Samplestore: Essentials, The Perfect Solution to Combination Hair? [Sponsored Review]

In a climate like Singapore, it is very common to find yourself having oily scalp... and at the same if you dye your hair quite a lot, it's common to find yourself having dry damaged ends.

And apparently, there is a new term to describe a hair condition like that, yup~ It's called "combination hair" that is pretty much the same as "combination skin"!

With that being said, Essential claims to have found the perfect solution to Combination Hair with their Light Finish Volumizing and Deep Cleansing Care Hair care! With the optimum combination of Smart Cuticle Care & Sebum Cleansing Technology, you can now achieve moisturized hair ends while maintaining a refreshed breathable scalp!

And now, for a limited time only, Essential is also giving out a massage shampoo brush with purchase of their shampoo and conditioner!

A massage shampoo brush is a common hair care tool in Japan and is used to help remove dirt and sebum more effectively from the scalp. The massaging action on the scalp is said to improve blood circulation and promote relaxation.

To Use:

Shampoo

Massage onto wet hair to lather. Hold brush handle between index and third finger and rub the bristles onto scalp gently from side to side with small movements. Do not move the brush in circular motions as this will cause tangles.

Rinse off completely.

Conditioner

After shampooing, gently massage conditioner onto hair. Rinse off completely. 

Suitable for daily use.

VERDICT

Texture: Both shampoo varies differently from each other, and so does their conditioner... but that being said, they both feels the same to me.

Smell:  Both have floral scents

Ingredients:

Shampoo- Water (Aqua), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Alcohol, Laureth-4 Carboxylic Acid, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Isodecyl Glyceryl Ether, Fragrance (Parfum), PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-10, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-7, Citric Acid, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Malic Acid, Laureth-16, Polyquaternium-52, Lanolin Acid, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090

Conditioner- Water (Aqua), Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Fragrance (Parfum), Isopropyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Steartrimonium Chloride, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearoxypropyl Dimethy

Cost: $19.60 for Shampoo 750ml + Conditioner 750ml with free Massage Shampoo Brush (hot pink or mint green) from mid-May 2015

Product Rating: 6/10
I found the massage shampoo brush very intriguing because I have heard and seen it before but I have never tried and put it to the test. So, I decided to test the effectiveness of using the massage shampoo brush compared to normal fingers.

To represent sebum and "clogged pores" on the scalp, I used a semi-waterproof kajal eyeliner because it's oil-based, hard to budge and dark & visible enough to see.

So one on side, I used the pads of my finger with Essential's Deep Cleansing Care shampoo to attempt to wash the eyeliner away; on the other side, I used the massage shampoo brush.

The result? Yes, the brush does make a difference in removal and it does boost circulation to the area (as seen by the redness of my skin).

As for the shampoos, I am very skeptic of them because I read ingredients. Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is a better alternative to SLS, so I will close an eye on it... but what's Alcohol doing so high up in the list?!

So for conditioner, a glance at the ingredient lists the top few are all mostly hydrating/moisturizing ingredients... but there is also alcohol in it.. which is weird, isn't it? Can anybody explain the use of it in such products? Does it help to preserve or stabilize the mixture?

That being said, I do find my hair to be smoother and softer after use.. just that it hasn't proven effective in helping me with my oily scalp issues. In fact, my hair feels weighed down and looks limp at the roots, only the ends are airy and light! Hahaha!



So no, I don't think they are the perfect solution to combination hair, because it made my oily scalp worse.

Have you tried them before?

Am I the only one who isn't seeing the results?

Do feel free to let me know!

Essentials Light Finish Volumizing and Deep Cleansing Care Hair care with their limited edition massage shampoo brush can be found at leading supermarkets and personal care stores (NTUC and Sheng Siong stores) now!

If you want to test them out first before buying, head over to Essentials Facebook Page here to redeem Free Samples!