Reviews and Other Stuff

alterna haircare caviar

Pantene Rose Water Collection Review

pantene pro-v blends rose water collection review

 

Hey guys! I’m back with another round of Pantene hair care review. If you have been following my previous posts, you’d know that I reviewed two of the Pantene Pro-V Blends haircare products like the Micellar Shampoo and Conditioner (seen HERE), as well as the Charcoal Purifying Root Wash and Renewing Cream Rinse (reviewed HERE). This time, we’ll be talking about the latest from the Pro-V Blends line, the Pantene Rose Water Collection (Twin Pack/17.99 oz: $19.99).

 

I’ve always wanted to test this particular Pantene haircare line because I had such a great experience with their Micellar and the Charcoal shampoo and conditioner. Also, with all the latest trend in skincare nowadays, the rose water is definitely having its moment. So, if it’s good for the face, it must be good for the hair as well. Why not? Right?

 

pantene rose water collection review

 

According to Pantene, the Rose Water Collection is meant to “help soothe and rehydrate hair so you can look your best with moisturized, petal soft hair”. It contains no sulfates, no silicones, no parabens, and definitely no dyes nor mineral oil. Packaging-wise, it’s really beautiful with its pinkish rose petal bottle that is totally Instagramable. For its price, well, it’s very affordable and it’s relatively easy to find.

 

However, I do have mixed feelings about this particular Pantene haircare line. First off, let’s start with the scent. This line smells pretty much like the rest of the Pantene Pro-V Blends, there is not much distinction fragrance-wise between this and the Micellar ones. The Charcoal ones smell the same too, but at least you could discern a hint of charcoal in it. This one doesn’t smell like a rose at all. I feel like Pantene could do a much better job at developing the fragrance of this.

 

pantene rose water shampoo

 

The Rose Water Shampoo (10.1 oz: $5.99, 17.9 oz: $9.99) has a gel-like consistency and it’s meant to be a moisturizing shampoo. While it does feel moisturizing on my hands and right when I applied it on my hair, I seem to notice that this doesn’t lather very well compared to most moisturizing shampoos I’ve tried before, and even more so when compared with most core or regular Pantene haircare. I don’t know what’s in this, I know this feels really moisturizing while I lather this on my strands, but this feels like an oil slipping through my hair. It’s like my hair is not getting a thorough cleanse. As I kept lathering, I did kinda notice a very very faint scent of something earthy and rosy, but it’s almost hard to notice.

 

pantene pro-v blends rose water

 

The Rose Water Conditioner (10.1 oz: $5.99, 17.9 oz: $9.99) on the other hand, feels much better than the shampoo version above, but it isn’t as creamy as I would have wanted. It does condition the hair but the scent is pretty much the same as the shampoo, and I feel like this pretty much feels like a standard conditioner. I feel like some other drugstore conditioners could do a much better job than this.

 

pantene rose water collection

 

With those being said, a couple of minutes after washing my hair, my strands felt dry, especially at the roots. I have never experienced this with any moisturizing shampoo before. I had to literally use a leave-in conditioner in order to add more moisture to my strands. It’s kind of a bummer because this Pantene Rose Water Collection is meant to restore or add moisture to the hair, but I feel like the Micellar Collection and the Charcoal Collection (my most favorite) can do a much better job than this. So, if you’re looking for a good drugstore moisture shampoo/conditioner, I’ve had a good experience with L’oreal Evercreme Deep Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner. For the high-end ones, I like the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Shampoo + Conditioner (reviewed HERE), as well as the Kerastase Discipline Sulfate-Free Smoothing Shampoo (seen HERE).

 

The Pantene Rose Water Collection is currently available at Amazon, Target, and Walgreens.

 

Have you tried this already? How do you feel about this collection?

 

 

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture And Anti-Frizz Shampoo + Conditioner Review

Hey guys! I’ve got a new haircare brand to love and I’m excited to tell you about it. I’ve known about Alterna Haircare for quite some time since you always see their products being displayed in one of Sephora’s or Ulta’s counters. But for some reason, I just didn’t bother to explore this brand at all. I thought it might be just another one of those fad haircare brands that are pricey and will probably just fade away after a couple of years, only to be replaced by another fad haircare brand. Oh well, my point of view changed when I got a sample of their Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner which was inside my Sephora Play! Box and it was love at first wash. LOL.

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner review

 

I know I raved about my other two favorite haircare products before: The Living Proof No Frizz Haircare Line and the Kerastase Aura Botanica, both which I still use even to this day. However, I’d like to expand my choices and also look for some other alternatives just in case Sephora or Ulta will run out or stop carrying one of my favorite haircare products. Speaking of these two favorite hair products, as you notice, both of them are sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalates-free, and I like my shampoo and conditioner that way. I like them with clean and natural ingredients that won’t weigh the hair down. I also love a hair product that works to tame those horrible frizzies. My hair tends to get oily fairly easily, so I prefer something that cleanses well and adds bounce. I’ve tried looking for a cheaper alternative before, like the L’oreal Everpure Sulfate-Free line but I couldn’t seem to love those. They made my hair really oily and heavy the next day and my hair didn’t look as shiny compared to using the stuff from Living Proof and Kerastase. Another thing I wanna point out is that it’s very important for me to have an easy access or easy reordering of my favorite haircare products, but that has been quite a challenge lately especially with Kerastase. If I don’t plan to reorder them on their website ahead of time, I would typically get them at my local hair salons. Oh well, that proved to be quite annoying because some salons will try to sell you some other stuff that you don’t really need, and I don’t like being bothered like that. I just want my favorite Kerastase stuff. Ya know what I mean? So yeah, I need to look for some other alternative haircare holy grails.

 

Ever since I stumbled into Alterna’s Caviar Haircare line, I feel like OMG, this is it! The smell and feel of their shampoo and conditioner kinda remind me of Kerastase and Living Proof, but they have a very interesting bunch of ingredients. First of all, they have caviar extracts from France and vitamins A, C, and D which they infused in this particular line, thus the name “Caviar Anti-Aging”. They also added a blend of seasilk to moisturize the hair. Second, their product’s style of packaging is really pretty and unique with an easy to twist bottle, although there’s one caveat with it which I’m gonna talk about in the next few paragraphs towards the end of this review. Lastly, you can find the Alterna Caviar line in just about any Sephora or Ulta locations everywhere, and lately, they added their new Anti-Frizz collection to this line as well.

 

Replenishing Moisture

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging replenishing moisture conditioner

 

Replenishing Moisture Shampoo (mini/1.35 oz: $10, 8.5 oz: $34, value size/16.5 oz: $52) – This shampoo doesn’t feel too thick and not too thin either, yet it seems very concentrated. It doesn’t lather immediately upon application and it needs to be mixed well with water, but once it starts to foam, then it cleanses thoroughly. You may need to rewash with this if your hair is extra oily or if it’s on the oily type. Personally, I find this to be a moisturizing shampoo and I like that it makes my hair smell fresh and clean without making it heavy.

 

Replenishing Moisture Conditioner (mini/1.35 oz: $10, 8.5 oz: $34, value/16.5 oz: $52) – This conditioner feels a bit thicker than most regular conditioners and it has a light sort of vinegar scent that washes off immediately and won’t really bother your nostrils. What I love about this conditioner is that I don’t need to use a lot of it and it keeps my hair feeling moisturized and relaxed. Unlike most regular conditioners where my hair tends to look and feel dry after a couple of hours and oily the next day, this particular Caviar Anti-Aging Conditioner from Alterna keeps my hair looking hydrated, healthy, and silky. It even keeps it that way the following day without looking like I drenched my hair in oil.

 

Anti-Frizz

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging anti-frizz shampoo review

 

Anti-Frizz Shampoo (8.5 oz: $34) – This particular shampoo feels a bit thicker than the Replenishing Moisture Shampoo above, and it lathers pretty well at first use. It also feels to be a lot more moisturizing and has a fruitier scent than the Anti-Aging shampoo above. I like this a lot and I also love the way it keeps moisture on my oily-prone hair, which actually didn’t get so oily lately because this particular shampoo sorta regulated it.

 

Anti-Frizz Conditioner (8.5 oz: $34) – This feels really thick, even a lot thicker than the Anti-Aging Replenishing Conditioner above and it’s pretty obvious why. This conditioner is meant to tame frizzies, combat hair dryness, and restore moisture not just for people with fine hair, but also for those with medium to thick hair. You don’t need a lot to actually use this product and it works really well so far. As we’re approaching the summer heat and humidity, I’ve noticed that I haven’t had any frizzy strands somehow, and mind you, my biggest hair problem is fighting those annoying frizzies. I will continue to use this as we dip into the coming high temperatures and see if this Anti-Frizz haircare line will live up to its promise. So far, I’m really loving this not just for its anti-frizz benefit, but also, I love the way my hair looks. It’s as if I straightened it and it looks really healthy and shiny. I have yet to try their Anti Frizz Blowout Butter which seems really good, but it’s on my wishlist so that hopefully I could put it to the test and update you guys soon.

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging shampoo and conditioner

 

I truly recommend that you give these Caviar Anti-Aging and Anti-Frizz Shampoo + Conditioner a try. I think they’re awesome, even though they can be pricey, but they also come in a travel size. The only thing that bothers me about these is their packaging. I appreciate their unique twist and squeeze type of bottle which looks luxe, pretty, and almost spill-proof, but for that same reason, they’re also a challenge to dispense, especially for the conditioners because they have such thick consistency. So halfway throughout your usage, you’re basically going to be squeezing and squeezing the bottle until it releases the product. Then imagine doing that with slippery foamy hands. It can be quite annoying. What I usually do is, I just keep the bottle close and turn it upside down – ready for the next use. Oh well, I hope Alterna will improve their packaging soon.

 

alterna review

 

To sum it up. I think the Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture line is great for anyone who needs to restore or keep moisture in their hair and for those who tends to have oily hair that needs to be regulated. They’re great as everyday hydrating haircare products. On the other hand, the Anti-Frizz collection is great for those hot and humid months when you want your hair to behave, and it’ll work for just about any hair type, not just for medium to thick hair.

 

Have you tried these already? What are your favorite hair care products? Any recs for frizzies?

 

The Alterna Haircare is currently available at Sephora, Dermstore, Ulta, Nordstrom, QVC, Zulily and Saks Fifth Avenue