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!

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.

Product Review: Tropic Isle Detangler and Leave-In Conditioner

Normally, I don't use a detangler but I do use a leave-in. Imagine my distress when my hair detangling sessions began to lengthen due to my hair growth. While I am extremely happy that my hair is growing so well, it has caused a dilemma. Do I spend lots of time detangling my hair or cut it because it's just too much? Well, I chose neither option, but rather, I sought to find a product to assist me with shortening my detangling time.

After reviewing several products in various places, I decided to check out Tropic Isle Living Leave-In Conditioner & Detangler with a Fusion of Rosemary, Shea & Black Castor Oil . It comes in an 8 ounce bottle and it has a light herbal, slightly citrusy scent. It is a liquid spray and when I sprayed it on my hair, it felt pretty light. After washing and conditioning my hair, I sectioned my hair and sprayed it, then took my wide tooth comb and began detangling. I was pleasantly surprised that this product did in fact assist with my detangling.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera juice, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Vegetable Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Stearalkonium Chloride, Meadowfoam Oil, Phenoxyethanol dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Black Willow Bark Extract, Rosemary, Bay, Basil, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Cetearyl Alcohol

According to the directions on the bottle this product is best used on freshly washed and conditioned hair. You are supposed to pour enough leave-in conditioner into your palm and apply lightly to all areas of your wet hair. I preferred to use the spray to distribute this product and it worked well for me.

My hair is type 4 normal porosity medium length Afro textured fine hair. My hair strands are quite fine but my hair density is increasing after battling thinness. I have several allergies including allergies to synthetic dyes. Therefore, I have found that mostly natural products work well for me. Also, I have a scalp condition known as seborrhea dermatitis. Due to my scalp condition, I have to be careful in selecting a product that does not cause redness, irritation, or flaking.

I have used this product for the past month with great success. Not only does it assist me with detangling, but it moisturizes and helps with elongation of my curls. My coffee stirrer sized curls are wonderful, but they are tightly packed causing major shrinkage. When I use this product I am able to use my wide tooth comb to comb out my curls and stretch them a little. If I am doing twists then my twists comb out smooth and tangle free. If I opt to do a twist out or braid out, then I get more "hang time" with my hair hanging all over.

In conclusion, I give this product 4 hair balls for a great, light citrus smell and it performs as promised. Tropic Isle Living has a wonderful product that provides excellent ingredients and it is easy to use. I purchased my product from my local beauty supply store for under $14. Although I have used it for about a month, the bottle is still almost full. A little goes a long way and this is great considering that I won't be needing to spend a lot of money replenishing my supply. If you are looking for a natural detangler that will help you cut down the amount of time you spend fighting knots and tangles, then this may be the product for you!!