by
Christina Patrice
By Christina of The Mane Objective
As we discussed last time, having natural hair or transitioning can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be expensive .As an impulse shopper and recovering product junkie, I have a tendency to randomly decide I “need” something for my hair, then go grab it the first place I would assumed carried it. Needless to say, I poured a lot of money down the drain by not doing my homework. But boy, have I learned my lesson. I often spend my lunch break or other bouts of down-time exploring stores in my area and looking for the best bargains. Here are six more natural hair staples that can be nabbed at discounted prices:
Whether you like Shea Butter for your skin or to blend in a DIY mix a’la Naptural85, this natural staple doesn’t have to be pricey. I live in LA, and have places like Dawah Books (on Crenshaw Blvd.) where I can get a pound (16oz) of Shea Butter for $6. If you live near any African shops or marketplaces, I would check there first. However, if you have to order online, 8oz of raw Shea Butter will run you in the ballpark of $5 — and a little goes a long way. Check out Amazon or Erzuli for online purchasing.
Great for leave-ins, pre-pooing, or sealing hair, Jojoba oil has made it on many a natural’s radar. However, the price-point can be a little discouraging to some — especially when olive, coconut and other oils are available in much larger quantities for much less. One way to ease the sting in purchasing this powerful oil is to head over to Trader Joe’s. This amazing store chain carries 4oz of 100% pure Jojoba oil for $6.99. This is by far the best in-store pricing I have found.
Eight months ago, I would have suggested heading to Whole Foods or Sprouts and grabbing a box of Light Mountain Henna for $7.99. DON’T. YOU. DARE. Take it from me, cutting corners when it comes to Henna just isn’t worth the hassle. Light Mountain Henna is decent enough (if you enjoy repeated co-washing and picking sticks and stems out of your hair), but for the price point, you can easily get ahold of some Body Art Quality (BAQ) Henna. I resorted to ordering my Jamila BAQ Henna from an Ebay dealer, Mehndi911 who is located in Culver City, CA. I usually purchase 2 or 3 boxes at a time, for $6.00each and $1.98 shipping. I chose this particular dealer because she has Summer 2012 crop of henna, which is the freshest. If you’re interested in saving a few bucks, you can always purchase previous crop years (2010, 2011) for cheaper on sites like Ebay or Amazon. When purchasing Henna online, make sure the vendor or dealer is able to indicate a crop date and brand. Don’t be taken in by bootleg Henna!
The interwebs tout ACV as a miracle in a bottle that can help you kill lice, dandruff, grow hair, improve your credit score, pH balance hair, re-elect Obama, smooth hair, bring down gas prices, and fight frizz…and the list goes on. When it comes to buying Apple Cider Vinegar, most people naturally gravitate toward Braggs, as it is known as a popular brand of reputable quality. However, did you know that the Vitamin Shoppe has their own brand of organic ACV (with Mother, of course) for less? Head to the Vitamin Shoppe for a 16oz bottle for $2.99!
If you’ve headed to Trader Joe’s for Jojoba oil, don’t leave just yet. If you love Vitamin E oil or are curious about how it’ll treat your hair, you can purchase some at TJ’s at a price that won’t leave you mad if you don’t love it. Try out a 4oz bottle of pure Vitamin E oil for $3.99.
In this area, my #1 recommendation is reusing emptied hair product jars. Make sure they are washed well and dried thoroughly before re-use. My personal favorite is taking Shea Moisture jars, washing and loading them up with my mixes. Fair warning: do not pour hot flax seed gel (or any other “cooked” concoctions) directly into the container. It will melt. If you insist on purchasing airtight containers, your best bet is Target. Grab an 8-count GladWare Mini Round Containers for $3.29.
What other staples have you uncovered at discount prices?
53 Responses
Ghana has the best unrefined Shea butter in the world very natural… Follow africanblack_soap on Instagram to know more about it or WHATSAPP +233242879760.
amazing site! Great info! I’m a budding aromatherapist and I want to create an amazing nourishing Shea Butter blend for natural hair. Exciting!
Nigeria has the best natural raw share butter in the world, and it is extremely cheap over here, this is because people have not taking it as serious business, even thought they have it in large quantity, must of the product is consume locally whereas the remaining one goes as a waste. To take advantage of this; BM-Ganojiya International Co. Lmtd is here to supply you with both raw share butter and share nuts contact 08094000851. best of luck
Hi, BM-Ganojiya International Co. Lmtd is it in Nigeria. What is your country code on IDD. Can you email me at m2*****@*******om.hk?
Hey! My country code +234 and you can contact me through this phone number +2348022717884′ hope to here from you asap. Best regard
eugeniashea.org is the best natural Shea butter cream in the world. Shop now!
I need your email or contact number or website if you have.
(posted this on another article but felt like it was relevant here as well)
WARNING: “Gold Shea Butter” is NOT UNREFINED SHEA BUTTER
So I’ve been doing lots of research as I’m trying to have healthier natural hair. I was very excited about Shea butter and I used the link you have shared multiple times linking to one of the Amazon sellers to purchase my Shea butter. Sadly this led me to “Gold Shea Butter” but the truth is that Shea butter is NOT gold so if a vendor is selling “Gold Shea Butter” it is either Kpangnan (a different butter) or it is dyed which could potentially effect the quality of the Shea. I discovered this by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9XzMd2AJu8
Coupled with going to Naptural85’s preferred Shea butter source and reading this: http://www.shop.agbangakarite.com/product.sc?productId=23&categoryId=7
And then finishing with the wikipedia article which talks about the coloring of unrefined Shea butter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shea_butter
All this leads me to believe that many people (including this site) are being dooped by some Amazon sellers. I think what’s ultimately happening is similar to how people in America think a Yam and a Sweet Potato are the same (they aren’t) but with shady implications as I think Kpangnan is cheaper to obtain but is being marked with Shea Butter prices. I even think that the photo above may be of Kpangnan but has been continually labeled as Shea butter. I believe this is a more accurate depiction of Shea butter http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6s-KybNKEHo/UEyPEcs6mbI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ScHRqq0N2lM/s640/raw-shea-butter.jpg
Again this is just my own internet sleuthing I have done. Does anyone else have a different understanding or interpretation of my sources?
contact me for raw unrefined 100% organic sheabutter
2330242284410 from Ghana.check out our website for product preview.we supply in bulk as well
vielung.com
Good Day,
As discussed, we are a Kermel cosmetics here in South Africa and representing a shea butter company. We can sale more than 72 tons of shea butter a year and our product is exported from Benin Republic. It the natural shea butter that we would like to introduise into your Market.
Please advise how can we proceed to become you best supplier.
Thank you
Kind Regards
Credo Donald,
+27715043347
hello,
Am looking for some natural butters to buy in bulk. please advise if you have the following butters and the prices.
Shea butter – raw unrefined
Mango butter – raw
Avocado butter
Mafura butter
Macadamia butter
murumuru butter – raw
Cupuacu butter – raw
Tucuuma Butter – raw
Moringa butter
Please get back to me and let me know.
thanks!
Shea Butter is a great multipurpose product suitable for both skin and hair. To shop for pure African white or yellow Shea butter visit http://www.outerbeautysupply.com
Where and how much can I get raw african shea butter in South Africa,Gauteng?
Good day
I’m replying to a request made on a website about Shea butter that you’re looking for. I’ve got a lot in stock, I would like to know if you’re still interested.
I also have Cocoa Butter – Almond oil – Coconut Oil
Kind Regards
Moosa
Cell: +27 82 754 4992
Please where exactly can I source raw shea nut locally (the source of shea butter)
Are you in need of agricultural products in large quantities such as ginger(wet and dry),bitter kola,Kolanut,Shea butter,then your search is over. At Unearth concepts production,we open the door to solving your needs. Call us now on 2348063658249,2348055273030 or send us a mail at ed*****@***oo.com. We are always at your service.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shearrbutter.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dry-ginger-250×250.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bitterkola.jpg[/img]
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I wish to read more things about it!
where can l get organic apple cider vinegar in Ghana.
i will try this
Raw sheabutter in Ghana, looking for buyers packaged 1/2 kg,1kg and bulk 25kg. Available in 3ply export worthy cartons. Shipment from Ghana.
call Daniel on +233266630725
Hi Daniel. What is te price per 1Kg? Do you export as well? I am in South Afrika.
Good day
I’m replying to a request made on a website about Shea butter that you’re looking for. I’ve got a lot in stock, I would like to know if you’re still interested. The products are from Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso
I also have Cocoa Butter – Almond oil – Coconut Oil in stock.
Kind Regards
Moosa
Cell: +2782 754 4992
Are you located in South Africa, Moosa? I am in Pretoria and looking for unrefined shear butter
Hello guys,
visit http://www.tamaproducts.com, this company is doing wonderful job in Tamale Northern region of Ghana. I visited their processing center and I was so impressed with the way they make their hand crafted sheabutter.
continuation of my 1st post:
this website http://www.madinaonline.com have the 1 pound shea butter for the $3.99
you can buy 1 pound of raw shea butter(white or yellow) @ $3.99…also they sell in bulk cheap also. This is the cheapest I’ve seen. They also have the other butters very cheap. Check out this site also http://www.essentialdepot.com
Im glad i found this…cuz I was looking at jojoba oil at Whole Foods and Sprouts and decided that I didnt need it in my regimen anymore, lol.
For storage containers, you can also upcycle spaghetti jars, yogurt containers, juice jugs, etc. Just wash them out good.
LOL at “re-elect Obama”
I love Christina’s articles!
Not everyone has a local Indian grocery store. I just buy everything online. As long as the price is reasonable I don’t care if it’s the cheapest. Normally, I’ll go by word of mouth or reputation of the online store. I’ve found that Henna for African Hair is a much more quality henna than Jamila and I get it from mehandi.com
The Jojoba from Trader Joe is pretty good. I bought some and mixed a few drops with my Shea Moisture Hold&Shine. My hair is super soft in the morning!
Good suggestions. And Dollar Tree/Family Dollar certainly hold it down too. I get some of my beauty products at National Wholesale Liquidators. This place makes Wally World look luxurious, but if you have patience (stock varies) and don’t mind searching a little and reading carefully, you can find many staples for a steal.
I buy baby snack containers at the dollar store…. cheap, and they seal tightly, 4-6 in a pack for a buck!
That was hilarious… well written…
if you live in the SFV WOW beauty supply has Shea Butter.. i bought a 16 oz container for 7.99 (it might’ve been 6.99); but this is a very good deal. they also hav JBCO at comparable prices. Everything else, the indian market or Sprouts (especially when they have sales).
Target is not the cheapest place to get containers.
I find all kind of great things from the dollar store: baggies, bonnets, scarves, combs and brushes of all sizes, wig caps, cheap conditioners for co-washing, cute hair clips, headbands, spray bottles, containers for mixes, et al.
I save money where I can so can splurge when I want to.
The Vitamin E oil from Trader Joes is NOT pure Vitamin E oil as noted here. It is very much a mix of oils.
I was just going to say this. I bought this last year without checking the back only to see its cut with other natural oils. It’s lovely on the skin (probably on the hair too) but it wouldn’t preserve mixes.
Ooh thanks! I actually just bought some pretty expensive Shea butter, because I really wanted to try it, and my hair absolutely loves it! But if it’s going to be a staple it would be awesome to buy it for less. And in cheaper, larger amounts, I might try some of the mixes people do!
LOL. All I care about is shea butter.
I’ll be sure to check the Vitamin Shoppe for the ACV! I’ve been needing a new one.
I’m digging the tip on the Vit. Shoppe selling ACV. Braggs is kind of expensive, so I’ve pushed it down on my “buy” list. $3 is absolutely doable and on the ground.
I agree ladies re containers. I live in LA too and we JUST got our first dollar tree’s out here in LA County this past year, but the 99cent store has been around forever. I agree go to your own local dollar store for containers
i LOVE these tips, but especially regarding re-use of bottles/containers! But i would disagree with the lowest costs available for buying new is Target… DOLLAR TREE has to be #1 in my book for that! 😀
I found that the best place to find natural hair ingredients is your local international grocery store. Shea butter, coconut oil, and acv is cheaper there than anywhere else around me (the closest Trader Joes is 1.5 hrs from where I live), each one costing no more than $3 for 16 oz.
Storage containers…DOLLAR STORE!! Henna…any Indian grocery store. Everything else, shop around ONLINE…simple.
I agree with buying Henna at Indian grocery stores! The prices are great and there’s usually an Indian person who can answer questions for you!
And, in reality you dont need all this products!!
preach
most of these are not “products” in terms of hair products. They are natural items that can be used for other things, and far cheaper than a lot of the commercial hair items out there. Those are the ones you don’t really need!!!!
preach
Thank you so much for this!!! Have a good week y’all.