The Ultimate Kristin Ess Shampoo Review: Are These Affordable Products Worth It?
Kristin Ess is an accessible haircare brand founded by celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess. Known for its sulfate-free shampoos, damage-repairing treatments, and budget-friendly prices, the company has attracted a cult following since hitting Target shelves in 2017.
But with so many hair products on the market, is Kristin Ess worth the hype? I decided to try the brand for myself and write this in-depth Kristin Ess shampoo review.
After analyzing the ingredients, testing different products, and poring through customer reviews, here’s what I discovered…
About Kristin Ess the Brand
Kristin Ess has over 20 years of experience working with high-profile celebrities like Lauren Conrad and Lucy Hale. Frustrated by the lack of affordable salon-quality products on the market, she launched her namesake brand in 2017.
The product lineup includes everything from shampoos and leave-in treatments to styling products and hot tools. Prices range from $10-$20, delivering professional formulas without the high price tag.
Today, Kristin Ess is sold at Target, Ulta, Amazon, and its own website. The accessible prices and simple ingredients have earned it a spot on many beauty editors’ top shelves.
Kristin Ess Company Values
I was impressed by Kristin Ess‘s commitment to ethical business standards. The company:
- Is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free
- Sources vegan ingredients
- Uses recyclable packaging
- Avoids formaldehydes, sulfates, parabens, phthalates & other questionable additives
For an affordable haircare brand, these thoughtful touches go a long way.
Kristin Ess Shampoo Review: Ingredients & Benefits
The hero ingredients make Kristin Ess shampoos stand out from the drugstore crowd. They cleanse hair without stripping natural oils while providing extra nourishment.
Key Kristin Ess Shampoo Ingredients
Avocado oil: Penetrates damaged areas of hair for intense moisture and shine. Smooths cuticles and protects hair strands from humidity.
Aloe leaf juice: Soothes and hydrates scalp. Its antioxidants support hair follicle health.
Rice water protein: Lightweight protein that smooths hair, boosts resilience and repairs bonds in hair strands.
Tsubaki (camellia) oil: Rich in fatty acids and vitamins that nourish hair while reducing split ends and flyaways.
Signature ZIP-UPTM Strengthening Complex
Many Kristin Ess products feature a proprietary blend called ZIP-UPTM. This complex contains hydrolyzed wheat protein, panthenol (vitamin B5) and botanicals that "zip up" weak, porous areas of your hair.
I found ingredients like camellia oil and aloe juice in nearly every Kristin Ess shampoo or conditioner. But ZIP-UPTM takes things a step further by actively targeting damaged spots along the hair shaft.
Over time, it smooths your hair cuticle for improved shine and manageability. The more I researched this thoughtful blend, the more impressed I became by Kristin Ess‘s unique formulas.
Benefits of Using Kristin Ess Shampoo
If you already use Kristin Ess, you know these shampoos deliver major hair perks. If not, here‘s what you can expect:
1. Leaves Hair Touchably Soft
Nourishing oils, butters and proteins replace what daily washing removes. I absolutely loved how supple and touchable my hair felt, especially when paired with the matching Kristin Ess conditioner.
2. Boosts Shine
Ingredients like camellia seed oil reflect light and smooth the cuticle for brilliant luminosity. My dull summer hair badly needed a shine boost – Kristin Ess shampoo delivered almost instantly!
3. Sulfate-Free Formulas
Sulfates help create copious foam, but they can also strip hair and irritate sensitive scalps. I love Kristin Ess‘s rich, sulfate-free lather that still leaves my hair squeaky clean.
4. Pleasant Fragrance
Some "natural" shampoos smell, well, not so fresh. By contrast, Kristin Ess shampoos scent of pear and sandalwood for a light, pleasant aroma.
5. Won‘t Weigh Fine Hair Down
Like Kristin herself, I have fine hair that gets weighed down easily. Her nourishing shampoos are impressively lightweight – zero sticky residue or flatness.
6. Safe for Color-Treated Hair
From semi-permanent fashion shades to subtle highlights, I color my hair every 6-8 weeks. Many shampoos strip color molecules, but these maintained my vivid red hues.
7. Affordable Price Point
For less than $12, these pro-level shampoos deliver serious results without blowing your budget. Kristin Ess offers salon quality at mass market prices.
Types of Kristin Ess Shampoos
No two heads of hair are alike. Luckily, Kristin Ess offers specialized shampoos tailored to different needs:
● Color Restore Shampoo
Gently cleanses while locking in color pigments. Great for color-treated or highlighted hair.
● Curly Hair Shampoo
Defines coils, fights frizz and boosts elasticity of curls.
● Basic Shampoo for Volume
Gives fine, limp hair a boost of fullness and movement.
● Hydration Shampoo
Quenches dry, damaged or over-processed hair.
● Scalp Detox Shampoo
Removes buildup and refreshes the scalp.
● Purple Shampoo
Cancels out brassy undertones on blonde and silver hair.
● The One Signature Shampoo
Gentle everyday formula for all hair types.
With this many options, you‘re sure to find a shampoo that fits your needs. I tested several variations and felt each performed well on my color-treated hair.
How to Use Kristin Ess Shampoo
Using these shampoos is simple: Apply a dime-sized amount to wet hair, later into a foamy lather and rinse.
For best results, pair them with other Kristin Ess products like leave-in treatments and hair masks. This boosts the performance of the key ingredients.
Pro tip: Skip shampoo altogether and use Kristin Ess conditioner to refresh your strands between washes. This slip-free, conditioning "cowash" maintains moisture levels without adding more product buildup.
Kristin Ess Conditioners & Hair Masks
To complement the shampoos, Kristin Ess also offers moisture-enhancing conditioners and deep conditioning hair masks.
The conditioners contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, avocado oil and rice water protein. When applied after shampooing, they boost hydration and smoothness for silky, tangle-free hair.
For an extra moisture cure, use the reparative hair masks weekly. Each offers intense replenishment for dry, damaged strands. The Renewing Hair Mask even mimics an in-salon conditioning treatment!
Like the shampoos, the masks and conditioners are free of paragons, sulfates, phthalates and other questionable additives. They provide serious hair hydration without toxic chemicals.
What Do Customers Say in Their Kristin Ess Reviews?
Kristin Ess shampoos have earned glowing feedback across the internet. Here’s what real customers had to say:
“This is absolutely my favorite shampoo now. It smells amazing and leaves my hair so incredibly soft."
"Sulfate-free and does the job. For the price point my hair has never looked better."
"By far the BEST shampoo I have ever used. It leaves my hair super soft and shiny every time."
"I’m honestly obsessed, my hair has never felt cleaner! And not once has this shampoo irritated my scalp."
The rave Kristin Ess reviews demonstrate how these affordable shampoos outperform the drugstore competition. Customers agree the pleasant scents, legit results and gentle formulas make them a winning choice.
The Verdict: Are Kristin Ess Hair Products Worth It?
If you’re looking for salon-caliber products at masstige prices, Kristin Ess shampoos deliver.
The nourishing botanical ingredients repair damage and leave hair ridiculously soft without weighing it down. Plus, the pleasant scents, ethical standards and damage-defying effects give them a leg up on generic drugstore brands.
For under $15 a bottle, Iwholeheartedly recommend giving these clean, high-performing shampoos a try. Kristin Ess offers much more than your average drugstore shampoo – and at a fraction of the price of luxury brands.
Overall, Kristin Ess‘s affordable ingredient formulas helped restore the soft, shiny, vibrant hair of my dreams!
