John Masters Organic Hair Care

The nice folks at Beautorium sent me some samples of John Masters organic hair products with my order last week. On Sunday, I used the first two and was thrilled with the results. Monday, the second two. After blow drying, my hair was bouncy, full, soft, and shiny. I hope Beautorium will indulge me as I liberally quote their Web site here. Their product descriptions are fabulous.

The brand was created in 1991. John Masters is a pioneer of prestige natural haircare and skincare in America and internationally. His products use Eco-Cert and Quality Assurance International-certified organic ingredients where possible and are free from parabens, petrochemcials, and other nasty chemical ingredients. In 2004, the United Kingdom Soil Association selected John Master's Organics as Product of the Year at London's leading European organic trade show. I knew about John Masters - he is famous, after all, but I had never tried his products.

I started with John Masters Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair ($16). This shampoo is made from the gentlest corn and coconut cleansers and infused with conditioning plant extracts and essential oils. It washes away oil and the environment's dirt and grime without stripping the hair shaft. It's safe for color-treated hair like mine. When I pushed the shampoo out of its sample packet, I was amazed, for some reason, that it was brown. That seemed to me to be an unusual color for shampoo. No worries, though - as I worked it into my hair, it turned into the "normal" white lather I expected and left no traces of brown in my blond hair.

The ingredients include:

• evening primrose – anti-inflammatory, adds moisture, strengthens hair;
• rose geranium – strengthens hair shaft, a cellular regenerative;
• meadowfoamate – a conditioning agent derived from the meadowsweet plant;
• avocado oil – moisturizing, assists in cell regeneration, high in amino acids;
• ylang ylang – controls and reduces oiliness of the scalp; and
  
• cedarwood – treats oiliness, eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff and is anti-inflammatory.

For my conditioner, I used John Masters Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner ($22). Even the name was enticing, so while I had other samples to try, I choose this one. The conditioner contains lavender and avocado oils plus vitamin B5, all of which bring moisture and vitality to dry hair. It contains over a dozen plant extracts and essential oils to moisturize and strengthen the hair shaft. Lavender is said to slow hair loss and treat eczema and dermatitis of the scalp. Avocado oil moisturizes and conditions hair. Have you read some of the natural avocado conditioner recipes in the mags? This is a lot easier. Vitamin B5, or panthenol, strengthens hair follicles, makes hair look thicker and fuller, adds shine, and repairs hair damaged by over-processing. The fragrance from the lavender was heavenly, and, it made its exit as I was blow drying my hair - perfect.

What's really amazing is that the bounce lasted overnight. When I get up in the morning, my hair is usually "plastered" to my scalp (the zero-volume look) and stick straight, with only a misplaced wave or two. All of the styling work from the day before is gone. Not so with the John Masters products I used! I awakened the next morning, looked at my hair, and thought, "I could leave the house this way." Now, that's a miracle!

Next up, I tried John Masters’ newest treatment item, John Masters Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor. In addition to honey and hibiscus, the conditioning formula features soy protein, kelp extract, cupuaçu butter, and linoleic and hyaluronic acids (the same acids found in young hair) to help reconstruct and smooth hair. According to WWD, Masters said, “When hair is smoother, it is reflecting more light.” It will also improve hair volume and reduce static electricity.” Retailing for $28, Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor can be used as a once-weekly treatment for normal to dry hair or after every shampoo for more damaged hair. I will use it after every shampoo. I found it to be a perfect conditioner. You should have seen me squeezing every last bit out of that packet!

Another try? John Masters Zinc & Sage Shampoo with Conditioner ($20). Also brown in color, it contains zinc, sage, wheat protein, and yucca root (which gives it its foaming property). Zinc and sage are natural scalp regulators that maintain the equilibrium of oils, ending any itch and flakes caused by over-drying products, the accidental sunburn, or cold weather. Wheat protein conditioner leaves your hair shiny and manageable and your scalp healthy and balanced. It's safe for color-treated hair. After I shampooed, I felt some volume in my hair (even with wet hair you could tell), and it felt good.

The John Masters products I tried were uniformly wonderful in meeting their promises. You can purchase them at Beautorium.com. I love Beautorium, my new "Web shopping site," and hope you will too. They sent two more John Masters Organic samples. I can't wait to try them. In the meantime, the order I plan to place is growing. May have to wait for the next paycheck.

Photo courtesy of Beautorium.