Oh Shea butter, how do you I love? Let me count the ways…

Eight ways to be exact. This fat from the African Shea tree is used in just about everything: food, beauty products, medicines–you name it, it’s probably there, chilling in the middle of a loaded ingredients list. And out of all the extra special oils and extracts being coveted these days and raved about online, we’re still holding tight to our Shea butter-based products. Here’s just a few your cabinet is yearning for m’dears.

Source: naturallycurly.com

Source: http://0.tqn.com

Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo & The Lavender & Wild Orchid Body Lotion – $9.99 and $13.99

Okay, so I couldn’t just pick one Shea Moisture product for this joint, especially since their name is a dead giveaway that Shea butter is a mainstay in their stuff. The raw Shea butter moisture retention shampoo is a winner for the fact that it’s such a rich product (not too watery or bubbly), and we’re loving that it smells delicious (almost like Frankincense) and makes your hair feel like butter, baby.

Then, the lavender body lotion is EVERYTHING. Thick and creamy, it’s not a watery lotion that wears off fast and leaves your skin on a trip back to Ashville. Instead, it coats your skin in such a bright sheen that you would swear you were just using straight Shea butter from the plastic containers. In other good news, you don’t need to wear perfume when you put this light but lovely scented lotion on.

Source: target.com

Dove Body Wash Shea Butter Soap – $5.54

Dove Nourishing Care Shea Butter Beauty Bars are winning because the little yellow bars help alleviate the need to spend time lathering up post-shower. These babies can provide all the moisture you need in a day and will have your skin feeling mucho soft. It definitely smells delicious and goes a long way for just an inexpensive pack of soap.

Source: jergenslotionthestore.co.cc

Jergens Deep Conditioning Moisturizer – $6.99

While we know that Shea butter moisturizes your skin like crazy, sometimes too much moisture can just be…well…too much. Not only does it come off too thick and heavy but it leaves you feeling like you jumped in a bath of baby oil. However, Jergens’ deep conditioning moisturizer is lightweight and lovely, sans all the greasiness.

Source: http://evolutionofsmooth.com

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm – $3.29

I know you’ve seen these little balls of sunshine before! The Evolution of Smooth lip balm is in many a woman’s purse thanks to the soothing mix of Shea butter and Jojoba oil. Plus, it’s easy to go on and keep with you, and instead of one smell or flavor, EOS has an array. But don’t expect some cutesy wootsy names for them though, just be happy with the wonderful results; because there’s something about a lip balm with the name “medicated tangerine” that doesn’t scream “Gotta have it” but you do!

Source: Facebook

Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey – $11.00

When I was rocking my afro, I used to swear by this stuff. The Nettle extract with cocoa butter and Shea butter provides a lot of shine, which is nice for a product that doesn’t come off greasy, but just provides great shine and moisture. Perfect for the chick who needs to grease their scalp, but not cover it in the thickest of greases. Plus, I know you’ll dig the light scent, and it will leave recently pressed, two-strand twisted, braided hair–whatever, looking all kinds of fabulous.

Source: health.com

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Hydrating Body Wash – $6.99

If the bars of soap aren’t your thing (steady on the move and don’t want to take a wet bar of soap in your overnight bag…), then you must do yourself a favor and pick up Aveeno’s Positively Nourishing Hydrating body wash. The Shea butter and fig mix definitely helps to bring some moisture to the most dry skin out there, and the scent of blackberry and vanilla will win you over and wake you up! Check-check it out…

Source: 00turkishdelight00.blogspot.com

Buffy Body Butter – $11.95-22.95 Depending on Size

A MUST. When I tell you that this little bar of happiness leaves your skin with a coat of lusciousness atop it, I’m not kidding. Looking for something to help deal with dry cracked feet and dull hands in between picking up a new scrub, I thought I’d dry this soap to see what it could do for me. Can you say “magic”? Aside from Shea and cocoa butter, there’s ground rice, almonds and beans in this product, which will certainly have you rubbing your hands like crazy and asking, “What is this? Velvet???”

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Dear Readers, we at Madame Noire have heard your requests.  We know that a lot of our hair articles are about natural hair, and a few of our relaxed hair readers were feeling neglected.  I feel you; therefore, I’m giving you an article on taking care of relaxed hair.  Not only banking from my own personal experiences of things not to do, but I also got tips from a few hair consultants.

Okay, first, let’s talk about the basics of our hair.  I learned in a health class once that while a strand of Caucasian hair averages about three breakage points per strand, our hair has twice that, averaging about six to nine.  Therefore, our hair has a higher likelihood of breakage, but by taking proper care of it, it doesn’t have to.  You can have long hair, it’s within your grasp, and here are a few easy ways for you  to attain it.

Oh, and just because we’ve honored your request for a relaxed hair article, we did not honor your request for an article that you don’t have to click through all the pages.  But I promise, if you just take the few seconds to click, you might find some information that will help shape your hair care regimen.

Greetings, friends!

If you’re one of those people who is looking for the newest product or for some product recommendations, then you’re in luck. I’ve tried a few new products lately for everything from my dry hair to my ladybits and thought I would share. Let’s get down to business:

Source: http://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com

Shea Moisture’s Honey and Black Seed After Shave Regenerative Lotion

What does Shea Moisture have that isn’t amazing??? And while you might have most of the hair products, you shouldn’t pass up on the things they have in their women’s skin line. While perusing a beauty supply store to stock up on hair goods, I ran across this cream that is supposed to work wonders for irritated skin after you’ve shaved. As someone whose run into this problem while trying to remove hair from my girlfriend down there, I thought I wouldn’t have anything to lose (but about $8 or $9). But man oh man, has this stuff been a Godsend! Not only does it smell delicious, but it helps the hair (wherever you apply it), grow back softer, and grow black slower at that. One of the best products I’ve picked up in a while…You can find their products at Target, Walgreens, or at your nearby ratchet beauty supply *smiles*

Source: mmproducts.com

Sofn’Free’s Milk Protein & Olive Oil Leave-In Treatment and Argan & Olive Oil Spray

Finding the right leave-in conditioner is tricky. Some leave you with a weird residue, some don’t even really condition like they say they will, but Sofn’Free’s leave-in spray used to make my afro feel like butter in the morning. And that’s after it felt like a brillo pad at night. Do a twist out, and if you’re not looking to throw a big cream or pudding in for moisture, this leave-in spray will go a long way. Your hair soaks it up really well (well, mine did at least), and the smell is delightful. The company’s argan and olive oil spray also provides a lot of shine without coming off greasy, and that works great for all kinds of hair, especially relaxed locks that are dull and need some kick.

Source: shopme.com

Arm & Hammer’s Ultra Max Invisible Solid Deodorant (in Powder Fresh!)

I’m sure we’re all out here searching for the right deodorant, and if you do the absolute most on a daily basis like moi, you’re bound to work up a sweat. When that happens, you need a deodorant that will work heavy duty, won’t go on too thick, but won’t be too thin. Arm & Hammer’s Invisible Solid deodorant is another miracle-worker. It has saved my white T-shirts, and keeps me very fresh and clean. A lot of these other deodorants (the Suaves and the Secrets of the world) are too busy trying to make you smell like a bed of roses when your a** just needs to smell clean. You will swear by it soon enough. Find it at your local drugstore/pharmacy (Walgreens, Wal Mart, Target, etc).

Source: en.paperblog.com

DeMert Nail Enamel Dryer Manicurist’s Finishing Spray

As an avid nail painter who likes to avoid spending money on things I can do myself (sorry nearby nail salon), the faster I can get my nails done the better. While cold water can work after a while, and even cooking spray, this finishing spray by DeMert really does work wonders. It not only dries your manicure, but it makes your hands look like professional did them! Which is nice since I know you struggled to paint that right hand, girl. It’s only a few bucks and can be found at your local beauty supply. So if you’re trying to avoid the big smudge or those weird imprints from going to bed too early with your new nails, you might want to pick up a can.

Source: beautycoliseum.com

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I had heard some people online raving about this product, so when my beautician told me I should use it for my two-strand twists, I was expecting big results. Granted, you’re not going to wake up with a whole new head of long hair, but if you put a small amount on your edges and in places where hair has broken off, the growth you will see in a short amount of time is pretty awesome. Not only that, but it also moisturizes your hair well. However, I must admit that the smell and the consistency (it’s thick) aren’t anything to write home about, but the results are. Check it out, and be sure to mix it with other things so it doesn’t go on so thick…Try for your local beauty supply (not Sally’s) if you’re looking for it, and you can also buy the oil online.

What products are must-haves for you?

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