Coconut Oil & Other Disasters...

It's been so long since I reviewed products and posted here, that I'm able to compile an immediate list of what hasn't worked with ease. (I figured you'd want to get right to what you might want to think twice about, avoid, or laugh about.)

Disaster #1: Coconut Oil ---- 0 out of 5 stars
I know what you're wondering. What is she talking about? Well if nothing else my coconut oil disaster proves that every head of hair is different and reacts differently to things, even things that are thought widely to work. I had been diligently trying to get coconut oil to work for me for a month and a half before I finally settled my mind to the fact that it absolutely, positively does not work for me. My hair hates it! HATES it! Every time I apply it, whether alone, mixed in a conditioning treatment, sealed on ends, what have you, my hair wigs out! I get a frizzy, crunchy, hard mess. This is horrifying to me, because for the most part my hair is extremely well behaved -- soft, malleable, easily detangled, stays moisturized well. It could hold a style better, but a sista really can't complain like all that. Well, to my horror, coconut oil transforms my hair into a forest of roach legs, torture to touch. I'm not exaggerating (much). I think it's the protein in it, although I have not shown extreme protein sensitivity using other products. I did have some trouble with the Aphogee 2-step treatment the last time I tried it, however. I won't be trying this again. The most maddening part of it all is that I assumed it would be great and bought a huge canister from Walmart since my hair has responded so well to products using coconut milk! I wound up giving the whole can to my moms... not sure it's working for her twa either...

Disaster #2: IC Olive Oil Gel -- 1 out of 5 stars
My hair is absolutely not fooled. It totally knows the difference between IC and Kinky Curly Curling Custard. It does not seem to like IC gel very much at all. So many people exclaim over the results they get using IC gel for wash n go, for twisting, etc. I've tried it for all of those and got weird gummy textures, dullness, and dryness. The best results I ever got were when I mixed it with shea. And there were still some little matzo balls in there where the shea didn't absorb, and which I was not aware of until my mom exclaimed "Eww! What is that?!?!" loudly and marched across the room to dig one out of the back of my fro and show me. Aargh! I'm almost ready to throw in the towel with this stuff.

Disaster #3: Giovanni Direct Leave-in -- 2 out of 5
The jury's actually out on this one, but the sense of frustration cannot be overestimated. Time and time again I've read rave reviews of this product, and I believe those, but I just haven't seen it. I've tried it as a part of different regimens and even alone, but I am not seeing the moisture lock-in and gleam that I expected. My hair does feel soft and slippy when I first put it in, but inevitably what I put on top feels weird. I still hold out hope with this one, and am not ready to post a final result already but the frustrations is adding up.

At this rate, I won't be re-investing in any of these products. Any suggestions or comiserations? Please comment!