Here’s my Innersense Organic Beauty review and recommendations on what to buy from this increasingly popular brand in the curl community. And of course, I’ve got a 15% discount on my exclusive Curly Cailín Bundles! I was first introduced to the brand by one of my sisters, and I’ve been using Innersense products for a year now. I’ve tried almost the entire range, and some made it into My Favourite Products of 2019. I’ve got some great tips for maximum volume using a couple of their products too!
AD | This post is jointly sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty & The Clean Beauty Edit
If you’re in the USA, you can get 15% off your first order by signing up to the Innersense newsletter. For the rest of the world, you can get 10% off Innersense on The Clean Beauty Edit using my affiliate discount code: CURLMAVEN.
Overview
Innersense Organic Beauty are another brand that have nailed their protein moisture balance throughout their line of products. In order to get that balance, you have to pair, or layer, protein with moisture. Although this line of hair care wasn’t designed specifically for curly hair, and not all products are CG-friendly. Due to the clean hair care formulas, organic ingredients and attention to both protein and moisture, they are fast becoming popular in the curl community.
The Pure line contains the most protein. The Hydrating line is probably the best suited to most curly hair types. And their Colour line is specifically designed for colour-treated hair. It’s the only line I haven’t tried, as my hair is not coloured. Vegan, organic and cruelty free, made using certified organic plant ingredients.
The entire Innersense Organic Beauty range is rated zero on the Think Dirty App. So of course, no parabens, sulfates, silicones, PEG’s, synthetic fragrance or harsh chemicals. I always get incredible shine, hydration, definition and bounce when I use Innersense Organic Beauty products.
Who are Innersense Organic Beauty & The Clean Beauty Edit?
Innersense Organic Beauty was founded in 2005 by husband and wife duo, Greg and Joanne Starkman. With decades of beauty industry experience behind them, they wanted to develop a line of clean, organic hair care products for stylists and hair salons. Which is why their formulas are so highly concentrated and made using such high quality ingredients. In 2006, they launched the Pure and Color Hairbath (which are low poo’s) and Conditioner lines, and Sweet Spirit Leave in Conditioner. Since then, they’ve added their Hydrating line, and a large range of styling products.
Their daughter, Morgan who has gorgeous curly hair, and is a big part of the brand, was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome as a child. This rare, genetic condition ultimately affects health and intellectual abilities, where 26-28 genes are spontaneously deleted on chromosome #7. You can click here to read more about their story. If you follow Innersense Organic Beauty on Instagram, you’ll know Morgan is such a ray of pure sunshine and positivity! If you’re reading this Morgan, hey girl! I love your curls and your beautiful smile!
Sponsored posts enable me to continue providing FREE content, create organic content and keep my blog FREE from Google Ads. However, this hasn’t influenced the way I’ve written about the brand or the products featured in this post.
The Clean Beauty Edit is an online beauty store specialising in organic, vegan and natural beauty. They stock some cult-favourite clean beauty brands, such as Innersense Organic Beauty and Ilia Beauty – organic, vegan make up that blends the best of skincare with safe pigments for long lasting, gorgeous results. Juice Beauty – one of the original clean, green beauty brands, creating certified organic, vegan skincare and make up.
Agent Nateur – super pure natural deodorants made with food-grade organic ingredients. And The Organic Pharmacy – holistic skincare and body care and some of the nicest natural sunscreens and self-tan products in the clean, green beauty space. See this post for my CG Beauty Basics.
The Clean Beauty Edit ship throughout the world! I’ve got a 10% discount code, CURLMAVEN. So if you live outside the USA, and have wanted to try Innersense products – now you can! So here are my favourite products, what I recommend to buy from Innersense Organic Beauty. Along with reviews of each product mentioned. And of course, an amazing giveaway worth over $700!
Price & Discount Codes
I wanted to take a quick minute to talk about the price. Although Innersense Organic Beauty may seem more expensive than many other brands. You’re actually getting a lot more bang for your buck. Innersense products were developed for use by stylists in hair salons. So they’re highly concentrated, using the highest quality, clean, organic ingredients. You really do only need the smallest amount! They work best when used on soaking wet hair, and using lots of water.
If you’re in the USA, you can get 15% off your first order by signing up to the Innersense newsletter. For the rest of the world, you can get 10% off Innersense on The Clean Beauty Edit using my affiliate discount code: CURLMAVEN.
Hairbath Cleansers
There are three “Hairbaths” from Innersense Organic Beauty. All are sulfate-free, low poo cleansers, which mean they lather slightly, but aren’t stripping. The Pure Harmony Hairbath has more protein, so may be a little drying for some people’s hair. I prefer the Hydrating Cream Hairbath, it still contains protein, its just a little further down the ingredients list. But it’s more moisturising without being too rich. It doesn’t strip or dry out my hair, and is just the right amount of moisture and protein for my curls. A great cleanser if your hair gets easily tangled and knotty, and it has great slip. Leaving my hair feeling silky smooth, even after rinsing, something which is usually associated with a conditioner.
Then there’s the Colour Awakening Hairbath, which has a good balance of moisture and protein, specifically for colour-treated hair. However, I see no issues with using the Pure or Hydrating lines for coloured hair. Finally, there’s a CG-friendly dry shampoo, called Refresh. Great for post-gym workouts, greasy roots or days where you want a little extra root lift and volume. The consistency is like a wet foam. So you have to distribute it into your hands before applying it to your hair. If you’re outside the US, click here to shop these Innersense products at The Clean Beauty Edit, and use code CURLMAVEN for 10% discount.
Top Tip for Big Hair & Lots of Volume!
Check out my Full Washday Routine for Maximum Volume video to see all the tricks and techniques I use to achieve big hair, with lots of volume and root lift. Without dealing with a tonne of frizz or sacrificing curl definition. On wash day, I apply Refresh Dry Shampoo to the roots of my hair BEFORE I wash my hair. Really work it in and then let it dry.
I then cleanse, condition and style as normal. Using I Create Volume – if I want really big, Diana Ross style hair! I prefer to use the dry shampoo this way, because I get all the benefits of a dry shampoo, without that thick, powdery feeling in my roots.
Conditioners
Innersense Organic Beauty have three conditioners, a leave-in conditioner spray and a deep conditioning masque. All of which are CG friendly and have a good protein moisture balance. I switch between the Pure Inspiration Conditioner, which is a light weight conditioner perfect for fine and/or wavy hair, or hair that can get easily over-moisturised. It’s got quite a short ingredients list, and a small amount of protein.
I also like the Hydrating Cream Conditioner, which is more emollient, with a thicker, creamier consistency. Perfect for curly hair that’s thicker or more textured. Or if your hair is on the dryer side and needs a good moisture boost. It’s got great slip and is one of the best detangling conditioners I’ve used. If you’re outside the US, click here to shop these Innersense products at The Clean Beauty Edit, and use code CURLMAVEN for 10% discount.
Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
I love the light weight Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner. I just wish it came in a pump bottle instead of a spray. Speaking of pumps and sprays, I swap the pump from the conditioners, with the caps from the cleansers. I find the thick consistency of the conditioners work better with the caps than the pumps. Anyway, I prefer to spray the Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner into my hand, and then apply it to my hair. But the spray is great when I’m doing my daughter’s hair. I dampen it down a little with a spray bottle, then give it a few spritz’s of the Sweet Spirit Leave In, then scrunch and style it.
Hydrating Hair Masque – Holy Grail for Hot, Dry Climates!
Innersense Hydrating Hair Masque is an amazing deep conditioning masque to repair, restore and revitalize dry, coarse and/or damaged hair. Perfect for thirsty curly hair, it’s not too heavy, despite having lots of oils and extracts. I brought this with me on my three week trip around California last summer. Including a few days in Palm Springs where it was over 107 degree weather (42 degrees celcius).
My curls stayed hydrated, full of definition, bounce and shine, despite being in the middle of a desert! I put it in my soaking wet hair each morning before I headed to the pool. And used it every other wash day – so once a week – in place of my conditioner.
I was expecting my curls to look and feel trashed after three weeks away, in a hot climate and a dry desert during a Californian Summer, and two eleven-hour flights. But the Hydrating Hair Masque saved my curls and my hair was in great shape! I cannot recommend it highly enough, especially for vacations in hot or dry climates. It’s so concentrated, you only need a small amount. Work it into soaking wet hair, add more water if needed for more slip and distribution.
Styling Products
Innersense Organic Beauty have expanded their range of styling products over the last few years. Everything is CG friendly, except the Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer as it contains beeswax, listed as the second ingredient. And I Create Finish, as it contains a couple of drying alcohols. I’m going to focus on my favourites from the line, and give a brief review of each. But I think Innersense have the most complete range of styling products within one brand, and some of the best on the market!
Just like their other products, the formulas are highly concentrated, using high quality, organic ingredients. So you only need a small amount, and they work best when applied to wet or soaking wet hair. Despite almost all of their styling products containing protein, I don’t find any of them drying on my hair. Nor do I experience flash drying. As with all the products listed below, if you’re outside the US, click here to shop these Innersense products at The Clean Beauty Edit, and use code CURLMAVEN for 10% discount.
Hair Love Prep Spray
A recent addition, it’s not necessary but I like it. Hair Love Prep Spray is a lightweight prime and protect spray. Intended to be the first product you apply after rinsing out your conditioner. I find it helps to create a little texture too.
I Create Volume
This is the second key product if you want to achieve big hair and lots of volume, along with the Refresh Dry Shampoo. See my YouTube video for how I apply and use both of these products to achieve maximum volume. It also works great with I Create Lift Volumizing Foam – they’re a match in heaven. If you want a little more hold and definition, layer the I Create Hold gel on top. The best way I can describe it is a clear styling milk, with light-medium hold. But the clue is in the name, volume! See this video for my maximum volume routine.
I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
My favourite styling product from Innersense, and my favourite foam of all time, I Create Lift Volumizing Foam! I love this stuff so much! Not only does it give great lift, and lots of volume. But it’s also is great for definition and clumps. Pair it with I Create Volume for lots of volume and lift. Or I Create Hold gel for definition and hold, or layer in-between both. So I Create Volume, I Create Lift Volumizing Foam and I Create Hold gel. It doesn’t dry out the hair, despite containing protein. And is the perfect light weight styling product if you have fine or wavy hair. But works equally as well on thicker, curlier hair too. Love love love! It also won the hugely-coveted Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2018.
I Create Hold
Before I get started, the formula of the I Create Hold gel has changed. It used to contain protein – which I wasn’t mad about at all. It was actually the first protein-heavy gel that my hair liked! But it would leave white flakes and residue on my hair if I used too much. The formula has changed and I Create Hold Gel is now protein-free! I actually like it even more now! Such a good gel, but again – just like with everything else from Innersense. It’s a potent, concentrated formula.
So you only need a small amount of it, and it works best when applied to soaking wet hair. It’s light weight enough for fine or wavy hair, but strong enough for thicker hair and tighter curl patterns. It’s great as a final step, to seal everything in, for ultimate frizz-free definition and hold. I absolutely love it!
I Create Finish
Technically I Create Finish spray isn’t CG friendly, because it contains two drying alcohols – the first ingredient is alcohol denat. However, because my hair retains moisture really well, often too well. It’s always a little on the over-moisturised side. So it reacts and responds better to something that’s slightly drying, rather than more moisturising. So for me, I’m happy to use this every once in a while without worrying about it drying out my hair. It’s contains protein and humectants, and lots of organic plant extracts so doesn’t feel as drying as you might think.
Quiet Calm Curl Control
Personally I’m not a fan of curl creams on my hair. But I know many other people do, including Lizzo!, who loves Quiet Calm Curl Control. The clues are in the name: quiet, calm, control. This is a great curl cream if you want to tone it down a bit with your hair. Which surprisingly, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about lately! If you want to tone down the volume, dial down the definition and smooth down the frizz, then this is the curl cream for you!
Exclusive Innersense Organic Beauty x Curly Cailín x The Clean Beauty Edit Bundles !
Finally, I wanted to share my Innersense Organic Beauty Routine – well I have two. And I have a 15% discount code for these exclusive Curl Maven bundles available from The Clean Beauty Edit! More details below. The first routine, the one I use most of the time. What I used for the pictures in this post, as well as in my LMG Method post. Hydrating Hairbath, Hydrating Cream Conditioner, Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner, I Create Lift Volumizing Foam and I Create Hold gel. I also use the Hydrating Hair Masque but it isn’t included in the bundle. You can get an exclusive 15% off this Hydrate & Define Bundle on The Clean Beauty Edit, (who ship worldwide) using code CURLMAVEN. Shop it here.
For days when I want big hair, lots of volume and root lift I use Refresh Dry Shampoo before I wash my hair (see this video tutorial on this routine). Hydrating Hair Cream, Pure Harmony Conditioner, I Create Volume, I Create Lift Volumizing Foam and I Create Hold gel, and I Create Finish (which is optional, and not CG friendly). You can clearly see the difference in the pictures throughout the post. You can get an exclusive 15% off this Lift & Volume Bundle at The Clean Beauty Edit, who ship worldwide, using code CURLMAVEN. Shop it here.
Get 15% off exclusive Innersense x Curl Maven Bundles
I’m so excited to be able to give you 15% off my exclusive Innersense Organic x Curly Cailín Beauty bundles at The Clean Beauty Edit, who ship worldwide! The Hydrate & Define Bundle is worth $168/€144 – buy it here for just €122 using my 15% off code CURLMAVEN. The Volume & Lift Bundle is worth $188/€171 – buy it here for just €145 using my 15% off code CURLMAVEN. Shipping is FREE to Ireland, UK, Europe, USA and Canada. Free shipping is available worldwide, but minimum spends vary so see the website for more details.
Remember, you can get 15% off Innersense Organic Beauty in the USA by signing up to their website. Anyone living outside the US, you can get 10% off Innersense Organic Beauty (& many other amazing clean, green, organic and vegan brands) from The Clean Beauty Edit, by simply using code CURLMAVEN at checkout. But you can get 15% off my exclusive bundles at The Clean Beauty Edit using my code CURLMAVEN. Innersense also do 2oz mini sizes of many of their products, which are not only great for travel, but also to try out before you commit to purchasing full size products. Also stocked on The Clean Beauty Edit.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this review! I really hope you found it helpful. And if you’ve been thinking about purchasing some products from this brand, you have a better idea of what will work best for your hair. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you. And thank you to Innersense Organic Beauty and The Clean Beauty Edit for sponsoring this post and such an incredibly generous giveaway!
Finally, please subscribe to this blog if you haven’t already. And I would love it if you would follow me on Instagram! I love having the chats and the craic with you guys on IG stories. And don’t forget to check out my Full Wash Day Routine for Maximum Volume on Youtube. Gabriella xo
If you found this post or any of my content helpful, and would like to show your Gratitude & Support, you can click here to make a donation. I’m so incredibly thankful and grateful to everyone who supports me, my content and my platform. Your support enables me to continue providing FREE, organic content, and keep my blog FREE from Google Ads. Not only that, it’s also helping build towards my dreams and goals for Curl Maven as a brand and all I’ve got planned. Thank you so much! Gabriella x
*This post contains some gifted items and affiliate links. Which means I get paid (a very small) commission on products you purchase through my links. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. My content is not influenced by advertisers, sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, brands or PRs.
Thank you so much for your content! From YouTube videos, blog posts, Instagram…I can really tell you work so hard and are passionate about what you do. Thank you for also being yourself. I relate so much to you, and that is really refreshing for me because it just doesn’t seem to happen often. I ordered some travel sizes of their products based on your reviews and what would seem to work best for my hair. Thank you again, and have a great day!
Thanks so much Jessica! It’s so much time, effort and hard work. I wouldn’t be able to stick with it if I weren’t so passionate about it. So thank you so much for seeing, recognising and acknowledging that. It really means a lot! Just today alone I was up since 5:30am working on the post, the video, the captions, the social media, the brands. I’ve put in a 16 hour day! So to see a comment like this at the end of the day, makes it all worth it! Have a great week, and let me know how you get on with the products. Keep the travel size bottles too, they’re great to use as refills for travel! x
Thank you so much for this in-depth review! It’s amazing to find such a complete and comprehensive description of every product and its purpose. I am not very active on Instagram, but I will definitely be purchasing some travel size products to try out on you recommendation. I thoroughly enjoy your posts and hope to achieve hair results like yours one day! Thanks for all your hard work! My hair definitely appreciates it:)
Thanks so much Devorah! I know when I’m researching into new brands and products, I want to know everything about every product so I can make a fully informed and educated decision and purchase. I’m so glad you found this review helpful. x
Thank you so much for this post and all your work to help us all. I started my curly journey last week and am 2 washes in. I had amazing curls as a toddler, then they just fell out. I suspect due to having my hair brushed at least twice a day by a demon with a hair brush (mum). Since then I’ve had what can only be described as triangle hair. No matter the length, it’s always a triangle due to a very slight wave and bring super thick and loads of it. However since brushing out my dreadlocks last year, it’s a bit wavier than before, (it’s amazing how similar the routine is, similar shampoos, only microfiber towels, regular deep cleans, a hood to go on my dryer, twisting for definition) so I’m seeing what can be done with the right care and a bit of time. I’m so thankful to find somebody with similar hair issues and who is so passionate and helpful. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Yes, those hair brushing sessions with mum as a kid were a cruel kind of torture! ha ha. I know exactly what you mean with the triangle hair. That’s down to the hair cut. Definitely check out the posts under the CG Basics to help get you started.
I am SOOO excited about this all!! Can’t wait to really dive in! Thank you for all of your hard work!
Hi Gabriella! Thank you for another amazing blog post. As a fellow blogger, I know how much work goes into them… I’ve bought several hair and skin products thanks to your reviews (never trusted any blogger/YouTuber before you) and I often come back to re-read some of my favorite posts… I love how funny and down to earth you are. Wish you all the best! Hugs Laura
Aww thank you Laura! That’s so kind and sweet of you, and yes, a lot of work goes into it, as you know. I’m so glad my content and product recommendations have worked for you and you keep coming back. x
Hi Gabriella 🙂 I just started with innersense and I saw your profile and your blogs – I love your passion! Thank you so much for providing such an in-depth review and background of the products! This is so helpful!! I would love to try the hydrate and define bundle! I’ve subscribed to your blog and YouTube channel – I’m really looking forward to seeing more of your content 🙂
Hi Briona, thanks so much, I’m so glad you found it helpful. If this is for the giveaway, you need to enter on my Instagram page. The Innersense post, not this blog post. x
It definitely was helpful! 🙂 yes ma’am – I’ve entered the contest through your Instagram. Thank you for your partnership with innersense and with this giveaway! I’m excited!
Hi Gabriella
Absolutely fantastic blog post AND YouTube video!!! I was thrilled to learn about a cg friendly/aprooved dry shampoo but when I check the ingredients on different websites it says it contains both whitch hazel and an unspecified alkohol. Can you help if it is still considered to be cg approved??
Hey! Thanks for this content. You always give us a lot of information and it’s really helpful. I’m curious about this brand I love the results in you hair!
Hi ! I just tried your styling techniques and I’m really happy with the results I got ! I usually only rake the products in but I think the praying-claw really helped reduce the frizz, I’d never thought to do 2 different styling techniques at the same time so thanks for the tips !
Wow! Thank you for all this information, and good the opportunity to win such a generous set of products!
The youtube washday video is one of the most helpful videos I’ve ever seen since I’ve started trying to embrace my hair. I tried your techniques for my last washday (though I have not mastered the horrifically named Praying Claw!), and my hair is the most defined it has been in months. Genuinely so surprised at how much the washing part impacted the end result!
One wee question for you, I see that the Diva diffuser still is not available, do you have any other hairdryer and diffuser attachment recommendations?
Thanks!
Hi Niamh, I’m so SO glad my content and techniques have helped you, and such kind, sweet words about my video! A lot of time and effort went into that so I’m so glad to see it’s helping people. And yes, that is a horrific name for the technique. But “praying claw” is the best I can come up with, if you have any better suggestions please let me know!. I don’t have any other diffuser/dryer suggestions I’m afraid. I’ve not seen or tried any that are as good and I’ve always used a diva diffuser for as long as I’ve had a diffuser. Sorry!
Love your stories. You have a wealth of information to impart. You relate it in a fun, factual and relatable content. You don’t show unrealistic goals which is important for people starting out in the crazy CG community!! It’s confusing and expensive!! Thank you for your knowledge xx
Aww thanks so much Samantha! Yes, I hear you on the unrealistic goals. If something seems to far beyond my reach then I tend not to bother. It has to be relatable, tangible, reachable for me to be able to envision reaching the same goal, so I try to always keep that in mind in my own content. Thanks so much once again, have a great day! x
Such a great review as always!!! I adding these products to my future products list x
Thanks Iesha! x
Hello Gabriella,
I just discovered your site and I am absolutely thrilled! I have LONG, very LONG curly hair that frizzes a LOT and is thin-shafted and tangles easily. I found you by searching for ways on what to do with curly hair at night. I’ve ordered several of your recommendations, and while waiting, I put my hair up differently (not good at it yet, but a revised pineapple) and so far, the results are great! I am not seeing the tangles in the back of my head like I usually do. AND, the curls are staying much longer.
I can’t wait to read more on your site and learn, learn, learn on how to take better care and learn new ways of making my curls shine.
Thank you,
Charlotte
Thanks Gabriella! I can’t wait to try this routine out, especially the praying claw! I have some Innersense products, but haven’t had much luck with them. Hoping that using more water and less product is the key. Thanks again!
Yes, less is definitely more with Innersense products. Always use less product than you think you need, and always add more water than you think you need and it all should work out much better for you. x
Thank you for this post! I’ve bought few weeks ago some travel size products and I can relate with your review, which gives me new product suggestions as well. Good luck everyone with the giveaway 🙂
This review and video together were insanely helpful in getting me great hair! I was looking for new product, Innersense had been on my radar, so I took the plunge and got some trial sized products. The thing that put it over the top, though, was the thorough video of HOW to apply the products to my hair and in what order. My hair isn’t healthy enough for the praying claw (I rope and scrunch), but everything else was really, really helpful. Thank you for your thoroughness and the time you put into this. I’ve had the best curly hair days of my life since I followed these tips. 🙂
Hi Gabriella!
Came across your page and loved all the details. I have been eyeing Innersense for a while now. Def’ making my purchase after seeing your experience. Would love to know if your technique and the hydrating line would work for wavy hair? Im hoping to add more definition to my waves ( which used to be curls) Please let me know your thoughts! Thank you for taking time to share your stories and being thoughtful.
Best,
Sneha
Hi Sneha, yes the Hydrating Line would be good for wavy hair too. It’s not too heavy. If you prefer something lighter, you could always switch to the Pure Inspiration Conditioner which is lighter and contains more protein. Hope that helps, and so glad you loved the review.
Love your blog Gabriella! Really want to try these products. Can I ask if any of them are glycerine free? Thanks… Aisling
(My Dublin-born grandad used to call me his ‘Curly Cailín’ when I was little!) x
You can check the ingredients on the Innersense website.
Hi Gabriella
Terrific review. I went for the Hydrate & Define bundle and can’t wait to use it!
Do you apply all product upside down to soaking wet hair or just cleansers, masques and conditioners?
If so, do you do it with your hair hanging to the side and use praying hands technique?
Thank you.