It’s a dire situation to live with fine, limp and greasy hair; those who share my predicament know exactly the pain I’m going through. So I’m all for checking out shampoos – natural or otherwise – that will create volume or thicken my hair. That’s also why I zoomed straight in on Kiehl’s range of shampoos, when I was given the choice to pick some products on the house last week. And of course the two I picked had the words “Thickening” and “Volumizing” on them.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Thickening Shampoo 250ml S$41
This shampoo looked really promising: it’s a multi-protein formula with Omega-6 essential fatty acids that will help to reinforce hair strands for noticeably thicker hair and improved scalp coverage. In addition, it had won the Her World’s Beauty Award! Sounds like my kind of shampoo!
Fuller crown with improved scalp coverage
The first time I used it, I wasn’t impressed. It could be because I’m already using volumizing shampoo so if there was a difference, I couldn’t tell. However, by the second usage, I was in love with this product. I noticed it does what it promises about giving improved scalp coverage and my crown was looking fuller. Plus, my hair looked healthy and not dried out even without conditioning. The most impressive for me was that my fringe did not get greasy two hours after shampooing, a fairly common phenomenon for me.
No need to use conditioner for my short hair
The shampoo is a creamy white and has a mild peppermint smell. It foams pretty well for my short hair and leaves my hair very squeaky clean but not overly drying. I didn’t need to use conditioner with this shampoo for my short hair; I suspect the thickening polymer provides a coating and made my hair more manageable as a result.
Kiehl’s Rice & Wheat Volumizing Shampoo 250ml S$41
This lightweight shampoo is infused with a blend of naturally-derived proteins and poly-sugar to revive and add body to thin and lifeless hair. It contains the goodness of rice and wheat proteins to create fullness and body plus honey, jojoba seed and rice bran to condition without stripping hair of natural lipids.
Mediocre results
I was actually expecting this to make my hair look fuller because of my past experience with Burt’s Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo. However, the results are mediocre by my standard and my fringe was looking greasy just after two hours. The shampoo smells great with a fruity scent though and left my hair squeaky clean too. And I was also able to use this shampoo without conditioner but I did experience some tangling when combing.
Overall summary
Between the two, my vote goes to Kiehl’s Ultimate Thickening Shampoo. If you’ve thin hair that needs some boost and do not mind a non-natural kind of shampoo, then this one may work for you. But I suspect that this shampoo probably works better for those with oily scalp and may not be so suitable for those with dry scalp or hair. In that case, Kiehl’s Rice & Wheat Volumizing Shampoo might do the trick.  However, I do reckon that the price point of the Kiehl’s shampoos are rather high, compared with what I’m used to.  Anyway, you will be happy to know that samples are available for customers to try  – I was told this is something the store encourages.
Update: You can go to any of the 7 Kiehl’s stores in Singapore and ask for samples freely. Just mention you came from Viva Woman.
aichaku
17 Mar 2010 at 12:13 pmv cool! i’m going to check out the ultimate thickening shampoo.
sesame
17 Mar 2010 at 6:56 pmHope you’ll like it too.
rhania escueta
17 Mar 2010 at 1:32 pmoh hope there’s a kiehl’s outlet here =(
sesame
17 Mar 2010 at 6:56 pmYeah, hope there’s one near you. Otherwise, the other alternative is of course to purchase online.
xin
17 Mar 2010 at 2:00 pmit really works? hmm now i am trying to look at hair growth shampoo! started seeing my scalp 🙁 as a result of too much rebonding for the past years i guess..*sigh*
sesame
17 Mar 2010 at 6:58 pmYes, the thickening shampoo really works. The volumizing is so so. Not sure about hair growth shampoo but I think you need to use some scalp treatment products there too.
JacquiA
17 Mar 2010 at 5:24 pmI do have thin and fine hair with an oily scalp to boot! I will try this out soon. Thanks for the review.
sesame
17 Mar 2010 at 6:58 pmOh you have the same hair problem as me! Hope this will work for you if you try it.
Mui
17 Mar 2010 at 9:15 pmLove your reviews!
can I ask – between burts bees volume shampoo and the kiehls thickening shampoo which would you still prefer to use or could see yourself using for the long run?
sesame
18 Mar 2010 at 9:10 amPerformance wise, I’ll say Kiehl’s Ultimate Thickening Shampoo. But if I factor price in, I’ll probably go for Burt’s Bees’.
makeupmag
18 Mar 2010 at 2:08 amIt’s great reading reviews of Kiehl’s. I like some of the products from the brand and think they work well.
sesame
18 Mar 2010 at 9:12 amYup, some of the products I’ve tried from Kiehl’s have proven to be effective.
fwy
18 Mar 2010 at 9:06 amBurt’s Bee is definetly cheaper. The main reason why I stopped using Kiehl’s products beacause they are too expensive and not exactly effective.
sesame
18 Mar 2010 at 9:14 amYes, I agree that cost is an issue.
CT
19 Mar 2010 at 10:35 amKiehl’s is way too expensive. I have long hair, the 250ml shampoo is not going to last me long. It is costly being a woman.
sesame
19 Mar 2010 at 11:20 amNot cost effective for long hair! I have short hair and I find it expensive too.
baby
21 Aug 2010 at 10:08 pmwhere can u get the burt’s bee thickening shampoo in Singapore?? is it good and cheaper than khiels…how much? thx!
sesame
22 Aug 2010 at 8:22 amBurt’s Bees has got a volumizing shampoo but not a thickening shampoo that I know off. Try Sephora. I got it around $18.
Alexis Steward
24 Sep 2010 at 10:43 amWhen my friend at work recommended Shielo Volumizing Shampoo and I tried it – I was sold on it. I
Here’s about me: I have used some of the best volumizers in the past. I used stay at home a many of days very upset with my flat, lifeless hair. I would see other girls and they had the most beautiful head of hair. I tried all the mousse, gel, spritz, you name it – I have probably used it.
Not now though, Shielo Volume Shampoo made my hair is so full and shiny. I can just blow dry a litttle and go. All day lasting fullness. I tell all my friends about it, and even went as far as to give it in gift bags for the women in my family for this past christmas. I was put off at the price at first, but a little tiny drop makes your whole hair later – and its last longer than the cheaper bottles i used to buy…way worth it!
Vioke Violet
18 Sep 2012 at 2:34 amI have REALLY sensitive scalp and skin, and instead of this one, I use the Shielo Volume Shampoo. I love it!
It’s difficult to find in local stores in my area so I appreciate being able to order it online.My hair is shiney and my scalp is healthy.
Sesame
19 Sep 2012 at 10:04 pmSounds like an interesting shampoo.
Prachi
10 Apr 2016 at 3:40 ami am using vichy’s anti hair loss shampoo right now but i am not finding it that effective. i have an oily scalp and very fine hair strands. is this shampoo really effective? could you pls pls pls… suggest if i should really go for it?
Sesame
10 Apr 2016 at 3:57 pmOily scalp may need more cleansing cos your scalp could be clogged. Where are you based? Recently tried Oway and find their hair loss treatment and shampoo not bad. See my post here: http://www.vivawoman.net/2016/03/oway-professional-organic-hair-care-singapore-special-promo/