The mark of a good curl cream for me is if it can do its job well — even when the heat and humidity are doing the most. It's kind of an important feature. And when I find a product like that, I don't let go.
Which is why when my hands aren't typing, they're gripping a bottle Sashapure'sPerfectly Defining Curl Cream. Okay, not really, but good luck trying to take my bottle from me. Sashapure is a relatively new brand, having lauched at the start of February. But they've already got a product lineup I'm obsessed with (I use their hair, scalp, and face oil on the regular).
The brand makes its products with organic Peruvian sacha inchi oil, which is rich in good stuff for your strands, says New York–based dermatologist Kenneth Howe of Wexler Dermatology. "Sacha inchi oil has many beneficial ingredients for the skin and hair. Its omega-3 fatty acids exert potent anti-inflammatory effects on the hair and scalp, reducing dryness, itch, and flaking. Its tocopherol (vitamin E) is a potent natural antioxidant, which protects hair from environmental wear and damage. Finally, it also contains bioactive compounds such as phytosterols, carotenes, and other polyphenolic compounds that contribute to health, shine, and longevity of hair."
Howe also notes that sacha inchi oil also gives the hair a smoother consistency while adding moisture to the skin on your scalp. "It does this while going on lightly, quickly penetrating the hair cuticle so that you receive the beneficial effect of the oil without imparting limpness or heaviness to the hair." Basically, it's the dream hair product you never knew you needed.
Back to this curl cream. The weekend I first used it was extremely hot, and my hair was all over the place. So much so that I had to put my hair in a puff because it was simply not behaving. That was Saturday. On Sunday, I had a date, and I really wanted to wear my hair out, so I decided to put the product to the test. What better time to see how well a curl enhancer works than when your curls want so badly to be on their worst behavior? I hopped in the shower, wet my hair, added a clarifying conditioner, squeezed out the excess water with a t-shirt and spritzed in a leave-in conditioner. After that, I applied the product and immediately, I saw my coils bounce into formation as if Beyoncé herself had instructed them. I twisted my hair into a few sections to keep it out of my face as I continued to get ready. Around an hour and a half later, I took out the twists and used a diffuser to dry the rest of my hair.
The result had me wondering what good I had done recently to deserve such frizz-free definition. It was pretty hot outside as I made my way to my date — I was even sweating. But those curls held on for dear life without leaving my hair feeling too dry or too greasy and weighed down with product. I was left with a head full of tiny curls unflappable in the face of humidity...and a little post-date, uh, action. My curls stayed so well, even after getting them roughed up by a little romance, they just looked fuller and more glamorous as opposed to disheveled.
I decided then and there this one was a keeper. I've used it again and again, including in the photo above, and have had the same glorious results. It's why I'm smiling so wide — good hair days will do that to you.
