Hey Gang! This week I’m trying out the Hair Food – Avocado & Argan Oil Hair Mask: Smoothing on my beard (available at Target/Target online for $2.99). Honestly the name “Hair Food” sounds a little gross to me. It makes me think my beard is going to go full on Audrey 2 from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and gobble down the conditioner the moment of application, then everything else in sight. LOL
Anyway, the description on the back of the packet states “Our enriched blend of ingredients leaves hair feeling smooth and nourished from root-to-tip. Hair looks less frizzy and shiner.”
As I’ve stated in previous product review articles, through my decades of having facial hair, I’ve learned that split ends and breakage cannot be repaired or fixed. Once the hair is split or broken, that is it. You can’t repair the ends of the strands. However, you can use a product to help prevent future damage and/or saturate the current brittleness to hopefully keep it from splitting/breaking.
This Hair Food mask contains avocado oil, which is heavy and has minerals that will help seal the drying parts of the hair strand and hopefully prevent future damage. The argan oil in this has the vitamins and nutrients hair needs to stay healthy and shiny. I assume this is the “food” ingredients that the hair will be “ingesting”, or however you want to phrase it LOL
It is also “Dye Free, Paraben Free, and Sulfate Free” according to the packaging, which is great! Parabens and sulfates can cause dryness to your hair and scalp. The opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish when using a product like this.
This Hair Food packet consistency is just like a regular bottle conditioner. Not runny at all, but not creamy or souffle-like as with some other conditioners/hair masks. The fragrance isn’t bad, but is a little strong. Has a flower-like smell. It didn’t induce a headache, but I can see that it might if someone is sensitive to smells.
THE PROCESS of APPLICATION:
Step 1: wash beard thoroughly removing any beard oil build up, etc. Pat the beard to dry it a little, but leave damp. Do not blow dry.
Step 2: put on a shirt you don’t mind getting conditioner all over, or wrap a towel around your neck and shoulders like a barber’s smock. It’s going to be a little messy. Obviously, if you are in the shower, you do not need this step.
Step 3: open product and put a good amount of conditioner in your hand and rub both hands together.
Start applying it to the ends and tips of your beard first since this is the oldest and driest part of your facial hair. Then work your way up to the beard hair roots. DO NOT RUB INTO YOUR SKIN. That may cause pore clogging and a breakout. Then take a comb or wet-brush and run it through your facial hair lightly to ensure all strands of hair are covered.
This packet actually contains a lot of conditioner. If you have a smaller beard, you can most likely get 2 or 3 uses out of it.
According to the directions, you are to leave the conditioner in for 3-5 mins, and then rinse thoroughly.
It rinsed out well and left my beard feeling soft, and the ends of my beard definitely feel less dry, and it took some of the natural frizz of my beard out a little. So, it did what it said it would do. I imagine if I used this on a regular basis, it would “smooth” my facial hair down even more.
Step 4: after your beard is rinsed out thoroughly, replenish your beard using your daily beard oil regimen. I prefer to use Pulpo Beard Oils because they are thick and will help keep your facial hair saturated to avoid breakage. Plus, they have unique scents that I really like!
Click the photo below to see the full line of products available at Puplo Beard Oils!
The Review:
This conditioning mask rinsed out well and left the hair feeling soft, and the ends of my beard definitely feel less dry, as well as taking some of the natural frizz of my beard out a little. So, it did what it said it would do. I imagine if I used this on a regular basis, it would “smooth” my facial hair down even more.
I’d recommend this to beard competition freestylers, especially after a competition weekend. Honestly, I’d suggest this to anyone that uses hairspray in their facial hair at all on a regular basis. I feel like this would really help out with the hair recovery process, and help provide nutrients and shine to your hair after using alcohol based hairsprays.
I give it 4.5 whiskers out of 5.
