Continuing with my series of reviews of some Shea Moisture haircare products (click here if you missed my Curl Souffle review), I wanted to hurry and get my review up of the Curl & Shine Shampoo, since all Shea Moisture products are BOGO1/2OFF at Walgreens this week (through 11/5).
Shea Moisture products are vegan, cruelty-free and made with fair-trade ingredients. This shampoo is free from just about every controversial ingredient out there and it's even sulfate-free too:
Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
(retail: $9.99, 12 oz)
I've been using this shampoo for a few weeks now, and one of the many things I love about it is the natural, golden-honey color:
If you've never used a sulfate-free shampoo before, it does take a bit of getting used to. Since there are no crazy foaming agents in this shampoo (I believe it's the coconut oil that produces the lather), you can't expect it to lather up like a standard shampoo. The lather I get from this product is lower and requires some effort (it helps if your hair is fully saturated before you apply it) but once you get it going, it does produce a lather. Just remember to get your hair as wet as you can possibly get it before you apply. Also, don't forget to shake the bottle before you use it. The natural ingredients can settle so give it a good shake!
After rinsing, this shampoo leaves a moisturizing coating behind. It feels different than the coating you might feel after using a product that contains silicones--I can't really explain it but my hair just feels very soft and hydrated after I rinse.
Since my hair is dry at the ends (oily at the roots), I welcomed the feel of this product after I rinsed it out of my hair. At first I thought, "Uh oh, this might be too moisturizing". My hair is fine in texture so it doesn't take a lot to weigh it down, but if I reserve this product for the days when my hair is particularly dry, it works some serious magic. I don't think I could use this as an everyday shampoo though, because sometimes, due to the nature of my hair (again, my hair is fine, long, naturally wavy, oily at the roots and dry at the ends), I require a deeper cleansing than I find this product gives me.
But that's not to say that it doesn't make my hair feel clean. My hair looks clean, shiny and soft when I use this product. But for me, it's a heavier shampoo (look at all those natural, moisturizing ingredients!), so it can be a bit much for my fine, oily hair if used every day.
I think this shampoo is best suited for the type of hair it's made for: thick, curly hair. I can see this being a dream product if your hair is dry and coarse. But if your hair is on the finer, oilier side of the spectrum, I think it's best reserved for those days when you really need an extra boost of moisture.
And of course I must comment on the fragrance: OH MY GOODNESS. I get coconut, shea, aloe and honeysuckle notes in this fragrance (naturally, since those are all ingredients), and together it just smells divine.
FINAL VERDICT: If your hair is dry, thick, coarse and/or unruly, I think you might absolutely love this shampoo. It gives the hair a boost of moisture and it leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft. I've also noticed that it helps in eliminating frizzies and flyaways, which is a great bonus. If your hair is on the finer, oilier side, you can use this product too, but just in moderation. I'd reserve it for those days when your hair is feeling particularly parched and in need of some serious moisturization.
You can purchase Shea Moisture products at Walgreens, Target and select Walmart locations. And don't forget that all Shea Moisture products are currently BOGO1/2OFF at Walgreens (though 11/5).
Do you own this shampoo or any other products from Shea Moisture? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
This shampoo is excellent!
ReplyDeleteI actually love this line of products, I use this shampoo and your right it is very different from using sulfate shampoo. BUT my hair is very moisturized which helps with split ends!
ReplyDeleteSilk protein actually isn't vegan, just a heads up. Vegans don't use any animal products, even ones from insects or worms. Not your fault though, I see the photo where the bottle says no animal products, mislabeling like that happens often.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I think I might have to try some of this stuff. Sounds nice. I have curly hair, so maybe it will work well for me :D
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice shampoo! I love sulfate free shampoos. I've got fairly fine hair, but thankfully it's not the oily type.
ReplyDeleteMy hair is coarse (individual strands are thick and pretty strong) but only medium thickness (maybe even a bit on the thin-medium side)...would you still recommend this?
ReplyDeleteI noticed their hair sets (curly or transitioning) were on sale for $14.99.
ReplyDelete@Isla, I would. Do you straighten your hair or are you strictly curly?
ReplyDelete@Kelly: Actually, I am not at all curly...:-p
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check this product out! I have very thick and curly hair that tends to dry out quickly. This shampoo seems like it might be a life saver for me. ^_^
ReplyDeleteI am currently transitioning from relaxed to natural hair and i picked this up today. i cant wait wait wait to try this on my thick hair. love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteSILK protein is NOT vegan. It is a protein substance secreted from the glands of silkworms. The silkworm is killed before it can emerge from the cocoon and break the thread. Slaughtering silkworms for their silk is done by boiling, baking, or steaming the live worm directly in its cocoon. How is this even considered 'Cruelty Free' ???
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love this company, but I am having an issue. My hair feels greasy after the use despite that I LOVE this shampoo. Do you have any recommendations? May be mixing lemon to make it less greasy? I do not know.