Giovanni Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub Review

I've been a New York resident my whole life and I'm pretty used to the harsh winters, but that doesn't mean I'm a fan of the frigid weather that Mother Nature whips through my city. My skin gets all dry and flaky, I end up have to double up on my shea butter mix then my skin ends up being overly moisturized it's just not a good look. I had to find a product that could help aid in the moisturizing process without becoming another problem, in walked Giovanni's Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub. If you can't already tell I love Giovanni products and the results that I get with them, they're just all around bomb products! I picked this up on a whim at Duane Reade for $14.99 and I'm glad I did.

Giovanni has two body scrubs that I know of this one I'll be reviewing today and the Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub. Both are great, but I prefer the sugar scrub for the fall/winter and the salt scrub for the spring/summer because brown sugar contains alpha hydroxy acid, a glycolic acid that helps remove dead skin cells. If you've been purchasing facial exfoliants for more than a day you know that glycolic acid is great at breaking down substances that may bond to the top layer of your skin (which is a major contributor to clogged pores and dull skin) can then be washed away. Glycolic acid is a natural exfoliant and when used correctly can leave your skin smoother, softer and more radiant. 

Much like Giovanni's other products this product is/has:

• USDA Certified Organic
• Not tested on animals
• No dyes
• No lauryl or laureth sulfate
• 100% vegetarian ingredients

• Safflower Seed oil, acts as a protective barrier to prevent water from leaving your skin.
• Cocoa Beans, helps relieves the stress hormones in turn soothes the collagen in the skin preventing wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.
• Kukui Nut, contains vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants known to protect the skin and prevent free-radical damage to the skin cells.
• Honey, is an amazing humectant and has the abilities to absorb and retain moisture and this helps in keeping the skin well hydrated, fresh and supple.  
• Vitamin E, a superior treatment option for the removal of scars caused due to burns or acne. 

When I get out the shower my whole bathroom smells like the Hershey factory and I bask in it. The smell of this is off the charts, if you don't like chocolate or anything chocolate for any reason don't buy this, everything will smell like chocolate. I seal in the moisture this product give me with shea butter which has a nutty smell on it's own so I just smell like chocolate and I can't say my Babe minds it at all :-). What I like about this is that the sugar melts into your skin almost instantly almost like butter would in a hot skillet and you don't get that grainy, sticky feeling that other sugar scrubs give and I'm assuming that's where the walnut shell comes in. Walnut shells make for a great natural exfoliant, it may be too harsh for your face, but it's great for other parts of your body. Walnut shells are extremely hard and do not break down in the products. The hardness they possess makes them an ideally effective natural body scrub coping very efficiently with even thick deposits of dead surface skin.

You can find this product at/on:

• Duane Reade
• Whole Foods
• Some Riteaid stores
• Walgreens.com
• Drugstore.com
• giovannicosmetics.com
• swansonvitamins.com
• Amazon.com
• Vitacost.com
• iherb.com

Check out their website for more info, Facebook and follow them on Twitter:

http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/

FB: Giovanni Hair and Body Care

Tweet: @Giovannibrand

Hot Head Thermal Hair Care Review

Everyone needs one of these no matter your hair texture, type, or length you need one. Deep conditioning regularly is an essential step towards healthy hair, the Hot Head Thermal Microwaveable Deep Conditioning Cap makes the process so much easier, and you look cute while doing it might I add. My Babe gave this to me this past Christmas after I raved and raved and RAVED about it. You can pick this up over at Etsy.com for $29.95. I first saw Teaundra from Youtube using this and she swore by it so I did my own research on it, I was sold. I have a hood dryer, but it's soooo much work to get it out, set it up and then have to put it back just to take it out again later in the week (yes, I'm lazy and I deep condition twice a week). Now that I have my Hot Head I eliminated that whole process, all I have to do is pop this bad boy in the microwave for 2 mins and it's ready to go.  It stays hot for up to 45 mins to an hour. 

"It is very important to perform regular deep conditioning treatments for optimum hair health. However, without heat the typical deep conditioning treatment can only do so much to improve the quality of your hair. This is because the hair cuticle is typically closed, so the conditioning treatment is only able to work on the surface of the hair shaft. The results are minimal and superficial when compared to a heat enhanced deep conditioning treatment. When heat is introduced during a hair treatment the cuticle will open for an extended period of time. This allows the deep conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft and really work to repair your hair from the inside out." (Straight from the etsy.com page)

I know you're probably asking "Ari, how does it get hot?" Let me put you on. You see that sunflower shape? Well those pockets are filled with reusable flaxseeds that generate heat when you put it in the microwave. Flax seeds are flower seeds, opposed to grain. They contain 30-40% oil which remains inside the seed to be warmed again and again. Other products loose their ability to retain heat as the water cooks out of them over time. Flax seeds provide a gentle, moist heat which promotes healing. So not only is it reusable, it's also environmentally friendly. 

Ready for the fun part? It's reversible!

The inside is made of terry cloth and cotton which also helps trap the heat inside to really get that thermal penetration to your strands and add to your deep conditioning process. If you're not feeling one side, go head and flip it to the other. As great as this baby is I have to hit you with some cons.

1. You can ONLY purchase this online. Now if you're like me and you prefer to pick things up on the ground or locally that can be draw back. 
2. It's not machine washable.Although it's not machine washable you can spot clean it with a little detergent and warm water. So it's like a 50/50 toss up.

There are so many different styles to choose from and she also has the reusable plastic caps that you can add to your cart. I normally just pick mine up from the beauty supply store, but when I received mine for Christmas my Babe did give me the Hot Head reusable plastic caps.

You can pick one up over at:

• http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThermalHairCare

Follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook:
FB: Hot Head by Thermal Hair Care
Tweet: @thermalhaircare

Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner

I'm someone who looks to buy multipurpose products, if a product doesn't do at least 3 things I can't say I'm happy especially conditioners. I like my conditioners to work as leave-ins, detanglers, and deep conditioners Giovanni definitely had the right idea when they came up with this conditioner. It's one of my all time staples, if I can't get a new conditioner to work I know without question that I can rely on the Smooth As Silk to tame my hair back into place. I've experimented with it and added oils, that only makes it better! I've been using this conditioner for a little over a year and a half, it's reliable, inexpensive, and the ingredients are AMAZING.

Now I should caution you that this conditioner is so lightweight that it feels like it's not even coating your strands, but trust it's there and working it's magic. If this conditioner falls while I'm apply it in the shower I will scoop it back up and put that goodness back on my hair, don't act like you haven't done it! The slip on this is great, to be quite honest most of Giovanni's conditioners/leave-in have great slip. I was lucky enough to find this at my local discount store for $6.99.
This product is/has:

• USDA Certified Organic
• Not tested on animals
• No dyes
• No lauryl or laureth sulfate
• 100% vegetarian ingredients 

Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.

Matricaria Leaf Extract, also known as chamomile,  has been found to be highly effective in preventing and eliminating dandruff. In addition to soothing an irritated scalp.

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, enhances hair manageability, improves the body and texture of your hair. Also contains cystine which is great for hair strenthening and nourishment.

Lemongrass Extract, can be an effective treatment to combat hair loss and oily hair and scalp conditions. 

Rosemary Leaf Extract, many believe that rosemary oil is capable of stimulating hair growth.

This conditioner is so weightless in texture that it makes a great leave-in, it's not heavy enough to weigh your hair down. If you're someone like me who prefers to do braidouts, but can't find a conditioner that won't weigh your hair down try this or their Direct Leave-in I swear by both.  

You can find this product at/on:

• Local beauty supply
• Whole Foods
• Trader Joes 
• giovannicosmetics.com
• Amazon.com
• Vitacost.com
• iherb.com

Check out their website for more info, Facebook and follow them on Twitter:

http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/

FB: Giovanni Hair and Body Care

Tweet: @Giovannibrand

Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo Review

I typically stray away from shampoos because traditionally they're drying and less moisturizing than my beloved co-washes. Some how SheaMoisture found a way to combat that dry, stripping feeling, I'm going to throw it out there and say that I prefer they're Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo. The Moisture Retention Shampoo leaves my hair soft, moisturized and my scalp is clean without being stripped, that shampoo is like heaven in a bottle *SIGH* I'm getting excited just typing about it. I picked up the Curl & Shine Shampoo up at my local Walgreens as a replacement for the Moisture Retention Shampoo for $9.99. 

A little of this really goes a long way, for this to be a sulfate free shampoo it lathers like a dream I'm not sure what SheaMoisture is doing to make this lather so much, but they've got the formula down to a science. I've had this shampoo for about a year and half and I still have plenty of uses. Another great benefit of this shampoo is that you can detangle with this shampoo, yes I said a shampoo that detangles. If I can detangle my 7D type hair you can give it a try for any hair texture/type you have.

  ( I still have about 25% of the product left)

This product like all of SheaMoisture's other products is has nothing but great ingredients. 

No Sulfates

No Parabens

No Phthalates

No Synthetic Fragrance

No Paraffin

No Gluten

No Propylene Glycol

No Mineral Oil

No PABA

No Synthetic Color

No DEA

No Animal Testing

Many company proclaim to be "certified organic", but lack consistency in their products. NOT SheaMoisture they've consistently put out products that I can trust won't harm my hair or leave it feeling like crap. I've tried many products by Shea Moisture and I can't honestly say I only disliked one product, the Curl Enhancing Smoothie more on that later. The Curl & Shine Shampoo is marketed for those with thick, curly hair which I have, but I couldn't get into the shampoo like I hoped I would something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. I think silk protein is what's making my hair feel funny, this shampoo leaves my hair squeaky clean and I don't do squeaky clean. Silk protein and I don't get along well. Let's get into those great ingredients I mentioned.

• Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.
• Coconut oil, hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage.
• Silk Protein, reduces breakage, strengthens hair, adds smoothness and silkiness.
• Neem oil, an age old Ayurvedic oil that strengthens hair and provides brilliant shine.
• Honeysuckle Flower, clears heat, wind and toxins from the blood and liver, it is used in many cleansing and detoxifying blends.
• Panthenol, coveted for moisturizing, thickening, and boosting hair's body quotient.

I liked this shampoo, but I didn't love it. Will I purchase this shampoo again? No. Will I purchase the Moisture Retention Shampoo? Yes, for me it's the better shampoo. 

You can pick this shampoo and other SheaMoisture products at/on:

• Target
• Bed, Bath & Beyond
• Duane Reade
• Target.com
• Walgreens.com
• Amazon.com

 Check out their website and sign up for a FREE trial product and coupon, as well as follow them on Facebook and Twitter:
http://www.sheamoisture.com/
FB: SheaMoisture
Tweet: @SheaMoisture4U

Mail Goodies and Mini Haul

It may be 18 degrees here in N.Y.C. but that didn't stop my mailman from filling my mailbox up with goodies and samples. 

I received this sample through Juliesfreebies.com and Yogi tea. I personally love the Vanilla Spice for drinking and the Refreshing Mint I plan to use for my hair as a black tea rinse to help reduce the shedding I'll have after I remove my Senegalese twist. Stay tuned for a blog post on that. 

There was also a coupon attached to the back of the postcard.

I received this through Vonbeau.com and Facebook. This is a 6 oz. sample of Purina Beneful dog food for my two dogs Kermitt and Sweetpee. They already eat Purina Dog Chow so this wasn't much of a stretch for them, they loved it! The next time we go shopping at BJ's we'll be picking up a 55 lb bag. 

The ingredients are as follows. 

I received this from Pinchme.com. If you're not signed up with the site you better get with it you get the choice of 3 quality samples and have them shipped to you. This is the 3rd or 4th Pinchme box that I've received. I only chose one sample this time around.  The consistency of this is not  like most Suave lotions its much thicker and creamier. I don't buy Suave products because the consistency bothers me, but this is different. This formula is dermatologist test and for someone like me who suffers from terrible eczema that's always a plus.

The ingredients are as follows.

A good friend of mine recently had a baby in December so I often receive baby samples and give them to her. I received this through Juliesfreebies.com and Enfamil.com, new moms should definitely sign up at Enfamil.com because they often send samples, coupons and other goodies for your little one. Other great sites for mom are Mommyandme.com and Greenmomsmeet.com.

These infant formulas are 17.6 grams. 

If that wasn't enough the good folks over at Enfamil also enclosed $20.00 worth of coupons! Moms please head over and sign up for some goodies that your little one can benefit from.

I also received the Dec./Jan. issue of Seventeen magazine I mentioned the year long subscription in my last mail goodies post. I know this is an older issue, but because I signed up for the offer in December so I guess they had to play catch up and decided to send me this issue.Once again I received this through Vonbeau.com

Now if those weren't enough goodies for you let me give you some more, this weekend my Babe and I were in Target browsing around, well technically I was browsing around for SheaMoisture's new products. Although my Target did have the new line, they didn't have the complete line and I was a little bumbed about that, but I did pick up one of the new products. I picked these up on sale, they were buy 1 get 1 half off. So my Babe paid $9.99 and $5.49  for the other. 

The Tahitian Noni & Monoi Line has the Smooth & Repair Conditioning Shampoo, the Smooth & Repair Rinse Out Conditioner, the Smooth & Repair Nourishing Hair Masque, and finally the Smooth & Repair High Shine Glosser. 

SheaMoisture's Tahitian Noni & Monoi line is a protein line geared for those who often straighten their hair. What attracted me to this product in particular is the fact that it's a weekly protein treatment, the ingredients, and that it's a prepoo. 

Because of the lime green coloring of the packaging it was hard to get a clear photo of the ingredients but they're as follows.

• Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.
• Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin protein is the strongest of proteins found in hair products. Your hair is made up of 80% keratin. This protein in particular will strengthen the 3 layers of the hair, Cuticle, Cortex and Medulla. 
• Glycerin, a great humectant aiding in moisture.
• Monoi oil, Reparative benefits revive dry, damaged hair.
• Tahitian Noni, Antioxidant Vitamin C helps maintain hair health.
• Peptides, Antioxidant protection help promote healthy hair growth.

Now I haven't used this product just yet, but I'm very excited. I plan to purchase the rest of the line once Target restocks it's supply. Stay tuned for a review on this.

This is an oldie, but goodie. I often used this for co-washing, detangling, deep conditioning and as a leave-in. I love that this conditioner is so multifaceted. 

I love that SheaMoisture's ingredients are short, sweet and to the point. There's no confusion about it.

• Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.
• Shea Butter, deeply moisturizes while conditioning your hair and scalp.
• Argan Oil, Restores while helping promote hair elasticity.
• Sea Kelp, Mineral rich nutrition seals and smoothes your hair cuticle.
• Panthenol, coveted for moisturizing, thickening, and boosting hair's body quotient.

Make sure you sign up for and check out all the sites I mentioned to score your own freebies and coupons. As well as your local Target for SheaMoisture's products, select Walgreens carries the new Tahitian Noni and Monoi Line. 

• Vonbeau.com
• Juliesfreebies.com
• Enfamil.com
• Facebook.com
• Mommyandme.com
• Greenmomsmeet.com
• Pinchme.com 
• Target.com
• Target Stores
• Walgreens Stores

Giovanni Wellness Scalp Serum w/ Chinese Botanicals Review

I mentioned this product in my review of the Giovanni Wellness System Hair Elixir and as promised I'm here to review the scalp serum. This product suggest that you should use it only as needed because it is super potent. And that is the truth! You really only need a few drops of this in combination with a scalp massage and you're good to go. Because this is so potent I use this 3-4 times a week and massage into my scalp.  I picked this up at my local beauty supply for $9.99. I use this especially when I'm protective styling my hair, the dropper makes this ideal for getting the product in between my twist and onto my scalp without wasting product.

Like the Wellness Hair Elixir it also contains Chinese botanicals to help aid in hair growth and  overall health. 

• An Mole, antioxidant & keeps hair elastic.
• Hei Zhi Ma, soothes a dry itchy scalp.
• Jia Ma Chi Xian, strengthens hair roots.
• Mo Han Lian, strengthens &helps keep color. 
• Wu Huan Zi, restores lustre.
• Panax Ginseng, promotes healthy hair growth.
• Mulberry Fruit, increases circulation to hair roots. 

The color is much like the other Wellness System products. The texture is very thick and the smell isn't the greatest it's very medicinal so I would suggest using this on your scalp at night so that the smell will be gone by the morning. This is the first product that I've tried is strictly an herbal blended serum, when I think of serums I think of Paul Mitchell Super Skinny serum or Chi Silk Infusions. I love this product I just hate the smell.  A few months ago I discovered a bald spot the size of a quarter on the right side of my head near my crown, I was devastated. When I visited my dermatologist I was told it was alopecia areata, which is curable. Alopecia Areata is a skin disease that can affect all hair bearing skin and is characterized by non-scarring hair loss. This form of alopecia is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. This abnormality in particular leads to autoimmunity, in turn the immune system attacks particular tissues in the body. The immune system is designed to protect the body from foreign threats such as bacteria and viruses. For unknown reasons a body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, the structure from which hair grows and will interrupt normal hair formation. 

I've been using this on my scalp for months consistently and I have noticed a difference what started out as small pieces of hair sprouting through the bald spot is now a full patch of hair. It's coming along slowly, but surely I have faith that by the summer of 2014 that section of my hair will be in good condition.

You can find this product at/on:

• Local beauty supply
• giovannicosmetics.com
• Amazon.com
• Vitacost.com
• iherb.com

Check out their website for more info, Facebook and follow them on Twitter:

http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/

FB: Giovanni Hair and Body Care

Tweet: @Giovannibrand

Hairveda Sitrinillah Deep Hair Masque Review

Now I should start off by saying I'm very iffy about this deep conditioner I like it, but I don't love it. I've been on the hunt for a deep conditioner that works for months and I had high hopes about this deep conditioner because I love Hairveda's Vatika Frosting as a pre-poo (pre-shampoo treatment), it's one of my staples.  Finding a deep conditioner that actually penetrates and moisturizes my hair is a major challenge. I was hoping that since this conditioner specifically said "Dry Hair Solutions" that I had finally hit the jackpot and could stop searching for a deep conditioner. 

I picked this up at one of my favorite hair boutiques, Ecodermis and Wolfberry in Crown Heights for $17.99.  The price is a bit steep, but you do get 16 oz. and quality ingredients so it'a fair trade off. "Sitrinillah Deep Conditioner is a rich & creamy blend packed with coconut oil & help protect your hair. We use all natural goodies to help you achieve your hair dreams!" (Copied from side of product)

This product has:

• No Parabens
• No Silicones 
• No Phthalates
• No Mineral oil (Petroleum)

Because the container is clear it was hard to get a clear photo of the ingredients, but the ingredients are: 

• Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.
• Coconut oil, hydrates and protects while adding curl definition.
• Castor oil, is filled with essential nutrients like vitamin E, amino acids, and omega-6 fatty acids, it can help you to put a stop to split ends and breakage.
• Glycerin, a great humectant aiding in moisture.

This conditioner is very rich, creamy, and smells like orange creamsicle ice cream. I could keep my nose in this product all day. I love the consistency and thickness of this product I just wished it moisturized my hair like it said it would. I was expecting my hair to be super moisturized and feel like butter. Instead I was met with soft hair, but it wasn't moisturized enough for my liking I still ended up have to do a rinse with a  cheapy conditioner after I rinsed this out to further moisturize and detangle. If you're looking for a deep conditioner that helps with detangling this is not it, it's a bit too thick for that, but it's not marketed to do that so I can't bash it too much. 

Will I purchase it again? No. Will I try other Hairveda products? Yes. I'm still on the hunt for a great deep conditioner, let me know some of your favorites. 

You can find or pick up this product at/on:

• Ecodermis and Wolfberry (N.Y.C. curlies)
• hairveda.com

Check out their website, Facebook and follow them on Twitter:

http://www.hairveda.com/

FB: HairVeda

Tweet: @HairVeda

Giovanni Wellness System Hair Elixir w/ Chinese Botanical Review

I'm always trying new hair care products and this product is no different. I've used Giovanni products in the past, I love their Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner and my mom loves their Tea Tree Triple Threat Invigorating Conditioner. When I came across this conditioner at my local beauty supply store I was curious, I've never used any product that contains Chinese botanicals. Curiosity got the better part of me so I picked it up for $9.99. 

This product is step 3 in the wellness system, step 1) Giovanni Wellness System Shampoo w/ Chinese Botanicals and step 2) Giovanni Wellness System Conditioner w/ Chinese Botanicals. This wellness line also comes with the Giovanni Wellness System Scalp Serum, I didn't pick up the shampoo and conditioner, but I did pick up the scalp serum which I will review in another post. 

Now onto the Chinese botanicals, all of these herbs and botanicals are very new to me which is what drew me to purchasing this product in the first place. Many are hard to pronounce, but I did my best.

• An Mole, antioxidant & keeps hair elastic.
• Hei Zhi Ma, soothes a dry itchy scalp.
• Jia Ma Chi Xian, strengthens hair roots.
• Mo Han Lian, strengthens &helps keep color. 
• Wu Huan Zi, restores lustre.
• Panax Ginseng, promotes healthy hair growth.
• Mulberry Fruit, increases circulation to hair roots. 

The packaging is a big hard to read when pictured, but other active ingredients in this product are:

Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.

Panthenol, coveted for moisturizing, thickening, and boosting hair's body quotient.

Jojoba oil, hydrates hair from the inside of the hair shaft.

Sesame Seed oil, increases scalp circulation as it has a high penetration ability thereby promoting hair growth. 

Saw Palmetto, popular as an herbal remedy for a type of hair loss and baldness.

This product is jam packed full of great ingredients that are all beneficial to the hair. "This deeply penetrating formula also restores also restores to dull hair and build manageability- prepping it for heat styling or whatever styling techniques you utilize." (Copied for back of the product)

(4 pumps of product)

The product is light brown in color and a bit tacky in texture. It's very lightweight and I love that about it. When you pump the product out a sufficient amount comes out with makes conserving this product. (2) Pumps is enough for one quadrant of my hair. I love products that come in a pump bottle, they make the styling process go so much smoother.

You can find this product at/on:

• Local beauty supply
• giovannicosmetics.com
• Amazon.com
• Vitacost.com
• iherb.com

Check out their website for more info, Facebook and follow them on Twitter:

http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/

FB: Giovanni Hair and Body Care

Tweet: @Giovannibrand

Spray 'N Go! Batiste Dry Shampoo Review

I hate wash and go's! I  hate'em, I hate'em, I hate'em!? The first day my  type 7D hair is super shrunken and I have to braid it to stretch it, and if that's the case then I could have just done a braid out in the first place (which I prefer). The second day it's a little better, my hair is stretched and the gel helped define my coils, but frizz becomes a major factor. By the third day my coils are matted, dry, and needs to be re-cowashed to remove some of the gel that is beginning to flake away. This process is annoying and tedious which is why I avoid wash and go's like the plague, if I don't have to do them I won't.

I was in ULTA the other day, and I'm so excited that an ULTA was finally built in Queens. Having to to go upstate just to visit a chain beauty store is a no go. I love having the convenience of ULTA in the city. So I was browsing through the aisle looking for a new face mask and somehow I ended up in the hair care aisle, go figure! When I came across Batiste  Dry Shampoo I did a double take and threw it in my basket. I have been wanting to try dry shampoo for quite sometime especially since I often do protective styles, so I won't wash my hair often and I bought this mainly for wash and go's so I can avoid the actual step of wetting or cowashing my hair. I picked this product up for no more than $7.99-$9.99 which isn't bad for 6.73 fl oz.

What really attracted me to this product was the rice starch.

• Rice starch, when it comes into contact with oils from your scalp they become transparent.

A lot of other dry shampoos use Talc powder, Talc is not soluble in water and it's made up mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. When Talc is in it's powdered from it absorbs moisture well and helps cut down friction, this makes it useful for keeping your skin dry and help to prevent rashes. Talc is commonly used in baby powder.

Baby powder wasn't something that I was looking forward to using on my head, so dry shampoo was the next best thing. And I have to say I love this stuff. It does everything I need it to do and everything that it says it going to do. Rarely do you find products that do what they say they're going to do or are supposed to do. This spray smells amazing it's light, but potent. I wish the smell would last longer, but you can't have it all.

Note that if you spray too much on your hair or spray too close to your scalp you may get a bit of white residue left behind. Batiste also makes dry shampoos that are specially formulated for blondes, brunettes and dark brown hair, so there is something for almost everyone. 

You can pick up this product and other products by them at/on:

• ULTA stores
• Ulta.com
• Amazon.com
• Walgreens.com
• Urbanoutfitters.com

Check out they're website, Facebook, and follow them on Twitter:
http://batistehair.com/
FB: batistedryshampoo
Tweet: @BatisteHair

Cantu Argan Oil Repair Cream Review

I'm a big fan of Cantu Beauty products, mainly the styling products so when I saw Shorty2sweet59 on Youtube review and rave about this product I made a mental note to check for it the next time I was at the beauty supply store. Low and behold my beauty supply had it and it was $5.99. I'm glad I picked this up and it will definitely be in heavy rotation as long as the formulation remains the same. I prefer this Argan Oil leave in conditioning repair cream over the original Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream. 

(Original forumla)

Although the two look similar in packaging don't get them confused these two leave-ins are very different. 

"An Argan Oil infused deep penetrating conditioning treatment that is made with 100% Pure Argan Oil and other natural ingredients to help protect hair from the damages of everyday styling. When used daily Cantu Argan Oil Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream helps promote strong, long healthy hair."( Copied from side of jar)

This is a great product for natural, relaxed, texlaxed, color treated and transitioning curlies. This product doesn't discriminate and is not tested on animals.

 For the price and the ingredients:

• Water, your hair's #1 moisturizer.
• Shea Butter, excellent for locking in moisture without leaving your hair greasy and heavy.
• Glycerin, a great humectant aiding in moisture.
• Argan Oil, is rich in vitamin E and contains omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids that provide nutrition for hair. 
• Panthenol, coveted for moisturizing, thickening, and boosting hair's body quotient.
• Apple Fruit Extract, helps strengthen; hair looks thicker, fuller and improves shine.

I prefer this leave in to the original primarily due to the consistency.

This product is soooo creamy opposed to the Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream which is alot thicker in consistency. I find that the Argan Oil Leave In goes on my hair much smoother and doesn't just sit on my hair and take hours to dry. The Shea Butter Leave In coats my hair with out penetrating and adding moisture to it.

You can find this product at/on:

• Your local beauty supply store
• Target
• CVS
• Walgreens 

If you can't find it at any of the stores listed above check out the store locator on their website:

http://www.cantubeauty.com/

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter:

@Cantubeauty

Mail Goodies!

Now I love free ish just like you do. As of late my mailbox has been full of samples so I figured blogging about it with you guys would be the best way I could express my excitement. So before we get into what I received I should start off by telling you where I go to cop my goodies. When I first decided to get into sampling I wanted to find THEE best sites to achieve maximum results. 

Finding quality samples is hard especially when they're are so many faulty sites on the internet that either ask for too much of your personal information or require you to take too many surveys in turn discouraging you from requesting the sample anyway. So I'm sharing with you my top sites that you can either sign up for and receive notification e-mails for daily freebies, sweepstakes and other great deals or frequently check-in for up to date free offers.

• Juliesfreebies.com
• Pinchme.com
• Influenster.com
• Vonbeau.com 
• Freebieshark.com
• Livebetteramerica.com
• Pillsbury.com
• Marlboro.com
• Recyclebank.com
• Myfreeproductsamples.com

Frequently checking these sites will guarantee you some great free samples, occassional full sized products, coupons and more. Onto some of the goodies I have received via the mail.

 After registering to become a member on Marlboro.com I received a 2.50 oz. of  Weber All Natural Kick'N Chicken Seasoning. This stuff has a kick to it I didn't expect that and I love it!  A little spice never hurt anybody. 

"Kick up the flavor of chicken, turkey, pork chops or even fish! With a balance of heat and flavor, you can even spice up any of your favorite grilled vegetables" (Copied from side of the bottle) The ingredients are as follows:

• Onion
• Sea Salt 
• Garlic
• Spices
• Red Pepper
• Orange Peel
• Sugar
• Red Bell Pepper
• Paprika Extractives
• Natural Flavors
• Gluten Free

I got this sample through Juliesfreebies.com and Facebook. For this I had to head over to Cantu Beauty's Facebook and "Like" their page to receive a free sample of their Coconut Curling Cream. The lovely people over at Cantu were kind enough to attach a a coupon with it. 

 I will definitely be using this when I purchase their cowash to try.

Lastly, through Vonbeau.com I received a free one year subscription to Seventeen Magazine. When signing up for free magazine subscription make sure that it states that you will never receive a bill in the mail. If not you'll find yourself being roped into monthly payments.

If you know of any other free sites or sites that you regularly frequent for freebies, let me know.