I Tested Shakira's New Haircare Line—Here's How My Curls Fared.

      As a curly girl, I've tested numerous beauty products to discover what suits my hair best, and I tend to be cautious whenever a new haircare brand emerges. However, when I learned that Shakira was launching her own line for those with curls, my curiosity piqued, and I was eager to try it out. The brand, named Isima, debuted with eight products, all featuring lively Latin-inspired names like Superbomba, Delicia, and Suavisima. The lineup includes a clarifying shampoo, hydrating shampoo, hydrating conditioner, restorative leave-in conditioner, curl cream, hair oil, scalp oil, and hair mask. It provides everything you might need for a regular washday or those days when you want to pamper your hair a bit more. In previous experiences, I've found that many curl products don't sufficiently hydrate my 3B/3C curls, but I was hopeful about trying these new products. If you're curious to learn how Isima performed, read on for my honest review.

      How I Used Isima

      Since it was a typical washday for me, I decided to use about half of the products from the line. During my last wash, I had used a clarifying shampoo, so this time I selected the Riquisima Hydrating Shampoo. I began by dividing my hair into three sections and massaging the shampoo into my scalp. The first two things I noticed were the pleasant scent and the rich lather. Reflecting on it, I realized I could skip wearing perfume that day since the scent was quite strong, featuring notes of kumquat, peony, and tonka bean. The fragrance is consistent across the entire line, which I appreciate, as too many different scents can clash. I also liked that the biomimetic ceramide and Mexican aloe extract helped keep my curls hydrated while shampooing.

      Next, I used the Suavisima Hydrating Conditioner, which contains key ingredients like GluconaBond, which recreates lost hydrogen and ionic bonds to strengthen hair, and biomimetic ceramide to enhance shine and minimize breakage. Although it's suggested to leave the conditioner on for one to two minutes, I applied it from mid-length to tips and didn’t rinse it out until I had detangled all three sections. The texture was a blend of cream and lotion—not too heavy but not too light either.

      After rinsing, I kept my hair soaking wet and applied the All In Restorative Leave-In Conditioner, focusing on my mid-lengths to ends. Alongside GluconaBond and biomimetic ceramide, it also has squalane, glycerin, and FiberSeal to smooth and seal the hair cuticle, restore lipids, and add moisture. For more definition, I used the Curls Don't Lie Curl Perfector cream, which offers light hold and heat protection up to 450ºF. It shares all the same ingredients as the leave-in, with added linseed and chia extract. To finish, I applied the Delicia hair oil to keep my curls soft and shiny.

      Isima

      Súperisima Discovery Hair Kit

      Pros: Consistent scent throughout all products, leaves hair feeling soft, defines curls.

      Cons: The scent may be too intense for those with sensitive skin, and the brand does not offer a gel or mousse.

      The Results

      After allowing my hair to dry, I was pleasantly surprised by the results, especially since I hadn’t used a mousse or a gel to secure my curls. I found that just the leave-in conditioner and curl cream provided defined curls that remained soft and voluminous. I’m not a fan of sacrificing volume for definition, so I appreciated how this line maintained both. I was also amazed that I didn’t need to touch up my hair until the third day, which is ideal since I prefer not to wet my hair each time I style it. While I enjoyed the fragrance, it was initially quite strong but gradually diminished throughout the day. However, if you prefer hair products that leave a lasting scent, this one certainly does and lasts all day.

      Is Isima Worth It?

      In summary, yes, Isima is worth trying as long as you’re not overly sensitive to scents. I really liked how soft the products made my hair and how easy it was to achieve defined curls that lasted several days. I also appreciate that the entire line is reasonably priced, with all items under $45. The only concern I’d note is that while the scent is pleasant, it may be overpowering for those with sensitive skin. I also wish the line included a gel or mousse, but even without them, my curls held up for three days before needing a touch-up.