
A fluke? It was so dope, I had to do it again… same products only this time, sans rollers.

I
prefer the rollers. But again with the moisturized & defined, big
ass hair! This is rather unheard of… I either get really defined hair
with little or no volume or huge hair with little definition. And
usually, in both cases, the product has a tacky quality to it (be it
sticky, greasy or crunchy). With that said, I think my ‘hair grease’
phase is over. Which is sad considering I have around 4 to 5 jars of
Dax in the closet. These days, it’s all about the zero flakes, zero
crunch, zero gunk, soft hold.
Without further ado, as I revealed in the comments section the other day, the mystery product is…
Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion
Ingredients: Water/aqua/eau, Polyquaternium-37, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol
Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Decyl Oleate,
Polyquaternium-11, Hydrolyzed Silk, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet
Almond) Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean)
Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Retinyl Palmitate,
Cetrimonium Chloride, Lecithin, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-46,
Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylcellulose,
Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, Trideceth-6,
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-80, Benzophenone-4,
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone, Propylene
Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate,
DMDM Hydantoin, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate,
Linalool, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone,
Fragrance/Parfum, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI77891).
Product Description: Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream is a unique styling cream
specifically designed for tighter curls. Our HydraFusion Complex is a
blend of conditioners including milk thistle and sweet almond extract
for intense moisturization to feed and strengthen curls as it instantly
defines and softens. Hydrolyzed silk protein wraps each strand so
moisture stays in, frizz and dryness are eliminated. Curls stay defined,
shiny and healthy looking all day.
My Thoughts:
So
by now, we all know I heart big hair… I sacrifice length for it, even
definition. I stay fluffing.
To achieve twist-out massiveness, I have
to be super duper light handed and/or skip a styler altogether. It’s a
very delicate game of give and take. And it gets real.
I’ve used conditioners to style and when you find the
right one, it’s cool. It’s gotta be substantial, but not too heavy, more slippery than rough and for me, glycerin can’t be in the top 5. The old DevaCare One formula was the lick. I’d get
smooth, hydrated strands with decent definition. The only issue was
the hold… or lack thereof. They changed
the formula and I moved on and have yet to find a comparable product.
Gels just don’t do it for me. No matter the type or amount of
leave-in I use underneath, I get crispy, dried out ramen noodle curls. Case in
point- Ouidad Moisture Lock Gel. I was gifted that gel late last month
and while the ‘humidity proof’ claim on the label had me geeking, I knew
how it’d play out… dry, flaky, difficult to fluff curls with, of
course, excellent definition. Now it sits in the product graveyard.
Mousse is cool, if I’m light handed AND going for a different
look. I get super defined, but super shrunken and piece-y (not chunky)
curls. And similar to gels, I seem to dry out quickly (save for TIGI’s
Totally Baked) and the curls are difficult to fluff, so the volume is
AWOL.
Butter stylers leave me heavy and frizzy and cream gels are
usually more gel than cream sadly. Save for Original Moxie’s Cream
Gel… I love using it for my edges when I bun. But I digress.
The results I get from Ouidad’s Hydrafusion remind me of my DevaCare One days.
Blasphemy!
Those that have been following me for a while know that’s an
EXTREME claim. DevaCare One for moisture and smoothing + DevaCurl Set
it Free for hold was my holy grail for more than a year. That combo was everything until they changed the formula. And while I can’t say for sure that Hydrafusion will fill that
void, it looks promising. The fragrance is light and pleasant and the
consistency is ideal- similar to a leave-in (think Garnier Fructis),
very slippery and easy to distribute. I use about a pea sized amount
for each twist (on top of a leave-in) and twice now the results have
been awesome. Soft, smooth, seriously moisturized hair that’s defined
yet easily fluffed. It’s like someone finally mixed holding agents into
a conditioner! #itsBoutDamnTime
I’m going to
continue to experiment and report back. The true test will come this
summer when the dew points start creeping up. If it performs well in
high humidity, I might cry.
As with anything, there are ‘cons’. For starters, there may be
one too many difficult to pronounce ingredients on the label for the
‘conscious’ curly. Second, at least for me, you can only find it
online, which is usually a deal breaker. I hate to be a slave to a
product I have to wait to be shipped. Third, the hefty price tag. This
product is a whopping 26 dollars for 5oz. So yeah, there’s that. While I’m usually against paying so much for so little,
in this case, I do believe I’d purchase. Luckily, I don’t use very
much, so hopefully this gifted bottle will last for some time. So yeah,
much to hubby’s dismay, I’ll probably be adding yet another item to ‘the
splurge’ list. I’ll also add it to the 2012 Hits and Misses To Date thread from last month.
So there you have it folks. The ‘secret’ behind my recent good hair days.
You switch products entirely too much and it looks the same which is very good! I guess there is no money in being consistent…yours get gifted to you but I'm not willing to constantly buy products because you get bored with them.
I absolutely love your hair and this style is gorgeous!!! I love big, diva Diana Ross hair myself and am constantly striving. I always get aggravated with the ends of my hair, cuz they just lay there or stick out, depending on how recent my last trim was. (I'm transitioning, quite impatiently. I DT'ed and colored my hair this weekend, and after doing my twists, i chopped about an inch off the ends…my 12 yr old daughter freaked! She's transitioning too, but much more gracefully..lol.) I love the idea of putting rollers on the ends, especially with my transitioning hair. I'm now planning on adding Ouidad and curlformers to my product list!!! Until then, I wonder if sponge rollers would have a similiar effect???
I brought the Ouidad Curl Quench Hydrafusion and I have used this product for 2 weeks now! I am impressed with the results. I use this product for twist outs. Prior to using this product I was using Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding. Mj's is cool and gives me moisture but lacks providing me the curl definition and hold for an 8 hour day. This Ouidad product gives me the definition/moisture and hold that I am looking for out of a product. I can't think of any complaints. Im now so happy with my hair. I use to think i was going to have to be stuck with always straightening my hair but nope not any more 🙂 Thanks Nikki for the reco!
i highly suggest a few products i just splurged on at the natural hair show in atlanta – Joie my gel (excellent) and Karen's entire line.
Nikki, you have a gorgeous head of hair; usually when you speaks highly of a product my desire for the perfect curl kicks in, but, I'm not on a trained professionals rate of pay/salary as you are, yet, so therefore, I'll have to pass on this product and stick to 16 oz. of AfroVeda's Shea Amla and/or Qhemet Biolagics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream, wich are approximately the same amount (still too darn high), as oppose to your new recommendation/discovery; I do appreciate the information though!!!
i haven't been trying different things much so I guess water lol
My fave product is my very own hair butter-I apply it on wash day and my curls and definition last a full week w/o any maintenance throughout the week. My hair stays shiny, moves, is soft and supple, and has lots of body.
My splurge is Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant at $19 plus Frederick Fekkai Glossing Creme, Fermodyl, a Chi product, and a couple others I can't remember for when I straighten my hair. Probably the most expensive is Carol's Daughter's Macadamia Nut Collection, but I should've just gotten regular macadamia nut oil. Got sucked into the fancy-looking bottles that are TINY!
Your hair looks wonderful. I've enjoyed your chunky twist series and look forward to seeing how the product holds up in the humidity. $26 is a spurgle, but not bad for a product if it last a long time. I'm a fine haired curly and everything last me forever, so I'm cool on anything under $30.
My favorite styler, holy grail of all holy grails is OM Hair Bling. I also love Afroveda Curl Define since I wear twistouts most days.
My splurge is all the OM stuff – Bling, Shape Shifter, Just Gel and the Rewind DC. I think it's $30 for a little bottle. I buy on sale. I also consider Darcy's Botanicals DC Mask a splurge.
I just bc'd a week ago, but so far the Oyin line is working wonders for me…hope I continue to love it (keeping fingers crossed)
cute, this is nothing like twisting ur hair with product, rolling the ends and then taking it out and its all dry, crunchy and FLAKY.the worst cause now you have to rake the flakes from around your head and try to add some shine and softness all while styling it.
Styler: Kimmaytube Leave-in and Shea Butter
Hair Splurge: curly meringue, but not a fan. thank goodness, I bought it at target when it was buy one get one free.
Styler: Water and castor oil! After all of the testing and experimenting, I've come to realize rinsing my hair and immediately applying castor oil before styling makes for a really nice hair-day! *and super soft hair!
Hair Splurge: The one item I spend any more than $10 for is the $11.99 Knot Today conditioner.
Overall Splurge: Perfume!
My favorite styler which costs $20.00 for a 16oz. from my local beautician is Design Essentials Cream Gel. I use this weekly on my twist and I only use about a half tablespoon on my entire head of CBL hair, great definition, shine, and hold without the stiff, hard feel. My splurge which I haven't found yet, will be a good deep conditioner. I refuse to pay more than $1.50 per ounce, na uhn uhn.
My splurge: shoes, clothes, and bags!!! Beauty products…eh–not since I got my reggie down pat. On another but related note, $26 for 5 oz is straight crazy. Unless of course, it blocks out all humidity. But, I'd bet my retirement plan that it doesn't it.
I have to say oyin burnt sugar, shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie are my two staples.
Thanks ladies!!!!!!!
xx
BEAUTIFUL!
That cut is FIERCE! Wanted to use another word…but it is the business!!! Love it!
You should really do a tutorial. Love the pics but it would be great to see how you style.
Love your hair! I look forward when my hair gets to this length and I feel like I can do so much more with it.
Looks great, Nik!
$26 bucks for 5oz can't say that I'm down with that team! but I have tried Jane Carter's leave in conditioner and her HIGH priced Shine and Define. And I heart them both…so those are def splurges for me!:)
@CurlyNikki Which product from Davines do you use?
Natural83
Beautiful hair as always!! Can't wait until my hair is long enough for chunky twist outs.
Anywho…to answer your question, my favorite styler is my own Shea butter concoction (my hair LOVES shea butter) and my splurge would be the ENTIRE Entwine Couture line!!!! I just love all of Ms. CharyJay's hairstyles:)!!!!
Nikki, your hair looks gorgeous!
My favorite styler would have to be…a regular ol' conditioner – TRESemme Smooth & Silky to be precise 😀
My splurge would be anything SheaMoisture. I almost fell out paying $9.99 for 12 oz of the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and even more so for the 4 oz bottle of Reconstructive Elixir. But I suck it up and shell out the cash, because SM makes my twist outs look amazing!
Anything by Oyin counts as both favorite styler and splurge!!
TEAMBADCHICK.
Excellent review and beautiful hair as always. Thanks CN!
I looooooove chunky twist outs too! Sometimes I can be a little unsure about trying new products because the result may be so-so but I've learned to be adventurous over time! Thanks for the review!
I used to use the Ouidad line years ago. Nice to hear that she is branching out in new directions to include hair care for all types of curls! I would like to try a sample. I will not spend 26 bucks for 5oz. without knowing how it will work.
My splurge : Kerastase Oleo curl- Deep Conditioner. It is by far, the best deep treatment I have ever used. I little goes a long way. It's expensive, but worth every penny. That's saying a lot, because I am not a PJ and would much rather spend my money on family, travel, educational activity or health/fitness.
I also have issues with getting the twists just the way I like them- defined, yet full and without crunch. Something that has worked well has been using Lacio Lacio for a leave-in and using a bit of Jane Carter Nourish and Shine evenly distributed throughout damp hair. I do not apply Jance Carter on each individual twist section, as it would weight it down. Sometimes, for a fluffier twist out, I use Aloe on the ends for sealing. I never use flexi rods or curlers on the ends. It frays my ends too much. Keeping them trimmed allows mine to curl right up wihout having to use tools.
It looks better (fuller) right after a trim of 1/4 in of the ends (every 3 months).
Online shopping is tough…and costly 🙁
Ulta carries it! They didn't have it listed online, but I'm in the store right now buying it 🙂
I try to stick to products I can find on the ground but it can be hard sometimes.
I think I love bee mine curly butter. But I'm still on the fence at last use my curls were defined but slightly crunchy
Your hair looks fantastic! I'd buy if, and only if, it's weather resistant. Keep us posted.
I style with KBB or Qhemet.
Beautiful!
Your hair look great Nik! My favorite Stylers are any product by OYIN.
Kim
use this code online to save 10%!
10PFRIZZ
Just saw it on an advertisment.
Love the hair CN!!! I may have to give the product a whirl!
My favorite styler (that I'm gonna keep recommending until you try it Nik…LOL) is Qhemet Honeybush Tea Softgel. I use it on top of a moisturizer (recently Oyin hair dew) for twists and it provides the bomb definition and frizz-controlled twist-outs. It is NEVER hard or crunchy hair or buildup.
WOW! Is this at Ulta yet? I'm grabbing my keys!
My favorite styler for twist-outs and braid-outs is Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, as it gives my great definition and shine. For wash 'n gos, my favorite products are Garnier Fructis Pure Clean conditioner and Tresemme Naturals Moisturizing Conditioner used as a leave-in. Both of those conditioners define my curls and tame frizz like nobody's business and I don't need to use gel with them. Those are the only products that has given me very consistent results time and again.
-Foxyrou
I love your hair in both shots Nikki, keep up the good work!
Silicone products like this ALWAYS produce the best results, shine, no crunch or residue…I use Soft n Free Milk and Olive Oil moisturizer and get the best braids outs!!
I splurged on the CurlFormers and HuetifulHairSteamer. Great purchases.
I am still searching for a favorite styler. And as for splurges, Qhemet biologics amla and olive heavy cream.
Sugarberri
I can't wait to get to that length, your hair looks so healthy!
CUTE! I'm definitely going to splurge on this!
My favorite styler is the super-cheap, super-available Cantu Shea Butter leave-in conditioner. My twist-out, braids-outs, and roller sets ALWAYS look good with this stuff. My splurge is the Jane Carter Solution Curl Defining Cream ($18 for 6 oz.).
My favorite styler currently is Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. I'm trying the Curly Girl Method right now. I'm doing the CG method a little bit different. I'm doing twistouts instead of wash n go's. I am not cute in a WNG. I really like the hold the Tresemme gives me.
Since trying the CG method my eyes have been opened to my PJism. I have only bought conditioners, inexpensive ones at that. But my last splurge was the entire SheaMoisture line.
I need to find a meet up in NC and get rid of some of these products! LOL!!
My splurge is Anita Grant's rhassoul deep conditioner.
Your hair looks great!
CN, your hair looks fab! Like you, I have learned that gels just crunch me up and butters weigh me down. I am still on the quest for the perfect styler. My most recent one has been QB AOHC diluted with water. Day one was ok, will have to see how day 2 holds up.
My splurge — going to the salon once a month to let someone else, wash, detangle, condition, deep condition and style my hair!!
I do not have a must have styler. I have quite a few that work well for my hair. I think the biggest obstacle is to accept your hair. My splurge is definitely the Jessicurl deep conditioner. Yep, I bought a gallon. I use it as my rinse out, my detangling, and deep conditioner. I love an all purpose conditioner.
To answer your question my splurge is actually not hair products but going to the spa once a month. My favorite styler is anything by Oyin.
Cute :0)
Beautiful! Does it take a long time to dry?
Excellent review and your hair look great!
Sadly, there is no local ulta or sephora! I'm in the middle of nowhere, lol. I have to order everything. You can't even find Miss Jessies or SheaMoisture here! #twilightzone
I have to order my MAC lipsticks online…
Your hair looks very pretty. The ends definitely came out nice. This product seems to work for your particular hair needs. If you can fit into your budget, then I say keep using it. It's Ouidad. It will eventually hit your local Sephora or Ulta soon.
at 1st anonymous, I so like the TNC better!
Thanks ladies! @ ATWC, trying to get like y'all 🙂
@gblogger, i do. I still regularly use Aussie Moist or Garnier Fructis or Hello Hydration as a cheapie detangling conditioner. I can't get YTC on the ground anymore which is why I stopped using it. I also still use CURLS Whipped Cream and Souffle as well as Oyin Shine and Define from time to time. A lot of Davines, and while I've given up the grease, I'm looking into pure mineral oil for sealing. More to come on that later 😉
Nikki, your curls look G-R-E-A-T!
Do you still use some of your past natural products like Yes to Carrots, anymore?
Natural hair is glorious! Your curls are incredible. Perfect frizz like you said!
you. betta. werk
Beautiful twistout Nikki! I think I like it better than your twistncurl! I may look into the Ouidad creams.