Product Review: Giovanni 2chic Avocado & Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir

Ya know, for such a small bottle, that sure is a mouth full of product name.

Much like all my PJ dalliances lately, this one is deep rooted in my desire to never pay full price for anything. While at Sprouts perusing for something I likely didn't need, (the first pitfall to product junkie-ism) I found myself enamored by a little green bottle with a little green price. Regularly $7.99, the 2chic leave-in was on sale for $6.74 and had a $2.00-off coupon attached to the front. How could I say no? I didn't...I said heck yes, and bought 2 just in case I hecka liked it.

Good thing I bought 2. Keep reading to find out why...

Ingredient List:
Aqua (Purified Water), Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocppheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Citric Acid, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Fragrance, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Persea Gralissima (Avocado) Oil, *Litchl (Lychee) Chinensis Fruit Extract *Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Chenopodium Quinoa Flower/Leaf Extract, *Bytyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoale *USDA Certified Organic 100% Vegetarian ingredients

Ingredient Analysis (first 6):

• Water
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.
• Cetyl Alcohol & Stearyl Alcohol - Fatty alcohols and lubricants. Serves as a thickeners, and emollients. Both give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. 
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: An oily mixed ester composed of caprylic and capric fatty acids derived from coconut oil and glycerin. Mainly works as an emollient, dispersing agent and solvent. As an emollient, it both quickly penetrates the surface to condition the hair, and provides a lightweight and non-greasy barrier of lubrication. As a dispersing agent, it helps enhance the delivery of vitamins, pigments and other active ingredients contained in a solution so that they become evenly spread out and fully absorbed . It's oily texture helps thicken cosmetic formulations and provides a slipperiness, which in turn allows for the easy spreadability of solutions and a smooth after-touch.
• Dimethicone: Silicon-based polymer used as a lubricating and conditioning agent.

Availability: If you don't happen to have a Sprouts in your area, perhaps you have a Wal-Mart. If all else fails, you know it's on Amazon.com!

Affordability: At $7.99 for a 4oz bottle, I find the price point to be a tad steep (generally speaking). However, I am not opposed to paying a little more for a superior product. If this product were constantly on sale (and I could continually find $2.00 of coupons attached to the bottle), I would make it a staple in a heartbeat.

Product Claim/Description:
2chic is to...moisturize.
Satisfy your hair's deepest cravings for intense nourishment and nurturing: bring hair back to life with 2chic Avocado and Olive Oil Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir. A delectable botanical blend of buttery Avocado and golden Olive Oil, formulated in our exclusive Dual Moisture Complex to replenish hair that feels dull, lifeless, and brittle. Revive even the most parched locks, improve elasticity and resilience, every time you style. Will not strip or fade color. Ideal for hair that's heat styled often, and 2chic to be denied.

For dry, damaged hair

• strengthens hair for style control
• softens & smoothes away frizz
• nourishes with vitamins & omega fatty acids
• helps prevent split ends

Performance/Delivery: Over the course of my transitioner journey, I have become increasingly scrutinizing of leave-ins. I discovered that for my transitioning tresses, I require moisture and moisture retention without too much weight or oily-ness. And more importantly, it better mix well with my styling/sculpting products. After making my way through a bottle of this stuff (if you're curious about the consistency, check my Satin Strip Braidout Video), I can confidently say that I like it as a leave-in. It's just rich enough to give my hair what it needs without overdoing it. I wouldn't call it an "intense nourishment", maybe more like a good meal. It has a pleasantly light smell (like a drugstore lotion), and has a similar thickness to Kinky Curly Knot Today. To get a hand-feel for it, just imagine KCNT mixed with a little conditioner for a more velvety-moist sensation. I have noticed an improved elasticity in my hair, which is great for reducing breakage. No comment on the anti-frizz (I personally don't give this factor too much attention in any product), or the split end prevention. All in all, it kept my hair soft, moisturized, and pliable....without contributing to the weigh-down factor.

Drawbacks: (beckons fist at Giovanni) You little tricksters, you! Giovanni is known for quality products that are sustainable, organic, and not tested on animals. Not saying this isn't a quality product, but one of my product pet peeves is when a company emblazons a particular ingredient across a product, and you later realize that ingredient is #37 of 39. Such is the case with this stuff. Although it touts the delectable buttery-ness of Avocado and the golden radiance of Olive Oil, those ingredients are well into the teens on the ingredient list. I'd like to see at least Avocado Oil make the top 6, perhaps replacing one of those fatty alcohols.

Bonuses: It plays nice with other products. I mixed with EcoStyler, Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twist Butter, and Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard (all on different occasions) with no problem. Hard to find products these days that don't play the white ball o' buildup game.

Bottom Line: Even though Giovanni played me with the ingredient list, I do like the product. I have always enjoyed that creamy fatty alcohol feeling from conditioners, and I am not anti-silicones at all. I wish some of those amazing oils and extracts (Avocado, Lychee, Quinoa) could inch their way up higher on the list. It would make for a kick-butt product that I would totally buy without the coupon, haha. But yet and still, for now, Giovanni has forced my Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curling Milk into early retirement. If you have a texture that sucks moisture like there's no tomorrow, this product may not be for you. But if you're towing the transitioner line, or have a texture that doesn't crave as much moisture, give it a try!

Especially if there's a coupon attached.