When I decided to transition to natural hair almost 10 years ago, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Like many black women, I didn’t even know what my natural hair looked like, 3c girls, shout out! I also didn’t know which products were best suited for my hair type. This was in 2014, and there was a surge in black women embracing their natural hair without the use of chemicals. After seeing many black women post their “daily laundry routines” on YouTube and trying out different products to suit their hair type, I was inspired to do the same. I was in college at the time and didn’t have the funds to experiment much, but when I finally had the money, I started using high-quality products that suited my hair. Maintaining natural hair isn’t easy, but being able to understand more about your curl type was worth it.
One of my favorite hobbies is trying out new products and ingredients that work for my hair type. So when Beyoncé announced her entry into the beauty world with her hair care line, Cécred, I decided to give it a try and see what they could do for my hair.
about my hair
I have 3c hair with low porosity. My hair is very difficult to keep moisturized and I’m slowly learning which products and ingredients work best for my hair. When I first tried to go natural, I relied on protective hairstyles like braids and wigs. Now that I know more about my hair, my favorite styles are wash and go, double strands, and Bantu knots. My everyday go-to style is wash and go. Use a co-wash followed by a deep conditioner and style with an eco-styler gel or curl butter. If you’re doing double-stranded twists or Bantu knots, use a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, or deep conditioner, and seal your twists with olive oil or curling butter.
About Secred Beauty
According to the company’s website, Secred started by “prioritizing the needs of textured hair that lacks moisture and strength.” The company’s products are designed for all hair types, from hydrating and clarifying shampoos to hydrating deep conditioners, rebuilding masks, fermented rice rinses, sealing lotions, and moisturizing hair oils.
According to Allure, Beyoncé and her mother, Tina Knowles, spent six years building the brand. As a result, we aim to provide hair care that will keep your hair healthy no matter how hard you try.
Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub uses a balanced combination of exfoliants, fermented purple willow bark, and tea tree oil to remove build-up and residue from your hair and scalp for a deep clean. Fermented purple willow bark is known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that soothe the scalp and prevent inflammation, and can also help regenerate hair follicles and promote hair growth. I am always looking for a good shampoo that thoroughly cleans my scalp. I had just taken the braids out of my hair, so it was the perfect time to try it out.
My first impression of Secred’s products was that they looked and felt very luxurious. The packaging is really nice and feels like a decoration for your shower room. As for my impressions of the actual product, when I first started using it, I felt like my hair was getting squeaky unless I washed it and rinsed it twice, but after using it, my hair felt lighter and more manageable. Since this product is meant for deep cleaning, I use it once a week to avoid drying out my hair (which can happen if you use it too often).
I continue to use this product on a daily basis, mostly when removing protective styles (braids, sew-ins, etc.) or after hot days or workouts that involve a lot of sweating.
Source: Secred Beauty
Secred’s moisturizing shampoo is designed for gentle cleansing and features an antioxidant-rich African oil blend, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and a moisturizing phyto-collagen complex. It’s also formulated without silicones, phthalates, and parabens.
I wash my hair with a moisturizing shampoo two to three times a week while I do a deep clean with a purifying shampoo once a week. My first impression was that the scent was amazing. It has a light, fresh scent and a luxurious feel. It also has a thicker consistency than most shampoos I’ve used. I didn’t notice any visible changes in my hair after the first use, but after the third use I noticed that my hair was softer and easier to manage. Some shampoos can make your hair dry and brittle, but this shampoo doesn’t strip your hair of its natural moisture.
For my natural hair, it can be difficult to find a shampoo that moisturizes while keeping it clean, but this shampoo managed to strike the balance very well. My hair felt clean and healthy. This is a win in my opinion.
Infused with Cécred’s patent-pending bioactive keratin ferment, this treatment mask is clinically tested to reduce hair damage, increase hair strength, and improve shine. It’s not a deep conditioner. It is intended to be used between shampooing and conditioning when hair damage needs to be repaired. This product is recommended for those who are concerned about hair damage due to coloring, chemical treatments, heat styling, etc.
I used this in between my moisturizing shampoo and moisturizing deep conditioner, per the instructions, and immediately noticed that my hair became slippery and soft. It did soften my hair and lock in moisture after using the deep conditioner, but since my hair isn’t particularly damaged, I didn’t notice a huge difference from using it. However, if you are dealing with damage, I think this product is definitely worth a try.
Secre’s Rice and Protein Ritual eliminates the hassle of making your own rice water and provides the benefits of fortifying and making your rice water last longer. This ritual has two steps. One is a finely ground powder that is mixed with water and used as a hair rinse, and the other is a silk rinse infused with African oils to give hair softness and shine. The recommended use is once every 4 to 6 weeks.
I had never used fermented rice or protein treatments on my hair, so I had no idea how it would work when testing this product. As per the instructions, I mixed the powder with water and left it on my hair for 5 minutes. Immediately after, my hair was dry, which was to be expected since protein treatments can make hair feel a little stiff. However, after continuing with the silk rinse, the moisture returned to my hair, the curls gained elasticity, became stronger and softer. I will definitely continue using this product before purchasing protective styles or silk presses.
Secred’s Moisturizing Deep Conditioner contains 12 moisturizing butters and oils to improve hair’s softness, moisture, and manageability. At first glance, its texture is very thick and shares the fresh scent of a moisturizing shampoo.
Since it’s thick, I applied a moisturizing deep conditioner after I wet my hair, allowing the product to penetrate into my hair instead of sitting on top of it. Despite the thick product, my first thought after applying it to my hair and rinsing it out was that my curls didn’t feel heavy. I’ve also used it to detangle and found it glides on well and absorbs into the hair (all my low porosity girls get it). After letting my hair air dry (I didn’t use any other products), I combed my curls and the result was *chef’s kiss*. Not only did it give my hair great definition, but it also felt like my hair was softer than usual. Combing and tying my hair became easier, and my hair felt moisturized but not weighed down, making it feel light and airy. Being able to comb my dry, natural hair is a win for me, and this quickly became my go-to deep conditioner. I incorporated this into my weekly wash and go. It leaves your curls defined and gives you the moisture you need every time.
Source: Secred Beauty
Moisture Sealing Lotion is a multitasking product that seals, smoothes, and styles hair with light hold. A blend of Phytoseal Complex and African oils locks in moisture, seals out split ends, prevents frizz, aids styling and further enhances smooth, shiny curls. It can be used on all hair types, but is especially effective for those who want to reduce frizz in their curls. It can be applied to towel-dried wet hair or to dry hair before styling.
I have used the Moisture Sealing Lotion in several ways. Before the wash and go or before doing the two-stand twist. It felt smooth and buttery when I combed it into my hair (though it didn’t absorb as much as I would have liked), but I love using it when twisting two strands together to give my curls extra bounce. I found out that I like it. When I used it before the wash and go, it felt like it sat on my hair a little bit, but that being said, it definitely helped the curls as I let it absorb into my hair when I twisted the two strands together. It gave it extra elasticity. This product spreads very well in a small amount and is very moisturizing.
Secred hair oil is formulated with 13 oils including sea buckthorn, flaxseed, golden jojoba, argan, and coconut to strengthen hair’s lipid barrier, lock in moisture, and keep hair moisturized and nourished for longer. Keep time. It aims to make your hair soft, supple and give it a natural shine without the effects of silicone.
I applied the hair oil after washing and conditioning my hair, and of all the oils I’ve tried so far, this is definitely one of the lightest. The packaging is very easy to use and comes out a little at a time so you don’t end up with too much. I didn’t find this oil to be very effective on my hair when I did a wash and go or double twist, but I really liked it when I did an all-back style. This made my hair glide even better, making it easier to detangle when I combed it, and giving my hair even more shine. However, with the $44 price tag, I’m not sure if this would be a repeat purchase for me.
Is Cécred Beauty worth it?
If I were to rank Secred as a whole on a scale of 10, I’d give it a 7. I was very impressed with how luxurious the product’s scent and packaging felt. And I was grateful that they were free. Parabens and sulfates (which can strip your hair of its natural moisture). My favorite product was definitely the deep conditioner, which moisturized my hair without weighing it down. I also plan on continuing to use clarifying shampoos when I need a deep clean. I’m not someone who suffers from hair damage, so I didn’t see much of a difference using the fermented rice and protein ritual or rebuilding mask, but if you’re trying to repair your curls, I’d definitely give it a try. I think so. The only downside for me was the price, which was a little more expensive than many brands I’ve tried in the past. That said, the product’s packaging is very beautiful and classy, which makes it stand out.
