by Alondra
“Sometimes we forget that hair is just hair. Whether it’s natural or processed…it’s all…just…hair”. Unfortunately, I can’t recall who made that statement, but the moment I heard it, I began to think. Am I over doing it because I’ve become natural? So, I began to reflect back on my journey…
Now, I will say that switching to natural saved me a lot of money on salon appointments (see what I did there?), but I really can’t say the same for the products I was using. Before and during my transition, I was huge on the Organic Roots Stimulator line. I loved it and had no issues at all…but the moment I completed my transition, I threw those out and started spending a crazy amount of money on “natural hair products”. I’ve since changed my ways and now incorporate both “natural hair” products and “regular” products in my regimen. However, I want to compare some that I’ve used to help answer the question: Do we sometimes spend unnecessarily on “natural hair” products?
MOISTURIZERS
Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter vs. Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer
First up…Camille Rose, here are the deets:
– Key ingredients: Water, Organic rice milk, green tea, jojoba, macadamia, shea butter, and coconut oil
– Promises to moisturized, soft and minimizes breakage
– Packaged in an 8 oz. jar
– Retails for $16.99
– Key ingredients: Water, olive fruit oil, capric capryllic triglycerides (coconut/palm oil fatty acids), PEG-75 lanolin (processed lanolin)
– Promises softer, fuller looking hair; helps strengthen and protect hair against breakage, split ends and dryness
– Typically packaged in a 6 oz. jar
– Retails for $4.99
Comparison:
I can honestly say that I LOVE both of these products. Each one does what it says it’s going to do and they both smell delicious! I have never had a problem with either one and I’ve used both interchangeably for over a year now. However, the fact that I’m getting pretty much the same results baffles me. With the price point of the Camille Rose Naturals butter, one would think that my hair remains moisturized for weeks at a time! But that’s not the case. And please don’t get me wrong, I understand that we’re paying for the ingredients (which are great), but if I can get the same results using the Elasta QP for a whole 10 bucks cheaper, then sign me up! The ingredients in Elasta QP’s moisturizer aren’t necessarily organic, but my tid bit of research proved that they aren’t bad for your hair either! So in this case, I would say that the choice is up to you. You can’t truly go wrong with either product. It just all boils down to how frugal you are.
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS:
Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner/Detangler vs. Giovanni Direct Leave In
– Key ingredients: organic mango fruit extract, organic slippery elm, organic marshmallow root, organic lemongrass, cetyl alcohol, behentrimonium methosulfate (ammonium compound for slip), citric acid
– Designed to condition, smooth the cuticle and remove knots, snarls, from thick textured, curly hair
– Typically packaged in an 8 oz. bottle
– Retails for $12.99
– Key ingredients: water, cetyl alcohol, tocopherol (vitamin E), Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), citric acid
– Promises to restore strength, luster, and nourishment to abused hair, moisturize and builds body, detangle for easy comb-out/styling, plump each strand for undeniable thickness that lasts, and great for all hair types
– Typically packaged in an 8.5 oz bottle
– Retails for $7.99
Comparison:
I used to be in love with Kinky Curly Knot Today until I cheated on it with Giovanni Direct Leave-in… *sings* “aaaaw these curls ain’t loyal!” But I must say I’m glad that I did! Kinky Curly Knot Today was great for detangling my hair, but it wasn’t so hot when it came to the conditioning side of things. My hair would feel moisturized while it was damp, but as it dried it was as if all the moisture evaporated. I thought my hair was just super thirsty and thought nothing of it. Oh but one day, I came across Giovanni…and that was all she wrote. This has become a staple product for me! Everything that it promises, it provides; my hair loves this stuff! Detangling is a breeze and my hair is nourished and moisturized for a significant amount of time. What I will say is this: Kinky Curly says that it’s designed for “thick textured, curly hair”, which is exactly what I have, but it dropped the ball on me. On the other hand, Giovanni is designed for ALL hair types and has yet to disappoint! It’s quite obvious that my hair can do without all the organic ingredients; so for a whole 5 bucks cheaper and extra half an ounce, I must say that Giovanni Direct Leave-In gets the award!
CONCLUSION:
I know not all of us are strung up on only using “natural” products, but there are some people that are. I know it’s all about preference, in fact the great MiMi Faust said it best, “I like what I like! (LOL)” However, I would suggest taking the time out to analyze what you’re paying for versus what you’re receiving. Just because it’s handmade and has 100% organic ingredients doesn’t make it the absolute BEST thing for your hair. If you can find something that gives you the same results or BETTER for a much cheaper price, I say why not go for it?! If you ask me, I would say that we are definitely paying too much for “natural” products. The results just aren’t significant enough. So until those organic products make me something like Rapunzel in a year, I’ll continue to save my little change and put it in my tank!
Which products do you prefer and do you think you’re overspending? Why or why not?
About Alondra: Joke telling, hair pick toting, life-living Southern Bell by way of Memphis, Tennessee. I’m a young,educated black woman pursuing dreams by day and a super hero by night; my powers reside in my mind. To state it simply, I plan to save the world one conversation at a time. @Color_Me_Diva @MyManeThang
