Making Haircare A Pleasant Experience: My Journey Towards A Better Hair Day

Seen all throughout my feed are reels of people with beautiful hair, sharing before and after pictures of their hair previous to Monat. Although I'd like it thicker (I have really fine hair), I was okay with it. What was difficult for me was brushing my hair out! ...Or not brushing my hair out because I didn't want to yank on it for thirty minutes and see so much in the brush -- not so much because I was loosing hair (although that was the end result), but because of the snaggles. If you've been here for a bit, you may know I found organic shampoo and conditioner that I liked, but it was still too hard to comb my hair out. Oh, and the no 'poo thing just isn't for me (believe it or not, haha). I am usually anti-fragrance and a few other things, but they don't smell overwhelming, and I can brush my hair out again, rather easily! Anyways, most people that I see share about this are reps for the company and I wanted to try it unbiased. So, here are my thoughts on the shampoos, conditioners, and other haircare items I've tried so far! I've tried a few of them for a couple bottles because I like to give things some time to really test it out.

Jump to:

Shampoo

Conditioner

Other Haircare

Shampoos

• Black Men's Shampoo + Conditioner (2 in 1)- Okay, so this says men's, but of course anyone can use it. I think this has the best smell of all of them. It's not too overwhelming but it's minty and gives the tiniest bit of tingle which smells really good. It's one of the only ones I can still smell in my hair after washing and I actually like that about it! I use this when I am taking a quick shower (or honestly, when I've run out of shampoo, conditioner, or both in the shower since it's a two in one).

• Revive Shampoo - This is what I started with. I was concerned in general the products would be too smelly, but really, I haven't noticed that at all with any of them. It lathers really well, especially the second time. If my hair is pretty clean or I just washed it later in the day before, it will be pretty foamy the first wash, in which case I don't do the double wash.

• Purifying Vinegar Shampoo - In contrast to the Revive Shampoo above, I think it smells a little more fragrant, which is not ideal. But, I've noticed after the first few initial washes, the smell is not as strong and I don't smell it on my hair afterwards. The shampoo itself is more clear and gel-like than the Revive Shampoo that seemed more creamy. I purchased one of their deals to get a hair pump dispenser which I've been using on this bottle and I'm so glad I did. I like the pump much better than the top it comes with.

• Dry Shampoo - In general, I am not a big dry shampoo fan, but my rep recommended this. It's my favorite of all the dry shampoo's I've tried in my life so far. I like that it's a spray application verses pouring it on like powder. To be honest, I haven't tried too hard extending washes with this, but it has come in handy a few times. Most of the times when I don't wash my hair in a day, it's because I don't really "get ready" that day. For some reason I just don't feel clean unless I wash my hair, and it still looked/felt kind of oily to me even using this, but like I said, better than any other one I've tried. To extend time between washes, I think I need to try getting my hair wet at least in the shower and then using this. Is that what people typically do?

• Renew Shampoo - I like this shampoo and think it lathers well. It has a scent but I don't find it overwhelming!

• IR Clinical Shampoo - I like this one also.

Conditioners

• IR Clinical Thickening Conditioner - I'm probably using too much of this since I don't think it lasts super long...but I do like it and I think it has helped my hair brush out easier. This is totally subjective, but I do think my hair looks fuller -- not sure if it actually is, but it looks that way to me somedays. The way the container is designed, I'd like a pump option verses having to screw on and off the lid each time, but that's just my preference!

• Volumizing Revitalize Conditioner - This has the Rejuvabeads in it and my hair has never felt silkier! Also, it seems more creamy than the IR Clinical Thickening Conditioner which I like, but I don't care for the smell. Thankfully, I don't really smell it after conditioning my hair!

Other Haircare

• Super Moisture Masque - This is probably the most fragrant product so far, but I actually really like it. This is like a deep conditioning treatment that needs to sit for a couple minutes so I usually do this in place of a conditioner when I shave.

• Dry Texturizing Spray - Definitely need to experiment with this some more, but I have used it and think it gives some extra hold on the occasion when I do curl or wave my hair. Unfortunately, I do feel like it doesn't spray well, or maybe I'm doing something wrong when I press the button, as it kind of leaks sometimes. I just have the travel size so I think I need to get the big bottle to practice some more!

• Rejuvenique Light - I love the applicator that comes with this and do scalp treatments with it from time to time. It's the best way to get something on my scalp, in my opinion! Super easy to use and it smells really good, like a light lemongrassy-ness. I typically put it on at night and double wash in the A.M. However, I am pretty sure the bottle only says to put it on for a little time before getting a shower. That kind of thing typically doesn't work with my schedule though, lol. Or more likely, I don't think about it ahead of time.

• Rejuvabeads - Have you seen the Instagram videos of people demonstrating how this works? It's super cool, lol! I don't think it's a long-term fix, but pretty cool!

• Unknot Detangler - This works well, but when I use it, I end up with overspray on my skin (i.e. shoulders or forehead) vs. only on my hair. The sprayer also seems to get clogged easily. I think I'd actually use it more often if I found a different spray top to put in it. The good news is though, most of the time, after using the shampoo and conditioner, I don't feel like I need to use the detangler. Moreso if I have gone a couple of days without washing (or brushing, oops) my hair.

All I can say is, it is so nice to be able to comb through my hair easily again, and I think it's getting easier and easier! After about 8 months, I noticed my hair felt thicker...and not necessarily just thicker, but THICK-- and I've never felt that before!

To recap

This is a lot, but I've invested plenty of time--a couple years now--with trying out these products.

I think the easiest combo for my hair to comb out is exactly what my consultant picked for me the first time (although I wanted to try several combos, lol). The Revive Shampoo with the IR Clinical Conditioner is my match! I do still like doing the Super Moisture Masque from time to time, and the smell (surprisingly) has really grown on me. It's kind of peachy! The Unknot Detangler is helpful when I need to brush my hair fast, especially after a few days without washing or after using any other products (i.e. hairspray) in my hair. The Rejuvenique Light is fun to do an oil treatment with and smells great. I use it about quarterly. But recently, especially since starting to go to the gym and taking quick showers, I've been using the Black shampoo for when I'm in a hurry (which seems to be a lot lately) and as long as I brush my hair everyday, it is great and I can go faster since I don't have to condition separately!

And finally, I have to mention that I also prayed for my hair to be thicker and the Lord answered my prayer! He is sovereign over all things.

Do you have a favorite haircare product? Tell me in the comments! Stay up to date with me in my stories.