Are you ready to surf wave after wave of ’80s nostalgia? If you are, girl, all I have to say is R+Co Palm Springs Pre-Shampoo Treatment Mask! It will take you there, because it’s a mousse…and if you were an impressionable tween in the ’80s who had a spiral perm like yours truly, you might remember putting tons of mousse in your hair.
At least, that’s one of the things I recall about the late ’80s. I was always scrunching mousse in my hair, and it’s kind of fun to do it with this treatment, too.
Typically, pre-shampoo masks have a thick, lotion-like consistency like a hair conditioner, but R+CO likes pushing boundaries and doing things differently. Palm Springs is a lightweight, airy mousse, and the moisturizing formula is designed to help damaged hair.
You apply it to damp hair before you shampoo, then leave it to sit for anywhere from five minutes to a couple hours. And can I just say that if you have a couple hours to kill while your hair mask does its thing, I’m so jealous?!
After that, you hop in the shower, rinse it out, shampoo, condition and style as usual.
Palm Springs contains a cocktail of ingredients to restore moisturize to color-treated or heat-styled hair…or any kind of hair that could use the help. It has shea butter, argan oil and plant extracts to hydrate and strengthen strands while simultaneously caring for your scalp. Plus, in addition to using it as a hair mask, you can also use it as a regular conditioner (or a conditioner wash) after you shampoo. And it smells amazing, like green tea with lemon!
When I use it as a pre-shampoo mask, I gotta say, though, it’s a bit frustrating, because I can never tell how much mousse is too much mousse, unlike most pre-shampoo treatments, where you get to a point when you realize that your hair has absorbed what it needs to absorb, so you stop. But my hair just keeps sucking this up!
Maybe it’s because my mop is thirsty. I dunno. All I do know is that it’s so easy to keep working MOAR MOUSSE into my mane (hence the ’80s flashbacks).
I mean, it’s fun and all, but I feel like I’m using way too much of it, and this stuff isn’t cheap. It’s $29 a bottle.
Yeah, it’s supposed to be a weekly treatment, so you aren’t expected to use it daily, but I can just see myself blazing through this bottle in two sessions.
As for the results…they’re pretty good. If I let this sit for 30 minutes, then shampoo, condition and style purr usual, I do notice a slight difference in the shine and softness of my hair, and it’s a little easier to style, but I wouldn’t call the results life-changing or anything.
If you’re primarily looking for mane moisture, I think High Dive, R+Co’s epic leave-in conditioner, is the way to go. It’s hella hydrating, but it’s also lightweight and doesn’t flatten my hair. Plus, it really softens and tames frizz. I’m so dedicated to it that I keep a spare bottle around. It’s THAT serious.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I keep seeing things like this pop up, and while the concept is interesting, I really agree on the time issue. It’s hard enough to find time to color my hair and let that sit for the time it takes to cover my grays. And the occasional hair mask. It makes me ask myself, when is enough enough? I love pampering myself (and I mostly do it myself, without the help of professionals), but sometimes I only have time for a quick shower and not an all-day glam fest.
Hi A,
Le sigh… What I would give for an all-day glam fest! What do you usually use to cover your grays? I go to a salon right now but in the future may try it myself.
I know, right? I go to the salon every few months or so, but in between I do my own roots. I’ve been using Wella Color Charm (I get it at Sally’s) and I use the color dark brown. My hair is the same color as yours. You have to let it sit for almost an hour (which I generally use to scrub my bathroom and do dishes, LOL), but the coverage is really good, it lasts for longer than other products I’ve used, and I find it to leave a nice, shiny finish. I use Rita Hazan’s spray in between colors to keep the roots looking peppy, but when that’s out I’d like to try the crayon version (per your review!). Your grey coverage is flawless, BTW. I would love to know your secret 🙂
Girl… It’s a process. I start by doing my hair first because that sets the stage on how I’m going to part my hair. Then, I use the Hazan Crayon for millions of tiny little white baby hairs in the front, which seriously, happened overnight! Then I spray my part on the top of my head with the Hazan spray (and on the sides if I’m wearing a ponytail or braids), which as you know is excellent. The best one I’ve ever tried! L’Oreal also makes one that’s decent, but it leaves my roots stiff and it’s hard to wash out. The Oribe one is good too but sooooo expensive.
My friend who does my hair is a Wella girl so maybe I’ll grab some Color Charm and Sallys and beg her for tips! Is the Color Charm stinky?
I’m going to have to try out that method! Interesting combination of both spray and crayon! You might have just given me the excuse I needed to go back to Sephora and finally get my VIB status, LOL.
The Color Charm is really affordable and good stuff! I, too, am a big fan of Wella products. My hairdresser used to use them, and there really isn’t anything I’ve tried from them that’s bad. I haven’t noticed a bad smell (which is a plus), but the only issue I find with it is the texture… It’s a bit runnier than the dyes I’ve gotten from the drugstore, so I recommend using a bottle applicator and not a brush.
I like it a lot! I feel like I use a lot less spray now that I don’t have to deal with the baby hairs in the front. Even though I’m technically buying two products, it seems like I stretch both of them out more when I combo them. Or that could just be me making excuses to go back to Sephora, HAHA! Would you believe the closest one is five minutes away? It’s both a blessing and a curse. I really hope you like the pencil. There’s a bit of a learning curve but after you get it down it’s easy and fast.
OK, for the next Sally Beauty run, Color Charm is on le list.
Thanks for reviewing this, Karen! I was eyeing this product while browsing the Nordstrom website (Must…Resist…Anniversary…Sale cart additions) when your post popped in my inbox. I haven’t tried this brand yet, so hearing about your experience with their product offerings has been really helpful. The High Dive one you mentioned sounds more like what I’m looking for, so I’ll be giving it a try!
Hi Mitzi,
You’re so welcome. 🙂 High Dive for me was life changing! Sail is good (it’s a salt spray for waves that leaves your hair feeling soft, not crunchy), Trophy Spray (a shine spray) and so is Death Vally Dry Shampoo. Just in case you need/want a few more recommendations!
Thanks for the recs! Sail and Trophy Spray will be my next products to try out. I’ve been neglecting my hair for a while, and it’s really beginning to show (hello, Mr. Frizzies!). Ugh, my cats have way better hair than me at this point LOL.
You’re welcome! My friend who does my hair got me hooked on the line and it’s really good. They do a lot of innovative products and they smell amazing. I usually get mine at SpaceNK when they have sales. 🙂
Funny how you should mention you cat because my cat’s belly fur is ON POINT! It’s so silky and lush, haha!
Ah yes. Vidal Sassoon and me were tight back in the day. I think this one sounds less stiff and flaky, though.
I had a perm as well, but a little later and thankfully not one with very tight curls. It did ruin my hair anyway and I have had regrets for more than a year. It was after the mousse phase though.
Stuck in the 80s like I am, this is right up my alley! HAHA! My hair is only to my shoulders and I don’t blow dry or heat style from mid-shaft to ends, so I’m pretty lucky with the lack of damage. I won’t have to fork out any cash for a pre-wash conditioner. I’m getting my scrunch fix from that curl spray gel. 😉