Product Reviews/Recommendations Time!
Okay so I said when joining this challenge that I was using a stash of products but I don't have a set order that I use them in but I'd recommend them to this thread. Well here they are, these are just some that I'm using in an odd rotation at the moment before I buy anything new. Product junkies like myself can try these out. I live in Canada so availability and prices of products may vary. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. These are all my experiences so results may vary. HHG!
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SOFTSOAP Aloe Vera Moisturizing Hand Soap: I use this as a shampoo even though it's hand soap after my mother told me that she uses it on her face and it's so gentle that it doesn't burn her eyes. It's super creamy, milky, and leaves my hair SOFTER than before washing it even though my "dirty" hair would have been lubricated with natural oils. Someone else on LHCF has used it too on her natural hair:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=466844&highlight= I buy the huge almost 2L bottles of this stuff for multi-purpose use for under $5 CAD.
JOICO K-PAK Reconstruct Conditioner: Runny conditioner that spreads easily so a little goes a long way. I paid $10 CAD for a 300ml bottle but some places sell for $15+. Since it does last long the price isn't a big thing for me and the results are worth it. It has protein but it says it's safe enough for daily use, I don't use it every time I wash my hair though. The protein only comes up first as the 8th ingredient so it should be okay for anyone that washes or co-washes everyday/every other day. Anyway, it leaves my hair shiny, strong, and soft to the touch when dry. I will say that it doesn't leave my hair overly soft or super detangled after washing so I don't use it when I have new growth. I will be buying this again whenever I feel like going back to it after it's used up but just like me, you might have to find a way it works for you to get maximum results.
Alberto VO5 Hot Protein Moisturizing Intensive Crème Treatment: Comes in a box with 3 cute packets. One packet is intended for each use. After shampooing take the packet and place it in a cup of hot water for 1 minute to activate the product for maximum results. Leave on your hair for 5-10 minutes. <- A little direction since it's not like every ordinary conditioner. THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! I was going to make a separate thread for this but here is good enough. I can't stress how much I love these things! My hairdresser overlaps and went overboard this time for my last touch up, that combined with high heat for the flat-ironing styling just reeks disaster. I love her and all but I was scared my hair was going to break off if I didn't use some sort of intense treatment on it after my next wash. Thankfully I didn't have that problem though; I used this and my hair felt like pure SILK with no tangles and NO breakage. If none of you try any of the products I've mentioned I highly suggest you try this one (and the one below). The smell of this is really nice and subtle, leaves my hair VERY soft and manageable. Hydrolyzed Collagen is the 4th ingredient so it really is an "intensive" treatment that I wouldn't use every week, maybe after every relaxer or whenever I feel my hair needs it. This product has replaced Aphogee since I got it for $3 CAD versus $25+ I have to pay for the 2-Step treatment. I'm not saying this will replace Aphogee for YOU but it did for me and at $3-$5 CAD, this will definitely be a staple and I WON'T be going back to Aphogee since I got better results with this. LOVE IT!
Motions CPR Protein Reconstructor: Okay, I'm always going around mentioning this product but it's also superb and has also replaced Aphogee 2-Step. Shampoo then leave this in for 3-5 minutes according to the instructions. No breakage afterwards and even if you have a heavy shrub of new growth coming in, this will soften that to make detangling a breeze. Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen is the 6th ingredient so I don't recommend using this every week; I only use this consecutively when the new growth is too much to handle because I try to decrease washing and any manipulation to my hair at this time. The most I would use this in a row would be twice, then switch to a VERY moisturizing conditioner like Aussie Moist and go back to this. I do try to use this before my relaxer as a kind of barrier to protect my hair before my touch up. I will mention though that the smell AFTER your hair is dry smells kind of old... Almost as if your hair and scalp are NOW starting to get the musty, stinky smell that you get when it's time to wash your hair; that's the only downside but the pros make up for it.
SHECARE Deep Reconstructor Mask: Thick and creamy, $10 for a 300ml tube. The smell is something like men's cologne and is very strong, I would say the scent is stronger than HE conditioners and lingers for days.
I've only seen this in Shopper's Drug Mart here in Canada so anyone in the U.S. may need to look around if you're interested in buying. It has Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten and Protein which are supposed to help your hair better hold moisture and maintain moisture. Also, since these two ingredients are lower down on the list and after fragrance you can use it every week with no problem. Keeps my hair soft after I rinse it out and detangling is made easy. Now to the downside, I like my hair to be easy to run my fingers through, none of that sticking in the middle nonsense when dry. If I'm planning to go out THAT day my hair will look silky and smooth but it won't be like run-your-fingers-through-it-hair. Don't get me wrong, it's not to the point where my fingers are stuck in my hair but it's not to the point where I would want to play in it all the time. If I wait about 2 days before leaving my hair down and just keep it in a bun or wrapped up for the time being, there is a dramatic difference in the look and feel. I WILL be able to play in it and won't be able to stop and also will dazzle due to the amount of shine.
So it depends on you and what you want to do, if you don't play in your hair like me then you won't have my problem, if you do touch your hair a lot, wait a day or two before leaving your hair down.
and 
on the baby on the way! Good luck to you on this challenge!!
sometimes. LOL!
to BSL yourself!!
taking notes
Got some of this in my bathroom now....
so I can see what all you lovely ladies are doing with your hair. 