Last 12 months, actress, author, and producer Issa Rae turned low-key extra busy when she launched a second profession as a magnificence investor and entrepreneur with the clear, pure hair-care model Sienna Naturals. The model’s Salon In A Box comprises the necessities for a wash day, together with H.A.P.I. Shampoo, Plant Power (the model’s masks), Dew Magic (leave-in conditioner), and Lock & Seal (an anti-breakage mix). The Cut requested 4 Vox Media staffers to check out Rae’s latest venture. Here’s what they considered the Issa Rae haircare-in-a-box.
As any pure will inform you, determining your hair kind is essential. But I’d argue hair porosity is simply as vital. Hair porosity refers back to the hair’s potential to soak up and retain moisture, and there are three varieties: low, regular, and excessive. Once I found my hair (kind 4) was low porosity, I radically modified my styling routine and the merchandise I take advantage of. If you’re low porosity, you recognize the battle: Your hair takes ceaselessly to dry, merchandise barely take up, the record goes on and on. This meant that layering merchandise or utilizing too many was, for probably the most half, off the desk.
So you may think about my trepidation once I obtained Issa Rae’s Hair-in-a-box, and it contained 4 merchandise: your typical shampoo and deep conditioning combo, plus a leave-in conditioner AND a styling oil that you simply apply earlier than your styler (gel or cream). It didn’t matter that the parts have been huge (essential for curlies and naturals), I used to be straight up afraid my hair could be stuffed with flakes and “hair boogers” as soon as I added gel on prime of every thing else.
To kick off my wash day, I turned on Spotify to hearken to the complementary wash day playlist that Issa Rae made for the event (plenty of Megan Thee Stallion!), and dove proper into the H.A.P.I Shampoo. The odor was soothing and jogged my memory of a spa, however I used to be actually impressed with how tender and outlined my curls taken care of one wash—and after two, the curl definition was off the charts. Next, I moved onto the Plant Power Hair Mask, which had a odor that was plain terrible. Luckily for me, I wasn’t turned off sufficient to understand the outcomes: blindingly shiny curls!
After that I took a deep breath, and utilized my now favourite of the set — the Dew Magic Leave-in conditioner. As I discussed earlier than, as a result of I’ve low porosity hair I all the time search for stylers that double as a leave-in, so I can keep away from layering up. Anyway, I used to be on pins and needles as I utilized the leave-in (which was the silkiest I’ve ever used!) and adopted up with the Lock and Seal styling oil. Both the oil and the leave-in have been extremely light-weight, and after making use of them, my hair felt drenched and extremely moisturized. Finally, I utilized my new favourite gel to every strand of my hair to set the curls — a course of that was remarkably simpler than common as a result of my curls have been drenched in goodness due to Dew Magic. Once I used to be performed, I used to be floored. Zero flakes. No dreaded white spots. No hair boogers.
The subsequent day I wakened and my curls actually bounced proper again: definition to the max, softness at a complete different degree, and once more, zero flakes. Now, don’t get me mistaken, I doubt I’ll proceed to make use of 5 merchandise each wash day to type my curls, however I do know one factor for positive: Dew Magic can be in heavy rotation for my spring and summer season wash ’n’ go’s.
I used to be very interested by this line, as a result of not like some movie star hair strains, Issa Rae has a hair texture that resembles mine (4A, 4B, with a tiny little bit of 4C) in some ways. Overall, I appreciated the merchandise!
I discovered the H.A.P.I. shampoo to be very mild. While it didn’t really feel tremendous clarifying, for many who are on the lookout for a alternative for co-washing, I discovered it to be fairly hydrating. It didn’t have a ton of slip, which isn’t required in a shampoo however is sweet to have.
The Plant Power hair masks was extraordinarily creamy and thick. The bottle recommended utilizing a big quantity, which is a harmful suggestion. Often if you inform somebody with pure hair to make use of a dime-size quantity, they find yourself utilizing a quarter-sized quantity, so when it mentioned to use generously, I began scooping. My hair is dense, so in an effort to distribute it, I ended up making use of way more hair masks than I wanted, which made it laborious to clean out. Luckily, I noticed this mid utility, so by the point I received to the ultimate sections of my hair, I made positive to emulsify the masks, which solved the issue whereas remaining simply as efficient. My hair is low porosity so I don’t use many protein masks, however I discovered that my hair was very tender and the masks helped with detangling. I had nice curl definition from each the shampoo and masks.
As for the Dew Magic leave-in conditioner (which may also be used as a wash-out conditioner — so says the bottle!), it was fairly good. It wasn’t my favourite as a leave-in (only a bit heavy for my tastes), however I really used it the following time I washed and conditioned my hair, and I had one in every of my best detangling classes ever, with minimal shedding.
The Lock & Seal oil I discovered to be mild and never too greasy, and it had an amazing mix of oils in it. Just a little actually does go a good distance on this occasion! The oil additionally had a handy cap to stop leakage, which I’ll strive to not lose.
As a be aware, it says on the bottle that the merchandise haven’t any perfume, however there’s a scent of honeysuckle (I’m assuming, I can’t Google scents) and lavender. It isn’t sturdy, however it’s good to find out about in order for you one thing fragrance-free. All and all, I’ll undoubtedly add these merchandise to my rotation, particularly the Hair Mask!
I’m obsessive about every thing Issa Rae does and may’t ever work out what to do with my curly hair (Type 2B) — so Sienna Naturals felt like probably the most thrilling factor to strive. I’m not a lot of a styling lady, so I actually like to seek out merchandise that enable me to clean my hair solely as soon as to twice per week at most and assist it look good whereas I’m simply lazy.
After getting a brand new quick minimize, the Salon in a Box Wash Day Ritual has been a godsend for my hair. It’s a brilliant easy course of and up to now it’s been leaving my hair trying like I attempted to type it once I merely simply let it air dry. I’m a convert!
I’ve been pure for my whole life, and I’ve been a lazy pure for simply as lengthy. I like the way in which my hair can shape-shift and admire its versatility, however would additionally quite spend my time doing anything. This means I’m normally sporting protecting kinds, low buns or twists, and crochet braids. Shrinkage is actual, and I favor stretched kinds; nonetheless, like many Black girls, I’ve been experimenting throughout quarantine, attempting out curler units, finger coiling, educating myself the best way to cornrow (albeit unsuccessfully). And now I’m perfecting the wash-and-go.
Building a hair-care routine is difficult, and I like lotions and potions, having tried every thing from Mizani to Camille Rose to Mane Choice and past. The thought of a wash day routine in a package appeals to me in an enormous method, so I used to be excited to strive the Sienna field.
My hair is usually kind 4 with some patches of looser 3C curls within the again (why!). My hair is curly when moist and coily, and kinky when dry. It’s thick however delicate on the similar time. Moisture, moisture, moisture is my routine’s main objective, and I used to be happy to see the majority of this field is targeted on that.
There’s a routine card included that walks you thru the steps; shampoo, hair masks, leave-in conditioner cream, and an oil. All the merchandise are scented with a stunning mixture of herbaceous and floral, recent and uplifting.
The shampoo left a slight tingle as I massaged it into my scalp, which is a sensation I like. Scalp care has all the time been part of my routine; Neutrogena T-Gel was in regular rotation once I was youthful. Using this, my hair felt clear however not stripped. You may all the time layer on a clarifying shampoo for that basically squeaky clear feeling.
I like that the package features a hair masks as an alternative of a daily conditioner, a change I’ve made in my very own routine. I used to be pleasantly stunned by its butter texture; lots of the deep conditioners I choose up on the magnificence provide are thick lotions. I normally do chores whereas deep conditioning, letting it deal with my hair for a bit longer than the advisable time. I adopted up with the leave-in conditioner; the cardboard says to “use sufficient that your hair slips by means of your fingers.” Then, the oil, which had extra physique to it than I used to be anticipating.
After I added the oil, I finger-coiled with gel whereas watching Netflix and let my hair air dry. The subsequent day, I stretched the roots with my blowdryer and the concentrator nozzle and added extra oil for shine. Like I discussed earlier than, my hair is firmly kind 4, and when you don’t see a lot shine in my picture, it’s there. My hair felt wholesome, which is admittedly probably the most important half. I misplaced some curl definition with the blowout, however that’s okay.
I’ll preserve experimenting with my method, however total I liked this package as a jumping-off level for brand new naturals — or for the lazy pure who loves a one-stop-shop.
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