After several months, I finally have another round of hair empties to share. Some of these products became new favorites that I'll definitely repurchase. Others didn't quite live up to the hype, even though they had great reviews.
Below, I'm sharing what each product claims to do, how it performed on my relaxed hair, and whether I'd buy it again. If you're shopping for new shampoos, treatments, heat protectants, or scalp products, hopefully this helps you narrow down your options.
Shampoos
Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo
The Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo continues to be one of my favorite moisturizing shampoos for relaxed hair.Even though it isn't sulfate-free, it removes product buildup without leaving my hair feeling stripped. I actually tend to have better hair weeks whenever I use it because my hair holds moisture longer after wash day.
I normally use this as either:
- my first shampoo before following with a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo, or
- my second shampoo after using a clarifying shampoo to restore moisture
The only downside is the price. Since it's a salon-quality shampoo, I usually wait until it's on sale before repurchasing.
Buy again? ✅ Yes
Shop this product
L'Oréal Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo
I really wanted this shampoo to work for my hair. It’s a gentle cleansing shampoo that claims to instantly hydrate and replump dry hair for up to 72 hours without weighing the hair down.A key ingredient of this shampoo is hyaluronic acid, which L’Oréal says provides the moisture.
It smells amazing and creates a rich lather, so it definitely feels like it's cleaning well. Unfortunately, my relaxed hair didn't stay moisturized throughout the week.
Since I only shampoo once every seven days, the advertised hydration simply wasn't enough for my routine. Rather than throwing the bottle away, I ended up using the remainder to clean my hair tools.
While this shampoo wasn't a winner for me, I've had much better luck with another L'Oréal shampoo I recently started using.
Buy again? ❌ No
Shop this product
Related watch: I Wasn't Expecting This From a Drugstore Clarifying Shampoo
TGIN Rose Water Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo
This is a moisturizing shampoo that's designed to gently cleanse while adding and helping to retain moisture. It claims to smooth and reduce frizz, and has a thick consistency that works into a really good lather.Over the time I used it, I noticed the shampoo cleanses gently, lathers well, and leaves my hair feeling soft without stripping it.
Despite all that, I most likely won't repurchase. That’s not because it's bad. It's because I prefer the TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate-Free Shampoo. My relaxed hair is naturally dry, and that shampoo simply gives me more moisture.
If your hair doesn't need intense hydration, I think this one is still worth considering.
Buy again? Probably not
Shop this product
amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo
This was probably my biggest disappointment.I purchased the trial size of this shampoo as part of the Hydro Rush kit because I'd heard so many great things about it.
It smells wonderful and lathers beautifully, but that's where the positives ended for me. After washing, my hair simply didn't feel moisturized enough.
Interestingly, I noticed this shampoo and the L'Oréal Hyaluron + Plump Shampoo both contain hyaluronic acid. I haven't done enough testing to know if that's the reason, but it's something I'll continue paying attention to as I try new products.
Considering the price, this one isn't worth repurchasing for my hair.
Buy again? ❌ No
Shop this product
One of my favorite things about it is how quick it is. After just two to five minutes, my hair feels stronger, smoother, and softer.
I apply it after shampooing, let it sit for a few minutes, then follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner.
Since I've already opened another bottle, it'll be a while before I need to purchase it again, but it's definitely staying in my routine.
Buy again? ✅ Already have
Shop this product
Although this is marketed as a pre-shampoo treatment, I actually prefer using it after shampooing. Applying it to freshly cleansed hair seems to work really well for me, and my hair consistently feels stronger and smoother afterward.
Going forward, I plan to alternate this with my protein treatments depending on what my hair needs.
It's also made me interested in trying more bond-building treatments.
Buy again? ✅ Yes
Shop this product
What I will say is that it introduced me to scalp scrubs, and I’ve started using another one from the brand Briogeo.
It removed buildup better than shampoo alone while still being gentle on my scalp. Even though Garnier no longer makes it, it definitely convinced me that scalp scrubs can be worth adding to a wash day routine.
Buy again? ❌ No, because not available.
Nowhere to shop this product
I used it as:
The dropper makes application easy, and despite the rosemary and mint, I never experienced irritation.
I still have several bottles left from a sale, so I won't be repurchasing anytime soon, but I wouldn't rule it out in the future even with some of the past controversies around the product.
Buy again? Maybe later
Shop this product
After a few months of consistent use, those areas appear fuller than before. I can't say this serum alone caused new growth because I've also been using another growth-focused serum, but I do think this Pantene serum has helped reduce shedding.
The lightweight texture, pleasant scent, and dropper applicator make it easy to incorporate into my routine. I’ve also had no scalp irritation from using this.
Buy again? ✅ Yes
Shop this product
I generally prefer liquid or serum heat protectants when blow-drying my relaxed hair, and this one checks every box.
Besides protecting up to 450°F, it also adds noticeable moisture without making my hair greasy or heavy.
I usually layer it over my leave-in conditioner, although I've occasionally skipped the leave-in while traveling because this product provides enough moisture on its own.
This is definitely staying in my wash day routine.
Buy again? ✅ Absolutely
Shop this product
It gives my hair a nice boost of moisture without feeling heavy, and it works well whether I’m blow-drying my hair or doing a roller set. It has some good slip that helps with detangling and keeps my hair soft all week.
This leave-in also smells incredible. I probably use a little more than necessary because I enjoy the scent so much, and I often receive compliments on how my hair smells after wash day.
The only downside is the price, so I typically wait for a sale before buying another bottle.
Buy again? ✅ Yes (when it's on sale)
Shop this product
Treatments
Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor
I've used this protein treatment on and off for years. It’s meant to be a one-step at-home treatment for tinted, bleached, or relaxed hair.One of my favorite things about it is how quick it is. After just two to five minutes, my hair feels stronger, smoother, and softer.
I apply it after shampooing, let it sit for a few minutes, then follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner.
Since I've already opened another bottle, it'll be a while before I need to purchase it again, but it's definitely staying in my routine.
Buy again? ✅ Already have
Shop this product
Related read: Bond Treatments vs. Protein Treatments On Relaxed Hair
L'Oréal EverPure Bond Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment
This treatment is designed to help strengthen damaged hair by repairing weakened hair bonds.Although this is marketed as a pre-shampoo treatment, I actually prefer using it after shampooing. Applying it to freshly cleansed hair seems to work really well for me, and my hair consistently feels stronger and smoother afterward.
Going forward, I plan to alternate this with my protein treatments depending on what my hair needs.
It's also made me interested in trying more bond-building treatments.
Buy again? ✅ Yes
Shop this product
Scalp care
Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Hair Reset Anti-Residue Scrub
Since this product has been discontinued, I won't spend too much time on it.What I will say is that it introduced me to scalp scrubs, and I’ve started using another one from the brand Briogeo.
It removed buildup better than shampoo alone while still being gentle on my scalp. Even though Garnier no longer makes it, it definitely convinced me that scalp scrubs can be worth adding to a wash day routine.
Buy again? ❌ No, because not available.
Nowhere to shop this product
Mielle Rosemary & Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
This lightweight oil claims to nourish the hair and scalp, which helps improve length retention, and provide shine and smoothness. It also has multiple uses, which I appreciated.I used it as:
- a scalp oil after wash day
- a pre-shampoo treatment
- a hair oil before cleansing
The dropper makes application easy, and despite the rosemary and mint, I never experienced irritation.
I still have several bottles left from a sale, so I won't be repurchasing anytime soon, but I wouldn't rule it out in the future even with some of the past controversies around the product.
Buy again? Maybe later
Shop this product
Pantene Abundant & Strong Daily Scalp & Root Serum
This is a a daily scalp treatment designed to help reduce hair loss by strengthening your scalp's hold on hair at the root. I've mainly been applying this to areas where I've noticed some thinning.After a few months of consistent use, those areas appear fuller than before. I can't say this serum alone caused new growth because I've also been using another growth-focused serum, but I do think this Pantene serum has helped reduce shedding.
The lightweight texture, pleasant scent, and dropper applicator make it easy to incorporate into my routine. I’ve also had no scalp irritation from using this.
Buy again? ✅ Yes
Shop this product
Styling products
L'Oréal Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Heat Protectant
This has officially become my favorite liquid heat protectant. This is a lightweight spray that claims to protect your hair from heat up to 450 degrees while strengthening long hair, helping seal split ends, reducing frizz, adding hydration, and boosting shine.I generally prefer liquid or serum heat protectants when blow-drying my relaxed hair, and this one checks every box.
Besides protecting up to 450°F, it also adds noticeable moisture without making my hair greasy or heavy.
I usually layer it over my leave-in conditioner, although I've occasionally skipped the leave-in while traveling because this product provides enough moisture on its own.
This is definitely staying in my wash day routine.
Buy again? ✅ Absolutely
Shop this product
amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner
Unlike the shampoo, I absolutely love this leave-in conditioner. It’s designed to provide long-lasting hydration, improve softness, reduce frizz, and make hair easier to detangle.It gives my hair a nice boost of moisture without feeling heavy, and it works well whether I’m blow-drying my hair or doing a roller set. It has some good slip that helps with detangling and keeps my hair soft all week.
This leave-in also smells incredible. I probably use a little more than necessary because I enjoy the scent so much, and I often receive compliments on how my hair smells after wash day.
The only downside is the price, so I typically wait for a sale before buying another bottle.
Buy again? ✅ Yes (when it's on sale)
Shop this product
0 comments
Spam comments and comments with links promoting other sites will be deleted by the moderator.