Blaq Vixen Beauty Reviews Black Crown Natural Hair Care
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A || B A C K S T O R Y
This haircare review is terribly overdue, but here it is, finally! I was contacted to review select products from Margaret Mason’s Black Crown Natural Hair Care line, namely the Peppermint and Tea Tree Shampoo, the Hemp Hot Oil Treatment, and the Moisturizing Oil Spray. All of these products are for women and men with locs.
My celebrity inspiration for this review was “Shameless” star Shanola Hampton. If I ever decide to loc my hair (I have flirted with the idea), she would be the first to grace my vision board. She looks simply divine with her lengthy, roping strands. Black Crown even has a Loc Box starter kit that includes all of the products I’ve used plus the Loc Fresh Refresher Spray, Loc Light Moisturizing Creme, and the quintessential satin bonnet.
Since I started writing about my experience with Black Crown, a new product has hit the collection: the Healthy Scalp Elixir. This winter oil has avocado, camellia seed oil, lemongrass and eucalyptus essential oils to help relieve dryness and itchiness while promoting lush, thriving locs.
Surprisingly, Black Crown does not have a conditioner or a deep conditioner (yet) but I am genuinely excited to see what other potential products may be in the works.
THE || P I T C H
The Black Crown line offers shampoos, oil treatments, body scrubs, and styling aids all formulated with natural ingredients. The line also specially caters to the care of locs. Black Crown products are free of harmful ingredients and are great for all textures of hair, especially those craving moisture. All the goods are formulated without silicones, mineral oil, petroleum, artificial colors, phthalates, and parabens, are great for all textures of hair, especially those craving moisture.
THE || O U T C O M E
Would you believe that these products work fabulously after a strenuous workout at the gym? Let me explain! Building an organic, post-workout regimen is an ongoing challenge for me, especially finding products for my hair. I wanted to find a tube of shampoo, preferably black-owned, which I could have in workout bag. I wouldn’t use this shampoo on a regular basis; I would only indulge on days that I hit the gym. I knew I would be too lazy to section my hair and apply a deep conditioner properly, so the omittance of a conditioner did not concern me. While I originally planned for my sister Rachel only to test out the Black Crown Natural Hair Care line, I ended up using all of the goods for myself. I am so pleased with my Black Crown experience that I am looking forward to supporting the brand in 2015!
Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo, $12: Clarifying
Ingredients: Peppermint oil, Vitamins B & E, oat extract, wheat protein, jojoba oil and rosehip oil
Out of all the products, the Peppermint and Tea Tree Shampoo is my favorite. I love that my coiled, curly, kinky strands don’t feel raw after washing. I especially hate the “squeaky clean” sound you can often hear after using an intense clarifying shampoo. The Peppermint and Tea Tree Shampoo’s formula has the ideal balance for me; effective, but gentle enough to deep clean and nourish the hair with moisturizing essential oils. I wish it were available in a jumbo size.
Moisturizing Oil Spray, $10: Liquid, Oil and Creme (LOC) Method
Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, sweet orange essential oil and Vitamin E oil
I usually pour the Moisturizing Oil Spray into the palms of my hands and apply it in sections to seal in moisture. As 3c/4a/4b hair is my birthright, my coif is unbelievably thirsty, so I need to seal in moisture. This spray has an excellent consistency, and I enjoy massaging it throughout my hair. Out of the numerous moisturizing techniques available for multi-textured, melanin-rich women like me, the liquid, oil and creme (LOC) method has been the most efficient for me. If you are not familiar with this technique, a quick introduction:
- Liquid: Spritz the hair with a water-based product (rosewater, aloe vera juice or plain water)
- Oil: Lock in the liquid with a light oil that absorbs quickly into the hair (grapeseed, argan, avocado, carrot seed, etc.)
- Cream: Coat both the water and oil with a cream-based leave-in conditioner
- Sealant: Can be a heavy oil, butter or a combination of the two (mango, shea, cocoa butter, castor oil, etc.)
Hemp Hot Oil Treatment, $8: Greenhouse Effect (GHE)
Ingredients: Hemp seed (omega 3, omega 6, omega 9), castor oil, seed oil, grapeseed oil, lavender essential oil and Vitamin E oil
Another moisturizing technique I adore is the greenhouse effect (GHE), which is my nightly regimen. After my second big chop, I stumbled across this technique to further improve my moisture intake. With the greenhouse method, you apply a 100% natural oil like the Hemp Hot Oil Treatment that I used, and I apply it all over your dry or wet hair. I prefer my hair to be slightly damp when I use my oil. You can also substitute the oil with a hair butter. I find it easier to prep my hair into two ponytails or a bun instead of twists, braids or Bantu knots. Then I finish up by applying a plastic bag, followed by my satin scarf/bonnet. Finally, I pull on my beanie, and I’m ready for bed. When I wake up in the morning, I do my LOC regimen, and my day begins. Additionally, I used the Hemp Hot Oil Treatment to enhance my deep conditioners. This one should also be available in a mega-size option.
What black-owned hair care products are you loving? Are you planning to support black-owned businesses this Black Friday (November 28) and on Small Business Saturday (November 29)?