Lustrasilk Aloe Vera Cholesterol: Super Detangling Formula for Extremely Dry or Damaged Hair

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I have been using Hollywood Beauty’s Olive Cholesterol since February of last year (2013). I loved it so much that I did a product review on it in July (2013). However, my stash began to run out, and I needed to buy some replacements. I received an Amazon gift card, so I decided to see if they carried my beloved deep conditioner. They did! But, to my everlasting surprise, they had a list price of $12.49 for ONE 20 oz. jar with a so-called sale price of $6.80 (+ $3.10 shipping)! Are they kidding? I can get this from my local Dollar General for $3.20, and that’s INCLUDING tax! 

Sadly, I had to pass on that wallet-buster of a deal. But, I still needed a deep conditioner. Straying from my staple Hollywood Beauty (HB) Cholesterol seemed wrong, but I didn’t really need to purchase anything else from Amazon, so I reluctantly searched for a deep conditioner that could tide me over until I could make it to my Dollar General. In my search to settle, I stumbled upon an old favorite brand: Lustrasilk. This was the same company that made my cherished Shea Butter Cholesterol. Only this cholesterol from Amazon came in a 5 lb., salon-sized container. Although, it is also available in a 20 oz. jar.

VS.

I nervously took the plunge and anxiously awaited for my package to arrive. I had one more portion of my HB Cholesterol left. So, I used it. Once my package arrived, the time quickly came for me to deep condition my hair again. I did my normal routine. I shampooed and conditioned my hair. Then, I applied my new Lustrasilk Aloe Vera Cholesterol. I gotta say, I didn’t expect much. After all, this cholesterol had pretty big Hollywood Beauty shoes to fill …

THE CLAIMS:
Lustrasilk Aloe Vera Cholesterol is carefully formulated with deep conditioning agents that treat dry, chemically-treated, or extremely damaged hair. Aloe Vera extract has been added for increased moisturizing properties and to provide extra protection from hot curling irons and blow dryers. Leaves hair shiny and easy to manage.

THE INSTRUCTIONS:
Shampoo and towel dry. Apply cream to hair and scalp. Leave on for 3-5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water. For extra conditioning of overly dry or damaged hair, repeat the process. Style as usual.

THE RESULTS:
The Lustrasilk Cholesterol has a light, mild fragrance that is very pleasant. I always deep condition under a hooded dryer for 20-30 minutes with a processing cap. The first time I used this cholesterol, I used it straight from the container after shampooing and conditioning my hair. It isn’t as thick as my HB Cholesterol, yet it still managed to really moisturize my coils. It softened my tresses and left it extremely detangled. I got the same root-to-tip tangle-free results as my HB Cholesterol, all without pre-detangling my hair. (Gasp!)

It also really made all three textures of my coils (3C, 4A, and 4B) POP, just like my HB Cholesterol. However, when I used the HB Cholesterol, as soon as I rinsed the cholesterol out of my hair, the definition melted away. Not so with the Lustrasilk! Even after rinsing out the product, I had AHHHMAZING curl definition. So much so that I didn’t want to ruin it by adding any product to my hair. But, I know all too well the dangers of not moisturizing and sealing one’s hair properly, so I resisted the temptation. (Sigh.) Nevertheless, this cholesterol worked so well that if I cannot purchase my HB Cholesterol from Dollar General, for some reason, I would definitely buy Lustrasilk Aloe Vera instead.

I spent $19.47 at amazon.com for 5 lbs. of product (the equivalent of four 20 oz. jars) and qualified for Free Super Saver Shipping. While this salon-sized container cost me $6.67 more than four 20 oz. jars of the Hollywood Beauty Cholesterol, it is still pretty inexpensive for the quantity received. I deep condition my hair once a week, so this 5 lb. jar will last me about 10 months (or 38-40 uses)! Not too shabby for twenty bucks! 

While this cholesterol does contain mineral oil, which I don’t particularly care for, it is the ninth ingredient. Although it doesn’t have the same goodies I love from my Hollywood Beauty Cholesterol (i.e., castor oil, olive oil, glycerin, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, egg protein, as well as aloe vera, rosemary, sage, white nettle, and chamomile extracts), it works just as well. It also has the benefit of not smelling like grape candy on steroids.    🙂

Here’s hoping Lustrasilk doesn’t discontinue this beauty like they did their shea butter cholesterol …

Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment: Is It Really the Best Darn Deep Treatment?

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Thank you for your support!

All right. So, I decided to give Miss Jessie’s another chance. I haven’t used the brand since I tried the Curly Buttercreme. Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment seemed like the perfect product for round two.

THE CLAIMS

Want long curly hair? Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment is an essential curly hair care treatment for growing out naturally curly, kinky, and wavy hair. Healthy growth and length is what most curlies covet. Miss Jessie’s can assist you in this process. An elongated curl has more bounce, is more manageable, and is less prone to frizz. Be super sweet to your curls.

Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment is a decadent softening treatment that ensures your curls reach a long, luxurious length. This rich treatment, full of shea butter and centella extract, is a growth stimulant that promotes long, healthy curls. Your hair is going to love you for this!

THE INGREDIENTS 
Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cyclomethicone (and) Dimethiconol, Lauryl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Fragrance, Dimethicone, DMDM Hydantoin (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Liposome (Centella Asiatica), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, EDTA Disodium, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, D&C Red #33, Citric Acid

THE RESULTS
First of all, this deep treatment smells like cotton candy on steroids. I am NOT a fan of the sickly sweet fragrance. Ick! Thankfully, it subsides several minutes after application. Smell aside, it has a great consistency. It is very thick and creamy, and easily glided into my strands. Since I used a hooded dryer, I shingled the treatment into my hair and left the product on for 15-20 minutes prior to rinsing out.

Although this deep conditioner left my hair soft and elongated my hair, it did not live up to its other claims. It DID NOT leave my hair less frizzy. It DID NOT make my hair more manageable. While this product semi-stretched my hair, it also left it extremely fuzzy and poofy.

On top of all this, I almost lost ALL of my normal curl/coil definition. So much so that I was scared that the treatment had chemically altered my hair in some way. Seriously, I frantically reread the product label to make sure I had not inadvertently damaged my hair. I just about had a heart attack! The only part of my hair that was unscathed was the third of my hair that has a looser 3c curl pattern (at the front crown of my head). I had to use my Lustrasilk Aloe Vera Cholesterol to get my curls/coils to return! And, after looking at the ingredient list more closely, I can’t imagine this “treatment” assisting with the growth or length retention of my hair.

To make matters worse, Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment is priced like a commodity on the New York Stock Exchange: $9.00 for 2 ounces; $26.00  $18.00 for 8 ounces; $48.00 $32.00 for 16 ounces. (Update: A few months after this post published, they permanently reduced the price for the 8 oz. and 16 oz. container … Hmmm.) I mean, really? A 2 oz. jar of this stuff is three times more than one 20 oz. jar of my Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol. THREE TIMES MORE!!! And, less effective! So, in case you’re wondering if there will be a round three, don’t bother.

The best darn deep treatment? Sorry Miss Jessie’s but, next time, I’ll have to pass. I’ve finally learned my lesson. I’m saving my money. Period.