Tag Archives: Product Review

Revlon Realistic Wash-n-Go (Black Seed Oil Product Line)

Hey Maicurlies,

Today I am sharing my Wash-n-Go results, using the Revlon Realistic Black Seed Oil Product line.

If you haven’t read my “First Impression” on the Revlon Realistic Product box I was sent through Brown Girl Bloggers, please take a look at it as I delve into each product from the line in details (providing information on scent, texture/consistency and ingredients).

 

Wash-N-Go Process

My Wash-n-Go started with my wash day process where I first used the Strengthen Shampoo:

Photo Credit Revlon Realistic USA

Photo credit Revlon Realistic USA

1. Cleansing Using about 4-5 pumps of the shampoo after damping my hair with water (I wash my hair in sections) I focused on my roots and scalp first in order to remove product buildup, sweat, dirt etc. Using my finger tips I gently massaged my scalp and worked the shampoo. I also used my scalp massage brush to help lift product buildup and sweat from my scalp. I added another 3 pumps of shampoo onto my roots and scalp before working the shampoo on the length of my hair. It smells divine and had a little bit of slip to help detangle (however, I did not necessarily focus on detangling while using the shampoo that came later). I have always had a hate hate relationship with shampoo because from past experience they have ALWAYS left my hair feeling dry and stripped. However, this shampoo did neither! It lathered up a little bit and left my hair feel clean without stripped of natural oils produced by the scalp. It basically left my scalp and hair feeling clean without that typical “squeaky clean” feeling I have experienced in the past. In terms of shampoos, this definitely has been one of the best I have personally used.

Photo Credit Revlon Realistic USA

Photo credit Revlon Realistic USA

2. Conditioning: After shampoo-ing I moved onto their Strengthening Conditioner (Intense Moisture). I struggled getting the conditioner out of the pump because it is really really thick which, is something I had anticipated when I did my initial review of the box (check my previous post).  I ended up removing the pump and just squeezed the conditioner out of the container. I worked the conditioner from ends to roots since the ends of our hair is the oldest and driest parts so I focus on that first. I am very heavy handed with conditioner because this is when I really finger detangle and remove shed hair (using my fingers as a comb – I no longer use a comb while washing my hair). This conditioner melted into my hair, despite being really really thick. I had anticipated that it would sit on my hair but I was proven wrong! It basically dissolved. My curls were left detangled, soft, moisturized and clumped together.  I absolutely loved how hydrated my hair felt after using the conditioner. I was left with a normal amount of shed hair (for me) as I would on any other wash day. I left the conditioner on with a shower cap for 10 minutes (as per their instructions) and then rinsed it out.

Photo Credit Revlon Realistic USA

Photo credit Revlon Realistic USA

3. Moisturizing For the Wash-n-Go process I first moisturized my hair with their Strengthening Butter Creme Leave-in Conditioner. This is the thickest Leave-in Conditioner I have ever applied on my hair! I was actually a little worried that it might just coat my strands because of the thick consistency of the product, especially since I have fine strands. I also wasn’t sure if my curls would be weighed down due to the product just sitting on top of the strands instead of being absorbed but I yet again was proven wrong! My hair literally drank up the Leave-in! It did’t sit on top of my hair, it practically melted into int nor did it leave it feeling greasy in any way. I really put it to the test by applying A LOT of Leave-In. It smells amazing and left my curls moisturized, soft, shiny, hydrated and clumped together. After applying the leave-in is when I go for my wide tooth comb to make sure I have gotten rid of all tangles and shed hair (my comb was free of shed hair at this point).

Photo Credit Revlon Realistic USA

Photo credit Revlon Realistic USA

4. Defining: To define my Wash-n-Go I used the Strengthening Curling Custard. This is another product that is thick in consistency however, it has more of a cream texture compared to the Leave-In. This product helped to enhance my curls, clumped each strand and also left my hair smelling amazing and looking shiny. It didn’t leave it feeling coated nor did I have a “crunchy” after effect on my curls. I was left with fluffy, frizz free, bouncy hair that had body, movement and definition. 

Final Verdict:

Overall, I loved the results of my Wash-n-Go, from cleansing right down to styling. I was impressed with how well my hair absorbed the products without feeling weighed down nor product overloaded. My hair had volume while having little to no frizz (I went to town with my Afro comb because I LOVE lifting my roots to create MORE volume). My curls were defined, soft, shiny and hydrated. 

Initially I did wish that the line included some kind of oil since I am used to applying one after moisturizing my hair however, I think that since both the leave-in and the curling custard include oils such as: sweet almond oil, black cumin seed oil, olive oil, argan oil, coconut oil and even Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter, I think for someone with fine hair such as myself the oils included in the products are sufficient. (I don’t know if those with thicker hair strands (coarser) hair would feel the same). I would have liked to see a Deep Conditioner in the product line because my wash day usually includes deep conditioning on a weekly basis. Maybe that will be added at some point.

Other than that, I enjoyed using the line & look forward to trying the other styling product I received when I do a Bantu Knot-out! 

Let me know if you have ever tried Revlon Realistic Black Seed Oil and what you thought!  

Maicurls

Product Review & Application: DIY Edge Regrow & “Tame” Pomade/Balm

Hello Maicurlies,

Today I am here with a Product Review based on one of my own recipes after being kindly requested to do so. (Thank you for the requests and please do keep them coming!)

Review and Application

So I know a few of you will be wondering how can you “objectively” review a mix you made yourself. Obviously I made, use and shared this recipe because I love it however, that doesn’t mean I can not explain how it works, its limitations (as a DIY product), how it will probably work for others and to do so honestly. I also demonstrate how the mix works on my own edges in my video (below).

So in case you want to take a peek at the “how to” of this DIY you can find the recipe here.

Let’s get down to it shall we.

balm vs pomade

  • Since this is a DIY I always suggest that you do not use your fingers to dip into the product. This recipe does not utilize any anti bacterial ingredients other than Vitamin E Oil and Essential Oil which, are great at extending the shelf-life of products however, they DO NOT eliminate the growth of bacteria/fungus etc.
  • Use a spoon (I like using the back of a spoon) to scoop up a little of the mix at a time. This will prevent you from dipping wet/product covered fingers in the mix.
  • Use a CLEAN and UNUSED toothbrush to apply the mix onto your edges. It will help control how much of the mix you are applying and will also help you “lay down” your edges. (Buy a soft new toothbrush that is used solely for your edges) 
  • Depending on your choice (pomade or balm) you will need to store the mix in your fridge (for the balm) or  a cool and dry place e.g. your cupboard (for the pomade).
  • This is a wax free recipe (because I have fine hair and wax makes my hair feel really “gummy” and sticky).
  • You might notice that if you make this as a pomade it could potentially become a little more running during the hot summer months (this is particularly true for me) due to the lack of wax.
  • The lack of wax in this mix also means there isn’t that “hard hold” you might get from commercial pomades/balms. This recipe is more for “laying your edges” versus giving your a sculpted hold. So if you want that, you will want to add wax e.g. bee’s wax (a search on google will provide you with a list of recipes that includes nearly all the same type of ingredients I use along with wax).
  • The overall shelf-life of this mix will depend on 1. the shelf life o the individual ingredients you use. E.g. if you oils and butters have a 1 year shelf life your mix will be good for 1 year. 2. As long as you are not adding water based ingredients to the mix, not dipping wet/product covered fingers in your product it should last a while. 
  • If you have a thick hairline (high density) then you will probably notice that your hair requires the addition of wax to help “lay” your edges so it might be a trial thing for you! 
  • For my fine haired ladies, a little of this goes a LOOOONG way, trust me a dab of this will do the job!
  • Aside from helping with styling your edges this mix includes a number of nourishing ingredients for the hairline which can actually help moisturize, stimulate hair growth and provide overall goodness for your edges! 

You can see how I “lay my edges” in my explanation video below!

I would love to hear what you think and if you will give it a try and please let me know if there are any videos/posts you would like me to cover, I love hearing from you! 

Thanks

Maicurls

Maicurls

Product Review: Petra Uplifting Sea Salt Scrub

Hey Maicurlies,

Today I have a product review for the skin.

Petra Salt Scrub Product Review

I became aware of this baby while I was out of the country in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). I was approached by a lovely sales lady to do a sample test and I (almost unwillingly) agreed. She took my shopping bags off my arms to help me out, talked to me about the product, explained what it contained and started the product sampling. She first washed my hands, scooped out a tiny bit of the scrub, gently rubbed it into the back of my hands. She let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off, patting my hands dry and asked me “how does your skin feel”? With a big smile on my face I said “soft, smooth & lovely”! And I was hooked!

Petra Uplifting Sea Salt Scrub

                                                              Petra Uplifting Sea Salt Scrub

Now, given as far as I can tell you can only purchase this bad boy from UAE (there might be a chance to purchase online by contacting them on their Facebook page but I can not be sure and therefore can not guarantee this). I just wanted to share in case some of you pass through the area or have friends/family passing through, living there that can pick up a scrub for you if you are interested to try it.

Product Details:

Ingredient List

Size: 17.63 oz – 500grams

Cost: At the time it cost 200 Dirhams but I paid 150 Dirhams after a discount ($54 but I paid $40, In Euros It was €47 but I paid €35 )

Ingredients:

  • Maris Sal (Dead Sea Salt)
  • Prunus Amygdalus (Sweet Almond) Fruit Oil
  • Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Oil
  • Mangifera Indica Extract Actinidia Chinensis (Mango-Kiwi) Extract
  • Halianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
  • Cl 61565 (colour)

Paraben Free and not tested on animals.

Smell: It smells divine! It really does smell so good, fresh, refreshing and with a hint of sweetness. (There was a Coconut and Vanilla option which smelt good as well but I preferred the Mango – Kiwi scrub). 

Feel: The grains of sea salt are really small and finely exfoliate the skin without tearing or feeling coarse.  While you massage the scrub on your skin it feels amazingly relaxing. The oil helps to leave the skin feel smooth after exfoliating without leaving a feeling of greasiness.

Colour: There is colour added to this scrub (Cl 61565) which gives it a bluish/green/aqua blue colour which is very pretty. The Coconut scrub has a slightly different colour, it is pale/Almost white  in comparison to this one. 

Petra Sea Salt Scrub

How To Use:

I was told by the sales lady that the scrub can be used on both your face and body but you need to be extra careful when using it on your face. Avoid getting it near your eyes (the skin under your eyes) and DO NOT get it in your eyes, the salt will burn! If you do get it in your eyes rinse with clean warm water. You want to apply the scrub onto damp skin and gently massage in a circular motion and rinse with warm water. You should only apply this 1 time a week maximum 2 times a week. (My suggestion is to start once a week and then decide if your skin will need an additional session). You might actually feel like your skin doesn’t need a moisturizer after the scrub thanks to it feeling so soft and smooth but you should so you provide extra moisture to your new skin cells. 

Instructions

Benefits of (Dead Sea) Salt Scrubs:

  • Salt scrubs helps to exfoliate the skin of dead skin cells.
  • Stimulates blood flow to the skin which helps to generate the growth of new skin cells, reducing the appearance of wrinkles leaving the  skin looking young & fresh.
  • Dead Sea Salt scrubs are said to be particularly beneficial for those suffering from psoriasis and eczema thanks to the natural minerals.
  • Dead Sea Salt can assist in detoxifying, improving circulation and suppleness of the skin which is said to help reduce the appearance of Cellulitis. 

As I mentioned this product seems to only be available in the United Arab Emirates however if you happen to be in the country (or your family/friends) hopefully you will remember this review and will go for a test in order to decide if you want to buy one for yourself! 

P.S let me know if you like these types of reviews, i do have a few products I buy for my hair/skin which I can review. 

Thanks

Maicurls

Maicurls