LEAVES YOU PANTING AND NEEDING MORE...... (Pantene Extra Hold Controlling Gel)

Member Name: Gingaro

Product:	Pantene Extra Hold Controlling Gel
Date:	12/08/05 (319 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does give a very firm hold, nice looking bottle

Disadvantages: The hold lasts for 2 hours, doesn't hold styles of over 3 inches at all and leaves a nasty residue

This product was purchased from Tesco’s at the end of last year for the princely sum of £2.49 for a 150ml tube. Having never used a Pantene gel before I was venturing into unknown territory but as I'm a big fan of the shampoo's and conditioners I had not hesitation in throwing the off white tube into he basket even though it was more expensive than my regular brand. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. The gel itself is widely available and can be found in all major supermarkets, chemists and good convenience stores nationwide. I had never seen it before the day I purchased it but to be honest, I had never really been looking out for it.

The gel is contained within a plastic squeezable tube in the standard Pantene colours of white and off white colouring. As stated above, the tube contains 150ml of the gel, which is aqua in colour and smells rather clinical to me. No smell of fresh apples, no amazing fragrance it just seemed rather flat with the no frills approach.

The packaging provides the same promises as most other gels on the market.....this gel will separate strands of hair for better hold and easier styling without the sticky residue....yak yak yak.

So, on with the application and results……….

When applying gel, it’s always recommended that you apply to freshly washed hair that is slightly damp. Not only does this mean your hair is clean before application, it also makes the gel go further as it is mixed in with the moisture already present in your hair. After using the Pantene gel, I found that blow-drying my hair so that the gel soaked in always achieved better results.

I applied the gel to my hair after it had been dried. I first used a blob roughly the same size as a 50 pence piece, rubbed it between my palms and then brushed it onto my hair, ensuring that the gel was evenly applied from root to tip as directed. Styling was a breeze and the drying gel on my hands didn't have the sticky consistency of other brands. It also dried much quicker than its rival gels.

The style held for approximately 2-3 hours by which time white flakes were evident on my clothing. A quick check in the mirror nearly brought on a heart attack, it looked like my scalp was coming away from my head in large chunks. The gel had dried, crumbled and formed a bright white residue and was in the process of leaving my hair as quickly as possible. I was not amused in the slightest.

So the good points:

It’s easy to apply.
Hair is easy to style.
Gives two hours of cement like hold.
Dried quickly

The bad points:

No real fragrance to the gel.
The hold faded after 2-3 hours.
Large amounts of the gel were needed to keep hold longer.
The gel residue was evident from 10 paces.

Would I recommend this product? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. For the lack of hold alone I would condemn this product into an eternity of damnation but to actually make me look like I have a bad case I dandruff I could happily have the people at Pantene flogged I feel that robbed. Pantene are a brand I associate with quality hair care products but this was a real let down.

NOT RECOMMENDED

Thanks for taking the time to read and rate.




Steve :)

Summary: Rap with a capital C