Just Elizabeth Ashe
Product Vault Reviews

Drop It Or Rock It! Shea Moisture Thickening and Anti-Breakage Line for Thin Hair

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Yesterday I had the chance to review the Shea Moisture Thickening and Anti-Breakage line for thin hair. This line features the Shea Moisture Organic Yucca and Baobab shampoo, the Shea Moisture organic Yucca & baobab anti-breakage masque along with the Shea Moisture Yucca conditioner which is the leave-in.

I have to admit I am one of the few who have not tried all the Shea moisture products line in their entirety together. So when I  was browsing Walgreens one day and saw I could get a boatload for cheap. I jumped all over it, hey what can I say I like to spend money.

So yesterday, when I had some time on my hands, I decided I was going to wash my hair with all three to see if they lived up to what it says it does.

The first thing that I like to do before any shampoo is pre-poo my hair at least overnight with Afro-Veda hair oils so that my hair can have a nice sheen and a nice Ayurvedic hot oil treatment to boot. I have been doing this for quite some time now. However, I did not have any time yesterday to do an overnight hot oil treatment. I just lightly oiled my hair and scalp with Afroveda New Methika oil to treat dandruff and stuff…..

The next step I did was to detangle and place my hair into about 8-12 twists so that I could easily wash and unravel my hair in the shower.

I then proceeded to use the Shea Moisture organic yucca and baobab shampoo in the shower. When I wash my hair I like to put them in twists. Then take each twist out separately one at a time and wash them each separately. I have tried washing my hair in the twists a couple of times, but I don't like it. My hair does not feel as clean and I am not able to use the smoothing technique by rubbing my hands down my hair to help smooth the cuticle.

When you have kinky hair like mine you want to smooth the cuticle in as many ways as possible…….

The shampoo lathered up well, it has a great slip which made it easy to clean and wash my hair fast.  Anything with great slip is awesome for my type 4 kinky hair. It smelled divine and smooth to the touch. My hair felt soft and not stripped at all. One thing I can say is although my hair felt soft and smooth after the shampoo, it did not feel very clarified.

This is a great shampoo if you are looking for something to cleanse your hair without stripping it but at the same time giving it moisture. It does not give a clarified clean feeling. So be sure to rotate this shampoo with a clarifier.

Would I buy the shampoo again?

Yes.

Some of the ingredients in the Shea moisture yucca shampoo include:

  • Yucca Soap
  • Shea oil
  • Baobab Extract
  • Coconut Oi
  • Rosemary Extract
  • Honeysuckle Extract
  • Vegetable protein
  • Aloe Vera Juice

So as you can see there is some good stuff in there.

My next step was to use the Shea moisture organic yucca & baobab anti-breakage masque. Now when I applied this to my hair, I immediately did not like the way it felt. It has a creamy rough touch to it,  if that makes any sense. White in color, very thick with a mild scent. Not much to bother anyone at all. I am used to some great conditioners on my hair and this one was not cutting it already just by touch.

So I said hey let me give it a whirl and wait until I rinse it out in the shower to give my final verdict.

But in the meantime, some of the ingredients inside the anti-breakage masque include:

  • Water
  • Shea Butter
  • Coconut Oil
  • Mango Butter
  • Avocado Oil
  • Olive oil
  • Aloe Vera Juice
  • Baobab extract
  • Vegetable Protein
  • Rosemary Extract
  •  Vitamin E
  • Essential Oil Blend
  • Much more……

I would expect with all those great ingredients my hair would love it. However, I am coming to realize that deep conditioners with a Shea butter base as the main ingredient don't work that well for deep conditioning my hair but acts more a sealant preventing the other great ingredients from penetrating my hair shaft.

Would I purchase it again probably not? Was it okay, yeah? It made my hair slightly soft after the fact because while I was rinsing it out my hair felt petty though. So I guess my hair felt stronger. However, I will use the product again, since I did buy it and do not want to waste my money……..

The last thing on my list was to use the Shea Moisture yucca & Aloe thickening growth milk with biotin and Bamboo extract. This particular leave-in is supposed to help with thin and fine hair by thickening and volumizing the hair shaft

I have been going through a period of breakage, which is the reason I am giving the line a try.

I decided to mix some aloe Vera juice about two tablespoons to about 6 tablespoons of the growth milk together. To make sure when I applied it to my hair my cuticles would lie more flat. I like to mix aloe Vera juice to my leave ins because although many come with it already added to their products. Its is a very small amount and not enough to close the cuticle. I use different oils all the time with my mixtures too. This time I added one tablespoon of Avocado Oil to the mixture.

 

In the end, I test with my pH strips to make sure it is the right ph before applying it to my hair.

 

Some of the ingredients listed for the growth milk include:

  • Water
  • Shea butter
  • Coconut Oil
  • Mango Seed Butter
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Avocado Oil
  • Vegetable Glycerin
  • Aloe Leaf Extract
  • Biotin
  • Yucca Extract
  • Bamboo Extract
  • Rosemary EXTRACT
  • Vitamin E
  • Much More……..

Shea moisture growth milk was okay, not bad not great. I have had better. It is a lightweight conditioner not heavy in consistency at all. Since it was so watery when applying it to my hair it took a second for my hair to absorb it.  I'm still on the fence about this one, because my hair was soft, not as soft as I like it or have experienced with other leave-ins.

Yet my hair was shiny after the twist out.

Will I buy this product again, I probably will. It  is a lightweight and did get the job done. I will keep it to use as a refresher conditioner on those days I need a pick me up.

It will work great for that!

My final verdict is that I will re-use the shampoo, but mainly in the hot warmer months.  The anti-breakage masque is a pass for me maybe you will like it, it does have great ingredients inside of it. Which I'm sure will work great for someone else. The Growth milk, I'm going to keep using to see how it works out as a refresher.

Have you used the Shea moisture anti-breakage line for thin and fine hair.

I would love to know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Hair

The Facts: On Growing long Natural Hair Fast.

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Wanna know the real skinny on how grow long natural Afro textured hair fast, than you might wanna take a look at this. It will really open your eyes, inform on some serious hair topics. While at the same time have you balling all over your seat.

Loved it,,,,,,,,!!!!

Check It Out.

Just Water. Just Minutes. Great Hair.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling Documentary: Class Dismissed! Why One Family chose to avoid the Public School Chaos.

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There is a new documentary in the mix about one family who chose to avoid the public school chaos and bring their kids home to school them. This is one film that is still in the works and they are looking for support to get the train moving. If and when the film is finished it will help bring to light the movement that is growing across the country of families bringing their kids home from public school.

Taking control of their children's education.

I can identify with this, since I too brought my own kids home from public school to shield them from things I thought they were not ready for, to teach them things I felt and know the school was not doing right. Along with protecting my oldest from years of bullying that he was being tormented with day after day in public and private school.

I love public school, I went to public school and graduated from it, but not all schools are the same and not all public schools are the way they were when I was growing up. There is a lack of funding, lack of parental involvement in school which is putting stress on the school systems to cut programs, lay off staff and place pressure on students to step up. With testing to bring in more funds to the school. This cause stress in kids, and families. I was one of those families with a young boy who has learning difficulties and as each year went by, and I saw the love of learning leave him. The more I became convinced I had to do something and take him out of it.

We tried therapists, IEP programs, special teachers, even private school for about 2 years. The only thing that really helped him to flourish was when I took him out of school and brought him home. Not money, not tutors, not special programs in which all it did was label him and make him feel less than.

So you know what.

Class dismissed.

Show support to get the film going, by donating. It will go a long way.

Visit here to learn more.  Class dismissed.

Natural Beauty

Natural Essential Oils: The Many Uses For Essential Oils.

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essential oil use

You ever wonder about all those essentials oils out there and which is right for you. There are so many and pretty much all of them have some sort of health benefit. Whether it is soothing , relieving stress, or stimulating your hair follicles to help produce growth.

Essentials oils is not something that has just come around in the new age of natural living. No, but in fact essentials oils have been around for centuries to remedy a variety of ailments both physical and emotional.

For example some of the benefits of essentials include oils like peppermint which are great for digestion while others like grapefruit have been known to have fat melting properties.

I know that sounds all new because essentials are pretty much known to help produce a state of relaxation or calming.

But yes, there are many uses for essentials oils.

So here I am going to explain Four essentials oils to you and how to use them.

 

First on the list is: Rose Oil

Rose oil has several uses including being used as an antidepressant, anti-wrinkle, to treat chronic bronchitis and asthma and to help improve sexual potency. It’s also used to induce calming and relaxation. And is said to be able to heal emotions and trauma by bringing warmth to the heart and soul.

Rose oil can also be used as a great spritzer right after a facial or even during.

It’s often blended with other calming oils to produce an all encompassing calming effect and blends well with Patchouli, Cedarwood Oil, Bergamot,Sandalwood, Chamomile, and Ylang-Ylang. You can place it in a lotion and apply it directly to your skin.

Rose is great for massage oils and bath products. You can also place in a diffuser and enjoy the scent in a room that you find calming.

For instance your bathroom, bedroom or study.

 

Second on the list is: Lavender Oil

Lavender oil may be the most common essential oil used for relaxation. You can find it in the grocery store isles in lotions, bath gels, shampoo and even candles. Lavender is everywhere. In addition to being wonderful for relaxing and calming, lavender oil can be uses as an analgesic, diuretic, styptic, rheumatism, muscle pain, depression, headaches, hypertension, insomnia, stress and skin diseases.

I find that whenever my kids have a hard time going to bed or just to restless a nice warm bath and some quiet music does just the trick. If you're looking for some great music for kids imagery for kids does just the trick. Or, you might Mr. Relaxation, I play this in their room almost every night and they are out.

No joke!

Like Rose Oil, you can combine it in a number of personal care products, drip it into your bathtub, or you can place it in a diffuser and enjoy it throughout your home.

Essential Oils: Detailed Essential Oils For Beginners Guide For Physical and Emotional Health – Including FREE 50 DIY Essential Oil Recipes ebookEssential Oil Diffuser,URPOWER® Aromatherapy Diffuser Portable Ultrasonic Aroma Humidifier with 7 Color Changing LED Lamps, Mist Mode Adjustment and Waterless Auto Shut-off Function – for Home OfficedoTERRA Essential Oils Introductory Kit

Third on the list is: Jasmine Oil

Jasmine has a most recognizable fragrance and is commonly used as an aphrodisiac, to treat headaches, for fatigue, to soothe coughs, to improve and tone skin and to calm menstrual issues. Jasmine is also tremendous oil for calming.

Yes, it is one of my favorite, great smell too!

While jasmine oil is more expensive than just about any other essential oil, it is very powerful oil. To use you can blend into personal care products like bath gels, massage oils and lotions or you can place a few drops of jasmine oil in a vaporizer and let it permeate your yoke. * Burners and vaporizers*

Burners are great for getting the effect going really fast some of my favorite include the Gifts & Decor Ceramic Mini Oil Warmer Trio Tea light Candle Holder Set brand. One great Vaporizer would be the Aura Cacia Diffuser – Aromatherapy Vaporizer with Oil.

 

Jasmine oil blends well with Bergamot, Rose, Sandalwood and Citrus oils.

 

Fourth on the list is: Chamomile Oil

Chamomile oil, both Roman and German, are wonderful for their calming and relaxing properties. They also help with treating PMS and other menstrual and menopausal problems and to heal and regenerate tissue.

Many practitioners recommend using Chamomile to treat irritable children and colicky infants. To use, blend in massage oil, place a few drops in the bath, blend into lotions and creams and place a few drops in a vaporizer or diffuser.

To create a powerful relaxing effect you can blend Chamomile with jasmine, lavender or rose oil.

Essential oils have many wonderful properties. Which fill your home with a sense of peace and calming, consider diffusing one or a blend of the above essential calming oils. And for those extra stressful days, add some to a bath or a vaporizer and enjoy the relaxing benefits.

 

Then don't forget that glass of wine to top it off.

 

I'm just saying.

 

P.S.  I would love to know if you use essentials oils and which ones.

 

 

Natural Beauty

You Can Find Inexpensive Natural Beauty Products!

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There are many ways these days to get your hands on natural beauty products. No matter what store you turn to from wholefoods, CVS, and even Publix. Most stores are now carrying some form or brand of all natural beauty products. However, even though you can find these products most natural beauty products can be expensive.Especially in a tight economy where many of us are pinching penny's.

 

But, not to fret.

 

Being able to find inexpensive natural beauty products is not that hard , in fact there are quite a few out there.

 

 Step 1.

You want to make sure you always willing to shop for a deal. Many natural beauty companies are constantly holding sales on their products. Many up to half off. In order to find these deals you need to head online. Companies such as Eco-mom offer products already at a discount and even give you an extra 25%constant savings when you sign up for their message list. You can visit them by clicking here.

Detox Market allows you to find beauty products and evening clothing up to 70% on daily deals when you sign up to be notified.  I love detox market you can always find a beautiful steal! You can find then here!


Step 2.

Second using natural beauty products will teach you and show you that many of the products are able to be used in more than one way. Essentially
giving you more bang for your buck . For example Shea butter mixed with essentials can be used on both hair and skin. So in the long run you are actually saving allowing you to get rid of the toxic filled lotions.

 

Step3.

Be willing to buy in bulk, many companies offer coupons such as wholefood when you buy more than product at a time.

Step4.

Look for swaps, there a quiet a few sites online that offer beauty swaps to people who are product junkies and are looking to exchange out products
for example. My natural hair events is someone to look into if you would like to swap out some products. 🙂

 

With more and more natural beauty companies coming on the scene each year, because yes the demand is growing. You will be able to find and locate
inexpensive natural beauty products.