The Afrobella Review: Shea Moisture – Is It For You?
By now you’ve probably heard all about Shea Moisture, or seen the brand of natural hair products prominently displayed at your nearby Target or Walgreens. Or maybe you’re one of the natural bellas who has seen the blog posts and felt curiousity but haven’t yet actually tried Shea Moisture.
I was lucky enough to try out most of the haircare products in the buzzed-about natural hair brand’s lineup and in summary, here’s my verdict. Is Shea Moisture for you? Odds point to yes. With four different main haircare product types there’s probably something in there to meet your specific natural hair needs, and the products are of amazing quality for stuff that’s being sold in mainstream drugstores! I’ll break it down by label.
Coral/Pink/Salmon colored label – Organic Coconut and Hibiscus, meant for enhancing curls for thick, curly hair. Loving the styling products best of all!
Yellow label – made with organic raw shea butter for deep treating dry, damaged hair.
Black label – made with organic African black soap for balancing and cleansing dry, itchy scalps. Loved both the shampoo and conditioner so, so much!
Olive/brown label – made with organic yucca and baobab for thickening fine and thin hair.
In the past I had found myself gazing in wonderment at the Target endcap and trying to figure out just WHICH Shea Moisture product to try first. I got lucky when Shea Moisture sent me products to review. Now that I’ve tried almost all of them, if I could go back in time to myself standing at the Target display wondering which thing to buy first I’d say…go for the African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner. As I explain in this video, it’s in the top 10 drugstore conditioners I’ve ever tried. Ever.
Not every Shea Moisture product was a hit outta the park for me – the Shea Butter Masque didn’t do much but weigh down my hair, and didn’t give me the comb through slip I craved. I will be giving it an additional try, accompanied with my Huetiful steamer to see if it can truly make a difference.
Like I said in the video, it’s SO important to use the products as directed with this brand – click here for a breakdown on them all including ingredients and usage. Shea Moisture is also on Twitter @sheamoisture4u and on Facebook – click here to “like” them!
So in general, two thumbs up for Shea Moisture’s hair products! I love that this brand is making inroads into such mainstream stores, with ingredients that are so good for natural hair. It makes quite a statement about how far it’s all come. Don’t wanna sound like a grandma, but back when I started this blog, the idea of finding products of this quality in Walgreens? Unheard of. And look at how far we’ve come! I think it’s great. What do you think?
Have you tried Shea Moisture? What are your thoughts? What are your favorite products in the brand?
Category: Featured, Hair, Product Reviews
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- Natural Beauty’s | fullfigurednews.com | March 29, 2012
Just got the Shea Moisture repair and transition kit. Can’t wait to crack it open!!!!! So excited. Although I have natural hair my hair gets really dry so I am hoping it will have great effects. Will keep you posted on the outcome.
I just tried the Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner with raw shea butter and LOVED them. I am not the target market, because I am white, but I have curly, slightly damaged color-treated hair and for the first time in years my hair felt soft after a shampoo and not like it was made of straw. This was even before I used conditioner. I like the conditioner a lot but it did not de-tangle my hair as much as I would have liked, however as a leave-in conditioner, it is absolutely wonderful. I might try one of the other types of conditioner to see if they help de-tangle any better.
I just thought I would add my 2 cents, I was searching online for more information about the company and the products and there is not a lot out there, so I was happy to read your blog about it. Thanks!
I just purchased the Raw Shea shampoo and leave in conditioner and I loved it. I have a relaxer but my hair is curly and that shampoo made my hair so soft and clean. I purchase my products at target in GA.
I am a 49 year old Italian American. I have recently removed all chemicals from my diet using the “Paleo Diet”. But here I am still added chemicals to my body topically with products. So now I am looking for all natural products from scalp to toes. I have to say I came across the “Shea Moisture” products in the African American section and read every ingredient on those bottles. I even researched the ingredients on the internet. So back to Target I go and purchased the YUCCA and BAOBAB shampoo & conditioner. They are a wonderful Product and would recommend them to everyone.
I do have to agree with TIFFANY I still had a problem with entanglement. So this is my little trick. When you apply the conditioner start with mid section of you hair first and down to the ends rubbing the strains vertically down of your hair. Because this is all natural you do need to use more conditioner than those crap brands. Next apply to the top of your head spreading thru with your fingers. Next comb it through getting the snarls out add more conditioner if you have to. Leave on your head (I use a shower cap at this point) and rinse right before you get out of the shower. This works for me.
Shower caps can be bought at the Dollar store in packs of 5 I believe. They are very thin which makes them great for treatment to your hair.
I’ve been using the Shea Moisture products for about one year. My hair was so dry and damaged. I’ve had major growth and my hair stays healthy and super manageable. This is the first product that made my transition from chemicals to natural feel worthwhile. I LOVE their products. My favorite is the Coconut and Hibiscus although the Organic Raw Shea butter words well for me too.
The deep treatment masque did nothing for me as a deep conditioner. I now use it as a moisturizing styling cream, and it has really changed my twist outs. They are shiny and no longer frizzy. I do dry twist outs, which also changed my life. The wet ones ended in a frizzy mess every time. If it doesn’t work as a deep treatment, try it as a styling cream. They list that as an alternate use for the product on the label. Best!
Ditto on the masque. I never even tried it as a conditioner b/c I saw some recommendations to use it as a styling product and I’ve used it that way and it has been GREAT.
I tried the curl smoothie in the same way in comparison and it also gave good results…it’s just a lighter version of the masque when used as a styling product in my hair.
But love the price point, love that I don’t have to wait weeks to get it shipped (or pay shipping), and glad that I’m at the point where almost everything I use is available at the local store.
I have been using the Raw Shea Butter moisturizing shampoo and its matching Treatment Masque for the last six months. I really liked the brand. It kept my hair moisturized and the deep treatment masque kept my hair shiny. Lately, it stopped working for my hair. My hair no longer shines no matter how long I keep the treatment masque in. I also used the coconut & hibiscus moisturizer (the big tub), and it would moisturize my hair then cause my hair to frizz. It doesn’t define my hair at all; it’s not good for twist outs (I have 4a/4b thick, coarse hair). I think I will have to change brands because it no longer does what it used to. I’m sad to switch products because Shea Moisture was a good value ($10 for a 12oz container for the DC?!). Has anyone else experienced this?
Are you protein sensitive? The coconut hibiscus line contains protein and a protein overdose might be causing your hair to frizz.
Yes, I have experienced the same issue with the Deep Treatment Masque and my hair type sounds just like yours.
I first used the Deep Treatment Masque last winter & it worked wonderfully with my hair. But as the warmer months came around, it weighed my hair down & felt like a sticky mess. So during the summer, I stopped using it and applied oils instead (my favorite: made by Curls, kukuinut oil elixir $10 at Target). Now that it is getting cooler again, I’m going back to the Deep Treatment Masque. Also, be sure not to slather this stuff on your hair/scalp. That is good way to get the frizz happy on your head. Good luck!
Have you tried to clarify your hair? Maybe you have build up…..
I had the same problem with the coconut & hibiscus moisturizer until I realized I was using it wrong. I started applying an oil to seal in the moisture and I haven’t had the problem anymore.
ive had a very similar problem with this line and I agree that it has to be the intense amount of protein. initially my hair feels soft but after a week of use my hair is hard and sticky. I have to wash it with a deep cleansing shampoo so I have devrloped a love hate relationship with this product line. for my daughter it seems to be fine but she has very thick hair and I dont. I have debated trying thr line for finr hair but I think I will have thr same issue. my hair doesnt typically need additional protein n doesnt respond well to heavy oils. interesting that I do better without oil because I am black and most black people say they need oil.
OMG!!!!! I just tried the curl enhancing smoothie!!!! I am so very impressed my hair is soft manageable and my curl pattern looks AWESOME!!! I’m not sure how I will look in the morning but tonight I am so so happy. I was really feeling discouraged on my natural hair journey with the products not complimenting my natural texture and leaving me feeling like “THE BIG CHOP” and going natural was a bad idea…Day 1 using this product and I cant wait to experience the rest of the line!!! And its affordable!!! This stuff is great!!!!
I am thinking about going natural all the way, and making the BIG CHOP. But currently I’m in transition 4months now, can I still use this product? or is it only for the all natural.
I was trying to view the page where you breakdown all the shea moisture products but I keep getting an error message
love it
Let me start off by saying I love the shea moisture product line. I use all of the products besides the conditioners due to me being stuck on KCKT and hello hydration buuuut back to the subject at hand. I was hesitant to purchase the deep treatment masque due to the poor reviews on it but I really wanted to try for myself before writing it off completely. I bought it. The first use wasn’t so well. I didn’t see a difference in my hair. I never expected slip or anything. I then did my first henna treatment. Afterwards I coated the deep treatment masque on different sections of my hair. And I mean coated it. I didn’t detangle cause I had already done that in the shower with my knot today. So I put on my plastic shower cap and then my satin cap over it and left it on. After about 3 hrs I went ahead and rinsed it out and my hair felt feather soft. It wasn’t tangled and it smelled heavenly. So now I’m thankful that I’m able to use this product without listening to other reviews. Very very happy
Just used the Curl Enhancing Smoothie and I really like it! Unlike KKCK, it doesn’t leave my hair hard and there’s no white residue. My hair actually feels moisturized. I had never heard of the product line (I live in WV…black hair care is scarce!) and was in Wal-Greens to buy something by Twisted Sista (bought the curl revitalizer) and the Shea line was right next to it. Now I’ve got to go back and get the conditioner and the Curl & Style milk. My hair ranges from almost completely straight to tiny coils (about coffee straw sized) and it’s very fine. I was very happy that it didn’t weigh my hair down too much. Most African-American products in a drugstore make my hair look like I was dunked in that can of bacon grease on the stove! This did not. I think I’m in love!
These are on sale at Walgreens right now. $15 for the kits, just picked up the Curl & Shine Kit. I think I will go back and get the Transitioning Kit just to try some of the products for cheap.
Hello All I am 2months post big chop and I just purchased the Shea Moisture and I must say I love it as a styling cream it has my hair super soft and very well moisterized and I love love love it my hydrating water mi despite the reviews I would give it a try!! Because its works very well for me
Using these products for one month now and am loving them!!! I will usually try a product for 3-6 months to give my hair a chance to adjust and to see if I really like it. I started out with Carol’s Daughter for about 2 years, moved on to Miss Jessie’s for about 6 months, then Kinky Curly for 8 months, and now Shea Moisture. Shea Moisture is turning out to be my favorite by far!
I absolutely Love Shea Moiture products. I’ve tried the yellow label and pink/salmon label. I so very much enjoyed the way the curl enhancing smoothie made my afro feel but I had to let it go because I think I had an adverse reaction to the coconut oil. My scalp itched non-stop. But I’m still using the yellow label. I added coldpressed castor oil to my deep mask conditioner to try to get it to a similar consistency of the smoothie. So far, so good. I need for Shea moisture to come out with another smoothie without the coconut oil!! Please!
it is probably the ingredient neem that made your scalp itch.. try applying to hair only and not the scalp
I love shea moisture! I use all the coral label, combined with my Olive Oil pudding and its absolutely unbelievable. I have a spiral curl, without frizz and extremely hydrated. I purchased mine when Walgreens had buy one get one free online with free shipping.
PS: Thanks for a great blog!
I’ve been using Shea Moisture’s organic coconut & hibiscus curl & style milk every day for over a year. It is fantastic. It’s the first product I found for natural hair that didn’t include some kind of nut in the ingredients, since I’m allergic to almonds, walnuts, etc. My hair responds well to this product, I can comb through without breaking my hair as well. I’ve got fine, curly hair which fights dryness in the humid area where I live. This product helps my hair from breaking and I’ve had continuous growth since using it. I tried the deep conditioner mask, but didn’t like it because it seemed to suffocate my hair. I make my own shampoo which not only detangles my hair but also leaves it silky and not dry. So, I’ll keep making my own shampoo. For conditioner, my must have is Morrocco Method’s Chi Instant Hair Conditioner. That product is fantastic! My hair is supple and manageable afterwards, compared to dry & brittle when using mainstream hair products.
plz do yhu ship to ukraine?/
Is this a product for hair that’s in dreads?
I like the yellow label products and I have sisterlocks.
I just tried Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, per reference of a friend and so far I can say I very much like and will continue to use it, I been wearing my hair natural for 10 yrs and I think i found my favorite product I Just wish the bottle size was bigger. Thanks
I must say I am very pleasedI just tried Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, per reference of a friend and so far I can say I very much like and will continue to use it, I been wearing my hair natural for 10 yrs and I think i found my favorite product I Just wish the bottle size was bigger. Thanks
The curling souffle is soooooooooo good for twist out s and the conditioners are good
I LOVE the coral shea moisture products! They make my little coils POP! I purchased the Shine and Moisture kit from Walgreens so that I could try out the products to make sure that I liked them before buying the full size. I probably won’t buy the shampoo or conditioner because i love using Organix Cocunut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner. But I will definitely purchase the full size of the Hold & Shine Moisture Mist and the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I also purchased the Curling Souffle, which defines my curls without the crunchiness that I get with gel. These products are definitely helping me make it through the experience of the big chop! I wasn’t sure how I would feel but I love my TWA!
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I have been using the Shea Moisture line for about 6 months. I have tyep 4 hair. At first I tried the yellow label (Organic Raw Shea Butter). My hair did not respond well to those products. It was heavy and dull. It think my hair does not live an over abundance of Shea Butter. Next I tried the Coral label (Organic Cocount & Hibiscus). My hair responds very well to the smoothie and style milk. I just tried the shampoo tonight for the first time and so far I like it. When I use the smoothie I am able to lay my hair down in waves. When I use the style milk my curls are more defined.
So I just purchased the Transition Kit today and I will be using it tomorrow. So I’ll keep you guys updated!!:)
So let me start of by saying it left my hair hair smelling soooooo good. Usually when I shampoo my hair I have to shampoo it twice because i still see flakes on my scalp but with this shampoo I only had to use it once. The conditioner also left my hair feeling silky smooth. And the Elixir came in handy for when I braided my hair. Haven’t used the masques yet though. So far I LOVE this product. I’ll keep you guys updated on my next usage:)
I stumble on this website looking for some products that would work good on my daugther hair. I have trying different products that but could not find the right product. I tried the Just For Me products, Carol’s Daugther (now its good for washing her hair but once her hair dried her hair frizz and it looks dry.) Curl Grease and other curl products. However none of this products was good for hair and her curls was coming out. So I came across this website and decide to try the products. I’m glad that I did even though its a little expensive for a 8 oz bottle.
But I must say I’m so happy that I find a product that don’t leave her hair frizzy or dried. I love it so much that I decide to get the repair kit for my hair. So goodbye Just for Me and Carol’s Daughter. Hello Shea Moisture! This will be the only brand I will use for my daugther and me. Thanks Afrobella!!!
I don’t have African hair, but I do have curly hair that is often dry and an itchy scalp that is sensitive to most shampoos and conditioners. I love this product! I found it as a gift set on sale at Target and haven’t gone back. It keeps my hair soft, it helps it stay curly and moist, and the frizz stays at bay. Love, love, love!
I have SUPER THICK curly hair that i blow dry straight and flat iron. My hairdresser the Shielo Antioxidant Leave in Protecter Spray and i decided to try it, though i was hesitant.
I tried it for a week with no other styling products, and since that week i have been a believer! This product is amazing – My hair is now shiny, silky, soft and not damaged at all.
It’s also nice to only have to use 1 styling product as opposed to the 2,3, and sometimes even 4 that i was previously using.
My bathroom cabinet looks like an advertisement for Shea Moisture. I am so appreciative to them for their products. I have used their products for a year now and my hair has grown by leaps and bounds! I use the Yucca & Baobab anti breakage mask, shampoo, and conditioner. I style using the Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Curl Souffle. I can’t begin to tell you how these products have helped my hair. I want to grow my hair out and send them pics to use for before after shots!
I LOVE their products. The Organic Yucca & Baobab Thickenting Moisture Mist is fabulous. I’ve been doing my hair in 2 strand twists and spritzing with the moisture mist then roller setting it at night. In the AM I un do everything and finger comb it and my hair is full, soft and lustrous! (I’m also using the shampoo). Two thumbs up in my book!
The deep treatment masque caused my scalp to itch every time I used it; however, I continued to use it and now my hair is shedding. I had no problem with the shampoo and curl and style milk.
Jacklyn, It know I am late with this but, the deep treatment masque is a protein treatment. You should only leave it on 5 – 30 mins (see label) and follow with a moisturing conditioner. I would leave conditioner in for 1 hr (sooo good for the hair.) Because deep treatments contain protein, if you don’t follow up with a moisturizer you may experience shedding (too much protein can cause shedding).
Hi, I have been natural for about 6 years. I have tried many products on my hair and have found only a few that will allow me to achieve some of the results that I want. I’m always willing to try something new so I tried the Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I followed the suggested application process but did not see any results. I had to apply it heavily to my hair to see any wave pattern or curls appear it didn’t look to bad buuuut my hair was sticky. Unfortunately I have a bad habit of constantly touching my hair so this was not going to work for me beside the surpy goop rubbing onto my cloths. I will give the other products a try but that’s my experience with Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
I tried the hair volumizer for thinning hair and I did not have such a good experience with the Shea Moisture line. After shamppoing my hair I applied the conditioner and when I tried to comb the conditioner thru my hair my hair was extremely matted and tangled it took hours to untangle and a significant amount of hair came out and there was a heavy residue of conditioner coating my hair strands. Has anyone else had this problem?
I’m new to the product line, 4/13/12. I bought the transition kit and the curl souffle. Upon shampooing my hair, one time and then using the conditioner, I can tell you it was a miracle. I have never been able to comb thru my hair without bracing myself for the pain in years and having the back shrink to my head. I do’t know what shine others keep talking about, but mines is not there, but it is soft. Also, I probably don’t put enough product on. I two strand twisted it and except for one side, my curls are still hanging on. Tonight I’m going to use the conditioner to twist it and see what happens. I’ll let you know. Is this product supposed to be for 4b’s in terms of getting curls?
Just brought products Deep Treatment and Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie…I have thick hair and I’ve tried a few products such as Kinky Coils, Carol’s Daughter and not overly impressed with these products other than Beeswax that keeps my twists-outs. I’ll check back in with my results of using these products…..
I’m now one week into wearing the product and although it’s soft, the curls didn’t hold, it looks like a long afro. No shine, sort of dry. I believe I’ll have to keep twisting/braiding every other night to keep the curls.
Mbutterfly
I just bought Shea mostiure the black label shampoo and scalp spray. I have been experiencing dry hair lately and have always had dry scalp. Does anyone know how often I should spray my scalp? The shea butter oil smelled nicebut my scal was sensitive to it and I liked the curl smoothie when I was transitioning.
Wow, Bella, you’re so pretty! Your pics don’t always seem to do as much justice. Thanks for reviewing Shea Moisture. I’d heard about these products but I just started using the Coconut & Hibiscus shampoo about a month ago. I love it and I want to try more of there products. Thank you for helping me pick a conditioner. My mom, sis, and I have been using Carol’s Daughter for over a year, but I’m disappointed with some of the ingredients they use. I was hoping to find a conditioner like the Rosemary Mint Clarifying Conditioner we’d been using. Shea Moisture’s African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner sounds perfect! It’s been 4 months since I’ve had a relaxer, a decision I actually reached with your help). The hair that had been “relaxed” (I use the term loosely because my precious curls started refusing to straighten) loves this line so far and so do my chemically-pure roots. Thanks again for you help, Bella. Once again you’ve influenced my transitioning journey for good
P.S. You sound a lot different than I expected you to (you have a different voice in my head when I read your blog, lol), but I wanted to tell you that you have a great laugh. Oh and can you tell me what fingernail polish that is you’re wearing? I love it!
Well,12 days later, 4/27/12 was the 2nd time I used the product and what a difference. While I was still able to comb the back of my head and the length was there it was a little more difficult. I used the souffle but, there were no curls, it just looked like a dry afro sitting off my head. I had to braid it, left it in Saturday, took them out and my hair was dry and matted. I used the moisture retention shampoo, restorative conditioner, and the reconstructive elixir after the souffle. My hair is a 4b. The top is thinner than the back. I surmise that the first time I used it, it was after a press and curl I’d had in February. What shall I do?
I have been using the Curl and Style Milk for about a few weeks and the Reconstructive Elixir for a week. The Curl and Style Milk gives my dry hair the moisture it needs. The Elixir goes on oily but it does get absorbed after awhile. Overall, I like the products and will try the Black Soap products. I get my products from Target.
This is my first week trying coconut & hibiscus line I found the shampoo but no conditioner is their one for that line and if not with one can I use with that line I should have try the line for damaged or thin hair but whole product line was not their any way my hair love s coconut & hibiscus line
I bought the deep treatment mask, because my hair was recently damaged a bit by over coloring. It sucks! Garnier works better than this and when I tried using it as a leave in…it weighed my naturally wavy hair down:( I was hoping it wouldnt turn out as a waste…..
I’m always going to the store wanting to purchase something from the Shea Moisture line, but I don’t. I was so hesitant about making the purchase and having my $ go down the drain as usual. My hair has been all natural for about over a yr now. I’ve did the extentions until all my relaxed hair was grown out completely. Yea! Well, today I went to the store one more time and decided to take the next step and make my first purchase of the Shea Moisture line, the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. My hair is constantly dry and in a ponytail for work. I just want to have my hair out. I think that I’ll try it out on my days off from work just to see how it works with my hair. Other products leave my hair either dry or so soft and without any curls that I can’t even place my hair back into a ponytail. Very difficult for me. If it works well, then I can get other Shea Moisture products. Keeping my fingers crossed!