My Obsession with This Shampoo: Does It Really Deliver on Smoothness and Cleaning?
Hello everyone, I'm no hair model, but I don't have any major issues with my locks either.
My only gripe is the frizz that gets worse with the start of the heating season. So, I've been looking into hair-smoothing products more often.
I've tried some Matrix products before, and they didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth, so I decided to give their Mega Sleek shampoo a shot. It's supposed to tame even the most unruly hair.
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General info
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I was drawn to this shampoo because it contains shea butter, which is known for its moisturizing properties, and ceramides that help restore the hair's structure.
According to the manufacturer, the shampoo is designed to tame unruly hair, protect against humidity, and add smoothness. It's ideal for hair with split ends, as well as colored and damaged hair.
Volume: 300 ml.
Price: around 30 Belarusian rubles.
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Packaging
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The product comes in a long, orange plastic bottle with a flip-top cap that closes tightly and opens easily.
The opening for dispensing the shampoo is of medium size, making it easy to control the amount.
The back of the bottle has information about the product, including the ingredients.
Ingredients:
Aqua / Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Cocamide Mipa, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum / Fragrance, Salicylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter / Shea Butter, 2-Oleamido-1,3 Octadecanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid (F.I.L. D174574/2)
The surfactant blend here is a bit mixed, but the main culprit is a pretty harsh SLES.
I'm guessing the silicones in the formula are what's supposed to deliver on the promised smoothness.
I also want to mention the presence of salicylic acid, which helps to deep clean the scalp.
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Product characteristics
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The shampoo is a white color, with a classic texture for this type of product - it's more of a creamy gel-like consistency.
The fragrance is light and pleasant, but not too overpowering and doesn't linger on my hair for too long.
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My hair
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I have normal hair, but my scalp tends to get a bit oily.
Of course, it's ideal to choose a shampoo based on your scalp type, but I'd rather not dry out my hair with a harsh cleanser.
One thing that does bug me is that my hair can get a bit frizzy and unmanageable, especially when it's not styled properly.
So, I thought it'd be nice to have a shampoo that delivers some level of smoothness, rather than having to use extra products to tame my locks.
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Usage
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I've always been a two-wash kind of girl - it's just become a habit over the years.
I start with my usual amount of shampoo, and it lathers up nicely. I apply it to my hands before massaging it into my scalp. I focus on the roots, making sure to coat my scalp evenly. Any excess I apply to the length of my hair, but I'm not too aggressive with it, so I don't damage my locks.
After rinsing, I repeat the process, but this time I use about half the amount of shampoo. The second lather is always more intense, and it feels like the process is easier.
When I'm done, I make sure to rinse the shampoo out thoroughly – it's no problem at all.
Depending on my hair's state, I either apply a clarifying treatment or let it air dry before moving on to the rest of my hair care routine.
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The Result
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This shampoo does a decent job of cleaning my hair, but there's a catch.
It's not a deep clean – I wouldn't call it 'scrubbing' clean, even. Still, it's a good thing, since it doesn't dry out my hair. However, I've noticed that it's best to alternate this shampoo with something more intense or use it in combination with a scalp scrub every now and then.
When I use this shampoo for more than two days in a row, I don't feel like my hair is clean after washing. It looks like it's been neglected, and my scalp starts to itch (though I'm glad to say I haven't had any dandruff issues).
As for the frizz, I wouldn't say this shampoo completely eliminates it. It's more gentle with my hair than some other shampoos, so it doesn't leave my locks feeling parched. However, it doesn't solve the problem on its own – I still need to use other products to tackle it.
After using this shampoo, my hair is surprisingly easy to comb through – even without a conditioner!
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The Verdict
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This shampoo isn't the worst, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Cleansing is average, gentle
If you're prone to oiliness, it's a bit too mild and won't work as a daily go-to – you'll need to alternate with more powerful products
It won't get rid of frizz entirely, but it won't make it worse either
It doesn't dry out your hair length.
I'd recommend it as a rotation option or for someone with a relatively oily scalp.
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My reviews of other shampoos
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Ecolatier Urban Restorative Shampoo for damaged hair 'Argan and White Jasmine'
Likato Professional Shampoo for gentle cleansing of oily scalp without damage
Epica Professional Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Organicals Remedy Revitalizing energizing Shampoo against hair loss
Darling* Good roots Shampoo for strengthening hair with probiotics and ginger extract
Davines Rebalancing Shampoo for oily scalp
MATRIX Total Results High Amplify Shampoo for adding volume