I started going gray when I was about 24, and have been getting my hair colored for almost ten years. During that time, I’ve tried all sorts of shampoos and conditioners — both drugstore brands and higher-end ones — and yet nothing compares to Pureology.
I’ve never spent this much on a shampoo and conditioner until I started using Pureology Hydrate, but this combo really does work to leave your hair silky soft and to keep the color vivid and vibrant. The way I justify the cost is that I honestly can go much longer between color appointments at the salon. I used to have to get my highlights and overall color done every eight weeks since it would really fade when I used other products, but now my stylist only has to do root touch-ups (to hide the grays) when I go in — and I can go every two appointments for my color.
Don’t expect a lot of lather when you use the shampoo; it doesn’t create a lot of suds, but it’s still doing its job. I also love the mint smell of the conditioner; it provides a nice tingle on your scalp when you use it.
The other big plus is that this really does make your hair feel healthy and soft. I use a flat iron almost every day (really, really bad — I know!), but, since I’ve started using this, my hair doesn’t have the split ends and damage that it used to. It feels soft and looks shiny. I also use CHI Silk Infusion before blowing my hair dry, and the combo has made my hair look the best that it ever has.
I wanted to try the “straight” versions of Pureology’s shampoo and conditioner, but have read reviews that say that they don’t make your hair as healthy as the Hydrate versions do, so I’m sticking to these. I have other friends who also use this product, and who also say that nothing else compares to it for keeping your color bright and vivid.
As another tip, my stylist recommends that you wait 48 hours before washing your hair after getting it colored so that the color has time to set. She mentioned that this is especially important if you have lowlights so that the darker color can oxidize with your hair. Rinsing is OK, just no shampoo.