Looking for a holding product for curly locks that softly defines your hair and doesn't weigh it down? Then this smoothie may be the find for you.
Characteristics
Shea Moisture's Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie smells light and fresh. While not fragrance-free, it may be suitable for people who can't stand strongly-scented products.
When you make a decision to purchase a product that's full of natural ingredients, several of which are "certified organic," you're probably looking out for the health of your hair. You don't want anything suffocating it or coating it in a heavy way. While this product is very thick and custard-like, a little bit goes a long way. When it dries, it dries soft and non-greasy, so your hair stays touchable. Not only is this good for natural black hair, but it would also work well for relaxed or pressed hair. I'd suggest a very light application on straightened locks because the product is thick and too much could weigh it down. You could use it to smooth down any edges or to tame any frizz. For thick, curly hair, however, you can feel comfortable applying a quarter size or larger amount to eight or more sections.
What's in It
The ingredient list is long, but not full of harmful additives. What's not in it is just as impressive as what's actually in it. What you will get in this product is:
Certified Organic:
- Shea butter
- Coconut oil
- Mango seed butter
Plus other good-for-your-hair ingredients like avocado oil, neem seed oil and vitamin E. What you won't find are mineral oil, sulfates, animal ingredients, synthetic colors or fragrances.
How to Use It
Use it on damp or dry hair. I tested it on both. After shampooing and conditioning, I applied it to my wet hair, combed through and let it air dry. I also used it to "touch up" frizzy spots and to freshen up my second day hair after sleeping on it. I didn't experience any flaking, even on the second day, which is great.
Results and Final Verdict
I love this product for a few reasons.
- It dries soft. Your curls will be defined, but maybe not as strongly as if you used a gel. However, this smoothie is perfect for anyone who wants soft, lightweight curls instead of hair that's weighed down with a heavy, gel-like feel.
- It moisturizes without being greasy. No one wants to run her hands over her hair and come away with shiny, greasy residue. Sometimes we confuse "moisture" with "oily" and that's not the case. Black hair can get all the moisture it needs from water and good ingredients like the ones found here.
- You can buy it locally. If I have to choose between products I can purchase in a local store vs. ones I can only find online (and that I have to pay shipping costs for), I'm more likely to go for the local buy. While you may not worry about the carbon footprint of shipping products all over the place, there are some people for whom this is important, which is probably why they're more into buying natural products, as well.
- It's inexpensive. You don't have to be a product junkie to appreciate the good deal when you come across it. I picked up a nice-sized 12-oz. jar for less than $10 at my local Walgreens. You can visit the Shea Moisture web site for more store locations to find one near you.
I'm looking forward to trying out some of the company's other offerings, but as for the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, I'd recommend this for just about any black hair texture, from natural to chemically straightened.
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