Friends don’t let friends use shampoo.

Wen Cleansing Conditioners

No need to be alarmed by the caption above, ladies and gents!

Don’t worry, I haven’t entirely lost my mind (yet). I still bathe and wash my hair on a regular basis–I’ve just been using a different type of cleanser.  Perhaps you’ve even heard of it: if so, say Wen!  If not, let me fill you in…

I’m sure it’s no secret how much I love coloring my hair, and because I spend a pretty penny on having it done by a talented pro (thanks, Frank–you always do such a fantastic job), naturally I want the shade to last.  It’s also a well-known fact that regular shampoos and conditioners–even “color-treated” formulas–often contain harsh surfactants. These tend to strip processed hair of its color, or make it appear dull or faded. I was definitely intrigued by WEN’s cleansing conditioners; when I learned they were sulfate-free, I quickly volunteered my services as a tester.

The first one I sampled was the Sweet Almond Mint.  This is the brand’s universal cleanser: a perfect balance of nourishing herbs and natural ingredients, including water, aloe vera gel, chamomile and cherry bark extracts–all of which smell great when mixed together! Suitable for all hair types and textures, if you’re new to WEN, you’d probably want to try this one first.

I also got to try the Tea Tree formula. Created especially for sensitive, dry or flaky scalps, the anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of tea tree oil help unclog congested hair follicles (and here I thought I only had to worry about clogged pores on my face!) and nurture healthy growth. After all, when we permit our hair’s own natural oils to function as a built-in moisturizer, we help alleviate daily wear-and-tear damage. Perhaps it’s no wonder, then, how well my complexion responds to cleansers and toners which also feature this miraculous little ingredient?!

Each formula consists of a viscous, creamy texture–similar to other conditioners–but just so you’re aware: there are no detergents or “lathering agents”.  Don’t expect these otherwise hard-working cleansers to foam or produce any bubbles.  Fear not, dear readers; this is exactly what’s supposed to happen (or not); I’ll let the FAQs elaborate further.

In case you were wondering: these cleansers did seem to care for, and complement, my token dye-job! I must say, my own long–and sometimes high-maintenance–locks have never taken so well to the wide-tooth comb! Usually I encounter at least one unruly knot after the standard rinse-lather-repeat routine; however, after using both cleansing conditioners, I was able to run my comb painlessly through my entire head. Take that, Tenacious-Ks!

Want more good news about these formulas?  They’re cruelty-free, of course! For additional information about the brand, or to learn which WEN formula suits your own hair’s needs best, visit chazdean.com. (The 3 Labs pictured below are the renowned creator-stylist’s beloved companions.)

Spencer-Hunter-Ella

Jen#2

Press samples provided for review; opinions expressed are the author’s own.

Product image and details courtesy of chazdean.com, and many thanks to cosmeticsinfo.org for the ingredient definitions.