Smart Talk about Paraben Free Products

 Take a look at both of these Jane Carter Solution's Wrap and Roll Foams.  Notice a difference in the color of the liquids?  One is more yellowish than the other.  The Jane Carter Solution is a paraben free product line.  Without parabens or preservatives, the shelf life of products are expired much quicker than those with parabens.

The discoloration of the product can be a sign that it is expired.  Also, the smell of the product is an even better sign that the product is expired.  The clearest bottle of foam has a fresh grapefruit smell to it.  The yellowish bottle of foam has a herbal afterkick to it.  It doesn't smell horrible, but it doesn't smell as relaxing to the senses as the clearer bottle.

If you find any paraben free products on clearance, I would definitely smell and analyze the product before buying it.  It is not usually wise to buy paraben free products on clearance unless you know that you are going to use the products up very quickly before they do completely expire.

Expired Cantu Twist and Lock Gel

 Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Moisturizing Twist and Lock Gel is paraben-free.  (i.e.  no preservatives)  I purchased this jar less than two years ago.  I would guess that I actually purchased it 1.5 years ago max.

 I have written articles regarding characteristics of expired gels.  This product smelled fine, but it started looking like cottage cheese.

 I started noticing it glob together which further confirmed that the product had expired.  There was no expiration date listed.

Then "plop!"  The contents of this jar eventually clumped over into one giant glob.  I usually allow paraben-free products one year before they expire.  So consumers should be careful about purchasing paraben-free products.  You never know how long they were sitting in the store before you purchase it.  Luckily, I had some fresh Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Gel for my finger twisting session.

So I had to trash this new jar of Cantu Shea Butter Twist and Lock Gel before I had a chance to review it.  I will probably not purchase it again because I do like the Jamaican Mango and Lime brand as well as the Nahbila's Essentials brand.

Product Spoilage within two years

 Paraben free means no preservatives, but it also means that the shelf life is limited.  I am having to trash "half full" products because of product spoilage.

 This Bee Mine product was made in December 2011 based on the product code, but it started to smell rancid already.  I think one ingredient is probably spoiling the whole jar.  I really think that this jar is only one year old.  That's money down the drain.

 This KeraCare Natural Textures Hair Milk seems to spoil quickly as well.  The 2010 bottle is already separated and the smaller 2011 bottle that I just opened smelled spoiled from day one.  I know what it should smell like . . .

Again, with the 2011 bottle, it is probably one ingredient that is spoiling the whole bottle.  Just be careful when purchasing "paraben free."  You need to get your hands on it as close to the manufacture date and use it within a year!

Product Review: Renpure Organics Conditioner Color Protecting

This little neon green egg shaped packaging caught my attention in my local Harris Teeter grocery store. The "CLEARANCE PRICING" on the shelf for the whole product line also caught my attention. After reading the ingredients on this Color Protecting Deep Deep Deep Conditioner, I found plenty of glycerin and palm oil as well as some other great ingredients. It smelled fresh enough to experiment with so I bought it.

I used it a few times here and there, and I felt it worked pretty good with softening and detangling hair. It has a distinguished fruity smell that makes you alert to the use of the product. It does not smell bad but distinct enough to make anyone ask what is that conditioner that you are using?

The Renpure Organics product line uses liquified fruits and flowers. This also worried me about allergy proned clients. I only used this conditioner sparingly through the ends of the hair being careful not to overindulge at the roots where the scalp could be sensitive to it. It is a paraben free and sulfate free conditioner. It seems to be designed with "healthy hair" in mind.

Overall, it was working well with the clients' hair as an instant conditioner without any heat applied. So I went back to Harris Teeter to buy a few more at the clearance price, and they were all gone. Well, it's all good! At least, I got to try it!