Between blow drying, flat ironing, and style manipulation damage, to our hair can be inevitable. To help combat this Living Proof® released a Clarifying Shampoo and Restore Repair Mask. I tested these products on my damaged split ends to see how they repair my hair before I get a trim.
Clarifying Shampoo
I first learned about the Living Proof® Clarifying Shampoo in December of 2023 when the haircare brand did a pop-up in Wynwood for Art Basel. This shampoo serves as a detox for your hair, similar to how we detox our bodies. The formula uses activated charcoal as its main ingredient along with magnetic polymers to remove build-up and impurities. This shampoo also fights against hard water and gently cleanses hair from environmental pollution. After about two weeks of product build-up from gels and creams, I used the Living Proof® Clarifying Shampoo for the first time.
I start my wash day routine by soaking my hair in warm water. I flip the top open and squeeze the gray-colored shampoo into the palm of my hands. Then, I work the shampoo into my hair from root to tip. The formula has a refreshing, light fragrance to it that smells like citrus and green tea and incorporates notes of yuzu and grapefruit.
Since this is a bit of a thicker consistency a little goes a long way. I let the shampoo sit in my hair for about 2 minutes while I scratch my scalp with a wide-tooth comb. Then, I rinse my hair out and this is where I can tell the difference in how lightweight and clean it feels. I rub my hands against the top of my curly hair and can hear the squeak from how cleansed it is. This Living Proof® shampoo comes in two sizes one, in an 8oz and the other in a jumbo 24 oz. The formula comes in this greenish-blue, smooth cylindrical squeeze bottle with a white flip top.
Repair Damaged Hair
After rinsing out my conditioner, I use the Living Proof® Repair Mask as a deep conditioning treatment. I apply a generous amount to the palms of my hands and rake the mask through my curls. Then, I use a wide-tooth comb to detangle my ends before parting my hair into 4 sections. I do a three-strand braid on each side and then cover my hair with a shower cap to get optimal treatment. I let that sit for about 10 minutes and then I rinse the deep conditioner out with lukewarm water.
Results From Wash Day
This repair mask is great at giving you that extra boost of hydration especially if you deal with dry scalp. I also like the light fragrance used in the mask, which includes notes of orange and bergamot. The formula incorporates hemisqualane, a popular haircare ingredient that’s an alternative to harmful silicones. Hemisqualane is made by combining Brazilian sugarcane with yeast through a scientific bio-fermentation process. Then you have meadowfoam seed oil which acts as an emollient to help moisturize and condition hair. Plus, this has cupuaçu butter in it which helps to hydrate, heal, and nourish curls.
I use this all the time in my wash routine to help achieve softer, healthier hair. When it comes to my blowouts I can see the difference, my hair feels soft and easier to brush through using my Revlon One-Step Hair Dyer. I glide some of the Living Proof® Moisturizing Shine Oil through my curls and spray my hair with a heat protectant. Then, I go section by section blow drying my hair making sure my curls are fully stretched. For the next hour, I work on flat-ironing and styling my hair into a nice half-up, half-down bun look.
Overall, the new Living Proof® Clarifying Detox Shampoo and Repair Mask are science-backed haircare products that will help improve your wash days. You can also read my review of the Living Proof® Curl line and how well it holds up with natural curly 4C hair.
Looking to purchase the shampoo or repair mask? When you shop the Living Proof® website and use Rakuten you can get cash back on your online orders. When you sign up and spend $30 within the first month, you get $30 back as a bonus.