Last week my beautician was kind enough to give me some samples of a few new products that I had been inquiring about from the Design Essentials line. These products are so new I have yet to see them out officially in any retail stores and from what I can tell can only be purchased online at this time.
So after wearing my old two-strand twists for over a week, my scalp was due for it's monthly shampoo & conditioning.
 |
| These are pics of my head BEFORE I start my washing process |
So I started out with sectioning my hair into 4 big sections with my color clips.
I then proceeded to get my hair wet and started to shampoo each section until my whole head was done. Afterwards I washed out the shampoo and followed it up with my conditioner. I kept my hair in their sections throughout this process.
 |
| Shampooing |
 |
| Conditioning |
Once I was done with my shampoo and conditioner process, I washed it out.
 |
| Hair clean as a thistle! |
After that I moved onto my Black Jamaican Castor Oil (BJCO)/coconut co-wash treatment. I sectioned off my hair put BJCO through each section then followed up each section with my As I am Co-coconut co-wash. After my whole head was done, I put a plastic cap on and went under my dryer for about 20 minutes.
Afterwards I went through my detangling routine and then put my hair towel on for a few minutes to absorb some water.
Now onto the new products that I will be using for finishing up.
 |
| Samples of the products: starting from the left in the little cup was the DE Natural HONEY AND SHEA Edge Tamer, DE Natural Almond and Avocado Detangling Leave-In, and DE Curlforming custard with Honey and Chamomile |
Now the first one I used was the DE Natural Almond and Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner retail $12.99 8.0 oz. The scent was very light not overpowering at all, it kind of reminded me of the scent of my DE Moisturizing Lotion. I was able to use around a quarter size worth through each of my sections. I would work through with my hands followed up with my detangling brush. Now mind you, even though it states that it's a detangling product itself, I already had chosen to detangle my hair while using my JBCO/Co-wash products. I have had the most success with that procedure and decided not to deviate from it.
So then after applying the Leave-in Conditioner, I followed up with the DE CurlForming Custard with Honey and Chamomile Retail $ 16.99 7.5 oz. Now this product was in a custard form so it took about a dime size of product to work through each of my sections followed up with my detangling brush again. This product had a stronger scent to it while in the jar. I'm assuming it was the Chamomile, because I don't recall Honey having this particular scent.
The results after I was half way done using both products.
 |
| the left side that still had duck clips did not have any product in it. |
Results when fully done.
So after I was done with my whole head I oiled my scalp lightly and let my hair air dry over night. It took about 3 hours total for my head to be completely dry. In the morning I was checking out my hair noticing the look and feel. The look was somewhat similar to when I use the DE Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse. My curl pattern was there but it seemed a lot tighter to my scalp. Now to me the big difference was in the feel. I guess since I used a custard finishing product it gave my hair a stiff feel to it. My beautician did inform that it would be the case on the first day but as I wear the style throughout the week it should relax a bit. Another thing I was looking out for was any "snowflake" residue from using any of the products. Thankfully I didn't experience that issue. I assume if that happens it might be someone using too much product and/or wasn't fully rubbing the product through their hair.
Now another concern I have is that I use my DE Moisturizing Lotion on a daily basis. With these new finishing products I'm not sure if that is still the case so I will double check with my beautician because I want to make sure my hair will be ok. So for right now I am enjoying these new products and if after one week I still like the results, I might incorporate using these products in my regimen.
So after checking out my hair and getting dressed for the day. I did one final check for the day. I can tell no lie, I'm looking pretty fly:)
Side-note: There was also a third product that I was suppose to review but didn't feel that I needed to since I was doing just a wash-N-go hair style. The product was the DE Natural HONEY AND SHEA Edge Tamer Retail $11.99 2.3 oz. When I do another Mohawk fro I will use this product on my sides to see how it holds up.
Side-Side-note: I think the next time I try the Leave-In Conditioner and the Custard I will do a two-strand twist out to see how it compares to when I use the DE Natural Curl Stretching Cream.
Until the next episode....
All That MsJazz
