I’m Replacing Pricey Salon Treatments With This $24 Hair-Strengthening Shampoo

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It revived my damaged strands in one use.

In the world of hair care, bonding products are garnering a lot of buzz—and for good reason. Hair bonds have the important job of holding together keratin protein fibers that give each strand structure and strength. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid hair bond breakage—chemicals, heat from styling and the sun, and even brushing and combing all do damage, research has found.

But that doesn’t mean we’re all destined to live with weak, brittle tresses. Hair bonds can be repaired at home—and without a pricey salon treatment—with the use of an effective bonding product. Enter the Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Shampoo.

Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Shampoo

$24 at Amazon

When my medium-length hair started showing the cumulative effects of summer sun, daily styling, and salon highlighting, I decided to try Matrix’s Instacure Build-A-Bond Shampoo, a vegan, sulfate- and paraben-free product for damaged hair, boasting one billion rebuilding bonds in every bottle. I’m no scientist, but that sounds like a lot of bonds, right?

The shampoo’s formulation relies on citric acid, essential for hair growth, to strengthen bonds from the inside, and moisturizing squalane to prevent breakage and smooth hair on the outside. Could Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Shampoo restore vitality to my split, damaged ends in the promised one use?

Apparently, it could. After just one shampoo (followed by applying the Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Mighty Care Conditioner) and a quick blow dry, I had to grab a mirror and look at my hair from behind to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. My hair was certainly shinier, but what really got me was how full and smooth the ends looked—no more visible breakage. It appeared as though my hair had grown a couple of inches almost instantly.

Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Mighty Care Conditioner

$24 at Amazon

There are four products in the Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond system—all with citric acid and squalane as their heroes. I loved the results from the shampoo and conditioner so much, I’ve become a faithful user of the entire collection. I’ve been using Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Instant Revival Liquid Mask for a weekly deep, nourishing rinse-out treatment and Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Super Sealing Leave-in Balm as my go-to for detangling and heat protection on heavier styling days.

With continued use, these fortifying products have made my hair stronger, promoting noticeable growth and fullness. I’m so excited to head into the holidays with hair that looks like a million—make that a billion (as in bonds)—bucks.

Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Instant Revival Liquid Mask

$25 at Amazon