I've previously reviewed Odylique's Tea Tree & Herb Shampoo (click here to read) which, spoiler alert, I was both pleasantly surprised and really impressed with, so when the natural brand kindly sent me their Gentle Herb Shampoo, I was excited to try it.
Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo is designed as a balancing and conditioning shampoo for all hair types, including those with sensitive scalps and dyed hair. It is pH balanced and free from "nasties" such as SLS. Impressively, Odylique state that it is the first shampoo that ever achieved Soil Association approval! They say that it contains organic herbal ingredients such as rosemary & chamomile, along with coconut oil to nourish the scalp and add shine and vitality to hair.
On first impressions, I wasn't wowed by the packaging which is very plain and feels a little dated. It wouldn't appeal to me if I saw it on a shop shelf. That said, it clearly communicates the brand ethos. It is 100% natural, 70% organic and suitable for vegans. I liked the inclusion of a best before date and found the pump dispenser functional. The directions are clear and explain that the goodness of natural herbs and oils & absence of harsh detergent means that after a week or so of regular use, many people will find that they don't need to use a separate conditioner. This appealed to me both as a time saver and because it reiterates the gentle message. I'd prefer if the bottle was transparent to be able to tell how much product was remaining.
The shampoo has a fairly liquid gel texture, reminiscent of the REN shower gels. I was able to easily work it into a generous lather, despite being sulphate free. The foam felt soft but I had expected it to feel silky as well, as a result of the inclusion of natural oils, but it didn't. As tends to be the case with shampoos, I didn't experience any difficulties when it came to rinsability.
Owing to the name, I expected a luxurious botanical or herbal scent, which I couldn't detect. There wasn't much of a scent to speak of but it wasn't offensive, it simply smelt fresh and clean. I couldn't detect any scent in my hair following use. Upon reading the company information, I note that it is "fragrance free" which ties in with my experience.
I feel that Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo lives up to the company's claims. It left my hair feeling nourished, allowing me to forgo conditioner after a few uses. My fine hair was left manageable but not weighed down although I did need to use frizz prevention products. Whilst I didn't notice any particular shine to my hair, it felt soft and impressively, my sensitive scalp wasn't irritated so I agree that this is a gentle shampoo. Whilst I love the eco credentials, I do wish that there was something a little more luxurious about this product whether that be a re-vamp of the packaging or if the scent reflected the herbal ingredients.
Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo costs £12 for 200ml.
