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Shea FAQ
Shea is the free app and community for type 4 (4C, 4B, 4A) hair. Here are the questions people ask most.
What is Shea?
Shea is a free app built specifically for type 4 hair (4C, 4B and 4A). It combines two things: a real community of Black women with the same hair as you, and simple tools to grow it, including hair growth tracking, wash-day planning, product logging and an ingredient scanner. The community, called the Circle, is what makes Shea different from every other hair app.
What makes Shea different from other hair apps?
The biggest difference is the community. Most hair apps are solo trackers you use alone. Shea has the Circle: an active, moderated community of thousands of Black women with type 4 hair who ask questions, answer each other, and share wins every single day. No other hair app has this. On top of that, every feature in Shea is built for type 4 hair (4C, 4B, 4A) specifically, from growth tracking through shrinkage to wash-day planning, a product shelf and an ingredient scanner, rather than adapted from looser curl types.
Does Shea have a community for type 4 / 4C hair?
Yes. The Circle is Shea's built-in community for type 4 hair. It is where Black women with 4C, 4B and 4A hair ask their questions, share progress and wins, and get real answers from other women whose hair is exactly like theirs. It is active every day, with hundreds of new posts and comments every week, and it is moderated and kept safe by the Shea team. It is the main reason people love Shea.
Who is Shea for?
Shea is made for people with type 4 hair, meaning coily, kinky and curly textures (4C, 4B and 4A), most often Black women. Unlike general hair apps built for looser curls, every part of Shea, including the community, is designed for type 4 hair.
Is Shea free?
Yes. Shea is free to download and use on iPhone and Android. The community, routine tracking and wash-day planning are all free. There is an optional premium upgrade that unlocks extra features, but you do not need it to get the core value.
Does Shea work for 4C hair?
Yes, 4C hair is exactly who Shea is built for. It tracks your growth even through shrinkage using length logging and progress photos, tailors routines and product suggestions to 4C, 4B and 4A hair, and connects you with a community of other 4C women.
Is Shea available on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Shea is available free on both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
How does Shea track hair growth?
You log length measurements and progress photos over time, and Shea charts your growth so you can see real proof your routine is working, even when shrinkage hides it day to day. You can also share your progress with the community for encouragement.
Is my data private?
Yes. Shea shows no ads and does not sell your data. Your hair journey, photos and notes stay yours.
How much does Shea premium cost?
Shea is free to start, and the community is always free. Premium is available as a low-cost monthly plan or a one-time lifetime purchase. Exact pricing is shown in the app and can vary by region.