I Tried Dove's New Hair Collection On My Type 4 Hair — Here's What I Think
When I heard Dove was releasing a line for natural hair, I was curious. They could either surprise me and the products are lit or it could be a complete fail. To be honest, I don't usually check for Dove products on wash day but I wanted to see how it would work for my type 4 hair and if it can possibly be a part of my weekly routine. Spoiler alert: Not only did it work, I liked the entire collection.
The Amplified Textures collection enhances the texture of coils, curls, and waves while adding moisture and nourishment to our hair. So if your hair likes a lot of moisture, this is for you! The line features 6 products and is made with Dove's moisture-amplifying blend of honey, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and coconut milk. Now, let's get into the breakdown of each product…
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What’s In The Collection?
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Amplified Textures offers six products:the Dove Amplified Textures Hydrating Cleanse Shampoo, the Dove Amplified Textures Super Slip Detangling Conditioner, the Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Recovery Mask, the Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner, the Dove Amplified Textures Twist In Moisture Shaping Butter, and the Dove Amplified Textures Shine & Moisture Finishing Gel.
I started my wash day by pre-pooing my hair with water and jojoba oil so I had enough moisture and slip for detangling. Then, I moved on to the Dove Amplified Textures Hydrating Cleanse Shampoo which I immediately noticed had a light floral scent and a serum-like consistency. My hair tends to soak up liquid or products with light consistency better than heavy creams can. I really like how the line starts with a product that can easily work its way into the strands. When I applied the aloe vera-infused shampoo, it gave me a lot of slip and suds very nicely so a little goes a long way. As I massaged the shampoo into my scalp and strands, it gave me moisture like a conditioner, but a very gentle clean. I washed my hair two times and moved on to conditioning.
The Dove Amplified Textures Super Slip Detangling Conditioner is very hydrating and clearly has even more slip than the shampoo! The creamy coconut milk blend provided immediate moisture to your curls softer and easier to detangle. When I applied the conditioner into my hands, it softened and moisturized my skin. It does that very same thing to your hair. I left the conditioner on until my hair was completely detangled and moved on to their recovery mask.
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
No wash day is complete without a deep conditioner and, because dryness is a problem for me, I have to deep condition every time I wash my hair. One thing that really stuck out to me with the Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Recovery Mask is that it's recommended to stay in your hair up to five minutes. I'm used to leaving my masks/deep conditioners in for at least 30 minutes. Another thing I noticed is, the recovery mask can be used as a mask or a conditioner. Leave it in for a while if you want to or wash it out after detangling. I left the creamy honey-infused recovery mask in for five minutes to add another layer of moisture then rinsed it out and began styling.
For my style, I'm doing twist outs with the leave-in, cream, and gel method. I used the Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner to start styling my hair. Although the leavin-in is a cream, like its conditioners, it melts nicely into your strands if your hair is wet or damp and locks in the moisture.
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Next, I used the Dove Amplified Textures Twist In Moisture Shaping Butter, which is one of my favorite products out of this entire collection. This is actually the first time I used a butter like this. It's not a cream by any means, instead, it has a runny, liquid-like consistency. I'm not mad at it though, like I said before my hair soaks up liquid-based products very well. As I was applying the cream to my hair, I noticed that the butter is recommended for curls and coils; however, I think it will work well for waves too.
Lastly, I added the Dove Amplified Textures Shine & Moisture Finishing Gel. The gel is also like a serum; it has a very light hold, gives you a moderate hold, adds shine and eliminates some frizz. When I applied it after my cream, I was worried that the gel would be too much and cause flakes. I did notice small clumps after adding it to my hair, but it dried without leaving any flakes (thank God). It wasn't recommended to use after the butter cream and is labeled for only curly and wavy hair, not coily. In the future, I probably won't use it together. Instead, I would swap the gel with an oil when I'm doing twist/braid out styles. The gel would work better for perm rod styles and maybe a wash n' go.
Overall, What Do I Think?
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Overall, I think this is a great line to try if you need extra moisture and shine to your curls. I think this line was specifically created for those who tend to have dry hair or want the moisture in their hair to last longer. This may be too much for those with oily hair, so keep that in mind. I also think it was formulated with curly, coily, and wavy hair in mind. The line also does a good job with product consistency; it has a great mix of cream- and liquid-based products and that variety allows your hair to soak up product regardless of if you prefer creams or liquids.
The Amplified Textures collection solves the three biggest problems for textured hair: moisture, tangles, and curl definition. If you can't run out and get the line, the Dove Amplified Textures Hydrating Cleanse Shampoo,the Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Recovery Mask, and the Dove Amplified Textures Twist In Moisture Shaping Butter are the highlights of this collection. You'll still get the moisture, ease of detangling, and definition with these products. Although I liked the gel, it is arguably the weakest product of this collection and my only feedback is to have an oil instead of the finish gel. An oil could have still added shine and moisture and would be more useful than the finishing gel.
Do you have a beauty, wellness or self-care find that you've tried recently and want to share your experience? Join the xoTribe members community to connect with other beauty lovers and share your wins with the tribe.
Featured image courtesy of Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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