Body Shop Macadamia Straightening Balm

My new best friend is the Body Shop's Macademia Straightening Balm. Now hold your horses I know what you are thinking. First of all there is no miracle wonder potion that will make your hair straight and this... is definitely not it. However I will say this is definitely a product for you transitioners.

The Speil:
This lightweight, humidity-resistant balm relaxes wavy and curly hair and reduces frizz.

Ingredients:
aqua (water) (solvent/diluent), cetyl alcohol (emulsifier), cyclopentasiloxane (skin-conditioning agent/emollient), propylene glycol (humectant), glyceryl stearate (emulsifier), peg-100 stearate (surfactant), phenoxyethanol (preservative), tocopheryl acetate (antioxidant), cetyl esters (emollient), dimethicone (skin conditioning agent), octyl methoxycinnamate (sunscreen), sodium polyacrylate (film former/viscosity increasing agent), hydrogenated polydecene (skin conditioning agent), hydrolysed wheat protein pg-propyl silanetriol (hair & skin conditioning agent), macadamia ternifolia (macadamia nut oil) (emollient), orbignya oleifera (babassu oil) (emollient), hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolysed maize starch (hair conditioning agent), parfum (fragrance), methylparaben (preservative), cetrimonium chloride (hair conditioner), butylparaben (preservative), ethylparaben (preservative), ppg-5 laureth-5 (skin conditioning agent), laureth-4 (emulsifier/surfactant), isobutylparaben (preservative), propylparaben (preservative), laureth-23 (emulsifier), benzyl benzoate (solvent), limonene (fragrance ingredient), linalool (fragrance ingredient), geraniol (fragrance ingredient), anisyl alcohol (fragrance ingredient), benzyl salicylate (fragrance ingredient), benzyl alcohol (preservative), citral (fragrance ingredient), citronellol (fragrance ingredient).

Price: £7 at the Body Shop

My 2pence:
I bought this a couple of weeks ago when the BodyShop had a one day sale that I spotted through VocherCodes.co.uk. I had never bought hair product from the Body Shop before but I love hearing about new products, so I decided to check it out. The ingredients list is dizzying but nothing out of the ordinary and the BodyShop pride themselves on an all natural image.
So I applied after washing and just before I was about to blow dry on my semi wet, air dried hair. Once the blow dryer (on a cool setting) had done its job, I applied some more as a leave in as it smelled so good and was a nice creamy consistency. Totally loved it... smoothed down all the fly aways and my now 10 weeks post relaxer roots were calm and tangle free. I dont blow dry my roots or scalp so I was surprised at how easy it was to put my hands through my curls. So I kept using this as a leave in and as a heat protectant  and I really love the way it makes my hair feel. Both the straight ends and the curly roots are so soft now and even without blowdrying this cream is a great moisturiser. A little does go a long way so I didnt have to use loads, I am sure this will last me a while. 

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity 
Leilu

Excellent Oils for Winter

Hopefully you are all enjoying the festive season or at least enjoying the time off work! 
Accompanying this festive season is always the inevitable cold snap. So I thought I would give you a run down and description of some oils that can help maintain and moisturise your hair in the cold and dry months

Some Excellent Oils for Dry Environments:

  • Jojoba OilAnother of my favourite sealers. Due to the tight coil pattern of our type of hair we produce very little sebum (the scalp's natural oil) resulting in the dryness and breakage which is very common. It is easily absorbed by the hair and scalp and provides excellent lubrication and smoothing. Natural Contents: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E (RICH IN), Myristic Acid, Plant Wax (mimics skins collagen).
  • Avocado Oil - has regenerative and moisturising properties. Natural Contents: Vitamin A, B1, B2, D, and E, Rich in protein, linoleic acid, minerals.
  • Coconut OilOh the heavenly smell. This oil is another moisture sealer leaving hair feeling soft and supple. Natural Contents: vitamins A, B and E as well as phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium.  
  • Mint Oil - ph balancing and soothing properties help with the itching many of us with dry scalp experience. Pairs well with carrier oils such as almond, castor or olive oil. Stimulates your hair follicles and promotes hair growth. More@Ehow

Some Excellent Oils for Cold Environment 

  • Macademia Nut Oil - A natural emollient, because of its similarity to sebum, it infuses into the hair and scalp and is absorbed very quickly. An excellnet protectant from chemical and heat damage and gives natural UV protection. My favorite blow dry cream at the momnet is the Body Shop Macademia Straightening Balm, great smell and leave my hair feeling silky and smooth even after blow drying. Natural Contents: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, proteins and minerals
  • Safflower Oil - Softens and retain natural moisture. Natural Contents: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, B6, Vitamin E, Rich in linoleic acid and minerals.
  • Castor OilCastor oil helps to seal in moisture.It is a humectant ie. attracts moisture to the hair. It also makes hair softer, promotes growth at the scalp and causes hair to become thicker with regular use. You already know that I am partial to the castor oil of the 'Jamaican Black' (JBCO) variety and I cannot recommend this enough.
  • Sweet Almond Oil - This oil is good for dry and dull hair. Lubicating but not penetrating Contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, and essential fatty acids.
  • Neem Oilnatural antibacterial and soothing properties. Excellent for use on fungal infections. Natural Contents: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Rich in protein, linoleic acid, minerals.
  • Apricot Kernel The high content of Oleic acid gives Apricot greater affinity with the skin compared to some other oils which means that it is more easily absorbed. Natural Contents: Vitamin A Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B6, B17 and Vitamin E.
  • Argan Oil -  has some anti-ageing properties, due to high levels of Vitamin E and saponins (which soften the skin), these are well documented. It cools and soothes inflammation. Its ant-oxidant properties contribute to the neutralization of free radicals, particularly useful in the polluted Western hemisphere. Natural Contents: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, proteins and minerals
Products with these oils are excellent for the winter months or I like to use some of these oils on their own as a prepoo or mixed with my deep conditioner.
Did I leave any out?


Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity 
Leilu