Redken Clean Spice Shampoo

During my last visit at Hair Junkie, I inherited a new shampoo to try out: Redken 2 in 1 Clean Spice.

I use to think that shampoo was just shampoo.  For sure there were a few basic distinctions; fine hair, oily hair, normal hair, but nothing life altering.  Over time I realized that some shampoos were considerably better than others.  From stuff that leave your hair and scalp dried out to awesome products that revive you hair and give it new luster.  So far, I am not telling you anything new!

Because I use hair product, specifically pomade, I tend to wash my hair almost everyday.  Generally 5 to 6 times a week.  As a result, I need a shampoo that offers a good cleaning as well as some oil revival qualities so that my hair doesn’t get overly dry from the repeated washes.  About 2 years ago, I found that the Marc Anthony Macadamia Oil shampoo did wonders for my hair and scalp.  Obviously, it could also handle the water based pomade cleaning job with ease.  Oil based pomades are a different thing all together.  But we will not get into that here.

As eager as I might be to try new pomades, I have been less interested in experimenting with shampoos.  I have been seeing shampoo as more or less a necessary cleaning step, but haven’t been giving it the credit and respect it deserves.  Even though you only interface with the shampoo for a few minutes in your day, this encounter will make the difference between a good hair day and a bad one.  The shampoo treatment is key in driving what shape your hair will be at styling time.  And by extension, I am roping in the conditioning treatment as well.  In so many words, I think your shampoo will define what you have to work with (that day).  OK that was almost too spiritual, even for me!  What I am trying to convey here is that a shampoo can be doing a number of things for you:

• Cleaning your hair.  Yes, and you know that not all detergents do the same job.  As a reference point, you might have a favorite soap for your hands or your car.  Right away when working with a soap or detergent you know if you are working with something that is of quality or not.  The same is true for shampoo.
• Treating your scalp.  This is a fairly broad statement and as I have mentioned in other posts-review I am not a chemist or biologist, but you have certainly witnessed how your scalp felt after using a bad shampoo.  The simplest thing might just be dryness that can be felt as itchiness.  The worse scenario could be irritation or worst yet, a rash.  Going with the rationale that hair grows roots in your scalp, nourishing that garden should pretty much be your number one priority. Anything that leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and comfortable is “aces” in my book.  Generally, statements like: contains essentials oils, or natural ingredients, should be taken as a good thing.  Avoid the chemical parties!  I am not even going to touch on the subject of hair loss, we have what our DNA will allow, but everything else is in our hands.  So take care of it man!  Listen to your scalp.

So what about this Clean Spice shampoo?!  This stuff smells fantastic.  Sweet, spicy and manly.  Think: woodsy cinnamon!  It is also discreet enough.   Out of the bottle it is an olfactory party but once you have rinsed it out of your hair, there will only be a timid scent left.  In that sense, it is mostly for the shower.

Because it is a 2-in-1, there is a good element of conditioner which is welcomed.  After using it, my hair felt clean and appropriately hydrated.  Nothing squeaky or dry.  I used perhaps the size of a Canadian quarter and that was quite sufficient to get very generous suds and a good cleaning.  Because the shampoo is a 2-in-1, the conditioning element makes the wash that much more pleasant as it is smooth work with.  I say this because you might have used something like a deep-cleaning shampoo before to clean pomade out.  These deep cleaning shampoo are only focused on the “cleaning” aspect of the job, getting the gunk out of your hair, not so much in re-hydrating your hair or scalp.  The result usually is “squeaky” clean hair that is somewhat hard to work with.  You then need to add a conditioner to get some basic oil back into your hair.  This spicy Clean shampoo does both jobs.  The 2-in-1 labeling is completely justified.

Coming back to the wash, as mentioned it suds up nicely and is easy to work with.  You will feel that your hair and scalp are getting a good cleaning but without over-doing it.  Rinsing it out, again is no trouble.  Your hair will feel nice right away – none of that squeakiness mentioned above.

The delta between shampoos is usually not great.  Let’s clarify; there are bad shampoos and good shampoos.  But once you are within the good shampoo segment, the difference between good shampoos is not all that great.  One might clean a little better than the other or might give a bit more volume or shine…you get the idea.  This shampoo is clearly is the “good” category and I might even go as far as to say that it is a bit better than my “go-to” Marc Anthony Macadamia Oil shampoo.

Because I am daily shampoo-er I need something that will replenish my hair’s natural oils.  I also need something that will get pomade out without being to harsh.  Granted I am a water-pomade enthusiast and just rinsing under the shower head is generally enough to get the bulk of these pomades out, but I still need a proper wash.  In that sense, for my needs this is very nice shampoo option.  In so may words it is Style4Men approved and gets a 5/5.

Thank you to Hair Junkie for providing us with this shampoo to review.   It goes for  $15.

BTW – Jessie informed me that Hair Junkie is having a Redken shampoo sale (20%).