conditioner

Reformulated: Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner

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Costco reformulated Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner

We had a good run, Costco Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner. I’ve been using this duo since the TRESemme-induced hair loss I shared in January 2021, but alas – I’ve run afoul of a discontinuation-style issue.

This Again?

It isn’t a true discontinuation. Costco reformulated within the last year or so. I only just started using the new formula at the end of June because I was still working through my liter bottles of the previous formula.

I didn’t realize it was a reformulation (as opposed to just a packaging refresh) until three weeks ago. My hair started becoming a nightmare to wrangle again, symptomatic of overexposure to protein (everyone is different, you may never experience this!), but it didn’t click immediately.

Was it stress? No, that’s just a constant at this point. Eventually, I scrutinized the ingredients list on the new bottles – yep, go figure. The old formula had protein, but it was one of the last few ingredients – so there was less of a concentration of it. It doesn’t seem like my hair can’t deal with any, just either 1) high concentrations and/or 2) specific varieties. Alas, my hair is not tolerating the Costco Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner’s new formula well.

If it is still working well for you, GOOD! I still have faith in the product. This time, truly, I am the problem.

What Now?

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Garnier Fructis Grow Strong

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Garnier Grow Strong Shampoo and ConditionerGarnier Fructis Grow Strong Shampoo & Conditioner
photo from Target

Intended this for publishing on Monday, but apparently I’m awesome at WordPress and it came out a little early. Don’t worry, the schedule is correct for the rest of the week!

First things first: I received Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Shampoo and Conditioner for free to try courtesy of BzzAgent (and, of course, Garnier). I was not paid to create this content. Anyone can join BzzAgent for free and qualify for BzzCampaigns – you receive free product provided you agree to review it.

Even though my current shampoo and conditioner situation is working out, I’m open to trying products from brands I’ve had luck with. I used Garnier Fructis products with relative success for years when the brand was new-ish. Since then, the brand’s offerings have changed a lot and I’m less familiar with their landscape. Garnier Fructis Grow Strong, which is paraben free and vegan, claims to support hair by making it 10x stronger. I tried it to find out.

The two stars of the Garnier Fructis Grow Strong duo are (per Garnier’s label) Apple Extract and Ceramide.

Apple Extract

In reality, this means it contains malic acid, which is an acid produced by apples, but also all fruits (among other things). Along with glycolic, lactic, and citric acid, malic acid is a part of the alpha hydroxy acid family and is occasionally a component of skincare products.

Malic acid is part of why apple cider vinegar rinses are recommended for no- and low-‘poo regimens. Some people claim that malic acid (and ACV rinses) can stimulate hair growth. This skeptical jury of one is out on that; AHAs interact with living cells, so I suppose it is plausible that they could stimulate the scalp into doing what we want. Otherwise, applied to just the hair shaft itself, it isn’t going to promote hair growth.

Ceramide(s)

These waxy lipids help the hair (or skin, in the case of its natural presence in skin or in skincare) bind together. Think of those ultra-close-up views of what a strand of hair truly looks like: it is essentially a cascade of tiny scales. Ceramide helps them stick and lie flush to prevent damage to the hair’s cuticle. Their presence assists the hair in trapping and retaining moisture. Both of those effects result in stronger hair by:

  • directly reducing the likelihood of breakage
  • improving moisture retention (which also reduces breakage risk!)

Net result is you win because you have healthier, fuller hair. You can learn more about the interaction between ceramide and hair at Longing4Length, who has a nice article on it.

Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Shampoo & Conditioner

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Blond Brilliance Conditioning Toner

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Blond Brilliance Conditioning Toner
For the first time in a decade, I colored my hair via balayage highlights – and now I need to care for those highlights. Research and a trip to my local Sally Beauty landed me on Blond Brilliance Conditioning Toner. This $9, house-brand toner is an indigo-hued conditioner suitable for DIY application (read: you won’t screw this up if you aren’t a professional colorist!).

Usage & Results

Flat out, is ridiculous. There’s something hilarious about dispensing This is an intensely pigmented purplish-blue conditioner. By itself, it is not ultra-hydrating, so I like to make a conditioner cocktail of it and whatever conditioner I planned to use that day. I focus this where it is needed; for me, it has been OK to get it all over, but I try to apply it where it will do the most good. Then, I leave it for five minutes while I tend to other aspects of my showering routine. Rinse and you’re good-to-go.

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TIGI Moisture Maniac: A Calculated Risk

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TIGI Moisture ManiacTIGI Moisture Maniac

A couple years ago, I started to have issues with my favorite shampoo and conditioner, TIGI Moisture Maniac. At the same time, it was being discontinued in favor of TIGI’s Urban AntiDotes line, so I discontinued use. Since then, I haven’t found a shampoo and conditioner I truly liked, including its supposed replacement. I didn’t hate all the ones I’ve tried since, but I haven’t been excited enough to repurchase any of them.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a giant display of the shampoo & conditioner duos it during a trip to Costco a little over a month ago?

…I bought two of the duos.

My scalp was happy, my hair was shiny and manageable without buildup. I think I can manage the fragility from the protein.

So here’s my hypothesis:

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Suave Professionals Volumizing Line

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Suave Professionals Volumizing
Suave Professionals Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

Ever on the hunt for a great shampoo and conditioner for my needs, I decided to try another inexpensive option when it was time to repurchase, recently. (Sometimes inexpensive products that don’t seem exciting can be, after all!) So, for science, I picked up the Suave Professionals Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner ($4-6). They are claimed to be as effective as Matrix Amplify (but I have not tried the Matrix product so I am unable to compare).

The clear shampoo lathers well (if you’re into that sort of thing…and if you aren’t, steer clear) and rinses cleanly without too much effort. I found the consistency of the conditioner to be thin – not terribly thin to the point of being useless, but not as thick, creamy, and moisturizing as I would generally like it to be. I apply it and leave it for 3 minutes before rinsing while I other things in the shower, but it does not penetrate the hair shaft as much as I’d like.

Both are noticeably fragranced, but neither are unpleasant, and neither of them tend to linger significantly.
After washing and conditioning, I blowdry my hair without any product other than my Tresemme Heat Protector (inexpensive, works great), my hair does look and feel more voluminous than with what I was using previously (Tresemme Moisture), but it isn’t substantial enough to forego mousse if you need some lift at the scalp. It’s more… fluffy, but not truly voluminous.

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Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Line

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Dove Pure Care Dry OilDove Pure Care Dry Oil

In April, I mentioned having purchased the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil shampoo and conditioner to try. I’ve been using it since early April and feel good about talking about it.

The Dove Pure Care Dry Oil shampoo and conditioner pair would be amazing for someone with a dry scalp or dry hair. It is exceptionally moisturizing (and didn’t cause me to break out on my shoulders or chest or anything [my hair is long!]).

Being an oil-based shampoo, it doesn’t lather immensely. It isn’t as devoid of suds as an SLS-free product would be, but if you get your kicks from tiny bubbles, you won’t get that from this. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t clean – it does. You just won’t be achieving a lather half-afro with it.

The Dove Pure Care Dry Oil conditioner is moisturizing. Definitely better than the Tresemme I’ve been using. Better than the Neutrogena, Suave, and Nexxus, but not quite as good as my old Tigi Moisture Maniac, and DEFINITELY not as good as my Aussie 3-Minute Miracle.

Used together, they impart a significant, noticeable shine to the hair without any additional product or heat styling. My strands were brilliant, and it was a really a pleasant surprise to see. Dove actually makes few claims about this product for me to scrutinize:

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