Natural Haircare That Actually Works: Green Queen tries NIUCOCO and loves it!

As a woman, I place a great deal of my identity in my hair. It’s my source of strength, it emboldens me when I strut around the pole studio, doing hair flips, allowing me to feel sexy and confident. It shrouds my shyness when my husband compliments me, driving my fingers through my hair to create volume, while covering up the sappy smile that spreads across my face. It’s also one of the first things I notice when meeting people. Healthy, shiny hair always leaves a good impression, which is why proper hair care is so important.

After traveling extensively this past summer, I was horrified to see the current state of my tresses: dull, lackluster, and as dry as the Sahara, which I blame on all the hours stuck up in the dehydrating, stuffy cabin air. So when the entire line of NIUCOCO came across my desk in all its natural and toxin-free glory, I was eager to give it a go. Made from all natural, cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil, this Canadian haircare line is free from sulphates, gluten, parabens, and phthalates. A big bonus, the brand is also cruelty-free and supports fair trade- win-win for your hair and your heart!

The first few days using the Hydrating Shampoo took some getting used to. With its watery, milky texture, I couldn’t work up a lather like I was used to due their sulphate-free formula (sulphates are the detergents responsible for the foaming, soapsuds that degrease your hair but they also have a host of not-so-good effects). Making it abundantly clear from its ingredients list and website, NIUCOCO is all about the results and not the fluff. As consumers, we are falsely led to believe that a shampoo only cleanses if it lathers, and I am very guilty of believing the hype. In fact, the more bubbles present in your shampoo, the more likely it is that there are additional (and unnecessary) additives and detergents in the product. Let’s be real: most of what we see out in shopping aisles is chock full of harmful toxins (lest we forget when global haircare brand Herbal Essences as found to contain high levels of carcinogenic – read: cancer causing ingredients) that strip your hair of the natural oils it needs to maintain healthy locks. If you ever read the labels of store-bought shampoo (and by read, I mean decipher your way through all that chemical jargon), it’s mostly made of water and sulphates which are neither good to you or the environment. As conscious consumers are striving to live healthier lifestyles, it’s important to choose products that you use regularly – like shampoo – carefully and pick brands that use high quality, natural ingredients that won’t harm you or your family.

Lack of bubbles aside, the Smoothing Conditioner did a great job detangling my knots and left my hair soft and shiny when dried. The Renewing Serum, with its blend of quinoa, amaranth and rice protein for added repair is a great multitasking product, helping reduce frizz and providing heat protection against appliances like curling irons and straighteners. The results arrived exceedingly fast. My hair the next morning was definitely softer and shinier. There is a lingering coconutty smell in my hair that makes me feel like I’m on an island vacation (not humid Hong Kong island!), which is quite lovely, especially when I catch whiffs while I’m on the go (read: waiting on the train). A week in, my hair is lush and glossy, making “good hair days” the norm around this household. Now please excuse me while I strut to the MTR bobbing my head to this song.

Shop the NIUCOCO collection online in Hong Kong here.

Images courtesy of freepik/teksomolika (lead) and NIUCOCO.