Getting Kinky: Product Review - Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Being natural one of top items of discussion with other naturals is - "what products do you use?'. While I'm no certified product junkie yet, though I'm definitely working my way up there, I thought I'd start reviewing some of the products that have become staples for me thus far in my natural hair routine. And what better way to start that with the product that stole my heart back when I first did the Big Chop - Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie :]

A bit of a background on the Shea Moisture company - Shea Moisture offers all-natural, face, hair, body, shave, waxing, and baby care remedies from age-old family recipes. It began with Sofi Tucker, the grandmother of the founders, selling Shea Nuts at the village market in Bonthe, Sierra Leone in 1912. By age 19, she was selling Shea Butter, Black Soap and her homemade hair and skin preparations all over the countryside. Shea Moisture has since evolved as a part of Sofi Tucker's legacy. Today, the company purchases ingredients directly from women cooperatives and indigenous farmers in Africa in order to protect the integrity of their ingredients, ensure sustainable harvesting, and improve the standard of living for their suppliers. I've been learning all about sustainability in one of my summer courses and it's become a big interest/concern of mine so Shea Moisture definitely gets a big thumbs up in my book. You can read more about their sustainable & charitable efforts on their Facebook page.

Now on to the review of Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie!

Ingredients: Water, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Vegatable Glycerin, Aloe Leaf Extract, Silk Protien, Ammonium Salt, Neem Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Sorbitol Esters, Pro-Vitamin B-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Essential Oil Blend, Honeysuckle Flower and Japanese Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Vitamin E

As I mentioned, I've loved this product since getting my Big Chop back in February. Not only is it all natural ingredients, but it smells AMAZING (I've seriously had people tell me they want to eat my hair it smells so good), and I love the texture - it's creamy, light and in no way weighs your hair down.

I typically use this product for my wash-n-go's, I actually haven't tried it with a twist out, but it's on my to-do list! Usually after I co-wash my hair and spray a little bit of leave-in condish, I'll take a dollop and then some (I have really thick hair that sucks up any and all moisture I put in it) of the Curl Smoothie, rub it together in my hands and then run it through my hair. Then I'll use a tiny amount of all natural JoJoba oil (you can buy it at your nearest Trader Joe's!) just to seal off my ends (which is important to eliminate breakage and retain length!).

Once my hair dries it feels soft, silky, and luscious as le boyfriend, DCT, has described it ;] It smells yummy and there's a really nice shine to it. The only thing is I don't find that it really defines my curl pattern, which isn't  something I really care about most of the time, but if it's important to you whenever I want more definition I just add some type of defining gel after I put the Smoothie in my hair. It can be Kinky-Curly Curling Custard or I.C. Styling gel or whatever your gel of choice is!

My hair is still wet in these photos which is why you can still see white from the Curl Smoothie, it absorbs in your hair as it dries :]

As I've been saying through out this post, love love love this product. If you haven't tried it, do! You can find it at your nearest Walgreens or Target, a 12 oz jar costs $11.99 and its well worth it! I've tried several different hair cream stylers and while I may like them, I always come back to my Shea Moisture :]

Happy Tuesday!

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Shea Moisture or any of their products, this is simply a review of my personal experience.

Getting Kinky: Flower Power

It's a flower power kind of day...

I washed and deep conditioned my hair this morning using the Organix Acai Berry Avocado shampoo & condish and then followed up with that with a deep conditioner using Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner. Then for my leave-in I used Carol's Daughter's Healthy Hair Butter followed by Shea Moisture's Curl Smoothie and all topped off with a bit of Jojoba oil. Phew!!

I love this little red headband, its fun, flirty, and bright red! So I decided to base my outfit today around the spunky red color with, of course, a nice helping of flowers :)

Dress: Forever 21 / Denim Jacket: Don't remember, I've had it forever! / Shoes: Merona from Target / Bag: Aldo Accessories

Fantastic cleavage shot there as well, didn't mean to do that, but you're welcome Internet ;) Power to the Flowers!