Medusa

Most people are familiar with the Greek Mythological figure Medusa. She has snakes instead of hair. And if you have curly hair, let's face it, sometimes your hair feels as manageable and cooperative as a head full of serpents. While my hair is no longer as curly as it used to be, I have had times in my life where it was literally spiralling out of control. If that describes your hair, then this bar is for you.

Made with natural or naturally derived products, this solid conditioner bar will be your new best friend. Medusa is formulated for curly hair types- especially those who like to co-wash or need daily conditioning. This is phthalate, sulfate, paraben and silicone free.

Scented with patchouli and litsea cubeba essential oils, this bar is full of good-for-your-hair ingredients- some you're familiar with and some you're not.

Use these bars like you would liquid conditioner. After shampooing (and rinsing with vinegar rinse if using our Hairpoo bars), smooth the conditioner bar through hair- focusing on the tips. Comb through if necessary.

Ingredients from greatest weight to least:

BTMS, Cetyl alcohol, Cocoa butter, Babassu oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba oil, Argan oil, Panthenol, Natrasil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Honeyquat, colorant(mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium green oxide), Patchouli and Litsea Cubeba Essential oils.

Here is a low down of what's what:

BTMS- scary name for an amazing product. It is an acronym for Behentrimonium Sulfate. And no, this is NOT a "sulfate." It is a cationic emulsifier and conditioner. What does that mean? Emulsifier is basically mixing together. You need this in a conditioner when you have all sorts of ingredients that might not want to combine(think oil and water). Cationic is where BTMS shines. That means that it is positively charged. Your hair is negatively charged(that's why you get frizz, fly-aways and static). Cationic products help smooth and soothe the cuticle of your hair and bring it back to a neutral charge. Cool, huh? Most importantly, BTMS is derived from Colza oil, which is related to rapeseed oil.

Cetyl alcohol- Not a drying alcohol, so don't get concerned. It is a fatty alcohol- kind of a combination of alcohol and a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifer, thickener and surfactant. Again, with the big words. An emollient means it makes your hair soft and smooth. A surfactant in conditioner is meant to deposit and create a barrier on the hair surface. Cetyl alcohol is derived from palmitic acid, mostly likely from coconut or palm oil.

Cocoa Butter- Edible fat extracted from the cocoa bean. It helps repair and prevent damage and also moisturizes and creates a protective layer on the hair shaft. It can help with hair loss because of its ability to lubricate and add strength to the hair shaft through anti-oxidants that prevent free radical damage.

Babassu Oil- Pressed from the seeds of the babassu palm and is a great alternative to coconut oil. It is anti-inflammatory and moisurizing as well as anti-bacterial. It is lightweight and non-greasy, so it won't weigh your hair down.

Jojoba Oil- A liquid plant wax that comes from the seed of the Jojoba plant. It is similar to the sebum our body makes-or doesn't make as we age- which is important for the health and softness of the hair. It is emollient so it moisturizes and prevents water loss.

Argan oil-  Pressed from the kernels of the fruits of the argan tree. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. It is anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants that protect from styling damage as well as prolong color. It is often used for scalp health to provide moisture, which in turn, helps with hair health.

Panthenol- Made from pantothenic acid(vitamin B5), it moisturizes, hydrates and protects.

Vegetable Glycerin- A humectant that draws moisture to the hair. It is derived from coconut oil, palm oil or shea butter.

Natrasil-A natural plant-based alternative to silicones. Derived from olive oil, Natrasil nourishes the hair and helps with shine and manageability.

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein- Extracted from non-GMO rice bran, it is rich in amino acids. It can also improve hair volume (up to 32%) because of large amount of Aspartic and Glutamic acids(amino acids). These amino acids repel hair fibers for a greater volume. It adds shine and the ability to bind moisture. It contains some cationic amino acids (positively charged) that help with static. It is also nourishing and fortifying.

Honeyquat-This is a paraben-free conditioning agent made from honey, just less sticky. It can penetrate the hair shaft giving shine and luster. It can also help with the ability to wet-comb your hair and decrease static as it is cationic(positively charged).

Please note:

I am not a doctor, scientist or part of the FDA. I cannot guarantee any of these things will happen for you. I wanted to explain what the ingredients are and why I chose them in my formulation of these specific conditioner bars. I make no promises or claims.