Coco & Eve Like a Virgin: Balinese Vegan Haircare in a Delicious Coconut and Fig Scent
When I first came across Coco & Eve several years ago, they only had one product – the Like a Virgin Hair Masque. Fast forward to now, and the brand has extended its product range to a complete set of hair care, body care, and tanning products.
I’ve been using the hair mask on and off now, and when Coco & Eve kindly sent me their Super Hydration Kit, I decided it was high time to share my thoughts on the entire haircare range. So read until the end for my recommendations!
The Coco & Eve Brand
Responsibly sourced ingredients
Coco & Eve has its roots firmly embedded in the lush rainforests of Bali, home to a trove of tropical ingredients. The brand’s hero products – raw virgin coconut and fig (plus several other fruits) – are from traceable sources with no adverse environmental effects.
Unlike most beauty products, all Coco & Eve products are free from common nasties such as drying and damaging sulfates, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, mineral oils and palm oil. The brand is also 100% vegan and cruelty-free, making it a safe option for those concerned about our furry friends.
Sustainable packaging
While being a very millennial brand (i.e. easy on the eye with the packaging too cute to throw away), Coco & Eve products were designed with sustainability in mind. To minimise plastic use, all products are shipped with custom-cut holes in the paper and zilch bubble wrap. Even the hair turban arrived in a biodegradable zip-lock storage bag – impressive by today’s standards. Empty pots are also perfect for repurposing into hair accessories or cotton pad holders.
The Like a Virgin Range
Like a Virgin is Coco & Eve’s debut product range and continues to bear its signature pastel pink colours with tropical green accents.
Using an iconic combination of virgin coconuts and figs, the hair care range revives treated hair, injects shine and hydration, and reduces frizz and split ends. All to make hair feel virgin soft again. To minimise waste, different parts of the coconut are used in various products – its extract is used in the Hair Masque, the oil in the Elixir and the ground shells in the Scalp Scrub. Now we’re talking about minimising wastage.
I’ve been such a fan of the haircare range, I’ve tried and tested every single one of their products (tools inclusive). We’ll move down the list in the order of product application.
Deep Clean Scalp Scrub
Let’s make this clear: I’m blessed enough not to struggle with bouts of dandruff. On the rare occasion when I see a flaky scalp, it’s usually because I used an unsuitable shampoo/conditioner set that stripped too much moisture away. But living in a humid city like Hong Kong means oil is an issue. Combined with product buildup from dyeing, styling and dry shampoos… Having long hair can be a pain.
The Deep Clean Scalp Scrub is like a hair care version of an exfoliator that removes harmful chemicals and creates a healthier environment for hair follicles. Think of it this way: if your face needs help with unclogging pores, your scalp does too. Fear not, nature lovers. The volcanic ash and ground coconut shell act as a manual exfoliant, ensuring the product remains 100% microbead-free.
This is a pre-shampoo product, meaning it can be applied directly onto a damp scalp before rinsing thoroughly with warm water and shampoo. The product consistency feels like most facial exfoliators: creamy and not too rough. Once spread out, the hint of peppermint that hits your nose is noticeably fresh.
2-way Scalp Scrub Applicator
If you have long to medium hair, applying the Deep Clean Scalp Scrub may prove tricky as your ends get tangled. The 2-way Scalp Scrub Applicator was designed to make this process more manageable. First, section your hair using the long tapered handle, then flip and apply the product directly to the fan-shaped silicone tip before smoothing it onto hair roots. Repeat until you’ve covered the scalp, and slowly massage the product in.
Super Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Set
As someone who has (after a lot of trial and error) found a drugstore shampoo and conditioner combo that works perfectly well, Coco & Eve’s Super Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner is definitely on the pricey end of the spectrum.
I often struggle to get the last of my conditioner out of pump bottles, so I love how Coco & Eve’s duo comes in squeeze bottles that give you more bang for your buck. Also, bonus points for being matte to the touch!
Nowadays, most shampoos and conditioners are silicone-free, as the particle is known for displacing water in hair while also weighing it down. The duo comes loaded with natural ingredients and boasts a 7-in-1 formula for “instant hydration, shine, softness, strength, volume & no split ends or frizz” and comes in the iconic coconut and fig scent.
As always, I shampoo twice to remove any product build-up. The result is hair that feels cleaner for longer (I’m tempted to not shampoo daily now). My naturally wavy locks also felt more manageable with no breakage when blowdrying. I probably wouldn’t have gone for it if Coco & Eve had not sent this my way, but after seeing the results, it could be worth it for hair types that need more than a bit of hydration and TLC.
Shampoo Brush
I’m late to the party when it comes to shampoo brushes. I never understood what the fuss was about until now. You know the scalp massage you get when hairdressers wash your hair? This is probably the closest you’ll get to achieving the same results at home.
The top handle is easy to grip (hold it like a PopSocket) with ergonomic indentations around the brush to fit the fingers comfortably. I like to work the Super Hydration Shampoo into a lather before running the brush across the scalp in gentle, circular motions. A gentle exfoliation to increase your blood circulation never does any harm. Its flexible rubber teeth are spaced wide enough to not get tangled in wet hair.
Like a Virgin Hair Masque
When Coco & Eve first launched, the Hair Masque was their only product, and it was the OG product I first fell in love with. The mask can be used in 2 ways: applied onto damp hair for 10 minutes in the shower or on dry hair overnight for deep conditioning.
The first time I opened the tub, the scent was a little overpowering, but it quickly disappeared. The hair mask has a rich consistency, not unlike a dense conditioner that feels luxurious during use without imparting the heavy feeling of some products.
I use the mask once to twice a week; when I do, I don’t need to go in with conditioner again. My hair has been pretty healthy lately, so split ends are not a huge concern, but frizz has noticeably gone down, and my hair runs smoother and bouncier after use.
Tangle Tamer
Hair-detangling brushes are nothing new, and this is pretty much Coco & Eve’s take on it.
The 2-tiered design allows long bristles to gently detangle and short bristles to smooth cuticles. However, Coco & Eve’s bristles were noticeably stiffer than the Tangle Teezer. While the bristles hold up better without getting squashed, they are pricklier on the scalp and not as gentle on wet hair. Cleaning out hair strands or product build-up on the brush is also more difficult, so I avoid using it with hairspray.
The oval egg shape is ergonomic and perfectly fits the palm, ensuring even coverage of hair masks. Unlike the Tangle Teezer, the entire brush is moulded out of one single piece of plastic. This makes rinsing after hair mask applications a breeze, and I don’t have to worry about it not drying out properly.
Verdict: Perfect for hair mask application and general brushing, but not my first choice for styling.
Microfibre Hair Towel Wrap
Microfibres are traditionally used in sports towels and cleaning cloths, but now they have a spotlight in haircare. The synthetic fibres are very fine – typically 100 times finer than human hair, making them softer and more water-absorbent than your traditional cotton towel. The point is to wick away excess moisture to reduce blow-drying time and avoid extra exposure when heat styling.
The hair turban has a soft inside designed to combat friction, frizz and flyaways and is comfortable enough to sleep in while using the hair mask overnight. It has enough towel material to wrap around chest-length hair, but I find it thinner than other hair turbans. I use hair turbans religiously (given Hong Kong’s climate), and I’ve regrettably traded this one for a sturdier substitute after a period of intense use, as the elastic loop was starting to sag, the print fading, and the fluffy inside was no longer soft.
Miracle Hair Elixir
I’m pretty picky about hair serums. I only use them on damp hair; I hate greasy textures or anything that leaves sticky residue all over my hands, with my preferred consistencies being light oils and creams. The Miracle Hair Elixir has an interesting texture – a lightweight, clear gel that spreads easily and absorbs quickly.
The multi-tasking product is meant to be used in 3 ways:
Hair treatment: nourish, hydrate and repair by locking in moisture to boost hydration and control frizz
Pre-styling: protect against breakage, UV damage and heat of up to 220°c
Finishing: smooth onto hair for a sleek, glossy look
Honestly, I’ve been colouring and styling my hair for a long enough time that I’m not even sure what the virgin state of my hair should feel like. But the Miracle Hair Elixir is, hands-down, a holy grail product I never travel without. One glob is all it takes to smoothen strands when blowdrying and improve shine, with the ends feeling less brittle or prone to breakage.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve repurchased this.
Bonus: Body Moisture Whip from the Glow Figure Range
The Body Moisture Whip came as a freebie with my previous order and comes in 2 scents, Tropical Mango and Lychee & Dragon Fruit.
The consistency is a light body butter – rich, creamy and spreads smoothly. The formula is absorbed quickly, leaving velvety, soft skin with no icky residue, and I love massaging this onto my shins and elbows to avoid cracking during the dry winter.
A little goes a long way, so the product is meant to last despite being on the pricey end of the spectrum. You could find a drugstore brand with similar moisturising properties, though it is hard to say about the firming properties without prolonged use.
Generally, I’m just not as big a fan of body butters that come in tubs because they are messy to scoop and always get under my nails, but the squeeze tube of the travel-size bottle rids me of this issue.
Thoughts
TL;DR?
Coco & Eve products are pricier than any drugstore brand I’ve tried but they yield solid results.
I’ve incorporated the entire Like a Virgin haircare range into my weekly routine, and my hair feels healthier with less frizz. Hair treatments aside, their application tools are easy to use and the brand has clearly given thought to user experience.
Bottom line: Try Coco & Eve’s Hair Masque and Miracle Hair Elixir. It’s a hard-to-beat product combination and you will likely end up wanting to try more of the range.
The products featured in these images are kind PR products from the Coco & Eve team without obligation to share them on my blog.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission when you click the links and make a purchase.
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