I Tried L’Oreal's EverPure Cleansing Balm and My Hair Styled Like a Dream

We put the L'Oreal Paris EverPure Cleansing Balm to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review. 

I have been a fan of shampoos that lather since I can remember. I love the feel of suds when washing my hair, along with the benefits of freshly shampooed locks that harbor no product build-up. Cleansing hair balms aren’t something that I would naturally gravitate to on my own, which is why when given the chance to try L’Oreal EverPure 6 in 1 Cleansing Balm, I was totally up for the challenge. It took me a few times to get it right, but after I got used to it, it’s safe to say I’m not sure how I ever went without using a hair cleansing balm.

Keep reading for my honest thoughts and why I fell in love with this product.

About My Hair: It’s fine, oily, and has natural wave

I love my hair, I do. I am a natural redhead and proud of that and over the years my color has maintained well and I’m grateful.  My hair looks thick to the naked eye but it’s a fine texture—I just have a lot of it. I also have a natural wave pattern, mostly only in the back of my head which has proven to be a nuisance from time to time when attempting to create the perfect blowout. I don’t prefer to wash my hair often, but I have found that I need to wash it at least every two days because it will get oily and begin to look greasy and stringy, especially during the cold winter months when I am constantly wearing hats. My scalp flakes from time to time, it comes and goes. I do not color-treat my hair regularly in the salon, but every 6-8 weeks I will do an at-home tinted gloss that isn’t permanent and just gives my hair a little extra boost in color and shine.

I’ve always been one to use shampoos that lather because I love that clean feeling you get as you’re washing all the products and build-up down the drain. 90% of the time I let my hair air dry, and I will heat style it at least 3 times per week. I don’t use a lot of styling products because of the texture of my hair, so I will only use a heat protectant product if I am blowdrying it or using a flatiron and curling iron. Some shampoos I use regularly are from Christophe Robin, Seen Haircare, and Oribe.

The Feel: It’s rich and creamy

This product feels like a balm right from the get. As soon as you pump it out you will notice that it’s most likely not like any other shampoo you’ve tried before. Since cleansing balms and conditioners have a completely different DNA than shampoo, this is completely normal, but might take some time to get used to. It’s important to note this product is sulfate, paraben, and silicone-free.

The Scent: It smells like fresh rosemary and mint

The first thing I noticed about the scent of this cleansing balm was that it smelled like fresh rosemary and mint and it’s on the strong side for anyone who is sensitive to fragrance or might not prefer it. I didn’t mind the fragrance, and it felt quite invigorating in the shower, especially in the morning when I was trying to wake up. My scalp also felt slightly cool and tingly ( I attribute that to the mint)  which was a nice change from previous shampoos I’d been using.

How To Use: You’ll use more than your average shampoo

This is an incredibly important part of the review because using a cleansing balm for hair can take a little bit to get used to. Cleansing balms, cleansing conditioners, or Co-Wash Shampoos are essentially shampoos that will bond to the oil and residue in your hair and clean it, without overly drying or stripping your hair of its natural moisture. They tend to be very low-lather or don’t later at all and have more of a cream consistency and texture, similar to that of a conditioner.

The first time I tried it, my hair felt greasy afterward and I was confused as to why this was happening. Turns out, I was being precious with my application and not using enough. I reached out to Gregory Patterson who is based in New York but sees clients all over the globe, and he gave me some expert advice on how to make my application to the next level. “The biggest mistake I see when people start to use hair cleansing balm, is they don’t use enough. For medium-length hair, you should be using at minimum 6-8 pumps of products to start.” 

Patterson then explained the importance of using the cleansing balm correctly, stating, “Your hair should be wet, you then will want to massage the cleansing balm into your hair from the scalp to the ends and let the water run over it to get it very soupy. Once you’ve got enough water in your hair, go back in and massage the balm all over, ensuring you get it everywhere. Leave it in for 3-5 minutes and then rinse it out.”

“You can go in a second time with the cleansing balm and use half the amount of pumps you did the first time. If you use 6 pumps, cut it to 3, repeat the same wash process and rinse after at least 3 minutes.” 

The Results: My hair was shiny, healthy, and nourished

There is a learning curve when using a product like this, but it’s worth the time to get it right for the results you’ll get. While it took me a few times to get the process right, I was pleasantly surprised at how clean, healthy, and shiny my hair felt after using L’Oreal Paris EverPure 6 in 1 Cleansing Balm and was very excited over the fact no frizz or flyaways were to be found. Styling my hair was easy after, and my hair held a blowout quite nicely. My hair did not feel heavy or weighed down with excess product. I will be using this product regularly to maintain the health and shine of my hair. I noticed how easy it was to style the back portion of my hair that often takes a little more elbow grease to smooth out, and I haven’t experienced that in the same way with other shampoos. 

The Value: It’s great to start with

For a 16 oz size at the price of $10, this cleansing conditioner is a great place to start when you’re switching over from regular shampoo. While the size is quite large, keep in mind that you will l be using more products each wash versus your traditional shampoos. We consider it to be budget-friendly and worth the cost if you’re in the market for a cleansing conditioner.

Similar Products: You’ve got options

Kristin Ess Hair Frizz Management Cleansing Co-Wash ($14): Another budget-friendly option to add into the mix, this low sudsing cleansing wash helps keep frizz under control and works well with stubborn and curly hair that might need some detangling. With a complex formula to help treat split ends, this product is also cruelty-free and safe for color-treated hair or hair that’s had keratin treatments. 

As I Am Coconut CoWash ($17): Cleanse your hair without stripping its moisture, this co-wash is formulated to gently rid your hair of impurities without sacrificing shine and hydration. Hair feels soft, manageable, and tangle-free after just one wash.