Mielle and SheaMoisture are two of the most recommended drugstore curly hair brands - and for good reason. Both are affordable, widely available, and have built massive followings in the curly community. But they take different approaches. Mielle is the newer brand that went viral on TikTok with its Rosemary Mint Oil. SheaMoisture is the established veteran with decades of loyal customers and the Curl Enhancing Smoothie that shows up on every "holy grail" list. So which one should you actually buy?
In This Guide
Brand Overview
| Mielle | SheaMoisture | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 1991 |
| Approach | Scalp health, hair strengthening | Deep moisture, natural butters |
| Price Range | $7-$16 | $11-$15 |
| Main Lines | Rosemary Mint, Pomegranate & Honey | Coconut & Hibiscus, JBCO, Manuka Honey |
| Hero Product | Rosemary Mint Scalp Oil | Curl Enhancing Smoothie |
| Available At | Target, Walmart, CVS, Amazon | Target, Walmart, CVS, Amazon |
Product Comparison
Curl Creams: Smoothie vs Smoothie
Both brands have a curl smoothie - and this is the most direct comparison you can make between Mielle and SheaMoisture.
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
~$11 for 12oz - The gold standard drugstore curl cream. Provides serious moisture and definition for type 3 curls without crunchiness. Works as both a leave-in and a styler. A little goes a long way - start with a dime-sized amount on soaking wet hair.
Get It Here →
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curl Smoothie
~$16 - Thicker and richer than the SheaMoisture Smoothie. Better suited for type 3-4 curls that need heavier moisture. The pomegranate and honey formula leaves curls shiny without being sticky. Apply generously to soaking wet hair using praying hands or rake-and-shake.
Get It Here →Winner: SheaMoisture for type 3A-3C (lighter, more versatile, cheaper per ounce). Mielle for type 3C-4C (richer formula, better moisture for thicker hair).
Scalp Care & Treatments
This is where Mielle pulls ahead significantly. The Rosemary Mint Oil is genuinely one of the best scalp treatments at any price point - the fact that it costs $10 is remarkable.
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
~$10 - The product that put Mielle on the map. A lightweight oil blend of rosemary, mint, biotin, and 30+ essential oils that promotes hair growth and strengthens weak, thinning hair. Apply 2-4 drops to your scalp 2-3 times per week. Works across all curl types.
Get It Here →SheaMoisture has scalp oils and treatments too, but none have the same standout performance or cult following. Mielle owns this category.
Winner: Mielle, decisively.
Shampoos
SheaMoisture has the wider shampoo range - with collections targeting moisture, clarifying, protein, and strengthening. Mielle's Rosemary Mint Shampoo (~$13) is a solid sulfate-free option with a refreshing tingle, but SheaMoisture gives you more choices for specific hair concerns.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo
~$11 - A strengthening shampoo for thick, curly, and coily hair. Cleanses while nourishing with castor oil and shea butter. Great for hair that needs protein and moisture balance.
Get It Here →Winner: SheaMoisture for product range. Mielle's Rosemary Mint Shampoo wins if you want one great all-purpose option.
Deep Conditioning
Mielle's Rosemary Mint Hair Masque (~$8) is an excellent deep treatment at an unbeatable price. SheaMoisture offers multiple deep conditioning masks across their collections. Both deliver here, but Mielle's price-to-performance ratio on the masque is hard to beat.
Winner: Tie - both brands deliver strong deep treatments.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Mielle | SheaMoisture | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scalp Care | Excellent (Rosemary Mint Oil) | Good | Mielle |
| Curl Definition | Great (Pomegranate line) | Excellent (Smoothie) | SheaMoisture |
| Product Range | Two main lines | Multiple collections | SheaMoisture |
| Price Value | $7-$16 | $11-$15 | Mielle |
| Ingredient Quality | Clean, essential oil-focused | Clean, natural butters | Tie |
| Availability | Target, Walmart, CVS | Target, Walmart, CVS | Tie |
| Type 2-3 Hair | Rosemary Mint line | Coconut & Hibiscus line | Tie |
| Type 3C-4C Hair | Pomegranate & Honey line | JBCO & Manuka Honey lines | Tie |
Best for Which Curl Types?
- Type 2A-2C (wavy): Mielle Rosemary Mint line - lightweight enough not to flatten waves. SheaMoisture's Smoothie is too heavy for most wavies.
- Type 3A-3B (curly): SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Smoothie - it's practically made for this curl range. Mielle's Rosemary Mint line also works well here.
- Type 3C-4A (tight curls): Either brand works. SheaMoisture Smoothie or Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curl Smoothie are both excellent choices.
- Type 4B-4C (coily): Mielle Pomegranate & Honey line or SheaMoisture's JBCO collection. Both provide the heavy moisture coils need.
- Scalp issues: Mielle, no contest. The Rosemary Mint Oil is the best affordable scalp treatment available.
The Verdict
Choose Mielle if: you want a lightweight routine for wavy-to-curly hair, you have scalp concerns (thinning, dryness, growth), or you want the cheapest possible entry point with the ~$7 conditioner and ~$10 oil. The Rosemary Mint line is one of the best value-for-money collections in curly hair care.
Choose SheaMoisture if: you have type 3A-3C curls and want a proven all-in-one curl cream that handles moisture and definition. The Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a desert island product for type 3 hair. SheaMoisture also wins if you want more product line options for specific concerns.
Use both if: there's no rule against mixing brands. A popular combination is Mielle Rosemary Mint Shampoo for cleansing, followed by SheaMoisture Smoothie for styling. Or use the Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil for scalp health alongside whatever SheaMoisture products work for your curls. Build your routine around what works, not brand loyalty.
If budget is everything and you need a third option, Cantu beats both on price at ~$6 for a 16oz leave-in. Check out our best curly hair products under $10 for more affordable alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mielle or SheaMoisture better for curly hair?
It depends on your curl type. Mielle's Rosemary Mint line is better for wavy to curly hair (type 2-3) with its lightweight formulas. SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Smoothie is the gold standard for type 3A-3C curls. For type 4 coils, Mielle's Pomegranate & Honey line provides richer moisture.
Can I use Mielle and SheaMoisture products together?
Yes. Many people mix brands based on what works for each step. A popular combo is Mielle Rosemary Mint Shampoo for cleansing, followed by the SheaMoisture Smoothie for styling. There's no rule that says you have to stick to one brand.
Which is cheaper, Mielle or SheaMoisture?
They're priced similarly overall, but Mielle has some cheaper individual products. The Mielle Rosemary Mint Conditioner runs about ~$7, while most SheaMoisture products start around ~$11-$13. However, SheaMoisture often gives you more product per bottle (12oz vs 10oz for comparable items).
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