Ever since I did the big chop (cut off all my relaxed hair) it’s like I have hair care product tunnel vision. I’m only looking out for products to cleanse, condition, treat and style my kinky, dry curls. Whenever a brand pitches me a product my first question is “do you see my hair?†Sometimes they keep talking but sometimes they look at it and immediately get my point. nuAAT recently contacted me regarding their line of products for possible review consideration. After reviewing their website I opted to try the Karité Special Collection because it is formulated for “dry, damaged and broken” hair.
Before I talk results let me first say that nuNAAT has a comprehensive line of products for all hair types, including a relaxer. All products contain some natural ingredients, such as shea butter, acai, aloe vera and more. Click here for a complete list of natural ingredients used in their range of products. Though the products contain these ingredients they are not the main actives in the product formulation. In the case of the Karité Special collection, the ingredient in the forefront is shea butter. However, in the case of the hair mask, shea butter is listed after Parfum (fragrance), and while the fragrance is rather strong in these products, it is rare to find a product with fragrance of more that two percent of the formulation, so I am assuming there is less than 2% of shea butter in the product. I think this applies to all the products in the line.
Now let’s talk efficacy. Each of the products in the line performed well. Since I have to contend with dry, kinky, curly hair and a dry scalp, I have all but eliminated regular full foam, sulfate shampoos, but I did give NuNAAT Karité Nourishing Shampoo a try. While wasn’t left with my hair feeling like I used a low poo cleansing conditioner my hair didn’t feel stripped. I mixed a bit of the shampoo and Reconstructive Conditioner and used as a co-wash –my hair seemed to like that combination and at this point, what my hair likes, my hair gets.
My two favorite products from the line are Leave-in Detangler and the Hair Mask. I use the hair mask with a plastic cap for anywhere from 5-15 minutes. I found that I don’t get a better result if I keep it on longer. If I put the mask on my hair and then detangle, my curls remain somewhat elongated after rinsing, which is a big deal. The Leave-in Detangler is safe for cock-tailing with the styling products I am currently using. I have not had occasion to use the Anti-Frizz Thermo Active because I am committed to going heat free for the rest of the year.
Overall, I liked how the Karité Special products performed. For someone transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair, Karité Special Collection is a good range of products to try because it has products that will work on both natural texture and relaxed ends. The Anti-Frizz Thermo Active is formulated to be used with heat, so, on those days when you want that blowout –you’re covered.
nuNAAT products range in price from $4.99 to $24.99 and are available at Walgreens, Drugstore.com and Sally Beauty.
