Monday Product Review!!!!

Friday night was "big" hair washing night. I do co-wash two other times during the week (Monday and Wednesday), but Friday is the grandaddy of all the nights. My regimen consist of:

• Co-washing: I wash with either Silk Elements Cholesterol or Herbal Essence Hello Hydration(product review below).
• Protein Treatment: I use Aphogee 2 minute keratin reconstructor.
• Moisturizing Conditioner: My hair is loving Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment. I mix this with pure Castor oil and olive oil and slap a conditioning cap on.
• Hot Oil: I only do this depending on how dry my hair feels...I use Queen Helene Jojoba hot oil treatment. This has been great in cutting down in my breakage.

Then I roller set my hair and let dry for 45 mins-1hr, and voila! My hair is done!

This Friday I added three new products to the family.

• Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner

My sister Helen Van Patten-Patterson-Page called me at 9:00am on Thursday to tell me about this product. She had to do her hair in a rush and used this to wash with and had wonderful results. She recommended the conditioner for me since I co-wash. Hello Hydration is made with coconut milk and lilac. I have read on the hair board that I visit that coconut milk is good for hydration. The product smelled good and came in a pretty bottle(I am a sucker for pretty bottles).

The verdict: It smelled VERY good, and it softened my hair some. Hello Hydration did it's job, but it did not leave my hair as silky as my Cholesterol conditioner. I will probably only use this as an alternate.

Update: This product left my hair dry as a chip after co-washing...into the trash it goes......

• Silk Elements Moisturizing Conditioner

Before I give the review I must admit that I did leave this conditioner on for a LONG time before rinsing out. Long, like 3 hours. A big no-no. This product has a nice smell and is not greasy. After removing the cap, my hair rinsed easily, but when it came time for my roller set, my hair was a little hard, which leads me to believe there's a little bit of protein in this conditioner. However, I did leave it on for three hours, so that played a factor.

The Verdict: This one is definitely a keeper. The next time I will not leave it on as long and I will mix it with some oils(Castor and olive).

• Castor Oil

I have been hearing about this as a favorite on the hair board as well for thickening up your hair. I was more than curious because I hate when my hair grows and my ends are darn near see through, and my hair seems thin(not balding thin, just....thin). I simply used this as a sealant with my ORS Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion.

The Verdict: Love it!!!!! I could tell the difference in my ends already and it has given my hair great shine. Its also a thicker oil so it has sealed better. Welcome to the Fam, Castor Oil!

This Friday, I will be trying out setting lotions and foam wrap lotions. I'll keep you posted!