Umberto Giannini Banana Butter

You may have seen us rave about this haircare range before. Well, it’s just got better by extending its delicious Banana Butter Superfood collection, perfect for taming frizz and hydrating dry locks. Editor Trudi Brewer shares the newbies that smell good enough to spread on your toast.

If you are new to Umberto Giannini, here's a quick brand recap. It was the brainchild of a UK-based hairdresser who created an eponymously named vegan and cruelty-free hair range. He already had a name for himself as an award-winning stylist, British Hairdresser of the Year ( back in 1999), leaving a lasting impression not only on those he touched but also those he left behind. Tragically, his life was cut short at 33, struck by a rare viral disease complication, and died in 2001. Fast forward to today, when it comes to hair, Giannini's motto lives on, "Anything was possible." The top-selling UK-based hair brand has extended one of its most delicious collections here in NZ. Following the success of the Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Leave-In Conditioner, $25, there is now a full complement of repairing, strengthening and frizz-fighting products.

Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Superfood Shampoo, 250ml, $25.

A great value, travel-friendly tube. Not only does it smell like fresh bananas, but it's also rich in all the goodness this superfood offers, including potassium and vitamins A, B, and C. Blended with the oil from another tropical fruit, coconut, this makes for one potent hair healer. Rich in vitamin E and lauric acid ( a fatty acid) that your hair loves. Not only does it strengthen hair and nourish the roots of your hair, but it also helps prevent breakage and smooth split ends. That formula packed in a 100 per cent recyclable sugarcane tube, it's virtuous on the inside and out. To use: A little goes a long way, massage into wet hair and rinse.

Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Superfood Conditioner $250ml, $25.

Banana's are not only rich in potassium and vitamins A, B and C; they offer a protein shot for dry hair, which helps improve manageability and boosts shine. This 97 per cent natural conditioner is rich and creamy, leaving wavy hair feeling knot-free, soft and bouncy. Formulated without sulphates, parabens and silicones, it's also kind on our oceans as it washes down the drain. To use: Make sure you massage it thoroughly through damp hair lengths and ends, leave on for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Superfood Co-Wash, 250ml, $25.

For anyone new to co-washing, this means you're replacing your shampoo with a dual shampoo and conditioner, one product that does it all. Ideal for those with fine hair, this won't overload your locks to make them limp. Packed with lightweight natural oils and hair-loving vitamins from the banana and coconut extracts to soften hair and boost shine. Packed in 100 per cent recyclable sugarcane tubes - we love that. To use: A brilliant alternate wash between using the Banana Butter Superfood Shampoo & Conditioner, or ideal for the beach or boat.

Umberto Giannini Banana Superfood Vitamin Oil, $25.

In the same way, a face oil nourishes the skin, sealing moisture in and protecting the barrier of your skin; hair oils work in kind. Creating a hydrating, physical barrier around each strand, dry, frizzy hair will lap this up. Suppose you have had a rough road full of various flyaway sprays, silicone-infused creams and moisture-sucking masks searching for the perfect dry hair remedy, it may be time to give this superfood for hair a shot. The same vitamin-boosting A, B, C and E formula as the rest of the range, with natural coconut oil to moisturise and softens the hair while nourishing the scalp. While it's a heavy-weight hair healer, it's lightweight to use and without any nasties. 
To use: Massage a few drops into towel-dried hair (focusing on the scalp) and style as usual. We use a drop post-blow-drying to smooth any flyaways.

Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Leave-In Conditioner, $25.

It would be remiss not to mention this tub of pure goodness including banana, shea and cupuaç butter, coconut and Brazil nut oils. It’s silicone-free, repairs dry hair and doubles as a moisturising leave-in conditioner. It will fight frizz in naturally curly but won't weigh it down. To use: Smooth through damp hair to coat every strand do not rinse, and then apply styling products.