

The key to having healthy hair is using the right products and having an efficient hair regimen. When I shop for new haircare products, I look for a few key elements — that it has natural ingredients, restores moisture, promotes hair growth and retention, and is offered at affordable prices. I want products that are good for me and my pockets, okurrr.
Mielle Organics' Rosemary Mint collection offers five products that use biotin and rosemary as key ingredients to lock in moisture and promote healthy hair growth. The line includes Shampoo, Edge Gel, Oil, Hair Masque, and a multivitamin Styling Creme capped at $10 each.
I tried the entire Mielle Organics' Rosemary Mint collection to see if it held up to its claims and this is how it did:
Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo Infused with Biotin
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
The Rosemary Mint Strengthening shampoo provides your hair with a deep clean plus soothes your scalp upon application. The shampoo felt so good, I went ahead and massaged my scalp during my wash. Another benefit of the biotin infused shampoo is that it has a lot of slip — making the detangling process very easy and working into your strands to provide moisture. I love shampoos that add moisture; it makes wash day much easier and your hair more manageable.
I want to note that, although the shampoo smells very minty, it's not too much. Also, it has a good lather to it, so a little goes a long way.
Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil Infused with Biotin
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
I've used the strengthening oil everyday and it's almost finished! Like the shampoo, it soothes your scalp instantly. I apply it to my hair every night to promote hair growth and combat any dryness. I also apply this before using the hair masque and massage it into my scalp. I find that adding the oil and masque increases blood circulation and opens up my pores to get more moisture.
Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque Infused with Biotin
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
I skipped my usual conditioning step and went straight to the hair masque. First, I made sure my hair is damp, which I would highly suggest and once my hair was damp, I worked in sections and applied it to my hair. I noticed immediately that it gave my hair definition. I was very generous with the amount of hair masque I used because I wanted to make sure my hair got all the moisture it could get.
I left the masque on for 45 minutes and used my hot head so the masque can get into my strands. I would recommend to go under the dry or use a Hot Head if you tend to need more moisture. I also suggest that you leave the masque in for at least 15 minutes — applying it to your hair and rinsing immediately, would not allow the product to work as well as it could.
When I rinsed out the masque, I was really impressed with my results! My hair was defined and very moisturized. I honestly could have applied a leave-in conditioner and rock a wash-and-go at that point.
Rosemary Mint Multi-Vitamin Daily Styling Créme Infused with Biotin
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
To be honest, the multi-vitamin styling créme caught me off guard a little bit. Due to the fact that it can be used for daily use, I thought it can act as a leave-in conditioner. Instead, it acts more as a styling créme and gel in one, so it had a strong hold to it. While I love that, I would still use a leave-in conditioner to soften my hair prior to adding this. I used way too much the first time and my hair was very firm, but surprisingly, not stiff. It gave me more definition and hold, without any while flakes (and I used a lot).
I would suggest using a moderate amount — just enough to coat your strands. Its definition and hold make it perfect for twist-outs, braid-outs, and wash-and-go styles.
Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel Infused with Biotin
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
The strengthening edge gel gives you a very sleek laid finish without making your edges too firm and crunchy looking. Although it has a jelly-like consistency, it has a soft hold and makes your baby hairs feel moisturized. I suggest applying small amounts at a time and add more as needed.
My Results:
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Overall, I would definitely use this line again. In my opinion, the all-star products of this line is the hair masque and styling créme. I know frizz is a big issue naturals battle with, and the styling créme is perfect for reducing frizz without any flakes. And, if moisture is your biggest plight, the hair masque makes a great deep conditioning treatment.
Check out my tutorial and review of each product in real-time by watching the video below:
Featured image by Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Did you know that xoNecole has a podcast? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to join us for weekly convos over cocktails (without the early morning hangover.)
Originally published on November 29, 2018
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.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
'Leave Quicker': Keri Hilson Opens Up About Learning When To Walk Away In Love
What you might call Black love goals, Keri Hilson is kindly saying, “Nah.”
In a recent appearance on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast, the We Need to Talk: Love singer opened up about a past relationship that once had the public rooting for her and former NBA star Serge Ibaka. According to Cam, the pair looked “immaculate” together. Keri agreed, admitting, “We looked good.” But her demeanor made it clear that everything that looks good isn't always a good look for you.
That was all but confirmed when Cam asked what the relationship taught her. Keri sighed deeply before replying, “Whew. Leave quicker.”
It was the kind of answer that doesn’t need to be packaged to be received, just raw truth from someone who’s done the work. “Ten months in, I should have [left],” she continued. “But I was believing. I was wanting to not believe [the signs].”
Keri revealed to Cam that despite their efforts to repair the relationship at the time, including couples counseling, individual therapy, and even sitting with Serge’s pastor, it just wasn’t meant to be. A large part of that, she said, was the seven-year age gap. “He was [in his] mid-twenties,” she said, attributing a lot of their misalignment to his youth and the temptations that came with fame, money, and status.
“There were happenings,” she shared, choosing her words carefully. “He deserved to live that… I want what you want. I don’t want anything different. So if I would’ve told him how to love me better, it would’ve denied him the experience of being ‘the man’ in the world.”
But she also made it clear that just because you understand someone’s path doesn’t mean you have to ride it out with them. Instead, you can practice compassionate detachment like our girl Keri. “You can have what you want, but you may not have me and that.”
When Cam jokingly questioned what if there was a reality where a man wanted to have both “you and a dab of that,” Keri didn’t hesitate with her stance: “No,” adding, “I can remove myself and [then you] have it. Enjoy it.” Sis said what she said.
Still, she shared that they dated for a couple of years and remain cool to this day. For Keri, being on good terms with an ex isn’t a sign of weakness; it's a reflection of where she is in her healing. In a time when blocking an ex is often seen as the ultimate sign of growth, Keri offers an alternate route: one where healing looks like resolution, not resentment. “I think because I have such a disgust for ugliness in my life. Like, I don't do well without peace between me and everyone in my life. Like, I really try to resolve issues,” she explained to Cam.
Adding, “I think that's what makes things difficult when you're like sweeping things under the rug or harboring ill feelings towards someone. When you're healed, when you've done your work, you can speak to anybody when you've healed from things. I think maybe that's the bottom line.”
Watch Keri's appearance on Funky Friday in full here.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Paras Griffin/Getty Images