This summer was a time of exploration for me, at least when it comes to hair care. The previous year I stuck with Love Beauty Planet for shampoo and conditioner. Despite, how much I loved that product line I found that in the long term that with my haircare routine that it just didn’t seem to hold my curls. I felt I had to refresh my hair more often or wear my hair up to mask the frizz, it clearly wasn’t made for my hair type.
This summer my grandmother bought me a sample of Mixed Chicks shampoo and conditioner and I loved the product so much, it gave my curls a lot of definition, but then I realized that mixed chicks contain sulfates and had a hefty price tag of $45 for a single bottle. There had to be something that was affordable, made for curly hair and good for your hair.
At the end of the summer, after much thought on how I style my hair and what products I used, I finally decided to try SheaMoisture. I told my mom of all the good reviews they had on numerous hair types and how I wanted to try their products. Now my mom (who has 4a hair) had the immediate response that the product was going to be too heavy for my 2b/3a hair. Espically because I was looking at the Coconut hibiscus products, which are suggested for 3a hair and up. So I told her I would try a sample and see how it goes.
I have been using the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo and Conditioner with their Curl and Style Milk after wash for almost two months and I love it. I haven’t changed much of my routine, just the products. I still wash and condition my hair weekly where I detangle with my Garnier whole blends hair mask. Then use the curl cream and oil before I use my Denman brush to style.
So let’s talk about the products:
I’m gonna lump the shampoo and conditioner because I have never used these products separately. On the Shea Moisture website, they retail for $11.99 but I got mine from Walmart for $9.97, which saves two dollars. The website suggests this product for 3a-4c hair types and is not sugggested for straight or wavy hair.
They claim that with their product “thick hair instantly softens and detangles dry, frizzy hair while infusing your curls and coils with intense moisture and shine-enhancing nutrients.” This line is safe for colored hair (though I wouldn’t suggest it for maintaining color) and all their products are cruelty-free and fair trade. This product contains neem oil, coconut oil, and silk proteins.
As someone with frizzy, dry hair I need to have a lot of moisture. This was an issue before I dyed it and is a genetic issue (aka my family has dry hair and skin). These products have never weighed my hair down and have successfully kept my hair from getting too dry after a fresh wash. They smell great and most of all they work. I tend to detangle my hair in the shower after I apply the conditioner with a detangler brush and get minimum breakage. My only critique of the product is that the pump isn’t very functional and can cause a mess.
The curl and style milk is a great product that I highly recommend. I apply it right after I dry my hair with a t-shirt, then top it off with oil before I use my Denman brush. It can also be used if you need to run a brush through your hair if it tangles easily like mine. I also use this product to style my hair during the week, with no mouse or gel and it keeps my hair from getting frizzy. So this is a great product for every day, as long as the humidity isn’t high, then I’d add a holding product.
I have tried a lot of curl styling products and a lot of them smell funny or they weigh my hair down. This has little effect on my curl pattern and does not make my hair feel heavy or greasy. It also helps lock the moisture into my hair or helps bring moisture back after a few days when I use oil with it.
These three products cost a little over $30 and they last a few months for me. If you are on a budget then this is the way to go, the only other thing you need is your favorite oil, deep conditioner, and mouse. It is definitely not the most expensive curl product per pump, even though it may seem like a lot upfront. Taking care of curly hair is an investment upfront but is so worth the results. Give Shea Moisture a try if you have curly hair, they have a variety of products for every need and hair texture.