NEW Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Stylers

These days it seems like everyone is going green, becoming environmentally conscious and striving to eliminate harmful chemicals from their beauty routine. Biolage R.A.W. is Matrix’s healthy new hair care range featuring products that are 99% natural and biodegradable. The formulas are also free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, artificial fragrance and colorants - making them nourishing, gentle and safe.

The Texturizing Styling Spray with Matcha Green Tea ($12.90) helps you achieve sexy beach waves, separation and definition with no greasy residue. Although I can use the spray for moisture and body, it is more suitable for straight hair that needs volume and waviness. To enhance the effect, use a diffuser for more texture - the scent is very light and refreshing.

The Smoothing Styling Milk with Honey and Oat ($12.90) hydrates, softens and polishes weak, dry hair in preparation for styling. It really does have the consistency of milk or light yogurt and although I didn’t notice any major changes, I do like the way it makes my ends feel – sleek and supple.

The Frizz Control Styling Spray with Lavender ($12.90) helps shape, moisturize, de-poof  and control unruly flyaways prior to styling or air drying. This is a good finishing product to manage frizz on hot, humid days or while vacationing in the tropics and curly girls will definitely appreciate the extra definition and smoothness.

The Curl Defining Styling Butter with Cocoa ($12.90) looks a bit like peanut butter but once distributed throughout my lengths, it blends well with no discernible residue. The rich, creamy formula locks-in moisture and replenishes parched strands while defining the natural curl pattern and shaping spirals. It also boosts volume and loosens curls so they flow more freely but it doesn’t provide much hold.

If you do need a holding product, the Bodifying Styling Jelly with refreshing Lemon ($12.90) is a great way to form and shape without crunch or flakes. It looks and feels like a loose, liquid gel which spreads easily to reduce and prevent frizz. It also makes curls more manageable and neat while improving the look of split-ends and fuzziness.

To find a salon near you visit the website at matrixprofessionals.ca

Matrix Biolage Aqua-Gel Conditioner Review

There are many different hair types that all require specific treatments so Matrix has created the new Aqua-Gel Collection to target 4 of our most common concerns without the use of harsh parabens, silicone or oil. These products are formulated for fine, fragile hair and are gentle enough to maintain color.

Smooth Proof targets fine, frizzy hair and also helps reduce static. The light gel texture is more similar to shampoo than conditioner but it revives limp strands that don’t cope well with an overload of heavy moisture. Since my hair type is thick and long, it takes a lot of product to achieve a thorough coating and my tresses seem to suck it up without any major change in hydration or texture. On the bright side, the lovely scent leaves my mane smelling fresh and clean for days!

The Color Last Conditioner with orchid extract prolongs and enhances the vibrancy and shine of hair dye while strengthening from roots to ends. This formula is creamier than the one above so it distributes and hydrates better. I don’t color my hair but the gel does seem to revive dullness and it mixes well with other conditioners for even more dryness relief.

Volume Bloom is made for those who need a little extra lift and the illusion of thickness. It has the same gel texture (that isn’t very effective for detangling) and I have to leave it on for much longer than the recommended 3 mins to see any benefits. If you wash your hair frequently the conditioner is light enough for daily use without greasiness and since it doesn’t build-up on the scalp it makes a decent co-wash.

Hydra Source is infused with aloe to target dry, rough hair. I have to apply a very generous amount to see any changes but I did notice a minor difference in shine and softness. For those with fine hair this collection may be just what you’re looking for to get the right amount of nourishment and protection but my hair is just too thick for these formulas. I much prefer the Matrix Total Results Collection for replenishing dry hair – you can read about those products by clicking HERE.

The Aqua Gel Conditioners retail for $20.00 each. To find a salon near you visit the site at matrixprofessionals.ca

Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Hair Care Review

Many of us strive to live a healthy, active lifestyle. We eat right, invest in skincare, get our beauty sleep and workout, so the products we use should reflect those values. Think of the new Biolage R.A.W collection as a nourishing, healing smoothie for your hair! The products are 95% natural with no sulfates, parabens, silicones or artificial colorants and the formula is 99% biodegradable.

Now you’re probably thinking that anything this natural might not be as effective for cleansing and conditioning but you’d be completely wrong! The shampoo is made of plant-based surfactants, natural thickeners and emollients while the conditioner contains fatty amines, natural oils, clay and waxes which cleanse, soften, shine and rehabilitate damaged strands for salon quality results.

There are 3 collections to choose including: Nourish (for dry, dull hair), Recover (for stressed, sensitized hair) and Uplift (for fine, flat hair). Each range utilizes a special blend of unique ingredients that target specific concerns and rejuvenate your tresses from root to tip!

Today I will be reviewing the Recover line which is great for hair exposed to environmental stress, repeated heat styling and harmful chemicals including dye. Using these nutrient-rich products is like having a hair makeover to undo external damage, dryness, brittleness, breakage, split-ends and roughness. The shampoo is infused with yucca, goji berry (which is a super food) and coconut which creates a delicious, sweet scent reminiscent of a ripe berry cocktail! Although it is void of all harsh soaps and drying sulfates, the formula lathers into a light foam that cleanses very well and removes build-up, excess oil and follicle blocking gunk that may cause dandruff and flaking. After 2 shampoos my hair and scalp feel fresh, revitalized and squeaky clean and the amazing aroma envelops you in a bubble of fruity bliss!  

The conditioner looks like a scrumptious strawberry smoothie and smells like fresh herbs and yummy ginger which I assume is really the coriander oil. Don’t let the spice infusion scare you off, the aroma is very light, healthy and fresh with a nice balance of kaolin clay and soybean. The creamy consistency reinforces moisture to restore, soften, smooth, shine, strengthen and thicken. The formula is able to tame my long, thick, natural curls without weighing them down or causing limpness and I can comb it through for even distribution and loads of silky hydration. After conditioning, my hair feels bouncy, manageable and resilient and I experience no scalp or skin irritation.

If you are looking for natural, non-damaging, eco-friendly hair care I highly recommend trying Biolage R.A.W. The shampoo and conditioner retail for $25.00 each at a variety of salons. To find a retailer near you click HERE and visit the website at biolage.matrixcanada.ca.