PRODUCTS IN REVIEW
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 THE TRESSBUZZ FIVE STAR RATING SYSTEM
★: I want my money back! Torch this in a fire bin. ★★: Reluctantly finish the product then vow NEVER again. ★★★: Average. "This will do." ★★★★: A straight up staple. ★★★★★: The O to the M to the G - Holy Grail Located! Attribute Ratings: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Price Ratings: Dollar Bin, Drugstore, Department Store, Salon. |
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PANTENE RELAXED & NATURAL INTENSE MOISTURE
SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER Overall: ★ Price Rating: Drugstore Shampoo Rating: Stripping Conditioner Slip Rating: Poor (Conditioner) Leave-In Appeal: Poor Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Very Good Never in the history of mankind have chicas been so disappointed in such large numbers. As one of the first African American hair care lines by a MAJOR player - with all of Pantene’s research and development and financial muscle - this line should have been hit well out of the park. Ahem. Not. So. Much. This left Tressbuzz with dry, unmanageable locks. The shampoo stripped so much that I might as well have been using Ivory dishwashing detergent! Not pleasant. The normal slip one would expect from the conditioner after such a stripping just was not there. Air drying was a mess. Intense moisture?! Where? Even as a co-wash the conditioner did not provide slip or moisturization. On a positive note, I have heard of some ladies liking this so it might be worth a try. As with all Pantene products the scent is very nice. As far as I’m concerned it’s back to the drawing board for Pantene. |
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ACQUA DISTILLATA ALLE ROSE
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Department Store Moisture Vs. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent Tressbuzz will go so far as to say that if you are prone in any way to dry hair and you do not have rosewater in your arsenal, you are one wayward lamb. Sister, run, don’t walk and get you some. This particular rosewater, like all others, smells heavenly and will make your strands melt like butter. I mean no resistance with wet combing and the softest airdries you have ever experienced. It is especially indispensable when teamed with a good leave-in conditioner and sealant oil. While rosewater can be used effectively on dry hair, its best application is on your hair after cleansing and conditioning either before or after your leave-in. Hair that’s soft, soft, soft as a can be. |
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Eden Allure Pure Argan Oil From Morocco
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Department Store Scent: None Eden Allure Pure Argan oil is an amazing wonder-oil! It is light and penetrating - never heavy or greasy. The best thing about it is the incredible shine it lends to strands. A little goes a long way which makes this a fantastic value. Just a couple of drops treats the entire head. When applied to slightly damp hair, it seals in the moisture and shine for days on end! With continued use, hair becomes truly hydrated and healthy. A drop nightly on ends before bunning or putting on a satin scarf seals ends and bathes them in lubrication. You wake up with mega-glistening tresses. Eden Allure Pure Argan oil is as pure as it gets. No silicones or other gunky, drying fillers like other "Argan oil" products. This one is the real McCoy: 100% pure Argan oil - nothing else! The results that Eden Allure Pure Argan Oil gives make it well worth the investment! |
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Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Conditioner
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Beyond Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Good Tired of products that make claims but don't do a d%#! thing? Well this isn't one of those. In fact, Suave Keratin Infusion produces such astounding results that you will find yourself looking in the mirror asking "this is MY hair?" I will go out on a limb and say that this product is a holy grail in the area of protein/moisture balance. Strength plus moisture in one product. After a solid month of use, not one sign of the dreaded protein overload. In fact, while this product is a protein-based product, its most astonishing quality is its ability to provide deep, tangible moisturization and shine like no other. This moisturizes so well that I have found knotting and tangling to be a thing of the past. I haven't had a single knot since using it. It is highly concentrated - it does the job with a very small amount. It performs better than any high-end conditioner I have ever tried. It is so inexpensive that it is a must-try. When you see the results you will wonder how they are doing it for this price point. Hair is smooth, moist and shiny. The scent is wonderful and dissipates nicely - although it might be considered perfumey by some. It is amazing as a co-wash and for those who need it, it serves as an excellent, smoothing leave in. One caveat with this product is don't use too much. The smallest amount to co-wash or use as a leave in is all it takes, otherwise hair can become weighed down. Overall, I would say this is Suave's best yet. |
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Spectrum Naturals Organic Coconut Oil
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent If you are in the market for soft, moist hair look no more. This oil is amazingly emollient while being as light as a feather on hair and skin. There is never any residue or heavy buildup and it absorbs into strands completely. It is an excellent sealant when used with plain water. It is so soothing to hair that many find they don't need to use an additional moisturizer at all. The smell is simply heavenly while applying but doesn't linger. A must-have for drop-dead gorgeous, healthy strands. |
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Tresemme Moisture Rich Luxurious Moisture Conditioner
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Good Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent This product is a winner in so many categories. For sheer consistency of results alone it is well worth the price of admission. If you have not tried this product, you need to immediately add it to your list of try-me's because you could be missing out on your holy grail co-wash or conditioner. Tresemme Moisture Rich leaves locks shiny, smooth and moisturized. Best of all, there is no need for gunky leave-ins afterward. It does the job thoroughly on its own. The scent is phenomenal and puts some department store perfumes to shame. It never leaves buildup and delivers light, airy, moisturized tresses time after time. The price is outstanding considering the fact that you get a ton of product. There is literally nothing bad to say about this conditioner. A true staple. |
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Pantene Smooth Conditioner
Overall: ★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Poor Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent If you are in the market for some serious taming and moisture, here's your man. This stuff literally changes the texture of your hair in one use. Formerly dry, unruly tresses were smoothed and tamed after using this. The scent is absolutely wonderful. Pantene smooth is so powerful that it makes an excellent conditioner for those who shampoo once a week and need that moisture to last. As a co-wash I found that it was too moisturizing and left a coating on the hair if used too frequently. Overall, this one is a real powerhouse for those who need a product that actually handles the job the first time out. |
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Aveda Light | Elements Smoothing Fluid Lotion
Overall: ★★ Price Rating: Salon Scent: Excellent This product is indeed very light. For some it may be a little too light. While it is chock full of nutritious oils, smells heavenly, and imparts wonderful shine, next day hair seemed a little dull and dry. This also had a somewhat hardening effect after the initial gloss wore off. Overall I would say if you need something weightless that will impart shine this might work for you. If you are looking for dewy moisturization, this product does not fit the bill and could easily be trumped by less expensive products such as Neutrogena Triple Moisture Serum or Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine. |
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ELASTA QP OLIVE OIL & MANGO BUTTER MOISTURIZER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent Looking for a moisturizer that actually moisturizes? Well you've found that here! Elasta QP Olive & Mango effectively moisturizes without weighing the hair down or leaving it feeling greasy. A little goes a long way so less is best. It works so well that you might find you can moisturize every other day instead of daily. One of the wonderful qualities of this moisturizer is it's ability to tackle knots and tangles. After using this, even combing out a curly set was a pure breeze - the comb just glided through effortlessly. The scent is wonderful, light and clean fruit notes. An overall winner. AUSSIE CATCH THE WAVE MOUSSE + LEAVE-IN
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Hold: Medium Scent: Excellent If styling products are a must for you then this is one to have on your shelf. This mousse provides a nice soft hold that never feels sticky or weighed down. The added leave-in really gives a softening effect to hair. Second-day hair was not crunchy at all and the style was revived by setting it with plain water! Sets hold well and you can run your fingers through the hair with no stiffness or snapping. It never felt like strands were glued together like with many styling products. As with all Aussie products, the price can't be beat. Nice work Aussie! NEARLY NATURAL ARGAN OIL MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Salon Clean Rating: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent This is by far one of the best shampoos I have ever used. My day two hair after using this shampoo was grade A stunning. This shampoo left the hair thoroughly clean with zero stripping. That matted, sand papery feeling that some shampoos leave was nowhere to be found. Strands were light and airy with a significant amount of swing. Detangling and manageability were also enhanced by using this shampoo. The scent is a wonderfully mild orangesicle scent which provides great in-shower aromatherapy but does not linger. The addition of argan oil provides lubrication, slip and bounce. The price is on the steep side but in this case you are definitely getting what you pay for! MANE 'N TAIL DEEP MOISTURIZING CONDITIONER
Overall: ★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Poor Leave-In Appeal: Poor Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Very Good Deep moisture? Really? This thin concoction left my hair as hard as a rock. Rough was the order of the day. The in-shower slip was barely there and that yummy, melty feeling that you look for from a conditioner just did not happen. This product feels more like using shampoo. The only recommendation I can make for this one is if you have hair that is stretchy and/or mushy, this will stiffen it right up. In fact as an occasional hard protein treatment this could be one to have on hand. If, however, you are looking for softness and moisturization leave this one on the shelf. Its single star is earned from the scent which is actually quite light and pleasant. LOTTABODY SETTING LOTION
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Hold: Medium Scent: Excellent For those who use styling products, this is one of the most natural, gentle solutions out there. Simple ingredients with no weird adhesives or lacquer to dry out strands. Sets are soft, shiny and bouncy with nice soft hold. A light, barely-there fragrance makes this setting lotion even more of a winner. Lottabody has a cult following and can therefore be difficult to find. My local stores are chronically sold out! The softness it lends is enhanced by its moisturizing quality. A great way to use this for sets is to treat the section then seal with a light oil prior to rolling the hair onto the roller. With this method curls are glistening and have reliable hold with no crunchy stiffness. The phrases "less is more" and "keep it simple" were made for this product. Lottabody setting lotion proves that you don't need a bunch of weird ingredients or bells and whistles to get really great results! HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY HYDRATING HAIR MASK WITH ARGAN OIL
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Good Can you say L.O.V.E.? As in my hair has fallen in love! On my recent hunt for protein/mineral oil-free deep conditioners I stumbled upon this beauty. This is by far the best deep conditioner I have ever used. I applied it to damp hair and allowed it to sit for 2 hours then cowashed it out. This product left my hair so soft, so moisturized, so swingy! After years of searching I can say I have finally found my staple hair mask. While she is not the cheapest girl on the shelf, she is worth every penny. My hair had a softness and manageability that is frankly unmatched. I was left wanting to use this every day! Did I mention NO protein and NO mineral oil/petroleum? Positively unheard of in deep conditioner land. The scent is very fruity and lingers somewhat so that is something to consider if you have fragrance issues. Otherwise this mask knocks it out of the park. GENTLE TREATMENT NO-LYE CONDITIONING CREME RELAXER -REGULAR
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Variety: No-Lye Mixing Required?: Yes Extras: Neutralizing Shampoo, Gloves, Stirring Stick, Setting Lotion In my honest opinion this is the holy grail of drugstore relaxers and the price cannot be beat. While other drugstore relaxers might or might not take, this one takes the first time every time. I have self-relaxed with Gentle Treatment Regular for years on end and have never once had underprocessing. In fact any problems I have ever had with this relaxer were all due to errors on my part. The result is super smooth, super shiny and perfectly processed every time. Strands emerge moist, light and bouncy. When following the recommended timing TO THE LETTER I have never once had any burns or scabs. Gentle treatment is so reliable that I would never even consider switching. The formula mixes to just the right consistency for application with fingers, a brush or an applicator bottle - whichever you prefer. The neutralizing shampoo that is included does a perfectly thorough job of stopping the relaxer's action. An added bonus is the amazing setting lotion that is included. I have heard of ladies buying the kit just to get the setting lotion! It is light and leaves your set moist and glistening. Johnson Products would do well to put that setting lotion on the market as a standalone. Overall excellent product and one of the best drugstore relaxers out there. SUAVE PROFESSIONALS SLEEK CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Good Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Excellent Those of you on the hunt for a staple protein conditioner, look no further. This conditioner delivers on its name. Sleek, moist results with a heavenly scent. In-shower slip is excellent. There is silk protein in this formula so if you are sensitive or avoiding protein this is not the one for daily use, however as an occasional jolt of protein it is second to none. For those whose hair loves protein this would make an excellent workhorse conditioner or cowash. Please note: this product is not exempt from causing protein overload. Even though the formula is moisturizing - using it on a frequent basis such as daily cowashing or as a leave-in will deposit protein on the hair more frequently than is necessary so watch that protein/moisture balance carefully with any protein-based conditioner. Overall this product is a winner! ELASTA QP DESIGN FOAM
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Hold: Very Good Buildup: None Scent: Excellent Although I no longer use styling products, I was able to test this product for a period and found it to be an excellent styling foam. Elasta QP Design Foam gave my air dried rollersets hold and shine and did not cause excessive buildup or dryness. The ingredients are commendable - it contains a number of plant extracts and beneficial oils. Its best use is probably overnight sets or wraps and rollersets under an overhead dryer. Overall this is an excellent product. It performs well while managing to avoid causing buildup or dried out tresses. If you are in the market for a styling workhorse or wrap foam this is a good one to try! SUAVE PROFESSIONALS ALMOND & SHEA BUTTER CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent Holy. Grail. Achieved. Yes this product is receiving a perfect 5 stars and holy grail status. This conditioner saved my dry, reverted hair from its knotted, tangly hell. With each cowash it just gets better and better. It has so many wonderful oils and plant extracts - I am not sure how Suave is doing it for this price point. This conditioner will turn your hair to butter. There is not a drop of protein so you can be assured you are getting a pure moisture experience if that's what your tresses need. It even doubles as a leave in! A tiny bit on ends allowed my comb to GLIDE through knots and tangles. Air dries are super moist and soft. Next-day hair is still soft and moisturized. The scent is wonderful. As a product reviewer my hair takes some serious punches. This conditioner immediately reverses ALL negative effects in one use. Suave you knocked this one out of the park!  ADORA ESSENTIALS BY ARDYSS™
SULFATE-FREE DEEP CLEANSING SHAMPOO Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Salon Clean Rating: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture/Light Protein Scent: Excellent This shampoo is a superior cleanser. It clarified my strands so thoroughly that I had to make sure I had actually read the words "sulfate-free" on the the label! We all know that many sulfate-free shampoos don't have the power to really clean but this one does. That said, Adora Deep Cleansing Shampoo did not leave my hair dry or resembling a bale of hay like other deep cleansers I have tried. My strands were soft, light and full of body. The deep cleansing really left my hair ready to accept nutrients and moisturization which is the whole point of shampooing. There was no stripping whatsoever and my hair responded well to my deep conditioner and leave-ins. The scent is totally mild and pleasant - many a product could take a cue from this scent story. Well done Ardyss! HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY OLIVE CREME HAIRDRESS
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Moisture VS. Protein: Extreme Moisture Scent: Very Good Before I launch into this review let me say there are products that have to be worked with to find the best application method for each individual. This is one of those products. I had always passed HBOC by because I was sure it was loaded with mineral oil or petroleum. Imagine my shock when I discovered that it has NONE and is filled with incredible oils (macadamia!?) and plant extracts. Unlike many others this moisturizer contains NO PROTEIN. Bravo Hollywood Beauty! The phrase "a little goes a long way" was meant for this moisturizer. Through experimentation I found that on fine hair this product is EXCELLENT when applied after a cowash to dripping wet hair then seal and towel blot. When Tressbuzz followed this method and set her air dried hair for the night she awoke to super moist, bouncy ringlets that had ALL DAY HOLD! If applying to fine dry hair the advice is to dampen strands first then apply a super light coating. HBOC is one of those where the moisture sticks around all day! It is so filled with goodies that it could also be used as a pre-poo or a nutritious leave-in when using therapeutic heat. It is my opinion that this is a superior moisturizer that everyone should have in their arsenal. Thick/Coarse or natural ladies will absolutely LOVE this and for them it is a must-have. ★ NEW FORMULA★
HERBAL ESSENCES LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP CONDITIONER Overall: ★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Good Leave-In Appeal: Fair Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture/Light Protein Scent: Excellent Why can't companies leave well enough alone? What used to be a super-moisturizing superstar is now a different animal. While the added cornsilk protein (totally unnecessary as it already contains silk) may work for some, for me it bunched my new growth and hardened my hair overall. Next day hair had no movement whatsoever. I am giving it three stars because those seeking strength may find this to be a great fit. Also the scent is amazing as before. Note to Herbal Essences: Stop tweaking products that have a cult following and are working well for many. AUSSIE MOIST 3-MINUTE MIRACLE
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: NO NO NO Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Good Imagine my horror one day when I had both dry, hard protein overload AND harsh stripping from a clarifier. What was Tressbuzz to do? I had heard holy grail tales of Aussie 3-Minute in hair forums and the words "3-Minute" and "Miracle" were not to be ignored right? Of course when wording is so bold on a product I meet it with a healthy dose of realistic expectations. Imagine my surprise when this product turned my hair into PURE SILK. This product took every bit of dryness, knotting and hardness out of my hair immediately. The slip is like a religious experience. That said this is truly a deep conditioning ONLY product. Overuse or attempting to add some as a leave-in can render your tresses over-conditioned and unwilling to hold a curl. That said, if your strands have turned down that slippery slope of dry hard unmanageability this product is definitely a hard core rescuer. HERBAL ESSENCES DANGEROUSLY STRAIGHT CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent I call this conditioner Herbal Essences' best kept secret! This is truly my holy grail co-wash - by far the best co-wash conditioner I have ever encountered and I have used them all. This never leaves a lick of residue. When used as a regular conditioner or co-wash it leaves the hair heavenly soft and flowing! It actually smoothes the texture of the hair which is what you look for in a conditioner - RESULTS! It is so effective that most of the time I find I don't need any additional leave-in at all. This one can be difficult to find but is worth the effort. Well done Herbal Essences! |
TRESEMME SMOOTH & SILKY CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Excellent If your hair likes silk protein, this may just be your holy grail conditioner. As both a followup on shampoo day and a co-wash, Tresemme Smooth & Silky knocks it out of the stands. In-shower slip is incredible. The formula is thick and creamy and really delivers a moisturized feel to the hair. It aids beautifully in detangling and a little bit can be put back into the hair as a moisturizing leave-in. Results are super soft, touchable hair that is loose, flowy and responds well to styling. Silk protein gives that touch of strength without ever hardening the hair. The scent is to die for. It's like smelling a luscious perfume. AVEDA BRILLIANT EMOLLIENT
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Salon Scent: Good They got the name right on this product - it is absolutely brilliant. This product works amazingly well as an emollient healing serum. The wonderful oils and plant extracts really work to change the hair's behavior: frizzed, unruly locks become calm and defined with each successive use. And the SHINE. I don't think I have ever encountered another product that provides the shine that this one does. For this alone it is worth the price of admission. A little goes a long way, so for those on a budget this is a reasonable value because the bottle lasts a long time. The only consideration with this product is that the botanical scents used are extremely pungent and not for every nose. What is advertised as aromatherapy might be too strong for some. Overall, an amazing product. V05 SILKY EXPERIENCES CHAMPAGNE KISS CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Very Good Leave-In Appeal: Very Good Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Excellent Let me just say right out of the gate: you get far more than you pay for here. The price just cannot be beat. This conditioner might be a little light as an after-shampoo conditioner, but as a co-wash it is excellent. It is light in texture and never leaves heavy residue. The addition of silk proteins lends the hair improved moisturization and elasticity. As a leave-in it works wonderfully and leaves the hair with a soft, loose texture. The scent is to die for. It smells like sophisticated cotton candy but is light and does not linger heavily like some scents. For those of you looking for a cheap work horse co-wash that delivers time after time, this is your girl. As a side note, I would recommend adding oils to this for use as a conditioner after weekly shampoos. NATURE'S GATE ALOE VERA MOISTURIZING CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Very Good Leave-In Appeal: Very Good Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Good This is a very fine conditioner. It has a number of wonderful natural ingredients for those looking to go in a more natural direction with their product choices. It is thick and rich and imparts shine to the hair - something most conditioners fail at. When used as a co-wash this leaves the hair soft and relatively tangle-free with absolutely no buildup. I used a small dollop as a leave-in on wet ends and it eased detangling and never felt built-up or weighed down. One consideration about this conditioner is that the smell is very fruity. It doesn't linger however and dries down to a mild scent. It's also not the cheapest product on the shelf - there are cheaper choices by Suave and Aussie that do an equal or even better job. Overall if you are looking for more natural alternatives that actually do the job this is definitely one to try. GOODY SATIN PILLOW SOFT ROLLERS
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore For sleeping, these soft pillow rollers cannot be beat. Simply wind hair onto the roller and twist the wire to secure. Stays secure all night with no discomfort. Because of the slick, silky fabric, curls are smooth, shiny and bouncy. They can be placed all over the head or just on ends to bump or maintain your style. One exception to these rollers is that they only have one size. For overnight sets this makes a true spiral curl. If left in for just an hour or two you can achieve more of a beach wave look. Overall I would say these rollers should be a required addition to any no-heat healthy hair arsenal! SUAVE PROFESSIONALS ROSEMARY MINT CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Excellent Leave-In Appeal: Good Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent Before I say anything else let me tell you this conditioner smells SO GOOD that using it brought me to near obsession for the scent. Clean mint notes with a hint of rosemary. Just heavenly. A true spa aromatherapy experience with each shower. The price point can't be beat, which is amazing considering it is loaded with high-end natural botanicals. As a conditioner it is very good. It provided my hair with extra thickness and body and detangling was as easy as pie. I also noticed repeatedly that my "second day hair" was even better than on cowash day! Soft, shiny and easy to detangle. This was a pleasant surprise as most conditioners don't make the grade for me on "second day hair." On cowash days I used a little as a leave-in and sealed with oil. This gave my hair extra shine which is always welcome! Suave R&M is truly moisturizing without a drop of protein for my protein sensitive mamis out there. For the scent alone this one is a true winner. CONAIR MAGNETIC ROLLERS
Overall: ★★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore These rollers are one of my Eureka! moments in do-it-yourself hair care. The smooth texture gives the most perfect glossy ends - no crunchy, frizzed ends with these. Sets are glistening and super soft every time. Whether going for a straight look (barrel size), beach wave (medium size) or loose ringlets (small size) the results with these rollers are perfect every time. The hair sets up shiny and moist whether air drying or using an overhead dryer. There have been times when I did a day set (4 hours on dry hair) that turned out so beautifully I could cry! When used on damp hair and allowed to fully dry the set lasts all day. The jumbo barrel size is the perfect solution for those who want a straight look. These barrels leave air dried hair straight and glossy with nice bumped ends in just a couple of hours. Conair Magnetic Rollers are a must-have for any chica's long hair arsenal!  SHEA MOISTURE HOLD & SHINE MOISTURE MIST
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Department Store Hold: Very Good Buildup: None Scent: Excellent Alcohol-Free When I found out about this product I was ecstatic. An all natural hold product with moisture? I'm in! I was not disappointed. This mist provides good hold and a reasonable amount of shine. I tried it with overnight damp sets, flexis and magnetic rollers. Its best application by far was with the magnetic rollers. Ends were soft, moist and glistening with good hold. One downside to this product is the addition of silk protein. For me, this makes it a no-no for daily use but on days when I plan to do a magnetic roller set this will be the first product I reach for. A light spritz on dry sections rolled onto medium fexirods for one hour gives an all day set. Some hardness was noted with overuse of this protein-based product so make sure you have thoroughly moisturized prior to using this. Overall a wonderful alternative to occasional use of hairsprays or gels or for those wanting to go more natural with styling products. Available at Target or Walgreen's. GARNIER FRUCTIS TRIPLE NUTRITION FORTIFYING CONDITIONER Overall: ★★
Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Fair Leave-In Appeal: Poor Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Very Good I very rarely say this but I think this was formulated for Caucasian tresses only. By the third day cowashing with this my strands were dried hard and screaming for moisture. It just does not have the power to handle African American tresses. The first use was fine. Although there wasn't enough in-shower slip, air dried results were passable. Instead of taking the missing slip as a sign from God what do I do? Use it again and again. I like to give products a cumulative shot at doing their job! Instead of improving, this one caused my tresses to get harder and harder. It was like the fortifying element was putting a hard coating on my strands. If you are not in the market for softness and and want strict fortification this is the one for you. If soft, touchable tresses are your goal then leave Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Fortifying Cream Conditioner alone. DR. BRONNER'S 18-IN-1 HEMP PURE CASTILE SOAP - ALMOND
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Clean Rating: Excellent Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent Hair can't take sulfates? Disappointed with the poor performance of "sulfate-free" shampoos? Tired of that dry, tangly, sand paper effect that most shampoos impart? Look no further. This wonderful oil soap will be your sulfate-free go-to shampoo! This is pure oil soap crafted in the old-world traditional style. It is free of the harsh chemical surfactants found in most shampoos. It is loaded with emollient goodies and the scent is over the moon. Best of all, when used as a shampoo Dr. Bronner's produces a heavenly moist lather that does not strip at all. Post-conditioned hair was clean, moist and shiny with no residue. Dr. Bronner's also doubles as a soap for all your other bath needs so only one product to buy!  ADORA ESSENTIALS BY ARDYSS™ MOISTURIZING CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Salon Slip Rating: Very Good Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture/Light Protein Scent: Excellent This conditioner is really unique. The first thing I noticed was the ultra-creamy (not thick) formula. It spread easily and did not require multiple applications like many other conditioners I have tried. The mild peppery-citrus scent is absolutely wonderful. This product provided superior moisturization. The next day my strands were still moisturized! Another aspect that I loved was that this conditioner gave my strands a light, separated fullness that is hard to come by. No gunky, weighed down tresses here. Adora Essentials also worked beautifully as a co-wash. There was never any residue or buildup. This conditioner contains wonderful moisturizers and plant extracts and only light silk protein which my hair can tolerate. This makes it a great choice for those who only want a touch of protein. Overall I would say that if you are looking for a work horse conditioner that really makes a difference in moisturization levels this one's for you! HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY OLIVE CHOLESTEROL DEEP CONDITIONER
Overall: ★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Good Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture + Protein Scent: Fair I received this as a free sample with the Creme Hairdress. As a warning, this one does contain egg protein and mineral oil. I found this DC to be quite adequate for the price point. It provided nice conditioning with a soft result. While it is no holy grail it is certainly a good workhorse DC that could be used on a biweekly or monthly basis. The protein did not result in hardness and the moisturization was definitely there. Overall good product for someone looking for that occasional protein DC. ORS HAIR MAYONNAISE
Overall: ★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Slip Rating: Good Leave-In Appeal: NO NO NO Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Fair Got Protein? This product has such a cult following that I just HAD to try it. This one is proof that what is good for the goose may not be so great for the gander. What many people fail to note about this deep conditioner is that it is protein based. If you are protein sensitive like me and leave this on longer than specified, it results in hard hair, ie, protein overload. BE WARNED: This product sports keratin, collagen, lanolin AND egg. Now that's alot of proteins. I feel that this is one of those products whose instructions must be followed to the letter. Longer is not better and if you are protein sensitive you will definitely have to follow up with a moisturizing co-wash after this is rinsed out. That said this product provides superior strength so if your strands are feeling weak and protein-deprived this is one to reach for. PANTENE CURLY SERIES SHAMPOO
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Clean Rating: Very Good Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Scent: Excellent After receiving a reviewer's sample of this product I admit my thought was "Oh Lord. Pantene has changed again." This change however turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Rarely can a shampoo say "moisturizing" and actually be that, but this one is. No harsh proteins in this formula. In-shower it had amazing slip. The scent is heavenly. I did my normal single lather but could have done two with no problems. Normally after shampoo day my hair will have some level of stripping or dryness but not here. The strands were super moist and glistening. If you avoid sulfates then this one is not for you. Also if you are looking for a clarifying stripfest look elsewhere. If you are looking for a gentle moisturizing cleanser then I think this one actually does the job well! NATURE'S ALCHEMY GRAPESEED OIL WITH VITAMIN E
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Moisture VS. Protein: Moisture Tress Buzz LOVES products that kill two birds with one stone. This product does just that. It has the superior glossing and sealing properties of grapeseed oil and the softening antioxidant power that vitamin E delivers. This product is an excellent sealant - it is never greasy and never just sits on the top layer of the hair doing nothing. It penetrates - leaving the hair super soft and shiny. This product is also incredible as a night-time facial moisturizer if you have dry skin. JASON NATURAL BIOTIN SHAMPOO
Overall: ★★★★ Price Rating: Drugstore Clean Rating: Very Good Moisture VS. Protein: Protein Scent: Excellent As shampoos go (and we all know how shampoo goes for a sister) this one is quite good. It is lauryl- and laureth- sulfate free so it does not have that ‘I’m made to strip automotive grease’ feeling. It cleans the tresses sufficiently and does not leave any residue. It has the added benefit of natural biotin which is proven by scientific studies to assist in growth. It has a beautiful chocolatey mint scent. The added mint also provides a lovely stimulating sensation for the scalp. Because of the scent and minty feel there is a wonderful spa feeling when using this product. It never strips - just leaves soft clean strands. If you are looking to strip and clarify this is not the one for you but as a gentle-use shampoo that gets the job done this is a great product! |
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DISCLAIMER: All advice should be taken using your own discretion. All advice is given based upon what has worked for me through years of trial and error. As with all advice and products, individual results will vary. Neither Tress Buzz nor DE Taylor are responsible for any negative results or reactions. Tress Buzz is a registered trademark. All written material under individual copyright. All rights reserved.
