I love using the Fantasia IC Olive Styling Gel to finger style my hair from time to time during these cold months as my protective style, but I do understand that the Fanstasia gel does contain dimethicone, a type of silicone. The dimethicone contained in the gel that I used is a chemical modified one(dimethicone copoyol) that makes it water soluble so it can be washed out with a conditioner wash as well as a shampoo that contains Cocamidopropl Betaine(removes all types of cones). Thankfully this type of silicone doesn’t require the use of sulfates to remove from the hair, which I personally do not like using in my hair.

So with that said, I needed a shampoo that contained Cocamidopropl Betaine, but is also sulfate free. This is when I stumbled upon the Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo. When I think of clarifying shampoo’s I think of them being harsh, drying, and full of sulfates, but not Giovanni’s. I shampooed my hair with this shampoo and my hair felt clean, but it felt equally moisturized as well.

I believe you can wash your hair with this shampoo every time you cleanse your hair, but because I have a drier hair type I tend to limit shampooing and/or clarifying my hair to once per month, while co-washing every 3-7 days. I plan on only using this shampoo only when I am using products containing ingredients that can cause build up (cones), and when I am using my all natural products (shea butter, Kinky-Curly Custard, etc.) I plan on using plan baking soda and water or apple cider vinegar to clarify my hair.

Overall, the Giovanni 50:50 Balance Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo is a winner in my book. It contains zero sulfates, it does not strip the hair, but moisturizes it, and it contains the ingredients needed to remove buildup (Cocamidopropl Betaine).

Credits: Photo from Credits: Photo from amazon.com

This is just a follow up video about how I refreshed the finger styled gel look I created in the previous entry. I used a shea butter mixture I made and the Curls Euphoria Elixir to refresh my style. You can use any type of good moisturizer and or hair gloss to refresh your curls. Also, a great plus is my hair has lasted a total of 6 days, still looking great as ever. It’s getting a bit frizzy in certain areas, but it still looks great. This style can be worn for up to 5-7 days before you have to cleanse, condition, and restyle. It’s also a great protective style as well!

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This video is a demonstration on how I finger styled my hair using the Fantasia IC  Olive Styling Gel to create shiny beautiful spirals. I also used the Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner as my leave-in under the gel for ultimate definition and to add softness and moisture. This technique may not work for everyone if your hair is lacking a curl pattern, so please do not get upset if you find that it doesn’t work for you. Coarser hair types will benefit more with a twist out instead. Gel can also be used for a twist out if you want that silky, shiny look.

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Last month I did a caramel treatment because I intended on removing the last of the scab hair. I am really tired of cutting my hair, but I know that I will never be able to fully enjoy my hair until I remove the scab hair, so after applying the caramel treatment , I applied a heat protector and blew my hair dry with my ceramic blow dryer. I then flat ironed my hair to reveal the unresponsive, scab hair. Next I took my shears and began removing the scab hair from every strand. I really had it and I wasn’t going to just remove some of it. I removed all of it causing me to cut an inch of hair off .

Once I shampooed my hair again (a week later) and looked at my natural hair texture it was so gorgeous. My hair was beautiful, glossy, and full of spirals and coils. There was no bird nest effect going on in my hair anymore. Each strand had a curl pattern and I have now realized how beautiful 4b hair really is. It is a gift from God, and I am so very happy with my true hair texture now that the scab hair is finally gone !

If you are transitioning from a relaxer or even a texturizer, you may or may not experience this, but if you do start to notice hair growing out of your scalp that is major dry and without any curl pattern at all, you may have scab hair. Please do not give up and turn back to a relaxer by making the mistake that this is your real hair texture. You will be surprised how beautiful your hair texture really is once you’ve grown out the scab hair completely and removed it. I for one, thought my hair was like that once until I noticed a beautiful spiral growing out from my scalp one day. It was that day that I realized that the hair on the ends was not my true texture of hair.

My true hair texture - 4b hair

No more scab hair!

I saw this product in the beauty store today and decided to try it. I love shea butter and I usually just stick with my unrefined shea butter, but sometimes it gets a little boring so I decided to try something new for a change and I came across this product. I read the front bottle which read: “Shea Moisture the natural hair & body rejuvenator, Shea Butter Leave -In Conditioner with Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera & Vitamin E. Essential Vitamins, Ultra-Moisturizing, Heals, Repairs & Protects.”

Sounds really good huh?

I also noticed that they also sold body lotion as well as shampoo for the hair, but I purchased just their Leave-In Conditoner which was priced at $7.99. The conditioner has a very thick consistency. It is not like a lotion, but more like a cream and a little goes a long way. It’s smells really good too and the ingredients are all natural.

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Deionized Water, Herbal Complex, Panthenol, Centromonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E.

When I put it in my hair it made my hair very soft with a very light sheen. I also used it on my face because my skin is very dry due to the weather and being in my first trimester. Even though its not made specifically for the skin, it helped a lot with the dryness of my face. This product is a keeper and I recommend trying it, if you are looking for an all natural moisturizer.