You tried a new product last night. You purchased if after reading the rave reviews and you were stoked to give it a go. Today, you were less than thrilled with the results.
Will you give it another chance? How many?
What do you do with products that just don’t work?
CN Responds:
If the product has received crazy good reviews, I’ll go out on the web and search the forums for how folks are using it, and give it at least another try. Products I can’t use are given away on the site, handed off to natural friends and family, and sometimes, used as body moisturizers, lol.
I have spent so much money on products and given away and bought again to see what I like! I bought a whole BIG livin' tub of Cantu Shea Butter…will not do that again! Something about Creams, my hair does not like! Especially having my TWA! I will revisit when I obtain more length.
Oh I like Grease! Worked from Birth-15…..and I had super long hair and it still works now! I bought Royal Crown, Dax Cocokui (very lightweight). Maybe I should just use a Water, a Leave in, and Grease! Challenge!
Uncle Funky's Daughter Curly Magic gave my 4B hair the look of a 1983 Michal Jackson in the yellow sweater poster look. On top of that after 3 weeks of usage my hair was dried out. The same thing occured when I gave it a shot several months later. I am glad that I gave it a try as a finisher on top of my Mix Chix leave in conditioner, Curls Whipped Cream and Milkshake. Now I have the cutest spirals that spring from the tips of my fluffy afro! It was worth a second shot!
I will try the product at least two times, once one wet hair and then on dry hair. When it is inevitable that the product is not for me, I just pass it along to one of my friends. What doesn't work for one make work miracles for the next person.
Before trying a new product, I make sure to clarify to get a better idea how my hair behaves with the product when I use it. If the results aren't to my liking, i.e. not enough moisture or hold, then I'll add some other stuff (usually water, oil or gel) as long as they play well with the new product I'm trying to get a feel for. If my hair still doesn't like it, it'll stay on the shelf until I find some other way for it to be used. Usually my mom or sister will grab the unwanted products.
unless its absolutely dreadful the 1st time, i'll try it atleast 2 more times…and make sure i clarify b4 i try it again for fair comparisons…usually if i dont like something i'll mix it with other products or oils just to use it up b/c i paid for it.
I usually give a product 1-2 strikes (esp. if its a combo is affecting it). After a lot of trial and error, and lost dollars, I would rather try a sample/travel size just to be safe.
I like to keep it simple so I don't try too much stuff.
mixed chicks did not really work for me either.
My biggest disappointment has been Giovanni shampoo and the protein deep conditioner as well as the regular conditioner. The shampoo totally stripped my hair and the conditioner was full of yucky silicones. It was a huge waste of money and my hair looked awful. I tried it twice and now it will probably go straight into the trash. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Oyin Berry Juice – way too sticky. Had to add water to it and put it in another bottle since whatever is in it (berry remnants or whatever) kept clogging up the sprayer!
Carol's Daughter hair Milk – the smell is a bit overwhelming but good enough to get rid of cigarette smells if you're out at a bar. Good thing it was just the small bottle I bought.
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla leave-in conditioner – overwhelming smell and sticky as well. Again, just good to get rid of cigarette smells. It's all gone (dumped the other half down the drain)
Chances are if I buy it, it will get used. I'll modify, mix something, etc. But Mixed Chicks didn't work no matter what I tried. I still had a sticky jeri curl like the dude in Coming to America.
two times and it's out the door! usually to my mom's house 🙂
I dont purchase anything that can not be returned. I refuse to waste money on hair products. I haven't purchased a new product in a while, but typically give a product one or two tries (basically wet or dry hair). If it doesn't do what I intended/needed it to do, it gets returned. For instance, if I purchased a moisturizer and it didn't moisturize but left my curls well defined, it is still going to be returned.
If I purchase a product that is less than desirable after it's use, I will probably lose it somehow, LOL. I usually read forums and how to's on the product before purchasing it. If it doesn't work, it is usually given to my mother or brothers if they will use it(last resort). Outside of that I am usually disgusted that I wasted my money in the first place, and can't really be accountable for what happens to the darn thing. For the most part, it is rare for a product not to work for me, not since the beginning of my hair care journey.
-Kathy
I only gave Eco Styler and veggie glycerin one try. They made my hair feel horrible so I had to run away. I tried Suave Conconut Conditioner for a bit and then had to get rid of it (not enough slip or moisture). I also tried the Suave Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner. They were ok but I've moved on to bigger and better things. I gave the aformentioned products away to friends and/or family. I'll be giving my Nature's Gate Conditioner (no use for it) and my "Denman" (to harsh on my coils) to my little sister soon.
I gave shea butter a lot of tries. I was using too much at first and mixing it with too many oils–I only mix it with AVG and honey now. Onec, I figured it out, I fell in love.
Ok So I'm transitioning,Im about 7 months in woo hoo!But some days I want to cry..Anyway..I have always loved doing my hair so I am a product junky. I have pretty fine hair,NOT too sure about my curl pattern yet,only the back of my head is totally natural ,due to the fact that I had a shaved hairstyle ;-/.
Here are my views:
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Restorative Trauma Masque
-I cannot put Raw Shea on my bare skin,I'm allergic but this proves to be nice.It's not product-y and I refuse to give up on it.It's not soapy or gooey it does leave your hair feeling soft.I have had it for a month and use it just about every wash.
Suave Almond and Shea Butter Shamppo& Conditioner
-I bought it from Target.com for 1.64 each …
um…used it once it's not all of that…They must've paid someone for the reviews I have been seeing on sites ..V05 does the same thing I'll keep at it tho.
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Shampoo
-I love love love this.I can feel the difference while rinsing my hair out and even after it's towel dried
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
-I didn't realize how dry my hair could get until I did twist outs and by DAY 2 my hair would feel like I should be rubbing it against a pot..But I used it as a moisturizer for my twist out AND to moisturize my hair before a wash and Im in love.It's greasy at first but after a few hours it's fine.
I'm a bit wordy but I'm always looking for new products that WORK so I appreciate reviews.I like to learn from others mistakes.
Ke
I don't have a set timeframe. It depends on the type of product and my results.
First I try a product by itself following the directions exactly and using it as intended. If I have a allergic reation or if it damages my hair I won't use it again.
If I get results that can be fixed by mixing or adding another product then i'll try it again with variations (dry hair or scalp, hard hair, oily, residue, etc.)I will only continue to use a product that I have to mix if it gives me steller results. I HATE having to use 3 other products to get 1 to work.
If that doesn't work I will try to find another way to use it. Conditioners will be used for washing, no hold styling products for moisturizers, sulfate shampoos for hand soap, etc.
If I still can't get it to work I'll shelve it or give it to my sister depending on if it has potential or not.
Ummm, yeeaahh, I'm gonna need all of y'all to go to the forum, click on product swap and get to listin'. Lol
MissCurly,
I will most definitely take those BeeMine products of your hands!
email: adetude2007@yahoo.com
I'll give it to a relaxed/natural family member. what deoesn't work for me may work magic for someone else.
I'll try a product over and over in different ways.
I'll try less or more.
I'll try on wet then dry hair.
I'll try as a sealant or a styler.
I'll try mixing it with something else.
I paid for it, I can't just waist money.
www.KinkyCurlyCoilyMe.com
I'll try at least two times, I believe after the 1st try and fail, you should account for
1)perhaps user error- too much, too little, and what did you combine with the product
2)the condition of your hair – I have poo-poo'd a product and later found that when my hair was healthier, the product gave me stellar results – such is true when it comes to judging the slip of a product.
I usually will try it 2 or three times before throwing in the towel and giving it away to a friend.
Disappointing products I tried to like:
1.Kinky Curly Knot Today and Kinky Curly Custard- leaves white balls in my hair if I use them with ANYTHING else. Horrible.
2. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk and all the other milky/creamy products in that line. They smell weird.
3. Miss Jessie's products- very producty and ingredients arent the best.
Jury is still out on Shea moisture coconut and hibiscus hair smoothie. It seems to dry my hair out after the first day. Ive tried it once, but am going to give it another whirl for my curl. lol
The Shea moisture hairspray seems to leave my hair feeling a bit sticky and producty. I love their Frankicense and Myrrh body cream with shea butter though. I use it on my hair. It smells very good!
My problem is allergenic. Unfortunately, if I try something once and it gives me an allergic itch reaction, I won't try it again because that feeling is too uncomfortable and lasts several days. I learned from experience that if it makes me itch once, it'll do it twice. I tried to analyze product ingredients; but can't figure out the culprit ingredient. Needless to say, I have many only-used-one-time products in my closet that I wasted money on. I stick to the few products that I've use without reaction.
I used the Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie and it leaves a white residue in my hair. So disappointed because it smells good and it is cheap. I am going to try Curls Gel les Sey next.
This is why I try to experiment with things that I know I can get rid of easily (trade) or return. Anything that I get stuck with usually becomes a foot moisturizer lol
There needs to be a natural hair trading site or something. I have been thinking about this for a while. lol. The pj inside of me has tried so many products, and when they don't work(i give them two tries) I just put them on the shelf. I would rather trade with someone else instead of being wasteful.
I am there. I am newly transitioning (14 weeks) and on the cusp of becoming a PJ. First I tried the Taliah Waajid mist bodifier and scalp oil. Read great reviews on line. Did nothing for me in the way of moisture. Tried it for one week straight. I now use the bodifier on my son's hair occasionally. Second in line has been the Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie and the mist/spray. I was looking for moisture. Again read great reviews. Loved the smell of the smoothie, but alas, did nothing for my hair again. Now I am stuck with these pretty sizeable products. Since I am just transitioning I am thinking that my hair texture will change over time and I may revisit them.
CD hair Milk is definitely in this category. I read so many great reviews about it, but it made my hair feel like a Brillo pad. I gave it up and then tried the light version when it came out…it did the same thing. I have a whole bottle sitting under the sink.
It depends on the what type of product it is. If it is a styling product I will try it once or twice. Shampoos and conditioner I will three times. I give the loser to friends, family, shelters and sometimes I swap them on CN.com
I try a product consistantly at least for a week thinking maybe my hair just needs to adjust to it. After a week that's it. Because I paid for it I will keep it around just in case I come up with another way to try it.
I am giving up on Curls. Cleanser and conditioner are good but not great for me to order or pay the high price. Whipped Cream has great hold and is so light but sucks all the moisture out of my hair. I tried it for 2 weeks with many variations but it just doesn't work for me.
This post fits me right now. I bought some of the Bee Mine products after all the rave reviews. I've just come to the conclusion that they just dont work for my hair. I bought the avocado cream conditioner which is not bad but the deja's hair milk makes my hair hard and dry. I've tried it on wet and dry hair- both = a hot mess.
I dont know what to do with it. Anyone want it????? lol
Kinky Curly Curling Custard was sticky and nasty in my hair. Maybe because it was a nightly retwist on dry hair.. but my hair did not like it one bit.
I may try it again with a wet twist out, but gel like stuff…idk about. Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue works great for me.
Darcys Botanicals Deep Conditioning Mask – Gave it two tries and just decided to quit it before it did some damage. Horrid smell and no slip. Is there anything from this line that is great for type 4s? I've tried a lot of her stuff and it now just sits on a shelf in the bathroom collecting dust.
I don't give products away because if I didn't like it, I can't recommend it to someone else.
this is right on time; I experienced this today with Kinky Curly Knot Today. I found it in my local Target Sunday and despite I am suppose to getting my product addiction under control I brought it. I tried it last night and my hair is 1 big sticky mess..my curls are stringy and frizzy ugh. I heard such great things about the product I don't know if it was the way I applied it or just not a good match. Not sure if I will try it again, any advice would be appreciated, I am not sure of my hair type; I was told I was a 3c with some 3b…I have not a clue
i usually give stuff 2 tries. if it doesn't work in the manner that i would normally use a product, it wouldn't really fit in my routine anyways.
i have a whole foods bad full of stuff to give away.
I'll try a product at least 3 times. After that and it's still a no-go, it's a moisturizer for my skin or I'll just give it away for someone else to try. The Shea Moisture Smoothie turned out to be very drying for my hair. I have come to the conclusion that my hair does not like Shea butter. Only oils and/or water-based products.
I tried DevaCare One 3 or 4 times and it's just horrible on my hair. Now I'm stuck with this big a$$ bottle!
I'll give something 2-3 tries, then OUUUUT! I don't really like the cholesterol that i've tried for my hair that everyone was raving about. products end up collecting dust under my sink until i give it to one of my cousins or something
Vonnie
http://www.socialitedreams.com/
These days I might give it one more try after the first try, but then that is it.
I have tried many products from Miss Jessie's line – won't try again they all give me the same bad results and stink to high heaven – not to mention the mineral/petroleum oil in the products
On the other hand when I first tried Curls it was a no go, but the pleasant smell alone gave me an incentive to try and try again. Im glad I did not give up on Curls!
I've tried SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie after doing my research and checking on the reviews. Least to say, I did not like it. I did hear that it was not good for curl enhancing, but was a good moisturizer. Neither worked for me, curl or moisturzing. After using it, my hair looked dry and I became a human puff ball. I will not give this product another try. I do use it to smooth my baby hair. It works like a gel to me. I should of known because it did feel like glue when I rubbed it into my hands.