African Pride has been a recognized name in Black hair care for over three decades. While the brand was historically associated with relaxed hair, a significant revamp occurred after its acquisition by Godrej Consumer Goods in 2016. Today, African Pride is operated and controlled by Black women and people of color, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement through substantial donations and advocacy for important social issues. The brand now offers a diverse range of over 25 products catering to various hair types, from natural to relaxed, and straight to coily textures.
Exploring the Moisture Miracle and Olive Miracle Collections
This review delves into the performance of several products from African Pride's Moisture Miracle and Olive Miracle lines, offering insights into their effectiveness for natural hair.
Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Detangle & Condition Pre-Shampoo
The Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Detangle & Condition Pre-Shampoo is designed to facilitate detangling and minimize breakage in preparation for styling. It possesses a unique jelly-like consistency and a fragrance that balances fruity and perfumy notes. When tested after a four-week twist-out, this pre-shampoo proved to be exceptionally effective. Its detangling capabilities were immediately apparent upon application, leaving hair not only tangle-free but also with separated and defined curls. The inclusion of this product significantly eased the subsequent shampooing process.
Olive Miracle 7-in-1 Leave-In Moisture Restore Curl Refresher
The Olive Miracle 7-in-1 Leave-In Moisture Restore Curl Refresher claims to offer a multitude of benefits, including detangling, conditioning, refreshing curls, frizz control, shine enhancement, heat protection, and split end prevention. However, the reviewer expressed initial hesitation due to the product's liquid consistency, which can sometimes cause shrinkage and tangling in their hair, and the presence of silicones, despite their water-soluble nature. The scent of this product, consistent across the Olive Miracle line, is reminiscent of green apple body spray. When used as a leave-in before blow-drying and for a twist-out, it assisted with detangling and promoted overall smoothness. Nevertheless, it did not significantly refresh the curls and resulted in an initial oily feel, followed by dryness a few days post-wash, likely due to product buildup.
Olive Miracle Non-Flaking Foam Setting Mousse
The Olive Miracle Non-Flaking Foam Setting Mousse is presented as a solution for setting styles. It was tested for refreshing twists, wash-and-go styles, Bantu knot sets, and twist-outs. The mousse effectively laid down twists and managed flyaways. For wash-and-go styles, it set curls without leaving them stiff or crunchy. However, results for Bantu knots were less satisfactory, yielding smooth, soft, and shiny hair but lacking sufficient hold. This was noted as potentially being influenced by the application on blow-dried hair, contrary to the product's instructions for damp hair. Attempts to salvage the style with flat twists were also unsuccessful. A subsequent attempt using the mousse for a twist-out, after applying leave-in conditioner and a cream styler, resulted in fairly defined and soft twists. The product lived up to its non-flaking promise, but the hold was short-lived, with the style diminishing after approximately a day.
Olive Miracle Weightless Heat Protectant & Shine Mist
The Olive Miracle Weightless Heat Protectant & Shine Mist functions as a heat protectant for blow-dryers and curling irons, a finishing spray, and a frizz guard. It successfully protected hair from heat styling damage, with hair reverting without adverse effects. While it added shine, it did not entirely eliminate frizz and resulted in a slightly oily feel. This oiliness was attributed to the potential overuse of the product, possibly in conjunction with the Curl Refresher, and the presence of ten different oils within its formulation, contrasting with the two silicones found in the Curl Refresher.
How to Relax Your Hair with Olive Miracle Deep Conditioning & Braid It | Hair Tutorial
In-Depth Reviews of Moisture Miracle Line Products
Several reviewers provided detailed feedback on specific products within the Moisture Miracle line, highlighting their experiences and preferences.
Moisture Miracle Coconut Milk & Honey Hydrate & Shine Leave-In Conditioner
This leave-in conditioner, a component of the LOC method, is praised for its consistency and pleasant scent, described as reminiscent of a bakery item. Its ability to spread easily and provide adequate slip was noted. The inclusion of glycerin was a significant pro, particularly for dry hair, as it helps attract moisture from the air. However, a notable con was the lack of lasting hold for twist-outs. The reviewer also mentioned that while water is the first ingredient, the presence of dimethicone necessitates the use of a clarifying shampoo for removal. When paired with a curling cream, it contributed to moisturized, non-weighed-down hair and prevented product beading until reapplication of the curling cream.
Moisture Miracle Coconut Milk & Honey Hydrate & Shine Leave-In Conditioner (Spray)
This spray version of the leave-in conditioner is highlighted for its hydrating properties and pleasant scent. Its lightweight nature makes it a suitable option for refreshing curls, especially during warmer weather when heavier products are less preferred. The spray nozzle design was found to simplify the moisturizing process.
Moisture Miracle Shea Butter & Flaxseed Curling Cream
The Shea Butter & Flaxseed Curling Cream is described as a versatile styling cream that offers deep moisture, lasting definition, and radiant shine. Its texture is noted as being somewhat thick yet slightly runny, with a little product going a long way. Concerns were raised about potential flakiness if too much product is applied. Despite its lighter feel compared to some other creams, it has become a favored product for styling. The cream's effectiveness in producing defined curls was acknowledged, though its hold was considered moderate, suggesting it might pair well with a gel for enhanced longevity. The absence of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, and petrolatum is a significant plus.
Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Shampoo
This shampoo is lauded for its luxurious feel and pleasant scent. It effectively cleanses the hair, akin to a clarifying shampoo, removing dirt and buildup without stripping natural oils. The combination of honey and coconut oil deeply penetrates and hydrates coils and curls, leaving hair soft and easy to detangle throughout and after the washing process. It is considered a staple product for its cleansing and moisturizing capabilities.
Moisture Miracle Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Leave-In Cream
This leave-in cream is characterized by its very thick consistency, making it ideal for colder months. It is recommended to apply water before using this cream to ensure easier distribution through the hair. Its hydrating and strengthening properties, derived from coconut and baobab oils, are beneficial for wash-day styling. The reviewer noted that this thick cream did not clash with the equally thick curling cream, and they complemented each other well.
Moisture Miracle Moroccan Clay & Shea Butter Heat Activated Mask
The Moroccan Clay & Shea Butter Heat Activated Mask, despite its promising ingredients, received mixed reviews. While the name suggests benefits from the clay and shea butter, its strong, lingering scent after rinsing was a drawback. However, when activated with heat, as indicated on the packaging, the mask delivered exceptional moisture. Its thick consistency required minimal product, and it left hair feeling extremely moisturized, comparable to a rich deep conditioner.
Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils
This oil blend, containing Castor, Grapeseed, Argan, Coconut, and Olive oils, along with Vitamin E, is presented as an ultimate solution for scalp and hair health. It serves multiple purposes, including sealing moisture in LOC/LCO methods and as a hot oil treatment. Its heavenly scent was a standout feature. While used on the scalp, its specific effectiveness was difficult to assess due to pre-existing scalp dryness.
Overall Impressions and Recommendations
Reviewers generally found the African Pride Moisture Miracle line to be impressive, particularly for its target audience of type 3 and type 4 hair. Several products stood out for their performance and value:
- The Aloe and Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo was consistently praised as a game-changer for its detangling abilities and the nourishment it provided before washing.
- The Honey and Coconut Shampoo was described as luxurious, effective, and moisturizing, making it a staple for clarifying washes.
- The Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Leave-in Cream was appreciated for its thickness and hydrating properties, suitable for colder weather styling.
- The 5 Essential Oils were highly recommended for their versatility and pleasant scent.
While most products performed well, some styling creams were noted as being too heavy for refreshing styles on consecutive days, leading to stringiness. This suggests a need for lighter styling creams to complement the existing line for multi-day styles. The Olive Miracle products received more mixed reviews, with the Heat Protectant & Shine Mist offering shine but not complete frizz control and potentially causing oiliness.
Overall, the African Pride Moisture Miracle collection is considered a valuable addition to natural hair care routines, offering effective solutions at a reasonable price point. The brand's commitment to community and its revamped product lines make it a noteworthy option for consumers seeking quality hair care products.