Sof N Free Gro Healthy - Review

I washed my hair with Organix Tea Tree and Mint Hydrating shampoo and conditioned with LUSH Coolauin and Suave Almond & Shea butter conditioners. The shampoo left my hair almost squeaky clean but the conditioners corrected that. I started with the:
Really Deep Conditioning Treatment ($1.99). I sectioned my hair into fourths and applied the entire pouch as directed. I made 4 large two strand twists and covered with a plastic cap, satin cap and towel. (I don't own a hair dryer.) This product contains menthol and you can FEEL it. I found the sensation pleasant to slightly over stimulating. Those with sensitive scalps may not like this feeling. I left it on for 30 minutes and then rinsed. It left my hair soft and moisturized. Overall it lives up to its claims just beware the menthol.


Next I applied the Leave -In Treatment ($5.99) to wet hair as directed. It provided NO slip. It wasn't drying but didn't feel like it added moisture. It claims to soften for easy combing but not in my case. I detangled in the shower, I conditioned in large twists and returned to large twists after rinsing. When I added the Leave-In Treatment and began brushing with my Denman, I felt no real added slip. This spray does contain lots of glycerin for those whose hair like glycerin, mine doesn't. I don't think it lived up to it claim.

Finally I began twisting with the Strengthening Creme ($5.99). It is smooth, creamy, lightly fruit scented. This product contains mineral oil. I used it as I usually use Lil Better Butter. My hair felt like it had external moisture but not internal moisture. After two sections of twisting, I was spraying Leave-In treatment to rewet to no avail so I applied the:

Daily Growth Lotion. ($5.99) The lotion has a fresh fruity light scent and a lotion-like consistency. My hair felt moisturized and used with the Strengthening Creme my twists looked and felt moisturized. Hindsight being 20/20, I would recommend using the Growth Lotion before the Strengthening Creme. Combined, I think the last two products deliver on their respective claims to reduce breakage and moisturize.

I haven't used the Three Layer Growth Oil yet.

I think these products are worth a try. They are reasonably priced and pretty widely available. They are not the best I've used but they have potential depending on you and your hair. I'd suggest trying samples for yourself.

Natural Hair Nazi's

If you follow my twitter, you know what inspired sharing this video.

How do you use Lil Better Butter?

I am asked religiously the best way to use our product. I don't want to lie so, I tell the ways I use it. I know you creative ladies are using it in other ways. Please comment with one or more ways that you use Lil Better Butter.

**Coming soon- Pics of Lil Better Butter hair results**
Send pictures to KnapsGirl.com@gmail.com

Raven Symone - natural under the weave

Raven openly admits that she wore weave to get more work, but never wore it in her personal life. She told Curly Nikki that she appeared at casting with her curls and was told by managers not to because she was not recognized.

LUSH moisturizer - R&B

Look for a review soon of LUSH's new moisturizer R&B.

From the LUSH site:

Three of our UK shop managers came up with this one to moisturize their wayward follicles. It works well with African American or curly hair because it conditions with a lot of moisture.

Enjoy some smooth R&B stylings. The tropical butters and candelilla wax will help to moisturize and control frizzy, flyaway hair, but this works to soothe dry scalps, too, with calming oat milk. And once you smell the orange blossom, your hair will truly get its groove back.

At first glance and touch this product seems promising, it has a strong Jasmine scent. We'll see how it fares. :)

Design Essentials Naturals

I was honored to speak with Cyntelia Abrams Marketing Coordinator-Design Essentials Naturals.

Design Essentials is a family owned company founded by the McBride family of Decatur, Georgia in 1990. Ms. Abrams has worked for the company for five years and while she is in marketing she often tests unreleased products on her own natural hair. She told me she felt a smaller family owned company allowed her to learn all aspects of the business.

The Design Essentials Naturals was launched at the twentieth anniversary celebration of Design Essentials following lengthy development. The Design Essentials Naturals line includes: Natural Curls Cleansing Cream (Sulfate Free Shampoo), Natural Moisturizing Conditioner, Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion,Natural Curl Stretching Cream and Natural Defining Creme Gel.

When asked about the ingredients used in Design Essentials Naturals I was told that D.E.N. balances using quality ingredients with what is most effective for their customers. "At Design Essentials we are pro healthy hair, not anti-ingredients." That being said all the products are silicone free, paraben free, paraffin free, petrolatum free, sulfate free and mineral oil free.

I received samples of the Curls Cleanser Sulfate Free Shampoo and Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Jojoba Oil. I plan to review them in the near future.

The Design Essentials Naturals line is available in salons and online here.

Sof N Free Gro Healthy

It was my distinct pleasure to interview, be serenaded by and receive a hand massage from Will Williams, Director of Education-M&M products.

Mr. Williams spoke enthusiastically about the light molecular weight of the SofN'Free Gro Healthy products. He demonstrated their ability to quickly absorb by massaging it into the hand of myself and Amber of Expressive Beauty.

When I asked if the GroHealthy line was a "bandwagon" item from M&M products for naturals. He endorsed the quality of the products saying the SofnFree is and was well known for their relaxer and "curl" products but that GroHealthy, "is not your grandma's Sofn'Free."

The SofnFree Grow Healthy line includes:Daily Growth Lotion, Strengthening Creme, Leave-In Treatment, Three Layer Growth Oil & Really Deep Conditioning Treatment and two relaxers Regular and Super (not shown @ Fro Fashion Week).

According to the charming spokesperson all the GroHealthy products are formulated with 3 different molecular weights so that they can penetrate the hair at every level. They include milk protein, olive oil and a non-fish based omega-3 oil. The products are ionically charged to aid in the repair of excessive hair porosity.

I will review the entire line in the future, possibly only because Will Williams is so entertaining. :)













Will Williams singing, "Thin Line Between Nappy and Straight".

Fro Fashion Week

My speech was a success! I performed a Product Intervention on product junkies. The ladies were enthusiastic, open and full of relevant questions. The night ended with a mixer to help all the new "curlfriends" get acquainted.

Saturday featured workshops on styling, corporate hair, skin care, transitioning Q&A and a live big chop.

I'm still here as I type so look for a follow-up with the rest of the event.

Comments on straight hair

I find many of peoples comment on my straightened hair frustrating.

• I like your hair better like that. (Did I ask you?)
• Oh, It's so long!! ( I am not a big length admirer.)
• Did you relax it? ( If you ever spoken to me this is a dumb question.)
• Touching it without my permission. ( Bad manners when straight or kinkily curled.)

I was pleased to have someone at my job tell me, "I like it better natural.", my response: "Me too!!"

I'm content with my hair, wearing it straight is a style choice, I don't look for outside affirmation.

I won a Tangle Teezer!!!

I guess this answers my question about if I need a Tangle Teezer. I won the brush from Derby City Naturals, a networking group for Louisville, KY naturals. I'm excited to try this product and get it my favorite way free!!!!



Thanks Cherilyn.

Too funny had to share- Naturals vs. Relaxed

A hilarious video by Ms. VCharles

Tangle Teezer, do I need one?

From the Tangle Teezer website:
The Hair Science Behind Tangle TeezerTangle Teezer is the first of a new generation of detangling hairbrushes! Upon picking up Tangle Teezer you will notice the teeth aren’t like that of an ordinary brush which is where the hair genius comes in. The unique configuration of specifically designed teeth flex just the right amount to detangle and help smooth the hair’s cuticle which in turn protects the inner cortex from damage.

Using the Tangle Teezer will ensure your hair will appear more lustrous by minimizing cuticle damage which in turn will help colour last and reduce the risk of fading. The hair shaft is also better prepared for the onslaught of damaging heat from styling tools. That’s why we like to call it first aid for hair.

I've read numerous reviews, blog entries and YouTube videos. The consensus is that the Tangle Tamer is great. A lady who describes herself as a"lazy hair enthusiast" says this on Long Haircare Forum:

"I used to use fingers, then wide tooth comb, then denman to detangle my wet hair under running water, with conditioner on- mind you.

Now I just use the Teezer by itself, starting at the bottom and after 4-5 runs through, each section is tangle free. No wide tooth comb, no finger combing, no nothing. I even tried it on detangling dry hair and it worked."

She sounds like my kind of lady, honest about the amount of effort she puts in. My hair is getting to be quite a handful, any help detangling would be a boon.
So what do you think? Do I need the next big thing?

Monica's back and she wants to be on Naturally Curly.com