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- Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner

Hello All!!

This is a product review for the infamous Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner. I bought this conditioner because of all of the great reviews it's gotten on different hair care boards that I frequent. So while I was at Ulta last week I decided to add this to my basket and try it out. All I can say is WOW!!!! I have really been sleeping on this conditioner!!!

Here are some of your Frequently Asked Questions:

*How much was it and where did you get it? I bought this conditioner at Ulta (for some reason they don't sell it in their online store) for $14 for a 10.1 oz container.

*What sizes does it come in? Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner comes in 2 different sizes, the 10.1 oz for $14 and the Liter size for $30.

*Girl, what's in it? Purified Water, Hexadecanol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol (Emollient), Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Isopropylparaben, Benzophenone-4, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Fragrance, FD&C Yellow No.5, FD&C Yellow No.6, FD&C Red No.40, FD&C Blue No.1.

*What does it claim to do? "Improves elasticity and manageability in dry, damaged hair. Wheat proteins moisturize naturally curly and coarse hair. Readily detangles and imparts shine"

*Where can I find it? Kenra products can be found in salons, as well as Ulta, JC Penny salons, and Trade Secret (among other places.)

*What are the directions? "After shampooing, work small amount of product throughout the hair. Leave product on hair for one minute. Rinse with warm water.Additional Uses: Add maximum moisture by applying Moisturizing Conditioner, covering hair with plastic cap and sit under warm dryer for 10-15 minutes."

*My Personal Review:

For full disclosure, my hair is a mixture of 3f-4a, I have been transitioning out of my relaxer since March of 2009, and I am about an inch away from bra strap length. Since I only bought the Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner and not the shampoo, I shampooed my hair once with Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo. Next, I towel blotted my hair and applied Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner to my hair in sections, I only used a small amount of conditioner in each section. Next, I covered my hair with a plastic cap, and sat under a hooded dryer (set to medium) for 20 minutes. I rinsed the conditioner out with cool water while detangling with my Jillbere Shower Comb, the tangles just slipped right through the comb, I lost nearly no hair at all. Even with my hair being wet, I could feel how moisturized my hair was. I squeezed about 2 streams of the conditioner into a spray bottle, added some water and shook the bottle. I used this as my leave-in conditioner. My hair dried soft, with a sheen, and it felt moisturized and healthy. Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner has a slight coconut smell that fades when the hair dries, and the conditioner itself is very thick with a yellowish color and is very easy to apply. Also it should be noted that this conditioner has Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein as a major ingredient, however I found that without a doubt this conditioner works like a moisturizing conditioner and not a protein based conditioner.

Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner is definitely a KEEPER!!!

*My Final Thoughts

The more I use this conditioner, the more I love it! Anything that can get the 2 different textures of my hair to be moisturized and soft, is worth the $$!! I'll be adding the complete Kenra Moisturizing line to my "MUST BUY list", I'll buy the whole line when Ulta or Trade Secret has a sell. Ha!

-SouthernBella