My girl Scarlett is back with some new products in the Wonder Curl line and I couldn’t wait to try them! I’ve reviewed and done giveaways on her Wonder Curl Get Set Hair Jelly here on the blog, and so I was excited when she told me that she was coming out with another product call Butter Than Love. It comes in two formulations: pudding and whipped. Here, I’ll review both:

Wonder Curl Butter than Love Whipped
Although some of the ingredients aren’t 100% natural, the product does not contain any sulfates, parabens, cones, mineral oil, or petrolatum. I also know for a fact that Scarlett makes this product in her kitchen, where I’m sure she wouldn’t be handling any harmful chemicals!

This product is thick and rich and emollient. I like using thicker products on freshly washed damp hair because I think they lock in the moisture better because since they have less water in them, there’s less to evaporate. (I would say that I have 4a/4b hair with 4c back in my “kitchen”.) I damp twisted my hair with this product and added a dab of [WonderCurl Get Set Hair Jelly] to about 11 medium-large sized twists (because it was really humid and rainy out) and let them air dry. In the morning, I untwisted and fluffed and got these fab results!

Wonder Curl Butter than Love Pudding
Now this product is a little thinner, has less chemicals and reminds me of the consistency of thick conditioner. I used this mid-week last week when my twist out was in need of a little TLC, and my hair felt a little dry. I spritzed each section with a little Oyin Handmade and slicked each section with Love Pudding before twisting. This product alone, doesn’t seem to provide much hold, so again I paired it with WonderCurl Get Set Hair Jelly, and twisted up 10 or 11 sections.
The results were soft moisturized hair that extended my twist out a few more days before wash day. I also like smoothing this product on my edges before I put a scarf on to smooth out my up dos.

As curly-kinky women, we are constantly searching for products that give natural hair moisture. Many of us have little knowledge on how pH balance plays a role in how much moisture our hair will receive. When our hair becomes too dry, it becomes prone to excessive breakage and damage. Using the right product with the proper pH balance can prevent this from happening.

What is pH balance?

pH (Potential Hydrogen} balance measures the acidity in a hair care product. Products with a high pH or a high acidity level are more likely to give you dry hair. The pH values are measured on a scale of 1 to 14. Lower pH values would be less acidic while higher values contain more acid (which is what you don’t want). The normal pH value balance of our hair ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 and using a product between the ranges of 3.0 to 3.5 restores our balance. To measure the pH balance of a product you would have to purchase pH testing strips. Should you test every product you buy to examine its pH level? Well, that would be entirely up to you, however having the knowledge of which products will restore your pH balance might be even better than testing every single product you buy.

Some all natural product suggestions with a low pH…

Aloe is a great moisturizer, which really brings out curl definition, and happens to have a low pH level that averages around 3.4.
Apple Cider Vinegar when diluted with water has a pH of 2.8 to 3.0. This product is great for conditioning hair, removing buildup, and can be use as toner for skin.
Olive Oil, Flax Seed Oil, and Argan Oil are all great moisturizers for your hair, which happen to be great for restoring your hair’s pH balance.

Did you know the average hair relaxer has a pH value that ranges from about 9 for the low strength and even up to 14 for maximum strength relaxers?

Relaxers have a high pH value, because this is what is needed to straighten our hair permanently. The chemicals literally break the bond in our hair altering its curl pattern forever. No wonder our hair is eventually left limp and breaking from the acidity this product contains! Having straight hair is not that serious.

I have both hands raised as I check out my hair in the mirror after using Wonder Curl!  It has taken me a minute to write up this review but I wanted to use the products a few different ways before I documented my experience. …

Consistency – It has a creamy consistency, not too thick, not too watery.  It’s just right!  I sound like Goldilocks!  It looks like some type of whipped icing.  When you rub the product between your fingers, it dissolves into a more oil like form.  You definitely do not need much which I learned after my first application.  The creamy consistency makes for easy application.   I initially used it on freshly shampooed wash and go hair.  The picture is after several days of being out in the elements and leaving it to stray about at night with nothing but a satin bonnet (HUGE MISTAKE) so it does look a little parched but it did not look like this initially.  I apologize for not having fresh photos. Read more.

While surfing the  GOC blogs, I would often find naturals who were concerned that they were experiencing breakage because they were finding short hairs. Their posts were filled with consternation because they were practicing healthy hair habits and couldn’t understand why they were experiencing breakage. So, this made me want to write a post for those who suspect breakage when they are doing everything “right.” Guess what? Those short hairs may be new growth!!

A few things one should think about when trying to diagnose breakage are:

• Are the ends of the short hairs tapered or blunt? Tapered hairs tend to be new growth whereas blunt and split hairs or hairs with white ends are indicative of breakage.
• Does the majority of the hair on your sink or in your comb/brush, have “roots” (white bulbs) attached or are many/most strands rootless? Strands with white bulbs are shed hair and not breakage.
• Do you hear *snap, crackle, pop* when combing or manipulating your hair? If you do, it’s probably breakage and the best thing to do is handle your hair more gently and ensure that it is well lubricated/saturated (with a pre-poo or conditioner – some prefer wet hair and others on dry) before attempting to detangle slowly from ends to roots. I prefer to finger detangle first as I’m able to feel the bad knots and tangles in order to gently ease them out, rather than ripping through them with a comb/brush.
• Do you have a lot of split ends and/or SSKs? Both of these can cause breakage as the splits and knots can/will snag on adjacent hairs and cause additional damage. I’m a fan of the S&D method to keep knots and splits to a minimum.
• Do you use heat often and/or forgo heat protection? Do you re-apply heat to “dirty” hair? Try reducing or eliminating direct heat. Opt for roller sets and silk wraps rather than a flat iron if you want straight hair and always use a heat protectant. Keep the passes over your hair to a minimum (1 0r 2) if you must use a flat iron or curling iron. Only “press” freshly clean and 100% dry hair.
• Do you use hair tools with metal parts or materials that can snag or tear? Do you protect your hair at night? Opt for barrettes, clips and hair elastics without metal parts, such as Goody Comfort Flex Barrettes, Ouchless ponytail holders, banana clips and satin scrunchies. Sleep on a satin pillowcase and/or wear a satin scarf or bonnet.
• Is your hair well moisturized or is it often dry and brittle to the touch? If so, are you moisturizing with a water based styler or leave-in and sealing with an oil or butter? Have you tried weekly deep conditioning treatments with a moisturizing DC? (There is an ongoing debate on the hair boards about the effectiveness of DCs and DCs with heat, but I am a believer. I believe the only way for you to know if they will make a difference for you is to give them a try.)  Are you overdoing protein DCs and/or not using a moisturizing DC as a “protein chaser?”
• How do you style your hair? Too much tension on the hair, especially fine and fragile curly hair, can cause damage. I personally opt for low manipulation and protective styles that I can wear for 2-5 days. I’ve also grown MBL hair with WnGs, so it is possible. However, everyone’s hair responds differently and to different things. The key is finding what works the best for you.

Read the entire article here.

Glare: None other than my raggedy ends which are the rubber bands fault lol.

Would I Recommend It? Yes! It actually states that it’s designed to work well with Wonder Curls Get Set Hair Jelly for added curl definition. I plan to use them both together as a wash and go next time. I’ll update you all on how that works out for me )

Overall Glam: The Butter Than Love Pudding is a great product. It has a honeysuckle scent that’s really soft and not overwhelming. Wonder Curl’s products are packed with great ingredients that are sure to keep your hair healthy, manageable and beautiful! Definitely a winning combination in my book )

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Black women outspend other women by a factor of two to six times (depending on which source you believe) when it comes to hair care.  While we represent less than 10% of the population, we spend most of the money spent on hair care in this country.  A black woman will take care of her hair- no matter what the cost. Hair care is deeply embedded in our culture as India.Arie so eloquently described in “I Am Not My Hair”.  This is tremendous spending power that is being spent largely outside of our community.  The vast majority of the money spent by black women on their hair is going to large white-owned corporations, and to Asians who have effectively cornered the market on distribution and retail of black hair care products.  As a black owned company servicing the black community, this is something we are obviously interested in and concerned about.  How did things get this way?  Is there anything we can do about it?  Should we do something about it?  Why should you even care?  (excerpt taken from http://www.treasuredlocks.com/black-hair-care-industry.html)

So it should come as no surprise that since I have made the very bold decision of cutting my hair before the start of 2011 into a Halle Berry pixie cut from it’s more than ½ way down my back state despite the fact that I am donating my hair to Locks for Love and in many ways it will be a therapeutic breakthrough as I admonish that nine year old girl who se hair was being cut against her will…that nine year old girl who once felt ugly and disgusting is finally growing into a beautiful nearly thirty two year old butterfly. In addition, to the mixed feelings of friends who may admire my long tresses the question that is most frequently followed once I deliver this news is, “Joe is going to let you cut your hair?” In my mind I am saying what the fuck, I am his wife not his own personal property. I mean it has been almost eight years in the balmy haze of the Bahamas which we got married, but I am pretty sure I can’t recall the Bahamian accented minister in the tacky stained checkered suit did not say, “Should you desire to cut your hair you must have the permission of your husband. Should you disobey his wishes it will be grounds for divorce / give him permission to ogle at women with long hair and or engage in a extra marital affair with a woman with long hair and/or express his vehement views about you cutting your hair. “

I must admit that I have grappled with the idea of cutting my hair for a very long time, but I have always been under the impression that men love long hair (which brings me to another point that I will come back to later if someone truly does love you then should stretch marks matter, scars, etc), so if this then is true why is it that just the very iconic beauty Halle Berry that my new hairdo will be fashioned after could bring a man to their knees?

Perhaps it lies within the concept of hiding behind the hair. Hair can create a façade. When a woman can carry off a super short do it is a testament of both her external and internal beauty because the mask of hair to hide behind is no longer there.  Every feature that God sculpted as her own unique masterpiece comes forth…her eyes, her freckles, her smile, her lips etc.

Moreover, I feel that hair can be a mechanism of control. Somehow as I prepare myself for cutting my hair the long hair of my ancestors being pulled by slave masters as black women/young girls when they were beaten and raped and treated as property stirs a feeling of empowerment in me.

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Glow: It’s not crunchy and it doesn’t flake! I know we tend to associate most gel based products with leaving your hair dry and crunchy but the Get Set Hair Jelly actually left my hair looking moisturized, it was soft & touchable and it didn’t feel weighted down at all.  Another thing I like about this product is that it comes in three different variations of sizes. I used the 2oz jar which is the smallest size and it retails for only $5. Initially I was a little apprehensive about whether or not 2oz would be enough for all of my hair. But to my surprise it was, and I have a pretty good amount of hair.

Glare: I can’t really call it a glare because my issue really has nothing to do with this product. I’ve mentioned it before but I have really soft hair which makes it difficult to achieve great next day hair. I’ve tried sleeping in a bonnet but that only mushes and flattens my curls. I’ve read suggestions about twisting your curls into sections before bed each night but….I’m a low maintenance kinda girl and trust me when I say that I don’t have the patience for that. Everyone is different but I’ve just found it easier for me to do a wash & go in the mornings and be done with it. Next day hair is another reason why I alternate from curly to straight a lot because obviously I don’t want to reset my hair with product ever single day.

Would I Recommend It? YES! I could really see myself using this as a staple product throughout the summer. If you’re not sure about buying the 16oz I’d definitely recommend trying the 2oz so you can get a feel of how it works for you.

Overall Glam: It’s a great product and it’s affordable! It worked well for my hair and I really like the results. I still have questions about my curl type, I really don’t know what type I am. My hair is generally more wavy at the roots and more coily and curly towards the ends. My hair tends to do its own thing so that varies too lol.

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