Shea Butter Shakedown/Shakeout

[TraderJoe]

We're talking about different "brands" of pure/raw shea butter here. Yes, it is all "shea butter".......but they are different. Just like beer. Its all beer, but its not the same. ;)

The most notable shea butters I have used:

1) Chic Afrique
2) Epicurean
3) L'Occitane

And a short synopsis of each:

Chic Afrique - 1st Place

All of the above are good, but the BEST that I have tried is the Chic Afrique. It melts with more ease than any of the others. Whereas most of the raw African shea butters can be clumpy and tough to work with right out of the jar, this one is literally like butter in your hand. Some brands even recommend you put the jar in microwave to heat a few seconds to soften it up a bit. Not this one - this stuff will melt if you stare at it long enough

-------< Full Review Here (http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1191)>-------



Epicurean - 2nd Place

I have a soft spot for this one since its the first shea butter I used, but its not the best. It can be hard to use at it is much denser and therefore you must work at it more than the others to melt it into usable form. It is also slightly greasy but it does soak in eventually.

L'Occitane - 3rd Place

The most expensive, but again, not the best. This shea butter is blended in such a way that it "looks" the nicest/cleanest/smoothest of all the shea butters....but looks can be deceiving. I also find this one to be slightly waxy, and it doesn't always soak into my skin completely.


Feel free to add more to the thread!

I have seen a shea butter "stick" which looks like a stick of deodorant, but pure shea butter...at Whole Foods. I would try that. But I really don't need to as the Chic Afrique is that good there's no further necessity for experimentation.

[moviemaniac]

Great roundup, Joe! ::

[TraderJoe]

Great roundup, Joe! ::

Tell us about the one you are using ;)

[IsaacRN]

Just tried the L'Occitane..and im disappointed. It smells like feet.....although im sure i picked up the Neutral scented one.......and its really greasy. Just my 2 cents.

[Queen of Blades]

Just tried the L'Occitane..and im disappointed. It smells like feet.....although im sure i picked up the Neutral scented one.......and its really greasy. Just my 2 cents.

Are you sure? Maybe you picked up the Feet scented one by mistake. :rolleyes:

[IsaacRN]

WOW...i shouldve looked.i was mistaken.....it was ass scented :(

[Queen of Blades]

WOW...i shouldve looked.i was mistaken.....it was ass scented :(

:rofl:rofl

[moviemaniac]

Tell us about the one you are using ;)
All right :D

I've got the "Karite Pur" from Arc en Sels (http://www.arcensels.com/en/produit.aspx?id_produit=19). It comes in heavy plastic tubs and you can choose between natural and rosewater-scented versions (amongst other scents). I have the former.

It's quite a stiff mass so you have to really work on the surface with your index finger to get a bit of butter on it and you have to warm it a bit with your own breath before applying. It is slightly greasy and only sinks in partially, but that's no issue for me.
All in all I really like it. By buying this product I support an organisation that helps poor women (and families) in Burkina Faso and the product itself is great. A little dab is all you need - I use my 100ml-tub daily (sometimes even twice a day) and after the 2 months I've now had it, there are still 90% of the original amount left in the tub.
I'll definitely buy it again when I run out of this product.

[TstebinsB]

I'm thinking of buying shea butter to serve as a night cream and after shave moisturizer. Shea Terra Organics (http://store.africansheabuttercompany.com/retshebutpro.html) has been very highly recommended by many magazines. I know someone who tried it and also praised their stuff. Soon as I save some PayPal money (it's not like.. real money or anything :rolleyes:), I'll buy some and write a review.

One thing about pure and raw shea butter is the high level of toxins in some of them. Shea butter production isn't regulated and I'd be wary of using any company's stuff.

[peacefrog]

I use Perfect Organics Shea Butter. I have some very dry patches on my face that never go away. So my wife bought me this shea butter at Whole Foods. I guess I don't know enough about shea butters to tell if this is any good or not. Seems decent.

[IsaacRN]

ive bought several jars of the Chic Afrique and have sold the product to many other people (through recommendations) Its a great shea butter

[ltlsuz]

and where might we find this Chic Afrique shea butter? I'd like to try some. I've only used refined, as everything else was smelly.
Susie

[Padron]

and where might we find this Chic Afrique shea butter? I'd like to try some. I've only used refined, as everything else was smelly.
Susie

Here you go :)
http://www.chicafrique.biz/

[IsaacRN]

Here you go :)
http://www.chicafrique.biz/


Thats definately it!

Joe turned me on to it..and now I try to spread the word. Heres a piece of advice. The company doesnt seem to care much for customer satisfaction. It took me over one month to receive my two jars. When I had called, they said...youll get it when you get it.

BUT, the products are great.

[TraderJoe]

One thing about pure and raw shea butter is the high level of toxins in some of them. Shea butter production isn't regulated and I'd be wary of using any company's stuff.

I'd take it with a grain of salt too, but sometimes you just gotta trust people :D


The products of the Chic Afrique Herbal Line are appreciated for their exceptional quality and their originality. Every product complies with the international regulations of the cosmetic industry. They are not animal tested and are dermatoligical approved. The products of the Chic Afrique Herbal Line are 100% Natural.
Also,


Traditionally, Africans use is as a medicinal balm for rheumatism, muscle aches, burns, irritation, chaps and ulcerations. These astonishing properties of shea butter are without doubt due to its unsaponifiable fraction which contains pro vitamins, vitamin F, small amounts of vitamin A and E. In ORI we have presented the raw 100% shea butter and stabilized it from oxidation with vitamin E, eliminated the smell and cleaned up by repeatedly straining it.

Slapping the word "Organic"/"Organics" on a product doesn't really do much for me, unless its certified.

[moviemaniac]

One thing about pure and raw shea butter is the high level of toxins in some of them. Shea butter production isn't regulated and I'd be wary of using any company's stuff.

Ah well, what's life without a little rist :rofl

besides, I'm sure there's more toxins in the same amount of shaving-goo from the can :p

[TstebinsB]

Slapping the word "Organic"/"Organics" on a product doesn't really do much for me, unless its certified.

"eliminated the smell and cleaned up by repeatedly straining it."

I saw that. That's important because it can be issue.

[Issy]

"eliminated the smell and cleaned up by repeatedly straining it."

I saw that. That's important because it can be issue.
Thats refined, not raw
Issy

[TstebinsB]

Thats refined, not raw
Issy

I know but I'm not interested in shea butter that's entirely raw. I just want raw in the sense of not having any other oils or extracts added. The Chic Afrique has Vitamin E added so I'd pass but I do like the straining.

[Issy]

I know but I'm not interested in shea butter that's entirely raw. I just want raw in the sense of not having any other oils or extracts added. The Chic Afrique has Vitamin E added so I'd pass but I do like the straining.
I doubt it is much vit E...but it does help it from going rancid

Issy

[Padron]

Isaac / Joe,

Are you still liking the Chic Afrique? I may have to pick some of this up...

[IsaacRN]

I like it.....

Ive converted 5 people at work.....and one African Nurse that says its the real deal.

As ive said before.....their customer service is a D but product is an A

[Padron]

I like it.....

Ive converted 5 people at work.....and one African Nurse that says its the real deal.

As ive said before.....their customer service is a D but product is an A

Excellent, I am going to try some :) Thanks!