Love it or Leave it: The Best and Worst
Shampoos and Conditioners
Message in a Bottle
Some say that all shampoos and conditioners, regardless of
price, are created equally, whether they cost a buck or $80
(more on that to follow). The logic behind this argument is
that, at the core, most shampoos are just detergent gussied
up with a bunch of other ingredients that make them more desirable
to consumers.
Which makes that pleather knock off you picked up on Canal
Street just as good as the real thing. And the $69.95 Jimmy
Choo for H & M gladiator sandal must be the same
quality as the $600 Oak Street version. Oh, and MAC’s
lipglass is no better than Wet n' Wild’s one dollar
“Silk Finish.”
The truth is that inexpensive hair care products often call
upon cheap ingredients, including cocamide MEA, a chemical
lathering agent, as well as preservatives, fragrances and
parabens. Meaning, you get what you pay for.
So this week, we’ve rounded up the best and worst
hair care products; shampoos and conditioners plucked from
both the shelves of your local pharmacy and the pricey product
boutique at your favorite salon.
NEW ADDITION!
 Love
It! Eufora
Eufora’s Urgent Repair Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo
that calls upon top-notch ingredients, think Lychee Berry
and organic Aloe Vera, to keep locks looking lustrous. Paired
with the Urgent Repair Replenishing Treatment, this duo makes
even damaged hair seem suddenly manageable. Plus, Eufora has
signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Compact, pledging not
to use chemicals such as phthalates, petrochemicals, parabens
and sulfates. Smart and pretty… just like you. The
collection retails for about $30 per product; log on to www.eufora.net
to find a salon retailer near you.
NEW ADDITION!
Leave It: Sebastian Drench
While beauty companies are often charged with overspending
on packaging, the Sebastian Drench collection leaves a lot
to be desired in the packaging department. We tested the 8.4
oz. conditioner and shampoo, both housed in hard plastic containers
that make getting the product out a real challenge.
And as for that product and its promise to nourish dry or
fizzy hair, we felt it left our hair looking frazzled.
NEW ADDITION!
 Love
It! Aveeno’s Nourish and Moisturize
Aveeno’s Nourish and Moisturize promised to “feed”
hair, repairing damage in just three washes. And while
we inflict more heat damage styling our locks than any one
shampoo or conditioner could ever hope to repair, the collection
did leave our locks feeling soft and silky. Get ‘em
for $7.99 each at your local Walgreens.
NEW ADDITION!
Leave it: Carita for Color Treated Hair
Carita’s Intense Colour Shampoo and Daily Protective
Cream ($32 and $35 respectively) didn’t deliver on their
promise to “boost shine, body and softness.” Plus,
this high-end product that is shockingly full of parabens,
a chemical preservative that many consumers are now trying
to avoid.
NEW ADDITION!
 Love
it! Organix Cherry Blossom Ginseng Collection
This collection is affordable -- $5.99 a bottle at your local
CVS, but it’s the product quality and pretty scent,
not potential for parental approval, which sold us. Housed
in eco-friendly bottles that boast a blend of cherry blossom
and ginger root within, the shampoo and conditioner effectively
cleanse and hydrate hair leaving it smelling oh-so-sweet.
 Love
it! Ookisa Fortifying Shampoo and Replenishing Conditioner
Ookisa’s paraben-free, sulfate-free shampoo and color
protecting conditioner left our hair soft, smooth and healthy
looking. At $39.95
each this duo is far from cheap, and while we wish we could
say it wasn’t worth the dough, it’s practically
a beauty bargain given the shiny locks left behind.
According to the company, the shampoo is designed to Increase
hair strength, reduce split ends, and prevent color fading.
And it works, which means we’ll be lucky to afford even
a D-list knock-off of that new Gucci bag we’ve been
coveting. Not to worry, we’re sure to find comfort in
our A-list hair.
Leave it: Garnier Fructis Fortifying
Cream Conditioner and Shampoo
At less than four dollars a bottle, this product is well within
most budgets, but despite promising to moisturize hair, it
left our locks dry and unruly. Plus, we’re not thrilled
with the bargain basement ingredients listed on the bottles
including parabens and sulfates.
 Love
it! Rusk Sensories’ Shampoo and Conditioner
Your dishwasher and your washer/dryer may very well run on
“High Efficiency” products and now, thanks to
Rusk, your hair can, too. Rusk’s Compressed Formula
Technology (CFT) promises to deliver all of the results while
requiring 30% to 50% less product to get the job done.
Freshly colored locks will heartily approve of the Brilliance
Grapefruit and Honey Color Protecting Leave-in Cream Conditioner
($13), a vitamin C packed product that seals in hair
color. Another winner is the Full Green Tea
& Alfalfa Bodifying Conditioner ($13). The Rusk Sensories
collection is available at local salons as well as StyleSource.com.
Leave it: Burt’s Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo
Bar
We love Burt, truly we do, but this shampoo bar fell
short ($6 at burtsbees.com). This bar just
isn’t right for long locks, ladies. Meaning, unless
you’re sporting a G.I. Jane ‘do, the Rosemary
Mint Shampoo Bar will leave you a tangled mess.
 Love
it! Neil George Intense Illuminating Shampoo ($22)
and Conditioner ($24)
You know how your hair always looks best after a mind-blowing
in-salon shampoo and style? Well, the makers of Neil
George have bottled that feeling. The collection is the
brainchild of Amanda George and Neil Weisberg, founders of
the Neil George salon in Beverly Hills.
The Intense Illuminating Shampoo is ideal for dry and
colored hair while the paraben-free conditioner left our hair
shiny, tangle-free and oh-so-pretty. Shop the collection at
NeilGeorgeSalon.com or head to L.A. and stop by the salon
in its 90210 naib.
Agree? Disagree? Tell us all about your favorite products.
Post your own review at www.prettycity.com/product_reviews.cfm
Need more hair help?
Read our article, Expert
Help for Damaged Hair.
Read our article: What
is Sulfate-Free Shampoo?
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