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Reading Time: 6 minutesI had very similar hair to “Boy Meets World” character Topanga Lawrence (played by actress Danielle Fishel) growing up –at least I would have if I didn’t use the cheapest hair care products available and brush out the curls of my naturally wavy hair until it resembled a frizzy poof ball.
While we all have come a long way since ’90s hair care, the star who made Topanga a household name has remained a hair idol decades after her famous girl-next-door role. Still a fan and wanting to emulate the real-life healthy hair and bouncy waves of the actress, I was excited to try her new natural haircare line Be Free.
About Be Free: Danielle Fishel’s Vegan, Earth-Friendly Hair Line
Fishel started Be Free after her first pregnancy, realizing the impact hair and body products can have on your health and your baby. She launched her all-natural hairline at the end of 2019 to be 100% vegan, cruelty-free and color-safe. Additionally, the products have no toxins, no parabens, no sulfates and no other unneeded ingredients.
How Much Does Be Free Cost?
Product prices start at $19 for both the eight-ounce shampoo and conditioner. While that may be pricey, the company offers a few options to get the cost down some. The site offers a 10% discount on subscription purchases, as well as a small discount for shopping bundles. For example, shopping the Be Free Total Package Combo separately would cost $68 compared to the bundle’s cost of $60 — an $8 savings! Additionally, it is more cost-efficient to buy the larger products. The 16-ounce shampoo and conditioner cost $4 less than buying two eight-ounce bottles.
Don’t love your new purchase? You have 30 days to request a full refund if you don’t love how the products feel on your hair.
Slick Tip: Sign up for the Be Free newsletter for additional coupons and promo codes including 10% off your first order.
Why I Made the Switch to Be Free
Credit: Be Free by Danielle Fishel
At the end of 2020, I switched my hair-care routine from over a year of use of Monat to SheaMoisture Curl and Shine line. With both products, my hair was just OK, but nothing to boast about. I noticed more scalp dryness and scabs with my SheaMoisture products, despite it being a natural product. So I thought: Why not try out the new products from my hair idol?
I ordered the Be Free Shower Basics for $58, but after shipping and tax, the cost was closer to $75. While spending $75 on hair-care products is painful, I decided to give it a try because I wasn’t thrilled with the other natural products I had been using. I wanted a product that was natural but that would also give me good results and protect my colored hair.
My first wash was simple. There wasn’t a noticeable scent; it just smelled like natural products. While some might miss the overly scented hair products, this is a benefit for those who are sensitive to scents. When dry, my hair smelled clean but not perfumed.
The Verdict: The Pros Make Up for the High Price Tag
Credit: Be Free by Danielle Fishel
Fishel told People, “I didn’t really want to go out and create a haircare line…I really, truthfully wanted to be lazy about it.” That sums up exactly how I feel about hair care. I want something natural to make my high-maintenance thick, wavy hair look good, but I don’t want to waste time with all of those steps and products. And that’s exactly what Be Free products offer.
Pro: Fewer Washes Needed and Goodbye Dry Shampoo
Unlike using Monat, I feel like I can be lazy about my hair-care routine and enjoy well-behaved locks. Normally I wash my hair twice a week, but even with all-natural shampoos, I was feeling greasy and gross on day three or four. One of the big differences I notice with using Be Free is that I am not reaching for my dry shampoo or baseball cap after three days.
Pro: Product Goes a Long Way
After using Be Free shampoo and conditioner about every five days, there is barely a dent in the bottle. I have used about one-eighth of the eight-ounce bottle, and I have a lot of hair. So even though I wasn’t initially impressed with the price, I can see that the eight-ounce bottle will last me another five months at least. Typically, a $35, eight-ounce bottle of Monat shampoo would last me four months because it required washing my hair twice for optimal results.
Pro: Cheaper Than Monat
Since the product lasts longer and I can get away with fewer washes and fewer additional products, the cost of Be Free ends up being cheaper than what I was paying for Monat. Plus, I didn’t need a membership to shop Be Free to access VIP member prices. Not only was I spending about $34 for the chemical-free Monat dry shampoo every three months), but I also didn’t love the extra chemicals I was spraying on my head.
Pro: Simple Washing Process
Using Monat, there were several steps to washing your hair the “right way,” as my distributor told me. I had to shampoo twice with a few minutes in between each time. Then, after using conditioner, I was advised to add more products to my wet hair after my shower for optimal results. Be Free shampoo and conditioner only needs to be used once without any fancy steps afterward. I was pleasantly surprised that the shampoo lathered as well as it did, too. Sometimes natural shampoos do not have a lot of lathering power.
Pro: Less Itchiness
Another big difference I have noticed after switching shampoos is that my scalp is not as itchy, and I no longer have scabs on my scalp. Itchiness and scalp scabs were a constant problem throughout my life; it didn’t matter if I used natural shampoo or one full of chemicals. I just ordered the Be Free Scalp Refresh, which detoxes the scalp, since I have seen so much scalp improvement with just a month’s use of the shampoo and conditioner.
Con: Detangler Not for Everyday Use
I absolutely love the detangler. It quickly detangles knots out of my hair, as well as my three daughters’ hair. The smell reminds me of the beach and lavender without being overpowering. However, since the detangler doubles as a leave-in-conditioner, I have discovered I cannot use it every day without my hair feeling gunky.
Final Takeaway: I’ll Be a Returning Customer
Credit: Be Free by Danielle Fishel
I will definitely be buying Be Free hair products again and am excited to try more products like the Scalp Refresh. While I haven’t ordered the Be Happy Hair Mask yet, I plan to as the product promises to give hair less frizz and extra shine. The sticker price of my original order of the Be Free Shower Basics was a little shocking at first, but if the products really do last six months or more, then the cost doesn’t feel as extreme. When I was using Monat, I was regularly spending about $200 every six months, so I am saving over $100 with Be Free’s line, especially since I don’t have to use as many products. While I am paying more for Be Free than SheaMoisture, I think SheaMoisture’s products with gluten might have been the culprit to my increased scalp issues. Paying a bit more for completely natural, gluten-free and vegan products that make my hair and scalp healthier and look better is so worth it to me.
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Ashley Eneriz
I am a lifestyle and personal finance writer based in SoCal and have been a freelance writer since way before working remotely was the new norm. Being a wife and a mom to three young awesome kids, I have made it a regular habit to check out Slickdeals (even before joining the SD content team) to help fill up my pantry and gift closet for 50-70% off retail prices. As a family of five, we go through snacks, gifts, and toilet paper at an alarming rate, so I love a good deal and am also not afraid to dig through a thrift store to score incredible finds. When not writing about amazing deals to help people save and cool things on sale, I am taking care of my three girls, homeschooling, or stuck with my nose in a book. Sometimes, at the same time.