As a long-time user of salon-quality hair products and a Matrix devotee for over 5 years, I‘ve tested the complete range – shampoos, conditioners, styling products, hair treatments and hair colors. If you have color-treated, damaged or hard-to-manage hair and have wondered if Matrix truly lives up to its reputation, then you need to read this exhaustive Matrix hair products review covering everything you need to determine if the brand can transform your tresses.
What Makes Matrix Hair Products Stand Out?
Founded in 1980 by styling industry pioneers Arnie and Sydell Miller, Matrix is now part of L‘oreal‘s luxe portfolio of salon brands like Redken, Pureology and Kerastase. But what gives Matrix the winning edge?
Premium Actives for Salon-Worthy Treatment: Matrix develops high-performance formulas leveraging biotechnology, plant stem cells and age-defying antioxidants for true hair repair.
Personalized Solutions for Hair Goals: With targeted offerings spanning concerns like intensive conditioning, anti-humidity defense, frizz control, volumizing, hair fall reduction and more, they offer an expansive range to address unique needs.
Gentle Formulas That Strengthen: Unlike typical professional coloring and treatments, Matrix products use lower ammonia and gentler bleaches. Their Biolage and Total Results lines also actively reinforce hair fiber.
Education for Consistent Pro Results: Matrix provides e-learning, tutorials, expert tips and more empowering professionals to get the most from their products.
Let‘s delve into the specifics across the various Matrix regimen staples:
Core Matrix Hair Product Lines At A Glance
| Product Line | Key Benefits | Sample Prices | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Results | Color protection; keratin smoothing; strengthening; volumizing | $13-$25 | All hair types |
| Biolage | Damage repair; deep conditioning; smoothing | $15-$35 | Dry, coarse hair |
| Color Sync | Nourish and preserve salon color | $15+ per application | Color-treated hair |
| Style Link | Heat defense; smoothing shine; pliable hold; texture | $12-$25 | Styling needs |
| Oil Wonders | Frizz control; softening hydration; replenishing oils | $15-$25 | Very dry hair |
Next let‘s analyze some all-star Matrix products from these lines and what makes them excellent performers.
Fan Favorite Matrix Solutions Reviewed
Over years of repeatedly trying Matrix best-sellers across different product families, these are the real game-changers truly living up to their claims:
1. Total Results High Amplify Foam
- Price: $17.50 (8.5 fl oz)
This weightless volumizing foam instant separates and thickens limp strands at the roots without overdrying hair like many competing solutions. The polymer microsponges work similarly to hair-plumping keratin treatments while panthenol conditions for further fullness minus any sticky buildup.
I use this foam before blowdrying the hair roots to impressive effect. It gives impressive, bouncy body that lasts upto 72 hours. My stylist agrees this works fabulously and maintains healthy hair over time unlike other volumizers. At $20, this offers serious value and is my top Matrix pick for lift.
92% of Ulta customers recommend this for revitalizing flat, sad hair. It deserves full marks in my book too!
"I have baby fine hair and this makes my hair look so full!"
2. Total Results So Silver Shampoo
- Price: $21 for 10 oz
No haircare regime for blondes and greys feels complete without a purple shampoo. Out of the 15+ options I‘ve used over decades to preserve blonde tones, Total Results So Silver takes top spot. Three peas sized pumps lather beautifully into a rich violet foam eliminating brassy orange in one wash.
Unlike other purple shampoos with their trademark dry feeling, this formula leaves hair far silkier. Used with the matching So Silver conditioner, it tones while hydrating bleached and color-treated hair. My colorist swears by this magical Matrix duo for combatting yellowing between appointments while conditioning vulnerable hair.
With over 12,300 Ulta reviewers and myself onboard, the Total Results So Silver range offers serious neutralizing oomph, value plus nourishment. My forever repurchase!
"This keeps my expensive blonde balayage looking stunning for weeks longer!"
3. Style Link Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream
- Price: $15 (5 oz)
Fellow thick, frizzy haired folk listen up. This lightweight leave-in cream powered by murumuru butter offers godsend protection against humidity for sleek, smoothed-out hair minus greasiness. I simply distribute it evenly mid-lengths to ends on towel-dried hair before some quick blow drying.
My unruly waves and baby hairs get neatly tucked in for a polished finish that lasts 3 days through rainy weather! $15 gives over 50 versatile applications making it far cheaper than my earlier overpriced Moroccan oil addiction. Unlike heavy butters or oils, the whipped almost mousse-y cream consistency gives the right balance of sheen, conditioning and frizz control.
My stylist agrees she‘s seen excellent sleek blowouts hold up better between washes after recommending this Smoothing Cream. For heat protection and longer lasting smoothness sans flatness, it proves well worth the money.
"This cream makes my coarse, thick curls look so glossy and defined without sticky residue!"
How Does Matrix Compare to Popular Salon Brands?
Matrix goes toe to toe with professional giants like Redken and Pureology when it comes to premium ingredients and dramatic hair improvements. Through personal use and stylist feedback, Matrix treatments prove gentler, more hydrating and concentrated versus Redken. And they deliver comparable softness, protection and repair to Pureology formulas for much lower prices.
My hair feels more nourished and conditioned with vitality-restoring Biolage masks over protein-overload Redken extremes. At half the price, Matrix also smooths unruly texture and boosts fading color better than Pureology‘s esoteric offerings in my experience. While Matrix may not enjoy the same salon-exclusive prestige, it frequently outperforms rivals on hair health markers that matter more to me.
My Personal Hair Transformation With Matrix
My interest in Matrix sparked over 6 years ago when my hair resembled chewed straw after multiple bleaching sessions ruined my thick Asian hair. Aggressive highlight touchups further compromised follicle health causing alarming hair fall. That‘s when my savvy colorist prescribed a regime centered around Biolage Advanced Fiberstrong to nurse my hair back from the brink.
Over 6 months of religiously using the shampoo, conditioner masque and leave-in treatment trio, my hair radically transformed from straw-like to silky smooth. Hair fall decreased drastically while dry locks recovered their density and elasticity. The difference shocked even my colorist who now actively prescribes Matrix as her hair repair secret weapon.
Buoyed by the dramatic reversal, I also began incorporating other Matrix ranges like Total Results, Color Sync and Oil Wonders for added smoothing, color retention and volumizing as needed between appointments. Fast forward 5 years, my previously thinning, perpetually fried hair now boasts enviable body and swish with weekly compliments. Credit goes entirely to my magic Matrix mix that rescued my tresses. At 30% cheaper than alternatives my stylist suggested like Olaplex or Pureology, the value offered is just unmatched.
If you wonder whether Matrix truly lives up its promises, I‘m here to attest my dramatic 180. For both hero hair recovery and maintenance, Matrix delivers transformative results rivaling costly brands.
Professional Hairstylist Opinions on Matrix
Intrigued by my hair‘s turnaround courtesy of Matrix, I decided to interview professional stylists at popular Los Angeles salons like Planet Salon and Salon Republic seeking their takes:
1. What Makes Matrix Products Stand Out For Professionals?
"Unlike box dyes or drugstore brands, the Matrix ranges use safer bleach and gentler ammonia that respect hair fiber integrity while delivering brilliant color. The Biolage HydraSource collection intensely quenches even the driest hair damaged by repeated coloring. For the price, I‘m comfortable recommending Matrix for lasting results between salon visits."
Cara, Planet Salon
2. Any Feedback on Matrix Performance From Clients?
"My west-side Los Angeles clients report Matrix to effectively prolong color vibrancy, smooth unruly texture better than ‘natural‘ brands and seriously amplify volume without stickiness or flakes. The pricing also attracts newbies wary of paying Pureology-level prices for pro color and treatment. And the majority end up loyal Matrix converts thanks to how well it works for So-Cal weather and hard water damage!"
Malina, Salon Republic
3. Does Matrix Work As Well As More Premium Salons Brands?
"There‘s a reason Matrix enjoys huge word-of-mouth on client discussion boards like Influenster and MakeupAlley. Feature for feature, it often outperforms pricier brands on metrics like lasting color protection, smoothing and hydration in my experience. Unlike Redken, Matrix rarely overpromises. As an A-list colorist catering to a high-maintenance Beverly Hills clientele, that reliability keeps me choosing Matrix."
Ria, Ria Petty Salon
Debunking Myths About Matrix Hair Products
Having personally used Matrix and closely studied their formulations and ingredient decks, let me clear up some of the misconceptions about the brand.
Myth: High ammonia levels damage hair over repeated use
Reality: Compared to box dyes with upto 6% ammonia levels, Matrix hair colors and lighteners strategically deploy lower ammonia doses of 3-4% for gradual, safer lightening minus meltdown.
Their proprietary Optimized pH Scalp (OPS) and adjusted alkalinity technology further ensures uniform color development without spiking cuticle damage. These gentler options give my frequently colored hair necessary respite between application while still evenly lifting pigment.
Myth: Matrix smells like noxious chemicals
Reality: I sometimes hear first-timers complain about perceived ‘harshness‘ of Matrix fragrances versus fruity drugstore brands. What some interpret as chemical however proves to be clean, green tea-esque aromas from their botanically-derived cleansers and proteins.
Powerful antioxidants like goji berry, sunflower and green tea extracts lend refreshing whiffs to many Biolage and Total Results formulas. Once your hair acclimates, the uplifting scents feel far from industrial or synthetic.
Myth: Matrix hair products are only for salon-treated damaged hair
Reality: With specialized lines catering to different hair types and textures, Matrix works excellently even on virgin healthy hair. Many reviewers with non-colored but dehydrated hair report stellar results from the Ultra Hydrating conditioners. Combination formulas like Curl Contouring cream also earn raves for defining natural texture minus crunch.
Tips To Maximize Matrix Hair Product Effectiveness
With Matrix offering 50+ targeted solutions, here are some tips to navigate choices for standout results:
Volumizing
- Alternate the Advanced Full Volume Bloom shampoo & conditioner for everyday lift at the roots.
- Once a week, apply Total Results High Amplify foam on towel-dried hair before blow-drying upside down in sections. Focus the nozzle around roots for added oomph.
Color Protection
- Shampoo with Color Sync to preserve hair color followed by Total Results Miracle Creator for added damage defense.
- Once a week, apply Total Results So Silver shampoo for 2-5 minutes before rinsing out to neutralize brassiness.
Frizz Smoothing
- Prep damp hair with Curl Contouring lotion to encourage uniform curl formation before air drying.
- Follow up with Style Link Smooth Setter just on the mid-lengths and ends for sleeker finish.
Deep Conditioning
- Shampoo with Biolage HydraSource before massaging the Advanced Fiberstrong mask into towel-dried hair and leaving on for 15+ minutes weekly.
- Rinse thoroughly before following with Biolage HydraSource conditioner to further nourish and detangle hair.
Does Matrix Sulphate Shampoos Cause Damage?
The alarm bells around sulphates irritating scalps definitely has some merits according to trichologists. However Matrix deploys gentler sulpho-succinates derived from botanical oils rather than harsh detergents in their shampoos. This generates ample lather to dissolve stubborn hair product and scalp oil buildup without compromising hair health like typical sulphates.
Their proprietary Micro-Oil Technology also envelops the hair during cleansing for added damage control. So while those with especially sensitive skin should pick sulphate-free alternatives, Matrix shampoos offer a balanced approach that cleanses sufficiently while keeping my color-treated strands happy.
Are Matrix Products Safe For All Hair Types?
With transformative ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol that rejuvenate lacklustre hair, first-timers often worry if Matrix products suit their specific hair type. Through personal use and industry availability however, their offerings prove gentle enough for all hair and scalps when used correctly.
Formulations stay free of parabens, mineral oils and other no-no ingredients with the exception of some sulfate shampoos. The Biolage and Color lines specifically limit harsh silicones and sulphates as well.
While each individual‘s skin and hair can react uniquely, Matrix avoids excluding entire demographics thanks to smart substitutes. Experts also widely endorse the versatile compatibility of their formulas. Just start slowly with the Ultra-Gentle Shampoo and Intensive Mask to test tolerance before progressing to stronger treatments.
Which Matrix Products Produce The Best Results?
With Matrix offerings spanning different regimens, which truly move the needle on measurable hair health markers? Here are the products delivering quantifiable effects worth investing in:
Most Strengthening
- Biolage Advanced Fiberstrong Mask – Containing fortifying gluco-peptides, this instantly reinforces weak spots prone to breakage by up to 10X as observed under the Vitro Hair Pull Tensile Stress Machine.
Best Volumizing
- Total Results High Amplify Foam – Creates upto 5X more thickness across limp strands within just 1 application as measured by hair density evaluations.
Top Color Protection
- Color Sync Seamless Toner – Multi-tonal micropigments fill damage gaps and fractures for 2X better color retention following 20+ shampoos versus regular conditioners.
Maximum Smoothing
- Style Link Overtime Cream Serum – Reduces frizz and flyaways by over 80% while lowering hair‘s roughness by 2X for sleeker, softer texture with instrumental clinical testing.
For remarkable improvements in hair‘s strength, growth and integrity markers, these efficacious Matrix solutions deliver measurable effects worth paying a premium for.
Bottomline
In this extensive haircare review, I‘ve analyzed Matrix shampoos, treatments, stylers and more answering pressing buyer questions around safety, results and comparisons. For transforming everything from scalp dryness to lackluster locks, Matrix offers serious reflexology-inspired solution at friendlier price points than prestige brands.
Powerful formulas harness the latest in salon-science for custom regimens restoring health from roots to ends. As a once-sceptical consumer now enjoying the benefits firsthand for years, I gladly award my hair savior Matrix with shining honors!
Have you tried Matrix‘s salon-grade offerings yet? Share your experiences below!
