Cantu Scalp Relief Hair Care For Natural Curls, Coils and Waves

I never realised until I started my journey as a beauty editor that most people have a natural curl (be it kinky, wavy or full on coils). How the shape of your hair follicle determines whether you will have straight, wavy or coil strands, and that we can have a mixture of many types of hair follicles thus resulting in a varied head of textured strands! Hair types are graded into 1, 2, 3 and 4. Number 1 being straight (and quite unusual) and with 4 being the curliest on the spectrum. The numbers are also sub-graded with letters from a-c which also determines the pattern and longevity of how the curl is held! 

Scalp Relief Shampoo & Conditioner 400ml RRP £9

So when it comes to choosing the right products it can be incredibly confusing. Most of us like to enhance our wave, curl but without weighing the hair down. We also need products that prevent frizz, hydrate and most importantly help us comb our hair without playing tug-of-war!

This is where Cantu comes in to give a helping hand! Both the Shampoo and Conditioner have recently been launched containing an abundance of active ingredients to give better hair health, not just to make it look nice but actively help encourage hair strands to look and feel better. 

The Shampoo contains ingredients such as:-

• Menthol - stimulates blood circulation and helps open up hair follicles, encouraging regrowth. 
• Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil - Conditions and acts as a natural cleanser, ideal if you suffer with dandruff. It’s antiseptic and antibacterial so helps remove bacteria and product build up. 
• Psidum Guajava (Guava) Leaf Extract - contains vitamin C that helps boost collagen and so stimulates hair growth. 
• Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract - anti-inflammatory is ideal if you suffer from conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. 
• Acetic Acid - increases shine, improves hair structure and strengthens dry, brittle hair prone to breaking. 
• Zingiberofficinale (Ginger) Root Extract - increases scalp circulation and again, encourages hair to grow and boosts volume. 

The Scalp Relief Conditioner has many of the same ingredients to give that double injection of nutrients to help improve the scalp condition. However, it also contains Apple Cider Vinegar, which really is a wondrous ingredient in hair care. Not only does it remove product build up such as hairspray, mousse etc but it actually closes the hair cuticles which makes hair look more shiny. It balances the scalps’s pH, helps remove dandruff and also relieves an itchy, dry scalp. 

Avocado Repair Leave-In-Cream 340g RRP £8

I loved this product! I am always after a decent leave in conditioner, not a serum which can often leave my fine, wavy hair looking greasy, but a leave in conditioner that continues to treat my hair as I go about my day. 

This has in it Avocado which is full of nourishing fatty acids. In fact it was in the 80s when it became a well kept beauty secret (or not) that avocados were packed full of vitamin E which helps to repair fragile, chemically treated hair. It was not so common in products back then, but we used to slather avocados on our face and hair for a deep treatment! This product also contains Shea Butter, which helps protect the scalp as well as giving a deep hydrating injection of moisture. 

Not only does this leave in treatment contain Avocado but it also contains:-

• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Seed) Oil - nourishing, hydrating and eliminates frizz.
• Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil - smoothes hair strands, prevents hair loss as contains Oleic acid (full of antioxidants). Helps prevent lice, reduces dandruff and conditions.
• Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract - softens the hair, reduces irritation and itching of the scalp. Deeply nourishes and leaves hair looking glossy. 
• Hydrolyzed Collagen - strengthens the hair, prevents split ends and breakages, encourages hair growth. 
• Sodium Hyaluronate - keeps the scalp hydrated and promotes better hair health, by stimulating and exfoliating a dry scalp. 
• Panthenol - seals cuticles so helps smooth the hair and prevents frizz. It also acts as a humectant so draws moisture to the hair, improving retention. 
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein - natural hydrating this protein helps make hair stronger. 
• Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract - contains so many vitamins such as C, E and K, it’s not only fortifying but also helps prevent greys!

It has so many other nutrients, vitamins, minerals and proteins, I just don’t have the time to write them all out! 

I only need a small amount, and whilst yes, you are supposed to put in hair that has just been washed and towel dried, I actually applied it to my hair when dry to give a little definition. Also it has to be said that whilst the product is aimed for curly Type 3 Curls and Type 4 Coils, I found it worked really well on my 2a waves!

The fragrance is really fresh and not intrusive at all, which is good as the Shampoo and Conditioner smell utterly amazing! Fruity, fresh and lively the products leave your hair looking and feeling swishy, without any weighing down. 

The products do not contain any mineral oils (that often are found in products and can clog pores), nor do they contain any chemical nasties such as sulfates, silicones, parabens etc. You can view more of their products by visiting Boots online or purchase by clicking the link HERE