Does Maui Moisture Live Up to Its Name?

Happy Wednesday, everyone! This is my review of the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo. I am so excited to bring this review to you guys because this product has made me enjoy using shampoo again.

When I first came across Maui Moisture products, they immediately caught my eye because I thought they looked like a row of drinks on the store shelf. From the unique packaging alone I could tell that there was something special about these products.

It took me awhile to actually purchase anything from Maui Moisture, but now that I’ve been using one of their shampoos for the past two months, I wondered why I slept on their products for such a long time.

The Specs

This specific shampoo promises to “hydrate, smooth and defrizz” hair that is thick and curly. It’s free of surfactants and contains coconut oil, papaya butter, and plumeria extract. 

There are a number of potentially harmful ingredients to your hair that this product does not have, which includes:

• Mineral oil
• Silicones
• Parabens
• SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, foaming agent found in most shampoos)
• Synthetic Dye
• Sulfated Surfactants
• ALES (Ammonium Laureth Sulfates, another foaming surfactant)

What this product does contain quenches your hair and leaves it feeling soft without stripping it. The first ingredient that you’ll see is 100% pure Aloe juice and coconut water, both of which are extremely moisturizing and healing for hair and skin. Going back to the other ingredients mentioned before, let’s dive deeper into why they do nothing but good things for your curls.

Coconut Oil

Most of us probably use coconut oil in our daily lives, whether it be for hair care, skin care, or in our diets. As we all know, coconut oil has many moisturizing and healing properties and can work wonders on hair that is dull or damaged.

Papaya Butter

If Papaya is a regular staple in your diet, keep eating it! You’re already receiving its benefits. 

Papaya is full of antioxidants, carotenes (also found in carrots), magnesium, potassium, flavonoids, and vitamins B and C. It works as a natural conditioner by preventing dandruff, adding shine and volume, helping with split ends, strengthening hair and getting rid of buildup. Perhaps what it is most known for is preventing balding and thinning of the hair. 

I personally use papaya as a tasty addition to my healthy smoothies!

Plumeria Extract

Also known as Frangipani oil, it is a widely used yet underrated essential oil that many cultures have been using for thousands of years. While the main use of the flower in most products is for adding fragrance, every part of the plumeria plant has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent and cleansing properties that leave the skin and hair deeply moisturized and soft. 

However, it is recommended that you consult with a medical professional before using frangipani oil for certain conditions (like pregnancy or diabetes).

Pros

• Uses pure ingredients.
• Vegan and eco-friendly.
• Contains no gluten, so if you're allergic and have a hard time finding shampoos without gluten, this shampoo is perfect!
• It's very budget friendly. This cost me $8.99 at my local Walgreens.
• The smell will make you crave a tropical drink, which is funny because there's a line in the directions that says, “As good as I look and smell, please do not drink me!”

Cons

• I haven't purchased the matching conditioner or curl smoothie yet! 😆

This shampoo will make you fall in love with shampooing again. Personally, I haven't co-washed my hair as often as I used to since using this product, and my hair has been thanking me ever since. 

You can purchase this shampoo and all the other awesome Maui Moisture products from Walgreens, Ulta Beauty, or from Walmart at only $6.97!

I give the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo...

Thank you so much for reading. This review was done solely based on the fact that it's awesome and I wanted to share it with you guys. I don't collect revenue to do these reviews, but If I do, you will definitely know. 

Have an awesome day and let me know if you try these products!

Hair Recipes Printable (Quick Post)

If you love being a mad scientist when it comes to your hair, you can finally write down your own hair concoctions with my free Hair Recipes printable. 

It's simple yet gives you room to add as many ingredients as you want. There are also areas for prep and application if you want to get into details. 

This is handy for when you put together that amazing DIY deep conditioner but can't remember what you added to it last time. And since it's a printable, print as many as you want for all your different hair concoctions.

You can download it right here!

My First Wash n' Go

Happy Valentine's Day, guys! I'm so excited to bring you this post because this is my first wash and go! It turned out so great and I hope that the methods I share with you today can be helpful.

The wash and go isn't something new. I'm just late to the party. There are tons of videos online showing you how to get the best definition possible in the shortest amount of time. However, the truth is that if you want the best definition from a wash and go, be prepared to work.

A few months ago I tried a twist out that I posted on my Instagram and it came out so well. My only issue was that by the second day, the dreaded flakes began to appear. I remember using the Olive Oil EcoStyler Gel and I had completed the twist out on dry, stretched hair. I knew it was a result of the gel (and because my hair wasn't clean), but I think I may have figured out how to fix that.

When I tried this wash and go, I made sure not to be too heavy-handed when applying products before adding the gel. I used a light leave-in conditioner after washing my hair, which was the Creme of Nature Coconut Milk Detangling and Conditioning Leave-In Conditioner. Then, I applied the OGX Hydrate and Defrizz Kukuí Oil, which is a very light product as well. This is what I think prevented the flakes from showing up. That, and starting out with clean hair.

The gel that I used was the EcoStyler Krystal Gel. I had always used the EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel, but this time I wanted to try another version. 

After detangling my hair with a tangle teaser brush, I took my hair in about two inch thick sections and smoothed the gel through it. Again, I made sure that I wasn't using too much product. I used the shingling method to define my curls, which is when you take almost individual strands of your hair and separate them to ensure better definition.

I do not consider my hair to be very thick, but doing this method took me more than four hours to complete. Yes, four hours. 😭 But these were the results.  

By the time I was finished I vowed to never do a wash and go again, but at the same time, my hairstyle for the week was set. I didn't have to twist my hair or pull it into a tight puff. This was a cute and easy low-manipulation protective style that allowed my scalp to breathe for the first time in a while. Major shrinkage was expected, but at that moment, I decided to embrace it for once. I spiced up my fresh wash and go by pulling the front of my hair into two curly puffs. 

I'm very excited to try different styles with my new wash and go routine. Next time I do a wash and go, which will probably next week, I think I'll try different methods to see if the outcome is better and faster, if possible. As for how long this wash and go lasts, I'm still wearing my hair in this state 3 days later and I won't be surprised if it lasts the rest of the week. And the best part is that there are no flakes whatsoever! 

I know this wasn't a long post but a wash and go is pretty straightforward, so it made sense that this post followed suit. Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your Hump Day/Valentine's Day! Take care and I'll talk to you next time.

My Current Twisting Routine

Twists are low-maintenance, low-manipulation, and they allow for easy care between washes. They have been my go-to protective style since I went back natural.  I prefer to keep my hair in twists because compared to a stretched style like a bun, I'm able to care for my scalp and ends without the fear of messing up a particular style. Even though I've been doing many different styles lately, I always felt the urge to twist my hair.

This will be an update of my twisting routine, and I consider it an update because of the products, technique, and maintenance methods that I have been using.

Whenever I twist my hair, I do the L.C.O method. This is the L.O.C method but instead of using liquid, oil and then cream, I use liquid, cream and oil. I personally think that this order makes more sense because oil is a sealant. For my particular hair chemistry, the L.C.O method is more effective because the cream (or leave-in conditioner) is being sealed in with the oil rather than sealed out. 

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Natural Hair Rules goes into detail about what each method can do for your hair.

Twisting your hair is pretty self-explanatory, but even twists can cause damage to your hair if you are not careful. Detangling each section when it's dry or twisting too tight for example, may turn out to be counterproductive and set you back further than you want to be. Also, give your hair a break once in a while. Try different protective styles such as low buns, crochet braids, and even wigs. 

Twisting

I always twist my hair when it's freshly washed, or after it has been banded, which I will explain in detail on another day. My hair is usually detangled when it's banded, but I tend to pass a tangle teaser brush through each section before I start twisting. 

Sometimes, however, I cut out the middleman and start twisting immediately after I wash my hair. I've been liking this a lot better because I don't have to spend an hour banding my hair and wait overnight for it to dry. 

So going back to the L.C.O method, I spray warm water on each section to keep it moisturized because of how quickly my hair dries out. My second favorite liquid to use is Aloe Vera Juice. After that, I apply the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curling Enhancing Smoothie as my leave-in. 

I've been using the product for about two years and it seems to give my hair the moisture it needs. The oil I have been loving for a few months now is the Amla Legend Rejuvenating Oil. It seals my twists wonderfully and it smells amazing. 

Sometimes I use the Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-in Conditioner or OGX's Kukui Oil, but I always tend to stick with my favorite cream and oil. 

To detangle my hair I sometimes use a wide toothed comb, but most of the time I prefer a detangling brush.

Weekly Care

Once my hair is twisted, I'm free to do whatever I want with it for as long as I choose. Nowadays I only wear my twists for a week, but I quite enjoy leaving it for about a month while washing the twists each week. 

I have a schedule of what I do to my hair each week, so on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I massage Jamaican Black Castor Oil into my scalp followed by the Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Temple Balm.

My aunt was the one who actually introduced me to this product but you'll see a more in-depth review on it very soon. 

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are reserved for the Greenhouse method (or GHE), which is basically adding moisture to your hair overnight. I simply put on a plastic shower cap and my satin bonnet and go to bed. While I sleep, my body heat creates moisture that is trapped by the shower cap, and it helps to hydrate my scalp and hair. 

I would not recommend doing this method every night because your scalp needs to breathe. 

When I have work or plan to go out, I don't wear my twists out. I prefer to wear either a beanie or my favorite headwrap. 

Headwraps are my number one way to maintain my twists and my already large collection grows by the day. I'll also show off all of my beauties in a separate post.

Thanks for reading!

January Length Check

TGIF! It's the start of a new month and we are long, long, long overdue for a length check. The last length check that I did was in May so it's been a whole 8 months since I checked the growth progress of my hair. This post is not going to be very long because I tend to get straight to the point when it comes to length checks.

I consider these length checks to be informal because the only way to see your full length is to straighten your hair, which I haven't done since I went back natural because I'm absolutely terrified of heat damage. One day soon perhaps... 🙈

Checking my growth has become a science. I basically check the 3 longest points of my hair: My nape, the top of my head (not quite the crown), and the hair above my ear.

I started with the nape, and that length turned out to be around 9 inches. I try to keep my head straight in order to get an accurate measurement, especially since I did not have my length check shirt to mark my progress. I also pull the hair from my nape and measure it against my chest.

9 inches from the nape!

Next, I measured the hair on top of my head, but not quite the crown because my crown isn't the longest part of that section of my head. That measured in at about 9 inches as well, which was surprising because my hair tends to grow in layers. Also, I was excited because when I pulled the hair over my face, it was close to touching my chin!

Lastly, I measured the hair above my ear because it tends to grow quickly as well. I counted the measurement at 8 inches only because the ends looked like they needed a trim. But let's just say that it's 8 and a half inches for now.

That's basically it for this month's length check. This wasn't as in-depth as my previous length checks but that's because I want to reserve what I've been doing to my hair in my upcoming Winter Hair Regimen post. Thank you for reading and have an awesome weekend!

Review: Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo

I learned about this amazing product from my aunt who actually gave this to me before I left St. Thomas. Although I am familiar with Burt's Bees products, variety was hard to come by where I lived. Therefore, I had no prior knowledge about this pre-poo until I received it from her. 

Little did I know that this would become a staple in my hair care collection. I'm slowly starting to realize that avocado may be essential to my own regimen, which I'll discuss in another post. I have yet to fully test that theory, but I am convinced so far.

The Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment (with Nettles and Rosemary) is 99.33% natural and promises to restore your dry or damaged hair. 

Because I detangle while pre-pooing, this product makes it easy for the comb to glide through my hair and ensure a frustration-free wash day. You guys already know how to pre-poo, however, you can also use this product to style your hair.

What's the Hype?

This pre-poo has eight nourishing, vitamin-rich oils that aid in manageability and add shine to your curls. They include: 

• Avocado oil
• Olive oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Citrus rind oil
• Oat oil
• Chlorophyll oil 
• Vegetable oil
• Rosemary leaf oil

Other ingredients are vegetable glycerin, oat flour, lanolin (helps trap moisture), nettle leaf powder, quillaja extract (bark from the soapbark plant; reduces itchiness and hair thinning), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and some fragrance.

The texture is quite interesting as well. I assumed that this product would be creamy because of its name, but when you use it, it has more of a runny, glossy texture. 

Have I convinced you yet? If not, good. It's time to consider the pros and cons.

Pros

• You can actually read and understand what the ingredients are. It's hard to come by high-quality hair products that are 99% natural. 
• The online price average ranges from $8.99 to $9.99 according to Target, Walmart, and of course, the official Burt's Bees website. 
• The packaging is made from 42% post-consumer recycled plastic. 
• Animal lover or not, you'll be happy to know that this product has not been tested on animals. 
• The fragrance is light and smells mildly of citrus and natural oils.
• The tube is thin and easy to travel with.
• It makes my hair feel super soft, strong and luminous long after the wash is over.
• Not that it's a curl defining product, but this pre-poo defines my curls nicely. 💁🏽‍♀️

Cons

• Tube only contains 4.34 ounces or 123 grams of product, which if you're heavy handed like most naturals are, this will not last more than four to five washes.
• It runs a bit too quickly even after you stop squeezing the tube, which can become very messy.

So, what's the verdict? I give Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment...

And there you have it! A natural, budget-friendly pre-poo that can be a healthy addition to your natural hair regimen. 

By the way, this product is not sponsored at all. I just like reviewing products I already own so you will be seeing a lot more of these. Let me know if you would try this product and don't forget to follow me on social media, which you'll see on the left below the About Me. 

Until next time!

Tips and Tricks for a Smoother Wash Day

Wash days can sometimes turn into one to two-day events if you're a natural girl. Hours are spent on detangling and doing pre-wash treatments even before the main wash. Add in deep conditioning treatments, protein treatments or some other treatment you saw someone doing on YouTube in addition to styling. And before you know it, you find yourself toiling away until the day is gone.

You know that all the work that you put in will be worth it in the end, but can wash days go by quicker without having to sacrifice your favorite treatment? They absolutely can!

Every wash day is different depending on what may be going on in your life. That's why I've gathered some helpful tips from across the internet as well as a few of my own that I use on every wash day.

Before and After the Wash

Schedule hair routines on a weekly or monthly basis so you know what to expect next wash day. For example, if your wash days are usually on Sunday, plan all of your wash days for every Sunday that month.

Wash your combs and brushes at least once a month so they'll be nice clean when you're ready to use them again.

Detangle while pre-pooing. Instead of doing one before the other, kill two birds with one stone.

Speaking of detangling, warm your spray bottle of water or aloe vera juice before use in a bowl of hot water. You can do this with hot oil treatments as well.

Get reusable shower caps for your treatments. This is much better than using disposable shower caps that are only good for one or two uses.

Streaming shows can be a great way to pass the time while you style your hair, greasy fingers can put a damper in your viewing pleasure. I tend to use a stylus if I ever need to jump between apps.

Get More Use Out of Something You Might Have at Home

Use a T-shirt you no longer wear to dry your hair. It's gentler on your hair than a towel and it stays on your head much better (trust me).

Now, this is my favorite trick that I came up with. If you happen to have a cheap tablecloth lying around, spread it across the floor and sit or stand on it while you detangle or style your hair. This will make cleaning up a breeze! 😁

If you don't have a sink plug but there's saran wrap in your kitchen, line the drain with a layer or two to catch shed hair as it falls. 

You can also use saran wrap to keep oil from dripping down your forehead and neck during a hot oil treatment.

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure Castille Soap has been a staple for many of my relatives for as long as I can remember. If you already own this product, you know that it can be used for a multitude of household tasks, as well as a shampoo. I personally use this as a clarifying shampoo.

For your little naturalistas, you can use one of their pool noodles as a neck support if you wash their hair in the kitchen sink. I found this tip on the blog Sherry's Life.

I hope this post was helpful if you've been looking for some ways to make the dreaded wash day a little more bearable. Let me know if this helped you in any way and I hope you enjoyed reading. 

Have an awesome Hump Day!

The Mane Choice: Hair Butter Review

Hair butters provide some of the easiest ways to add moisture to your hair. They are very rich and because they are heavier than oils, those with the curliest textures can benefit greatly. I first discovered The Mane Choice products around last year, with some reviews swirling around YouTube and inevitably disappearing from the shelves at my local Walgreens.

I purchased The Mane Choice Doesn't Get Much "BUTTER" Than This Daily Hair Dressing because I craved a moisture-rich product other than a leave-in conditioner. My hair tends to dry out quickly and I believed that I'd found my solution.

So, What's The Hype About?

This product promises to nourish, soften and add shine to your hair. It's full of the good stuff like shea butter, coconut oil, and castor seed oil. However, there are plenty of other lesser-known butters and oils that are equally, if not better for your hair. The butters include Carrot, Broccoli, Mango Seed, and Avocado. Oils include Sunflower Seed oil and Orange Seed oil. 

If you prefer a more natural hair butter without having to buy individual butters to mix together, this one is perfect. This particular product also has Vitamin D, A, and E.

The Butters: What Are Their Benefits?

Carrot Butter: 

• Contains beta-carotene (which our bodies convert into Retinol aka Vitamin A)
• Regenerates skin
• Balances Moisture

Brocolli Butter

• Strengthens hair at the roots
• Contains Erucic acid, which helps with luster and shine
• Prevents hair loss
• Promotes hair growth

Mango Seed Butter

• Very moisturizing
• Has high levels of saturated and monosaturated fatty acids
• Regenerates the scalp and skin
• Provides the necessary environment for hair growth
• Protects against UV rays

Avocado Butter

• Seals and retains moisture
• Packed with vitamins and minerals that provide nourishment
• Effectively penetrates the hair cuticle better than oils because of its large amounts of saturated and monosaturated fats

The Oils

Sunflower Seed Oil 

• Eliminates frizz
• Is an emollient, which helps to lock in and retain moisture
• Very lightweight, and easily penetrates the hair
• High in oleic acids that prevent hair from becoming brittle

Orange Seed Oil

• Enhances blood circulation
• Rich in Vitamin C
• Conditions the hair and skin
• Blends well with other oils

Before you run to the nearest drugstore to buy this product, consider that even if you shared the same texture and curl pattern with me, our hair is not the same. What may work perfectly for one person's hair type can work differently, for better or for worse, with another person's hair type. 

After using this product for quite some time, here is a summary of the pros and cons of what this product did for my particular texture.

👍 It's very smooth and rich. Helps seal in and retain moisture for at least a week after first application. The texture is soft and quickly melts into the hands. It smells like citrus and makes your hair smell fresh, which most definitely comes from the Orange Seed oil. It can be added to enhance a deep conditioning treatment. Pretty much all of the ingredients are natural and this product is not tested on animals.

👎 It doesn't have much slip (for my hair at least) and doesn't define my curls as well as other moisturizing products I own. It's a bit on the pricey side. It retails for around $15.oo and cost me $18.00 at my local Walgreens.

No product is absolutely perfect but if I had to rate this one, I would give The Mane Choice Doesn't Get Much "BUTTER" Than This Daily Hair Dressing...

 If you already own this product, let me know how it works for you. Thanks for reading and have an awesome Tuesday!