Product Review: Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner [on 4C Hair]

I returned to my natural hair journey in a few years ago and I am quite aware of the struggle to figure out what products will work for your hair types, sometimes you gotta "lose to win" (trial and error) with products. However, reading a good review or seeing the product working on a similar hair texture/type can really help.
***Please note that even though you have similar hair textures to someone else, it doesn't mean that you will have the same experience as that person! With that being said I will begin my review of this awesome leave-in that has been working for my hair for the past few years.

The Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner



My PROS

1. It is affordable compared to some other popular leave-ins
2. Rich and creamy consistency, great for those who love heavier leave-ins
3. Smells great...coconut scent.
4. Awesome for detangling, melts away tangles.
5. Leaves hair soft and manageable.
6. Keeps in moisture once hair is followed up with a good sealant.



My Cons
1. May go on a bit white-ish and may leave your hair dull if your hair is not freshly washed.
2. Can  easily lead to product buildup if used with a heavy sealant.


This has become one of my staples and I will continue to use it as long as my hair tolerates it :) cause ya'll know she can have a mind of her own sometimes ;)

For a video review including consistency and more click link below:

FULL VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/ppMa6-OWs6A

All in all I think the pros of this product outweighs the cons, so I would recommend it to persons with Natural hair... (4C hair). I hope this helps someone who is considering trying this product!

Where to buy?

ONLINE:        http://amzn.to/2dZLFzZ

LOCAL: BEAUTY SUPPLY STORES

*** This is not a sponsored post,I bought this product with my own coins...

***This post contains affiliate links.

Goddess Garden Organics Products (4 Products): 1st Impression Review

Sample Set sent to me from Goddess Garden Organics

As I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle, these products were perfect for this because they are all natural products. These natural ingredients heals and protects your skin from sun damage and even skin cancer. I had the opportunity to try these products free of charge and I am so grateful to Goddess Garden for sending me the samples. I will give a general list of pros and cons of the products; and I will also include a small list for each individual product below that I found while using them.

GENERAL PROS AND CONS

PROS:

• All natural
• Certified Organic
• Non-Nano
• Reef Safe
• Non GMO
• Bio degradable 
  
• Alcohol Free
• Paraben Free
• Cruelty Free
• Phthalate Free
• Gluten Free
• Non toxic
•  Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• Prevents sun burn and skin damage
• Heals/repairs skin
• Protects from skin cancer
• Variety of products available for kids and adults.
• Product sets available e.g. "Sun Repair System Morning Set"
• They use safe ingredients that a great for skin: Aloe Vera, Vitamin E Oil, Green Tea, Coconut Oil, Immortelle essential Oil  just to name a few.

CONS:

• Strong Earthy Scent (The Facial Sunscreen had the strongest scent for me)
• Some products (sunscreen) can be a bit sticky
• A bit more expensive than your typical drugstore products (but they are all natural products so it's worth it!)
• Some products ships only in the United States. (You can probably try a Skybox if you live outside of the US, or have a someone bring it for you! )

I did a video review on my Youtube channel, be sure to check it out here: 

                                        DEMO VIDEO of me using these products:

Goddess Garden Organics Facial Natural Sunscreen (w. Broad Spectrum SPF 30)

PROS:

• Includes all pros listed above.
• White-ish color faded into my skin after a while.
• Creamy texture - not runny.
• Water resistant.
• Can be used with makeup.

CONS:

• Sticky consistency
• Goes on white-ish on my skin.
• Face was a bit firm when it dried
• Strong scent (lasted a while)
• The need to reapply every 40 mins.

Ingredients List:

ACTIVE: Zinc Oxide (19%), INACTIVE: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil*, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Helichrysum Italicum (Immortelle) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum *CERTIFIED ORGANIC

Goddess Garden Organics Erase the Day Mineral Removing Cleanser

**One of my faves.

PROS:

• Includes all pros listed above.
• Smells awesome.
• Cleans off all impurities. 
• Leaves face feeling fresh and clean.
• Face feels smooth after wash.
• Cool, refreshing feeling after use.

CONS:

• None that I can think of.

OTHER:  (Not sure if these points can be considered good or  bad, but I can live with them.)

• Consistency  and smell reminds me of African Black Soap Cleanser.
• Doesn't lather.

Goddess Garden Organics Dream Repair Sun-Repair Night Cream 

PROS:

• Includes all pros listed above.
• Smells nice.
• Consistency of a creamy moisturizer.
• None greasy.
• Went on clear... blends nicely into skin.
• Face feels supple throughout the night into the morning.

CONS:

• None that I can think of.

Goddess Garden Organics Face the Day Sunscreen & Firming Primer (w. Broad Spectrum SPF 30)

PROS: 

• Includes all pros listed above.
• Delicious winning 2016 Best Suncare Award winner
• Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• Two-in-one: Sunscreen & Primer.
• Smells ok.
• Easier to apply on face than normal sunscreen .
• Goes on clear and blends nicely into skin.
• Face feels firm and very smooth.

CONS:

• Need to reapply after at least every 2 hours.

PRODUCT INFO CARD 

Goddess Garden uses safe minerals: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide

For more info on these products head on over to their website: http://www.goddessgarden.com

Special thanks to Lauren and the Goddess Garden Organics team for sending me these samples to try.

Please note: I was not paid for this post, I was sent these products free of charge for the purposes of review!

***Post contains affiliate links

Word of the Week #4: "Who do you worship?"

Hi guys, so last week I had a very profound dream and I wanted to share it with you guys. In a nutshell God basically showed me that there are things in my/our lives that can easily replace Him. These things include material things, celebrities, significant others etc., but He wants back His place in our hearts!

MAIN BIBLE SCRIPTURE:

✔️ Exodus 20:3-6 -  'And God spoke all these words:“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." King James Version 

OTHER RELEVANT SCRIPTURES:

✔️ Jonah 2:8

✔️ 1 John 5:21

✔️ 1 Cor 10:14

✔️ 1  Cor 16:25

✔️ Ps 92:1

Be sure to check out those verses in your bible, do your own bible study so you can be aware and be guided.

Awesome Study Bible I use:  

Be sure to check out my YouTube Video below as I share a very interesting dream/vision I had from God and what He really desires from us his creation.

It is my prayer that if we are on the dangerous path that we stop right now and ask God's forgiveness, ask him to help us put Him first in our lives, and make sure that He receives our undivided attention, worship and respect every day of our lives.
Why not make the choice to worship Him today? After all, He deserves our best, our first, our everything. He asks us in His WORD to "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all other things shall be added unto us!" I guarantee if you put Him first and everything else will fall into place.

**Post may contain affiliate links

My First Ever YouTube Giveaway (CLOSED)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!

It's GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!! 

Celebrating 100+ Subbies and my 1 year anniversary of being a YouTuber :)

Well lovies, there's a lot to be thankful for... I can't believe a year has passed and to top it off more than a hundred of you beautiful people wanna grind with me and hear what SimpleeMelz has to say. 

First of all, God must be praised cause without Him, I wouldn't be here. I can't thank you (my subbies) enough for your support and for sticking with me throughout this year. I have been wanting to do this (start a Youtube channel) a while now, but I was a bit skeptical because of what persons may think or say... but thank God I finally mustered up the courage. 

And look at where I am now!!! I have grown so much, from crappy lighting and filming on my tablet to a new and improved filming situation. A big thanks to my hubby for appreciating my work and investing in my dreams. I still have a lot to learn and a lot more ideas for my channel but for now I am grateful for every opportunity, blessing, friend, subscriber and view. I look forward to you continued support in the future.

THANK YOU!!! 

You still have some time to enter...

GIVEAWAY ENDS JULY 1ST 2016!

Check out the awesome prizes you can win:

Winner #1:

 

Winner #2:

      

 Be sure to check out my video below to learn how to enter:

Best Wishes to you!!!

Mini Rant - Help! Disappointed with "Filmora".... Advice Needed ASAP!

Hey goodnight folks, I am having an issue and I need some assistance as well as advice....

SimpleeMelz's Screenshot

For those who use the Filmora Video Editing Program... I checked out the trial version and I was pleased to see so many great features that I would love to use in my videos so I went ahead and purchased it. However, since I've purchased the program I'm having issues.. specifically with the video and audio being out of sync... the video drags slowly while the audio is at normal speed. I cannot edit because I'm not sure which point to split....and how will it line up in the end...I've tried so many things, nothing is working....Does anyone else experience this problem, if so what did you do to fix it?

I have been posting all over the Wondershare and Filmora YT and FB because I wasn't getting a response from them, I finally got a response and was happy when a Senior Customer Service Rep contacted me. At first he seemed genuine in his pursuit to assist, but that conversation went all the way left when he tells me the problem is my computer environment and that .. I quote: "The unfortunate part of using a laptop for this type of work is that unless you get a very high end one, you may not have the ability to do the work that you want to do. I’m really sorry to have to say that."

(I have a Windows 10 Dell Laptop) So I went up on the site and checked their system requirements( http://filmora.wondershare.com/tech-spec.html ) and my laptop meets all the requirements, there are several other persons who are voicing their disappointment with the product because they too are experiencing the same issue. I haven't noticed anything on their website stated that a high end computer is needed for this program... I would think it should have been stated in their System Requirements note! So the Rep was asking if I have access to another computer to try it on there, but frankly that is not an option right now. (I'm still contemplating what to do!)

The thing that is frustrating to me right now is that at first I was told and I quote: "Referring to your case, could you please make sure whether the source video plays well on your computer before you load it into the program? If there is no problem with the source files. Then we assume it is caused by the compression of the preview window. Actually, after you load the video to the program, it will be compressed to a lower resolution as 512*288 to set the preview window, so the video did not play smoothly while viewing in the preview window. And sorry that we do not have a solution to fix it now. But generally the output quality will not be affected. Please just try to export your file, and then you could check the output quality. If there is anything else we can do for you, please feel free to contact us. We are always more than happy to help."

My response to that: "However, there is nothing wrong with my source videos as I tried them in other players/editors, and I bought this program to improve the editing of my videos, but I cannot edit it with glitch, how can I request a refund? I am very disappointed because I love all the features offered in Filmora...."
Their response: "What they are saying is that if the source file is okay, then it's the software causing the distortion due to the compression that happens within the software. When it's exported, it will go back to normal."

So I thought the intention was to for them to come up with a solution to fix the problem which they recognized to  most likely be the compression of the preview window.... and then they turn around and telling me about my computer environment? It didn't say on their website that I am required to have a "high-end" computer for it to work. So what's that about? And I mentioned that several other persons on YouTube are complaining about the same issue, so.....what do you think about that? Hmmm sigh... I am very disappointed!

I've been back and forth trying all sorts of things but nothing works.. I really like Filmora and would like to use it edit my videos ASAP but I can't do anything with that glitch... Is there anyone else having this problem? How did you solve it? 

What do you guys think? Should I request a refund?

Natural Hair Products with Amazing Slip: My Review

Hey guys,


So today I'm here with some product reviews. In my video below I discuss/ review 3 products that has amazing slip on my natural hair: 

1. TRESemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner

TRESemme Conditioner, Naturals Nourishing Moisture 25 oz

(*** I think this product has been discontinued by the manufacturer, I'm still looking for a replacement that doesn't include coconut oil!)


2. Elasta Qp Creme Conditioning Shampoo for Dry Damaged Hair
                                           

3. Africa's Best Texture My Way Curl Keeper Moisturizing Hair Lotion


                                                           



(Please note, I bought these products with my own cash. This video is not sponsored.)

I also gave a written review of the TRESemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner here:

https://www.influenster.com/reviews/tresemme-naturals-nourishing-moisture-conditioner

Have you guys tried any of these products? If so, what was your experience?

NOTE: If you would like me to review a product please feel free to send contact me via email: simplynaturabelle@gmail.com


***Post may contain affiliate links

#GuessMyNextVideo - Win a REWARD!! OFFER EXPIRED!!!

REWARD OFFER EXPIRED!!!

Hey lovies, how's everyone? 
I wanna do a little activity with you guys.
Based on the picture below, 
can anyone guess what my next video will be about? 

If you guess correctly, you will be rewarded.....

See RULES below!

(Hint: Celebrate)

Rules: 

1. You only have 1 chance to guess.

2. Your answer can be a word, phrase or a brief sentence.

3. You MUST write your answer under this post.

4.This reward offer closes 1 hour after this post goes up. (I will notify you here on blogger when my new video is live on YouTube. If you are subscribed to my channel you should receive automatic notifications.)

5. To find out if you've won and what your reward will be, be sure to watch my NEXT VIDEO on My YouTube Channel. I will be posting the winner's name in Note (Annotation) at the latter part of the video. 

Video is now Live: https://youtu.be/9BYr2mpFyIc NEXT VIDEO

6. If you saw your name in the annotation, comment under the video."Your Name REWARD CONFIRMED" 
          E.g. SimpleeMelz Reward Confirmed
Please note that you must use the same name you used here on Blogger.

Best wishes to everyone!!!! :)

NEW PROTECTIVE STYLE 2016

 Hey lovies,

Just wanna share with you a quick Protective Style Update!!!! 

 I'm so excited to share this with you guys. This was not the next Wig tutorial I had in mind to do but I have been 'eye-ing' this hair for quite sometime and I finally found them (well at least a "dupe" of...the 12" Havana Mambo twists)..... will be bringing the TUTORIAL soon on MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL, so STAY TUNED! 

MY TUTORIAL IS LIVE ON MY CHANNEL: https://youtu.be/yANQFfkTxgw

I have been wearing her for about two weeks now and I'm enjoying it.... This is my last week on my 60 day Challenge #GROWYOURFROPSC so she came in at just the right time as I have been getting bored of wearing those twists.... Will be giving you guys an update of my experience and length check to see if I achieved any growth and all that good stuff :) 

"WORD" of the Week Series #1 - Surrender

Hey lovies, 

I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter break..... Just wanna share my new series with you guys: "WORD" of the Week Series .... 

W.O.W. #1 "Surrender"

Main Text: 

Psalm 37:7 -  Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. KJV

OTHER TRANSLATION

Psalm 37:7 - Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him. GWT -  GOD'S WORD® Translation (© 1995)

So after a bit of research, here are a few points of  the meaning of "Surrender"... specifically surrendering to God. I have also included some scriptures to support these points.  

1. Trusting God when we may not know what is happening to us and around us.

John 13:7 - Jesus replied, " You don't understand  now what I am doing, but someday you will." NLT

Isa 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ESV

9 

2.Trusting God's timing even when it may look like time is running out.

Habakkuk 2:3 - For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delaY. ESV

Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. ESV

3. Remembering that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or think. 

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according the the power at work within us... ESV

Luke18:27 -  But he said, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." ESV

4. Answering God's call and trusting God to lead the path he wants you to follow.

Proverbs 3:5-6 -Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seel his will in all you doo, and he will show you which path to take. NLT

John 10:3-5 - The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and leads them out. He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leats them, The sheep follow him, beause they know his voice. But sheep will never follow someone they don't know. They will run away from him, because they don't know his voice. ERV

Bonus Text Mentioned: 

1 Peter 5:7, NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

In my latest video I briefly discuss each point.... Check it out below and be sure to give it a thumbs up if you enjoy:

I hope this post blesses you, of the 4 points mentioned, which one do you struggle with most?

Leave in comments below....

Blessings to you.

 *********Connect with me**********

Follow me on:

 Insta: https://instagram.com/simpleemelz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simpleemelz/

Google+ : https://www.google.com/+SimpleeMelz17

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SimpleeMelz

Be beautiful and blessed!

Basic Essential Tools for Natural Hair & Quick HOTD!! | SimpleeMelz

Hey lovies, are you newly natural? Thinking of returning to your roots? Well  i'm here today to share with you the essential tools I use for my natural hair. Hope you enjoy.

Here is a list of the tools:

1. Spray Bottle with (Distilled) Water

2. Detangling Comb (You can Finger Detangle as well)

3. Afro Pick

4. Parting Tool (Tip of a broken comb)

5. Hair Clamps  - for Sectioning.

6..Bobby Pins and Hair Pins - Regular and Jumbo

7. Satin Caps or Scarfs (A satin pillowcase can be used as well when you're sleeping )

8. Shower Caps (or Ordinary Plastic Bags) for Deep Conditioning, Pre-Poo etc .

9. A Hand Mirror


For more deets on these tools check out my video below:





Are there any other tools you use that are very helpful in caring for your natural hair? Post a comment below and let me know....

Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

#HOTD - Hair of the Day (Best Twist Out Ever?!)

Hey guys,
Sometime in February I had my hair in twists for about a month and I wore them under a wig....
I got a bit bored and I wanted to look a lil' different for church.... 
so I took down the twists and...... 
voila!!!

*********PRODUCTS USED*********

I tried different products for this twist out to see which combo will keep my hair moisturized longer:

At the front of my hair I used:

✔ Giovanni Weightless Moisture Leave-in

✔ DIY Shea Butter Mix

✔ Grape Seed Essential Oil 
______________________________

At the back of my hair I used:

✔ Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in 

✔ Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

✔ DIY Shea Butter Mix


THE RESULTS: 


The Giovanni combo won....  however the definition was relatively the same for both back and front. (✿◠‿◠)

Enjoy :) 

#ThatGlowTho

To see this hair live... check out my video of my #HOTD

I also discuss some set backs in my natural hair... 

Click link below:

Be sure to thumbs up and share.....and of course SUBSCRIBE!!! :)