The latest Vo5 formula to hit stores, Shea Cashmere might be a bit challenging to find for some of you. I've seen it at my local CVS (which is where I purchased these products) but my local Rite Aid does not carry these products yet. I've also seen it at a few local grocery stores, so if you can't find it at the drugstore try a grocery store.
As you all know, I'm a big fan of Vo5 shampoos and conditioners. They're not the best I've ever tried, but they're super affordable (between $1.99 and $0.99 each for 15 oz; sometimes $0.89, $0.79 or even occasionally $0.69 when they're on sale) and they come in lots and lots of yummy scents. Most (if not all?) Vo5 shampoos and conditioners are 'cone-free (free of silicone-based ingredients) so if you're a no-'cone guy or gal, these are definitely an affordable option. I've generally been pleased with how my hair looks when I uses these shampoos and conditioners, so let's see how the latest formula's been working for me...
Vo5 Silky Experiences Shea Cashmere Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
(retail: $1.99 - $0.99, 15 oz each)
Keep reading for my full review...
shampoo ingredients
conditioner ingredients
The shampoo has a pearly finish and the color is sort of a warm cream shade. the conditioner is opaque white and has that same thin, watery consistency as all of the other Vo5 shampoos I've used.
The above photo is what my hair looks like after using Shea Cashmere shampoo and conditioner and then allowing my hair to air-dry. This photo was taken with absolutely nothing in my hair (no styling products); I only used the Shea Cashmere shampoo and conditioner. For reference, my hair is fine in texture but I have a lot of it. I have naturally wavy hair that has a tendency to become frizzy. My hair is color-treated, long, and it's oily at the roots and dry at the ends.
What I loved: the fragrance of both the shampoo and conditioner is quite pleasant. They both have a warm and cozy fragrance to them and I can indeed detect a shea butter note. To me, these products smell similar to Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar. It's not exact, but I'm willing to guess that if you like WVS, you'll probably enjoy the fragrance of this shampoo and conditioner. I also love that the shampoo doesn't take any effort to "get going". It's easy to achieve a nice, rich lather quickly and I like that it rinses easily and that my hair doesn't feel dry or stripped after rinsing the shampoo. The conditioner, although thin and watery, does provide some hydration. It does some light detangling and leaves my hair feeling soft after rinsing. I also love that my hair, after it's air-dried, has some nice volume and my curls don't feel weighed down. Also, these products don't have a dulling effect on my hair--you can see in the pic above that my hair is pretty shiny.
What I didn't love: The texture of the conditioner, as with all Vo5 conditioners, isn't the best. It's so watery that you really have to hold your fingers together tightly when you pour it in your hand or the conditioner will run right down your arm and into the drain. Also, due to the watery texture, it's a little bit of a challenge to get this product into your hair. I sometimes have to go back for a second application because some product ends up dripping down into the shower during application. Also, in comparison to other non-Vo5 shampoos and conditioners I own, Shea Cashmere isn't quite as hydrating as I'd prefer.
FINAL VERDICT: If you're already a fan of Vo5 shampoos and conditioners, I think you'll probably enjoy this new addition to the family. Overall, these products didn't disappoint, although I was hoping that the addition of shea butter to the formula would give my hair a tiny bit more hydration. Granted, these products don't leave my hair feeling like straw, but I don't think they'd be a good fit if your hair requires intense hydration. They work for me, and they are a nice addition to my stash for those days when I just want to mix it up and use something other than my staple products; I know my hair won't be unmanageable or look strange if I use them. Are they my new Holy Grail haircare products? No. But I can definitely see myself repurchasing and keeping them on hand because they're super affordable and I love having lots of options in my shower (I get bored using the same products day in day out). I haven't tried co-washing with just the conditioner, but I can imagine that it might be nice for that (I'd love to hear from you if you have tried it!).
Have you tried the new Vo5 Shea Cashmere line yet? Thoughts?
G, your hair is GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteOh honey, thank you SO much for saying that. You totally made my day! xo :)
DeleteThey are on sale for $0.75 at CVS. I like how it's an affordable brand but still works nicely. But it really is a basic no frills shampoo for me. Regardless of formula I find they all work pretty similar.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Super affordable and they do their job. :)
DeleteI do co wash but only with VO5. It works rather well. My hair does not get greasy very easily. I can wash with shampoo 1-2 times a week. But I like my hair to smell good so I wash with conditioner every day or 2. I have a ton of hair just fine textured also and frizz can be a problem also. Conditioner washing helps with that.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll give the VO5 a shot. I wonder if going silicone-free makes that much of a difference in volume? I also have a ton of hair that's fine-textured (but straight) so we'll see. =)
DeleteI got the shampoo from CVS during their 75 cent sale last week and it immediately reminded me the St. Ives Swiss Vanilla body wash, but lighter.
ReplyDeleteLOL i always buy the shampoo and i use it as a moisturizing hand soap :D
ReplyDeleteVO5 is my HG shampoo and conditioner. I don't need much conditioning, and I need a very light conditioner in order to not make my hair feel like a grease trap. I usually need the conditioner to just detangle my hair and use it every other shower or so, but since my hair is longer right now, I need to condition daily or it gets dry. The shampoo, well, it works, doesn't over or under clean my hair, and there are plenty of yummy scents for when I need a change. The shea cashmere is a delicious scent, but right now I'm using another because I don't want to get burned out on it :)
ReplyDeleteG your hair is just gorgeous! I sometimes use VO5 conditioner to shave my legs! Lol
ReplyDeleteI love this conditioner for co - washing. It smells good and it even has a light detangling effect on my tightly coiled hair.
ReplyDeleteI'm experimenting with CO washing right now and I think I'll pick up a bottle of this, I'm having good luck with Suave Clarifying, but I like having options, and sounds like this might smell better too.
ReplyDeleteI love VO5. The scent automatically brings me back a couple of decades. I always pick up the hot oil whenever I come across it in a store. Works like a charm! I haven't seen this set but I will definitely be on the look out!
ReplyDeleteThe VO5 line is decent but their clarifying shampoos and conditioners are amazing! It leaves my hair so soft and clean feeling! Its the only one I use! I'm going to search for the new scent and try it out.
ReplyDelete