Share your Aubrey Organics experiences!

[Hanna]

Hi,
I thought to start a thread about Aubrey Organics haircare products. I remember reading a lot about their stuff on this board a long time ago--I guess it was a pretty popular brand here at LHC-- but for some reason couldn't find much with the search now.

Who uses their stuff and how do you liek it? I have kind of "re-found" them again. I got a bottle of JAY Desert Herb conditioner and Honeysuckle Rose shampoo like 1,5 to 2 years ago, tried and didn't like it. They left my hair tangly and there was not slip. I wanted to like them...as I loved the ingredients (mostly natural) and the smells were yummy in my opinion. Now, a few weeks ago, I read good reviews of the Honeysuckle rose conditioner (I only had the shampoo) and thought to give it a try. I also got their Rosa Mosqueta Nourishing conditioner, Calagula Fern Treatment shampoo and quite a few other shampoos and conditioners (sample sizes).

I discovered the Honeysuckle Rose conditioner is just awesome. It gives me tons of slip and I can feel it working when it's still in my head in the shower. It's very creamy and removes tangles so well (my hair is long, fine, thin and prone to tangles...kind of poofy and dry mess). I have nothing bad to say about the other stuff either. I did return one product though, the Sea Buckthorn leave-in conditioner--it was just too heavy and greasy stuff for my hair. I've used the White Camellia and Jasmine shine and conditioner spray and that seems to be a lot better. I also tried the B-5 Design Gel--very cautiously as I'm suspicious of any gels:D--and I didn't get any greasies etc. I put a very small amount on damp hair.

I would wanna try the Blue green Algae hair Rescue Conditioning Mask and the Calangula Fern Texturizing leave-in treatment. Anyone tried these?

Anyways, tell me about your opinions on Aubrey's hair stuff and give recommendations! Both good and bad experiences welcome:)

[Islandgrrl]

Well, I've not used much of their product line, but I adore the GPB Conditioner and have been using it for (I wanna say...) close to 20 years. Not daily, but every so often when my hair needs what it has. It overwhelms my hair pretty quickly if I use it too often, though. The scent is....I don't know....the way it smells just makes me happy!

[rossjen]

I have only tried the GPB conditioner, and I remember liking it a lot. It was really rich, but didn't flatten my hair down. The scent of it though was very unique. I don't hate it, but I can't say I loved it either. I do want to try other things from the line though.

[Anouk]

I tried most of their shampoos and conditioners, and found them mostly "eh". Although, I was really getting into their Aloe line before they discontinued it. :mad:

[Stacy_E]

I got the Honeysuckle Rose conditioner, based on rave reviews on LHC, and while I really enjoy the fragrance, I like Biolage Conditioning Balm better for my hair. The Biolage provides even more slip than Honeysuckle Rose.

ETA: I found a better use for my Honeysuckle Rose--in my mister bottle. It works great that way!

[Riot Crrl]

I like the honeysuckle rose conditioner, but I can't use it every day. Or else I get the dreaded overconditioning. Which is fixed immediately with vinegar rinse, so I would rather have that than underconditioning.

I hate the smell, though.

[Cinnamon Hair]

I use Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner and it is my absolute favorite non-cone conditioner. It's very thick, almost too thick to squeeze out of the bottle; infact, once i left the spout open and it clogged...I had to use a toothpick to clear it out. I am in :inlove: with the fragrance, but it lingers in the hair so it's not for those who are sensitive to smells.

I have also tried Aubrey Organics GPB but it stank and just wasn't for me --I think maybe too much protein.

The White Chamomile and Jasmine Shine Conditioner is more of a leave-in or detangling spray/mist. It works ok, but I wouldn't buy it again since I think mixing some conditioner and water in a spray bottle works just as well (and is cheaper).

I won't go near the shampoos because they are soap-based. Since my hair hates vinegar rinses (turns into a brillo pad) and I have hard water, I'd rather not mess with soap based shampoos.

[beatricedivina]

I've loved the way the Aubrey products make my hair look, but I can't stand the heavy scents. I have a really sensitive sense of smell, and even the detangling spray is too much scent for me.
I used the GPB (is that the right acronym?) conditioner and shampoo, as well as the Honeysuckle.

[QueenBea]

I tried the ROsa Mosqueta and it was horrid. I had taken it as my only shampoo/conditioner to the beach for a week, and after about 4 days, switched to using my kids' shampoo with coconut oil afterwards. Threw the RM out.

It smelled funny too.

That's the only one I've tried---

Bea

[jastark84]

I have their lemon clarifying shampoo, and it works great! the main office for them (where they make it, and the customer service, sales and all that jazz) is right next door to where I work. I called them awhile ago and asked if I could walk next door and buy some stuff rather than going to Wild Oats, but they said they don't sell to the public :( All well, I like the stuff :)

[Sana]

I really didn't like their shampoo & I used to CWC then. I still have a couple with me....should try it again sometime. I love their GPB as it is a great deep conditioner. I still use it:)

[lookingglass]

I have loved the smell of the Honeysuckle Rose for years. I used to smell it wafting off the hippies on Dead lot but I could never afford it myself. It seems like it used to be more expensive for a much smaller bottle, but maybe that was just the poverty perspective!:pI didn't even try to use it b/c I thought that I could soak up the whole bottle in one session like I can do most conditioners. But I have been using it lately and I love it as a 2nd C in a CWC, and as a leave-in! :cheese:The scent is divine!!!! I always get complements that I smell "so good!", and this Spring, before the honeysuckle bushes bloomed, someone looked around confused but delighted at the scent of honeysuckle in the air!;) I use it in my children's 2b hair and even leave in a little and it is not too heavy. I want some in the house always!

Are all of their poos non-sulfate? I thought I read that somewhere. I have the HR (of course!), and I use it about once a week. I use it when my hair feels gunky and my scalp needs a break from regular poo but still needs some cleansing, but it dosn't really seem to get my scalp clean all the time. I think that is just the non-sulfate thing in a nutshell for me, though. I'll have to try their clairfying poo.

I tried the White Camillia condish a while back. I used it twice. DH had such a strong negative response to the scent that I have put it far into the cabinet (let me know if you want it!). He said it smelled like dog shampoo, and the scent really lingered. I thought it was just really herbal, with a faint scent of taco.:confused:It didn't smell like camillias AT ALL to my nose. Worked really well, though!

[Cinnamon Hair]

The scent is divine!!!! I always get complements that I smell "so good!", and this Spring, before the honeysuckle bushes bloomed, someone looked around confused but delighted at the scent of honeysuckle in the air! I use it in my children's 2b hair and even leave in a little and it is not too heavy. I want some in the house always!

I totally agree. Honeysuckle rose is worthy of hair sniffing. Nothing else smells quite like it. I even put some in my mister, about 2 tbsp of honeysuckle rose condish and 8oz or so of water. Mmmm

[Tekakwitha]

I use the Rosa Mosqueta shampoo and the GPB shampoo. Love both! They smell heavenly and moisturize my hair pretty well.

[Shicurls]

I will always rave about AO!!! I love, LOVE the Honeysuckle Rose line! I just recently starting using a different conditioner from them that I also like, it smells like cloves! Yum! I can't remember the name, of course, but it is also in the yellow line. Their conditioners are the only conditioners that moisturize and leave my hair shiny, bouncy and frizz-free. I love their products so much that someone once asked me if I sold them!

[Tekakwitha]

I will always rave about AO!!! I love, LOVE the Honeysuckle Rose line!

Yeah, I had some free samples of that line and it moisturizes really, really well. In fact, it was a bit too much for my fine hair - but I think it's perfect for rather thick and coarse hair.

[Leisa]

I've used the henna line and the swimmers conditioner.

I can't say I love them because I generally prefer not to use shampoo and conditioner. The swimmers conditioner takes a long time to rinse out and the shampoos are too strong for me.

However I do really like the smell of the Egyptian Henna Shine enhancing clean rinse. (its a liquid). Thats something I would buy again and especially if I want my hair to have a scent.:)

[wolf girl]

I am a lover of AO! My current routine is WO but I still use conditioners on my length only. I like the algea mask and use it about every other week as a pre-wash. It really makes my hair soft. Speaking of which, I'm almost out. Time to re-order! :run:

[Elenna]

The Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Nourishing conditioner over moisturized my hair.

On the other hand, I use the AO Green Tea Shampoo for clarifying, and the AO Honeysuckle Rose conditioner as a leave-in.

Aubrey Organics have mild and natural ingredients.

[SweetPea88]

Has anyone had success with using the Honeysuckle Rose S&C together? I currently use CV poo bars but I think my hair may be needing more moisture.

Also, if the shampoos are soap-based is it necessary to do an ACV rinse. And would the rinse be done before conditioner is applied.

Sorry lots of questions! :o

[Millielie]

I use the GPB Conditioner from time to time. I like it very much but if I use it too often my hair gets crunchy because of the proteins.

[chrissy-b]

I really love the Honeysuckle Rose conditioner. I don't use it that often for CWC because it doesn't provide quite enough slip but as a leave-in (with a little Giovanni Direct) it's amazing!

[Eden Iris]

I put some Honeysuckle Rose in a mister (think I got the idea from Cinnamon Hair) and have been using that with very nice results. I tried it in my daughter's hair as a detangler, and it left it stringy and sad (and still tangled). Her hair is very fine and about a 1b, so maybe the HR works better with waves.

[LaCitoyenne]

I like the Honeysuckle Rose conditioner as well. It's true it doesn't have a great deal of slip, but it leaves my hair pretty soft. Oddly enough, I can often skip a leave-in. I wait till my hair is fairly dry to comb it, and don't have too many issues.

[Naluin]

I'm trying the White Camellia Conditioner now. Due to allergies, I can't smell much, so I have nothing to say about the fragrance. Though my hair loves coconut oil and camellia oil, it seems kind of "eh" with this conditioner. I'd like to love this conditioner, but so far, I'm not terribly impressed and I'm about halfway through the bottle.

I want to try the HSR conditioner because my hair needs something for an occasional injection of moisture, since it is naturally very dry, and I'm very curious about the HSR; I've been eyeing it for months.

[VanillaTresses]

I have tried (in this order):
Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo
Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
Swimmer's Conditioner
Blue Chamomile Shampoo
GPB Conditioner (Whole Foods exclusive lavender ylang ylang scent)
GPB Shampoo (Whole Foods exclusive rosemary peppermint scent)

The Blue Chamomile Shampoo is my favorite Aubrey Product, it is just so thick and fantastic. The smell is strange but I really like it. (?) My close seconds would be the GPB Shampoo, rosemary peppermint scent (though it is runnier) and the Swimmer's Conditioner (very mild/neutral scent... RICH!). Good stuff!! The scent of the HR is a little too strong for me on a daily basis though the product itself is very good. The GPB conditioner would have to be the least favorite thing I have tried... I guess my hair just doesn't like the protein or whatever. Who knows.

[Luuzje]

I'm using the B5 design gel and I really love it!!
Only natural ingredients (no alcohol) and it gives my hair more body and shine!

:cheese:

[Marlowe]

I bought the Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner last week and so far my experience has been fantastic. Very soft hair. Shampoo doesn't strip my hair and I can actually run a comb through my hair right after it dries without my hair snagging which I haven't been able to do before unless I oiled my hair before the combing. Conditioner might be too heavy for someone with fine, straight hair. Certainly kills my waves and curls some. Anyone who's thought about trying Aubrey Organics but worry about the shampoos not working because they have hard water and the shampoos being soap based? Well, the shampoos work great even with nasty well water I have. Go fig. Only downside to the HR products is yeah, they do smell like flowers, and yeah, the smell lingers. So if floral scents turn your stomach, you might want to avoid the HR stuff. I'm not too fond of the smell myself but I'm willing to put up with smelling like an old lady for a day or so if I can comb my hair easily.

[avraea]

Only downside to the HR products is yeah, they do smell like flowers, and yeah, the smell lingers. So if floral scents turn your stomach, you might want to avoid the HR stuff.

Oh no...I was going to recommend the HR conditioner to a friend since I've heard so much glowing praise about it here, but she really hates floral scents.

Does anyone have other suggestions for AO conditioners that might have a similar effect as the HR conditioner but doesn't have a strong floral scent? I only use CV bars so I don't really have a clue. Any help is appreciated. :)

[Marlowe]

Avraea, the Island Naturals line is listed on the AO website as having allspice for the stink pretty component of the conditioner instead of honeysuckle like with the HR. Haven't used it so I can't say if it has any other scents lurking under the allspice. Listed under the dry hair section of the site so it might be similar to the HR in conditioning qualities.

[avraea]

Thanks, Marlowe, I think I might recommend that one to her instead. Does anyone know what that one smells like?

[curly girl fla]

I just recently started using AO again. I used to use the GPB(are the letters in the right order?) conditioner, the Mandarin Magik Gelly, and the B Design Gel. Great products, and I honestly don't know why I switched...prolly the PJ in me :lol: ...now I bought AOHR conditioner bogo online w/free shipping (I couldn't resist), and it works great as a leave-in after using shampoo bars. I use it as a rinse out, too, but I don't need to all the time with the soap bars. Alot of moisture and great detangling properties...And now I find out that the AO shampoos are soap-based, and that's why I heard everyone had drying issues? Maybe since I already use soap bars, they would work for me without issue....It'll have to wait until another sale, though :smile:.

[Flutterbee]

I have an extremely sensitive scalp and have used their Primrose and Lavender shampoo with success. It's the only bottle shampoo I can use without irritating my scalp horribly. I use CV bars now though.

[Neoma]

I adore the GPB conditioner. The fragrance is divine -- it has real balsam in it.

I like to mix a shot or two of GPB conditioner into a white vinegar/essential oil rinse and use it after cleansing with shampoo bars. It detangles extremely well, but without weighing it down as much.

I also like the Island Naturals conditioner, which probably works just as well, but I don't like the fragrance quite as much.

I can't stand the Honeysuckle Rose. It's overpoweringly floral to me.

I like to use AO conditioners as leave-ins, too. I will rub a very small amount between my palms and apply it to my hair, which soaks it right up. It leaves my hair very soft and happy. :)

[rhubarbarin]

I'm using the B5 design gel and I really love it!!
Only natural ingredients (no alcohol) and it gives my hair more body and shine!

:cheese:

This is my absolute favorite product ever!!! It make my hair so shiny and managable.. best leave in I've tried.

I also love the Honeysuckle Rose conditioner.

[detritus]

How protein-heavy is the GPB conditioner? It sounds like it smells fantastic, but my hair doesn't really like protein so I'm worried it would end up crunchy with this one. I've been using the honeysuckle rose for the last several months and I really like it. It makes my hair soft and shiny and doesn't weight it down too much. But the smell. :vomit: I don't really like floral scents, and this one is just so strong. And the scent of the shampoo smells chemically to me. I picked up both the AO jojoba/aloe/yucca shampoo and conditioner today to give them a try instead. I was surprised to find they both smell quite mild and herbal. I like herbal.

[Neoma]

How protein-heavy is the GPB conditioner? It sounds like it smells fantastic, but my hair doesn't really like protein so I'm worried it would end up crunchy with this one. I've been using the honeysuckle rose for the last several months and I really like it. It makes my hair soft and shiny and doesn't weight it down too much. But the smell. :vomit: I don't really like floral scents, and this one is just so strong. And the scent of the shampoo smells chemically to me. I picked up both the AO jojoba/aloe/yucca shampoo and conditioner today to give them a try instead. I was surprised to find they both smell quite mild and herbal. I like herbal.It is very protein heavy, detritus. It has milk protein.

[Slug Yoga]

I have their lemon clarifying shampoo, and it works great! the main office for them (where they make it, and the customer service, sales and all that jazz) is right next door to where I work. I called them awhile ago and asked if I could walk next door and buy some stuff rather than going to Wild Oats, but they said they don't sell to the public :( All well, I like the stuff :)

I just used this, and so far so good! The smell was pretty strong, but I didn't mind that.

[saoriiroas]

I can not stand the way GPB smells... to each their own cookie I guess. I use it on my ends only, every other wash. It seems to be a qood conditioner, even though I do not like the way my hair looks after using it (more dull than shiny), it feels great. Its the only AO product I use, I might not refill, but I do like the way the milk fats slip.... AO is way too expensive and specialized for my tastes, I am a Dr. Bronner's, Kirk's Castille type of girl, simple formulas and great value.

[detritus]

Ok, the JAY/desert herb shampoo and condish are horrible! Well, the shampoo may be ok. But the conditioner smells like simple green and makes my hair greasy and stiff. Guess I should just stick with the honeysuckle rose, even if I think the smell is a little cloying. This stuff is getting pawned off on my BF or used for shaving. It stays off my hair!

[MsBubbles]

After much research (including this thread, thanks!) and trying to decide which one to try first, based on the ingredients and my hair type, I finally bought some AO Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo and AO Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner at a local health food store. They stocked the whole range!

I was so excited yet nervous after having just spent $20 on this stuff (I usually spend $5 total on Horton's Whoberry shampoo and Sunsilk 'thirsty hair' conditioner). I got in the shower and decided I'd try the shampoo only (following the 'only try one thing at a time' theory). I usually CWC but this time I was so preoccupied I forgot to put the conditioner in my hair first. Mid-lather I thought 'well maybe I should just make this into a clarifying wash'. I loved the smell of the shampoo and it lathered well. I wasn't sure how much to put on - whether people here still dilute the AO stuff too? So I diluted it a bit. I was unaccustomed to putting something oily on my scalp but so far my hair is clean.

Then it came time to condition and I thought 'oh the hell with it, I'll try the new AO conditioner too!'. My thinking behind that being that if I had just clarified then I'd get a good reading of the conditioner afterwards too. The consistency is more like Nivea (the thick stuff in the tub) than the runnier Sunsilk stuff. I had tried the Giovanni conditioner in the past and it was deceptively thick and had zero slip so I wasted my money on that - I was afraid it'd be the same story with the AO conditioner.

I let it sit for a few mins and cold-rinsed the whole thing out but not all the way like I used to the Sunsilk. I still had no idea whether it worked - that test comes with the trauma of the post-wash detangling and combing.

Well the comb ran through my hair afterwards so much easier than it ever did with my coneful Sunsilk. I am so excited because I have been trying for ages to get off the cones but the knotty hair is not worth it. This doesn't appear to be a problem with the AO.

After my hair has dried it feels softer than usual. However, I can't say it looks any better. I'm hoping that'll change in the long run with the milder shampoo and cone free conditioner. My ends are still looking fried and I have yet to find a leave-in that won't make my hair look wet and hang in rats tails. Next stop... a Japanese market for camellia oil!

[Eden Iris]

Resurrecting this thread for a question: does HR shampoo lather well for you? I recently switched from CV bars (long boring story -- not working for me any more) and started using the HR shampoo since I love the conditioner for a leave-in/mister.

I get zero lather from it, and I have to use a lot (about two or three tablespoons) to feel like it's washing my hair at all, and I don't have that much hair. It feels a lot like CO. Once it's dry my hair feels soft and clean, though.

Maybe I need to switch to one of the clarifying products? Or is the CO feel just how it works for everyone?

[MsBubbles]

The green tea clarifying shampoo lathers plenty. I didn't try the honeysuckle rose because it's for 'dry' hair. I was quite prepared for the green tea shampoo not to lather, but it does. I actually dilute it now, even.

[Eden Iris]

Thanks, MsBubbles. My hair is on the dry side, but it obviously needs something else right now. I'll look for the green tea.

[StarShine]

I like their shampoos. They are soap based and all natural. The Green Tea Clarifying is great for my oily, fine hair and lathers a lot better than their other types of shampoos I've tried.

I don't trust Aubrey's "preservative system" though, and because of that I'll only buy their shampoo. I've tried their conditioners before, but I use so little it goes bad way before I use it up so it's a waste of cash. I've even had the shampoos go very visibly moldy before. But now I use it up really quickly, so I only have to worry about how long it's been sitting on the shelf, not in my moist shower. Natural products do have their drawbacks, but it's worth it.

[Eden Iris]

StarShine, I have similar concerns about the shelf life of the conditioner, which is why I didn't feel too decadent using almost a whole bottle to get the henna out of my hair. Smelled great for days afterward.

[morguebabe]

What do you do if it overmoustirizers your hair? I just bought the Rose Mosqueta.

[freznow]

Do any of you who use AO have experience with scalp issues? I have an itchy scalp that's only ever been solved by catnip - would an AO shampoo work well with catnip as conditioner, do you think? Does AO help scalp issues itself?