CGC: U R Curly Soya Shampoo

U R Curly Soya Shampoo (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description:   Our Soya Shampoo is free of alcohol, parabens and sulfates. It is made with soy protein and enriched with Abyssinian Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Echinacea and Aloe. Whether you wear your hair long or short, the friendly ingredients found within our weightless U R Curly Soya Shampoo will clean and moisturize your hair leaving it smooth and soft to the touch. Our unique formula is designed to soothe your scalp, reducing breakage, nourish damaged hair and help promote hair growth– helping you reach your hair goals. 
Ingredients: Artesian Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Taurate, PEG 150 Distearate, Polyquat 10, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Polysorbate 20, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Fragrance, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinine

silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, glycerin free

My Take: I was kind of on the fence about this shampoo based on my first impressions, mainly the scent (which is not bad; you can definitely detect the menthol and tea tree oil that are listed in the ingredients) and the texture of the product itself (it comes out of the bottle like a thick gel but when you rub it together it feels very sticky and kind of off putting). It also took quite a lot of product to cover my hair. But... once I got it in there it lathered decently and left my scalp tingly. The package says to leave it in for 2 minutes (which is a bit odd for shampoo I thought), but I listened and I'm so glad I did. When I rinsed the shampoo out, my hair felt like silk. I was shocked and amazed and pleased! Definitely an unusual product and it might not be for everybody, but I will definitely be using it again. 

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

Stay Photo Ready Even in the Heat With Smashbox Cosmetics

Smashbox Cosmetics was built from the dynasty of Hollywood legend Max Factor to meet the needs of women constantly in the spotlight and in front of the camera. No wonder they've developed an ingenious product to help ladies (who don't have access to an all star glam squad) look chic and camera ready, no matter the humidity or heat index!


Meet the Be Discovered Cream Cheek Trios...

CGC: L'Oreal Paris EverSleek Finishing Creme

Product Description:  This lightweight cream, infused with Argan, Sunflower and Olive oils, helps seal split ends and control frizz. No heavy silicones. Just shiny, manageable and stunningly sleek hair. Silicone-free and 48-hour frizz control. 

Ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Triethyl Citrate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Courmarin, F.I.L D49067/2 

silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, protein free

My Take: I don't know about the 48 hour claim, but the cream did smooth my second day hair quite nicely. It is surprisingly lightweight, so it's best for when you just need an extra little oomph, but nothing too dramatic. It has a light, pleasant scent. I definitely like it for second day hair, but I don't think it's strong enough to help 3rd day hair. It also didn't do a whole lot for my daughter London's 4a/b hair. But I'll keep using it for sure! 

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

The HBA 2012 IPDA Awards Winners Are...

(via Beauty Press)

HBA Global Expo today announced the winners of its annual IPDA (International Package Design Awards) competition. Hundreds of beauty and packaging professionals gathered at the end of the opening day of HBA Global Expo for the big reveal of the winners. These prestigious awards honor the year’s most innovative packaging in several categories including cosmetics, fragrance, personal care, skin care and sustainability. Categories for Sampling/Travel Size products and At-Home Devices and Tools have also been added to the program.

As the longest running and biggest package design awards in the beauty industry—major brands, niche players and indie companies, have all won HBA’s IPDA awards for excellence in package design and engineering achievements.

Judging for the IPDA was done by a “Committee of 100” made up of industry professionals, designers, suppliers and members of the media. IPDA submissions were evaluated on the following: originality, design concept, creative use of new materials, components and decorating processes, technical competency and effective brand messaging. 


And the winners are...

Who Knew I'd Never Leave the House Without My Avon?!?

It's true! Avon has made one of the most beautiful, versatile, and useful compacts I've ever owned: the True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Nocturnal (Q907)...

Avon's True Color Quad in Nocturnal (top row: celadon and nocturnal; bottom row: suede and tempted)

CGC: Cantu Shea Butter Creamy Hair Lotion

Cantu Shea Butter Creamy Hair Lotion (photo via naturallycurly.com)

Product Description: This hair lotion will soften, moisturize and detangle your curls, leaving them light, shiny and bouncy. Made with 100% pure shea butter and formulated without chemicals or harsh ingredients. For natural hair. Restores your real, authentic beauty and conditions curly, kinky or wavy hair. No mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicone, phthalates, gluten, paraffin, propylene glycol, PABA or DEA. This finished product is not tested on animals. 

Ingredients: Water (Aqua) , Canola Oil , Cetearyl Alcohol , Ceteareth-20 , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Fragrance , Stearalkonium Chloride , Glycol Stearate , Cetyl Alcohol , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond) , Simmondsia Chinensis Oil (Jojoba) , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera) , Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (Mango) , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil (Macadamia) , Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean) , Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle) , Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract (Sage) , Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (Grape) , Urtica Dioica Extract (Nettle) , Silk Amino Acids , Phenoxyethanol , Ethylhexylglycerin

silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, glycerin free, animal friendly

My Take: I was almost shocked by how much I like this! I used it initially to work through the tangled, matted mess that was London's 4a/b hair. She is tender headed, and worse than that, a total drama queen and she has a THICK head of hair! Using this made an impossible task way easier for both of us! Not only did it provide the necessary slip to get through the tangles, it was rich and creamy enough to add a beautiful sheen, visibly improved the texture, and sealed the ends of the two strand twists I put in her hair. What's more, while most products that work for her hair tend to be too heavy for my own (3b) hair, this worked beautifully in mine too! I use it at night and wake up to soft, shiny, bouncy curls. AND it smells so good! 

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