I was super curious about Prose shampoo and conditioner. I’ve been served more than enough Instagram ads, so I decided to finally cave and try it. Choosing the right shampoo can be tough, especially if you have unique hair needs like oiliness, heat damage, or a history of dyeing your hair. Or, if you’re like me and live in the desert where the wind, dryness, and water are not great. (And add my personal choice of swimming).
I had a few questions about Prose:
- Is Prose worth it? The jury is still out.
- Does Prose actually work? I have had noticeable results in just one month.
- Why is Prose so expensive? It is a customized formula made exclusively for your hair.
- Does Prose help with hair loss? It depends on the products.
- Does Prose take the weather into account? Yes.
- Can I cancel a Prose subscription easily? Yes.
- Does Prose take into account if you’ve dyed your hair, gotten a perm, or gotten other work done? Yes, they ask plenty of questions to make sure they cover everything and anything hair-related.
Read this honest review of Prose and see if it’s right for you.
How I Tested Prose:
For over a month, I only used Prose’s shampoo, conditioner, hair vitamins, and hair mask. I then compared my hair to the other products I was using. Spoiler: I wasn’t using expensive products, just cheap shampoo you find on regular store shelves.
About my Hair:
I have somewhat wavy hair. It’s not super curly, but it’s thick, and it gets frizzy fast. It’s the standard, don’t brush your hair when it’s dry because it’s going to brush out the curls and be…big. I usually use mousse or gel in my hair, which has worked out okay (although in 2013, I probably went through an adding too much gel phase).
How Prose Works:
To get the right Prose products for you, you take a short quiz which asks several questions and then creates a routine. It even asks you what fragrance you prefer. I also appreciate that they asked if I swam, was in chlorine water, and even where I lived. The dryness of the desert has definitely affected my hair.
What’s in the Prose Box?
*Now this will drastically depend on your hair type and needs*
- Custom Shampoo and Conditioner
- Curl Cream
- Vitamins
You can also choose what you do and don’t want. You aren’t set in stone, so if you don’t want the vitamins, you can just remove them. That’s what I did, when I didn’t notice too much of a difference. You can choose the frequency of your delivery so you aren’t getting a surplus amount of items.
My Experience with Prose:
I ordered my Prose, and it took about 10 days to get there. I was kind of disappointed it took that long. The packaging is nice, and it comes in a fancy box with all of the items. I knew how small the Prose bottles are, but it was still surprising when they arrived. As mentioned, I started using Prose and only that for a month. It was kind of annoying because as a swimmer, I had to remember to lug my shampoo and conditioner around when I decided to go to the pool. That sounds like a personal problem, lol.
I do think it helped my hair a lot. Do I think Prose is worth it? I’m undecided if the $83 a month is actually worth it. I am thinking I might try some shampoo and conditioner that are maybe $15-$20 and see what kind of difference they make. Compared to drugstore brand shampoos and conditioners, you will see a difference. My hair is a more shiny, less dull, and overall looks and feels better. It also is a lot less frizzy, which in the desert wind is a true miracle. I like that my hair doesn’t feel as weighed down as some other products, especially conditioners, that I’ve used. Finally, despite the small bottles, I also find myself using less of all of them because of the pump and the thought of how expensive they are.
Cost:
Prose is definitely more expensive than other brands. You do save by subscribing and saving, but you’ll have to keep in mind, it will likely cost you over $50+ for a month’s supply.
- Shampoo: 8.5 fl oz, $28.90 (Regular cost) $34.00
- Conditioner: 8.5 fl oz, $28.90 (Regular cost) $34.00
- 5.1 fl oz, $25.50 (Regular cost) $30.00
Prose offers 15% off if you subscribe (which is what the cost of the products are).
Delivery and Packaging:
I was a bit disappointed with how long Prose takes to ship. It took somewhat around 10 days for my order to finally get there. By that time, it felt like they were already charging me for my next subscription.
Quality and Use:
The products did what they promised, even if the highlighted natural ingredients weren’t the main ones. The quality was high, and I didn’t need to use a lot of product each time. The shampoo doesn’t lather much, but my hair felt softer. Prose lets you adjust your formula based on how your hair feels.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Customized for your hair. You will likely see a difference.
- No harsh chemicals.
- Options for dye-free, fragrance-free, and vegan formulas.
- Products last a long time. Is that the fear of how expensive they are?
- Can adjust the formula or update delivery.
Cons:
- Natural ingredients aren’t always the main ones.
- Shampoo doesn’t lather much.
- Expensive.
Prose Conclusion:
I won’t lie, I have noticed a difference with Prose. Is the difference worth the cost of Prose? I’m not entirely sure. Prose worked well for me. In all, Prose is good, but the jury is still out if it’s worth the high price tag.
Who Should Buy Prose?
Anyone can use Prose, but it’s especially good for people with mixed hair types or textures. Or if you are someone who is constantly exposed to harsh weather or chemicals.
Who Should Not Buy Prose?
I don’t really have a reason not to buy it, other than it’s expensive compared to other brands.
You can see more reviews here and purchase Prose for yourself here.
Question for you: Have you tried an expensive shampoo and conditioner?