Search Results: Manestays

Manestays: Camille Rose Honey Hydrate Leave-In 

Manestays is where our editors gush about the hair products that they can’t live without. Whether you’re overwhelmed by the oversaturated haircare market, are a product junky, or somewhere in between, here, you’ll discover what’s worth trying.

There’s nothing like a great leave-in conditioner to set the foundation for the rest of your wash-and-go. Leave-in conditioners help to detangle, hydrate, and provide tons of slip to create your favorite styles. The honey wave has been pretty popular with many brands over the years, but while some use honey as part of their products, very few make it the staple of their formulas. I’ve used many honey products and have had a problem with the overtly sweet scent that can accompany such a fragrant ingredient. Camille Rose takes honey to the next level with their Honey Leave-In Conditioner, which softens, defines, and moisturizes all hair textures.

Why We Love It

As a 2023 NaturallyCurly best leave-in conditioner award winner, it’s safe to say that our readers love this product, which is why it caught my eye. It literally looks and feels like honey with a unique blend of honey, vitamins, and antioxidants that help soften and smooth strands. I was initially skeptical about using such a thick leave-in conditioner in my hair as I try to avoid anything too heavy, but it melted into my curls with no problem. This leave-in conditioner isn’t only very original in design, texture, and formulation, but it subverts expectations by not being heavy, sticky, and smelling too sweet.

How It Stands Up to Competitors

This is an excellent leave-in conditioner that provides all-day moisture, shine, and frizz control, which is a win-win for our books. It doesn’t leave any residue on your scalp or build-up and promotes health hair growth due to the olive fruit oil and aloe leaf ingredients that prevent any further hair breakage. As a person still in recovery from the blonde era of 2020, I’m always looking for a leave-in conditioner that will help keep my hair healthy. It’s truly in a category of its own because of its very similar properties to honey, which may come off scary at first until you take the plunge and watch how easily it applies to your hair.

How I Use It

Camille Rose Honey Hydrate Leave-In is added to my wash day routine after a very good cleanse. I carefully rake the product across my strands from root to tip and then detangleit with my favorite brush. One of the first things I notice every time I use it is the immediate shine across each of my curls which makes it appear as if I’ve already put an oil in my hair, but it’s just the richness of the formula. I then pair the product with a mousse or gel and watch my curls transform from wet to bouncy and beautiful goodness. Less is more with this product, but if you’re more heavy-handed, you’ll still be able to avoid any build-up.

Manestays: Camille Rose Honey Hydrate Leave-In 

Will you be keeping it sweet with Camille Rose Honey Hydrate Leave-In? Let us know in the comments. 

Manestays: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu Plum Oil Sleek Stick

Manestays is where our editors gush about the hair products that they can’t live without. Whether you’re overwhelmed by the oversaturated haircare market, are a product junky, or somewhere in between, here, you’ll discover what’s worth trying.

Creating sleek edges has always been a manestay in natural haircare. Edges reflect creativity, culture, and versatility and add personality to any hairstyle. Today’s modern beauty mavens like Lori Harvey, Saweetie, and Yara Shahidi have put their edges as the centerpiece of their hairstyles, whether rocking protective styles or updos. I’ll be honest: I’m not a master of laying my edges by any means, but Briogeo’s newest Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick from their new 2024 Style + Treat Collection has ya girl feeling a bit more confident these days.

Why We Love It

There are tons of edge controls on the market that can range from feeling like glue to being extremely sticky. I like an edge control that is manageable and flexible to shape with my existing hairstyle. I don’t want to spend 30 minutes trying to make the product work with my edges. I need it to be easy, smooth, and stress-free. Briogeo’s styling stick helps to tame flyaways, frizz, and doesn’t drag or pull on my baby hairs. This is very important since that tension can contribute to hair thinning and hair loss. I’m already experiencing a bit of thinning around the crown of my head (a side effect of aging), so I’d rather not use a heavy or dense edge control that will contribute to that. 

How It Stands Up to Competitors

Unlike other edge controls, which often have to be scooped out or require an edge control brush to help shape the product, the innovative styling stick glides easily over hair. It evenly distributes a nourishing blend of highly conditioning ingredients, providing 24-hour hold and frizz prevention with a sleek, glossy finish. I like that it’s in a small, slick format that makes it easy to take on the go and doesn’t require an edge control brush to lay the product into my hair. I notoriously always sweat out my edges living in Texas, so I can easily take this product and make any touch-ups as needed. 

How I Use It

This product is fantastic for helping slick and hold ponytails or pulled-back styles like buns and updos. I love a good wash and go, but towards the end of the week, I’m usually throwing my hair up or in a bun, which means I need to slick down my hair. I try to avoid reusing lots of gel and hairspray since that can contribute to product build-up on my scalp. What I love when I use this styling stick is tha I don’t have to add on any additional products because it creates a glossy, frizz-free finish that stays all day. Even better on wash day, I don’t have to worry about a double shampoo thanks to the residue-free finish and animal wax-free formula that easily cleanses out of hair.

You can grab this sleek stick for $23 on Amazon. How do you feel about using an edge control stick? Let us know in the comments