While I was in New York, I was able to get my hands on Giovanni Direct Leave-In Conditioner, Weightless Moisture. I had been searching for a good leave-in conditioner. I had been using Infusium 23 Frizzology and I HATED it.
Why?
It didn’t do anything. I would spray and spray and spray and still – the hair didn’t feel any different. Not any softer, not any stronger, not any fuller. It’s a very watery consistency and my normally dry hair just laughed at it.
(One of my friends of Chinese descent loves Infusium 23, but even she – with her super straight, super thick hair – needs something heavier in the winter. If she needs something heavier, I should have never bought Infusium because, obviously, it won’t work in my hair in any season.)
So when I was away, I was on a mission to find a really good leave-in conditioner that would really do something significant to my hair. I wanted to see a difference before I used it and after I had been using it for a while. When I saw the Giovanni leave-in at Target, I scooped it up. Here are the ingredients:
Aqua (purified water) with *rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil, *nettle (Uritica dioica) oil, *thyme (Thymus vulagris) oil, birch leaf (Butela alba) oil, *chamomile (Anthemis nobilus flower) oil, *clary (Salvia sclarea), *lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), *coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara), *yarrow (Achillea millefolium) oil, *mallow (Malva sylvestris), *horsetail (Equistetum arvense) oil, *soybean protein (Glycine soja), cetyl alcohol (plant derived), tocopherol (vitamin E), trace minerals, citric acid (corn), sodium hydroxymethyglycinate, grapefruit seed (citrus derived).
For past six weeks, I’ve been using the Giovanni leave-in and it’s great!
I know understand the purpose of a leave-in conditioner. If I were to leave the leave-in and not use anything else in my hair, it would still be moisturized and soft to the touch. The leave-in is creamy, a medium consistency and slippery. I use a palm full and comb it through my hair with a wide tooth comb. I do like that it plays well with other products. I used the leave-in under Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream, Carol’s Daughter’s Hair Milk and my super moisturizer and it’s been totally fine.
What sealed the deal for me? Last night, I co-washed my hair and I only enough leave-in for one more wash. I’m washing and styling on Saturday – last night was a desperation wash. Instead of using the last of my Giovanni leave-in, I decided to finish off my Kiss My Face Whenever Conditioner and used it as a leave it. I did that when I had my kinky twists put in in early December.
I used a palm full, slathered it through my hair and proceeded to comb yank the comb through my hair wondering, “where’s the slip?”
Slip isn’t slip until you know what real slip is. For real. My comb glide through with relative ease (I still tug every now and then because I lack enough patience to work through knots — I’m a work in progress) with Giovanni Direct Leave-in.
So, Infusium 23 out, Giovanni Direct Leave-in Conditioner, Weightless Moisture in.
Now, if someone can tell me where I can buy this in Toronto, I’d be very happy or else, I’m ordering two from well.ca.
The Accidental Natural 
I love this stuff! It’s the only leave-in I use! According to their website, Giovanni products are sold at London Drugs, Loblaws and Shoppers Drugmart, so hopefully that helps. You can always use it as an excuse to head to Eaton Centre or Yorkdale!
Yes.. this stuff is simply AMAZING. I hadn’t read reviews prior to buying this product, but I first encountered it at the Urbanfare in downtown Vancouver, a (mostly) organic grocery store. I had found it in the clearance section of the store, for $5. I have used other leave-in conditioners (pricey salon and cheaper drug store brands), and have NEVER been as happy as I was with this one!!!!! This has been the ONLY one that has truly made a difference w/ moisturizing my hair & giving it a soft healthy glow.
Previously, I had found my hair to be truly unmanageable.. I’m of asian-descent, I have thick, slightly-wavy, coarse black hair. I normally don’t use any heat-tools on my hair and always towel/air-dried it, because my hair was so dry and coarse. I had used various products to no avail, as soon as my hair was ‘dry’, my hair no longer felt/looked sleek…… it always looked just plain dull!
wow…… I’m getting long winded.
TLDR: This is the VERY BEST conditioner that I’ve ever used. I will go back to Urbanfare and stock up, since it was so cheap!!! I have also seen this product at Zellers, for $10.
It’s wicked, isn’t it? Right now, I’m using this and Herbal Essences Long-Term Relationship leave in. If I had to choose, it would definitely be Giovanni Direct. I agree, it makes my hair feel moisturized, soft and manageable. From what I’ve read, anyone with hair that likes protein (me! me!) will get some benefit from this leave-in. They carry it at Zellers? For real? I’ll have to check that out. Zellers is the last place I ever think to look for hair products 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
I’m not sure where you can find it in Toronto, but its available in Ottawa….and I’m sure if I can find it here-you can find it in T.O.
I usually see it at Nutrition House, WalMart or Zellers.
I see a lot of Giovanni products in Nutrition House and Shoppers, but I’ve never seen the leave-in conditioner in store. I did see it at Healthy Planet last month. I stocked up on it when I was in the States. I will take another look at Zellers (I don’t shop at WalMart). Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve just recently been in the market for a great leave in conditioner and came across these reviews, which have convinced me to give Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner a try.
I am from the Toronto area as well and have not been out to stores to find the product on shelves but I have found it at a great website I use frequently (well.ca) they ship to anywhere in canada for free. Just wanted to let you know of another place to get your hands on it. Here’s the link.
http://well.ca/products/giovanni-direct-leave-in_9754.html
http://www.target.com/p/Giovanni-Leave-In-Conditioner-8-5-oz/-/A-11010378
it’s also at Fortino’s grocery store and Whole Foods.
can u guys please indicate me where exactly in ottawa u did find the product tnx you 🙂
Target sells it! Just call your local Target store to make sure they have it in stock
http://www.target.com/p/Giovanni-Leave-In-Conditioner-8-5-oz/-/A-11010378
tell them the sku number… and make sure they put the 8.5 oz on hold… $8.29…but buy several of them, since they run out of it&:)
Any natural health store would have it, Shoppers Drug mart and Zellers for sure. I bought mine at Walmart, haven’t used it yet but I’m wondering–can’t figure it out—is there any difference between this and the Smooth as Silk conditioner. I’ve checked the ingredients, to me they look about the same and I’m wondering if I’m just being scammed here lol.
I’ve seen it at natural health food stores, but I haven’t seen the leave-in at Shoppers or Zellers. I’ve turned this city over looking for it. A good place to find the leave-in is at Well.ca – and shipping is free! Whoo hoo! I don’t know about the Smooth as Silk conditioner – I haven’t tried it. I haven’t used a wash out conditioner in months (laziness – I needed to get another step out of my regimen). I know a lot of natural hair bloggers love their conditioners and Winners sells it in the 16 oz bottle at a pretty good price. You may have to do a side-by-side comparison…
A year and a month replying to this. LOL! Well, having lived in Toronto, I’m surprised you haven’t seen it. You could try the natural health stores in Kensington Market. I’ve gotten it there a few times. Price is probably lower than Well.ca at 6.99.
I have seen it – just not trying to travel throughout the GTA to find the leave in. The conditioner and shampoo are essily found, but the leave-in is a lot more difficult to hunt down, especially in Durham.
I live in the bronx and have been looking for this everywhere ive been to atleast 5 targets with no luck S.O.S im newly natural and my fro needs help =(
This might be a little late, but here where I live in RI, they sell this leave-in conditioner at Wal-Mart for $8. Maybe you can check out the closest WM near you. 🙂
I just recently purchased Giovanni’s Leave-in conditioner. I haven’t used it yet. It is available at a Natural Store called Nature’s Goodness in the town I reside in. I’m not sure whether they charge any shipping fees, but they’re website is http://www.naturesgoodnessRI.com. Their telephone no. is (401) 847-7480.
Does anyone know where i can find this specifically* in Ottawa. ?
Where can I find giovanni products in Ottawa, specific locations please !!!