I Can’t Stop Smelling My Hair
My Date with Coco and Eve
Anyone who knows me knows I love to change the color of my hair. Now, I may not do it as often as I like, but I doubt you would be running to a salon chair if your hair literally takes on average about 4 hours. I am being super conservative in that estimate...it’s probably closer to 6-8 hours. From the time I’m taken to the sink to the time where I am saying goodbye I have actually seen 2 shift changes at a salon once. I have this thick mane of Spanish hair that was so consuming as a child I was a few haircuts away from Cousin It.
I think I started going to a professional stylist for hair color when I was about 19...because I was SOOOO grown up at 19 that I couldn’t bother with Manic Panic and Punky Color. I think the very first color we played with was a deep purple. All that said I have been “treating” my hair practically my whole life. And while I was bless with the glorious amount of thick and healthy hair over the years it has become much thinner than it was and I was already at the thin texture. Dry, brittle hair and a lecture from every stylist sans wela. I always get a masque even when I am just going in for a blowout. I use the right products on it (thanks to my wela) and it seemed that no matter what I did it was always going to have some split ends it would be dry at the ends and I just had to learn to manage it.
Sometime back I tried out a new salon appropriately named Alex’s Salon. There he scolded me (in that tough love kind of way) and introduced me to Olaplex Hair Protector and sent me on my way with the take-home version. I tried it and I honestly I was a bit underwhelmed...either that or I use it correctly. It seemed ok but was nowhere near the glowing reviews from my friends. In their defense I am sure it was an amazing product for their hair, mine...another story.
While hanging out on Instagram several weeks ago I came across a product called Coco and Eve. I already knew I was on the right track, their ads feature models of all ethnicities and that’s always a good sign for someone who is multi-ethnic. So, I laid out the styling tools and hopped in the shower. The first step, I used a color-reposit shampoo called Viral in light pink. This is a shampoo that is colored and literally does what it says, adds color back into the hair and it has extended the life of my color for over 5 months. Second step was to used my normal conditioner which is Moroccan Oil. I have this hair that just loves to give me trouble. It tangles at the first chance and that tangle if not dealt with can dread way too fast. Moroccan Oil is the first shampoo and conditioner to cut my shower wash time down by more than half. It usually stays untangled until (sometimes) styling. It makes your hair feel like silk and that smell could be an perfume tor a candle. Either way, I’m in. Third step was to move on to some deep conditioning which almost always requires me to either get out of the shower and then back in when the time is right or to shut off the shower, (because I live in California and we almost always have a drought), and do some shower karaoke while I wait to pass the time. I choose to use Rossano Ferretti’s Parma Prodigio Regenerating Treatment which I left in for about 15 mins. Lastly, I dried off and left my hair damp to apply the Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut and Fig Hair Masque. I didn’t have an suggestions on how long to leave it in for so I left it in for probably about an hour and a half. My first impression was “Holy cow, this stuff smells like heaven!”. The kit comes with a small comb which you are supposed to used in the application of the product. I tried with the comb and I found it to be one of the most frustrating hair experiences in my life. The substance is very thick, which is great. difficult to work through my hair. I finally gave up and used my hands and shower hair brush. For those of you who may not know, you shouldn’t use a brush in the shower unless it is made to go in the shower. The reason is the material and bristle space are specifically designed not to pull your hair out. Though you can use a “wet brush” all the time, I suggest having two or three brushes at least. 1 wet brush, 1 dry brush, and one or more styling brushes. This allows you to use the right tool for the right job getting a better result in each thing you use it for. I personally have a wet brush, a dry brush, and two different sized round brushes for styling.
Once I was able to get all of the contents of the jar into my hair, which though a bit difficult it is also a bit more fun than I thought it would be. I massaged the masque from root to tip and paid special attention to the parts of my hair that needed it most, in this case, the ends. I formed it into a ponytail and loosely wrap it around itself and used a shower cap that I bought at Daiso (Japanese $1.50 store) for $1.50. It’s a pretty comfortable and durable material and thankfully, even though my hair was quite heavy at the time it was still able to stay in place. I just threw it into the laundry when I was done with it since their product is all natural and fabric of the cap slick. I hung out and watched a show on Amazon. After at least and hour in a half..probably closer to 2 hours. Then I went back to the shower and rinsed it out gently. I was hoping to leave a little in my hair just in case, but I ended up just washing it all out. My hair felt amazing. I was happy but my normal conditioner makes my hair feel the same so I was still reserving judgement for styling. I pat dried my hair as directed and hoped for the best as I sectioned my hair for drying. I used the normal Argan Oil that I do for heat protection and went to town. After drying I used a curling straightener to both curl and straighten my hair (more about that in another post). When I was finally done and had removed my heat glove (because I do not like to burn my hands on my very hot hair) I was finally able to feel the change in my hair and I have to say I was blown away. This product, though I may have had trouble with it at points really delivered on the “Like a Virgin” aspect. My hair felt like baby hair. It was the softest thing I have felt in a bit and I have a fluffy puppy. I wanted to know how long the results last and I have not washed it in several days and it still feels great, it’s not weighed down, it’s not oily, it’s just soft and shiny and smells AMAZING. I have spent the week smelling my own hair. It all sounds fine and normal until you do it in public enough.
Steps:
1. Viral Pastel Light Pink Colorwash
2. Moroccan Oil Conditioner
3. Rossano Ferretti Parma Prodigio Regenerating Treatment
4. Olaplex No.3 Take-home Treatment
5. Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque
Where to Buy:
Viral Celeb Luxury $23-$30 was purchased at professional hair supply store by my stylist but should be able to be found at a place like Sally’s. I love this stuff.
http://wild.link/walmart/ANEg
Pro: It matched my color perfectly and adds just the right amount (I didn’t want it bright) Con: Availability
Moroccan Oil $56 33.8oz can be found at just about any place that sells shampoo such as Target or Walmart. My personal stash I purchase on Amazon.com. The can be purchased separately but usually together with the shampoo (which is what I use when I’m not using a colorwash).
http://wild.link/walmart/ANMg
Pro: Great for tangles, smells great, keeps the hair strong
Con: Price it could be more expensive than most people want to pay
Rossano Ferretti Parma Prodigio Regenerating Treatment $98 can be found at Sephora.com which is where I purchased mine.
http://wild.link/sephora/AM8g
Pro: Seriously helps the hair
Con: Price could deter people on a budget
Olaplex No.3 Take-home Treatment $28 I purchased through the salon but it is also sold at Sephora.
http://wild.link/sephora/ANAg
Pro: Price well priced for the average consumer and a little goes a long way.
Con: I didn’t notice a difference
Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque $45 single $70 double I purchased off their site which is cocoandeve.com I took a change and bought the Bestie pack which is a double order. So now I have a backup for the next time I need it. I haven’t had to wash my hair yet so I don’t know what it feels like one wash later.
https://www.cocoandeve.com/products/super-nourishing-coconut-fig-hair-masque-1
Pro: EVERYTHING! The smell, feel, etc of the masque itself and the end result it wonderful.
Con: Not Sold in Stores some people prefer not to shop online but their checkout process is easy online.
Conclusion:
Of all the products I have tried Coco & Eve’s Like a Virgin Super Nourishing Hair Masque is the one I will make sure to have on hand. I am in love.
The best hair day ever in a small pink tub.
