I've tried a lot of natural shampoos in my day, and
Morrocco Method may just be the most unconventional one yet. And, I love it.
Morrocco Method products are plant-based,
vegan, raw, paleo, non-GMO, soy- and gluten-free, and are handmade in the USA
in small batches from natural and wildcrafted ingredients.
The shampoo line was developed around the five elements: fire, earth,
air, water, and ether. Although each
individual shampoo has a recommended hair type, the company suggests rotating
between all five kinds for best results.
I was sent Morrocco Method's Travel Set of 5 Shampoos and I've been doing just that for the last few months.
The Five Elements:
Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo (Fire Element) – The
most clarifying of the five, for all hair and scalp types. Raw apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH
of the scalp, regulates oil production, and stimulates blood circulation to the
scalp.
Earth Essence Shampoo (Earth Element) – Intended
for normal to oily hair and scalp. Natural
clays remove excess oils from the hair and scalp.
Pine Shale Shampoo (Air Element) – For
normal to dry hair and scalp, dandruff, and scalp irritation. Restorative pine shale oil, approved in
Europe as an effective dandruff treatment, reduces inflammation, calms scalp irritation,
and helps with flakes, itchiness, and dryness.
(Note: MM’s pine shale oil is sourced from reservoirs beneath the earth’s
surface – extracted without fracking -- and is not the same thing as crude
shale oil.)
Sea Essence Shampoo (Water Element) – The
most moisturizing of the five, for normal to dry hair and scalp. Kelp, blue-green algae, and protein-rich spirulina
offer hydration, repair brittle strands, and promote hair growth.
Heavenly Essence Shampoo (Ether Element) – For
normal to damaged hair and scalp. Hemp
seed oil and prickly pear extract condition the hair and scalp, and help
restore shine and luster to dry or damaged hair.
All five shampoos have unique conditioning clay and aloe-based formulas
that do not lather. The five shampoos feel very similar while using them, but I notice a difference in my hair and scalp between the more moisturizing and clarifying versions after they're rinsed out.
The scents, across
the line, are generally very mild. The
two strongest are the Earth Essence, which smells lovely and earthy from a
blend of patchouli, nutmeg, and other essential oils, and the Heavenly Essence,
which smells predominantly of wintergreen to my nose. There is an underlying apple cider vinegar
note to all but the Heavenly Essence, but I don’t find that it, or any of the
other scent components, linger in my hair after the shampoos are rinsed
out.
There are two main ways I like to use the shampoos:
I) The Official Morrocco
Method Method
The company recommends diluting the shampoo in a separate bottle
one-to-one with water, and shampooing twice – “once to cleanse and twice to
nourish.” The shampoos themselves have a
thick, mud-like consistency, so diluting them definitely makes for easier
distribution throughout the hair. (It helps
them go twice as far too, which is also nice!)
With this method, I prefer the more clarifying varieties, Earth Essence
and Apple Cider Vinegar, as they keep my scalp feeling clean the longest. I can use this method exclusively for a few
weeks, but I do find I need to incorporate a traditional lathering shampoo every
so often to clarify and remove excess product buildup.
II) In Combination with a
Traditional Shampoo
The second technique, which I stumbled on by chance after forgetting to bring an extra bottle into the shower one day, involves combining one
of the Morrocco Method shampoos with a more traditional, lathering shampoo. I do a combination of 1/3 to 1/2 Morrocco
Method (1/2 to 2/3 lathering shampoo), mixed together in the palm of my hand. I get a bit of a squeakier clean with the
lathering agent from the other shampoo, plus there’s no need to double shampoo or mix anything up in
advance, so it’s a quicker process.
I
really adore this method -- the slight grittiness of the Morrocco Method shampoos
does a fantastic job adding a little extra volume at the root, which is something
I always struggle with, and I find I can go longer between washes than when I
use the Morrocco Method shampoo on its own. I don’t
notice as big of a difference between the five kinds used this way and I enjoy
them all pretty equally.
After describing my hair, I was recommended the Diamond Crystal Mist, and was advised that it would likely offer enough moisture for me. And, technically, it does. The shampoos are fairly moisturizing
themselves, so, with either technique, I was surprised to be able to get by just
fine with just the leave-in. That said,
I do prefer a little more moisture, so usually I choose to incorporate a
rinse-out conditioner as well. (I’m
curious to try one of Morrocco Method’s two rinse-out conditioners next time!)
But don’t worry, the Diamond Crystal Mist is not sitting on
my shelf unloved. It makes a great detangling
spray and leave-in conditioner on freshly washed hair, and I also enjoy using
it as a second-day curl refresher on dry hair.
I get a little nervous whenever I see rose oil in an ingredients list,
since it’s so often overwhelming to my nose, but the Diamond Crystal Mist,
which also includes sandalwood, frankincense, and myrrh essential oils, has a
mild scent that hasn’t been a problem for me at all. In line with Morrocco Method’s ingredients philosophy, the spray contains
no emulsifiers, so you do have to shake it before each use to re-blend the oil
and water components.
The Bottom Line
I’ve been really impressed with Morrocco Method’s hair products. It took a few uses to get a perfect routine down,
but I’m really happy with how the products work now. These are not your standard shampoos, even compared
to other natural brands, but they're excellent quality, offer great
benefits for both scalp and hair health, and are definitely work taking the time to work with. The Diamond Crystal Mist is a nice product
too, although I prefer it as a last step, in combination with another rinse-out conditioner.
*Press Sample
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