Taliah Waajid Repair and Restore Hair Strengthening Masque vs Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Hydration Masque

Deep conditioning is one of the most important steps in my hair care routine. It’s my key step for maintaining healthy hair growth. Today I’ve lined up a battle of the deep conditioners between Taliah Waajid’s Repair and Restore Hair Strengthening Masque and Shea Moisture’s Manuka Honey Hydration Masque.


Last year when I ran out of the Taliah waajid repair and restore conditioner and looked high and low to find it locally with no luck. So I thought to myself maybe I should buy a more common brand of conditioner I can pick from any beauty and my hunt for a new deep conditioner.

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Battle of the deep conditioners


After scouring the internet for moisturizing deep conditioner reviews I came across the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque. This masque was a crowd favourite with nothing but positive reviews so I was convinced that it would become my new favourite deep conditioner.


SHEA MOISTURE MANUKA HONEY & MAFURA OIL INTENSIVE HYDRATION MASQUE

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque

Product claim


This deep conditioner infuses hair with a powerful dose of moisture and nutrients

What were my first impressions?


When I saw the thickness of the product I thought my hair would be in heaven. My hair likes thick products! It was certainly surprising to find that applying it to my hair felt like I had plopped a glob of cream on my head (I would say Vaseline but that’s a little extreme). I quickly realized that I’d need to massage the product into my hair which was way more effort than I’m accustomed to. After trying that my strands felt softer. Then it took even more effort to detangle with the conditioner because I had to continuously add water to my hair to get the conditioner moving again.


Following the detangling process I proceeded to deep condition my hair while sitting under the hooded dryer and after this my hair felt a bit more moisturized. But very soon after that my hair was back to feeling dry even during the styling process.


Did I like the Intensive Hydration Hair Masque?


I don’t hate but I don’t love it either. I wouldn’t give this masque all 5 stars because it did not leave my hair intensely moisturized like it promises. I didn’t notice any notable benefits while using this product. But my hair didn’t feel worse either so I’d give it 2.5/5 stars. After emptying a whole jar of product I was left feeling so-so. I was underwhelmed for sure.


What’s the product like?


This is an incredibly thick cream deep conditioner that provides slight slip when water is added to the hair. The product didn’t absorb into my hair without the addition of heat. A single jar will last about 4-5 washes.


Would I repurchase it?


Maybe, if I have no other prospects. I bought two jars to start and recently I used the second jar and had a better experience. My hair felt a lot more moisturized than the times before but the thickness of the product and the lack of slip are still big deterrents for me.


TALIAH WAAJID REPAIR AND RESTORE HAIR STRENGTHENING MASQUE

Taliah Waajid Repair And Restore Hair Strengthening Masque

Product claim


Repair & Restore Hair Strengthening Treatment Masque Is a nutrient system that will fortify the internal structure of the hair and leave it stronger, softer and more manageable. Designed to penetrate the hair shaft to repair dry, brittle and damaged hair. The unique blend of Shea Butter, Honey and Banana work harmoniously to give you healthy luxurious hair. The potassium contained in the Banana mends the hairs follicles from damage leaving each strand stronger. The Shea Butter and Honey replenishes the hairs natural moisture levels leaving hair more manageable, healthier, shiny and luscious.

What were my first impressions?


After my year-long hiatus, I guess I can consider this a first impression. Last week I used this strengthening masque for the first time in a long time and there’s something special about this product formulation. While today’s deep conditioning rivals share a number of the same ingredients (shea butter, water & coconut oil) my hair responds completely different to each.

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With this Taliah product, I noticed my hair absorbed it almost immediately. My hair was remarkably softer and easier to detangle. It did also need to be refreshed with water during the detangling process but it didn’t require a lot of water. Even after rinsing it out my hair felt nourished and strengthened. My hair felt so moisturized that I felt like I could skip my leave-in conditioner.


Did I like the Repair And Restore Hair Strengthening Masque?


Yes, I don’t think I’ll ever switch conditioners again until this one stops working for me. Even if it means I’ll have to order my own stash every quarter, I’ll do that because it works for me and my hair. This masque gets a 5/5 because it’s an all-around great product for my hair.


I remember progressively losing less hair when I first fell in love with this product and that to me is a testament to the strength it helped my hair develop.


What’s the product like?


It’s thick but it’s creamy and easy to spread throughout the hair. I found myself using a lot less of this product compared to Shea Moisture deep conditioner. It smells like shea butter and a little like banana.


Would I repurchase it?


Yes yes and yes. For as long as my hair loves it. My hair feels healthier when I use this product and who doesn’t love healthy hair.


Overall I think these are both good deep conditioners, despite not having the best experience with the Shea Moisture masque I can see why it may work for others. But for me, Taliah Waajid’s strengthening masque is the winner. Everything her masque claims to do for hair has been my experience and that’s the type of product I need.

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