This personalized hair-care startup makes shampoo and conditioner for your specific hair needs and goals - and it actually works

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To create your Prose formulation, start with the hair quiz.

To create your Prose formulation, start with the hair quiz.

Most of the questions revolve around your hair type and hair care habits — nothing too surprising here. You'll also be asked about your diet, stress levels, and physical activity, which are all factors that can affect hair health.

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It even takes into account where you live.

It even takes into account where you live.

Every city experiences different levels of UV, pollution, humidity, and wind. The water you drink out of the tap and that you wash your hair with matters, too.

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For the most part, the answers to these questions will determine what goes into your formulation. One feature you do have control of is the fragrance of your Prose products.

For the most part, the answers to these questions will determine what goes into your formulation. One feature you do have control of is the fragrance of your Prose products.

There are three fragrances to choose from, but you can also go fragrance-free. I got the Signature and loved its fresh, floral scent that lingered on my hair.

  1. Signature (violet leaf, peony, blue iris)
  2. Napoli (lemon, neroli, orange blossom)
  3. Botanical (eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary)

With your hair profile and fragrance choice in hand, Prose makes your products to order in its NYC lab.

With your hair profile and fragrance choice in hand, Prose makes your products to order in its NYC lab.

Prose currently offers three products: a hair mask, shampoo, and conditioner. You don't have to get all three, and you can order more than one bottle of any product when you check out.

The mask lasts up to 10 weeks while the shampoo and conditioner last six to eight weeks. Each product's price will depend on your unique combination of ingredients, but start at $25.

You can also subscribe to automatic shipments (every one, two, or three months) for 20% off your order.

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Prose selects from a collection of over 75 natural ingredients to make your formulation.

Prose selects from a collection of over 75 natural ingredients to make your formulation.

Here's a sampling of a few of those ingredients and what they do:

  • Argan, sacha yushi, and jojoba oils to nourish the hair
  • Pea sprout extract to stimulate growth
  • Oat lipid and sunflower seed extract to protect color

Formulations are always free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, dye, and GMOs. You can also specify if you want it to be vegan, gluten-free, and/or silicone-free.

Given the highly personalized nature of the service, I had high expectations for my Prose shampoo and conditioner, but they actually fell flat the first time around.

Given the highly personalized nature of the service, I had high expectations for my Prose shampoo and conditioner, but they actually fell flat the first time around.

Though the shampoo and conditioner smelled amazing, my hair felt limp every time I used them. I was disappointed, so I took advantage of Prose's 100% satisfaction guarantee policy, which lets you give feedback on your first formulation and offers a reformulation, free of charge.

I'm glad I did, because my new Prose products were a hit. My hair was less oily, it felt stronger and smoother, and it boasted a healthy shine.

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There's a clear difference between the hair-care products from Prose and the generic, catch-all ones I had been using — as there should be, considering Prose uses natural ingredients and personalized insights to treat your hair's specific needs.

There's a clear difference between the hair-care products from Prose and the generic, catch-all ones I had been using — as there should be, considering Prose uses natural ingredients and personalized insights to treat your hair's specific needs.

You can expect to pay at least double what you're probably used to paying for shampoo and conditioner from a drug store. There's certainly a price to pay for personalization, but Prose's high-quality, better-for-your-hair formulations make the higher cost worth it.

Get your personalized hair-care formula at Prose here