I recently had the opportunity to sample Pantene’s Pro-Vitamin formulas. Pantene has been around for many years and I had, long ago, dismissed it as an out-of –date hair care company. With this new line, released in September of 2000, they have proven to me to be in step with our hair care needs. I was pleasantly surprised with the effectiveness of the products.

There are five collections of customized shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, styling aids and finishing sprays. Each collection is identified by its own color-coded logo and icon for easy identification. Each product in a line is designed to work together with the others to layer the beneficial ingredients to achieve the effect you want. While I am one who often will pick and choose different products from different lines, I followed the prescribed procedure and found it effective.

I experimented with two of the new collections, Pantene Pro-V Curls Collection and the Pantene Pro-V Smoothing Collection.

The Curls Collection is designed to control frizz and encourage bouncy, defined curls. It did the trick and left my curls soft and moisturized. I think this collection would be excellent for those with some natural curl that they want to encourage. The Curl Defining Scrunching Gel is just the thing to encourage your curls while keeping them defined and soft. My favorite item in this collection is the Pro-Vitamin Curl Reviving Treatment Spray. With wear and tear through the day or with sleeping, curly hair can take on a frizzy appearance. Using this spray dampens the hair and revives the curl, adding more moisturizing ingredients to tame frizz.

I prefer to wear my curly hair smooth so I was anxious to see if The Pro-V Smoothing Collection would live up to its claim of smoothing, straightening and defrizzing while keeping my hair sleek and shiny.
Each product contains moisturizers and smoothing agents that made the brush slide easily through my hair while controlling frizz and static electricity. As styling aids I used the Get It Straight Gel and the Get It Straight Smoothing Crème as well the Stay Smooth Settique Spray. I was a little hesitant because I have often experienced a heavy or sticky feeling when using too many products. The result of layering these products was that my hair smoothed out easily and held the style all day. It was soft, shiny and clean feeling even the next day when I decided not to opt for the daily shampoo, but just restyled it slightly and went on my way.

Other collections in the Pro-V line are the Volumizing Collection, the Basic Care Collection and the Color Care Collection. Are you uncertain as to which collection would be best for your hair? Go to the Pantene website and get Pro-filed. After answering a few fun multiple choice questions they provide you with a recommended selection and will even send you samples if you like!