Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strong Hold Styling Gel 15 Oz

I had such high hopes for this hair styling gel by Shea Moiature because I have been a fan of their products for years. Especially the Jamaican Black Castor Oil line. However, I am disappointed with this product. It has a fair hold when styling my hair to keep my eyes laid and defining my waves and curls. It smells nice. Shine is okay. Nothing super noticeable. But it after it dries, it leaves my hair feeling bone dry! It has flaxseed in it, castor oil, shea butter, peppermint leaf , glycerin and is free of parabens-phalanges-mineral oil-petroleum. It has some ingredients in it however that I cannot pronounce and unfamiliar with. The old Shea Moisture products before the brand was sold would’ve never had any other ingredients in it but familiar and natural ingredients only, and would’ve never been drying to my hair. I have tried putting a hair moisturizer or leave in conditioner on my hair first before applying this hair styling gel to my hair to see if it would resolve the hair dryness issue. The only one that helped was Shea Moisture’s Kalahari Melon Curl Stretch Cream. I shouldn’t have to use a hair moisturizer though before using a hair styling gel to prevent extreme dryness to my hair. No other time have I had to do so with other hair styling gels by other brands. So this is an odd thing for me. I strongly encourage Shea Moisture to revisit the formulation of this product and figure out why it is so drying to hair. I have 4a/3c combination textured hair. I do not have oily hair. Perhaps this product is best suited for people who tend to have oily hair. For those who require moisturizing products for their hair like myself, I don’t recommend this product. I hate admitting this because Shea Moisture is my favorite personal care product brand. However, I remain true to always being honest in my product reviews regardless.

I am OBSESSED with this gel!! I use it every time I style my hair, paired with the Curl Enhancing Smoothie by Shea Moisture. This gel is sticky and hardens nicely without giving stiffness to my hair. My curls last ALL day and through the night when properly taken care of. The gel is lightweight but buildable if needed. Also works super well when slicking back my hair or keeping strands in place. 10/10 will always use this gel.

This is a very very heavy gel. I usually use it when I wanna do a slick back bun or ponytail. Make sure you don’t use too much. It will hold well just make sure you pay attention to how much you use!

This has a nice strong hold, the scent is nice. Nice texture, pairs well with curl enhancing smoothie by Shea moisture. Leaves my hair looking shiny. No after residue, I really like how it defines my 3b hair. Definitely recommend.

Thus product is absolutely amazing and an essential when on your natural journey. It holds hair very well keeping what every style is place. The consistency is not thick but more watery to allow the hair strand to still breathe. The scent is okay, I will be honest. I do recommend this product for those who are questioning to purchase or trying it out.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have curly hair and love to make sure that the products I use for my hair won’t damage my hair and also won’t make my hair look or feel weird after using a product or during, I can personally say that this formula is great really holds my curls and puts the frizz away! It also gives great definition to my curls and it’s easy to wash off after and leaving my curls healthy ! Also helps lay down my edges !

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I use this with my boys and like it . Keeps their style for hours without getting their hair dry

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] It has a light scent so it’s not overpowering at all. The texture is so thick and a little does go a long way. It didn’t leave my hair crunchy at all. This definitely tamed my wavy hair and got it structured. Definitely recommend!!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was so excited to see I received a full size jar as a sample. My expectation was pretty high for this product since SheaMoisture has great products. The smell I wasn't the biggest fan of I rather have some type of fragrance when it comes to hair products. The product itself a little goes a long way, it's a thick gel so I was not sure how it would feel on my hair but once my hair dried it was fine. I did love that my hair wasn't as frizzy especially with all my new baby hairs coming in. I have straight hair but with layers my ends tend to be wavy but this product had my hair super straight. The only bad thing about this product that I've noticed is that it tend to dry my hair out.

After not getting the results I wanted I tried changing factors. I added more gel, plopped my hair before applying, and played around with sectioning. Unfortunately none of these strategies fought the frizz that occurred just one day after styling. I also found that the hold just wasn’t enough to keep my hair looking good.

This gel has amazing hold and really defined my 3c-4b curls and coils. But WHEN IT DRIED, white particles would fly whenever I shook my curls or touched my hair. It also took away ALL the shine and luster from my hair. I was sooo disappointed because I really wanted to like this gel due to it's hold and definition.

Good product, smells a good and the hair does not move #trywithtobbox #freeproduct

I am in LOVE with the Strong Hold Styling Gel by Shea Moisture. This product has worked wonders on my family's hair, and it smells heavenly!! It’s not everyday you find products that help your hair, and are good for the environment. Get your hands on this product, you'll love it!

This gel is perfect for slick back styles! doesn't flake or leave white residue,( dont combine with other gels) smells good and holds ALL day! Leaves my hair shiny and MOISTurized!

I have 3b/3c curly hair texture and I don't care for the gel. It always leaves a white residue, especially if I use on my edges. I love the Jamaican black line so this was unfortunate for the quality of the product.

I’ve been using this gel for months now. It leaves my curls so soft and my curls amazing! My hair isn’t that fizzy when I use it. It’s so good I recommend, 10/10 recommend.

this gel has been holding my curls down. i have been struggling finding a gel that keeps my hair shinny and moisturized. This is it!

Yes I does actually hold your natural hair. Makes hair strong and manageable. The sweet scent smells so delightful on your hair.

I have been struggling to retain moisture while having my curls defined until I tried this gel!! Because I have 3c-4a curly hair, I NEED heavy creams and gels in my routine but my hair was looking dull, poofy and dry. This gel gave me so much shine and hold without being greasy or crunchy. It has a natural scent but it's not that strong. I did notice flaking when pairing with another gel (my mistake) but works wonders alone.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My son and husband really liked this gel. It held my sons hair in place for hours. It also smells really good and it doesn't leave your hair all sticky.