Product review: giovanni smooth as silk deep moisture shampoo

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I am in the market for a new shampoo. I’ve recently decided to try and get to know my natural hair and give it chance. So I need to learn how to take care of it.

This natural hair world can be quite overwhelming. There seems to be so much to learn, even new words and acronyms like braid outs and APL, and so many product options. But my most immediate need is for shampoo!

I recently bought the first thing I saw on the shelf out of necessity and a lack of time, but have finally taken the time learn about shampoos for natural hair. I did a pretty robust search for shampoos in general then looked at specific products that were recommended. Two products came up over and over again in shampoo round-ups from the “natural hair authorities”–Giovanni Smooth as Silk Moisture Shampoo and Elucence Moisture benefits shampoo.

Giovanni is my first pick. I’ll write about Elucence later. I read/watched about 30 reviews (and of course I tracked it all with a nifty excel sheet because that’s the kind of girl I am). Here’s what I found.

Main takeaway

Most people seem to like it. It seems to work well for not so kinky hair (type 3s) vs. kinky hair (type 4s) so it might be perfect for transitioners. For type 4s, its best used with a good conditioner.  Also, it’s been positioned as shampoo with all natural ingredients but, apparently the product’s ingredients has been modified recently to contain some alcohols, which you should typically stay away from. But the alcohols appear toward the bottom of the ingredient list, indicating that only a little alcohol is use. Net-net, it’s a product that I’m willing to try.

What the manufacturer says

  • Pearlized formula glistens in your hand and transforms hair into a silky palette. Lather and glow while prepping for your best style.
  • Luxurious lather soothes dry, chemically processed hair
  • Cleanses gently for manageable smoothness
  • Calms unruly hair to alleviate frizz
  • Increases shine while smoothing dry or damaged hair
  • Lauryl and laureth sulfate free

Ratings

4 out of 5 Curls on NaturallyCurly.com

4 out of 5 lipsticks on makeupalley.com

4 out of 5 stars drugstore.com

4.5 out of 5 lips on ulta.com

What the bloggers said

Note: Some bloggers spoke about Giovanni in general.

I normally use Carol’s Daughter’s Rosemary Mint Shampoo because it’s so gentle, but Giovanni’s Smooth As Silk is my new favorite for really getting my hair clean without it feeling stripped. I’ll probably use it once a month to clarify my hair gently, but once I buy the Smooth As Silk Conditioner, I’m sure I’ll use this shampoo more often. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

– YahooVoices

This was my go-to brand while transitioning. The Tea Tree Triple Treat is my favorite because the tea tree oil gives my scalp a nice fresh tingle. It’s great if you have dry scalp and/or suffer from dandruff/itchiness.

I actually use all their shampoos except the ones that say “thickening” or “volumizing.” Those are typically not for kinky hair. Our hair comes with its own volume and thickness.

Napturally Curly

This shampoo definitely cleaned my hair well. I only washed with it once (which is all you need for a regular cleaning really) but a little lathered well and got my scalp really clean. My only complaint with this shampoo is that it left my hair a bit dry. I don’t know if that’s because of the orange and lemongrass extract or because of the formulation. I just kind of expected it to be as rich and moisturizing as the conditioner.

Savvy Brown

What the commenters said

Product works to tame my unruly coarse, curly and frizzy hair.

– Sensu1001101

Great product but i wouldnt use it as a clarfying shamphoo

Sasha America

This shampoo didn’t work for me…didn’t do a very good job of removing product build-up and I didn’t like the way my hair felt afterwards. I’m not sure if its because of my 4a hair type but I had to return for their 50/50 line-smells great though!!

– Raezin, Type 4a

Where to get it

You can get the large bottles at TJ Maxx and Marshalls or you can get an 8.5 fl oz bottle online at amazon for $7.59.  I want it now!

Ingredients

Aqua (purified water), sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, decyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoamphoacetate, lauryl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *chamomilla recutita (matricaria) leaf extract, *citrus aurantium dulcis (valencia orange) extract, *citrus grandis (grapefruit) fruit extract, *cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) extract, *echinacea purpurea extract, *ginkgo biloba extract, *glycine soja (soybean) seed extract, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) extract, *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, *macrocystis pyrifera (sea kelp) extract, *mangifera indica (mango) extract, *salix alba (willow bark) extract, xanthan gum, glycol distearate panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), citric acid, polysorbate 20, potassium sorbate, phenoxyethanol, natural fragrance.

*USDA Certified Organic.

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