Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've known of chebe over a year but was reluctant to try it because: #1 It was a messy process, #2 it was a foreign product without a U.S. poc, #3 Miss Sahel herself, the woman responsible for bringing awareness to the West admitted she didn't use it because of "lifestyle" and "the natural hair community has done a good job" of natural hair care. But then it came to my attention that the Chadian women were reaching lengths and retention at a much faster and larger scale than women of western countries yet we have the technology and facilities. I researched each ingredient, mostly native to Chad and Sudan and found each one plays a role of "locking in moisture and elasticity at the cellular level". Chebe USA showed up in one of my searches and I was captivated by the chebe paste- already mixed!. The fragrance reminds me of noxzema cleansing cream, not familiar?, think of incense with lavender and eucalyptus. Yes, it is strong, but pleasant and dissipates after 30-45 minutes. The texture is creamy with grainy particles, like a whole grain brown mustard. Directions state to "mix equal parts chebe paste with your favorite oil". Based on some of the reviews, I believe this step is missed in the application. I wanted to keep that creamy texture so I used my favorite moisturizer instead of oil, 2 tblspns each and it was more than enough to cover 18 inch long, thick type 4 hair with 12-14 twists in a stylish updo and I still had 2/3 jar of original 4oz. paste with 1/2 of mixed paste after the initial application. The hair has to be wet, so I apply after shampooing and spritz if the hair drys before I'm done. I rub the product in my palms before applying to each twist and I think the friction causes the grainy particles to dissolve some because it was not an issue when I took it down. I did take a picture or my sink after the first take down but it was so insignificant, I didn't bother posting, neither was there heavy grit on my clothing. I got about 2 CM size ball of hair fallout whereas before it would be 2-3 INCH ball, so less then half of hair fallout! My hair responded immediately, soft, manageable, shiny, and no frizz. Even my edges are under control without any gel. I still oil my scalp with my homemade oil. Take down gets easier with each application, little to no breakage and wash day was shortened because I did not spend as much time conditioning and detangling. Getting the grit out was no problem using the Shea Moisture Deep Cleansing Shampoo. Next wash will be with my regular moisturizing shampoo to see if it makes a difference. My curl pattern looked like an upscale wig, I wished I didn't have to retwist, but I work in the restaurant industry and all hair has to be retrained and in a hairnet. I gained 1 inch of new growth, which is normal for me since going natural, eating healthier and using my own oils, but also, 3 inches of stretch from the chebe elongating the curl pattern. I highly recommend at least trying the chebe paste. Its no additional work for natural hair. It made my natural hair routine so much easier with less maintenance. I'm 58 years old, I've been natural 4 years. I never once thought of waist length hair. I simply wanted healthy hair after a battle with breast cancer. If God allows me to live, it is achievable. I want to set the example for my granddaughters, to teach them to be proud, grateful, and embrace their hair, not ashamed and humiliated the way so much others try to make us feel about the true beauty of natural, curly, or kinky hair.