PhytoSpecific Intense Nutrition Hair Care Trio - A Review

Introduction

Jennifer Lopez

DailyCeleb.com All Rights Reserved

HairBoutique.com was one of the very first sites on the Web to carry the complete line of Phyto products.  The reason?  Back in the mid 1990s I discovered the complete line of Phyto products and have been using them on my own hair for many years.

I have also either personally tried every single product in the line or have received feedback from friends or HairBoutique.com team members who tried the products on their hair.   Including a detailed review on the PhytoSpecific Relaxer line.

Although I confess that I don't use the products as often as I use my Phyto favorites (Phytojobo, PhytoSesame, Phyto 7 and Phyto9) I have personally tested the entire PhytoSpecific line. 

This includes the Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Trio of  Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Shampoo,  Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Mask  and Phytospecific Moisturizing Styling Balm.

There is some confusion about the PhytoSpecific products.  Some hair consumers believe that the company that manufactures PhytoSpecific is called PhytoSpecific.  No, the PhytoSpecific line is owned and created by Phyto, which over the years has been known as Phytologie and other nicknames.  Officially the company is currently known as Phyto.  What adds to the ongoing consumer hair confusion may be the fact that Phyto maintains a PhytoSpecfic website just for the products in that line.

As I do with all product reviews I have to start by saying that while the Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Trio of products work for a vast majority of people, the products do not work for everyone. 

Phyto would most likely agree with me.  If there was a one-stop hair product for all people, there would be a vast number of empty shelves in department, grocery and drugstores selling hair care products.

Continued below ↓

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PhytoSpecific - Celebrity Following

Jennifer Lopez

DailyCeleb.com All Rights Reserved

Yes, many celebrities as well as their famous hairdressers use the PhytoSpecific products on their tresses.  As reported in the media, celeb hairstylist Ken Paves uses PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm on famous client Jennifer Lopez. 

Andre Walker, Oprah's mane man also has been quoted as saying he uses the PhytoSpecific products on Oprah's tresses.  PhytoSpecific products are constantly winning hair product awards and are highly recommended by some of the most respected hair editors of the most prestigious magazines.

PhytoSpecific - Intense Nutrition Shampoo

One way that PhytoSpecific products are different than the traditional Phyto products is in the packaging.  The PhytoSpecific products come in crisp clean white boxes with gold lettering.  Unlike the Phyto products which often are packaged in glass bottles, the PhytoSpecific products might arrive in metal-like containers or white tubes.

Like all the PhytoSpecific products, the Intense Nutrition Shampoo was designed to address very specific needs for very dry hair.   Whether the hair is dry as a result of genetics or from a long history of chemical treatments, the Intense Nutrition Shampoo is loaded with ingredients which will add back moisture. 

The primary hydrating ingredients include very rich Kukui and Macadmia oils which penetrate deeply into the hair's inner core to strengthen and moisturize. 

Besides the hydrating oils, the Intense Nutrition Shampoo contains Mimoisa, Panthenol and Wheat proteins.  It also contains  form of very moisturizing Castor Oil.  In essence, this shampoo provides intense moisturizing and strengthening as well as helping to detangle and provide softness and shine.

Helpful Hint

Hair Style Created By John Roberts Salon & Spa Cleveland, Ohio

Tom Carson All Rights Reserved

Although product directions for the Intense Nutrition Shampoo recommend that the product be applied full strength, if your hair is extremely dry, damaged, overporous or prone to breaking, I suggest that you consider diluting the shampoo. 

I have found it helpful to pour 1/8th teaspoon or less of the Intense Nutrition Shampoo into a clean quart bottle filled with lukewarm water.  Shake to form suds and then after hair is wet with lukewarm water, pour the foamy suds over the top of the crown and gently pat the suds into the hair. 

Only allow a diluted stream of suds to flow down the middle and ends of the hair which help to prevent any additional drying.

It is never recommended that you suds more than one time.  Treat hair like delicate old lace.  The idea is to gently rinse away dust, dirt and debris without ripping or tearing fragile tresses.

Rinse well, towel blot and then apply the Intense Nutrition Mask.

Intense Nutrition Shampoo Ingredients

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Calendula Officinalis, Sambucus Nigra, Comfrey (Symphytum Officinal), Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extracts, Sodium Laureth-11 Carboxylate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Ricinoleamidopropyl, Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Peg-4 Rapeseedamide, Acacia Dealbata Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane, Kukui (Aleurites Moluccana) Nut Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Nut Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parabens (Ethyl, Butyl), Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, FD&C Orange #4.

Read The Reviews - Intense Nutrition Shampoo

The following reviews were posted by used of the Intense Nutrition Shampoo.  While the majority of people who try Intense Nutrition Shampoo love the results, some people do report that the shampoo may leave their hair feeling less moisturized than they might like. 

A solution for that challenge is to add a small amount of oil to the shampoo or to dilute with water as I have suggested above.  Another option for extremely dry hair is to apply a pre-shampoo oil treatment to soften strands even further.  Use your favorite oil for the shampoo pretreatment.

Note:  One oil to try is HairTopia Beautiful Hair Oil  made with 100% organic Jojoba oil and 100% organic essential oils.

Another point to remember it so use lukewarm water only.  Many people like to use very hot water when they shampoo.  This will cause hair to become very dry, brittle and tangle more than normal. 

Reviewer #1

I have type 4a-s-curl type hair (As broken down by Oprah Winfrey's hairstylist, Andre Walker), so I can't afford to be play around with just any product on my hair. After reading numerous reviews on the Phytospecific line and doing extensive research, as well as digging for negative reviews, I found NONE, so I finally decided to try this shampoo for starters...

Image By The Cutting Room Hair Design Nanaimo, BC Stylist:  Edwin Johnson NAHA

Photographer: Babak All Rights Reserved

Almost immediately, I could feel the difference of the texture of my hair as I lathered and rinsed it out. Usually after a shampoo, my hair is pretty tangled and unmanageable.... Not THIS time. I was able to blow dry my hair with ease.

And when it was dry, I straightened it with a curling iron and to my surprise, my hair was soft, yet strong and was also so full of SHINE! I couldn't believe that I had more shine with this SHAMPOO than I ever had SHEEN from spraying that oily-oil sheen in my hair. I won't be able to live without this shampoo, now that I know what it can do for my hair :-)

Reviewer #2

I hate shampoos. I've got dry, color treated hair and it seems no matter what shampoo I've used, I've never liked the result. I condition my hair heavily and love most Phyto products. Tried this Intense Nutrition shampoo recently and I am thrilled with the result.

My hair is soft, detangled and lustrous before I use a conditioner (which I still do religiously). My hairdresser immediately saw a change in the overall quality and condition of my hair. I can't imagine why I would try another product. FYI - Hairtopia products are also fabulous. My hair usually won't grow below shoulder length - now is growing longer, no split ends after 5 months and my hairdresser says no reason to trim each time I see him. He can't believe the change.

PhytoSpecific - Intense Nutrition Mask

The PhytoSpecific Intense Nutrition Mask comes in a clean white bottle that has a pump.  This mask is designed for very deep conditioning.  Although it is recommended that the product be left on the hair for up to 15 minutes, I have personally left it on for much longer than that with amazing results.  If you like, start with 15 minutes and work up to 45 minutes or more.  Judge how long to keep the conditioner on your hair based on how porous and/or damaged your tresses are.

PhytoSpecific Intense Nutrition Mask

HairBoutique.com All Rights Reserved

The Nutrition Mask works best for hair that is chemically damaged, naturally very dry or has been relaxed.  It is ideal for naturally curly hair, African American or ethnic hair that tends to be very coarse. 

A unique factor of the Intense Nutrition Mask is the fact it contains Tocopherol which is a powerful anti-oxidant. 

It is designed to assist with adding shine to the hair and to help with tangling which may occur with hair that is damaged, over-processed or dry.

Intense Nutrition Mask Ingredients

Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Sambucus Nigra, Euphrasia Officinalis, Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense), Plantain (Plantago Major) Extracts, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Water, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Acetamide Mea, Shorea Stenoptera Butter, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone, Mango (Mangifera Indica) Seed Oil, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Extract, Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Seed Oil (Plant Marrow), Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa) Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Keratin Amino Acids, Fragrance, Paridol Butyl, Diazolidinyl Urea, Tocopherol.

Reviewer #1

I bought the entire line of Phytospecific about 3 weeks ago. I tried it on my mother's hair first. It stated that there were a lot of oils, etc. I just knew that with her fine hair, it would weigh it down. I used the Intense shampoo and the Intense Nutrition Mask on her hair.

Image By Aveda Frederic's Institute Cincinnati, Ohio Stylist:  Mandy Wooten NAHA

Photographer: Babak All Rights Reserved

When I saw her in church the next day, I was so upset... because I hadn't washed and conditioned my hair with the product!!!

Her hair was beautiful. It's short but it was so shiny and healthy and she hadn't had a relaxer in 13 weeks! I just knew my mid-week, the lustre would wear off but when I went to wash her hair that next Saturday, it was still beautiful. Ace product and I would recommend it to anyone. It's definitely worth the price.

Reviewer #2

I love this product. It is very intense and helps so much even when your hair is so dry it's about falling out.

Reviewer #3

Finally a conditioner that leaves my hair as soft as my shampoo did! Is a must have for dry frizzy hair and doesn't weigh it down.

Phytospecific Moisturizing Styling Balm

Like the Intense Nutrition Shampoo and Mask, the Styling Balm is designed to hydrate, moisturize, detangle and protect naturally dry hair.  It is also excellent for hair that is naturally curly, frizzy or has been chemically relaxed.  A key ingredient is Sunflower extract which is a natural photoprotector. 

Although it is designed to be a delicate and light balm that coats hair with an invisible veil, it does contain, in addition to a blend of Quinoa, Hibiscus and Althea extracts, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Castor Wax and Glycerin.  Which means, for some hair types, the balm, even though perfect for super dry or chemically relaxed hair, may not work for other hair types that tend to accumulate oils.

Moisturizing Styling Balm Ingredients

Jessica Simpson Frederick's Of Hollywood Fashion Show 10-24-07

DailyCeleb.com All Rights Reserved

Water, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteth-20, Phenyl Trimethicone, Castor (Ricinus Communis) Wax, Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa) Oil, Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) Extract, Glycerin, Althea Officinalis Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract, Rice (Oryza Sativa) Wax, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parabens (Ethyl, Butyl), Hexamidine Diisethionate, FD&C Yellow #5.

Reviewer #1

I have started to wear my hair back because my husband loves how it shows my facial features. The only problem is that I have coarse hair and from week 4 on of getting a relaxer, my hairline is dry and unruly.

I tried only pressing the edges but that would only make it drier. I had read about the PhytoSpecific Hydrating Balm in Essence, a magazine whose tips I live by.

My husband and I were going to a show and he wanted me to wear my hair back. Well, I was at week 8 of needing a relaxer and wasn't able to get a touch-up that day. I put the balm on the edges of my hair. The balm penetrated the hair shaft instead of sitting on top of my hair looking greasy.

My hair laid down on my head, not like a gel would, but it was smooth just like I had gotten a touch-up. Even days after, my hair was so soft, shiny and moisturized. I'll never use anything else on my edges.

Summary

The Phytospecific Intentse Nutrition Trio of products works for a vast majority of people, however, the products do not work for everyone. 

Intense Nutrition Shampoo, Mask and Styling Balm are designed for hair that is extremely dry, either from genetics or from long term abuse from chemical relaxers, treatments or poor hair care habits. 

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on  HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

For additional hair care articles, tips and product information check out the following links:

• Hair Boutique Tips & Articles section.  Check out the over 10,000+ different hair care and styling tips at HairBoutique.com
• Phytospecific Relaxer #2: A Review
• Phytospecific Relaxer - Formula for thick, coarse hair. No-lye & gentle. Straightens & smooths textured hair. Read more on this page.
• PhytoSpecific Intense Nutrition Mask