So its finally here! The first ever Re:Belle Mane of the Month. The format is simple. Each month, we will feature one natural haired woman or man. We will also feature information about their journey to natural hair, favourite products, etc.

Enjoy xx

This month's and our first Re:Belle mane belongs to 17 year old Londoner Alexia.

  How long have you been natural?

 I have been natural for around a year now.

Why did you choose to go natural?

 I chose to go natural because I liked how one day I could have a Afro and then the next I could have it straight. I also decided to go natural because I found when I was relaxed my hair was brittle and was breaking.

What method did you chose?

I pretty much grew out my texturizer. I did not chose to go down the big chop route because I was apprehensive about having shorter hair. I did after sometime cut off my straight ends, but, I did it gradually over time.

What is your routine?

Well, at this moment, my routine is quite simple. I shampoo my hair once a month, but, I co-wash my hair once a week. I also normally deep condition my hair once a week. And, I do a henna treatment once every three months. I shampoo my hair with Loreal's smooth-silk intense.

I condition my hair with Loreal's smooth-silk intense conditioner and Loreal's re-nutrition conditioner with Royal Jelly. Sometimes, I pre-poo my hair with the smooth-silk conditioner and sleep with it in my strands. I then go on to shampoo and then deep condition my hair. I deep condition my hair for as long as possible and then I rinse.

I section my hair into four and I also comb through with a wide tooth comb. I then let my hair air dry and add in the following products: Motion's leave in conditioner , Hawaiian silky 14 in 1 , Hawaiian silky oil moisturiser and pure shea butter. After I do that I then go on to put my hair into small/ medium sized plats. I sometimes wear my hair in a braid out or I just comb the braids out and put my hair into one with a bun or a puff. I, periodically, if needed, add some leave in conditioner to my ends if they start to feel dry. On my lazy hair days, I gel my hair with a non alcohol gel. I normally use a gel with a strong hold. I try to find gel that have some form of "goodness" like added protein or vitamins.

What is your favourite hairstyle?

I am perfecting wearing my hair with defined curls but at the moment my favourites hair style is to wear my hair in a braid out.

How often do you trim your hair?

I trim my hair whenever I start to see lots of split ends coming.

What are your favourite products?

My favourites product has to be Loreal's re-nutrition conditioner with Royal Jelly.

Stay tuned for Wednesday's review.. what will it be this week?

Wednesday 23rd June 2010

Product Review

The Ojon Restorative Treatment- by Hazra C. Medica

Now, my status as a certified Hair Product Junkie (the certificate is in the mail) does not mean I’m easily taken in by every promise to make me gasp in awe at my tresses. So, I approached the much talked about Ojon line and its signature product- the “Restorative Treatment” with extreme caution.

I was wary about all this talk of the rare oil of the Ojon tree being used for over 500 years by the Central American Tawira Indians who are referred to as “the people of beautiful hair”. But, after some thought and online research, I decided to get the treatment.  According to the Ojon® people, the treatment contains the highest concentration of pure Ojon® oil” and is formulated without any preservatives, water, silicone and artificial colours. The treatment is supposedly great for all hair types.  I’ve thick chemically treated Afro-Caribbean hair.  When I bought it, the treatment was a solid. Six months later, it takes turns solidifying and melting like any right-behaving oil.

Their Boast:

Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment hydrates dry, damaged hair and strengthens and restores a healthy look and feel to hair. Just one 20-minute Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment application will increase the strength of hair.

(source: http://www.ojon.com/products/N01R-01-0001)

My Results:

The web is a-swimming with reviews of this product.  Many reviewers have said the 'smoky' scent of this product is a turn-off for them. But, from day one I was quite in love with the coffee-chocolate like scent. The price was also a sore point for some. I bought the smaller 1.5 oz jar. But, it’s ½ teaspoon per treatment. And, six months later, I’ve just gotten half-way through the jar

I was on pins and needles the first time I used the treatment- so careful not to use too much or little. I rubbed ½ teaspoon of treatment between my hands to warm the oil. Then, I rubbed it over my hair strands and into my scalp. I used a comb to allow even distribution.  The jar recommends that you leave the oil in for 20 minutes or longer.  The Ojon people claim that you might see more of an improvement when it’s left on overnight.  After six months, I’d say they were right.

The first time, I left it on for about 30 minutes. I was almost reluctant to wash it out- I liked the look after application that much! But, ever an obedient junkie, I followed through with the shampoo, conditioner, styling cream and revitalizing mist (all from the Ojon line). I was impressed!  The lack of frizz…the shine…the silkiness…oh the manageability!

Since then I’ve done overnight treatments and alternated between following up the treatment with other products from the Ojon line or just using products from my normal line up.  I’m still in awe of the difference a little Ojon makes whenever I use it. And I’ve found I like the overall results I get when I blow-dry as opposed to air-dry my hair.

But, to be completely honest, I am not particularly fond of the ultra hydrating shampoo- that seemed to enjoy putting my hair into a tangled mess. I wouldn’t buy another bottle of the ultra hydrating conditioner either. But, the hydrating styling cream and revitalized mist- I do adore. If I were to be even more honest, I’d say that I am now more in love with the Restorative Leave-in Treatment than the restorative treatment oil. I’m a fan of treatment I don’t have to wash out. And also, I think I’m seeing better results from the leave-in treatment than the signature product. But that might just be another review altogether.

(If you're interested in getting the much talked about Ojon Restorative Treatment or reading other reviews, visit our Amazon store by clicking on the image above).

xx