As someone battling frizzy, wiry curls for years, I‘ve tried just about every trick out there to add definition and moisture to my hair. This has included over a dozen shampoos, conditioners, gels and styling creams specifically made for curly hair textures.
In my endless product experiments, one drugstore brand always caught my eye – Cantu Beauty. Their bright yellow shea butter tubs became a staple when learning how to embrace my natural coils back in high school.
Now at 27 years old, I still find myself restocking a few Cantu favorites. However, there‘s also been major flops over the years that ended up drying out my hair into crispy straw.
So how can a brand with over 800k followers on social also produce hair disasters? After trying nearly Cantu‘s entire product range, here‘s my honest thoughts.
Overview of Cantu Beauty
Founded in 2003 by Corey Cantu and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Cantu quickly made a name for itself catering to textured hair needs unmet by major brands like Pantene and Head & Shoulders.
Rather than masking natural coils and curls, Cantu celebrates hair health with ingredients aimed at:
- Deep conditioning
- Increased moisture
- Frizz control
- Enhanced shine
Today, the brand offers over 50 products spanning:
- Shampoos
- Conditioners
- Styling creams
- Curl activators
- Hair masques
Their extensive hair care now also includes body, hand and skincare items also packed with shea butter.
While Cantu has expanded beyond hair, their beauty roots remain steadfast. Their Instagram boasts over 397k followers and another 232k fans on Facebook.
Analyzing Cantu‘s Best & Worst Products
Look, Cantu can really be hit or miss. When it works, I‘ve scored major hair victories conquering dryness and achieving visible definition. But certain formulas have also increased shedding, tangling and bad hair days.
Here‘s a breakdown of my experiences with their most popular items after years of experimenting:
Best: Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner
- 5/5 Rating
Of everything I‘ve tried, Cantu‘s leave-in conditioner delivers the most consistent results. A little goes a long way in banishing frizz and dryness without weighing down my fine coils. I use a dollop evenly distributed mid-shaft down after washing. My curls instantly appear more defined and bouncy.
I also love the light tropical scent that doesn‘t overwhelm. And it makes detangling a breeze! At $6 for 12 ounces, I‘ve already rebought this staple product several times.
Worst: Daily Oil Moisturizer
- 2/5 Rating
In theory, an ultra-rich daily moisturizer packed with Jamaican black castor and coconut oils seems perfect for thirsty curls. Unfortunately for me, Cantu‘s formula was just too heavy.
Within a week, my hair looked incredibly greasy and limp. My coils fell flat and lacked any volume. It also attracted a ton of dirt and debris due to excess oil, so I had to wash twice as much. Definitely not ideal for finer hair.
Best: Coconut Curling Cream
- 4.5/5 Rating
With over 10,000 reviews and 4.5 stars, I‘m clearly not alone loving how Cantu‘s Coconut Curling Cream enhanced definition. A little goes a long way to avoid build-up.
The creamy coconut oil formula maintained much-needed moisture throughout the day. Plus the light tropical aroma immersed me on the islands whenever I caught a whiff!
Worst: Tea Tree & Grapeseed Oil Shampoo
- 1.5/5 Rating
I tried this shampoo hoping the tea tree oil would add some volume at the roots and grapeseed oil moisture overall. Well…it definitely stripped my hair alright!
I could never accurately dilute the thick formula, so it always ended up drying my strands to crispy straws. It also left an unbearable medicinal scent that gave me headaches. And don‘t even get me started on the tangling!
Suffice to say, I promptly tossed this Shampoo Disaster into the trash after 3 uses.
Pro Tip: Water down Cantu‘s thicker shampoos before use or stick to less harsh co-washes instead.
How Cantu Compares to Competitors
Cantu prices itself as an affordable, professional-quality brand for textured hair. But how do their products actually compare among competitors?
I compared Cantu against two salon favorites also popular for curly hair – Design Essentials and Ouidad. Here‘s how they stack up on pricing for similar products:
| Product | Cantu | Design Essentials | Ouidad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditioner | $5 | $14 | $26 |
| Shampoo | $6 | $12 | $18 |
| Styling Cream | $7 | $14 | $26 |
Across the board, Cantu offers notable savings over the prestige brands. But how do the formulas compare?
"Cantu packs major moisture through oils and butters at an amazing value. The higher-end products leverage more natural ingredients and botanicals for those wanting a cleaner formula."
This perspective comes from my longtime stylist, Jane. I asked for her take given she‘s an expert educator for brands like Design Essentials and DevaCurl.
In her experience across thousands of clients, Cantu provides intense yet affordable hydration. The trade-off is some folks experience buildup or oiliness over time.
Meanwhile, the pricier brands tout "cleaner" options focused on moisture retention and frizz elimination via ingredients like shea and mango seed butters.
So is the $20+ price tag worth it? Jane says it depends:
Cantu – Best suited for very dry, coarse hair needing major moisture restoration. Require diligent cleansing routines to prevent oil and dirt buildup.
Higher-end – Ideal for those wanting more natural, botanically-sourced formulas. Typically require less harsh cleansing treatments long-term.
No matter your budget or preferences, Jane suggests starting with smaller Cantu packages before committing to bulk sizes. Pay attention to any scalp irritation early on.
Expert Tips for Achieving Cantu Success
To help readers find the right fit, I asked Jane to share her top tips for getting the best results from Cantu:
"Alternate between rich, heavyweight conditioners and lighter leave-ins to strike the right balance."
"Limit shampoo to only once a week as this is what strips all moisture – use co-washes instead."
"Apply products upside down to really massage into ends avoiding direct roots."
"Scrunch excess product out with a cotton shirt once hair air dries for maximum definition."
"Deep cleanse weekly with apple cider vinegar rinse to remove buildup from heavy products."
"Try the kids line for lighter formulas as the adult items can easily overwhelm finer textures."
I can personally attest taking these steps makes a world of difference in how Cantu products absorb. It really comes down to the right routine tailored to your unique hair.
What Products Are Worth Buying Again?
After reflecting on 10 years using way too many Cantu products, which continue to earn repurchase value? I‘ll always keep these four heroes handy:
Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner – Instant detangling and frizz control
Pure Honey Moisturizing Hair Lotion – Touchable softness and shine
Avocado Hydrating Curling Cream – Long-lasting curl definition
Cocoa Butter Twist & Lock Gel – All-day hold minus crunch
While Cantu misstepped with certain shampoos and oils, their affordable leave-ins and stylers continue delivering salon-worthy results – without the premium price tags.
I suggest new users begin with smaller sample packets to gauge compatibility before fully diving in. Pay attention to any scalp discomfort or breakage indicating the formula may be too strong.
Otherwise, give their leave-in conditioners and styling creams a shot if struggling with dryness or definition. Just maybe hide the shampoos!
I hope this comprehensive review of my Cantu experiences over the last decade helps you achieve your best hair days ahead! Let me know if you have any other questions.
