WIAP 101 (What's In A Product?)

So, of course, this post should have come before the post on Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner, but oh well! Better late than never!!


When I first went natural, everyone started telling me to read the product's ingredients to know exactly what I was putting in my hair, except, just because I read them didn't mean I knew what the heck they were. So I just wanted to post a few pointers for shopping for products.

• First, really assess what products you need and what you are looking for them to do. 
• If you know before you enter the store that you need a cheapie, rinse out conditioner, it'll help you stay focused on finding that, and you'll be less likely to leave with a shampoo, DC, moisturizer, etc. lol
  

• SHOP AROUND! One of the beautiful things about being natural is that you do not have to stay in the ETHNIC HAIR CARE AISLE! You may find things that work there, but you can also go to the other aisles and find products there.
  
• If you see a product that looks good, pick it up and turn it over, to immediately see the ingredients.
• NOTE: Most ingredients you won't know. Sad truth, but it's okay. 
• The first 5-7 ingredients are the ones with the highest concentration in a product. Pay attention to those most. Those will be the ones that really are doing work on your hair.
  
• Most products have water listed as the first ingredient. In most products, 60% to 90% of the product is water.
• If you're looking for a product to use on your hair when it's straightened, it's probably in your best interest to find one that does not list water as it's first ingredient, because it will cause your hair to revert much more easily.
  
• Know the difference between an extract of an ingredient, and the ingredient by itself. Many times you will see the extract of an ingredient rather than the pure ingredient. I always see this as "100% fruit juice vs. juice concentrate".
  
• Man-made products sound, well, man-made. If you're reading the ingredients and you can't pronounce them, those aren't natural ingredients. Nothing's wrong with that, and it doesn't illegitimate the product. Just know that if you're looking for a natural, more pure product to put on the hair, that's not it.
  
• Most times if a product has the "good stuff" like your coconut oils, shea butter, etc. They will use the real name and put the common name in parenthesis. For example:
  Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter)
  Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)

There's also the whole "sulfates, parabens, silicones, etc.etc.etc." But that's a wholleeee different post as it can get controversial.

If you have questions or suggestions, leave them here!  
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