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Curls Guide
Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque by SheaMoisture
deep conditioner
CG Friendly
Silicone Free
Cruelty Free

SheaMoisture

Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque

"The deep conditioner that brings dry, damaged curls back from the brink. Intensely moisturising with protein support for repair. A rescue treatment for thirsty coils."

Best for:
Very dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair High porosity hair that loses moisture quickly Coarse, thick hair that needs heavy moisture Monthly protein treatment needs
Avoid if:
Fine or low-density hair (too heavy) Protein-sensitive (contains keratin) Low porosity hair (may sit on top and build up)

Hair Compatibility

Curl Pattern

3B 3C 4A 4B 4C

Strand Thickness

medium
coarse

Porosity

medium
high

Performance

Definition 3/5
Hold 1/5
Shine 5/5
Crunch Potential 1/5
Buildup Risk 4/5
Hold Level
No Hold
Weight
Heavy
Finish
Soft, No Cast
Buildup Risk
Medium

What's Inside

Manuka Honey

Powerful humectant, seals moisture, antibacterial

Mafura Oil

Deep penetration, repairs damage

Baobab Oil

Rich in omega fatty acids, strengthens hair

Hydrolyzed Keratin

Protein repair for damaged, over-processed hair

✓ CG Friendly
● Contains Protein
✓ Silicone Free
✓ Sulfate Free
View Full Ingredients List

Water (Eau), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin (Vegetable), Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Trichilia Emetica (Mafura) Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Honey (Miel), Cetrimonium Chloride, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit/Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzoic Acid

Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.

How to Use

Best as: Deep Conditioner

Pairs Well With

As I Am

Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner

shampoo

Kinky-Curly

Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner

leave in

Alternatives to Consider

Garnier

Hair Food Banana 3-in-1 Mask

Budget option for weekly use

Overview

The SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque is the heavy artillery of deep conditioning. When hair is genuinely damaged, parched, or on the verge of breaking off, this is the treatment that can pull it back from the brink. It combines intense moisture with protein repair for comprehensive hair rehabilitation.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Manuka Honey - Not just any honey. Manuka has unique antibacterial properties and is an exceptional humectant that draws moisture into the hair shaft and seals it there.
  • Mafura Oil - Extracted from African mafura fruit, this oil penetrates deeply to repair damage and restore elasticity.
  • Baobab Oil - Rich in omega fatty acids, this oil strengthens hair and provides long-lasting moisture.
  • Hydrolyzed Keratin - The protein our hair is made of, in a form small enough to penetrate and repair the hair shaft from within.

What We Love

  1. Transformative moisture - Genuinely revives the driest, most damaged hair
  2. Protein + moisture balance - Addresses both strength and hydration
  3. Thick, rich texture - Feels luxurious and spa-like
  4. Results you can see - Hair is visibly softer, shinier, more elastic
  5. Widely available - Found at most drugstores and supermarkets
  6. Fair price for quality - Mid-range price for a treatment that really works

What Could Be Better

  1. Too heavy for fine hair - Will absolutely weigh down delicate strands
  2. Contains protein - Not suitable for protein-sensitive hair
  3. Can cause buildup - Don’t use more than 1-2x monthly
  4. Strong scent - Sweet honey fragrance isn’t for everyone
  5. Thick texture - Requires thorough rinsing

How to Use

Standard Deep Condition

  1. Apply to clean, wet hair after shampooing
  2. Work through in sections, focusing on mid-lengths and ends
  3. Clip up and cover with a shower cap or plastic cap
  4. Add heat if possible (hooded dryer, steamer, or warm towel)
  5. Leave for 20-30 minutes
  6. Rinse thoroughly - really thoroughly
  7. Follow with leave-in and stylers as usual

Rescue Treatment for Damaged Hair

  1. Apply to dry hair before washing
  2. Cover and add heat for 30-45 minutes
  3. Shampoo out gently
  4. Follow with regular conditioner
  5. Style as usual

How Often?

  • Healthy hair: Once monthly
  • Dry hair: Twice monthly
  • Severely damaged: Weekly until improved, then reduce

The Verdict

As a mid-range product, the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque is a salon-quality treatment at a drugstore price. It’s not for everyone - fine-haired and protein-sensitive folks should look elsewhere - but for those with dry, damaged, coarse, or high-porosity hair, it’s transformative. Use it judiciously (not weekly unless desperate) and your curls will thank you.

Our Rating: 4.5/5