In Review: Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

When I first started doing research on how to grow my hair long and healthy, I learned about the importance of deep conditioning.  At the time, I wasn't even sure if I was going natural or not but I knew that I could add deep treatments to my hair routine right away.  For my first time, I simply mixed a cheap conditioner with some extra virgin olive oil that I had in my kitchen cupboard.  It was very basic but effective.  Now, over six years later, I'm still doing deep treatments on my hair to help maintain my tresses.  It is an essential part of my natural haircare routine.

I have played with a lot of different ingredients and conditioner combinations over the years.  Recently, I decided to start experimenting with store bought deep conditioners.  My first one was the African Black Soap Purification Masque by Shea Moisture.  You can watch a demonstration and my first impression review on the product in my Youtube video.  I chose that product for my itchy scalp woes and it did help some with that issue.  This time I wanted to try Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque.  This one has always gotten rave reviews so I know I'm late to
the game.

The Rundown

The Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque is recommended for dry, damaged hair.  It says that it helps to, "heal, grow and strengthen" the hair.  Some key ingredients are sea kelp, argan oil, and shea butter.  You can definitely feel and smell the shea butter in this product.  Here is the complete ingredients list:

This product has a thick, creamy consistency

Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter, Certified Organic), Argan Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, Sea Kelp Extract, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Essential Oil Blend, Avocado Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract (Honeysuckle), Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Japanese Honeysuckle), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract (Sage), Equisetum Arvense Extract, Soybean Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot)

You can see from the list that this product is all natural.  It is also free of sulfates, parabens and mineral oil.  In the directions it says that you can add olive oil for even more nutrients and a moisture boost.  I picked this product up at my local Target store for about $10 (USD).  I have also seen the line at Walmart, Sally's Beauty Supply and Walgreens drugstores for 
similar pricing.  

My Experience

Recently I reached for this product before and after applying direct heat to straighten my hair.  Normally, I would use my Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor for a light protein boost before and after heat use.  I believe that this product definitely worked in a similar way.  My curls appear to be just as a healthy now as they did before I straightened my hair.  The shea butter in this product tends to stay on the hair after rinsing so I used it a couple days before flat ironing.  Then, I cleansed my hair with a clarifying shampoo followed by a moisturizing deep treatment just before straightening.  This way my straight hair felt lightweight without any heavy buildup.  

My curls after using the Deep Treatment Masque

I wore my hair straight for about ten days and clarified again to remove the silicone from my heat protectants and oils.  Then I used the deep treatment masque again to bring my curls back.  This worked like a charm in that regard.  

I always, always, always use my Tresemme Naturals Conditioner (the aloe one) for a quick pop of mositure after using a strengthening treatment such as this.  It gives my hair the softness and manageability I need to detangle and style my hair afterwards.  

Overall, I would say that this product is definitely a keeper.  I do look forward to using it in the same way the next time I decide to use heat or when my curls need a protein 
pick-me-up.

Should I Go Back to Using Henna On My Natural Hair?

My hair in Feb. 2014 when I still used
Henna and Indigo for black hair

For five years I was a faithful henna user.  I had a pretty good routine down so it wasn't a daunting task for me.  That was until I started doing the two step Henna and Indigo treatments to cover my gray strands.  It worked like a charm but the process seemed to take ages each time I did it.  That is why I decided to start using an ammonia free box color.

Switching back to an easy option for hair color was almost a no brainer.  I wasn't using something overly harsh and drying so it didn't seem to make a big difference.  It still doesn't but now I'm beginning to wonder if my hair was stronger when I used henna.  My original intention for using henna was for the conditioning benefits.  At the time I was having scalp issues and also wanted the added strength.  When I think back on how my hair felt when I was using it, I remember it
being thicker.

Many assume henna for hair is a protein treatment.  Technically it is not.  It is a plant based powder with an active ingredient called lawsone.  This attaches permanently to the hair making it feel stronger and thicker.  With multiple uses some have even noticed a changed in curl pattern.  Lawsone is also what gives the hair a shiny reddish tint.  I really never liked the red color but it wasn't that obvious at first.  At one point though my hair was burgundy which sent me on a search for indigo powder.  With the two step henna/indigo process you get black hair as a result.  Thing is, you have to use both treatments separately in one night in order for this to work.  We're talking seven hours of applying, waiting, rinsing and conditioning.  Not to mention the cleanup!  No thank you.  

WATCH ME PREPARE HENNA FOR HAIR DYE

That brings me to where I am today.  I keep thinking to myself that maybe it is time to get back onto the henna bandwagon.  I remember reading a suggestion for using henna after hair color over at hennaforhair.com.  It was said to help repair the hair after using chemicals.  My plan is to use the box color for root coverage and then follow up a few weeks later with henna.  I also want to add conditioners to my henna like coconut and olive oil.  These are things I avoided before because they slow the color process down.  The conditioning type of henna treatment is often called a henna gloss.  Hopefully I'll see thicker, stronger hair over the next few months.

Keep watching the blog for upcoming posts on my new, less complicated, henna journey.