Hair we go: An honest review of Blake Brown Beauty

Is Blake Lively's hair care line worth it? Keep reading... 💁🏻‍♀️

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Blake Lively launched her hair care line in early August. And we all wondered if it would be another boring celebrity beauty brand or a game-changing one like Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty. Well, I’m here to share my honest thoughts on the products…

So with that, let’s jump right in.

Photo: Alyssa Morin

Cons

Packaging:

There’s no denying the beehive-like packaging is cute and fun, especially since the hexagon-shaped shampoo and trapezoid hair masks mesh perfectly together. However, it’s not functional. For one, the products fit awkwardly in your hand, and they’re so bulky it’s difficult to use. The tops are also hard to twist off and can get tangled up in the plastic swivels. Not to mention, the rectangular-shaped tops are heavily weighted, so if you accidentally drop it after getting it off, you’re definitely going to bruise. It’s seriously a murder weapon!

Once you’ve mustered all of your strength to take off the top, you’ll find yourself in another dilemma: Finding a spot to put down the top so you can pour out the shampoo from the spout. And while you’re placing the top down, you better hope excess water doesn’t make its way into the shampoo. Because it’s an extensive process of putting away the top, pouring the product into your hand, placing the bottle down, and then applying the shampoo to your hair. As for the hair mask, it also features a hard-to-twist-off top, as well as a sharp circular ridge (due to the cheap plastic) where you scoop out the mask. Since the packaging is shaped like a trapezoid and the hole to scoop out the product isn’t that big, I can only imagine how difficult it’ll be to grab the hair mask in the bottom corners.

Methodology:

Another issue I have with the brand is the methodology. Blake’s whole motto is that you don’t need conditioner in your hair care routine. Instead, she shares, hair-masking is the secret to healthy hair. But here’s the thing: Hair masks are conditioners. The only difference is that hair masks are more intense than your everyday conditioner, which is why you’re supposed to use them sparingly—not regularly.

“Twenty years ago Blake started using masks in place of conditioners,” the brand website reads. “Don’t panic, conditioner isn’t cancelled. Our masks are formulated for every wash use, so think of them as conditioners who love you better.” (It’s not hard to think of hair masks as conditioners because they are. 😭)

After testing the brand for two weeks, my scalp has started to itch and overall my strands feel brittle. What’s weird, however, is that my hair also feels soft at the same time. It kind of reminds me of when your contacts are dry, so you add a few drops of solution to them. Sure, your eyes are moisturized, but they’re still stinging from the dryness. That’s how my hair feels: dry, but temporarily hydrated.

In addition to Blake asking consumers to swap conditioner for an intense conditioner (It’s like telling people to use an exfoliating cleanser instead of a makeup cleanser. They both wash your face, except one is way harsher for everyday use), she doesn’t give consumers a good reason as to why. There isn’t any proof or credible sourcing that shows the validity of her method. For example, Beyoncé has a board of trichologists, dermatologists, scientists, and hairstylists that help formulate Cécred’s hair care products. They’ve also done clinical testing to determine its efficacy. Although clinical testing has its flaws, I appreciate the time, effort, and resources the brand has put into its products. Hailey Bieber and Ciara have also enlisted a similar approach with their skincare lines.

While Blake says she’s worked with “the very best people in the industry,” per the brand website, it’s unclear who exactly helped her create her formulas and fine-tune her method. On her site, she simply credits, “an incredible team of people, both internal and our partners outside of Blake Brown.” In this day and age, consumers need more information and transparency. Using vague language to share how your products went from a fantasy to reality isn’t enough. And as trichologist Shab Caspara once told me, “It's not easy to change someone's hair-washing behavior.” So, if you’re asking me to switch up my hair-washing routine, I need to know why.

Photo: Blake Brown Beauty / Instagram

Pros

Scent:

There are a few positives about Blake Brown Beauty. Personally, I love the scent of the Strengthening Shampoo and Strengthening Hair Mask, which blends vanilla, sandalwood, dry ambers, and vetiver to create a spa-like experience in the shower. The Nourishing shampoo and hair mask combo also smells delicious with its notes of bergamot, cardamom, sandalwood, and fig. While I find both sets of fragrances to be therapeutic and rich, it is potent. So, if you’re sensitive to scents, I don’t recommend these products, especially because the fragrance lingers long after you’ve showered.

Accessibility:

Although you can shop Blake Brown Beauty directly on its website, I appreciate that Blake partnered with Target as the exclusive retailer. For one, it’s easily accessible. Whether you live in a small town or a sprawling city, there’s likely a Target nearby. Prices range from $19 to $25, which seems high for the retailer, but luckily Target has a great return policy, so if you aren’t a fan of the products, you can get your money back.

Leave-in Conditioner:

If there’s one item worth adding, I’ve enjoyed the All-in-Wonder Leave-in Potion. Now, the name could certainly use a refresh because it’s wordy (and doesn’t inform the consumer what it is). The leave-in conditioner, which also acts as a detangler and pre-styling treatment, softens and smooths out the hair, while also detangling it and adding shine. Much like my issue with the shampoo packaging, this hexagon-shaped design is very clunky and hard to use. I suggest holding the bottle and moving the nozzle to the side.

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I’d love to know if you’ve tried out the products and what your thoughts are. Let’s chat in the comments!