Product Review: L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm (Ceramide)

Price: $5.99 for 8.5oz at Walgreens (CVS, Target & Walmart)

Product Claims: "Deeply repairs and reconstructs dry, chemically treated hair. Specially formulated for damaged, over processed and chemically treated hair.  This intense luxurious reconstructing balm instantly repairs the 5 signs of damage: 1. Split Ends, 2. Weak, 3. Rough, 4. Dull, 5. Dehydrated. Repairs 1 Year of Damage in 1 Use*
    Advanced Formula with Ceramide: Our system helps mend broken hair fibers
    *Reverses damage to hair's smoothness with daily use, when using the system of shampoo & balm." - from back of jar
Ingredients: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Cera) Wax, Cetyl Esters, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth 6, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Cetrimonium Chloride, Serine, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, 2 Oleamido 1,3 Octadecanediol, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, Yellow 5CI 19140, Yellow 6CI 15985, D54157/1

Directions: After using Total Repair 5 Shampoo, apply to wet hair and massage through to ends.  Leave in for 3-5 minutes.  Rinse.

My Experience: I have had nothing but great experiences with this conditioner. The first time I used it was after my last relaxer back in August. I bought it on my continued quest for a great protein treatment/conditioner especially for use as a mid-step between relaxing and neutralizing. I believe it was the "ceramide" on the label that made it jump out at me. Combine that with the price and it was a win. My hair loves ceramide containing products and this is just an addition to the list. 

So, I've used it several different ways over the past six months. Initially, as a protein treatment after a relaxer, it worked wonderfully. But I used it with another product that time so I wasn't sold yet. Next, I deep conditioned with it and our love affair began. The main thing I love about this conditioner is that it is a protein conditioner, but it treats my hair like it's moisturizing it. My hair is always so soft, yet still feels strengthened after I use this, which I think is amazing. Protein products are good for drying out and hardening hair and this doesn't. Lastly, I've used it as a pre-poo and loved it some more. We've got a winner, here. It's great in my deep conditioning concoctions, too. For me, it doesn't have to be followed up with a moisturizing conditioner to get good results, but I do most of the time anyway. Mostly because I love products haha. 

As far as the nature of it goes, I think it smells really good. It has a strong scent, yet the scent doesn't linger. It's almost fruity & perfume like. It smells like it would taste good lol! It's a thick, creamy texture. It's easy to apply though. It doesn't sink into my hair, like disappear. I can still see it, but I can feel it working at the same time. I never take claims like "repairs 1 year of damage with one use" seriously because that's just a joke. Nothing does that. But as far as smoothing hair and repairing "weak, rough, dull, and dehydrated" hair, yes yes yes! It does.   

Moral of the Story: I love this conditioner. I would say to give it a try if you are looking for a protein conditioner that is going to strengthen your hair, yet not going to give your hair the normal negative protein effects. With that plus its price and availability, it's definitely worth a try. 

Has anyone else tried this conditioner? Like it, love it, never want to use it again??

10 comments:

  1. Great review! I love this stuff as well.

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  2. Oh I love this stuff!!! I used it for my last wash day!! :)

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    1. Yesss! I don't think I've heard anything bad about it yet.

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  3. Love this conditioner!!! You are right it it definitely smooths and repairs weak, dull , dry, and dehydrated hair. Great review!!!!

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  4. I used this along with the Moisture Rusk Mask (green color) spring 2012 I mixed both together along with some oil.... And used it prepoo which was good. But it didn't work to well for me when I used it as a deep condition. But during that time I was trying to transition so maybe now that I'm relaxed again it may work better. I'm glad it's works well for you.

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    1. Thank you! I have found that the more textured my hair has become, the more my hair doesn't like products it did when I was bone straight so that could be true for you. I've been tempted to try that Rusk a few times... maybe the next time I see it at TJ Maxx I'll go for it.

      Thanks for your comment!

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