Product Review: Desert Essence Coconut Conditioner

Hey Naturalistas!!

A week or so ago, I ran out of my current cowash conditioner of choice (Nature’s Gate Pomegranate Sunflower) and decided to peruse VitaCost’s website; stumbling across the Desert Essence brand. Now, I had been introduced to their grape conditioner years ago on Naturally Curly, but passed on trying because the cost and size didn’t rationalize purchasing (found at local grocery store for around $9). But I found it on Vitacost for $4.81 and after looking at the ingredients, I decided….why the hell not?

Below I highlight why I think you should give it a try. :)

Pros

Ingredients: Emollients, conditioning agents, botanicals galore. Even the preservatives are on the lighter side(paraben free). It’s also vegetarian and gluten free!

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract*, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut Derived), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Canola Derived), Coco Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut Derived), Dehydroacetic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate (Fruit Derived), Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum) * Certified Organic

Improved combability: The conditioning agents have great detangling properties. As soon as applied, I had slip. Almost a seaweedy slickness. Could finger detangle without difficulty.

Light scent: As much as I LOVE fragrances, sometimes I enjoy a little subtlety. It doesn’t have to be overpowering, and this product has just enough of a soft, coconut fragrance that leaves you wanting to sniff the bottle….and your hair. :)

A little goes a long way: Even on “dirty” hair, if you will, I had immediate slip. Conditioner penetrated without JUST coating, which can happen if you use products with ingredients that aren’t water soluble. Those products didn’t diminish the conditioner’s effectiveness, and I BET had I used it on freshly shampooed hair, the results would have been even better!

Touchable, soft (but pliable) hair: Now, you guys may or may not have seen my posts on how softness does NOT equal moisturization, but my hair can be on the dry-ish side. Especially in the cooler, winter months. The conditioner appears to have helped with pliability and ability to retain elasticity after usage. I had less breakage after rinsing clean and while detangling. :)

Cons

More expensive at brick and mortar stores: I prefer purchasing products locally, if possible. But the cost in purchasing at my local grocer/health food store is just a turn off since they charge RETAIL pricing and well....I'm all about saving a buck or two. I still save money purchasing online, depending on the site and shipping options. Not necessarily a con, but you have to be mindful of your current conditioner supply and how much, or little, you’re willing to spend.

Size: I REALLY wish it came in a 16oz and/or 32 oz container. While a little goes a long way, I like the option of having larger bottles. I think they should really consider offering larger sizes. If that option became available, I would stock pile right now. RIGHT. NOW. When you find a great conditioner, you’re often willing to spend a bit more if it means being able to purchase larger sizes.

The “cons” are minor. Luckily, they have nothing to do with product effectiveness. I’ve used my fair share of conditioners in the past, but this is definitely up there in my top 10 as of right now. Of course, if anything changes with continued usage, you all will be the first to know. But it’s a conditioner I think is worth a try, especially if your hair does well with coconut oil as some naturals tend to experience dryness with this emollient.

Natural Urbanista

Second complete rod-set: Another success?!

Maybe…..just maybe.

I am one of those naturals that has ZERO patience when it comes to styling my hair. Or rather, trying new styles. My hair is long-ish and my limbs tired-ish, so if I find myself getting frustrated, I tend to just give up.

But not this time.

I stuck with it, even with the elastic parts snapping hardly against my cold, wet and stiff fingers. That ish HURT! LOL!

My arsenal:

-xtra small, small, medium-ish and medium rods. (hey…. y’all get what I’m saying :P )

-PM The conditioner & IC w/Sparklites (for color-treated hair….I like it better than the clear)

-Table-top hooded dryer

-Rat-tail comb

-Butterfly clips

Directions:

After washing and conditioning hair, I applied the PM Conditioner moderately to each section of hair. I sectioned my hair into maybe 6 sections(held up and apart with butterfly clips), using the rat-tail to section off each piece.

I then applied a little bit of gel to my fingers, smoothing over each piece being rolled onto each rod, wrapped/rolled hair around rod and secured. I continued this throughout my entire head; using smaller rods in the front and larger ones in the middle and back.

After set, I sprayed hair with a little bit of water to reactivate the gel and sat under the dryer for 2 hours. I have a lot of hair, so the length made it harder to dry.

Once dry, I gently removed rods and attempted to separate. I thought my hair would frizz up completely but it didn’t. But with those stubborn pieces, I just let them be. Hence the varying curl sizes in the back. lol

The end result:

Not tooooo shabby. Next time, I'll pay for someone to do it for me. :P

Natural Urbanista