Giovanni, Do you like it?

[Arden]

I was hanging about at ulta today looking for sulfate / cone free products. I ran accross Giovanni soft as silk shampoo and conditioner.

I've not used them yet, today was my wash day so it'll probably be a day or two.. maybe 3 before it gets used...

Has anyone here used the Giovanni products? Did you have a favorite if you did?

My hair type is 2a fine and thick....

[patienceneeded]

I use and like Giovanni quite a lot. I use the 50/50 balancing shampoo and the smooth as silk conditioner. Double check the smooth as silk shampoo, I believe it has a silicone (dimethicone?) in it. The conditioner is cone-free. I really like the 50/50 shampoo, it's gentle, but gets the scalp clean. Their Smooth as Silk conditioner is my favorite cone-free conditioner.

[Bianca]

I have tried the tea tree shampoo, which is great, use it for clarifying. Smells good too.

Also have the smooth as silk conditioner, and I love it. Leaves my hair so soft and lovely :)

[TessieAnn]

Loved the shampoo and condish. Don't like the bottle. It's hard to get the last bits out of that strangely-shaped bottle.

[ssjhotau2]

I love that conditioner so much. They discontinued it at the two stores I normally get it at so I'm using coney conditioner right now (In Kind) until I run across it again because I haven't found anything else that makes my hair as soft and tangle free as Giovanni without cones.

[Bianca]

Loved the shampoo and condish. Don't like the bottle. It's hard to get the last bits out of that strangely-shaped bottle.

Oh yes, thats right. Dont like the bottles either.

[Kristin]

My favorites were the 50/50 shampoo and Tea Tree Triple Treat conditioner. I stopped using the shampoo since they reformulated and switched to Andalou Naturals, though.

[Lady Neeva]

Didn't like the Triple Treat shampoo. (I had to wash again the next day)The condish worked fine, especially in the blistering humidity.

[Arden]

My favorites were the 50/50 shampoo and Tea Tree Triple Treat conditioner. I stopped using the shampoo since they reformulated and switched to Andalou Naturals, though.

Why do companies do that? The whole reformulation thing? If it agint broke dont fix it. Why do they do that? 15 years ago if you'd have asked me the best product I would have said Aveda, hands down. Loved Aveda. I didnt use it for a few years (mainly being poor... lol) A few years back I went and got the staple rosemary mint and noticed it was not the same at all. I mean it "smelled" the same.. more or less... but it was a much inferior product to the Aveda I remember from my youth.

Then i've also heard with the DevaCurl (reading reviews) that they reformulated there products as well.. and there where alot of people complaining about it....

I remember being at my sister in laws house about a year or so ago an she had a Giovnanni product in her shower. I cant rememebr now if it was the tea tree, 50/50 or what.... I just remember that distinct bottle.... I tried it, just off the cuff, and liked it... but I think I crossed it up with a diffrent brand of conditioner.

This was one of those situations where I spent the night (she lives out of town from me) and instead of bothering to go buy somthing just grabbed at random what was in her shower.

I wonder, has the reformulation occured recently? Like less than a year ago? I felt save trying this (I have alllergies) because i'd tried it at her house before.... but if they've changed the formual...

I feel so frustated... I want nice hair that doesnt smell like "hair" but between the allery issues I'm having... holy smokes

I've not tried it yet... I may today.. my hair went kind of limp after the 103 degree weather we had yesterday... I have nice wave definition typically with my second day hair but wave defination on not it's laying kind of flat on my head... "boo" LOL

I have high hopes for the conditioner. There were really good reviews on the naturally curly website. Although I guess I need to read the ingredients a little closer... Maybe the reformulation included the removal of cones? I dont remember seeing anything that looked 'cone'y when i looked at the bottle before... but I'll double check

[Arden]

Didn't like the Triple Treat shampoo. (I had to wash again the next day)The condish worked fine, especially in the blistering humidity.

Oh yea, thats a good indicator for me. If I have to rewash the next day the poo didn't work right in my opinuion. I should be able to get at least 2 if not 3 days out of my wash... otherwise I feel like whatever it was aggrovated my scalp. Thats kind of why I started out with there most moisture rich product... I'll probably work backwards to less moisture if it weights me down too much.... Balance is key

By the way, Are you in Houston? I lived there a few years back... Was my second favorite place I ever lived... short of the summers.. lol

I'm living in Coastal NC now (which is where I'm from origionally)... you wanna talk about humidity? LOL

[Lady Neeva]

Arden:Yes. It's raining cats and dogs right now, in contrast to last summer. Now I know that humidity can only mean two things...

[Flashaway]

I use the Tee Tree Triple Treat Shampood and conditionner and I love them. The conditionner is really light so I mostly use it after a deep oil treatment and I'm always using the shampoo; it left my scalp clean and not greasy for days !

[jeanniet]

I like the SAS conditioner, although it's not what I use regularly. I use it in SMTs and such. It's pretty moisturizing. BTW, you can get the SAS conditioner and some other Giovanni shampoos/conditioners in bulk at Whole Foods. So if you just want to try it out, bring in an empty bottle and just buy a little (have a cashier tare your bottle first if it's not the kind they sell for bulk purchases).

[Arden]

I like the SAS conditioner, although it's not what I use regularly. I use it in SMTs and such. It's pretty moisturizing. BTW, you can get the SAS conditioner and some other Giovanni shampoos/conditioners in bulk at Whole Foods. So if you just want to try it out, bring in an empty bottle and just buy a little (have a cashier tare your bottle first if it's not the kind they sell for bulk purchases).

Oh? How cool is that! I should definatly look into that. We only just recently got a Whole Foods here and I've yet to go but plan on it here in the near future so I can bug them about getting me some Dr Bronners lotion...

I tried the SAS shampoo and conditioner today. I think I may like it. I went really light handed with the conditioner because I was worried it might weigh my hair down but I'm thinking next go I could probably use more. It seems to be pretty light considering how creamy it felt in my hands...

I got decent body from it either way. About as much definition too as I could exspect without any kind of extra product.. which is nice...

I also plunked / plopped for 20 mins after.... I may acctually try plopping overnight... I heard that doing that can increase your wave pattern alot.. I'll have to do it some night I'm not "in the mood" though cause I can imagine it's not a very sexy bed look.. lol

I think it's wonderful though that you can get such good results from a "cheaper" brand...

[Natalia]

i like the old formula diect leave in but they are admidst re-doing the line... im not happy about it :(

[elousays]

I like giovanni but like others have said, some of their products have cones. I've used the 50/50 balancing line and my hair really liked it. I used the protein infusion conditioner as well, which worked nicely and was in a squeeze bottle rather than the square ones.

[JellyBene]

I have tried many many different sulfate free shampoos over the years, only a few truly standout and Giovanni is definately one of them. I really like their 50:50 shampoo and conditioner

[jeanniet]

Oh? How cool is that! I should definatly look into that. We only just recently got a Whole Foods here and I've yet to go but plan on it here in the near future so I can bug them about getting me some Dr Bronners lotion...

I tried the SAS shampoo and conditioner today. I think I may like it. I went really light handed with the conditioner because I was worried it might weigh my hair down but I'm thinking next go I could probably use more. It seems to be pretty light considering how creamy it felt in my hands...

I got decent body from it either way. About as much definition too as I could exspect without any kind of extra product.. which is nice...

I also plunked / plopped for 20 mins after.... I may acctually try plopping overnight... I heard that doing that can increase your wave pattern alot.. I'll have to do it some night I'm not "in the mood" though cause I can imagine it's not a very sexy bed look.. lol

I think it's wonderful though that you can get such good results from a "cheaper" brand...
I plop, but only for about 10-15 minutes while I get the excess water out, so I don't know how much difference longer would make. My hair is always pretty curly after a wash.

You can also dilute the conditioner with a little water to get better distribution. I do that with shampoo, and with some conditioners. Otherwise I have to use a ton to get it all through my hair.

[Tia2010]

I love Giovanni smooth as silk. It's my HG product :D I also like the new 2chic line by Giovanni. Especially the conditioner, it's very moisturizing and smells amazing!

[Phalaenopsis]

I find the SAS conditioner not moisturizing enough (bleached hair here). A friend of mine loves it though. I was considering the SAS shampoo, it just has been reformulated though. I'm looking for a shampoo that's soft for my dry length and gives some shine.

[StPaulaGirl]

I'm curious: how do you know when a product has been reformulated? I purchased some 50/50 shampoo and conditioner in January, and loved it. I bought a new bottle last week and it's okay - I'm not in love with it like I was. I don't know if it's because it's summer and it's just the heat and humidity wreaking havoc with my hair, or if it's because I purchased a different formula than the one I fell in love with.

[XcaliburGirl]

I thought the Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo smelled great, but was a little bit drying for a sulfate-free shampoo. Also, I bought some Smooth as Silk conditioner, thinking it was 'cone free and it wasn't. I got some scalp build up from that as I always do with any 'coney shampoo.

[Sundial]

I am using both the 50/50 conditioner and shampoo because the rest of the line except for triple treat shampoo contains protein and my hair hates protein. They do a decent enough job but I wish the conditioner would give more slip. The shampoo does a good job at clarifying but I usually dilute it because I find that it strips too much moisture otherwise.

StPaulaGirl I think they were reformulated a while ago and they did change the packaging of the bottles. The change is quite subtle though and I wouldn't have realized if someone on the board didn't point it out to me. Also, when I placed the old bottle next to the new one, I noticed that the shampoo in the new bottle seems lighter in color than the shampoo in the old one (old shampoo seems to be a darker yellow).

[BBdck1]

I've only tried the 50/50 conditioner. It's been close to 2 months now and it's the best conditioner I've ever use. Very thick but not too heavy. Found a 1 liter pump bottle at TJ Maxx for a very reasonable price ($13).

[Phalaenopsis]

I ordered the Smooth as silk shampoo with the new recipe. I really hope I like it.

[sapphire-o]

Both DH and I love Giovanni stuff. He uses the tea tree one and sometimes the smooth as silk one, both shampoo and conditioner. I use either the Golden Wheat or Root 66 shampoo occasionally, as I'm mostly a poo bar user. I don't use conditioners. I'd say they work very well for a "natural" shampoo.

*DH has fine wavy typical Caucasian hair, I have slippery shiny wavy Asian hair. We usually don't share any hair products as they're so different.

[GabrielleRose]

Is the new recipe of SAS shampoo cone free now? I just purchased it and didn't see any cones.

[Phalaenopsis]

Is the new recipe of SAS shampoo cone free now? I just purchased it and didn't see any cones.

Yes :) Otherwise I wouldn't have bought it ^^

[Catia]

I keep trying out other brands but I always come back to Giovanni. Nothing else makes my hair that shiny and tangle free without building up. I just wish it had more exciting fragrances (hence my cheating on it :p)

My husband has shoulder length 1b/F/i hair and it looks SO much lighter & shinier when he uses the Root 66 shampoo vs one of his coney ones. Like sapphire-o said, it's wild how it can work so well on such different hair structures :)

I have used everything in the line and like them all with a couple exceptions. For me, the Triple Tea Tree was too drying and the SAS shampoo not quite cleansing enough. I have tried the various styling aids as well(root lifter, LA hold etc ) but since I'm not well versed in styling products, I couldn't get them to work for me. They all left me sticky.

I am currently using the 50/50 conditioner with Root 66 shampoo. I also really like the SAS conditioner and 50/50 poo.

I always get the giant pump bottle at TJ MAXX. It's a great deal ($12.99) and then I don't have to mess with those aggravating little bottles ;)

[GabrielleRose]

Yes :) Otherwise I wouldn't have bought it ^^


Thanks for the reply! :)

[velvetvenus]

I've been using the Giovanni 50/50 shampoo and SAS condish for almost three weeks now and I am really enjoying them, my hair feels supersoft. I'm trying to CO wash twice a week and then CWC once a week but I am finding my scalp is still a bit oily. I've also just ordered some biolage conditioner which seems really popular- anyone use bothe the bioilage and Giovanni SAS, how do they compare? Thanks! I'm a newbie still in the honeymoon period of product discovery :)

[Arden]

Giovanni Changed the ingredients in the Tea tree triple treat! WHHHYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Phalaenopsis]

The SAS one was changed too, but I actually love it :) No idea how the old recipe was though. So it might not be for the worst?

[hybrise]

I used the Giovanni Wellness (http://www.giovannicosmetics.net/item.asp?prodtype=HAIR%20CARE&category=ORGANIC&model=SHAMPOO&item=WELLNESS-SHAM-8) shampoo and conditioner for a while and it was wonderful. I had to oil a little more frequently, but I liked it. I stopped using it because it was expensive and I much more enjoyed my CVS bars, but it's still one of my favorites, and the conditioner made my scalp tingly.

[hybrise]

Woops, double post. Might as well add: I used SAS for a while and loved the smell, but it just didn't work well for me. It made my hair dull. If I had to guess it was because it had cones but I can't recall.

[Kittykins]

I love their leave in conditioner.

[Lilli]

All their products are great. Look for the new formulas in the brown tubes - they have argan oil, butters, keratin, etc. and my hair looooooves them. Actually moisturizing enough! They are the only natural brand that reliably makes my hair look good even if used day after day.

[JasminxCat]

I've just ordered Giovanni's creamy avocado & olive oil shampoo and conditioner. I can't wait to try it and see how my hair does with it. I remember using a few test samples I got for free a few years ago and my hair loved it. I just didn't remember the name until it finally came in my suggestions. Hopefully the ingredients are still the same and has the same affect on my hair. I found it very moisturizing the first time I used it

Anyone else try this one in particular or which have you tried out of their variety and how did it work for you? I was going to try smooth as silk but it was out of stock online, some other time I'd like to try that one

[Mariekeeee14]

The SAS shampoo is not cleansing enough most of the time, sometimes when I use it twice. The SAS conditioner is one of my favourites, I use it mostly as a second C to add a bit of protein and it makes my hair So soft, love it. Same for the Direct Leave In, it is my favourite summer leave in. My hair soaks it up but it doesn't weigh my locks down. The Tea Tree shampoo is very nice, it can clean out a scalp treatment very well, but I have to use it twice. Same for the Golden Wheat shampoo, but I haven't used that often enough to have a solid opinion in it.

[Dark40]

I use and love the direct leave-in conditioner.

[Lesley8]

I have the giovanni ultra moist shampoo and conditioner advocado and olive oil.

[knobbly]

I’ve used Giovanni forever, mostly because it’s available in huge pump bottles for cheap at TJ Maxx lol. I like SAS conditioner and I’ve also used the 2Chic Brazilian Keratin and Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner. Ease of finding these on the ground and at a decent price is their main draw for me, plus the scent is inoffensive. I know this doesn’t sound like a rousing endorsement, but both of those things together are hard to find for well-formulated products.

[kimgeas]

My low porosity hair loves the tea tree shampoo and their leave-in, but I also feel like giovanni's products run out pretty fast? I mean I always go through conditioner like water, but I also need to use twice as much as the shampoo than other brands. It usually only occurs when a shampoo doesn't lather well, which it does. Weird. But their stuff is pretty affordable so I guess that's just it?

[sapphire-o]

I've been using their shampoo for years but they're hard to find now. I just got some from iherb. The "2Chic Brazilian Keratin and Argan Oil shampoo" and the Chinese herbs ones. I can't wait to try the 2Chic one next wash. I need to be careful with the Chinese herbs because they actually affect hormones. My hair was thick and nice and had less shedding when I used it years ago. I also produced less oil and could stretch the wash a bit. It affected my period, though so I stopped using it. I gave the rest (most of a 1L bottle) to my teenage son. Boy his hair got so thick and shiny!

[beha]

The green conditioner sucks and the brown one is great. The 50/50 shampoo is alright; I'm not picky about shampoo.

[Hedwig]

Bumping this thread back up!

I just started using their Direct Leave In but I'm not too happy about it. It leaves a sticky film on my hair which takes up to a day to really sink in and by that time my hair is greasy again. It doesn't seem too moisturizing either. Really disappointing since this has overwhelmingly positive reviews online and I was really looking forward to it.

[Lady Stardust]

That’s a shame Hedwig, it’s really disappointing when you’re looking forward to a great product and it turns out to be not great for you. I’m one of those who loves the leave in, it saved me from chopping my hair a couple of years ago. I use shampoo and conditioner, and then use a pea size amount on dripping wet hair. More than pea size is too much though, I don’t know if it would help if you tried a little less (if that’s even possible?)

I’m currently using the 50:50 shampoo and conditioner. I prefer the Smooth As Silk shampoo but I can’t get hold of it at the moment. The Smooth As Silk conditioner is nice but it can leaves my hair feeling a bit protein laden. It’s nice to use once in a while though.

[Hedwig]

I used more than a pea sized amount for sure. More like hazelnut! But I'm going to try using less next time. :) Do you like the 50:50 conditioner? I was thinking about maybe trying it out some time.

[ExpectoPatronum]

The Tea Tree shampoo is one of the two shampoos I switch between. I've also used the 50:50 conditioner and really liked it, though I felt like I personally needed to use a lot of it.

[Lady Stardust]

I used more than a pea sized amount for sure. More like hazelnut! But I'm going to try using less next time. :) Do you like the 50:50 conditioner? I was thinking about maybe trying it out some time.

I like the 50:50 conditioner but it’s not overwhelmingly amazing or anything :) I don’t seem to get on with lots of ingredients these days, which is how I ended up using Giovanni. Their products don’t give me reactions so I want to stick with them. The 50:50 conditioner gives enough slip to detangle and doesn’t weigh my hair down, so it kind of lets my hair “be”. I don’t feel like it particularly adds anything spectacular though.

My hair is a bit odd in that it is hard to add moisture back into it if my hair has dried out. It gets weighed down easily and gets build up easily. My strategy is to use gentle products that maintain the status quo - gentle enough not to dry my hair out, and light enough not to weigh it down.

[Mariekeeee14]

Bumping this thread back up!

I just started using their Direct Leave In but I'm not too happy about it. It leaves a sticky film on my hair which takes up to a day to really sink in and by that time my hair is greasy again. It doesn't seem too moisturizing either. Really disappointing since this has overwhelmingly positive reviews online and I was really looking forward to it.

I feel you, I had the same experience with Kinky Curly Knot Today. It just wouldn’t get in there. I finished it as an in shower detangler before I deep conditioned. I was kinda tempted to buy it again cause that way it worked great, but I’ve got enough stuff to finish already. So maybe that’s the route to take if you don’t get it to work for you?

[Hedwig]

I feel you, I had the same experience with Kinky Curly Knot Today. It just wouldn’t get in there. I finished it as an in shower detangler before I deep conditioned. I was kinda tempted to buy it again cause that way it worked great, but I’ve got enough stuff to finish already. So maybe that’s the route to take if you don’t get it to work for you?

I guess I could’ve tried that but I usually don’t have that step in my routine and I am quite lazy, so I feel like I would’ve skipped it every time haha!
I ended up returning the Leave In, such a bummer but at least I‘ll get my money back. I‘ve always wanted to try their tea tree shampoo but now I‘m kind of turned off by the brand.

[Hedwig]

I guess I could’ve tried that but I usually don’t have that step in my routine and I am quite lazy, so I feel like I would’ve skipped it every time haha!
I ended up returning the Leave In, such a bummer but at least I‘ll get my money back. I‘ve always wanted to try their tea tree shampoo but now I‘m kind of turned off by the brand.

Actually scratch that! I decided against returning it and have been having a mostly good time with it since. The key is using very little and on really wet hair basically directly out of the shower.
I've also tried a sample of their tea tree shampoo since and it gave me pimples around my hair line. My hair got soft with it and it seemed like my sensitive scalp was fine with it too but I won't be purchasing a full size bottle.

[Lady Stardust]

Actually scratch that! I decided against returning it and have been having a mostly good time with it since. The key is using very little and on really wet hair basically directly out of the shower.
I've also tried a sample of their tea tree shampoo since and it gave me pimples around my hair line. My hair got soft with it and it seemed like my sensitive scalp was fine with it too but I won't be purchasing a full size bottle.

Oh good! I’m glad it’s working better for you now. I certainly need a very light touch with it, but then my hair gets weighed down so easily, that’s true of everything.

Interesting about the tea tree shampoo. I find anything with tea tree in to be too harsh for me so I’ve never tried it.

I’ve just repurchased the Smooth As Silk shampoo. I need to use the 50:50 shampoo once in a while because the SAS is so mild. My scalp is fine with it but the 50:50 is good for clarifying (for me, at least, although I don’t use anything that builds up much).

[AshtangiPNW]

I like the 50:50 shampoo a lot, Lady Stardust! My current favorite. It is gentle enough to not irritate my scalp but strong enough to remove some silicone and has a mild citrusy scent. The matching conditioner is also really nice. I tried the Smooth as Silk shampoo at one point (smells nice!…like grapefruit) but the extra protein seems to make my hair tangly/frizzy.

[sapphire-o]

I like the 50:50 shampoo a lot, Lady Stardust! My current favorite. It is gentle enough to not irritate my scalp but strong enough to remove some silicone and has a mild citrusy scent. The matching conditioner is also really nice. I tried the Smooth as Silk shampoo at one point (smells nice!…like grapefruit) but the extra protein seems to make my hair tangly/frizzy.

I just bought a bottle of 50:50 today. :) I've been using the Root 66 for years but now can't find it easily. I hope the 50:50 will work OK. I did try a couple shampoos from the 2Chic line. I have to say the lather felt so rich and luxurious. They're a little too moisturizing for my liking. My hair was too slippery after. I prefer the clear liquid shampoos.

[AshtangiPNW]

I just bought a bottle of 50:50 today. :) I've been using the Root 66 for years but now can't find it easily. I hope the 50:50 will work OK. I did try a couple shampoos from the 2Chic line. I have to say the lather felt so rich and luxurious. They're a little too moisturizing for my liking. My hair was too slippery after. I prefer the clear liquid shampoos.
I tried the 2Chic Shea Frizz Be Gone Shampoo, and I didn’t like it as well as the EcoChic clear ones. I think that it made my scalp a little itchy although it’s hard to say why. I like that the EcoChic lines seem to have more subtle fragrance. I haven’t tried the root 66 shampoo. I hope that the 50:50 one works really well for you! I have a 24 oz pump bottle of the 50:50 (it was on sale for $10) so I will be using this one for a while…

Oh good! I’m glad it’s working better for you now. I certainly need a very light touch with it, but then my hair gets weighed down so easily, that’s true of everything.

Interesting about the tea tree shampoo. I find anything with tea tree in to be too harsh for me so I’ve never tried it.

I’ve just repurchased the Smooth As Silk shampoo. I need to use the 50:50 shampoo once in a while because the SAS is so mild. My scalp is fine with it but the 50:50 is good for clarifying (for me, at least, although I don’t use anything that builds up much).

I got a bottle of this leave-in to try too. I hope it helps with grabby ends! I really just need a trim at some point, but I’ve been putting it off for a really long time. :o

[Lavenderhaze]

just tried the Giovanni 50-50 shampoo for the first time. The pros were that the smell is inoffensive and it didn’t linger. It also lathered beautifully, and it is an easy to find product in the stores/online. The cons were that it made my head itch horribly for a week, don’t know if I was allergic to something in it. It also left my hair feeling more dry and brittle than my usual dry and brittle, even though I did condition after using.

[orchidia]

just tried the Giovanni 50-50 shampoo for the first time. The pros were that the smell is inoffensive and it didn’t linger. It also lathered beautifully, and it is an easy to find product in the stores/online. The cons were that it made my head itch horribly for a week, don’t know if I was allergic to something in it. It also left my hair feeling more dry and brittle than my usual dry and brittle, even though I did condition after using.

I found that the 50/50 made my scalp feel super itchy too! I'm not sure if something in their formulations changed in the past couple of years -- I had used their products for nearly a decade without issue, tried other stuff, and when I came back everything made me a bit itchy and left my hair feeling dry. I have a bottle of the Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner sitting in my cupboard and I'm waiting to try them because I'm worried I might get the same itchy reaction I had from the 50/50 and TTT lines.

[AshtangiPNW]

Oh no! That’s really too bad about the itchy scalp. Sulfates cause scalp itchiness for me so I need to avoid them for regular use. I’ve also noticed that when shampoos are not quite cleansing enough, that can also result in scalp itchiness. My scalp is kind of picky, and thankfully this one has been okay for me so far. It seems to be a good balance although it is definitely more on the cleansing side. Scalp feels calm. The smooth as silk shampoo is gentler, in my experience. Which shampoos have worked best for you so far, orchidia and lavenderhaze?

[orchidia]

Oh no! That’s really too bad about the itchy scalp. Sulfates cause scalp itchiness for me so I need to avoid them for regular use. I’ve also noticed that when shampoos are not quite cleansing enough, that can also result in scalp itchiness. My scalp is kind of picky, and thankfully this one has been okay for me so far. It seems to be a good balance although it is definitely more on the cleansing side. Scalp feels calm. The smooth as silk shampoo is gentler, in my experience. Which shampoos have worked best for you so far, orchidia and lavenderhaze?

The Smooth as Silk s&c was one of my holy grails between 2017-2019! I also really loved the Root 66 and Golden Wheat shampoos and alternated between the two for years. With Aveda and Klorane changing their formulations I've been looking back to my old favorites trying to find something my scalp likes -- I think I might try my fresh bottles of SAS tonight and see if my scalp tolerates it better than the 50/50. I wonder when they made the SAS shampoo bottle opaque?

[Lady Stardust]

The SAS shampoo is my holy grail! I need the 50:50 shampoo sometimes but I had a little panic when I couldn’t get hold of the SAS recently! I think the bottle only changed to opaque within the last year or so. I think the formula changed too, because the first version I had in 2020 had amodimethicone in it, and the current version is silicone free.

[GordonMurphella]

Love the tea tree. If you like this stuff and have a Trader Joe's, theirs is identical and way cheaper.

[AshtangiPNW]

The Smooth as Silk s&c was one of my holy grails between 2017-2019! I also really loved the Root 66 and Golden Wheat shampoos and alternated between the two for years. With Aveda and Klorane changing their formulations I've been looking back to my old favorites trying to find something my scalp likes -- I think I might try my fresh bottles of SAS tonight and see if my scalp tolerates it better than the 50/50. I wonder when they made the SAS shampoo bottle opaque?

Giovanni makes 2 oz bottles of the shampoos too just in case you’re still trying to find one that your scalp tolerates, orchidia. Any luck with the SAS? (My scalp definitely does not tolerate the Aveda Invati well. I like the herbal fragrance, so I tried a sample size. It’s far too “exfoliating” and makes my scalp itchy.)


Love the tea tree. If you like this stuff and have a Trader Joe's, theirs is identical and way cheaper.

I noticed that the scent is identical (very pepperminty) too! I’ve never actually tried the trader joe version but I have a small bottle of the Giovanni tea tree shampoo in my cupboard.

[Agate]

I recently bought Giovanni's Triple Treat Shampoo (based on AshtangiPNW's recommendation on another thread (Thank you!) and their Smooth As Silk Conditioner - which my local grocery store had on sale :joy:. I am SO IMPRESSED with both of these products! My hair LOVES them. My (highly sensitive) nose also loves them, as the scents are pleasing and do not linger.

My (very irritable) scalp is totally calm. Normally, it starts getting itchy 2-3 days after I wash, so I wash twice a week just for comfort. Since I started using the Triple Treat, I've been able to go five days, easily, without itchiness. Also, I love the tingly sensation on my scalp when I use it - that sensation is kind of addictive I think! I really crave it now.

The Smooth As Silk Conditioner is incredibly rich and luxurious and leaves my hair soooo shiny! My hair has been so dull looking in the past couple of years and I've tried a lot of different natural treatments as well as expensive products.

I usually mix up shampoos and conditioners based on my hair's particular needs but now I'm curious about trying the partner shampoos and conditioners just to see how they work.

[Ophidian]

There’s a new castor oil line and I’m really tempted to try the conditioner. Anyone used it?

[Ylva]

I've been using the Direct leave-in for a while now and it's quite an interesting product. It doesn't seem to make a major difference when I first apply it, but once my hair is dry and it's time to brush it (just before the next wash), it's much easier to brush through. Also, while wet, it's easier to separate strands. I think it would be even nicer if I brushed my hair otherwise, too, and not just pre-wash, but that might come with more natural hair.

[AshtangiPNW]

I recently bought Giovanni's Triple Treat Shampoo (based on AshtangiPNW's recommendation on another thread (Thank you!) and their Smooth As Silk Conditioner - which my local grocery store had on sale :joy:. I am SO IMPRESSED with both of these products! My hair LOVES them. My (highly sensitive) nose also loves them, as the scents are pleasing and do not linger.

My (very irritable) scalp is totally calm. Normally, it starts getting itchy 2-3 days after I wash, so I wash twice a week just for comfort. Since I started using the Triple Treat, I've been able to go five days, easily, without itchiness. Also, I love the tingly sensation on my scalp when I use it - that sensation is kind of addictive I think! I really crave it now.

The Smooth As Silk Conditioner is incredibly rich and luxurious and leaves my hair soooo shiny! My hair has been so dull looking in the past couple of years and I've tried a lot of different natural treatments as well as expensive products.

I usually mix up shampoos and conditioners based on my hair's particular needs but now I'm curious about trying the partner shampoos and conditioners just to see how they work.

That's fantastic to hear, Agate! It makes me happy to hear that this works for you since I know how limiting is can be to have fragrance/skin sensitivities! :) :):joy: I think the light grapefruit scent of the Smooth as Silk is really nice. The tea tree conditioner is a lot lighter than the smooth as silk, in my experience. The fragrances of the Eco Chic line are all pretty pleasant, actually. The Giovanni 50:50 conditioner is a really good instant detangler and smells like oranges. The 2chic ones have stronger fragrances.


There’s a new castor oil line and I’m really tempted to try the conditioner. Anyone used it?

I haven't tried this one. I considered trying it but wasn't sure about the hydrolyzed keratin.


I've been using the Direct leave-in for a while now and it's quite an interesting product. It doesn't seem to make a major difference when I first apply it, but once my hair is dry and it's time to brush it (just before the next wash), it's much easier to brush through. Also, while wet, it's easier to separate strands. I think it would be even nicer if I brushed my hair otherwise, too, and not just pre-wash, but that might come with more natural hair.

That's interesting to know, Ylva. I have this leave-in but haven't tried it yet since I don't regularly use leave-ins.

[sipnsun]

There’s a new castor oil line and I’m really tempted to try the conditioner. Anyone used it?

I've been using the Castor Oil shampoo and conditioner and I'm not a fan. My hair has been limp and stringy since I started using it but it definitely could be that it's too heavy for my hair type which is fine and on the thin side. Will probably repurpose it (use it for shaving or body wash) or give it away.

[Hedwig]

I've been using the Direct leave-in for a while now and it's quite an interesting product. It doesn't seem to make a major difference when I first apply it, but once my hair is dry and it's time to brush it (just before the next wash), it's much easier to brush through. Also, while wet, it's easier to separate strands. I think it would be even nicer if I brushed my hair otherwise, too, and not just pre-wash, but that might come with more natural hair.

I have also been using this one for a few months now and I like it! I find that it gives my wave pattern a nice form. But it’s not very hydrating.

[Mariekeeee14]

I like the Direct leave in at the height of summer, then I don’t need heavy stuff.

My fav product is 50:50 shampoo, with TTT shampoo as a close second. Golden Wheat shampoo is nice too, I don’t like guar as an ingredient so I haven’t used it a whole lot. Smooth as silk shampoo is not for me, but the conditioner is awesome. It’s on the light side for my thirsty hair but I still like it.

[AshtangiPNW]

I like the 50:50 shampoo and TTT shampoo, too, Mariekeeee14. The 2chic Frizz Be Gone mask and conditioner are also really nice for hydration. The mask/conditioner combo left my hair very wavy with plenty of slip, too.

[Lorelai27]

I like the 50/50 shampoo for clarifying, but I don't love the conditioner. I like the Smooth as Silk conditioner much better, and I like the shampoo too. My highlights get brassy if I don't use a purple shampoo once every few washes though. My hair is highlighted (so medium/high porosity and damaged), 2A, gets kinda frizzy, mostly lives in a bun. BSL and prone to tangles especially when wet if I don't use the right conditioner. Oh, the hair gel is pretty good too. I have their foam/mousse to try but I haven't yet.

[rosenester]

Ooh my partner just got me sample sizes of the smooth as silk shampoo and conditioner, looking forward to try them out! I am growing out bleach damage, I hope they work for me! ;)

[sapphire-o]

I got a bottle of the 50/50 shampoo. It cleans well and is not stripping. I have a question, though: what does it smell like for you? Mine smells kinda old, like stale baby powder or something. I wonder if it's too old. If it's supposed to be like that I will not repurchase. :o

[Bluecardigan]

I got a bottle of the 50/50 shampoo. It cleans well and is not stripping. I have a question, though: what does it smell like for you? Mine smells kinda old, like stale baby powder or something. I wonder if it's too old. If it's supposed to be like that I will not repurchase. :o
Hmm, that sounds a bit strange! I also have the 50/50 shampoo, and to me it smells of orange, or grapefruit kind of.

[Lorelai27]

I don't personally find that it has a very strong scent out of the bottle... But smell is so subjective that it's hard to say.

[Lady Stardust]

Hmm, that sounds a bit strange! I also have the 50/50 shampoo, and to me it smells of orange, or grapefruit kind of.

I agree, I’m not very good at putting my finger on which scent it is other than slightly citrusy, but now that you’ve said grapefruit that sounds about right.

I’m very sensitive to scent and it isn’t one that I have a problem with. The scent doesn’t linger in my hair and I don’t find it very strong at all.

[rosenester]

My ‘smooth as silk’ S&D has grapefruit, orange & rosemary extract toward the top of ingredients. I’d say those scents carry through as a first impression of putting product on my hands. Haven’t used yet though!

[orchidia]

I got a bottle of the 50/50 shampoo. It cleans well and is not stripping. I have a question, though: what does it smell like for you? Mine smells kinda old, like stale baby powder or something. I wonder if it's too old. If it's supposed to be like that I will not repurchase. :o

My bottle of 50/50 smells a bit more perfumey than the others -- I almost get a hairspray vibe from it at first and then it mellows out into a more citrusy scent (not as citrusy as SAS though). Not sure if that helps!

[lapushka]

I can't even get Giovanni here (easily), unless I specialty order it, maybe. But say in regular grocery stores? Nope.

[knobbly]

I can't even get Giovanni here (easily), unless I specialty order it, maybe. But say in regular grocery stores? Nope.

It’s not a regular grocery store product here either. It’s something you find at health food stores, but most people buy it from discount stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s.

[lapushka]

It’s not a regular grocery store product here either. It’s something you find at health food stores, but most people buy it from discount stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s.

I never knew that. :) Thanks for sharing, knobbly! I thought it was something that was in say a Target or a Walmart, very easily obtainable.

[knobbly]

I never knew that. :) Thanks for sharing, knobbly! I thought it was something that was in say a Target or a Walmart, very easily obtainable.

Well now Targets have a much wider range of products than most grocery stores or even drug stores, so they usually do carry Giovanni. But I’ve only ever seen the large pump bottles at discount stores. Don’t know why that is. :shrug:

I don’t know about Walmart as I’ve never lived near one. But both stores are enormous corporations that can afford to carry brands that don’t sell quite as often as more widely used products that move faster, so that’s how they push out smaller local stores, by catering to customers who buy niche brands.

[rosenester]

I used smooth as silk Shampoo and the conditioner + one of my bars for WCC last week. This is the first time I’ve been able to go a week without a full scalp wash, it’s not painful or visibly greasy, and my ends stayed manageable as well without adding leave-in as the week went on, just once added chi serum to brush out some tangles. My scalp must’ve either needed a change of product, or really likes this line. Going to repeat the wash the afternoon and see if the results are the same this week.

[Lady Stardust]

I used smooth as silk Shampoo and the conditioner + one of my bars for WCC last week. This is the first time I’ve been able to go a week without a full scalp wash, it’s not painful or visibly greasy, and my ends stayed manageable as well without adding leave-in as the week went on, just once added chi serum to brush out some tangles. My scalp must’ve either needed a change of product, or really likes this line. Going to repeat the wash the afternoon and see if the results are the same this week.

Ooh I really love the Smooth As Silk line. I wasn’t sure of the conditioner but I’ve started using it again and I love it now. I think it didn’t suit my hair so much when there was more henna, but I don’t have much henna left anymore.

I find the SAS conditioner doesn’t have much slip for detangling during the wash, but it’s fine if I wet it a bit to partially rinse and then add a bit more conditioner. I also use a drop of oil with the conditioner as an oil rinse.

My daughter’s scalp is happier with the 50:50 shampoo and the 50:50 conditioner seems perfect for her too. It’s easy to detangle and her hair forms happy zigzags and spirals.

[angel-baby]

I don’t currently use them, but iirc they had a black shampoo and conditioner I used when I had black hair.
I really liked those

[Hedwig]

I've just started using the Smooth as Silk conditioner because I think my hair care routine is lacking in protein but I don't quite know what to think of it! I've only used it twice so far but it seems to me to be a very light conditioner and I'm missing the slip. My hair gets very tangled and this one is a nightmare for detangling in the shower. I feel like I have to follow up with the Direct Leave In conditioner or else my hair will be so frizzy and dry.

[Mariekeeee14]

I've just started using the Smooth as Silk conditioner because I think my hair care routine is lacking in protein but I don't quite know what to think of it! I've only used it twice so far but it seems to me to be a very light conditioner and I'm missing the slip. My hair gets very tangled and this one is a nightmare for detangling in the shower. I feel like I have to follow up with the Direct Leave In conditioner or else my hair will be so frizzy and dry.

How much do you use? Can you use more? Could that help?

[Lady Stardust]

I've just started using the Smooth as Silk conditioner because I think my hair care routine is lacking in protein but I don't quite know what to think of it! I've only used it twice so far but it seems to me to be a very light conditioner and I'm missing the slip. My hair gets very tangled and this one is a nightmare for detangling in the shower. I feel like I have to follow up with the Direct Leave In conditioner or else my hair will be so frizzy and dry.

I sometimes use that conditioner and sometimes the 50:50 conditioner. The SAS conditioner definitely has less slip and tangles are hard to get out. If I can wash my hair without tangling though it feels lovely with the SAS conditioner, really silky.

Recently I’ve been plaiting my hair before I wash it, leaving it loose near the top so I can wash my scalp, and starting the plait around collarbone length I guess. I don’t secure the ends. By the time I’ve finished shampooing the plait has pretty much undone. This method has virtually eliminated tangles for me, so it doesn’t matter so much which conditioner I use.

Another way to help with detangling is to half rinse the conditioner out and then add some more while the hair is soaking wet. If I do this I don’t even start detangling until the second lot of conditioner is on. It’s not an ideal method because it uses more product but if you’re half way through a wash with lots of tangles it might be worth a try.

[Ylva]

I sometimes use that conditioner and sometimes the 50:50 conditioner. The SAS conditioner definitely has less slip and tangles are hard to get out. If I can wash my hair without tangling though it feels lovely with the SAS conditioner, really silky.

For a moment, I was pretty confused about this Scandinavian Airlines conditioner. :rollin:

[Lady Stardust]

For a moment, I was pretty confused about this Scandinavian Airlines conditioner. :rollin:

Haha!! :) It would be funny if an airline gave out an amazing conditioner that wasn’t available anywhere else and you had to fly with them to get it.

I used to get so excited about the little hand towel packets (individual wet wipes) when I was a kid :rollin:

[Mariekeeee14]

I’m so peeved right now. Giovanni changed the formula on my HG 50/50 shampoo. It doesn’t cleanse AT ALL for me!

Ugh, does anyone know of a replacement that’s close? It’s very expensive to look for a new one, I haven’t been successful so far.

[Lady Stardust]

I’m so peeved right now. Giovanni changed the formula on my HG 50/50 shampoo. It doesn’t cleanse AT ALL for me!

Ugh, does anyone know of a replacement that’s close? It’s very expensive to look for a new one, I haven’t been successful so far.

Oh no! I need to order some more, I didn’t know they had reformulated. I hope they haven’t messed with the Smooth As Silk range.

I don’t know of an alternative I’m afraid. I came to Giovanni products because I kept having reactions to other products and Giovanni don’t irritate my skin. The Smooth As Silk range isn’t as strong as the 50:50 so that wouldn’t be any good for you.

[Mariekeeee14]

Oh no! I need to order some more, I didn’t know they had reformulated. I hope they haven’t messed with the Smooth As Silk range.

I don’t know of an alternative I’m afraid. I came to Giovanni products because I kept having reactions to other products and Giovanni don’t irritate my skin. The Smooth As Silk range isn’t as strong as the 50:50 so that wouldn’t be any good for you.

I have an old bottle and a new one of SAS conditioner, and the ingredients don’t match up I’m afraid.
The SAS shampoo was never cleansing enough for me, no. I might try the new TTTT, perhaps it’s less cleansing than before as well?:wigtongue