I’m Kayla, and my hair is a mix of 3C and 4A. Coils. Spirals. Frizz if you look at it wrong. I live near the coast, so air is sticky most days. Big test zone for hair stuff.
I spent six months using Brazil hair products.
Along the way, a quick read on Brazzil Magazine gave me context on how these home-grown formulas evolved from backyard remedies to global curl obsessions. I even wrote a longer field report (spoiler: lots of tea spilled) so fellow curlies could follow the exact journey.
Bought them at a Brazilian market in Newark’s Ironbound, from a tiny shop run by Dona Vera, and a salon that carries Cadiveu. I also grabbed a few things online. Let me explain what worked, what flopped, and what I reach for on rushed mornings.
My Hair, My Rules (and a little jargon)
- High porosity. My hair drinks water fast and loses it fast.
- I do low-poo most weeks. That means gentle shampoo.
- I love slip. Slip is how easy a comb glides.
- I like a gel cast, then soft crunch out. You know what? It saves me on day two.
What I Actually Used
- Novex Brazilian Keratin Deep Hair Mask (Embelleze)
- Lola Cosmetics Morte Súbita Mask
- Skala Expert Babosa (Aloe Vera) Cream
- Salon Line S.O.S Cachos Gel Definidor
- Yamasterol Creme Multifuncional (the pink bottle)
- Inoar Argan Oil
- Natura Ekos Murumuru Restoring Mask
- Cadiveu Professional Brasil Cacau keratin service (in-salon)
Real bags. Real receipts. Real wash days.
Standouts That Made Me Smile
Novex Brazilian Keratin Mask
Rich, but not heavy if I keep it to 7 minutes. I used a shower cap and detangled with a wide-tooth comb. The slip? Great. My curls clumped clean. Day two had bounce and less frizz at my crown. But if I leave it on for 20 minutes, I get protein crunch. So I keep it short. I learned that the hard way on a humid Friday. Helmet hair.
Curious what other curlies think? Peep the user reviews raving about its softness and shine for extra receipts.
Skala Babosa (Aloe) Cream
This tub is huge. The cream is light and jelly-like. I use it three ways: quick co-wash, leave-in, and as a mask when I’m lazy. It gives soft curls, not big hold. I grab it on gym days or when I wash at night. It smells fresh, like light aloe and soap. No scalp itch. Also cheap, so I don’t ration it like gold.
Salon Line S.O.S Cachos Gel
Big hold without flakes if I use a quarter-size per section. I rake, then scrunch, then air dry. It forms a cast that breaks soft with a bit of oil. Humid bus stop test? It passed. My bangs stayed in line. If I layer too much, I get a little crunch at the ends, but it still looks shiny.
Yamasterol Creme (Pink)
This is the "grandma classic." Thin, milky, and simple. I use it as a pre-poo when I’ve done a lot of gel. It melts knots fast. Also nice as a light leave-in under a harder gel. On a beach day, I used only Yamasterol and got soft waves with a bit of halo frizz. Cute, not perfect.
Natura Ekos Murumuru Mask
Buttery and lush. Smells like a clean wood shop with fruit. I save it for Sunday. It fills in rough spots without that coated feel. I used it after a week of sun and pool. My curls looked glossy, and the ends felt sealed. It is pricier. I use a tablespoon, not a scoop.
The One That Surprised Me
Lola Cosmetics Morte Súbita
Everyone raves. On me, it was… tricky. First try, I left it on for 15 minutes. My hair felt super soft but a little waxy. Shine was high, volume was low. Second try, I used a small amount for 5 minutes and rinsed well. Better. Nice for winter, not my summer friend. Great smell though—like sweet bakery notes.
The Oil That Behaved
Inoar Argan Oil
Light and warm. Two drops in my palms, then scrunch over dry hair to break the cast. No greasy halo. I also use a dot on my ends at night. It helps with rough tips. Don’t pour. It’ll weigh you down fast.
My Keratin Story (Salon)
I did Cadiveu Brasil Cacau at a licensed salon. Vent fans on. Stylist in a mask. It smoothed my canopy and cut my blow-dry time in half. For eight weeks, frizz was low, even in rain. But here’s the catch: my curl pattern loosened at the front and took three months to bounce back. I also had eye sting during the flat iron step. If you try it, please ask about ventilation and the formula. Great for short-term sleek. Not great if you want your tight coils to stay tight.
How I Use Them (Real Routine)
- Wash day: Low-poo shampoo, then Novex for 7 minutes. Rinse well.
- Leave-in: Skala Babosa, light layer.
- Gel: Salon Line S.O.S Cachos, quarter-size per section.
- Dry: Diffuse on low. When dry, a drop of Inoar to break the cast.
- Midweek: Co-wash with Skala or use Yamasterol as pre-poo. Quick refresh with water and a squeeze of gel.
When my hair feels stiff, I skip Novex and use Natura Murumuru instead. Balance matters. Too much protein? Snap city. Too much butter? Flat city. I jog between both.
Tiny Things That Matter
- Labels are in Portuguese. I use Google Lens to scan. Fun, but slow.
- Scents run sweet. If you hate perfume, test first.
- Big tubs are a win for thick hair. Skinny bottles? Not so much.
- Some lines have cones. I don’t mind, but I do a clarifying wash every two weeks.
- Deep-condition munchies are real; I keep a bowl of sprouted Brazil nuts nearby so wash day feels like spa-and-snack time.
What Didn’t Work For Me
- Layering Morte Súbita under heavy gel. Felt coated, then frizz popped up by noon.
- Overdoing Novex. Protein crunch, fast.
- Using Skala alone on a windy day. Cute at 9 a.m., frizzy by lunch.
Price And Where I Shop
- Novex and Skala: budget-friendly, big jars. Found them at the Brazilian market and online.
- Salon Line: mid-range. I grabbed a big bottle, and it lasted two months.
- Natura and Inoar: pricier, but a little goes far.
- Cadiveu service: salon-only. Higher cost, and you need a pro.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply locating a shop that keeps these Brazilian brands in stock. If scrolling through endless forums feels exhausting, you can connect with nearby beauty lovers and swap-meets through this handy local hookup directory: discover local hookups in your area — it’s a fast way to track down sellers, sample days, and curl-friend meetups right in your zip code.
Want to road-test those freshly defined curls on a carefree night out in the Bay Area? The nightlife cheat-sheet at Tryst Hayward lays out the hottest lounges, low-key speakeasies, and date-night spots around Hayward, giving you an easy roadmap to show off your hair where the vibe matches the volume.
Who Will Love These
- If you have curls or waves and fight humidity.
- If you like big tubs and low price per use.
- If you enjoy plant butters like murumuru, cupuaçu, and oils like pracaxi or argan.
- If Brazil nut anything makes you perk up—I've also fallen for a certain nut butter jar that feels like dessert and protein in one.
Quick Pros And Cons
- Pros: great slip, humidity control, big sizes, curl clump, shine.
- Cons: strong scent, label language, risk of heavy feel, protein overuse if you’re not careful.
Final Take
Do I love Brazil hair stuff? Mostly, yes. They get curls. They get heat. They get frizz.
If you’re new, start simple:
- Skala Babosa as leave-in.
- Salon Line gel for hold.