A couple weeks ago I received my first Influenster box since the Lancome Grandiose Mascara in September 2014 and it was all about haircare. The box was sent to me based on a survey of my hair needs and it included the L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Shampoo*, Conditioner* and Leave-In*. My scalp and hair have been so dry lately I secretly wished I’d been matched with the Extraordinary Oil instead, but I often purchase L’Oreal haircare for my own use and have actually used up (and loved) the L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Replenishing Mask as well as the L’Oreal Total Repair Replenishing Detangling Care in the past.
The L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Shampoo is a repairing shampoo made with cicamide that works to improve strength, density, vitality, shine and silkiness of damaged hair. It has a traditional shampoo scent and a thicker, moisturizing texture it. It helps to leave my hair softer and more manageable.
The L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Conditioner is thick, nourishing conditioner to help smooth out rough hair and split ends. The instructions suggest leaving it in for 1-3 minutes, which helps it act a little more like a hair mask (although this line also contains a separate one) without weighing down my hair or making it at all greasy.
The final product I tried out was the L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Leave-In. This cream provides a concentraed dose of cicamide to help damaged hair and ends. To use, I apply a few pumps to my hands and then run my fingers through my damp hair. The end result is soft, silk hair.
Unfortunately, after about two weeks of use of the L’Oreal Total Repair 5 line I have had an increase in dryness for my scalp, most notably along the hairline where it’s actually gotten flaky (gross, I know). My scalp is naturally dry but it was in good shape after using the Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner so this has been a disappointment regression.
I don’t know which (or how many) of the products tested is responsible for my dry scalp, but as lovely and soft as this line made my hair, I think that the Extraordinary Oil would have been a better match, at least during this dry winter weather. If you have damaged hair but don’t struggle with a dry scalp, I definitely recommend checking out the L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In. Have you tried this line before?