Today, I’m bringing you a review of Mielle Babassu Oil and Mint Deep Conditioner!
This is a product I’ve been using for a bit, so I’m pretty excited to talk to you about it.
This post will cover the pros, the cons, how I use it, and my bottom line impression!
Keep in mind, I can only speak from my experience with my 3a/3b hair. My hope is that this review will be a good guide for all the curly girls out there, but your results may be very different from mine.
Side note: This page does contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using the product links on this page, I may get a small commission. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps keep this site running. Thank you!
Also, I follow the simplified version of the Curly Girl Method most directly derived from the Curly Girl Handbook. This means the only ingredients I look to avoid are sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols. If you have more ingredients that you look to avoid, it would be a good idea to check the ingredients for yourself before making a purchase.
The pros
The protein/moisture balance
If you’ve done enough research on curly hair, you probably know the role protein and moisture play in curly hair and why it’s important to give your hair just the right amount of each.
(If this is new to you or something you’d like to learn more about, check out this post on protein and this post on moisture.)
This product has a good balance of protein and moisture so it can give your hair a pretty powerful revitalizing boost.
The scent
The mint is the strongest scent in this product, but it’s not too overpowering.
I find it gives a nice fresh burst but doesn’t clash with any of clash with any of my other styling products.
The formula
Personally, I find this product absolutely melts into my hair! I’ve repurchased this product several times, and this is one of the reasons I keep coming back to it.
I don’t know enough about the science behind hair products to explain this in more detail, but what I can tell you is my hair responds to this formula like no other product I use.
The results
When I started using this product, my curls were pretty limp. I gave this a shot, not expecting too much, and it completely brought my curls back to life.
This is likely because my hair was over moisturized at the time and in need of protein, which this product has. But I’ve used other protein conditioners and none have had the noticeable improvements I got with this product.
The price
This deep conditioner is affordable! I aim to spend less than $15 for hair products, and this fits that price range.
The (potential) cons
I had to add “potential” to this because, honestly, this is a product I really do love. So much so that I actually struggled to find cons here.
But I do think there are a few things you should probably be aware of if you’re going to give this conditioner a try.
It has protein
Like we touched on above, curly hair needs protein, but just how much protein your curly hair needs is going to be unique to you.
Some people find their hair can only handle smaller amounts, so a more intensive protein deep conditioning treatment like this may be too much.
And even if you’re someone whose hair responds well to protein, it’s still important to be aware of the protein in this product.
Because of the protein, it’s really important to follow the package directions and avoid leaving the product in for longer than the recommended period of time.
Otherwise, you may end up with protein overload.
The consistency
The consistency of this treatment is thinner and more liquid than most of the deep conditioners I’ve used.
Personally, I think something about this is why the product seems to melt into my hair so easily.
However, it can make the application a little tricker than thicker conditioners because you have to make sure to get it to your hair pretty quickly so it doesn’t end up spilling into the tub and own the drain.
How I use it
Because this product has protein in it, I primarily use it as a protein treatment.
I apply it every 3-4 weeks (or whenever I notice my curls looking more flat and lifeless than usually). I use it in the shower in place of my regular conditioner.
Sometimes I use it more frequently if it’s been a while since I’ve gotten a hair cut. It seems to give my hair an extra boost and I can often get an extra month out of my cut.
The bottom line
I love this product a lot! It’s far and away my favorite protein treatment, and one of my longest standing Curly Girl Approved products.
I fully intend to continue to repurchase this product as long as my hair keeps responding to it.
Where to get it
You can get Mielle Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner from Mielle or Amazon.
Looking for more guidance on your curly hair journey?
For beginners
If you’re new to curly hair care and looking for some help, you should check out the No-Stress Guide to Curly Hair Care!
After spending two years learning and caring for my curly hair, I wanted to create my own, in-depth guide to help fellow curlies create incredible curls in the easiest way possible.
It took me a while, but I eventually found an approach that helped me create a curly hair routine that fits into my life in the simplest way possible. And now I want to help you do the same!
For more intermediate/advanced guidance
If you’ve been on your curly hair journey for a while but still have some struggles, check out Curly Hair Problems!
After spending hours scouring the internet looking for solutions to my own curly hair problems, I found myself wishing for an easier, more comprehensive guide to the most common problems.
So that’s what I created!
Curly Hair Problems offers you 78 total solutions to the five most common curly hair care problems, including frizz, curl clumps, limp curls, product issues, and scalp issues.
Sound off: Have you tried Mielle Babassu Oil And Mint Deep Conditioner? Tell us about your experience! Be sure to tell us a little about your hair type too!
I have 2 jars of it. My hair is 4A to 4B. I’m aware of the moisture/protein balance but most of the products I have where bought without that thinking. I’m trying to achieve the correct balance. Any pointers? I’m thinking of using protein products such as shampoo and the Mielle deep conditioner once a week, then use the moisture products during the week for maintenance and up keep. What do you think. I have a short wash and go style. I’m still learning. I started the curly routine about a year ago.
All the pointers I have on protein you can find in this post: https://createyourownreality.co/protein-and-the-curly-girl-method/. As for how much/how often, you’re pretty much going to have to play around with it and see how your unique hair responds. Once-a-week protein treatment might be a good place to start and see how your hair responds. If it does well, keep with it. If it seems to be too much, back off and try every other week. (There are tips in the linked post to help you tell if you have too much protein if you need them.) Good luck!