Nothing kills the vibe quite like a bad hair day. (Except for the day you realize what’s in most conventional personal care products, since that’s a pretty big buzzkill too.)
At one point or another, every low-tox journey is met with the unfortunate realization that most big-brand hair care is made using less-than-great chemicals.
So, do you compromise on hair that falls flat to avoid toxins? Or do you compromise on ingredient safety for picture-perfect locks?
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to compromise either.
Evolvh is a clean hair brand that delivers salon-quality results using non-toxic and safe formulas. I tested out a full Evolvh hair care routine and was thoroughly impressed by how well my hair responded to their products.
Maybe you’re hooked on good results from not-so-good ingredients. Or maybe, you’ve already made the switch to clean hair care, but haven’t found a product lineup that delivers. (Because being a crunchy consumer doesn’t mean you want crunchy hair.)
Whatever boat you’re in, keep reading to learn more about Evolvh’s hair care products and what sets them apart from other clean (and not-so-clean) beauty brands. Today, I’m diving into my honest review of Evolvh with an inside look at each product I tried. (Spoiler alert: I loved them all.)
P.S. If you decide to buy, use the code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off your order!
This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!
My Honest Review on Evolvh’s Non-Toxic Hair Care
I was really excited to try Evolvh hair care due to their high ingredient standards, and their lineup did not disappoint.
Not only are their products safe, but they are extremely high-quality, and each product I tried earned the curly girl stamp of approval. In fact, in my recent roundup of the best products for curly hair, Evolvh’s SmartCurl Hydrating Wash and Conditioner were crowned the best products for curls and my favorite duo of the entire haul.
Whether you have straight hair, curly hair, or something in between, with the abundance of hair care brands on the market, there’s something for everyone. However, not all hair care brands are careful about their formulas.
It’s extremely common for hair care (and all other types of beauty products) to be laden with harsh chemicals and mysterious ingredients.
Before I dive into my review of Evolvh’s products, here’s a quick recap of the chemicals they keep out of their formulas.
Worried about toxic hair care? These are the ingredients Evolvh never uses.
“Clean beauty” is in, big time. But how many clean beauty brands are actually safe?
With the prevalence of greenwashing and a lack of ingredient transparency in the beauty industry, Evolvh steps up to the plate by not only excluding common toxins like parabens and phthalates, but kicking out lesser-known harsh ingredients, too.
Here are some of the chemicals Evolvh vows to never use:
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Propylene Glycol
- Silicones
- Gluten
- Synthetic Fragrance
- GMOs
On top of being clean, all Evolvh formulas are vegan and cruelty-free. Additionally, every product from Evolvh meets The Credo Clean Standard as well as the Eco Cert Cosmos Organics standards.
Are there any “iffy” ingredients?
While Evolvh’s formulations are free from things like endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, folks with sensitive skin and/or specific allergies will still want to be mindful of the ingredient labels for two main reasons:
- Evolvh uses quite a few natural oils that can potentially cause allergic reactions for some, including things like cedarwood oil and lemon peel oil.
- Evolvh uses benzyl alcohol as the preservative for some of their products. While most people won’t have an issue with this ingredient, those with very sensitive skin may want to be careful of it.
Why choose Evolvh?
Evolvh doesn’t just keep out toxins to keep up with the industry. Since 2009, they’ve been setting the standard for non-toxic beauty (before it was all the rage). Their founder, Boris Oak, is considered a pioneer in the clean hair space. He identified a need in the salon market for products that were as safe as they were effective and completely changed the game.
Evolvh emphasizes science-backed, biology-driven, performance-based formulas using primarily natural and organic ingredients that drive results for all hair types. Originally developed for health-conscious hair stylists, Evolvh doesn’t compromise on the efficacy or safety of their formulas.
Unlike many brands that drench each strand in artificial ingredients to temporarily mask hair concerns, Evolvh focuses on healing hair from the inside out for long-term results.
What it did to my hair
My biggest takeaway from trying Evolvh was how much of a difference their products made in my hair texture.
This was the routine that I followed to get my-hair-but-better results:
- First, I cleansed with Evolvh’s SmartCurl Hydrating Wash.
- Next, I conditioned using the SmartCurl Hydrating Conditioner.
- After rinsing my hair out, I used the SmartStart Leave-In Conditioner to help detangle and brush through my curls. (I applied this product to still-wet hair without drying at all at this point.)
- Once my hair had been brushed, I applied a small amount of the TotalControl Styling Crème, focusing on my roots to add volume.
- Then, I scrunched the InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse through my hair using my hands to emphasize curl and texture.
- After hand scrunching in the mousse, I finally scrunched my hair using a cotton t-shirt to remove any excess water or product.
- Finally, I worked in a little bit of The Standard Hair Oil to help fight frizz from forming.
Overall, I was blown away by the results from air-drying my hair. Typically, my hair gets very frizzy and requires touch-ups after drying, especially if I’m not diffusing it right away.
This is how my hair looked after doing some chores, changing my outfit, and hanging out around the house. I didn’t touch it up or add any additional oil so I could share the true results:
As you can see, a *tiny* bit of frizz formed near my face (probably from tucking it behind my ears because I can’t sit still, lol). But overall, my hair responded really well to this product lineup.
Evolvh’s hair care creates more definition in my curls, my hair feels softer, and it looks noticeably more hydrated.
More of my thoughts on each product (pros & cons!)
I broke down each product that I tried from Evolvh below: the pros, the cons, and everything you need to know before incorporating them into your routine.
SmartCurl Hydrating Wash
Price: $32
Evolvh’s SmartCurl Hydrating Wash is made to renew moisture levels in curly, thick, or coarse hair. This shampoo gently cleanses while enriching each strand with an abundance of hydrating fatty acids, antioxidants, and amino acids to prevent breakage and split ends. This shampoo reduces frizz levels and hydrates each curl without weighing them to support a stronger, shinier, and healthier head of hair.
What I love: This formula is awesome. It thoroughly cleanses while bringing out the best in my curly/wavy texture. It has a calming salon-fresh scent, lathers well, and is super hydrating.
What I don’t love: My only complaint is that the bottle leaks from both ends of the cap, making it difficult (and a little bit messy) to squeeze out the product. (Luckily, it doesn’t really matter since I use it in the shower anyway!)
Overall, I love the formula, and I love the way my hair looks and feels after cleansing with this product. If you’re looking for more curl definition, I would recommend this shampoo.
SmartCurl Hydrating Conditioner
Price: $34
The SmartCurl Hydrating Conditioner was designed to provide deep moisture to curly, coarse, or thick hair to prevent frizz from forming. It’s a color-safe formula that blends antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acids to strengthen hair from the inside out and increase definition and shine.
My take: This conditioner is thick and ultra-nourishing, and I’m obsessed with the way it smells (it’s very fresh and clean, just like their shampoo). The rich formula is extremely hydrating, and my frizz levels are dramatically reduced after using this conditioner. If you have frizzy hair like I do (or just curly hair in general), this conditioner is a win.
SmartStart Leave-In Conditioner
Price: $28
Evolvh’s SmartStart Leave-In Conditioner boosts shine, smoothes the hair, and strengthens each piece of hair by closing the cuticles and protecting against heat and UV damage. It hydrates, detangles, fortifies, and revitalizes the hair using the power of plant-based ingredients.
My take: Although I’ve learned to love my curls, I haven’t yet mastered the art of keeping my hair from tangling. Pre-shower, I can brush my hair until it’s completely knot-free, but the second I wet and cleanse my hair, it immediately becomes a tangled mess again.
When I use this leave-in conditioner, it makes a huge difference in my post-wash brush. It also really helps keep the frizz levels at bay once my hair has dried, too. This is a great option for a clean leave-in conditioner, and it makes my hair feel much more manageable.
TotalControl Styling Crème
Price: $28
The TotalControl Styling Crème wears multiple hats to help shape, add lift and shine, volumize, improve hair definition, and extend the life of blowouts. It acts as a heat protectant and combats UV damage for a healthy, soft-to-the-touch ‘do.
My Take: I love that this styling crème adds definition, heat protection, and volume without weighing down my hair or leaving it feeling crunchy. It adds great bounce, texture, and lift to my locks and smells amazing.
InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse
Price: $29
Evolvh’s volumizing mousse adds weightless lift while defining curls, adding hold, combating frizz, and protecting from heat and UV damage. It lifts hair at the root and absorbs excess oil without leaving curls feeling stiff or crunchy. This mousse works to increase bounce and shine while improving texture and definition from the root to the tip of each strand.
My take: This mousse is volumizing, texturizing, and truly weightless. It exceeded my expectations and added so much movement to my mane without feeling heavy or leaving behind any residue. This is a great styling and volumizing mousse, especially if you have wavy or curly hair.
The Standard Hair Oil
Price: $38
The Standard Hair Oil is quick-absorbing, weightless, and renews moisture back into dry hair, fighting frizz and flyaways while improving shine. It protects against UV and heat damage up to 450°F while preventing color from fading. It’s made with restorative ingredients like Ceramide NG, citropol, and castor oil ethers to repair, hydrate, smooth, and bring dull locks back to life for all hair types.
What I love: This hair oil does a great job of smoothing and hydrating my hair without weighing it down or feeling greasy. I love how multifaceted this product is.
I’ve used it on dry hair and left it overnight as a mask, pre-drying to help smooth my hair, and post-styling to eliminate frizz. Each time I use it, I’m impressed. If you’re looking for a hair oil that feels weightless, I would recommend this product.
What I don’t love: One of the ingredients listed in the Standard Hair Oil is “100% Natural Fragrance,” which is not ideal. While I’m definitely glad this is 100% natural and therefore I’m not too worried about it, I still prefer that brands transparently list out ALL of their fragrance ingredients.
BetterRoots Scalp + Hair Oil
Price: $38
Evolvh’s scalp and hair oil is loaded with ceramides to encourage healthy growth while preventing breakage. Harnessing the power of six clinically proven active ingredients, the BetterRoots Scalp + Hair Oil aids in hair follicle stimulation for fuller, thicker hair.
Ceramides and hemisqualane reduce breakage and fight frizz, while prickly pear steam extract intensely nourishes and heals the scalp. This fortifying oil combats redness, itching, and inflammation while balancing sebum production and hydrating dry tresses for stronger, shinier hair without creating an oily look or feel.
My take: This scalp and hair oil is a great product for improving hair health or giving your ‘do a frizz-fighting boost. I’ve used it all over my roots and left it in for a mini hair mask, and also for styling to combat dry or frizzy texture. For both purposes, this hair oil gets a gold star in my book.
I have alopecia areata, which means that every once in a while, I get a bald spot somewhere on my head (it’s always a fun surprise). I haven’t had an alopecia flareup since I received this product, but I’m hopeful to see how quick regrowth will be with the aid of this oil.
If I were choosing between BetterRoots or The Standard, both are great, BUT I’d pick BetterRoots for its multitasking abilities. Since it’s for hair growth and styling, it’s more bang for your buck. (It also doesn’t have the issue of the undisclosed fragrance ingredient.)
Wrapping it up: which Evolvh products I would re-buy
I honestly feel like all of the products I’ve tried & featured here are worth the purchase.
If I absolutely *had* to choose one not to rebuy, I think it would be the leave-in conditioner, because the other curling products are more directly impactful in achieving the final curl (like the mousse). BUT it still is so great for detangling, heat protection, and frizz-fighting… So again, I would (and probably will!) re-buy them all!
If you’re curious about trying Evolvh’s hair care for yourself, hopefully, this review has helped steer you in the right direction!
If there are any natural & non-toxic hair products that you can’t live without, let me know in the comments.
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