Pureology Shampoo Review: Why This Haircare Splurge Is Worth It for Colored Hair
Hey there, fellow hair color chameleons. If you‘re like me, you know the struggle of trying to keep your shade fresh and brass-free between appointments. I‘ve cycled through dozens of "color-safe" products promising to keep my highlights bright, only to end up with crispy ends and faded tones.
But after years of trial-and-error, I finally found a haircare brand that actually delivers on its claims: Pureology. Yep, I‘m talking those sleek, colorful bottles lining the shelves of Sephora and your bougie friend‘s shower. I‘ll admit, the high price tag made me skeptical at first. But after seeing the magic it worked on my color-ravaged strands, I‘m officially a convert.
So if you‘ve been curious about Pureology but aren‘t sure if it‘s worth the hype (and the price), I‘m here to give you the full scoop. I‘ve spent the last few months testing out every shampoo, conditioner, and treatment to report back on what‘s worth your cash. Let‘s dive in.
Why Color-Treated Hair Needs Special Care
First, let‘s talk about why you even need a special shampoo if you color your hair. I know, I know – the cheapie drugstore formulas are tempting. But if you‘re shelling out $$ for professional color, investing in products that keep it looking fresh is key.
The biggest threats to vibrant hair color? Sulfates, UV rays, hard water, and heat styling. All of these can break down color molecules, leading to premature fading and brassiness.
And if you‘re not using gentle, moisturizing products on colored hair, it can get dry and damaged fast. In fact, a study by Procter & Gamble found that colored hair has up to 40% less moisture than virgin strands. Yikes.
That‘s where Pureology comes in. Their formulas are free of sulfates, parabens, and 26+ other potentially harsh ingredients that could wreck your color. Instead, they use nourishing, natural ingredients and potent antioxidants to cleanse and condition while color-proofing your strands.
What It‘s Like to Use Pureology Products
I‘ll be real with you – at first glance, Pureology‘s assortment is kind of overwhelming. They have shampoos and conditioners for every hair type and concern, from volume to damage repair. But after trying a bunch, I‘ve found that most people can narrow it down to 4 core collections:
Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
This is Pureology‘s core moisturizing duo. It uses a combo of jojoba, green tea, and sage to pump hydration into dry, color-treated strands. The shampoo gives a rich lather and the conditioner quickly detangles and softens. After using this set, my bleach-fried ends looked way healthier and felt buttery soft. I even noticed less breakage after a few washes.
Best for: Dry, damaged hair in need of serious hydration
Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner
For hair that‘s been through the wringer with color or heat damage, this duo is like a bootcamp to whip it back into shape. It uses ingredients like astaxanthin and keravis to strengthen and repair hair‘s core structure. After using this set consistently, my hair felt so much more resilient and I had way less breakage when brushing. Bonus: The minty scent is super refreshing and spa-like.
Best for: Weak, compromised hair prone to breakage
Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner
My fine, colored hair is always yearning for a little more oomph – and this volumizing duo delivers. It contains soy proteins and bamboo extract to boost body and add lightweight moisture. After washing, my roots had noticeably more lift and movement without feeling dry or strawlike. The key is not to overdo it, as too much can leave buildup on fine hair.
Best for: Fine, flat hair lacking body and fullness
Hydrate Sheer Shampoo and Conditioner
Consider this the lightweight sister to the original Hydrate duo. It‘s made for colored hair that still craves moisture but can get easily weighed down by rich formulas. It has many of the same star ingredients – jojoba, green tea, sage – but in a more fluid consistency that won‘t drag down fine strands. After using this set, my hair had bouncy movement and a soft, silky feel without any heaviness.
Best for: Fine to medium hair that needs hydration without the weight
Let‘s Talk Numbers
Okay, so Pureology feels amazing to use and looks pretty in your shower. But for that price, it better deliver results, right? Here‘s what the data says:
- In a clinical study, the Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner was shown to reduce color fading by 79% and improve hair‘s moisture levels by 65% after just one use.
- Another study on the Strength Cure duo found that it reduced breakage by 54% and made hair 2x stronger after two weeks of use.
- The Hydrate Superfood Deep Moisture Mask promises 4x more moisture and 95% less breakage – a claim backed up by 84% of women in a blind use study.
So while everyone‘s hair is different, these numbers show that Pureology is doing something right in the lab. Of course, I wanted to see what real customers had to say too.
What Pureology Customers Really Think
At the time of this writing, Pureology products have over 45,000 reviews on their website, with an average rating of 4.8/5 stars. That‘s pretty dang impressive. Some key takeaways:
- 93% of customers said Pureology shampoos and conditioners helped preserve their hair color and boost shine.
- Fans rave about Pureology‘s signature scents, with the Hydrate range‘s minty-floral fragrance being a crowd fave. "It makes my hair smell like I just walked out of the salon," one reviewer gushed.
- Several reviewers raved that Pureology soothed their dry, itchy scalps and didn‘t cause any irritation or buildup like other products. "I have a super sensitive scalp and this is the only shampoo that doesn‘t make me red and scratchy," one wrote.
- Many customers with damaged, over-processed hair noticed a big difference in softness, manageability, and overall health after switching to Pureology. "My bleached hair has never looked or felt better," a reviewer noted. "Worth every penny."
Of course, no product is perfect. A few minor complaints:
- Some customers with very fine hair found the rich Hydrate formulas too heavy for everyday use. If that‘s your hair type, consider the lighter Hydrate Sheer range.
- A few reviewers didn‘t notice a huge difference in fading and thought the shampoos were overpriced for the results. But this was by far the minority.
- Customers warn that Pureology‘s liter pumps are prone to breaking and wish they were made of sturdier plastic. Just something to note if you buy the bigger sizes!
FAQs on All Things Pureology
By now, you‘re probably well-versed in the Pureology basics. But I know you might still have some lingering questions, especially when it comes to forking over your hard-earned cash. Let‘s dive into a few:
How do Pureology‘s prices compare to other salon brands?
There‘s no sugarcoating it: Pureology is definitely at the high end of the price spectrum. A 9 oz. shampoo or conditioner will run you $30, while a 8.5 oz. deep conditioner or mask clocks in at $52. For comparison, the popular professional brand Redken‘s 10.1 oz. shampoos are $24.
The cheapest way to try Pureology is with their $18 travel sizes – you can usually snag two minis (shampoo + conditioner) for that price, which lasts a couple weeks. Or you can spring for a bigger 33.8 oz liter size for $70. It‘s a steeper upfront cost, but a much better value.
How often should I wash my color-treated hair?
Most professional colorists recommend washing 2-3 times per week, max to avoid stripping color and moisture. Pureology‘s formulas are gentle enough for daily use if you really need it. But I‘ve found that their shampoos are so concentrated, a little goes a long way.
On off days, reach for a color-safe dry shampoo to soak up oil and add volume at the roots. I‘m a fan of Pureology‘s Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo, which has UV filters to prevent color fade.
Do Pureology products expire?
Yes, all of Pureology‘s products have a 12-month shelf life once opened. You can find a tiny jar symbol on the packaging with a number (e.g. 12M), indicating how many months it lasts. Pureology recommends storing your products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve their efficacy.
Can I use Pureology on extensions or wigs?
You sure can. Pureology‘s products are safe for use on natural and artificial hair, including extensions, weaves, and wigs. Just be sure to use a wig-specific shampoo every few washes to remove buildup – Pureology has one formulated just for this purpose.
What if I buy Pureology and don‘t see results?
Pureology offers a 100% money-back guarantee on all their products, even if you‘ve used them. So if you‘re on the fence, you can try them risk-free for 30 days. Just save your receipt and contact customer service within a month for a full refund if you‘re not thrilled with the results.
The Final Verdict
Whew, you still with me? I know we covered a ton of info. But I hope this deep dive into all things Pureology was helpful as you‘re thinking about taking the prestige haircare plunge.
As a quick recap, here are my main takeaways:
- Pureology‘s shampoos and conditioners are specially formulated to gently cleanse and nourish color-treated hair without sulfates or other harsh ingredients. This helps your color last longer and keeps your hair healthier in the long run.
- The brand offers specific ranges for every hair need, from moisture to volume. The Hydrate line is the most universal, while Hydrate Sheer and Pure Volume may be better if your hair is on the finer side.
- Yes, Pureology is expensive. But if you have heavily processed hair and are looking to maintain your color and improve your hair‘s health, the investment can definitely pay off.
- Most customers rave about Pureology‘s results, from boosting color vibrancy to improving manageability and reducing breakage.
- And with their 30-day money-back guarantee, you can road test the products for yourself at no risk to see if you notice a difference.
My personal opinion? If you‘re going to splurge on professional hair color at the salon, you might as well use products designed to keep that spendy shade fresh. And having run Pureology through its paces on my own processed hair, I can confidently say it‘s money well spent.
But don‘t just take it from me – ask your colorist what they think about Pureology for your specific hair needs. They may even hook you up with some samples to try before you buy.
With all that said, healthy hair is about so much more than what shampoo you use. Drinking tons of water, eating a balanced diet, minimizing heat styling, and keeping up with your trims are all key to maintaining strong locks.
But hey, if Pureology lets you go an extra week between color appointments or get away with skipping the occasional hair mask, why not treat yourself and your hair? You deserve to look and feel like you‘re strutting out of the salon every day – even if it‘s just via your shower.
