I can’t be the only person that gets sucked into watching infomercials at 3am, right? Some of my late night purchases include the Magic Bullet, a ShamWow, 2 Snuggies, and The Perfect Brownie Pan. And those are just the ones I’m not too embarrassed to tell you about. Thank goodness I discovered Ambien or else I would really have to consider blocking QVC.
I’ll never forget the night I was flipping through the channels and came across the super fabulous Chas Dean talking to Alyssa Milano about how he was about to transform her hair with Wen Cleaning Conditioner. My life has never been the same. Ok, thats an exaggeration but my hair has never been the same since that night. Almost three years ago I ordered my first bottle of Sweet Almond Mint Wen at 4am and I have been on auto-ship ever since.
Despite what you may think, it DOES clean your hair and won’t weigh it down as long as you follow the instructions. Here’s what I do:
1. Before getting in the shower, brush your hair to get all the tangles out.
2.Rinse your hair for a long time before applying Wen. If you listen to music, rinse for the entire length of one song.
3. Section your hair into two parts: top and bottom. It says you have to apply about 35896 pumps to your hair, but I only do about 4 or 5 for each section and it works great.
4. Here’s the part a lot of people skip: as you’re working it into your hair, add a little bit more water, comb through, and then clip it on top of your head while you do all the stuff girls do in the shower.
5. Once I’m ready to get out of the shower I unclip my hair and rinse it by section (I do top and bottom). Again, rinse for a LONG time and if you’re brave, use cold water.
I don’t know the science behind Wen, nor do I really care to be honest. All I know is that since using it my hair has grown twice as fast and my color lasts way longer. I recommend using a clarifying shampoo like Pantene Purifying Shampoo or Oribe Ultra Gentle Shampoo once a week, but other than the only time I use regular shampoo on my hair anymore is when I run out of my Wen and have no other choice. Have any of you tried it? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments section!
Samantha says
Love it!! I dont follow the recommended pump amount because 1 i have long hair and id be done with the bittoe in a week and 2 it works just fine without the recommendation! Also, my hair is a knotted mess and this product makes all those worries go away! Happy to know your a wen girl too
Tina Cole says
I have been using WEN for 2 years now and my hair as never been healthier! I will never use anything other than WEN! I love love this stuff!
Sarah says
I am so going to try this!! I have such issues with my hair and have been wondering what you use on yours! What products do you use to style?
Maggie says
Yay! I have to try. How do you get your hair perfectly tousled or perfectly curled? How do you maintain healthiness with styling daily?
Emily Maynard says
Just use a heat protector!
Grace says
Thanks for this post! I’ve always been curious about trying it and now I definitely will. You have such beautiful hair Emily! If my hair looked a third as good as yours did I would be thrilled. More hair posts please!
Katarina says
Yes, I just started using it about a month ago and I refuse to use regular shampoo ever again! My hair is so much smoother and seems to have grown more this month than in the last six months combined.
fefechristine says
I just started using Wen…your washing tips are helpful! I was going back and forth on whether to keep it or not but I think using your tips I will be happy with it!
Amanda says
Hope you had a blessed mothers day Emily! I wanted to lend a few tips for anyone looking for chepaer options reading this blog. I went through one bottle of WEN in March,and I loved it for alll the reasons you listed….but I did find I had to use almost what they recommended or my hair was too oily by the end of the day! Apparantly, using less for me wasnt enough to get my scalp clean despite all the scrubbing! So I did some research, and have tried 3 other products similar to WEN…I just cant afford to have to buy 2-3 bottles a month due to how much my hair needed! Sally Beauty has their own version of a cleansing conditioner called Hair One….DONT TRY THAT! Its just awful! I do however like Loreals Everpure, and will be using that from now on, all the benefits of Wen at a fraction of the cost and much safer ingredients! Im trying Hugo Naturals next, I already have the bottles, and I think I might just like this 1 too 🙂 I should add, look up WEN on goodguide.com, there are a couple ingredients that have usage restrictions.
Megan says
I absolutely love wen. My hair gets dried out very easily and looks like a big wad of fuzz when I use anything other than wen. Six Thirteen is my favorite and it smells wonderful!
Jennifer says
Thanks for the tip! Do you use shampoo with this product?
maggie says
I have heard some really bad things about the wen hair care system because I too was curious about the benefits. after some research though I found that many women reported hair loss and balding from this product. there are also many lawsuits against wen hair care because of women losing large chunks or sections of hair. I’m not sure what to believe because the benefits sound amazing but some of the feedback is frightening!
Katherine says
Thank you for this Emily!!! I love Wen as well but I’ve never tried sectioning my hair into top and bottom! Cucumber Aloe Wen is my favorite!
andrea says
I wondered for the longest time if this really works….maybe I’ll give it a try now…
http://www.andrea-clare.blogspot.com
Liz says
How often do you use Wen?
Krista says
I’ve been using Wen for a few years too and I can’t imagine using anything else! Another tip: for deep conditioning, leave it on your hair, pull it into a bun on the top of your head, wear a shower cap and don’t rinse until the morning. Your hair will be sooooo soft!
Jaclyn says
Hey Em,
Love you and all your tips.
— Any recommendations on hair straighteners and curlers?
- Jac
My sister bought it and we both tried it. Her hair looked greasy the first day she washed it. Like really bad, like she hadn’t showered. I tried it, mine wasn’t so bad, but it seemed like I needed to wash it sooner than a few days! What did we do wrong?! I think she followed the instructions and did the 15 pumps and I didn’t use as much. I really wanted it to be miraculous!
Sarah says
I just started using it yesterday. Already in one day it doesn’t seem do dry!! I also hear there is different ones for what kind of hair you hair. I have really thick hair so there was a different one for that. I’m using the sweet almond one right now too:) love it!!
Daniela says
Can you tell me what color blonde you dye your hair? I am a natural black head like you and would like to get my hair like yours. thanks 🙂
Sierra says
I have really been thinking about trying this stuff as I have yet to hear a negative review. Do you guys use anything else after you get out of the shower like leave in conditioner/treatment ? And how often do you wash your hair a week with WEN? Also, when I go onto the WEN site, all I can seem to find is the packages, I don’t really want a whole package with a comb and whatnot - I just want the product, is there anywhere that I can simply order just the cleansing conditioner? Thanks ladies :))
Ashley says
Emily, what heat protector do you recommend? I’ve been thinking about trying Wen for forever now. I need to just take the plunge. I have fine, dark hair and it gets oily quickly so that’s why I’m hesitant. I use Joico for shampoo currently and love it! Might have to give Wen a shot!
Amy says
Just bought this from Sephora, we’ll see how I like it:)
Ginny says
Just a little tip: if you want to order and not be put on auto-ship, order it from Amazon! It still ships directly from Wen, but bypasses the subscription. More Amazon tips here!
http://www.moderncommonplacebook.com/2013/03/15/the-key-to-a-shopping-and-wish-list/
Ginny
http://www.moderncommonplacebook.com
Tanya says
We’d love a tutorial on how you style your hair for those pretty beachy waves?
Shelby says
I’ve been using Wen for almost a year now. At first I really, really loved it. But I think after I finish my last bottle I’m going to try something else. It feels like there’s a layer of “film” on my hair that’s really greasy (even though my hair might not look greasy). I used to go a few days without washing my hair, but now I have to wash my hair every single day (it doesn’t look greasy when I first do my hair, but by the end of the day it looks horrible). My hair also tangles A LOT more when I use Wen. I’m not sure what happened as I am still doing the exact same routine as when I first started using it.
Also, I noticed that my hair has started to come out in larger chunks when I use it. Scary!
Jennifer says
35896 pumps? what?
Emily Maynard says
Its a joke. They say to use a lot. I was just exaggerating.
Jennifer says
This is an effective way to actually spend your whole evening _washing your hair_. Like, if you had WEN, you could use the excuse “I’m washing my hair tonight” to get out of a date and NOT be lying.
Gina says
My girlfriend and I tried it but both of us ended up looking super greasy EVERY time we used it:( Have you every had this problem? We both used the pomegranate one. Would that make a difference?
Emily Maynard says
I’ve never used the Pomegranate only the Sweet Almond Mint. But the same thing happened to me but it turns out I just wasn’t using it the right way. You have to be sure to rinse it completely and leave it on long enough! Let me know if it still doesn’t work for you!
Sarah says
How often do you color your hair and does the Wen strip your color? Thanks!
Bailey says
I’m brunette, I think this was made for blondes, because my hair was SO greasy from using it and I followed the instructions to a T! I really wanted to love it but it just did not work for me one bit 🙁
Natalie says
Lol! When you did your post on dry shampoo I was going to ask if you have tried Wen.. I ordered it about a month ago and have been enjoying it!!!!
Sarah says
When you use shampoo, do you condition it
with anything else or just shampoo it?
Kayla says
I have been wanting to try Wen.. thanks for sharing all these tips Emily! : )
Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com
Linda says
I also have been using WEN for about 2 months. Love it! have never had the greasy hair issue that some are saying. I only use it 3x per week. Agree that my highlights stay longer and I have many more good hair days than bad.
Stephanie says
I LOVE Wen! I am currently using the Lavender scent, and it is so soothing and relaxing. I have had only a positive experience with Wen. I am hoping it speeds up my hair growth and health!
Emily says
How often do you use Wen? Once or twice a week? I don’t typically wash my hair every day - maybe every other day at most. Would this still be a smart product to use?
oh this is interesting. I have always wondered about Wen, but just this past week another blog that I LOVe ( A HAIR ONE), The lady who’s is a notable stylist said she gave it ago, but only lasted 4 days, and didn’t love it at all. So I guess really, each head of hair is different, but I think I a going to give it a shot.. you have gorgeous hair!
Jessica says
After reading this last night, the first thing on TV was the program! Ordered it right away!!
Kathy says
Hi all - some helpful tips I’ve learned after using Wen for about 18 months. First, buy it from QVC for the best deals and to avoid packages or autoship if that is what you want! Yes, any kind of color you put in your hair will last MUCH longer and be more defined using Wen instead of shampoo.
How I learned a lot at the beginning: watching a few of his live appearances on QVC. You learn a TON about the best ways to use it for all hair types and there are special really good deals on Wen when he’s there. Next time there will be live Wen shows on QVC is around June 2nd. SO much more informative for using it than the infomercial.
If you are finding your hair greasy, your are doing one of these things wrong:
Not using enough for your hair type
Not adding a large splash of water when you work it in so it froths (not lathers)
Not leaving it on while you wash your face & body
Not rinsing enough
The last one is what I was doing wrong. How I fixed it: rinse a bit more than you would normally and when you feel you are done, count out 30 seconds of final rinsing. NO, it does not take a whole evening LOL but it does take longer at the beginning while you get used to it. If you use it like shampoo you won’t like it. Now that I’m used to it, it takes no longer than any other kind of hair washing.
I find that the gluten free formulas rinse out better and give *my* hair more volume (Pomegranate, Wen Kids scents, and the seasonal scents - the summer Mango Coconut coming available in June is to DIE for scent wise too). The Wen styling cream, when applied to wet hair at the end of your shower, is a great heat protectant and I find it good at adding summer beachy waves - just with air drying. To make that even better, I also use the Wen mousse. (just voted best-in-class in Self magazine)
After being HIGHLY skeptical and then not loving it at first, I’m a life long fan now because my hair has never been in better shape, softer, fuller or younger looking. There is a learning curve … watch a couple of the QVC shows.
developers@madebymode.com says
Thank you so much for the helpful comment! I totally agree with everything you said. You should start a blog if you don’t have one already!
Amanda says
Emily,
How often do you use this? Is this a once a week thing or every day after normal shampooing?
Thank you for all of your tips- I LOVE your blog and I’ve told all the ladies at work about it!
Inna says
I use Fig and I love it…used to use almond mint but it left my hair a little too dry. I also read that you use the new kind only available on QVC…which one do you like better?
Gina says
Ok I tried it again using your tips and I’m not greasy at all. I wasn’t leaving it in long enough and I was rinsing it out like I would a normal shampoo. This time I rinsed it really good and am loving the results this morning. Thanks for your help:)
Darcey says
Ever since you recommended Wen, I’ve been a serious addict!! PS- saw your photo shoot with hair done by Charlotte Belk and just booked her to fly to MD to do hair for my wedding next year! You looked absolutely stunning and I knew right away that I had to have her!! 🙂
Joseph says
Emily,
You’re 2 smart 4 every 1 younger than I & 2 pretty 4 every 1 older. That makes U and Me perfect 4 each other.
Christine says
I have been using WEN for about 9 months and love the difference in my long hair! The WEN styling crème is also a great product. I saw it on QVC and just gave it a week trial and was amazed by the difference. You can buy this in a huge size on QVC on easy pay which always helps.
Lauren Bullock says
Yay!! Thanks for the tip! Does this wen product count as a shampoo and conditioner? Also do you use it everyday? Thanks for the tip Emily! I will for sure try it!
I had never even heard of this before! And now I’m dying to try it.
xx
http://thepocketbookblogg.blogspot.com/
Aina says
Hey Emily! 😉 Is this a great product for hair that was digital permed? 😉
Kristen says
This post was funny 🙂 You are a good writer Emily! I have never heard of this shampoo before, but now I am going to try it! Can’t wait 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
Mary B says
Haha, I read this post the other day, then came back to read your new post and saw the title of this one, “Mo Suds Mo Problems.” So funny! I like your style, lady! …and I’m not a fashion forward person at all, but I enjoy pretending to be and reading your blog. Thanks for writing!
Gabriela says
I lmao when you said “thank God I discovered ambien” I guess I am not the only one with sleeping problems! 🙂
I tried using this but didn’t really see much results. But I’m going to try the way you recommended and see if that makes a difference!
http://lovealwaysesther.com
Melissa says
I love the 613 products. They have really helped my hair tremendously.
Carrie says
I just ordered my first bottle! I can’t wait to try it! Love your blog Emily!
Kelly says
Listen to Emily!! This item will seriously transform your hair. I will never live a day without it. Just use a clarifying shampoo like she says (once or twice a week). I enjoy the Sweet Almond Mint the best!
Karly says
So wait… U only use this? No shampoo? This does it all? Wow I must try it now!!! Thanks 🙂
Nadia Cohen says
I’m so glad you did this review about Wen; My mom bought me the conditioner months ago and I’ve yet to try it because I honestly didn’t believe the infomercials. I’ll definitely be giving it a try now.
Lindsey says
I Have USed It And WaS Not All That Impressed. Maybe I Did It Wrong?
Hannah T. says
Unfortunately when I used WEN, I had a terrible reaction to the shampoo on my scalp and my hair started falling out. But the hair that didn’t fall out looked great and was so easy to manage. It made me sad to throw the bottle out. I use PHYTO products now to help my hair grow back, which I actually really love in general for the overall look of my hair. Your hair is gorgeous but if you know anyone with fine and thin hair, tell them about these brand!
Monica-Maria says
No conditioner, only shampoo? My long hair will not like that, I think..!
Dabney says
This sounds like a good product but my hair is super fine and thin. I’d hate to buy it and then it not work. I have to wash my hair every day or it starts to look greasy. Do you think this would make it greasy or is it weightless. I’m concerned since it’s only a conditioner.
Liza says
emily, what heat protector do you use on your hair?
Rachel says
My Mom used this for a few years, loved how her hair felt… until she noticed it started falling out. Wen denies that this happens, but if you look into it, you will see it’s very common. Even some comments here point to that. She was sad to stop using it but she doesn’t like being bald… 😉
Christine says
I have been using WEN for about 3 years also. I love it! when I run out of it and have to use regular shampoo my hair does not feel the same. Dont think I will ever stop using it.
Gigi says
I’ve been using Wen Sweet Almond Sweet Almond Mint for several years now and I couldn’t imaging going back to a traditional shampoo. My thick, curly hair has never looked healthier. Even my hairstylist is amazed at how good it looks. It has also simplified my life and I don’t spend so much time in the shower on my hair. It just takes some time to get used to using a product that doesn’t lather like a regular shampoo. My sister used it and hated it just because she didn’t like the fact that she didn’t get the suds that normally does with other shampoos. She thinks that the more a product lathers the better it cleans. It took me a while to get used to that too, but once you do you will never go back to anything else.
Maria Garcia says
I agree with your suggestion Emily about using a clarifying
shampoo one a week. I do the same bc my hair tends to
get too much moisture using wen if I don’t. I took the plunge
and ordered some after being somewhat skeptical.
I tried it upon your obsession so to speak with it and thought
that you have great hair so it’s worth a shot. Thanks for
sharing the love! Now I’m obsessed. 🙂
Hugs,
Maria
Stephanie Floyd says
I have been contemplating on weather or not to by this, now I will have to try it. Thanks for all the input.
Kim says
I think it really depends on your hair type. I have straight, fine hair & used Wen for several months. I know it says for any hair types, but I don’t agree. I really wanted it to work bc the smell is amazing & I love the ‘no suds idea’ …
I LOVE Wen! It has really made a difference in my baby fine hair. If you aren’t seeing results I recommend changing the scent. The Lavender works the best for me.
I wrote about the different scents and what they are best for in my blog: http://detroitduchess.com/2013/05/26/the-journey-begins-with-wen/
Olivia says
I completely agree Emily! I purchased Wen after hearing so many great things about it. Since purchasing, I have completely fallen in love!
I have pretty flat, limp hair and Wen has completely changed that. I no longer get split ends, my hair is smooth and moisturized, and it looks so healthy. I had to use regular shampoo & conditioner when I ran out of Wen, and I noticed just how much Wen had helped. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
Alisha says
Hey emily!
I tryed wen products for the first time! Love it! I am an esthetician by trade so I can go get beauty products cheap! I have to say wen is the best! I did what u said to do! My hair is honestly the best it had been in years! I have bleached hair too!
Thank you for sharing! Also! Please tell me what kind of extension u us! I say a iTube video of u getting tape hair extensions in when u did a photo shoot! Is that what u use all the time! Please tell!
Thank you! I am ur biggest fan! He he
Alisha~
Ginny says
Here it is on Amazon - which makes it a smidge cheaper with no renewal commitments!
WEN® Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner 16oz
Lindsey says
Thank you for all your amazing advice! I buy a ton of the stuff that you put on your blog. You should make a blog about curling irons/straighteners (which ones are the best, which ones you use) also, what heat protectors are the best or what you put in your hair before blow drying and so forth. Thanks again! also, more clothes blogs! Nordstrom Anniversary sale is coming in July! I want to hear your must haves 🙂 I am excited for the blogs to come.
Dianne says
Do you use any other of the Wen products other than the cleansing conditioner?
Jessica says
Love love love this blog!! Huge fan since the bachelor 😉 I’ve noticed “Joseph” commenting alot. Is that your new beau???
Michele says
I love Wen, I have used it for over 4 years now and my hair looks great.
Angela says
I am ordering this now! So excited to try it.
Thanks for the tips. 🙂
Kat says
You use a clarifying shampoo once a week or month? I thought in your dry shampoo blog is says you only wash your hair once a week? I’m confused! Thanks =)
Sarah says
Thanks Emily! You have such great tips for everything. You alway look stunning :)…in fact my god daughter was even named after you because her parents loved you so much on The Bachelor (as did I).
How often do you wash your hair? Do you find you can wait longer between washings with Wen?
Kristen Lauren says
When you use the clarifying shampoo - do you also use the conditioner? Or do you use wen?
Kiley Wilson says
Where is a place in store that I can buy it? I don’t have a credit card yet!
Holly says
Wen made my hair super soft during the few days I used it, but it also made it fall out!! I have thick hair and it was noticeably thinner after using wen for only a few days. I stopped using Wen and my hair continued to fall out at a rate that was significantly greater than normal. My carpet in my bedroom was constantly covered with hair from how much was falling out. Every time I re-did my ponytail, chunks of at least 20 strands came out. This continued for several weeks after I stopped using the product. It was scary, but thankfully it has finally slowed down. I am lucky in that I had really thick hair to start with, so despite losing about 25-33% of my thickness in the last month, my hair is still of average thickness, but I would be very wary of this product if you have sensitive skin or particularly thin hair!
emily maynard says
Yikes! I’m so sorry that happened!
Stephanie says
Emily, have you ever purchased the gallon size WEN on qvc? Next time it’s offered I want to purchase it. I’m just curious how long a gallon may typically last?
Becky says
I’ve been loyal to Wen, but the expense is starting to be a bit much. However, I just tried Herbal Essence Naked Cleansing Conditioner which is pretty much a Wen knock off. I usually believe you get what you pay for, but I’m just as happy with this stuff as I was with Wen….and at a fraction of the cost!