Naturelle Biotera Anti-frizz Intense Smoothing Leave-in Conditioner with Camellia Oil

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INGREDIENTS:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Silk, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Quaternium-80, Lecithin, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, PEG-4 Laurate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Isoeugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Fragrance/Parfum.

 

DIRECTIONS:

Spray evenly onto clean, damp hair and comb through. Style as usual. For best results, use with Biotera Intense Smoothing Shampoo.

 

Biotera’s Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Conditioner from their Naturelle line is infused with Camellia flower oil to help defrizz hair for up to 3 days straight (when used with Biotera’s  Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Shampoo and an Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Conditioner). It promises to help hair stay smooth and sleek, even in high-humidity environments. According to the company, Biotera’s Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Conditioner is ideal for those with frizzy, unruly, rebellious, medium to coarse hair who want to achieve a smooth, polished, sleek look. 

Although I had no intention of using this product for help maintaining a “sleek look,” I thought it might be a more natural hair moisturizing alternative. I was right! The product smells quite amazing. I received compliments on my hair “smell” every time I spritzed my hair with this product. LOL.

I love that  this Intense Smoothing Conditioner contains camellia oil (and leaf extract), shea butter extract, sweet almond oil, aloe vera juice, and glycerin. I also like that it has hydrolyzed soy protein to gently maintain the integrity of my hair while keeping my tresses hydrated. In fact, after a month of using this product, it kind of reminds me of a more natural Luster’s S Curl No Drip Activator Moisturizer, Both have a thick, viscous liquid that is milky white in color (i.e., semi-opaque). However, unlike the obnoxious, cheap perfumy scent of Luster’s S Curl, the Anti-Frizz Conditioner has a much more pleasant fresh.  floral scent, and is less “tacky” to the touch. Nevertheless, I do think the S Curl No Drip Activator has more concentrated moisturizing properties and keeps my hair better hydrated for a more extended period of time.

For some reason, the sprayer on the bottle of Anti-Frizz Conditioner couldn’t properly accommodate the thick leave-in housed inside. My finger was sore after every use due to the fact that I had to keep pushing down so hard on the nozzle to get the product to come out. Although the Intense Smoothing Conditioner was effective, I felt like I had to use significantly more of it to get it to moisturize my hair at the same level as my beloved S Curl No Drip Activator. On the one hand, the Intense Smoothing Conditioner was easily absorbed by my hair. On the other hand, I had to use gobs and gobs of product to quench my thirsty mane.

At half the quantity (8 oz.) for more than what I would pay for a 16 oz. bottle of S Curl No Drip Activator, it’s a little pricey. While the S Curl Moisturizer provided more slip at a better price, Biotera’s Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Conditioner has healthier ingredients. So, there’s a bit of a trade off between efficacy and a more natural hair product. 

In addition, I did NOT notice frizz-free hair for 3 days. Maybe 24 hours (tops), but definitely not 72 hours! I think 24 hours is still pretty amazing, especially for my highly frizzy hair given that I live in a high-humidity environment pretty much year round. As a result, I’m pretty pleased (despite the marketing hype).

 

PROS

♥ Smells ahhhmazing! Get ready for the scent compliments to roll in …

♥ Contains NO parabens

♥ Infused with natural botanicals and extracts

♥ Reduces and prevents frizz for 24 hours

♥ Moisturizes hair with ease

CONS

– Reduces and prevents frizz for 24 hours (not 3 days as specified on the label)

– Spray nozzle doesn’t allow enough product to come out (at least not without considerable effort)

– Takes a lot of product to work effectively on kinky/curly hair

– Expensive for the quantity (8 oz)

 

All in all, if you are looking for a healthier alternative to your S Curl Moisturizer, Biotera’s Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Conditioner is a good start!

Blackberry Sage Tea Creamy Leave-in Conditioner

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Thank you for your support!

1. Add ¾ cup of VO5’s Tea Therapy Blackberry Sage Tea Revitalizing Conditioner to a 16 oz. flip-top container.
   • This conditioner contains vitamins b3, b5, c, e, and h.
   • It has blackberry and sage extracts that provide each strand with energy, volume, and balance.
   • It is also supposed to energize limp hair and protect hair from UV rays
2. Add ½ cup of distilled (not tap) water.
   • If you live in a hard water area like I do, this is a CRUCIAL step.
   • It is imperative that you use distilled (or filtered) water. Don’t use tap water, especially if you are unsure of the water content (or if you have never tested your water).
3. Add ¼ cup of aloe vera juice.
   • Aloe vera juice relieves itchy, dry scalps and acts as a conditioning agent that reduces frizz.
   • I buy the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Juice. It comes in a large 1 gallon jug and has a shelf life of about 2 years (when stored properly in the fridge).
4. Add 2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil.
   • Olive oil is one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft. This makes it a great choice for imparting strength, shine, and smoothing the hair’s cuticle.
   • I usually buy the Kirkland brand olive oil from Costco or Amazon.
5. Add 1 tsp of vegetable glycerin.
   • Glycerin is a natural humectant. It helps to attract and retain moisture to your hair’s follicles.
   • I adore the 100% pure version from NOW Solutions. It never fails to soften and moisturize my parched tresses!
6. Add ½ teaspoon of vitamin e oil.
   • Vitamin e oil has anti-aging properties that prevent damaging effects from the environment (e.g., free radicals).
   • This nutrient-rich oil heals and repairs skin and hair.
   • It is also an antioxidant that helps keep the spritz fresh by extending the shelf life.
   • I prefer to buy Sundown Naturals’ vitamin e oil.
7. Add 15–20 drops of essential oil.
   • I used 10 drops of clary sage essential oil for its ability to regulate the scalp’s production of sebum and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to prevent dandruff, hair loss, and increase blood flow to the scalp.
   • However, you can use any essential oil you prefer (i.e., rosemary, peppermint, lavender, etc).
8. Add top, and shake vigorously to incorporate all ingredients. Enjoy!

I like to use a funnel. I bought a set that came in multiple sizes. It has proven to be a must for me when I make my own DIY hair and skincare products! While it’s not absolutely necessary, it does make the process (for me) much more stress- and mess-free!

Super-moisturizing Lavender Hair Spritz

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Thank you for your support!

 

 

1. Add ½ cup of aloe vera juice.
   • Aloe vera juice relieves itchy, dry scalps and acts as a conditioning agent that reduces frizz.
   • I buy the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Juice. It comes in a large 1 gallon jug and has a shelf life of 1 ½ – 2 years (when stored properly in the fridge).
2. Add ½ cup of rose water.
   • Rosewater helps to balance the pH of skin.
   • It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce and prevent irritated skin and clogged pores.
   • It’s antioxidant properties strengthens and regenerates skin cells.
   • Rose water also hydrates and refreshes hair, and helps with the retention of moisture.
   • I love the rose water by Heritage Store.
3. Add ½ cup of distilled (not tap) water.
   • If you live in a hard water area like I do, this is a CRUCIAL step.
   • It is imperative that you use distilled (or filtered) water. Don’t use tap water, especially if you are unsure of the water content (or if you have never tested your water)!
4. Add ⅓ cup of vegetable glycerin.
   • Glycerin is a natural humectant. It helps to attract and retain moisture to your hair’s follicles.
   • I adore the 100% pure version from NOW Solutions. It never fails to soften and moisturize my parched tresses!
5. Add ½ teaspoon of vitamin e oil.
   • Vitamin e oil has anti-aging properties that prevent damaging effects from the environment (e.g., free radicals).
   • This nutrient-rich oil heals and repairs skin and hair.
   • It is also an antioxidant that helps to keep the spritz fresh by extending the shelf life.
   • After trying several brands, I’ve locked onto Sundown Naturals vitamin e oil.
6. Add 20–30 drops of lavender essential oil.
   • I used lavender essential oil for its regenerative, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, you can use any essential oil you prefer (i.e., rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, etc).
   • The essential oil also helps to extend the shelf life of the spritz.
7. Shake vigorously to incorporate all ingredients, and enjoy!

After tinkering with the proportions for two months, this has become my go-to daily hair moisturizer. I use it on my twist-outs, wash ‘n gos, protective styles, everything! When nothing else will moisturize my hair, this will. Trust!

Follow-up with your fave oil. I normally gravitate to whipped shea butter but, this summer, I’ve been reaching for extra virgin olive oil more frequently. Just use what your hair loves.

 

Quick Tip #7: Hydrate with Aloe Vera

 This blog post contains affiliate links (e.g., to Amazon, eBay, etc.), which means that if you click on one of the product links and place an order, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support my blog and allows me to continue to create content like this.

Thank you for your support!

Creative Commons License by flickr
Photo Shared by Rae Allen

Have a dry, itchy scalp or lackluster tresses? Hydrate your hair and skin with aloe vera!

Aloe vera has a high water content (99%) that moisturizes and rejuvenates dry skin and hair with ease. Simply add store-bought aloe vera gel (or harvest some straight from the plant) directly to your scalp. You can also use aloe vera juice, instead. Just add it to your fave shampoo, conditioner, or make a DIY leave-in. Because of its healing properties, it acts as an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipruritic (prevents and relieves itching). It reduces inflammation and discourages the growth of disease-causing micro-organisms.

Aloe vera can also be incorporated into your skincare regimen. Aloe is an emollient (softens and soothes irritated skin) that increases skin’s elasticity by regulating oxygen and collagen levels. Want soft skin and manageable hair? Use aloe vera juice to create your own facial toner or hair rinse.