Shampoos….I’ve got plenty!

Is it normal to have as many shampoos in rotation as I do? The obsession with finding the BEST products led me into beauty blogging – so I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m forever experimenting with haircare. As my shower is fully stocked with shampoos, it’s a natural subject for my next “I’ve got plenty” post.

I have fine, highlighted hair and a sensitive scalp – so there are certain qualities I look for when choosing a shampoo. I use 2 separate shampoos every time I wash my hair – a volume-boosting one for my roots, and a moisturizing one for the length of my hair. I prefer sulfate-free shampoos when possible, to help protect my highlights.  Here are some mini-reviews of shampoos that I’ve recently used:

1) Kerastase Cristalliste
Features: (Contains Sulfates) Range specially formulated for long hair with ingredients to leave it soft and supple.
My thoughts: My hair never felt particularly soft or supple after using this shampoo – it’s completely average. Although I will use the rest of this up, I don’t plan on repurchasing it.

2) Burts Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo (DISCONTINUED FORMULA)
Features:  (Sulfate-free) Uses a blend of pomegrenate, moringa seed, coconut and sunflower oil to cleanse hair and soy amino acids to create volume.
My thoughts: The old formula was perfection – I use it on my roots to create MAJOR volume (it’s too drying for the rest of my hair). Since this version is no longer available, I only use this precious bottle before special events. Steer clear of the reformulated version (pictured here) – the ingredients are completely different. It’s not as volumizing and actually made my hair fall out!

3) Kiss My Face Big Body Shampoo
Features: (Sulfate-free) Organic ingredients including Rosemary, Nettle, Lavender and Aloe Vera help remove build-up and create volume in fine hair.
My thoughts: Not as dramatically volumizing as the Burts Bees shampoo, but it does  provide a good amount of volume while using a multitude of natural ingredients which help promote overall hair and scalp health.

4) Mane N Tail Shampoo
Features: (Contains Sulfates) Protein-based shampoo for horses that is a cult-favorite for soft, shiny and healthy human hair too!
My thoughts: I had heard about this for ages, but only purchased it after reading this post from Skylette (have you seen her hair? She could be a Pantene model!). I used it for a couple of months and I LOVED it – my hair felt very strong, shiny and thick. I stopped using it when I got highlights because of the sulfates – but I think this is a good (and effective) drugstore staple.

5) L’Oreal Evercreme Cleansing Conditioner
Features: (Sulfate-free) A one-step product that gently cleanses hair and deep conditions it at the same time.
My thoughts: Based on the same concept as WEN cleansing conditioners and “no-poo/co-washing” (No shampoo/conditioner-washing), this product is a life-saver for long, fragile and/or damaged hair. It infuses the hair with moisture without any stripping or drying. Although I mainly use this on the length of my hair, it’s also very soothing on my scalp. It’s my go-to moisturizing shampoo, and I plan on using it on my roots during the change of seasons to combat the havoc central heating wreaks on my scalp.

6) Live Clean Monoi Oil Strengthening Shampoo
Features: (Sulfate-free) Contains Monoi Oil, Jojoba Oil and Bamboo Extract to moisturize and strengthen hair,
My thoughts: Has a gorgeous coconut smell and lathers a lot for a sulfate-free shampoo. However, I have to be careful to avoid my scalp, because something in this shampoo irritates my sensitive scalp – it feels like it is stinging, so I only use this on the length of my hair.

7) L’Oreal Vitamino Color
Features: (Contains Sulfates) “Preserves, protects and adds shine to color-treated hair.”
My thoughts: Gentle on my scalp and leaves my hair so soft and fragrant. I usually take this when I travel because it works well for both my roots and length. Although it is formulated for color-treated hair, it does contain sulfates – but I’ve heard that the “Delicate-color” version of this shampoo is sulfate-free, so I’m eager to try that next.

8) LUSH Seanik Solid Shampoo
Features: (Contains Sulfates) Sea salt for volume, Seaweed to soften hair, lemon oil for shine & floral oils for fragrance.
My thoughts: Although LUSH seems like it would make amazing natural products, this shampoo is a disappointment. It smells like dish soap and performs like dish soap. The first ingredient is a sulfate, and rather than volumizing my hair, it severely dries it out – almost to the point of it feeling chemically damaged. I don’t think I’ll be using up the rest of this product.

WHAT’S NEXT?

I’m still on the look out for sulfate-free Volumizing shampoos (since I’ll eventually have to replace my discontinued Burts Bees Shampoo). Here are some that I rounded up in the natural aisle of my grocery store the other day:

HUGO Naturals Volumizing Vanilla & Sweet Orange Shampoo  / Nature’s Gate Volumizing Shampoo Lemon Grass & Clary Sage / Nature Clean / Kiss My Face Big Body (new packaging or reformulated?) / Avalon Organics Volumizing Shampoo Rosemary

I am doing some research before bringing one of these home to try – from what I’ve read so far, Nature’s Gate is in the lead. I’ve also heard amazing things about the Pureology line – so I plan on trying their Volumizing shampoo too.

What hair type do you have – and what’s your favorite shampoo?

DISCLAIMER: The L’Oreal Evercreme Cleansing Conditioner and Live Clean Monoi Oil Shampoo were sent to me, but I am under no obligation to provide a favorable review.  As you can tell, I wrote my honest unbiased thoughts (as always!!!).