Learning about dew points has probably been one of the most beneficial tidbits of information when it comes to how I care for my natural hair and what products I use. Why? Check out this video!
Category: Hair
dupeBLACKxTarget Series: Braid Out ft. The Doux Bonita Afro Balm + FULL Review!
Like most of you, Target is one of my favorite places to shop, but it’s extremely dangerous. I’ll go in there for a pack of cheese and before I know it, I’ve spent $50 on hair products and makeup (especially now with The Lipbar and Coloured Raine being in stores). When I initially saw The Doux, I thought that the packaging was super cute but didn’t necessarily want to buy it (I have SO many hair products) – but then I found out they were black-owned. *Throws coins* I’ve been testing a few products from the line, and up first is their Bonita Afro Balm, which is a styling cream you can use for wash and gos and twist/braid outs. So how did it stack up? Check out my review below.
Merkaba Natural Hair Grow-Out Challenge
When the weather gets warmer, I feel like it’s always the perfect time for me to do a grow out challenge – I don’t like to protective style proactively and the winter is so dry and cold that I don’t really concentrate on wearing my hair out (it’s in a bun most of the time). Then, the other day I visited the BMvmnt Studio in New York (Buti’s new studio) and FINALLY got some Golden Ratio Merkaba, as I hadn’t felt like ordering it.
What’s Merkaba?
Merkaba is an organic blend of matcha green tea, ginger, and cayenne pepper, and is marketed as an energy and metabolic booster. It is also said to help increase mental clarity and focus. Honestly, it pretty much tastes like spicy dirt but it doesn’t bother me.
But while I’m taking this supplement for health, I started thinking about the ingredients and how they are related to hair. Matcha, ginger, and cayenne are all said to increase hair growth when applied topically or internally, and this formula is loaded with all three. I also personally prefer to nourish my hair from the inside out, especially when we’re talking about pastes or things that can cause irritation to the skin (Have you ever gotten cayenne in your eye? I have, and it’s not pretty.)
Each box comes with 30 servings, so I am incorporating Merkaba into my routine each morning and drink a packet once a day. After 30 days (or around 20 because of shipping), I will assess whether I want to keep taking it for health and gauge an effectiveness regarding hair growth. At $42 a box, it’s not exactly cheap.
I was going to break out my old length check tank top to measure growth, but surprise (!), my hair is already past the last line. For reference, this is the one I have.
I don’t think I’m going to get another one because measuring length in inches and being so obsessed with growth isn’t really my thing anymore. I moreso want to eyeball length and thickness. I also take Futurebiotics Hair, Skin, and Nails vitamin and the Camille Rose Green supplement, but I’ve taken them for months and should be able to see if the Merkaba is making a difference.
I’ll be providing updates on my social media, so if you’re interested, be sure to follow me on Twitter @ellevate108 and join my beauty group on Facebook, Beauty in Glitterland. This should be fun – and spicy!
xoxo
