Review: Kinky-Curly Knot Today

What curly doesn't love a good, slippery conditioner? What's even better than that? A conditioner that does double-time, working as a detangler and a leave-in. Kinky-Curly Knot Today is just that conditioner. I can't believe I didn't tell you ladies about it months ago, because it's been in my rotation since last September. I used it on and off all winter long, but now that warmer weather is hitting full force, I've been using it daily. Of course I pair it with my staple styler, Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. The two work in unison delivering moisture, definition, bounce, and shine.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today is a conditioner that has the most amazing amount of slip, and for my hair, a little goes a long way. When I use it as a rinse-out I only need about a silver-dollar size amount, and when I use it as a leave-in, I only need a pea-size amount. In the bottle it looks sort of white, but it's virtually see-through once it's in your hands. Much like the Curling Custard, I've heard the smell described a multitude of ways, and I have no idea what it's scented with, but it smells good.

This is one of those rare products that stands on it's own two feet, but really shines when paired. Paired of course with KCCC. If you have kinky hair, or just have a lot of hair, and your ultimate goals are curl elongation and you need products that will add some weight and therefore decrease volume, then using the Knot Today, and shingling the Curling Custard over it, are your best bet. On the other hand, if your like me and your goals are tight, voluminous curls with definition, then raking the Knot Today through, and scrunching the Curling Custard in are the way to go.

I cannot say enough about Kinky-Curly hair products, and the Knot Today is no exception. I love that the entire line is organic, and makes caring for your hair so simple. I can honestly just use the Knot Today with the Curling Custard, and have the most amazing hair. I don't know why I even bother continuing to try new things. If you haven't checked out the Kinky-Curly line, you definitely should. I have yet to find anything else that delivers that same gorgeous results on a consistent basis.

 

Review: Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme

Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme, wow that's a mouthfull, and a tongue-twister to boot. Curl Junkie, as a line, gets rave reviews on the boards on Naturally Curly, so being the product junkie that I am, I decided to try some things for myself. The Coffee-Coco Curl Creme is the first item that I decided to purchase, because my seriously porous hair is constantly in need of moisture. I like using a curl creme under my gel to help with the crunchy factor, and to keep moisture in. The Coffee-Coco Curl Creme seemed that it would be a good fit for me, as it's chock full of moisturizing ingredients. Well, it didn't quite work out that way.

When I initially got the CJCCCC, I opened it up and took a big whiff, I love things that smell delicious. This certainly lived up to my fragrance standards, it smells sweet and edible. It reminds me of pina colada. Then I took a tiny amount and rubbed it around in my hands to get a feel for the texture, and how it would apply. It's rich and creamy, and has a decent amount of slip. So I thought that it'd be great for me, and frankly I was already thinking of buying more, as I seriously hate running out of products. So when I proceeded to get cleaned up that day, I used the Coffee-Coco Curl Creme in place of my beloved Pink Boots Curl Creme, and I did the rest of my routine the same as always. When I was done diffusing, I noticed that I had some surface frizz, and that my hair was droopy. Not a good sign.

I have tried using the CJCCCC several different ways, and I always get the same results. My hair smells great, but lacks oomph and its normal bounciness. I tried using it alone, as it's supposed to have a small amount of hold, and that was an epic fail, my hair was HUGE and fluffy and generally undefined. I tried using it with Curl Junkie Aloe Fix (I'll review later), and my curls were the tightest they've ever been, but it didn't hold for more than an hour or two. I've tried using it as a scrunch out the crunch product, but it doesn't do much in the way of keeping my style intact. I'm disappointed to say the least that I can't get this to work for me. Normally, my hair loves heavier products, but this just doesn't seem to do the job I want and need it to.

Anyone else have experience with this, or any tips that may help?

Review: Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo & Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Hello ladies, it's time again to talk about cleansing and conditioning. Today it's all about super-affordable options, Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Moisture Balancing Conditioner. Both products are silicone and glycerine-free. Let's get down to business....

Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo-$12 for a liter

This is a great option for wavies, or for anyone who cowashing simply doesn't work for. All winter long I cowashed and cleansed with No-Poo, and my hair stayed super moisturized. Now spring is in the air, and I've been alternating No-Poo with the Elucence and it's been great. The actual surfactants in the shampoo, meaning the actual cleansers, are completely gentle. It's free of SLS, SLES, ALS, and ALES.

I've used this now for about 2 weeks and I have to say I'm super happy with the results. My hair doesn't feel completely stripped and straw-like after cleansing with it. The lather is amazing, and it's concentrated so a little goes a long way. My hair is about an inch past my chin when wet, and I can shampoo my whole head with one pump, which is probably about silver dollar sized. I could probably use even less, but it's cheap enough that I don't feel the need to conserve it.

Moisture Benefits Shampoo works by giving your hair only the amount of moisture your hair needs, and any excess is rinsed away with the lather. It contains lipids, polysaccharides, and vitamins, so your hair stays in optimal condition. Also, it contains Peach Extract, making the smell divine.

Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner-$20 for a liter

The ingredients in this are great, and it has some of the most amazing slip that I've ever had. The slip is immediate and it makes detangling a breeze.The consistency is very similar to the TREsemme Naturals Conditioner, or even Suave coconut. However, once it's worked into my hair it gets frothy, like crazy frothy. If you cowash exclusively, this would be great! It's not a heavy conditioner, but it does provide moisture. For me and my hair, this would be a good conditioner year-round. The smell of this isn't quite as peachy as the shampoo, but it smells good, sort of sweet.

The Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Moisture Balancing Conditioner are a new staple for me, and if you haven't checked them out I highly recommend them. They're both super-affordable and work great. Also, they can both be purchased through CurlMart.
 

Review: Boots Essentials Curl Creme or its more common name Pink Boots

Oh, the joy of trying new products. It's never dull; ordering them, getting them, and finally trying them. Boots Essentials Curl Creme was special from the beginning. It can only be purchased in the U.K. So getting your hands on it, is quite a task. Boots doesn't ship to the U.S., so it can only be purchased from BritSuperstore. The shipping costs are more than I've ever paid for shipping, however the curl creme is only about $3.50 a jar, and worth every penny and then some.

Boots Essentials Curl Creme also known as Pink Boots is one of those products that you either love or hate. The BritishCurlies think we're crazy in the U.S. for loving it. Over there it's a cheap drugstore product, like Suave or V05 is here. Whereas here, it's a sought after item for many a curly.

So a few things to note about Pink Boots are: it's super concentrated, and must be emulsified before applying it to your hair. I use about a pea-size amount, emulsify it in my hands, where it turns into a white creamy consistency, then scrunch it into my hair. If you're familiar with AG Re:Coil, and how it multiplies when you emulsify it, Pink Boots behaves the exact same way. It also contains alcohol, although it is the last ingredient, so be wary if you have dry hair. My hair is in great condition, and I don't really notice any dryness when using the Pink Boots. It has no hold on it's own, so if you want hold be sure to top it with a hard-hold gel. I don't use gel very much anymore, so I top it with Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. This combination gives me frizz-free, soft, shiny, bouncy curls.

So why do I use it at all, when I get these things from the Curling Custard alone? Because when I pair the two, I don't have any crunch to scrunch out when I'm done diffusing. My curls look defined all day. What more could a girl with curls ask for?