I've been using a satin pillowcase for about 3 years and honestly it makes everything so much easier.
I had a common issue of my satin scarf coming off at night and I would wake up to a dry, tangled mess of hair in the morning. At the time my pillowcase was just the normal cotton one.

What I didn't know was the reason my hair looked like that in the morning was because the cotton material sucked the moisture out of my hair. Whenever my scarf slipped off at night it was as if an apocalypse happened on my head and it would take something short of a miracle to fix it.

When I switched to a satin pillowcase, I stopped waking up to a dry bush of hair. My hair was noticeably softer and my curls stayed intact. Eventually I even became lazy and started slacking on wearing a satin scarf. My hair was still fine. Now I only wear my scarf if I need my edges to lie down for the next day.

I definitely give satin pillowcases 5 out of 5 stars.

 

ACV Rinse Pros
Simple Recipe

ACV Rinse Cons
Didn't work

The Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse didn't do anything for my scalp or my hair. My scalp was still just as oily as before and my hair still had product in it. Other people have used the rinse and their hair was stripped, but not in my case.

Baking Soda Cleanse Pros
Simple Recipe
Got the build up out of my hair

Baking Soda Cleanse Cons
It was uncomfortable the do this in the bathroom sink lol

When I did the cleanse I could see the residue and flakes from my locs in the mixture. After washing and conditioning my hair, it was a lot shiner and healthier. The cleanse removed the bit of product build up that I had in my locs.

I can't judge on how it cleansed my scalp since it was done in the sink and it was difficult to clean. It removed a bit of oil but not a significant amount.

Either way, it was still a lot more effective than the ACV Rinse and I plan to do it once or twice a year.

Price: $11-$13
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Description:

• Anti-Frizz, Moisturize & Shine
• Natural & Certified Organic Ingredients
• Sulfate Free & Color Safe

This nourishing styling aid for thick, curly hair defines curls, reduces frizz and smoothes hair for a soft, silky feel. Our special blend of nourishing Silk Protein, hydrating Coconut and Neem Oils helps restore moisture and create brilliant shine while conditioning hair without weighing it down for bouncy, healthy curls.



Ingredients:

Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut ) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Magnifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silk Protein, Ammonium Salt, Melia Azadiratcha (Neem) Seed Oil,Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed oil, Sorbitol Esters, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Caprylyl Glycol, Essential Oil Blend, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hibiscus Flower Extract



Review:

This product works really well to moisturize my hair before braiding or twisting it up for a while. It has a thick consistency and it makes my hair feel soft. It also works well for twist-outs and braid-outs.
For everyday conditioning, my hair prefers a product that isn't so thick so I don’t use it for that purpose.
Other reviews highlight how well it moisturizes the hair, especially those with 4C hair. Some also like to use it as a deep conditioner. The only negative reviews I saw talked about how it was too thick to be used on fine hair and that it weighed their hair down.

Bottom Line: 

Great for those with dense or thick hair for deep moisturization.

Price: About $15
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Description:
Coconut oil is used in cooking and to moisturize hair. Because the makeup of coconut oil is similar to the scalp's sebum, it can actually moisturize the hair strand instead of just being a sealer. It's also good for those with dry scalp issues.


Ingredients (Whole Food's brand):
Expeller pressed virgin organic coconut oil


Review:
Coconut oil was something I always used in my hair when I first big chopped. My hair loves it and soaks it up. It also adds great shine to my hair.

For my scalp issues it didn't help. At the time I wasn't aware that unlike the average Black person my scalp was actually oily, not dry. Massaging my scalp with coconut oil made my problem worse.

I stopped using coconut oil because when the temperature would drop below 70 degrees, it would solidify in my hair. You could see little white specks all over and it wasn't very flattering.

If you want to use coconut oil, you might want to change it up in the cooler seasons.

Also, it is a bit pricey so as a precaution I don't recommend using it directly from the jar. Get a little plastic jar from the beauty supply store and pour some oil in that for use in your hair. If your hair or scalp doesn't do well with coconut oil, you'll still have a sterile jar that you can use for cooking. I also take a tablespoon of coconut oil daily to get good fats in my diet.

Bottom Line:

Versatile oil that's great for dry hair and dry scalp. Not so great for use in cooler weather since it solidifies in your hair.

Finger Detangling Pros
A lot gentler than using a comb

Finger Detangling Cons
Couldn't get all shed hair out
Hair doesn't stay detangled while working other sections
Takes too long


Wide Toothed Comb Pros
Gets most of the shed hairs out
Easier and quicker than finger detangling

Wide Toothed Comb Cons
Greater possibility of breakage


I tried finger detangling my hair after my big chop. I can honestly say that it's not for me. My hair is too dense and I wasn't able to get all of the shed hairs that were stuck in my fro. It was too time consuming for me for poor results. I've also made my hair even more tangled once.

For my hair it's a lot better to use a wide toothed comb and just be gentle with it. The amount of shed hair I remove from my hair each week is just too much to try to do with my fingers. I've also found that my hair is a lot sleeker and my curls are more defined when I use a comb.

Price: $6-$9
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Product Description:

So good it tingles! Invigorating ingredients deliver unmatched clarity and rejuvenation for hair and scalp. You're left with something clean, pure, and incredibly stimulating...for hair and mind.

• Increases scalp circulation for a refreshed, renewed feel
• Strengthens hair with a three-organic-oil-blend to stimulate, condition and clarify
• Alleviates dry, flaking scalp with organic tea tree botanicals
• Zero sulfates 

Ingredients:

Aqua (purified water), *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, sodium cocoamphoacetate, lauryl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, dexyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, menthol, panthenol, potassium sorbate, citric acid, polysorbate 20, *melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, *eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, *thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, *urtica dioica (nettle) extract, *tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) flower extract, *salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) leaf extract, *equisetum arvense extract, *chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, *achillea millefolium extract, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) oil, phenoxcyethanol, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil.


Review:

This is a great sulfate-free cleanser to get the job done. Even though it doesn’t have any sulfates, surprisingly, it still lathers up. I like the tingle I feel on my scalp when I use it and it gets everything clean in only 2 applications. It spreads well but I personally dilute it a little to adjust it to my liking.

The smell is a bit strong (but it smells good to me) while you're washing your hair but it won't stay in the hair after you rinse the shampoo out.

This shampoo will not cure an oily scalp and/or dandruff condition but it is a good relief for me.
The only downside that I've also seen in reviews is that it can be just a little drying. As long as you use a good conditioner it shouldn't be too much of a problem unless you have a dry, sensitive scalp.

Bottom Line:

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo is a good, affordable, sulfate-free cleanser but may not be suitable for those with dry scalp or hair issues.