Nubian Heritage Shea Butter African Black 4 Oz

This moisturizer has a lot going for it: it’s 98% natural, it doesn’t irritate the skin or cause breakouts, and it’s very rich! This has helped restore my facial volume, calm down irritation, and even my skintone. And it smells fabulous! Originally, I was going to return it because it smelled too strong, but it turns out I was using too much.Some advice on using it as a moisturizer:If you’re oily-skinned like me, realize that this moisturizer will absorb very well, but your skin will still produce oil that kind of sits on the surface. Be sure to remove the oil your skin produces (I use blotting papers or tissues) so that it doesn’t just sit there on your face and make a good environment for pimples.I like to put this moisturizer on while my face is still damp for the most absorption.You only need the smallest amount. I generally rub a pea-sized (or smaller) amount between my palms or keep it in a warm area so that it is easier to spread. If you don’t let it melt, it will be grainy and you’ll have to work it in your face. I like to work this in my face anyway to give myself a nice face massage.Wait 15-30 minutes prior to putting on makeup so you can remove any residue or extra moisturizer you may have put on if you were being too generous. If you don’t have that kind of time in your morning regimen, this would be a fantastic night cream with something lighter during the day.It works VERY well under makeup. I haven’t had any problems with it balling up under oil-free foundations (I use MUFE HD, L’oreal True Match, MAC Face & Body, and Clinique Mattifying powder). I don’t use face primers (I only use eye makeup primer),so I don’t know if that would change the results. Remember, the oil from your skin will still come through (this isn’t mattifying), but not in crazy amounts. Make sure to blot WELL after applying your makeup and to set with a mattifying powder in your oily areas and things will stay under control for several hours.

This moisturizer has a lot going for it: it’s 98% natural, it doesn’t irritate the skin or cause breakouts, and it’s very rich! This has helped restore my facial volume, calm down irritation, and even my skintone. And it smells fabulous! Originally, I was going to return it because it smelled too strong, but it turns out I was using too much.Some advice on using it as a moisturizer:If you’re oily-skinned like me, realize that this moisturizer will absorb very well, but your skin will still produce oil that kind of sits on the surface. Be sure to remove the oil your skin produces (I use blotting papers or tissues) so that it doesn’t just sit there on your face and make a good environment for pimples.I like to put this moisturizer on while my face is still damp for the most absorption.You only need the smallest amount. I generally rub a pea-sized (or smaller) amount between my palms or keep it in a warm area so that it is easier to spread. If you don’t let it melt, it will be grainy and you’ll have to work it in your face. I like to work this in my face anyway to give myself a nice face massage.Wait 15-30 minutes prior to putting on makeup so you can remove any residue or extra moisturizer you may have put on if you were being too generous. If you don’t have that kind of time in your morning regimen, this would be a fantastic night cream with something lighter during the day.It works VERY well under makeup. I haven’t had any problems with it balling up under oil-free foundations (I use MUFE HD, L’oreal True Match, MAC Face & Body, and Clinique Mattifying powder). I don’t use face primers (I only use eye makeup primer),so I don’t know if that would change the results. Remember, the oil from your skin will still come through (this isn’t mattifying), but not in crazy amounts. Make sure to blot WELL after applying your makeup and to set with a mattifying powder in your oily areas and things will stay under control for several hours.

The scent is wonderful, like a vacation in a jar! As others have mentioned, it is more papaya than coconut, but both coconut & shea are there as undertones. The product absorbs quickly and leaves very little residue. It does not leave the skin feeling oily, but there can be a slight sort of powdery feel, which is the slightest bit sticky after applying if I use a lot. It is one of the best moisturizers I’ve tried – works amazing for my hands, feet, elbows & knees, which easily get ashy/flakey in low humidity.Texture issues & how I solved them:I first tried this shea butter at a health food store, however they were out of stock of the heavenly smelling Coconut & Papaya, so I ordered it off Amazon (better price here too). In the store the product had a hard, refrigerated butter-like consistency, but melted to the touch. The product I received was opposite in texture. The top layer was mostly solid white, as expected, but as soon as I dipped a finger into the jar, it disintegrated and revealed white chunks of either shea or coconut suspended in a yellow oil, with more of the gritty chunks at the bottom. My product resembled a body scrub compared to what I had tried in store. Based on the ingredients list I’m guessing what happened is the coconut or shea separated from the essential oils.I fixed this by wrapping the jar in aluminum foil & placing it in a bowl of hot water until the product liquefied, stirring a few times. I waited a few hours for it to cool and then placed it in the fridge overnight. I pulled it out in the morning, and by the evening I found it had the most wonderful whipped-like texture. Keep in mind that this fix may alter/breakdown some of the anti-aging/skin brightening benefits listed on the jar. Since I am using this as a body moisturizer, potentially losing those benefits does not bother me, but if you are concerned about it, heating the product may not be a good solution.

The scent is wonderful, like a vacation in a jar! As others have mentioned, it is more papaya than coconut, but both coconut & shea are there as undertones. The product absorbs quickly and leaves very little residue. It does not leave the skin feeling oily, but there can be a slight sort of powdery feel, which is the slightest bit sticky after applying if I use a lot. It is one of the best moisturizers I’ve tried – works amazing for my hands, feet, elbows & knees, which easily get ashy/flakey in low humidity.Texture issues & how I solved them:I first tried this shea butter at a health food store, however they were out of stock of the heavenly smelling Coconut & Papaya, so I ordered it off Amazon (better price here too). In the store the product had a hard, refrigerated butter-like consistency, but melted to the touch. The product I received was opposite in texture. The top layer was mostly solid white, as expected, but as soon as I dipped a finger into the jar, it disintegrated and revealed white chunks of either shea or coconut suspended in a yellow oil, with more of the gritty chunks at the bottom. My product resembled a body scrub compared to what I had tried in store. Based on the ingredients list I’m guessing what happened is the coconut or shea separated from the essential oils.I fixed this by wrapping the jar in aluminum foil & placing it in a bowl of hot water until the product liquefied, stirring a few times. I waited a few hours for it to cool and then placed it in the fridge overnight. I pulled it out in the morning, and by the evening I found it had the most wonderful whipped-like texture. Keep in mind that this fix may alter/breakdown some of the anti-aging/skin brightening benefits listed on the jar. Since I am using this as a body moisturizer, potentially losing those benefits does not bother me, but if you are concerned about it, heating the product may not be a good solution.

I’m not sure what Nubian did to change their formula, but the new one stinks – literally. I used to love this Shea Butter, it was the only product that made my rough hands feel smooth without the greasy feel. I loved it – I told everyone about it. It used to be smooth and silky going on and I loved the smell. Often times I would just rub it on just for the smell and feel even though I didn’t need any – it was long lasting.This new one is gritty and does not go on smoothly. It was like a bunch of little beads. Ok, I could deal with that once the beads melt, however the smell was rancid. It smelled like the oils went bad. I couldn’t use it and had to get a refund. Sadly I am disappointed. After reading all the reviews and my experience, I now have to find something like their old product. Sad for this company to lose so many customers. Hopefully they are listening and do something about it.

I’m not sure what Nubian did to change their formula, but the new one stinks – literally. I used to love this Shea Butter, it was the only product that made my rough hands feel smooth without the greasy feel. I loved it – I told everyone about it. It used to be smooth and silky going on and I loved the smell. Often times I would just rub it on just for the smell and feel even though I didn’t need any – it was long lasting.This new one is gritty and does not go on smoothly. It was like a bunch of little beads. Ok, I could deal with that once the beads melt, however the smell was rancid. It smelled like the oils went bad. I couldn’t use it and had to get a refund. Sadly I am disappointed. After reading all the reviews and my experience, I now have to find something like their old product. Sad for this company to lose so many customers. Hopefully they are listening and do something about it.