Ingredients list (from EVOLVh's website): The Atmospheric Water, pHytoBlend (proprietary concentrate blend of 20 herbs in an aqueous base), decyl glucose, disodium sulfosuccinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl glucose, coco polyglucose, seaweed extract, citrus aurantifolia, mango, lecithin, sunflower oil, soya, safflower oil, wheat amino acids, vitamin C, wild pansy, sweet clover, apricot, nasturium, nectarine,passion flower, citrus seed extract.
UltraShine Moisture Shampoo ($24 ~ 8.5oz) is different than any other shampoo I've ever tried before because it's sulfate-free. Sulfates are a detergent-like agent that are often found in shampoos because they clean the hair of excess oil. However, they can be very drying and many times wind up over-stripping the hair of oil, leaving the hair lacking in moisture. I've been meaning to try a sulfate-free shampoo for a while, but didn't push myself to do it until I put pink streaks in my hair. This is because sulfates also strip the hair of artificial color, meaning that any hair dye you use won't last nearly as long in your hair.
In addition, this shampoo is paraben-free, alcohol-free (alcohol can also be drying), organic, silicone-free, and vegan-friendly. It claims to make hair fuller, softer, and "turn straw to silk." It's specifically designed for color-treated hair. Actually, it says it is "especially magnificent for color-treated hair." Well, someone's a little sure of themselves, aren't they?
Though, I'm led to believe they're correct. Although my hair dye was only semi-permanent, and the color has faded significantly in the 3-4 weeks I've had it, it hasn't faded nearly as much as I originally was told to expect. I was warned by my hair stylist to watch out for the color running my shower and staining my towel, but neither of those happened to me. I have believe it is because the ingredients in my hair products were not stripping the color, because there's nothing else I did differently than what my hair stylist recommended than switching to this shampoo and conditioner.
The consistency and appearance of the shampoo is sort of like watered-down olive oil, being that is sort of translucent. The scent is mild and pleasant, and does not linger once you rinse it out. I was afraid when I first started using it that it would weigh my hair down and make it greasy (I'm looking at you, Wen). Without the sulfates, this shampoo did require a little more working into the hair, and it took some trial and error to get it right. I got the best results when I washed my hair from back to front, concentrating on areas where I had the most buildup (ex. the back of my head and on the sides by my temples). Then, I moved to the front and applied shampoo around my bangs and the crown of my head. I don't shampoo any lower than my ears, simply because it's not necessary (and I never have--it doesn't get oily down there). I also switched to only doing one rinse of shampoo instead of two. And you know what? My hair still gets clean. I've learned that doing two rinses of a sulfate-stocked shampoo is absolutely overkill for washing your hair, and will severely dry it out. I never realized how soft and shiny my hair could be, without being oily! It's awesome! It takes a little longer to work into your hair since it doesn't later, due to the lack of sulfates, but it still gets the job done without stripping the hair. I still wash my hair every other day, which I was surprised by, thinking that I would have to start washing my hair every day. I am in love with this shampoo and the way it makes my hair feel. This is definitely going back onto the "I will repurchase this" list, and that's saying something, since I'm a long-time member of Shampoo Jumpers Anonymous.
Apparently I'm not the only fan of this shampoo, because it's also available in a liter (that's around 33oz) for $72. Crazy, right? I'm not ready for that kind of commitment yet, but it's good to know.
Ingredients list (from EVOLVh's website): Water, pHytoBlend (proprietary concentrate blend of 20 herbs in an aqueous base) stearylkonium chloride, glyceryl monostearate, palm oil, mango, lecithin,sunflower oil, soya, safflower oil, wheat amino acids, vitamin C, wild pansy, sweet clover, apricot, nasturturm, nectarine, passion flower, citrus seed extract.
The UltraShine Moisture Conditioner ($25 ~ 8.5oz) is another product I originally didn't think I would like. I normally would have just continued using my beloved Wen like always, but I figured "I have this, and I'm currently using the shampoo, so I might as well use it." I'm really happy I did! It was a magical experience, to realize I could like a conditioner as much as I like Wen. ("But, Sammi! I thought you said Wen made your hair weighed-down and greasy?") Well, yes mysterious person, I did. But I don't use Wen the way it was intended, but only as a conditioner. It's great as a conditioner, but I think it's a bit too moisturizing as a shampoo. Maybe someday I'll try it again. We'll see.
This has a very thick and creamy consistency, so much that it doesn't run out of the bottle and requires squeezing to come out! It looks like Wen in appearance, but it feels lighter and less heavy than Wen when putting it in your hair. Unlike Wen, which I usually apply to my hair wet, I like to squeeze out my hair of any excess water before putting this conditioner in. I've found that my hair just absorbs it better that way. This conditioner contains amino acids that penetrate the hair and restore shine and help it recover from damage. EVOLVh makes another high-and-mighty claim on their website, stating "UltraShine will be unlike any conditioner you've used before. It will feel completely different, because it is." I wouldn't call it a whole other realm of different, but I do really enjoy using it. Like its shampoo counterpart, this conditioner is paraben-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free, and vegan-friendly. I always run this through my hair, put it up in a clip and let it sit while I wash my body/shave/etc., and then rinse it out. I hardly ever use heat on my hair, but after my hair has naturally air-dried, I just sit in class and play with my soft, shiny hair. Will I repurchase this? No, because I have bottles of Wen that are begging to be used, but if I was completely out of both and had to choose one, I might actually have a hard time deciding something. If I'm considering using something else besides Wen, you know it's good, folks.
Also like the shampoo, it comes in a liter ($75). I use up Wen like it's free (though sometimes it is; thanks, Mom) and I still won't buy a liter.
I was looking through EVOLVh's website and I absolutely love how informative they are on there. They don't have too many products, but many of their product pages include a detailed description, ingredients list, and a short how-to set of instructions. I didn't read through any of this before trying out their products, but it's really interesting to read! The shampoo apparently restores your hair's natural pH balance to 4.5-5.5. I didn't even know my hair had a pH balance. If you're intrigued, feel free to check it out, if you enjoy reading up things like that.
Needless to say, this little trial set of this shampoo and conditioner has inspired me to further explore other sulfate-free hair products out there, even after the pink in my hair completely fades. I'm officially a part of the anti-sulfate movement. Who wants to join me? It's a revolution!
Do you use a sulfate-free shampoo? If you have one you like, leave your suggestion in the comments!
Disclaimer: I received this in my Total Beauty Mystery Collection, which I paid for with my own money. I'm not sponsored or affiliated or receiving compensation for this post. I just have a lot of feelings.
