Review: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In

New version vs. the old
Now has Argan Oil

Early on in my Hair Journey, I heard a lot about this product in the online Natural Community.  I decided to try the leave-in conditioner by Garnier Fructis because I liked the fact that it had a creamy consistency.  The spray formulas I used before just did not seem to work as well on my natural hair.  For a long time this product was my go-to leave-in on days when I did a roller set or straightened my hair because it gave my hair a lot of slip.  A few months after doing the BC, I started learning about silicones and how they can cause build-up that is only washed away by using a shampoo with sulfates in it.  At the time, I was trying my best to stay away from sulfates so I decided to stop using this product but still kept it in my product bin.  You know the one I'm talkin' about. . . that bin that holds all of those un-used products until you get around to using them again or trading with someone else.

Later, I went back to the product (saved from the bin!) after I found more information on silicones and how some are heavier than others.  The only silicone in this product is amodimethicone which is a light silicone that is actually considered (by some) water soluble because of the way it reacts with water.  Since I now like to use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of build-up occasionally, I know that this ingredient is not going to cause any problems for me.

Now, on to the product review.  Like I said earlier, the product has a light, creamy consistency.  It has a citrus scent with apricot which is pleasant and not overpowering.  Garnier Fructis recently introduced a new formula that includes Argan Oil which is a plus.  I would say the new and old forumulas have the same scent but the new one does seem to be a tad richer in consistency.  I tend to lean towards products that are affordable and easily accessible so this one fits the bill on both counts.  You can find it at Target, Walmart, Grocery and Drug Stores for about $5.00 USD.  This is one of those products where a little goes a long way.  I use it on wet hair as a moisturizer and then I seal it in with my Olive Oil/Coconut Oil mix before stretching my hair with braids or a bun.

Claims to give lasting smoothness and
frizz control

To apply it, I part my hair down the middle (front to back) and apply about a quarter size amount (sometimes more) to each side.  The product tends to last me a long time this way.  I like to use it when I blow dry my hair with the comb attachment because it has a lot of slip.  Using this also makes a big difference for those times when I want to pull my hair into a bun using my denman brush. . . believe me!  Please note that it does not play nice with Eco Styler or IC Fantasia gels (white flake reaction alert!).  For this reason, I use my Suave Naturals in Coconut flavor when I do wash n go's with gel.

The product claims that it can provide, "Intense smoothing for long-lasting frizz control & shine".  In my experience, I believe that it does give my hair a lot more manageability than when I style with another product.   I'm always surprised at how easy it is to smooth the product through my hair.  This is helpful when I'm trying to avoid frizzy hair because I don't have to manipulate my strands very much to apply it.  Overall, I think it is a great product for natural hair because it adds moisture to the hair while also making the hair more pliable.  It gets a two thumbs up and is a staple that I will not do without.

What My Hair Has Been Up To

I know I haven't been posting very much lately but I wanted to share some of the styles that I have been rockin' the last few weeks.  I have actually been wearing my hair straight a little more which I think is coming to an end this week.  At least until I can get my hands on a flat iron that has a heat dial so I can adjust the temperature setting.  My FHI Technique G2 straightens really well but only has one setting...400+ degrees!  I know that a lot of you are thinking why use heat in the first place?  I know, it can be damaging but, I'm one of those Naturals who likes to use it occasionally.  Anywhoo, enough of the straight talk and on to the pics. . . Enjoy!

Corkscrew Braid Out
at the Denver Art Museum

Flat Twist Up Do
My current favorite during the week
to keep my hair protected

Corkscrew Braid Out
with Satin Scarf Headband
with Eco Styler Gel on my edges

Corkscrew Braid Out
Back View

Straight Hair in August just
before Trim

Wash n' Go at City Park

Biking with Natural Hair

My Bike Helmet
with Flat Twists Underneath

My family and I love going on outdoor adventures.  This summer we have been doing a lot more bike riding together.  I always make sure that the kids wear their helmets but I haven't really been into wearing mine. 

That was until I noticed nearly every other adult on the bike path wearing theirs.  At the very least they had on a cap for sun protection.  So I decided it was time to get out the old bike helmet.  Never mind the fact that it makes me look like Kazoo from the Flintstones.  Safety first, right?  The only thing I had to figure out though was what to do with my thick, curly hair underneath. 

When I go for a bike ride in the morning, the solution is pretty simple.  My hair is usually in twists or braids from the night before so I just wait until after the bike ride to take my hair down.  This means shuttling the kids to school while wearing a satin scarf on my head but hey, I know I'll be cute later on in the day, so that's alright.  I don't even bother removing the scarf because it protects my hair while under the helmet.  Another option is after a braid out when my hair is more flexible, I can get my hair to "lay down" under the helmet without too much of a fight using bobby pins. 



Flat Twists under Helmet
Back View

 Other times though when my hair is up in a bun or puff, the helmet doesn't really work.  Still, in Colorado you really can't get away without some type of sun protection.  The high elevation here can make for some serious sun exposure so I still like to wear a visor and leave my hair up on top of my head like in the pic below. 

So there you go Natural Hair Queens and Curly Goddesses...now there is no reason not to rock your head gear while on your bike ride.  Be safe and happy riding.

Rockin' the Bun with
My Visor

Clairol Semi-Permanent Color Rinse Results

Applied the color rinse
in sections to damp hair

In my last post I talked about doing a Dark Brown color rinse on my hair to help tone down the burgundy red tones from using Henna.  Unfortunately, I have not had much luck with the Beautiful Collection product by Clairol.  I don't think it's the product itself but my regimen that does not work with color rinsing. 

The first thing I didn't like is that I had to apply the product all over whereas with something more permanent you're just re-touching the roots after the first application.  I just figured I would start with this to see if I liked the color on me.  The other thing is that the product rinses out easily with conditioner. 

See what had happened was. . . Prior to applying the rinse, I decided to shampoo my hair so that it was free from any build-up.  Then I applied the rinse and left it on for the suggested amount of time 25 minutes (10 minutes of that was under the dryer).  I rinsed until the water ran clear and then did a deep conditioning treatment which sent me back under the dryer.  I think this is where I went wrong.  When I rinsed the conditioner out in the shower I saw a lot of the color rinsing out with it.  I followed up with an ACV rinse to close down the cuticles of my hair strands and towel dried.  I was planning on wearing my hair straight so I let it air dry overnight and flat ironed the next day.  When I went out into the sun...STILL BURGUNDY!  I was up all night doing my hair and the color didn't even take but like I said, the deep conditioning with heat is probably what did it.  I thought that maybe the hair cuticle opened up because of the heat from the hooded dryer and the color released.

My hair color the next day...still burgundy

 

I figured I would try one more time a few weeks later and this time just rinse the color out, apply conditioner in the shower, detangle and leave it at that.  I mean, I know Clairol doesn't think I can shampoo, apply a color rinse and not use conditioner to get my hair back in order do they?  Well, apparently I'm the crazy one because the color (after detangling and rinsing the conditioner out with cool water) came out again! 

The product in question
Clairol Beautiful Collection
Semi Permanent Color Rinse
in Darkest Brown

Part of me keeps thinking back to when I told my mom about adding deep conditioning treatments to her routine.  The semi-permanent color rinse by Clairol is the very reason why she wouldn't (or couldn't).  She explained to me that the color kept rinsing out when she tried to deep condition so she stopped...Hmmmm.  Well, anyway I can see now that I'm going to end up going with something more permanent next go 'round.  Maybe the 2 step Henna/Indigo is the right choice for me after all.  To be continued.

Semi Permanent Color Over Henna



My Henna'd Hair in the Sun



As you can see from the title, I have finally decided that I'm going to attempt to cover my currently burgundy hair with a Semi-Permanent rinse.  When I started using henna I mixed it with Indigo in order to get a brunette effect.  I was never really successful but continued to use henna each month for the past year or so.  Although, I love the benefits from using henna, I never really intended for my hair to end up so red.  We're talkin' Rhianna type red in the sunlight at this point. 

I've been debating this for a few months now.  Originally I decided that I would just order more indigo and do a two step henna/indigo process.  This is where you apply the henna like normal and after rinsing it completely, apply the indigo for another 30 minutes to an hour and rinse.  The result is Jet black hair and it is permanent.  I know from past efforts that black hair does not look so hot against my skin tone.  Somehow it makes my face look really red and I always have trouble adjusting my makeup palette to suit the black hair color.  Because of this, the darkest I can go is a dark brown. 

For this reason, I decided to go with Clairol's Beautiful Collection in the color Darkest Brown which has a neutral base.  It is a formula that does not contain ammonia or peroxide.  I've read over on NaturalSunshine.ning.com that the Clairol line is pretty much the only one considered gentle enough for Natural hair.  I'm going this route because I figure the color result will be more predictable than trying to mix henna and indigo for the color I want.  The only thing I'm concerned about at this point is the Isopropyl Alcohol which can be drying.  I'm going to make sure and do a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment after rinsing the product and then do an ACV rinse to close down the hair cuticles.  I'll post pictures after the application and do a review.