When I first started co washing, I was on the lookout for silicone free conditioners available in India. Of course there were some, but they were all quite expensive considering the fact that I would need a looooooot of the conditioner to use as a cleanser. That’s when I found this gem.
Description by Enliven (Enliven is a brand based in England) : Enliven conditioner has been specially formulated with natural extracts to leave your hair soft, full of luster, and easy to comb. If you love deliciously fruity products that leave you feeling refreshed and revived, choose between 4 fun fragrances to suit your mood – Raspberry & Red Apple, Coconut & Vanilla, Kiwi & Fig, Mango & Passion Fruit.
Price: 230 INR for 400 ml (that’s a lot for such a cheap price!). You can buy them here or here.
Ingredient Analysis:
Common Ingredients –
Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol – Fatty alcohol (smoothens the hair cuticle), Cetrimonium Chloride – Positively charged surfactant(cleansing properties, provides slip), Parfum, Panthenol – humectant, moisturizer, citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, Methylparaben, Sorbitol etc. – Preservatives, Propylene Glycol – humectant
The ingredients that are not common are mainly the fruit extracts and a few preservatives. I love the ingredient list. There are great moisturisers and emollients and no harsh ingredients.
CG Friendly: Yes
Texture: The conditioner is a lightweight, almost runny, milky white product with enough slip in spite of being silicone free.
Smell: I love all the 4 fragrances but if I had to pick my favourite, I’d say Kiwi & Fig.
Packaging: Enliven conditioner comes in a tall white sturdy plastic bottle with a flip cap.
Performance:
Here’s how I apply conditioners – How to wash & condition curly hair and here is a post with my full curly hair care routine – My curly hair routine .
+ Enliven conditioner does an excellent job as a co washing cleanser. My scalp feels clean after using this.
+ It doesn’t dry hair a bit while cleansing.
+ As a stand alone conditioner, Enliven conditioner moisturises hair well.
+It’s got no harsh ingredients – no sulphates, silicones or drying alcohols.
+ Detangling with Enliven conditioner is easy as long as you apply a lot of it.
– I have no negatives to say about this conditioner!
In short: Enliven conditioner is the best silicone free conditioner in India in terms of performance, availability, quantity and price.
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Swati
May 21, 2016 at 12:59 pm
I have had heard about it not giving enough slip. So, I was bit suspicious. But I tried it and I just loved it. I used Matrix color last conditioner before which is also cone free, is thicker than Enliven but this one provides better slip. It broke my misconception that thick has to mean more slip. By the way, are all the variants the same in terms of conditioning properties?
Anjana
May 21, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Swati, even I used to think thicker=more slip :P.
Ya they are all the same 🙂
Sindhu
May 21, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Sounds interesting..will this work well for all types of hair or specifically on curly?
Anjana
May 21, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Sind, I think it should work good for other hair types as well. Give it a try 🙂
Mary
March 3, 2021 at 6:09 pm
But it has paraben. Is it still good?
Anjana
March 4, 2021 at 10:13 am
Check point 17 – https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/curly-hair-faq/
Sheetal
May 23, 2016 at 10:27 am
Nice review Anjana !! I am eyeing on this product since long time, this will going to be my next conditioner 😀
Anjana
May 23, 2016 at 10:44 am
You should try it 🙂
Preeti V
May 24, 2016 at 10:19 am
This is my fav conditioner! And considering the reasonable price, I always buy in bulk since I am worried it might stop being available. 🙂
anjana
May 24, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Hehe I also have a fear of product discontinuation 😀
Vidya Ravi
May 25, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Thanks for the review, Anjana. I really have to buy this product now. You have got me hooked on to co washing. I am loving it. 🙂 🙂
Anjana
May 26, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Me too :):)
Coffeelove
May 25, 2016 at 11:46 pm
Can you do a review on herbal essences products?
Also, I’ve tried doing all the tips you’ve given, my curls still dont co operate.. Its just a frizzy bush 😵
Anjana
May 26, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Hey..what’s your current routine like? And what products do you use?
Coffeelove
May 26, 2016 at 11:30 pm
My curly hair routine has 4 steps.
1. Oil (mixture of coconut, olive and vitamin E oil). I usually leave this on overnight or for an hour.
2. Shampoo (once a week) using herbal essence bee strong strengthening shampoo.
3. Conditioner (2-3times a week) using herbal essence bee strong conditioner.
4. My leave in is usually Garnier fructis (sleek and shine or triple nutrition).
5. And then i finish it off with BBlunt high definition curl definer.
Am i doing something wrong?
Anjana
May 30, 2016 at 12:02 pm
How do you dry your hair? How do you detangle your hair? Do you brush or comb your hair?
CoffeeLove
June 4, 2016 at 12:53 am
I use a t shirt to dry my hair. The infamous plopping method!
I detangle my hair in the shower once I’ve applied the conditioner..! And no brushes or combs for me; threw them out a long time ago!
Anjana
June 6, 2016 at 11:14 am
Hey! Your method sounds perfect. I am wondering what could be going wrong *thinking*. Can you share some of your hair pics over mail? And some more details like how you apply products and style your hair.
Coffeelove
June 6, 2016 at 11:27 am
Sure, anything to control my hair!
Ill message you 🙂
Kshama
June 20, 2019 at 1:30 am
1. Shampoo is harsh (detergent based)
2. Leave in is full of silicones.
3. If you live in humid climate or dust/sun/wind exposure is high you need to shampoo each time before conditioning
4. You need to crush wrap your hairs post oiling and until 70% dry post washing.
5. Pull all your hairs in front while washing/detangling and wrapping to dry
6. You need to apply all products leave in ( if required) or defined, activator to hairs when it’s dripping wet and before wrapping
Have a happy curly day
Gabi
October 18, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Hey pretty curly girl…. just wanted to say i loved Enliven conditioner and used to use it exactelly like you do … for cowashing
it worked brilliantly and it was cheap and easily available
Unfortunately it disappeared from stores in my country (Romania) since last year and i missed it and i’m not able to find anything that could came close to it
if i’d knew it i would have made huge huge stocks but i didn’t …
my friends weren’t able to find it in Germany also
so, please enjoy it in may behalf …
your hair looks really beautiful, so glad you’re taking good and wise care of it
Anjana
October 19, 2016 at 9:18 am
Thanks Gabi 🙂 Oh that’s really sad! Hope it doesn’t leave the Indian market too
Umm Haya
March 11, 2017 at 12:01 pm
I have a doubt, is this conditioner good for conditioner only washing method? pls let me know.. looking forward for the reply..
Anjana
March 11, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Yes absolutely!
Vidhi
March 15, 2017 at 2:05 am
I’ve just been googling this brand as J have not seen it in the UK, only to find out it is a UK company that makes it! I will have to hunt this down!
Anjana
March 15, 2017 at 10:36 am
Haha yes 🙂
Nithya
March 30, 2017 at 2:16 am
Hi have u tried enliven gels ? I hv ordered olive gel from this brand..waiting for ur review
Anjana
March 30, 2017 at 11:37 am
I just posted the review! Check my latest post 🙂
Vandana
June 3, 2017 at 10:58 am
I want to know about enliven shampoo and deva curl ultra defining gel
Anjana
June 5, 2017 at 11:57 am
Hey Vandana. I haven’t used Enliven shampoo. About devacurl, check this – DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel Review
Ananya
June 21, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Where can i buy enliven conditioner as it is neither available over amaxon or flipkart .
Anjana
June 22, 2017 at 11:19 am
Ya it is out of stock everywhere. Just keep checking amazon. They come back in stock often
Nisha
July 11, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Hey, will this work for 3b type thin curly hair?
Anjana
July 12, 2017 at 10:29 am
Yes Nisha. You can also check this – Beginner Friendly Products – Curly Hair Starter Kit
Lavanya
July 16, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Enliven conditioner and their famous olive gel s always out of stock. Hard to get
Anjana
July 16, 2017 at 6:13 pm
I know..so frustrating!! 🙁
Irfana
August 29, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Is this CG method conditioner?
Anjana
August 29, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Yes it is
Archana
September 5, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Hey. Which is the next best conditioner, compared to Enliven, that you recommend?
It’s always out of stock and I really have to buy one now! 😅
Something closer to the same price range.
Anjana
September 5, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Oriflame 🙂
Archana
September 5, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Can you specify the exact product? 😬
Thank you btw! 🙂
Anjana
September 5, 2017 at 2:32 pm
I’ve linked the oriflame conditioners here – List of Curly Hair Products in India (for every budget)
Archana
September 5, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Perfect!
Thank you Anjana!
Swetha chowdary
September 23, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Out of stock every where… 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Anjana
September 25, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Hehe ya 🙁
Sari
September 24, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Even I tried. Is it discontinued??
Anjana
September 25, 2017 at 2:39 pm
It’s not discontinued. It keeps coming in stock but everyone buys it too quickly then!
Swetha chowdary
September 28, 2017 at 10:29 am
Hello..
I dropped a message on FB to their page. This is the reply i got.. dont lose hope.. 😂😂
“”Hi there Swetha,
We are sorry to hear that you have been experiencing difficulty in sourcing your Enliven Conditioner. We have passed this onto our Indian distributor and hopefully this should be back in stock soon!
Thanks for your message!””
Anjana
September 28, 2017 at 11:37 am
Haha awesome! Thanks for the update Swetha 🙂
Foram
September 28, 2017 at 11:58 pm
I have curly, dry and damaged hair, lifeless it seems, I wash my hair every other day but now I am wondering about using conditioner to wash like you do. I have oily scalp and dandruff too. How many times a week I should wash my hair with conditioner?
Anjana
September 29, 2017 at 11:27 am
You should use conditioner every time you wash. Apart from that, having a curly hair routine helps further! Click on “Start Here” on the menu above 🙂
Vaidehi
October 1, 2017 at 12:51 am
Hi anjana,after reading ur blog I started loving my curls thanks alot….,but I have too much confusion with product….should I go higher end or start with budget product….these enliven product is out of stock pls let me know where can I purchase
Anjana
October 1, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Ya this goes out of stock too fast. The Oriflame one is a close match
liz
October 14, 2017 at 8:01 am
Hi Anjana, great blog! very helpful.
I am concerned about the ‘paraben’ in the ingredients list though. isn’t that a problem?
Anjana
October 16, 2017 at 11:46 am
Hey Liz! Check point 17 in this Curly Hair FAQ
LoveForCurls
October 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Hi Anjana.. I started following your blog lately and I fell in love with your curls…
Post neglecting my curls for long time and going in for straightening treatments, I finally started working on my curls . I have started using L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Smooth Intense Conditioner, Rainforest Moisture Butter and BBlunt defining gel, after reading your reviews.
I apply Heena on my hair once a month, which lets my hair dry. What should be the CG routine for that, and as you said somewhere on your blog to use coconut oil or olive oil for oiling hair or adding in shampoo, I wanted to know which olive oil do you use.
Keel sharing your reviews, and I love your blog.
Cheers.
Anjana
October 24, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Hey! Thanks a ton 🙂 Always do a good deep conditioning post henna. I use any olive oil like Figaro or Borges.
LoveForCurls
October 24, 2017 at 4:55 pm
U r amazing.. thats a pretty quick reply. My curls are still very frizzy, I find Rainforest Butter not much pocket friendly for deep conditioning, so even try to use Loreal Intense Conditioner with oil at times.
I am still trying to figure out what kinda curls are mine..like 2a/2b….I hope I can get something close to your curls. They look so shiny and hydrated.
Appreciate your response and reviews !! 🙂
Anjana
October 24, 2017 at 6:14 pm
❤❤❤
LuvForCurls
October 31, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Hi Anjana
Can you please share any pocket friendly products for deep conditioning…and any reviews on MATRIX BIOLAGE ULTRA HYDRASOURCE ALOE HYDRATING MASQUE.
And I guess I also read somewhere on your blog regarding Himalaya Baby Shampoo that its CG friendly. Can you please share your reviews.
I will be soon moving to Canada, so I am just trying to identify the pocket friendly products on amazon.ca which are CG friendly and easily available there. So I could find Live Clean Professional Healthy Balance Shampoo which is Sulfate and Paraben free.
Luv ur blog and tips !!
Cheers
Anjana
October 31, 2017 at 3:46 pm
There are mixed reviews on the Matrix Masque. Personally, I don’t find it moisturising at all. I have not mentioned anywhere that Himalaya Baby Shampoo is CG friendly. They don’t give the full ingredients list and I cannot comment on such products. I think you will get much better options in Canada – Good luck 🙂
Nishka Nachappa
February 6, 2018 at 8:45 pm
Hi!
Enliven conditioners are fantastic. They make great options for co-washing. My favorite has to be the one with coconut. Can make any curlie smell like a tropical goddess. Another great option for both co-washing and detangling is Revlon Aquamarine conditioner. I suppose it has silicones though.
Alia
April 5, 2018 at 11:53 am
How to order this conditioner? Please let me know. !
Anjana
April 5, 2018 at 3:09 pm
It is out of stock everywhere 😐
ankita
June 18, 2018 at 1:34 pm
It has parabens . Do you think it’s safe for cowashing?
Anjana
June 19, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Curly Hair FAQ – there’s a point on parabens in the post
Santhi
June 19, 2018 at 6:16 am
Hi Anjana,
Even I bought enliven last week:., But now they say it has parabenes, which can dry ur hair.. What do you think of it ?
Anjana
June 19, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Curly Hair FAQ – there’s a point on parabens in the post
Priyasree
September 27, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Hello,
I am new here in the blog as well as new to the CGM routine. Looking for a conditioner . Can it be used only as a conditioner after shampooing??
Anjana
September 27, 2018 at 2:30 pm
What do you mean only as a conditioner?
Priyasree
September 29, 2018 at 4:48 pm
I use a shampoo from different brand, after that I need to apply a good conditioner and rinse it off. So I am asking can I use this conditioner for that purpose??
Anjana
October 1, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Yes you can
Natasha
October 23, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Which variant has better slip, cause i read the reviews on amazon and flipkart they says this Conditioner has no slip at all. M confused, and i m already suffering with wow conditioner which has no slip at all. So this time i want to choose conditioner wisely.
Anjana
October 23, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Ya it doesn’t have exceptional slip – none of the variants
Harsha
November 4, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Hey! Well first thing is I love your site !! I just got to know about the cg method and I want to buy the right products too, so is the enliven shampoo as good as the conditioner too ?
Anjana
November 5, 2018 at 2:45 pm
No, it’s quite harsh
Anusha
January 12, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Hii Anjana,
I’ve been doing your cg method since few months now. And I am using enliven conditioner but my hair starts shredding once I started conditioning (before that I didn use any conditioner). Also even now if I skip conditioning then I’ll only shred 3-4 strands hardly. I don’t know what’s wrong !!! I used to use L’Oréal conditioner long time ago n then stopped conditioning for 2 years n started recently with enliven. (Even this was the case with L’Oréal or dove or any other conditioner- I shred hair a lot during conditioning but with enliven it seems lill more) . Can you please help?!!! Also there is Methylparanben in list of ingredients. Is that not harmful?
Anjana
January 14, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Check point 3 Anusha – https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/curly-hair-faq/
As for parabens, read point 17
Anusha
January 20, 2019 at 9:04 am
But I didn use comb even before starting CG method as my hair doesn’t get tangled . I only comb it after oiling my hair and that thing I do now too. My problem is that whenever I condition my hair it shreds no matter which conditioner I use!!! Can u please help with that?!!
Also it’s been 3 months since I’ve started CG method but my hair isn’t as defined as it should be. It’s still frizzy a lill bit . Do you think it’s normal n requires time or m I doing somethn wrong ???
And thanks for point 17 🙂
Anjana
January 21, 2019 at 3:32 pm
1.That’s normal, detangling in shower removes any fallen hair that didn’t come out while combing.
2.It does get better with time, you can also check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/16-mistakes-might-making-curly-hair-routine/
Arushi
January 31, 2019 at 12:05 am
Hey the enliven conditioner contains parabens soo will using that be okay?
Anjana
January 31, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Arushi, please read point 17 – https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/curly-hair-faq/
Premikaa
March 11, 2019 at 5:03 pm
I’m not able to find Enliven conditioners in stock that easily anywhere online. Any suggestion regarding where else we can buy it?
Anjana
March 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm
It’s OOS most of the time 😐
Nada
June 10, 2019 at 3:49 am
Could it be used as a leave in conditioner?
Anjana
June 11, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Yes! I always use it
Sindhu
July 18, 2019 at 5:00 am
Hi anjana!
First of all thanks a ton for putting down everything so chrisp clear, that any curly girl would need !! I had straightened hair (1 yr back) my hair type being somewhere between 2a,2b.. and low porous. I am starting to begin my CG routine with “only curls all curl cleanser plus conditioner” as a regular sulphate free shampoo and conditioner. I am looking something pocket friendly for co wash and picked this product. But some Amazon reviews say this product has parabens in them. Is it good for me to start CG routine with this product to co wash? What harms can paraben do to my hair?
Anjana
July 18, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Check point 17 https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/curly-hair-faq/
Rekha Preetham
May 25, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Can i use mama earth conditioner for co washing
Anjana
May 26, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Yes, you could.
Sonali Kakar
June 13, 2020 at 1:10 am
Hi, Anjana
Very nice blog on CG friendly products in India. Can you point out protein shampoo and conditioners which can restore protein
Anjana
June 16, 2020 at 4:14 pm
I don’t have such a list yet Sonali, you may check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/protein-helps-curls-protein-sensitivity/
Manisha
August 24, 2020 at 11:29 pm
The shampoo is being imported. How come it’s so cheap?
Kasturi
September 6, 2020 at 11:37 am
Hi! Thank you for the review. I purchased it. Wanted to know if it can be used as a leave-in post wash? I have dry frizzy thin curls.
Anjana
September 8, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Yes Kasturi
Deepta Susan Beji
December 18, 2020 at 9:22 am
I guess since a lot of conditioner is required anyways at this price this quantity is actually great and is the quality is good then why not?
Kaushik
January 31, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Hyy
I have a vvv rough and damaged hair
I have tried many products and ntg was perfect
Is this enliven is paraben and Sulphates free
Anjana
February 2, 2021 at 2:23 pm
I have done an ingredient analysis in the post, please check it out
Harshini
December 29, 2021 at 12:49 pm
Hi anjana
I used enliven conditioner for Cowash but my curls were stretched and loosened after using this.This problem didn’t arise when I deepconditioned my hair before using enliven