In-Store Products Only Challenge

So, I was thinking. I've only been natural 6 months and have tried almost every natural product line, stalked all the sales trying to get the next best thing. And it's fine. For now. But the thought occurred to me, that 2, 3, or 4 years down the line, I may not be as enthusiastic about spending goo-gobs of money on all these products. Or I may not feel like going through the trouble of ordering the products online, especially when alot of stuff is never in stock...

So I'm proposing a challenge. For one month, only use products that can be found in store. That way, I can find out now what products I can buy locally that work and compare them to the things I've ordered. So whenever I do decide to let my PJism go (probably will be a while lol), I'll know what to do.

Now, I won't be starting this challenge now, because I just ordered a bunch of things online and due to the shelf life of those products, I need to use it first. I am, however, challenging myself to NOT ORDER ANYTHING ONLINE. And even though I'm not beginning the challenge now, I am slowly incorporating in store products into my reggie and will be posting product reviews here.

I hope ya'll might be interested in joining me. It will definitely cut down on PJism. Also, even if you are going to go back to au naturale ordering after the challenge (as I will lol), it could be helpful for others. Alot of curlies come to the site on a tight budget. And because most of us are PJs, we aren't as knowledgeable on things they can try for a cheap price. So, this will not only help us, but help those who visit the site and want more info on good things they can buy locally.

*side note: Kinky Curly and Miss Jessies are acceptable because they are available in store. HOWEVER, keep in mind that the goal is to find cheaper alternatives. So, if possible, try to stay away from things that are THAT expensive.*

If you'd like to join post and keep us updated

Challenge Month:
Goals:
Products:

And even if you don't want to join the month long challenge, feel free to post product reviews of in-store products in this thread.

I will join cause I've gotten just ridiculous! I have actually kinda sorta started this with the exception of the koils by nature I just orderd but I did purchase a few products from the Shea Moisture line at Tarjay earlier this month because I wanted to see if I could use these since they are in the store. So I will stick to those for the challenge.

Challenge Month: July
Goals: to stop ordering all these products
Products: Shea Moisture @ Tarjay Yes To Carrots condish, Eco

Hey JnB...

I would join but I'm on a no buy challenge for the month of July. I can't wait to read the reviews of the in-store products. This should be fun!!

KNH

newcurlieque wrote:I will join cause I've gotten just ridiculous! I have actually kinda sorta started this with the exception of the koils by nature I just orderd but I did purchase a few products from the Shea Moisture line at Tarjay earlier this month because I wanted to see if I could use these since they are in the store. So I will stick to those for the challenge.

Challenge Month: July
Goals: to stop ordering all these products
Products: Shea Moisture @ Tarjay Yes To Carrots condish, Eco

Thanks for joining. Which Shea Moisture products have you tried and how do you like them? Also how are you liking the Yes to Carrots?

KinkyNappyHappy wrote:Hey JnB...

I would join but I'm on a no buy challenge for the month of July. I can't wait to read the reviews of the in-store products. This should be fun!!

KNH

You can still join. There's not set month you have to do this challenge. I don't plan on doing the actual challenge until I've used up most of the stuff I have now. That could be August or even September. But I'll incorporate in store stuff now. So you can join after you are done with your no buy challenge. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Luv Yes to Carrots!!! It's the bomb. From the SheaMoisture I have the Reconstructing Condish(great cowash and leave-in), Coconut hibiscus Smoothie(very moisturizing/not much hold though), Dry Scalp Elixer(soothes the itchies nicely), Hold and Shine Moisturizing spray(great refresher). I forgot to add I also have the deep treatment mask.

I've been eying that scalp elixir. Does it have any tingling or cooling effects?

Juices-n-Berries wrote:I've been eying that scalp elixir. Does it have any tingling or cooling effects?

No it doesn't have any tingling/cooling. But it does soothe my scalp well.

great idea jnb!! i'll be watching this topic too...well i have no business cuz i dont need to be buying NOTHING else!!

i cant start this one yet but im sure i will come this fall since i'll be toning my products down a bit. so far my staples are mainly online, eeeek!!

hooooowever, im gonna be fully tryin my ytcarrots ($ 7) (cucumbers didnt wow me) and i can pretty much stamp carol's daughter as a staple. lucky me she has a store here in my area (pentagon city in va). Also, if i ever run out of my favorite dc's the ytcarrots hair mask ($13) is DEFINITELY one to get.

another poo i can depend on is Suave clarifying poo ($2). i literally use 1-2 drops for my whole head and follow up w/either kbb cond poo or go straight to a condish.

I think this a great idea. I am not an on-line buyer at all so I will fit in good. Count me in.

Challenge Month: July
Goals: Not to get into the habit of on-line buying
Products: diffrent products.

This challenge is similar to what I'm doing now. I have so many products in my closet but I can't bare to just throw them away so I'm challenging myself to use them all before I buy anything else. I am also looking for good quality products that are easy on my pockets. I can't keep spending $24 on an 8oz jar of conditioner that I know will be gone the 2nd time I use it.

I can't join right now because I have quite a few natural products that I need to use up first also. I can probably join sometime in the fall. I will be watching this thread and I can comment on some products that I have used that I purchased in store.

I use Jane Carter which can be purchased in-store but can be pricey. I also recently purchased the following Shea Moisture products from Target. I have the Shea Moisture hair milk, African black soap shampoo, the hair mist, and the deep moisture mask. I've noticed a lot of curlies use the deep moisture mask as a leave-in for twists so I definitely am trying that.

Thanks everyone for joining. Like I said before, don't worry if you can't start away. Natural products need to be used right away. Just make sure you are slowly incorporating in store products into your reggie and most importantly post reviews!

Muz wrote: LOL, as one of the curlies on a budget everything I'm using now is currently over the counter. (LOL), but I'll be interested to see what stuff you all come up with that I can try

Perhaps you can help us Muz. Tell us some of the things you've tried and liked.

i am going to start posting what i am using as of today.

I co wash with YTC, or HEHH. The YTC makes my hair feel clean, it has great slip and lathers well. The HEHH is moisturizing, when I use it with the flawless curls, my hair feels great all day.

I use tresseme flawless curls as a leave in conditioner. this stuff makes my curls come in and keeps my hair moisturized all day. they have a full line (flawless curls), I may give it a try.

I seal with a concoction I made with shea butter and oils.

I will try to post some pictures later.

I rotate the Jane Carter stylers with some of my other products.They can be purchased at Whole Foods, the Vitamin Shoppe and Target. Most of her products have a citrus scent.

The leave-in conditioner spray I use to spray my twists with. It is very light and leaves my hair moisturized.

The twist n lock styler - this styler has a creamy consistency and you only need a little. It is very moisturizing and gives good definition. I have used this on my hair when I have done braidouts and it gives good definition.

The Nourish and Shine - reminds me of a pomade. You only need a little of this also and I use it when my hair appears dull and I want a little shine.

The twist n loc and the nourish and shine are both around $19-22 dollars but they will last you awhile because you don't have to use a lot of her product.

Here's my first review...

Lustrasilk Organic Cholesterol with Argan Oil
Ingredients:water(aqua), stearmidopopyl, dimethylamine,
stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, argania spinosa kernel oil,
carrot(daucus carota sativa) seed oil, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)
leaf oil, juglans nigra (black walnut) leaf extract, cholesterol, aloe
vera(aloe barbadensis extract, chamomilla recruita extract, indian hemp
extract, fragrance, vitamin e, methyl & propyl paraben, phosphoric
acid, dmdm, disodium edta, yellow 5 &6.

Description: Healthy Care for Damaged Hair! Contains Argan
Oil from North Africa. All the benefits of organic hair care.A blend of extracts derived from
trees, plants, fruits and vegetables that contain natural fatty acids,
protein and vitamin to help and keep even the most damaged hair in the
best condition ever. The addition of Argan Oil from North Africa puts
this product over the top for shiny and growing hair and for mending
split ends. This is the one product that will put an end to each and
every hair problem.

How did I used this product: I used it as a DT. I left in on an hour with a plastic cap and no heat.

Overall thoughts: It's decent. I've really come to a place where as long as something doesn't make my hair feel crazy or look bad, it's pretty ok. So honestly, that's about all I can say. I didn't notice anything spectacular though.

Pros: It can be found locally. I didn't buy it but I got it in a swap. I haven't seen it in any of my beauty supply stores, but I'm assuming people have been able to find it. I also believe it's pretty cheap

Cons: The ingredients list isn't bad. However, beware if you like to stay away from parabens and dyes. The smell isn't great. Kind of chemical and artificial. But I'm a harsh critic of smells, and I still found it bearable. So not offensive, just not great.

Will I repurchase: Probably not. Because it didn't yield any spectacular results, I can't see myself running to the store to buy it again. I did however purchase the Lustrasilk Shea and Mango Cholesterol. It smells better and the consistency looks better. I haven't used it yet, but I will do a review and compare the two when I do.

So, I guess I'd give it [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] /10 fros.

This was a great idea JnB! I was actually thinking of doing a personal drugstore/bss product challenge because I have all these natural products, but they don't seem to yield any better results than the cheap stuff.

Challenge Month: I have quite a few natural products that I need to use up (or get rid of) but I will start incorporating the cheapies now.

Goals: find cheaper alternatives, stop spending so much money on hair products

Products:

Suave Daily Clarifying shampoo - been using this for a while because it's cheap and does its job.

HE TT/HH - these are great for cowashes, but once I run out I want to try Tresemme Naturals

HS 14 n 1 - love this (on wet hair)!!

BB Oil Moisturizer - haven't used

Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking gel - haven't used

Queene Helene Cholesterol - haven't used yet

This is a great challenge.

Before I went natural, I never imagined having to order my hair products online. I have gotten used to doing it now, but as you mentioned it gets expensive and I may not always be able to afford to spend soooo much cash on hair products.

Just recently, I spent major $$$$ on Oyin and Afroveda. So I will have to wait a few months before I join you. As others have posted, I will watch this topic and pick up some tips and reviews on instore products.

I know I want to try Giovanni products again, which I was told could be found at Kroger or Whole Foods. Also Parnevu Hair Mayo Deep Treatment.

You can find Giovanni anywhere! I've seen it at every walmart and most targets. Let me know if you want specific locations. And keep watching!

I am super duper excited!!!!

So I said I was going to start on July 1 but I started today. On last evening I washed my hair with my oyin shampoo bar and conditioned with YTCarrots. I plopped and went to bed. This morning I rewet my hair, put in Giovanni Direct leave in and slathered the SheaMoisture Curl Smoothie throughout my hair. That was it. I am excited with my results and it lets me know that I really don't have to use a gel product for hold. My hair is soft, not crunchy, moisturized and smells wonderful. I am really impressed.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

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Wow I'm excited to see what else I will learn from the challenge. Thanks JnB!!!!

newcurlieque wrote:I am super duper excited!!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

So I said I was going to start on July 1 but I started today. On last evening I washed my hair with my oyin shampoo bar and conditioned with YTCarrots. I plopped and went to bed. This morning I rewet my hair, put in Giovanni Direct leave in and slathered the SheaMoisture Curl Smoothie throughout my hair. That was it. I am excited with my results and it lets me know that I really don't have to use a gel product for hold. My hair is soft, not crunchy, moisturized and smells wonderful. I am really impressed.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Wow I'm excited to see what else I will learn from the challenge. Thanks JnB!!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

wow!, those are great results, I have pictures but y camera is so funny acting. I am going to try and post this week.

newcurlieque wrote:I am super duper excited!!!!

So I said I was going to start on July 1 but I started today. On last evening I washed my hair with my oyin shampoo bar and conditioned with YTCarrots. I plopped and went to bed. This morning I rewet my hair, put in Giovanni Direct leave in and slathered the SheaMoisture Curl Smoothie throughout my hair. That was it. I am excited with my results and it lets me know that I really don't have to use a gel product for hold. My hair is soft, not crunchy, moisturized and smells wonderful. I am really impressed.

Wow I'm excited to see what else I will learn from the challenge. Thanks JnB!!!!

Great results newcurlieque!! I smelled the YTC yesterday and it actually smells nice. I was expecting it to smell like carrots [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

what is plopping?

CrissyQ wrote:what is plopping?

I use a cotton t-shirt basically as a head wrap for about 5 minutes to get the extra water out of my hair. Like drying your hair w/o using a towel I guess.

Thanks Toya!!!