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Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:25 am  |
Products:
Louise Galvin Natural Locks Nourishing Condition for Dry/Damaged Hair
Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Treatment Masque for Thick or Curly Hair
Background on my hair:
I think it's really important when reading haircare reviews to know exactly what kind of hair the reviewer has as this can be crucial in trying to decide whether the product might work for you.
My own hair is a nightmare. No exaggeration. It's frizzy, is curly/ringlets/waves/straight/kinky all at the same time, flyaway, very dry, damaged, coloured and highlighted to cover 2/3 grey. I wear it below shoulder length. Because of its condition, I only wash it 2 or 3 times a week - any more than that and it becomes even less manageable, drier and more damaged-looking. When I do wash my hair, I use a special Babyliss drier that dries using heat (with an electric hob-style element), rather than blowing. Even then, I use it for only around 30 seconds, leaving my hair to dry fully naturally. Anything else turns my hair into a ball of frizz.
Review
As you can imagine, most hair products are pretty much ineffective for me. So when something does work, I know that it must be very good indeed. Both of these products fall into that rare and elusive category.
The Natural Locks Conditioner is part of Louise Galvin's Natural Locks range. It's considerably cheaper than her main Sacred Locks line, and is priced at £7.95 for 300ml here in the UK. Natural Locks "contains no SLS (hurray!), Parabens, Silicone, Petrochemicals, Polymers or Synthetic Fragrance."
The blurb on the back states: "Sweet almond, linseed and honey extract deeply nourish hair and restore moisture. Enriched with natural oils to restore moisture and repair chemical or environmental damage. Leaves hair with incredible shine."
It comes in a smart black pump bottle, which is easy to use. Scentwise, it is absolutely divine, with a simply gorgeous, natural-smelling fruity/floral fragrance. The texture is that of a slightly creamy lotion and can be worked through the hair with very little effort.
According to the instructions, you're advised to "apply to mid-length and ends, comb through and rinse thoroughly." This is not how I use it, however. What I do is apply it to the whole of my hair (remember that my hair is very dry and damage-prone), comb through and leave it on for 5-15 minutes, depending upon how much time I have. I also wear one of those free plastic shower caps you can pick up in hotels over the top to help the product to work more effectively.
When I rinse out the conditioner, I can actually feel that my hair is smoother and softer. After drying time is over, my hair is definitely very soft and much easier to manage, less frizzy. It even looks better. Having said that, I don't see the "incredible shine" mentioned in the blurb and my hair is still not perfect. BUT this conditioner, along with the Treatment Masque which I'm also about to review in this post, is the best I have EVER tried so far.
The Sacred Locks Intensive Treatment Masque for Thick or Curly Hair is much more expensive, costing £26 for 250ml. It comes in a lovely fat round white tub with screw-off silver lid. The label states: "No Sulphates (hurray again!), Parabens, Silicone, Petrochemicals, Synthetic Fragrance & Polymers."
The blurb states: "Ximenia oil nourishes chemically damaged hair to retore moisture. Kukui and rapeseed smooth cuticle for shine & manageability & protects against environmental damage. Vegetable proteins improve curl definition & leaves hair soft & silky."
The texture of the Masque is considerably thicker and more gloopy than that of the conditioner. It feels very rich indeed. Despite this, it is extremely easy to work into the hair. It has a similarly gorgeous scent - except is perhaps a little fruitier in fragrance.
Instructions advise you to apply the product liberally to towel-dried hair and leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes. "For best results leave on as long as possible. Partially rinse to allow the product to disperse throught the hair. Comb through before rinsing thoroughly." Twice weekly treatment is recommended.
I mostly follow those instructions, leaving it on for between 15-30 minutes. I comb the product through my hair first, before leaving it to work, and I wear my plastic shower cap over the top. I use this for one hair washing session, then the conditioner for the next, alternating them, as I find that works for me.
The Masque is indeed a more effective treatment, and I find that it relaxes and moisturises my hair more. Between the two products, they are currently keeping my hair in better shape than it has been for many, many years.
All I can say is that if they work for my impossible hair, then they should pretty much work for anyone with dry/damaged hair.
Ingredients:
Louise Galvin Natural Locks Nourishing Condition for Dry/Damaged Hair
Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin (Veg), Behentrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyprpyltrimonium Honey, Unum Usitassimum, Xantham Gum, Althaeaofficinalis, Prunis Amygedalus Dulcis, Inulin, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel Seed) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Vitis Vinifera, Panthenol, Citrus Paradisi, Citrus Limonum, Citrus Sinensis, Cymbopogon Martini, Citrus Reticulata, Pelargonium Odoratissium, Pogostemon Cablin, Tagetes Glandulifera, Ferula Species, Jasminum Grandiflorum, Acacia Decurrens, Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene.
Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Treatment Masque for Thick or Curly Hair
Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Inulin, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed)/Aleurites Ford Oil Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Lipid, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Grandis (Graefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Tagates Minuta Flower Oil, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Limonene, Hydrolized Corn Protein, Hydrolized Soy Protein, Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Quaternium 15 and Citric Acid. |
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Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:00 am |
I love Louise Galvin's Sacred Lock products, although she has come out with a bigger range in the UK over the last 6 months, but that was my all time favourite. The shampoo and Hair Moisturiser are amazing still. All natural ingredients and incredibly hydrating, and the mask smells delicious.
She's a colourist (her father is Daniel Galvin) and so she designed her range specially for people with colour treated hair but I think its one of the best I have ever used and still buy it to this day! |
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FlexEffect Trainer |
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Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:34 am |
Well, I'm a big, big fan now, SeanySean. I think the Natural Locks range is a great idea, particularly as it is much more affordable than Sacred Locks.
I shall be trying the shampoo when my current JASON aloe vera one runs out. I also aim to give the Kevin Murphy range of shampoos and conditioners a try, and have already ordered some of his styling products. It's a shame that Louise Galvin doesn't appear to make styling products, too, as I would definitely be very keen to try them. |
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Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:41 am |
majorb, are these the products you are speaking of? I'm searching for a company in the US that sells her products. TIA
need to add the web site (duh)
http://www.beautybay.com/haircare/louisegalvin/ |
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The best way to locate your cat is to open a can of food. |
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Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:47 am |
I think Sacred locks is being discontinued, but the official site is:
http://www.louisegalvin.com/
I think her skincare stuff though is also supposed to be good and so does the Vitox stuff. It is pricey but I do think you get your moneys worth and the bottles and packaging are lovely too! |
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FlexEffect Trainer |
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Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:05 am |
That's the one, Frodo.
Seany - Nooooooo! I hope that's not true. I've just submitted a query to the official site to see if that's going to happen. It would be so disappointed to have finally found something wonderful for my hair and then have it snatched away! 
I'll let you know what they reply. Keep your fingers crossed! |
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Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:32 pm |
| Me too - but the sacred locks stuff doesn't look like its on there? I truly hope they don't as I loved the stuff. Even though its pricey, I find the bottles do last a long time and so they quite cost effective! |
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FlexEffect Trainer |
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Thu Jan 07, 2010 3:22 am |
Brilliant news, Seany! I received a very fast reply to my query, and have been reassured that the Sacred Locks line is definitely not being discontinued. We can both breathe a huge sigh of relief. 
I can see the products on the site with no problem, but wonder whether the categories on the relevant page have changed since you last visited, making you think that they were no longer there? The categories, apart from that for Natural Locks, are under hair type - but the products are the same. For instance, the treatment masque I reviewed is under the "Curly Hair Collection" category here: http://www.louisegalvin.com/curly-hair-collection
Phew, that's cheered me up this morning! |
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Thu Jan 07, 2010 3:46 am |
| Wow thats great news, yes it used to be listed under Sacred Locks on her site, but I think they just moved those products under the curly hair products section (as I don't have curly hair). Originally she only used to have one shampoo, condition (which she called Hair Moisturiser and I thought that was such a clever name) and the Masque, so its nice to see she's updating her range to tackle everyones hair products. Phew that a weight off my mind for sure! |
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FlexEffect Trainer |
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