Photo illustration: Strategist. Photo: Retailer, Getty
Zadie Smith and I don’t have much in common, but we both use our bookshelves as second homes for misguided beauty products (I currently have a few leftovers on hand after a recent skincare routine). (I have one bottle of OSEA Facial Oil). We recently spotted a bottle of her popular leave-in conditioner, Shea Moisture Coconut Leave-In, on her bookshelf in her Washington Post profile. The article states that the bookshelf is filled with fleeting memories from her 20s, including a poster for the movie Eminem. An article she wrote for Vibe in 2002, as well as a stack of books about projects and endeavors she’s worked on over the years.
A screenshot of the conditioner on her bookshelf.
It was no surprise to me that Zadie uses Shea Moisture. Shea Moisture is the gateway drug to most new natural products, and its ubiquity makes it a staple for many. I have personally been using the Curl Enhancing Smoothie for years and have an on-and-off relationship with the Jamaican Black Castor Oil range. I also used Shea Moisture Coconut Leave-in for a short period of time, but then I noticed that the heavy cream weighed down my hair and prevented it from achieving that weightless definition. This lightweight leave-in conditioner, which has a milky consistency and moisturizes without weighing it down, became my solution and my go-to for about six months. That’s what I experienced in the early days of K18 and it was the perfect combination for defined curls without any weight. The main ingredient is coconut oil, but it also contains glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture from the air into your hair, and a mixture of other oils such as sweet almond and soy. My hair absorbed this ingredient and felt hydrated overall, which gave me better styling results when doing twist-outs or wash-and-gos. I also like it for refreshing my hair between washes, especially if I use a waxy edge control. The thing to note about this is that the smell is polarizing. Most of the 1 star reviews are about the scent, some people find it too strong and some people prefer strong perfumes. I personally don’t find it unpleasant or particularly strong, but as a child of the pink lotion era, heavily scented hair products were the norm.
As for why Smith keeps conditioner in her office, I imagine it was a nod to how her mundane life informs her writing. She frequently gets her hair done, asks to write for her next novel (French philosopher Simone Weil seems to be integral to her research), or digs up random facts. Feeling trapped, he leaves the bottle behind.
Get the Strategist Newsletter
Real deals, smart shopping advice, exclusive discounts, and more.
Vox Media, LLC Terms of Use and Privacy Notice
Strategist is designed to give you helpful expert recommendations on what to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. All products are independently selected by our team of editors, who you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
