Biologique Recherche Scalp Detox Review: What Beauty Editors Think

Just like a garden cannot flourish without healthy soil, the same goes for your hair and scalp. Sure, those tomato plants you impulse bought during the summer may be wilting and drooping, but with a proper scalp care routine, your hair will maintain healthy growth (not to mention shine, thickness, bounce, etc.). That’s why I’m so hesitant to admit that my scalp doesn’t get the love it deserves, aside from the occasional rinse with clarifying shampoo in the shower. So when beloved beauty brand Biologique Recherche invited me to the Paul Labrecque Salon and Skin Care Spa in New York for a “scalp experience” and styling session, my dry, dull hair and occasionally itchy scalp demanded a visit. look.

The French girl-favorite brand is known for its skincare essentials, including its infamous P50 Lotion, an exfoliating toner that celebrities claim gives them an otherworldly glow. The brand also offers a scalp-specific P50 formula, Lotion Capillaire P50, and an entire hair care line dedicated to hair and scalp health. I’d also heard rumors that the signature hair treatment included a ten-minute head massage, which was enough to get me rushing to midtown Manhattan for my appointment.

Hannah Baxter gets a hair massage — I felt blissful during the massage and subsequent rinse.

I started my treatment by talking to senior stylist Frederic Moine about the condition of my rib-grazing hair. Considering I’m months overdue for a haircut and deeply commit to blonde highlights every three months (which can seriously dry out your hair), my hair was definitely in need of a little love. Plus, as the seasons change and my skin and scalp become more prone to inflammation, he reiterated that the five-step scalp detox regimen will work wonders for soothing and rejuvenating. So off we went to the washbasin for a quick rinse before returning to the chair to apply Capillaire P50 lotion.

Using a slender syringe, Moin painstakingly applied the lotion, which contains exfoliating apple cider vinegar, horseradish, lemon, sage, myrrh and burdock extracts, witch hazel, and purifying poly, along the roots of my hair. – α-β hydroxy complex. To my surprise and delight, it doesn’t have the crappy juice scent of its skincare cousins (although I can’t smell my own scalp exactly enough to double check). He then encouraged me to do a ten-minute head massage to fully saturate my scalp. He pressed hard, gently rubbed and pressed my head, and I…did nothing but enjoy it; my eyelids remained closed. (What a treat!) We then went back to the bowl to rinse and check for all the scalp buildup that had been flushed down the drain. (How humbling!)

Back in the chair again, Moine applied a thick layer of Masque Dermo-Apaisant to my roots, which is not a typical area for hair masks. He said this would help moisturize my scalp and relieve any lingering irritation. Considering I had been wearing a beanie all day leading up to this appointment, my head was actually pretty itchy. To allow my scalp to further absorb the calming ingredients, the stylist combed my hair into a bun, put on a shower cap, and led me to an old-fashioned hair dryer hood for another ten minutes.

It’s finally time to wash your hair. He used Shampooing Traitant VIP O2, which contains silk extract, antioxidants, and revitalizing properties for the hair and scalp. It also creates a delicious, creamy lather without stripping your hair or skin. Then, instead of using a traditional conditioner, Moine applied Crème de Soin to my hair to strengthen, smooth and seal the ends. After a few more minutes, we rinsed with cold water (he reminded me not to shower with too hot water, which can open up your hair cuticles and make it prone to frizz), and then we returned to the chairs for the last time to style.

Hannah Baxter blows under the hairdryer

Honestly the two best looking ones for me.

(Image credit: Hannah Baxter)

To style, Moine sprayed my hair from root to tip with Kéractive Lotion, a nourishing leave-in treatment with heat-protective properties. He then blowdried my curls straight (since I’d never tried blow-drying myself), leaving a bit of unkempt curls at the ends. When he finished – a good two hours later – I couldn’t stop running my hands through my silky hair. My scalp feels cleaner than it has in months, with zero dryness or irritation, and my blonde hair looks incredibly shiny, even though I haven’t touched up my makeup in months. The bounce and body were also so delightfully weightless; my hair was beautifully windblown before I even left the building.

Costing $150 for an entire detox treatment is definitely a splurge, but not by far the most expensive two hours you can spend on your hair, especially in New York City. I also think the best time for me to go to the salon is when the seasons change and my scalp is particularly sensitive. So if you’re looking to unleash your inner French girl and give your scalp and hair a stylish blowout and intensive detox, this Biologique Recherche might be the perfect choice for you.