As a customer don't ever feel like you have to continue to patronize businesses that display poor business ethics. You set the standard for how you want to be treated as a customer.

Whether you're a customer or business owner being involved with a business that doesn't follow these simple "rules" can set you up to waste money in the long run.

1. Consistency. A company that is constantly changing the formula for products, may show that the owner doesn't know what he or she is doing. Even though, products may be homemade/handmade making a thick batch of lotion one month and a runny batch of lotion the next, is inconsistent. 
2. Pricing. Make sure you're not paying too much for products. Just because a product is homemade/handmade, doesn't mean you have to pay outrageous prices for it. Remember, if you continue to pay outlandish prices, companies will continue to charge outlandish prices. Don't let business owners rip you off.
3. Customer service. On a weekday during business hours, a "receipt of payment" notice should be sent within 24 hrs. Orders on instock items need to be shipped within 48 hrs. I don't understand why the processing time on some homemade items is over 2 weeks long. If a company is using the proper preservatives, they should be able to make a product in large batches and ship them out as needed.
4. Packaging. Bad packaging is a huge pet peeve of mine. Products that are going to be exposed to moisture NEED to have waterproof labels. The name of the product needs to be clearly written on each label along with the ingredients. 

As a customer you are paying for the above services each time you purchase a product. You're paying that person for their packaging, shipping and handling and for quality ingredients. All of these factors are factored in when a business owner sets the pricing for an item. Make sure you're getting your money worth.

Lately, A LOT of natural haircare "gurus" (I use that term extremely lightly) have taken to advertising products that they claim are "made by hand". I was scrolling a particular forum and and found some information that really makes me want to be a more aware shopper.

Natural haircare and body products seem to be taking over, they are popping up everywhere and everyone has a "product line". I don't like to spend more money then I have to. Check these sites out and make sure you're not paying more than you have to either.

Examples:


Avocado Creme Balanced Conditioner Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Lavendula angustifolia (Organic Lavender) Distillate, Anthemis nobilis (Organic Roman Chamomile) Distillate, Cetearyl Alcohol(vegetable-based emulsifier), Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Avocado Butter, Avocado Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Panthenol (Vitamin B Complex), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Rosa mosqueta (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Salix nigra (Organic Black Willow Bark) Extract, Fragrance.

Price: 8 oz. $12.97


Wholesale Base: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Lavendula angustifolia (Organic Lavender) Distillate, Anthemis nobilis (Organic Roman Chamomile) Distillate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolized Wheat, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Rosa mosqueta (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Salix nigra (Organic Black Willow Bark) Extract

Price: 16 oz. $8.25


Another Company Aloe Vera Styling Gel: Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Witch Hazel, Phenoxyethanol, Pro Vitamin B, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Alcohol Denatured, Carbomer, Citric Acid

Price: 4 oz. $8


Wholesale Base: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), Phenoxyethanol, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Alcohol denatured, Carbomer, TEA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid

Price: 16 oz. $8.70

So take your beloved haircare product or skincare product and plug the ingredients into Google and see what you come up with. You be able to get it for half the price!!!

Anyone who knows me knows I love haircare. I have been practicing better hair care practices and growing my hair for over 2 years. I am completely natural; no dye, no relaxers, just the hair the way it grew out of my scalp.

Learning to take care of my hair has had it's great times and its challenging times. I try to keep my hair regimen simple and buy as few products as possible. Recently, I began looking for a better leave-in cream. I have used shea butter alone and whipped with coconut oil and I find it works great but, doesn't provide enough moisture for my dry hair.

The owner of SamariLane offered to send me a sample of her Moisture Rich Curl Cream. All of their products are all natural and have no animal derivatives. Each product is homemade.

From the store: "Samari Lane is a natural hair and skin care company. We are committed to making the world a more beautiful place through nature. We use ingredients such as mango butter, olive oil, and essential oils to moisturize, grow, and retain a gorgeous, healthy head of hair. Butters and oils are also whipped into luxurious lotions to help keep the skin supple and smooth. 

We also believe that you do not have to break the bank in order to use products that aren't chemical-laden. Our products are reasonably priced, not because they are of a lesser quality, but because we remember having to buy over-priced products and have no intention of gouging the customer!"
Here are my thoughts on the product. Enjoy!

Rating: 8.5/10

Customer Service: Quick shipping, received order in 2-3 days. I really like the dark colored jars and the way the tag hangs off the lid. This is great in-case you want to detach the instructions to keep them from getting wet and/or ruined.

Was product as described: Yes. It was thick and creamy. Looks like mayonnaise and looks just like the photos in the store.

General thoughts: I used this product on my wet and dry hair and enjoyed the results from both. It is not a greasy cream at all. It absorbed into my hands after I was done with my hair in about 3 minutes. My hair did not feel weighed down at all and felt very moisturized. It does add curl definition and adds extra hold to twists and braids for a nice braid/twist-out. I liked the product so much I went on to purchase the full size.

Price: Very affordable since a little goes a long way. My hair (stretched) is to my armpit and I only have to use a quarter sized amount on each half of my head. Currently: $7.95 for a 4oz tub (plus shipping is about $10)


Ingredients: distilled water, extra virgin olive oil,emulsifying wax, coconut oil, mango butter and or shea butter, apricot oil, avocado oil,vitamin e, cocoa butter, castor oil, glycerin,germall, essential oils


Negative: The smell. At first it smells lemony and it ranges from a lemon scent to an almost medicine like smell. This wouldn't bother me if the smell went away quickly but, it does linger for a short amount of time. I haven't smelled it on any of my pillows or scarves though. I believe the scent comes from one of the essential oils used. I don't hate the scent but, I don't love it.

Would I re-purchase: Yes. When I run out I do plan on getting another tub.