Aunt Jackie's

I stumbled upon this brand at Marshall’s and was in dire needs for a change up in my hair care routine. My hair tends to get used to products that once were holy grails. So I’m always on the look out for something that brings life back into each curl. So far, aunt Jackie has sparked that life. I love how soft my curls are and clean without feeling stripped (which is one of the main reasons I skip shampoo most weeks). I would recommend more of these products for sure. Aunt Jackie's - Oh So Clean Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo

I started my journey to happy, healthy waves when I started quarantine (mid March). It’s been about seven months, and I’d like to drop some tips for people just starting! Some tips for starting: you do NOT need to break the bank when you’re just starting. A leave in conditioner and curl cream are all you need to get started! there is a transition period, and things will be rough at first. When you transition, your hair may get worse or not change before it gets better. Hair in transition needs moisture and a patient, gentle hand 💗 start with a clarifying shampoo. Buildup from everything you’ve done to and put on your hair will make transitioning and improving your hair 1000x harder don’t get overwhelmed-you don’t need to understand protein/moisture balance, density, what ingredients are good and bad, and also the other intricacies when you’re just starting keep a journal and take progress photos! I can’t even tell you how helpful it is Tips on your hair type: your actual hair TYPE, or how tight/loose your hair is is nearly irrelevant, especially when you start your type may be different throughout your hair, and it will change as you progress what’s more important is hair density, porosity, and damage ^ that’s what will affect how and which products are best for your hair Things I wish I’d known: don’t do everything at once! Add a product, wait and see how your hair reacts you don’t need to follow every curly girl rule! Your hair is unique and some rules will do more harm than good once you get out of your transition stage, experiment! Different types of styling will make a world of difference take photos of your journey! I feel like I’ve missed out on being able to actually SHOW how much my hair has improved because I hardly have any photos from the start Favorite products: PAUL MITCHELL - Clarifying Shampoo Three I have hard water so a weekly clarifying shampoo combined with a deep conditioner is essential to prevent buildup. This shampoo leaves my hair so smooth and light without being harsh! A necessity if you have hard water Aunt Jackie's - Curl Boss Coconut Curling Gelée A cheap, easy to find and super reliable gel. Still my favorite. Makes a nice cast, adds definition, and when scrunched out leaves a voluminous, soft curl that remains consistent until your next wash day aussie - 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner My absolute favorite feel conditioner, perfect for transition and is still my staple seven months in. Cheap and last forEVER! Nice smell, can be washed out immediately for a lighter condition or left 5+ minutes for an extra deep condition I’ll also strongly recommend apple cider vinegar washes-never has my hair been softer, smoother, shinier, and clumped easier then after an acv rinse(definitely will get around to doing a post on this!) Overall, just be patient with and love your hair and it will love you!

I’m glad to know the existence of leave in conditioners because I remember finding out conditioner from my hair and wishing I didn’t have to as it made my hair feel silkier. Leave in conditioner is a great way to gently detangle hair and keep it hydrated. However, as I have sensitive skin and especially an eczema-prone neck, I gotta be pretty careful with my selection. I gave Aunt Jackie's - Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner a try which seemed like a great idea because it’s “Sulfate-free/Paraben-free” but it’s important to not get caught up in being green washed. Greenwashing is when a product label promotes being a better choice by lacking certain ingredients, while the ingredient list may still contain some hazards. In this case, Parfum, which I think I’m quite sensitive to, is listed as one of the middle ingredients. Not even at the end! But the middle! Huh?! It smells good, but it’s too fragrant and therefore I don’t feel comfortable just leaving it in my hair all willy nilly. So instead I use om - Coconut Milk Hair Mask which is technically meant as a leave in treatment for 10 mins in the shower, but the downfall of clean hair products is that it’s often not strong enough for curly/thick hair. So I apply a bit into my damp hair post wash and then braid it and ta-da, look at them shiny and non-greasy coils! ✨ when I use a leave in conditioner, I can get away with using less oil 👏🏽 #CheriePartner