I’ve always been obsessed with changing things up, particularly with my hair. Since the age of 10, I’ve dyed my hair brown and then back to jet black – multiple times. When I wasn’t dying my hair, I had highlights (in shades across the entire spectrum of the brown family). I’ve also permed my hair more than a few times. Oh and each time I got a wavy perm, I would get a straight perm months later because I couldn’t stand the awkward perm grow out phase. Suffice to say, my hair suffers from chronic chemical abuse. So I am always on the hunt for the next great thing, the magical product that will re-virginize my damaged, thick and course hair.
Enter: Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Pure Luxe Shampoo and Conditioner - this super luxe duo makes my hair fantasies a little more real. But before I discuss the actual products, I have to profess for my love for the Intelligent Nutrients brand. Founded by Horst Rechelbacher (he is also the founder of Aveda, but has not been involved with the brand since he sold it to Estee Lauder in 1997), his utmost goal is to provide his customers with 100% pure, food-based beauty that is safe and completely free of toxic ingredients. He is so adamant about the purity of his products that he grows many of his ingredients on his organic farm in Osceola, Wisconsin. How’s that for dedication to clean beauty?
True to its clean form, the Pure Luxe Shampoo has absolutely no foaming action, so it may take some of you a bit of time to get used to it. Its light and lotion-y, not super heavy, so you don’t feel like you are pouring a bunch of gunk onto your scalp. And for those of you with colored hair, no need to worry about fading: their shampoo is filled with plant actives like cistus oil help provide color retention. Unlike with most moisturizing shampoos, you really feel that your hair is being cleansed thoroughly.
The Pure Luxe Conditioner is similarly light, but extremely effective. After leaving it in for a few minutes, my hair is super soft and my ends are completely untangled. Combing my hair is no longer a strenuous arm workout! And for those with sensitive noses, I should point out that like most clean products, the scent is very green and herbal but it does disappear very quickly.
I particularly love this shampoo and conditioner on the days I blow dry my hair. My hair shaft appears smoother and as a result, my hair looks much sleeker and shinier. And as with any moisturizing hair care product, it is crucial to rinse very well or you’ll be stuck with limp, greasy-looking hair for the rest of your day. This is probably my worst (beauty-related) habit – I forget to do this more than I’d like to admit. I would also caveat that this is probably not your every day shampoo if you have fine and / or thin hair. If your hair falls into either of those categories, I would use this more as a weekly moisturizing treatment, 1-2 times a week max.
Available on the Intelligent Nutrients website.
