I've recently tried Nexxus Botanical Treatment shampoo, Nioxin Protectives Moisture and Strength deep conditioner, and John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette light reflecting conditioner. But first, the statistics:
Type: 3B/C
Texture: mildly relaxed with LYE. I never leave my relaxer on for more than three minutes tops, therefore my hair is more of a pooffy straight than a stick straight texture. I currently have one inch of natural hair.
Condition: Dry, thick, color treated (sept 2003)
And here we go:
Nexxus Botanoil Botanical Treatment shampoo: It has a creamy, slightly liquid consistencey, not only is the shampoo orange, it also smells like Sunny D. The lather is decent, comes out white with clear bubbles.
It goes on ultra smooth, and I was able to not only comb my hair with my fingers, but I could also bring a comb through it.
You are instructed to leave the shampoo on for three minutes to let the so called time-released ceramides and botanical oils nourish your hair.
Fast forward three minutes: I couldn't even get one finger to go through my hair. The lather was, of course, gone. After rinsing, my hair was hard, immobile, but oh-so shiny. I don't think the trade off was worth it.
The Verdict: 2 out of 10
Better shampoos have gone before. I will stick with my Infusium 23 shampoo for color treated/relaxed hair. It's leaps and bounds more moisturizing before and after it's rinsed.
Brilliant Brunette Light Reflecting conditioner: This is a product by John Frieda who first created (among other things) the Beach Blonde and Sheer Blonde collections.
It comes in different formulas depending on the shade of brown hair you have. I used the Chestnut to Esprseeo one.
This conditioner promises to "transform dull, dry, brown hair into soft, supple, satin brunette. Smoothes and perfects each strand for a healthier, more radiant appearance. Adds natural luster for intense, mirror-like shine."
The consistency is a watery creme, it smells like a mix of cinnamon and cheap perfume. It lathers horribly unless you put on a lot of it. And, when you put on a lot of it, it just oozes out of your hand and doesn't really add anything.
It made my hair dry, comparable to the dryness the shampoo gave my hair. After rinsing, my hair was, surprise, dry.
As for the claims, far as I can tell (after taking pictures for a before and after, and after looking in three different mirrors, two of which were by windows) this conditioner, which promises instant results, did nothing. Just plain nothing. I was hoping to at least get a little added moisture out of it for my wasted time. Nada.
The Verdict: 1 out of 10
Please save you $5.99. I wish I had saved mine.
Nioxin Bionutrient Protectives Moisture and Strength deep conditioner: Where to even start with this one. You're supposed to keep it on for 3-5 minutes. I did that, sans heat. Hard, un-moisturized hair.
So I figured, maybe I should try some heat. So I sat under my Lady Dazey soft bonnet dryer (great dryer, distributes heat slightly unevenly, but effective) for 40 minutes (I checked my hair after 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes). My result: hard un-moisturized hair.
The best part was rinsing this stuff out of my hair.
The Verdict: 1 out of 10
This deep conditioner can't hold a tealight candle to AO GPB, L'Oreal's Mega Moisture deep conditioner, Le Kair's cholesterol Plus or probably any other deep conditioner.
More reviews coming soon.
Type: 3B/C
Texture: mildly relaxed with LYE. I never leave my relaxer on for more than three minutes tops, therefore my hair is more of a pooffy straight than a stick straight texture. I currently have one inch of natural hair.
Condition: Dry, thick, color treated (sept 2003)
And here we go:
Nexxus Botanoil Botanical Treatment shampoo: It has a creamy, slightly liquid consistencey, not only is the shampoo orange, it also smells like Sunny D. The lather is decent, comes out white with clear bubbles.
It goes on ultra smooth, and I was able to not only comb my hair with my fingers, but I could also bring a comb through it.
You are instructed to leave the shampoo on for three minutes to let the so called time-released ceramides and botanical oils nourish your hair.
Fast forward three minutes: I couldn't even get one finger to go through my hair. The lather was, of course, gone. After rinsing, my hair was hard, immobile, but oh-so shiny. I don't think the trade off was worth it.
The Verdict: 2 out of 10
Better shampoos have gone before. I will stick with my Infusium 23 shampoo for color treated/relaxed hair. It's leaps and bounds more moisturizing before and after it's rinsed.
Brilliant Brunette Light Reflecting conditioner: This is a product by John Frieda who first created (among other things) the Beach Blonde and Sheer Blonde collections.
It comes in different formulas depending on the shade of brown hair you have. I used the Chestnut to Esprseeo one.
This conditioner promises to "transform dull, dry, brown hair into soft, supple, satin brunette. Smoothes and perfects each strand for a healthier, more radiant appearance. Adds natural luster for intense, mirror-like shine."
The consistency is a watery creme, it smells like a mix of cinnamon and cheap perfume. It lathers horribly unless you put on a lot of it. And, when you put on a lot of it, it just oozes out of your hand and doesn't really add anything.
It made my hair dry, comparable to the dryness the shampoo gave my hair. After rinsing, my hair was, surprise, dry.
As for the claims, far as I can tell (after taking pictures for a before and after, and after looking in three different mirrors, two of which were by windows) this conditioner, which promises instant results, did nothing. Just plain nothing. I was hoping to at least get a little added moisture out of it for my wasted time. Nada.
The Verdict: 1 out of 10
Please save you $5.99. I wish I had saved mine.
Nioxin Bionutrient Protectives Moisture and Strength deep conditioner: Where to even start with this one. You're supposed to keep it on for 3-5 minutes. I did that, sans heat. Hard, un-moisturized hair.
So I figured, maybe I should try some heat. So I sat under my Lady Dazey soft bonnet dryer (great dryer, distributes heat slightly unevenly, but effective) for 40 minutes (I checked my hair after 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes). My result: hard un-moisturized hair.
The best part was rinsing this stuff out of my hair.
The Verdict: 1 out of 10
This deep conditioner can't hold a tealight candle to AO GPB, L'Oreal's Mega Moisture deep conditioner, Le Kair's cholesterol Plus or probably any other deep conditioner.
More reviews coming soon.