Best Prose Hair Care Reviews

Finding hair care that actually works for your specific needs feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most products follow a one-size-fits-all formula that leaves many people disappointed.

Prose has entered the market with a different promise: fully customized hair care based on your unique hair profile, lifestyle, and goals. As more consumers move away from generic drugstore options toward personalized solutions, the question becomes whether custom formulation truly delivers better results—or if it’s just clever marketing with a higher price tag.

What Makes Custom Hair Care Different

Custom hair care operates on a simple principle: your hair’s needs are unique, so your products should be too.

Prose uses an online consultation that analyzes over 85 factors including hair type, scalp condition, styling habits, water hardness in your area, and even diet. Based on your responses, they formulate products with specific active ingredients matched to your concerns.

Unlike standard products that aim to work for everyone (and often work perfectly for no one), custom formulations target your exact issues—whether that’s frizz control, scalp sensitivity, color protection, or damage repair.

The long-term benefit isn’t just about addressing current problems. It’s about preventing future damage by avoiding ingredients your hair doesn’t need while maximizing those it does.

Key Benefits of Personalized Hair Care

• Targeted ingredient selection eliminates fillers and focuses only on what benefits your specific hair type
• Adaptable formulas that can be adjusted as your hair needs change with seasons, treatments, or lifestyle
• Reduced trial-and-error waste from buying multiple products that don’t work
• Scalp-specific care that addresses underlying health, not just cosmetic appearance
• Fragrance customization lets you avoid irritants or choose scents you actually enjoy

Best Prose Products Based on Hair Concerns

Prose Custom Shampoo

Best for: All hair types seeking a foundation product matched to specific needs

Prose’s custom shampoo serves as the cornerstone of their system. After completing the consultation, the formula includes cleansing agents appropriate for your scalp’s oil production, targeted actives for your primary concern (damage, dryness, thinning), and protective ingredients based on your styling routine.

Pros:

• Truly personalized ingredient list printed on your bottle
• Sulfate-free options available for sensitive scalps
• Adjustable formulas if your needs change

Cons:

• Higher cost than drugstore alternatives ($28-38)
• Requires waiting for delivery; not instantly available
• Initial consultation takes 10-15 minutes

If you’re tired of cabinets full of half-used shampoos that never quite worked, starting with a formula designed specifically for your hair could finally break that cycle.

Prose Custom Conditioner

Best for: Managing specific texture concerns like frizz, flatness, or tangles

The custom conditioner complements your shampoo with targeted conditioning agents. Light formulas for fine hair prevent weighing down, while rich formulas for coarse or curly hair provide intensive moisture without greasiness.

Pros:

• Balanced for your exact porosity level
• Can request fragrance-free for sensitive individuals
• Includes heat protectants if you regularly style with tools

Cons:

• May require formula adjustment after first bottle
• Premium pricing compared to standard conditioners
• Not available for immediate purchase in stores

For those whose hair always feels either too dry or too weighed down with regular conditioners, having moisture levels calibrated to your needs makes a noticeable difference.

Prose Hair Oil

Best for: Dry ends, heat styling protection, or adding shine without greasiness

This lightweight oil blend adapts based on whether you need moisture, frizz control, or shine enhancement. The formula includes botanical oils selected for your hair’s absorption capacity.

Pros:

• Versatile use (pre-wash treatment, styling product, or finishing touch)
• Won’t leave fine hair greasy if formulated correctly
• Pleasant, customizable scent options

Cons:

• Smaller bottle size relative to cost
• Easy to over-apply initially until you find your amount
• Takes experimentation to determine best usage method for your hair

A few drops on damp ends can replace multiple products if your formula is properly matched to your hair’s density and texture.

Prose Hair Mask

Best for: Weekly intensive treatment for damaged, color-treated, or stressed hair

The custom mask provides deeper conditioning than daily products. Formulas range from protein-rich for strengthening to moisture-intensive for severely dry hair.

Pros:

• Noticeable improvement after single use for many users
• Can be customized for different concerns than your shampoo
• Works well for both natural and chemically treated hair

Cons:

• Most expensive per-ounce item in the line
• Weekly use means one jar lasts 2-3 months
• Requires 10-15 minute processing time

If your hair feels chronically damaged or lacks softness despite regular conditioning, a targeted weekly treatment often addresses what daily products miss.

Simple Custom Hair Care Routine

Step 1: Complete the online consultation honestly—accuracy ensures better formulation.

Step 2: Start with shampoo and conditioner as your base products. Use as directed for at least 3-4 weeks before evaluating results (hair takes time to adjust).

Step 3: Add the hair oil if you have dryness, frizz, or use heat styling regularly. Apply to damp hair, focusing on mid-lengths to ends.

Step 4: Incorporate the mask once weekly, replacing your regular conditioner. Apply to clean, damp hair and leave on for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Request formula adjustments through your account if you notice issues after finishing your first bottles. Many people need small tweaks initially.

Choosing the Right Approach for Your Hair

For fine, oily hair: Focus on lightweight formulas. Request volumizing actives and minimal oils. Your shampoo matters more than heavy conditioners.

For thick, dry hair: Prioritize intensive moisture. Your conditioner and mask are crucial. Don’t skip the hair oil for ends.

For color-treated hair: Emphasize protective ingredients and color-safe formulas. Request UV protection if you’re outdoors frequently.

For sensitive scalps: Choose fragrance-free options and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Avoid sulfates and common irritants.

For thinning hair: Request strengthening proteins and scalp-stimulating actives. Focus on scalp health as much as hair strands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is custom hair care worth the higher cost?

It depends on your frustration level with standard products. If you’ve spent years trying different brands without success, the targeted approach often reduces waste and delivers better results. For those satisfied with drugstore options, the premium may not feel justified.

How long before seeing results?

Most users notice improved texture within 2-3 weeks. Significant changes to damage, thickness, or scalp issues typically take 6-8 weeks of consistent use.

Can I adjust my formula?

Yes. Prose allows formula modifications through your account. Many customers request tweaks after their first order based on initial results.

Are the ingredients clean and safe?

Prose formulas avoid parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils. However, “clean” means different things to different people. Review your specific ingredient list if you have sensitivities.

What if I don’t like my formula?

They offer a satisfaction guarantee. Contact customer service if your first order doesn’t work—they’ll typically reformulate or refund.

Final Thoughts

Custom hair care represents a shift toward treating hair as individually as we treat skin care. Prose’s approach makes sense for people tired of guessing which products might work.

That said, no product is magic. Results require consistent use, realistic expectations, and sometimes formula adjustments. Your hair’s condition took time to develop; improvement takes time too.

If you’re ready to move past generic solutions and invest in a targeted approach, custom formulation could finally give you the results standard products haven’t delivered. Just remember: even perfect products need 6-8 weeks to show their full potential.

Individual results vary based on hair condition, genetics, and consistency of use. Consult a dermatologist for severe scalp concerns.