Benita's Favorite Hair Products of 2015

First of all, anything on my 2014 List from November of last year that I still love will NOT be repeated on this list.  So let's get started!

Favorite Detangling Shampoo
Abba Moisture Shampoo (Great for transitioning from relaxer to natural!)

Favorite Deep Red/Burgundy Semi-permanent Haircolor
Colaura by Design Essentials' color name: Passion

Favorite Extra Cleansing Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Shampoo one

Favorite Cleansing Conditioner after Semi-permanent color application
Straight Request Power K77

Favorite Loose Natural Hair Haircolor
Beth Minardi Cream Demi-permanent Haircolor with 5 volume developer

Favorite Scalp Refresher Spray
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin

Favorite Clarifying Shampoo after lightener/bleach service
Naked by Essations Detox shampoo

Favorite Color Sealer
Abba Color Protection Conditioner (pH: 2.5 - 3)

Favorite Color Alert Neutralizing Shampoo
Isoplus Neutralizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Favorite Kiddie Relaxer
ORS Olive Oil Girls

Favorite Jamaican Black Castor Oil Spray
Tropical Roots Jamaican Black Castor Oil Spray (light enough to use on fine hair, pre-blended with other oils for a subtle aroma)

Favorite conditioner with heat protection built in
Shea Moisture Professional Keravega Monoi Oil Complex Smooth Finish Conditioner

Favorite Gray Cover-up Temporary Solution
Color Wow Root Cover Up powder compact

Favorite Crochet Braid Removal Spray
Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 Miracle Worker

Favorite Pre-Relaxer Scalp Protector
Syntonics Comfort Gel

Favorite Balayage Foil
Sunlights' The Balay Wrap

Favorite Hair Masque
Avlon Affirm MoisturRight Hair Repair Masque

Favorite Wig Detangler
HairUWear All Day Softness Leave-in Conditioner

Favorite Lightweight Foam for Relaxed, Fine Hair
Jane Carter Solution Wrap And Roll

Many products from my 2014 list are still my favorites as far as haircoloring is concerned.  So if you are going Christmas shopping or Black Friday shopping - print out this list as well as the 2014 version of my favorites list.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Color Alert Neutralizing Shampoo Competition

In my search for neutralizing shampoos with Color Alerts built-in, I discovered that Hawaiian Silky had  two different neutralizing shampoos.  One is for "No Lye" relaxers and the other is for a "Lye"relaxers.  Wow!!!  I was impressed.

So I used Fiberguard Affirm Normal "Lye" relaxer as my test relaxer.  I also picked up Maxi Professional Hair Repair Neutralizing Shampoo, Elasta QP Stop Action conditioning neutralizing shampoo, and African Essence Neutralizing Shampoo Plus to test for the color alert functionality.

I figured the Hawaiian Silky "No Lye" neutralizing shampoo was not going to work because I was testing with a "lye" relaxer, but to my surprise, neither of the Hawaiian Silky neutralizing shampoos worked compared to the rest of the other brands that I was testing. 

The Maxi Professional brand and the Elasta QP brand both showed immediate color alerts.

The African Essence brand worked quickly as well, but the color alert was not as bright and plentiful as the Elasta QP, but it worked significantly better than the Hawaiian Silky brand.

I decided to test the Isoplus Neutralizing Shampoo and Conditioner brand as well.  The color alert worked immediately.  This Isoplus neutralizing shampoo is one of the top recommendations for the price, and it is sold almost everywhere including Sally's Beauty Supply.

So first place is a tie!  The winners are Isoplus and Maxi Professional (listed in alphabetical order).  Both have thicker consistency.  African Essence and Elasta QP are both in second place because of their thinner product consistency.  All four brands really do the job.  

Note:  I initially had Elasta QP in the first place position, but because I probably dispensed more product out due to its thinner nature - I think that second place is more fair and in line with the African Essence consistency.  The Isoplus and Maxi professional could easily be used with an applicator nozzle because of their thickness.  It is all about customizing and personal preference.

On the other hand, Hawaiian Silky may need to go back to the lab.  I will have to test the No-Lye neutralizing shampoo on a "no lye" relaxer at a later date, but for now, I will keep my color alert winners on hand.

As you may recall, I had been using the NuExpressions 10 in 1 Conditioner as a color alert, but I got tired of importing it in because there are no distributors in the metro Charlotte, NC area.  So from a convenience standpoint, I wanted other color alert options.  So now, I have them!

A Quick Squeeze Nozzle Test showed that the NuExpressions 10 in 1 Conditioner was the superior color alert option, Isoplus was second, and with Maxi Professional showing only a slight pink (center color on stick).  Tests like these give me a clearer perspective to how products compare.