Monday, May 13, 2013

Davines Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo with Chestnut Milk and Nounou Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract

Not long ago, Drugstore.com helped me "discover" two hair-care products that have turned into favorites. When they sent me an order a few months ago, they included in my box a generous sample of Davines Nounou Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract. How did I get so lucky? I'll take you on my Davines journey today.

My first thought when I saw the little tub was that someone had finally found the perfect way to package a thick conditioner. When I tried it, I fell in love. I ordered one immediately - thinking, "How on earth did this brand escape my notice?" I also ordered the Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo. I figured that the shampoo would be as good as the conditioner. I figured correctly. Davines deserves some serious recognition for these luxurious products!

Davines Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo with Chestnut Milk is available in two sizes at Drugstore.com, $18.80 for 8.45 ounces or $43.27 for 33.8 ounces. These are sale prices, which I discovered today. I paid more. There was no question I would order the value sizes since I knew the conditioner was fabulous. Nounou Nourishing Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract is priced at $20.00 for 8.45 ounces and $57.60 for 33.8 ounces.

Both of these are "salon" products, meaning they are only sold though licensed retailers. Drugstore.com discloses that it is not a licensed retailer. However, if you use Google to search the Internet, you will find several non-salon sources for these fabulous products. I discovered that Davines products are sold at Barneys.

A few years ago, I found a shampoo and conditioner I loved at CVS. My feature hadn't been posted for a day when a women representing the maker swooped in, leaving a huffy comment that her products were not available at CVS - or if they were, they had been diverted "illegally." She objected to her products being called drugstore treasures. I verified that they were on the CVS stock list and left up my feature. She may not have wanted the publicity, but I wanted to tell my readers how to find a great deal.

Anyhow, back to the business at hand. When I blind bought the shampoo, I had "visions" of the unappealing smell like roasted chestnuts. Fortunately, the scent is fabulous, but hard to describe. Allure likened it to eggnog. I don't smell eggnog or chestnuts - just a light, creamy scent that's gone as soon as I finish my shower. It's a very gentle shampoo, fabulous for color-treated hair. I like it because it cleans well and gently, and along with the conditioner, leaves my hair with volume and shine. Allure said, "It made our highlights look and feel shiny, not stripped, and our color didn't fade in the slightest."

The company targets this fabulous shampoo to color-treated hair. Color-treated hair needs deep nourishment to restore its strength, body, and shine. Chestnut milk is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, mineral salts, and lipids and deeply moisturizes. Hydrocreatine adds strength and elasticity. Rice proteins condition and protect the hair from environmental damage, and silicone micro-emulsions illuminate the hair's natural tones.

The Nounou Illuminating Cream Conditioner with Tomato Extract is very thick, but dispenses easily from the wide top of the bottle. It leaves my hair, which normally tangles badly during cleansing, tangle-free and easy to comb out. When I use it with the Davines shampoo or any other shampoo, it gives my hair volume and shine.

The rich blend of interactive ingredients restructures, nourishes, protects, and restores body to color-treated hair. Sweet almond butter and vitamin F nourish, while hydrocreatine internally strengthens the hair and increases elasticity. Tomato extract protects from free radicals, and rhizobian gum maintains color's vibrancy. Naturally, the company recommends that you start your ritual with Nounou Shampoo for best results.

There is only one "but" that relates only to the containers, not the products. The large, value-sized plastic bottles are very heavy and difficult to handle in the shower. I've had them slip out of my hands more than once. I would imagine salons use pump dispensers so that the shampoo specialists don't have to pick up the plastic bottles. Working with the bottles in the wet shower is cumbersome. If you don't feel you can manage the gigunda bottles, which do not come with pump dispensers, you might want to try the "regular-sized" products.

As I researched Davines, I found that there are other formulations. One is Momo for dry and dehydrated hair. I'd like to try more - and most certainly will. Barneys doesn't offer the best prices - probably because they are authorized retailers - but I'm resourceful. I'll find the best price somewhere.

Have you ever seen Davines products in your salon? I haven't. There's more information at the company's Web site. Founded in Parma, Italy in 1983 by the Bollati family, Davines Group started as a research laboratory producing high-end hair-care products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide. After a decade of honing its expertise, they began creating their own brand of Davines hair-care products exclusively for salons. I learned there about Davines' commitment to clean energy and sustainability. I like them even more now.

For now, since there is a sale, I'd recommend Drugstore.com. I don't think you'll regret a blind buy of any of Davines' extraordinary products.

Photos courtesy of Drugstore.com and Allure

14 comments:

Little Luxe said...

I am so happy to see another Davines lover! I tried the oi/oil after I read a review of it, and the scent is intoxicating! Plus, it really softens my hair and makes it manageable post-wash. I purchased mine from amazon.com, and they have great prices (plus I trust it as long as I'm purchasing from an authorized amazon seller). I can't wait until the rest of their oi/oil line comes out this summer - I would highly recommend it.

I just want to say that I love, love, LOVE your blog, and am always excited to see what you will post next! Keep up the fantastic work! :)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Little Luxe!

I am so glad to find another Davines devotee!

Thanks for the kind words about my blog.

Lynnsey said...

I LOVE Davines. I also buy the jumbo sizes. I have found that http://www.fashionandbeautystore.com/davines.html has the best prices and lots of times sets. I am not affiliated, just love the deals. :)
They also sell the pumps for the large sizes.

The only thing I don't like about the brand is they offer almost too many choices and I get overwhelmed. lol!

I am currently using and loving the Davines Natural Tech Well Being Shampoo and the Davines Natural Tech Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Conditioner.

I rotate in the Davines Love Shampoo and conditioner as well. I am addicted!

They also make the BEST hair oil I have ever used. :)

Fell free to edit out the web page if it isn't allowed.

Judith DM said...

Nounou products are terrific. I bought from a very exclusive salon. How they found their way to a drugstore? I think drugstores wanted to have more upscale brands and must have found a away. After all, get more volume sales through a large chain, even if not in all stores! And for us, we don't have to get to a salon to buy it!! I have seen Davines, never tried. For years I used Fekkai, bought from Saks or Nordstrom and now is at Beauty dot com and even my local Rite -Aid. So much easier for me, Rite-Aid is just down the hill!As for any huge value bottle, you can get a pump at a beauty supply. Don't let the size stop you! Think I am going to try Davines.

Little Red said...

I think the Vidal Sassoon here in McLean carries Davines.

Charlestongirl said...

So glad to hear to Lynnsey. Thanks for the source. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Judith,

How is it everyone knew but me?

Charlestongirl said...

THANKS, Little Red. I will definitely look.

Delleis said...

I also use DavinesLove shampoo and conditioner. I got turned on to them by my stylist as products for curly hair. My results with them both have been great. For me the scent is certainly a nice plus, but the best part is the condition of my hair. My dry, curly color-treated hair needs some nourishment and babying. Davines love cleans well, but doesn't strip my hair. The conditioner is a litle bit heavy, but that is perfect for what my hair needs. If I had a good source for you I'd share it for sure. Nice to see someone talking about a great, under represented brand.

Mandy said...

These sound amazing! My hair tends to spend half the year feeling like straw, because of all of the coloring and bleaching. So right now, these products sound like magic. Even all of the commenters are praising it!

Now, if only I can get them to Canada without outrageous shipping and duty fees...

ame said...

I LOVE DAVINES!!! I too like the NouNou. I like the Momo (?) conditioner too. When I was in Chicago, there is a beauty supply shop on Oak that sells the small travel sizes as well as the large sizes and I got to try several of theirs. I love the Alchemic conditioners for color too, I use the Copper one sometimes.

RE: Diversion: I learned Folica is a HUGE diverter, when I tried to buy some Kerastase that way and got some that was either tampered with or REALLY old. Having used it for a while, and buying it from a salon, I knew my bottle looked "off". When I opened the lid it smelled off too. So I took tons of photos, and returned it, and then when I got my refund, I reported them immediately.

virginiaisforluvrs said...

I use Davines Living Enzyme spray to heat protect my hair. It is really pricey so when I saw that it was available on drugstore, I was stoked--until I saw the disclaimer. I just don't want to run the risk of paying a high price and not getting what I want. So, I'll continue to purchase it at my local salon. I also use the Davines natural tech purifying shampoo when I have some dandruff. I smells so weird but it works very well.

Claire said...

Thanks for sharing this product, CG! I've never heard of the company before and I do buy our shampoos/toiletries from drugstore.com so I'll check these out for sure!

Tuft said...

This shampoo is full of synthetic chemicals that are harmful and allergenic and can result in itchy scalp. Sulfate surfactants, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine are allergenic. Parabens interfere with hormonal balance, as well as with the environment. Artificial colors and undisclosed fragrance ingredients are also of concern. I would avoid this product.