After the many many comments you lovely ladies left me under this post, I decided to purchase Oyin Funk Butter…for two reasons: 1) the name is hilarious and 2) you can rarely go wrong with Oyin.

Price: $5.00 2 oz tin

Scents available: (copied from Oyin site)

unscented - all the funk-fighting power, none of the fragrance or essential oils that might irritate extra-sensitive underarms, clash with your signature perfume, or distract co-workers as you drift fragrantly past.

coco mango “think of an umbrella drink somewhere near water; mango & coconut, papaya & pineapple; now crush them all together in your mind and pour it over ice. it’s a tropical treat for your undearms.

black cedar fig warm fig, strong cedarwood, and sultry ylang ylang blend with a touch of tea tree to keep it lively. if snuggling had a scent, this would be it: both inviting and warm. appropriate for both men and women, it won’t go wrong.

Ingredients (unscented): baking soda, cornstarch, shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, tapioca starch, kaolin clay, caldendula and chamomile powders, olive oil, and good wishes.

Purchase from: Oyin Handmade

Review:

I got the unscented version of this product, simply because I am so very sensitive to certain smells these days. I may try the scented versions later.

First, it kind of wigs me out to scoop deodorant out of the jar. I don’t know why and really it doesn’t make any sense. I mean, you have to rub in lotion and shampoo…why is deodorant that different? Anyhoo, that was an initial impression.

Second, it doesn’t look pretty. In fact, it reminds me of the times when I was little and would try to “cook” with flour and water and whatever else I could throw in there. Upon touch, it’s also a little grainy…I’m assuming that’s from the baking soda and cornstarch.

After I got past the aforementioned and actually used this stuff, I was wow’d. It works very well! I’ve used it several times: Once at work (great results), once on a mini hike in the heat (awesome!), and just sitting at home (fantastic).

It even helped a lot with moisture, which kind of surprised me  since I only expected it to help with “funk”. It spreads pretty easily though I wouldn’t exactly call the consistency creamy. I did not find the grittiness a problem, though I’m guessing some people would as there is a warning on the back of the jar:

Caution: funk butter contains natural odor absorbers which are potentially abrasive, so make sure to use a very light touch when applying. may not be appropriate for those with sensitive skin;test inside your wrist or your elbow before using, and do not apply to irritated, just- shaven, or broken skin. if any irritation occurs, discontinue use at once. be well! )

Now, I did notice, while wearing a sleeveless shirt, that there was a bit of residue in my underarm area. Nothing terrible, but something that made me keep my arms down for the rest of the day.

I’ve also noticed that it tingles/stings a bit after first shaving. Overall, I’m very impressed. Two thumbs up!

I will be trying out more “natural” deodorants that were recommended by you ladies, so stay tuned!

Company Name: Curls

Product Name: Lavish Curls Moisturizer

Price: ~$10

Color: Clear

Ingredients: water, glycerin, polysorbate 80, methylheptyl isostearate, silk amino acids, certified organic anthemis nobilis flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, certified organic camelllia sinensis leaf extract, citric acid, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, disodium EDTA, potassium sorbate, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, fragrance

Purchased from: Target

Review:

I’ve been waiting awhile to review this product because I wanted to try it in several different ways. My initial impression was that it would be too heavy a spray for me. As you can see, one of the first ingredients is glycerin and the product itself definitely  has a serum-like feel to it. Not as thick as a serum, but just a lot more viscous that water.

The smell is very nice, kind of fruity, though I can’t pinpoint it exactly. Overall, I like it. I used it on my most recent twists (done on wet hair) and loved the results. I’d feared that it would’ve been too heavy, especially coupled with another product, but it worked out fine. My hair was soft and moisturized without being greasy. I did notice a small amount of flaking in one spot.

I’ve used it to remoisturize my hair after a wash n go that felt dry. I also used it on my twists to remoisturize, though I probably wouldn’t need to use this everyday.

It’s an added plus, of course, that this is available locally.

My only complaint is how the spray comes out. Maybe it’s just my container, but it comes out in one long stream. I prefer something more of a mist when using a moisturizing spray. Perhaps I should try another spray top to see if there’s a difference.

Product Name: Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

Company Name: Shea Moisture

Price: $9.99 120z

Ingredients: deionized water, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), argan oil, cetyl esters, sea kelp extract, panthenol (vitamin b-5), ammonium salt, essential oil blend, avocado oil, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and lonicera japonica (japanese honeysuckle) flower extract, tocopherol (vitamin e), hyssopus officinalis extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf and equisetum arvense extract, soybean oil, daucus carota sativa (carrot) seed oil.

Scent: Natural, slightly sweet

Purchased from: Target

Review:

I purchased this during my Target hair product shopping spree. I’ve a novice to the Shea Moisture line, so I’m happy to have it locally available to me.

The consistency put me off at first. You know, if you read this blog regularly, that I like my products in general to be thick and creamy. This is runnier, like cake batter or thick syrup, but not watery. However, this consistency actually made it easier for my hair to absorb it…therefore, even application was a breeze.

I don’t really care for the scent. It’s not a loud smell at all, very natural smelling…I just don’t really love it

Consistency Shot

So, down to the nitty gritty…how does it work?

The first time I used this was after a good rinsing (not shampooed). I towel blotted and then applied the conditioner for about an hour. Awesome results. Simply awesome! Hair was soft, moisturized….Do you know that great feeling you get when you’re rinsing your hair and you’re feeling it and thinking “Oh yeah, my hair really got it this time!”? That’s how I felt that first time.

The next time I used it was after a shampoo. To me, that is the true test of how conditioning a product is: Strip a lot of moisture from the hair and then use it. I left it on for about 2 hours on towel blotted hair.

The results? Okay.

It worked, it definitely put some moisture back in, but it was nothing like the first time. The slip both times was pretty decent, but not the best. Overall, I liked it.

Now, this product also says it can be used as a leave in. This claim was something I never tested. And frankly, because I am not a huge fan of the smell, that’s not something that I’m sure I was to test out. I may one day, however, just to see.

Company Name: Boutique De Fleurtzy

Product Name: Hydrating Hair Butter

Price: $11.00 4 oz

Consistency: Thick, smooth, not whipped

Ingredients:

Lemon/Ylang Ylang Ingredients: Coconut oil, mango butter, kokum butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil, lemon and ylang ylang essential oils.

Lavender/Jasmine Ingredients: Coconut oil, mango butter, kokum butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil, lavender and jasmine essential oils.

Purchase from: Boutique De Fleurtzy

Review:

Note: I was sent samples of this from Fleurtzy when before she launched her line. I loved it and purchased it after she launched.

(In my best Homer Simpson voice):Mmmmm, buuuuutteerrrr.

If you read Texture Playground, then you know that my pal Fleurtzy is no stranger to butters that are beneficial to the hair. Low and behold, she has blended together some of the best butters and created a wonderful product. I *heart* this butter.

The scent is extremely mild (I think I received the ylang ylang and lemon) and it leaves a beautiful shine. I probably like it the best on dry hair. I did the twists in this post with the butter and had sheen for days with lots of softness.

On wet hair, a little goes a long way as I discovered one day. The right amount also gives moisture, sheen, and softness. But don’t be heavy handed!

I’ve also used it to remoisturize a dried puff and was quite satisfied!

Company Name: Bee Mine

Product Name: Deja’s Hair Milk

Price: $15 80z

Ingredients: Distilled water, Coconut milk, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrosperumum Parkir (Shea Butter), Emulsifying wax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter), Prunus dulcis (Almond Oil), Grapefruit & Peppermint Essential Oils,  Paraben & Formaldehyde Free Preservative, Vitamin E, Panthenol (Vitamin B Complex), Fragrance.

Consistency: Lotion-like

Purchase from: Bee Mine

Review:

The container that this product came in kind of reminded me of the Pink hair lotion that I loved so much back in the day. Then I squeezed some out and it has a similar consistency, though not as stiff. I don’t know why that gave me such a happy feeling.  I suppose when something becomes a staple in your life and then you realize it’s crap not good for you, you still pine for it.

Anyhoo…this stuff is awesome. It’s extremely light, something you really want in a good leave in conditioner. I used it on my braidout under a butter. It has pretty good detangling power, but not an incredible amount of slip. I love it for daily moisturizing on dry hair. Once it sinks in, you have soft, lightly moisturized hair with no greasiness.

I really wanted to see how this would work under a gel or gel like product , but have not done a wash n go in a minute and don’t plan to do it for awhile.

The scent is very strong (peppermint and grapefruit) but lessens once in the hair.

Product Name: Peppermint and Tea Tree Nourishing Shampoo

Company Name: Bee Mine

Scent: Coconuty/Minty

Price: $12.97 8 oz

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Palm Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Distilled Water, Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycerin, Panthenol (Vitamin B Complex), Potassium Hydroxide, Guar Gum, Peppermint Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil & Fragrance.

Purchase from: Bee Mine

Company Name: Hamadi

Product Name: Shea Hair Cream

Ingredients:  Purified Water (Aqua), Shea Butter* (Butyrospermum Parkii), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax, Glyceryl Laurate, Ceteareth 12, Glycerin (Vegetal), Dimethicone, Rice Amino Acids, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin (Vegetal), Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract, Tocopherol, Pyridoxine, Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Flexuosus) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Palmarosa (Cymbopogon Martini) Oil*, Exotic Verbena (Litsea Citrata) Oil*, Beta Carotene, Lemon (Citrus Limonum) Oil.

Price: $38 8 oz

Consistency: Very thick

Scent: Mild

Purchase from: Hamadi Beauty, Hairrogant,

Review:

I was sent this to try out, just FYI

I’d never heard of this line before. Three things that jump right out at me: they seem to be a fancy pants line, they have great ingredients and they also are very expensive.

The consistency of this stuff made me think of a paste. I used it on my twists and it gave them a nice, soft hold. However, the sheen was a bit lacking. The moisture was so-so. I used a leave in under it, so I’d expected better. I had to remoisturize the next day with a spritz, which doesn’t usually happen for me when my hair is in twists.

Then I happened to re-read the ingredient list. How in the world did I miss that cone? That hasn’t happened to me in a long time. I think it’s because it was so far down the ingredient list. Which also may be why my hair didn’t feel completely crunchy as it usually does with cones. But the dryness was still there.

Anyway, I digress. Someone who is a cone lover may love this, but it just won’t be a repeat for me. Even if it didn’t have a cone, the price is just too much.

Product Name: S curl Moisturizer

Company Name: Luster’s

Ingredients: Water , Glycerine , Cetearyl Alcohol , Propylene Glycol , Acetamide MEA , Ceteth-20 , Olealkonium Chloride , Stearalkonium Chloride , Panthenol , Simethicone , Imidazolidinyl Urea , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Fragrance

Consistency: liquid

Scent: Old Mannish

Price:$ 4-5

Purchase from: Drug Store, Beauty Supply Store, Walmart

Review:

I was actually talking about this product the other day with a natural coworker. She brought it up and I thought “I totally forgot about that stuff!”.

I’ll say it. It’s a good moisturizer. As you can probably tell from the picture, it comes in a spray bottle. I loved this on my TWA, though too much would leave me a bit greasy.

Here’s the thing: I don’t like smelling like an old man. I don’t know how to describe it, kind of a funky….80s….old man smell. Maybe someone understands what I mean!

If you look at the ingredient list, you’ll see simethicone. This is not a silicone. It does have parabens but at least the ingredient list is somewhat short. For the price, it’s not bad.

It also lasts a long time. A few pumps per application and you’re done!

This is for you MJ fans out there!

I’ve seen the commercials, I’ve heard the hype, but now I’m going to try it out. I am purchasing Mederma first and foremost for my 3 year old, who fell and cut open his forehead (requiring 5 stitches!). The doctor recommended this product to reduce scarring as well as aiding in the removal of the stitches.

Here’s the product claim:

Soothing Topical Gel for Scars.

• #1 Physician Recommended Product for Scars.

• Formulated with Cepalin™ Botanical Extract.

• Greaseless gel.

• Pleasant-smelling.

• Easy to use.

Helps Scars Resulting From:

• Surgery.

• Burns.

• Stretch Marks.

• Injury.

• Acne.

Just apply it to your scar 3-4 times a day for the recommended usage period. If after regular use you don’t see an improvement in one or more of the following – scar color, texture, appearance, or flexibility

Directions:

Should be generously applied and gently rubbed into the scar 3-4 times a day for 8 weeks on new scars, and 3-4 times a day for 3-6 months on existing scars.

Store at room temperature.

I hesitantly went to Walgreens and bought this, thinking surely it had to be chemical laden to do what it claims. Well this just goes to show how miraculous nature is.

Here is the ingredient list:

Water (purified), PEG-4, Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid

Friggin onion? Are you kidding me? Ok, there are some paraben and “fragrance” in there, but overall the ingredients are not bad at all. Mine is “soothing” so it has aloe vera gel in addition to the above ingredients. The onion extract is supposed to be the active ingredient. Who knew?

Anyhoo, I have two “situations” going on on my face. One is an old scar from childhood that is pretty obvious above my upper lip. The second is a patch of dark sports on the right side of my face from pregnancy.

For those of you who have not had children, some kind of demon possesses your face for about 8 months. Therefore, in addition to being “with child”, I was also “with acne”. And this terrible acne scarred some areas with darker spots. Never having had acne during adolescence, I was a little taken aback. I mean, these new stretch marks were bad enough…now this?

Speaking of which, I’ve found quite a few testimonies online that Mederma helps to decrease the appearance of stretch marks. That might be interesting to try later.

Plan of Action:

• Wash face twice a day, per usual
• Apply Mederma after each face wash and one time in between
• I may forgo makeup for a while or try to work around it. I plan to bring some to work with me so that I can apply it there as well