Alterna: Bamboo Smooth Collection review

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Fighting with your hair? Smooth things over with the Bamboo Smooth Collection!

photos: we heart this

Many years ago, my hair and I finally came to an agreement.
Hair: “Stop fighting me and I’ll stop making you look stupid in public.”
Me: “Done.”

Since then, I’ve let my natural curls do their thing. I don’t use harsh shampoos, always use conditioner and have learned to blot and then air-dry my hair (no towel-drying or using a hair dryer). And we’re both much happier. In accordance with the deal with my hair, I try to use nice, gentle, Green Monday approved products that help it be as healthy as possible. Luckily for me and my hair, I was sent some Alterna products from their Bamboo collection to test for my latest wht review.

Alterna is a line that started in 1997 and has been a pioneer ever since. The first to use THC-free hemp seed oil in hair care products? That’s Alterna. Anti-aging products for hair? They started it. Sulfate-free hair care products that are all the rage? Yeah, they’ve been doing that since 05.

The Bamboo collection contains three lines, Smooth, Shine and Volume to help lock in on your main concern. I tried three products from the Smooth line; the Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner and the Kendi Oil Pure Treatment Oil.

First things first, let’s talk about the Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo ($20). Like the other items in the Smooth line, this shampoo uses Organic Bamboo Extract (one of our most resilient botanical resources) to increase hair strength and encourage healthy hair. The Shampoo was gentle on my hair, but did it’s job and lathered well. Who doesn’t love a good lather? (Especially from a green shampoo!)

The Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz Conditioner ($20) was great, thick but not goopy, and it allowed for nice coverage. This super moisturizing conditioner is made for unruly hair (yay!), yet still rinses cleanly away.

Best of all, with regular use of the Anti Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner my hair is feeling stronger after just a month!

However, it’s the Kendi Oil Pure Treatment Oil ($24) that is my favorite. This lush oil is rich with strengthening Organic bamboo extract, and just a few drops adds shine, hides split ends and flyaways and protects hair from further damage. Oh, and it’s multi-functional too; a styling product that can double as a conditioning treatment, this little wonder is great used either way.

Applied as a hair treatment, it helps repair locks that have been damaged by the environment or styling. I used it as I would a hot oil treatment and was really pleased with the results – softer, more manageable, shiny hair.

As a styling product, I replaced my normal silicone serum with the Kendi Oil and only needed about half the amount for the same results. The oil keeps the frizzies in check without weighing hair down (although it is best for medium to thick hair – fine haired gals can use very sparingly). It also has a lovely light smell, VERY faint but it has a warmth to it that’s comforting.

Our review team got to try sample some items from the Bamboo Shine line, a collection geared to produce the shiny, glossy hair of your dreams. I can’t wait to see what they think of Alterna’s latest, especially the Kendi Oil infused Luminous Shine Mist (looks perfect for those fine haired ladies) and the new Luminous Shine Shampoo and Conditioner!

Pros:
• A clean and light scent that reminds me of sun-warmed glass.
• Controls hair with a light feel, never heavy.
• Hair feels healthier and stronger.

Greens
• The bamboo extract and kendi oil in these products are Eco-Certified and certified organic.
• They are also Fair-Trade compliant and the sale of these sourced ingredients help support their of local communities.
• Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, phthalates, GMOs or triclosan.

Cons:
• The Kendi Oil is dispensed with an eye dropper which is drippy and MESSY.
• The shampoo and conditioner would benefit from a bottom dispenser rather than top. (Also, the shampoo makes a rude noise when stored upright that you cannot convince your husband that did not come from you.)
• A little pricey, but Kendi Oil is worth every penny.

Overall, Alterna’s Bamboo line is lightweight, eco-friendly line has my hair healthier and happier!

Try out the Smooth line – ALTERNA Bamboo Smooth On-The-Go Travel Set at Sephora!

we heartsters and Review team – have you discovered there is no alternative to Alterna Haircare? Meet me in the comments and let’s talk hair products!

Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. It also contains an affiliate link, a link that gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.