Makeup By Kim Porter

Hair Care

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture: Whipping my Hair into Health

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Remember that time when I broke the news about the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture hair product line? Well, now I am back after putting some of the products into action. I had the opportunity to test out products from both the Curl Enhancing Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Collection, and the Smoothing Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Collection.

 Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oil Pure Clarifying Shampoo with ACV

 I started off my hair wash day using the Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oil Pure Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar($26). Both JBCO and ACV are staples in my hair care routine, especially as a natural hair girl who is working on growing longer, stronger, and healthier hair.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil is dark, raw oil that is rich in Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E. I’ve used the oil alone on my scalp, as a hot oil treatment and on my hairline to help regrow the areas where hair was lost or thinning. Apple Cider Vinegar also has great hair health benefits like balancing the pH levels of the hair and scalp, which can create the perfect environment for hair growth, and it aids in shinier and healthier hair by helping to seal the hair cuticles. If you have dry and itchy scalp, both ingredients are perfect treatments.

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Shampoo

I liked seeing the two ingredients combined into this sulfate-free shampoo that created a thick and creamy lather when applied to wet hair. It successfully removed any build-up of product form both my daughter’s and my hair. Fellow natural hair girls know how much product can build-up within a week or two, and the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oil Pure Clarifying Shampoo with ACV does an excellent job of removing the buildup without stripping the hair. Both of our hair was left soft manageable, and tangle-free.

I don’t always blow-dry our hair, but I did get a chance to use the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Silkening Blow Out Crème ($26). The crème has the consistency of lotion, but without the oily or greasy feel. It has a light candy-like scent that quickly dissipates once applied to the hair. I like that it doubles as a heat protectant for those times when I want to wear my hair straight after blow-drying. Plus, the special time-release ingredients aid in extending the life of my straightened hair.

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Blow Out Creme

After either of our hair is styled, using the pump dispenser, I’d place a few drops of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Brassica Seed Oil ($26) into the palms of my hands and work through for added shine, and to help lay down fly-aways. The oil isn’t thick, and doesn’t weigh down our hair. I do find that it works and smells best on freshly washed hair.

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Brassica Seed oil

I thought I had an HG edge control gel until I used the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oil Edge Control and Shape Paste ($26). This Jamaican Black Castor Oil & Murumuru Edge Control has my edges LAIDT, hunny! I’m not even kidding. Even if my hair isn’t pressed, it gets my edges slick and without the stickiness or buildup. Oh, and there’s no white residue. It’s definitely a product I would repurchase.

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oil Edge Control

So far, I’m loving the products I have from both of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture lines. I can’t wait to check out the others. Although it’s too early to tell how well each product is working in helping my hair growth, I’ll continue using them and just wait and see.

The Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oil Collection is meant for those with coily or curly hair, while the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Brassica Seed Oil is made for those who heat style their hair. Both collections, along with the other two collections: Coconut and Moringa Oils Collection, and Dream Come True Collection are currently available at your local Sephora or Sephora.com. Prices range between $24-32.

Have you tried any of the products from any of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture hair product lines? What are your thoughts?

 

 

Launching Soon: Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture at Sephora

Launching Soon: Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture at Sephora

Black History Month is the perfect time to talk about the woman responsible for where hair care for black women is today – Madam C.J. Walker. She launched and sold her first hair care product in 1905, Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, a scalp conditioning and healing formula. She’s also responsible for making the hot comb popular (not inventing it) when she began to use it with her hair products as part of a hair care regimen that she practiced. Ms. Walker is also known as one of the first African American millionaires due to her entrepreneurial efforts. As you can see why it’s important for me to introduce you to the historic launch of Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture , which will be available exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com on March 4, 2016.

Madam C.J. Walker was the first person to devise and scale a business model that addressed the hair care and beauty needs of women of color, while also challenging the myopic ideals of the beauty industry at that time.

-Richelieu Dennis, CEO of Sundial Brands.

 

Madam CJ walker Beauty Culture

The Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture line will feature four collections: Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Collection (Smoothing/Style-Extending), Coconut & Moringa Oils Collection (Frizz Fighting/Humidity-Blocking) and Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Collection (Curl-Defining/Moisture-Sealing) – and one treatment collection – Dream Come True Collection (Scalp & Strand Nourishing).

Each collection features two first-to-market product formulas: Dual Encapsulation Oil Technology (reparative and style-enhancing), and Natural Silicone Alternative (Brassica Seed Oil). Dual Encapsulation Oil Technology are described as tiny microspheres infuse hair with targeted, time-released nutrients to rapidly boost conditioning benefits, delivering nourishment where the hair needs it most. The Natural Silicone Alternative, Brassica Seed Oil is touted as an excellent antioxidant that results in a natural shine, smoothness and silky softness without the potential for buildup.

Products offered in the Madam C.J Walker Beauty Culture collection include:

1. Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Collection

Pure Clarifying Shampoo w/ ACV

Ultra-Moisturizing Conditioner

Ultra-Moisturizing Co-Wash

Ultra-Moisturizing Detangler

Defining Butter Crème

Twist, Lock & Seal Lotion

Loosen & Stretch Gel

Edge Control & Shape Paste

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

2. Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Collection

Silkening Shampoo

Silkening Conditioner

Silkening Leave-in

Silkening Blow Out Crème

Shine & Hold Spray

Brassica Seed Oil

3. Coconut & Moringa Oils Collection

Curl Shampoo

Curl Conditioner

Curl Defining Milk

Curl Refresher Mist

Humidity Block Curl Gel

Flyaway Curl Control Serum

Coconut Oil

4. Dream Come True Collection

Wonderful Pre-Wash Protein Treatment

Wonderful Scalp Exfoliator

Wonderful Deep Conditioning Masque

What’s even more refreshing about the launch of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture hair care line is that it is owned by the black-owned and family operated Sundial Brands. Their ability to see the importance of launching a luxury hair care line based off of a woman who, as a pioneer in the beauty industry, and built a culture of beauty rooted in personal and economic empowerment, education and entrepreneurship, excites and inspires me.

As much as I wish the line were released during Black History Month, I still can’t wait to try out Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture, especially the products from the Jamaican Black Castor Oil & Murumuru Oils Collection, Brassica Seed and Shea Oils Collection, and the Dream Come True Collection.

For more information, on the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture line visit:  | Instagram | | Facebook

What do you think of this release of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture line? Will you make a purchase?

 

John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray Review

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I have been wearing my hair natural (relaxer-free) for nearly three years. There are times when I like wearing my hair straight, which I achieve through the use of a flat iron. However, one of the things with which I would struggle is my hair turning into a poof ball within 30-minutes after straightening my natural hair. Alas, I’ve found a solution: John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray.

John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat-Iron Spray

 

John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ description:

“Revolutionary heat-activated formula wraps each strand to seal in longer-lasting straightness without weighing hair down. Protects against heat damage and blocks frizz.”

For the last few months, I’ve been routinely using the John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray on my damp hair after washing. The fact that I’ve been using it for this long says a lot, especially since I’ve tried several anti-reversion hair products that haven’t worked, so my expectations for this product were low.

John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat-Iron Spray directions

The John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray is easy to use.

  1. Part your hair in four (4) sections
  2. Spray damp hair
  3. Place hair in two-strand twists
  4. Sit under hooded dryer or air dry
  5. Blow dry straight and/or
  6. Flat Iron

The John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray, unlike other flat iron sprays I’ve used, doesn’t weigh down my hair or leave it feeling sticky. It also has a nice, clean fragrance that isn’t overwhelming. My hair is softer and easier to manage when blow drying, and even shinier and more after flat ironing.

I’ve found that after using it, my hair, unless it gets soaked, stays straight for longer than three days. In fact, my last run with the John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray had my hair impressively straight for a little over a week! Even on days where the humidity is through the roof, my hair doesn’t frizz.

I love using the John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray whenever I need to flat iron my hair. I feel secure knowing that my hair is protected from the heat while it’s getting straightened. If you’re looking for a heat-protecting flat ironing spray that delivers on frizz control for three days or more, I suggest picking up a bottle of the John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray.

The John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray retails for $8.97 at Walmart.

 

Have you tried the John Frieda 3-Day Straight™ Flat Iron Spray? If so, did you like it?

Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Flat Iron for Silky Smooth Hair

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One of the best parts of having my hair natural (free of relaxer) is being able to have versatility in my hair styling. I can wear braids, weaves, or even wear it kinky or straight. The times I do want to wear it straight, I flat iron it, but lately, my current flat iron hasn’t been doing its job; therefore, I’ve been on the hunt for a good flat iron: one that gets my natural hair silky smooth, bouncy and shiny in a short amount of time. Fortunately, Irresistible Me, which is known for their hair extensions, was courteous enough to provide their Diamond Professional Flat Iron for review.

Irresistible Me says this about the Diamond Professional Flat Iron

The Diamond Professional Flat Iron is our next-generation, digital, SMART styling iron featuring unique DIAMOND Hi-Tech, which coats the floating ceramic plates with crushed diamond particles mixed with tourmaline.  

The diamond and tourmaline technology will protect your hair and keep all the natural hair oils, color and moisture in, leaving your hair healthy, shiny and frizz free. The styling will last longer against air humidity and everyday stress.

Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Flat Iron Before and After collage

To be honest, when I first opened the Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Flat Iron, it wasn’t love at first sight. The flat iron is so light, I thought it was flimsy and wouldn’t function well, but then I turned it on. This baby heated up quickly after pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds, and adjusting the temperature for my hair type (350 degrees for thick or coarse hair).

Normally, with other flat irons I’ve used, I’ve had to run the iron through my hair at least twice to get my preferred texture, but with this one I do not have to. Flat ironing my hair using the Diamond Professional Flat iron using the comb-chase method makes my hair shiny and frizz-free just as it claims. My hair stays straight longer than a week even with humidity present.

Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Flat Iron

I love that the Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Flat Iron has an adjustable temperature that displays digitally on the iron. And to make it even better, a small strip on the body of the iron lights up to show its increasing temperature.

Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Display

In short, the Irresistible Me Diamond Professional Flat Iron is a fast-working hair tool that’s easy to use that not only straightens your hair, but also makes it all smooth, soft and shiny, and bouncy. If you’re in the market for a new flat iron, I suggest picking up one, as they’re currently 20% off on the Irresistible Me website with the code GET20OFF. It generally retails for $149.