There are so many times I’m standing at Shoppers Drug Mart or something, deciding whether I want to buy a shampoo that makes my hair silkier or radiant or moisturized and I possibly end up getting all of them and try a various combination to see what kinda hair I get after. Elements Squared, a local Vancouver brand found by three Vancouverite men, created a natural product to provide the best nourishment for hair.
Taking care of the hair is like skin, a good skincare routine would set up the foundation for you to put other products such as makeup, whereas a good hair routine would set up the foundation for longer lasting, healthy hair that is style friendly (goodbye hair damage from hair ironing!) The Elements Squared lineup is an impressive combination of five shampoos, two conditioners, and one leave in conditioner. The purpose of the shampoo and conditioner is that it’s personalized for each client. The purpose of Elements Squared is to determine what your hair needs and then mix different types of shampoo into a container that is personalized in your hair.
First off- Elements Squared is currently sold specifically in salons and is available at Radiant Hair & Nail Salon Inc, Seventh Heaven Bio Salon, and Ray Arts Hair Academy. Your stylist (at those said salons) can decide what kind of shampoo would fit your hair- whether it’s more moisture, more shine, or more volume, or all three! This really enhances the stylist and consumer interaction. The stylist will mix different shampoos of different elements at a certain ratio so the consumer will receive the best hair treatment.
Elements Squared hair products started to form two years ago, and after research and working with chemists, the products contain extremely healthy ingredients, they are sulfate free and natural. Because there is a lack of chemicals in the products, a good shake is needed before using. When I met up with the founders of this brand; they were so passionate about hair, I felt like as a beauty blogger, I have neglected my hair more than I thought. 😛
I’ve been using this range for the past month and a half. Though a stylist would usually mix the shampoos for the customer, I got each element of shampoo individually so I mixed them by myself in my hand according to what I wanted. So I pretty much was a my own self hair chemist, playing around if I wanted more shampoo of a specific element than another. (Customers would receive a separate bottle with pre-mixed shampoo!)
There are 5 different elements in the shampoo range: Volume Earth, Flexible Wood, Detox Fire, Shiny Metal, and Moisture Water ($25 per 230mL/8oz bottle).
Volume Earth: The Volume Earth shampoo provides volume by using soybean lipids to improve the strength of the hair and naturally thickens it. Soybean is really nutritious for the hair as it also moisturizes and protects hair as well.
Flexible Wood: The Flexible Wood shampoo uses Vitamin B-5 to rejuvenate hair’s elasticity and improves hair’s flexibility.
Detox Fire: The Detox Fire shampoo uses kaolin to detoxify hair from product buildup. If you sprayed half a can of hairspray in your hair, some of this stuff helps get rid of it while maintaining the hair’s natural state. Your hair won’t be stripped of its natural oils, but just cleansed of whatever product you put in (genius!)
Shiny Metal: (This is my most guilty pleasure out of the five, who doesn’t want shiny hair?! The more natural bling my hair is, the richer it looks!) The Shiny Metal shampoo uses Vitamin E and coconut oil to provide protection, eliminate frizz, and smooths the hair out.
Moisture Water: The Moisture Hair shampoo contains an infusion of olive and coconut oil to replenish the hair with natural ingredients.
This was really fun to play around and mix with. The most shampoo I used together is Flexible Wood, Shiny Metal, and Volume Earth. As I don’t normally use hair products, I save Detox Fire for the hairspray days or the I-haven’t-washed-my-hair-for-4-days (it feels terrible; the water boiler at home was broken) to clean the hair. Since these are natural ingredients, my hair doesn’t feel squeaky clean because the hair’s natural sebaceous oil remains in the hair. It is even recommended to use the shampoo twice per wash; once to clean off the “dirtiness,” and the next to provide nourishment to the hair.I like to add Moisture Water to my shampoo mix too, but not as much since I feel the other three provides moisture already. The shampoos smells like green wine gums, (which happens to be my favourite flavour out of the four!)
The most damaged part of my hair is usually the ends where I heat it up the most, and I definitely feel how much softer it is (especially adding the leave in conditioner as well!) One big thing I noticed as well is that I don’t really get bed head! Usually in the morning my hair is flipping around everywhere, but nowadays it’s a lot straighter and I don’t have to do any work to prettify it.
There are two conditioners: Replenish Sun and Balance Moon ($25 per 230mL/8 oz)
Replenish Sun: The Replenish Sun conditioner focuses on making hair more manageable as it uses vitamin B5, coconut oil, and olive oil to deeply treat damaged hair.
Balance Moon: The Balance Moon Conditioner focuses on maintaining balance and control of the hair. This one has an infusion of coconut oil and olive oil for daily hydration.
The conditioners can be mixed and used like a hair mask. Since Replenish Sun is more intense, I used Balance Moon daily and Replenish Sun once in a while. When I rinse my hair with the conditioner, my hair has the soft-touch feel in the shower.
Last but not least, my favourite product of the line is the Star Treatment ($30 for 110mL/4 oz).
Probably the most hoarder hair items I have are all the products you use AFTER shampoo/conditioner. Hair serums, oils, sprays- I probably have enough products to soften a hoard of alpacas. The Star Treatment is a leave in conditioner that can be used when hair is wet or dry. It is water based so it’s okay if you accidentally added too much, their won’t be a sticky or oily feeling. I even used it on day old hair and my hair didn’t feel heavy. I usually use it before hair drying/straightening and after again so I don’t get frizz. The Star Treatment is like moisturizer you carry around in your bag for emergency touch ups. It’ll soften the hair and eliminate frizz. So far, this is my to go product and I’ve noticed a lot less split ends (because I’m one of those people who like looking for them and peeling my hair then cut them X_____X)
Elements Squared’s concept of personalizing hair products is extremely unique and first in the market! I’m glad to see a local brand and new innovations stepping into the beauty industry! Since there’s always personalized makeup and skincare consultations, and people use multiple skincare products or makeup (lip balm + lip stick + gloss combo anyone??) I don’t see why hair can’t be like that too! The price point may be a throw-off for some people, but considering how I’d spend $40 on a moisturizer, I should think about really taking care of that mop on my head! Hopefully my hair gets more flexible so I can do some crazy hairporn, I have so much envy for all those hairstyles on Pintrest.
Check out Elements Squared Facebook page for updates! What kind of hair routine do you have?
Disclaimer: Samples provided for review, all opinions are my own.
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