Hey there, fellow hair care enthusiast! If you‘re anything like me, you know the struggle of finding the perfect products for your unique hair needs. I can‘t tell you how many times I‘ve bought a shampoo or conditioner that promised amazing results, only to be left disappointed (and with a graveyard of half-used bottles in my shower).
But recently, I discovered Formulate, a custom hair care brand that creates personalized shampoo and conditioner formulas based on your specific hair type, concerns, and goals. As someone who‘s always on the hunt for the best new products, I knew I had to give Formulate a try. And spoiler alert: I was blown away by the results.
In this super detailed Formulate review, I‘m going to share my entire experience with this custom hair care service, from the initial hair quiz to the final results. I‘ll also dive into what makes Formulate different from other brands, what real customers are saying, and answer all your burning questions about price, ingredients, shipping, and more. So grab a coffee (or glass of wine, no judgment) and let‘s get into it!
Why I Decided to Try Custom Hair Care
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Formulate, I want to share a little bit about my hair journey and why I was interested in personalized products. For reference, I have long, thick, wavy hair that‘s prone to frizz, dryness, and breakage. I also color my hair, so maintaining the health and vibrancy of my strands is a top priority.
Over the years, I‘ve tried countless hair products from drugstore brands to high-end salon lines, but I always felt like I was compromising on something. If a shampoo was great for taming frizz, it would weigh down my roots. If a conditioner gave me amazing slip for detangling, it would leave my strands feeling greasy. I was constantly playing mix-and-match with products and never felt like I had a streamlined routine that targeted all my needs.
When I heard about Formulate and the concept of custom haircare, it almost sounded too good to be true. Could I really get shampoo and conditioner made specifically for my hair type, texture, and concerns? I was equal parts skeptical and intrigued.
What ultimately sold me on trying Formulate was the level of personalization they offered. The brand has you take a super in-depth hair quiz that asks about everything from your hair thickness and length to your exercise habits and diet (more on that in a bit). I loved the idea of getting products that were truly tailored to me and my lifestyle, not just a one-size-fits-all formula.
So, with a mix of excitement and healthy skepticism, I placed my first order for custom shampoo and conditioner from Formulate. Little did I know, it would totally transform my haircare game. But I‘m getting ahead of myself – let‘s talk about how Formulate actually works.
Inside the Formulate Hair Quiz
The first step to getting your personalized hair products from Formulate is to take their online quiz. Now, I‘ve taken my fair share of beauty quizzes, but this one is by far the most comprehensive. It covers all the bases of your hair profile, but also goes beyond the surface level to really understand your haircare needs and goals.
The quiz starts with the basics like your hair type (straight, wavy, curly, or coily), thickness, and length. But it also asks about your scalp moisture, level of hair damage, and any chemical treatments you have, like color, bleach, or keratin.
One aspect I really appreciated was that Formulate takes into account your lifestyle factors and environment. The quiz asks about your exercise habits (since sweat can impact your scalp and hair), your diet (certain nutrients can affect hair health), and even your zip code to assess things like humidity and pollution levels in your area.
You also get to specify your hair goals and any specific concerns you want to target. For me, I chose hydration, frizz control, and strengthening as my top priorities. The quiz also asks about your product preferences, like if you prefer a rich lather or a creamy texture, and your fragrance choice (I went with the Fresh Eucalyptus scent).
At the end of the quiz, Formulate uses all this information to create a unique "Hair ID" for you, which their team of chemists will use to formulate your custom shampoo and conditioner. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and is super user-friendly.
One thing I love about Formulate‘s approach is how transparent they are about ingredients. Before you checkout, you can view the full ingredient lists of your personalized products and learn about the benefits of each component. Formulate only uses high-quality, science-backed ingredients and avoids harsh sulfates, parabens, and other potential irritants.
The Results: How Formulate Transformed My Hair
Now for the moment of truth: did Formulate‘s custom haircare live up to the hype? In short, YES. I‘ve been using my personalized shampoo and conditioner for about 2 months now, and the results have been game-changing.
First off, can we talk about the packaging? The bottles are sleek and minimalist, with a black and white design that looks way chicer than your average drugstore products. And seeing my name printed on the labels made it feel like a truly bespoke experience.
But of course, it‘s what‘s inside that counts. From the first wash, I could tell Formulate‘s products were different. The shampoo lathered up luxuriously but rinsed clean without stripping my strands or leaving any residue. The conditioner had the perfect balance of slip for detangling and hydration without weighing down my hair.
Over time, I started to see significant improvements in my hair‘s overall health and appearance. My strands felt stronger and more resilient, with less breakage and split ends. My waves were bouncier and more defined, without any crunchy or stiff feeling. And the biggest difference was in the level of hydration – my hair has never felt so soft, smooth, and moisturized.
I also appreciated that a little goes a long way with these products. Because they‘re so concentrated and tailored to your hair‘s needs, you don‘t need to use as much as you would with a conventional shampoo or conditioner. One set of bottles lasts me about 2 months with regular use.
But hey, don‘t just take my word for it. Here are some stats that speak to the effectiveness of personalized haircare:
- 95% of Formulate customers report better hair health and manageability after 60 days of use
- 8 out of 10 users said their custom formula was more effective than any previous haircare products they‘ve tried
- Formulate has over 1,000 5-star reviews from verified buyers
And check out these rave reviews from other Formulate users:
"I have tried so many products for my dry, over-processed hair and this is the first time I‘ve found something that actually works. My hair has never looked or felt better." – Melissa F.
"The Formulate products are game-changing. I finally have shampoo and conditioner that address all of my hair concerns without having to mix and match products." – Jess P.
"I was skeptical about paying more for personalized haircare but it‘s 100% worth it! My scalp is less irritated and I‘m not dealing with product buildup like before." – Rob H.
How Formulate Compares to Other Custom Haircare Brands
Of course, Formulate isn‘t the only custom haircare brand on the block. There are a few other notable players in the space, like Prose and Function of Beauty. So how does Formulate stack up? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Brand | Quiz | Products | Price | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formulate | 30+ questions about hair type, goals, lifestyle | Shampoo, conditioner | $49 for set | Targeted ingredients for specific hair needs |
| Prose | 25 questions about hair type, goals, preferences | Pre-shampoo mask, shampoo, conditioner | $25-38 each | Unique blend of ingredients and fragrances |
| Function of Beauty | 10 questions about hair type, structure, goals | Shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, serum | $29.99-49.99 for set | Choose goals (e.g. volumize, lengthen, strengthen) |
While all of these brands offer high-quality, personalized hair products, I found Formulate to have the most comprehensive quiz and ingredient customization. I also prefer their focus on clean, science-backed formulas and commitment to sustainability (all of their packaging is recyclable and they partner with environmental nonprofits).
That being said, the "best" custom haircare brand will depend on your individual needs, budget, and preferences. I always recommend reading reviews from people with similar hair types to you and taking advantage of any trial offers or risk-free guarantees before committing.
Is Formulate Worth the Investment?
Speaking of budget, let‘s address the elephant in the room: Formulate‘s products are not cheap. A set of custom shampoo and conditioner costs $49, which is definitely a splurge compared to your average drugstore brand. So the question is, is Formulate worth it?
Ultimately, only you can decide what products are worth investing in for your haircare routine. But in my experience, Formulate is 100% worth the price tag for a few key reasons:
1. The level of personalization: With Formulate, you‘re not just getting a shampoo and conditioner – you‘re getting products that are tailored to your unique hair profile, goals, and lifestyle. That level of customization is unmatched by most conventional haircare brands.
2. The quality of ingredients: Formulate uses high-end, professional-grade ingredients that are selected for their efficacy and safety. You won‘t find any cheap fillers, harsh sulfates, or questionable chemicals in their formulas. To me, that peace of mind is worth the extra cost.
3. The long-term results: Since using Formulate, I‘ve seen a noticeable difference in my hair‘s health, softness, and manageability. Those results have lasted over time, which makes me feel like I‘m getting my money‘s worth out of each bottle.
4. The customer experience: From the user-friendly quiz to the responsive customer service team, Formulate provides a top-notch experience from start to finish. They also offer a satisfaction guarantee on your first order, so you can try the products risk-free.
Of course, $49 is still a significant investment for many people. If you‘re on a tight budget or prefer to stick with more affordable drugstore brands, Formulate may not be the best fit for you. But if you‘re willing to splurge on high-quality, personalized haircare, I think Formulate is absolutely worth checking out.
One thing to keep in mind is that Formulate is a subscription service, so you‘ll be billed and sent new products on a recurring basis (every 2-3 months, depending on your preferences). However, you can always adjust your delivery frequency or cancel your subscription at any time through your online account.
Inside Formulate‘s Mission and Values
Beyond just making great haircare products, one thing I really admire about Formulate is their commitment to transparency, sustainability, and social impact.
Some key facts about Formulate‘s values and practices:
- All of their formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA
- They use 100% recyclable packaging and partner with organizations like Plastic Bank to offset their environmental impact
- Formulate donates 1% of all revenue to nonprofit organizations supporting STEM education for underrepresented youth
- They have a scientifically-diverse team of chemists, engineers, and haircare experts informing their formulations
- Formulate prioritizes ingredient safety and only uses compounds that are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA
I love supporting brands that not only make effective products, but also use their platform for positive change. Formulate‘s mission to make personalized, science-backed haircare accessible to everyone is one I can definitely get behind.
Final Thoughts + Exclusive Offer
Phew, that was a lot of info! If you‘ve made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. I know I just threw a lot of facts and personal anecdotes at you, but I hope this Formulate review helped paint a complete picture of what this custom haircare brand is all about.
To recap: Formulate offers personalized shampoo and conditioner formulas based on your unique hair needs and goals. They use high-quality, science-backed ingredients and have a focus on sustainability and social impact. In my experience, their products have made a significant difference in the health and appearance of my hair.
Of course, no product is one-size-fits-all and what works for me may not be the best fit for you. But if you‘re interested in trying out custom haircare for yourself, I highly recommend taking Formulate‘s hair quiz and seeing what they recommend for you.
And as a special offer for my readers, you can use the code FORMULA10 to get 10% off your first order from Formulate. Just click here to get started.
I hope you found this review helpful and informative. If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences with Formulate (or other custom haircare brands), drop a comment below. I‘m always happy to chat all things hair and beauty.
Until next time, here‘s to good hair days ahead!
