Dark and Lovely Au Naturale LOC Shampoil

Overview

Dark and Lovely Au Naturale LOC Shampoil is the cleansing step in a moisture system built around the Liquid-Oil-Cream method, a layering routine a lot of curly and coily heads swear by once they get the hang of it. Despite the slightly unusual name, this cleansing shampoil is just a sulfate-free shampoo designed to wash away product buildup and dirt without ripping out the moisture you worked hard to lock in. Coconut and moringa oils sit in the formula to soften the blow of cleansing, so hair doesn't come out of the shower feeling stripped or squeaky. It comes in a 13.5 fl oz bottle, part of the long-running Au Naturale line, and it's gentle enough that you could realistically use it several times a week without your curls staging a protest.

Features & Benefits

What stands out with this sulfate-free shampoo is how it manages to cleanse without that tight, dry feeling a lot of clarifying shampoos leave behind. The sulfate-free base does the heavy lifting here, lifting away grime while leaving natural oils mostly intact. Coconut oil pitches in to smooth the hair shaft and cut down on frizz, while moringa oil adds a light layer of conditioning that doesn't weigh curls down or leave any greasy residue. In the LOC method, this is meant to be your Liquid step, prepping strands so the oil and cream you apply afterward can actually absorb instead of sitting on top. It's built for regular rotation, not just an occasional deep-clean, and it slots in easily alongside the rest of the Au Naturale conditioners and stylers if you want a full matching routine.

Best For

This cleansing shampoil makes the most sense for curly, wavy, and coily hair types that need real moisture rather than a quick rinse-and-go. It's also a solid pick if you're transitioning away from relaxers and trying to figure out what your natural texture actually wants from a wash day routine. Anyone already following, or curious about starting, a LOC regimen will appreciate that it's built specifically as the first layer in that process rather than a generic shampoo pulled into the routine. If your hair tends to feel parched after washing, this is worth trying since it's formulated for frequent use without the stripped-out aftermath. It sits in a mid-range price bracket, which feels reasonable for a brand with this much history in textured hair care, though it's not the cheapest option on the shelf.

User Feedback

Buyer sentiment on this LOC-method shampoo lands at a solid 4.2 out of 5 across 173 ratings, which is a respectable showing for a shampoo competing in a crowded natural-hair aisle. That kind of volume suggests people are repurchasing it rather than trying it once and moving on, and it's common to see it bought alongside the matching conditioner and styling products from the same line. On the positive side, the consensus points toward non-stripping cleansing that plays well with curl patterns. On the downside, formulas like this can feel slightly underwhelming if you're expecting heavy slip or a thick, lotion-like texture, since it's a cleanser first and a treatment second. As with most hair products, individual results vary depending on porosity and how much buildup you're starting with.