Product Review: CeCees Curls Pineapple Whipped Shea Butter

CeCees Curls is a young Nigerian small business, based in Abuja. Today, I’m reviewing their Pineapple Whipped Shea Butter.

I know the tub says “guava”, but my Pineapple sample (which matters) was inside.

First Impressions:

The smell? Yummy. And it’s good to know that with the exception of the pineapple fragrance, all the ingredients are natural and edible. I was one of those kids who tried chalk, powder and soap so I wouldn’t entirely put tasting it past me. Just kidding. I’m a growwwn woman now. ( ._.)

The card it came with was also a pretty nice touch! 🙂

Ingredients:

Shea butter, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Pineapple Fragrance.

I got to know this in a note.

In future, it’d be nice for CeCees Curls to have the ingredients listed on the tub, or at least a broad description- “Shea butter enriched with penetrating oils and humectants…” Something like that.

Let’s Get To It

I’ve only tried one other whipped butter in my life and it was a little too light for me. I like to use shea on my lips and sometimes body. I even mixed a little of this one day with some castor oil to give myself a much needed massage so you can understand why I prefer the heavier texture of CeCees Curls.

This butter is not as thick as raw shea (duh, because its been whipped!) but it isn’t too light. I don’t know if you can see what I’m saying here.

I used this alone for my 3 strand twist out which you saw or you can see in this post, and my hair was soft for a week, from Friday to Thursday! I didn’t need to spritz my hair with water to refresh. And note that I didn’t use any leave-in conditioner. I just used the whipped butter to twist on damp freshly washed hair. I honestly don’t know if this is because my hair is in such a good place right now, or because of the humectants in the whipped butter. I’m thinking it’s more of the latter, but maybe I’ll try again with raw shea later, when I take my kinky twists out, to definitively compare results.

I’m not one of those naturals who praise shea butter like it’s the ultimate hair elixir. No shade! It’s just my low po-ro-si-ty! From past experiences, (raw) shea butter is an okay sealant, that’s all; Which is why I’m inclined to believe the humectants in this whipped butter kept my low-porosity hair moisturised.

Would I buy this?

I aspire to be a mixtress someday. Till I gather myself to make my own whipped butter, yes, I’d be happy to buy me some CeCees Curls!

A Little Story

One month after my re-chop, I met Neku, the madam behind CeCees Curls at Capital Naturals 1 (November 2012). CeCees Curls was still a dream. Everyone was making small talk outside at the product stands, and she told me she was thinking about starting a shea butter business, and wanted to know if I’d be interested in that kind of thing. And I was like yes, if it’s good, why not?

More than a year later, I got an email from CeCees Curls asking if I’d like to try their whipped butter. I said Yes. It was only after days of going back & forth to choose the flavour I wanted to try/ arrange delivery that I looked at the Google+ profile and it occurred to me that she was the one I’d talked to at the meetup!

It made me very happy to know she followed her plans through, and it’s even better that I’ve tried it, and I actually like it!

When was the last time you thought about your dreams? The last time you took a step in their direction? Let this inspire you in a small or big way today, to get going!

WHERE TO FIND

You can get CeCees Curls in Abuja, in a variety of other flavours. I also got a whiff of some of them and I think the Hazelnut may be my fave!

Connect with them on Twitter @ceceescurls and Instagram @ceceecurls, and to order, you can:

1. Call 07052809468 

2. Email- ceceescurls@gmail.com or

3. BBM: 332E7A1A

If you’ve tried any of CeCees Curls butters, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Love,

AB,

Xx

PH Naturals Stand Up!

Hello beautiful people!

I come to you today with good news for the sistahood in Port Harcourt!

You can now get your hair product fix at Fros and Cornrows Natural Hair Hangout!

Visit the Hangout at 45 Evo Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.

A wide range of Natural hair Products and accessories awaits you:

1. Essential oils,

2. Base oils (Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Coconut, Olive, Avocado, Jojoba, Grapeseed)

3. Natural butters- shea butter, cocoa butter

4. Ayurvedic Oils and Clays

5. Natural hair brands including Cantu, Shea Moisture, Giovanni, Oyin Handmade, Eco Styler, As I Am, Aubrey Organics, Elasta QP and Kinky Curly!

6. More specifically, Wild Growth Hair Oil, Body Art Quality Henna, and the famous Luster S-Curl Activator!

7. Satin bonnets, Hair accessories, and Hair tools.

And get this, a salon is in the works!

Sounds like you guys have it made!! Keep your eyes on the Hangout, and go see if they don’t have what you need.

Don’t keep this to yourself, share this, spread the word to fellow PH Naturals and if you aren’t based in Port Harcourt, share with the PH people you know!

For more information about Where to Find natural hair friendly products and salons in Nigeria, do visit the Directory.
If you’re a Natural hair friendly business and you’re not on the list, just leave a comment or email thekinkandi@gmail.com & you’ll be putting yourself out there for the people that need you to find you!
If your favourite shop or salon isn’t on the list, let me know too. This is a collective effort, we are helping each other! 🙂

If you’re in a city or town with no products, don’t fret. We’re planning a little something to help you out too. 😉

Love,
AB,
xx

My Stash

Hey guys,

I’m in a different city (Calabar) and in the process of unpacking and settling in.

This time, my hair products are taking up more space than usual so I thought I’d just do a quick post, for record’s sake, about my stash- the things I will be using this year.

Of course, the welfare of your hair is way more influenced by what you DO, than what you use- and I’m definitely not going to use everything at once!

I tried to get a family photo of everything, but it was just too clumsy abeg, so I tried just a cross section and that worked 🙂

*Riri voice* this is just the half of it

CLEANSERS

ORS Curls Unleashed Lavish-in-Lather Shampoo (2000 Naira. from Perfect Trust Cosmetics, Wuse 2, Abuja. Full address in Directory)

L’Oreal Ever Crème Nourishing Shampoo**

VlaeXotic Handcrafted Shea Butter African Black Soap

CONDITIONER

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration ($6.29)*

Hair Fruits (250 Naira, I’m pretty sure you can find this anywhere)

LEAVE-IN

Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream ($4.99)*

Jack 5ive Curl Activator Gel (800 – 1200 naira depending on where you look)

STYLING

ORS Olive Oil Edge Control ($4.11)*

EcoStyler Firm Hold Styling Gel (Pink) **

ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer (from Perfect Trust Cosmetics, Abuja. Can’t remember how much exactly, but it was less than 2k)

SEALANTS

Olive Oil

Cocoa Butter (Natural Nigerian)

Parachute Coconut Oil (175ml bottle for 375 naira, and 500ml bottle for 880 naira- from Park and Shop [SPAR] )

DEEP CONDITIONING

Organics by Africa’s Best Hair Mayonnaise (850 Naira. Enumex Cosmetics, Calabar)

Raw honey

Goya Olive Oil

A LITTLE FANCY

Bentonite Clay (1500 naira. The Kinky Apothecary)

Hibiscus Powder (500 naira. The Kinky Apothecary)

–

* products from Duane Reade, via the Bestie

** products dashed by the Bestie 🙂

WATCHING/WAITING FOR/ON MY WISHLIST

Aloe Vera Juice

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Nothing But Intense Healing Mask

Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer

My Honey Child Type 4 Hair Creme

–

Am I a Product Junkie?

Maybe. Maybe it’s a phase. Trying new things is great and a lot of fun, but I AM trying to identify some staples. As you can see, in the Leave-In category, I only have my tried and tested faves of 2013. Every now and then, you try something new and wonder where it has been all your life (e.g. Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer).

I wonder how much time I’ll have to try or finish all this though as I’ll be protective styling for most of the year, keeping manipulation down to a minimum.

Still, more is definitely better because I’m in Calabar now and finding hair products when needed may not be a walk in the park. So, call this stocking up if you will. 😀

ANNOUNCEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Jos curlies, our most recent addition to the list of Natural Hair Stores in Nigeria, KayDee Kurls is in your city and they’re just one call or email or bbm away! They also deliver to all parts of the country. For deets, check the Directory! 😉

AND. Natural Nigerian products can now be found at the HMedix on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

What’s the state of your stash? What was the last hair product you purchased, and where from? Which products are you using or do you hope to be using this year? Give us the juice!

Love,

AB,

Xx

AB Loves: Jack 5ive Curl Activator Gel!

Hello lovelies!

Eku Keresimesi! Merry Christmas! I know I’m late, but I do hope you’re enjoying the holidays! 🙂 🙂

My hair is in a protective style at the moment (sew-in, Pro-10 Bohemian weave (like before, here) which seems to be ackin’ up in the Harmattan weather but I’m coping just fine). Yes, hair is hidden away under a weave but I’m here today to testify to the goodness of Jack 5ive Curl Activator!!

Hairspiration Demi mentioned that this activator gel was a staple for her, and I made a mental note to myself to try it. I did get around to using it for the last 2 weeks before my weave. I was out of leave-ins so I got the activator from Favourite Supermarket on Marian Road in Calabar (for 1,100 naira. I’m pretty sure you could get it for 800 naira elsewhere though!).

Ingredients:

Deionized Water, Proplylene Glycol, Glycerin, Acetamide MIA, Carbomer-940, Panthenol, Potassium Sorbate, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Fragrance, FD & C Yellow #6

Worth noting:

Water is the first ingredient, and two humectants follow to complete the top 3- Propylene Glycol & Glycerin.

Panthenol is another humectant on the list.

This product is mineral and sulfate free, but it does have one paraben- Methylparaben.

Jack 5ive and Me

I tried this on wet, damp and dry hair and I have to say it works best on dry hair.

This Activator instantly melts away knots yo. Good slip for detangling and grrrrrrreat moisture! My days! Using it every three days between co-washes was enough. SOFT, well moisturised, easy to comb fro. No water or glycerine spritzes needed in between. I am in loveee!

In applying this product, try to achieve a balance. Too little may not be enough and too much may leave you feeling like it’s too greasy. I managed to find the right measure in between that was just right, after a few uses. With this gel though, I haven’t styled my hair. I’ve simply worn it in a fro- so I can’t say anything about this as a styling product.

It is a light gel, yellow-golden, but it’s transparent on your hair.

Possible cons: I’m not crazy about the smell. It’s not overpowering though, so don’t let it blind you to the positives.

Most importantly, this activator gel is cheap and widely available here in Naij. As Demi says, Hi-5 for Jack 5ive! Whooop!

So, what do you say? Trust me, it’s definitely worth a shot!!

One last thing: for me it was simply moisturising. I have no visible curl pattern, so nothing was “activated”, just in case you’re wondering. The fro was just the same as usual.

one Jack 5ive morning

In completely unrelated news, I was featured on Trials N’ Tresses last week. It’s a really cool hair blog, do check it out! 🙂 🙂

Have you tried Jack 5ive or any Curl Activator Gel? Are you a fan? Would you try one now? Holler in the comments!

May joy and peace, love and light be with you this season and always!

Love,

AB

xx

Product Review: Africa’s Best Kids Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil + Shea Butter Moisturising Detangling Hair Lotion

Hey guys!!

Today I’m reviewing the Africa’s Best Kids Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil + Shea Butter Moisturising Detangling Hair Lotion. Yes, I’m thinking what you’re thinking- why so long though?? 😦

This is a leave-in conditioner I’ve used at different times since I went fully natural last year. It isn’t my Holy Grail leave-in, but it gives me good slip and decent moisturising. Also, it is relatively cheap and very very accessible to me, so it’s definitely a constant presence on my shelf. Like my back-up leave-in when I’m between leave-ins.

Ingredients

Aqua (Water) , propylene glycol , PEG-150 Distearate , Cetyl Alcohol , glycerin , Polyquaternium-37 , Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate , Dicaprate , PPG-1 Trideceth-6 , Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil , DMDM HYDANTOIN , CyclopentaSiloxane , Cyclohexasiloxane , phenyl trimethicone , Lanolin Oil , glyceryl Stearate , Peg-100 Stearate , Acrylamide Copolymer , Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride , MEthylparaben , propylparaben , Stearalkonium Chloride , fragrance , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive) , Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit (Shea Butter) , CI 19140 (Yellow 5) , CI 16035 (Red 40) , CI 42090 (Blue 1) , Hydrolyzed Glycine Soja Protein (Soybean) , Mustela (Mink Oil) , Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba) , Tocopherol , Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil , Ovum (Egg Powder) , Lactis Proteinum (Milk Protein) , Mel (Honey) , Silk Amino Acids , Cholesterol , Zea Mays (Corn) Oil , Bht , BHA , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OiI , Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract , Urtica Dioica Extract (Nettle) , Equisetum Hiernale Extract (Horsetail)

Worth noting:

1. Water is its first ingredient
2. No petrolatum or mineral oil.
3. It’s got glycerine and propylene glycol (humectants)
4. And it has a silicone (phenyl trimethicone) & parabens (methylparaben, Propylparaben)

Smell: I like it. Not strong, not too sweet, it’s just right.

Consistency: creamy. (it’s a lotion)

How I Use

I spritz my hair with water first. It’s easier for me to apply product on damp hair.

Then I apply the lotion and seal with olive oil.

Absorbency: this lotion doesn’t just sit on my hair. It disappears lol but for some reason (porosity perhaps), my hair doesn’t take it all in. Like by the next day, when I spritz water on my hair, there are still traces of it. So let’s say there are 3 days between washes, I’m heavy handed on day 1 and lighter with my application on days 2 and 3.

Cost:

I’ve seen it go for 800-1000 naira. Not bad at all for a 12 oz/355ml bottle.

One last thing:

The best thing about this leave-in has to be its accessibility. It’s available at 3 shops in my area, within walking distance. It’s really good to have one product I know I could always find.

Overall:

Good slip for detangling, and fair moisturising. This combined with the fact that it’s the cheapest and most available leave-in I have used yet, YES I will continue using.

By fair moisturising, I mean that my hair may still be soft at the end of the day, but I still need to reapply a little more lotion by the next day. Unlike with the Cantu leave-in for instance that I use only once in 3 days, with water spritzes in-between.

The Kids Organics line has a presence in Nigeria, so I’m sure this detangling lotion shouldn’t be difficult to find at your end if you’d like to try. 🙂

Oh and I almost forgot to mention- it’s for all hair types- natural and relaxed!

Have you tried this leave-in? Would you consider it now? Let me know in the comments!

Love,

AB

xx