I’m all about silky-smooth, shiny hair. But since my natural hair is a bunch of not-so-smooth, dry, thick and wavy strands, conditioner is my best friend when it comes to haircare – the more hydrating the better if you ask me. And that’s also the reason I switched to sulfate-free hair products a couple of years ago as they do not strip hair of natural oils and thus keep my dull, dry hair in a better shape. Recently, I got a chance to try Salon Grafix’s new Citrus Creme Conditioning Cleanser ($7.99) that’s being touted as a WEN dupe. Now, WEN cleansing conditioner is already a staple in my haircare regime so I was really excited to check out this budget-friendly, drugstore version!
Product Description
Salon Grafix Citrus Creme Conditioning Cleanser is a sulfate-free conditioning cleanser that cleanses gently, rebalancing the amount of natural oils your hair needs, leaving your hair stronger and shinier, without weighing it down. It is a single step haircare regimen that replaces your shampoo, daily conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner and detangler, all in one product! The color-defending formula conditions and revitalizes damaged hair, from roots to ends. It is designed for use on all hair types and has a light citrus crème scent.
Ingredients – Water (Aqua), Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycereth-26, Peg-100 Stearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinsensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Lavandula Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Triticum Vulgare Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Olealkonium Chloride, Olive Oil Peg-7 Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fragrance, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ppg-2 Methyl Ether.
How does it work? Wet your hair thoroughly and then apply enough conditioning cleanser to fully saturate hair from roots to ends. The recommended amount for coarse/thick hair is 7-8 pumps of product but I find that I need about 20 pumps for my mid length, thick hair. Now, massage the cleanser throughout your wet hair with additional water. Unlike traditional shampoos with harsh detergents and sulfates, this suds-free formula does not lather, but instead feels like a rich cream. For maximum conditioning, leave in hair for 2-5 minutes as you finish up your shower and then rinse. There’s no need to follow up with a separate conditioner.
I found that this Conditioning cleanser leaves my hair thoroughly clean, soft and smooth. My absolute favorite part of this product is the citrusy-floral scent that’s so pleasant and refreshing! So, how does this compare to WEN? I think that the Salon Grafix version is not as rich and luxuriousy moisturizing as WEN but it’s the next best thing I have tried so far! Plus, it comes at such an affordable cost.
Final Verdict? Salon Grafix Citrus Creme Conditioning Cleanser is a must-try if you have been wanting to go sulfate-free. It does a great job of cleansing hair without weighing it down and leaves it super-soft and healthy looking. It’s a definite repurchase for me!
Retailing at only about $8 per bottle, Salon Grafix Citrus Creme Conditioning Cleanser can be purchased at Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid astores across the nation.
Disclosure: This review features a sample product provided by PR for consideration only and reflects my honest opinion as always!
I’m so glad I’ve found your blog. I have very fine, very curly hair 3A for those who do the hair typing. I want wavy hair. I recently lost my job and have been treating my hair to at home Keratin Treatments. They were working – my hair wasn’t straight, it airdried wavy WOOT. I don’t have enough hair for straight. I hated the shampoo that came with the kit so I was using the L’Oreal Cleansing conditioner not realizing it was killing my Keratin treatment. I tried another brand which worked even better but bam… I got lazy again and all the curls were back. This time the difference was so dramatic that I knew it had to be the L’Oreal. Now I have Wen and S/G in my closet waiting until I finish up my Mark Anthony No Frizz. I like the Mark Anthony products but pre-job I had gotten spoiled by No Poo. I’m glad to read that both Wen and S/G are really no sulfate and no sodium products and that S/G is almost as good as the WEN – with my fine hair I may be lucky and it may be better. Thanks!
I am going to purchase my second bottle of S&G. I have never tired the WEn (couldn’t afford it). I love this stuff!! Also I have tried the cleansing masque, only need to use that one once in awhile. I have naturally wavy, curly hair although most of the time I blow dry it straight. After only a few tries I let the curls come out and boy what a pleasant surprise my curls were soft and didn’t need any other product except a little hairspray to keep in place. thanks