#4 Kristin ESS Scalp Scrub
Luxury haircare at a democratic price
I am a fan of scalp scrubs, whether they contain exfoliation beeds that gives a physical, manual, scrubby experience or it’s a chemical exfoliator (I might get some of the previously reviewed scalp scrubs / scalp exfoliators on my Instagram up here). I use them lesser these days as I don’t wear hair styling product everyday anymore as I don’t go into office / having the need to use a hair styling product every day; hence the need to remove product build-up has stretched longer than once per week. I could easily do a scalp scrub every 2 weeks or even once per month.
Anyways, what’s new in the stash is Kristin ESS Scalp Scrub
About the brand
Kristin ESS is a celebrity hairstylist, brand says:
Kristin Ess Hair began with a simple idea: create an affordable collection of luxury haircare and styling products that would give everyone the chance to create modern, perfectly-imperfect hair.
I’ve tried a couple of SKUs from the brand and I very much concur with the brand quote – products are elegantly formulated, certainly luxurious in terms of user experience and more importantly, sold at a very democratic price as compared to many of its peers within the same category. The Signature Shampoo is my mom’s favourite 😊
The brand was previously sold in Sephora Malaysia, but now in Watsons (a chemist / pharmacy) which I find it to be brilliant. Using a widely available chemist as a retailer is very much aligned with the brand’s ethos of democratising luxury haircare. What doesn’t change is the marketed retail price. Though Watsons constantly has discounts, but this brand is often excluded.
Why do I like it?
There is really not much to say about a scalp scrub isn’t it other than it is very useful to remove build up and flakes (if you have). Gentle exfoliation is aimed not only contributing to healthy scalp, but also remove odour that some people suffer.
It is gentle enough to use on sensitive scalp, as indicated by the brand. I do concur. As long as there are no open wounds or inflammation, I believe this scalp scrub suits almost everyone / every scalp.
The scrubby bits is a traditional sugar scrub but come in a thick gel paste, upon massage into the scalp, melts into a small lather. I hate sugar scrubs that are loose and overly coarse, this is far way from that.
This is a product loaded with multiple humectants - Glycerin (hero humectant as the second ingredient!), squalane, multiple essential oil (Castor, Sweet Almond, Mango seed, sunflower, etc) – so squeaky clean sensation, moisture is not overly stripped.
The product is vegan, free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates + silicones if it matters to you, it doesn’t to me.
The pointed tip is larger than an ordinary pointing tip will be helpful for parting if you have hair longer than mine.
What are the effects ?
Exfoliated scalp (obvs) - Scalp felt refreshed, cleansed but still hydrated, definitely non-stripping and non-drying. If you have oily to very oily scalp, you will likely felt it may provide some sort of rebalancing effect.
How do I use it?
Brand says to massage the product onto wet scalp followed by shampoo and conditioner, which is the way I use it. I would also mix a small dollop into my shampoo and use it like how I use a regular shampoo.
Fragranced?
It has one of the most incredible woody note fragrance, which I will absolutely purchase if the brand come out with this fragrance. I Looked up on the site - the fragrance is called Translucence Three (notes: coconut water, transparent water lily, iso e super, sheer blonde wood, palo santo + ambroxan).
Other scalp scrub options that I love: