While I was in Kenya a few weeks ago, I had a major hair emergency. I had just taken out my crochet braids that were giving me a headache, and I had only 1 product – an essential oil spray – to take care of my hair. As if God heard my silent screams prayers, I got a message from Michelle, founder and CEO of Marini Naturals, asking if I wanted to try her new line of natural haircare products, the first complete haircare line for natural hair in Kenya. Of course I jumped on the opportunity, and after using the complete line of products on my hair twice, I’ve got to say I’m impressed! Keep reading for my full review of Marini Naturals, plus two different looks that I achieved with the line!
About Marini Naturals
Marini Naturals is Kenya’s FIRST Natural Haircare Line and the proud maker of Kenya’s first sulfate-free shampoo. Not only is the line formulated specifically for Afro-textured hair (rather than curly hair like most natural hair products), but it is made with 100% organic ingredients. Let’s dive into the products:
Kind Cleanse Sulfate Free Shampoo
Ingredients: H2O, Betaine, EDTA, Conditioners, Glycerine, Panthenol, Tea-Tree Oil, Sweet Orange Extract, Novethix
This is a super lightweight shampoo that is more like a cleanser, rather than a clarifying shampoo. In lieu of sulfates, the shampoo has sugar beets which do the heavy duty cleansing. Surprisingly, the shampoo on both occasions left my hair and scalp totally clean, and even began the detangling process by softening rather than drying out my hair!
Goodbye Tangles Leave-In Conditioner
Ingredients: H2O, Glycerine, EDTA, Conditioners, Flax Seed Gel, Panthenol, Zoharcel, Castor Oil, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Novethix
The first time I used the leave-in was to finger detangle my hair after the crochet debacle. The conditioner made it super easy to pull apart my fairly knotted strands, likely due to one of it’s key ingredients, flaxseed gel. The second time I used the conditioner, it was on already detangled hair, but it provided the foundation for days worth of moisture even with the use of a gel.
Curl-Me-Pretty Curling Butter
Ingredients: H2O, Glycerine, EDTA, Conditioners, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Panthenol, Fixative, Carbomers, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, Vanilla Extract, Strawberry Oil
The Marini Naturals curling butter and leave in conditioner go hand in hand, and this lightweight custard-like cream spreads well throughout your hair so you don’t have to use globs of product. The lightweight nature allows for quicker drying time, which everybody loves!
Curl Magic! Curling Gel
Ingredients: H2O, Glycerine, EDTA, Fixative Plus, Conditioners, Flax Seed Gel, Panthenol, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E, Peppermint Leaves, Strawberry Oil
Now if you know me and my hair well, you know that I’ve used a gel all over my hair only a handful of times because gels tend to be drying, crunchy, and extremely flaky. I decided to test the gel out on its own to see if the natural ingredients – namely flaxseed and aloe vera gel – would behave like a normal gel, and they thankfully didn’t! Layered on top of the leave in, the gel provides a gentle hold that lasts for several days, with no flaking, crunch, or dryness. I must say I even prefer this to the butter!
Oh I almost forgot to talk about the smell!! Let’s just say, as I was two strand twisting my hair with the gel, my mom walked over from the kitchen to the living room to ask what I was using on my hair. So yes, Marini Naturals’ styling products smell amazing even from feet/meters away!
Styling with Marini Naturals
I styled my hair in two ways with Marini Naturals – a flat twist out and a two strand twist out. For the flat twist out, I shampooed, used the leave in, the butter on my hair, and the gel on my ends. While the result was well defined and soft, I feel like both moisture and definition faded from my hair pretty quickly in about two days.
The second time around, I added a deep conditioner and an oil to my routine, making it shampoo, (DC), leave in, (oil), and gel – and was completely satisfied with the moisture, hold, and longevity of my style even in the winter weather.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, all the Marini Naturals products contain glycerin high up in the ingredient list, which is a hit or miss for many naturals in terms of moisture retention. While in Kenya, my hair was well moisturized for two days, and then began to lose moisture, even when I added additional leave-in conditioner to my dry hair. As soon as I got to the states where the temperature was significantly colder, my hair became DRY. When I shampooed again, this time I added an oil to form a protective barrier between my hair strands and the air, and doing so created a set that was way more moisturized, despite the disrespectful winter air.
Long story short, the four products in the Marini Naturals line are super lightweight but their natural ingredients pack a big punch, especially with definition! However, for them to fully work on my hair, I needed to add an oil to my routine. Luckily for the rest of you guys, Marini Naturals is adding both a spritz and an oil to their lineup in the coming months, so make sure you stay tuned to their website and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to get the scoop on when the new products launch!
Sorry I’m a pharmacologist and I’ve looked at the site ingredients list and none of their products are 100% natural and definitely not organic! Just providing informed, accurate descriptions so people know what they are truly using. In the spirit of transparency kindly note:
“Kind cleanse” sulfate free shampoo
Ingredients: Deionized Water, Betaine, Sugar Beets, Glycerin, Flax Seed Gel, Aloe Vera Juice, MPG, Apple Cider Vinegar, PQ 7, Pearlizer, Neutralizer, Phenoxyethanol, Berries & Fruit extract.
Ingredients 9 to 12 listed are synthetic ingredients
9. PQ 7 (Polyquaternium-7): Polyquaternium-7 is a synthetic polymer commonly used in hair care products as a conditioning agent. It helps to improve hair texture, reduce static electricity, and enhance manageability.
10. Pearlizer: Pearlizers are synthetic ingredients used to create a pearlescent effect in hair products. They are not natural ingredients.
11. Neutralizer: In the context of hair relaxer systems, a neutralizer is a product used after the hair has been treated with a chemical relaxer. It helps to stop the chemical process and stabilize the hair. Neutralizers typically contain synthetic ingredients.
12. Phenoxyethanol: Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. It helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and extend the shelf life of the product.
Note: the shampoo lathers but no surfactants have been listed. Should be tested for SLS
Co-wash
Ingredients listed: Deionized Water, Xanthan Gum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Betaine, Glycol Stearate, Glycerin, Monopropylene Glycol, PQ 7, Panthenol, Flax Seed Gel, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Vera Juice, Isopropyl Myristate, Acrylic Homopolymer, Sunflower Oil, CSA, Castor Oil, Vitamin E, Neutralizer, Phenoxyethanol, Natural Scents, Citronellol, Limonene
Synthetic ingredients:
Among the ingredients you listed, the following are synthetic:
1. Xanthan Gum: Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide that is typically produced through fermentation using bacteria. It is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer.
2. Cyclopentasiloxane: Cyclopentasiloxane is a synthetic silicone-based ingredient. It is commonly used as a conditioning agent, emollient, and lubricant in hair and skincare products. It provides a silky, smooth texture and helps to improve spreadability.
3. Glycol Stearate: Glycol Stearate is a synthetic compound derived from stearic acid. It is used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetic products to provide a creamy texture and enhance stability.
4. Monopropylene Glycol (MPG): Monopropylene Glycol is a synthetic compound that functions as a humectant and solvent. It helps to retain moisture and can be used as a carrier for other ingredients in cosmetic formulations.
5. PQ 7 (Polyquaternium-7): PQ 7 is a synthetic polymer used as a conditioning agent in hair care products. It helps to improve hair texture, reduce static electricity, and enhance manageability.
6. Isopropyl Myristate: Isopropyl Myristate is a synthetic ester derived from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid. It is commonly used as an emollient and lubricant in skincare and hair care products to provide a smooth, non-greasy feel.
7. Acrylic Homopolymer: Acrylic Homopolymer is a synthetic polymer used as a film-forming agent, binder, and viscosity modifier in cosmetic formulations. It helps to provide hold and structure to hair styling products.
8. Neutralizer: Neutralizers used in the context of hair relaxer systems are typically synthetic products that help to stop the chemical process and stabilize the hair after it has been treated with a relaxer.
9. Phenoxyethanol: Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products to prevent the growth of bacteria and extend the shelf life of the product.
10. Natural Scents (Fragrances): While fragrances can be derived from natural sources, they can also be synthetic. It’s unclear from the list whether the natural scents mentioned are specifically derived from natural sources or synthetic fragrance compounds.
Negative effects on curly to coily hair
1. Cyclopentasiloxane: Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone-based ingredient that can provide temporary smoothness and shine to the hair. However, it can also create a coating on the hair shaft, which may weigh down or suffocate curly to coily hair, leading to reduced volume and potential buildup over time.
2. Glycol Stearate: Glycol Stearate is an emollient and thickening agent. While it can provide a creamy texture to products, it has the potential to weigh down curly to coily hair, reducing natural volume and causing the hair to appear flat or greasy.
3. Isopropyl Myristate: Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient that can provide a smooth, non-greasy feel to products. However, it may not be well-suited for curly to coily hair types, as it has the potential to coat the hair and lead to buildup, making the hair feel heavy and weighed down.
4. ***Acrylic Homopolymer!!!: Acrylic Homopolymer is a film-forming agent commonly used in hair styling products. While it can provide hold and structure, it has the potential to create stiffness and crunchiness, which may not be desirable for those with curly to coily hair seeking natural movement and flexibility.
Thank you for such a wonderful article dear and from my side I want to say that i am using superfruit conditioner for my hair Because this antioxidant-rich conditioner helps to perfect and renew vibrancy to dull, lackluster hair. When used in our System, it detangles while providing anti-aging benefits, color protection, hydration, nourishment, rejuvination, strength, anti-stress, managability, softness and shine.
Hie! Was dying to find on how I would manage n maintain my hair naturally till this other day while watching BBC News came across your products.
Am a 55year old lady from Zimbabwe loves using natural products. How can I be able to get these products. or is it possible to have a franchise business with you here in Zimbabwe.
Please contact me on uche_jenifer@yahoo.co.uk. i am a Nigerian and i need your product.
Please con tact me as I am in Nigeria. I’m an American doing business here and see a market for your product both here and in America. My email address is willielloyd1559@gmail.com
I’m in South Africa , I heard about the Marini products once and I am eager to find out where I can get them in my country . I prefer my natural hair but it’s not easy to maintain. Maybe these products are going to be my answer.
I just uploaded a list of stores that carry the products!
I have my kinky hair and would like to use your product. How can l order your products on line as l live in the Republic of Ireland.
I saw your interview on natural products on Citizen TV, and was very much impressive since i have tried to be natural on my hair. Where can i get your products in Nairobi? Please give me your contacts on where to get you.
I just uploaded a list of stores that carry the products!
I need to grow back my hair line. Please help me
I watched Ntalami’s interview on citizen tv and must admit i was impressed and i would really like to try your products
I really need those products,I have already trimmed all my relaxed hair n I can’t get these products.please help coz my hair is like a steel wire.please tell me the shops I can buy.
I just uploaded a list of stores that carry the products!
hey
Marini is only for natural hair? or you can apply it also in relaxed hair
Hi, I just saw your interview with Citizen TV tonitonight I’m looking forward to using your products coz I’m finding it hard to maintain my short natural hair.
How do i do away with the Grey Hair by using your product?
I saw your interview on Citizen Tv and want to try your products. where can I get your products in Nairobi CBD?
I just uploaded a list of stores that carry the products!
Hi, I just saw your interview and products on citizen TV and i was happy since that’s what I have been looking for since long! Kudos! Now i wish to know how i can get them because i have short hair and doesn’t know how to maintain them. Looking forward for your positive response. Thanks
How can I get this product?
I just uploaded a list of stores that carry the products!
I started growing my natural hair last year. I live in Lagos how do I get your products.
I am impressed by what your products can magically do. I am in Uganda, how do I get them?
It was such an amazing article. But form my point of view the product I am using low porosity shampoo is really effective.It will improve your hairs for sure so try it once people because This deep nourishing treatment masque is enriched with the goodness of Argan Oil – touted for its high concentrations of vitamins A and E that help strengthen and smoothen hair naturally, as well as Sea Kelp extract, which is a humectant that helps your hair retain moisture.
Am thinking of making my hair natural and will use ur products.hope I’ll get my hair line back
These products seem to be working for many ladies.Where do i purchase & the prices.My hair is short and wish to grow it.
Am based at Machakos
You should visit the Marini facebook page for info on where to buy!
I have gained lots of interest on marini products after visiting your website. I will use them together with my two beutiful gals and come back to you. I was looking for something to apply on my hair after doing away with chemicals on my hair. THANK YOU.
You’re very welcome!
Any sample sizes available?
I watched this video ! & I thing it’s great they have a sulfate free line ! Your awesome I love how you always bring new and different things to your blog & YouTube! go KK
Thanks hon!
Go Kenya, I am excited that a natural hair products has come from Kenya. I’m sure others but we love products with natural ingredients and SFS.
l am from Ghana and l need this product how will l get it please my contact no. is 0277559034