it’s been awhile since we’ve had a review and/or giveaway around these parts, so i finally cleared enough of my schedule to sit my butt down and get this one together already.
quite some time ago, i got an email from a young lady asking if i’d be interested in trying and reviewing her hair and body product, called HairOlicious.
i was initially skeptical because the product basically consists of only two ingredients: coconut oil and aloe vera gel. i definitely appreciate simplicity in my hair products, but i was like… that’s it? really? what’s keeping me from just going to whole foods, buying my own coconut oil and aloe vera gel, and making this on my own? why would i pay 10 bucks plus shipping and handling for something that i can probably make myself? and how amazing can such a simple product really be? but i gave it a fair shot anyway.
the product itself, as ive been saying, is very simple. just two ingredients, 100% vegan according to the website. it has a very, veeeery unobtrusive scent. it smells like coconut oil, but lighter, which i really appreciate.. when i wash my hair, i layer at least three products in it (a leave-in, a moisturizer, and a conditioner), and the last thing you want is a bunch of scents in your head fighting for dominance. this is light enough that anything else you use in your hair doesn’t have anything to compete with in the olfactory region.
its consistency is like aloe vera gel, only maybe a slightly teensy weenie bit thicker. it’s not greasy at all to the touch; it’s actually a bit wet feeling, but it spreads easily and dries and absorbs quickly into the hair and skin, as the site promises.
the website recommends using this product on dry hair, as it absorbs into the hair better when dry. i was dismayed reading this because i, like many naturals, RARELY apply product to my hair when dry, if ever at all. my hair is just too thick and curly to evenly apply anything to it while it’s dry. in fact, the only dry styling i do is for twist outs and bantu knot outs, so that’s how i started trying out this product.
simply put, this is the only product that i have EVER used that actually makes my hair feel soft to the touch. i actually learned this the hard way – i dont usually use a gel or a holder in my dry sets, but when i added the HairOlicious–which is PERFECT for my dry sets because it gives both the moisturizing properties and the very very slight dampness i need for a good result–but the HairOlicious made it SO soft that the style didn’t hold! to compensate, i started using HairOlicious underneath my ecostyler gel, which i rarely use because of crunchiness when it dries… but i found that with the HairOlicious, i avoid crunch and am left with shiny, healthy hold for my hair. brilliant!
i also used this in my deep conditioner and was very very pleased with the results–yes, it works just as amazingly on my hair when wet as it does dry, thank goodness. and after applying it to my wet hair, i immediately noticed how baby soft my hands were. then, with some extra prodding from the manufacturer, i decided to try it on my skin.
now i typically dont use things that i use in my hair on my skin, because my skin is so testy. i find that anything that works well on my hair is a bit too much for my skin, and it’s either too greasy, or somehow doesn’t moisturize enough, or it makes me break out. HairOlicious became my main and only moisturizer after i tried it the first time.. i used it on top of my homemade brown sugar scrub and could NOT stop touching myself, seriously. and it was a lasting softness.. no reapplying ever handful of hours to keep the ash away, like most lotions i find. moisturizing with HairOlicious after washing with african black soap is an eczema blaster–my problem areas were smooth and itch free after a couple of weeks of regular usage.
the last place to try our HairOlicious was on my face, and i was TERRIFIED. i have very testy, acne-prone skin and i’m scared to death of using any moisturizer that has oil in it. but, i bit the bullet and omg. not only did it NOT make me break out, but my skin actually kind of glowed, and nothing has ever done that for me before aside from straight coconut oil, which i had to stop using because it left my face feeling so greasy. but this stuff? perfect. just perfect. and as an added bonus, im pretty sure it made my eyelashes thicker and longer too!!
just as soon as i fell in love with this stuff, i found my jar empty. i didn’t really realize exactly how much i used this stuff for until it was gone.. now when i get out of the shower, im back to running around looking for a moisturizer for my face, and one for my body, and something to both soften AND moisturize my hair with. HairOlicious really is a one-stop moisturizing shop. definitely recommend.
and you may be reading this thinking, ‘i’ll just go mix my own!’ and if you’re a capable mixtress, i say more power to you. but as for me, i tried making my own and i just ended up with a mess that i didn’t want to use. so i’ll be reordering.
curious in trying it out? it’s your lucky day! enter to win a FREE jar of HairOlicious right now! winning is so easy! all you have to do is leave a message on this post answering this question: are there any products that you use for both hair AND body? if so, what is your favorite? that’s it!
want more ways to win? fine! get entries on twitter and tumblr too!
Tumblr: reblog this post announcing the review and the contest for an extra entry!
Twitter: tweet the following message: “I just entered to win an awesome #naturalhair product from @brokeymcpoverty! Click here to enter! http://wp.me/p1JT3w-2f” for an extra entry too!
that’s three possible entries you can have here folks! the more you do, the better your chances of winning and moisturizing your situation!
CONTEST ENDS SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 AT 11:59 PM SHARP!!
check out HairOlicious.com for more information, and to place your order!
I do! I use Belle Butter’s Orange Dream for both my hair and skin. The ONLY product that didn’t have my face all red. & the saying ‘a little goes a long way’ stands true for it.
oh cool! ive always wanted to try some stuff from belle butters.. i’ll hafta look into that!
Shea butter us the only product I use for both body and hair. I would love to try this though.
I use Cantu leave in conditioner on both hair and skin. Normally when I put it on my skin, I add raw shea and a tinge of honey to the mix. I also use vatika oil when right out pf the shower. Makes my skin feel like silk!
!! cantu on the skin?! that is VERY interesting! i love it in my hair, but i feel like it’d make my skin feel greasy or oily. do you use it on your face too? if so, doesnt it clog ur pores?
Definitely! I’m big fan of using Apple Cider Vinegar on my hair as well as body. I even use it for soothing my sore throat. It’s one of those simple products that have many uses that benefit the whole body. I love it!
yes girl! ACV has 10001 uses. i dont think ive heard of/considered using it on the skin though.. how do you use it? just as a rinse or… ?
Actually Coconut oil. I love how it slips into an liquid on my scalp and body. It makes my skin soft to the touch and my hair long to my neck (for now) lol!
I’ve started whipping my shea butter with olive oil. I love using it my hair to seal my ends but I also find that it is wildly effective for moisturizing and adding sheen to my knees and elbows. They are always the first spots on my body to get ashy and the little crevices eat lotions as an afternoon snack. Whipped shea butter has proven to be an easy, natural, and efficient solution.
I actually don’t use anything on both my hair and body. But what you have described here sounds wonderful!
I use Shea butter for both my hair and skin. Mainly my legs because they get extra dry all year long.
Coconut oil! Shea butter! Sometimes…vaseline! Yes, on my hair
Oyin Whipped Pudding. In my hair, I use it to seal and sometimes to smooth down my edges. I also use it on my face as a moisturizer. I know it’s thick, but I live in the desert where the heat laughs at light moisturizers… and then evaporates them right off of your face.
and you have amazing skin, so this is definitely an effective advertisement!
Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil…I am going to check this out.
Nubian Heritage’s African Black Soap.
I use shea butter for my hair and body.
I use jojoba oil on my skin and hair and it makes both feel super moisturized.
I know it sounds kind of wierd, but I use baking soda for both my hair and face! I use on my hair because it gets rid of all the products that are built up in my hair and I use it on my face to make my pores look smaller!
interesting! how do you use the baking soda on your face? make a paste & use it as a mask?
I tweeted the giveaway!
i see you!
definitely shea butter!
I use a bit of everything. Whatever tickles my fancy for the moment. I’m loving some whipped shea butter my cousin made and I plan on making my own. Also, I just got some Curls products to try out and I can’t wait. Grapeseed oil and good ole Blue Magic are my besties! Oh yeah..and VO5 2n1 shampoo and TreSemme Conditioners are lovely!