CGC: Arrojo Gentle Conditioner

Arrojo Gentle Conditioner (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:  Sulfate and sodium-chloride free. Adds luster, shine, and moisture, with natural and organic ingredients. Lightly scented with fresh verbena. Adds moisture and shine.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Honey/Mel/Miel, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Agave Americana Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Amodimethicone, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Curcurbita Pepo (Pumpkin), Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Fragrance/Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Trideceth-12, d-Limonene, Linalool.

sulfate free, organic, protein free, glycerin free

My Take: This conditioner was thick and rich and made my hair so silky soft. It provided the perfect slip for detangling and restored the moisture that a day in the sun and pool had sapped. It has a very gentle scent, sort of like chamomile or green tea. I love that it is sulfate free and I will definitely be using this light and gentle conditioner through out the summer. (I think I may just throw it in my bag to carry to the pool and use as protection for my hair through the day!) I love that it is organic and safe to use on my girls too!

PS-Product was sent for review by naturallycurly.com. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)

Summer Essentials Offer from So Cozy

I love the water so much, I was on the swim team in high school! So it should be no surprise that all 3 of my daughters take to the water like fish (even if it's just the bath water). Now that it's  finally the season of sun, surf, and scorching heat, we're all very thankful that there is a pool in our neighborhood. Today, we had the perfect, not too hot, just enough sun kind of day, so we made our first appearance at the pool of the season.

Peyton (who forgot to take off her glasses before getting in the pool), Kenzie (who refuses to make eye contact with the camera), and London (who wants to get in the water , but is petrified of getting her face wet)

We all had a blast, but then I realized that 3 little girls' heads in chlorinated pool water all summer long was bound to be a lot of work for mama, and I kind of wanted to yank them out of the pool until I could get them some swimming caps! But then I remembered some valuable information I found in an email, and I thought I share these hair saving tips with you lovelies as well!

London refused to get off of the stairs. Kenzie, on the other hand, was quite adventurous and wanted to spend the whole time neck deep and splashing in the pool <3 

Remember the posts I did on Cozy Friedman and her book, Cozy's Complete Guide to Girl's Hair?  Well as an authority on children's hair care, Cozy has a few pieces of advice on how to preserve and protect your little one's hair from the damaging effects of chlorine and the sun's rays...

CGC: Matrix Total Results Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil

Matrix Total Results Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description: Sleek Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil instantly restores shine and silkiness. Lightweight oil treatment quickly absorbs into hair to smooth and control frizz all day. Provides shine and frizz control.

Ingredients: cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, olea europaea oil, parfum, benzyl salicylate, hexyl cinnamal, butyrospermum parkii butter, linalool, limonene, carrot oil

 paraben free

My Take:  And so my ongoing love affair with oils continues... I really didn't think I could like anything as much as I like coconut oil and Mizani's Supreme Oil, but Silk Wonder has proven me wrong! It's thicker and more viscous than coconut oil (and Supreme Oil), similar in consistency to EVOO. Despite it's thickness, it was not sticky and absorbed quickly in to my dry hair. I used it initially to detangle, and while it worked for that purpose, I think it's better suited as a treatment for fizz control and shine and as a sealer. The scent of it is divine, something like a mix between citrus and the ocean, perfect for the summer time! I love that it is packaged with an applicator tip: it means there's less mess and it's easier to apply to the scalp if so desired. I also like that a little goes a long way, so even though it's a bit pricey (it retails at professional beauty salons for $32/3 oz.), you really are getting your money's worth.

PS-Product was sent for review by NaturallyCurly.com. I was not paid for this review and all opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :)

Germ Free California Dreaming with New Scents from Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Pocketbacs

My 11 year old daughter, Peyton,  is obsessed with Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Pocketbacs; every time she has a little bit of pocket money, she's buying a new one or one of the cute little holders. Well, confession time: after years of stocking up on them for her during back to school time, I think I now share her obsession! And with the steady introduction of new scents, and it's overall usefulness (not to mention it's cute factor), who can blame me!

My collection of Pocketbacs...

Peyton's collection (it looks kind of depleted, huh? We're going to have to stock up!)

 Check out 3 of the latest scents, inspired by summer fun in the California sun:

CGC: Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine

jane carter solution nourish & shine (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:  Oh my gosh...You have never in your life experienced a product like this! We blend all-natural butters with vitamins and essential oils to create this hair nourisher. It completely melts into your hair and adds incredible shine. It never leaves your hair feeling greasy! Nourish & Shine helps to reduce dryness on the skin and scalp. Order two and hide one for you! It's a great mid-day frizz-banisher! Carry one in your purse to touch up flyaways. Product adds moisture, shine, and provides frizz control.

Ingredients: Natural Butters, Essential Oils, Vitamins

silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, protein free, glycerin free

My Take:  After reading other reviews, I feel a bit guilty for not liking this more than I do; perhaps I did not use it correctly, and I'm certain I will give it another shot. I'm pretty much a wash and go girl; I don't generally do shingles, twists, or braids (which I think this product is more suitably used for). I used this on wet hair and while it left my hair "moisturized," it was also kind of sticky. I did find better results when I used it to smooth down some flyaways when I pulled my hair back in a high ponytail. It imparted a nice sheen to my hair. I found the scent refreshing, citrusy, and very reminiscent of summer time, but the hubby thought that it was too intense and overpowering and requested that I not use it again in his presence (he alluded to it smelling like a citronella candle). I do really like that the product is all natural and is multipurpose. I think I might like it better as a skin moisturizer as opposed to a product for my hair...

PS-This product was sent to me for review by NaturallyCurly.com. I was not paid for this review and the opinions stated are 100% honest and my own :) It is available for purchase on CurlMart.com and select Target Stores. 

I'm on NaturallyCurly.com, Y'all!!!

I shared this on Facebook and Twitter last week, but just in case you're not following me there (you really should be), I have some fantabulous news: I am one of four women featured in a series on NaturallyCurly.com called "Texture Perspective!"

Texture Perspective is a new series of discussions involving the perspectives of four different women (including me!) of different hair textures and types, of varying ages who are in different stages in life. It is a complete and total honor for me to be asked to participate in this (especially considering that the 3 other ladies featured are actual employees of NaturallyCurly.com) and I'm so excited to be a part of such a stellar community!

Check out the first installment, an introduction, here. And stay tuned for the next installment which will focus on straightening. While you're there meet Tracey, Suzanne, and Cassidy to learn their hair stories too! Feel free to leave comments, as this series is meant to spark dialogue and discussion. Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q