Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Shampoo & Foam Conditioner in Blue Ginger & Micellar Water

Today's post is different than the norm for a few reasons. First, a big disclosure: I did not pay for these products, they were sent to me in exchange for an honest review by the company- via Influenster. So, thank you Influenster for including me in the Herbal Essences Voxbox. (As an aside, Influenster is fabulous and open to all to sign up!)

I will be posting a few new reviews soon, as well as some other posts- so if this isn't your cup of tea, stay tuned.

These products arrived on the perfect day- a hair washing day, two weeks out from a scheduled hair appointment. That means that my color isn't fresh, and I'm ready to test a new product.

There were two products in this box: the Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Refresh Blue Ginger and Micellar Water shampoo. Let's look at the claims. 0 dyes (great) 0 gluten (ok, cool but not something I look for in haircare), 0 parabens (cool) and 0 silicone (awesome).

This bottle contains 13.5 fl ounces and retails around the $5.99-$6.99 range since pricing varies per retailer.

I'll readily admit to my heart sinking when I saw the ingredient list. Take a look:

Ouch. So two sulfates and salt in the top four... all ingredients I don't like using on my hair. For the sake of the review- and knowing that my hair was going to get some TLC in two weeks- I forged ahead.

I forgot just how much sulfates make shampoos suds up. As I was testing it, I was flashing back to using Herbal Essences as a teen and how I'd beg my mother to pick up different ones at the local grocery store.

My hair felt pretty dry after using this before putting on conditioner- about what I expected. I wouldn't repurchase the shampoo on its own, but the conditioner made the overall testing experience worthwhile. I've also discontinued usage of the shampoo after giving it a generous three attempts (generous since it's been years since I've gone mostly sulfate-free!)


Now, the product I was more intrigued by: the foam conditioner.

The Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Refresh Blue Ginger and Micellar Water Foam Conditioner is again in that $6-8 range per retailer.

According to the brand, this product is specifically targeted at fine hair- something I've got. My hair is fine to normal but I've got a lot of it.

Look at the ingredients- I'm in for this one.

Be careful, this one squirts out fast. Admittedly I'm on a foam product kick, playing with foaming body washes, but this is a new one for me. It almost felt like a mousse.

Not only was this fun, but it took that squeaky dry (hello sulfates) feeling out of my hair that the shampoo imparted. I almost feel like the form of this conditioner helped out my hair in new ways. I'll admit that I normally have to dry my hair immediately and nearly sabotaged this review (or, at least the first trial since I'll always try a shampoo/conditioner at least three times before writing a review) by getting sidetracked because one of my favorite shows was back on and I got sucked in with a towel on my head.

Even if my hair could be straightened following some extended towel time, this usually means my hair is limp. Guess what? It wasn't- and I attribute this to the foam conditioner. I'll totally keep using this because it lacks any bad ingredients and I love the form.


I like the scent, even though it's one admittedly I wouldn't have picked up on my own. It's pleasant and light. I was scoping out other options at my local stores, which tells you I like it. I'm also curious about the dry shampoo because I'm a dry shampoo fiend.

All in all, I'm very grateful to Influenster and Herbal Essences for gifting me this set to try out. I honestly think this is a great pair. If my hair was used to some of the ingredients in the shampoo (like it was a few years ago), I think it has the potential to be a sulfate-using QBB shower staple. The scent is unique, fresh, and not overpowering. If you're not specifically avoiding those ingredients, I do recommend trying the pair out together. I wouldn't recommend the shampoo on its own because I found it drying- but the conditioner helped a ton. I will continue to use the conditioner, and may even try another scent.

It's very cool to see one of my old favorite lines continuing to innovate. And the conditioner? Holy cow that's innovative.

While yes, I did receive these to review, I hope that you'll see that I'm being honest about them. They are nice products, although one isn't suitable for my needs.

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is one of those items that has always sounded like a great idea for me, but I've struggled to figure out how to use it in real life.  I've worked my way through a series of failed flings with dry shampoo, but may have landed on a winning formula with Drybar's Detox Dry Shampoo.

I've briefly discussed my hair on this blog before, but let me refresh your memory since it's been a few months.  I have long, straight, fine color-treated hair- and a lot of it.  I dye my hair red (I'm not telling if I'm a natural redhead or another color!), so naturally it fades very quickly.  One of the top tricks that I've come across is both delaying the initial wash following when I get my hair dyed, and also shampooing less often.

I may know it's bad, but I grew up having to wash my hair daily because I'd sweat in my sleep and would end up with oily hair.  Over the past year, I've made a dedicated effort to wash my hair far less often.  Enter dry shampoo.

In full disclosure, I purchased the Detox Dry Shampoo as a part of the Morning After Kit at Sephora only because the store was out of the shower cap alone- the real reason I was in the store (review to follow).

Detox Dry Shampoo retails for $20 for 3.5oz, and comes in two versions: original and brunette.  The Morning After Kit (LE) retails for $35 and includes Detox Dry Shampoo and The Morning After Shower Cap. 

Here's the rear of the can:

Ingredient-hawks, you can find the full list here.  I verified that the list on the site matches that on the back of the can exactly.

This is an aerosol, with a large nozzle:

Now, let's talk about the dry shampoo:

The directions state to shake extremely well, then spray 2-4 inches from roots and gently blend.  I tried this two mornings recently when I was running late for work. 

In both cases, I shook the can for a good 3 minutes or so (hey, I listen to extremely), then applied a good 2 inches from my roots.  I applied a healthy amount since I have a lot of hair and blended.

In both trials, I also brought pins/hair ties to put my hair up if it felt greasy by mid-day.  Shockingly, I never felt the need to do so!  It took me a bit longer to do my hair since I did more of a real blowout in each section prior to flat ironing my hair.  Still, it was faster than washing and drying my hair that morning.

It applied clear and blended with my hair, which is a plus. Other dry shampoos that I've tried have left me looking like I have dandruff.  By a mile, this is my best experience with a dry shampoo.  I wouldn't use it on a regular basis, but it's great to have on-hand for a pinch.

Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo + Conditioner

I'll admit it.  I'm a huge faker.  When it comes to my hair color, that is.

Although most people would assume that my luscious locks were naturally their current color (and they've been so for seven years!), I was blessed with hair known as  "dishwater blonde", "bleh", "nothing", "boring", "bland", and other terms of affection by my various hairdressers.  So, I combat my less-than-exciting hair in the only way that a modern woman can: I color it. Obsessively. And deny, deny, deny that it's another other than natural.

Anyone has who has had a long-term commitment to color-treated locks knows that finding the right shampoo and conditioner are key.  For years, I've been an Aveda girl.  I still reach for it when I get a chance to go to an Aveda salon, but I've started to enjoy some variety in my hair routine.

I was introduced to Kiehl's for the first time during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale when I started chatting with one of the brand reps.  He sent me on my way with a handful of samples, one of which I had to buy almost immediately (Argan Oil Conditioner).  That led me down the path towards my current new loves: Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo + Conditioner.

Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo retails at $18/8.4 fl oz, and Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner retails at $19/6.8fl oz.

Like the other Kiehl's hair products I've tried, these do not lather, and are sulfate-, silicon-, and paraben-free. It takes a bit of adjustment, but my hair is softer, shinier, and healthier than ever.  Despite monthly abuse, my hair is in great condition.  Unlike some of the other color-protecting products I've tried lately (B+B), these don't weigh my hair down or leave a greasy feeling partway through the day.  The best unexpected bonus?  The delicious peach scent.

Bottom Line: If you've got color-treated hair, check this line out. Kiehl's as a whole believes in sampling; try before committing.