The Best Detangling Experience of My LIFE!!!

Today, I had the best detangling experience of my life! It was better than after a hot oil treatment, better than after using Joico products, even better than after using my beloved Aussie Moist Conditioner. Ladies, let me tell you, today I fell in love! Here's what happened:

I've been wearing my wig for the last 2 weeks now, and my real hair LOVES the break! Every other day, I co-wash with Aussie Moist, detangle with my shower comb under the shower stream, towel blot, spray on a leave in (either Nioxin Thermal Bliss, or Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructor), rough blow dry (on warm and then on cold), apply ORS Olive Oil Moisturizer, and french braid my hair. I have experienced very little breakage, and minimal shedding. This wig has been a great alternative for me.

So, today I decided to do a little experiment, I wanted to add a little protein to my regimen today, but I didn't want to use my Joico products just to co-wash with. So I began digging through my stash. Turns out, ever since I discovered that my hair can't handle a lot of protein, I have been giving my protein conditioners away. Besides my Joico K-Pak products, I didn't have anything else. Or so I thought. There, in the back of my cabinet, I saw a jar of Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner. I immediately remembered why I tucked towards the back of the shelf. When I used this product in the past, it left my hair hard, stiff, and smelling like rotten coconuts!! At the same time I also remembered that it contained protein, so I decided to use it to co-wash. I really didn't have a choice.

Now comes the RAVE part.........I rinsed my hair in the shower, and liberally applied the Cantu. I massaged it in, and continued with my shower routine. After no more than 10 minutes I rinsed it out while using my shower comb to detangle. THE COMB SLID RIGHT THROUGH!!!!! Ya’ll I am 7+ months post relaxer, my new growth is NO JOKE!! This detangling session lasted about 1 minute! Seriously! From roots to tips took.......less than a minute!! I was, and still am, a little stunned!

I followed up the Cantu with my Aussie Moist, for added moisture. After about 5 minutes I rinsed it out with cool water. Now that my hair is dry, it is soft, moisturized, and strong. Cantu Leave-In and Aussie Moist are now a staple combo for me! They work so well together (for me).

So ladies, if you're like me, and tried the Cantu Leave-In only to have been disappointed, try it as a co-washing conditioner, just remember to follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner since it does have protein in it. I hope your results are as great as mine! Let me know what you think and how it goes.

Be Fabulous,
-Southern Bella

Product Review- Pantene Pro-V Style Texturize! Texture & Shine Defining Pomade

Hey Bella’s!

First things first, thank you to everyone that has subscribed to my little blog. I really enjoy logging on and seeing that I have a new member. And to the non-subscribers, thanks to you too for being interested enough to visit my page at all. :)

Now.....on to the review!!

Lately I've been searching for a new product to help smooth my edges back. I had been using Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner, and sometimes Elasta QP Mango Butter, but I HATE the way both of these products smell, so I've been on a mission to find a product with a soft, non-waxy hold, that didn't offend me with its scent. Last week at Wal-Mart I found this pomade by Pantene. I opened it and took a whiff, a light baby powdery scent, nothing too heavy. Into my shopping cart it went. And that brings me to the topic at hand; I bring you the product review for Pantene Pro-V Style Texturize! Texture & Shine Defining Pomade.

Your Frequently Asked Questions:

*How Much Was It?      $3.99 for 1.7oz @Wal-Mart.

*Girl, What's In It?      "Water, Ceteareth-25, BIS Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate 2, PEG 7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Propylene Glycol, PEG 8 Methicone, PEG 7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PVP, Polysorbate 20, Panthenol, Glyceryl Sterate, PEG 100 Stearate, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben."

*What does it Claim to do?      "Pantene TEXTURIZE! Texture & Shine Defining Pomade is a water-based pomade designed to define hair for chunky and tousled hairstyles. Most effective when applied to dry hair where you create texture with your fingertips. Hair is left shiny and soft to the touch."

*Where Can I Find It?      Walmart, Target, and most drugstores. Basically you'll have to look for this product. I bought it at Wal-Mart, and I've noticed it at Rite Aid and Ulta.

*Directions from the Container:      "Apply to dry hair. Rub a pea-sized amount on fingertips until spread thin. For definition, start at roots, using fingertips until spread thing. or definition, start at roots, using fingertips, pull or twist product through to the ends of selected pieces of hair. se more as needed." BTW- I DON'T use this product this way. LOL

*My Personal Review:

This review is pretty straight forward, before I cross wrapped my hair for bed I put a dab of this pomade on my edges and brushed them back with my boar bristle brush. I then wrapped a satin scarf around my head and I put on a satin cap. (I sleep wild so the cap is for added protection, and if all else fails I also sleep on a satin pillowcase too. LOL)

The next morning my edges were straight, flat, soft, and shiny. I could comb through them if I wanted to, they were just that soft. No waxy build up, and crazy mango shea butter smell, no hard dull hair. Yep, this is some good stuff. Even though the ingredients don't contain the most hair friendly elements, its still water based, and that's all I really care about. It also smooth’s my edges back without me having to let it "set" overnight with a scarf. I could totally use this in the morning and get the same results. I haven't tried using it while doing a bun or a ponytail yet, but I am assuming that the results would be equally satisfying. I really like this pomade, now my only wish is that Pantene doesn't do something crazy like change the formula or discontinue it. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I think I may buy 4-5 jars just to be on the safe side. :)

*My Final Thoughts:

This pomade is my new staple for the following reasons:

* The price is right! 4 Bucks ain't bad!
*It's easily available. I get so sick of driving all over the world for my products.
*The smell! No more smelling like a fruit salad!
*The consistency and texture.....it's thick and creamy! It distributes very easily.
*No waxy buildup!
*It's water-based! No flakes or dryness.

So....if you're transitioning like me, or maybe you're just stretching your relaxer and you need a product to help smooth those edges down, try Pantene Pro-V Style Texturize! Texture & Shine Defining Pomade, it really does the trick for me!

Thanks for Reading,

Southern Bella