Blaq Vixen Beauty

Editor's note: The products mentioned in this article were sent for editorial consideration. To find salons in your area that carry Design Essentials, use their Salon Locator.

Two styling products that I've been constantly using lately are the Reflections Liquid Shine ($14.50 for 4 fl. oz) and the Sleek Edge Control ($7.50 for 2 oz.). As you might know, I've experimented with a full weave and a half sew-in. Now, with a new color and a new cut, I definitely need these products more than ever.

The Reflection Liquid Shine is probably my favorite because I can just spray it on my hair after I've combed my hair out of my wrap. There's no need for me to do anything extra afterwards, which I just love. This spray is lightweight and manages to add a natural looking luster to my hair without the inclusion of alcohol, which I've been avoiding even more so since I dyed my hair. I love hair products that can impart some type of shine. To make this product even more coveted, I'd think Design Essentials should reformulate it to include UVA/UVB filters just in case you're likely to change your hue when a new season starts. Bottom line: Nice to have but more product plus the inclusion of UVA/UVB protection would truly make this shine spray a must-have!

The Sleek Edge Control is one of the few styling pomade that I've found that excels at  keeping my edges moisturized, neat, and in place. Sadly, the standard 2 oz. size doesn't last very long, especially when my sister (who's very fond of protecting styles) is always dipping her fingers into my jar! As a temporary solution, I've resorted to hiding my Sleek Edge Control. I think if it came in  a 10 oz. (like SoftSheen Carson's Let's Jam) size, I wouldn't be quite as stingy. However, I'm lying - I'd be twice as stingy because this is my new favorite styling gel. Oh, and did I mention that Sleek Edge Control smells like candy? :) Bottom line: One of the better styling pomades on the market but at 2 oz. and only limited to salons that carry Design Essentials, I'd probably just stick with my SoftSheen Carson Let's Jam.

Editor's Note: The products mentioned in this article was sent for editorial consideration.

Although Design Essentials doesn't have an official celebrity spokesperson, I've counted singer Fantasia as one.

Back when Vibe Vixen was alive and strutting, Fantasia made the cover of their February/March 2007 issue. I know you're wondering why I am bringing this up when it around three years ago, right? Well, this is the only time that I really remember Design Essentials, particularly the Herbal Complex 4 Hair. It was one of her product picks.

Last year, Design Essentials reached out to me and sent me a couple of products to try - a styling product and one for hair growth. I admit that I was skeptical to test the Herbal Complex 4 Hair because at first glance, it reminded me of a more expensive version of Softee Hair Food with Vitamin E.

In my opinion the Herbal Complex 4 smells better - it has a sort of coconut smell and it's also light. You'd think that such a product would be wonderful for keeping your hair on point during the warmer months, right? Well, you'd probably have a pleasant experience if you don't suffer from dandruff or extremely dry scalp.

It would be just my luck that I happen to suffer from dry scalp.  I had a feeling that combined with the Herbal Complex 4 Hair, I'd have a mess on my hands. A couple of days later, just as I expected, I had greasy flakes all throughout my scalp.  However, I had also applied the same treatment to my sister's hair. Needless to say, her hair and scalp stayed moisturized the entire week.

While I am excited that my sister has found success with another hair product (see how much she loved the Dr. Miracles Tingling Intensive Deep Conditioning Treatment), I'm a little sad that the Herbal Complex 4 didn't work quite as well for me. However, I hope you'll stick around to find out which Design Essentials products I actually enjoy using!