I’m a little obsessed with subscription services…..For the past 2 years I’ve been receiving the “glam bag” from Ipsy, and since this is my last bag, I decided to share what I got this month. When I signed up with Ipsy I didn’t know much about the service at all, now they are very popular and most people have to get on a waiting list just to get their first bag. If Ispy or subscription services are new to you, it’s a way for you as the consumer to sample different products at the fraction of the cost. Subscriptions could range from beauty, food, clothes or ever cleaning materials….yes cleaning materials.
http://www.ipsy.com/home
The Ipsy subscription is actually a beauty based service. For only $10 a month you are sent a cute bag with 4-5 sample and/or full size products for you to keep all wrapped in pretty pink packaging. I decided to share this month’s bag with you on my blog because it is my last and I must admit I’m going to miss getting these wonderful products each month. Besides providing you with quality name brand products, they also offer a website with tutorials from well-known bloggers as well as everyday girls like me and you. You can also collect ipsy points and redeem them for additional products each month.
On May 1stI decided to step out of the box and start taking hair vitamins! Yes…from the girl that doesn’t even like to take medicine, but I was sent some products from The Mane Choice from a giveaway I won so I had to see what all the hype was about. I see A LOT of pictures claiming hair growth within weeks of taking the vitamins so I was excited and uncertain at the same time. The products I received were a month’s supply of the Manetabolism Healthy Hair Vitamins, the Carrot and Green Tea Deep Conditioning Mask and the Doesn’t Get Much Butter than This hair butter. All of their products are said to promote healthyhair growth.
The Manetabolism Healthy Hair Vitamins contain 60 capsules that you take twice a day containing biotin and other supplements. They are said to promote longer thicker healthier hair focusing on hair follicles, nail beds, and skin layers. It also boost energy and strengthens the immune system.
The Green Tea and Carrot Deep Conditioning Mask is enriched with biotin, green tea and carrot oil that is supposed to immediately repair damaged hair and restore dry strands. It's also formulated to promote healthy hair growth and fight shedding and breakage.
Doesn’t Get Much Butter Than This is a hair butter that is made to penetrate the hair shaft leaving you hair shiny, soft and full of moisture.
Can you see a difference?
This past month I have been taking my vitamins religiously and using the products as much as I can. Below is my 1 month update where I share my experience so far and a length check!
Even though my supply of vitamins is out I’m going to continue this challenge until August 1st for a total of 3 months. I purchased 2 more bottles and I’m going to continue to use the hair products as well. So far my hair seems to be growing pretty well and after a few months I will check to see if these products actually helped my somewhat damaged hair.
UPDATE:
I decided against a 3 month challenge due to me cutting my hair. Below is an update on my hair and my final review on The Mane Choice vitamins. Enjoy
Are you using The Mane Choice products or hair vitamins? Share your experience below!
Per request I was asked to share my favorite lip colors. I was excited about this video because I love lip products. I wouldn't call myself a "lipstick junkie" but I must say it's one of my favorite beauty items to pick up ( next to hair products of course). I took the time to count all of my lip products, lipsticks, stains and even pencils. The total was a bit shocking...66! I couldn't believe I had so many. I sure don't act like it. No matter what store I go in I have to check out the makeup section. I actually have my eye on a few lip products now lol. Below I share my favorite lip colors from my "little" collection. I hope you all enjoy!!!
If you don't follow me on my youtube channel then you may not know that I get a CurlKit subscription each month. Because of my overwhelmig collection of products I think I'm going to do a gang of product reviews. Many of the products we receive are not even available in stores, so it gives me a chance to let you know about some "hidden treasures".
First up on this list is Oyin Handmade's Boing. I received a 1 ounce sample that I didn't think would last throughout the styling process but to my surprise I had a little left over. I decided to try a coil out style. I've only tried this style once in the past so I wanted to revisit it since my hair is a little longer now.
This product is said to condition and define your curls while eliminating frizz. Some ingredients include sea fruit butter, coconut oil, and Irish Moss which promotes curl definition and elongation. I learned something new!
My coil out didn't quite turn out how I wanted it too but I was able to wear this style for a few days.
Everyone has been raving about the LA Pro Girl HD concealers so I had to jump on the bandwagon and pick them up. I purchased 5 from ikatehouse.com (which I received in less than a week) and I liked the colors so much that I found a beauty supply store that carried them and picked up 6 more! I've only been using these concealers a little over a week but first impression I can tell that they have great coverage, blend very well and do not crease (great for highlighting). I wanted to share the colors I have in contrast to my skin tone.
One of my favorite lazy day/bad hair day protective styles is the goddess twist or halo twist. I really love the goddess braids but I can't braid so I'm hating on that style because I would rock that at least once a week!
I've been loving this style because it's quick, easy and has been protecting my hair during these colder months. If you don't know how to flat twist, I have a tutorial here. I'm not really a hand in head type of girl but I if I pass by a mirror you can pretty much bet I'm going to fluff my hair and this style gives me and my hair a break from constant manipulation.
I'm able to heavily moisturize my hair with worrying about it being weighed down in any way.
I like to add accessories to spice up the style a little.
In 2013 I was on the hunt to revamp my staple products. While I haven't quite found my all time favorites, I have found a few that I love and will continue to use. I may even keep these in my product stash permanently. I didn't buy a ton of products last year but I did sign up for a CurlKit subscription box where I had a chance to try so many different products and brands. I wanted to share a few of my favorites from 2013 with you.
1. Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo
I have to say this product is the reason why I start shampooing my hair more often. The tingling sensation won me over instantly! I use this shampoo when I need to clarify because it can be pretty harsh to the hair, but I make sure to pre poo and follow with a moisturizing conditioner. You can find this product on ground at Target, Walgreens and Whole Foods. (Tea Tree oil is great for reducing dandruff, itchy scalp and buildup!)
2. Luscious Locks Shea Butter Shampoo
When I'm looking for a more gentle cleanse I reach for the Lucious Locks shampoo. The Shea Butter and Argan Oil helped to condition my hair while the product itself throughly cleaned it and I was able to detangle my hair as well (shocker right!) This is also a natural product which is a plus. Available here
3. As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
Who doesn't love the As I Am products. This was the first one I tried and I definitely fell in love. This product is just an all around good co wash that cleanses, provides moisture and slip for detangling. It also has one of my favorite oils, coconut oil, in it! Available online, Walmart, Target and Walgreens
You can't beat a good cheapie! Pantene released a "truly natural" line last year and their co wash was definitely a hit. Its double the product for a fraction of the cost. Besides the price, it is a really good product that leaves your hair clean, moisturized and detangled. I picked mine up from Target but you can also purchase is from Walmart and Walgreens. Review here
5. Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
I like to use this product as a co wash as well. I love it because it literally melts my hair in my hands and makes "finger" detangling a breeze. This is another product containing Tea Tree Oil that has sorta of won over my heart this past year and one of Naptural85's holy grails so it must me a winner! You do have to purchase this at Trader Joe's but it's also available online.
6. Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage Deep Conditioner
If you watched my Alikay Naturals review then you know I LOVE this deep conditioner. Its a fully natural product containing honey, that left my hair soft and defined and sage which helps at preventing hair loss. This is just a really good natural deep conditioner that I feel provides tons of nutrients to your hair. You can check the Alikay Naturals website for a list of retailers.
7. 3 Sisters of Nature Once A Week Nourishing Treatment
Another great deep conditioner that I discovered this year was the 3 Sisters of Nature Once A Week Treatment. This is something I would use on a weekly basis to add any moisture lost and to protect my hair until my next deep condition treatment . After using this product my hair was defined, shiny and left with a protective coating. 3 Sisters of Nature compares their products to Miss Jessie's products but for a more affordable rate. You can find most of their products at Walmart or on their website
8. Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Creamy Hair Lotion
This was the first full size product I received in my very first CurlKit. This was also one of my top favorites the year. Cantu is a brand that a lot of naturals gravitate to, so it only made since that they came out with a line catered to natural hair. Available at most drugstores, this hair lotion works great as a leave-in but I especially love it to remoisturize my hair at night.
I received this product just a few weeks ago in my December CurlKit and I had to include it in my favorites because I loved everything about it. I've been using it almost every night as my moisturizer before sealing. This product also gives me great definition and it's also 100% natural. It isn't available online so I'm not sure if this was a new product that they were testing but I'll be sure to come back with a link when I find one.
10.Bel Nouvo CoCo Castor Pudding
CurlKit introduced this brand to me and I must say I was not disappointed. This styler left my hair vey defined, soft and bouncy and kept my curls in place during the humid months. The somewhat watery consistency made applying this product very. It's also 100% natural. Available here
11. WonderCurl Butter than Love Pudding
Another new brand from my CurlKit that didn't disappoint. This pudding also provided amazing definition and left my curls soft and in tact throughout the humidity. It has a nice thick consistency which I loved as well. Available here Review here
12. Curls Goddess Curls
Curls Goddess Curls has been my go to product to achieve my lazy wash day wash n go's. I was surprised that this product gave me great results because my type 4 curls need all the hold they can get. I smooth the gel through medium size sections of my hair and two strand twist them to allow my hair to dry over night. Even though I use this for wash and go's my fellow Type 4 girls know we don't ever truly wash and go…I'll have a tutorial up soon on how I get a great style with this product. I purchased this from Sally Beauty Supply but you can also find it at Target.
13. Eco Custard Argan Oil
This is another CurlKit product that I ended up loving. I find that this custard works best on dry hair. Either to refresh my hair mid day or to set my hair (twist, braids, etc) at night to achieve a soft defined style. I think I saw this at a local beauty supple store which is a plus.
14. Lets Jam Custard
Some may use this product for twist outs, but I love it to lay down my edges for buns and puffs. It's a great alternate to using a gel all the time. I find that gel can be very drying and causes flakes and the Let's Jam Custard leaves my hair moisturized while keeping it in place. I purchased this product from Walgreens.
15. Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Mousse
Even though I just got this product in December, I had to add it to the list. I used this to achieve my holiday hair perm rod set. My hair was soft , bouncy and shiny. This is a very affordable mousse and can be found at Sally, Walmart and where ever the Beautiful Textures products are sold. Check out my tutorial here
16. Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade
FIrst I must ask…What is a pomade?? I'm still trying to figure this one out (lol) but I use this product on the ends of my twist to help condition them. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair and usually incurs damage first. If you use pomades be sure to share your experience below. I got a sample of this product but you can find it anywhere Oyin Handmade is sold. We have a great natural hair store in Baton Rouge that sells tons of my favorite brands including Oyin.
17. Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste
I was happy to find this product at Walmart and I use this control paste to lay down my edges while wearing protective styles. The formula is a lot easier to work with versus other edge controls out there. It held my hairs into place without leaving them hard and flaky and also added a bit of shine. Also available at Target and Sally Beauty Supply.
What were some of your favorite products for 2013?
2013 for me was the year of Change. I've grown physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and there is no turning back. I'm not big on resolutions and I never even set any but this year my "forever New Years resolution" will be to always strive to be better than what I currently am, leave the past in the past, continue to trust in God and live very close to him and get rid of all negativity. In a nutshell these are the things I've learned in 2013. I've had many ups and downs but one thing I can say is that 2013 taught me a lot and I'm slowly (but surely) finding my purpose in life and becoming the woman that one day I will be proud of. I'm definitely ready for 2014!
