Biolage – HydraSource Conditioning Balm [formerly Conditioning Balm]

3 Reviews

1. 

   outlyingPoultry4

   Reply

   Ok. Not sure if it’s worth the money. Didn’t care for the packaging. The lid was kind of hard to get back on when wet in the shower.

2. 

   mereTeal7

   Reply

   I cannot find the old formulas anymore. The new formulas make my hair dry and crunchy. Beware of the new formula!

3. 

   jealousRelish4

   Reply

   Important UPDATE: This has been RENAMED to HYRASOURCE Conditioner! The GVP dupes of these products (Hydratherapie and Balm) are based on the oldest formulation which contains Goldenseal. At this time, the GVP versions may be superior to the newest Biolage. See my reviews.
   This conditioner is a rarity in terms of conditioners, as it is BOTH protein-free AND silicone-free (true for current formulation also).
   I feel it is my duty to clarify some things about this conditioner and its partner, the moisturizing shampoo. I suspect some of the negative reviews are mistaken in that the reviewers unknowingly used the sub-par ULTRA versions. The ULTRA look very similar in packaging but THOSE CONTAIN SILICONES, FYI. And I do not recommend those versions… they are newer formulation and they are terrible. To be sure you are purchasing the correct ones just make sure it doesnt say ULTRA on the label.
   If youre going to start using these products please make sure to, prior to your first use of Biolage, apply a good clarifying shampoo to take off all the buildup of protein and silicones. This will make a big difference in how you experience these two products starting out. If you dont do this you won’t see that much of a miracle because the silicones still on your hair will prevent the wonderful botanical extracts from fully penetrating the hair shaft. Its important to mention that this conditioner and the shampoo are silicone free and always have been. This is one reason why your hair becomes so incredibly soft and healthy when you use this duo regularly. This conditioner and its other half, Biolage Hydrating Shampoo are the very best ive ever used in all my years (I am 40) Ive been using this pair almost exclusively for 20 years. My hair is in incredible condition, very healthy, has GREAT body for my hair type, with an almost unbelievable shine factor. Every hair dresser I go to comments on how beautiful and healthy my hair is, without fail. Its common for the hair dresser to bring her co-workers over to see my hair saying “Will you look at how shiny and healthy her hair is!”. Seriously. It makes my hair so soft, elastic and strong …I love to touch it as does my boyfriend, and it doesnt weigh it down at all. Perfection. I get compliments all the time. My hair is thin and straight… delicate, and could easily turn into mousy unremarkable hair (and does every time I try using another product for more than a few days). Its only because of this duo that my hair is beautiful. Believe me it is true. I still, 20 years later, almost cannot believe how great these products are. Sometimes I get really tired of the smell, or get a hankering for a new product experience. Ive tried french products, italian products, etc… Ive tried expensive, Ive tried inexpensive, Ive tried organic, Ive tried sulfate free, etc. Nothing comes even close to the magic of Biolage. These products are like golden handcuffs in that way. So rare, and so effective, you really can’t go back to anything else for very long. This product takes many many months before you notice any kind of buildup. Its always a good idea to have another cone free shampoo and conditioner different than biolage to give your hair a break be it once a week or once every 4 months. Doing this will keep Biolage’s effects at their maximum. For my break products I use anything I like without cones.
   The build-up with Biolage is far and away less than any other product ive ever used, but after a long while your hair will begin to crave a break from even this just for a day.
   Another important note: I have very, very fine hair. I use this conditioner DAILY. It is not a heavy waxen type conditioner. It is simply a really perfect conditioner that is not too much to use every day, no matter how rich it looks. And yet, it is the best conditioner to use to repair damage. Thats how I discovered it; my hair was terribly damaged from a perm and this conditioner worked miracles for me. Back then I would leave it on my hair for up to 1/2 hour, but now I leave it on less then a minute. It leaves my hair free flowing and luscious and brings out a bonafide wave I didnt even know I had until I started using these products years ago. Now THATS a magic conditioner if it can bring out latent waves in otherwise straight hair.
   Every friend ive persuaded to try the original two Biolage conditioning balm and moisturizing shampoo is now a lifer like me. One friend is vietnamese and has thick rope-like strands of hair. Another friend has an afro. This balm is great for all hair types, be it oily, dry, coarse, curly, etc.
   Your hair will transform to the best version it could be, and it will style much easier, too. In fact, you will stop using other add on products after a while because you realize that anything you put on your hair actually only diminishes the beautiful effects and the healthy hair these products foster. You never realized how cooperative your hair could be. One of my friends after using it at my house commented “Whoa… That shampoo and conditioner I used in your shower were so good I dont even need product today. My hair looks amazing and I didnt even have to do anything but comb it!”. You may even stop using curling irons or hot irons (I stopped using my curling iron years ago) because you find that miraculously your natural hair tendencies, when given the right kind of care, are beautiful in their own right.
   Great healthy hair is so important. Its something people really do notice, because truly healthy hair is not a common thing to see. (especially since its hard to find cone free conditioners, and because people arent educated about cones so most of the population wanders around with subpar, dry brittle hair). Check out my photos to see my hair. I am using no product besides this duo, and I don’t even use a blowdryer.