Product Review: African Pride Braid Sheen Spray

African Pride – Braid Sheen Spray – Original Regular Formula

Price: £1.99

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG 12 Dimethicone, PEG-8, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persia Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Linum Usitassimum (Flax) Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein PG Propyl Silanetriol, Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail) Extract, Hydrolyzed Avena Sativa (Oat) Protein, Hydrolyzed Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Protein, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Oleth 20, PEG 75 Lanolin, Silk Amino Acids, Acetamidopropyl Trimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propyparaben, Polysorbate 20, Parfum/Fragrance

Promises/Claims to: soothe braid tightness and soreness, relieve itching and dryness, soften, add extra shine, moisturise & condition, be excellent for locks and twists and states that regular use dramatically reduces breakage, split ends and dryness.

Assessment: 

The ingredients are what attracted me to this product, it is basically made up of water, glycerine, carrier oils, essential oils & protein. At this stage in my HCJ, I could not make this product but it many of you could. 

After I had my weave was installed, it was EXTREMELY tight. After spraying just a little to the front and sides, I instantaneously felt a reduction in the tightness & soreness. I’ve currently added a it to my oil mix (which has coconut, olive & castor oil) and I use it to oil my scalp using an applicator bottle 1 – 2 times a week. This is a great way for me to oil  my scalp just once & reduces the time I spend oiling my scalp. 

I’ve also been adding it to my leave out and I’ve found that it has reduced my breakage even more than the HE Beautiful ends. I think it might have something to do with the protein (silk amino acids). This make me think that I might need to purchase a protein based moisturiser (as my hair might be craving protein).

Tingling sensation? Nope, I didn't feel any type of tingling whatsoever but many people have reported this. 

Build Up? Just a tad, but if you are washing your hair regularly (every two weeks max) then this shouldn't be a problem. 

This also smells AMAZING! A bit tropical/fruity (not sure).  

Rating:

  

I am giving this product a rating of *5 Stars*

It is the perfect thing to use when you have braids will become a staple product that I will use whether I have braids, twists, weave or my hair out.  I still have a lot left so I won’t need to repurchase it just yet but I will continue to buy it.  It does have  silicones & other not so great products, but I believe it is the best braid spray out there in terms of products (although I have heard African Royale might also be quite good). 

Would I recommend this product?

YES! It is a great staple product to have whether you have braids or not.  

Hope this review has helped & if you have any questions leave them in the comment box below :)

Product Review: HE Beautiful Ends (also known as HE LTR)

Herbal Essences - Beautiful Ends - Split Ends Protection Cream

Price: £1.95 (at Superdrug NOW!)

Ingredients: Aqua, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glutamic Acid, Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, DMDM Hydantoin, Cittic Acid, EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Propylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxadehyde, Citronellol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Rubus Idseus Fruit Extract, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Sodium Benzote, Potassium Sorbate. 

Assessment: 

The first time I used it, I noticed it left a waxy/sticky residue that weighed down my hair and made it ICKY! I was not impressed but after a while decided to give it a second chance & OMG was that a good decision. 

Since then I've been using it as my moisturiser non-stop & its been FAB! 

When I had my hair out I would part my hair into 6/8 sections and moisturise my hair with it nightly (ONE PUMP goes a long way) before sealing with my coconut, olive & castor oil mix. Now that my hair is in a weave, I only use it on my leave out/occasionally on the ends of my weave. 

Since I've started using this product I've noticed my hair is definitely more moisturised and therefore I have suffered from less breakage. It is no longer waxy/sticky/heavy but rather light and it leaves my hair soft and bouncy - so much so that I cant keep my hands out of it! 

Does it protect the hair against spilt ends? YES it does! I have noticed a huge reduction in my spilt ends since I've been using this. 

Oh & the smell is AMAZING! Put not overpowering which is a good thing. 

Rating:

I am giving this product a rating of *4 Stars*

I will become a staple product for the time being (maybe even for life) but right now, I am looking for a moisturiser with better ingredients. I will, however repurchase this whilst looking for another moisturiser as I am afraid to run out of it. 

Would I recommend this product?

YES! It is a great staple product to have! The ingredients might not be 100% au naturel  but the results are amazing. 

Hope this review has helped & if you have any questions leave them in the comment box below :)