As someone who‘s colored my hair various shades of blonde for over 10 years, I‘ve become obsessed with finding shampoos and conditioners that preserve my expensive highlights and keep the brassiness at bay.
I first discovered Pureology 5 years ago when my hairstylist recommended them, and I‘ve used nothing but their sulfate-free formulas ever since. Through personally testing their different collections, I‘ve experienced firsthand how well these products live up to their reputation for defending color.
That‘s why I wanted to provide this comprehensive Pureology shampoo review, leveraging my expertise as a product testing fanatic to break down their ingredient innovations, product performance across various lines, and how they stack up to popular salon brands.
Overview of Pureology Hair Care
Before digging into my assessments, here is some background on what makes Pureology such a leader in professional color care:
Specialization: Unlike mass brands, Pureology is dedicated specifically to colored and chemically-treated hair. This means no filler – every formula is optimized just for protecting color vibrancy.
Signiture Technologies: Two key innovations that make Pureology formulas so effective are their AntiFade Complex® and custom sulfate-free cleansers. These work to seal in dye molecules while gently cleansing vulnerable hair.
Superfood Ingredients: Natural extracts like keravis protein and antioxidants astaxanthin & lycopene give strands serious strength against breakage and environmental stressors. The botanical blends smell amazing too!
Salon Credibility: Pureology is used backstage at Fashion Week, endorsed by stylists worldwide, and has won tons of industry awards since the brand debuted in 2001. So you know the performance has to satisfy discerning pros.
Okay, now that I‘ve set the stage for why Pureology is so highly regarded in professional circles, let‘s get into the nitty gritty details on how these products performed across 5 key metrics during my extensive testing…
Analyzing Pureology‘s Proprietary Formulas & Star Ingredients
I‘ll start by geeking out a little on some of the unique ingredients that enable Pureology to deliver such transformative results for colored hair of all kinds. Here is a science-based overview explaining what makes their formulas so effective:
AntiFadeComplex®
This signature blend contains a powerful combination of Multi-UV Sunscreens, antioxidants, and plant extracts shown in studies to prevent color fade by 45% or more. It also continues working even after rinsing out formulas.
Keravis Protein
This breakthrough vegan protein has a unique molecular structure that acts like a magnet, binding to areas of damage on hair strands to strengthen and reinforce weak spots prone to breakage. Multiple clinical studies confirm keravis can increase hair‘s elasticity and resistance to split ends by over 70%!
Astaxanthin
One of nature‘s most potent antioxidants, astaxanthin guards hair strands against oxidation and free radical damage from heat styling, sunlight and pollution. Scientific research indicates supplementing with this red-orange compound preserves youthful hair shine and elasticity while slowing down visible aging.
Sulfate-Free Surfactant Blend
Pureology‘s custom blend of natural cleansers derived from coconut oil, corn and plants gives a rich lather that effectively removes dirt, oil and residue without stripping color the way harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate do. Plus these are biodegradable and less toxic for waterways.
To showcase how Pureology‘s formulas differentiate themselves from the drugstore competition ingredient-wise, see this comparison:
| Ingredient Benefits | Pureology Formulas | Pantene Formulas | Garnier Formulas |
|---|---|---|---|
| locks in hair color | AntiFade Complex® | ❌ | Plant-derived pigments |
| heat/environmental protection | Astaxanthin & vitamin E | ❌ | ❌ |
| strengthens strands | Keravis protein | ❌ | ❌ |
| safe for color | Sulfate-free surfactants | Sulfates | Sulfates |
You can clearly see why Pureology outperforms grocery store brands when it comes to defending tinted tresses!
Now that we‘ve covered the science behind Pureology‘s color-saving technology, let‘s get into the results I experienced testing out their shampoos…
Reviewing The Performance of 5 Top Pureology Collections
After years of sampling different Pureology collections targeted to specific hair needs, I definitely have my favorites and top recommended formulas. Here is an overview of the top 5 lines based on my personal testing and experience:
1. Smooth Collection
Key Concerns: Frizz control & cuticle smoothing
Star Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba oil, silk proteins
Reviews: With my naturally wavy hair, maintaining sleekness between salon blowouts can be tough. But the Smooth shampoo & conditioner does an amazing job calming frizz and giving me incredibly silky, shiny strands. The conditioner noticeably smooths my cuticles without feeling heavy. And my hair retained good volume too.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
2. Hydrate Collection
Key Concerns: Dryness relief & moisture balance
Star Ingredients: Spirulina, vitamin E, moisture-binding citrus
Reviews: Since I bleach the life out of my hair, keeping it conditioned & quenched is no joke. But the Hydrate shampoo and Sheer conditioner conditions way better than bargain brands without weighing my fine strands down. I love the light citrusy aroma too. My hair is much more manageable and I can easily go a full day between washes without it feeling parched.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
3. Volume Collection
Key Concerns: Boosting body & lift
Star Ingredients: Patented bodifying complex, eucalyptus, wheat amino acids
Reviews: For special occasions when I want bombshell body & bounce, nothing beats the Pure Volume line. The amplifying shampoo gives me gorgeous airy texture from roots to ends while still keeping hair supple. My curls are much more defined and structured. I do have to be careful not going overboard with the volumizing conditioner though, as too much weighs my hair down. This is my go-to range before big events!
Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
4. Color Fanatic Collection
Key Concerns: Multi-tasking color care
Star Ingredients: Keravis strengthening protein, antioxidants, 21 essential benefits
Reviews: True to its name, the Color Fanatic shampoo & conditioner are the ultimate color-protection multitaskers. The rich formulations bathe strands in restorative antioxidants while also boosting shine and smoothness. I especially love the leave-in spray for shielding my fragile bleached ends from heat styling up to 430°F. This line leaves hair vibrant, healthy and incredibly touchable.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5. Strength Cure Collection
Key Concerns: Reconstructing extremely damaged hair
Star Ingredients: Vegan Bond-Building proteins, antioxidants, amino acids
Reviews: When my strands start feeling extra crunchy and knotted from constant lightening, the Strength Cure formulas seriously rescue my moisture-deprived hair. The shampoo and treatment mask intensely nourish and soften while reconstructing bonds to restore elasticity and shine. My hair looks less fried and so much healthier. I‘d say this line actually makes bleached hair feel almost normal again!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Hopefully these reviews and before/after showcasing impressive transformations in hair softness, vibrancy and manageability demonstrate just how incredibly well Pureology formulas perform for color-treated strands.
So how do they compare to other popular professional salon hair brands? Let‘s evaluate…
Pureology vs. Industry Rivals – A Technical Breakdown
Pureology has some stiff competition from brands like Redken, Matrix and Oribe when it comes to winning over colorists and their clients. Here is an expert look at how Pureology shampoos measure up to key rivals across 5 categories:
Color Protection
For defending color vibrancy between salon visits, Pureology and Redken generally outperform competitors with their optimized formulas to prevent fading – Pureology with their AntiFadeComplex, Redken with Cellbond and vinegar rinses. Matrix also offers decent color defense thanks to their ColorSmart technology utilizing protein, ceramide and antioxidants to shield strands.
Ingredients & Fragrance
Ingredients-wise, Pureology is a standout amongst professional brands for their naturally-derived, botanically based formulas free of sulfates and other harsh detergents. They rely much more on antioxidant-rich plant oils and extracts for cleansing and conditioning color-treated strands compared to synthetic polymers or mineral oils common in Matrix. Fragrance wise, Pureology has some of the most alluring, addictive aromas built around essential fruit and flower oils. Redken leans more perfumy.
Conditioning Qualities
For moisture balance and nourishment, Pureology Hydrate and Smooth lines excel thanks innovative ingredients combos of plant butters and oils, ceramides, proteins and humectants scientifically proven to quench dry, damaged cuticles. Redken Extreme also offers heavy reparative conditioning. Matrix generally underwhelms in this department.
Heat Protection
One area where Pureology lags rivals slightly is thermal defense for hot tools. Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express primer offers heat protection up to 450°F versus Pureology‘s 410°F Style prep spray. However Pureology still provides excellent safeguarding against damage far superior to basic Matrix formulas.
Value
When it comes to price-performance ratio amongst salon shampoo competitors, experts agreed Pureology provides exceptional color-saving technologies not found in cheaper brands, justifying the higher cost-per-ounce for many clients compared to Redken or Matrix. There is no denying Pureology is a worthwhile investment for those desperate to preserve their pricey color work. Plus a little goes a long way!
So while Pureology faces tough salon competition, its unparalleled focus on colored hair and botanically-based
ingredients means many stylist still regard it as a gold standard.
Maximizing Results With Pureology – 8 Expert Tips
As a product testing authority, I‘ve experimented exhaustively with Pureology‘s different formulas to find out what works and how best to leverage them for salon-worthy hair every day.
Here are my top 8 pro tips for using Pureology shampoos and conditioners effectively based on years of personal case studies combating color damage:
Tip #1: Alternate between richer conditioning formulas like Hydrate or Smooth and lighter Weightless lines to avoid buildup or flattened roots.
Tip #2: Use Color Fanatic‘s leave-in sprays and styling primers pre-heat tools for dual style protection and vibrant results.
Tip #3: Leverage Strength Cure weekly reconstructor masks to aggressively combat damage from bleach or other chemicals.
Tip #4: Apply Hydrate Sheer conditioners mid-lengths down, avoiding roots, for optimal hydration balance on finer hair.
Tip #5: Pair Pure Volume Shampoo with Smooth Conditioner to get spectacular body and movement minus frizz.
Tip #6: Pre-shampoo with Prestige Crème Volumizer for boosted fullness that lasts days, not hours.
Tip #7: Use a deep, moisture-binding mask once weekly and leave on 15+ minutes for maximum conditioning.
Tip #8: Adopt Pureology product combos tailored to your exact hair texture and top color concerns for custom solutions.
Hopefully these professional recommendations for optimizing Pureology‘s high-performance products prove useful whether you have curly, thick, fine or fragile tresses!
Now let‘s shift gears to explore what sets this brand apart not just in the salon space but the wider beauty industry…their remarkable sustainability practices and care for the planet.
Pureology Sets New Standard For Eco-Ethical Hair Care
We all love amazing hair, but not at the expense of the environment.
That why I‘m so impressed with how Pureology has led the charge amongst professional brands to develop salon-quality results through ethically-sourced ingredients and sustainable manufacturing principles.
Through extensive research and directly interviewing company environmental reps, I discovered Pureology…
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Uses 100% recyclable packaging and bottles made with recycled plastic
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Traces all raw materials to ensure sustainably harvested without deforestation
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Relies on renewable "green chemistry" for dyeing and processing
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Meets zero waste-to-landfill standards at their US manufacturing facilities
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Offsets 100% of their labs‘ electricity usage through renewable energy credits.
They prove that caring for hair and caring for the only planet we have can coexist beautifully thanks to future-thinking stewardship and balancing profit with purpose.
This inspiring commitment to reducing environmental harm every step of the supply chain makes me proud to recommend Pureology as a brand making a difference.
So there you have my complete insider perspective on Pureology‘s celebrated color care! Let‘s wrap up with the final verdict…
Conclusion: My Wholehearted Recommendation as a Product Testing Veteran
To conclude this extensive pureology shampoo review after years of personalized testing across all major product lines, I confidently vouch they deliver transformative results for color-treated hair.
The high-performance formulas clearly outshine drugstore brands thanks to innovations like AntiFadeComplex and keravisactually shown to lock in dye, prevent fading, restore strand elasticity and strength for salon-fresh hair that meets the demands of modern lifestyles.
While more expensive than grocery staples, Pureology offers premium ingredients not found elsewhere backed by observable, proven performance I‘ve witnessed time and again with my own fickle blonde strands.
When you factor in the brand‘s inspiring commitment to ethical beauty through sustainable practices and investing in renewable technologies, that makes me cherish these products even more.
So if you color, bleach, highlight or chemically alter your hair in any way, do yourself and your stylist a favor by making Pureology your trusted partner for vibrant, healthy hair without compromise. I certainly plan to remain a devoted customer for life!
