Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Review: Freya's Hair Salve

Hi everyone!

2 oz container
Today, I've got review for a haircare staple- Freya's Hair Salve by Nightblooming. It's a long-overdue review for a product that's remained in my haircare routine for a little over two years now.


-The Lowdown-

Freya's Hair Salve, formerly known as Panacea's Winter Hair Salve, is a leave-in hair conditioner. It utilizes a host of hair-healthy ingredients in a base of coconut oil and shea butter. It is a popular hair conditioner that I found when I was lurking many hair forums. People raved about the smell and the awesomeness of it, so of course, I had to try it.

Freya's Hair Salve was recently rebranded from Panacea's Winter Hair Salve- it's still the exact same product, just a new look.


-The Ingredients-

Ingredients: Certified Organic Shea Butter, Pure Refined Coconut Oil, Herbal infusion (Licorice Root, Coltsfoot Leaf, Yarrow, Willow, Pau díarco, Burdock Root, Mahonia, Calendula, Horsetail, Nettles), Cetearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Seed Oil, Aloe Gel, Vitamin B5, Evening Primrose, Neem, Macadamia Seed Oil, Essential Oils (Tea tree, Lemon tea tree, Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary), Rice extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Anisate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E).

(Taken from the product page on etsy)


It has a lovely consistency. Very easy to work with.
-How to Use-

I use this salve as a leave-in conditioner twice a day, on slightly damp hair. I spritz my hair with a little bit of water, and apply sparingly to the bottom part of my hair. After washing my hair, I towel dry until it is only a little bit wet, then apply to my ends.

This is a smooth product that smells AMAZING and melts as you rub your hands together. To apply, I take a small amount, section my hair, and gently slide my hands over my hair, starting at the ends and working my way up. I am cautious not to get too close to my scalp. Instead, I like to focus on keeping my ends moisturized.

I've found that this is best used when my hair is a little damp- not dripping wet, and not dry. Applying it right after showering left my hair clumpy and stringy, while applying it dry was difficult and made my hair look greasy. It is something you'll have to figure out for yourself- everyone's different.

Freya's Hair Salve has some wonderful...off-label uses, if you will. It makes a really awesome nail conditioner. I gently massage a small amount into the cuticles of my nails at night before bedtime and feel that it has improved the condition of my nails. It also works well, I've found, to give some moisture to slightly dry patches of skin. I also use it on my eyebrows after I dye them to help condition them and keep them from getting too dry and crunchy.

It can also smooth down hair and create a lovely, sleek braid! I like to use a little bit more when I want my hair to stay down in an updo.


-My Thoughts-

This is a must-have product. It is amazing. This particular blend does not have protein, and is advertised as being vegan! Nightblooming also sells two other blends- Panacea, and Ostara (formerly known as Panacea's Summer Salve). I did not prefer those two versions- the Panacea was a bit too heavy for my fine hair and left it a bit crunchy, and Ostara was nothing spectacular. Freya's is by far the best for me, and it really performs well. It also, in my opinion, smells the best of the three (But they all smell really good) It's hard to describe the scent. It's sort of sweet, but "clean" smelling. Not heavy at all and dissipates over time. Good if you don't mind a little bit of scent that won't linger forever.

I credit this salve to helping keep my ends protected and reducing the amount of times that I need to trim. I've found that regular usage also helps keep my hair from tangling as much at the ends. It works wonderfully at keeping my nails strong, and as a styling aid when I need it.

Very highly recommended- pick up some samples!

It's avaiable from Nightblooming's etsy shop, and comes in 1/2 oz, 2 oz, and 8 oz sizes.