I was so excited when I was asked if I wanted to try out the new Apple Ginger Shampoo & Conditioner from Desert Essence. Just in time for apple season! I love to munch on tart green apples & I put ginger in anything from soup to juice. I love the idea of combining two delicious flavors into a hair product. I imagined that it smelled divine & I couldn’t wait to try it!
My imagination was right on! When I received the package in the mail, I immediately popped the top & took a big sniff. Mmmmm good! I love body, beauty & hair products & it’s all about the aroma. Of course function & efficacy are important too, but who doesn’t want to smell delicious? Once the smell test was passed, came the next question…Will my hair like it? I am pretty easy going when it comes to hair products, & my hair is pretty normal & healthy. It’s fine & straight, but I have a lot of it. I like it to look glossy & healthy, but it also takes a beating from time to time from coloring to heat styling, blow drying, & my lazy tendency to rat it out for a messy top knot bun, so I need a product that will help protect & strengthen my hair. I’ve found lately with my hair, if a product is too rich or moisturizing, it will build up in my hair, causing my scalp to feel greasy & gummy. No thanks! So I’ve been looking for a product that is a bit more clarifying, but not drying. The check list: Must smell amazing. Must add shine & body. Must moisturize without causing greasy or heaviness. Must be as natural as possible. Must be cruelty-free.
So how does the Apple Ginger Shampoo & Conditioner add up? Check, check, check, check, check, & then some! Desert Essence products are vegetarian/vegan friendly, wheat & gluten free, recyclable, biodegradable, & cruelty free. Their products are not tested on animals, & contain absolutely no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or colors, silicones, EDTA, glycol or petroleum-based ingredients, or phosphates. What’s more, they are NSF Certified!
What does this mean? Well, personal care products sold in the U.S. that make organic claims such as “100% Organic,” “Organic” & “Made with Organic” are eligible for review under the USDA National Organic Program. However, these regulations were designed for food, so they cannot be applied to some personal care products like soaps & lotion. To address this gap, “NSF/ANSI 305” certification was created. This standard defines both production & labeling requirements for personal care products containing organic ingredients, & covers a variety of products intended for external use on any part of the body. To become certified, products must undergo a thorough review by an accredited organic certifying organization to verify that a manufacturer’s product formulation contains at least 70 percent organic content by weight. The NSF “contains organic ingredients” standard also has specific requirements for organic ingredient, material, process & production specifications. It is a rigorous process, but an important one & I am thrilled that this brand took the time to get this certification.
Claims ~ Shampoo: Gently removes everyday environmental pollutants from hair. Adds volume and shine. Helps strengthen hair. Conditioner: Leaves hair smooth and silky. Helps correct everyday damage. Adds volume and fullness to hair
Ingredients & Product Description ~ Shampoo: Sugar & Coconut Oil Cleansers gently lift & remove everyday pollutants from hair, while Organic Kelp & Nettle extracts provide iron, calcium, potassium, & other vitamins & minerals that absorb into & help strengthen each hair strand. A proprietary blend of Organic Ginger Extract & Ginger Spice acts on the scalp to leave the skin feeling moisturized & revitalized. Organic Maca Root helps to thicken hair & Organic Apple adds shine. With regular use of this gentle, sulfate free formula, hair will be softer, shinier & more manageable. Conditioner: Organic Extracts of Apple, Ginger, & Nettle and Jojoba Oil revitalize & moisturize hair and scalp. Sunflower Oil moisturizes without leaving a greasy residue & weighing hair down. Pure Vitamin B5 works to help repair existing damage & to prevent future damage from occurring. Certified to NSF Organic Standard.
Pros ~ All of the above, plus, I loved the way it made my hair look & feel – healthy, shiny, soft & silky with absolutely no weight or build up.
Cons ~ I honestly cannot think of any!
The Verdict ~ I really really loved the Apple Ginger products from Desert Essence. From the fresh scent to my smooth locks, it satisfied everything I am looking for in my hair care regime. I had a friend visit for a weekend & told her that she must try it too. She also loved the smell & the look & feel of her hair after just one use.
If you are an apple fan, I am positive that you will love this for scent alone! I would definitely purchase product and look forward to seeing what other fun products Desert Essence offers.
I have Desert Essence’s raspberry shampoo and conditioner and love them and highly recommend them, too! My hair hasn’t ever really been a problem, but this is the first line in a looong time that my hair loves! I’ll have to try the apple next 🙂