Product Review: Avanti Silicon Mix Bamboo Leave in

Everyone who knows me and my staple products knows I've been a faithful Giovanni Direct leave in user for 2yrs now since I found a bottle in Miami at Ulta. 

But I recently had to move and put things into storage except my essentials: shoes, clothes, toiletries, oh yea... and food. I also had a chest full of my basic hair needs, appliances and products. I specifically said I'd be taking it with me, but my movers didn't listen so it ended up going into storage. In that chest... Yes, my direct leave in. 

So off I went to find a replacement bottle (which I knew would be a problem), and of course no one had it in store. I started to pick up a bottle of mixed chicks leave in, it almost made it home too, until I read a few reviews while in store. It doesn't do well with blow drying, I read, so nope... Didn't wanna chance it because I blow my hair dry more often than not. 

So off I go to find another alternative and I see three versions of Avanti silicon mix. I know they use this product in the Dominican salons, and I've heard so people raving about it. Now I was hesitant because I've had my hair on a very low to no cones diet, so this silicon mix seems to be detrimental to my hair's new healthy lifestyle. I read the ingredients list and some reviews while walking around the store picking up other needed items. There are no more comes than are in mixed chicks or any other typical leave in, plus the good reviews out weighed the bad... So I chose the one with bamboo extract and to the check out counter I headed. 

Hard to believe, I didn't use it right away, I waited a few days. So this wash day I only co-washed (I needed a deeper wash but 1) I was in a hurry, and 2) I'm waiting on the product I really wanna wash with to be delivered). So I co-washed and detangled using Shea moisture African black soap balancing conditioner, air dried a bit, and applied Avanti silicon mix w/ bamboo. My first impression is: 

• TEXTURE is thick and creamy (for those of us with drier, thirstier curls) but not so heavy it'll weigh your hair down. 

• SCENT is a little perfume-y but in a good way, it's a warm amberish scent... It's not overpowering or overbearing. It leaves the hair smelling clean once the hair is blowdried. 

• GOING ON it went on impressively, it had a good amount of slip for some detangling before blowdrying. I also felt the bamboo strengthening my hair, it didn't feel fragile or weak. And my hair felt pretty protected before applying blow dryer heat to my hair. 

• RESULTS left my hair incredibly soft and manageable. It was moisturized and didn't leave my hair feeling like it needed any added moisture. Two days later...my hair still feels soft and moisturized. 

So far, so good. I will post an updated review when I use my new products and flatiron my hair. Can't wait!!!

Product Review: ALTER EGO NEQUAL ENERGIZING INTENSIVE LOTION for Hair loss

I've been using this energizing scalp treatment (for hair loss) occasionally for two years now with great results. Although I haven't experienced hair loss, I started using this to thicken my hair and encourage growth when and where I felt it was slow. I use this when I wear a sew in weave on wash days to give my scalp an extra boost and relieve that insatiable itch that I can't get to under the braids, net, and tracks. I also use this when I'm weave free, on days my scalp gets really itchy. This acts as an astringent/ clarifier. It works by clearing and unclogging the pores, increases circulation and strengthens the hair.

I would recommend this product for anyone experiencing excessive breakage, shedding, or dry/itchy scalp. It really works. You may experience some redness of the scalp due to the minty tingle, but don't be alarmed, that just means its working and only lasts maybe 5 mins.

What it promises: neQual INTENSIVE ENERGIZING HAIR LOTION Stimulating lotion useful in helping to prevent hair loss. Formulated with Capilectine, which contains a "growth factor" that helps to stimulate hair bulb activity. The extract of capsicum helps reactivate and restore energy to the micro-circulation. The synergic action of the Soya and Wheat proteins restore vitality and shine to the hair and rebalance dry and delicate scalps. Maintenance treatment recommended for hair loss due to physiological and/or pathological causes. USE: after cleansing with Shampoo Active Therapy, apply to the scalp and gently massage. Do not rinse off.

What's in it: Aqua (Water), Denatured Alcohol, Hydrolized Soy Protein, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Hydrolized Corallina Officinalis Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methyl Nicotinate, Limonene, Linanool, Methylparaben, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Propylparaben, Citronellol, Simethicone, Citral, C.I. 19140 (FD&C YELLOW 5), C.I. 42090 (FD&C Blue I)