It feels somewhat surreal to be writing about using products crafted in the namesake of Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black woman millionaire in America, who forever changed the aesthetic of African American hair in 1905 when she launched her hair care business. Two months ago we found out Sundial Brands would be bringing the iconic collection back to life and it was a true honor to be able to try these products out for ourselves.
Being a curly girl, I was most interested in the Jamaican Black Castor and Murumuru Oils collection, crafted to add definition and intense hydration. I could also never manage to stick to my Jamaican Black Castor oil regimen to repair the damage a set of Marley twists had done to my edges and so I hoped having the oil lauded for it’s growth properties inside of another product would do me just as well.
First, let me say had I tried the Edge Control & Shape Paste from this line a few weeks back, it would have certainly made my list of the best edge control products on the market. Thick enough to actually shape a style, like a ponytail or updo, but malleable enough not to cause buildup, this paste is truly the best of both worlds. It adds a great amount of sheen to my edges so they look healthy and nourished rather than dry and brittle, which is usually the result with gel, and, like all of the products in this line, it smells a-maz-ing. You might balk at the $26 price tag, but if you buy this edge control and don’t think it’s worth the money, feel free to curse me out in the comments section.
My second favorite product from this set is the Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Ultra-Moisturizing Co-Wash. Rich and creamy, the co-wash does exactly what it promises: it refreshes your hair and scalp between full washes. I typically co-wash every other day due to the amount of product I use on my hair each day to keep my curls looking their best, so I run through conditioner like crazy. Unlike more watery co-washes, you don’t have to use an excessive amount of the product to remove buildup and restore your hair’s softness, which is always appreciated.
I was less thrilled about the Defining Butter Crème and Loosen & Stretch Gel, both of which I found work better on my hair when I let it air dry as opposed to blow drying with a diffuser. The Butter Crème is very thick, which will likely make this a good choice for thicker, coarser textures while weighing down others. For myself, I probably would’ve done better with the Twist, Lock & Seal Lotion. I did, however, appreciate the lightweight consistency of the loosen and stretch gel — I just didn’t reap the promised benefit of elongated curls. My hair was noticeably softer than with other cream and gel products, though, and had far more movement which was a great and unexpected result.
I rarely straighten my hair so I asked my co-worker to review the Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Silkening Blow Out Crème which she used before roller setting her relaxed hair. The result: “It softened and stretched my new growth without me having to blow dry my hair or flat iron my roots after my hair dried. I was able to wrap my hair perfectly without using bobby pins for it to stay in place. Not to mention, my hair had an impeccable sheen and didn’t need additional oil. I would recommend this product to women who have relaxed hair and don’t want to use a lot of heat to achieve sleek styles. Most importantly, the Silkening Blow Out Crème helps detangle and minimize wet hair shedding.”
And there you have it. Have you tried any of the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Collection yet? What did you think?
