“Oh, be my honey baby!” - Frank Ocean, Honeybaby (Ambiance 002)
If you’re still in the hive, Negin Mirsalehi is my muse. Influencer, entrepreneur and founder of Gisou, she’s one of the most unique content creators and style icons in my life, in and outside of the beauty and fashion industry. She emulates a vibrant, powerful and loving energy into all she creates. Since discovering her back in 2014, I’ve swooned and admired every inch of her journey and I truly look forward to the moves she’ll continue to make and the marks she’ll continue to leave.
A little history on Gisou, beekeeping has been in Negin’s family for six generations. Her father plays a huge role in this as he learned from his father, who then succeeded from his father. Bee-keeping is a natural path for the Mirsalehi family, and Negin has pursued something so beautiful with it. Negin’s mother also helped inspire a lot by developing the formula for the infamous Honey Infused Hair Oil. When she came to the Netherlands over thirty years ago, she was a hairdresser in training. The lack of innovative ingredients was present in the haircare at the time, which led her to experiment and make her own. Developing her own formula, Negin’s mother knew that using natural ingredients and bees from the Mirsalehi bee garden was the way to go.
To date, there are 7 hair products and 1 styling accessory.
Honey embedded, all the key ingredients in Gisou’s honey infused haircare are derived from the Mirsalehi bee gardens, which contain blends of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants. Known as a natural humectant, honey has moisture-retaining properties which help maintain the hair’s natural moisture all around. Results? Luminosity, strength, deeply conditioned and healthy hair.
Honey Infused Hair Oil
What is it: An exclusive and luxurious hair oil.
What it does: It’s formulated to rebuild your hair from the core while moisturizing and conditioning all at once.
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi Honey, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil
Free from: Sulfates and parabens. Cruelty free.
How to use: Gisou recommends to use this oil 4 different ways:
View full recommended use details here.
Texture and scent: This oil feels lighter than honey and melts into your hair. The scent has underlying notes of an array of fresh flowers and honey. Very unique, if I may add.
My experience: Jeeeeeeez-ou.
I’m in love.
For someone with straight hair, I was skeptical trying this for the solemn reason that I was convinced it would leave my hair oily. It did the opposite. Since I normally straighten my hair, I usually have flyaways at the top. Applying 1-2 drops and warming the oil in my hands, I love pressing down the flyaways and glossing the oil all over my hair from the roots down. My hair looks like glass and smells like an absolute dream.
I’d recommend this oil for styling wavy or curly hair, mixing it with a mask or simply using it to add extra nourishment. It’s luxurious and lovely.
★ ★ ★ ★ (Price justifies my 4 stars)
Details: USD $84.00 for 3.4 fl. oz / $45.00 for 1.7 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Disclaimer: Honey Infused Hair Oil Travel Size was kindly gifted by Gisou.
Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Suited for: All hair types.
What is it: A delicate hair perfume.
What it does: It refreshes and leave a scent trail on the hair with Gisou’s signature fragrance.
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi Honey
Free from: Sulfates and silicones. Produced in a cruelty-free manner.
How to use: Spray the perfume evenly from an arm’s length throughout dry hair.
Scent: An aroma of floral notes from the Mirsalehi Bee Garden, a subtle bit of a gentle honey scent and a dreamy blend of… just, dreams. It’s literally delectable, unlike anything I’ve smelled before.
My experience: My favourite product from the collection.
Everything is so right about it, from the bottle, scent, invigorating trail it leaves all day, to the point where I’ll now use it as a regular perfume. It’s so delicate and brings me into a trance after each mist.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: USD $80.00 for 3.4 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Honey Infused Hair Mask
Suited for: All hair types.
What is it: An intensive nourishing hair mask.
What it does: It hydrates and replenishes the hair while improving hair elasticity, manageability and shine factor all at once.
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi Honey
Free from: Parabens, silicones and sulfates. Cruelty-free.
How to use: Gisou recommends to use this mask 3 different ways:
After shampoo: Apply a generous amount of the mask and leave it on for 5-7 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Always remember to apply the hair mask before using a conditioner.
Mix with Honey Infused Hair Oil
Deep treatment: Distribute the mask onto slightly damp hair from root to tips, making sure hair is detangled.
View full recommended use details here.
Texture and scent: This mask feels like a thick, creamy, melting butter paste. Wow, a mouthful. A little goes a long way, too! The scent is similar to the hair perfume and oil, with a more prominent “hair” product scent in a very natural way.
My experience: Absolutely obsessed.
This hair mask is unlike any I’ve tried before. The texture really gets me on this one. It’s so thick that it just melts into my hair. I love using it after the Gisou shampoo and then follow it up with their conditioner. Rinsing it off is so satisfying, as it just melts away and leaves the hair feeling SO nourished and silky while still wet. I noticed it does a great job at softening and detangling the hair as well. I love using it once a week since I wash my hair about twice every 7-8 days. It’s a luxurious treatment that everyone should experience at least once in their life. (Or, like, forever) I also think the amount you’re paying for is incredibly generous since a little goes a long way.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: USD $60.00 for 8.5 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Disclaimer: Honey Infused Hair Mask was kindly gifted by Gisou.
Hair Wash & Conditioner
Suited for: All hair types and safely formulated for coloured and chemically treated hair.
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi Honey
Free from: Sulfates and silicones. Produced in a cruelty-free manner.
What is it: A nourishing shampoo.
What it does: It purifies and cleanses the hair while refreshing the hair with a silky shine.
View full recommended use details here.
Texture and scent: The scent is similar to the hair mask while the texture feels like a thicker version of the oil in a soapy-feel.
My experience: She’s different.
First, can we just discuss the bottle? I’m in a vintage dream! I can’t get enough of it all.
The hair wash and conditioner are the first Gisou products I tried. The wash is lovely. From the scent to the texture, to the results. Maybe it’s just me, but it does take a few pumps for me to get enough to create a good lather. I don’t necessarily mind, but it’s more product than I’d usually use. Regardless, I absolutely love pairing it with the conditioner. It feels great when messaging it in and rinses off super gently. It’s unique and I look forward to using it every shower. Overall, a very sensorial experience that invigorates me with every use.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: USD $36.00 for 11.5 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Disclaimer: Honey Infused Hair Wash was kindly gifted by Gisou.
What is it: A nourishing, weightless conditioner.
What it does: It conditions and strengthens the hair, formulated to gently and effectively detangle hair.
View full recommended use details here.
Texture and scent: The scent is very faint and similar to the hair mask while the texture feels like a thin, creamy liquid.
My experience: Pour it all over me!
I love this conditioner so much. I love how weightless it feels, how easy it is to run through my hair and how gentle it is finishing off my haircare routine. It’s luxurious and delivers an abundance of moisture and nourishment, accompanied with such a beautiful shine. I’d recommend this to everyone.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: USD $33.00 for 8.1 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Disclaimer: Honey Infused Conditioner was kindly gifted by Gisou.
I have yet to use the shampoo or conditioner on their own and I don’t plan on doing so just yet. I love using a “matching” duo to see best results.
Propolis embedded, all the key ingredients in Gisou’s propolis infused haircare are derived from the Mirsalehi bee gardens, which contain blends of numerous oils, vitamins and flavonoids. They protect the hair and keep it healthy. Known as a richly fortifying ingredient that adds volume and texture to the hair, propolis also maintains moisture, prevents breakage and split ends.
Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray
What it is: A heat protecting spray.
What it does: It protects hair from heat damage caused by blow-drying, heat styling and sun exposure. Protects against heat up to 230ᵒC/446ᵒF and contains a UV-filter.
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi Propolis, Mirsalehi Honey, Wheat Protein
Free from: Sulfates, parabens and silicones. Cruelty free.
View full recommended use details here.
Scent: It smells very similar to the hair oil with more prominent and typical “hair spray” scents without the chemical nonsense.
My experience: I want her every. single. day!
As someone who uses heat every time I was my hair, I absolutely love this and can now call it a staple in my routine. I usually let my hair towel dry with my hair wrapped up after my shower and blow-dry it about 70% after. On towel-dry hair, I’ll spray a good amount everywhere and evenly distribute it with my fingers in a salad tossing motion. I’ve noticed my drying time gets cut down by a minute or two after using it, as well as a very soft-to-the touch air dry feel after. I’ve only used it on towel-dry hair, and it’s one of my favourite steps in my routine. I also straighten my hair at a high heat about twice a week. I’ve never had damaged hair, but this spray definitely helps with the overall feel and prep for any heat. 100%, recommend to everyone.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Details: USD $40.00 for 6.8 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Disclaimer: Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray was kindly gifted by Gisou.
Propolis Infused Texturizing Wave Spray
What is it: A wave spray.
What it does: It creates instant beachy-waves and adds volume and body for effortless waves. It doesn’t leave the hair feeling sticky, crunchy, dry or heavy.
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi Propolis
Free from: Parabens and silicones. Cruelty free.
View full recommended use details here.
Scent: It smells very similar to the heat spray with floral notes.
My experience: Simple and effective.
As someone who has naturally straight hair, I never gear towards using wave or curl sprays. I wasn’t sure about this one since my hair never usually stays curly or wavy, even if I style it. The first time I tried it, I sprayed it on my towel-dry hair and slept with it overnight. I woke up in the morning and was shocked to feel that my hair felt SO smooth and the furthest thing from sticky or crunchy, which traditional wave sprays can do. I had subtle beach waves and a smooth body of hair. I still have to experiment with it a little more, but so far I’m incredibly impressed and overall content with the claims because they’re all true.
To be fair, I’m not giving a star rating just yet since I haven’t used it much.
Details: USD $38.00 for 5.1 fl. oz | Available on gisou.com
Disclaimer: Propolis Infused Texturizing Wave Spray was kindly gifted by Gisou.
Overall thoughts: I really can’t wait to see what’s in store for Negin and Gisou. I think the delivery and vision of her brand is clean, luxurious and meaningful to her heart which delivers authenticity and love to the person experiencing it. Each time I use one of her products, it’s a little luxury for me and I’m glad that I’ve loved everything so far. I’d love to eventually invest in her beautiful comb, too. The products aren’t necessarily the most accessible price wise, although I think they’re a great investment and there’s something for everyone. (Body products soon, please!) Everything from the font, branding, marketing and formulations, Gisou is an experience that I’m thankful to be able to live through.
If I had to recommend one product to try first, I’d go with the hair perfume. For one, you can experience the scent and get a general idea of what all her products smell like, and secondly, it lingers on you all day. A heavenly moment of bliss and care.
View the whole Gisou line here.