First things first, I'm going to try my best to keep the weed puns to a minimum. I like to keep my reviews blunt, and I'd hate for this one to go up in smoke.
Okay. I think I'm done now.
Back in July, I attended BeautyCon LA again with my Eden BodyWorks fam. I got a chance to roam around and scope what other natural hair brands were in the building, and to my surprise Eco Styler had a booth!
And then I saw the leaf.
I did a triple take.
Not because I had never seen topical products with CBD (there were a few other smaller brands there with salves, lotions, and whatnot), I just couldn't believe that everyone's favorite affordable gel brand got in on the reefer madness (sorry, lol). I nabbed the leave-in, and stashed it in my products up until very recently.
I actually discovered the gel by accident. I went to my local BSS in search of a re-up on the pink Eco Styler (I've been playing with it, and they only have small jars) and saw the leaf AGAIN! I had to have it.
That night, I posted both on IG and well - I think it's the most popular photo I've ever posted.
When I saw that a lot of you were curious but awaiting my review, I figured it was high time that I start writing. 💻💨
Eco Natural Cannabis Sativa Oil Styling Gel
Cost
$13.99 for 32oz
Where to Buy
Laws around CBD are murky - while the sticky icky is legal in California, your state may not fully be on board yet. For my west coasters, check your local BSS. For my Greater Los Angeles Area folk, I found this in Inglewood at C&J Beauty Supply.
Active Ingredients
- Water
- Carbomer: Blend of acrylic acid monomers that acts as a viscosity controlling agent (thickener).
- Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.
- PVP: Form filming vinyl polymer used as a hair fixative and binding agent (aka provides hold). It's a common active ingredient in many gels and styling product formulas.
- Polysorbate-20: Emulsifier that enables oil and water to mix. It helps product disperse, is a thickener, and stabilizer of essential oils.
- Sodium Hydroxy Methyl Glycinate: Preservative, can cause irritation to those with sensitive skin/scalp. Note: I have not noticed any issues with my scalp psoriasis while using Eco Styler Natural Cannabis Sativa Oil Gel.
- Cannabis Sativa Oil: CBD/Cannabidiol is the non-intoxicating extract from the flowers and buds of marijuana plants. Has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress while demonstrating the potential to treat skin conditions like eczema and acne. CBD oil is also rich in nutrients that help protect and improve skin and soothe itchy scalp.
Protein Free?
Surprisingly, yes! Eco Styler gels tend to contain hydrolyzed wheat protein however - this gel is actually protein free!
Curly Girl Friendly?
Not sure. Consult your local Curly Girl Method enthusiast for details.
The Good
This ain't ya girl's first rodeo with CBD oil - and it won't be my last. A few months ago when I was trying to treat a pesky shoulder injury, I rubbed a CBD-infused salve across the joint. It definitely helped.
That aside, I was anxious to get this stuff onto my HAIR and let me tell you - I'm still on a high. I did my usual wash and go with the Natural Cannabis Sativa Oil Leave-In Conditioner and gel - and the results literally speak for themselves.
I honestly think this might be Eco Styler's best gel to date.
My hair is multi-textured and likes to act a fool. The back half, I can put anything on it and it'll look great. The crown and front, not so much. I practically have to wrestle with it to avoid it frizzing on site. I've been trying to find an affordable solution - a gel that's not too strong on my back half, while whipping the front into shape. Something softer than my go-to Argan Oil Eco, but not by much.
THIS. IS. THE. ONE.
I don't know what the good folks at Ecoco Inc. did or smoked when they developed this formula, but they DID THAT. It's thick and whips my frizz into shape, but also expands beautifully into juicy curls. It dries with virtually no cast, while leaving definition in tact. Did you hear me? DRIES WITH ALMOST NO CRUNCH.
Shine. Softness. Definition. Volume. Everything everybody ever hated about Eco, they flipped on its head.
The Bad
Despite my best efforts, I could not find any substantial information about topical application of CBD oil to hair. For skin it's great - rich in Vitamin E and omegas to improve the health of your scalp. And we all know what comes from a healthy scalp - healthy hair. But nothing to substantiate actually applying it to the hair. For now I'll just categorize its topical hair benefits as I do with other oils - great for shine, sealing in moisture, and helping to prevent splits and damage.
One other thing I wasn't too wild about - the strength of the fragrance. Some CBD oils carry the herb-esque fragrance, others really don't. Judging by the strong fragrance of the gel, I'd venture to say they're trying to cover something up. Although I'd prefer a much milder fragrance, this one doesn't bother my allergies or my scalp.
The Bottom Line
I really do think this gel is my favorite of theirs yet. While the OG Argan Oil Gel will always find a place in my stash, it doesn't get much better than the Cannabis Sativa Oil Gel. The touchable definition, softness, shine, and the fact that day after day, my hair looked bigger and better - is all a win for me.
Would I Buy it Again?
Oh for sure. 137%. I'm DEFINITELY going to hit up my plug for a re-up, even though my tub is far from empty. I just don't want to run out of this stuff!
Eco Natural Cannabis Sativa Oil Leave-In Conditioner
Cost
$19 for 12oz
Where to Buy
Just to reiterate - laws around CBD are murky. While the sticky icky is legal in California, your state may not fully be on board yet. For my west coasters, check your local BSS. Or click here. For my Greater Los Angeles Area folk, this product (and more) are available at Inglewood at C&J Beauty Supply.
Active Ingredients
- Water
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient and gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
- Behentrimonium Chloride: Quaternary ammonium compound and close cousin of cetrimonium chloride. Also penetrates the hair, conditions, and acts as an anti-static and anti-microbial agent.
- Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
- Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut (karite) tree. Proven effective moisturizer, natural anti-oxidant, improves skin elasticity, and treats a variety of skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
- Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.
- Phenoxyethanol: A glycol ether preservative alternative to parabens.
Protein Free?
Yes, technically - although it contains hydrolyzed collagen and silk amino acids.
Curly Girl Friendly?
I believe so - although you'll want to consult with your local CG enthusiast (it ain't me).
The Good
Remember the last time I attempted to use an Eco Styler made leave-in? It was a beautiful disaster. I hated everything about the product except for how it worked. And truthfully, I still have the bottle. I can't bring myself to use it, when there are products in my stash that perform infinitely better with far less offensive fragrances.
In some strange way, Eco Styler heard my cry and went a totally different direction for this one. It's thick. It's creamy. It has decent slip and applies smoothly. It plays well with gel, with no drama. The fragrance, although strong, is not offensive.
It's everything I expect from a leave-in conditioner, and then some. What I love the most about it - I've used it SEVERAL times, and barely made a dent in the jar. A little bit goes a long way to provide instant hydration, softness, and frizz management.
Well - maybe that's because it's actually a deep conditioner and not a leave-in.
I don't know if it's because they're confusing or I still don't know how to read, but there's a disconnect between what's on the front of the label and what the instructions say on the back. The name, clear as day, is leave-in conditioner - aka the product you apply after your wash day, before your stylers to help with softness, hydration, and style longevity.
However the back label says (verbatim): " Eco Natural Cannabis Sativa Oil Leave-In Conditioner is an intensive deep conditioner that restores, repairs, strengthens, and revitalizes your hair and scalp." The directions further state to: "Apply liberally to wet hair, comb thru and allow to set for 3-5 minutes. To deep condition, place a shower cap on hair and sit under the dryer for 10-15 minutes for the ultimate restorative therapy."
Granted, nowhere on the label does it say to rinse the product out. Perhaps you let it penetrate, then continue to style? Or maybe rinsing is implied? But the name says leave-in allllllllll over the place. Maybe it's not one or the other - but both?
Who knows. All I do know is that I like it - a lot.
The Bad
Strong-ish fragrance aside, I can't find a single thing I don't like about the leave-in. I won't rehash (ha) the lack of data surrounding topical application of CBD oil to hair - scroll back up to read that. This is easily one of their best (if not the best) non-gel product they've done!
The Bottom Line
I'm torn on the pricing. It's in the right price category for a deep conditioner, but a bit pricey for a leave-in. Even still, so little gets the job done that I think it may command the price asked of it. It works - and I'm happy to use this deep//leave-in conditioning mashup well into the future.
Would I Buy it Again?
Yes - although the price point does give me pause. I'll wait until a lot more of this jar is done before purchasing more.
And there we have it folks - a breakdown on the two CBD oil products I've tried from Eco Styler. I love them both, and they've come together one of the best combinations of leave-in and gel that I've ever put on my hair - and I don't mean that lightly.
Will you be giving them a try? Let me know in the comments below!
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