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A Zesty Wake-Up Call
This cleansing cream has a lotion-like consistency that takes a bit of getting used to -- because of the lack of detergents and sulfates, it doesn't lather at all. Not even a little bit.
It cleanses and nourishes hair with a blend of peppermint, rose hip and evening primrose oils, along with aloe vera (side note: the perky, wake-up scent makes it ideal for morning use). If all of those oils sound more greasy than cleansing, keep in mind that it takes about a month of using the product for hair to recover from shampoo abuse, according to the brand, which was created by the founder and ex-president of Bumble and Bumble. Once it does, you're rewarded with frizz-free, tangle-free, healthy hair.
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High-Tech Hair Washing
This low-foam wash liminates the need for conditioner altogether, and manages to get rid of buildup without being drying or frizz-causing. It was designed with curly hair in mind -- so straight-haired girls, beware -- and uses "extended curl memory technology." This sounds a little like something the main character in a celebrity-penned young adult novel would be researching, but it's actually a high-tech combo of time-released conditioners to control frizz and the brand's patented molecule to help keep hair clean and repel humidity.
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A Bargain Buy That Holds Its Own
This cleansing conditioner is free of sulfates and parabens, and leaves hair soft, clean and shiny for a fraction of the cost of other cleansing conditioners. Rinse it out well, though, or you could be left with greasy -- not shiny -- hair.
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A Cult Classic
Before you dismiss this based on the price, keep in mind you get 16 ounces -- and just a few pumps of this do-it-all product effectively eliminate the need for other styling product.
A little bit goes a long way; it's like blush -- you can always add more, but it's hard to fix if you use too much. In addition to nourishing aloe leaf extract and avocado oil, it also contains a soothing blend of calendula, chamomile and lavender oil (lavender is known for its soothing properties, making this the perfect wash to unwind with after a long day).
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A Hard-Working Cleanser (That Smells Oh-So-Sweet)
I've sung the praises of this made-in-California cleansing conditioner before. The light, fruity/floral fragrance is the grown-up version of that L'Oreal Kids shampoo you used to use (you know, the one that came in a shark container?). It's supremely hydrating without weighing even baby-fine hair down, and it's so gentle that it won't fade your expensive dye job. I actually had to stop using this cleansing conditioner when I wanted my red-tinged hair to go away. It just wouldn't fade.