Not-So-Quickie Review: Wen Healthy Hair Care System by Chaz Dean

"Say Goodbye to Your Bad Hair Days!"

So instructs Chaz Dean, the celebrity hair stylist who created the Wen Healthy Hair Care System. That's right: a system.

I feel inspired by the idea of a system. I don't have a hair system. I kind of go in the shower and willy-nilly grab products.

I mean... I know enough not to grab the razor or pumice stone to use on my head*. But otherwise there's little "system" going on. 

*If I've had my coffee

I need structure. I need a system. I need Chaz! 

Chaz's dogs. Super cute!

Chaz's hair system is apparently hawked on QVC, so I suppose many people have seen the whole explanation of the Wen philosophy. I don't watch QVC, so I was clueless. Here's what I sussed out about the whole Wen thing...

Let's start with some important points:

• Beauty bloggers who refer to Chaz Dean as a "she" are guilty of lazy blogging. This is Chaz:
  
  
  
  
  

  It drives me  up a wall when bloggers clearly haven't even gone to the company's website to do the most basic of research. Plus, Chaz is nearly always short for "Charles", so there's your first clue.
  
  
• Mr Dean believes in a holistic, zen-like approach to life and hair.
• He teaches that shampoo is bad. He hasn't used it on himself or his clients since 1993.
• Shampoo is bad because it contains harmful ingredients like sodium laurel sulfate.
• Sodium laurel sulfate is responsible for the sudsing normally found in shampoos.
• Chaz wants you to use his products which center around his Cleansing Conditioner which is, of course, sodium laurel sufate-free and therefore does not suds up

What I tested

1. Cucumber Aloe Cleansing Conditioner | Cleanses without damaging or stripping hair; diminishes excess oil. Instructions for use can be found here.
   Good for fine-to-medium hair. ✓
   Use a minimum of 24 pumps of product for hair shorter than shoulder-length. ✓
   Work it into hair with a splash of water, massaging for 2-3 minutes.  ✓
   Leave in hair for 3-5 more minutes (or longer).✓
   Rinse for 1-2 minutes.✓
   
   The verdict: I did this for 10 days or so (with 3 different trials) and I have a few thoughts.
   a) I do not have this much time to spend in the shower. I have two kids who don't even let me pee unaccompanied.
   b) Using 24 pumps seems to me to be excessive amounts of product used (cost-wise, I mean), though I guess since I'm not using separate shampoo and conditioner it's not too bad.
   c) I noticed that my hair was not shinier, as promised, though I thought it was certainly softer. That's not good for me, as I need some texture to make my very short hair less boring. Longer hair would probably do better with this product line.
   d) I felt like this was too much for my hair. I tried using fewer pumps since my hair is in a pixie, but still my hair felt stringy and, for lack of a better word, yucky.
2. Cucumber Aloe Re-Moist Hydrating Mask | Rehydrates dull, lifeless, dry hair.
   Apply liberally to clean, wet hair and leave in for 30-45 minutes. ✓
   Rinse thoroughly.✓
   
   The verdict: Way to much moisture for my short, fine hair (I am clearly not the target audience). Wish I had it around when my hair was longer, as I think this would have been great!
   
   
   
3. Cucumber Aloe Styling Creme | Leave-in conditioner, gloss, and gel in one product; virtually weightless; protects hair from styling tools.
   
   Apply mid-shaft to ends of soaking wet hair. ✓
   
   
   
   The verdict: I liked this, but it wasn't enough hold or texture for my hair. Long hair would benefit more, I think. Also: I tried this in a tube, which ruptured on the end, dripped everywhere, and pissed me off. I see now it's being sold in a pump. Kudos on that executive decision!
4. Cucumber Aloe Texture Balm | Get that slightly breeze-ruffled look or spike up your short hair; gives definition, separation, texture.
   
   Rub onto hands then apply to dry, styled hair .✓
   
   OR
   Apply directly to hair from stick.✓ (awkward!)
   
   OR  (and this one is genius!)
   
   Rub onto hands then spritz palms with hairspray before applying to hair (to avoid weighing it down).✓
   
   The verdict: LOVE this product. LOVE the way it holds my hair into spikes or swoops (<---technical hair term). LOVE the hairspray tip. LOVE IT.

Final Thoughts

After review, the results are mixed. I picked up a great product (the balm) and tip (the spray your hands thing). I also love the comb that came with the kit I tested, which gets Ara's tangles out nicely.

I am not coninced that the whole system is a great solution for short hair. Or at least short, fine hair. I also don't know that I'm ready for the No-Poo movement. I like lather. I like suds. I like to make mohawks out of shampoo.

I didn't feel like my hair was clean enough using this system, and it enhanced my cowlick*. That is not desirable. 

*I did not have this cowlick 'til after my most recent pregnancy, and have not yet come to terms with it. Thanks, Lulu.

On the upside: My color stayed in a lot longer, so that's a bonus! And the Cleansing Conditioner makes a great shaving cream. But don't use it as a body wash--- it gives you tinglies in weird places, and not in a good way.

Want to give it a whirl? You can buy from Chaz Dean Studio or QVC.

Do you No-Poo? Have you tried Wen? Share with the class!

The products reviewed herein were provided by
the company for consideration for review.
My opinions have nothing to do with
the above sentence. Please view my official
disclaimer for more information.