Product Review: Uncle Funky's Daughter Rich & Funky Moisturizing Cleanser

Lately I've been in the play around with different products mood. Which is completely uncharacteristic of me. Despite being a beauty blogger, I am the opposite of a product junkie. I don't like to spend money on anything until I run out.  However, that has been anything but the case with shampoos. I've been on the hunt to find some new and great ones!

First up is this guy...

Product Review: Uncle Funky's Daughter Glossy

I've covered this brand before. They were a big hit at the World Natural Hair show in 2010 and they were an even bigger hit at this year's show. While some vendors have tables set up to display their products and goods, UFD had a pop-up shop. Very cool.

While they do have soooome products that appeal to me, the majority of their line seems to be geared towards those with curly hair. Products like Curly Magic, Super Curl and Thirsty Curls are products that I probably wouldn't be attracted to if I was rockin' loose natural hair. My hair is anything but curly and I am one of those gals that could care less about curl definition and the like.

But they've got creamy conditioners, shampoos and styling products that virtually any one with any hair type can use. They really get an A+ from me because they nix the bad and keep the good when it comes to product ingredients.

REVIEW: Oyin Handmade Go Tea

I get a lot of requests to do more product reviews on Loc Rocker, but let's face it...I have NEVER been a product junkie. I am a dedicated fan to the products that work and only switch them up after I've used the entire bottle. So if it's a ton of product reviews you wish to see on Loc Rocker, sorry y'all...it won't be happenin'.

Unless of course my lovely friends send me products. Hahahaaa!! I was excited to try something new from Oyin Handmade.

Check out to Go Tea Grooming Spray To Go.

My #1 Shampoo: Peter Lamas Purifying shampoo

I've been talking about it for months but never gave you a formal review. Allow me to introduce you to my absolute FAVORITE shampoo.

Eva.

Current Shampoo: Head and Shoulders 2-in-1

As promised, here's the review of my current shampoo...

Now a great deal of naturals/loc'd ladies are anti-commercial brands because of their SLS and parabens. I used to be the same way. I am now at the point where I like to use what works; be it natural or commercial. For my danduff, this stuff works! And it smells a whole lot better than tea tree oil. Which, by the way, never worked for me. None of those essential oil blends did. Boo!

Head & Shoulders 2 in 1 is genius. I don't know why I never thought about using or making a 2 in 1 before. A lot of loc'ers stay far away from creamy shampoos/conditioners.

Some say they may contribute to build-up. BUT...I haven't had a build-up issue since visiting my loctician. I have used this shampoo twice and it rinsed thoroughly both times.

To apply it, I rinse my hair and make sure it's soaking wet. I dump a good size dollop on the top of my head and gather all of the locs around it. The shampoo lathers well but it's not TOO lather-y. See...

I let it sit for a good 2-3 minutes. I rinse and repeat.

One of the things that I think helps prevent build-up when rinsing the hair is a strong shower head. The one I have has good 5-6 pressures. I turn it on the highest to blast the shampoo out of the hair. It is as hot as I can stand it. What I'm left with are sparkling locs.

But at the same time, they aren't crunchy or brittle. They are soft and feel well-conditioned. The latter is a must since I have color treated hair. Not to mention I've been spending a lot of time outside lately and the sun can't be that cool for my hair.

I can't say I like how the stuff smells. It isn't "medicinal" but it isn't terribly fragrant either. I suppose this is a good thing as a crap load of fragrances on a dry scalp can only make the dandruff flare up even more.

It really really works well for my locs, y'all. I'm excited! Too add a little more moisture (and smell) to the locs, I spray Oyin Handmade's Greg Juice all over. Happy locs!

The itchies aren't as bad when I use this. I still get a little dandruff after the second week of washing. But this is a HUGE improve. I'm usually battling dandruff a few days after washing. Maybe with prolonged use, my scalp will get better. Only time will tell!

I still like to use castile soap but since I'm on this mission to have a healthier scalp, I have to use products that are specifically designed to help treat it.

Thanks a ton to Rayne for this recommendation!

Of course you know where to find it, drugstores, grocery stores, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. It wasn't more than $6.

Product Review: Oyin Handmade Uber Poo Bar

Yayyyy, look at me, look at me! I'm doing a product review. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing my best with good ole' LocRocker and that makes me sad. Clumps requires sooo much and oftentimes LocRocker gets the bottom of the barrel. My apologies! I will do a better job at making this job a great resource for fellow loc'ers, naturals and those interested in hearing me talk about how fine with men with locs are. <---Lil' Wayne excluded. Hahahaaaa!

Okay, sooo....I finally got around to thoroughly using my Oyin Handmade Poo Bar. I'm leaving that "uber" part out because eww....I hate that word. LOL, I don't know why--it just kinda makes me wanna hurl. Anywhoovers, on with the review!

Oyin Handmade Poo Bar

Price: 5 out of 5 ($7 for the Grand Poo bar, $11 for the Uber Poo Bar)
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5

What it claims: "The Uber Poo Bar is a truly succulent option in the area of non-detergent cleansing: it’s made from a glycerine-rich soap base enriched with moisturizing oils and butters like castor, shea, and cocoa. The Poo Bar is a gentle, low-lather cleanser that leaves hair clean without the stripped, dried-out feeling left by many detergent-based shampoos. Some of my testers even stated that they didn’t need to use conditioner afterwards! Simple to use & with a mildly herbal smell. Travels like a dream." (source)

The truth: I like!!!

What I loved about it: My hair didn't feel...you know, like how traditional shampoo makes your hair feel.

What I didn't like: It ain't the easiest thing to use on locs.

Overall: Simply put....I LOVE this bar. When I was first introduced to Oyin back in '05, I never really wanted to try this. I was used to shampoo and the "bar thing" didn't seem up my alley. Don't know what I was thinking.

I like it. Because it has glycerin in it, it doesn't lather up like a traditional shampoo. I'm okay with this. It cleanses the hair beautifully and doesn't leave behind any strong smell. Actually, it doesn't smell like anything at all. I'm okay with that too. Sometimes shampoos are TOO strong....and really the only thing that is making them smell like that are some synthetic ingredients like fragrance.

The bar looks like this when you first get it:


Jamyla (owner of Oyin...loves her!) recommends that you break this baby off in chunks. I agree. Using this big block ensures that you will use up more than you want. So I broke mine off into a piece like this:


That's better. I am still struggling with finding out a way to get it alllll over my locs. I take the block and smooth it all over my locs but it seems like it takes forever for it to get distributed evenly. By the time it does, I feel like I'm left with half of the bar. That's no bueno. However, I'm assuming that's the case because I don't know what I'm doing. My locs adoooore the bar. And yep, I don't need conditioner after it.

Which is a good thing because lately when I use conditioner and AFTER I rinse it out, it looks like this.


Yeah, don't ask because I don't know either. I mean crap....I know I have dandruff and some build-up but my words!

I'll talk about that later. Just know that Oyin Handmade poo bar is FANTASTIC for locs. I would imagine it would just as well on naturals too. Mannn, I wish I had this when I was rockin' the TWA.

Oh, before I go...check out some of the tips that Jamyla gave. You'll have to enlarge to see 'em.


I love me some Oyin...such a great company. I'm a 5 year supporter and ain't gon stop. I'll be reviewing the Greg Juice and Honey Hemp conditioner soon. I already reviewed both on Clumps but Loc Rocker deserves 'em too.

Peace and loc've...

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk and Tui Hair smoothie

I posted this at Clumps of Mascara but I want to also post all hair product reviews here. Make sense? :)

Enjoy!

Q: Are Carol's Daughter's products just for women with natural hair? A: Absolutely not! Anyone with any hair type can use these products. My hair is natural AND loc'd. My opinion of these products will probably only benefit other ladies with hair like mine. But I love to review them anyway....just in case something I say peaks your interest enough to want to make some purchases yourself.

And with that, let's bring it on!

Hair Milk

Price: 4 out of 5 ($12 from Sephora.com)
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Overall: 3 out of 5

What it claims: "This lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion for the hair is made with essential oil of lemongrass to stimulate natural oil production and hydrate strands. Infused with a splash of lily of the valley fragrance in a rich base of oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamins E and C, Hair Milk is ideal for defining natural curls and giving hair loads of shine and bounce." (source)

The truth: Hmmm, it isn't the best on my locs but I could see how it works well for ladies with curly hair.

What I loved about it: The consistency is great. It isn't at all sticky.

What I didn't like: I'm not the biggest fan on the smell. I love lemongrass in my food but not so much when it is the primary ingredient (scent). But it's a personal thang. I have friends who love the small!

Overall: I think this product would be divine for ladies with curly hair. My girl Wes over at Honey Brown Sugar comes to mind. It doesn't work so well with my locs simply because they soak it up so quickly. It is as if I never put anything in my hair. HA! The consistency rocks though.



It isn't meant to go on the scalp but I used on mine anyway. And it feels good!

Next up....

Tui Hair Smoothie

Price: 3 out of 5 ($19 from Sephora.com)
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5

What it claims: "Tui Hair Smoothie is an intense conditioning treatment for normal to dry hair made from a super-rich emulsion of shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil. Calming chamomile aids in taming of frizzy, unmanageable hair, while the fragrant Tui blend of guava, mango, and passion fruit tantalize the senses." (source)

The truth: Wow, this stuff smells delicious....and my hair adores it!

What I loved about it: I love love loooove the smell. Think of a sweet mango mixed with honey and raspberries. Random, I know but this stuff is delicious.

What I didn't like: It is a little on the pricey side.

Overall: Wowsers. My hair loves this Intense Conditioning Treatment. Like.....a lot. After shampooing my hair I apply a generous amount of the Tui Hair Smoothie all over and let it sit in a shower cap. Because I have super dry hair, I usually have to apply some olive oil as well. After rinsing out, my hair is soft. And it smells divine!


I wish this you could get this scent in a lotion. Now that would be dope!


Stay tuned for more Carol's Daughter reviews.


Tried this? Love 'em? Want 'em?