Shea Moisture Collection Likes, Neutral and Dislikes

[AmyRose92]

The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection
-Brilliant Curl Shampoo:
-Curl & Style Milk: Smells very nice, defines my curls, probably can be used as a leave-in but not heavy enough for my hair (Neutral)
-Curl Enhancing Smoothie: also smells nice but doesn't have the hold that I need for a style. However, I can mix it with Eco Styler to get a much better hold (Neutral)
-Hold & Shine Moisture Mist:

The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection
-Moisture Retention Shampoo: My staple shampoo! It's very thick and produces lots of suds. A little really does go a long way and it gets my hair clean without feeling overly stripped (Like)
-Restorative Conditioner: I also use this as a staple mosturizer though I find it too thick to use as a sealant so I mix it with aloe vera juice and castor oil (ala Kimmaytube). This mix has been pivotal in my hair journey (Like)
-Deep Treatment Mask: I also use this conditioner but not by itself. It's actually pretty unpleasant used alone, but I mix this one with ORS Replenishing Hair Conditioner. It fortifies my hair and gives me lots of shine that I can't get with the ORS conditioner alone (Dislike alone, Like when mixed)
-Reconstructive Elixir:

The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection
-Thickening Shampoo
-Volumizing Conditioner: This one is pretty good. It has a really strong smell, like heavily scented lotion or something but it's a great balance between protein and moisture. (Like)
-Thickening Moisture Mist
-Thickening Growth Milk

The Organic African Black Soap Collection
-Deep Cleansing Shampoo: This is very stripping for my hair, so I rarely use it. I'd probably use it for when I strictly need to clarify (which I will probably do this week since I haven't shampooed in three weeks ). However, it's so stripping that I'd have to pre-poo with conditioner or else I'll have a knotted mess on my head (Neutral)
-Balancing Conditioner
-Purification Mask
-Dandruff and Dry Scalp Elixir

 

[BrownSkin2]

Restorative Conditioner- I really like this conditioner as a leave in. It leaves a nice shine to my hair and the moisture lasts for a few days. I have not used it as a regular conditioner, and if you use too much it will leave a white film on the hair.

 

[Alta Angel]

Loves:
Curl Enhancing Smoothie-Use this for all twist outs, braidouts, bantu knot outs. I spray each section with braid spray, apply a dab of the smoothie and set overnight. In the morning, my hair is moisturized and I have great hold.

Hair Milk: Use this for all of the above and when "slicking" my hair up into buns. Less hold than the smoothie.

Moisture retention shampoo: Cowashing does not agree with my hair, so I love this gentle, moisturizing shampoo. It is my staple.

Black soap shampoo? (I forgot the name): I love this when I need a clarifying shampoo before my henna treatments.

Neutral:

Moisture Mist: this was just ok. I use African Royale Braid Spray and I use it in conjunction with the other Shea Moisture products.

All in all, I love this line because it is reasonably priced and it does an excellent job for MY hair.

 

[Lymegreen]

I just tried the Deep Treatment Mask

1st impression: ADEQUATE

30 mins no heat - It restored moisture to my hair but I'm not in love with it becasue I didn't get any slip.

 

[Seamonster]

Hair milk: Very moisturizing, and provides slip: My favorite SM product
Smoothie: Very thick and rich, I had to mix with other products to thin
Moisture mist: OK, I mix with rose water

 

[Nightingale]

The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection
-Brilliant Curl Shampoo Liked, not drying
-Curl Enhancing Smoothie Neutral. Good enough to smooth pulled back styles, but not moisturizing


The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection
-Moisture Retention Shampoo Currently use and like. Not drying at all.
-Restorative Conditioner Like. Excellent as a leave in and cowash conditioner.
-Deep Treatment Mask Disliked when I used as DC
-Reconstructive Elixir Neutral. Not a bad product, but you can do just as good with your own oil blend in a small spray bottle

The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection My Fav line, Great Scent
-Thickening Shampoo Like and will restock when I finish the other poo. Not drying.
-Volumizing Conditioner Like, just as good as the restorative condish
-Thickening Moisture Mist LIKE! I love the scent and it works well for light daily moisturizing
-Thickening Growth Milk Like. I use it as a moisturizer. The texture is good, not too thick or too thin. Moisturizes

The Organic African Black Soap Collection
-Deep Cleansing Shampoo Like. Use as a Clarifying Poo



Overall, I love the line, the only misses are the masks and treatments IMO.

 

[missliberia]

I've tried the Hair Milk from the Coconut and Hibiscus line - could do without it. I love the Curl Enhancing Smoothie from the same line, though.

 

[Vashti]

I like the Reconstructive Elixir, the Curl Enhancing Smoothie (it doesn't enhance my coils just moisturizes), the Purification Masque and the Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner (comes in an 8 oz bottle that I can only find online.)

I'm neutral on the Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque. I couldn't really work it into my hair. It just sat on my hair.

I haven't tried anything else from the line.

 

[**SaSSy**]

Purification Mask=like
Everything else=dislike

 

[cutenss]

I love the Styling Milk. I don't love the Smoothie (too heavy for natural fine strands), the shampoo (I am a Wen girl), or the sprtiz (cant remember the name, it came in the kit).

 

[BrookeLynn]

I love everything I've tried except the shampoos and conditioners. The former are too stripping, the later don't have enough slip.

 

[iri9109]

I love the smoothie...the milk is good too, but you get more of the smoothie for the same price. The deep treatment masque is good as a moisturizer/hold for twists. The raw shea restorative conditioner in is ok too...I leave it in.. its not a staple but I get it on sale. I really like the elixir oil , but not enough to pay full price though. But I especially love the way it sprays out of the bottle . The yucca and baobob anti breakage mask is pretty good. The milk is ok. Both of the mists are pretty good, I think I saw alcohol in the yucca one last time though...id rather make my own because I go through them quick. Not really a fan of the coconut hibiscus & shea poos, they didn't feel cleansing enough. The African black soap one was cleansing but very very runny. The purification mask is good, but the banana smell really lingers. Overall, its my favorite line though, minus the shampoos.

 

[BlkMane]

I'm surprised that on this forum so many people seem to NOT like Shea Moisture. I discovered the brand in 2010 or so and it has been my staple ever since (though I still use natural oils, herbs, some Dominican conditioners on occasion, BSM and Aubrey's Organics GPB for extra/deep conditioning).

Here are my likes and dislikes:

The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection

-Curl Shampoo: My second-favorite shampoo. I don't like to use too much protein or coconut oil in my hair, so I use ONLY when I'm doing braidouts as I feel that it does enhance the curl in my hair since it doesn't give as much "slip" as the Raw Shea line shampoo.

-Curl & Style Milk: I use it on damp hair after poo/conditioning when doing a braidout. Otherwise, towards the end of the week, I sometimes use it to moisture and slick my hairline back into a ponytail.

-Curl Enhancing Smoothie: Have never tried it.

-Hold & Shine Moisture Mist: I use this sparingly on my braidouts once I've styled my hair if my hair seems at all dry. I spray it into my palms and scrunch it on my hair as not to upset the curls. This is the ONLY way I use it. It does seem to moisturize well.

Coconut and Hibiscus Souffle: This was a disaster in my hair. Made my hair hard and sticky. I think it contains glycerin and glycerin and my hair are not good friends.

The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection

-Moisture Retention Shampoo: Love, love, love!!! My HG shampoo since I discovered it. Transformed my hair! My hair is so soft during the cleansing process and I can detangle my hair with my fingers! Though it does produce lots of suds, it feels like a conditioning wash to ME because of the way it makes my hair feel. My hair has never grown tired of it.

-Restorative Conditioner: This is my other HG. I use this as my leave-in for roller sets OR for braidouts. When I first started using it, it worked VERY well for braidouts, though now due to changes to my hair in the last two years, it DOES NOT DO AS GOOD of a job. Whereas before I would give it an "A" for braidouts, now I would give it a "B" because it doesn't give me consistent results like before (smooth, curly, shiny s-curls with no frizz).

-Deep Treatment Mask: Never used because of bad reviews.

-Reconstructive Elixir: I actually find this oil VERY oily. I can only use an extremely small amount on my hair or it's a disaster. I tend to forget I have this so really can't comment much. I plan to try it to seal my ends for braidouts possibly. However, I think the directions say to use it on the scalp?

The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection

-Thickening Shampoo Never purchased since the other shampoos above work well for me and I already have a lot of hair and don't really need a thickener.

-Volumizing Conditioner I didn't buy this because it was volumizing, I purchased it because I liked the ingredients. It has also become a staple. I like the smell and I use it as my rinse-out conditioner after shampooing my hair when I'm NOT doing a deep condition. It makes my hair very soft and gives great slip.

-Thickening Moisture Mist Have never used.

-Thickening Growth Milk Have never used.

From the African Black Soap line, I've ONLY TRIED the shampoo. It dried my hair out! I use it to clean my brushes and combs now. LOL

Picked up the new Raw Shea Transitioning Milk this week and did a braidout with it. Second day hair looked better than first day hair. Verdict is still out on this one. Ingredients are similar to the Raw Shea leave-in with a few additional ingredients.

 

[southerncitygirl]

i tried the milk and the smoothie from the coconut hibiscus line and it was just ok. i remember the smell being wayyyy too strong and i don't normally complain about smells of products. the mist from this line is pretty good though. i think my mom had the shea restorative condish and reconstructive elixir spray and those were just alright too....i make my own oil mix and aubreys is a staple for me.


i feel like my darcy's botanicals, claudies, aubreys, and giovanni products do a awesome job for the same price or a few dollars more. their nubian heritage line has awesome body washes though.

 

[southerncitygirl]

i forgot to mention that i don't use the mist alone, i do the loc/loco method with it.

i tried the milk and the smoothie from the coconut hibiscus line and it was just ok. i remember the smell being wayyyy too strong and i don't normally complain about smells of products. the mist from this line is pretty good though. i think my mom had the shea restorative condish and reconstructive elixir spray and those were just alright too....i make my own oil mix and aubreys is a staple for me.


i feel like my darcy's botanicals, claudies, aubreys, and giovanni products do a awesome job for the same price or a few dollars more. their nubian heritage line has awesome body washes though.

 

[RUBY]

What I have used so far and love is the purification mask. I like the black soap shampoo I find it gets my scalp clean. The conditioner with the pump from the same line is nice too.

After using these products I decided to try more shea moisture products. I managed to buy some as per my signature but haven't used them yet.

 

[uofmpanther]

-Curl Enhancing Smoothie - my hair laughed at this

-Hold & Shine Moisture Mist - disliked. It made my hair drier

-Moisture Retention Shampoo - this was just ok for me. My hair didn't feel stripped, but it didn't really feel clean either.

-Restorative Conditioner - love this as a moisturizer on dry hair, particularly for braids and braid outs. It didn't work for me as a conditioner or leave-in

-Deep Treatment Mask - just bought

-Reconstructive Elixir - loved this when it was $2.98. I cant get with $9.99

-Purification Mask - just bought this because of good reviews

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Still love the Purification Masque.

Not sure about the Anti-Breakage Masque? I've only used it as a Pre Wash Rx on dry hair. I guess it works okay?

Restorative Elixir Love it.

Haven't tried the rest of the line and doubt if I will. But I will definitely repurchase the Purification and the Restorative Elixir.

 

[nubiennze]

The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection - Neutral (smells heavenly, which was what initially attracted me. Potentially perfect solution for those wanting to use natural products without arousing strange facial expressions from the man who has to smell your hair. Haven't found a standalone HG product in this line performance-wise, however.)

• Brilliant Curl Shampoo - N/A (haven't tried)
  
  
• Curl & Style Milk - Neutral (a little lightweight for my liking. Doesn't do much for my hair on its own, but works pretty well in combination with the CES using the LOC method.)
  
  
• Curl Enhancing Smoothie - Neutral/Like (was my baby daddy back in my super short TWA WnG days, but now that my hair is longer I've found it dries a little sticky. I have to be very careful to use it sparingly--so much so that I don't feel I can use enough to actually coat and moisturize my strands. Works better in small amounts layered over [or, to a lesser extent, mixed with] the C&SM, but I'd rather use fewer products if possible.)
  
  
• Hold & Shine Moisture Mist - N/A (haven't tried)
  
  
• Co-Wash Conditioning Cleanser - N/A (own, but haven't tried)

The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection - Neutral (no points for scent here, though I've grown to enjoy the scent of the DTM. My hair tends to hate shea butter in high proportions, and this line is no exception. Repurposing the products seems to offer some promise, however.)

• Moisture Retention Shampoo - N/A (haven't tried)
  
  
• Restorative Conditioner - Like (I love cowashing with this! It even has this creamy foaming action that affords penetrative moisture and slip. However, if my hair is dry before washing it almost feels a little too stripped after rinsing. I mixed it with AOHSR and loved it, but again, I want to simplify my regimen wherever possible. I've read a lot of great reviews using this as a leave-in, though, so I'm optimistic about replacing the C&SM/CES combo with this.)
  
  ETA: I was reminded today that I failed to mention how thick this is--so much so that I had to remove the pump and water it down to get to the last of it. I'd been avoiding it for the past few washes because about halfway through the bottle the pump was rendered useless and trying to get anything out of the wide, stiff bottle became a pain.
  
  ETA again: I've finally gotten around to using this as a leave-in, and I absolutely it. It's easily my favorite LI in rotation right now, including the C&SM, CES, and KBB's Sweet Ambrosia. I've actually come to prefer the light, understated scent to the heavy perfuming of the aforementioned products. It especially helps that I don't mind smelling this for days on end since it also outlasts all the others before I have to reapply. Baggying at night with no additional product leaves me with super soft, detangled, pliable hair--and none of the stickiness of the other LIs. Since I've now cowashed with the Balancing Conditioner and prefer this to it, I'll definitely be keeping this in my arsenal.
  
  
• Deep Treatment Mask - Dislike (*sigh* I've been trying so hard to find a way to like this, but... Horrible as a DC, no matter how you spin it. No slip whatsoever, even with egg, honey, oils, other DCs, etc. Okay as a prepoo when layered over wet hair with certain oils; so far the only way I can say I've actually liked it is with a 50% castor/25% avocado/25% olive oil mix. Tried with other oils as a leave-in, but dried greasy and hard. Since I've been debating the usefulness of prepooing lately and that's the only way I can really use it, it's not a repurchase for me. Die-hard prepooers may want to check it out, however.)
  
  
• Reconstructive Elixir - N/A (haven't tried)

The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection - N/A (haven't tried)

• Thickening Shampoo - N/A
  
  
• Volumizing Conditioner - N/A
  
  
• Thickening Moisture Mist - N/A
  
  
• Thickening Growth Milk - N/A

The Organic African Black Soap Collection - Like (This is the line I'm most excited about--the one I feel has contributed the most not only to the condition but also to the health of my hair. Of course the scent seems to be polarizing, but I love it--despite the fact that I hate bananas.)

• Deep Cleansing Shampoo - N/A (haven't tried)
  
  
• Balancing Conditioner - N/A (own, but haven't tried. Looking forward to cowashing with this after I finish the RC/AOHSR mix.)
  
  ETA: So I've finally gotten around to trying this (once), and I'm somewhat disappointed so far. As a cowash, it didn't offer as much penetration and slip as the Restorative Conditioner. Admittedly I was suffering from mild to moderate protein overload when I tried it, but I was hoping it would impart massive amounts of moisture and melt through the tangles like other conditioners I've tried, especially considering the name. I'm going to try it out a few more times under different conditions before I make a final judgment.
  
  
• Purification Mask - Like (BABY. FRIGGIN. DADDY. Replaced AO conditioners for DCing [they'd already been relegated to cowashing, which I do enjoy them for, but I was still resigned to DCing with them for lack of a better alternative until I found this]. One of very few products I can leave on my hair forever [as I'm prone to laziness when it comes to rinsing ] with minimal itching. Crazy slip without requiring a large amount of product; I actually find I tend to be unnecessarily heavy-handed with this one. I layer this on wet hair over my cassia oil mix, distribute it with my Denman, steam it in, and . Will buy this forever and ever as long as it's available.)
  
  
• Dandruff and Dry Scalp Elixir - N/A (haven't tried)

Answers in bold blue.

Overall I really appreciate this brand for what it is: black-owned, natural, reasonably priced, and AVAILABLE LOCALLY. I'd try to patronize them anyway based on those reasons alone, but the fact that they actually have some decent products and are constantly expanding their offerings has definitely made a loyal customer out of me.

 

[Diva_Esq]

Loves: Curl Enhancing Smoothie

I use this for twists/twistouts and wash n go's. Staple.

Hates: Coconut & Hibiscus Hair Milk & Shampoo from same line

not moisturizing!!!

 

[levette]

I just tried the moisture shampoo and I really like it. I am about 12 weeks post relaxer and it left my hair really soft. I have the curly milk and use it on my son's hair. I will try it for a braidout really soon. I love that I can get it at Wal-Mart.

 

[belldandy]

I have given shea moisture negative reviews in the past...but last night I tried the purification mask... and I must say that I am in LOVE. Not only do I love the smell, I really love how much slip it gave my hair and the consistency made it easy to cover my entire head. This stuff I great. I didn't even shampoo my hair. I will not only repurchase, I will repurchase this is bulk.

 

[Lilmama1011]

I jus tried the curling style milk and I like it. It made my twist out have more hold and was less frizzles and shine but that's maybe because the oil I put on it. I just cant be to heavy on the daily moisturizing with it because it will wet my hair a bit and I would assume I will wake up with frizz

 

[Kindheart]

Deep Restorative Mask HATED IT ,made my hair incredibly dry ,dull and rough to the touch .Smells of raw shea butter.Awful stuff .

Curl Style Hibiscus coconut Milk Quite a nice product to style my hair with just enough hold and no crunchiness .Thumbs up.

 

[mshoneyfly]

I am texturized and wear my fine, 4b hair mostly straight. I mostly everything I have tried. I don't cowash often so I love sulfate free products with natural ingredients. I like that they don't contain silicones or parabens.


The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection
-Brilliant Curl Shampoo
-Conditioner??
I haven't used these products yet but they are next on my "to try" list.

The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection
These have become my HG products in the last month. I first tried the poo around this time last year (beg of my HHJ) and I thought they gave me buildup and didn't do much to moisturize. I realize now that the buildup was due to silicones and other chemicals found in most poos and conditioners on the market. My hair has been thriving since I swore off of silicones and began chelating with ORS Creamy Aloe more often.

-Moisture Retention Shampoo - highly moisturizing to the point where I can finger detangle during washing!! This is the only thing that took away the dry desert feeling from an amla powder treatment. Love to mix with the Nubian Heritage poo to get a good protein/moisture balance.

-Restorative Conditioner- This is the only thing that took away the dry desert feeling from an amla powder treatment. Also use this as a moisturizer on dry hair during the week. Highly moisturizing!! Love to mix with the Nubian Heritage conditioner to get a good protein/moisture balance.

-Deep Treatment Mask- I mix this with my ayurvedic powders as a conditioning gloss; including Henna. I get great color and conditioning and makes the treatment easy to mix and rinse out. Must use this with heat to get the full effects

-Reconstructive Elixir - haven't tried this. I prefer camillia, jojoba, amla, brahmi, castor and coconut oils
-Detangler (new)? -Transitioning Milk (new)? - Can't wait to try these next

The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection
I have these products but haven't retried them since swearing off of cones. The growth milk is a good moisturizer on dry relaxed hair too. Did I mention that the smell is amazing!!

-Thickening Shampoo
-Volumizing Conditioner
-Thickening Growth Milk
-Deep treatment mask - must be used with heat to get the product to work correctly. I little goes a long way.

The Organic African Black Soap Collection
-Deep Cleansing Shampoo
-Balancing Conditioner
May try these in the future for clarifying

 

[missliberia]

I really am in love with the Curl and Style Hair Milk. Also the African Black Bar Soap is a staple.

 

[laylaaa]

Love: Purification Masque, Anti-breakage masque.
Meh: Restorative Conditioner, Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Coconut and Hibiscus Moisture Mist, Curl Styling Milk,
HATE WITH A PASSION: Volumising conditioner, Baobab growth milk, Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo


All in all I'm over my SM obsession now and won't be re-buying any time soon b/c the main ingredients are almost identical (Shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, avocado) over ALL four lines even though they're supposed to do wildly different things. And that would be fine if I actually noticed a difference other than mildly moisturised hair!

 

[LivingDoll]

The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection
-Brilliant Curl Shampoo - HATE...Makes my hair feel a little stripped. I won't repurchase.
-Curl Enhancing Smoothie - LOVE IT...use it regularly for twists. Will Repurchase.
-Hold & Shine Moisture Mist - LIKE IT ALOT...use it on twist outs (I spray a little before styling). It helps my hair to feel stronger (if that makes sense) and provides a great hold. If you use too much, I could see it becoming potentially drying. I don't think it lends that much shine either. Will repurchase if on sale.

The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection
-Restorative Conditioner - NEUTRAL. I've used as a leave in but it probably won't become a staple. Would repurchase if DIRT CHEAP.
-Deep Treatment Mask - LOVES IT ...I use this for DCing with heat or steaming. I usually mix it with the Anti-Breakage Mask.

The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection I love the smell of this line.
-Thickening Shampoo - LOVE IT. This is my staple poo. It leaves my hair soft and tangle free. Will repurchase unless I find something that I like more.
-Volumizing Conditioner - MEH/Neutral. I have used a little as a leave in. I have also used this as a rinse out conditioner. Probably will not repurchase.
-Thickening Growth Milk - LOVE IT. When I want something lighter than the CES, I use this for my twists. Will repurchase.
Anti-Breakage Mask - LOVE IT. Usually use with the DTM for steaming. Will definitely repurchase.

The Organic African Black Soap Collection
-Purification Mask - LOVE IT. Does what it promises...leaves my hair clean and soft. I'm indifferent about the smell. I will repurchase.

 

[koolkittychick]

I bought the Transition Kit on sale so I can try the products without a major investment. The only product that I love and have added to my staples is the Raw Shea Butter Reconstructive Elixir (the oil). It works beautifully with my leave-in moisturizer to M&S and to detangle when I'm deep into a stretch. It has the right amount of lightness and slip to finish my hair very nicely and leaves it with a nice light smell. I am neutral about the rest of the products; I like them but not enough to replace any of my staples with them.

 

[nakialovesshoes]

MissMusic
The Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Collection
-Curl & Style Milk - I haven't really used it for styling. I've used it as a moisturizer & it's okay.
-Curl Enhancing Souffle' - You didn't have this one listed but it is a part of the Coconut & Hibiscus Collection. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love it because it gives me wonderful definition & locks in moisture for weeks if you go without washing your hair. I hate it b/c it is greasy & feels like a wet jheri curl against my neck.
-Hold & Shine Moisture Mist - This is one of my staples. It's great for when you need light moisture/misting.

The Organic Raw Shea Butter Collection
-Deep Treatment Mask - This is garbage in my honest opinion. It does absolutely nothing for my hair. I've added oils. I've left it on overnight. NOTHING...


The Organic Yucca and Baobab Collection
-Volumizing Conditioner - I purchased this one night b/c I just needed something to follow up with after a henna. I wasn't using it for volumizing. I used it with adding oils & without & it was just okay. Better than the Deep Treatment Mask above but nothing I'd repurchase.

The Organic African Black Soap Collection
-Deep Cleansing Shampoo - I have this now & I use it diluted to cleanse my scalp. I haven't used it to wash all of my hair yet but it doesn't appear to be stripping or harsh.
-Purification Mask - This is one of my staples. I love this stuff. It makes my hair feel soooo good. I use it as a CW conditioner mainly because it's cleansing as well as conditioning.
-Dandruff and Dry Scalp Elixir - I'm in a beehive under wigs plus I'm using NJoy's growth elixir & baggying. I get the itchies a lot. I used this the other day & baggied under a wig. Surprisingly it did work.