If your curls are looking limp, feeling heavy, or just not behaving like they used to, product buildup might be the culprit. That’s exactly what happened to me recently. Between constantly filming hair content and layering on styling products, my hair was crying out for a reset.
After some online research (though I recommend consulting a hair professional rather than self-diagnosing like I did!), I confirmed my suspicions: my low-porosity curls were suffering from serious buildup. I went on the hunt for an affordable clarifying shampoo and discovered the Climaplex Clarifying and Purifying Shampoo. At the same time, I decided to finally try a dedicated curl-defining brush. Because, clearly, ten hairbrushes just isn’t enough. Here’s my completely honest take on both!
Climaplex Clarifying Shampoo: My Curl Reset Solution
What It Costs: Under €20 —a total steal for what it delivers.
How It Feels: I used a generous amount, and it lathered up instantly — always a good sign. I did a double wash just in case. The instructions recommended leaving it on for five minutes—I made it to about two but convinced myself it was five. My first impression was slight panic—it made my hair feel very dry and stripped while rinsing, which honestly startled me.
The Result: I had to trust the process. And you know what? It worked beautifully. Once I applied my regular conditioner and styling products, my hair felt incredibly clean and, surprisingly, soft! It completely confirmed my buildup suspicions and gave my curls the fresh start they desperately needed. My hair felt lighter, bouncier, and ready to actually absorb my products again.
Who It’s For: This is a gem for anyone with low-porosity hair or product-heavy routines that are prone to buildup. I’d recommend using it once a month or whenever your hair feels weighed down, looks dull, or your usual products stop working as well. It’s a fantastic, affordable option that competes with pricier clarifying shampoos.
The Curl-Defining Brush: Worth the Hype?
How It Feels: I used it on soaking wet, freshly detangled hair loaded with leave-in conditioner (I didn’t trust those ball tips not to pull on dry hair!). The first pass had a bit of resistance, but after a couple of strokes, it glided through smoothly and felt quite satisfying to use.
The Result: Oh my goodness, the curls! They were forming into perfect spirals like never before—or at least, not in a very long time. It gave me beautifully defined, individual curl clumps with minimal frizz. The definition lasted through my entire wash day and even into day two. Chef’s kiss!
Who It’s For: Anyone with wavy to curly hair (Types 2B-3C) who can get a brush through their strands will likely love this. It probably won’t do much for straight hair since there’s no natural curl pattern to enhance. For tighter Type 4 coils, I’d love to hear from someone who’s tested it, as I can’t personally speak to how it performs on that texture.
The Final Verdict
The Brush: It absolutely delivers on its promise of defined, gorgeous curls. One small note for my personal taste: once dry, the volume was a bit much for me, as I prefer a sleeker, flatter-root look. This isn’t a flaw of the brush at all—it’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do! I’ll be experimenting with different techniques to see if I can achieve my preferred volume level while keeping that beautiful definition. Brushing downward didn’t change the volume much, so next I’ll try using more (or less) product or applying it differently.
The Shampoo: It was effective, affordable, and did exactly what I needed it to do. I will 100% be incorporating this into my monthly reset routine. My curls bounced back to life, and I finally felt like my products were working properly again.
âś… Pros: Lightweight clarifier, defined curls, salon feel
❌ Cons: Slightly drying if overused, fragrance not for everyone
Have you ever noticed buildup weighing your curls down? What clarifying shampoo works best for you? Drop your recs in the comments — I love discovering new curl-friendly products!
🛍️ Products Mentioned in This Post
To make your life easier, here are direct links to all the products I reviewed today. These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting BloomwithMae!
- [Climaplex Clarifying and Purifying Shampoo] – The affordable clarifying shampoo that reset my curls.
- [Curl-Defining Brush] – The brush that gave me incredible curl definition.
P.S. For all my top curly hair recommendations in one spot, don’t forget to visit my Shop My Favorites page!
Read next: [My Curly Hair Rules for 2025]
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