I Haven't Dyed My Highlights In Six Months — but This Hair Wash Duo Made Them Look Salon Fresh
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I bleach my strands several times per year, and deal with my fair share of breakage, split-ends, and brassiness. Not to mention, the upkeep of highlights is increasingly costly, especially in a metropolitan area like New York City. Therefore, I'm always on the lookout for products that will maintain my salon-quality dye job and the health of my hair between sessions. I've tried nearly everything, including purple conditioners, blue shampoos, and color-treated masks, to bring my blonde back to life with little success — until now, that is.
It's been nearly six months since my last appointment at the Mark Ryan Salon, but the Rene Furterer Okara Blond Brightening shampoo and Okara Blond Conditioner made my highlights look just days old. After the first wash, the radiance-restoring duo greatly reduced orange tones, and made my platinum pieces appear bold and bright. Even more impressive, any dryness from excessive heat damage was softened, and the typical frizziness at my ends seemed far less static.
Courtesy
Shop now: $30; renefurterer.com
Courtesy
Shop now: $32; renefurterer.com
The silicone-free shampoo and conditioner rely on three key ingredients to strengthen bleached follicles and rejuvenate dull, stressed-out strands. Okara soybean extract, which resembles the keratin protein naturally found in human hair, brings a healthy dose of essential amino acids, lipids, sugars and minerals. Reflectlumiere, the brand's patented blend of lemon peel, sugar cane extract, and alpha hydroxy acids, lightens hair for what the brand describes as a "sun-kissed effect." Lastly, mica glitter, a 100 percent mineral element, adds a natural shimmer to strands that's truly visible after every dry.
Beyond gaining this beauty writer's approval, the two products have racked up glowing reviews from shoppers who claim they are a "gift to highlights." Even reviewers with silver, grey, and white locks have noticed a brighter effect on their strands, while even more people are highly complimentary of the light, subtle scent the formulas leave behind.
Those with naturally blonde hair are also calling the duo a keeper: "I have naturally dark blonde hair that bleaches out in the summer months and shows natural highlights," one reviewer wrote. "It tends to get darker in the winter. I just tried this shampoo and conditioner for the first time and am hooked. Not only is my hair shinier and appears blonder, my wavy/curly hair is well conditioned and not overly dry."
If you're looking for ways to cut down on the frequency of salon appointments, I can't recommend these two products from the Rene Furterer Okara collection enough. They're each available for $32 and under on the brand website.
