Irene Shelley, Black Beauty & Hair’s editor-in-chief puts Beyoncé’s new haircare range Cécred through its paces
Like many people in the beauty industry, I was really excited to hear that Beyoncé had launched her own haircare line. What would it look like, what would it consist of? Would it be yet another celebrity launch that promised much but didn’t deliver? These were questions that many people were asking.
You can be sure that anything Beyoncé puts her name to will carry her perfectionist touch. Well, Cécred doesn’t disappoint if the glowing reviews have anything to do with it. I received a beautiful press box containing the eight-piece collection of cleansers, leave-ins, and deep treatments and couldn’t wait to tuck in.
I have to confess that I didn’t take the Cécred Hair Quiz. I dived into my Cécred press box like a kid at Christmas. In fact, I took the quiz after I had given the products a trial run. I’ve finally got to know what works and doesn’t work for me after having my hair in locs for the past 14 years.
I told the quiz about my sparse, fine hair that was prone to breakage, some damage, as well as colouring. It suggested two products that I actually used in this review – the Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub and the Hydrating Shampoo. And one I didn’t – the Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual. I would recommend taking the Cécred Hair Quiz first, as it gives you an idea of which products you should be using.
What’s in the Box?
The Box contained the eight-piece Cécred Foundation Collection which consists of the following: Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub; Hydrating Shampoo; Moisturizing Deep Conditioner; Reconstructing Treatment Mask; Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual; Moisture Sealing Lotion; Nourishing Hair Oil and Ritual Shaking Vessel.
The packaging looks great – totemic even. And Bey has even thought of the slightly textured plastic to prevent our hands from slipping in the shower. Remember to remove the seals from the shampoos before starting to avoid the confusion of no product coming out when squeezed. Additionally, make sure to pull off the lids instead of attempting to do so with wet, slippery hands as it won’t be effective.
Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub
Loc wearers usually exceed the recommended product usage due to our thicker, longer, and bound hair. Studies reveal that black women, irrespective of their hairstyle or hair texture, tend to be more generous with their hair products. The Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub (£37) has a nozzle that reduces the risk of waste and also means you can apply it directly to your scalp which I saw a lot of YouTubers doing. Instead I measured the amount of product into my palm and distributed it onto my scalp.
The first shampoo produced a decent lather, although a substantial amount was needed as per the instructions to apply it throughout the hair. You don’t get the full on tingling sensation on your scalp with other minty shampoos. Unlike the rest of the range, which contains the Temple Oud fragrance, the scrub has a light and fresh minty smell.
I rinsed it out and did a second shampoo that gave me even more lather and distribution. The exfoliating beads melted away during shampooing, so I didn’t worry about them being embedded in my locs. You could use this as a one-step product and go straight to conditioning, but my hair lacks serious moisture and I decided to use the Hydrating Shampoo.
Cécred Hydrating Shampoo
Cécred Hydrating Shampoo. This shampoo is so moisturising
I love the Hydrating Shampoo (£29). It lathers really well, even though it does not contain sulfates or any of the other nasties like SLS/SLES, phthalates and parabens that we’ve had to deal with in hair products of the past. Like Beyoncé, I enjoy slip in my hair products. Slip makes it easier to detangle hair with our fingers or a wide-toothed comb with less friction. And even though that doesn’t apply to locs, the more you are able to baby your hair, the better. Less friction, tugging and pulling equals less damage to the hair. Every curly girl should have at least one amazing “slippery” product in their hairstyling arsenal! And this shampoo has great slip. The oud smell was spicy, woody and organic. In addition, I loved how soft and moisturised my hair felt after using it.
I’ve Got Locs And I Tried Beyonce’s New Cécred Products
A review of Cécred, Beyoncé’s new haircare line
Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. The Deep Conditioner is very rich – you only need a little
Many people with locs don’t use conditioners as they are often too heavy for their locs or there’s a fear of build up. For me, using a conditioner after shampooing is like moisturising my face after washing it. The Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner (£37) is recommended for dry and damaged hair. Even though it’s a buttery rich texture, there wasn’t much slip when I put it on my hair. In fact, it made my locs feel firmer – undoing the slippery texture of the shampoo. I sat under a heat cap for 30 minutes to get the maximum benefit. There was a slight softening of my locs after that. And then I rinsed. I rinsed and rinsed some more…
I remember a blogger saying that it was very rich and you only needed a tiny amount. I hear you sis!
Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil
Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil. The oil smells divine and adds a great sheen to my locs
I finished my Cécred Wash Day with the Nourishing Hair Oil (£43) that contains the brand’s African Oil blend of baobab, moringa, and black seed oil. The trio of super oils are joined by 10 others, among them, sunflower seed, argan golden jojoba and coconut oil. The bottle is beautifully designed and the oil smells fantastic.
Even though I have locs, I rarely use hair oil on my hair post-wash, preferring to use a moisturising cream from another brand which I then seal with their oil-based sealant. But this oil is light and easy to use and imparted a wonderful sheen to my locs.
Would I buy?
With Cécred Beyoncé opens up her world to us. She reveals how she prioritises looking after her hair and spends time doing it. Taking the time to do it is certainly a ritual. I’m looking forward to trying the Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual (£51), which should be carried out every four to six weeks. Then there’s the Reconstructing Treatment Mask (£41) which features the brand’s patent pending Bioactive Keratin Ferment, to strengthen hair from within, and is recommended for those with damage from colour treatments or heat styling.
The blurb in my press pack advised that those with locs should avoid the Moisture Sealing Lotion (£37), so I didn’t use this, thinking it might be too heavy and cause build up. But at a recent virtual event that included vice-chairwoman Tina Knowles, CEO Grace Rey, and loc doc and director of education Dr Kari Williams, she gave us the green light and told us that those with locs can happily use the Moisture Sealing Lotion, which Dr Kari uses herself.
My favourite products from the range are the Moisturizing Shampoo and the Nourishing Hair Oil. They are more expensive than the brands I use at the moment. But if I wanted a treat, these would be the two products that I would splurge on.