Hello, ladies! Trying something different today, so I have a product review for you. A few days ago, I picked up a jar of SheaMoisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie from Duane Reade. It was a total impulse buy, but the product itself has a pretty big following in the natural hair community. I was interested in seeing how it performed for natural girls like me, but I'll also opine (based on my many years with a relaxer) if this natural hair staple could work for women with relaxed or naturally straight hair, with some tips on how to use it, if you're interested.
How much is this stuff? The curl enhancing smoothie was $10.99 at Duane Reade and I've seen prices range between $10-$12 for 12 oz. That's a little pricey for a product you can find in a drug store, although still very reasonable for an all natural, organic conditioner. Also, a little goes a long way with this stuff. I did my entire head twice and my jar still looks full. That's unheard of for me (I have a ton of hair... pictures below). Factoring that in, I have to say that the value you get for this product is very good. Price: 4.5/5
What does it smell like? A little like heaven, maybe? Really, this may be the best smelling hair product I've ever used -- and with no artificial fragrances! The coconut and hibiscus scents are in perfect balance and the result is a delightful, but natural smelling product that will leave your hair smelling amazing. You should be aware that the fragrance will not dissipate after you style your hair. The first time I used it, I applied it to my dry hair to moisturize it before putting my hair in a bun. That entire day, every time I turned my head, I caught a whiff of coconut and hibiscus. Because the smell is light and natural, I see this as a plus, but I know some ladies don't like the fragrance of their hair product to linger, so fair warning. It isn't nearly as strong the second day or if you use it underneath another product.
What's in it? You can find a complete list of the ingredients here, but the quality of the ingredient list is what initially convinced me to buy this product. It has shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, aloe leaf juice, silk protein, neem oil, vitamin E... the list of good stuff goes on and on and on. I also like what isn't in the curl enhancing smoothie. No parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol or mineral oil. I wanted to love this product before I even got it into my hair. Ingredients: 5/5
Left, you can see my braids, which dried completely before I took them down, on the right. Look at that shine!Does it work? For me, it depends. This product is amazing as a moisturizer and leave-in. It makes my hair so soft and minimizes frizz. But, because my hair is so long and curly, I can't use the curl enhancing smoothie alone as my styling product. The creamy consistency doesn't provide enough hold for my hair. In the photos, you'll see the results of a braid out I did with the smoothie as my leave-in and Eco Styler as my styling product. What you don't see was my unsuccessful attempt at a twist out yesterday without the Eco Styler. My hair was still soft and manageable, but completely uncontrolled. Performance: 4/5
So... would you repurchase? Absolutely. Moisture and protection from the elements are at the top of my list when it comes to hair needs, so a product that provides both with no synthetic ingredients and without leaving a sticky or heavy residue is a total must-have for me. Combine that with the way this stuff smells, and I believe I have a new go-to leave-in. Women with looser curls or less hair may be able to use it as a styling product. My best educated guess would be that this product may work for relaxed ladies as a way of adding moisture and protecting your ends. If you decide to try it, I'd recommend applying it from midshaft to end (to avoid weighing down your hair), concentrating on the tips of your hair. Don't use too much! Women with fine or straight hair may find the curl enhancing smoothie too heavy to leave in. However, you may still want to give it a try as a regular conditioner or maybe even a deep conditioner. I know that ingredient list would tempt me! Shea Moisture also has some lighter products with the same scent and similar ingredients, although I haven't tried any of them. Yet. My overall rating for the SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a 4.5 out of 5. I love this stuff, ladies, and I think it's definitely worth a try to see if it'll work for you.
Update: Second day hair after a very long, very late night in the newsroom. I just threw it up in a scarf last night. I will definitely be rocking this another day.
Have experience with the SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie? Share it with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. If you have a hair or beauty product you'd like to see review, submit a request by emailing thegatheredlady@gmail.com.