Karen is inquisitive…Can you kindly explain what makes Pureology shampoo feel so much different than anything else I’ve tried? I’m guessing it’s not the botanical infusion!
The Right Brain responds:
Good guess, Karen, the difference has nothing to do with green tea or sandalwood. It’s all about the cleansers and conditioners.
Pureology ingredients
Most shampoos are based on a blend of 1 or 2 primary surfactants with another 1 or two secondary surfactants. Pureology (at least the Anti-fade variant), has 7, count ‘em 7 different cleansing agents: Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, and Decyl Glucoside. (Actually the total number of surfactants is more like 9 or 10 if you count some of the minor ingredients.) This cleansing blend gives Pureology an extraordinarily rich lather for a sulfate-free shampoo.
On top of that, it’s formulated with three potent conditioning agents: amodimethicone, a organo-modified silicone that provides excellent conditioning effect; Polyquaternium-7 which also gives excellent wet slip; and a chemically modified guar gum that smooths hair.
Is Pureology perfect?
So what’s the downside, you ask? For one thing the claims about controlling color fading are over stated. Based on research we’ve seen, sulfate-free shampoos do not strip less color than their sulfate containing cousins. Plus, at $28 for 10 ounces, Pureology is not cheap! You might want to consider trying EverPure shampoo because it’s a similar formula that costs a lot less.
Would you spend $28 on a bottle of shampoo? Leave a comment and share your thoughts on shampoo spending with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the rec for EverPure! As a licensed cosmetologist high-end shampoos are about the same price (or cheaper!) for me as drug store brands. I choose to buy EverPure because it’s a great product.
Um, yes, I would and do pay over $20/bottle. After spending my life using suave and dove – which I still like, the local stores don’t carry the ones I like any more, I traded up to Biolage. I think I paid $25ish for the liter and got the conditioner free. And I’m happy with the results. The one I use has a light scent and no soy protein, my 2 main concerns. Beyond that, I knew it would do the job. I just have to wait for another ‘liter sale’to replenish!
I was wondering how come EverPure is the best shampoo I have ever tried, even better than Biolage.
I would spend that much to get a shampoo that wasn’t as strongly scented as drugstore shampoos, but Everpure doesn’t overwhelm me fragrance-wise—I love the way it smells, and it doesn’t smell so overpowering.It also works well!
I spend $24 a month on my Lok Dry Shampoo and it is the best purchase I make all month. My stylist in Newport Beach California recommended it to me and I have been hooked ever since. Can’t say I would spend that kind of money on regular shampoo. http://www.LoKcolor.com is their website
MJ
Eh, in the end to me all shampoos are created the same. Just some have stuff I might be allergic to in it and most have stinky fruit scented perfumes. Why spend a ton of money when I can go to CostCo and get a bottle of Panteen for $14 that will last me a couple of months – even though I shampoo my hair every single day.
I used Ojon which I buy at Sephora. I get the shampoo/conditioner set for about 33 bucks and it last me for a few months or so. I think the stuff works great. I am willing to pay a little bit more for my hair products if they work effeciently. I have used the cheaper stuff (Suave, Panteen, Pert, etc) and always notice a huge difference in my hair compared to using more expensive stuff.
Are the surfactants in that shampoo leave soap scum??
No, the surfactants in the shampoo do not leave soap scum. What makes you think they might?
I wouldn’t spend so much on a shampoo. As a curly, conditioner is more important to me, but I wouldn’t spend 26 on one either – I did in the past, and found that they don’t work miracles either.
I agree most drugstore brands smell way too “fancy”
But these days even the drugstores have their own natural lines, at least in Europe, so you can get a 8 oz mild natural shampoo without any artificial fragrances for about €2.60 – that should be $4 or so.
I have been using L’Oreal’s knock-off Ever-Pure and it seems OK but not all that different than other anti-fade shampoos/conditioners.
I wouldn’t spend much money on a shampoo too, I’m just lucky to have a shiny hair. I just shampoo my hair every other day to prevent my hair dry. Thank you for the information though. I guess I’ll try that one net time..
I would not spend more than $2 on shampoo. So, by my standard this product is $26 overpriced.
I also wanted to say how much I like the new (…new to me at least) setup of the website. It looks much better.
Think I’ll the Ever Pure. Thanks for the information everyone.
Hey…. what’s up with thepicture of the chick smoking and drinking at the top of this page???? My guess is it’s suppose to be disgusting.
Bye
@Pam: The picture wasn’t necessarily supposed to be disgusting, it was intended to be ironic. The post was about Pureology and the picture is of an angel who’s supposed to be “pure” but who is actually smoking and drinking.
What I have always been really curious about is the placebo effect correlating to hair product! I have used a variety of shampoos in my life. The more expensive ones tended to work as good as, or better, than the average drugstore brand (typically similar) but some of the drugstore brands just RAPED my hair. I think that I would be willing to spend that much IF I could guarantee which product would work well for my hairtype. Does anyone have any information on which ingredients react to different hair types? Or is it more of a natural oil thing so every person is different? I have the most balanced hair ever so even when I go camping for a week and don’t shower I don’t grease up, but using pantene makes my hair greasy within HOURS. I’m a materials engineer but clearly I work more with steels and aluminums than cosmetics but I’d be interested to find out! I was appalled someone said they’d rather just use pantene–it must not do to their hair what it does to mine!!
I know this is an old entry but to be correct, loreal took over as a parent company for many of these hair care products, thus having ever pure which is technically quite a bit of the same ingredients as pureology’s. Ever pure doesn’t get the scent down and smells a little chemical like but is pretty much the same as pureology, if you don’t want to spend the money.
With all the take-overs in the beauty business, it is possible that every brand will be owned by someone different in a couple years.
I have used Pureology for over a year. I use it for the way my hair looks and feels more so than the anti fade. However, I noticed that there is more hair in the shower drain since using Pureology. I asked my hair stylist about it, and she didn’t know why that would be. It’s just a bit worrisome.
I switched back to Biolage for a few shampoos just to switch it up and noticed a huge difference in my hair. So I am back with Pureology. If I switch to Ever Pure, do they have a great conditioner as well?
Thanks!
@ Left Brain: I mean the sulfate-free surfactants, do they leave soap residue/soap scum? Because as far as I know myristic acid surfactants do leave a bulid-up.
My daughter bought the AntiFade shampoo and conditioner for me for Christmas 2009 and I am bummed. My hair – what’s left of it – is in GREAT shape but my scalp is a mess! Terribly itchy and my hair is falling out big time, with little sebaceous pebbles forming on my scalp that I can feel when I scratch it.
I am sure this is a wonderful product for most folks, but I am apparently allergic to it. Bummer! Maybe I will try another of their Shampoo/Conditioner combos and see if my biochemistry is OK with those.
10 mins later… well I just spoke with someone at Pureology who was not helpful at all. The company needs to put the ingredients of each product on their website so people can look at the ingredients and go through a process of elimination. The hydrate formula antifade is what I have now, but clearly I cannot use it. If I tried another formula I would definitely want my money back if it too were irritating. I would check the refund/exchange policy with the store before purchasing. Meanwhile, I’ve got to stop using the hydrate formula. (One would think a hydrate formula would have enough Essential Fatty Acids to keep from aggravating someone’s scalp.)
If anyone searches here for trouble with Pureology Hydrate Formula (extreme scalp itching and hair falling out), I was told to mix baking soda in water and let it soak my scalp to remove the chemicals and get the itching to subside. Then get a ph balanced shampoo or tea tree oil. This is what I was advised by a manager at my local Sally Beauty Supply and also a friend of mine who is a hair dresser. I am pretty steamed right now at Pureology for their expensive products and their slightly snotty, impatient and generally unhelpful phone people. I was told it will take a month for my hair follicles to heal and the lost hair to start growing back in.
Good thing i found your blog, it helps me on how to treat my bad hair Having a bad hair day can really be irritating that sometimes I’m afraid to look into the mirror. These treatment of yours is a great help. Thanks for posting!
@Marie: Thanks for the additional info that surely helped me deciding which to try. I’ve been searching for a good shampoo for some time as I’m having hair problems.
The angel smoking and downing my bottle is a metaphor – the environment around us can do damage to hair. That’s why sometimes hair is so stressed that it needs some therapy.
Or at least I think that’s what it means.
I dont know what it is but nothing compares to Pureology for me. I was excited when I heard about EverPure from a TV commercial and bought it but was disapointed with the results. I will spend the extra for Pureology until such time that they change the formulation and I no longer get the results I desire. In my opinion you are comparing apples to oranges when comparing Pureology to EverPure totally different. At least on my hair…your experience may vary.
Oh my gosh! I came to the internet to see if anyone has had the same problems I’ve had. YES pureology makes your hair look and feel amazing (and if that was all, yes it would be worth the price) BUT it only makes the hair it leaves behind look amazing! I AM LOSING MY HAIR!
I didn’t want to give up on the product right away because I thought my hair loss in the shower may be due to something else. But by now, I am sure of it. I came to google and found enough others with the same problem, I’m convinced it’s the product! My hair has been coming out in such large amounts (when I wash and condition) that my tub’s drain got COMPLETELY stopped up the other day!
I am in love with the way my hair looks AFTER using Pureology, but if I keep this up, I won’t have any left!
Discontinuing use RIGHT NOW! going back to the store and hoping for a refund/exchange… and for another product with the same great results without the same awful hair loss!
My stylist changed shops after 15 years and the first use of Pureology thermal anti-fade complex shampoo in the new shop my scalp started itching. Two days after my third visit, I was covered in hives and redness all over my body. I began to feel dizzy and shaky. My husband insisted we go to the emergency room. When I checked in my blood pressure was 35/41 and required IV, Benadryl and two other medications. Two and a half hours later, I left. That was my last experience with Pureology.
I have also had a terrible problem with Pureology. I loved the way my hair looked after using it, and bought every shampoo/conditioner/styling product they had. One month after using it, my hair volume had decreased dramatically! Then last week I had a severe reaction with hives, rash, and itching. Thank Goodness that I had a reaction, or perhaps I would have continued using the product until I was bald! Look at your scalp after shampooing. If it is more pink than a normal scalp should be, stop using this product.
Thanks for posting. I have been losing mounds of hair. I had a ton of hair and now I barely have enought for a pony tail. I have been blaming it on some new medicine that I am takign even though it started before I started the medicine. I will definitley stop using it now!!!
I pay the Pureology cost, not because of what it does for my hair but what it does for my scalp. For years I’ve picked at my scalp. However, after using Pureology Hydrate for a couple weeks, there wasn’t a need to pick because there weren’t any “breakouts.” Then I ran out and used whatever $5 shampoo I had. After a week, I noticed my scalp breaking out again. My husband suggested I use it for my face. I’m 36 with adult acne the past couple years. Dermatologists haven’t been able to cure the acne. I’ve switched to all natural facial products, but if they don’t work I’ll probably use the shampoo!
Hello i know this post is really old, but regarding Sulfate free shampoo for Keratin treated hair, i recently purchased Kiehl’s Argan Shampoo, it is Silicone, Sulfate, and Paraben-Free Formula, I’m planing to get a Brazilian Keratin Treatment next month, I was told it is important to stay away from sulfate shampoos or shampoos with Sodium (or sodium chloride i’m not sure). this shampoo i love so much i have already bought the big bottle and i want to keep using but it has sodium chloride in it. is this bad for the keratin treated hair or it just makes the hair revert quicker, because i have used sulfate shampoos and quite possibly sodium chloride too following a rebounding straightening treatment before and my hair was fine… these are the ingredient in the Kiehl’s Argan Shampoo:
Aqua/Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Distearate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Parfum/Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Salicylic Acid, Cedrus Atlantica Oil/ Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil/ Orange Peel Oil, Limonene, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil/ Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Argania Spinosa Oil. Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Oil/ Sesame Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Butter/ Cocoa Seed Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius Oil/ Safflower Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide
I too had terrible hair loss with Pureology Hydrate shampoo. It left my scalp an oily mess and I lost TONS of hair. I figured it was just a coincidence and some sort of natural “shedding cycle”, so I foolishly kept using it…after all, how could a shampoo/conditioner set that cost me nearly $60 and come so highly-rated be making my hair fall out??? 3 months later, when my bottles were just about empty, I was still losing handfulls of hair every time I washed it, and my comb would be jammed with stray hairs. Not to mention, my hair looked terrible….my scalp was gross, there was an oily patch on the underside that just would not go away, and my hair looked very dull with no “swing”. I finally bought more shampoo….Redken liters on a sale at Ulta…and IMMEDIATELY my hair stopped falling out – like the first day I switched shampoos. It now looks healthy and shiny. The bummer is that I have tons of tiny, curly little hairs starting to regrow and it’s giving me a “halo” of frizz on top of my head and around my face! Will never buy Pureology ever again….have found in this case that $30 for shampoo did me way worse than a $12 liter of REdken!
DON’T USE PUREOLOGY!! I have been losing hair like crazy and my scalp burns and dandruff that won’t stop. At first, I loved it. Felt great but over time, I was left with most of my hair on my pillows, hair brushes, bathroom floor, shower sink…I wish I would have known.
i use prueology i love the shampoo and cond but if i can get the same results by using everprue im gonna try it thank you
Pureology”s main surfactant is made up of CORN,SUGAR & COCCONUT, rather than salt & water. The lack of sulfates is not the only reason for color longevety, they also have an ANTI-FADE COMPLEX made from something called HALAGINAL, WHICH COMES FROME THE sunflower. Ever wonder why a sunflower can be in direct sun light & never fade it”s color?…HALEGENAL…(SPELLING NO GOOD, SORRY),,BUT INFO IS,LOL:)
hope this helps:)
I think you are exagerating with “stop using this!!!” warns. It might not work for some, but it’s wonderful for others! My hair loss actually stopped, but more incredibly, my hair has never been so amazingly healthy, shiny and easy to handle! I can shower and run to the street now, I can use it down, I don’t need flat irons anymore and i’m not thinking about shaving it off!! really, this product changed my life. I’m using shampoo + conditioner, hydrate line. I don’t have colored hair but it was treated with brazilian keratin a year ago. The keratin is gone by now but my hair is still beautiful!
I came across this thread from a Google search about Pureology and hairloss. I too have had dramatic hairloss since using this conditioner two weeks ago. I’m convinced it’s not me but rather the product.
Hello all, I’ve been reviewing some of the reviews of pureologys hydrate shampoo. The pureology line was created for color treated hair period. If your hair isn’t colored or bleached you will get the oily results you are talking about, also you should be clarifying your hair and scalp once a week to get rid of buildup. If you are taking any medications at all, yes you might be loosing your hair to that. I’m on three meds and I’m 46 now and Im seeing hair loss due to over flatironing my hair and my meds. If you are getting itchy scalp sometimes I use the neutrogena T-gel to detoxify my scalp from the medication buildup..this will un- clog the pores and let your hair grow. I’ve been using pureology for years now and I’m a former hairstylist. You may also be allergic to some of the ingredients in there since some are all natural like Avedas. These products are expensive because they are highly concentrated. If anyone purchases these products from target, a non salon…that could be the problem, they don’t contain the same ingredients..(Guaranteed if Sold By Salons only). There are so many counterfit shampoos and conditioners out there and its getting harder and harder for the industry to trace all of them. Example: Nexus not Nexxus is not the true line anymore, they went out of bussieness due to the newer generation of sylists not selling them or pushing the product..This was by far the best product out there. I know…..I was trained on it in the early 80′s. I will always defend products as long as they are sold by a salon. Anything in the grocery store or walmart, target etc. do your research. Example if you use prell well lets just say this product will strip the wax off of your floors what do you think its stripping off of your scalp? Thats why all stylists go to school for a reason to learn this stuff. The internet however is trying to teach people who didn’t go to cosmetology school how to do there hair, what the products are, etc. Thats were you get your problems. Trust your stylist. If you want nice, goodlooking hair the product will cost more because of the ingredients. A lot of research has been done with professional products. Read the labels out in the stores, the majority all contain the same ingredients and they don’t contain the same as pureology or aveda. If the good stuff is not the second ingredient and its at the end of the list that should tell you something. This is my thought and input on this matter. Just trying to help.
I found this blog after searching if anyone ever had hair loss from Purology shampoo/conditioner. I am having a deja vu moment. I used the volume type a few years back and only now do I remember hair loss but thought it was from some other cause. 2 weeks ago I bought the travel size because my hair stylist used it on me and it left my hair feeling great. Well, I have hair loss! Last night I could not believe the amount that was in the drain and what I removed from my body! I definetly believe it is the shampoo. I am thinking there may be some ingredient that some people are reacting to but not others. My scalp is not oily or itchy but the hair loss is definty happening. I will send this message to the company also and discontinue using it sadly.
OMG!!! Finally a possible explanation for my hair loss! I have experienced the same as many of you and am happy for having a lead to solve my problem: the bittersweet, loved-hated Pureology Hydrate! After being a loyal user for over a year, it is time to test this hypothesis and cease the use of my very favorite hair product for what seems to be an even better deal, recuperate my volume! Thanks to all for providing your feedback, much appreciated! xxoo
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