Shea Growth And Retention Regimen 2019

[Aggie]

Can't handle the smokiness of this Benin shea so I haven't used it on anyone in like 2 weeks. According to google, smoky shea is super fresh shea but the smell is really overwhelming. Been keeping our hair stretched to reduce knots in shea's absence for now.

Oh dear. I haven't pulled mine out to use as yet. I hope I can figure out a way to mask the scent if it's really strong.

I might use peppermint since that seems to work with many strong scented products that I have ever used. And of course, I like and enjoy the smell of peppermint essential oil.

 

[Virtuosa]

Can't handle the smokiness of this Benin shea so I haven't used it on anyone in like 2 weeks. According to google, smoky shea is super fresh shea but the smell is really overwhelming. Been keeping our hair stretched to reduce knots in shea's absence for now.

I would contact them for a replacement since it’s that strong. I will telecommute the next day if I feel a product makes my hair smell weird.

 

[lalla]

Can't handle the smokiness of this Benin shea so I haven't used it on anyone in like 2 weeks. According to google, smoky shea is super fresh shea but the smell is really overwhelming. Been keeping our hair stretched to reduce knots in shea's absence for now.

In my experience, fresh shea doesn't smell smoky. The smell changes as it gets older and eventually rancid. The best shea butters have a nutty scent.

 

[Aggie]

I just pulled out my Benin Shea Butter and it smells fine to me. It does smell quite nutty but definitely not overwhelmingly smokey.

I hope you didn't get a bad batch @water_n_oil. Maybe you should try returning it and see if they will at least exchange it for the shea butter that you do like.

 

[water_n_oil]

I commented on IG but they never responded. I've seen a lot of people complaining about not getting any answers regardless of contact method which is concerning. Like you guys, I've never had smoky smelling shea before either.

 

[Honeypot]

A few things I noticed while getting my whipped shea the exact consistency I need it to be. Hopefully this helps someone who doesn't have time to read through the threads or has follow up questions.

1. Aloe Vera gel makes my whipped shea super soft and creamy and helps to keep it that consistentcy. It also gives the whipped shea a slight wet feel to it .

2. Use oils that you know your hair likes.

3. It's nice to copy someone else recipe but you'll find it's best to tweak it to your liking because everyone hair is different

4. It is easier to spread and apply your blend if it is mixed with the right amount of oil . Until I added more oil my whipped shea was too thick for my hair . I know shea butter is not for everyone, but I sometimes wonder if they have used a blend that was not so thick .

5. I knew my Shea was whipped perfectly when it changed in color. The ivory shea will become a very light color. You also know you have a good oil to shea ratio if your Shea has a gleam to it from the oils .

6. Just to reiterate, I know whipped shea doesn't work for everyone. But these tips have helped me recreate a blend I hadn't made in a few years and thought I wouldn't be able to make again.

I hope this helps because sometimes it's hard getting questions answered . Especially when it's towards the end of the challenge

I never melt my Shea

 

[NaturalShe94]

So my babygirl is 5 months and she has these dry spots on her legs and arms, you can't really tell by looking, only really when feeling. I whipped some raw ivory shea butter in a separate container (no other oils added) that I ordered from Cleopatra's Choice (first time ordering and using the ivory shea, I usually buy the yellow one, the OKAY brand). The first couple of days, her skin was super soft, then suddenly the dry spots started to spread and the spots on her arms got dark, cracked looking and her spots even became visible. Could she be too young for me to be using shea butter on her skin?

 

[sunflora]

When adding aloe vera gel does the shea become rancid quicker?

 

[naturaldoll]

So my babygirl is 5 months and she has these dry spots on her legs and arms, you can't really tell by looking, only really when feeling. I whipped some raw ivory shea butter in a separate container (no other oils added) that I ordered from Cleopatra's Choice (first time ordering and using the ivory shea, I usually buy the yellow one, the OKAY brand). The first couple of days, her skin was super soft, then suddenly the dry spots started to spread and the spots on her arms got dark, cracked looking and her spots even became visible. Could she be too young for me to be using shea butter on her skin?

Could she be allergic? That sounds like a allergic reaction to me. I never was a fan of shea butter for me, but I used it on my 6 year olds skin from 2 days old, and she's never had a reaction like that, so I don't think it would be that your baby's too young.

 

[NaturalShe94]

Could she be allergic? That sounds like a allergic reaction to me. I never was a fan of shea butter for me, but I used it on my 6 year olds skin from 2 days old, and she's never had a reaction like that, so I don't think it would be that your baby's too young.

Possibly. I can’t think of any other reason. It’s fine on my skin as well.

 

[caribeandiva]

I blame y’all for me buying this. I found it at Aldi’s for $30 and couldn’t resist.

 

[naturaldoll]

I got an immersion blender because it looked like that's what some of you were using, but it isn't working it will just make a hole in the shea but nothing moves or gets whipped or blended, so I keep ending up using throwing it in my husband's nutibullet which he isn't happy about

 

[NaturalShe94]

I got an immersion blender because it looked like that's what some of you were using, but it isn't working it will just make a hole in the shea but nothing moves or gets whipped or blended, so I keep ending up using throwing it in my husband's nutibullet which he isn't happy about

Thats what I use. A hand held immersion blender. It whips my Shea butter perfect. I actually like it better than my actual hand held blender.

 

[LavenderMint]

I was getting terribly itchy in the evenings while in bed & didn’t realize what was causing it. Turns out my body wash had Shea in it- but I was also using Body Shop Shea butter moisturizer. Switched them both out & after 2days there were no more problems. I think that pretty much sums it up that Shea should be used in moderation on my body. Now, if only I could figure out a way to protect my scalp but continue the Shea benefits to my hair......

 

[Black Ambrosia]

I commented on IG but they never responded. I've seen a lot of people complaining about not getting any answers regardless of contact method which is concerning. Like you guys, I've never had smoky smelling shea before either.

I reached out via ig, their website, and I think email when the shea nilotica was on indefinite back order. Never got a response. That was easily over 2 months ago.

I have the shea nilotica now so I’m not worried about it but I doubt they’ll be responsive if someone is having a problem.

 

[BeautifulRoots]

I reached out via ig, their website, and I think email when the shea nilotica was on indefinite back order. Never got a response. That was easily over 2 months ago.

I have the shea nilotica now so I’m not worried about it but I doubt they’ll be responsive if someone is having a problem.

I had a shipping problem and they responded pretty quickly via email. On other occasions, I asked product questions over IG and it was radio silence. I think if it's a shipping or order issue, she gets back with you, but questions not pertaining to orders or shipping there's less likelihood of it being answered. Best chance of receiving a reply is email in my experience.

 

[BeautifulRoots]

I blame y’all for me buying this. I found it at Aldi’s for $30 and couldn’t resist.
View attachment 453555

Oooo that's a good price! **grabs keys and drives to Aldi**

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Oooo that's a good price! **grabs keys and drives to Aldi**

 

[fluffyforever]

My hair has been so moisturized and soft these last 2 weeks. My hair really responds to a liquid, cream, butter layering method. Crazy thing is the night I do it my hair doesn’t exactly feel good, it feels kind of crispy actually. But the next morning it’s like my hair absorbed it all and feels silky soft for days.

I used aloe vera gel (refrigerator stable), topped with TreLuxe Curl Supreme hydrating cream, then sealed it all with a good slather of my shea whip until slippery. Twisted it up tight and put on my silk scarf.

 

[naturaldoll]

Thats what I use. A hand held immersion blender. It whips my Shea butter perfect. I actually like it better than my actual hand held blender.

How do you do it? Mine really isn't doing much of anything

 

[NaturalShe94]

How do you do it? Mine really isn't doing much of anything

You may be putting it directly on top of the shea butter and trying to move it around like a regular blender... With this one, you’ve gotta hold it sideway and slide it through the sb (thats if you’ve melted it first) almost like you’re scooping then move it to the top and while its blending, sort of roll it around, you’ll see the whipped butter start to squeeze through the sides, you’ve gotta apply some pressure though... You will have to scoop some of the butter off the blades and off the inside part a couple times so I wear a glove bc the butter slides off the glove better. I dont know if Im explaining it correctly, but in my head it sounds right lol. I tried youtubing a video but I only found this one, but she blends her shea butter raw so she uses it a little different. (30 seconds is where she starts blending)

 

[caribeandiva]

Oooo that's a good price! **grabs keys and drives to Aldi**

You betta hurry before they run out!

 

[water_n_oil]

I reached out via ig, their website, and I think email when the shea nilotica was on indefinite back order. Never got a response. That was easily over 2 months ago.

I have the shea nilotica now so I’m not worried about it but I doubt they’ll be responsive if someone is having a problem.

Yikes, that is not a good look. I used some of it on my hands today and it smells better so crisis averted I guess. I think I'll pick up some of my favorite almond oil and mix it with that. The oil has an added fragrance so that'll make it smell nice.

 

[water_n_oil]

I blame y’all for me buying this. I found it at Aldi’s for $30 and couldn’t resist.
View attachment 453555

Oh lawd, about to tell my husband we need to go to Aldi today lmao. That's a great price.

 

[water_n_oil]

So my babygirl is 5 months and she has these dry spots on her legs and arms, you can't really tell by looking, only really when feeling. I whipped some raw ivory shea butter in a separate container (no other oils added) that I ordered from Cleopatra's Choice (first time ordering and using the ivory shea, I usually buy the yellow one, the OKAY brand). The first couple of days, her skin was super soft, then suddenly the dry spots started to spread and the spots on her arms got dark, cracked looking and her spots even became visible. Could she be too young for me to be using shea butter on her skin?

Has she ever been looked at for eczema?

 

[NaturalShe94]

Has she ever been looked at for eczema?

Her face broke out badly when she was about two months and I took her to the ER, they said it was baby eczema and that it will most likely go away, which it did.... Starting about a month ago I've noticed the dry spots on her body. Since the terrible break out she had after using Shea Butter, I've been using Aveeno Baby Cream and it cleared her skin up. Her 6 month appointment is coming up soon so I'll be showing her doctor her little dry spots or telling her doc about it if it happens to go away by then.
That Aveeno Baby stuff is awesome btw.

 

[Aggie]

I just found a video on how to get rid of the graininess of your shea butters and any other natural body/hair butters that you purchase and here it is:



I found this one very helpful since I have some 3CG Mango butter that beaded up on me.

 

[Chicoro]

Her face broke out badly when she was about two months and I took her to the ER, they said it was baby eczema and that it will most likely go away, which it did.... Starting about a month ago I've noticed the dry spots on her body. Since the terrible break out she had after using Shea Butter, I've been using Aveeno Baby Cream and it cleared her skin up. Her 6 month appointment is coming up soon so I'll be showing her doctor her little dry spots or telling her doc about it if it happens to go away by then.
That Aveeno Baby stuff is awesome btw.

Maybe take a photo for your records to show the doctor.

 

[caribeandiva]

Oh lawd, about to tell my husband we need to go to Aldi today lmao. That's a great price.

Definitely go if you have time!

 

[caribeandiva]

It’s official. Just got my cut. Starting over for the new year. I’m at the salon now about to get it straightened.