Best and Worst Ingredients to Look for When Buying a Shampoo

This beauty is carefully considering her options.

Shopping for shampoo can seem like an easy task with all the available choices at your disposal.  Therefore, how do you decide which formulas are actually the best for your hair?  

First of all, you have to be careful on how you read a product label.  Certain words could appear larger because companies want to appeal to you, but it is not always totally accurate. For example, “natural” and “organic” doesn’t always mean the shampoo has the pure formula that you may be lead to believe.  Instead, manufacturers are allowed to use it even with just a small percentage of natural or organic ingredients in the formula.  To understand how to distinguish between “natural” and “organic” on a label, you might want to read my earlier post for clarity.  The important thing to remember is to read the smaller print with the ingredients because those words are the ones you can trust. 

Look for a plant or natural surfactant (byproduct of an animal) over a chemical surfactant that is common in sulfates that can strip hair of natural oils due to its foaming agents.  Some excellent plant surfactants to keep in mind are avocado, kukui nut, grapeseed oil, macadamia nut oil, meadow foam seed oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, borage oil and cocoglucoside (from coconut and fruit sugars).

Parabens are the preservatives in the formula such as the following chemical ingredients of methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben among others.  These are suspect in playing with estrogen levels and their possible link to cancer so watch out for any of these when reading ingredients.

Phthalates are synthetic fragrance compounds commonly referred to as “plasticizers” that could risk your health to toxins from what they could possibly do to your endocrine system. These often are used in formulas to mimic the authentic essence of the essential oil, which was replaced to save costs. Phthalates could hide in the formula labeled just as fragrance.  Common phthalates include BBP butyl benzyl phthalate, DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DiDP (di-isodecyl phthalate), DnHP (di-n-hexyl phthalate), and DnOP (di-n-octyl phthalate) among others.

A safer choice is a formula with an essential oil as the fragrance. 

Your health is everything so consider the formula of the products that you use carefully.  Good bets are looking for a USDA Organic Seal, Natural Product Association (NPA) seal or an Ecocert seal to guarantee purity of ingredients. 

Review: Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.** 

Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

Whether your strands are curly, straight, thick, fine, or chemically treated, you want to keep that hair healthy looking and glossy.  A can’t miss way to accomplish beautiful hair is with Mineral Fusion’s Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner that I have been using lately.

The Vibrant Shine Shampoo ($9.99) has mineral clay for the cleansing agent along with argan and sunflower oils in a 100% vegan, sulfate, gluten, and paraben free formula, which is also biodegradable.  At first, I was wondering if clay could possibly be too harsh for someone with dry, dull, color-treated hair like mine. However, this shampoo was exceptionally gentle and a real find.  

I did dry it without the benefit of the Vibrant Shine Conditioner ($9.99) just to see what my hair would look like.  Even by itself, this shampoo managed to renew the health of my hair with more of a shine and manageable softness.

The next time I washed it with the same shampoo, I tried the Vibrant Shine Conditioner.  This product has light-reflecting minerals and panthenol for pumping up the shine in addition to the argan and sunflower oils.  I didn’t expect that much extra gloss, but I was amazed at the intensity of the shine, which truly was impressive.   

I am so thrilled that PR sent me both this Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner in the box of Mineral Fusion products because these are real winners.  Do take my word for it, but better yet do try both of these and you’ll see what I mean for maximizing shine and great feeling hair!  

You can find this awesome pair at Mineral Fusion's website or Whole Foods.

Review: DESSANGE Paris Purifying Clay Collection for Normalizing Oily Hair

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

DESSANGE Paris Purifying Clay Collection 

When DESSANGE Paris offered to send me some of their hair products, I had no clue about what to expect. However, I got the new Purifying Clay Collection to help combat oily scalps that recently found its way to Target stores this Fall, 2015.

Since I have exactly the opposite with dry hair, I drafted my guy as the test subject because these products would be more appropriate for him.  Before he stepped into the shower, I asked him to try the first step in this new 30% green mineral clay-based system–-the DESSANGE Paris Purifying Clay Pre-Shampoo Mask ($11.99) on his dry hair. This product is meant to be used weekly to absorb the excess sebum and scalp toxins so hair can better thrive and be normalized.  First, he had to keep this mask on for about ten minutes before he could rinse it out in the shower.

He thought he was finished until I handed his the second DESSANGE Paris bottle–-the Purifying Clay Balancing Shampoo ($9.99) to follow up with.  The poor guy looked confused, but I patted him on the back and explained.  The first jar was to use weekly to lessen the oil and toxin buildup and the second jar was the shampoo that completes the rebalancing process with natural green clay to purify hair at the root as it conditions and smooths with pro-vitamin B5 and rich fruit oils among its ingredients to help improve the ends as well.

He liked the subtle cherry-vanilla scent because it wasn’t overpowering with fragrance was the first thing I got out of him.  After he finished drying his hair, he seemed quite pleased with his appearance since his hair was easy to manage and had a healthy gloss to it.  

The real test was to see what he thought later.  With his oily scalp, he never could skip shampooing his hair every night.  Yet, once he reported home after work, his hair still looked and felt nice, which pleasantly surprised both of us. He liked that he finally found a great shampoo that can help him control his problem. Now my guy needs something to help combat his facial shine!  

If you also suffer from too oily of a scalp and want to try a great system, my guy recommends the Purifying Clay Collection from DESSANGE PARIS since it helped him. This new hair care line is available at Target or on Target.com so look for it.

My Hair LOVES Maple Holistics Argan Special Formula Shampoo! (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Maple Holistics Argan Special Formula Shampoo

I'll be honest with you.  I never heard of Maple Holistics until a rep from this company reached out to see if I would be interested in trying any of their products.  Being curious, I went to their website and did some research before settling on their Argan Special Formula Shampoo to review.

Their 100% natural, homeopathic solution for dry, damaged hair uses Moroccan argan oil, jojoba, peach kernel, almond, camellia seed, and avocado plus botanical keratin to drive it into one of the BEST shampoos that I have ever used for the incredible amount of blinding shine and softness with unbelievable manageability that later followed. 

Another reason to love it is this delectable honey-scented shampoo has almost a creamy, lotion-like consistency instead of pouring out a thin liquid. Still, there is more to appreciate such as how only a little of this thick shampoo worked to produce rich, foaming lather. 

I recommend squeezing out a small amount in one palm before rubbing your hands together to apply to your wet head.  Trust me, you also will save money and still have beautiful hair since an eight-oz. bottle will definitely last you longer than most.

You can buy Maple Holistics Argan Special Formula Shampoo on Amazon.com.  The price originally was $29.99, but it is on SALE for $10.77!  You might guess who is going to get some.  If I were you, I would hurry over before the company depletes their supply.

NEWLY FORMULATED Mineral Fusion Natural Brand's Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner Makes a Shining Difference (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner

You will give your hair a beautiful new direction once you discover Mineral Fusion Natural Brand's newly formulated  Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner.  I was sent the duo to try and must admit that my hair has been looking healthier.

The ingredients include cranberry seed oil, aloe, olive leaf, rose flower, pomegranate, and jojoba seed oil besides a mineral rich clay for delicate cleansing to protect fragile strands and strengthen the hair in the process.  There are no glutens, parabens, sulfates, or artificial fragrances in either of these cruelty-free products. 

Instead of a liquid, the new formula now comes in a tube, which I really liked.   The shampoo and conditioner have a nice, thick consistency and a light, pleasant fragrance.  

The shampoo foamed up well while the conditioner was great when it came to conquering knots.

Minus the long list of chemicals, this natural shampoo and conditioner allowed my hair to breathe and flourish.  My dry hair also felt softer as well with exceptionally more shine. My guess is the addition of more essential oils such as sunflower seed, argan, and flax seed oils that is now in the conditioner helped make that a shining success.  In all honesty, it is hard to say since I used both products together, but I liked what the pair did for hair! 

Both products retail for $9.99 each for a 8.5 oz. tube.  Buy the Fortifying Shampoo and Fortifying Conditioner at Mineral Fusion or Whole Foods Markets.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  Free products were provided solely to facilitate this review.*

Kenra Professional Shampoos and Conditioners Review--Part Three

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Kenra Professional shampoos and conditioners

Every so often I make it a habit to shampoo all the dulling residue left behind from styling products and use a good clarifying shampoo.  This is especially  important to me before I intend on re-coloring my hair.  Therefore, I requested Kenra Professional's Clarifying Shampoo as a part of this review since it was that time again for hair beautification.

In the past, I found this variety of shampoo cleansed so thoroughly removing deposits, including fading hair color to give your new hair color the best results.   However, I had discovered Kenra's Clarifying Shampoo was far from typical.  Of course, I should have guessed the hair care experts at Kenra Professional would be ahead of the norm.  After all, I have tested quite a number of their outstanding products, but this shampoo far exceeded my expectation of what is now possible. 

Unlike the other clarifying shampoos that I have used, Kenra's product rid hair of all clogging styling products while being color-safe, which means that I could use this more often when starting to notice ugly, lifeless hair on my head.  The moment my hair starts to look drab, I can take out this fresh citrus-smelling shampoo without worrying of stripping my hair color!

Extracts of grapefruit, witch hazel, and amino and chelators, (powerful agents for battling that built-up product gunk and deposits from the hardest water), from this formula left my shabby hair shimmering again and even despite the fact my roots were starting to show.   The feel of my hair was softer and  appeared to have more movement when I played with it.

For highlighted, bleached, or all gray hair, this clarifying shampoo is designed to brighten.  Although I don't have that many gray, I can vouch about the gray escapees glistening now on my own head with added gusto.  Therefore, I can imagine how beaming a head of silver would be.

Daily Provision is a spray leave-in conditioner that I sampled next.  I am prone to knots every time I wash it due to my thick hair.  A conditioner is always critical or I will suffer or break combs.  You can use this on slightly damp hair after washing or on dry hair.  My preference was immediately after washing.  I loved after how a few squirts of this and my wide-tooth comb seemed to glide through.  

This leave-in conditioner is great for thermal protection, helps with humidity and saving your hair from total ruination if you are prone to frizz.  As you know, I have some curls and waves that can act up and do terrible things according to the weather.  No more rushing about trying to tame it with Daily Provision in your arsenal, only freedom and extra shininess was what I found I could expect.  In fact, I later began using it on my dry hair as well when I wanted more glossy wattage.

After I later grabbed my box of hair color and beautified, I started testing two more products.  I wanted to see how Kenra Professional Platinum Color Care Shampoo for Normal/Medium Hair would fare on my now glorious chocolate-brown hair.  This is a sulfate-free formula that was so luxurious as I lathered and lost my self in all those fragrant, creamy bubbles.

I followed with Platinum Color Care Mango Butter Moisturizer for Normal/Medium Hair.  If hair could talk, mine would be singing with joy at that silkiness and abundance of gold and red highlights against that rich brown that it now possessed.   My hair was happy and simply just gleaming to life like the colors in a beautiful painting when the light is captured just so.

With all sincerity, these Kenra Professional products were tops.  If you haven't experienced anything from them yet, you really should soon because your beautiful hair will be the envy of your friends!  

Kenra Professional Shampoos and Conditioners Review--Part Two

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Kenra Professional Shampoos and Conditioners

Although I do have an abundance of thick hair, it is more of a medium texture.  However, my mother happens to have a head of thick, wiry hair with the texture of a fresh scouring pad.  Therefore, I thought that I would put Kenra Professional and their Platinum Color Care Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Thick/Coarse Hair and Reconstructor/Conditioner for Thick/Coarse Hair to the ultimate test on her head to see if the pair could, indeed, live up to the challenge.  

I must tell you that upon using these two products, she gained considerable manageability instead of being frizzy as she often experiences.  The coarse texture of her hair felt so much softer with a nice gloss to it as well probably helped from the shea butter in the formula.

She has tried lots of different brands and varieties, but this is the best I have ever witnessed.  Furthermore, she is thrilled to have finally found the "one" that does magically do the trick!  In fact, she already marked the names down for a few of her friends after they complimented her on how beautiful her hair looked.   They wanted to know if she changed stylists.  Though secretly smiling inside, my mother doesn't believe in keeping something as wonderful as Kenra Professional to herself and before long shared the story of her hair happiness with those friends, which I am happy to report.  

I also thought it would be interesting to see how Kenra Professional's Platinum Color Care Dry Shampoo worked.  I must be honest.  Nothing feels better on your scalp than running water and regular shampoo for that sensation of clean.  Nonetheless, there are times when normal shampooing may not be possible such as due to illness or time.  

Then again, hair that has been freshly colored lasts longer the less times it is washed the conventional way with water and shampoo.  If thrown into your normal routine, rotating with a dry shampoo could help keep hair color more vibrant and prevent fading for a greater period of time, which is another consideration on why I wanted to try this type of product. 

With that said, I left my hair alone for a few days before I put this dry shampoo to the test.  This yummy fruity melon smelling formula has a rice starch to absorb the oil and dirt along with UV protection and panthenol to give hair back that plumping volume.

My hair felt cleaner with that delicious scent as I touched and brushed without being sticky.  At the same time, I did notice a slight residue and worried if that would cause a problem.  On the contrary, I quickly found out that bit of leftover substance seemed to aid in restyling my hair like magic!

I can't begin to tell you the difference the right hair products like Kenra Professional has to offer that can  change your appearance--as well as brighten your attitude from the change in your personal style.  I highly recommend trying them.

Kenra Professional Moisturizing and Color Maintenance Shampoos and Conditioners Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Kenra Professional Moisturizing and Color Maintenance Shampoos and Conditioners

What if I tell you that I discovered the secret of salon-beautiful hair?  You can call it Kenra Professional.  The reason I say this is because ever since I began reviewing their wonderful styling products and now shampoos and conditioners, I have been getting more compliments on how beautiful my hair looks. Wait until you hear what these innovative products can do.

Anyone that colors their hair knows how dry and brittle it can become.  I am always switching shampoos and conditioners trying to preserve the color as long as possible while striving to keep it looking soft and healthy.  Therefore, I thought it would be interesting to see how both their Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner fared compared to their Color Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner.

The Color Maintenance Shampoo produced luxurious lather with a pleasing scent that didn't strip any of the color from my hair.  I followed with the Color Maintenance Conditioner and allowed it to remain in my hair for about a minute before rinsing out.  This conditioner also did a splendid job of cutting down on the tangles my hair gets every time I shampoo.

Before trying any of the heavier conditioners, I needed to apply my usual styling products and blow-dry my hair to see the results.  My hair was full of volume with a shiny bounce to it.

The next day I used the same Color Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner but added the Platinum Recovery Masque to my routine.  This is the workhorse of conditioners that deeply penetrates with natural oils and proteins while safeguarding your hair color to leave you with the most brilliant highlights and lustrous locks that cry out to be touched.  I used this as recommended once per week. 

Although I was happy with my hair as it now was for more than a week thanks to these new Kenra Professional products, I switched to the Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner after spending the weekend outdoors at our local flea market, which had slightly hardened  and dulled my gorgeous strands due to the strong sun. 

Nonetheless, my hair was in good hands once I finished with Kenra Professional's ultra-rich Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner.  My hair felt so much softer and healthier than it did due those hours in the sun. 

Since it was more than a week from my last deep conditioning treatment, I thought my hair could look even better.  Therefore, I opted the next time I washed to skip the Moisturizing Conditioner and tried the more intensive Nourishing Masque.  I left this product for about ten minutes to benefit most from its hair repair capabilities. Leave this masque on for as little as a  minute or longer and in several different ways depending on your hair problem.

With this star product in your corner, I found how quickly you can defeat dry, damaged hair and return it to beautiful and gleaming with their unique blend of proteins, vitamins, water soluble silicone, and sunscreen.  This is serious hair help you need if you fried your hair and turned it into straw from chemicals, sun or harsh styling tools.  

I honestly will keep using these great products and will be rotating between the two lines.  Believe me, if you want your hair to get noticed, then start here with Kenra Professional and get these excellent products!

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received were free products to facilitate this review.*