Product Review: Cassandra's Hair Potion

*I am not being paid for this review in any way. Guarantee to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth so help me God*

SO. Let me tell y'all about my new favorite product: Cassandra's Hair Potion.
Let me start off by saying that I have 3C and 4A hair with a splash of 3B in my 'kitchen'. My hair soaks up oil then acts as if I've never fed it before, so along with conditioning and protein treatments, I either have to moisturize every other day, or put heavier products in my hair to maintain moisture. I went on etsy.com to find some new products to share with y'all (and also shine some light on lesser known businesses), and I came across Cassandra's Hair Potion's page. The picture of the Extreme Moisturizing Cream looked so thick, and creamy, and I HAD to try it, so I immediately emailed her.

Ms. Cassandra was more than willing to share a sample, and I had it in my mailbox in a day. It was very well packaged; I was expecting little tiny jars, but I was blessed with plenty to try. the products came in a thick padded envelope inside another box.  I received Peppermint Bliss, Yummy Gumball, and Strawberry Delight, and a Peppermint Hair Mist.

 

The moisturizer comes in 4 oz ($7) and 8 oz ($12) size jars and 5 different fragrances. I tried the mist and Peppermint Bliss Moisturizer. It's very smooth and thick, and melts fast when you rub it in your hands, and the mist soothes your scalp and stimulates. It has Shea butter, Kokum butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut oil, Glycerin, Olive butter, Essential oil, and Fragrance oil.

You can use it on wet, or dry hair, and a little goes a LONG way. I tested this moisturizer and hair mist on both my mama's hair and my own. Her hair is more coarse and thick, and it still worked GREAT, and with hair split in 4 sections, I really only need about a quarter size of moisturizer per section.

I prefer spraying or wetting my hair first, to make sure it penetrates, but if I put it in dry hair, I won't have to worry about my hair feeling weird and greasy. It still moisturizes. I only moisturized my hair twice last week, and I honestly really didn't have to, but only did it because i re-flatwisted my hair, so basically I gotta break my habit. My twist out curls are light, bouncy, silky, and smooth.

I love this moisturizer better than using Shea Butter. I'm going to be a regular customer. If you're having issues with keeping your hair moisturized, you should definitely try Cassandra's Hair Potion a try. All the ingredients work together to make you and your hair fall in love, and you can tell that she loves what she does, and puts a lot of love and care into her products.

I asked Ms. Cassandra a few questions so you can get acquainted with her:

How long have you been natural?

About 2 years. Because I didn’t big chop, I don’t have an exact date. As my natural hair grew, I gradually cut the relaxer out. The main reason I went natural is because I wanted my daughters to see the beauty of their own natural hair. I couldn’t expect to show them how to appreciate their own hair, while I had chemicals in mine.

How did you get into the natural hair business?

My daughters have allergies and sensitive skin. Many hair products contain ingredients that my daughters are allergic to, such as mango. Other store-bought products turn my daughters’ skin into a bumpy, itchy nightmare. Products that use chemicals as preservatives and to add heavy fragrances were particularly problematic. Hunting for products became a full-time job – so I decided to make my own. When I would make hair my hair potion for my family, I would also give it out to friends and family. After a while, my friends suggested that I should make it available to others. My labor of love to find a perfect product that would give my girls gorgeous hair without itchy skin became Cassandra’s Hair Potion.
What makes your products unique and special?

What makes Cassandra’s Hair Potion: Extreme Moisturizing Cream unique:

·         Water is not the main ingredient

·         It’s made of natural butters and oils

·         Every ingredient used can be easily pronounced and is recognizable

·         No harsh chemicals

·         No Parabens

·         Helps hair retain moisture

·         Adds shine

·         No alcohol

·         No preservatives

·         Also a great body moisturizer

Where do you get your inspiration for your business?

My daughters inspired me initially. I wanted to create something that would work well with their hair. Then, as I began to hear and read more about other people going natural, I also became inspired by their stories.

Advice/message for new naturals?

There is a huge learning curve in learning what products and hair styles work for best for your hair. Don’t be afraid to experiment and most importantly – enjoy the journey and the experience. I had no idea what a joy it would to understand and work with my natural hair.

Example of product use

I love braid outs. I love how this technique gives a uniformed pattern to my curls while elongating my hair. It’s a style that works for any occasion.
I achieve my braid out by:
1. Separating my hair into sections. I create sections as I go. The amount of hair in section, depends on the desired look. Smaller sections give a more defined look. The bigger the section the less defined it will be. I usually have 12 braids total.
2. Dampen the section just created with Peppermint Hair Mist. Very important that the hair is not wet, but damp. Wet hair will take a longer time to dry.
3. Detangle the section with a wide-tooth comb and/or a Denman brush.
4. I apply Cassandra’s Hair Potion: extreme Moisturizing Cream as my sealant using about a dime-sized amount. Use less or more depending on hair.
5. Comb the cream through the hair.
6. Braid the section.
7. Make another section.
8. Repeat steps above until all hair is braided.

Product sites
website: www.cassandrashairpotion.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hairpotioncassandras
tumblr: http://cassandras-hair-potion.tumblr.com/

Available for sale at:
* Amazon
* Etsy
* Ebay

Daily Regime

Hello UntouchMyHair readers! Okay I have been SUPERR busy trying to get financial aid and other things ready to start my senior year at Florida A&M ! Yayy! Okay so, I would like to discuss with you guys the products I use almost everyday and how I use them! I would also like to give you all a quick run down of my weekly wash schedule and everyday regime.

REGIME: 

I style my hair every night either two strand twist, bantu knots, flat-twist or I will put flix-rods in them. I wash my hair everyWednesday- the first three Wednesdays of the month I will co-wash with my hair with Tresemme Naturals Silicone Free Conditioner or Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Calming Conditioner and the last Wednesday I will wash with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo then I will Deep Condition using a homade deep conditioner ofHoney, Sugar Free/Plain Yogurt, Your favorite Leave-in (If you want to turn this deep conditioner into a protein conditioner add a raw egg to the mixture). I will leave the deep conditioner in for 30 minutes with a plastica shower cap and towel over my head then rinse out, then I will style after. 

STYLING:

Depending on how much energy I have, I will section my hair in four equal parts using Goody Ouchless Hairbands or clips. I apply a leave-in conditioner to each section then I will detangle using a wide teeth comb or denman brush, being gentle with the ends of my hair. I will seal my hair with either Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil, Castor Oil or Africa's Best Herbal Oil (My Favorite!!). I will allow my hair to dry a little because If I style it right away my hair will still be wet in the morning, then frizz will come and we don't want that! Once it's dryed a little I will style my hair whatever way I like using a little Eco- Styling Gel. I put on my satin scarf and in the morning put a little Coconut oil in my hair then set my hair.

PRODUCTS:

 Shampoo:  

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

Conditioner:

Tresemme Naturals Silicon Free Conditioner

Giovanni 50:50 Balance Hydrating Calming Conditioner

Leave-In's/Moisturizers:

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave In Conditioner

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream

Homemade Leave In in Spray bottle (Water, EVOO, Vitamin E Oil, Your favorite conditioner)

Spray Bottle's (EVOO/Water, Aloe Vera Juice/Water, or just plain water)

Oils:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Unrefined Coconut Oil

Castor Oil

Africa's Best Herbal Oil

Gels:

Eco-Styling Gel

Ampro Olive Oil Gel

Curls Passion Fruit Control Paste

-Toni

Good Bad and Ugly

I can remember sitting in the barber shop. The room filled w/ men, the only exception me and my mother. It actually had the atmosphere of your typical salon just masculine. I sat there listening to the men discuss football, girls and shoes while I waited to be called next to the chair. I sat there examining the man my friend was shaping up. He was a little cutie. Especially with his fresh cut fade. Which of course made me wonder how I'd look after I got up from that very same chair. Would I even still look like a girl? Maybe this is a mistake my hair doesn't look that bad. I say looking into a mirror hanging on the wall. Oh yes it does honey. I admit to myself.  

Finally it was my turn. I sat in the chair looking at my damaged choppy looking hair. There's no point in trying to save the length. My friend Steve was so excited that I had decided to go natural. He's been telling me that a short style would look great on me. His friendly way of telling me my hair is fried perhaps? I half engaged in conversation with him while I sat turned away from the mirror and he took a pair of clippers to my head. I just knew I was going to look like a boy! I'm 5'10 w/ side burns. Ugh. I felt so embarrassed being watched by literally every guy in the barber shop. 

When he finally finished and turned me around the girl I saw in the mirror frightened me. It was definitely me but this could not be my head. This little fuzz ball. I looked like a boy. The compliments coming from my mom and Steve as well as some bystanders floated through one ear out of the other. The only thing my mind was focusing on was this drag queen reflecting back in the mirror. Tears crept into my eyes. What did I just do? 

Steve looked me dead in the eye and told me that I looked beautiful and that my hair cut was bold. 'you're going to get a lot of attention girl so you better own it.'  After I left the shop I felt like everyone was looking at me and they were. I got a lot of compliments on my TWA ! I actually felt really pretty. I still had some insecurity of course. I never really got used to not being able to style my hair. It was nice though. . .while it lasted. Not having to do anything to it, simply wet it and call it a day. 

Many natural say that when they BC'd they were in a state of shock. A shock indeed it was, but it was the beginning of something wonderful. 

I know a lot of people choose to go the big chop route. Many transition. Whatever route you chose to go natural it won't be easy. Its a learning experience. I guess that's why they call this a journey. 

Tell me about your transition into natural hair!

-Piper