How many bottles of shampoo in your shower is too many? Asking for a friend.
You know those girls walking down the street with tons of volume in their hair, big bouncy curls, without a single strand out of place? Yea, I’m not one of them. Until recently, I could barely get my hair to hold a curl at all. That said, I am blessed with straight hair that (IMO) has a really pretty color with some natural auburn highlights. And, since I haven’t color-treated it, it’s pretty healthy. So, what do I struggle with you ask? VOLUME. Or, a lack thereof. After one of my longtime fav hair care brands was discontinued, I’ve been on a search for great hair care products that don’t weigh down my tresses.
The last two months I’ve found some awesome products that my hair absolutely loved. For starters, my shower will never be without the Aveda Rosemary Mint Clarifying Shampoo ever again. And, don’t even get me started on how clean my hair felt after using the Kerastase Elixir Ultime Shampoo! Keep reading for my full review.
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Kristen Ess Signature Shampoo // Amika Velveteen Dream Shampoo and Conditioner // Kerastase Elixir Ultime Shampoo and Conditioner // Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo // Aveda Cherry Almond Shampoo // Aveda Cherry Almond Conditioner
All the Hair Care Products I Tried Recently
The Best Aveda Shampoos
So, I’m starting with my favorites because I honestly just loved both the Rosemary Mint Shampoo and the Cherry Almond line as well. I’m actually on my third bottle of the Cherry Almond line if we’re being completely honest. Let me break them down, because they’re TOTALLY different.
First, the Rosemary Mint line is a purifying product. While I have a lot of hair, it’s really thin. So, I’m the type of person that has to wash my hair every day or every other day, especially if I work out. Unlike a bunch of others I’ve tried, this clarifying shampoo DOES NOT strip your hair. You DO NOT need another shampoo afterward. My only problem? I love the way it cleans my hair and I probably use it more than I should. And then I need another bottle.
Next up is the Cherry Almond Shampoo and Conditioner. I LOVE the shampoo and like the conditioner. The scent will win you over immediately. What it’s amazing for – using after you’ve styled your hair (it totally smoothes your hair after heat styling, like curling). It has coconut oil and shea butter that make your locks super soft. Downside? It’s minor, but sometimes I felt like if I used TOO much conditioner that my hair got weighed down. That’s my fault really. And, it’s pretty easily fixed. Because I have long hair, I always feel like I need more conditioner. That’s false.
Each of these products are $17. So, they’re a mid-priced option. More than a drugstore product, but still affordable.
Kerastase Elixir Ultime
Another winner the last few months has been the Kerastase Elixir Ultime collection. THIS STUFF IS GOLD! Literally and figuratively. Of course, it comes at a price. The shampoo will run you $33 a bottle while the conditioner is $40. I HIGHLY recommend the set. But, if you only try one then get the conditioner. If you recall, I reviewed another Kerastase product in this post. When I compare the two, the Elixir Ultime line is hands down the better of the two.
For a little more detail, this is an oil-based product. At first, that made me hesitant to try it because I didn’t want my roots to get any worse than they do after a day or two. But, after the first use I was hooked. You’ll be surprised that the conditioner formula is actually a little watery. But, it’s really lightweight (which is what my hair needs) and that doesn’t stop it from doing a great job of making your hair clean and shiny. Note: this is NOT a deep conditioner. From the reviews I saw on Sephora and other sites, it seems some people thought it was. It’s really intended for daily use.
This is definitely a higher end hair care product, but it’s well worth it. For transparency, I was gifted my first set and I will be buying the next one!
Amika’s Velveteen Dream Line
Sometime last year I raved about the Amika Velveteen Dream Shampoo and my opinion is still the same. I’m a big fan. Except… disclaimer: I’m testing their Normcore Signature Line right now and I might like it even more. More to come on that soon.
So, in terms of comparison, the Velveteen Dream collection is very similar to Aveda’s Cherry Almond line because they are both intended to smooth your hair and add shine. If you’re now wondering why that’s so important to me it’s because I’ve been curling my hair a lot more. To avoid split ends or my hair becoming brittle, I feel like these smoothing shampoos keep it well hydrated.
The 8 ounce bottle size will run you $20. Again, another affordable option if you want a nice haircare product you can alternate with in your shower.
Kristen Ess The One Signature Shampoo
And now for the letdown. I wanted to love this Kristen Ess Signature Shampoo. It’s sold at Target, so it’s well-priced. I’ve heard people rave about it. But, that just goes to show what works for some (or many) won’t necessarily work for your hair type. The packaging on this product was beautiful, but it didn’t leave my hair hydrated and it wasn’t easy to brush through after use. I gave it my all and used the whole bottle. But, it just wasn’t for me.
I hope you these reviews are helpful! When I test new products, I try to give them the “full bottle” review so it’s as authentic as possible. Each of the shampoos and conditioners above were used to the very last drop! If you have any questions or comments, leave me a comment below.
