I definitely enjoy. But I like the grassy vibes, too. I'm not sure if this was an error, or if the fragrance is changing for more commercial appeal - but I'm good either way. Just don't change the formula, Ayo!

The real win is how ah-MAY-zing my hair feels after I rinse. Soft, baby smoove, like buttah, and STRONG. Soultanicals has definitely cornered the market on moisture and strength with 'Fro Despair. It literally does not get any better than this.

This is peak deep conditioning, people.

The Bad
I couldn't point out something wrong if I wanted to. You don't buy liters of products you aren't passionate about.

The Bottom Line
Loaded with as much slip as it has greens, 'Fro Despair is literally Amazing Grass and the best of what Pressed Juicery has to offer - in deep conditioner form. While I think everyone and their cousin TeeTee could benefit from the goodness that 'Fro Despair has to offer, it works best on hair that is damaged, distressed, color treated, weak, brittle, or just in need of a strengthening boost.

In short, 'Fro Despair has joined the rank of the Holy Grail. Just don't be surpised when Christina's Choice 2017 rolls around.

My most recent Fan Friday haul from September. About $140 worth of products for under $70! #allthiswinning

Would I Buy it Again?
I'm buying 3 when the Soultanicals Black Friday sale rolls around, if quantities permit and without regard for what you might be tryna put in your cart. Set your alarm and act accordingly. 😂

Have you tried 'Fro Despair yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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