Finally tried the real Matrix Biolage

[ravenreed]

After reading a thread where some people thought that the Sally's version of Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm, manufactured by Generic Value Products, was not as good as the real thing, I purchased a tube of the actual original. I thought I would post my thoughts on both.

First off- price.

I paid $14.95 for 10.1 FL OZ of the Matrix Biolage.
I paid $5.49 for 16 FL OZ of the Generic Value Products version. GVP wins hands down since I am on a budget for beauty/personal care items. If someone has more money to spend, maybe this isn't a consideration, but for me it truly is.

Formula-

Are they the exact same formula? No. The Matrix Biolage seems more moisturizing but had a lot less slip. For someone looking for more moisture, the Matrix Biolage might be the better choice. However, I actually use this product purely for slip, in this case, the GVP version is better for me. I have been extremely happy with the GVP version. My split ends are at a minimum and I can comb my hair easily.

In the interest of a better comparison, I will use the whole bottle of the Matrix Biolage and update how my hair is after a few weeks. I just wanted to post my first thoughts on the comparison between the two.

Packaging-

The Matrix version wins on packaging. The formula for both is quite thick and getting the GVP out of the bottle is very, very tricky with wet hands. There is usually banging, cursing, and a lot of squeezing involved. I much prefer the squeeze tube the Matrix Biolage came in.

Scent-

Scent-wise they are similar but not the same. Some products are a no go for me just based on how they are scented. Neither of these trigger my sensitivities, but the GVP seems like the scent is stronger.

So, I hope this is useful to someone out there. For me, the GVP version really is the better choice, but I am glad I got to compare them.

[jeanniet]

I've only gotten the Matrix kind, but what you say about slip vs. moisture is very interesting. I'll have to give the Sally's brand a try, because more slip would actually be better for me. I'd love to hear what you have to say after using up the whole bottle.

[ravenreed]

I would be interested to know what you think. I am on a CO routine, so I use the GVP as my last conditioner, and my hair is already pretty moisturized. Someone who is doing the normal S & C might need more moisture.

Oh I should have mentioned that the ingredients are slightly different too. The GVP has Methyl-2-Octynoate as its last ingredient. The Biolage doesn't have that listed at all. Otherwise the ingredients are identical.

[Jenn of Pence]

Thanks, Ravenreed! I also have tried the GVP and not the actual Matrix Biolage, and I've heard the same claims about the "real thing" being so much better. I appreciate your experiments, and I totally agree about getting that GVP stuff out of the bottle! :)

[MandyBeth]

I've tried the real also, and it doesn't give me the weight and slip like the GVP. My hair ADORES moisture, but I need the slip more also.

[kwaniesiam]

I adore the Matrix Biolage. The GVP wasn't even close, it made my hair feel coated and waxy and the scent was overpowering. No contest for me, thankfully the cost isn't an issue since I can get it at wholesale prices because of my license.

[Eolan]

I have wanted to try the original because of the moisturising effect, but I can do without the slip, so this is good news to me. Thank you for posting!

[jeanniet]

I would be interested to know what you think. I am on a CO routine, so I use the GVP as my last conditioner, and my hair is already pretty moisturized. Someone who is doing the normal S & C might need more moisture.

Oh I should have mentioned that the ingredients are slightly different too. The GVP has Methyl-2-Octynoate as its last ingredient. The Biolage doesn't have that listed at all. Otherwise the ingredients are identical.
I'm on a CO or herbal routine (kind of depends on my mood, heh), so I don't use the Matrix every wash, but something that would give more slip after a henna would really be great.

[ravenreed]

Checking back in. Had a heck of a time braiding my hair last night as the ends were tangling like mad. I usually have some tangling as I braid but it was definitely worse since switching product brand. My ends feel great though! Very soft. Dang. I wonder what it would be like if I used a ratio 50% GVP to 50% real stuff? :confused:

[Loviatar]

I love both, and they have exactly the same effect for me. I can't get the GVP here though, mine was a swap. So now I buy the original.

[Flossy]

I only have the original (I would love a Sally's over here...) and I like it, but not love it. I used it in DS2's hair last night (shoulder length 3b curls) and it left them so nice and defined. I probably won't be using $20 condish in a 3 year old's hair very often, but I can see how it really works for some hair types.

[xoxophelia]

I haven't tried the Sally's version but I did want to warn that the original in the winter months eventually led to my hair looking like hay last winter. The more I used it, the worse it got. So while you continue to try it out, I would just look out for those signs of humectant overload. It might be warm or moist enough where you are though.

[UltraBella]

I adore the Matrix Biolage. The GVP wasn't even close, it made my hair feel coated and waxy and the scent was overpowering. No contest for me, thankfully the cost isn't an issue since I can get it at wholesale prices because of my license.

Me too. Exactly. Even down to the license !!
:)

[ravenreed]

I live in the desert with no humidity. Seriously, it was once so low it couldn't be registered by the local weather guy I was watching! Maybe we have anti-humidity. Anyway, I do keep an eye out for humectant overload since I had a bad run in with something with glycerin in it and it did much the same. Thanks for the heads up, however. :)


I haven't tried the Sally's version but I did want to warn that the original in the winter months eventually led to my hair looking like hay last winter. The more I used it, the worse it got. So while you continue to try it out, I would just look out for those signs of humectant overload. It might be warm or moist enough where you are though.

[MandyBeth]

Heh, I found the scent of the original to be gaggingly nasty. DH hated it also. As in, to the point that I didn't even use up the bottle.

Oh well, if we all had the same hair, life would be REALLY boring!

[kwaniesiam]

It doesn't smell very good to me, but its not overpowering and I'm sensitive to smells. Thankfully on my hair it doesn't linger.

[MandyBeth]

See on my hair, it didn't smell like anything nice at all and it stayed. Yuck. The GVP doesn't smell at all to me, and DH doesn't notice it. Oh well, not using GVP stuff much now, bangs only.

[ravenreed]

No kidding, MandyBeth! :D




Heh, I found the scent of the original to be gaggingly nasty. DH hated it also. As in, to the point that I didn't even use up the bottle.

Oh well, if we all had the same hair, life would be REALLY boring!

[TrichPrincess]

After reading a thread where some people thought that the Sally's version of Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm, manufactured by Generic Value Products, was not as good as the real thing, I purchased a tube of the actual original. I thought I would post my thoughts on both.

First off- price.

I paid $14.95 for 10.1 FL OZ of the Matrix Biolage.
I paid $5.49 for 16 FL OZ of the Generic Value Products version. GVP wins hands down since I am on a budget for beauty/personal care items. If someone has more money to spend, maybe this isn't a consideration, but for me it truly is.

Formula-

Are they the exact same formula? No. The Matrix Biolage seems more moisturizing but had a lot less slip. For someone looking for more moisture, the Matrix Biolage might be the better choice. However, I actually use this product purely for slip, in this case, the GVP version is better for me. I have been extremely happy with the GVP version. My split ends are at a minimum and I can comb my hair easily.

In the interest of a better comparison, I will use the whole bottle of the Matrix Biolage and update how my hair is after a few weeks. I just wanted to post my first thoughts on the comparison between the two.

Packaging-

The Matrix version wins on packaging. The formula for both is quite thick and getting the GVP out of the bottle is very, very tricky with wet hands. There is usually banging, cursing, and a lot of squeezing involved. I much prefer the squeeze tube the Matrix Biolage came in.

Scent-

Scent-wise they are similar but not the same. Some products are a no go for me just based on how they are scented. Neither of these trigger my sensitivities, but the GVP seems like the scent is stronger.

So, I hope this is useful to someone out there. For me, the GVP version really is the better choice, but I am glad I got to compare them.
Interesting. I love the GVP stuff, and I was just pondering whether I should try the Matrix.

[Kristin]

I like the GVP, but haven't tried the Matrix original. I never thought about the humectants, but I guess I should be careful. Maybe it helps that I sleep with a humidifier about 3 feet from me...

[ravenreed]

I am still working through the Matrix stuff. I am not sure if I finally hit humectant overload, if it is because of the difference in formulas, or if it is because I am doing something different with my catnip rinse, but I just S & D'd a bunch of white dots and splits. Still not as many as I used to get, but more than I have been getting lately.