Sorry for the late post, guys! I got home from the airport around midnight last night and woke up a little jet lagged. All morning I felt like I was slow-motion Karen, like my brain was moving at the speed of soup!
I took a nice, long shower to get my rear into gear and did much-needed post vacation beauty maintenance before heading to work. I used Volcanic Ash Exfoliator by MAC Cosmetics to exfoliate my feet and body (review to follow shortly!) and Bumble and Bumble’s new Creme de Coco Masque ($24) on my hair, a once-a-week moisturizing conditioner that’s supposed to make hair shiny, smooth and soft.
It’s the newest member of Bumble and Bumble’s Creme de Coco family and chock full of coconut oil, a common ingredient in beauty products for skin and hair. The folks at Bumble and Bumble say that Creme De Coco Masque takes coconut oil to the next level with “breakthrough Japanese technology.” I’m not exactly sure what they meant by that, but it sounds sufficiently awesome.
In a coconut and vegetable derived base, Creme de Coco also contains mango and shea butters, avocado oil, and botanical extracts of olive leaf, nettle, horsetail and mallow. I think it sounds like a yummy salad.
I returned from Hawaii with a tan, macadamia nuts, kona coffee … and dry, crunchy, damaged hair. Go figure. There’s a certain poetry to using a product filled with tropical ingredients to repair the damage done to my hair by sun and salt water.
A few years ago I went through a bout of extra crispy hair and tried Bumble and Bumble’s Deeep (with three Eees) Conditioner, another weekly hair masque treatment. I liked it and remember that it worked back then, so I was eager to try out Bumble and Bumble’s Creme de Coco.
Still in the shower after washing my hair, I massaged two silver dollar’s worth of Creme de Coco Masque into my hair, spending extra time to work the product into the dry ends. Directions on the bottle suggest leaving it on for at least seven minutes before rinsing, so, while I waited for the Masque to do its thang, I took the opportunity to exfoliate my body, because I’m all about multi-tasking. 🙂
The directions also say that to treat severely dry hair, you can wrap your noggin with a warm towel once you’ve thoroughly worked in the product.
The texture of Creme de Coco Masque is just slightly thicker than Bumble and Bumble’s Deeep Conditioner, which is quite thick, but it was still easy to apply from roots to ends. Coconut is either a love it or hate it scent, so be warned: this smells like coconut. And I also detected a very faint (almost imperceptible) fishy smell once it was in my hair. I may have gotten a bad tube — I don’t know.
Random coconut oil fun facts…
- Merchants in the South Seas and Southern Asia developed coconut oil into a commercial product in the 1860s.
- The Philippines is the world’s largest exporter of coconut oil.
- People in India and Sri Lanka use coconut oil to style hair.
- People in the Philippines use raw coconut oil as a fuel.
- In February 2008, a mixture of coconut and babassu oils partially powered one engine of a Boeing 747 during a biofuel trial sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.
After rinsing the masque out of my hair and air drying, my hair did feel a little softer (especially the ends), but the top layers actually seemed a bit frizzier than before. The ingredient list shows amodimethicone (a silicone commonly used to reduce frizz and boost shine) as the third ingredient. For some people, hair products containing silicones excel at taming wild hair, but, unfortunately, I’m not one of those people. For me, products containing a lot of silicones (usually listed near the top of the ingredients) bring on the frizz.
I think I might go back to my old school Deeep instead.
Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque
Price: $24 for a 5 oz. tube
Use: To make hair shiny and soft
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B-
There is one thing I really prefer about Bumble and Bumble’s Creme de Coco over their Deeep Conditioner. It doesn’t weigh my hair down as much as Deeep does, so if you’re in need of light conditioning, and your hair responds well to silicone products, then you may really like Creme de Coco Masque.
Coconut addicts should give this a sniff if for no other reason than the smell. Hopefully, ya’ll won’t detect the slight fishy scent that I did.
I hope your Tuesday went well. I’m so glad to be back at home, although I didn’t exactly jump for joy at the thought of going back to work. Got anything special going on tomorrow?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hmmm, I’ve been wanting to try this, and now I’m no less on the fence! Coconut=yummy! Fishy=not so much! Do you know of any place that does samples of B&B products? I’ve only seen it at salons which generally aren’t so sample-friendly!
Blue Mercury gives fat samples (the kind in the packets) of B&B! I go in there and buy somethin’ and then they usually hook up the samples. Dunno if they have this yet as it’s so new. Next time I’m in there (uh, like every other day) I’ll ask.
Do you like the Creme de Coco line?
I have to jump on the bandwagon and say I totally detest the smell of coconut oil. *yuck*
But, hey if it makes the hair shiny then what’s a little smell? 😉
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Awesome review as usual Miss Karen!
I’ve been considering getting a deep conditioner since I’ve been experimenting with the curling iron and am already experiencing dry ends (on my newly cut short hair nonetheless). I think I’ll skip this and try the Deeep Conditioner. Too much coconut is not always a good thing for me.
Happy Wednesday and glad to have you back!
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Welcome back! That jet lag is definitely no joke, and it’s only a 3 hour difference!
Hi Karen,
I love that back from holiday feeling its so nice to have your own space again, especially if you have been staying with family!!
I very nearly bought this conditioner last week but got distracted by Marc Jacobs Grapefruit and forgot haha! Im soooo glad I didnt now I HATE fish and if i even detected the slightest sniff of it I would never have been able to use it again!!
I bought another one of your reconmendations yesterday when I popped into MAC (even though I swore I was just looking and wouldnt buy!!)- Blushbaby blush and I LOVE it, its such a pretty colour, so natural looking too! I also picked up cork and carbon shadows just because i thought they looked really useful and I just bought a big palette and kinda want to fill it up haha! I also got the new Guerlain double ended mascara which ive heard is great but im yet to test it out! Although it is pretty pricey so im not sure I want to like it too much haha!
I prefer Neutrogena’s Triple Moisture Line. Both the daily and deep conditioners are the ONLY conditioners to truly improve the condition of my ethnic, dry, brittle hair. The shampoo is damn good, too. The shine serum is next on my list – it has UV filters!
Welcome back dear 🙂
Hmm coconut isn’t my thing so I’ll skip this one
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Glosslizard, the salon I go to sells little travel size bottles of most of the B&B products. Maybe you could find one in your area that offers the small size and try it that way? It’s still $$, but not quite so much.
Karen, I’m sorry you had such a disappointing experience with the masque! I thought of you when I shopped the MAC friends and family this week. I got the wipes based on your review and price breakdown, and I also got the Pucker Tendertone, which I really like.
Hope post-vacaction re-entry is going as smoothly as possible!
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Hi Karen and Jessica!
Thanks for the ideas! I didn’t even know we had a Blue Mercury around here! I gotta go! 🙂
I’ve never tried the Creme de Coco line, but I love the smell of coconut so I’ve been tempted! I like the quality of B&B’s stuff, but I really don’t care for their signature scent and it reeeeeeally lingers! Consequently I haven’t tried any of their stuff (with the notable exception of the Curl Creme) in a very long time! Have you tried the C de C shampoo or conditioner?
Bumble and bumble makes good hair products. I like their free haircuts more 😛
Eh… I like coconut, but I doubt I’ll go for this one. My hair is still growing though…so manybe if it were longer. I have to report thought a week later and the Freeman Sea Kelp and Guava is hooking my hair up – it’s silicone free…so maybe that’s helping. I dunno…but I don’t think I need anything else for my hair right now. Just the patience to wait another month until I cut it!!! 🙂
Welcome back btw… and hit up the emergen-c…maybe that will help you out with the soupy brain. 🙂 I’ve been drinking it this week… Work has been insane…and on top of that I need to get extra stuff done since I am out on vacation all next week. Ugh…:-(
Hi Iheartmakeup,
Yeah, it’s either a love it or hate it kinda scent, just because it’s so strong.
Deeep conditioner smells a lot nicer, me thinks. 🙂
BTW, you have great hair!
Hi Lilan,
Deeep is really heavy, so if you are concerned about volume then it might weigh your hair down.
You have a good Wednesday too!
Hi Lehea,
Thanks! I know! It’s much easier to go forward than to go backwards, that’s for sure. When I woke up this morning I still felt like it was way too early, even though the sun was already shining through the windows.
Hope you’re having a great day so far!
Hi Holly,
Yeah, I remember you telling me your nose is super sensitive so you might been able to pick up on the scent. Try the Deeep – it’s awesome, and it smells great. 🙂
OoOooo you picked up a few of my favorites! I hope Cork, Carbon and Blushbaby become your staples, too!
Can’t wait to hear what you think of that Guerlain mascara. Lemme know if it’s good!
Hi SarahPuffy,
I used to use that line a long time ago but gave it up because of the silicones. That’s great that it works for ya, as the UV filters sound like a big plus. Do you spend a lot of time in the sun?
Hi Karen B.,
Thanks, girlfriend! Yeah, it’s a scent that seems to divide people. Do you need a deep conditioner? How’s the state of your hair? Cause the Deeep is fantastic!
Hi Jessica,
Yay! I’m glad you got to take advantage of that amazing sale. Have you used your wipes yet? I didn’t bring mine on vacation and I actually found myself really missing them.
Hi Glosslizard,
There’s one located in Corte Madera. Next time you are in Marin County then you should totally go! 😉
Hi EtherealPrey,
Yeah, free is always good. I’ve always wanted to do the hair model thing but the appointments are always at times when I can’t go. Are you a hair model?
Hi Megan,
I haven’t tried the Sea Kelp and Guava! I’m almost finished with my bottle o’ Papaya and Lime Overboard Shine so I’ll pick up the Sea Kelp during my next drugstore run. How short are you gonna cut your hair?
Are you excited about vacation? What makeup are you bringing?
Oh yeah – I have a packet of Emergen-C sitting on my desk! 🙂
Girl, you’re back! *run and hug Karen big time!*
You’re right about coconut, either you love it or you hate it. My roommate uses the coconut conditioner from Suave and it works for her very well. She also conditioner wash her hair too. Have you tried avocado oil? It works wonder for my roomie’s hair. Just put some on your head, massage a bit then put a shower cap on and walk around the house for 1/2 hr. Then you just proceed in washing and conditioning your hair. Luscious and soft hair in no time.
Hi Karen,
Im just getting ready for a night out with the girls so have tried all my new goodies and love them all! I think blushbaby is going to be my go to blush for a while now its sooo pretty!
The mascara is great my lashes look false they are so long! I always apply individual false lashes when i go out and have been finding it difficult to tell which are false and which are real!! The only think is it wont be great for quickly throwing some mascara on in the morning because it is pretty time consuming with the tiny brush to do the outer lashes and bottom lashes but is totally worth it for a dramatic effect! It was really worth the $45 (ish) price tag! The only problem is it is so long it wont fit in my little portable daytime makeup bag!
oh my god!
i love anything coconut
seriously thats my favorite favor/scent
i would probably end up buying it because it smelled good hah 🙂
It’s pretty good actually. My hairdresser is always surprised at how the state of my hair. I just wash and condition it with Elseve for coloured hair and once a month or so I do a mask. Then again I never use straighteners or curling irons or stuff.
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Hi Karen,
I haven’t tried my wipes yet. I have some Boots wipes that I’m using up first. I cut them in half (I know you’re a fan of that, too!) and then use a cleanser afterward because they (the Boots wipes, that is) don’t really leave my face feeling that clean. They’re good for makeup removal, though. I’m very excited to get to the MAC wipes. I’ll let you know what I think.
I love wipes for travel, too. I just put a few in a ziploc bag, and they avoid that pesky liquid/gel restriction!
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Welcome back Karen!
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Hiya Karen,
Thanks for taking the time to keep us all entertained while vacationing. You must be an addict after all 😛
Btw, have you tried Kerastase Masquintense? Its really good for the frizzies. I should know given given the fact that I come from sunny and ultra humid Singapore.
Good luck transitioning into work mode.
Hi Dao!!!
Aww, you are so sweet! Big hugs back. 🙂
I used to use Suave Coconut conditioner to conditioner wash my hair. It smells really good (I eventually got tired of it, though). I haven’t tried avocado oil but it sounds really great. I’ll head to the health food store this weekend and look for some. 🙂 I want to put some on my dry ends. I be jojoba would work well, too.
BTW, when I went to the Sephora in Hawaii I played with that uber palette you were thinking about getting. Some of the shadows were a little chalky. I did end up really liking the Sephora Zebra Shadow Palette, though, and it’s BEAUTIFUL!
What’s new with you?
Hi Holly!
Oh sweet! I’m so glad you like Blushbaby. You’ll be hitting the pan in no time. 🙂
That mascara sounds AWESOME! I dunno if I have the motivation (or the dexterity, for that matter) to go through such a complicated process, but maybe one of these days when I have a big event I’ll have an excuse to try it.
I hope you and the girls had a wonderful night out (and that your makeup held up through the entire night).
Hi Alexa,
Nice! Have you smelled the Suave Coconut shampoo/conditioner? It’s got a lovely coconut scent.
Hi Karen B.,
I think that’s great that you don’t have a heat habit. I used to use a hair dryer to straighten my hair every day (this was before the onslaught of straightening irons) and I ruined it with heat styling. It took years for it to recover.
I’ve never heard of Elseve, so I had to look it up. We have similar L’oreal products here in the US!
Hi Jessica,
I felt the same way about the Boots wipes, too. And holla, don’t you feel like you are cheating the system when you cut stuff in half? I love it.
The storing wipes in a ziploc bag is genius. I’ll have to do that when I take another trip. So thanks! 🙂
Hi Marisol,
Thanks, girl! How have you been? Anything new and exciting happening with you?
Hi Natasha,
You’re welcome! I guess you’re right… I am addicted through and through.
I think I tried Keratase Masquintense a long time ago. Dang, everything in that line smells SO GOOD! Do you use other products from the line?
LOL, I’m going to need all the luck I can get to get back into the groove at work. Where’s a surfboard and the ocean when you need it (sigh).
Yeah it smells so good that you dont smell it burning a hole in your wallet *LOL* I use their Oleo relax Serum and it certainly helps improve the condition of my hair. I can tell the difference.
Look forward to your next holiday and that normally helps when you return to work straight from a particularly good break.. sort of a countdown.
Yeah. I do use a hairdryer usually to get my fringe to behave. But apparently it doesn’t ruin my hair… weird. I just loose-dry it though so the heat isn’t that concentrated
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Hi hi! I bought it about two years ago, and although I’ve tried other things, nothing has stacked up, so I’m going back with open arms [and lets pray to god an open wallet]. Generally I don’t go out in the sun too much, but I walk everywhere, so I slather on the ‘screen like no one’s business. I think it’ll be useful for the days I may not be wearing my hat [rare, even during summer] or clip in extensions.
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i got the Bumble and bumble mask in a goody bag from a party they had in NY…i use it about once a week, but i don’t love it. It’s light and has a great smell but do not think its worth the 24. For deep conditioning, i still just love to use Matrix Sleek Looks.
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