Over the past year, I’ve embarked on a personal quest, dedicating both time and, let’s be honest, a considerable amount of money, to explore the world of haircare brands available at Target. Why Target? Because the beauty landscape is shifting, and exceptional haircare is no longer confined to the realm of luxury salons. The drugstore aisle is stepping up its game, offering sophisticated and effective options for the discerning consumer.
For those just joining my haircare journey, you can catch up with my previous explorations via these links: [Placeholder for previous review links if applicable in a real blog context].
Haircare has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a purely functional category focused on hygiene, it has blossomed into a vibrant and innovative beauty sector. While any shampoo can cleanse your hair, regardless of price, what truly elevates a product is the user experience. It’s the subtle luxuries – the exquisite texture, the captivating fragrance – that I’m after.
It’s important to note that I purchased all the products discussed in this review with my own funds. I’m a savvy shopper, waiting for sales, utilizing coupons, and even hoarding samples to refill travel containers. Why? Because the thrill of a great find is amplified when it feels like a steal. Furthermore, I have a slight issue with the beauty industry’s prevalent gifting culture, especially when it comes to incentivized reviews. This review is born from genuine curiosity and a desire to share in-depth, unbiased insights, addressing the questions I myself would have before purchasing.
UPDATE: Two Months Later – My Evolving Thoughts Integrated Throughout
Decoding My Haircare Desires
My approach to haircare is centered around the overall user experience. I seek the same level of satisfaction one gets from unboxing a new, meticulously designed Apple product. In haircare, this translates to:
Fragrance: Having spent time immersed in the niche fragrance industry, I’ve cultivated a refined appreciation for sophisticated scents. While I don’t wear perfume daily, I appreciate fragrance through candles, body lotions, and, crucially, haircare. My ideal haircare fragrance should evoke the complexity and allure of a $300 perfume, but at a $30 price point. I’m also sensitive to certain scents and prone to headaches, making me a particularly discerning critic. My fragrance preferences lean towards fresh, green, woody, white floral, and warm spice compositions, often found in indie and niche brands. I dislike artificial or “cheap” smells and tend to avoid fragrances that feel mass-produced or generic, designed by committee to fit a stereotypical idea of “feminine” haircare. The Byredo x Ouai collaboration, while exciting in concept, proved too overpowering for my sensitivities. To provide context for my fragrance palate, here are some of my go-to scents:
- Long-term Love: Diptyque Philosykos
- Hyped Favorite: Tom Ford Soliel Blanc
- Bedside Staple: MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 Candle
- Signature Scent Layer: Maison Matine Avant L’Orage + Phlur’s Somebody Wood
- Everyday Choices: Scentless options or a light spritz of Caudalie The Des Vignes or dedcool’s Milk.
Formulation and Texture: I look for “clean,” potent formulations with ingredients included at effective levels, not just for marketing claims. The texture should be luxurious and substantial, not watery, with a satisfying lather that cleanses without leaving hair feeling stripped or “squeaky clean” after rinsing.
Packaging: Functionality is key. Product extraction should be effortless. Thoughtful design, tight tolerances, and satisfying “clicks” in closures are appreciated details that enhance the overall experience.
Performance: While crucial, I consider performance almost a given in today’s beauty market. Advancements in technology mean effective formulations are increasingly accessible at various price points. I expect a baseline level of performance, and the “wow” factor comes from the sensory experience and nuanced results.
I also approach brands owned by large consumer packaged goods (CPG) conglomerates with caution. Their inherent need for year-over-year profit growth can sometimes lead to decisions that prioritize the bottom line over consumer well-being and product quality.
Haircare’s evolution from basic hygiene to beauty indulgence is driven by innovation and evolving consumer expectations. New and independent brands must offer a distinctive and compelling value proposition to stand out in a crowded market. Celebrity endorsements are no longer sufficient; consumers are looking for genuine quality and efficacy. Launching a beauty brand is relatively easy; launching one that delivers exceptional quality at an accessible price is the true challenge – and where my interest lies.
Blake Lively’s assertion that it took seven years to launch her haircare brand resonates with this pursuit of quality. With six distinct fragrances, eight formulations, and five unique container designs, the investment in the Blake Brown line is clearly substantial, reflecting an ambitious launch strategy.
Blake Brown: A Fragrance-First Haircare Experience
Most haircare lines feature one or two signature scents. Ouai, another fragrance-forward brand positioned at a higher price point, offers five signature scents, many of which are available as eau de parfums. Blake Brown takes a similar approach, prioritizing fragrance complexity and offering a range of distinct scents.
Each Blake Brown scent is designed to be unique yet complementary, allowing for layering within the line. However, their pronounced nature means they might compete with any personal fragrance you choose to wear.
The marketing materials highlighting top, middle, and base notes are somewhat confusing. Product descriptions often list additional notes not included in the primary fragrance pyramids, creating potential discrepancies between online and in-store experiences. This could lead to a slightly incomplete understanding of the full fragrance profile.
Overall, the Blake Brown fragrances are sophisticated and well-crafted, reminiscent of niche-leaning designer perfumes (think Tom Ford). This aligns with Blake Lively’s stated inspiration from fragrances like the discontinued Burberry The Beat. Each scent tells a story, evolving throughout use and over time, adding a layer of sensory depth to the haircare routine.
The tagline, “Because your hair is your most memorable scent,” truly comes to life with this line. These are not groundbreaking, avant-garde fragrances, but the Blake Brown team has successfully integrated perfume artistry into haircare. If you are drawn to gourmand-leaning woody florals, this line is definitely worth exploring.
| Scent | Top | Middle | Base | Description on bottle | Product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandalwood Vanille | Bergamot, Juniper Berry | Jasmine, Elemi | Sandalwood, Vanilla | Infused with notes of vanilla, dry ambers, vetiver, and sandalwood | Strengthening Shampoo and Mask |
| Wild Nectar Santal | Neroli, Cardamom | Lily of the valley, Nectar | Cedarwood, Vanilla | Infused with notes of bergamot, fig, cardamom, and sandalwood | Nourishing Shampoo and Mask |
| Bergamot Woods | Bergamot, Green Mandarin | Violet, Lily of the valley | Cedarwood, Tonka | Infused with notes of pink peppercorn, apricot, and tonka. | Leave-in Potion |
| Amber Vanille | Bergamot, Watermelon | Lily of the valley, Coconut milk | Sandalwood, Vanilla | Infused with notes of woody amber, bergamot, lily of the valley, and vanilla | Dry Shampoo |
| Blackcurrent Vanille | Blackcurrant bud, Pink Peppercorn | Peony, Strawberry | Vanilla, Musk | Infused with notes of blackcurrant, vanilla, pink peppercorn, and peony | Mousse |
| Milky Sandalwood | Cardamom, Violet Leaf | Coconut milk, Cedarwood | Sandalwood, Milky musks | Infused with notes of sandalwood, amber, lily of the valley, vanilla, and milky musks. | Pre-shampoo Mask |
Fundamental Strengthening Shampoo and Mask Duo: Sandalwood Vanille
This duo immediately captured my attention, providing one of the most aromatically pleasing shower experiences I’ve had. While sandalwood as a fragrance note isn’t groundbreaking – it’s arguably overused – the Sandalwood Vanille scent is exceptionally well executed. My daily shampoo from California Naturals also features dreamwood, a synthetic sandalwood, creating a warm, woody, unisex fragrance I adore. Saltair’s popular shampoo also incorporates sandalwood, but in a way that unfortunately evokes a cheap, generic candle.
Blake Brown’s Sandalwood Vanille, however, is a gourmand fragrance lover’s dream. It’s as comforting, luxurious, and relaxing as being enveloped in a plush down duvet in a five-star hotel in 2011 – a nostalgic yet timeless indulgence.
I was so enamored with this scent that I postponed testing the nourishing duo in my next shower, opting to use the Strengthening Shampoo and Mask again. It was simply too enjoyable to switch.
Fundamental Nourishing Shampoo and Mask Duo: Wild Nectar Santal
The Wild Nectar Santal scent evokes the ambiance of a department store beauty counter, complete with sales associates offering fragrance samples on paper strips. It’s a familiar, comforting scent, reminiscent of a mélange of various perfumes, rather than a distinct single fragrance.
This scent didn’t immediately captivate me in the same way as the Sandalwood Vanille. It wasn’t a fragrance that made me want to linger in the shower. However, while not my personal preference initially, the way it is composed has grown on me with continued use.
The initial saccharine sweetness upon opening the lid was less overwhelming than anticipated. Once worked into the hair, the fragrance blossoms and deepens, revealing woody and spicier undertones, adding complexity and preventing it from being overly sweet.
UPDATE: Two Months Later (Both Shampoo Sets): I still enjoy using both shampoo sets, but the lids are indeed inconvenient. Balancing them precariously on top instead of screwing them back on during showers is a minor annoyance. Both hair masks, surprisingly, seem to make my roots feel slightly oilier by day two compared to other conditioners I use. However, the lingering fragrance in my hair remains beautiful for 2-3 days and sometimes persists even after using a different shampoo, which is a testament to its staying power.
All-In-Wonder Leave-In Potion: Bergamot Woods
The Bergamot Woods Leave-In Potion is the most overtly “perfumey” scent in the Blake Brown line. Initially, it smells like a perfume sample strip from a magazine, evoking a slightly synthetic, chemical undertone. (Are perfume strips still a thing in magazines? It’s been a while since I’ve purchased a print fashion magazine, so perhaps this reference is a bit dated – think magazines circa 2009.) The point is, there’s a slightly artificial opening note, but thankfully, it dissipates quickly.
The scent mellows into a much more subtle and refined fragrance as the top notes fade.
The texture is reminiscent of the Ouai leave-in conditioner – a creamy lotion consistency. I find it works best when sprayed into the hands and then distributed through the hair, rather than spraying directly onto the hair. It’s remarkably lightweight and effectively smooths hair without silicones, a significant plus for me. While silicones provide immediate shine and smoothness, they tend to attract dust and dirt on my hair, leading to breakouts and a generally unclean feeling by day two.
Dry Shampoo: Amber Vanille
Initially, the Amber Vanille Dry Shampoo reminded me of my beloved, discontinued Playa haircare dry shampoo – a touch powdery, slightly beachy, warm, yet refreshing. The first time I used it, I detected prominent notes of amber, sandalwood, and a hint of creamy coconut and vanilla. However, on subsequent uses (ensuring thorough shaking of the can before spraying), the watermelon top notes and lily of the valley became more pronounced. Once the initial top notes subside, I genuinely enjoy the fragrance.
I’m not a regular dry shampoo user for a couple of reasons. Firstly, clean hair and a clean pillow contribute significantly to clearer skin. Secondly, I dislike the overwhelming fragrance of most dry shampoos and how it can linger oppressively, especially at night. The Blake Brown dry shampoo, however, is less overpowering, making me more inclined to use it for hair refreshment on days when a full wash isn’t necessary or desired.
Update: Two Months Later: My feelings towards the Amber Vanille Dry Shampoo fragrance have shifted. The fruitiness is now quite bothersome, and with each use, I like it less. It also tends to make my hair feel crunchy if overapplied, more akin to a texturizing spray than a traditional dry shampoo. I’ve never experienced this level of crunchiness with a dry shampoo before.
Glam Mousse: Blackcurrant Vanille
Fruity florals are generally not my preferred scent category, and upon the first sniff of the Blackcurrant Vanille Glam Mousse, I anticipated a potential headache.
While I don’t love the fragrance, I don’t actively dislike it either. This is high praise for a styling product, as I typically find the scent of most styling products off-putting – the primary reason I splurge on Oribe hairspray.
The Glam Mousse scent evokes the atmosphere of an upscale hair salon – instead of a generic department store perfume cloud, it’s a more refined, high-end haircare fragrance blend.
In the summer months, I often skip blow-drying my hair due to heat and laziness (even though the Dyson Airwrap makes drying relatively quick, around 10 minutes for my entire head). While I didn’t notice immediate, dramatic volume from the mousse, I naturally achieve significant volume after drying anyway. However, the mousse did effectively extend the longevity and hold of my waves for a couple of days. It also provided a noticeable lift to my bangs, almost convincing me I could postpone a trim! (Alas, my bangs returned to eye-stabbing length after the next wash.)
Rich Reset Pre-Shampoo Mask: Milky Sandalwood
The Milky Sandalwood Pre-Shampoo Mask scent is a close dupe for the candle version of Le Labo Santal 33.
The concept of a pre-shampoo mask feels somewhat laborious to me – getting in the shower, wetting hair, applying the mask, then getting out (and dressed!), only to re-enter the shower later to wash it out. I’ve tried similar products before, and while I appreciated the results, I haven’t been motivated to make them a regular part of my routine. (Olaplex No. 3, used only once, comes to mind). However, the Milky Sandalwood scent is quite appealing, potentially enough to nudge me towards becoming a consistent pre-shampoo mask user.
UPDATE: Two Months Later: The Milky Sandalwood Pre-Shampoo Mask remains intriguing, and I often consider using it. However, I’ve only used it once due to the perceived effort of the multi-step process: shower, wet hair, dry off, get dressed, pin up hair, and then re-shower to rinse. After use, I didn’t observe a significant, noticeable difference in my hair’s condition, which further reduces the likelihood of frequent use despite the pleasant scent.
Packaging Considerations for Blake Brown
I appreciate Blake Brown’s commitment to using PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic for their packaging and the stackable design of the product containers. However, my sister, after a hand injury, encountered accessibility issues with the twist-off tops in the shower. The lack of strong contrast in the lettering on the shampoo and mask bottles also makes them difficult to read in indirect lighting or from certain angles within the shower environment.
While tubs for conditioners and masks are common in high-end haircare (Davines and Briogeo come to mind), they are less prevalent at lower price points. I personally find tub packaging less convenient in smaller showers, as preventing water from entering the tub is nearly impossible.
Individuals with larger hands might also find it challenging to extract product from the mask jars due to the relatively small opening. The strengthening mask jar, notably, has a slightly smaller opening than the nourishing mask jar.
Realistically, a complete packaging redesign is unlikely at this stage. The geometric shapes and stackable design are undoubtedly visually striking and help the brand stand out in the crowded haircare aisle.
Blake Brown Haircare Performance Assessment
My experience is based on personal use over a few weeks, and I have relatively low-maintenance hair. Allure published an excellent review of the Blake Brown line, focusing on performance and including a cosmetic chemist’s ingredient analysis. [Link to Allure review if available].
The assertion that using multiple shampoos is beneficial – alternating between strengthening and nourishing formulas – holds merit. It’s not just a marketing tactic. Just as excessive moisture or protein can be detrimental, salon-grade brands like Olaplex offer salon-only treatments with stronger formulations that carry a potential risk of hair damage. Many people report their hair “getting used to” a particular shampoo. I maintain a diverse collection of skincare serums to address various skin concerns. However, the analogy isn’t perfectly parallel as skin is living tissue, while hair is not. Hair damage is less straightforward. Furthermore, the vast diversity in hair types and cultural hair care practices is significant. The increasing number of haircare brands dedicated to Black hair is a welcome and necessary development.
*It’s worth noting that while I use a multitude of skincare products, it’s generally excessive, and most people should simplify their routines.
Final Verdict on Blake Brown Hair Care
I will continue to use my original California Naturals shampoo and conditioner due to their unbeatable quality-to-price ratio and the luxurious richness of both products. The conditioner is exceptionally mask-like in its hydration. These remain my daily staples and will be difficult to surpass. (For daily washers or those with drier hair, California Naturals offers reformulated Daily and Dry duos). However, I will incorporate Blake Brown into my shower routine for days when I desire a different sensory experience. A friend aptly remarked that the entire Blake Brown line evokes Charlize Theron’s J’Adore for Dior, which I found both humorous and accurate. The overall aesthetic and vibe are reminiscent of the original Gossip Girl era, likely to resonate strongly with millennial women – a blend of nostalgia and trendiness, mirroring the resurgence of Juicy Couture, Von Dutch, and Crocs.
Is maintaining a shampoo arsenal excessive? Perhaps for some. But my beauty product accumulation led to the founding of my company, so it aligns with my personal inclinations. Even my dog has three shampoos in my shower – she often smells of dedcool’s Taunt, Ouai’s Mercer Street, or a simple lavender mint from Buddy Wash!
UPDATE: Two Months Later: I’ve been contemplating whether I would repurchase the Blake Brown line, and I remain undecided. While the fragrances are undeniably unique, there’s a strong possibility I might tire of them by the time I finish the bottles, tubs, and tubes. While positioned as more affordable than high-end haircare, the almost double cost compared to my usual products makes me question the long-term value proposition.
Recommendations for Blake Brown Hair Care
For Those Wanting to Try Just One Product:
Visit Target and sample the masks (if they are in stock). The sensory experience they offer is unique at this price point.
For Fragrance-Sensitive Individuals:
Depending on your fragrance tolerance, this line might not be suitable. The scents are potent and linger noticeably in the bathroom and in hair for a couple of days. I experienced some sneezing after my sister used the Wild Nectar Santal duo, indicating a potential sensitivity.
For Fragrance Wearers:
If you regularly wear perfume or prefer strongly scented laundry products, be aware that the Blake Brown fragrances are assertive and will compete for olfactory attention. They might layer well with certain fragrances, or they might clash. Consider your overall fragrance preferences before committing to the entire line.
