Yes, I admit it. I have a problem. I have accumulated a lot of products over the years, especially the last year since discovering CurlyNikki.com. This exercise in photo documenting and itemizing everything in my shower, under two sinks, on top of one sink, in the freezer, fridge and kitchen cabinets really brought that home. But, I KNOW that I’m not the only one. So, I’m thinking “What’s in Your Cabinets?” might become a regular feature where everyone can showcase their habit and give us the rundown of their acquisitions;-). What do you guys think? Look, I’ll even go first with …
Part I of Shelli’s PJ Stash:
1. HE Color Me Happy shampoo (this is old, like 2008 old). It’s what I used when I had a few tracks in the back of my hair for length (this was after cutting my hair from BSL+ to ear length and growing it back to about CBL). It was recommended for the human hair I purchased in NY. There’s barely anything left in it.
2. Neutrogena T-Gel shampoo. This is even older than the HE shampoo. Like, really, really old. Haven’t used it in half a decade, at least. But still won’t throw it out. Shoot, might use it as a clarifier.
3. Curls Creamy Curl shampoo. This was about $8 (I think) at Harmon’s. This is the version they sell in Target, not the salon version. I’m not a fan. It causes my hair to tangle and seems drying. Tried it again this past Saturday with the same results.
4. Ion Curl Enhancing shampoo. This was about $5 or $6 from Sally’s. It contains SLS, so I dilute it with water in that bottle behind 8 when I want to remove excess oils/butters/styling products. Although this has SLS, it does not strip my hair. It lathers IMMENSELY, but the lather is moisturizing somehow. My hair does not tangle with this.
5. DevaCurl No Poo shampoo. I think this size bottle is $18. I prefer the DevaCareNo Poo (HG) for color-treated hair, but Ulta was out of it. I’ve tried a lot of shampoos now and Deva is still my favorite and the best on my hair, so it’s one of my holy grail (HG) products.
6. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention shampoo. Got this at the Walgreen’s BOGO sale. Believe all SM products are around $9-$10. Haven’t tried this one yet.
7. Dr. Miracles Temple and Nape Balm. Think this was $7 or so. Got it at Sally’s, I think. Don’t really remember. Got it a few years ago (maybe 3). Can you tell? I’ve used it quite a bit in the last year. Don’t know that I’ve noticed any results with it. Got it for my fine-haired nape!
8. Curls Dream Curls Clarifying shampoo. This is the salon version that I ordered from CurlMart using a GC I won from CN.com. It’s not cheap and the bottle was little. Again, not really impressed, especially given the cost.
9. DevaCare One Conditioner (HG). Been using this for at least 6-7 years. It’s slippery and moisturizing and I’ve used it as a daily, deep and leave-in conditioner. It’s hydrates my hair and makes detangling easy for me. This is, like, the 32 oz. bottle. I think it’s about $28. However, I always buy Deva at Ulta when I have either a 20% off or $3.50 off coupon.
10. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration conditioner (staple). This is the big bottle. Think it’s about $5-$6 at Walmart/Harmon’s/Target (anywhere;). I use this to co-wash sometimes and it is a necessity for my henna rinsing. Time to restock as this is my last bottle and the plan is to henna this weekend while the SO is away.
11. Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship conditioner. This size is about $3. This is a more recent acquisition and I’ve yet to try it. Little concerned about the dimethicone, but not overly.
12. Aussie Moist conditioner. Again, about $3-$4. I mix this with distilled water to do a conditioning rinse over my DC before rinsing all of the conditioner out of my hair (this is a Ouidad technique I picked up from my sister and think it really makes a difference in the feel of my hair. For me, the key was the Ouidad conditioning technique, not the product – see 14).
13. Herbal Essences Hydralicious conditioner. I picked this up last year after Nikki was raving about it as a leave-in for her TnC. That’s when I was in my full on JUNKIE mode, picking up something (or sometwo, somethree) every week!! I used it once, I think. Decided to leave it alone because of the cones.
14. Ouidad Deep Treatment. This joker normally costs $50, but I got 20% or 25% off on a sale a couple of years ago. Yup, spent about $40 on a DC. I was NOT impressed with it in the slightest. Definitely overpriced as it relates to my hair. I’ll use it eventually by adding honey and oils to it. Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie is less than half the price and worked far, FAR better for me. Again though, the instructions on how to usethe treatment have become my standard DC technique. Definitely noticed a difference in my DC results when I started following the “15 minute cool down and applying a conditioning rinse before rinsing DC” steps with CD Tui Hair Smoothie.
15. My essential oil mix (staple) (rosemary, cedarwood, thyme and lavendar EO in jojoba and grapeseed oil) in a repurposed eye dropper bottle=). Can’t give you a price for this because I don’t remember the price of each item in the mixture. The carrier oils aren’t that much, but the EOs can get pricey and hard to find. I ordered a couple online and found the thyme at a natural food store in my area.
16. Oyin Honey Hemp conditioner. I think this was about $16, but don’t remember. Oyin’s creator/owner is my SOs cousin!! Both Jamyla and her husband PIerre are Black nerds too!! It’s awesome. Oh yeah, the conditioner. It was decent. A lot of people LOVE it. But, again, it was just okay on my hair and did not replace my DevaCare One. One reason for that is because Deva is easily accessible to me via a brick and mortar store.
17. Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Curl Moisturizing Conditioner. This is $12 for 8 oz. I have two. This smells AMAZING (and I don’t consider myself a fan of pumpkin/pumpkin pie). It’s also very thick and moisturizing. I only use it as a DC as I find it economical for that. It works very well for me, with no additions or warming. I’ve read reviews complaining about the pump, but it doesn’t present a problem for me. Maybe that is because I’m not trying to use it to co-wash.
18. Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac conditioner. Picked this up at Target on sale after reading a lot of rave reviews about it on CN.com. This is the big 32 oz. (or so) size bottle and, I think, it was about $16 on sale. It was okay. Again, didn’t knock DevaCare One out of it’s HG status/position.
19. JessiCurl Weekly Deep Treatment x2 (now x3). This used to be $12, but went up to $16.95 last Fall!!! Let’s just say that I was not pleased. I started getting this instead of CD’s Tui Hair Smoothie as it was significantly cheaper (CD’s THS is $20 for 8 oz.). I really love using this as a DC with a little added honey, JBCO and olive oil and coconut oil slightly heated. I had that CurlMart GC, so I bought a couple even though the price had increased. Then I got a freebie in the GOC giveaway=). So, I’m stocked up on DCs for a while (especially given that there is a MyHoneyChild Olive You DC in my other cabinet, which I haven’t revealed to ya’ll as of yet;).
20. Carol’s Daughter Kizzi “Stay Put” Hair Pomade for $9.50. Picked this up from Sephora last year based on a friend’s recommendation. It did not make my hair/edges “stay put.” But, it’s good for sheen and sealing, I think.
21. Shea Moisture Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque. Got this in the Walgreen’s BOGO sale too. It’s $9.99 regularly. I was pleasantly surprised by this DC, as I mentioned in a prior post. I didn’t expect it to work well for my hair as my hair doesn’t seem to be a fan of Shea Butter. However, I used it alone (no added oils or honey) and it appears to really moisturize my hair. It doesn’t go on smoothly like some of my other DCs. It has a thicker/coarser consistency. But, once rinsed, my hair is shiny and moisturized. 6/1 UPDATE: Used this as my DC after henna this past weekend. This is NOT good for a post-henna DC as it does not provide any slip and hair needs lots of slip to help with detangling after a henna tx.
22. Wonder Curl Get Slick Hair Smoothie tester. Price: Free;)!!! Well, the tester was free; the smoothie is $7 for 4 oz. on WonderCurl.com. Used this as a leave-in before using WonderCurl’s Butter Than Love. I was testing the product for her but had been using DevaCare One or the Kimmaytube recipe as my leave-ins. Wonder wanted me to try her BTL with her leave-in. It worked well. Got a good set out of it, which I’m pretty sure I posted on this blog somewhere in the past.
23. Vatika oil x3. I think this is about $3.99 (too lazy to go look at the bottle). As you see, I must like this as I have 3 bottles of it! I actually haven’t used it recently as I’ve been using my JBCO to seal and item 34 for pre-poos as of late.
24. Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In conditioner (staple). $12 for 12 oz. (right T-Kia? *lol*). I use this for the Kimmaytube leave-in and it works great. I tried DevaCare One in the recipe a couple of times, but the KCKT worked better.
25. Giovanni Direct Leave-In conditioner. Think this was $8-$9 at Ulta. Read rave reviews about using this in the Kimmaytube recipe instead of KCKT. Cheaper option. I’ve only used it in the recipe once so far, but found it comparable to KCKT. So, it’s definitely an option.
26. Giovanni Leave-In Hair Treatment spray. This was an impulse buy at Ulta when I was getting the GD Leave-In conditioner. I think it was around the same price ($8-$9). I’ve used this a couple of times to “refresh” hair. Not enough to really judge, but didn’t see that it did anything more than Infusium 23 or the Sally’s GVP equivalent for Infusium. So, don’t see myself purchasing this one again.
27. Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade. I think this was $12, but don’t remember. You can find the price on CurlMart. This smells delicious. But, it has a grainy texture that I worry might shred my fine hairs when I apply it. I don’t use it that often, but it smells wonderful (note, I love sweet smells=)! It has castor oil, which my hair loves. But, I just use Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO) straight out of the bottle for sealing.
28. Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter (HG). I think this is $18. This is one of my HG products. I haven’t been using it a lot lately because I’ve been experimenting with all these other products! But, it’s a product to which I always return and I attribute a portion of my hair growth and retention to the use of this product, mixed with gel, for WnGs. It’s moisturizing without being greasy or heavy.
29. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Again, purchased during the Walgreen’s BOGO sale and it’s about $10. This product didn’t work well for me solo. However, mixed with something that provides hold (#32 or #36), it works well. It’ll work in a pinch, but will not be replacing my CD’s HHB.
30. Shea Moisture Hold and Shine Moisture Mist, $10. I’ve been using this a lot. It’s moisturizing, but think it’s a little too oily for my hair to use regularly. It’s good when my hair starts looking/feeling dry and needs a refresh. However, that doesn’t seem to occur too often anymore as I only go a week between wash, DC, moisturize and seal sessions. So again, not likely to be a repurchase.
31. 100% Raw African Shea Butter. Actually, I just picked this up from a Harlem street vendor and I use it for my face!! So, this doesn’t count as a hair product as I don’t like shea butter on my hair. It just sits there and, I think, it even makes my hair look “ashy!” *lol* Again, use JBCO to seal.
32. Eco Styler Olive Oil gel (staple). Ladies, I got this massive tub on sale for, like, $3 at Sally’s! At the time, I was like, “What am I going to do with all of this gel?!?!” But, gotta tell you, I really like this stuff. It works great for mixing with moisturizing products to provide hold on sets or my edges. Because it’s heavy and not wet, it doesn’t make my edges revert as long as I tie them down with a satin scarf while it dries. Eco is definitely a repurchase when it runs out in another year or two;-).
33. DevaCare Set It Free at approx. $17. I think I got this half-price on a buy one get one 50% off sale at Ulta. I remember balking at the full price and think I waited to try it until the sale. This was another Curly Nikki inspired purchase. She uses it on her ends before rolling for TnCs. It has a thick, milky consistency, but is thin enough to spray. I really like this as it is very moisturizing. I’ll definitely repurchase, but with a coupon or when on sale!!
34. Dabur Vatika Hair Fall Control Styling Cream x2, $5.99. See my review in prior posts. Long story short, me likey. That’s why I have 2=).
35. Oyin Shine & Define, $11 for 4 oz. This is another product that I mix with something moisturizing or apply after something moisturizing. Again, it provides a light, flexible hold. I find that #36 provides more shine. However, this is natural whereas 36 is not. I hadn’t used this in a while, but broke it out for a set a few weeks back.
36. Murray’s Loc-Lock gel, approx. $3.99. I use this for two strand twists when I plan to wear them for several days/weeks. It is not thick or waxy and does not get hard or flake. It provides a light, flexible hold. Stores that sell it are not easily accessible to me, so I won’t go out of my way to repurchase. However, if I see it or happen to be where I can purchase it, I probably will once this one runs out. It’s not an item I would “back stock” though.
37. Wonder Curl Get Set Jelly sampler/tester. I’ve only used a little of this once on the WnG I posted a couple of weeks ago. Don’t think I can review it yet as haven’t used it enough.
38. Wonder Curl Butter Than Love tester, Free;)! $12 for 4 oz/$20 for 8 oz. Okay ladies, this stuff has given me BEAUTIFUL and consistent TnCs. I use Kimmaytube leave-in, then apply this, twist, roll, dry and then release with a little JBCO. LOVE the consistent results I’ve gotten with this product. Pretty much I’ve used it on almost every wash day since the beginning of this challenge. So, almost all of my hair pics on this blog are styled using BTL.
If you read all of this, I am über impressed!! Hope something in it was useful!
What’s in your stash?
OMG you can hold your own hair expo…lol 🙂
I was a product before going natural and still going strong.
Charitysgirl, this was just Part I of my stash … here is the link to Part II:
http://hairscapades.com/2011/07/14/pj-stash-part-ii/
And this was back in July … there's no telling what else I've accumulated since then … but accumulate I have.
However, I will say this, I'm like DTurner in that it's just fun for me. I mean, don't get me wrong, a "bigger and better" find is always in the back of my mind. But, like Darlene, I have about 10 products that are my core products (they are in these two lists). I don't really need anything else … I just like products! I like going into the stores, looking at the pretty colors and clever packaging, smelling, touching, experimenting.
That being said, I agree with what EbonyRose said about your statement being very profound. I recently did a post on my blog about Navigating the Natural Hair Highways because there is so much info out there and it can be overwhelming. But, at the end, I tried to explain that we have to accept our hair for what it is. Although I may long for thick, dense, coily, gravity defying hair … no amount of curl enhancing, thickening shampoo/conditioner/product is going to turn my fine wavy curls into that head of hair. But, I do like to try different things to see what can get me a little closer to the dream;)!! And, at the end of the day, I really love and enjoy my hair:).
Okay, now let me go back and read these lists!!! My inner PJ is being masochistic;)!!
Shelli
I just took nine photos of the nine different places I stash my stuff. On average (but most likely below actuality) if I had ten products in each space I'd have at least 90 products, which really is on the conservative side. So no way am I making a list. Suffice it to say I have a mixture of herbs for homemade concoctions (oils and sprays), curl defining products, moisturizers and protein and heat protectants. I don't feel bad because most items I procured on sale. For split ends a good pair of scissors suffice.
charitysgirl wrote
"Amazingly, with each product, I hoped for longer hair, shinier hair, less frizzy hair, curlier hair, hair easier to comb, hair easier to twist, hair easier to lock, healthier hair, healthier scalp, repaired split ends, controlled dandruff, rejuvenated dry hair, detangled hair, reconstructed hair follicles, etc… I know it’s time to surrender to loving the natural texture of the hair God gave me."
Very profound…at some point we have to accept our hair.
I decided to take on the challenge of listing what's under my cabinet to see how I compare to the rest of the "junkies". As I began my list, I recalled the expectations I had for each product. My comfort slowly turned into horror as the list grew longer and longer and more than double the size of list by Shelli. My horror turned into anger and anger into sadness as I realized the cute "obsession" might very well be an addiction.
Here's what is under my cabinet:
1. Mizani Rose H20 Conditioning Hairdress
2. Organic Root Stimulator Shea Butter Lotion
3. Organic Root Stimulator Nature Shine
4. Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel(2)
5. Organic Root Stimulator Coconut Oil
6. Johnson's No More Tangles Spray Detangler
7. Taliah Waajid The Great Detangler
8. Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
9. Curls Lavish Curls Moisturer
10. Curls Curl Creme Brule
11. Roots of Nature Shea Butter Oil Moisturizer
12. Roots of Nature Feather Whipped Curl Cream
13. Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk
14. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
15. CHI Infra Treatment
16. CHI Silk Infusion
17. KerCare Natural Textures Leave-in Conditioner
18. KerCare Natural Textures Twist & Define Cream
19. KerCare Natural Textures Butter Cream
20. KerCare Natural Textures Hair Milk
21. KerCare Natural Textures Cleansing Cream
22. KerCare Natural Textures Defining Custard
23. Ouidad 12 Minute Deep Treatment
24. Ouidad Climate Control Gel
25. Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo
26. Ouidad Balancing Rinse Conditioner
27. Ouidad Botanical Boost Refreshing Spray
28. Kynx i am Pure Mono de Tahiti Oil
29. Kynx i am Free Miracle Kink Cream
30. Kynx i am strong Silky Kinks Conditioner
31. Kynx i am Natural Softening Cream Cleanser
32. Kynx i am Fierce Refreshing Leave-in Conditioner
33. SoftSheen-Carson Sta-Soft-Fro Hair & Scalp Spray
34. Ampro Pro Styl Berry Ice Styling Gel
35. LeKair Hormone Hair Treatment (2)
36. Carol's Daughter Tui Herbal Shampoo
37. Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie
38. Neutrogena Therapeutic T/Gel Shampoo
39. BB Double Strength Super Gro
40. Motions Scuplt & Twist Molding Creme
41. African Pride Magical Gro Oil
42. Fantastix Bees Wax
43. Softee Bees Wax
44. Softee Coconut Oil
45. Murray's Gel Loc-Lock
46. Kemi Oyl Hair Oil
47. Hollywood Beauty Tea Tree Oil
48. Luster's Pink Plus 2-n-1 Scalp Soother & Oil Sheen
49. Soft & Beautiful Oil Moisturizing Lotion
50. Dr. Miracle's Temple & Nape Gro Balm
51. Protectiv Anti-Thinning Temple Thick Stimulant
52. Jamaican Mango & Lime Locking Firm Wax
53. Creme of Nature Herba Rich Scalp Cleanser
54. Better Braids Medicated Shampoo
55. Better Braids Hair & Scalp Oil
56. Africa's Best Olive Oil Twist & Loc Gel
57. Africa's Best Olive Oil Shampoo
58. Giovanni Organic Hair Care Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo
59. Giovanni Organic Hair Care Tea Tree Triple Treat Conditioner
60. SexyHairOrganics Moisture Boost
61. SexyHairOrganics Leave-in Conditioner
62. SexyHairOrganics Styling Creme
63. SilkySexyHair Moisture & Strength
64. WonderGro Shea Butter Mega Moisture
65. Herbal Infusions Carrot Creme
66. Sulfur8 Medicated Anti-dandruff Hair & Scalp Conditioner
67. LeKair Super Gro
68. Ultra Sheen Creme Satin Pres
69. Murray's Cream Bees Wax
70. Parnevu T-Tree Herbal Grow (2)
71. Fernandez Super Gro
72. Something Special Moisture Plus
73. Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding
74. Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme
75. Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue
76. Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment
Amazingly, with each product, I hoped for longer hair, shinier hair, less frizzy hair, curlier hair, hair easier to comb, hair easier to twist, hair easier to lock, healthier hair, healthier scalp, repaired split ends, controlled dandruff, rejuvenated dry hair, detangled hair, reconstructed hair follicles, etc… I know it’s time to surrender to loving the natural texture of the hair God gave me.
My stash looks something like that. I have a Picture in one of the forums here (Lets see your stash). I have an itemized list too. I thought it would be good to keep the list handy since I joined the Finish to Buy Challenge. I will post it when I get home. I always say I'm a prod PJ I love buying and trying new products, I joined the challenge to get rid of a few before they spoiled.
I think I've been in denial. I am definitely pretty close to becoming a hair product "junkie." And reading this list is proof since I read it thinking "what's on the list that I need to try next?"
The real is that there are only a few products that I need
1. Hello Hydrations Conditioner
2. Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner
3. Shea Butter (mix with essential oils)
4. Eco-Styler Gel (preferably Argon, but I use Olive Oil too)
Though I only need these few products and my hair responds well to them, I have tons more products in my cabinets just because I wanted to try them or because I was trying to find my way (I just big chopped over the summer).
This site has been a huge help!
Good morning!! I am def a PJ and proud of it.. I like to try new stuff and I only purchase when its on sale for a good price, free shipping…etc. My list consists of Oyin burnt sugar pomade, hair dew, shea moisture curl enhancing smoothiie, moist retention poo, purification masque, deep tx masque, hair milk, hold n shine mist, ecostyler olive oil tub, argan oil tub, garnier sleek and shine (3), bentonite clay, aloe vera gel, aloe vera juice, grapeseed, jojoba, evoo, evco, vatika, rosemary, castor, jbco,orange, lavender, sweet almond, rosewater, aloe vera oil, vit e , herbal oil, kiss my face gel (2) donna marie super buttercreme, dream curling creme, mirarcurl jelly, KCKT,KCCC, mixed silk dc, vo5 moisture milk, HE totally twisted, IC fantasia gel,lusti organics mayo (8), lusti organics gel, acv, pure raw honey (2), shea butter (4) Better locs gels,moisturizer, herbal tx, butters n bars original conditioning hair masque, jane carter sample kit,oyin handmade whipped pudding, renpure deep reconstructor, royal crown grease, cantu leave in…lol and I still have a wish list!!
Hair Extra is exactly as the name says, it is an excellent solution for the hair problem as Hair thinning, fuller hair, Hair loss, Hair loss conceal, Thicker hair. adding more hair to your head naturally and effortlessly, it is a superlative hair loss products. A perfect Solution For Balding .
I've downsized now that my hair seems to have settled on what it likes. It's thriving just as well as it did when I was using more and more expensive product. Everything in my cabinet except the Oyin Hair Dew is under $6.
– Aussie Moist conditioner
– HE Hello Hydration conditioner
– Trader Joe's Nourish Spa shampoo (no SLS)
– Oyin Handmade Hair Dew (LOVE this)**
– EVOO
– EcoStyler Olive Oil gel (LOVE this)**
I don't know what ingredient in EcoStyler makes it so awesome, but it is the only, ONLY gel that smooths my edges down.
And #33 grapeseed oil. Okay I'm done. *sigh*
I forgot one
31. Raw Shea Butter
Omg, I have relapsed in my product junky-ism as of late! I'll include all my raw ingredients and oils too since I bought them to use on my hair
1 Jamila Henna
2 Reshma Henna
3 Raw Mineral Oil
4 Vatika Oil
5 Coconut oil
6 Olive oil
7 castor oil
8 bentonite clay
9 rosemary oil
10 Love Potion #9 (courtesy of Urbanbushbabes)
11 Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque
12 Deity America protein conditioner
13 Aphogee intensive protein thingy
14 Aphogee Moisture balance shampoo
15 Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor
16 Garnier shampoo
17 Everyday Shea conditioner
18 Redken Smooth down
19 Jane carter solutions shampoo
20 Kinky Curly Knot Today
21 Queen Helen royal Curl
22 Eco Styler Gel
23 Cantu Moisturizer
24 Suave Almond Shea Butter conditioner
25 Infusium 23/water/castor oil concotion
26 Nexus Pro-Mend heat protectant
27 Chi Silk Infusion
28 Sebastian Wet
29 Olive You deep conditioner (2 jars)
30 Lustrasilk Cholesterol Deep conditioner
31 Lacio Lacio
Weird thing is, I have a really low maintenance regimen, I tend to do twists, puffs (if I can find a scrunchie big enough) or WnG's. Ain't no need for all those darn products! And yet…
hairscapades, Thanks for the clarification!
I absolutely love this post! I also have no shame in my game of being a product junkie! I am a mother, have a family, work full time and am in grad school full time. Products are my treat to myself and my hair. I have about 30-40 products in my closet, mostly a mixture of oils, Giovanni, Shea moisture and oyin handmade, all of which I use. I'm proud of my collection. But my rule is to only buy products when there is a sale, like bogo, coupon, or discounts, never full price.
Damn she's GANGSTA! I thought the list would never end! I was a PJ the first 2 years of being newly natural. Now my Reggie is very simple and I make my own concoctions. I spent alot of money and was disappointed with my products in the early stages. I then noticed that no matter what I bought my hair grew 6 inches a year, nothing more nothing less. Now that I'm almost hip length I can't be playing with my hair all day cuz it's too time consuming. Just one word of caution – if your hair doesn't retain length and you are spending hundreds a year on hair care products, it's time to keep it simple.
I gave away a lot of stuff at a hair product swap months ago and still have a TON of stuff! smh. I love the vatika oil. I have about 4 of those in my closet! I have about 6 boxes of amla. Aussie Moist, Jessicurl DC, V05, Oyin Burnt sugar pomade, the entire curls product line, KeraCare, Jane Carter. You name it, seems like I've tried it! One of my new year resolutions is to cut pack on the pj'ism 🙂
Oh, and LaNesha … this was only Part I and half of the products *hanging head*.
Shelli
Okay, first … thank you to those who shared their cabinets. Two, I'm somewhat reformed now … like, I know which oils, gels and shampoos work for me now and haven't purchased any new ones in quite some time. I'll take a freebie in a minute though;)!! My regimen is pretty solid now, so playing with products (except shampoo!!!) is fun for me and is also fodder for the site (everyone wants a review;).
SaBrina, LOL!! Thank you girl … and, that's the plan;).
ShoeHOTLINE, you are too, too sweet!! OMGosh, can I tell you that when I saw the "still" for your video for the Louboutin giveaway, I thought you were my sister!! The house even looked like my sisters! LOL!! Congrats on those by the way:). I wanted to enter, but struggle with doing videos! You would have beat me anyway;)!! As to encouraging PJism, I don't post a lot of products … anymore … right?!?! LOL!! Seriously, I'm not trying to encourage PJism! It's a little fun for me, but I think it is best to keep it as simple as possible for yourself! Makes life a lot easier and your cabinets far less cluttered! LOL!! I'm a clothes/shoe horse too and I think the pole in one of my closets is about to break and the shoe boxes in two others are pushing up the shirttails of the blouses hanging above them. I'm a COLLECTOR!!! Don't judge!! LOL!!
Ms.Mae … well, see, what had happened was *lol* … I wrote this post earlier this year (May or June) maybe and, at the time, I was understood that the Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone in HE HH (as well as amodimethicone in other products that I used) was water soluble. That was the information that I found when I first started using it in early 2010 and it indicated that "bis-aminopropyl" like PEG, rendered the cone water soluble … whereas "straight" dimethicone is not. However, earlier this year, but subsequent to this post, I learned that this information was, incorrect and that bis-aminopropryl -cones and amodimethicone are not water soluble, but do deter build-up by repelling further deposit. Regardless, I do tend to clarify once every 4-6 weeks and use Deva No Poo, which contains Coco Betaine (I think – too lazy to look up the exact ingredient!) once a week typically. So, I haven't experienced any problems with build-up and my hair does well with cones. The Hydralicious is still sitting under the sink mostly unused though.
Last summer, I held a PJ swap meet at work that went pretty and I unloaded about 4 boxes of stuff and only "swapped out" for body products and one hair item … a Pantene holding "wax" for my edges, which I only used once or twice and then threw under the sink … I know *smh*. Anywho, I think it's probably time to do one again!! I'll probably have another 4 boxes … more than everyone else who brought in items. Yeah, yeah … I TOLD you I have a problem!! LOL!!
Don't try this at home!!
Wait, but that's not even a lot of products lol. Maybe I AM a product junkie! I have probably a little more than that, but everything is in rotation and serves a specific purpose…oh gosh, I might be a PJ.
OMG! I used to be that way when I wore mostly WnG hair and until I found some staples both for winter and summer. I totally blame my former PJism on Naturallycurly.com and CurlyNikki.com! @ Blessedlocs64 – I'm with you I'm down to less than 10 products.
Staples that rotate between summer and winter:
*SheaMoisture Shea Butter Moisture Retention Poo
*Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Poo
*Sweet almond oil, jojoba, grapeseed mixture
*Jane Carter Nourish & Shine
*Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
*Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle
*Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream
*Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream
Currently experimenting w/: Tressemme Naturals Conditioner, Terressentials mudwash, and KeraCare Natural Textures Leave-in
Very interesting article…
Why exactly are you worried about the dimethicone in your Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship conditioner when your "staple" Herbal Essences Hello Hydration conditioner has the exact same ingredient?
Ok Shelli now you wrong for that lol… let those products go. Your poor boyfriend has no room for his side of the bathroom space. Ahum and hopefully before this year is out you will get the ring proposal :).
Omg!, LOL!!!!, hillarious….I once was, not no more…..I have seriously have narrowed it down…to less than 10 products….
looks like a natural hair diva!
Since discovering CurlyNikki's site, I've become a product junkie myself lol but products don't pay the bills so i've been curving it ALOT these days.
I have…:
– 5lb tub of clear EcoStyler gel
– Creme of Nature Argan Oil shampoo…WHICH I HATE, but I can't find anyone to pass it on to so I still have it :/
– Everything from the Coconut & Hibiscus, Raw Shea Butter AND the Yucca & Baobab line from SheaMoisture. (Sigh! I should buy stock in this company lol)
– 2 bottles of Kinky Curly Knot Today
– Tresemme Naturals Conditioner
– Garnier Fructis Curl Scrunch Gel (which I have yet to try..smh)
-Let's Jam, jam, or gel, whateva! ..bought it on vacay because they didn't have any ecostyler. It didn't work and i didn't want to throw it away & waste my money smh..
Last but not least, some Keracare Naturals samples that I got earlier this yr. I have a lot and i'm slowly using them. I love the line but I hate the smell so i'm contemplating if I should buy or not..
I made a promise with myself to not purchase anymore products until i'm done with these. I'm gonna try to stick to my promise
I wrote a similar post myself! After cleaning out my closet, I found so many products (used, unused, half used) that I diagnosed myself a Product Junkie!
http://www.lillian-mae.com/transitioning-guide/my-name-is-lillian-mae-and-i-was-a-product-junkie/
Ok I am at work so I can't really share what's under my cabinet quite yet but, I can say I really, really try to finish products before buying new ones to try so it might not be too bad (side eye) lol.
Any who @Hairscapades I recently identified you as my hair crush/idol. I have been all over your site trying to come up with my winter regimen. With that being said I am begging you not to make me a product junkie lol. I want hair like yours but the hubby will kill me if I start marching through the doors with all these products.
But seriously this was really a great post, helps us all take a deeper look into our healthy hair addiction.
I think it only seems like alot because everything is all spreaded out. I have my PJ horde in one of those convenient little chest of drawers on wheels, and I still have shopping bags to the side with stuff that I use daily or weekly…smh. But yes, it was informative. So thank you Shelli!
Oh, and a conditioning rinse? Now I've seen it all!! (And I might try it all too…lol)
-Neesha Cherie
So, when I first went natural, I tried so many products with futile results. My hair was perpetually dry and I never seemed to get good results from products that I had read rave reviews about.I knew it was becasue my strands were clogged with so much junk that no product will get it moisturized (not even water!).
That is when I decided I was going to re-discover my hair. I follow naptural85 on YouTube and upon seeing her success with the Terressentials hair wash, I took the plunge and bought a bottle of it. Since using it, my coils are back and my hair is like I've never seen before…moisturized and naturally beautiful!
This is my current regimen:
Terressentials Hair wash : Wash my hair with it 2x a month
Aloe vera juice and Knot today: Modified kimmaytube leave-in to be used as needed on wash day.I also make it lighter to use ass a spritz every couple of days as needed.
Shea butter mixture: For sealing my hair.
AO GBP or honeysuckle rose: For a DC on the weeks I don't wash my hair, I just rinse it and DC
And, that's it! My hair is the best it's ever been and I love it!!
To see my review of the Terressentials Hair Wash, please check out my blog: http://chyscurlz.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-final-verdict-on-terrensentials-hair.html
When I was loose natural I was a total product junkie. Now that I have locs (9 months) and they require less products and manipulation I find that I want to buy/try new products but there really isn't too many things to try, so getting locs has cured my product junkie tendencies, thank God!
But I do have products in my cabinet that I have yet to try:
Giovanni's Smooth as Silk Shampoo
Avalon Organics lavender Shampoo
Aubrey Organics White Camellia Shampoo
Eco Styler Olive Oil gel
Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner
Carol's Daughter Tui Hair smoothie
This reminds me of my product addiction lol. My bathroom is full of all kinds of hair products I dont't even use! I used an old Garnier Fructis shampoo that I dug up yesterday to clarify with.
I have to admit, I am an aspiring PJ thanks to the Curly Nikki Forums! That darn swap board is the hair equivalent of meth! I mean, it is flat out addicting! My stash is simple, and it hardly qualifies as a stash really. I'm too ashamed to post it 🙁 LOL
I am pretty simple these days, but from 2004-2007, I was such a PJ. On a regular basis, it's me, a Garnier Fructis conditioner, black castor oil, and eco styler gel as needed.
But the following are in my rotation, anywhere from every few days/weeks/months:
-Nexxus Keracare
-Nexxus Humectress
-Nexxus Therappe
-Garnier Fructis sleek & shine deep conditioner
-Garnier Fructis 3 minute dryness reversal masque
-Garnier Fructis rinse out conditioners (sleek and shine, color renewal,length and strength, and dryness reversal)
-Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine leave-in
– Eco styler gel (clear and olive oil)
– Longaid curl activator gel
– Jamaican Black Castor Oil
– Profectiv Mega Growth Oil
– Keracare setting foam
– Keracare Curling Wax
– Organic Root Stimulator Creamy Aloe Shampoo
– Organic Root Stimulator green tea setting lotion
– Fantasia IC heat protectant
– Ion heat protectant
– Miscellaneous Organix shampoos and conditioners that are basically empty.
Oh my goodness. Nik, I didn't think you would use this one!! It looks even worse seeing this list on YOUR site … and knowing that my Part II is just as long of a list!!
People thought a picture I recently posted from HS was courageous of me. I actually think this post may have been even more so!! Seriously, I am not a spendthrift!! I'm known by my family as a cheapie!
Okay … yeah … I have issues. But I've curtailed them a LOT since starting my own blog! I don't shop on a weekly basis like I was doing last year.
I'm going to stop talking now as I think I may just be digging deeper! But, before I do … start pulling stuff out … you may be surprised by how much you have once you start itemizing it! I know that I was!!
Shelli 🙂