I’m not going to lie… growing up – I HATED MY HAIR (note the all caps).  My hair was super curly (even more than it is now) and it was difficult to style and work with and to top it all off, I had very very long hair, down to my knees long.  Most of my life I wore my hair pulled back in a pony tail because it was just so much to deal with and when I got older and graduated from high school, flat irons were truly my best friend.

Just about two years ago, I decided that it was time to stop fighting my natural curls and embrace them for what they were.  I had so many people tell me that I had beautiful hair and all I could think about was how difficult it was to deal with and keep the craziness at bay.  It’s been almost two years since I have added any heat products to my hair and over the last year I have been trying out new products that I have been truly loving.

Now – if you know anything about me, it’s that I use affordable shampoo and conditioners (because I have so much hair, I need a lot of it) and expensive hair styling products, serums and gels, etc.  Currently – my hair care routine consists of the Suave Professionals Hair care line for Shampoo and conditioner and my serums include my Holy Grail Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil from Dr. Bonner’s and Macadamia Oil from Macadamia.  But, I have a few products that I use to help keep my curls soft and enhance the shine and moisture of my natural curls.

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie (click here to see my review on the Curling Souffle) acts as a leave-in conditioner for me.  I do use it in combination with other products as well – Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Souffle and products from Curls, but I use the Enhancing Smoothing right after I get out of the shower when my hair is still damp and in some cases – wet.  What is so awesome about this product is that it lasts forever…  for some reason, after each use – because of the smoothie texture, it doesn’t seem to lessen in product when I look in the jar.  Anyhow, I apply a good amount to my hair and work into my hair from my ends to my roots.  This light weight formula smells yummy – like coconut with just a hint of hibiscus but keeps my ends hydrated and my hair feeling soft and full of body.

The product’s texture is very creamy – but also feels like a mix of cream and foam.  It isn’t sticky and once the product dries, it does not leave a crispy feeling in my hair.  My hair doesn’t look or feel like I have product in it – but it does have a gorgeous shine and looks healthy and my curls are naturally revived.  I was taught from a young age by my Uncle who was a Hair Dresser that hair should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks to keep it healthy and growing so it is a habit I have had all my life and I stick to it.  Right now – my hair in its curly form reaches to my buttocks in length and I trim about 3-5 inches every 2 months to keep my ends healthy.  The SM Curl Enhancing Smoothie takes the place of my leave in conditioner (not all the time – but often) and helps to keep my curls at bay.  I love using this product along with the Curling Souffle because it is made for Thick, Curly Hair and has Coconut Oil, Silk Protein & Neem Oil.

Looking for a product that leaves out all the harsh ingredients that many on the market have today?  Shea Moisture’s products do not include the following:  Parabens, Phthalates, Paraffin, Gluten, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil and Synthetic Fragrance.  Many of those additives dry out my hair terribly and Mineral oil tends to cause my hair line to break out in pimples, so the fact that it does not include these items is a big deal to me.  You can find this product and the other one I’ll be writing about as well at most drug stores like CVS, Walgreens and even Walmart.  I tend to buy mine at Walgreens when they have sales or to use my points.  The container includes 12oz worth of product and will cost you approximately $11.99.  What tops the cake for me on these products is that they do not test on animals… woohoo!

I have fine curly hair and over the years the dying and heat tools have really taken its toll on my hair.  The last 2 years I have really taken an interest in taking care of it and I’m happy to see how far my locks have come.  I have always been admired for my hair, but now – I am so excited to wear my hair down.  Shea Moisture products have been awesome.  This is the second scent of products I tried, the original ones (I don’t remember the name of the scent) did not smell very nice and so I will keep to my Coconut & Hibiscus.

{Self Purchased}