Black Beauty & Hair editor Irene Shelley tries the Leonor Greyl treatment on her locs at Johnnie Sapong’s The Studio
Leonor Greyl is a French based natural haircare company that has recently launched in the UK. The range of products includes shampoos and conditioners, hair masques, hair oils and styling products all made with natural and botanical ingredients. I was invited to Johnnie Sapong’s The Studio to have my hair analysed and to meet Caroline Greyl, the daughter of the founders of Leonor Greyl.
Who are Leonor Greyl?
Leonor Greyl offers a hair diagnosis that involves using a MicroViewer which magnifies the hair and scalp 200 times and from the result, they can prescribe problem solving natural products best suited to your hair and scalp’s needs. I got rather squeamish seeing my hair magnified that many times and I could see skin flakes and hair oil sticking to the strands. Yeurgh! Even though my locs had recently been retwisted with pomade Caroline said that my scalp was oily and it was under some stress from retwisting. I made an appointment to come back for my recommended treatment.
Meeting the amazing Johnnie Sapong
I was so excited to be having my hair treated by the uber-talented Johnnie Sapong, whose creative flair is in demand internationally for fashion shows and magazine editorials and who has worked on celebrity heads and top models. His one-to-one salon The Studio is situated above an art gallery and filled with one-off art pieces, and is the ideal place to have a private hair appointment. And I’m pleased to say that Johnnie and I got on famously, talking about everything from art to the properties of fresh aloe vera.
The treatment
Johnnie used Creme Aux Fleurs on my scalp and roots – this is an in salon treatment designed for very dry, colour treated and/or frizzy hair. It’s a thick, creamy washing cream that’s applied to dry hair and then emulsified by adding small amounts of water until a lather is produced. As with all Leonor Greyl products, a little goes a long way. Johnnie then used Huile de Palme (Palm Oil) on my mid lengths and ends – a detangling, protective, beautifying oil, that is recommended as a pre wash treatment and contains botanical oils detangling oils that nourish the hair. The whole lot was wrapped lot in cling film to absorb. Johnnie explained that the hero product Huile de Palme can also be used as a leave-in product to protect hair from the sun, sea and chlorine water when on holiday. I know what I’ll be packing in the suitcase this summer.
After 20 minutes my hair was shampooed with Shampoo Reviviescence, which contains vitamins B and C to moisturise and amino acid-rich sea lavender which hydrates, restoring dehydrated, coloured, damaged and brittle hair. Masque a l’Orchidee, a softening and nourishing hair conditioning masque for frizzy hair was selected as my conditioner. It is formulated with plant ceramides and botanical oils that strengthen the hair and add shine. To finish Johnnie used Magnolia Oil to moisturise my hair and scalp. Magnolia Oil is a blend of pro-vitamins A, combined with the gorgeous scent of magnolia blossom. It’s normally for the face and body but as it’s so gentle it can be easily used on the hair.
After my VIP treatment, the result was great smelling and soft hair.
