As a thirty-something who’s been coloring her hair blonde since middle school, I’m always on the lookout for hair products that can add moisture back into my often-dry locks. Nearly every single hair professional I’ve seen over the last decade or so has told me that over-processing is one of the quickest ways to wind up with dry, brittle, and easily broken strands and encouraged me to be cautious over the quality and ingredients list of any hair care product I choose.
Another fun fact about my hair: it’s super thick—like layers and layers thick—so I have to be cautious about using hair care products that are too heavy, and that weigh down my hair to the point that it’s difficult to style. That’s why, when I’m on the hunt for new haircare products, I’m searching specifically for products that are hydrating and nourishing yet lightweight enough to use every day.
When a friend told me about the Biolage Hydra Source collection, which includes a shampoo, conditioner, and a blow dry cream, and swore that it was the secret to her bouncy, vibrant, and glowing locks, I knew I had to try it. I was lucky enough to have the brand gift me the collection, so here is my Biolage Hydra Source review on how I used these products in my haircare routine.
Is Biolage good for dry hair?
As a brand, Biolage has been top-of-the-line since they launched in 1990 by a hairdresser and entrepreneur who was determined to create products containing powerful and innovative ingredients that had the ability to truly transform hair into a desirable condition. One of its most popular lines is its Hydra Source collection. It’s designed for everyday use, so it doesn’t weigh down hair.
Hydra Source’s secret to achieving this weightlessness is in its nature-inspired ingredient list. The range is formulated with aloe leaf juice, which mimics the moisture-retaining properties of the aloe plant, to balance moisture levels and leave dry hair soft and more manageable. It’s also free of parabens that are not only potentially harmful to your body but don’t do any favors for your hair.
Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo
If you’re someone who doesn’t feel like cycling shampoos in and out of your routine and are looking for a single product that can reduce buildup and cleanse your scalp without drying out your hair, this is it. Biolage’s Hydra Source Shampoo gently cleanses the hair while increasing softness and making it more manageable to style. It’s designed for dry fine to medium hair and is also suitable for color-treated hair—even hair that’s been overprocessed like mine.
Biolage Hydra Source Conditioner
For most people who color-treat their hair (myself included), frizz is the number one factor they want to tame. Frizz can be exacerbated by color-treating hair, and it can also be a sign of dry locks. Enter: the Biolage Hydra Source Conditioner, designed to coat each strand of hair with moisture and lock hydration back in. Even though it is a mere conditioner, it has the effect of an ultra-hydrating mask without the heavy weighing down that can be an unfortunate side-effect of a more intense product.
Biolage Hydra Source Blow Dry Shaping Lotion
Biolage’s newest addition to its Hydrasource line is its Blow Dry Shaping Lotion. The secret to this blow dry cream’s salon-quality abilities lies in its simple yet effective ingredients. Aloe is blended with hyaluronic acid, which holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, to create the ultimate level of heat protection you need if you regularly blow dry and heat-style your hair.
What does blow dry cream do? It protects hair from up to 450°F heat—and cuts dry time! But the best part about this product is that it lasts up to 72 hours. It not only helps hydrate your hair post-blow dry, but it also helps hold the shape in which you style your hair. Impressive, no?
My Biolage Hydra Source Review
Even though I was initially just testing this line, it has quickly become a part of my everyday hair care routine. In addition to the most apparent and intended reason, I wanted to start using this line—hydration—it offered so much more than I could have anticipated.
To get started, I simply lather a quarter-sized amount of the Hydra Source Shampoo in my hand and massage it into my scalp for about 60 seconds while showering. It rinses out well and leaves behind a pleasant lavender-like scent on strands. Next, I apply a little more than a quarter-sized amount of the Hydra Source Conditioner (since I have thick, long hair), let it sit for about two minutes, and rinse. I love that it leaves a silkiness in my hair that I knew would blowout beautifully.
Lastly, I used the Blow Dry Shaping Lotion to style my hair. Here’s where the real excitement began for me. No matter the shampoo and conditioner I regularly use, my hair becomes dry, dull, and frizzy post-blowout. This product was a game-changer for my blowouts—my hair was way more moisturized and less frizzy, plus my style lasted longer. This is most certainly the best blow dry cream for dry hair.
After about two weeks of using Biolage’s Hydra Source line, including their blow dry cream, I felt I could go longer between hair-color appointments because the color-safe technology prevented my blonde from becoming brassy. I also noticed that I could go longer without washing my hair thanks to the Blow Dry Shaping Lotion that allowed my hair to maintain its shape and fullness. I didn’t feel the need to style my hair as often, saving it from the fallout of excess heat styling.
Another major difference I noticed after using this shampoo, conditioner, and cream for a full two weeks was when brushing through my wet hair. There was hardly a tangle in sight! The brush slipped right through my strands as if I had put a leave-in conditioner and a detangler in as well—but it was all credited to the Hydra Source line.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with not only the way the Biolage Hydra Source set left my hair but also by how long it lasted, thanks to the fact that I only needed a small dollop of each product to achieve my desired results. I will definitely continue to use this set and plan to spread the word to all my friends—especially those who color and heat-style their hair on the regular.
Shop Hair.com for Biolage’s entire range of Hair.com products and more innovations from the salon-trusted hair care brand. To see these products in action, tune into HDC TV where we host regular livestreams with industry pros.
