Tag Archives: Peppermint

Feb4

Condition :: Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

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Condition :: Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

Ugh…so my 49ers didn’t win the Super Bowl this year BUT I am very happy for Ray Lewis! He’s certainly a man of God and testimony on for the power God can have in one’s life so I can’t be mad at that….but Don’t forget, the 49ers are still #2 for the most Superbowl trophies!!!!! Gotta catch up!!! lol it’s col we got next year for sure ;o)

Moving along….

Ok, I am going on my 8th year of being natural and WHYYYYY am I JUST now discovering this hidden gem?!!? Why didn’t anyone tell me about this conditioner?!?!?!?! I feel like my whole life is a lie!!! A LIIIIEEE!!!!!

lol just kidding, but my feelings are kinda hurt, like ya’ll been holding back on me :o( but it’s ok, I guess this is karma coming back to me for THIS and THIS :o( oh well, it’s all out in the open now! No more secrets :o)

This is amazingly the best “cheapie” conditioner I’ve ever used! AND it’s damn near all natural! It’s the Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner with Peppermint and Eucalyptus (sorry i don’t have a hyperlink for it!) from Trader Joe’s! Man, I got this thing for $4 for a big ole16 oz bottle! I know there’s not a Trader Joe’s in every city and you can’t buy from them online but it is sold on Amazon and other online marketplaces. But if it were me, I would hit up your homegirl who lives near one and tell her to get you bout three, fo bottles of this and have her ship them to you! lol

trader_joes_tea_tree_tingle_conditioner

Product Description

We’ve worked with an upscale boutique to bring you this salon-quality conditioner that will rejuvenate your hair with its refreshing tingle. A blend of certified organic botanicals including peppermint and tea tree work together to moisturize and clarify your hair while alleviating dry scalp. Our product contains no laurel/laureth sulfates found in most shampoos and is suitable for all hair types.

Ingredients
Ingredients: water, tea tree, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, nettle oil, thyme oil, birch leaf oil, chamomile oil, clary, coltsfoot leaf, yarrow oil, mallow, horsetail oil, soybean protein, cetyl alcohol, vitamin e, trace minerals, citric acid, sodium hydroxymethylgycinate, grape seed oil

This is a conditioner is super cheap, super slippery, super natural and super good for your scalp! I was shocked to see the ingredients, I’m like how is it possible to make such an inexpensive product with these ingredients! ***made me do a quick side eye*** lol I bought and have been using it since! (my bottle is already half empty in the pic lol)

I don’t use this for deep conditioning but more for a quick boost of the nutrients…ESPECIALLY on my scalp. I work this really well into my scalp and all those essential oils work wonders (specifically the tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, nettle and thyme) and I LOVE that cool tingly feeling! I also use this when I am rinsing out ayurvedic treatments, the same way I use the Nature’s Gate conditioners (it lathers a bit too!). I use gobs of it and not feel bad about it lol but it really helps dislodge any of the leftover grains from those treatments.

I imagine this would be a really good co-wash because some of the essential oils have cleansing properties. I’ve read that some curlies use it as a leave-in as well. I bet this could be mixed well in a spritzer mix! My hair definitely feels soft and refreshed after using it. Oh and don’t worry, the scent doesn’t linger for too long if you can’t stand the peppermint-iness (I love it though hehe)

This is definitely a great buy and something to keep on hand! Give it a try if you have champagne taste on a beer budget :o)

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Dec30

Conditioner : : Aubrey Organics GPB – Rosemary Peppermint

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Conditioner : : Aubrey Organics GPB – Rosemary Peppermint

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a WONDERFUL holiday season! I know those of us who have been blessed with the opportunity to take vacation from work are using it to rest up for an awesome year ahead of us!

EXPECT BIG THINGS THIS YEAR!! GOD is working OVERTIME!! Please believe it!

Aaaaaamen! lol

Ok so next up…. the Aubrey Organics (AO) GPB Glycogen Protein Balancing Conditioner in Rosemary Peppermint! I got the 11 oz ON SALE! at Whole Foods for $7.62. It’s $10.93 on their website which is around the regular price in the stores. I was geeked when I saw the sale price tag! I absolutely LOVE the White Camellia Conditioner and was excited to try another kind from AO! I had seen the GPB conditioner in the store for awhile but nothing ever jumped out at me where I felt I needed to buy it right away. I think because I always did my own protein treatments, like the Cherry Lola, so I didn’t see a need to spend the money on this. BUT then I saw they made it in Peppermint Rosemary!! I was sold! lol yea, it was that easy hahaha. I think my 2nd fav thing next to coconut (in regards to hair) is anything with peppermint! I LOVE peppermint! I just bought some peppermint EO too…

aubrey_GPB_rosemary_peppermint_condish

If you can’t stand peppermint, they have two other variations of the GPB Conditioners (and shampoos!): Regular (which is actually their most popular product ever according to their website) and Lavender/Ylang-Ylang.

Product Description

For more than 40 years our customers have loved Aubrey’s #1-selling GPB Conditioner. Now our signature conditioner is available in an invigorating Rosemary Peppermint scent. This nutrient-rich, protein-based formula rehydrates and re-energizes your hair, while glycoproteins strengthen hair fiber and repair damage from salon treatments to restore softness, manageability and shine.

Milk Protein Rich in cysteine and methionine; strengthens and mends damaged areas. Organic Aloe Replenishes moisture. Glycoprotein & Horsetail Extract Balance & fortify hair & scalp

Ingredients

Aqua, cetyl alcohol (coconut fatty alcohol), alcohol denat. (38b, lavender*), aloe leaf juice*, wheat germ oil, milk protein, glycerin, peppermint oil*, rosemary leaf oil*, brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer, grapefruit extract, soybean oil, glycoprotein, sage oil*, vitamin E, witch hazel water, horsetail extract, coltsfoot leaf extract, nettle extract, vitamin C, carrot root extract, beta-carotene. *organic

I think my favorite thing about AO products are their ingredients. They’re ALL natural, some even organic and the best ingredients are listed first meaning, there is a higher content of those ingredients….

Ok, I have a pet peeve, let me *sidebar* for a sec lol….it bothers me when companies advertise something with and ingredient like Argan Oil or Olive Oil but then list it as damn near the LAST ingredient. There’s probably one drop of olive oil in that thing! (Eco-Styler is notorious for this but I do love their gels and use them to this day lol I have the argan oil Eco-Styler but I definitely do NOT use it for the argan oil #JustSaying)

Any who, my point is, is that AO products have a higher content of the wholesome, goodness of amazing ingredients like the coconut, aloe, oils, proteins, etc. They aren’t the little things they add on at the end of the ingredients just so they can market their product a certain way.***steps down off soap box***

I knew my hair was in need for a protein boost after my banana hair mask the week before and I was so excited to try this out. I washed with Dr. Bronner’s Hemp Tea Tree Oil 18-in-1 Castile Soap (review on this coming soon!) and applied the conditioner to my roots and length of my hair. It said focus on the ends but I made sure I rubbed some on my scalp so I could get the peppermint tinglys hehe. I used my Hair Therapy Warp Thermal Turban and left it on for about 45 mins and rinsed out.

This conditioner has the signature peppermint scent that I love, it doesn’t have as much slip as the White Camellia version I also have but that’s ok. It still applied somewhat well. I did feel like I needed to put a little bit more on the really cover all of my hair and scalp. But since I would only use this 1-2x a month, it should last me a few months. This isn’t one of those every day conditioners (to me), I use it more of a treatment.

I got awweesome results! My hair is sooooo soft, springy, manageable, fortified, strong, etc. etc. etc. I love it! Love love love it! Aubrey Organics has some amazing products, definitely put them on your “To Try” list :o)

— P.S. I know I haven’t posted many pics of my hair but I feel like when I post pics of it’s wet (after conditioners), they all the look the same lol so it seems kinda useless…. wish pictures could let you see what it feels like haha. But I will be sure to post pics when I use a styling products!

Aug27

Product : : Henna Sooq Soapnut Shampoo Bar

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Product : : Henna Sooq Soapnut Shampoo Bar

Ahhh…..wash days got even better lol. We all know wash days can be a looooong, tedious process BUT incorporating shampoo bars into my weekly regimen has made wash days actually fun and something I look forward too lol ok maybe I’m just weird but I love washing my hair with shampoo bars! The process, the different kinds of soaps, the suds, I dunno, it’s just fun to me lol I wish I could wash my hair more often just so I can use the bars more haha

So my latest bar I went ahead and indulged in is from my beloved folks over at Henna Sooq. I bought the full sized (4.25 oz) Soapnut Shampoo Bar for $7 and it is by far my fav shampoo bar to date! Check this post and this post for other bars I have tried recently.

First of all, the bar looks like a giant cookies and cream bar lol and smells like yummy peppermint! In addition to my love of coconut, I reeeeeeallly love anything with peppermint. I don’t know why I don’t have more products with peppermint in it :o( The peppermint does wonders for the scalp and leaves that signature clean, tingly feeling. Nice and cool and soothing. That was actually the main reason why I bought this bar hehe

Product Description

Our Soapnut Shampoo bar is extra deep cleansing, and clarifies your hair. You’ll hair will feel refreshed, and ready for your ayurvedic hair treatments. You’ll love our shampoo bars because:

  • they’re extra rich, and moisturizing
  • 100% pure essential oils are used
  • No artificial, or synthetic scents
  • 100% natural
  • Handcrafted
  • These body bars will not strip the natural oils from your body
  • pH balanced
  • No SLS or foam booster
  • No preservatives
  • No detergents
  • No petroleum based oils
  • No residue
  • Ideal for all hair types

Ingredients

Organic high oleic sunflower oil, castor oil, unrefined shea butter, rice bran oil, sapindus murkorossi (aritha/soapnut), rosemary and peppermint essential oils

This particular shampoo bar cleanses REALLY well because of the soapnut which is also known as aritha or reetha, which is most often used in ayurvedic regimens. It’s a natural deep cleanser and helps balance the oil level in your hair. My thing is making sure my scalp is squeaky clean so the soapnut mixed with the peppermint EO works wonders on my scalp. My hair is soft, never dried out and my scalp is happy. It’s definitely a cleanser I could use weekly because it is not stripping and contains castor oil. So really, I am not losing any oils in my hair, rather replenishing and balancing it with clean oils. I also looooove that is contains rosemary EO because that is another phenomenal ingredient for a healthy scalp. It helps with hair growth (check out this post on Essential Oils for more info on my love for EO’s).

Another reason I really love this particular bar is because it is not the usual dark brown (due to the color of whatever ingredients are in the bar) so it rinses out clearer a lot faster than other bars. This means less time in the shower which is always good.

This bar is literally the PERFECT blend of ingredients. I am in LOVE!! Henna Sooq does it yet again! Oh and I also bought the Sweet Honey bar from Henna Sooq so I will review that one when I give it a whirl :o)

— Although I am forever a Henna Sooq and Bobeam fan, I want to start trying other shampoo bars so if you know of any other companies that have really good bars, leave a comment and let me know! I think I am going to try Chagrin Valley bars next! Which one should I try??

Jul15

Ayurvedic Treatment…..Neem!!

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Ayurvedic Treatment…..Neem!!

*peeks head around corner*

Hi…um…anybody there??

I know I know, I haven’t been blogging. Life happens and we have to tend to our priorities. Hate me or love me, whatever will be, will be :o)

I’m going to just jump right in…

So you know I LOVE ayurveda, so I wanted to devote this post to neem powder! I used the Hesh brand powder that you can get from local Indian markets for about $3.

The main reasons this little gift from the earth are that It is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxident and anti-inflammatory so it is a great treatment for the scalp. This is the primary reason why I use it, my scalp. My scalp creates build-up quite rapidly so I really have to make sure I cleanse and clarify my scalp often (once a week usually does it). I have found that ayurveda powders have worked best for that. A clean, clear scalp will encourage healthy hair growth. Also, fungi and bacteria on the scalp can clog your roots and cause other issues which can ultimately lead to hair loss. Not fun. Neem also contains aminos (proteins) so it helps strengthen hair and is great for relieving itchy, dry scalp. It’s just an overall great treatment for your scalp, even if you don’t have any issues with it, it just encourages over all health.

This last time I used the powder, I made the paste by adding peppermint tea instead of plain water like I normally do. I went through an obsessive phase of drinking peppermint tea so I had a bunch of tea bags to spare lol besides the delectable scent of peppermint, it is great for adding shine, conditions hair and makes it more vibrant. I saved a little of the tea to do a rinse at the end!

The powder itself is green in color, being that the powder is made from the green leaves of a neem tree. I think adding the peppermint tea made it even greener. It is kind of nasty looking if you ask me lol. The smell isn’t too bad, very earthy/herbal/plant-like. The peppermint tea made it a bit more pleasant. Peep the spatula lol I was paranoid after learning about using metal with the bentonite clay lol.

As with all my messy treatments. I apply my hair in small sections to ensure full coverage and leave it on for about 30-45 mins. Check out the flicks.

Gotta love the application of hair treatments…..

So after I let the paste nourish my hair under a plastic cap, I rinse really, really well until the water runs clear and follow-up a conditioner and BAM, super soft, strong, non-shedding, healthy-scalp having head of hair! Doesn’t do much for de-frizzing or curl definition but hey, nothing is perfect lol

I’m way due for a trim btw…

— what are your fav ayurvedic powders?

Jun2

Product : : Koils by Nature Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Peppermint Gel

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Product : : Koils by Nature Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Peppermint Gel

Hello curlies :o)

Oh how I love peppermint! There is something to soothing and relaxing about peppermint. I used to drink peppermint tea allll the time, reminds me of my momma :o) This makes me want to incorporate peppermint essential oil into my hair regimen now. Think I may just do that…

So this awesome find was a little 2 oz. sample I received in my bag of goodies at the B-more expo from Koils by Nature. It is the Soothing Herbal Curl Defining Peppermint Gel. I REALLY appreciate when companies provide samples that contain enough product to actually test and get a feel if it works for you. I mean it’s great that companies offer samples but most of the time they are just a teeny scoop. I’m like, what am I supposed to do with that!? lol It’s never enough to really be able to use it but this 2 oz. sample definitely allowed me to decide if I would buy a full size or not (I would!). On the website, this gel is $8 for 4 oz. and $16 for 16 oz.

Product Description

This is hair gel contains no alcohol and will not dry out your hair.  Herbal Soothing Peppermint Gel will provide your hair with great hold and is excellent for defining your natural curl, two-strand twist and excellent for smoothing your edges.  The Shea oil & honey will keep your hair moisturized, soft, and lustrous & the peppermint essential oil, will cool, cleanse, and stimulate your scalp.  Soothing Peppermint Gel works great in combination with the Nourishing Hair & Body Butter. *No Alcohol, *No Flaking, *No Artificial Color

Ingredients

Herb infused distilled water infused, aloe vera juice, Shea oil, grapeseed oil, macadamia nut oil, *Jamaican Black Castor Oil, carbomer,*organic marshmallow root,*organic slippery elm bark, *Jamaican Black Castor Oil, potassium sorbate, willows bark, lemon & peppermint essential oils, citric acid.

I wish I had more of this! I’ll have to buy to full size! I used this to do a two strand twist-out and it allowed my twist-out to last all week (I did re-twist it twice). It gave a really nice *soft* hold to my curls and allow my hair movement and was light and fluffy. I think my favorite part about this product was how well it held down my edges! I have some super thick edges that are in the process of growing back (I realized my bonnet was breaking them and stunting the growth! I don’t use it anymore for this reason) in to so they normally are not long enough to reach my twists in the front but this gel laid them down flat and made them look really sleek and nice! When I untwisted my hair, I applied a little coconut or Vatika oil to soften it and add some shine to it. My hair did look a little dull at first but I still loved the results. Check out the flicks below:

This is fresh, untwisted hair NOT separated yet.

Separated twists with coconut oil lightly applied

 

I also didn’t have much frizz at all either and it’s been really humid lately due to the rain we’ve had. I also was able to just tie my scarf around my head at night and fluff in the morning without disturbing the curl pattern and flattening my hair. Amazing lol I didn’t have enough to use this for a wash-n-go but I imagine it would be awesome! It didn’t flake and wasn’t crunchy at all. It has moisturizing ingredients and smells sooo yummy! The consistency is more of a liquid, creamy gel and not a thick, giggly gel.

I’ve been impressed with the products I have tried by Koils by Nature so far! Will definitely be buying the full size products once I use up some of the products I already have :o)

— What have some of your experiences with gels been like? Would you give this a shot?