For someone like me hair masks sometimes do more damage then repair. It is because I have fine oily hair. The hair masks or deep conditioners weigh my hair down, ramp up the oil production or just never wash out. For the later, I find myself often taking a second shower in the sink just to make sure it is completely out.
Then L'Oreal's Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm ($6) came into my life thanks to Influenster. It looked like every hair mask. It smelled like every deep conditioning treatment. But then I lived my life.
My hair was starting to feel dry and was looking unruly, even after a recent hair cut. I was optimistic because the bottle claimed to help repair 5 signs of damage: split ends, weakness, roughness, dullness, and dehydration. Additionally, I love L'Oreal's hair products which always leave my hair light, shiny, and healthy looking. In the shower, I coating my hair from root to end and let it work its magic for the next five minutes. Washing it out was the first sign it was different. There was no left over residue and my hair felt clean. Using a wide toothed comb, I released my knots, which were essentially nonexistent. I do not blow dry my hair, so I went to bed and hoped my hair would look good in the morning. Through the morning fog, I noticed that my hair looked GOOD! It was brighter, and healthy looking. It was soft and voluminous. I was stoked by how great it looked. The test however was at the end of the day. Would I need to wash my hair again? Could I spray a little dry shampoo and extend my style for another day? Unlike all the other hair treatments I have used in the past, my hair was not greasy.
At the end of the day (literally and figuratively) this treatment was different than the rest. It helped to soften and combat dullness and dehydration. I was beyond surprised that it worked its magic without the side effects I normally experience with deep conditioners or hair masks.
Final Grade: A+