John Masters • Zinc & Sage Shampoo with Conditioner • Shampoo

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*TOP REVIEWER* Nosage on 3/28/2013 2:38:00 PM more reviews by Nosage

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This provides about 80% relief from itchy and irritated scalp for me. I only use it during an itchy episode as I prefer more luxurious products when my scalp is behaving itself. Luxurious price though for quite a small bottle. I do not use a conditioner on top, although I think you should do if your hair is dry. I am not convinced it is a 2 in 1 but when I am treating my scalp I don't think about how my hair looks or feels, just want itch relief! It is a strange shampoo. Feels, looks and smells like liquid caramel which seems an odd choice of aroma for a medical shampoo. However, smell does not hang around so not a problem. Not a pleasure to use really but serves a purpose.

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miele2007 on 3/8/2013 9:17:00 AM more reviews by miele2007

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

So weird that in a sea of natural smelling products from the John Masters line, this shampoo/conditioner smells identical to a Caramel Macchiato. Combined with the dark, syrupy color, it really feels decadent. I personally love the softness I get from this shampoo. For those of us who wash their hair daily (if not twice,) having built in conditioning properties really cuts back on the dry and stripped feeling. I still use condition on the ends, but, I could imagine those with short styles being able to get away with just this one product.

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deuxbisous on 9/18/2012 8:13:00 AM more reviews by deuxbisous

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I've tried several of the JM shampoos and wasn't all that impressed with the others, not that there was anything wrong with them (the Primrose one and Lavender) but this is my favourite and the only one I've repurchased (twice now). I bought it because I'd been using some cheapie stuff and my scalp became very irritated and itchy, and after doing a lot of research I thought I'd give this one a try. It was nearly instant relief, certainly after using it for a week I forgot my scalp existed. I use a light conditioner after it and don't view it as a 2-in-1 product but rather a conditioning formula. As with all natural-type shampoos my advice is use a pea-sized amount first, work through hair (don't worry about trying to lather as it won't) and rinse, and then use the same again and you'll get proper lather the second time (this is for long hair, maybe you need less with short). The smell is very sweet like caramel, which I'm not crazy about, but it doesn't linger.

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*TOP REVIEWER* knightranch on 7/30/2012 9:53:00 AM more reviews by knightranch

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This is my go to shampoo now. I have oily skin and hair and I have my hair colored red every 4 weeks so I need something to control oiliness and that is gentle on color. This shampoo fits the bill perfectly. It leaves my hair clean, soft and shiny and it doesn't seem to get oily as quickly as usual. I pair this with the citrus and neroli conditioner as my hair is very fine and long and it work's great, sulfate free, too! I like the earthy sage scent. I'll continue to repurchase as I've found my HG.

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Veropie on 2/20/2012 1:53:00 AM more reviews by Veropie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This was definitely a huge disappointment. It smelled amazing, like candy, but did nothing for my scalp dryness and flaking. In addition this caused an allergic reaction and breakouts anywhere it came in contact with my face/hairline, and believe me I tried sooo hard several times to keep it away from there. I would rather use something else that is equally useless against my scalp issues but doesn't compound them by breaking me out. I have heard others talk about it being drying but I really wouldn't know about that because I always use a separate conditioner no matter what, with my hair type there isn't a 2-in-1 in the world that could provide enough moisture. This definitely isn't for everyone and considering its lack of performance it is incredibly expensive/overpriced.

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dolledup21 on 12/12/2011 3:58:00 PM more reviews by dolledup21

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

it's all natural and i really like it!

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iguana2002 on 10/5/2011 6:26:00 PM more reviews by iguana2002

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Bought this product based on the list of natural ingredients it listed, I have oily scalp/breakouts (read zinc helps with this...) and wanted to try something geared for treating the scalp. First day: Shampooed around 8am and by 5pm my hair looked greasy and stringy from the grease. Huge disappointment. I never had problems with my hair looking so greasy while using organic shampoos. Price is pretty steep for a lackluster performance.

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hairgal on 3/25/2011 11:45:00 AM more reviews by hairgal

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This is a fantastic product. It literally transformed my hair from being dull, dry and color ravaged to being smooth, silky and shiny. My friends have commented on how healthy it looks now. I must add that you might need to use additional conditioner on the ends after shampooing because it isn't enough for long hair. It smells devine. Quite expensive though!!!

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golightly on 2/23/2011 9:14:00 AM more reviews by golightly

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have an oily scalp, fine hair, and am prone to extreme dryness. This shampoo, which doesn't have much lather, really cleaned up the dry, slightly damaged feeling mess (in spite of the fact that I don't color or heat treat my hair) that Giovanni Smooth as Silk and Aveda Shampure/Rosemary-Mint shampoos left behind. It's not the most fun beauty treatment -- the scent is pleasant and not sickeningly sweet, like some of the John Masters products -- but best of all, it left my scalp clean, without overly dry ends. It took two squeezes to feel like all of my mid length hair was done, so I'm a bit worried about how long the bottle will last, but it's worth it for a sulfate-free shampoo with great results.

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tjolahei on 1/25/2011 1:15:00 PM more reviews by tjolahei

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

This really didn't work for me at all! I have thick, wavy, coarse hair and my scalp is a little sensitive. This shampoo made my hair heavy and it felt even more greasy when I'd just washed my hair. The only positive for me was that my scalp didn't itch. Since I'd already bought it I decided to try it on my 3 year old and it's perfect for her fine, long hair. It cleanse and conditions her hair perfectly, so I think this shampoo is better for fine, thin hair than mine.

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alesija on 12/11/2010 11:13:00 AM more reviews by alesija

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight   Eyes: Blue    

This shampoo has a strong caramel scent (and it looks like caramel too, which i find adorable). I have oily scalp and i can feel this shampoo cleanses my hair really well. Love it. Definetly not suitable for dry hair. I have to use a very rich conditioner after.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Lola_B_10021 on 11/29/2010 10:03:00 PM more reviews by Lola_B_10021

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Other    

My scalp trends dryish and without a lot of inner/external hydration my hair becomes stiff and crisp. I wanted a green-ish scalp-balancing cleanser and conditioner. The ingredients seem nice and I adore the cake batter/caramel smell and the immediate result is soft and smooth hair and spic-and-span scalp....but once my hair dries it's back to the same parched ends and scalp. No conditioning or moisturizing effects for me. My DH who has glossy-slippery-lush straight hair and a BALANCED scalp really likes it.


This adverts as a balancing-clarifying-protein-moisturizer (a lot I know). It cleans w/no noticeable build up but $20 and no lasting effect is too much for me. I bought an 8oz/236ml bottle at WF. I've spent more for less but due to performance would not buy again. However, the slim bottle design, color and press lid are sturdy, chic, travel-ready and unisex.


EDIT 1/12/12 I added Lily of the Valley Inner Filet Aloe Gel and lowered the pH to 5.5 and what a superb difference! Less stripping, more conditioning and longer lasting effects. More acidity made the difference. I may buy again.

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Aryia on 11/12/2010 8:45:00 AM more reviews by Aryia

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I was looking for SLS-free hair products, hoping that my scalp would stop itching, and decided to try this shampo, and I love it! Have been using this for a year now, and in combination with a detangler from the same brand, my scalp feels so much better and my hair feels and looks so much better :D It's a bit expensive, but it's so worth it!

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supeng on 10/18/2010 1:42:00 AM more reviews by supeng

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I'm so glad I didn't get affected by the rating here on purchasing this bottle of shampoo. I read somewhere that this particular one is more for the oilier scalps thus it got me interested. I have to say the price is EXTREMELY steep for a student like me. Fancy paying a $40SGD shampoo and it sucks? Fortunately, this shampoo did it for me. I think i may just stick to this for the rest of my life.

I'm currently on the 4th day of using this and while trying to get this lather up beautifully, its impossible.But it does give a little lather, which is better than nothing. I pour about 1 'thumbdrive' size(i hope you get this), for my scalp and 1 more 'thumbdrive' for the hair ends. I'm not sure if I'm using too much but it does not feel like it.Maybe I will try to use lesser when the detoxing process is over in about 2 months?

I hated the smell when i smelled it in the shop, so caramel-ish.(I dislike caramel a lot.) But when I use it in the shower, it smelled like coconut and surprisingly, i like the smell. After i shampooed, the coconut smell was in my hair till the next day and my OILY SCALP (which happens everytime in the next morning) did not appear. I'm so happy!!

I know how everyone says this shampoo dries out your hair but google, hair detoxing and you will know that if you changed from a sulphate shampoo to a sulphate-free AND organic shampoo, there's bound to detoxing(coats of all the synthetic chemicals on your hair/scalp washing off each time you use the organic shampoo). Your real hair condition will be revealed after 2 months of using the new healthy shampoo. :D This shampoo feels the most drying when I'm trying to rinse it out of my hair but after I rinsed and towel-dried it, it did not turn my hair to straw -like.

PREVIOUS HAIR CONDITION: I don't colour my hair(not even once), only rebonded once(no other chemical treatments before), oily scalp and dry hair ends. Hair looks frizzy after 1 hour of shampooing.

Will update after 2 months of using it! ^^v

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*TOP REVIEWER* simi531 on 9/13/2010 1:33:00 PM more reviews by simi531

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Even though I love John Masters products, I must say that this one did not feel like it had any type of conditioner in the shampoo. I bought it b/c my hair is dry and damaged and thought that this would help with moisture. Nope..very drying. I think that this would work for people who have oiler hair and don't want to use a separate conditioner. I put that I would buy again b/c maybe in the winter, when my hair gets a little flatter, i may need the volume. Also, because in a year i will just HAVE to try it again knowing me and how i love hair products!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kayelle on 8/12/2010 5:51:00 PM more reviews by Kayelle

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This shampoo+conditioner accomplished something interesting: it both dried out my hair and left it greasy and flat. Furthermore, the scent isn't great, and the lack of lather meant I went through the bottle very quickly. I had heard good things about John Masters' line, but everything I tried fell short of expectations.

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cjofphilly on 8/8/2010 8:18:00 PM more reviews by cjofphilly

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I have to agree with the other reviewers that this stuff DRIES out your hair like you wouldn't believe. I didn't want to throw it away, so I just use it on my cat when she needs a bath; at least it smells nice. That's about the only thing it's got going for it. :)

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isingonrooftops on 8/2/2010 12:51:00 AM more reviews by isingonrooftops

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

First of all, I commend John Masters Organics for formulating the most natural ingredients that I have ever seen in a shampoo-it doesn't even contain phenoxethanol. Secondly, I love how glossy it makes my hair looks; the texture of the shampoo/conditioner itself almost makes it seem like a hair gloss. I also quite like the caramel-ish smell, although not everyone will be as fond of it. The best part about this this product is that it significantly reduces my dandruff. I wish that it completely eliminated the oiliness in my hair, but hey, you can't have everything; it reduced much of the greasiness at least. All in all, a wonderful product, almost perfect, but not quite there.

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MizMestiza on 6/14/2010 3:43:00 PM more reviews by MizMestiza

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this product because I thought it would be cruelty free. However, my scalp itches so bad, I've got white little flakes from itching. Moreover, I just realized that I've had little pimple like rashes on my forehead (thought they were pimples) but it is actually an allergic reaction to the product. I do not recommend this product to anyone especially one with sensitive skin.

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eyedea on 1/29/2010 7:29:00 PM more reviews by eyedea

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is supposed to be a shampoo that soothes an irritated scalp. I did not notice any big difference on my dry and itchy scalp, and I´ve used this shampoo for several months now. It does not make it worse, but I guess I was expecting too much from this shampoo. My scalp still itches and flakes.
Plus, I don´t like the fact that the shampoo contains conditioner. It makes the hair kind of heavy, and I don´t think that this is a necessary side of the product.

Plus for not being tested on animals, nice and practical packaging and good ingredients.

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