Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Using the new Curl Junkie Products!

As most people know, I've released a few new products over the past 2 months and since I just released 2 new ones, I figured that now would be a good time to go over how to use them! Please keep in mind that everyone's hair is different and the following are just suggestions to help you get the most out of the products based on my experience. The following is based on my experience as well as based on client feedback.

Coffee-Coco Curl Creme-Lite - This is a lightweight version of the original formula and is perfect for wavy-curly hair for use on wet or dry hair. When I first developed this one, I made it for use on wet hair. Then, my manufacturer and her chemist tried it by chance on their wavy (& colored) dry hair and swore by it. I recently had the chance to visit them and tried it out on their hair. I was amazed! It added a little sheen, moisture, definition, and bounce to their hair! So when I returned home, I tried it on my hair dry and it worked like a charm. Now, this was not developed for my hair type (3c/4a), so it is too light for me to use on wet hair, but on dry hair, for refreshing and killing frizz...excellent! For 2a-3b hair types, feel free to try it both ways and you will probably not need a leave-in when using this as it is very conditioning. For 3c-4a types, I think it works best on dry hair for reviving curls/coils, but that is how it works out on my hair.

Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner - This is perfect for people who follow a CG routine (conditioner wash routine) or need a gentle conditioning cleanser. I normally do not follow this routine (I like to shampoo-mainly with the Gentle Cleansing Shampoo), but since I had been killing my hair testing products, even a gentle shampoo can be a bit much when you have to wash your hair 5 times in a row! This conditioner saved my hair's life. It has a lot of slip and moisture, yet lightly cleanses the hair without stripping it. At worst, after using this I just need a little bit of conditioner mainly on the ends of my hair since my hair is dry. If you have normal-oily hair and/or fine-normal hair, this may be the only product you need for your cleansing/conditioning routine. It has a light mint/citrus/cucumber scent and is very creamy. Make sure to wet your hair thoroughly and add small amounts to hair. Smooth it through and then add a little water. At this point you can start the scrubbing/shampooing motion and you should see a few bubbles start to form (add more product as you feel is necessary). Once you are satisfied with the level of cleansing, rinse and style. This is not a leave-in product so do be sure to rinse it all out. Love this stuff!

Curls in a Bottle!
- This can be used as your only styling product depending on your hair type. I have found that this product works the best for me when I use the Beauticurls Daily Conditioner first. I think that in this dry, cold weather, the glycerin in the conditioner works wonderfully in the shower to give my hair the moisture it needs and won't get outside of the shower. Then I rinse thoroughly and apply the Curls in a Bottle! straight. I apply a good amount (about 4 half-dollar sizes for my almost shoulder length normal-thick 3c/4a hair) to my hair and scrunch/squish it through my hair before towel blotting. If my hair is feeling on the dry side, then I might add Curl Rehab or Curl Fix as a leave-in under the product. It should be noted that this is not a curl enhancing product (or wasn't developed to be), so if you have wavy hair and are looking to boost curl, you may have to mix this with a hard hold gel to help encourage curl. This product helps to smooth out and define waves and curls.

Beauticurls Daily Conditioner - This is great for adding a shot of moisture and detangling. I've also heard reports from people who have been using it successfully as a leave-in as well. I use it as an instant detangler that I rinse out after 1-3 minutes and I get hydrated, soft hair.

Beauticurls Leave-in Conditioner
- This is a lightweight option for adding a little moisture to the hair. It is very conditioning so it may not the best choice to use under the Curls in a Bottle! since the 2 together can be over conditioning and cause frizz (or use a very small amount). I find it's best to use this one by itself or topped with a hard hold gel. It also smells fantastic-which is a plus!

Curl Fix - This is perfect for when you need a dose of protein or if you have fine hair that likes protein in conditioners. There is not so much to make your hair hard, but especially when used with heat, this helps you to add strength and smoothness to your fragile hair. I like to use this as a leave-in under the Curls in a Bottle! when I feel like my hair could use a little protein/strengthening.

Curl Assurance Smoothing Daily Hair Conditioner
- I look at this as the lightweight daily version of Curl Rehab or I should say that is how it performs on my hair. Once this penetrates the hair after 2-3 minutes, you can feel it smoothing out frizzies (or I can :-) )-hence the name...I alternate this with the Beauticurls Daily Conditioner and once a week I choose a deep conditioner from either the Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix, Curl Fix, or Curl Rehab.

I hope this helps give some insight into how to use the products. If you have any questions about using them, feel free to post below and I'll do my best to answer! :-)

13 comments:

  1. Hi Marsha,
    I see that Curls in a Bottle is not meant to be curl enhancing - which products of yours are? I am a fine 3a/3b.

    Thanks!

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  2. As far as styling products-the new Coffee-Coco Curl Creme-Lite is curl enhancing and would probably be very good for your type! I have also heard that the Aloe Fix can be used as a curl enhancer with a hard hold gel on top...but I think the Coffee-Coco Lite would be your best bet!

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  3. Thanks for the hints on how to use the products. I just read glowing reviews for the Daily Fix and a few other products over on a thread at NaturallyCurlly.com's CurlTalk, and it got me hooked. I just ordered five of your products and I hope my hair likes them. :)

    I have tried the hibiscus/banana deep treatment and like it. Leaves me really soft, which means I sacrifice a bit of curl, but I like touchability (as does hubby).

    Your company (and you) sound really cool. Best of luck with the new line.

    Mirtika in (often crazy humid) Miami.
    3b(with 3a patches), high porosity. low elasticity, medium-coarse texture, medium density

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  4. Okay, so I'm sitting here with lovely THIRD DAY hair, which is, ya know, like a miracle. I used the Daily Fix (looove), the Smoothing Condish, used some Curl Fix as leave-in, and CIAB with some gel (ArcAngell). On the second day, I added a bit more CIAB and some Curl Rehab as a leave-in on ends to refresh hair.

    I didn't have to do a THING to hair today other than take out my night-sleep scrunchie, shake curls out and fluff up roots. Hair looked fine. I did add some Curl Rehab to ends at night while watching TV, cause my porous hair gives off moisture like mad, but I've never had my hair so soft and my curls so clearly defined on the third day before. THANKS, marsha. A fabulous line.

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  5. Yeah!! Thanks for your nice comments. I'm glad the products are working well for you! I'm always working trying to make the products the best I can for you guys! :-)

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  6. Gotta add that the smoothing conditioner is one of the most wonderful smelling hair products EVAH! Love it. Wish the Curl Rehab and Curl Fix came in that scent. LOOOOVE it!!! (Like the gardenia a lot less).

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  7. I'm glad you like it! Scenting products is one of the most frustrating things for me ever! BTW-The Smoothing Gellie shares the same scent. I've found that folks either love or hate the florals, but I like to give options! :-)

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  8. Hi Marsha - I love love love CCCC! So far, it's the only product I've tried, but I just ordered a bunch of samples that I can't wait to try. And I have to agree with Mirtika, and say that everything smells DELICIOUS. I want to eat all of it haha :)

    I have one question about the Curl Fix - I have 3a-3c thick, coarse, low porosity Italian hair, and I'm not sure if proteins are my friends or not, so I wanted to give the Curl Fix a whirl to see if I can use proteins. I've been CG since March 20th, so my hair is still seeking moisture since giving up sulfates & silicones. My question is, should I use the Curl Fix after I shampoo/cowash and before conditioning? Or will CF take the place of conditioning? I'm still confused about this and haven't been able to find the info I'm looking for on naturallycurly.com. Thanks for everything, Marsha! I'm excited to try everything I ordered - CCCC Lite (to use on dried hair), H&B HB LI, CIAB, & Curl Rehab.
    Thanks!!
    Toni

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  9. Hi!! I'm glad you like the product! In the case of Curl Fix, you traditionally would use it in place of your conditioner, but I usually recommend that you follow it with a moisturizing conditioner (like the Smoothing or Curl Rehab) since it is a protein treatment and you want to make sure you have a good protein/moisture balance. Hope that helps! :-)

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  10. Hi Marsha! I'm wondering if the Gentle Cleansing Shampoo will fade permanent hair color? Once in a while I use silicones to protect my hair from heat damage, so I'm not sure if I should use the poo or the Daily Fix cleansing conditioner. Thanks in advance :)

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  11. Hi! Both Cleansers are formulated to be gentle and should not fade permanent color like traditional shampoos. The Daily Fix is especially good for not fading color and is a excellent conditioning cleanser. If your hair is very fine or prone to buildup you might have to alternate using the Gentle Cleansing Shampoo. Both cleansers are formulated to remove silicones. Thanks!

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  12. I have been trying to find a cleansing conditioner that does not have almond or coconut in the ingredients, because I'm allergic. Do you recommend any of your products?

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  13. Hi! You really should visit our site at curljunkie.com and check out the ingredients lists for each product. That way you can check what is good for you and what isn't as often times folks with allergies are often allergic to categories of ingredients not just the specific ones they think. If you are curious you can also try out the sample sets which are minimal cost to see if you like them/are not allergic. It would be hard to say as allergies are so personal! ;-) You might find that you are allergic to a fragrance rather than the exact thing you are looking for so test out first!

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