Heidi's Beauty Bag - Shampoo/Conditioner

Let's start with the background. I started out in life with dark blond hair. During childhood, it would get pretty light in the summer and darken every winter. I started highlighting in high school...and pretty much didn't stop. Had it long through college, went a bit shorter in early 20s, then a little longer (ponytail possible) after kids, the shorter for a while, and then realized that because of my height and my weird body shape with my thin face and wide shoulders, short hair just doesn't work well on me. So I grew it back out a few years ago. My hair actually got a bit darker and a bit thicker with each kid. Don't be jealous, it's still not that thick. Maybe if I had 6 more kids, I could end up with Salma Hayek's beautiful locks, but I doubt it.

But last year I realized that all the highlighting on the longer hair was just not working as well for me as it used to and even adding lowlights each time didn't cut it. So I have been phasing back to my more natural hair color. But not with full-on color, my fantastic stylist, Marlow, who is just awesome beyond words, uses toner so it's much gentler and it's also more subtle. Even now, it's been a little more than 8 weeks since last appointment, and while it needs to be done again, I'm not desperately dying for fresh color. It's a crazy week, so if I can't fit it in or she can't, I'll see her next week.

I have been a devoted Pureology fan for quite a while. I know it's expensive, but since I was spending the money on the color (be it color or highlights or whatever), it makes sense to maintain it, no? Plus, the formula is so concentrated, you really do use less. I have been using the moisturizing formula and really loved it. No harsh sulfates on this head of hair, thank you very much. I can't stand the multitude of shampoos - at every price point - that say color-safe when that have sulfates. Bad shampoos!!

Then I started seeing all these ads for the new L'Oreal EverPure line. The drugstore line, priced at $6.99 per bottle. So I figured I would just give it a try, and if it didn't work out, I could always keep it in the guest bath as the spare shampoo/conditioner. And then my guests don't have to use Barbie shampoo.

I have to tell you that I am thrilled beyond words with this pair. My hair feels great, my color is doing fine (like I said, I'm not desperate for fresh color right now although it would be nice). I didn't think it weighed down my hair too much. Volumizing doesn't even work on my hair. Plus, volumizing formulas tend to be much harsher on color and maintaining the color is my primary goal. (Side benefit of the big floppy hats in the summer - the color lasts much longer!)

Petunia tried the shampoo and wasn't a fan, as she posted here, but she did find a new line that she loves - the Suave Professionals. Maybe I'll check them out sometime.

And, just wondering, am I the only one with rawhide chews and a pink tennis ball in my bathroom? (It's been a while since I included a Lucy pic.)