little white truths

I bought these travel-sized haircare samples a while ago because I needed to make up the value of an order and also because I don't normally try fancy haircare so I wanted to treat myself, and what better way to do it than with something that claims to manage frizz.

I've now been using them for the past couple of months, and while initially I wasn't sure that I had enough product in the samples for a full review, since I only wash my hair every five days, I've been able to get some good mileage out of them so I can track how they've performed over time. Do they manage frizz? They do. But they're not perfect and I wouldn't buy the full sizes. More on that below.

Grown Alchemist claims/product details (shampoo):

• The ultimate antidote for frizz-prone locks, this highly effective formulation works to deeply cleanse hair while taming flyaways, boosting shine and promoting suppleness
• A targeted shampoo developed with frizz and flyaway-prone hair types in mind
• Leaves locks deeply cleansed, shiny, supple and silky smooth while protecting against heat styling surface damage
• Gingerols condition hair from scalp to ends, to maximise manageability, strength and damage recovery 
• Shorea robusta visibly smooths the hair cuticle to tame frizz and minimise curl volume 
• Hydrolysed boabab protein acts to increase the hair's resistance to chemical, UV and heat stress
• RRP $10 AUD for 50ml; $30 AUD for 200ml; and $44 AUD for 500ml

Grown Alchemist claims/product details (conditioner):

Verdict

I have mixed feelings about these products because I do think they work well to reduce my frizz - as they're designed to do - but otherwise they're not the most effective haircare items I've tried so it's not all good news.

Let's start with the shampoo. It's a very thin, clear gel that smells faintly of ginger. The first time I used it, it seemed to vanish into my hair almost like water and I could barely get it to lather up and spread, so I had to use a lot more product on the second wash, and when that didn't work, I had to go in a third time and even then my hair didn't feel clean.

After the same thing happened the second time, I started using a different shampoo first to remove most of the gunk, and then I double-wash with this after I've cleaned with something else first. I find this is the only way to get my hair clean, because this shampoo doesn't wash well enough on its own. While it doesn't strip or dry out my hair, if it's not washing well then I can't recommend it - and I also don't like how much I need to use per application, given how expensive it is.

As for the conditioner, it's a standard conditioner in texture and it has a clean scent. My hair gets on better with this part of the duo, although I still prefer to use quite a bit per application, otherwise my hair doesn't feel conditioned enough after use. So again, I don't like how much I need to use per application, given how expensive it is.

When combined, the first two times I used this, my hair was definitely less frizzy but it was also very knotty and it wasn't properly clean either. After I started washing my hair with a more effective shampoo first and using more of the conditioner, things got better.

What I find now is that, after use, my hair is not only less frizzy, but it also feels clean, soft and hydrated. Also, using more conditioner has helped with detangling so my hair isn't a knotted mess after use anymore. Plus I find that when I straighten it, whatever frizz is still frizzing, is easier to tame with the straightener - so I do think these products live up to their name at least.

Overall I think these products do manage frizz well but the conditioner is definitely the better product and the shampoo doesn't work for me because it doesn't clean well enough on its own. Also, I don't like that I need to use a good deal of these products per application because they cost more than I would typically spend on haircare, so I wouldn't buy the full sizes.

Good but not perfect.