Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver - Product Review

Product Review: Davines Alchemic Shampoo Silver

Italian hair care dynamos Davines make the silver conditioner that topped our list of Best Gray Hair Conditioners back in 2013. So what took us so long to try their fantastic Alchemic Silver Shampoo? We don't know, but we're kicking ourselves.

The bottle looks like something you'd find in a science laboratory, which reflects how Davines started out as a cosmetic research company before becoming a beauty product powerhouse. It truly seems like Davines has selected each ingredient to scientifically target the problems found with maintaining gorgeous gray hair. 

It contains light purple pigments to color-brighten white and blonde hair while canceling yellow and brassy tones without an activator. This shampoo doesn't really later, because lather is mainly a result of detergents that dry out your hair. Instead it contains gentle and mild surfacants to gently clean your hair without excessive drying. They've added hydrolysed milk proteins to condition and protect, along with provitamin B5 for deep moisturization. The pleasant scent would best be described as "woodsy", which may be an attempt to appeal as a unisex product.

 We highly recommend this shampoo as it does perform well. It's not the strongest purple shampoo we've ever tried, but we kind of like that you can use it more often.  The Davines Alchemic Silver Conditioner is still our ultimate gray hair must-have product of all time, but stay tuned to see if their Alchemic Shampoo makes it onto our updated list of Best Gray Hair Shampoos when we release it in the new year!

Do Gray Hair Pills Work?

You've seen the ads and it got you wondering... could a little pill get rid of my gray hair? Spoiler alert: NO!

These anti-gray pills claim to prevent and reverse grey hair using an enzyme called catalase, all based on the fact that a 2009 study reported that gray hair has lower-than-normal levels of catalase. However, the study said absolutely nothing about whether taking catalase supplements actually stops hair from turning grey. And the companies marketing these pills have offered absolutely ZERO proof that they work. None! In fact, the three leading manufacturers have been sued for millions by the FTC for false advertising and have been ordered to stop claiming they get rid of gray hair. Yet do you think that has actually stopped them? 

Lacking any actual scientific evidence to back up their claims, the companies marketing these pills use the only evidence ever offered by snake-oil salesman: the "testimonial". Testimonials are subjective, highly selective, and prove nothing other than that someone who was paid to say a product worked said: "It worked! (Now where's my check?)". 

Have a look at the Amazon reviews for one of these products, the positive reviews are all from people who were either paid or given free samples to write a review. And even those mostly say "they haven't started working yet, but I'm hopeful!" 

If you really want to get rid of your gray hair, the only way is to dye it. Period. Sorry. 

But may we suggest just going gray gracefully instead? 

Dare we say, loving your gray? 

If you want some tips on how to transition into a gorgeous silver fox have a look at our post: How To Let Your Hair Go Gray The Right Way.

THE Shower Head for Gray Hair

Gorgeous gray hair starts and ends in the shower. Not just with the shampoo and conditioner you choose, but the very water you wash it in. Hard water makes gray hair dingy and brassy over time. And if there's chorine in your water it can leave gray hair duller and more wiry. So here's a secret that every Salt-n-Pepper Sexpot needs to know about: replace your shower head!

Filtered water will help remove impurities and keep your white hair bright. Our girlfriend with shoulder-length grey hair doesn't even use a grey hair shampoo at all, but swears by her Culligan Filtered Showerhead. It claims to filter 99% of chlorine and leave your hair softer and cleaner. It's only $30 and is easy to install yourself!

Or if you prefer the style of a "rain" shower head, they make a filtered version of that too called the Culligan RainDisc...

Those of you who have tried it, let us know what you think in the comments below!

UV Rays & Us Grays

One of the side effects of going gray is losing the melanin in your hair.
Melanin protects from the damaging effects of UV rays on your hair’s keratin.

Ultraviolet light also leads to the yellowing that can occur with gray hair.

Coupled with the fact that hair also gets thinner with increasing age means UV Protection for gray hair is a must!

So what does a Silver Fox need to do?

Avoid exposing your gray hair to the sun as much as possible, and use shampoos, conditioners and styling products that offer "UV Protection" on the label. Photoprotection is the key to keep loving the gray!

(Read about the science of how ultraviolet light affects gray hair here.)