From My Brown Eyes

This belongs to a writer, an editor, a journalist, a Columbia Graduate School of journalism student, and a natural hair woman named Shonitria.

My favorite Hair Products (Pt. 1)

Me showing off my honey blonde natural tresses

OK, so here it is…my favorite hair products! I feel this is very long over due….but here goes! (Please keep in mind this hair regime and products work for me. I am posting this as a means of assistance. Because what works for me may not work for everyone. You have to find your own regime and hopefully my regime can give you some ideas).

I will start with Shampoo and Conditioner then move on to what I use to style my hair. No worries, I will include prices and how to use the products. Ready? Go :).

SHAMPOO: Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo, $18

- meant for dry, brittle, color treated, damaged, or breaking hair (although any hair type can use it)

  • I use this shampoo once or twice a month. I usually shampoo twice a month (every other week). 
  • Reasons why I like this product: the Monoi Oil in the product adds tons of moisture to my hair…for my natural ladies or curly ladies out there you know MOISTURE is EVERYTHING. Plus it is Sulfate-free so it gets my hair clean without stripping it of its natural moisture.

CONDITIONER: Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Conditioner, $18

-meant for curly, wavy and natural hair (can even be used on children ages 5 and up)

  • I use this as a co-wash (Co-wash: washing hair with only conditioner on a daily basis or every other day). 
  • Reasons why I like this product: It is incredibly moisturizing and helps to better define and boost my hair’s natural curl pattern. It is not heavy so it does not weigh my hair down. I use it everyday as a co-wash when in the shower. Rinse it out. Let my hair dry until damp and then I start styling my hair. 
  • TIP—>Co-washing hair helps to loosen up the curls. Also co-washing is great for after a workout or swimming- still getting hair clean just not stripping hair of its moisture like a shampoo would. 

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner, $20 

- meant for color treated, damaged, heat-styled, breaking or dry/brittle hair

  • I use this once or twice a month with the Monoi Repairing Shampoo. The two products work very well together and I wouldn’t recommend using one without the other. 
  • Reasons why I like this product: Again, moisture….plus it helps detangle my hair as it gets it clean. Also it helps to strengthen my hair and promote healthy hair. I don’t need to use a lot to work up a lather so it lasts a while.

DEEP CONDITIONER: Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask, $29

-meant for color-treated, damaged, dry, brittle, breaking, or heat-styled hair

  • I prefer to use this every week- about 3 times a month (but my busy schedule doesn’t allow this) so I usually end up using it at least once a month.
  • Reasons why I like this product: Moisture!!! This product is my secret weapon. This has helped cut down the amount of breakage I once experienced. Also this leaves my hair soft and moisturized which I love because I am natural with a permanent color in my hair (which is a recipe for extremely dry hair) and my hair is so soft and healthy. 
  • How to use: there are 2 ways (I prefer to do the second way once a month and the first once or maybe twice a month)

1. Shampoo hair. Then rinse. Condition hair. Rinse. Then apply the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask from root to tip all over hair. Put on plastic cap. If you have a hooded dryer- sit under for 10-15 minutes. If you do not have a hooded dryer then leave it in for 20-30 minutes while under a plastic cap. Then rinse out. Style hair as usual. ****this is meant to give the hair a very deep condition*****

2. On dry hair- Oil entire scalp with (Lisa’s Hair Elixir: helps to promote growth, prevent breakage & soothe dry/itchy scalp). Massage oil into scalp. Pat a little oil onto hair. Apply Monoi Repairing Hair Mask from root to tip all over until every strand is completely saturated with mask. Put on plastic cap. If you have a hooded dryer- sit under for 10-15 minutes. If you don’t have a hooded dryer then leave it in for 20-30  minutes while under a plastic cap. Rinse out. Shampoo hair (preferable with Monoi Repairing Shampoo for best results). Rinse. Condition hair (preferable with Monoi Reparing Conditioner). Rinse. Then style as usual. ***This helps make unruly curls more manageable, trains curls to curl properly according to your hair pattern** WARNING: must be consistent and keep doing this at least once a month but for best results you can do it three times a month!

I know that’s a lot of information to take in so I will let that marinate and save what I use to style to my hair for another day. So stay posted! Stay beautiful…

-Live with your eyes open, S. 


  1. frommybrowneyes posted this