* Just so you all know, this post was ready to go up this morning. But when I woke up, I had no cable, no internet, and because we have Vonage, no phone. Now that my situation is rectified, back to your regularly scheduled afrobella post.
You’ll hear many an afrobella talk about abandoning shampoo, or adopting the “no poo” method. But you’ll never hear a woman with natural curls say “I’m going to give up using conditioner.” Unless said woman has lost her damn mind.
Conditioner is a vital supply for women with curly locks, and for most afrobellas it’s a daily necessity. I go through conditioner the way Shaquille O’Neal might go through a gallon of milk. My hair absolutely guzzles the stuff. Because of the sheer amount of conditioner that my hair demands, I’ve become rather picky about what I’m buying.
Many afrobellas over at Nappturality.com swear by Suave’s super-affordable line o’ condishes, but the last one I bought, green apple, made my hair feel clumpy and frizzy. I won’t be making that mistake twice!
And just so you know, price has nothing to do with it. Damage Remedy by Aveda is a big Ave-don’t for my hair. I’ve never been so disappointed by a beauty product. Honestly, I can’t but into the hype on Aveda.
Yes they do great things for the environment, their stores are eco-friendly and attractive, they serve you fabulous tea while you wait, and because of the company’s philosophy on saving the world, I’m pre-disposed to love them. But their hair products don’t work for me. Also, I’ve had two of my most expensively disappointing hairstyling incidents at Aveda salons.
One’s a famous SoBe establishment, and I walked out of there with my head looking like Buckwheat didn’t sleep right, with a brown paper bag containing $100 in products that I really didn’t mean to buy.
The stylist insisted that I had to mix (the apparently now discontinued) Elixir and Confixor together to style my do. Um, WRONG. Gel doesn’t work for me as a general rule. And Elixir was not the best leave-in conditioner on the market. Not by a long shot. I’m glad to see it gone. Having said that, I would gladly try the new Be Curly Conditioner, but once bitten, twice shy. If any of you have tried it, please let me know your results.
The second time I visited a different Aveda salon, off the beaten path and near my neck of the woods. I had a hairdresser who was one of those Jamaicans who hate reggae music. What is with that? “Bob Marley is alright, but not me and that Buju Banton rah-rah nonsense,” she said with a screw-face. I should have known right then that there’d be a problem.
I begged her to keep the cost to under $200. She assured me that the bill would be fine. I got lowlights and a deep conditioning treatment, then the mofo at the cash register rang me up at $250 and change. Needless to say, my hairdresser was hiding in the back room when it came time to pay. My hair didn’t even look that special, and I vowed never to return. So cosmetics aside (still loving the eyeliner), I think I’m through with purchasing Aveda products.
One of my new favorite conditioners is Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Conditioning Balm.
I like the Matrix Biolage line so far — I’ve tried two of their conditioners and I give them two thumbs up without reservation. I just ran out of conditioning balm and I need to get to the store today to restock! I think I might go for this AWESOME colorful train bag that comes with the purchase of any three products!
Tres chic, and I’d get the Curl Defining Creme and the Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo.
The Conditioning Balm slicks on effortlessly, softens my naps to the point where I can actually pass a wide tooth comb through my knotty ends, and makes detangling easy. It’s $15.99, but salon quality and a pretty good purchase.
A while ago, I was lucky enough be sent some little samples of Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner. I really love the concept of these products, but it didn’t work on me. I put on about half of the cute little container that I received, and my hair just sat there like “ok, so when are you putting on the product?” Heartbreaking, because I wanted to fall in love.
The slogan on the sample says, “are you tired of defining your race and not your curls?” My answer is yes, but sadly this isn’t for me.
I gave samples to my friends Shanique and Jessica, both of whom are stunning cafe au lait Jamaican bellas with diverse heritages.
Jessica is actually more of a prototypical mixed chick, she’s got light skin, green eyes, and a long mop of loose curls. But despite her 3B/3C appearance, she assures me that her hair actually feels coarser than mine. Still, she LOVED Mixed Chicks. She took it home to Jamaica with her (the small sample size made it ideal for traveling), and she raved about the smell, she said it made her hair look shiny and feel soft, and in the photos she showed me her curls were defined and gorgeous.
But instead of relying on our divergent experiences, fellow afrobellas, you can find out for yourself! I present to you, the first Afrobella giveaway!
I have three mini-samples of Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, and if you live in the continental USA I will gladly send one of them your way.
Leave a comment and let me know what products you’ve been using, and why you want to try Mixed Chicks. By Tuesday March 20, I will put the comment numbers in a hat and decide. Then I’ll contact you personally for your mailing address information. These are teeny samples, so I don’t think postage will be a problem. When I start doing big giveaways like Andrea the Organic Beauty Expert, I might need some shipping assistance. But for this first little one, it’s on me!
What’s your favorite daily conditioner? I’m always looking for a new one to try!
Greetings Afrobella:
I do not want to try Mixed Chicks conditioner; I NEED it. I have tried all products in the local Target (Suave, Aussie, Motions, Dark n Lovely, etc). I am too afraid to return to a salon after several experiences where they would rather talk me into a relaxer versus working with Natural. With some natural curl to my hair, I “do my hair myself”. Conditioner is ideal for the curl but, leaves my hair feeling “waxy”. Gel is perfect but, the alcohol is too drying. My final choice (I take a deep breath before I write)…gel activator. Yes! I admit it. It is the only thing that keeps the curl without drying my hair out. The only problem-it just sits on the top of my hair. It is not penetrating to say the least. (Plus, I have to travel far and wide to find a vendor that actually still sells Jherri Curl product-Aaaagh!)
I hope my plea has been heard and you can avail me of using products circa 1970s for something more beneficial to my hair!
Warm regards,
Kam
I love Paul Mitchel’s “The Conditioner” I get these cute, sleek, boingy, shiny perfect ringlets when I utilize this product. I also like the Prostyle Clear Ice Gel. I cannot stand the brown gel product they have, but I was recently introduced to the clear gel and can’t go anywhere without receiving complements on my hair 🙂
Hiya, I’m a huge product whore; love to try new ones so I rotate condistioners often but my favorite so far is Aubrey Organics GBP cos it seems to stop breakage instantaneously and leaves my curls feeling healthy.
Bella….run don’t walk to your Trader Joe’s and grab their Nourish spa conditioner….yummmm with a large E!
2nd to that is Eluence Moisture benefits ……only reason it does not get a yummy is it is a online only item which does not make a bella happy when I want it i want it now ya know. 🙂 Both give my coily 4a hair Moisture and more….they stay with me all day as I con wash and then leave in a little and then do some styling butter and shake and go! if you are looking for Moisture…here ya go 🙂
I have used the Be Curly Shampoo and Conditioner from Aveda. It really does define your curls more but i thought that they were a bit too defined. It made my hair curl way too tight. Right now I have been using the Jojoba Shampoo and Conditioner from Jason Organics. So good! I also use SheaMoisture Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner. It makes my hair sooo soft. My boyfriend started to compliment me on how soft my hair feels, now I am truly hooked on this stuff. Then I top it off with some jojoba oil that I got from Trader Joes for real cheap. I love jojoba oil I swear its the best thing in the world. You could even add it too your shampoo or conditioner!
miss bella, see how you tried the suave green apple, I tried the strawberries & cream, that ting left my hair feeling dry & my hair just clump up clump up! Yuck & then I had to detangle because all my curls dem just stick up on each other! I have yet tried any new products, 3 weeks now my hair is in a protective style cornrows without extensions. I would love to try the Mixed Chicks conditioner though & rock the results!
The Body Shop’s Honey Shampoo and Conditioner are really good. The Shampoo doesn’t strip.. it’s quite moisturizing. The conditioner is just wonderful. Often, I’ll slather it on, put a bag over my head, and let it sit for a few hours. Smells great!
I will admit to liking Aveda’s sap moss poo and condish. It smells like… perfumed mulch.
But the shampoo doesn’t strip my hair. Feels good. The conditioner works good for me too. That’s a splurge buy, however. The amount they give you doesn’t match with how much they charge for it. I only use it once a month.
Bella, I love your site! After years of experimentation my hair styling has gotten perfectly simple. I’m now a die-hard “no poo”-er and ditching the shampoo was the best thing that I coud have done for my dry hair. I use 1 conditioner: usually Ojon Ultra Hydrating ($22, 8.44oz) and Protein Rx by Frederick Fekkai ($22, 8.0oz), a styling creme: Beyond the Zone – Noodle Head and just a little gel: Matrix Biolage Gelee. I’m perfectly set with the styling creme, for those of you who flat twist your hair and ever used the fabulous and discontinued Miss Cool it is the closest thing I have found in consistency and feel. The Biolage Gelee is the perfect lightweight gel to finish a style. I am looking to get rid of the Protien Rx and rotate the Ojon with something a little lighter since I leave most of the conditioner in as an extra styling product. I don’t mind spending the extra money on conditioner since I trim my own ends and I only have three products and a wide tooth comb.
I guess i’ll be the black sheep. My hair is not in it’s natural state, but I do try lots of products. I also have tried Aveda’s Damage Remedy and I didn’t really see much results. I do however like the Sapp Moss Shampoo when used with a moisture rich conditioner like Organic Root Stimulator’s Replenishment Pak. Nexxus Humectant makes my hair soft, but it has mineral oil. I’ve also tried phytospecific Vital Cream Bath, Joico K-pak(makes hair soft), and Carol’s Daughter Hair Smmothie(which was my least favorite) to name a few. Honestly I dont know what really works because I change hair products so much. Right now I am using Catwalk Oatmeal and Honey shampoo and conditioner. It has good ingredients (i’m big on ingredients) and my hair is in pretty good condition. So I will recommend it as well as the Organic Root Stimulator Relenishment Pak. My next conditioner will definetely be something I create in my kitchen. At the end of the day we all have african-american hair which will benefit from the same ingredients for that reaon I would like to try Mixed Chicks leave -in-conditioner. For a daily treatment(rotating daily) I use oils:jojoba, kohret Amen by Carol’S Daughter, Long Aid Hair Revitalizer(mixture of oils) and Hollywood Beauty Carrot and Olive Cream
hhmm after a year of experimentation what i have learned is that everyone’s hair responds differntly to products what may work for you may not for me. i have used paul mitchell i tried to love it as i spent so much on it but in truth it dries my hair. Matrix biolage is a good range. i use philip kingsley elasticizer as a prepoo once a week deep condition. i shampoo with creme of nature which has a lot of slip. then i use tresemme conditioner. Again what i’m beginning to understand is that washing my hair 3 times/week imparts more moisture. it also keeps the scalp clean. in addition i dont leave the products on my hair longer than is stated on the bottle. for leave in i melt some coconut oil in my hand and add charles worthington moisture seal. this combo seals and adds moisture. i think ensuring that the moisture levels are up, keeping our hair clean, minimising damaging effects such as heat, colour etc, and how we handle and style our hair is the key. i’m not a big believer in ‘natural’ products anymore. they dont seem as effective. although they do usually smell great. i have to say oyins conditioner and herbal spritz is lovely. the conditioner provides the best slip i’ve come across yet. sorry for the long post but i love sharing when it comes to hair.
Well Bella, this hair of mine I swear has adaptive technology! Basically I achieve two results: either it absolutely hates whatever product right off the bat or it will lull me into a false sense of security for a week or two and then ABSOLUTELY hates the product. I’ve tried just about everything. Carol’s Daughter products have worked for while to be truthful but as my hair grows it’s getting much harder to control. It’s thick and have a multitude of different textures going on – from wavy to straight to ‘nappy’ and everything else in between.
i just can’t find a conditioner for me! for now i’m using suave and i’m not too happy with my results. i would love to try the mixed chicks. i hopw you pick my number. 🙂
Well, I just wanted to share a terrible experience that I had at an Aveda salon in Mahhattan, I wish I knew the exact address, but I can’t remember. My mother wanted a haircut, when we passed by we noticed there were Black people working there so we said why not. When we walked in, we stood there waiting to be helped, and no one helped us. We finally went to the reception desk and my mother said that she wanted her hair cut, and explained what she was looking for. The receptionist called one of the stylist, and Black man who looked like Quddus from MTV, over to us. He looked at my mother and said he didn’t do that type of hair. My mother has a relaxer, mind you, and his hair was like Quddus’! Then she called another woman over, who said that she couldn’t be bothered. We were so disgusted at the treatment we received. I will never purchase and Aveda product or step into any of their salons again.
I have tried the Aveda Be Curly!
I thought it was OK, something about the consistency of it didn’t really do much for my curl; however, it didn’t dry it out or anything…I think it just depends on your hair texture…
I’m still looking for a good conditioner. I’ve tried John frieda’s curly conditioner. I don’t remember the name now, but it made my hair a mess. It was too heavy, probably from the silicone in it. At the moment I’m in between some Infusion 23 for colored/damaged hair and Pantene ProV Deep conditioning hair mask. Yeah, I’m a drug store junkie. As for the mixed chicks stuff, I DO use their shampoo. It’s made with soy protein, and “no-poo”. It’s my first experience with non-mainstream products, and I’m liking it. I have to wash my hair more often, which isn’t a problem. I’d love to try their conditioner.
It took me all of my 21 years to figure out what products to use on my hair to make it the most fabulous it could possibly be and how to love the hair that God blessed me with; however, on October 31, 2006, the accident occurred. One of my girlfriends with similar hair offered to straighten my hair, and I consented. I remember looking in the mirror that morning and saying, “Damn, my hair is BEAUTIFUL!” Little did I know, I would not see that beautiful hair again. Remember when you were a small child and you tried to curl your Barbie doll’s hair and it melted? Yea, well, you get the picture. She told me that “It’s just hair” and sent me on my merry way. In sum, I need this product. I have tried every single product to make it healthy and curly again. I have made some progress, but am losing hope quickly 🙁 I am a mixed chick in need of conditioner that works…
Right now I am using Fructis Curl and Shine Conditioner that works alright it does not make my hair shine or bounce but atleast it does not dry it out like the Suave curls line. Right now my hair is in braids, I find that for some reason, my hair feels softer and healthier right after I take my braids out. I want that feeling all the time. My hair is of a various texture on different parts of my head so I know that there probably won’t ever be a product that for lack of a better term, “fixes” it all. Also I am a current college student who does not have money or time to try out all these different products. I recently went natural despite all opposition and I would love to show off my beautiful curls this summer to those who doubt the beauty of naturality. With that being said, I would greatly appreciate the free sample. Also, keep up the great work on your site Bella.
I have used Mixed Chicks conditioner and I do NOT like it.. IT didn’t do a thing for my hair. IT was a total waste. I wish I could send you my full bottle that is collecting dust. I am currently using Garnier Fructis and I rather like the Leave-in conditioner for curly hair. I still use (gasp) Brown gel to smooth my ponytail down though! I am SOOO ready to be rid of it..
Need suggestions Ladies!!
Hey B, Just want to hop in here to say that I love your play on words on “I just dropped in (to see what condition my condition was in)” And, maybe I will win some conditioner!
Shonquayshah Says: February 24th, 2007 at 7:26 am
thanx afrobella for being our “experimental beauty reporter†i think it’s great that you made a blog about doing something that you obviously love! i was never a “girly-girl†however, i do like to look nice and i have sang the “nappy headed blues†for most of my life and am now in the transitioning process in embracing the “real me†and trying to discover my “real and unique†beauty. i also think it’s great that you cover not only hair and makeup, but skincare as well as “smell good†perfume, etc and give your honest opinions on who’s doing it well and who needs help! you’ve got great links and i really love the ask afrobella section. also, thanks for letting me know about the garnier fructis, i got some of the fortifying shampoo & conditioner as well as some of the soft curl cream and it made my hair (unprocessed AND processed) so soft and managable! and it didn’t cost that much AND i found it at Target!
i have not used relaxer in almost a year and i am going to do the big chop this summer!
p.s. don’t stop, just keep doing what ur doing and getting better….love the afrobella jams and youtube videos as well…you have broadened my musical tastes a bit! thanx again!
**********************
afrobella-
i have also tried the Kinky Curly Knot Today, and while i was able to comb/brush thru my hair, i found that it was not much better than the hair fructis (it says surf hair matte something or other on the container)for my hair, which is now 1/2 perm 1/2 natural it works well for everyday….for now. I am gonna get braids and then do the big chop at the end of the summer. so i would like some of the mixed chicks cond. i am not sure what my curl pattern is but i think it is mixed because my natural hair goes from waves, to curls, to beady-beads! so i would like to try some for when i do the big chop later on.
I’m not interested in trying the Mixed Chicks conditioner (I have locs) but I wanted to say that not all Suave conditioners are equal. I’m pretty sure that Suave Tropical Coconut is the preferred Suave conditioner at Nappturality. I know I loved it back when I was a loose napp.
Recently I tried Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (diluted) and it was a pleasant surprise.
I always wonder what is going on with those “no-poo” supporters. Why is shampoo such a bad thing?
Aveda products are hit or miss for me too. Now I have some I like, but they do have a good return policy, so I hope you took the products that didn’t work back.
I had a bad experience with getting my hair highlighted at an Aveda salon too! I called the manager and got my money back. The damage to my hair stayed, unfortunately.
I love Garnier Frutis Curl and Shine Shampoo, Conditioner, and the wonderful leave-in conditioner that I use daily out of the shower. My curls are shiny and well defined. After my hair is totally dry, I run my hands over it and magically, my curls fluff up perfectly and are not frizzy, dry, or hard. And at $2 and change it could not get any better. I tried Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding and Baby Buttercream with a heafty price tag of $109!!! And it did nothing for my hair. The smell and consistency was awful, I got the products on a Wednesday, tried it on Thursday, and
sent the products back on Friday!!! I am always interested in trying new things….especially for free!! But it will be hard to beat Gariner!!
Bed Head’s “Moisture Maniac” is great, and right now, you can get 45 oz. of shampoo and conditioner (which smells like candy) for $24 from Regis.
All Suave Conditioners are definitely NOT created equal. I have tried almost all the different flavors of Suave Naturals (that are available at my local Target and Walmart) and Tropical Coconut is definitely the best! My hair is never so shiny and curls so well-defined than when I soak my hair in Tropical Coconut for a conditioner wash. It’s an awesome detangler too, my comb just glides right through even when I haven’t combed my hair in days. I just wish I could buy it in bigger containers. I use about one family size bottle a week and I usually skip a day between co-washes.
Funny that you should mention this about Aveda, I went to a salon this weekend and the lady was very very helpful and encouraged me to not to use the Be Curly. Remind you I am naturally curly gal of mixed hertiage. I asked her why and she said that she did not think it would work with my hair. I want to remind you she was an Asian Sales lady. I used their Brilliant line before and it has always good so I brought a product from there. So who knows?????
My hair is somewhere between a 2C and 3A (the celebs with hair closest to my texture are Tia and Tamera Mowry pre-relaxer, though their curls are tighter. I have waves from scalp to ear and corkscrews from the ear down). I have tried EVERYTHING on the market (Aveda included). Right now, the conditioner that rocks my world is Abba’s Recoup. It’s an intensive reconstructor. I use that in combination with the world’s greatest shampoo (so far), which is Abba’s True Curls. The smell is strong in the bottle, but it’s subtle on your hair (I don’t like heavily perfumed beauty products, which is the only reason I can’t get down with Aveda sometimes). Abba products are free of sulfates (important for curlies) and most are vegan. The shampoo is usually about $11, and the conditioner is about $14. Since Pantene is running $5.99 (?!?!), I don’t feel $11 to be that much of a splurge. Hope this helps!
here’s what i love, but i’m a verypaleblondbella, but my hair is wavy and getting coarser and dry-er by the month:
redken’s all soft
and matix’s sleek look (i get so many compliments when i use this stuff) or curl life.
don’t know if it wil help your hair texture, but they are great products for curly hair in need of some moisture. i can also attest to the greatness of moisture maniac by bedhead–actually i love most of their products. gel doesn’t work for me either…
I love Suave Coconut conditioner and the Suave Daily moisturizing condishes. More moisturizing than the Green Apple. Abba Nourishing is also a good leave-in and has been a staple for me, but looking for something new. Would love to try a sample of the Mixed Chicks leave-in condish.
i use motions leave in conditioner every day and it leaves alot to be desired i’m starting to think that i will never be able to have soft beatifully defined curls
i also use Fructis curl and shine line of products. I add a little olive oil to the leave in and it makes for a great moisturizer. I refuse to spend all that money on stuff for my naps when i can make my own. Motown girl’s recipes are da bomb…..they have always worked for me. I’ve tried all the other stuff in my product junkie days…but i would always go back to my recipes from motowngirl. Her stuff is what’s happening. You can also add fragrant oils for a nice smell.
4a/b gal here. I was excited to try Mixed Chicks products too, but alas it does not really work on me for loose curls – in fact I use the rest of the bottle as a leave in conditioner for when I braid my hair after washing it. The braid out looks and feels great but lasts only a day. I use a bevy of products but on the daily I use organic coconut wax mixed with aloe vera gel to smooth my frizz and spritz Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Mist before I leave the house.
GARNIER FRUCTIS CURL & SHINE CONDITIONER ROCKS!! I posted a statement earlier; however, I forgot the name. It is a must try.
Ladies, don’t even bother with Mixed chicks! Save it for the Mixed Chicks! 🙂
I love MIxed Chicks! My curls are 3 A – 3 B. Here is how I found out about them…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ahYIgjroWo
I just used the Curl Junkie Coco milk condish
Excellent great softness and great clean of residue 🙂 and of her condish are excellent, they are not cheap but they are great
i personally do relax my hair but i find that using a condtioner and leave in treatment works well for me. i have thick hair that like most sucks up products. I use doo-grow leave in treatment and thier deep condtioner. it leaves my hair managable and soft especailly if i leave in the condtioner for the recommened time 5-15 min. the leave in treatment i leave in for 3min.
i almost forgot Dove has a really good shampoo that cleans the hair without stripping the hair of its natural oils. i swear by it
Dove just blew up with skin care, hair care and everything. I’ve been hearing really good things about the hair products. I’ll have to add it to my must try list. I wanted to try Kerastase for a long time and finally bought an introductory set. It was still expensive $36. It’s just over priced L’Oreal. I’m sticking to reading labels and reading reviews online. It costs me lots of money by wanting to try everything. At the same time, I could have saved myself even more if I checked others reviews and not believing the advertising hype.
I recently did the BC after 11 months of being relaxer free. I think my hair is a combo of 3b/4a. Can anyone recommend a hydrating deep conditioner? I wash my hair with Hydrating Curls by Pantene and flip flop between conditioners. Paul Mitchell’s Foaming Pomade does wonders with defining my curls. I still need to find a moisturizing leave in conditioner. Any recommendations?
I just bought the Be Curly (the enhancer, not the condish) and although my hair is already VERY curly I like it. More curl, less frizz. I know you’re very wary of anything Aveda now, but will you try it and let us know what you think too? Thanks!
I use Cantu leave-in conditioner when I where my hair natural. I was advised to use this product from my biracial friend although I am not biracial. I tried it and it worked for my curls. I recommend this product. I will try mixed chicks products some day soon.
ok so I HAD to comment…. I tripped across your blog which is crackin me up! You are awesome I love that you tell it how it is!! I for one am a hairdresser and an Aveda JUNKIE!! it does get a bit out of hand at times… but what you say is all true girl and I really did laugh outloud. I do think that personally I cocktail alot of my products but I dang sure am not tryin to press them off on my girl in the chair bc I know dang good and well she has a whole drawer full at home! But chances are 9 out of 10 she comes back wanting what I used anyway its nuts….so back to the be curly…I absolutely hate it and think it sucks so way to not get suckered. Here is another question…why if you were unsatisfied didn’t you take the products back? I’m almost postive the salon gets credit from Aveda for any returned product other than skincare. hmmm anyway thats all. Good luck finding something you like…have you tried Kenra products yet?
I like Nexxus Humectress as a leave in. I got hooked in it while in high school when my hair fell out after a bad relaxer. When I went back to natural some years later, I found that its still the best thing going. For daily conditioning treatments I use Suave conditioner (yes I am a guilty party!) I also use a homemade mix of Mayonaise, egg and olive oil. Keeps a beautiful shine. Not a daily treatment though. To dress my hair, I use Oraganics Lock and Twist Gel with a few pumps of the Organics hair oil. And I’m done for the day!