Hair

Product Review: Cantu Shea Butter 

I recently had the opportunity to sample a few products from the Cantu Shea Butter line. If you recall, I mentioned my thoughts on their moisturizing cream shampoo in my Q&A Vol 6: Sulfates, Clarifiers and My Lengthy Transition video (the mention begins around the 3:55 mark). Well, today I'll be sharing my thoughts on the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream and Flat Iron Spray.

Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream

Application: I applied the leave-in to damp hair and allowed my hair to air dry. I basically used it as my moisturizing leave-in prior to flat ironing. 

 

Results: Unfortunately, I found the product to be too aqueous, and it basically caused my hair to revert, which my hair hardly ever does. Normally I use heavier leave-ins, such as ORS Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion or Elasta QP's Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer. Because this formula is so light and watery, I know that it won't keep my hair moisturized for braidouts or other heat-free styles, and I didn't have time to test it out in that way.

 

Experiment: I used the product on my husband as a leave-in treatment, because his hair needs more deep conditioning than mine. He actually doesn't condition his hair at all, which is why it was in desperate need of moisture. We applied the product as directed under the "leave-in treatment" instructions printed on the container. 

 

Results: After sleeping with a processing cap on and doing a co-wash the next morning, my husband calimed that he could tell that his hair retained moisture longer, which is great considering that his texture is more coarse than mine.

Flat Iron Spray

Application: I noticed that the first ingredient of the flat iron spray is alcohol, which was a red flag. After spraying some on my hand and feeling the sticky residue, I knew I couldn't use it as a flat iron spray. Plus, I noticed that it mentions giving the hair a light "hold," and I don't need my hair to have any hold when straightened. I did however use the spray as I would hair spray. I therefore only applied it to my bangs prior to curling so that the bump would hold. 

Results: It seemed to do a good job of providing a light hold as it claims, but I personally wouldn't use it often because I know how drying hair sprays and other products with alcohol can be.

 *FTC: These products were provided courtesy of Cantu Shea Butter.