The Best Co-Washing Conditioner Under $10

The votes are in. They've been tallied. The products have been reviewed. Today it's (finally) time to give one lucky co-washing conditioner the SavingOurStrands stamp of approval. I know that you guys have got to be sick with product reviews and just want to know who the winner is already! But first, I'll recap how all four contenders stacked up against each other:

Hydration:
Breakage is my arch enemy right now. I have a protein rich regimen that I *fingers crossed* hope is warding off breakage. But it also requires a good amount of moisture to keep my hair balanced. When I co-wash, I'm longing for my roots to quickly absorb the conditioner then when all is said and done dry soft, fluffy, and clump free. (read: become more elastic) and the straighter sections are sleeker (read: become more smooth). 

Winners: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle & Herbal Essences Hello Hydration 

Cleansing:
I hate a conditioner that leaves a residue. Especially a conditioner that I'm using to co-wash. My scalp has to feel clean and sweat-free without stripped rough roots or straw-like ends. I mean--that's what I have shampoo for right? Ha-ha!

Winner: OGX Argan Oil of Morocco

Detangling:
I detangle my hair pre-wash and I don't think that it's too much to expect it to stay detangled through the wash process. I need slip, slip, and more slip to keep tangles from wreaking havoc on my hair.

Winner: Herbal Essences Hello Hydration 

Price:  
I have a lot of hair and I'm heavy handed so co-washing can get a little expensive if you don't shop smart. The winner in this category gave me the best price per ounce.
Winner: Tresemme Naturals Nourishing ($.20/oz)

So who won the war? Drum roll please!!!!

AUSSIE 3 MINUTE MIRACLE
The battle could have gone either way depending on what you feel like your hair needs on a particular day. Aussie edged out the competition because usually I want a super dose of moisture, some crazy cool slip, and packaging that's very easy to use. Aussie is the only conditioner on the list to tick off all three boxes. But when my hair feels more dirty than dry, I look to Tresemme Naturals Nourishing. Or when I need a little strengthening power, I grab OGX Argan Oil of Morocco. If slip is all I need, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration is my go to. Nonetheless, all four of these contenders are pretty great and I'll definitely repurchase each one.  

Man, this was definitely a fun process. I wonder what my next battle will be...

Besitos!  
KLP

Did you win the Battle of the Co-washing conditioner giveaway? Check now!

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[Review] Tresemme Naturals Nourishing

Price: Under $10

Purchased at: Any national retailer or online

Promises: This silicone-free conditioner is hypoallergenic, dye-free, safe for colored hair and is infused with Aloe Vera and Avocado extracts, delivering softness, strength and shine. The Effect: Hair that's hair 10X stronger--after just one use.* This natural conditioner can protect all hair types from damage and breakage. Recommended for all hair types, dry hair, curly hair, or color treated hair.

Ingredients:
Water , Cetearyl Alcohol , Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Behentrimonium Chloride , Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil , Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Fragrance , Dipropylene Glycol , Potassium Chloride , Lactic Acid , Disodium EDTA , DMDM Hydantoin , PEG 150 Distearate , Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , Lauroyl Lysine , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone  

My Thoughts: 
Of all of the co-washing conditioners that I use, this one gets my hair the cleanest. I like using it after especially sweaty workouts or when I feel like my hair has more buildup than usual. The only trade off is that I don't get that super moisturized conditioned feeling that I love. The scent is light---doesn't linger---and isn't very memorable at all. But, what I love most about this conditioner is how well it absorbs into my hair. After leaving it on for a few minutes my hair feels light, fluffy and clump free. If you are a curly girl---that might not be a good thing. If your stretching your relaxer or transitioning, it's amazeballs! Clumped curls=more detanlging time. Which makes me want to grab the scissors! A lot of folks love that this one doesn't have silicones in it but did y'all notice all that other weird stuff that we can't pronounce? LOL.

How does this conditioner work as a co-wash for you?


Besitos!
KLP

Did you win this co-washing conditioner in our giveaway? Check now!

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[Review] OGX Argan Oil of Morocco

Price: Under $10

Purchased at: Any national retailer or online

Promises: A unique, precious blend of Moroccan argan oil which instantly penetrates the hair shaft restoring shine and softens while strengthening and creating soft, seductive, silky perfection. 

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycol Stearate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Parfum, Argania Spinoza (Argan) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter) Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf) Extract, Panthenol, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Red 40, Yellow 5

My Thoughts: I haven't met an OGX, formerly Organix, product that I haven't liked. The Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner is no exception. It gives my hair the perfect hint of moisture during a co-wash and has a pretty good amount of slip. It contains a few of my fave ingredients: coconut oil, glycerin, behentrimonium chloride, and argan oil. Plus the scent is fabulous and the consistency is rich. My hair easily absorbs the conditioner, so a little goes a long way. I've used this one as a deep conditioner as well in the past with decent results. It's no Jessicurl Deep Treatment or Matrix Hydrasource so it remains in the co-wash conditioner bin. Did I mention that the price is very right, honey? Under $10---you can't beat that!

How does this conditioner work as a co-wash for you?


Besitos!
KLP

Win this amazing co-washing conditioner plus 3 more in this month's giveaway!

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[Review] Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

Price: $3-4

Availability: Pretty much everywhere

Promises:  Deeply intense conditioning, accented with Australian aloe, penetrates dry or damaged hair. Radiant hair in one use. Sure, it's really deep and super intense. But moist 3 minute miracle, accented with natural Australian aloe and jojoba oil, has a playful side too. Like that time it ran backwards around the office in a kangaroo outfit. Add some roo to your do.

Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dimethicone, Ecklonia Radiata Extract, Australian Sea Kelp, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glutamic Acid, Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, EDTA , Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

My Thoughts: 
The tropical "coconutty" scent of this conditioner is pretty gosh darn amazeballs. Calgon take me away amazeballs. The girl behind me in Spin class smelled it in my hair and distinctively knew what conditioner it was amazeballs. The consistency is the thickest amongst the other conditioners in the battle but my hair absorbs it really well and it rinses cleanly leaving me with easily detangled, smooth, un-clumped (think fluffy instead of curly) roots and re-moisturized hair. I think that the packaging is very unique; the product is dispensed from the bottom of the tube when you squeeze it. None of that struggling to flip the bottle upside down mess here! I love this because it makes application really easy in the shower. Although it's marketed as a deep conditioner, for my hair, it's just doesn't have enough "umph" to be a true deep conditioner but as a co-wash? Ohhh yeah! The biggest downside is how tiny the bottle is! I only get 3-4 uses per bottle but at $3, it's hard to complain! The ingredients are a little sketchy at first glance and you might find yourself needed to clarify a little more often. 

Have you used this one before? Does your hair like it as a deep conditioner or a co-wash?

Besitos!
KLP

Win this amazing co-washing conditioner plus 3 more in this month's giveaway!

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[Review] Herbal Essences Hello Hydration

Price: $3-4

Availability: Pretty much everywhere

Promises:  

100% softer* in 1 wash. I won’t let dry hair drain your style. my moisture-rich formulas are fused with extracts of creamy coconut and orchid flower and leave your hair feeling soft, smooth and moisturized. so don’t discriminate against dry hair—my moisturizing shampoo, conditioner and 2 in 1 will leave your hair feeling lush with moisture.

Ingredients:
Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Bis Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Zea Mays (Corn) Silk Extract, Orchis Mascula Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Blue 1

My Thoughts:
I spend a lot of time at the beach and in the pool during the summer. And of course I take Hello Hydration conditioner with me! It's super moisturizing and even though it's marketed as a conditioner, my scalp feels clean after using it to co-wash. It does have good slip---but I'm a million weeks post---so of course I'd love just a smidge more detangling power. If you're picky about product scents, beware---this one is pretty potent if you love it or overpowering if you hate it. I happen to think the scent is pretty darn awesome.

How do you like this one for co-washing?

Besitos!
KLP

Win this amazing co-washing conditioner plus 3 more in this month's giveaway!

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The Battle of the Co-Wash Conditioner

Co-washing is a fancy way of saying "I wash my hair with conditioner." I'd never been on the co-washing bandwagon in the past because ain't no body have time for multiple wash days each week! Then, my vacation last summer completely changed my mind about co-washing. Amusement parks, exercising, sweating in the ridiculously hot Florida sun, swimming---there was no way that I'd be able to get away with one wash day. So, I bit the co-washing bullet and my hair LOVED IT. I was able to refresh my scalp, cleanse my strands, and give my hair a dose of moisture all in one step. Over the last year, I've dated several conditioners that are perfect for co-washing, under $10, and widely available. Before we get started, let me give you an idea of what I want in PERFECT co-washing conditioner:

What makes a co-washing conditioner good...to me?

1. Hydrating- My one true co-wash prince has to be the boost of moisture that wards of breakage in drought-like conditions and keep it there until my next wash. None of that moisturized in the morning and dry by the night mess here.
2. Cleansing- Read: remove build up, dirt, and sweat but DON'T strip my hair. After all, if I wanted a good clean start, I'd use shampoo.
3. Detangling- Slip. slip and more slip. If it don't have slip then it will be immediately disqualified! I detangle my hair pre-wash and I expect it to stay detangled through the wash process.

Deep conditioners need not apply!
It's tempting, but don't use a deep conditioner has a co-washing conditioner. You'll get this icky build up situation going on that will require clarifying. Trust me---that's more trouble that it's worth. 

Here are your Battle of the Co-Wash Contestants:
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration
Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle
Organix Renewing Oil of Morocco
Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture

Let the battle begin!

Besitos!
KLP