Resist the urge to 'erbal (Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo/Replenisher)

Member Name: icklegirl

Product:	Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo/Replenisher
Date:	15/11/01 (711 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gorgeous Smell

Disadvantages: See op

I love the smell of this shampoo I was addicted to it. I used the shampoo and conditioner especially for dyed hair (I dye my hair red) not long after it came out and used it religiously for 18 months.

The first hint I had that things were not well, happened when I went to the hairdresser for a trim, she commented on the amount of split ends and breakages I had. She asked what shampoo I used. When I told her she looked at me like I had told her I ritually kill small cute animals. She gasped and told me not to as it was far too drying and to use a much less harsh product. I dismissed her claims as a sales ploy, and continued to use both the shampoo and conditioner. I did however notice that the ends of my hair were very dry so I used more of the conditioner.

After I few more months my hair was so dry at the ends that everytime I brushed it after washing I had to virtually rip the brush through my hair, still I did not connect that may have been Herbal Essences. I put it down to the sun affecting the dyed ends of my hair.

Then I was asked to be bridesmaid at my Dad?s wedding. I was so looking forward to having my hair done professionally as I had been growing it. I went along to hairdressers and after washing my hair trying to style it they advised there was nothing they could do with it as it was like straw, I was gutted. I had to have approximately 4 inches cut off from all over my head, putting in huge layers so that all the straw-like hair was removed.

Afterwards I was discussing my experience with some girlfriends of mine and all of them who had tried Herbal Essences for a while, had similar horror stories. You may ask why I used Herbal Essences for so long, I just never imagined that a shampoo could do so much damage to my hair. I stopped using it immediately after that and now 2 years later my hair has returned to a much better state even after using many different dyes and a disaterous encounter as a blonde for a short time
. I still miss the smell it left on my hair, but I ?d rather have hair that I can run my fingers through.

Summary: