Description
A unique, effective, nourishing blend, this game-changing formulation is the result of countless tweaks to a recipe I’ve been using myself for a long time. I am rather fussy about what I put in or on my hair, and struggled to find a decent shampoo that doesn’t come full of sulphates, drying ingredients or which is then packaged in a plastic bottle. I also didn’t enjoy the feeling of shampoo bars, despite many attempts, and found they left a waxy residue in my hair and didn’t leave it feeling clean… I’m happy to say that the solution is here!
The Renaissance Cleansing Powder for Hair & Body (Yes it’s a one-stop product for washing your hair and body!):
– is entirely plant-based and simple, combining several ingredients which have long been known to boost hair health (strength and shine) as well as a gentle cleansing agent, making it a pleasure to use.
– is free from sulphates, silicones, preservative, parabens, palm oil, petrochemicals, alcohol and contains no harsh detergents.
– comes as a powder (liquid-free = good for travel!) which you mix with water in the palm of your hand (there is no sophisticated trick to this; it’s very simple and takes two seconds in the shower!) to make into a paste, which then foams up beautifully when massaged into wet hair. For those of us who’ve experimented with the ‘no shampoo’ idea but missed the luxurious feeling of lather, 
this is the way forward! Crucially, the emulsifying surfactant ingredient is VERY gentle, coconut-derived and good for curly and all other hair types. You might even find (depending on your hair type and especially if it is straight, tends towards oiliness or is fine) that you don’t need to follow with conditioner afterwards!
– is for men and women; if you’ve got hair (or a body), this is for you.
– is made with a blend of plant powders including green tea, organic coconut, rice, rosemary, hibiscus and some ayurvedic-inspired ingredients that are a little more unusual in western culture but amazing for hair. (See below for a run down on which ingredient is doing what and why!)
– is vegan (of course!)
– contains no synthetic scent; essential oils only (lavender, sage & ho leaf) – the smell is somehow relaxing and enlivening at once.
– doesn’t come in a plastic bottle! It’s therefore a good alternative for those who are trying to reduce the amount of plastic they buy. The Renaissance comes in recyclable metal bottle, with paper bag ‘bulk’ refills available.
– also makes a perfect nourishing, gentle bodywash in the shower or bath as well as for washing hair; use it all over your body instead of showergel (another plastic bottle that’s now unnecessary!).
– can also be sprinkled into the bath to infuse its aromatherapy and plant goodness into the water (see uses & directions, below).
REFILLS/BULK:
Choose from the drop-down options when adding to your basket either the metal bottle or a larger amount mailed to you in a paper bag for you to refill your empty bottle at home.
We strongly recommend that you immediately decant the contents into a clean & completely dry glass jar, to eliminate the chance of moisture entering the product & to preserve its freshness. Then: keep the jar somewhere cool, out of direct sunlight, so it can sleep peacefully until you need it.
Please note that, in keeping with the law and regulations around cosmetic products, we will affix the original label to your paper bag and hand-write the weight you’ve ordered (which will be different to what the label says) onto the bag.
Key ingredients/benefits:
ORGANIC COCONUT MILK: this beautifully sweet-smelling fruit is very nourishing, for shine and conditioning. Some hair types may find that this component of the Renaissance is enough to mean they do not need to follow with conditioner, though drier hair types may disagree. Full of fatty acids and other nutrients, coconut is soothing for scalps and very moisturising.
RICE: amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin E… bathing hair in rice water has long been believed to help hair grow long, shiny, strong and smooth. It also gives a creamy texture to the shampoo which, in addition to the coconut, feels wonderful. The starch may also help those with dermatitis; it’s very soothing.
GREEN TEA: see this page for a rundown of why tea is in every product in the Leafology range. With caffeine, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, green tea leaves are a boost for healthy hair.
SHIKAKAI: is a climbing shrub native to Asia, translated as ‘fruit for hair’ and used as a hair cleanser in parts of India for centuries, it adds shine and softness, helps fight dandruff and it is even claimed to help delay grey hairs (though personally, if you’ve earned your greys, I say embrace them!). It imparts a thicker, detangling texture to the blend and soothes scalps.
HIBISCUS: the use of the hibiscus flower has been associated strongly with hair growth and stimulation of dormant follicles. It is rich in vitamin C, which boosts collagen (the amino acid chain that gives your hair its strength) production, strengthening roots and keeping hair lustrous.
BRAHMI: a leafy herb native to wetlands, brahmi helps strengthen hair and promote hair growth. Another plant used in ayurvedic hair treatments, it is said to help heal minor wounds and bring about voluminous locks.
ROSEMARY: stimulates the follicles and scalp and boosts circulation. Its antibacterial properties make it a good cleanser. Rosemary was highly valued in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt for it’s clarifying, healing, soothing properties.
LAVENDER, SAGE & HO LEAF ESSENTIAL OILS: As well as being the queen of relaxing oils, lavender is antibacterial, calming, helps control dandruff, conditions the hair and adds shine. Sage is traditionally associated with cleansing and clearing (it’s also disinfecting, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial). Ho leaf (a gentle, woody floral scent) is soothing and nourishing.
Uses & Directions:
Can be used as shampoo, bodywash/showergel or sprinkled into a bath (it won’t foam in bath water, but will impart the water with a LOT of nourishing goodness and smell beautiful).
To use as shampoo:
1. Thoroughly wet hair.
2. Shake bottle and carefully tap some powder into the palm of your hand (how much you need will vary according to the length and thickness of your hair; as a guide, you might try somewhere from a heaped teaspoon to half a tbsp).
3. Gradually splash just a little water onto the powder, until you can stir it into a paste with your finger.
4. Rub between palms then apply to hair and massage in. (I like to use my fingertips to massage and focus on the scalp and crown of the head.)
5. Rinse thoroughly and follow with your normal conditioner (if desired; you may not feel you need it, for example if your hair is oily, depending on your hair type).
To follow, I like to stroke pure (natural) aloe vera gel through my hair for a bit of curl definition that doesn’t look too stiff or over-styled, along with a small amount of the Shine Elixir Hair Food & Tea & Rice Bran Curl Butter through the ends to add definition and shine as it dries.
Ingredients:
Oryza sativa (Rice) powder, Cocos nucifera (Organic Coconut) milk powder, Sodium cocoyl isethionate, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) leaf, Acacia concinna (Shikakai) fruit powder, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower powder, Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) leaf powder, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) oil, Salvia officinalis (Sage) oil, Cinnamomum camphora (Ho) leaf oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E),
Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalol.
Billy Rawlings –
So, I used plant powder power to clean my hair!?!
Initial thoughts on the dry product were that it smells really pleasant, kind of like a warm pot pourri, but not at all overpowering. I couldn’t name the smells I was getting, but totally liked it all the same.
I used 3.5g (about half a teaspoon) of dry product on my just past shoulder length, but not thick hair.
As per instructions i mixed it to a paste with a few drops of water in one hand, and it mixed easily, and was not at all grainy. I then rubbed between both hands and shampooed in. The product lathered up really well, with great distribution and coverage. It doesn’t have the ‘slip’ that I’m used to from conditioner washing, but with a little effort I was able to finger detangle successfully.
I got a great ‘clean hair’ feeling and was very happy with my experience – I’ve missed the feeling of bubbly hair that you just don’t get from co-washing, so this is a fab way to stick to Curly Girl Methods whilst not giving up on bubbly luxury.
After cleansing I followed up with my normal conditioner for added moisture, left a small amount in, and styled as I usually do. The first thing my fella said when he saw me was, ‘wow, your hairs gone really curly today’ which pleased me no end!
As a wavy/lightly curly girl, my hair can easily get weighed down with product, so I think the Renaissance Cleansing Grains have done an excellent job of removing any build up I may of had, leading to extra bounce and curlier curls.
For a first time use I am VERY impressed and will totally use it again as I have one application left from the sample.
How it would work on a longer term basis I do not know, but first impressions lead me to think that even if it was too much for every wash, as a build up remover it could be a total life saver. I would recommend anyone to give it a go cause it may be exactly what you have been missing in your life
Much loves, Billy Rawlings. X
Rachel –
Loved the smell of this product! It was super easy to mix in my hand and created a nice lather. My hair felt lovely and clean and soft.
David –
I quit hair products a couple of years ago – or thought I did! Then this badass powder came along and pretty much changed my life, or my hair care regime at least…
Like everyone else says, these precious little grains smell dreamy, lather up real nice, and leave my luxurious blond locks feeling silky and – shock, horror – clean.
Ten stars. More please.
Hannah –
I’d never tried a shampoo like this so I was quite skeptical that it would cleanse my hair. I was absolutely DELIGHTED with the product, it smelled heavenly (I love lavender!) and it lathered up really nicely without drying my hair. I have naturally curly hair and it left my curls feeling really soft and bouncy. I found I only needed to use a small amount, I wet my hair well in the shower and then massaged the dry powder in. Bonus that it felt like a nice head massage! Packaging is very convenient and it’s brilliant for trips as it’s not a liquid so no hand luggage restrictions. Highly recommend and I’ll be purchasing for myself and for my friends for presents too!!
Eleanor –
I loved this shampoo! I tried a sample of it, and was so impressed! You only need a very small amount to cleanse your scalp and hair thoroughly, it lathers really well (without any horrible ingredients) and left my hair perfectly clean. I didn’t feel like I needed to use conditioner afterwards either! Love it!
Joy –
These cleansing grains are innovative and absolutely amazing. Gorgeous herbal smell and so gentle on my hair and scalp. It’s also really easy to use, just deposit half a teaspoon or so on your hand, few drops of water and mix until it becomes a paste, rub unto scalp and treat yourself to an amazing scalp massage! (Last bit is optional and not product specific but reccomended 😉 )
I feel like my hair is actually becoming less oily over time while using this, because its not as stripping as regular shampoo.
And very easy to travel with!
Claire –
These magic little grains are a wonder for curly hair! I don’t like the feel of co-washing as I do a lot of sport and my hair just doesn’t feel clean enough, but this powder is great! I can stick to curly girl and look after my hair, whilst getting that refreshed clean feeling I missed without shampoo. I have very sensitive skin, so use natural products where I can and this didn’t disappoint. Also lovely as bath salts after a long day!
Suzy –
I didn’t have high hopes for this as other ‘natural’ shampoos, especially bars, have left my hair looking awful. This one however smelled great and left my fine, curly hair, looking better than it has in years.
Holly –
I’ve gotta say, this is one of the best smelling products I’ve ever used. The scent is so divine, relaxing and blissful and it wraps around you in the shower. A beautiful experience. So handy for travelling as body wash too. So far I’ve only had the sample, but will be purchasing to see how it works with my hair longer term! I’m excited 🙂
Pomme Bour –
Huge fan of this product. Lather incredibly well and smells delightful! My short hair that tends to go a bit flat feels light and bouncy. Will definitely get the refill.
Robert Munro –
Firstly, I really enjoy the smell (not at all overly feminine as I was worried about) and it leaves only a subtle fragrance. It has a lovely gentle scrubbing action to start and a beautiful creamy lather leaving my skin soft even when dried out from my work.
After quitting shampoo sometime ago I found that washing with water only was leaving my hair dry and brittle but I’m finding that using Renaissance Cleaning Powder as a shampoo is breathing life back into it, leaving it in for a while to transfer all the natural plant based goodness before rinsing out.
Now I’ve tried it it’s going to have a permanent place on my bathroom shelf!
Laura Sewell –
The product to end all product, I love this one. Replaces not only shampoo, but body wash, face scrub and skin exfoliator. No micro beads, smells great, no plastic, refill bottles, plant based, vegan… the eco- credentials are all there. Highly recommend!
Eva –
This product has completely transformed my hair care routine. It smells fantastic, is easy to use, lathers beautifully, and leaves my hair feeling wonderfully light and squeaky clean. I took the plunge and bought the big refill size on first purchase, and I’m so glad I did. I shampoo with it about once a week, finish up with some oil while my hair is still wet, and my hair looks and feels the best it ever has. No more wasteful plastic bottles. No more drying chemicals. Only the best, purest, yummiest ingredients for my hair. 🙂
Dionne –
I’ve been using this shampoo for about 3 months now and I really like how my hair feels. I don’t use conditioner for every wash and it’s still really soft. It prevents my hair becoming stripped of all the natural oils and becoming ‘flyaway’. I also love the bottle and will definitely be buying a refill soon.
Leila –
I have been using the cleansing grains to wash my hair for a year or so now and they have been a life saver. Living in a hard water area and having a sensitive scalp means mainstream shampoo irritates my scalp, and other natural plastic free shampoo bars I’ve tried have weighed my hair down, leaving it feeling greasy.
The cleansing grains leave my scalp feeling clean and comfortable, and my hair soft and clean, and my curls light and curly again, it smells great too. I did find it left some of the grains behind in my hair, so I now use conditioner after cleansing to help rinse out the rest of the grains. I’ve also found that I can go longer in between washing my hair now too, which has also helped to calm my skin further.
Rosie –
I had started to experience some very annoying scalp issues (dryness, irritation etc.) and no matter how many shampoos and conditioners I tried, nothing was helping. This product was a total gamechanger – it cleared up the issue virtually overnight, and after experimenting briefly with shampoo again later on, I knew the Renaissance was a winner because all those issues came back with a vengeance the second I took a break from it. This is now the only thing I use on my hair – amazing curl power and cleansing power, and none of the scalp problems I had before (no matter how much sugar I eat or booze I drink). Having confidence in my hair again has been incredible. Thank you Leafology!
Jemima Soars –
My friend recommended that I try leafology so I bought the Renaissance Cleansing Powder and it is incredible!!! My curls are back and defined for the first time and they look different to how they ever have… I am absolutely enamoured with your brand, the origins and the purpose and the aesthetics and I will be a sworn loyalist from here on out. Thank you so so much for all that you do!