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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Review: New Finesse Clean + Simple Shampoo & Conditioner for Dry/Color-Treated Hair

Back in January I posted about a new line from an old favorite of mine, Finesse, called Clean + Simple. The products in this line are free of parabens, sulfates, gluten and dyes (click here for detailed information ).

Today I'm going to review the shampoo and conditioner for dry/color-treated hair, which I have been using for several weeks now (these products were sent to me for review and I've literally been using them since the day they arrived in the mail at the beginning of February):

Finesse Clean + Simple Hypoallergenic Shampoo and Conditioner
for Dry/Color Treated Hair
(retail: $3.99 each, 10 oz)

I've had good and bad experiences with sulfate-free shampoos although, generally speaking, sulfate-free formulas have gotten considerably better over the past ten years or so. This shampoo lathers up rather nicely, although I do find that for a full, rich, sulfate-like lather, I required about 25% more shampoo in the palm of my hand than when I use a sulfate-based shampoo.

Another thing I noticed is that this shampoo works best when my hair is FULLY saturated with water before I apply it. In other words, I need to spend a bit more time getting my hair really wet, all the way down to the roots, before I use this shampoo. If my hair is even a tiny bit dry, it won't lather in a way that makes me feel like my hair and scalp are getting truly clean. So remember: get your hair sopping wet, all the way down to the roots, before you shampoo.


I find this shampoo to rinse quite easily out of my hair, and my hair does not feel dry, stripped or brittle after I rinse. It actually feels exactly the way I like for my hair to feel after shampooing--not heavily coated, yet soft and clean.

As for the conditioner, well, let's just say that I haven't wanted to reach for another conditioner since I started using this one. I love it that much. For my hair, which is fine in texture (although I have lots of it), oily at the roots, dry at the ends, wavy and color-treated, I find this conditioner to be moisturizing, but not too moisturizing. It doesn't weight my hair down in the slightest--in fact it's quite the opposite! My hair feels so light and bouncy when I use this conditioner. My favorite way to use it is to apply it after shampooing, and then go about my business in the shower (shaving, etc.). At the very end of my shower, before I wash my face, I rinse out the conditioner and my hair is nice and soft, yet it feels very clean. And this product really does a good job at detangling when I use this method as well.

The fragrance of both the shampoo and conditioner is sort of a modern twist on the old-school Finesse fragrance. I love the scent very much because it's soft and clean with just a bit of a floral note. It's not heavy or strong--it's nice and light and exactly as you would image it to be with a named like "Clean + Simple".

Final Verdict: If your hair is anything like mine, I think you might be pleasantly surprised with Finesse Clean + Simple Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry/Color Treated Hair. I am extremely pleased with the performance of these products and the clean, light feeling of my hair after I use them. Just remember to fully saturate your hair with water before you use the shampoo, and I don't think you'll run into any problems with building up an nice lather. For an extremely affordable sulfate-free drugstore shampoo, Finesse Clean + Simple is a wonderful new option.

I have spotted this Clean + Simple line at both Walgreens and Rite Aid in the past few weeks, so if you're interested in trying these products, check those retailers first.

Have you tried the new Finesse Clean + Simple line? Does this sound like a line that might work for your haircare needs?

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews.
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14 comments

  1. Hm, how timely. I've been looking around and hoping to find a sulfate free shampoo- I frequently dye my hair bright pink, blue, and purple and I've heard that sulfate-free is better for this.

    I think I may see if I can find it over the next couple of days! I do have a question though- you say your hair is oily at the roots. How oily do you mean? Wash your hair every day? Mine starts getting visibly oily 12-13 hours after I wash it, so this is relevant to my interests, as it were.

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  2. Hey G, long time no talk! I have the same hair type as you, and I have TRYING to be on a sulphate free kick for the past year. It can be an expensive trip so I am glad there are so many brands at the drugstore now! I noticed with my current shampoo I also have to wet my hair fully first.

    FYI - I still sometimes need a clarifying shampoo, and I finally found a sulphate and silcone free one! at Sally's, the Ion brand. I really liked it. =o)

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  3. I have had a scalp irritation problem for over a year and tried dozens of shampoos/conditioners, none of which have worked. These products are great, do not irritate my scalp at all and have been a godsend for me. I first read about them on this blog so thank you!

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  4. I've always loved Finesse, they usually have it on BOGO at Walgreen's. The scent is amazing, too!

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  5. Your hair sounds just like mine! I've been using the Loreal moisturizing sulfate free one, but will definitely check this out too. Thanks for the rec!

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  6. Rite Aid has a peel rebate form (must send it in) on the bottles of this where you can try it for free, so not a bad way to try it if you can get it for free!

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  7. nomakeuponmars: My hair is pretty oily--if I don't wash it every day, I will DEFINITELY have oily bangs in 24 hours. And yes, I've had great luck with extending the life of my hair color when I use sulfate-free shampoos, especially that first week after coloring my hair. Hope that helps.

    jbrobs: I'm so happy to hear from you, honey! Thanks SO much for the tip on the Ion shampoo at Sally. Great to know! Those are so hard to come by! :)

    Norine: I am so thrilled to hear these products are working so well for you! That's fantastic!!

    Love,B: Yep, I LOVE when Finesse goes on sale at the drugstores. :)

    Sasha: Oooh, how do you like the L'Oreal one? Thanks!

    rhinovirus: Yep, there's actually a sticker on the bottle they sent me, in this post! Thanks for mentioning that--I completely forgot to mention it in my review! :)

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  8. It sounds like we have the same hair qualities... and the same problems. In these hard economic times it is so refreshing to hear of a product that works so well, and doesn't cost a mint! I am definitely going to seek this out for myself. Thanks so much for the great review! =)

    Lisa O.
    gerrsbabe622@yahoo.com

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  9. I bought the one for normal non-color treated hair today at Walgreens for $3.99. It also had a mail in rebate sticker for up to 3.99.

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  10. I tried this shampoo and conditioner (the color treated versions) because I read on your blog that they were gluten free and cheap! It's almost impossible to find a gluten free shampoo/conditioner (hydrolyzed wheat protein is in almost ever shampoo on the market) that doesn't cost at-least $10.00 a bottle. I love it, its amazing for my hair!

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  11. I have used Finesse Conditioner (for damaged or dry hair) for about 25 yrs now. I have long black very healthy hair. I truly believe that this is because of the conditioner that I use plus I often blow dry my hair & it never looks dry at all. BUT, 2 days ago I saw the new Hypoallergenic brand & wanted to try it out... "I HATE IT!!!!" My hair feels like it has Vaseline in it or some kind of grease. It took for ever to dry, & now that it finally did, my hair feels greasy and it also took some of the shine away. I am throwing it away & going to purchase the regular type. So Disappointed!

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  12. I use the regular Finesse Shampoo and Conditioner. Actually, I've been using it for well over 20 years. But, I just started looking into other things because when I go out, my hair starts out perfect. Long, silky, straight. As the night goes on, it tends to frizz up. I looked into it and read that using a Sulfate-Free shampoo and conditioner helps. So of course, I looked into the brand I already use, and here I am. Does using this new sulfate-free kind help with frizz? Is your hair still left soft? OR dried out?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I use the regular Finesse Shampoo and Conditioner. Actually, I've been using it for well over 20 years. But, I just started looking into other things because when I go out, my hair starts out perfect. Long, silky, straight. As the night goes on, it tends to frizz up. I looked into it and read that using a Sulfate-Free shampoo and conditioner helps. So of course, I looked into the brand I already use, and here I am. Does using this new sulfate-free kind help with frizz? Is your hair still left soft? OR dried out?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Where can I buy this in India?? or any Indian online store?

    ReplyDelete

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