So What The Heck Is Micellar Shampoo Anyway?
When your hair is so big it needs its own postal code you try every product on the market to help tame it. I’ve learned that starting with a good shampoo is key and the wrong one can flare up frizz like it’s the 70’s again.
When micellar shampoos landed on my desk I thought, “I see you, but are you just another marketing ploy?”
We use micellar water to remove our makeup at the end of the day, so why do we need it to clean our hair and are there any benefits?
I had the chance to ask Herbal Essences own Product Developer, Rachel Zipperian about the key benefits of micellar in our shampoo. Here's what she had to say.
"Want to know the magic behind the micelles? It can be tough to wash away oil because oil repels water. The tiny but powerful cleaning micelles work so well because they are essentially bi-polar. One side of the micelle is attracted to oil, the other end is attracted to water. During use, the micelle is activated so it can trap the oil and suspend it in water that is then rinsed away."
So What Is Micellar Shampoo Anyway?
feat. Herbal Essences'
Product Developer, Rachel Zipperian
WoahStyle: Why is micellar water a great ingredient in hair care?
Rachel Zipperian: Micellar water is a great ingredient in hair care because it is filled with tiny, but mighty cleaning micelles that work to gently and effectively removes dirt and unwanted oils from hair as you wash. Micellar water shampoos formulas are ideal for an everyday shampoo because it cleans away the gunk your hair has picked up during your day but does not leave hair feeling stripped or overclean. A great way to lighten up and get a fresh, clean start for your hair.
WS: What does it do for hair?
RZ: Mother Nature created hair to protect humans. By design, hair picks up gunk throughout our day. Micellar water gently cleans away this unwanted gunk to reveal fresh, clean hair without over stripping. Our bio:renew blend is also part of our Micellar Water formula. With bio:renew, your hair will also get a dose of natural antioxidants with every wash.
WS: Why is it similar/different from micellar water in skin care?
RZ: From a gentle cleaning standpoint, they are similar. Micelles are tiny cleaning ingredients that are designed to gently remove dirt and oil and easily rinse away in water. The main difference is how you use the products. You don’t need to rinse Micellar water products in skin care because the micelles are already activated in the product so they can effectively work on a cotton ball or wipe. In hair care, you do have to rinse micellar shampoo out when you’re done lathering. (For a no-rinse option, we have awesome dry shampoos.) The rinse water is needed to activate the micelles to carry the trapped dirt and oils from hair.
My first micellar shampoo gave me give bouncy hair that was virtually frizz free! Air dry all the way!!
High end vs. drug store micellar shampoo. Redken's (left) is silicone and sulphate-free while Herbal Essences bio:renew (right) contains SLS, a foaming agent which some people avoid as it can be an irritant in a small percent of the population.
My favourite drug store shampoo, Herbal Essences bio:renew, welcomes four new shampoos and conditioners to the family: Deep Sea Minerals, Blue Ginger, Bourbon Manuka Honey, and White Strawberry & Sweet Mint! The entire range smells incredible and is safe for coloured hair.
Digging the results of my first micellar shampoo. I let my naturally wavy and frizz prone hair air dry and just love the results!
Redken's Clean Maniac Micellar shampoo and Clean-Touch conditioner leave a bigger dent in the wallet at about $20 a bottle. On the other hand, they're silicone and sulfate-free and are safe for coloured and treated hair.
I used Herbal Essence’s bio:renew micellar shampoo in the shower the other day and noticed two things straight away - it felt like a normal shampoo and it smelled like micellar water.
Okay, okay.
By the time I was done washing my hair I realized it had some slip to it and felt squeaky clean. No really. It was making a squeaky clean noise and I kinda liked it. I'm wondering if the micelles almost give the shampoo a boost and make it act like a clarifying shampoo. Hmm...
Seeing as I had a busy day of shooting ahead and I'd be staying indoors, I didn’t blow dry my hair and opted for air dry instead. You see, I have a lot of hair that happens to be thick and wavy and air drying is the lesser of two evils. 20 minutes drying my hair? Or 3 hours heat-free waiting for it to air dry? 🙋🏻
Moving along.
My Top Rated Hair Care For Frizz Free Locks
A couple of hours later and my hair was almost dry, virtually frizz-free with mega volume! I felt compelled to turn on a fan and snap some selfies because what else do you do with big hair?
My post hair washing routine stayed the same - a dab of Herbal Essences bio:renew Argan Oil cream at the ends, followed by Bumble and Bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil, and finally a pump of OUAI’s Hair Oil.
So, the final verdict?
I mean, it's hard to say after just one wash. Was I having a good hair day or is micellar shampoo is the real deal? I'm not sure yet but if my unruly hair just so happens to air-dry into bouncy waves, then I say it’s worth checking out!