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Occasional Contributor
Posts: 18
Registered: ‎01-14-2014

I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

I have tried Wen but it does not seem to be working for me. I have long highlighted blonde hair that is quite thick and I have a lot of it. My hair falls to below my bra strap and has long layers cut into the back. I grew my hair out from a severely layered cut with bangs about 1 year ago, but do get it trimmed regularly.

My hair is EXTREMELY dry and is wavy with bad frizz if I let it dry naturally. If I blow out my hair, I can get it straight and smooth, but the finish looks flat and the ends are frizzy and damaged looking. The only way I am able to get it shiny and frizz free is using my Chi volumizing flat iron.

I desperately want my hair to look like the Wen models I see on QVC and I would like to give up the flat iron. My hair looks EXACTLY like their "before" pictures unless I flat iron it. Once I flat iron, it looks beautiful and shiny, but I know I am actually contributing to the damage and flat ironing is a pain!

I bought WEN several months ago when it was a TSV... I truly gave it an honest try, but its just not working for me. I used it for 4 weeks straight, cleansing every 3rd day. I followed the instructions to a TEE. 12 pumps, massaged in for 5 minutes (and I really massage it in thoroughly). Rinsed. Another 12 pumps, massaged in for another 5 minutes, then combed through, then left on for 20 minutes while I finished my shower. Rinsed. Then added the 1 pump of cleanser mixed with the styling cream while my hair was wet. Then styled ONLY with my blow-dryer and a round brush. My result - FRIZZBALL MESS... just like the Wen girl's before pics.

I kept trying to convince myself that I needed to give it more time - Chaz shows results that are after several months of use. But not only was I getting bad results... the results were getting worse with each use. After 4 weeks I just gave up and went back to my Kenra and KMS products combined with the flat iron.

I really DO want to get the results that are shown on TV. Is that actually possible? What am I doing wrong?

Super Contributor
Posts: 419
Registered: ‎12-27-2013

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

Your hair sounds somewhat similar to mine in that I have a lot of wave/curl to my hair, but it just looks like a bad perm/frizzy mess if I use the wrong products or don't style it. Which formula are you using? I think some of them are more drying than others (plus, even if you use the one that appears to be your hair type, it may not be the best choice for you). For example, I don't like SAM at all and WCM felt drying to me. But I have had great luck with Fig, Tea Tree, and 613--none of those are tagged for my hair type (which is fine, wavy, colored, not particularly coarse). I've also used POM and FAS with very good results.

I cleanse every other day. I don't double cleanse--I do a single cleanse with 12-14 pumps (hair below chin). Very occasionally I mix CCs but usually I just use one formula at a time. Massage in with water, leave on while showering, rinse thoroughly. For a leave in, I use a 1/2 pump of TT with TT styling cream. My hair looks fantastic--and it was a mess before, so it can be done. Maybe you have to experiment some with the different formulas and try to use it in a different way?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,153
Registered: ‎05-22-2012

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

On 1/14/2014 gggoodgggirl said:

I have tried Wen but it does not seem to be working for me. I have long highlighted blonde hair that is quite thick and I have a lot of it. My hair falls to below my bra strap and has long layers cut into the back. I grew my hair out from a severely layered cut with bangs about 1 year ago, but do get it trimmed regularly.

My hair is EXTREMELY dry and is wavy with bad frizz if I let it dry naturally. If I blow out my hair, I can get it straight and smooth, but the finish looks flat and the ends are frizzy and damaged looking. The only way I am able to get it shiny and frizz free is using my Chi volumizing flat iron.

I desperately want my hair to look like the Wen models I see on QVC and I would like to give up the flat iron. My hair looks EXACTLY like their "before" pictures unless I flat iron it. Once I flat iron, it looks beautiful and shiny, but I know I am actually contributing to the damage and flat ironing is a pain!

I bought WEN several months ago when it was a TSV... I truly gave it an honest try, but its just not working for me. I used it for 4 weeks straight, cleansing every 3rd day. I followed the instructions to a TEE. 12 pumps, massaged in for 5 minutes (and I really massage it in thoroughly). Rinsed. Another 12 pumps, massaged in for another 5 minutes, then combed through, then left on for 20 minutes while I finished my shower. Rinsed. Then added the 1 pump of cleanser mixed with the styling cream while my hair was wet. Then styled ONLY with my blow-dryer and a round brush. My result - FRIZZBALL MESS... just like the Wen girl's before pics.

I kept trying to convince myself that I needed to give it more time - Chaz shows results that are after several months of use. But not only was I getting bad results... the results were getting worse with each use. After 4 weeks I just gave up and went back to my Kenra and KMS products combined with the flat iron.

I really DO want to get the results that are shown on TV. Is that actually possible? What am I doing wrong?

Remember that every model shown has had professional styling. Unless you have a stylist do your hair every day, no, I don't believe it's really possible to look like those models.

I use WEN and have dry, frizz-prone wavy-curly hair. I don't fight my hair and never wear it straight because I just don't have time to fight my hair. Wavy hair is, unfortunately, the type most prone to frizz. I know Chaz likes to say that hair isn't naturally frizzy, it's our products, but I just don't believe him. He knows more about hair in general, but I know more about my own hair.

I use Fig for moisture, which works better for my dry hair than any of the other formulas. To combat frizz, I use Curl Keeper, by Curly Hair Solutions. You can find it online - I've never found it locally. It's the only product I've ever used (and believe me, I've used so, so many!) that's actually worked on my frizz. On days when I want more hold, I add some gel over that.

I really recommend checking out the website naturallycurly.com and their CurlTalk forums. They have lots of information on hair type, and forums and product reviews that you can search by hair type. If you want to wear your hair straight instead of wavy, they'll have some advice for you there, too. My own advice is that if fighting your hair is frustrating, stop fighting and learn to use the waves you have. Millions of women pay lots of money to get "beachy waves" they don't have. Make the most of your own.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 162
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

I was feeling the same way this morning. My hair is very thin and fine, a little above my shoulders. I've been using WEN for two months. I've tried just about every current formula, alone and in combination. My hair feels soft and I'm having less breakage, but the front of my hair is frizz-city with no curl at all, and it looks horrible (like the Before "Fine" shot on his website, but frizzier).

I was hoping for something close to the model's hair after a month or so, but I don't see any difference. I'm following all Chaz' instructions .. plenty of pumps, using SC as a leave-in, moving my hair dryer, not using curling irons, etc. Hardly any change.

The product is wonderful (love the scents!), but I'm spending a fortune and not seeing much difference in my hair. I've even thought about calling their CS to get another opinion. I don't know what else to do. I want to love this product, but so far I'm just not having the results I'd hoped for.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,124
Registered: ‎07-05-2012

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

I have a few thoughts, but you're going to get a LOT of perhaps confusing and conflicting advice here, and I think your best bet is to call the salon (phone number is on your bottles) and have them help you. They are the experts and can really help you narrow down what is and isn't working in your routine.

1) Amount of product. You said you bought the TSV a few months back so I am assuming you are using a 32oz bottle of the Cleansing Conditioner (CC), so 12 pumps for each of 2 cleanses sounds okay...I use 12-15 each and my hair is similar to yours, but heavily layered, slightly shorter, and not colored. But based on the length/thickness/type of your hair, you might not be using enough. Is your hair feeling really squeaky clean after your first and second cleanses before you add your leave-in back in?

2) Rinsing. You might not be getting the product totally rinsed out since both the product and your hair are very thick. Does it feel good after you wash it, and you just aren't happy with the post-styling results? Or does it not even feel good when it's freshly cleansed?

3) Formula. I have naturally curly, frizz-prone hair too, and the Sweet Almond Mint (SAM) formula is just awful for my hair, it leaves it feeling all weighed-down and heavy but still crazy frizzy. I get varying degrees of frizz from each of the bad formulas for me (almost all of them unfortunately) but my hair is fantastic when I stick to Fig or Cucumber Aloe. So it could be that whichever formula you are using just isn't right for your hair. Even if it's "supposed to be" based on the description.

4) Styling technique. If you aren't used to doing the round brush blowout on yourself, this could be causing your problems if you aren't doing it correctly. I've never tried it myself (like ChynnaBlue, I have embraced my crazy curls for better or worse) but from what I've read it is tricky to get the hang of and doing it wrong can cause frizz and dullness.

So this is coming across like a list of everything you're doing wrong, and that isn't my intent at all. Just pointing out areas that could be contributing to help you try to narrow down what might be working and what's not working for you right now.

Super Contributor
Posts: 636
Registered: ‎06-09-2012

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

Questions I have for you:

1. How much styling creme are you using? If it's only one pump, you may need more. You may need more for your leave in being your hair is long.

2. What type of hair do you have (I know you said wavy but I think we need a bit more info)? Curly, straight, thick, thin, color treated, any sort of ethnic background (African-American/Asian)?

3. Which formula of Wen are you using? You may be using the wrong one for your hair type.

4. Have you tried calling/email Chaz's customer service on the bottle? They are super helpful too!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,153
Registered: ‎05-22-2012

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

Oh, one more thing if frizz is your main problem - check out the other things in your routine. If you had frizz before WEN, you may need to change things you used before WEN, not the WEN.

Using a terrycloth towel to towel dry hair is a huge contributor to frizz. You can try a microfiber towel, but even those gave me frizz, some worse than terrycloth. Loops on the fabric pull at hair and raise the cuticle. Instead of a towel, try using an old cotton t-shirt to blot your hair dry. I put my products in my soaking wet hair and then blot and squeeze with an old t-shirt. It's done wonders for my frizz. I'll never go back to a towel for my hair.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,148
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

I have fine, thin, wavy, frizzy hair. I have tried pretty much every formula over the past few years. None have given me WEN hair. I have given them more than a fair share and just finished a bottle of TT. No results. My hair is so darn dry and frizzy it's ridiculous. Like you, I have to use the flat iron otherwise my hair looks worse than the before photos of models. The oil somewhat helps if I use it as a leave-in, but not enough. Even when I air dry my hair it's just a mess.

I'd love to be able to say I'm a WEN girl but I'm not, I just do not get the desired results.{#emotions_dlg.sad} I think part of the reason for me is the soy and wheat. Bad news for my hair.

Frequent Contributor
Posts: 144
Registered: ‎11-27-2012

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

In your case, you may consider calling Chaz Dean's salon to ask for assistance. They can probably talk you through it. I firmly believe that if you get undesirable results, you have done something wrong.For example, I gave my neighbor the SAM and POM set for Christmas. She told me the other day that she hated the stuff...that it made her head a "grease ball." I asked her if she rinsed it really well for like 2 minutes. She told me she didnt have time for that. If applied like a regular shampoo, it WONT work. I'm not saying you did this, at all, but just illustrating the use:results comparison.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,136
Registered: ‎11-02-2010

Re: I tried Wen but am not getting expected results

Ah never mind, it's not worth it

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