review // SheaMoisture Olive & Green Tea Body Products

I've been using these products for quite some time now, about the same time I started using the SheaMoisture Facial Moisturizers (about 9 months ago), and I've wanted to share them with you all after the first use.  For one reason or another I kept putting it off, but no more... my review is here!  ;)

PACKAGING

All of SheaMoisture's body products come in recyclable plastic containers.  The body lotion and wash comes in squeeze bottles with flip top lids and the body butter comes in a squeeze tube.  They are very substantial and sturdy.  I've been using them for months (even leaving one in the shower) and I've noticed no leaking or cracking of the plastic.  The labels are also very resilient and do not peel or tear, even with a lot of use.  I think the packaging is great except for one thing.  The squeeze top on the lotion bottle is pointless... unless you have robot hands.  After about the second use, you have to REALLY squeeze the bottle to get any product out.  For one, the bottle alone isn't easy to squeeze and the lotion is a thicker consistency and so it doesn't move fluidly in the bottle to get out.  I hope that makes sense..lol.  To fix the issue, I put a pump on the bottle instead of the flip top lid.  BUT... that only worked a couple of times until the pump couldn't handle the lotion's thickness.  After that, I gave up and now I just use the pump's dip (the piece that goes down into the product) to get lotion out.  Honestly, that's my only qualm, but it's not a deal-beaker.

 PRODUCT

"Blended with certified organic Shea Butter, this collection deeply moisturizes and repairs dry skin, while helping prevent early signs of aging."

+ Olive Oil is high in vitamin E and fatty acids, which helps to hydrate, repair and heal skin.  
+ Avocado Oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E, lecithin and potassium, helping to regenerate skin cells and deeply moisturize skin. 
+ Antioxidant Green Tea Extract helps protect skin from free radical damage. 

Overall, this collection promises to leave skin soft and youthful looking.   And don't we all want that!?

Olive & Green Tea BODY WASH w/ Avocado - 13 oz. - $8.99

 The body wash is a translucent green and has a loose gel-like consistency.  This wash is super concentrated and lathers very well, so you only need a tiny bit to wash your whole body.  I use a bath loofah and it works great.  It has a very light, and somewhat sweet, citrusy/herbal scent.  I find it really nice and non-offensive.  The BEST part of this body wash is that it doesn't leave my skin squeaky or stripped feeling after I rinse.  It actually moisturizes so effectively that in the summer I don't really need to apply lotion when I get out of the shower.  That's pretty amazing for my dry sensitive skin.

This wash does NOT contain parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance or color, DEA, or sulfates, plus it isn't tested on animals, which is awesome.  They do use cocamidopropyl betaine as their soap component, which is naturally derived from coconut.  It's still synthesized, so it's not the most natural option, but I think it is a better option than the fully-synthesized, skin irritating sulfates.  So in that regard, I'll take it.   

Olive & Green Tea BODY LOTION w/ Avocado - 13 oz. - $8.99

The body lotion is an opaque off-white and has a medium thick consistency (it actually melts and thins when on skin).  Becasue of this, it sinks in quickly and fully absorbs in just a couple minutes.  This is important to me becasue I hate the sticky lotion feel, especially when it's time to get dressed... yuck!  Like the body wash, the lotion has the same light, and somewhat sweet, citrusy/herbal scent.  This lotion is great all over and the scent fades nicely, so it won't overpower my natural perfumes. 

The lotion also does NOT contain parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance or color, DEA, or sulfates, and isn't tested on animals.

Olive & Green Tea BODY BUTTER w/ Avocado - 6 oz. - $9.79

The body butter is VERY similar to the lotion but just a bit thicker.  It's also an opaque off-white color and melts and thins when applied to skin.  Even though it's a bit thicker, I still think it fully absorbs in just a few minutes.  Again, it has the same scent.  I think this butter would work all over, especially in the winter, but I really like to use it on my hands and feet before bed.  I love waking up to moisturized, soft skin.  :) 

Again, the butter does NOT contain parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance or color, DEA, or sulfates, and isn't tested on animals. I did notice that the ingredients on my tube differ slightly from the ingredients on their website... looks like in the past several months they've removed & added a few things, so if you plan to get this be aware of that.  One of the additions is Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, which I've had bad reactions to in the past (on my face).  But they've also added mango butter, which is great for skin.  I am about halfway through my current tube and if I do repurchase, I'll update this post if I notice any major difference.


SheaMoisture has over 10 different collections (scents), but the Olive & Green Tea is definitely my favorite.  I have tried the Raw Shea Lotion, which is nice, and the Super Fruits Lotion, which worked great too, but I didn't care for the scent.  If you're interested, check out all of them on their website.


PRICING

$ out of $$$

 I think the body wash and lotion are a great deal.  You get a lot of product for under $10.  The butter is a bit more expensive... I guess because it's supposed to be more luxurious and moisturizing.  Not sure if I 100% believe that, but if you want to give it a go, it definitely won't break the bank.

PURCHASING

Unfortunately, you can't purchase from the SheaMoisture website yet, but you can find their body products at Target, Ulta, your local drug stores and Drugstore.com.

 CONCLUSION

 Overall, I really love these body products and I can say with certainty that I will definitely keep repurchasing the lotion and body wash (I'm on my second one of each).  They naturally nourish my skin and I can't help but feel like they also keep my skin looking young and firm.



Let me know if you have tried any SheaMoisture products and which are your favorites!!

review // SheaMoisture Facial Moisturizers

My first experience with SheaMoisture products was with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, of which did not work for me (shocker - since I have fine hair).  I probably should have tried the volumizing formula.  Anyhow, shortly after that I noticed that Target was stocking more of their products, including skincare.  This intrigued me (since I'm pretty much obsessed with natural beauty care) and I decided to give this company another go.  This time I opted to try their facial moisturizers.  

A bit about the company... SheaMoisture was started by Sofi Tucker, who sold Shea nuts at her village market in Bonthe, Sierra Leone in 1912. By age 19, the widowed mother of four was selling her Shea butter and African black soap all over the countryside. Her grandchildren now continue her legacy through the Shea Moisture brand.
They create culturally-authentic, time-tested skin and hair care remedies from family recipes using all-natural and fair trade ingredients.

 
SheaMoisture products don't contain Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, DEA, PABA, Synthetic Fragrance or Artificial Color. And they do not participate in animal testing.  YAY!

PACKAGING
 

Both moisturizers come in boxes, with a surprising amount of info on them.  It talks about who they are, what the product is, how it's for, what's in it and how to use it.  This makes it a breeze to purchase their products even if you've never heard of them before... a great marketing technique.. props SM.  There's nothing I hate more than a product who's box doesn't show the ingredients and how to use it... who wants to be that weirdo opening all the boxes in the beauty isle?  Well, it's usually me, but I digress...  

The actually container is a recyclable glass jar with a plastic lid.  Even though it's glass, it's fairly thick so I think it would be fine to travel with.  The plastic lid seems very sturdy and durable, as well, and it screws on and off easily.  The jar label has all of the the info as the box, sans who they are.  I love this becasue all the product info is still available, even if you throw out the box.  Some people don't like jars, but I actually do becasue all of the product is available, unlike a lot of hard plastic bottles with pumps...you know there's still 1/5 of the product left in there after the pumps stops dispensing.  I couldn't tell you how many of those I've macgyvered open to get those last drips and drabs.  If you don't, that's just money wasted.  As long as you dip in with clean fingers, 

I think it's all good.

 

PRODUCT

I still use a few drops of my jojoba or maracuja oil at night, but have also been supplementing with the Raw Shea Butter Anti-Aging Moisturizer (2 oz.), especially if my skin has felt parched that day.  I like to use the Coconut & Hibiscus Spot Correcting Moisturizer in the morning under my make up.

The Raw Shea Butter Anti-Aging moisturizer (2 oz.) is recommended for dry and aging skin, but I have combination/aging and it works great.  I mainly use this as a night cream to combat wrinkles and loss of elasticity, which I am starting to notice more and more as I creep towards 30.  It has a light beige color and the scent is slightly spicy & earthy, but doesn't linger once applied.   It has a creamy consistency, which absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling super hydrated, not greasy.  

Beyond that, I love all of the good ingredients that are helping make my skin look younger and healthier.  Essential fatty acids help lift and re-define facial contours while improving elasticity. Natural oils, and cocoa & Shea butter soften and smooth the skin.  Frankincense and Myrrh help in defending against fine lines and wrinkles, revitalizing dull skin. Their benefits actually date back thousands of years and range from use in cosmetics and perfumes to anti-inflammatory medicinal benefits.

I've definitely noticed on nights when I use this, the next morning my skin looks tighter and more balanced.  It's not an instant miracle worker on the fine lines I do have, but I feel like they have gotten softer 

since I've been using this.

 

The Coconut & Hibiscus Spot Correcting moisturizer (2 oz.) is recommended for dull and uneven skin, which I am prone to, especially in my dryer areas.  I also have freckles and a few acne scars.  I like to use this under my makeup in the mornings, becasue it's a bit lighter than the Shea formula.  It has a bright white color and the scent is sweet & tropical, and again, doesn't linger once applied... although I kind of wish it would.  YUM.   It still has a creamy consistency, which absorbs quickly, but it's light.  Unfortunately, it's not quite moisturizing enough for me sometimes, so I will add a moisturizing facial spray (another post for another time) or a dab of the Raw Shea moisturizer in my dry areas.  I've only been using this during the winter, so this may be fine during the summertime.  We shall see...  

Again, this formula contains all natural ingredients, this time, helping give a more even, radiant glow to the skin.  Shea butter and organic coconut oil nourish and firm skin with Vitamin E and K, iron and fatty acids.  While, hibiscus flower and Songyi mushroom extracts help brighten the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone.

I'm almost done with this jar, as you can see in the image above, and I can honestly say that some of my darker freckles and the few acne scars I have, are lighter and my face does seem a bit brighter over all.  It's hard to say if it's solely becasue of this moisturizer, but I definitely think it has contributed.

 

PRICING

$ out of $$$

 These facial moisturizers range in price from $12 - $15 depending on which you get and where you buy them.  To me at first, this seemed a little high, but in comparison to some other all-natural moisturizers I've seen, which were around $30 for 1.5 oz, this is actually a pretty good deal.

PURCHASING

You can purchase SheaMoisture products - face, hair, body and Baby - at most local drugstores.  I got mine at target.  Their website has a full list.  Since it's under construction at the moment though, you can check out their Facebook page for more info. 

 CONCLUSION

Overall, I really like these moisturizers and I think I'll definitely purchase them again.  They have no nasty ingredients, do what they say and are reasonably priced.  There are a few other brands I might like to try out though, so maybe after those.  :)  Always on the hunt for the best in natural skincare!  Oh, and those of you that have oily or acne prone skin there is actually another line specifically for that.  African Black Soap Problem Skin Moisturizer may be for you! 

I have been trying out some of their lotion and body wash, as well.  I'll be sharing my thoughts on those in a few weeks, so definitely check back for that.  

And please leave a comment below, if you've tried these or any other SheaMoisture products that you can't live without!  I'd love to hear.  :)