When you think of damaged hair from too much processing, I pretty much fit that to a T. Since middle school days when I started experimenting with wash-out coloring, hair crimping, and then dying my hair black, my hair has been through a lot. As I've gotten older, and grown out of the pink hair perm phase, I've started going for a more natural look - balayage highlights and the occasional Brazilian blowout to keep it looking sleek. But after years of processing my hair, it's no longer soft and healthy-looking like it once was. So, if a bottle promises hydration, intensive repair, or a remedy for dryness, I'm all in. Unfortunately, I've tried them all, but I've never found anything that works. I've even done some of the home remedies online (I won't go into detail but one involved mayo and avocado). Luckily, my best friend saved me when she introduced me to Prose hair care.
Prose makes customized hair care formulated at their lab in New York City. They develop custom shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks, and all ingredients are based on each individual's specific hair needs. Rather than going to the supermarket or the salon and feeling like I have to compromise on a product that claims to make my hair less frizzy, more curly, less oily, or more sleek, I could just go online and create a formula for my exact hair, no one else's. Prose is essentially acknowledging that no two people are exactly the same, and neither is our hair. The problem with all these other products that are unable to fulfill their promises, is that they don't know your exact hair. Prose, however, uses a scientific approach that considers 85 different points about your hair and lifestyle when creating your custom formula. This struck me as absolutely brilliant.
I started with their comprehensive consultation that asks everything they need to know to get a sense of where your hair is at and where you want it to be, whether you're just looking for a product that is effective and smells good, or you're like me, and have hair goals. The questions ask about your hair texture, length, and thickness, and things like styling tools you currently use and treatments you've tried. I felt like I was answering questions and getting educated about my hair at the same time!
Based on your responses, you get a hair score and they tell you the geo-aggressors that may be impacting your hair and scalp, like humidity, pollution and water quality. My hair was rated as being pretty damaged, which I expected, but I also learned that my hair is more oily than average, and my formula could help me get rebalanced and hydrated. You can even choose your scent. I went with their signature scent because I love floral shampoo and peony is my favorite.
At the end of the consultation, all of the ingredients are displayed with explanations of why they were chosen for me. My formula included collagen for fiber repair, silk protein for cuticle nutrition, and spirulina to help with the oiliness. Everything is free of parabens, mineral oil, dyes, sulfates, and GMOs, with the option to make yours vegan, gluten free, or silicone free. My routine consisted of a shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask, so I ordered all three.
After using the products for a few weeks, I could not only tell a difference in the feel of my hair, but also in the look - it was noticeably smoother and healthier that it had been in years. They all smell delicious, a subtle floral fragrance with a hint of sweetness. My hair looks all around healthier, with a nice silky shine and the oil is kept at bay. I can't imagine going back to old stuff I used to use.
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