The Battle of the Reviews: Which One is True?

Recently, I watched two YouTube videos about NaturelleGrow . Now to someone unskilled in discerning product reviews, it might make your head hurt to determine which review was "correct". One young lady didn't have a lot of positive feedback for the product. Meanwhile, the other young lady was raving about the SAME product.

So, when you are watching YouTube, do you know EXACTLY how to understand a product review? Do you even know what makes a GOOD product review versus a BAD one? Is there anything such as BOTH reviews being correct? First of all, when watching any type of beauty product review, you MUST remember that not everyone's body chemistry, hair, skin, and nails are the same. What may be the holy grail for one person may be bane of someone else's existence. Keep in mind that some people have allergies and some products are exactly what that person's hair and skin craves. Now the last piece is very important in scrutinizing product reviews. Consider the person's hair and/or skin type, duration of time using the product, and HOW the person used the product. For example, if the person used the product in a different way other than the company suggests, can you REALLY disbelieve that the product works?

I enjoyed both product reviews by the ladies featured in each of the YouTube videos. Both were honest and provided insight into their use of the NaturelleGrow products. You all know me if you've been reading long enough. I know what my hair likes and doesn't like. So, I'm not really looking to try out any new products per se. However, I will continue to try products from within the same company. I look forward to using new products that Renee creates. Not only does my hair drink in her products and thrives with them, but also I respect her integrity and work ethic.

The next time you select a YouTube video, just keep an open mind and remember that what may or may not work for the other person, may or may not work for you. It doesn't mean that the person was dishonest or negative. It may just mean that your hair just likes different things! It's ALL good! Let's continue to support black businesses and provide positive critique. I like how articulate BOTH ladies were in their review. THESE are the kinds of videos we need to see more of. Our natural hair community won't grow with negativity. Just as a flower needs light and water to grow, we can only grow as a community from positive communication, helpful critique, and a spirit of collaboration!

My Winter Routine 2013

The winter time in the DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia) area can be very cold. I know it doesn't get as cold as other destinations, but it gets cold enough to make me whip out my thickest oils and concoct a winter spray mixture. I was perusing Youtube when I came across Naptural85 and there was a video on a nourishing hair and body oil. I automatically perked up because my hair strands were coughing and in need of moisture. Yes, I know oil doesn't provide moisture. It seals in moisture. So, off I went to MOM's Organic (think Wholefoods but slightly smaller) to buy the key oils for this mixture. It is ultra nourishing and my hair was thanking me for using it. No, seriously I swear my hair high fived me when I finished spritzing my hair.

WINTER HAIR OIL

In order to make the nourishing hair and body oil you will need to have castor oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil. Get yourself an empty bottle. I found an oil bottle that I wasn't using but you may want to get one especially for your oil. Then do about an ounce for each of the heavier oils (i.e. castor, olive, and avocado) then about 1/2 ounce for the sweet almond and jojoba. You may want to adjust the oil for your liking.

AYURVEDIC  HAIR CARE

My scalp goes haywire with the winter weather, so I decided to step it up on my Ayurvedic hair care. Once a week I use Sukesh Ayurveda as a scalp treatment/prepoo. I put heated aloe vera juice (about a 1/2 cup), rose water (about 1/2 tsp), 4 tsp of Sukesh Ayurveda powder, and 20 drops of clove oil. Sometimes I will add the Henna Sooq Cocoveda oil which has many of the Indian oils along with ginger extract and coconut oil. It is a very moisturizing oil and my scalp loves it. First, I mix the ingredients and make a paste to on my scalp. Then, I use the remaining paste to put on my hair. I start with the ends of my hair first then work my way up. I make about 6 big twists and then wrap my head up with Saran Wrap. Ah, I know. So lovely. There is usually a funny earthy smell from the herbs, but I think the rose water cuts down on the aroma.



MAD MOISTURE SHAMPOO BARS

My hair and scalp LOVES shampoo bars. My most recent purchase is a definite must have for fighting dry hair. It's called Mad Moisture from . It is actually a hair and body bar. So, I like how I can use it on my hair then wash up with it to nourish my skin. The first time I used this lovely shampoo bar, I couldn't believe the absolute moisture. I have been using the Mad Moisture shampoo bars for about a month now and it never disappoints.



KINKY CURLY KNOT TODAY LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER

I have gone back to what my hair loves and so, I picked up a bottle of the ultra wonderful detangler, Kinky Curly Knot Today. I typically don't use this conditioner straight from the bottle. I usually take an empty bottle a la Kimmaytube style and I add about 2 Tsp of Kinky Curly Knot Today, 1 Tsp of castor oil and 1/2 tsp of jojoba oil. Most recently I added about a 1/2 tsp of olive oil too. Then, I squirt a generous amount of rose water then fill the rest of the bottle up with regular water. I shake really good and I have my leave in conditioner ready to go.

I love nourishing my hair in the shower, so I will squirt this in my hair then rinse it out. Then, I will add it as a leave in (just a little) after I deep condition my hair. My hair behaves REALLY well using this method. I get to have the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method in and out of the shower.

NATURELLE GROW HERBAL BLENDS DEEP CONDITIONER

The NaturelleGrow Conditioners are absolutely decadent. I have yet to find any conditioners that are as nourishing, rich, and creamy. My favorite conditioner is the Herbal Blends conditioner. It contains excellent ingredients like marshmallow root, blue malva, slippery elm, burdock root, and mullein. All of the ingredients work to detangle and moisturize the hair. Also, this blend promotes hair growth. I don't like to be without it. My hair craves it! I like to deep condition about 30 minutes every time I cleanse my hair, which is about once a week.



PROTECTIVE STYLES

My top favorite style is twists pinned up or secured with a Goody Oucheess Barett. I use Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie mixed with Shea Moisture Curling Souffle on most days. Sometimes I will use a castor oil pomade or Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Grow and Strengthen Edge Taming Taffy. I wear my hair out every other weekend, but I cover my head with a scarf and beanie then take it off when I'm indoors. I NEVER go outside with my head uncovered as the winter air is very drying.

MY WINTER HAIR ROUTINE IN A NUTSHELL
-Scalp Treatment
-Cleanse
-Condition
-Moisturize
-Seal
-Style

NaturelleGrow: ALL Hair CAN Grow!

SPOTLIGHT ON UP & COMING NATURAL

Renee Dawes 

Renee Dawes, Owner & Creator of
NaturelleGrow Handmade Hair Products

For months now, I’ve been using NaturelleGrow products and I have experienced phenomenal results. Impressed with the quality ingredients and superior performance of the products, I reached out to NaturelleGrow products owner, Renee Dawes, for an exclusive interview with The Forgotten Natural Blog.

Renee, thank you so much for agreeing to do an interview with The Forgotten Natural Blog. Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am originally from Ohio, but up until recently I lived in New York. Currently, my family and I are relocating back to Ohio.  My husband and I have worked in ministry for the last 11 yrs. We have had our own church for the past 3 yrs. We have two daughters, ages 14 and 8.

How did your hair journey influence your decision to start a company?

In my younger years I was relaxed.  In high school, I wore weaves a lot and the glue I was using caused my hair to become so damaged that my edges were gone. My scalp was white and flaky. Then, I began sewing in the weaves. I had the mindset that my hair wouldn’t grow. It got to the point where I couldn’t even relax my hair anymore; it was so thin.  So, in 2007 I slowly transitioned to natural.

Once I started learning how to take care of my hair; it started growing. It became a passion. I was trying all kinds of products and investigating the ingredients in products. I began studying herbs and finding out how beneficial the herbs are for hair. I was interested in long and healthy hair. As a result, I decided to find out how to make conditioners, cleansers, etc. I looked into which natural products would work. I was able to test the different formulations on the different hair types of my family members (relaxed, natural, kinky, curly). I was able to determine that natural products work on all hair types.  I discovered that people, who had never grown hair, were able to do so using natural hair products.  I became passionate about helping others attain what I had; long healthy hair. Once I figured things out, my hair went from chin length to armpit length. Once I began making my own products it grew to waist length. Currently, it is almost TBL (tail-bone) length.

With all the different natural hair product companies out here, what do you think makes NaturelleGrow unique?

Customer service and having a relationship with the customers are very important to me. I believe in putting the customer and his or her needs first. When you are a small company, you have the ability to reach out and touch people’s lives. We provide fresh ingredients and listen to what the customers actually need.

Can you share with us your weekly hair routine?

I cleanse my hair and then, I do an herbal rinse. Next, I put in my deep conditioner and sit underneath the dryer for about 15 minutes. All of my deep conditioners are especially formulated for dry hair. After rinsing out the deep conditioner, I put in a moisturizer and then I plait about 5 braids. Next, I will sit under the dryer and then, comb it out. Some days I use a blow dryer and straighten it.

During the winter, I set my hair on large rollers and sit underneath the dryer. After my hair has dried, I put hair butter on my ends or moisturizer and pull it back into a ponytail.

How have your products helped your customers with their own hair journeys?

For years my sister’s hair didn’t grow and now her hair is mid back length.

One person e-mailed me the other day. She said that at first she was skeptical, but she was using my oil on her daughter’s hair. It worked exceptionally well. Another person has relaxed hair and she told me that she noticed the moisture in her hair improve right away after using NaturelleGrow products.

Do you have any new products coming out?  If so, when can we expect to be able to purchase them?

NaturelleGrow has a new hair growth oil that is expected to be launched August 2013.  After testing out the oil for some time, I was astounded by the fast results. This oil works VERY well to aid hair growth!

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when caring for kinky, coily, and curly textured hair?

All hair is beautiful. All hair will grow. Long hair has nothing to do with your race or genetic make up. The most important thing is that you must treat your hair as though it was fine china. Your hair is constantly growing but you must focus on retaining the hair you have. You must learn what your hair likes and dislikes. Get to know YOUR hair. Treat your hair well and it will flourish.  

To order NaturelleGrow products visit  NaturelleGrow on Etsy

NaturelleGrow handmade products are fresh and all natural.