A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a new Parisian company called B.U. Beauty United, who asked if I'd like to review their Coconut & Vanilla Elixir. Mama ain't raise no fool, so after a chat and Google search, I said "Hell yeah!" Let me tell you - this was one of the BEST hair decisions I've made in a long time! B.U. Beauty United's main ethos is to provide the highest quality in natural products without sacrificing efficiency. With one line dedicated to salon professionals (to encourage them to utilize natural products versus heavily chemical ones), and one dedicated to the public, B.U. Beauty United is on a mission to increase the use of natural ingredients in curly and coily hair care.
I was sent the Coconut & Vanilla Elixir and couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
Ingredients include: coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sesamum indicum seed oil, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, and natural coconut fragrance
I utilized the elixir in a couple of different ways. First, I used it as a moisturizing product as I set some Bantu-knots on my previously blow-dried hair. As I separated each section (about 12), I detangled then applied the elixir before twisting and knotting. I added a tiny bit of Shea Moisture Coconut Milk to help seal my ends, then knotted it up.
The next day when I took the Bantus down, my hair was noticeably softer - and smelled delicious to boot! I suffered from serious hand-in-hair syndrome for most of the day which turned my billowy Bantu knot-out into a semi-frizzy mess, but it was SOFT.
I also used the elixir as a scalp treatment, with wonderful results. I applied small amounts all over my scalp, especially around my front hairline where it was most dry. I tied my hair down with a satin scarf and headed to bed...then woke up in the morning with a happy, non-itchy scalp! It's been a couple of days since I applied it as a scalp treatment, and the flakes and dryness have yet to return.
I'm looking forward to trying the elixir as a hot oil treatment, which I'm already predicting will be divine. Should you decide to purchase (it retails for 22 Euros), the good news is that while it's a 30 mL bottle, a little bit goes a LONG way. I find that some oils just sit on my hair, but my hair and scalp were able to soak up the elixir without greasy residue.
I've got a little treat for y'all - in efforts to add the "multi" to my media, I put together a quick little video with the help of Qwiki and YouTube for your viewing pleasure! Get into this visual softness!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH7anQiDR-s[/youtube]
All in all, I'm digging the Coconut & Vanilla Elixir. Merci beaucoup, B.U. Beauty United!
Be sure to check out B.U. Beauty United's site! To my French readers, let me know if you've tried any B.U. products, and what you think! I'm definitely interested in the global natural hair scene, so let me know how things are in your neck of the woods!