What They Say: "Ultimate workable blow-drying tool to create lift and lasting style."

• Unique gel-to-crème formula with heat-activated polymers enhances volume and bounce
  
• Rice, Milk Thistle and Bamboo Milk condition and add shine with a clean feel
  
• Humidity resistant for maximum frizz control with a clean feel
  
• Protects against heat styling damage
  
• Innovative airless pump delivery system
  
• Medium hold
  

Jen's Experience: Continuing on my quest for healthy, shiny, and yes, voluminous hair, I added this product to my rotation recently to help with body and to prevent damage when I'm styling. I like the pleasant scent, but I found that a little goes a long way, anymore and it really makes my hair gunky. As far as styling goes, it does make my hair more responsive to heat and hold style better. Unfortunately, it didn't do much for my primary goal of adding volume. Overall, it's a good styling gel and I like using it in my routine, but I'm just a little disappointed that it didn't give me the volume I was looking for.

Retail Price: $13.95 (See Matrix website for salon locations)

Rating:

What They Say: "...a lightweight, no-hold spray that preserves the longevity of color-treated hair while also draping it with shimmering shine and controlling frizz and flyaways. Featuring a blend of botanical ingredients including Wheat Germ, Soybean and Citrus oils, the formula helps to detangle, strengthen and soften hair - while enhancing the radiance of any hair color. Simply spritz on dry hair and prepare to dazzle with brilliantly lustrous locks.

• Lightweight no-hold mist that preserves the longevity of colored hair
• UV filters help shield color from fading
• Protects against free radical damage
• Adds shimmering shine
• Controls frizz and flyaways
• Provides heat protection while styling "

Melissa Says: As someone who hasn't had color-free hair for many years now, I am interested in anything that can provide protection from fading. Obviously, the UV filters would help prevent some damage due to those nasty rays, and adding that extra layer is a way to protect your investment a little bit. I have red tones in my hair right now, which are the hardest to keep looking fresh (when they're artificial!), and I do think this has made a difference for me in this area as far as extending the fresh look of my shade a bit longer.

It's true what they say about it being lightweight - I get really hesitant with shine sprays or formulas when applying because I'm so afraid of that greasy look that comes right after the initial shine. However, I actually found myself applying it a second time fhe first few times I used it before I got used to approximating how much I could spray onto my hair. The results were a nice shine, absolutely zero slick or greasy feel (this was the most surprising!) and slightly less frizz.

It does have a somewhat strong scent initially (not much more than many styling products) that you should note in case you are sensitive to smells. It disappears completely after a few minutes, though, and likely wouldn't bother most of you at all.

I wouldn't want you to mistake this for a smoothing formula, as that really isn't the main effect. The shine is the most notable result, of course, and is especially impressive when used on hair that is pulled back. It does help control some flyaways, but I would still rely on hairspray first for the most stubborn pieces, with this sprayed on top for finish.

Retail Price: $13.95 for 4.2 oz (in select salons - call 800.6.MATRIX or go here and enter your zip code to find a salon near you)

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What They Say:

• Cera-Repair®, home maintenance treatments, prolong hair’s salon-renewed health and manageability.


• Maintains moisture & softness


• Repairs & strengthens

With a less intensive concentration of the Ceramides found in the Pro4 treatment, this crème-gel can be used once a week for five weeks, providing the ticket to red carpet-worthy tresses. Simply replace regular conditioner with one tube of Cera-Repair® for hair that looks amazingly healthy, shiny and revitalized from one salon visit to the next.

Jen's Experience: My hair is extremely well-moisturized at this point from all of the moisturizing shampoos and masques and hair sheets that I've been using. Despite that fact, I looked in the mirror before I started using this and was dismayed to see tons of damaged ends. After using the Cera-Repair, I've noticed a tremendous improvement in the ends. It also did a good job moisturizing the entire length of my hair, but since it wasn't dry, it was a bit much and left my hair very limp. I think this product is a fantastic choice when your hair has a lot of split ends or is dry from over-processing, but I would only use it in limited amounts if your hair is oily.

Retail Price: $14.95 (check Matrix.com for local salons)

Rating:

What They Say: "Replenish dry, stressed hair with a dose of intense moisture. Infused with a complex of algae and aloe vera to help restore hair's moisture balance. Hydrating Shampoo, Conditioning Balm and Cera-Repair® treatment nourish hair for superior softness, shine and manageability."

Jen's Experience: I have dry hair year-round, but in the winter it's really dry, so it's always nice to have a product like this on hand. I found this conditioning balm to be extremely effective; so much so, I don't even have to use it on a daily basis. It cleans up my ends so nicely that I don't feel my usual compulsion to curl or flatiron my hair. I will have to say, I found that using it too often did weight down my hair a bit. I have started using it just about every other time I wash, and I try to avoid using it when I'm trying for high volume. That said, my hair is thankful for this product now that cooler weather is here.

Retail Price: $14.95 (click here to locate a salon near you)

Rating:

What They Say:
"• Luxurious styling creme that instantly moisturizes and seals split ends
• Softens, adds shine and controls frizz
• Shaping Polymers make dry hair easy to style
• Provides heat protection while styling
• Soft-to-medium hold"

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I have a new secret hair weapon. This is one of those products that I'm going to tell all of my friends about. The light formula doesn't weigh my hair down (at ALL), leaves my hair super-soft, and adds shine. My hair has a tendency to feel really coarse on the ends and frizz out, especially when I have multiple lenghts cut into it (as I do now). This smoothes my ends down and softens them better than anything I've tried.

User Tip: Apply this before blow-drying, making sure to distribute evenly with a comb.

Retail Price: app. $14.50 (at salons - find one near you here)

DeLush Rating: