I Tried a Luxury Shampoo and Conditioner to Find Out If It's Worth the Splurge

It feels like both the internet and I have been on a healthy-hair journey this year. After getting tired of my naturally thick hair showing signs of thinning post-COVID (which I learned is a familiar tale), I decided it was finally time to do something about it. As part of my New Year's resolution to regrow and strengthen the health of my hair, I turned to in-office treatments and started taking supplements to help my hair reach the lengths it had been before the pandemic, which, by the way, was full and extremely long. However, the missing piece to my healthy-hair journey was finding the right shampoo and conditioner to nourish and moisturize my ends. When I heard that one of my favorite skin-care brands, Augstinus Bader, had released The Rich Shampoo ($60) and The Rich Conditioner ($60), I jumped at the chance to try them.

The Rich Shampoo

From

$60

$60 at Nordstrom

The Rich Conditioner

From

$60

$60 at Nordstrom

The brand's skin-care line is known for its signature ingredient TFC8, or Trigger Factor Complex, a proprietary blend of natural amino acids and high-grade vitamins backed by 30 years of research and clinical studies. It makes my skin plump, glowy, and, for lack of a better word, healthy. I hoped the shampoo and conditioner, made with the same science, could do the same for my hair. So, as soon as I got my hands on the shampoo and conditioner, I put it to the test. Read my full review ahead.

When it comes to skin care and hair care, I tend to reach for brands that are a little more luxurious (though I am well aware that luxury/high-priced items do not always guarantee higher quality). Augustinus Bader's products are the only luxury products that I have tried that not only live up to the hype but always exceed my expectations. And The Rich Shampoo and Conditioner were no different.

The Rich Shampoo's consistency is unlike any shampoo I have tried — it's creamier and almost lotion-like, and doesn't lather in the same way as other shampoos. This does not mean it's not working — quite the opposite. I felt like it really deep-cleaned my hair without stripping it of hydration like many shampoos do. The Rich Conditioner was a mix between a cream and gel-like consistency. When using it, I felt like I needed more to cover my hair.

After using both products, I noticed a decrease in shedding, which I tend to experience a lot in the shower, and my hair was tangle-free immediately after rinsing. Once I started to blow-dry my hair and use my flat iron to seal and create beach waves, I noticed my hair looked shinier and had more volume. My hair, especially at the ends, tends to get a little dry due to heat styling, but after using these products, my ends felt smooth and hydrated.

According to the brand, apply The Rich Shampoo to wet hair and massage it gently into the scalp before rinsing. To use The Rich Conditioner, work through the ends of your hair, starting from the mid-shaft, and only apply to the scalp as needed. Leave the conditioner in for one to two minutes and rinse. For an extra boost of hydration, you can use the conditioner as a mask by applying it to clean, damp hair after shampooing and leaving it on for five to 10 minutes before rinsing.

I've been using The Rich Shampoo and The Rich Conditioner twice a week, which is how many times I wash and condition my hair. Though I have not used the conditioner as a mask, I typically let it sit on my hair while I exfoliate and use body wash in the shower. Using the duo every time I wash my hair has given me the best results, delivering hydration, shine, and volume.

Before using The Rich Shampoo and The Rich Conditioner, it's important to consider what you want out of a product, how much you're willing to pay, and your hair type.

According to the brand, The Rich Shampoo is suitable for thick hair types, while its original formula, The Shampoo, is suitable for finer hair types. The same is true for The Rich Conditioner vs. the original conditioner. It's important to note that all of these products are formulated for all hair types.

If you can swing a whopping $120 total for The Rich Shampoo and The Rich Conditioner, then I cannot recommend the products enough. Despite the cost, a little goes a long way with these formulas, so you can expect them to last you for a good amount of time despite the smaller bottles. My hair feels and looks luxurious, and the duo has been an amazing addition to my healthy-hair routine.

The Rich Shampoo and Conditioner are available at AugustinusBader.com, Bluemercury, Sephora, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and more.

Rating: ★★★★★

Taryn Brooke is a beauty writer and editor born and bred in New York City who has been in digital media for over 10 years. She is a contributing beauty writer for POPSUGAR, Allure, Byrdie, and Well+Good.