Big Hair + Beauty was born out of a need for natural, high performance + high quality haircare formulations, made from the best handpicked ingredients for your afro + curly hair.

Here's an A-Z of the ingredients we use. Don't worry Beauties, we don't use jargon so you'll find them by their everyday name first, followed by their scientific name: 

 

A

Aloe Vera

Aloe Barbadensis

The mighty Aloe Vera plant has been used for thousands of years. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, and is used both internally and topically for its many active ingredients.

We use Aloe Vera across our range to cool, soothe and soften, as well as providing texture, antibacterial properties and countless other benefits.

 

Avocado

Persea gratissima

Avocado is literally packed with natural vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E which is said to promote hair growth, restore the health of hair and prevent split ends. This superfood for the hair has amazing penetrating properties, making it intensely nourishing and moisturising – leaving you with soft, silky, springy curls.

We use Avocado Butter – the rich, smooth and creamy butter obtained from the avocado flesh and pulp – in our ‘Moisture Me, Whipped Butter’. We use Avocado Oil – the rich, deep penetrating oil pressed from the avocado fruit – in our ‘DEEP Conditioning Hair Treatment’

 

B

Banana

Musa Sapientum

Banana is another ‘superfood’ that is great for the hair. It has excellent smoothing, softening and moisturising properties and is rich in magnesium and potassium – both said to prevent hair loss.

We use banana powder in our ‘DEEP Conditioning Hair Treatment’ as it packs a powerful punch for dry curls that need an extra boost. 

 

Broccoli Seed Oil

Brassica Oleracea Seed Oil 

We all know that we should eat our greens, but did you know that broccoli came in an oil too? Broccoli seed oil is rich in fatty acids whilst also being light and easily absorbed, so it leaves no oily residue. Instead it provides a protective film that's left on the hair to smooth the cuticle and leave it with a shine.

The combination of long-lasting moisturisation with easy absorption, gives the oil one of its most valued characteristics. It's the reason we use it in our CURL Defining Creme Gel to give it the perfect finish.

 

BTMS

Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol

BTMS (or Behentrimonium Methosulfate if you want to be fancy) is a detangling ingredient derived from rapeseed/canola oil. Combined with a good fatty alcohol, it adds slip for detangling, conditions and reduces static.

BTMS gives a lovely, silky feel to your hair – which is why we use it in all of our conditioning products (including our ‘Leave In Moisturising Milk’.

 

C

Carrot Tissue Oil

Daucus Carota

High in beta-carotene, we use this not only for its rich colour, but for its antioxidant properties.

Rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids – Carrot Oil is said to help with brittle hair, split ends and dryness.

 

Castor Oil

Ricinus Communis

Extracted from the seeds of the castor plant, castor oil is a thick, rich, oil – which is great for conditioners and treatments for dry, brittle or damaged hair.

Castor oil also acts as a humectant and attracts moisture to the hair. We use castor oil to add shine, moisture and protect your curls.

Our Castor Oil is organic.

 

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol is a vegetable derived fatty alcohol used as a lubricant. It’s a friendly, non-drying alcohol, that leaves your curls feeling moisturised, conditioned and soft.

 

Citric Acid

Citric Acid

Citric acid is naturally found in high concentrations in citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and limes.

We use citric acid to regulate pH and match our shampoo to the natural pH of your hair. This closes the cuticle, preventing tangles and snagging, as well as protecting the inner hair strand and locking in moisture. It also has anti-bacterial and preservative qualities. Fun fact – Citric Acid is the same thing that gives sweets a sour taste.

 

Cocoa Butter

Theobroma Cacao

Cocoa Butter is a rich, firm butter known for its deep moisturising properties.

It’s perfect for dry, damaged or thirsty curls and promotes elasticity and locks in moisture.

Our Cocoa Butter is organic, unrefined and full fragrance, which gives our DEEP Conditioning Hair Treatment it’s chocolatey aroma.

 

Coconut Oil

Cocos Nucifera

Who doesn’t love this stuff? It’s only right that this popular oil made the cut. Coconut oil is known for its extreme moisturising properties, as it has the ability to penetrate both the skin and hair.

We use pure unrefined, organic, coconut oil, which is the perfect addition to our DEEP Conditioning Hair Treatment.

 

E

Eco-Cert Preservative

Phenoxyethanol & Caprylyl Glycol

Optiphen is a globally-approved, paraben-free, and formaldehyde-free preservative.  It’s Eco-Cert approved and provides protection against microbial growth and bacteria.

Preservatives are a legal requirement, so we’ve chosen the most friendly option available to ensure that we keep our promise to provide natural, safe and effective products that are fit for purpose.

 

F

Fractionated Coconut Oil

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Fractionated coconut oil is literally a fraction of coconut oil. It removes the solid components and fatty acids, making a lightweight liquid that penetrates more easily, retaining the same great moisturising properties we love in coconut oil. Fractionated coconut oil is used as a vegetable based alternative to lanolin.

 

G

Glycerine

Palm Free

Glycerine is a clear liquid that is a natural humectant, attracting moisture and pulling it towards the hair. It’s also an emollient and has great softening/smoothing qualities.

We use glycerine because it helps maintain moisture levels in the hair.

The glycerine we use is always vegetable derived and is also palm-free.

 

Grapefruit Oil

Citrus Grandis

Grapefruit oil has a beautiful sharp, sweet citrus scent, and is a another fragrance we love.

It’s said to positively affect your mood and revive the mind, and is used widely across aromatherapy.

 

Honey

Mel

Honey is a natural humectant, which has an amazing ability to draw moisture to the hair and keep it there.

Honey is perfect for dry hair and also has antibacterial properties. You’ll find honey in our deep conditioner – along with several other moisture loving ingredients!

 

Hydrolysed Oat Protein

Avena Sativa

Hydrolysed oat protein is an absorbable form of protein that creates a protective film on the hair that almost feels non-existent. The process of hydrolysation creates smaller particles for the hair to absorb, which moisturises and conditions, reduces breakage and adds a silky feel.

It’s used as in cosmetics as a vegan alternative to silks.

 

L

Lemon Oil

Citrus Medica Limonum

Lemon oil has a sharp, clean, citrusy smell and compliments our other essential oils perfectly

It’s said to help you make decisions and improve your concentration. Great for all that thinking we do in the shower!

 

M

Mandarin Essential Oil

Citrus Nobilis

Mandarin is a tangy and zesty essential oil that is said to relieve stress. 

So what are you waiting for? Grab our ‘Soft Clean SLS Free Shampoo,’ jump in the shower and wash those woes away.

From bloom to harvest this sweet top note takes between 6 and 10 months.  Well worth the wait.

 

Mango Butter

Mangifera indica Seed Butter

Mango butter is a highly moisturising ingredient, that adds a luxury feel to products.

 

It's an emollient - which means that it softens and soothes - and has healing and regenerative properties and is a good source of essential fatty acids.

We use it in our CURL Creme Defining Gel because it adds the moisture that most gels lack. 

 

Meadowfoam Seed Oil

Limnanthes Alba

Meadowfoam Seed Oil is known as a ‘miracle oil’ because of it’s amazing qualities.  It’s easily and quickly absorbed, leaving little or no residue, has a high vitamin E content and is a natural antioxidant.  It leaves a silky feel on the hair and is known as a natural silicone like substance.

Only right we used it in one of the most important products in your curl care routine right? So you’ll find it in our ‘Leave In Moisturising Milk’.

 

Moroccan Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul

Rhassoul Clay is a natural mineral rich clay, mined in Morcocco.  It has a high percentage of naturally occurring trace minerals such as silica and magnesium – which are required for strong, healthy hair and luscious curls and kinks.

The trace minerals draw out toxins, dirt and product build up from your scalp and hair, acting as a natural cleanser that literally lifts everything away, unearthing your kinks and curls true potential.

 

Murumuru Butter

Astrocaryum Murumuru

Murumuru butter is another excellent emollient (you're starting to see a pattern here right?) with amazing softening and smoothing abilities. It also helps retain water by creating a protective film – making it ideal for dry or damaged hair. 

We use Murumuru Butter alongside Meadow Foam Seed Oil in our ‘MILK Leave In Moisturiser’ because combined, they both help the hair stay hydrated and moisturised - and if you're not getting hydration too, your hair is missing out.

 

P

Panthenol

Pro-Vitamin B5

Panthenol, also known as Pro-Vitamin B5, is a great vitamin for the hair. It lubricates the hair shaft providing protection, whilst softenening and moisturising – making the hair easier to manage.

We use this B vitamin in a range of our products for it’s long lasting moisturising properties and to add natural smoothness and shine.

 

S

Shea Butter

Butyrospermum Parkii

Shea Butter is a much liked and sought after butter making it’s way around the natural product market. Nourishing, moisturising, soothing, softening, hydrating, provides lustre, adds elasticity to hair.. need we go on?

We use pure unrefined shea butter from Ghana.  Unrefined shea butter is produced without the use or herbicides and pesticides as it grows in the wild and is not cultivated.

 

SLS Free Bubbles

Coco & Decyl Glucosides

What makes our bubbles if we don’t use harsh surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and Sodium Laureth Ethyl Sulfates?

Well, we use two friendly foaming agents from a family of ‘green’ surfactants that were created as an alternative to SLS and SLES’s.

Coco-glucoside is completely biodegradable and derives from renewable raw materials such as coconut oil and fruit sugars. Decyl-glucoside is a combination of plant based fatty alcohols and glucose sugars. Both perfect for delicate curls, as they’re gentle enough not to strip away your natural oils.

 

Soy Bean Oil

Glycine Soja

Soy Bean Oil is predominantly used in soap making, to provide a soft, gentle, lather. We use it in our shampoo as it’s also a good base for haircare that provides smoothing and moisturising properties.

 

Sweet Almond Oil

Prunus Amygdalis Dulcis

Sweet Almond Oil is one of the most popular carrier oils used for a variety of uses.  This oil has a light texture and is easily absorbed, which increases elasticity, leaving a silky satin finish.  It’s also rich in vitamins and moisturises, nourishes and protects.

 

Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Citrus Sinensis

Sweet orange essential oil has a beautiful sweet citrus scent, we love this fragrance – so much so that we use it across our entire line.  It’s calming, warming and uplifting and is used for a variety of uses from aromatherapy, to food and cosmetics.

 

Vitamin E

Tocopherol

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that improves texture, increases moisture content and studies also show that it promotes hair growth. Vitamin E can help protect against UV damage and is used widely across the industry, and the Big Hair Beauty range.

 

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan Gum is a fine powder derived from the fermentation of sugar. It’s used to add texture, reduce stickiness and thicken naturally. You’ll also commonly find xanthan gum in food products.