Giovanni Eco Chic Hair Care: Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating shampoo, conditioner and direct leave-in weightless moisture conditioner 250ml review

I came across the Giovanni brand on YouTube; following the beginning of my research I was really desperate to find a sulphate and paraben free shampoo. As soon as I found out about the effects of sulphate and parabens I quickly reviewed the ingredients in ALL the haircare products I had and to my horror I found that all my shampoos and conditioners contained sulphates!  So yes, the search was on to find a hair-friendly shampoo and conditioner, I was concerned with how much an organic shampoo and conditioner would be as I was so used to picking up mine from local superdrug! Listening to the reviews Giovanni quickly became my first choice and I began researching online where I could find it. I know that they sell it in Holland and Barrett’s now however, at the beginning of my journey they didn’t. Holland and Barrett currently sell Giovanni shampoo and conditioners for £7.99, they don’t however currently sell the tea tree triple threat shampoo and conditioner- which is a shame. In other news there are plenty of online shops that do! I bought mine on a site called skin nutrition. Which is a site for organic beauty products and natural skin care. They also sell 250ml Giovanni shampoos and conditioners for £7.99 however, they are currently having a 20% off special offer, which makes all the 3 products reviewing product £6.39 each (This offer has been on since I first purchased my Giovanni products in December 2013!- winning) Plus they have free postage on all UK orders over £10- amaaazing!

A bit about the Giovanni brand…” It was one of the first “natural” salon hair care products and today is the #1 selling Natural Hair Care brand in the United States natural products industry. Giovanni Cosmetics remains a family owned company, committed to creating only the purest formulations, packaged in aesthetically beautiful bottles and marketed with extraordinary visuals and graphics. Their products consist of only the most carefully selected blends of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, herbs and oils. These unique products contain no parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate or animal by-products. Their products are 100% vegetarian, cruelty-free, never tested on animals, pH Balanced, no dyes and biodegradable formulas with recyclable packaging. The range consists of shampoos, conditioners, repairing treatments, styling, finishing products, and body and skin care products.” (Reference: http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/)

So before I review I need to let you guys know how long these products have lasted me! So I co-wash my hair every week and shampoo my hair once or twice a month. I also use the leave in conditioner about twice a week. I have had these three products since the end of December 2013 and they are only just finishing now!! Although I did from have a 2 month break from the products I think that is pretty amaze!

Pros: Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, conditioner

• A small amount goes a long way: So when I first saw that it was £7.99 for a 250ml shampoo/conditioner I was shocked. The drugstore brands are usually 500ml and cheaper! So I started by not using a lot of product to save having to re-buy the products often! It worked wonders! It lathers very well and very quickly despite it having no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (winning again)
• The shampoo leaves my scalp feeling fresh and clean
• The tingly feeling from the tea tree-you can literally feel it working!
• It leaves my hair feeling quite soft and supple
• Great smell (if you like the smell of tea tree
•  Design  is simple and cool, it’s also a great shape and fits easily into bags.

Cons: Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, conditioner:

•          Conditioner is not deep conditioning

Pros: direct leave-in weightless moisture conditioner:

• Very lightweight- doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy or weighed down as the title rightly suggests
• This product mixed/ sealed with an essential oil makes a great moisturiser for those with Afro-Caribbean hair
• With this product a little goes a long way too
• Great product to use for detangling as it provides a great slip
• Doesn't leave any white residue if used correctly (as in not putting on heaps)

Cons: direct leave-in weightless moisture conditioner:

•         It's not deep-conditioning

Overall I’m really impressed the 3 Giovanni products and would thoroughly recommend them! Obviously I am comparing it to my previous sulphate brands however I am yet to compare it to other organic brands. I will be trying out other natural hair care products and reviewing them very soon!

#organicbeautyjourney #obj

Lots of Love,

xoxo

World class organic beauty secrets!

Women all over the world have one thing in common and that is the desire to enhance and maintain their beauty. In less westernised societies there is less of a focus on manufactured products sand more on natural, organic and pure products that have been passed down through generations. I believe that there is so much that we can learn from these remedies and these women! The desirable look for women all over the world is thick, long healthy hair and clear radiant skin. I would love to travel across the world and see how marginalised women live and their beauty regimes (maybe one day!). In the mean time I have come across some of the organic beauty staples from women across the globe!

Let’s start off by defining a few terms to look out for when purchasing some of these items…

Organic: Natural produce involving production without the use of any chemical aid

Natural: Made from nature without the interference of humans

Pure: Untouched and not mixed with any other ingredient fillers

Unrefined and Cold- Pressed: Extraction without excessive heat and as a result the nutrients remain intact which means the oil remains ‘virgin’ and ‘pure’

Tamanu Oil:  This oil is found in Polynesia, which is a region made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The islands in Polynesia are known for their tropical climate. These women are known for their well-tanned skin and legendary hair. This oil is extracted from the nut grown on the Tamanu Tree. The scientific name for the Tamanu Nut Tree is Calophyllum Inophyllum. Tamanu oil is used to accelerate wound healing and promotes healthy, glowing skin; it is also used for cuts, insect bites, stings and to treat acne, eczema and dry skin.

 Manoi Oil: Again used by Polynesians and specifically the Tahiti women who again have great skin and hair. It is not all down to genes but natural beauty products. It is made from soaking tiare petals. It is amazing for the hair when left to soak in and then rinsed thoroughly. For the skin it serves as an easily absorbed formula that rehydrates and protects against external damage. It is used as an after sun treatment and also during pregnancy to stop stretchmark’s. It is also used as an alternative to perfume.

Turmeric/Haldi: This is a well-known indian spice! From my experience Turmeric serves as a great ingredient for facial masks, it can be used on oily, dry and combination skin- winning! Turmeric is great for treating acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which fight pimples, breakouts as well as helping to clear acne scars, while providing a youthful glow to your skin. Since finding out about the uses of turmeric from the lovely Farah Dhukai’s YouTube channel it really has been a staple organic beauty treatment for me! More details on facial masks coming soon on the blog!

Honey: I am currently using Honey as a cleanser and I love it! I use it in the mornings and just before I go to bed, I put it on when my face is damp, leave it on for 15 minutes minimum and then wash it off; it leaves my skin feeling soft and supple. Here are some reasons why pure honey is so great. Honey is naturally antibacterial, so it's great to use as an acne/break out treatment and prevention. It is also full of antioxidants and it is great for slowing down aging. It is extremely moisturising and soothing, so it helps create a glow. Honey is cleansing and clarifying because it opens up pores making them easy to unclog! Amazing! Honey is used all over the world.

Gram/Besan Flour: This Hindi ingredient is great for face masks! It is known for its skin brightening properties, pimple fighting agents and general cleansing properties. This flour mixed with milk (or yogurt), with a pinch of turmeric and almond oil works wonders for my skin and literally overnight! It can also be mixed in with homemade body scrubs! How’s that for harsh chemical-free living!

Tulsi plant: Tulsi or basil is one plant you are sure to find in most Indian homes. It is a herb with medicinal and healing properties, tulsi leaves are added to dishes or even eaten raw for its numerous benefits. In terms of beauty, ground tulsi can come in handy when it comes to dealing with everyday beauty woes like pimples and dandruff especially when mixed with oils and honey. I am yet to try this plant however, I have heard great things! I will definitely be reviewing this herb when I do!

Amla Oil: This natural substance is often used to promote healthy hair and growth. It can be used fight hair loss and premature grey hair. When used as a hair treatment, amla oil is typically applied directly to the scalp and massaged thoroughly. Amla features a number of essential fatty acids, which help to strengthen the hair follicles and condition the hair. It can also help treat dry, itchy scalp. No wonder it’s one of India’s most trusted hair oils!  Lovely!

Shikakai: Shikakai (literally translates to "hair-fruit" or "fruit for hair") is a shrub-like tree that grows in central India. It has been used for centuries as a cleanser for hair, body, and pretty much anywhere else a cleanser might come in handy. What sets this plant apart from the rest is that shikakai actually lathers moderately because its bark, which foam up when shaken in water, similar to soap! Shikakai is very high in vitamin C as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K, antioxidants which are essential for healthy and rapid hair growth. These vitamins provide the hair follicles with the necessary micronutrients to help hair grow fast and healthy. I have not yet tried Shikakai powder but it sounds amazing! It is definitely something I will be looking to purchase and review. Shikakai has very low pH levels, which means your hair won’t be stripped of its natural oils, apparently it also works as a shampoo and detangler at the same time. This all natural product sounds almost too good to be true! - We’ll see!

Shea Butter:  It is a creamy-coloured fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees. Being of west African descent shea butter has always been a part of the family and I really did not used to like it (mainly because of the distinctive smell, although now I really don’t think its that bad). This was until I found out about its many uses! My mother and all the women in my family use shea butter as a moisturiser and skin healer. African women are known for their supple, gracefully aging skin. The vitamin A in shea butter contributes to this, it is important for improving a number of skin conditions including early lines and wrinkles, eczema, skin allergies, insect bites, sunburns and wounds! You can imagine my mother’s confusion when I asked her for some shea butter when I had snubbed it for nearly my whole life! Be careful though guys, only high quality premium shea butter can offer all the benefits of shea butter, once it has aged or loses its natural integrity many of the benefits can be lost so make sure you know what you are buying!

Rose hip seed oil/ Rosa mosqueta oil: South American women have used this oil for a while. It comes from the seeds of a wild rose that grows in the southern slopes of the Andes. It was used by the Araucanian Indians for its healing and regenerative properties. The oil is rich in unsaturated and essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E.  Rose hip seed oil helps prevent premature skin aging, helps improve uneven skin tone and pigmentation, and repairs sun damage. It also improves the texture of skin and increases elasticity.  Rose hip seed oil is known to be effective in treating skin conditions like dermatitis, acne and eczema too! Wow! Nature at its finest!

Coconut Oil: If you don’t own a bottle of organic coconut oil then you cannot sit with us (lol). Coconut oil and its many uses just had to feature in this post! Indian women are known for their luscious thick, long hair and this has been their beauty secret for centuries. Using coconut oil is a wonderful natural way to make your hair and skin soft, radiant, and healthy. Coconut oil is natural; chemicals free, all purpose moisturiser for skin and hair!

Sometimes, I think that we humans love chemicals and quick-fixes! We have so many natural remedies and although results won’t be seen overnight in most cases, in the longer term it is so beneficial! Be sure to patch-test out these products before thoroughly using them for any allergies! And always, always, always read ingredients, only natural, raw, pure and unrefined products out here!

Lots of Love,

xoxo

Pictures: All from google