About the Shampoo: "Cleanses away anything that gets in volume's way to build body, shape and movement into hair. Hair is left textured, voluminously sexy and shiny. Safe for color-treated hair."

About the Conditioner: "Adds incredible body oomph and lift to accentuate voluminous contours. Perks up shine as light moisturizers tame and detangle with frizz control. Safe for color-treated hair. Follow with Vavoom styling and finishing for big, glamorous results."

Jen's Experience: When I first got this shampoo and conditioner, I wasn't impressed. Where is this "bust-out" body they speak of? But after a few weeks of use, I became more and more impressed. It really does wash away all the build-up so you can use it every single day without your hair becoming dry or limp. Plus, I've had no trouble with my blonde color becoming too washed out or brassy with continued use. As far as the body goes, it doesn't exactly deliver knockout results on it's own, but it does make my hair look thicker while remaining extra soft. It also seems to cut down on the frizzies that I get from living with high humidity. And all that volume can be achieved, as they recommend, with the various styling products Vavoom has to offer.

Retail Price: $14.00 each (go to Matrix.com to find a salon near you)

Rating:

What They Say:

"Pure Volume Conditioner is a natural conditioning treatment for fine, limp hair. Body Building botanicals combined with neutral henna and seaweed extract help add volume, smooth and deeply hydrate lifeless hair while controlling static and adding shine. Volume therapy allows this conditioner to actually increase the diameter of hair adding thickness, fullness and texture. 100% vegan, healthy pH, sulfate and dye free."

Alissa's Opinion: This conditioner really delivers in the volume department. My normally fine hair definitely felt thicker smoother even with my regular styling routine. The product itself is very interesting. It's full of natural ingredients, vitamins and proteins and has a light, pleasant citrus scent. It looks like a milky shampoo and it rinses a lot cleaner than most conditioners. This does mean that there are less moisturizing properties, so I wouldn't recommend it for those who need a heavier conditioner. My mother borrowed it during a visit and found that it left her mane full of static. This product would be best for those with fine hair that is not dry or damaged.

Retail Price: $14.99 (Visit AbbaHaircare.com to find a salon near you)

Rating:

About the conditioner: "Sunsilk™ will pick you up with Anti-Flat Conditioner. Formulated with Collagen-C, it detangles and cares for your hair so it can go from blah to full of body and bounce."

About the volumizing cream: "Your genie is in this bottle. Sunsilk™ Anti-Flat Weightless Volumizing Creme is not a conditioner, and it's not a mousse. It combines the best of both in a lightweight concoction to give you visible oomph without that stiff look or that crunchy feel."

Jen's Experience: Trying hair products is sometimes a risky proposition for me, especially those of the drugstore variety. My fine, thin hair is hard to please and is easily damaged. And once my hair is out of whack, it seems to take a long time to get back into shape.

I say this as a prelude to my review, because unlike other hair products that I've tested that I have generally given about a month or so to test, I stopped using these products from SunSilk after about 10 days. In that time, my hair went from having bounce and looking healthy to looking flat and downright greasy. I thought maybe it was just one or the other, so I replaced the conditioner for a few days and just used the volumizing cream (which didn't help at all) and then just used the conditioner and removed the volumizing cream from my routine (which helped somewhat, but not a lot). Was it just weather conditions? After a week or so back with the MATRIX shampoo and conditioner I've been using, I gave each product another shot, with no luck. Do they have some redeeming factors? Well, the conditioner does a great job detangling and it leaves my hair soft, and the volumizing cream does smell pretty good. Other than that, these are all miss and no hit. These may be some of the most inexpensive options on the market, but the results I got were just not worth the bargain.

Retail Prices: $3.26 each (Drugstore.com)

Ratings:

What They Say: Conditioner"Moisturizes, shapes and revitalizes curls. Contains Lemon Grass and Orange Peel Oil to add luster and sheen to hair. 100% vegan, 100% free of synthetic dyes, DEA and cruelty free."

Prep "A moisturizing, curl enhancing tonic that utilizes a cocktail of herbal extracts to restore shine andd curl pattern to dry, lackluster locks. No chemical preservatives, cruelty-free, 100% free of synthetic dyes."

Finish "A versatile organic acidifier that locks in curls and colors, enhances styling support, and shields against environmental damage. Low pH formula seals instantly, ensuring dazzling shine and manageability. Light balancing aromatherapy fragrance ripe with Japanese flower essence."

Jamie's Thoughts: I have gotten the wonderful opportunity to review some earth and animal friendly products here at Delush, for which I am so grateful. Abba is one of the brands of which I would have never otherwise been aware, let alone purchase for my own use. Without touching too heavily on personal politics, I will simply say that I very much appreciate Abba's commitment to purity - both in their approach and ingredient lists.

That being said, I wholeheartedly endorse this grouping of products for curly haired folks. These three fantastic offerings smell AMAZING - crisp, fresh, and perfectly suited for both women and men. The scent perks up your morning routine without being cloying or oppressive. The conditioner combed easily through my ratty bedhead, rinsed cleanly, and moisturized well. My hair was bouncy, shiny, and looked lovely. Potential buyers should note that this is designed as a daily conditioner - it has the ideal texture, weight, and effect for daily use. I would not recommend it for deep conditioning.

As for the prep tonic, my feelings are mixed. I initially used it only in combination with the other Abba products, and didn't think it had enough hold for my natural curls. To ensure that I wasn't blaming a fault of the hairspray on the tonic, I started using it on a solo basis and I have to admit it works better by itself. It's okay within the manufacturer-suggested lineup, but I like it better as a "refresh" spray on dry hair - something to perk up this morning's curls before a night out (or a late morning when there's no time to shower and reset my curls).

The finish spray is great. It smells fantastic (but doesn't linger or distract) and does an above average job at holding my finely textured frizzies in place. I usually use a pomade to style, so it took a week or so of continuous Abba usage before I got comfortable with my bigger, softer curls. After I gave up the heavier approach, I really learned to appreciate the lighter hold. I'm not sure it would be enough in the humid summer months, but while it's cold and dry outside, this works just fine.

Overall, I would recommend all three products - especially the conditioner.

Retail Prices: All three products are $17.00 (available online at www.pureabba.com)

Delush Ratings:
Conditioner
Prep
Finish

What They Say: "Intensive reconstructing treatment that revitalizes hair. Protects color and completely rejuvenates hair. Leaves hair glowing with a renewed radiance. Formulated with Enzymetherapy - The Science of Skincare for Hair™ and infused with Seasilk®, Age-Control Complex™ and Color Hold™"

Jen's Experience: I absolutely love Alterna's Caviar Shampoo and Conditioner, so I was thrilled to get to try their new hair treatment, a masque under the Caviar product line. My hair is dry all year, but in the winter it gets even worse, so I need to use something like this at least once a week. After using this product weekly over the last several weeks, I've definitely had some fabulous hair days that I attribute (at least partly) to this masque. My ends look more healthy, and my hair has a lot more soft volume than it does normally.

I have noticed that when I use it at the end of my shower, I do experience a little bit of limpness until I wash my hair again, and then for the rest of the week my hair looks great. Recently, I started using this masque at the start of my shower, and that's totally fixed the issue. For those with dry hair and especially those who are fans of the Caviar line, I think you'll be impressed with this offering from Alterna.

Retail Price: $40.00 (Check 4Alterna.com for salon locations)

Rating:

What They Say: "New! Promote vibrant color and shine with this specially formulated Bilberry Color Protect Shampoo. UV filters and natural antioxidants help protect hair from color fade and damage caused by sun, pollution, sea and chlorine water.

Bilberry in a multi-fruit complex - Helps to smooth the hair cuticle and add gloss.
Organic soya oil - Is very rich in essential fatty acids that help to repair the skin's moisture barrier, thus helping to restore moisture, smoothness and suppleness. Also helps a group of around 500 farmers maintain their organic agriculture."

Melissa Says: While I appreciate that this shampoo takes measure to provide a level of protection for my color, what I didn't appreciate quite as much was how tangly my hair each time I tried rinsing it out. I also thought my hair was a bit more tangled when I tried to comb it out prior to blowdrying (even after enlisting the help of conditioner), than normally. Other than this, I didn't notice any negatives regarding the product itself. The bottle, however, is another story. It was really difficult to get the shampoo out because of how stiff and not easy to squeeze the bottle is. I took the lid off in attempt to make this easier, but I still am wondering how I would get the product out (which is quite thick), as it gets lower and lower toward the bottom of the bottle.

Retail Price: $9.50 (at thebodyshop.com or at a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Frizz Not. Fear Not. Honey nectar and ginseng hydrate, define and enhance curl shape in even the most humid of conditions.

Kit includes:
4 oz Luscious Curls® Shampoo - Renews elasticity & restores bounce
4 oz Luscious Curls® Conditioner - Defrizzes & detangles curls
2 oz Luscious Curls® Cream - smoothes, controls & defines curl shape"

Jamie's Thoughts: I nearly jumped for joy when I found out I'd be reviewing this product. The products that comprise the trio kit need no introduction; really, the name and buzz alone would indicate that I was in for a fantastic experience.

The scent is great - a creamy citrus, kind of like one of those push pops that we all loved getting from the ice cream truck. The shampoo lathers up nicely, and the conditioner is a smooth, moisturizing dream. The combination of the two left my naturally curly hair lightly hydrated, very soft, and feeling fresh.

The smoothing cream leaves a bit to be desired, however. When used as directed, it's not strong enough to adequately contain my curls. (As a point of reference, my hair is very similar to Keri Russell's - naturally very curly, but the waves aren't necessarily uniform in shape, or size) There simply wasn't enough structure in it to keep my hair smooth when applied to damp hair and allowed to air dry. Surprisingly, I had better results with the smoothing cream when I used it as a defrizzing balm on dry, curly hair.

All in all, this is definitely a combo worthy of the Frederic Fekkai name and cult following, and the smaller sized bottles in this set are great for a 1-month test run (or a treat on a long vacation). I definitely recommend this to any curly girl looking for a solid product regime.

Retail Price: $29.00 (at bathandbodyworks.com and in stores)

DeLush Ratings:
Shampoo -
Conditioner -
Smoothing Cream -

What They Say: "Indulge your dry, tresses in our rich deep conditioner for softness on even the most unruly hair! Experience instantly hydrated healthy, shiny looking hair with this magical treatment that has been created for all hair types seeking moisture! Excellent thermal conditioning treatment as well."

Melissa Says: I get excited about smaller boutique-type cosmetic and beauty product businesses, because you never know what hidden gem you'll find. Also, I love the idea that someone could possibly making the next great product in their kitchen somewhere at this moment!

Honestly, this didn't completely blow me away, though. The scent is truly yummy, which is a plus, and the product felt thick and rich in the jar; but once on my hair I didn't feel like it was really soaking in. You know that "ahh" feeling you get when you apply a conditioner and you can feel that magical transformation to soft, supple and conditioned? Seeing as this is supposed to be a deep conditioner, I really wanted to feel that, but I didn't. I left it on a few minutes before rinsing, but when I rinsed I felt like my hair was tangly. Same when I blow dried.

I will say one other positive thing: my hair felt very thick after using this. And while it was shiny afterward and not hard to manage once it was dry, this still fell short of what I expect from a deep conditioner.

Retail Price: $20.00 (at BodySoFine.biz)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "An intensive, invigorating treatment to revitalize and restore your hair to its natural beauty. Paul Penders Natural Organic Intensive Hair Repair Therapy contains essential fatty acids together with plant extracts and essential oils to restore balance and life to dry, damaged, permed or color-treated hair, leaving it glowing, manageable and beautifully healthy. May be used daily on extremely dry hair or as a weekly treatment for normal hair. Targets and repairs split ends."

Jamie's Thoughts: Are you addicted to your heat-based styling tools? (I know I cannot be the only styling junkie out there that is addicted to the satisfaction of a smooth, straight hairdo) In dry weather, I confess that I regularly set my ceramic flat iron to the maximum temperature and straighten away like a madwoman. Sound familiar?

Take heart, heat addicts. Paul Penders' intensive conditioning treatment will reverse just about any of the damage you may have done to your distressed locks. And the best part? The product ingredients are things that I actually recognize. Lemon balm, yarrow, and jojoba oil, oh my! This rich conditioner is also certified organic, animal-friendly, vegan, and kosher/halal formulated. You know I love a product with good karma.

The consistency is reassuringly thick (a balm, almost, as opposed to a cream), and the scent is very lightly medicinal - but don't worry, the smell won't linger in your hair. Because this product rinses out so cleanly and thoroughly, I would even recommend it to anyone with very fine, or thinning hair. Simply said, this stuff makes my hair look shiny and gorgeous. I would even recommend it to any men out there looking for a no-fuss, effective, intensive treatment conditioner.

Retail Price: $21.50/5 fl. oz. (available at paulpenders.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Now, the icy freshness of cucumber and intoxicating green tea fragrance you love for face and body leave hair fresh, clean and beautiful. Dove Cool Moisture is revitalizing for all hair types."

Melissa Says: I know the Cool Moisture scent from Dove has been fairly popular in its previous forms, but honestly I didn't especially love it in these products. Personally, I found it really intense while using, and afterward I kept thinking "why do I smell laundry?". I don't know, for some reason that's what it reminded me of. Still, my hair was very soft, manageable and shiny while using it, so I really can't give it a bad rap. My husband didn't seem to find the scent bothersome when I asked him about it, so feel free to test it out for yourself. At least you'll get great-looking hair out of it.

Retail Price: $3.99 each (at drugstores & superstores)

DeLush Rating:

About the Shampoo:  "Paul Penders Natural Organic Time Release Low-Suds Shampoo- GENTLE adds volume and texture to fine, limp hair and restores shine to dry or damaged hair.With 22 organic-grown herbs, Italian-sourced olive oil, vitamins, minerals and fine essential oils, Time Release Low-Suds ShampooGENTLE makes your hair shiny and manageable, without stripping your hair's natural oils. Leaves the scalp healthy and clear."

About the Conditioner: "Paul Penders Natural Organic RinseGENTLE untangles hair leaving it shiny, silky and never weighed down. Coconut oil and Aloe Vera work to correct dryness and promote extra body, while Lemon Oil imparts an exquisite fragrance. This unique herbal mixture with added organic apple cider leaves the hair and scalp feeling fresh and clean by eliminating buildup and restoring proper pH levels. Use after ShampooGENTLE to aid in restoring vibrancy and manageability."

Jen's Experience: Ordinarily, I am a huge friend of organic or natural products, but my first impression of this product was, frankly, not so good. The shampoo is designed to be low suds -- it doesn't have all those harsh detergents, so while it's better for your hair, it's hard to get all my hair lathered up. Instead of being soft, it pulls a lot, and until I use the conditioner, it's incredibly tangly. While it's not so fun to use, I find that when I incorporate it into my routine once per week, it really leaves my hair extra clean, shiny, and bouncy. And begrudingly, it's becoming a permanent fixture in my shower. So I'm giving this a mid-grade rating; I don't like using it, but I love the results.

Retail Price: $21.50 each (PaulPenders.com)

Rating:

About the Shampoo:"Signature ingredient: Our certified organic herbal infusion of green tea, meadowsweet, rosemary and certified organic aloe vera infuses limp, fine hair with volumizing moisture and shine.

Product description: Gently cleanses, strengthens and volumizes with essential moisture, pro-vitamins and unique plant proteins for lightweight body, manageability and shine.

Features and benefits: Our Very Emollient Volumizing Shampoo gives fine hair volume and luster without adding excess weight or oiliness. A certified organic herbal infusion of antioxidant rich green tea, meadowsweet for its beta hydroxy acids, and panthenol B-5 from rice husks, brings texture and shine to fine hair.

Who should use this product? For fine hair."

About the Conditioner: Signature ingredient: Our certified organic herbal infusion of chamomile, lemon balm, wild thyme, jojoba and aloe vera delivers a soothing balm of plant proteins, minerals and emollients.

Product description: The perfect balance for everyday conditioning. Pro-vitamins and unique plant proteins add strength and shine, without buildup.

Features and benefits: Our Very Emollient Daily Rinse Conditioner delivers the healing power of beta carotene, soothing chamomile, nourishing vitamin B from nuts and grains, and clarifying lemon balm to hair. This herbal infusion creates manageable volume and lusterous shine without buildup or oiliness.

Who should use this product? For all hair types."

Jen's Experience: Now that it's officially boiling outside I thought it might be time to shelve my ultra-moisturizing shampoos and conditioners and bring in some volumizing products. My hair tends to get flat when it's warm and humid outside, and this year it has been setting new records. I picked up this set of mid-priced shampoo and conditioner from my local Whole Foods, and I couldn't be more pleased with the turnaround in my hair. The scent of the products is wonderful, but what makes them winners is that my hair looks great with just a blow-dry -- no mousse, texturizer, or styling creams to make my hair do what I ask.

Two notes of caution: I was very surprised by the tangles I get when I shampoo. I'm sure that means I'm just getting my hair good and clean, and the tangles come out easily with a good dollop of the conditioner, but I have definitely been less enthusiastic about piling my hair on top of my head and lathering. I also have found that my hair stays healthier looking when I mix in a moisturing shampoo or a hair mask on the weekends to replenish some of the moisture. My hair tends to be really dry even in the summer, and I found the shampoo to be a bit drying. Overall though, I am quite pleased and I think this is an excellent choice for those with fine hair who are looking for something to pump up the volume.

Retail Price: $8.95 each (Whole Foods or AlbaBotanica.com)

Rating:

What They Say: “Illuminate and protect hair color with Graham Webb's Halo Smoothing Shampoo, which controls frizz and helps soften texture for a luxuriously soft, smooth, sleek finish. The technologically advanced formula in this smoothing shampoo balances porosity and closes the cuticle to lock in color and create a smooth, sleek strand of hair from scalp to ends. The gentle formula in Halo's Smoothing Shampoo envelops each strand in a smoothing, protective layer to prevent frizz. Lush surfactants gently cleanse while protecting moisture balance.”

Alissa’s Opinion: I love most of the Halo line, so I wasn’t surprised when I ended up replacing my regular daily shampoo with this one. The difference can be felt as soon as I rinse it out; my locks feel smooth and conditioned. My hair is always soft after washing with this, yet it isn’t weighed down. I like to use Halo Smoothing Shampoo whether I am straightening my hair or wearing it wavy because it stands up nicely to humidity. Of course it smells yummy too!

Retail Price: $13.99/10 oz. (See HaloHairCare.com for salon locations)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: “Logics is the highest expression of pure tone, calibrated haircolor and lavish color maintenance products to customize and preserve the true identity of salon color. “

“Color Nourishing Shampoo is a rich, full-bodied formula that gently cleanses hair and protects color’s brilliance. UV filters help color stay vibrant and true.”

What Lisa Says: Upon receiving this shampoo to test, I immediately had my color touched up so I could see how well this shampoo would live up to its promise.

I am more than 50% grey and my color is a medium to dark brown that fades fairly easily in the sun and with repeated washes. For that reason, I do not shampoo every day but every 3rd day or so. I did shampoo more frequently with Logics Color DNA System and wasn’t disappointed. Not only did my color not fade, but also it stayed dark and true until it was time to re-touch the roots again. In fact, I was really surprised at how much more my roots did show since I had no fading.

As far as texture, without conditioner, my hair had that processed, squeaky kind of dry feeling but I didn’t have that “straw-like” feeling or look that processed hair sometimes has after coloring. It was clean and, after conditioning with my current conditioner, was manageable and I was very happy with how my hair looked and felt. I was certainly happy with how long my color stayed true.

Retail Price: $12.99 /8.5 fl oz. (at select salons and distributors - go here to find a salon near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Dual-Action UV Filters and Anti-Oxidants replenish porous hair shafts with moisture for healtheir hair that keep color longer.
(about the Shampoo)
Replenishes moisture so hair is soft and supple. Seals in color vibrancy. Fights free radicals to help protect color.

(about the Conditioner)
Conditions and detangles dry hair. Replenishes moisture so hair is soft and supple. Ignites intense shine."

Melissa Says:
(about the Shampoo)

• Very mild sudsing action; you can tell it is cleansing gently.
  
• Hair even feels a little "conditioned" after rinsing
  
• Pleasant scent
  
• Great price

(about the Conditioner)

• Super-creamy formula
  
• Not gloppy or overly thick
  
• Rinses with incredibly soft feeling remaining
  
• Leaves hair smoother and softer
  
• Pleasant scent
  
• Great price

Retail Prices: $4.99 each (at drugstores and superstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating: for both

What They Say: "This creamy, sulfate free cleanser is gentle enough to use daily and moisturizing enough to use alone! Ideal cleanser for chemically altered and color treated hair. Perfect for active women! This rich and creamy sulfate free cleanser gently cleanses your curls, hydrates, and conditions the hair all in one step! Infused with carrot seed oil, horse chestnut, sage leaf and arnica Montana flower extract. Perfect cleanser for relaxed, chemically altered, and/or color treated hair."

Toya's Take: As usual, I found that all the Curls products work well together or separately. I like the Curlicious cleanser a lot. It has a luscious scent, sort of like buttercream frosting, if you ask me. It's quite rich and creamy to the touch and I feel it does the job of cleaning gently, yet thoroughly. When used in combination with the rest of the Curls regimen, my hair feels soft, moisturized and is easily detangled, not to mention that it smells great. Another great product from the Curls line!

Retail Price: $13/8 oz. (Curls.biz)

Rating:

What They Say: "This concentrated treatment penetrates quickly to renew and repair all hair types for unprecedented results. Infused with African Cacao Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Caviar Age Control Complex, Photozyme Complex with Color Hold, White Truffle Oil, Champagne Grape Seed Oil, Bulgarian Evening Primrose, Arabian Frankincense, Moroccan Quillaia Bark, and Arnica Flower."

Jen's Experience: Usually when I use a hair treatment or a mask, I do it on Sunday morning so that I don't have to go to work or major social events with a head of overly moisturized hair that's hard to style. With this one, I actually have started using it before I go to events. It does seem to weigh my hair down a bit (easily remedied with a little texturizer and rollers), but it makes my hair so soft and shiny, but with no trace of that greasy look that I normally associate with hair masques. Even if I skip a day of washing after I use this product, my hair looks great and super-healthy. This is a product that I've definitely made part of my weekly routine.

Retail Price: $55.00 (check 4alterna.com for salon locations)

Rating:

What They Say: "Senses are indulged as hair is treated to a beneficial blend proven to maintain healthy hair. Gentle cleansers, detangling conditioners and protective antioxidants keep hair soft, shiny and in perfect balance."

Alissa's Opinion: This pair of products has so many cushy ingredients that I expected it to treat my hair very nicely. In addition to green tea, it contains shea butter and echinacea to moisturize and silicones to enhance shine. It definitely lived up to my expectations and gave me a soft and shiny mane. The shampoo produced a nice thick lather and the conditioner felt thick and luxurious, yet it rinsed out easily. My only complaint is that the scent isn't very appealing, something I wouldn't expect from Back to Basics. It smells faintly medicinal but not offensive. This is a nice everyday product.

Retail Price: $9.95-31.95 for 11.5oz size up to 1/2 gallon size (at salons and select distributors - go here to find one near you)

Delush Rating:

What They Say: "Neutrogena Triple Moisture® Deep Recovery Hair Mask rehabilitates extra dry or over-processed hair with intense moisturization.

This weekly treatment is so concentrated, just a small amount is needed for hair to become soft, lustrous and shining in minutes. Three naturally derived extracts work on the hair strand to defy dryness. Olive penetrates to the center, Meadowfoam Seed helps moisturize the middle and Sweet Almond wraps the surface. Treat your hair to intense moisture with this once-a-week conditioning mask.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture® provides specialized care for extra dry hair.

• Salon approved
  
• Non-waxy
  
• Freshly fragranced

How To Use: Use weekly or as often as needed. After shampooing, apply a small amount of mask to wet hair, concentrating on the ends. Let it penetrate for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse well. Style as usual."

Melissa Says: I really was hoping for a lot here. I mean, that description sounds pretty impressive, no? Well, I wish I could say that my expectations were completely met. Don't get me wrong, my hair really was softened, but I have used products that produce more noticeable results. However, for the price I think this does an admirable job without any greasy feel. My hair has gone through a LOT of coloring over the past couple of years, and I've worked hard at keeping it healthy....but toward my ends I have dryness that is pretty persistent without conditioning aids. With this, I didn't notice an increase in shine as promised, but in addition to the softness I did think my hair felt more full. Overall, the conditioned and very touchable results may please many of you who are looking for an easily-accessible treatment for dried out locks.

Retail Price: app. $7.00 (at drugstores and superstores everywhere)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Can't get that comb to glide through your hair? Well, KNOT TODAY!

A creamy herbal conditioner and detangler designed to smooth the cuticle and remove knots, snarls and tangles from kinky textured hair. Apply generously and work the wide tooth comb slowly through troubled areas. Our new thicker, richer formula can be used as a regular rinse out conditioner and also as a leave-in.

Contains extracts of wild cherry bark, marshmallow root and horsetail."

Toya's Take: I have fallen in love with Kinky-Curly products! Of course, I am always on the hunt for the perfect products to use on my "kinky curly" hair. I think I have found them. They are the perfect products to loosen my curls and soften them, without using any chemical processes. Knot Today is part of a system of products designed to work together to achieve maximum curl length, looseness, shine, and frizz reduction. The Knot Today is odorless, which is nice - it won't be offensive to those who have smell sensitivities. I have to apply it quite liberally - I goop a lot on to my hair and then comb it through. It detangles my hair easily, without lots of pulling and effort on my part. Love it! My only problem is that the bottle isn't very big and I have to use a lot to detangle my mass of hair, so I feel like I went through half the bottle already! Kinky Curly, make bigger bottles of this stuff!

Retail Price: $12 for 8 ozs. (at kinky-curly.com or scroll to the bottom of the shopping page to see a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This magical Asian Hair Tea conditioner combines exotic extracts and vitamin packed botanicals with natural emollients to moisturize, condition, strengthen and protect your over worked curls. If you have dry, coarse, chemically treated and/or damaged your hair...this conditioner is a must have!"

Toya's Take: According to the Curls website, the Ecstasy Asian Hair Tea Conditioner is the stuff to use when you have "dry, damaged, chemically processed, overly stressed" hair. It's supposed to be useful as a regular conditioner, a leave-in or as a deep treatment with heat. I tried it as both a regular conditioner and a deep treatment. I have to say that I like the product, but not any more than the Coconut Sublime Moisture Max Conditioner. I really couldn't tell the difference. My hair did feel nicely moisturized and easily detangled, but it feels that way every time I use Curls products. So, I have nothing bad to say about this product. I like it a lot. But I have to say that I think this is duplication of effort for the product line. You can get equally good results from the other conditioner offered.

Retail Price: $19 for 16 ozs. www.curls.biz)

DeLush Rating:

About the Shampoo: "Matrix Amplify Shampoo leaves hair looking and feeling thicker. A weightless cleansing complex works beneath the surface of the hair fiber to add fullness. Matrix Amplify Shampoo actually generates volume with each use. Especially formulated for volumizing. Good on all hair types. Safe on chemically treated hair."

About the conditioner: "Matrix Amplify Conditioner provides weightless conditioning that hydrates and protects hair's strength while it gives hair more volume and thickness. Hair is manageable and shinier. Matrix Amplify Conditioner is especially formulated for volumizing. Good on all hair types. Safe on chemically treated hair."

Jen's Experience: I recently decided to dye my hair darker (kind of a medium brown) for fashion week. My hairdresser recommended this shampoo and conditioner combo in particular to give my newly colored hair some volume and protect it from fading. My hair looked great when I left the salon, but when I started using this shampoo, it just went down hill. It's fine when I first get out of the shower, but throughout the day it looks greasier and greasier. As a result, I end up having to wash it every single day. With all the washing, my color faded away in just weeks. Not so good for chemically treated hair after all, I guess. I originally thought that perhaps the color infusion had made my hair more moisturized and that was why my hair looked so greasy. But switching to another shampoo and conditioner pair immediately improved the appearance of my hair. So, basically, I'm not impressed.

Retail Price: $11.95 each (visit Matrix.com to find a local salon)

Rating:

What They Say: "Senses a