OBSESSED: SheaMoisture

My SheaMoisture collection

If you’re a curly girl, you probably already know about SheaMoisture, a brand of all natural hair care sold in drugstores like Target and Walgreens. For the rest of you, I have to say, I’m OBSESSED. I’m Latina and  I have thick, wavy hair that’s pretty manageable, but does get dry and frizzy if I don’t take care of it. And I feel like I’ve found my holy grail of hair care products in Shea Moisture.

Their line of hair care products is targeted towards ethnic hair, natural hair, curly girls--which I am not--but the ingredients are so wonderful I had to try them out. Their products are sustainably produced, ethically traded, natural, don’t contain any icky chemicals or preservatives, and they really work. They also have bath and body collections, skin care, baby care, and more. If you’re into natural skin and hair care, you’ll recognize a lot of the ingredients and just how great they are. And, did I mention every bottle runs for $10 at Target? Seriously. 

There are different ranges of products for different hair types, separated by differently colored labels. The yellow label products are made with raw shea butter and are aimed at repairing dry, damaged hair. The black label products are made with African black soap, for dry, itchy scalp. The pink label is made for thick, curly hair, and contains coconut and hibiscus. And the green label, made with organic yucca and baobob, is for fine, thin hair. There are styling products to go with each collection, as well as bath and body products, like lotions and bodywashes. They also seem to have expanded recently: they have baby and kids’ lines, a new hair color system, and a new women’s shave and waxing collection, among others.  

I want to try everything! I have yet to try anything other than their hair care products, but I’ll walk you through the stuff I have purchased and love.

African Black Soap Deep-Cleansing Shampoo 

• with plantain enzyme, tea tree, and willow bark extract (aka salicylic acid)
• for dry and itchy scalps, dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis
• “Our African Black Soap sulfate-free shampoo helps regulate sebum production, while alleviating itching and flaking”

African Black Soap Deep-Cleansing Shampoo

African Black Soap is well known for treating and healing problematic skin, from acne, to eczema, to psoriasis. I alternate this shampoo with another more moisturizing one. It’s good for getting rid of product buildup and deep cleansing the scalp. It actually balances the scalp, which is really important for healthy hair. This leaves my hair feeling clean and soft but not stripped. It doesn’t lather as much as a conventional shampoo but it does lather pretty well. The scent is a little medicinal, but I’ve actually grown to like it. 

Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

• with sea kelp and argan oil
• for dry, damaged hair-- heal, grow, and strengthen
• “Our leave-in or rinse out detangles, moisturizes, repairs, and restores lifeless damaged hair.”

Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

Raw shea butter is the real deal when it comes to moisturizing. This is my favorite of the products I have, and I’ve already repurchased it 3 times. It feels really moisturizing but doesn’t weigh my hair down. I love to use it as a leave-in conditioner to smooth down my hair when it’s getting frizzy. The texture feels like a lotion, but  for my hair. And the smell is sweet and perfume-y, but not overwhelming. I don’t know what to say other than it’s made my hair very healthy! My split ends have disappeared since I started using this and only natural products on my hair. 

Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Styling Milk

• with coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oiI
• for thick curly hair
• adds moisture, body, and shine
• “Apply as a no-rinse protective and styling cream to damped, towel-dried, or dry hair as needed. Detangles, conditions, and controls curl, while restoring body and shine.”

Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Styling Milk

My hair isn’t especially curly, my waves fall out pretty easily,  but it is thick and can get frizzy. This styling milk adds the weight and moisture my hair needs to stay smooth. If I do decide to let my hair do its thing, this helps define my waves. I use it lightly, though, because it is kind of heavy. If you have really dry or curly hair, I’m sure your hair would love this stuff. But my favorite use for this is as a natural heat protectant before blow drying heat styling my hair. Coconut oil (and grapeseed oil) is so stable at high temperatures that it can protect your hair from heat. And this stuff leaves your hair super soft. 

(These are the products that work for my hair, and how they perform for me. Your hair may react differently. With that said, if your hair is more dry or curly than mine, I think these products would be fantastic for you. And even if you have normal, oily, or fine hair, there’s something for you, too.)


Finally, I love what this company stands for. If you check out the SheaMoisture Facebook page, you’ll find even more reasons to support their company. Their story:

Sofi Tucker began selling shea nuts at the village market in Bonthe, Sierra Leone in 1912. By age 19, the widowed mother of four was selling her shea butter and African black soap all over the countryside. Sofi Tucker was our grandmother, and SheaMoisture is her legacy. We proudly create culturally-authentic, time-tested skin and hair care remedies from family recipes using all-natural and fair trade ingredients.

And their products don’t contain:

Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, DEA, PABA, Synthetic Fragrance or Artificial Color. The company does not participate in animal testing. All products are tested by family members and friends.

And it gets better. Each bottle states that with your purchase, “you help to empower disadvantaged women to realize a brighter, healthier future.” Their company purchases ingredients directly from women cooperatives and indigenous farmers in Africa, paying above market prices to help improve the standard of living for those suppliers. They are also working to build schools and provide access to education for impoverished girls in Africa, many of whom are suppliers of shea butter, cocoa butter, and other natural ingredients.

There are an overwhelming number of reasons to try out these products. You can feel good about what you’re purchasing, what you’re using on your body, and where it’s coming from. Plus you’ll have fantastic hair!


HAIR COLLECTIONS are available at all Walgreens stores in the U.S., select Target stores, all Duane Reade stores, all CVS stores, select Walmart stores, Ricky's NYC stores, all Harmons stores, select Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, select Buy Buy Baby stores-in-store, select Christmas Tree Shops, Sally Beauty Supply, and all Meijer stores (stores located in KY, IL, IN, MI and OH). Available online at Walgreens.com, Target.com, CVS.com and RickysNYC.com.


Note:
Angie and I have noticed that our local Targets have been selling the entire brand at buy one get one half off, and things seem to be going out of stock. We hope that SheaMoisture is just reformulating things, and not being discontinued!