Product Review: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream

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Why read review after review when you can just read one? We’ve “combed” the web to get the verdict on Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream.

Cantu Shea Butter claims to make high-performance formulas at a great affordable price. They also want their products to help you look good and smell good. Their leave-in conditioning repair cream was formulated to treat severely damaged, dry or coarse hair, while it promises to stop and mend hair breakage as well as leave hair soft, manageable and shiny.

The Verdict

The verdict is in: Cantu Shea Butter is one of the best products for women and men of color! Consumers agree that the leave-in conditioning repair cream tames frizz and protects from heat damage all while moisturizing and hydrating the hair. It is directed to be used daily, but some use it less than that and they are just as satisfied. Damaged, dry, coarse or healthy hair, it works beautifully on any hair type! Everyone seems to really love the smell of the repair cream as well. The leave-in conditioner works best on 3a-3c hair, compared to 4a-4c hair.

I recommend this to everyone because I am a long-time admirer of Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream. I have used this product for several years now. I was using it on my relaxed hair and my hair felt moisturized and healthy, and it smelled great too! But now that I am transitioning, I was concerned about how the conditioner would work on my natural hair. Turned out I had nothing to worry about! I have to say Cantu kept my natural curls defined and smelling sweet. A little goes a long way—you really don’t need to put too much in your hair. I sometimes use it as a styling product when I make bantu knots or twists. What can I say, I really love this stuff! It’s inexpensive and it is definitely worth a try!

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Pros

  • Comes in three different sizes (12oz., 16oz., 24oz.)
  • Very affordable
  • Smells sweet and pleasant, long lasting
  • A little goes a long way
  • Works on many hair types 3a-4c
  • Moisturizing and light
  • Leaves hair soft and silky
  • Does not weigh hair down
  • Great detangler

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Cons

  • Contains chemicals that some people may want to avoid: Cetyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Trimethylsilylamodimethacone, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol
  • Doesn’t mix well with other products (don’t mix it with other conditioners or hair products)
  • Doesn’t seem to work as well on 4a-4c hair

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What the Manufacturer Says

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream is an intensive deep penetrating leave in cream conditioning treatment that is made with pure Shea Butter and other natural oils to stop and mend breakage, repair split ends, and add manageability and shine with every application. When used daily, Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream helps promote strong, long healthy hair. Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream helps stop and mend hair breakage. Repair split ends and reduce frizz. Protect hair from heat damage hydrate and moisturize with Shea Butter and natural oils.

Ratings

What Bloggers Say

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I’ve now revisited a staple product from my past Cantu Sheabutter Leave-in!  And the results are in- #YesPleaseAndThankYou.  I wish it had a little more slip.  I wish it smelled a little better.  But the shine, the clumping, the defining, the moisture… all on point, including the price.  Glycerin is in the first 5 ingredients, so I’ll be curious to see how my hair behaves when the humidity gets turnt up.

Curly Nikki

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I have used this leave-in about 5 times since I bought it and I must say I really like it. You don’t need a lot as it is thick and the creamy consistency makes a decent amount goes a long way. With that being said it absorbs and smooth into the hair easily and quickly. Giving me soft and pliable strands’ I am really pleased with the results each time so far. My hair is soft, moisturize and when I seal with my Shea butter mix the results are the perfect finish to locking in moisture for a number of says.

The Black Hair Diary

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My hair has never had sheen like this. And it was SOOOOO soft.  But the kicker was when my Hubby got home. He took one look and asked how much oil I put in my hair. Poor thing. He knows nothing of the struggle, bless his heart. I told him to touch it. He said no. I insisted. He did. He says, “Hey its softer and there’s no weird slime on my hands!”

Instead of deckin’ him right there, I just took it as a compliment. In his own awkward way, he confirmed that my hair had sheen, was soft, and was not, ahem, “slimy” or oily.

The Silent Natural

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My hair: twa, Kinky-coily, 4C low porosity hair. I can tell you this: it’s a really good moisturiser but if your hair is anything like mine was, it is not going to “soften” your hair. Yes the Cantu cream has good slip, yes my hair is soft for a long time now- it has been over 12 hours since I put the leave-in in my hair and my chunky twists are still SO moisturised and soft to the touch. The thing that has really made me declare this conditioner a firm staple for me is the price. My hair doesn’t absorb it well as it does other products.

The Kink and I

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If you’re looking for something that gives mega definition to your twist outs/braid outs, opt for something that offers more hold and use this product underneath to keep it soft, hydrated, and manageable. This product is formulated to help control breakage and impart moisture, which makes it a wonderful inexpensive option for transitioners. One thing I did notice about this product is that it left a slight waxy residue. I can attribute this to the fact that I used more than the recommended amount, as I applied a quarter size amount to each section of hair I twisted. I imagine the issue with residue will be eliminated once I use it as a leave-in conditioner vs a styling aid.

Moptop Maven

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What the Vloggers Say

What the Commenters Say

OMG! I love this shea butter. It moisturizes so very well and if you happen to put too much in your hair all u have to do is rinse (not shampoo) the excess amount out of your hair and you’re ready to go. This product is great!

nyasha02

I use this product for twist outs, bantu knots,and just to basically keep my hair moisturized. You can use it on your hair either wet or dry depending on what look you want. When I use it dry it gives my hair a bouncy cotton look, when used wet it defines and adds shine. This product builds up quickly, so use when only needed. This product doesn’t mix well with other products, it should be used alone!

Trini

I use this product on my biracial, 4b/5g wavy, curly, coily hair.. My curls are so dry usually that I use a silicone water base spray I concocted. BUT with my new Cantu product it seemingly locks in moisture enough so I don’t have to walk around literally wet and wavy! Defffff recommend this product for African American, or especially mixed hair types. Keep in mind.. to not use to much.. it stretches along way!

Toi

Where to Get It

At local retailers like Walmart, Walgreens and Target and online on Amazon.

Ingredients

Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin (Soja) Soybean Oil, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprylate/Di- Caprate, Ppg1, Trideceth-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerine, Stearalkonium Chloride, Trimethylsilylamodimethacone, Panthenol, PPG-1-Peg 9 Laurel Glycol. Ethyl, Lanolin Oil, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Protein, Benzophenone-3, BHA, BHT, Zea Mays (Corn Oil), Idopropynolbutyl Carbonate, DMDM Hydantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

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Remi Powell
Remi Powell

I am a curious transitioner who's learning more and more about her natural hair everyday. I love experimenting with styles and get excited when I see how much my hair has grown.

Articles: 17

6 Comments

  1. Cantu leave in is not perfect, the chemicals mostly, but it does what it is supposed to do for a great price. Great for women on a budget. The only issue I have is when I use my Eco Argan Gel there are white streaks in my hair, but once I brush my hair the streaks are gone.

  2. Has there been any review on Mielle Organics Natural Hair products? I am curious to know pls. I hear the product is amazing but I always like to read reviews before buying.

  3. I used the Cantu coconut curling cream on my hair. And after an hour of being on my hair, I noticed my ears and cheeks were burning. I rinsed the LEAVE IN out and 2 days later my face and ears are dry as hell, like I have a burn over my face and ears. The product might be ok for some people but my face was on fire for two days after I used the product. I’m sorry but NO THANK YOU. I wasted my money and burned my face and ears slightly using this. Never again.

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