[Review] Redken Extreme Builder Plus

My relaxed hair loved protein. My texlaxed hair loved protein. My transitioning hair loved protein. And my natural hair loves protein too. I've been using Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus for a few months and I'm totally digging it. Here's why:

Breakage is my hair's enemy. Even though my hair isn't relaxed anymore, using a protein heavy conditioner has a pre-shampoo treatment keeps my breakage at a minimum. Just think about it, the ends of your hair are the oldest and weakest part of your hair. So far in my journey I've found that the best way to retain the length that I gain is by I consistently using protein products to protect my ends.

When I consistently use protein in my regimen, I don't have to moisturize and seal as often because my hair retains moisture better. I also noticed that protein conditioners give my curls crazy beautiful definition and banishes frizzy ends.

I little goes a long way with Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus. I'm usually heavy handed with my conditioners but this one is the exception. When I apply this condition to my dry (and unwashed) hair--my curls absorb it like a sponge. When I say that it gives my curls life---honey I mean it! Sometimes I cover and apply heat---most times I don't---but either way my hair still feels fantastic when I rinse. 

But as usual, my only complaint is the price. I purchased this tub from Ulta for $17.50. I believe that I got 6 uses out of it (which is amazing for this little tub) and puts it at about $2.91 per use if I did the math right---I probably didn't tho... That price per use is lame if you're ballin on a budget like me so if you want to try this conditioner and be easy with your application to make it stretch.

Here are all the specs---just in case you're interested:

Price: $17.50 USD

Purchased at: Ulta and Amazon

Ingredients: Water, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Elaeis Guineensis Oil/Palm Oil, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum/Fragrance, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Octyldodecanol, Methylparaben, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Quaternium-33, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Ci 42090/Blue 1, Ci 17200/Red 33

Promises: Intense fortifying mask for damaged hair, conditions and strengthens hair to the core. Extreme strengthening hair mask uses Redken's famous Fortifying Complex with 18-MEA to protect shine, Ceramide for structural repair and Interlock Protein Network for internal strength. Discover all the benefits that this fortifying hair mask can do for your hair.

[Review] Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo and Deep Repair Mask

Product Review: Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo and Deep Repair Mask

Price: $4.95 3oz (Shampoo)  $10.62 3.3oz (Mask)

Purchased at:  Amazon.com

Promises:
The Rejuvenating Shampoo is designed to add moisture and protection to all hair types and is excellent for dry, damaged hair.

• Sulfate and paraben free
• Gently cleanses chemically treated, damaged hair
• Replenishes moisture with no heavy build-up
• Builds protection from harsh daily environmental elements

The Deep Repair Masque is a hair reconstructor that will penetrate and rebuild damaged hair for improved shine and elasticity.

• Enriched with Macadamia & Argan oils
• Deep nourishment & long-lasting conditioning
• Ultra-conditioning hair reconstruction

My Thoughts: 
Rejuvenating Shampoo- 
I try to force my hair to like shampoo. It fights back. Tangles take over. It wins. I loose. This shampoo is no exception. I can't call it gentle or moisturizing but I can say that its excellent at removing build-up and giving your that squeaky clean feeling. You'll get a great lather, although its sulfate free and the scent is yummy. In the future, I'd probably use this in a co-cleanser mix or in place of my regular clarifying shampoo. 

Deep Repair Mask- 
My commitment to fighting breakage and strengthening my ends (to increase my length retention) requires me to enlist a good protein packed conditioner to use just on my previously relaxed ends frequently (I use a uber moisturizing treatment on my roots). I didn't want to like this conditioner. Why? Just take a good look at the price of the 8.5oz tub of this stuff. Boom. That's why. But, my hair likes it. It might even love it in a few weeks. Although its pricey, a little goes a long way. It's ultra rich and super thick. I've used this sample size here, here, here and I still have enough for 1 or 2 more deep conditioning sessions. I like the way that my ends absorb it and how after rinsing my hair feels so smooth, so light. This isn't a conditioner that you use to aid in detangling. You definitely need to make sure that you detangle before applying. Nor is this a conditioner that you use for moisture. If you feel that your hair isn't the biggest protein fan, you'll want to follow this treatment up with a moisturizing deep condition. The scent is awesome and for some reason, I feel like my ends are retaining moisture better with the addition of this gem to my regimen. In a few weeks, when I straighten, I'll be able to see if it's helped keep my ends in tact. 

Have you ever tried an of the Macadamia Natural Oil products?

Besitos!
KLP

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[Review] Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner

Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner

Price: $22.00 USD for 8.5floz 

Purchase at: Amazon.com or Carol's Daughter

Promises:  
96% LESS BREAKAGE AFTER 1 USE!
An intense repairing conditioner that revives damaged, lifeless hair and ends breakage, instantly.
The stronger your hair is, the longer it grows and more style options you’ll have. So strengthen it with Monoi Repairing Conditioner to restore fine, delicate or chemically treated hair. The rejuvenating Monoi Oil – an age-old nourishing blend of Tahitian Tiare Gardenia Flower and Coprah Coconut Oil – plus replenishing Bamboo Water and Pro-vitamin B5 help fortify distressed hair against breaks and snaps. Perfect for any hair type that is damaged from haircolor, heat styling and chemically-straightening

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Isododecane, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Isohexadecane, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Octyldodecanol, Ceteareth-20, Quaternium-91, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone 

Directions:
Work a generous amount through clean, wet hair. Gently massage into your scalp and hair, giving your ends a little extra TLC. Let it work its magic for 3-5 minutes and rinse well. 

My Thoughts:
Real talk---my experiences with Carol's Daughter haven't been the best. I've tried more than a handful of their products and none I would repurchase or bother you guys with a review. I thought that I had a winner for my kiddos in their Hair Milk Conditioner. Then, of course, it was discontinued. *hangs head* I purchased Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner on a whim to get to the $25 purchase minimum for a free gift at my Exchange. #dontjudgeme #ilovesales It was only $16 but the chances of getting that price again is very slim.

My first impressions: Ugh. Y'all know how I am about scents. CD never fails. I don't care for the scents of any of their products. This product is no exception. The scent isn't bad but I don't like it either. The good news is that it fades! It absorbs into my hair like butter and there is something about this ingredient's list that my hair simply adores. I firmly believe that ingredients matter. Especially in an expensive conditioner like this one. Balanced conditioners should have moisturizing pizzazz and be packed with protein power. Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner has both.  Behentrimonium Methosulfate---my favorite element in a good moisturize max conditioner and we can attribute it's breakage thwarting powers to hydrolyzed silk. What doesn't it have? Parabens, petroleum, mineral oil or artificial color. Very awesome!

Whilst, I can't tell you scientifically that their 96% less breakage claim is true, but what I can tell you is that without a shadow of a doubt, I had less lost hair every time that I used this conditioner. (The evidence is here, here, here, here, and here) I was able to get 5 deep conditioning sessions out of it. Which puts it's price per use at $4.40. Ugh. That hurts. Especially since my go to medium protein conditioner Nexxus KerapHix gets me about a $2.50 price per use with very similar results. 

Has anyone else tried the Monoi line before?

Besitos!
KLP