The new and improved Palmer’s Olive Oil Formula now comes with Jamaican Black Castor oil. Palmer’s sent me the whole Olive Oil Formula collection (Thank you Palmers!) and I am working my way through them reviewing each product. I have had the products for a while now and it’s time for a review on the Smoothing Shampoo! It has been designed for unruly, frizz-prone hair with no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and gluten. With 100% pure olive and Jamaican black castor oil.
Kudos to Palmers for this shampoo! From the very first wash, this shampoo blew me away. Here’s the background to that. I hadn’t washed my hair for 3 weeks! (gurl) and I had product build up, especially around my hairline- edge control, gels etc. I had my wigs on but I wasn’t finding enough time to properly moisturise my hair underneath. So my hair was super dry, with product build-up and tangled! Plus on that particular wash day, I was short on time. So with all that I went against my better judgement: which was to use a trusted shampoo I knew could get the job done instead of trying a new one. I’m not quite sure why I went ahead with the Palmers shampoo but I am glad I did!
The shampoo is very runny but it suds up really well. I found the scent pleasant although I don’t think it smells like olive or Jamaican black castor oil. It also had enough slip for finger detangling and it was easy to pull out shed hair and detangle whilst shampooing. I was super impressed on how soft it left my hair after the first rinse. On the second rinse, my hair was clumping which is an indication for me that it is getting moisture! My hair felt smooth, I could see some coils/curls and my scalp was clean. My dry and tangled hair before shampooing were back to its moisturised detangled self! By the end of shampooing that day, I had a lot of shedding which I was expecting, but my hair felt so soft and clean without feeling stripped of its natural oils.
The shampoo didn’t fail the next time I used it. Same slip for detangling and it delivered the same moisture and softness to my hair. Less shedding this time as I properly moisturised my hair but I must say, the combo of this shampoo with the Replenishing Conditioner ( review up shortly) left my hair so soft through the week. Because I had a bit more time to shampoo the next time around, I noticed the Palmer’s Smoothing Shampoo actually produces a lot of suds on the first rinse. With little product build up, you can actually get away with one rinse! I can’t comment on whether it controlled or reduced friss as I dont have frizzy hair but my hair felt smooth and soft and clean and i was happy with that lol.
Verdict- this is a very good shampoo with pure oils that suit natural hair. I would say be careful with it as it’s very runny so it’s easy to waste it by pouring too much of it! But they compensate by giving you a big bottle: 400ml of product which will last you a long time. The shampoo delivers on its promises and so far it’s one of my favourite products in the Palmers Olive Oil Formula collection!
This is something I would definitely buy and I will confidently recommend it for 4c natural hair! For a quick review on the Palmer’s Olive Oil Conditioning Spray oil and how I use it, refer to my Box Braids Haircare routine post
Get it from most Afro hair shops or online on Superdrug its currently £3.99 and part of a 3 for 2 deal on all Black Haircare products!
I have a review on the Replenishing Conditioner coming soon. I am also using the Leave in conditioner and gathering my thoughts on that which I will also bring to you guys soon!
sarah fynn 
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