Let me start off with a short description of my hair. It’s color-treated, relatively coarse, thick, and tends to take on the shape of a mushroom when it gets longer. Lovely, no?
I’m constantly on the hunt for shampoos and conditioners to fill a variety of needs: protecting my color, smoothing my strands, not adding any unnecessary volume or weight, and adding a bit of natural shine (not that gross shine that looks like a chef has been using your coiffure to season his wok). How demanding am I? No wonder I’m single…
So, with my pith helmet securely on my head and my trusty rifle tucked under my arm, I trooped off to Sally’s one day when my last round of hair products ran out. I had to take down the lioness-like saleswoman before I reached the hair aisle, but I finally found myself perusing the new arrivals, when I spotted a small display of One ‘n Only products. I’ve used their Argan Oil Hair Treatment before (a near perfect dupe for MorrocanOil, at a fraction of the cost! Can anyone say hooray for non-branded packaging?), and having been pretty happy with the quality, I decided to take the dive and nab the matching shampoo ($9.49) and conditioner ($9.49). After having spent more time arguing with the cashier than shopping, repeating relentlessly that I did not want to sign up for a Sally Card because I already had one, I headed home to try out my mini-haul.
By this time, it had been about a week since I had used a clarifying treatment on my hair (to remove the residue left from the relatively heavy Jonathan:Dirt cream-paste and Davines Relaxing Fluid), and a day since I’d washed it, so these seemed like perfect conditions to put this stuff to the test.
Stepping into the shower, I just let the water splay over my back for a minute or two. Don’t you just love that feeling of near-boiling hot water opening every pore on your body; little tendrils of steam wrapping themselves softly around your limbs, caressing your neck, providing a sensuous release from the stress outside the glass door? Don’t tell me you don’t, because I won’t believe you.
I started out with the shampoo, a slightly pearlescent, translucent gel, and squeezed about a quarter-sized amount into my hand. Working it around between my palms, I expected frothy mini-bubbles, but none appeared because the product contains very few surfactants — chemicals which, while providing excellent cleansing, strip color.
I worked it. And worked it. And nothing. Not a single bubble. The gel had just turned slightly milky and a bit thinner. So, from the get-go, I was already skeptical. But I was willing to tough it out for the sake of testing (and the fact that there was no way I was stepping out into the frigid bathroom this early).
I massaged the stuff into my hair, let it sit for two minutes (I have no idea why, and there is absolutely no evidence to support this, but my hair always feels cleaner if I let the shampoo sit for a bit) and washed it out. After recovering from the shock of the cold water running down my face, I really felt my hair. And it felt clean. Like, really clean. Near what it feels like after I use a clarifying treatment, but much, much smoother.
This was good. So I moved onto the conditioner. This stuff just seemed like your average conditioner — thick, white, and creamy. It spread surprisingly far and made my hair feel really slippery, definitely due in part to the few and various silicones in it. I busted out a quick showtune (“Defying Gravity” from Wicked — really helps the conditioner absorb better), rinsed, and stepped out from the tender embrace of the tiled sanctuary and into the cold, bleak bathroom.
Blotting my hair partially dry, I finished washing up, changed, and lounged around for a bit while I let it air-dry (which is so much better for it than using a blow dryer, ladies and gents). When it was about 60% dry, I ran my hands through my locks and immediately panicked entered my dark place. My hair felt coarse, piecey, and not at all “moisturized” or “repaired”. What happened? Deep breathing saved me from hyperventilation, and I let it dry the rest of the way.
Tentatively, I reached my hands up to feel what I was sure was going to be the hairy equivalent of a barren wasteland and was shocked to feel soft, luscious, healthy hair! Rushing to a mirror, my reflection confirmed what my hands had already told me (I was assured that they were lying). My hair had movement; it looked luminous — but not greasy — and just overall healthy!
After having used this duo for over a month, I can definitely say that my color has never looked better this far from my last cut. Barely any fading, and it still looks rich and multidimensional. And with no dryness that can often occur around the one-month period after a color. I couldn’t be happier!
Scent-wise, both the shampoo and conditioner have the same faint aroma of Argan oil. Never smelled it? It’s hard to describe, but it falls somewhere along the line of hazelnuts cooked slowly in browned butter, with a dash of dark brown sugar to create a nice glaze, and some soft spice that brings to mind just a hint of an exotic land where the ground is made of soft silt, and trees grow in wild shapes, their gnarled branches spackled with green leaves the size of silver dollars, alongside thin reeds bending towards a clear, clean brook whose water rushes playfully over muted fish and silent stones.
Or something like that…
The scent is mild, but definitely there, and a hint of it stays on your locks for an hour or so after they dry, a true sensory experience to be enjoyed.
So, has my search for the perfect shampoo and conditioner come to an end? Perhaps. These two pretty much deal with every issue I face. Of course, I’ll still test out new products for reviews-sake, but I think I’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that can replace these.
Written by Sam
Sam is a 17-year-old, oddly tall guy whose love of all things skincare, makeup, and fashion started when he entered the modeling world at 14. Since then, he’s established himself as a freelance makeup artist in the theatre and fashion worlds, and started his own blog to preach the wonders of orange eyeshadow, Asian skincare, and designer fragrances to the masses.
Hi Sam, thanks for the review! This stuff looks great and I love the price 🙂 Is the shampoo sulfate-free? Maybe that’s why you didn’t get a lather.
Danielle
Yeah, they are sulphate free, which is one of the reasons they’re fantastic for color-treated hair. However, I’ve often gotten at least a little bubbly goodness from sulphate free shampoos before. No matter, though; I guess I can set aside that disappointment due to how wonderful these are! 🙂
Thanks! I’m going to order these online soon!
youre write up made me giggle – esp the bit about singing defying gravity … :d
i would def give these a shot — im currently using the josie maran argan oil after i blow dry and i can tell it does help keep dry hair at bay. i have no idea if it helps w/ the color – maybe it does!
great review, sam! 🙂
Ooh, these sound like exactly what I’ve been looking for! Need something to delay my cut and color for another month, heheh.
They’re fantastic for that! Honestly, its been six weeks now since my last cut and color, and it will be the first time I won’t need to schedule a full recolor at my next appointment (in a week or two). My hair still looks nearly exactly the same as when it was first done (if a bit shinier!). These are some amazing products.
OMG I loved this! Your writing is incredibly entertaining 🙂 I’ma go and find your blog xo
I’m loving the Proclaim version of the argan conditioner, but I will have to check this one out.
Great review, Sam! These are definitely next on my list of hair products to try! I’ll be sure to sing to help the conditioning along, although I’m partial to Blondie myself! 😉
Blondie is a completely acceptable substitute for Wicked, as long as you get through an entire song. And belt it. No quiet, my husband/boyfriend/flat-mate/whatever will hear me if I sing too loudly stuff…
Thak you for a brilliant review, Sam! I’ve just been to your blog=)
I love argan oil for my hair! I bought 1oz of pure argan oil online… for around $10 I think. I have yet to use half of it. Last night I lightened my hair at home and it was feeling a little dry and abused, so I put a bit more than I normally do and my hair felt great! I think argan oil will be even more of a staple for me now that I’ve started coloring my hair.
Today I was at ULTA and saw a bunch of argan oil hair products… I looked at the ingredients and wasn’t impressed, as most of them just had a bunch of filler ingredients and argan oil was low on the list, meaning there’s not much actual argan oil in there. But glad to know there are good argan oil hair products out there 🙂
Great review and wonderfully written.
I love Wicked so you get a double thumbs up for Defying Gravity. Perfect for the shower indeed 🙂
I Loved reading this review..your writing is awesome!
grtz from belgium
xoxo
Wow! Another fantastic review Sam! Great writing and imagery. My Kiehls shampoo bottle was almost empty anyways, but yesterday in the shower it fell off the shelf and the lid broke so I need to pick something new up anyways. Will have to stop by Sallys. 🙂
Two thumbs up for another fantastic review, Sam! You’re a wonderfully talented writer.
I’m stopping by Sally’s tomorrow and picking up this set – so glad I didn’t spend the extra $$ for the pricier brand.
Thanks! And let me know what you think once you’ve used it. They’re definitely those kinds of products where you can see a difference even after the first use.
You really write beautifully!
oh my…… thanks so much, sam! i’m getting these on friday or saturday! can’t wait to get payed! i told my mom about these too, i’m sure she’d be happy with these. anything to help my nasty ass processed hair >_> ohh and i followed you on tumblr! i’m http://618.tumblr.com/ ^o^
Let me know how it works out!!
Hi, Sam! I enjoyed your inventive, diverting writing — a true rarity in the beauty-blog world — as much as I appreciated the practical info you provided about the shampoo and conditioner, which sounds like it might just be perfect for my coarse, colored-to-within-an-inch-of-its-life hair. Thank you for the great read and the great review! And thanks to Karen, who is also a tremendous writer in her own right, for introducing us to you and your blog!
your shower scene made me suspect that SOMEONE writes filthy harlequin romances under a different name o_O
More importantly, is there an online shop where I can get these fine products?
Sally Beauty has an online shop at http://www.sallybeauty.com. Hope this helps, Suzanne!
Welcome back, Sam! That was a very fun review, and I’m glad that the Argan Oil worked well for you. People with coarse hair seem to love it. 🙂
Omgsh your hair sounds like mine minus the color-treated part!!! I am currently using the Yes to Carrots shampoo but honestly my hair doesn’t feel that moisturized. You have such a unique writing style! I want to try these products out now! thank you!
OMG, this guy needs a permanent spot here. He is hilarious.
<3
Do you have a facebook at all because I need someone like you that knows make-up and especially hair. I love the article and this has helped me tremendously. Thank you!
Hi Sam,
I read your article on the One ‘n Only products, and you that you crack me up!
Let me tell you about my experience with this product. I had a mishap with my hair when I tried to dye it at home (yeah, I know REALLY BAD IDEA). The following day, I ran to the nearest colorist that would repair it. Well as you may well know, I had to have my hair stripped, roasted, and pruned. Unfortunately with all of the processing that went on, my hair was brittle and very fragile. I was using Joico’s product to moisturize my hair with very limited results. One day while wallowing in my fried hair misery, I walked in to Sally’s looking for some thing to hydrate my hair (everything I’ve tried wasn’t keeping my hair from looking like a bad version of Tina Turner hair). I saw the One ‘n Only products on sale. I skimmed over the argan oil, and I was looking at other chemically laden products to slop on my hair. 45 mintues went by and I felt more lost than when I walked in (Sally’s can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for). In a moment of desperation, I went to the One ‘n Only and bought the shampoo, conditioner and oil. I got home and went straight into the shower. I had the same experience when I tried to lather the shampoo, so I added more and no suds. Then I conditioned and jumped out (sorry, I don’t have that much time to languish in the shower). I dried my hair and . . . IT WAS SHINY and healthy looking. I couldn’t stop touching my hair all day it was so soft. I’ve been using this product for over 3 months, and I am soo loving it. I’ve got my mother hooked on the oil. She noticed the difference immediately after she applied it and she swears that her hair hasn’t been falling out as much – this is after three weeks of using the oil alone. The great thing is that it’s a fraction of the cost compared to the more high end products you find in high end retail stores or other on-line stores. I’m totally hooked. So thank you for trying this product and for your amusing, yet informative article.
Hi Sam, I am going to need a cigarette after reading your shower scene! I was wondering about the mask. I know with the Enjoy mask you use once a week due to the proteins in the product. Do you have any info ( or have you used ) the argan mask? Can you use it more then once a week?Also….. about the lather problem, do you use more shampoo to make it lather, or does it seem to clean well with out all the lather. Now for my cigarette. haha
Thankxs Theres~
My mom cane down for the weekend. We ran to Sally’s last night to get this to try. We both tried it this morning and decided we like it better than what we are each using. I kept a little and she took the bottles. We are going to use it for a week just to make sure, but I think I will switch to this permanently.
Great post by the way.
Love your writing style Sam! Great that you discovered the qualities of Argan Oil. I use it on my hair 100% pure once a week and it has done wonders for my dull hair. Just leave it in for like fifteen minutes and rinse out.
Sam, loved your review. I tried One ‘n Only Argan Shampoo, Conditioner and Oil—because it was on a buy two and get one free or something like that. Otherwise I was only interested in the oil—something to tame my frizzy curls I was so frustrated with all the other products I had been using I was ready to try anything. I was using the oil, but not the shampoo or conditioner until my husband took over the guest bathroom where I had the stuff. I hadn’t intended to use it myself but didn’t want to spend time moving the regular shampoo and conditioner from one bath to the other. Wow! I must admit I pleasantly surprised the first time I used it. Now it is all I use. Love it.
How well does this shampoo work with “locs”? does it cause build-up or leaves residue trapt in the matted hair? does it clean the scalp and hair? i’m not really da person tuh hit stores up on a search fuh something, that will not work. But these are question i need answered b-fo i begin my locs…somebody,anybody lend their voice and in return i’ll lend ah ear. holla back
Just a couple things….
First of all, your writing. Wow, so elegant – I’m loving it. As a writer who is overly critical and tediously picky (as it seems you are with your hair care products ;]), you’ve captivated me! Bravo! Bravo! I can’t wait to read more of your reviews!
Next, the shampoo and conditioner! I’ve read review after review on this stuff trying to decide if I should buy it (ironic, because I just paid $45 for a bottle of the brand name Moroccan Oil yesterday) but I think tomorrow I’ll make a trip to Sally’s.
You’re really great, thanks for writing!
Your review was so tactfully written! I love all the metaphors that are strategically placed in this write up but even more so I love this product just as much as you do! I just recently bought the curl and style cream along with the oil and I think I’ve died and gone to hair heaven. I have been searching for products that will do exactly what this has done for me for quite a while and I’m loving the outcome! I stumbled across the products while shopping at Sally’s and I’m telling you, this will definitely be one of my staples. I don’t ever want to be without it. This makes my natural hair journey so much more interesting!
Fabulous review, Sam! I’m a new Sally Beauty employee and have been looking at reviews of the products we sell so I can give better advice. You’re review will help me do just that! Oh, and we don’t really want to be such a pest about the card or the sales flyer, but it’s a job requirement. Sorry! ^-^