Rahua creates luxury organic hair care using plant ingredients from the Amazon. One of the OG organic haircare brands, Rahua makes some of the best organic haircare products around. Many of Rahua’s hair products are supremely effective and high quality on a level you can’t find in any other line. But like every brand, Rahua has its hits and misses. Rahua products can also be super expensive, so they just aren’t accessible to a lot of people! Rahua harnesses the power of Amazonian Rahua, an oil used by Amazonian women for their hair for centuries. I’ve used the: Rahua Shampoo and Conditioners, Rahua Hair Mask, Rahua oil, detangler and Leave In Treatment. I’m sharing my honest thoughts on the best and worst of Rahua in this Rahua hair care review.

About Rahua Hair Care

All Rahua products are made with Organic, Natural, Pure Plant Derived Ingredients. Rahua’s plant based products are Symbiotic, Vegan, Non-toxic and Free of Parabens, Silicone Sulfates and Gluten. All Rahua hair products are safe for color treated hair.

You’ll love Rahua if you’re looking for:

• Luxury & organic
• Problem solving treatments (tangled hair, product buildup, pollution)
• The scent of Palo Santo

Rahua’s signature scent is Palo Santo. Rahua is the first hair care company to incorporate this oil as a natural preservation for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as its beautiful scent.

Rahua founded Fabian Lliguin, a renowned hairstylist and colorist in New York City was visiting the Amazon rainforest as an environmentalist, educating indigenous people about their land rights and human rights when he realized he was surrounded by women with fantastically long, lustrous hair that cascaded past their waists.

For centuries the members of the tribe, who live deep within the rainforest, had relied on Rahua oil to nourish their hair and skin. He took a bottle that he was gifted back home to NYC and used it on his clients only to be amazed by the transformative results.  Rahua oil was -and is- produced by the Quechua-Shuar tribe in the same complex, ritualistic, and sustainable fashion it has been for generations.

In 2008 Fabian and his wife launched Rahua together. Today, more than 500 families from the Quechua-Shuar, Achuar, and neighboring tribes work with Fabian and Anna to cultivate the rainforest grown ingredients used in the Rahua hair care and body care collections.

Rahua Shampoo Review

Rahua offers five kinds of shampoo:

• Classic
• Voluminous
• Hydration
• Color (purple)
• Exfoliating

I’ve used the cult favorite Rahua Classic Shampoo as well as their Voluminous. The Rahua Voluminous Shampoo is great for fine hair that needs more bounce. Rahua’s shampoo strengthens, clarifies, and nourishes hair while working to create volume. The Voluminous line also fights product buildup and controls oil production with a combination of green tea antioxidants, citrus juices and lemongrass. Instead of the signature Palo Santo scent, Rahua Voluminous shampoo has an uplifting Lavender and eucalyptus smell.

The Rahua Classic Shampoo is probably my preferred of the two simply for its scent. The Classic Shampoo is made with rare, sustainably sourced ingredients including Rahua oil, which fortifies weak, damaged strands, nourishes and maintains hair follicle and scalp health. Rahua shampoos are rich and lather well, healing and nourishing scalp with sacred ingredients and antioxidants that promote hair growth.

Ingredients :

Aqua, Herbal Infusion of Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Extract* and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Coco Betaine, Sodium Chloride (Sea salt), Saccharum Officinarum (Molasses) Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Oenocarpus Bataua (Ungurahua) Oil, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil*, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Chlorophyll. * Denotes Organic Ingredient

Rahua Conditioner

Unforfunately, the Rahua conditioners are a miss for my hair. If you have fine, normal and healthy hair that’s conditioner will probably do the job well. But if you have chemically processed, damaged or very dry hair, the Rahua conditioners are just not rich enough. They simply don’t have enough oil and/or butter content to deeply condition my hair. The Rahua Masks are much more effective and suited to my hair needs. The Rahua Omega 9 hair mask is so much better than the conditioners in my opinion.

Ingredients :

Aqua, Herbal Infusion of Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Extract*, and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Colza oil), Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oenocarpus Bataua (Ungurahua) Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride (plant derived), Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil*, Panthenol, Citric Acid. * Denotes Organic Ingredient

Rahua Hydration Detangler

Rahua Hydration Detangler is a very effective  natural and organic hair detangler if you’re looking for one. The Morete oil it contains provides UV defense for photo protection, but you want to get this Rahua product for its detangling function.

The mango passion fruit scent is a love it or hate it kind of smell, but Rahua Hydration Detangler works so well at detangling. I find it overpowering but have had some users say they love it!

The Rahua Hydration Detangler instantly softens and conditions the hair. No matter how tangled and messy my hair gets, the Rahua Detangler works every time, even on dry crunchy hair. And my hair has gotten to embarrassing levels of entanglement more often than I liked during the pandemic!

The Rahua Hydration Detangler works on both dry and damp tangled hair.

The formula is all natural and organic with Rahua oil, Morete Oil, Sacha Inchi Oil and fruit extracts. The Morete Amazonian fruit’s flesh protects hair from damaging UVA rays.

Ingredients: Aqua, Herbal Infusion of Organic Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Organic Passiflora Incarnate (Passion) Fruit Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Behentrimonium Methosulfate*, Oenocarpus Bataua (Rahua, Ungurahua) Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa (Morete) Fruit Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Plukenetia Volubilis (Sacha Inchi) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Kaolin Clay, Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella) Oil, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane), Propanediol*, Polyglyceryl 4 Oleate*, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Aroma*, Guar Gum, Behentrimonium Chloride*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil. *Denotes plant derived ingredient

 

 

Rahua Elixir

The $175 Rahua Elixir is made with one main ingredient –  100% pure handmade Rahua oil – and is point blank the most expensive hair oil ever. I’ve seen hair tiktok stars praise this oil without being compensated for it in any way, so there is something about this one. Is a $200 hair oil going to change your life? I’m going to say definitely not, but if the price tag doesn’t phase you…

Rahua Elixir is a luxurious, concentrated hair and scalp treatment that delivers better results than your run-of-the-mill hair oil. Sustainably harvested in the Amazon rainforest, the oil is works to revitalize and strengthen weak, damaged strands and leave hair healthy with its infusion of active antioxidants, antibacterials, and microcirculatory properties working together to balance and restore the scalp.

The super-fine molecules in the Rahua Elixir push color pigmentation deep into the hair shaft, greatly extending color endurance. It has a little bit of Palo Santo oil to give it its woodsy fragrance.

I’ve used the Rahua Elixir as both a leave-in treatment and defrizzer as well as a scalp treatment (both overnight and in for a few hours with steam). It impressed me across all uses. The Rahua Elixir is by far the driest hair oil I have tried, meaning that it does not weigh hair down or make it look greasy.

Instead, the Rahua Elixir absorbs instantly and makes your hair shine as if you sprayed on the best conventional shine spray on the market. I used to be obsessed with the Frederic Fekkai shine spray- this oil is just as good if not better. My preferred method of using the Rahua Elixir is as a scalp treatment because this is where my hair needs the most nourishment to truly be healthy (rather than a fake glow) and because each drop of this oil is precious and pricey.

As you all know by now I battle frizzy and tragically damaged hair from years of balayage and sometimes overfrying. I’ve always done regular oil treatments but this oil is on a different level. I would not be able to allow myself to purchase this unless during a major sale, but the Rahua Elixir is worth it if it fits within your budget, and if you can make it go a long way, even more so.

Rahua Defining Hair Spray

 

Rahua Leave In Treatment

The first thing you’ll notice about the Rahua Leave In Treatment is how thick and heavy this cream is. The Rahua Leave In Treatment feels like a creamy pomade. The second thing you notice is the beautiful Palo Santo scent.

I personally found this Rahua leave in treatment not my cup of tea. I prefer a lighter cream, gel or liquid and was taken aback by how rich this cream is. But I can see how curly hair types or natural hair might enjoy this Rahua product.

Rahua says their Leave In Treatment provides incredible shine and tames frizzy hair. While I found that the cream does take frizz, I did not notice “incredible shine” or much of any shine for that matter. I would pass on this product if you have normal or fine hair.

Ingredients: Aqua,
Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Organic Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Organic Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract,
 Oenucarpus Bataua (Rahua, Ungurahua) Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut Oil),
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil,
Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stearalkonium Chloride, Organic Molasses, Panthenol,
Glycine, Bursera Graveolens (Palo Santo) Oil,
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract,
Potassium Sorbate,
Organic Hydrolyzed Quinoa.

Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask

I highly recommend using the Rahua Omega 9 hair mask on dry hair and leaving it in for at least an hour. It works even better with a steam session to help the ingredients penetrate deeper.

The Rahua Omega 9 hair mask is an intensive, professional-strength conditioning hair mask formulated to work like an in-salon treatment. Using plant-based ingredients, the mask deeply penetrates the hair shaft and fortifies it from root to tip. I love the way my hair feels soft and moisturized after using the Rahua Hair Mask.

Ingredients :

Aqua, (Sunflower) Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Canola Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Colza Oil), Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Rahua-Ungurahua Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Hydrolyzed Quinoa*, Glycine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Panthenol, Potassium Sorbate.*Denotes organic ingredients

Shop Rahua Here

Where to Buy Rahua

Other than the Rahua website you can buy Rahua at:

• Rahua Amazon Store
• The Detox Market

In honor of Earth Month I interviewed Fabian and Anna of Rahua on what the company is doing to help the plant.

– What is Rahua’s current carbon footprint?

Through Rahua by Amazon Beauty®, Inc.’s environmental work with Ecoagents, the nonprofit organization created to defend and protect the untouched natural areas of the world from damage, pollution and further destruction, with a special focus on the Amazon Rainforest, we have been able to preserve 37,500 hectors of pristine and biodiverse tribal lands deep in the Amazon for perpetuity.  Ultimately, producing oxygen and offsetting the carbon footprint for every single one of our customers, retail partners and more. We are proud to say we are beyond carbon neutral and generate oxygen surplus. Beauty is Power!

– How does Rahua strive to be a greener company?

Rahua by Amazon Beauty Inc. is a green beauty company committed to sustainability in so many aspects. First and foremost, our formulas are created with rainforest grown, organic, plant-derived ingredients hand-harvested by the indigenous Amazonian tribes from self-sustain forests which help them sustain ancient traditions and grow their local economies. Rahua promises to never harvest non-regenerative rainforest ingredients. Our ingredients are “Symbiotic®,” meaning they are grown wild (not farmed) and the makers are paid above fair trade.

The plastic package we use is PET #1 which is 100% recyclable, recycled worldwide and reused to make everything from park benches, designer carpets, clothing and lots more. Our potent plant-derived, organic ingredients create high-performance, concentrated formulas which require less usage than synthetic formulas. Less consumption reduces package use dramatically. In collaboration with our environmental group, Ecoagents, Rahua created the Pink Flamingos Project, a continuous environmental clean-up effort working with locals to clean natural habitat areas of the pink flamingos and other endemic species in the Galapagos Islands where trash washes ashore from garbage buildup in the ocean.

– Does Rahua have any sustainability goals it’s working towards?

Water conservation is extremely important to our planet. Water is the source of all life and we’re talking about our precious waterways and spreading the word that we all remember to care for this pure, sacred substance. We created Rahua to help keep our waters clean. When Rahua formulas wash down the drain, the plant-powered ingredients absorb into our waters and become nutrients for all types of life. We use natural and organic ingredients because we care deeply for our planet’s health, and for our clients. We encourage everyone to conserve water as much as possible and choose the right products that won’t harm our water systems.

– What are the toughest challenges in innovating to be greener?

To be a true green company, you must count your success by how much contamination you remove from the environment per each bottle that you put out there (sell).  The process of incorporating the most up to date organic, clean and natural ingredients in your products, including registrations tests, documentations, certificates, etc. and then explaining to your clients why this new version of their favorite product is better than the previous good one that they are used to, is a challenge.

– Any new product launches you can tell us about?

Our most recent product launch is Rahua Palo Santo Oil Perfume. Rahua was the first hair care company to incorporate this natural oil into the brand’s hair and body care products as a natural preservation, along with its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as its captivating, beautiful scent.  It has become a cult favorite and Rahua signature scent.

Palo Santo has incredible benefits and for centuries the people of the Andes have been using this compelling form of tree medicine for spiritual purification, healing, energy or cleansing. Along with shamans and saints, it is believed that many who seek a stronger spiritual connection with the world use Palo Santo to protect, heal, and experience a feeling of well-being.  Our Palo Santo oil is artisanal, made through traditional processes. Rahua® only uses naturally fallen, weather-aged wood and does not harvest live trees. Above and beyond preserving existing trees, we work with local communities to plant Palo Santo seedlings and balance the loss population over-harvested in other areas.

Our Palo Santo Oil is artisanal, made through traditional processes. Rahua® only uses naturally fallen, weather-aged wood and does not harvest live trees.  Above and beyond preserving existing trees, we work with local communities to plant Palo Santo seedlings and balance the loss population over-harvested in other areas.

Rahua has now made this powerful, natural fragrance available in a perfect, purse size oil perfume. The fresh, sophisticated earthy scent, with sweet notes of citrus and gardenia enfleurage, is created with the highest quality, pure plant-derived essential oils. Housed in an elegant, sleek rectangular glass with a rollerball application, this energizing and uplifting scent cleanses “mala energía” (bad energy) and promotes positive thinking. It can be gently applied on pulse points throughout the day to bring positive energy to your wellness routine.