Posted on February 21, 2026 | Based on 300+ Customer Reviews, Reddit Communities & Expert Testing
What Is Prose? The Custom Hair Care Brand Explained
Prose is a personalized hair care brand that creates custom-formulated shampoo, conditioner, and styling products based on an online quiz. Founded in 2017, the company uses an algorithm that factors in your hair type, scalp condition, lifestyle, and even your local environment (water quality, humidity, UV exposure) to create a supposedly unique formula just for you.
Priced at $34 per bottle (or $28.90 with subscription), Prose sits in the premium category—significantly more expensive than drugstore brands but comparable to salon-quality products. The brand has gained a cult following among beauty enthusiasts but has also generated significant controversy, with polarizing reviews ranging from “life-changing” to “fried my hair.”
💬 Tried Prose Hair Care?
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Your real results help others decide if custom hair care is worth it.
Why Prose Is Trending
Search interest for “Prose reviews” has surged recently, driven by:
- TikTok Virality: Before/after hair transformation videos generating millions of views
- Subscription Controversy: Reports of unexpected auto-shipments frustrating customers
- Mixed Results: Polarizing reviews creating debate about effectiveness
- Expansion to Retail: Now available in Sephora, raising brand awareness
- Competitor Comparison: Shoppers comparing Prose to Function of Beauty and Formulate
📊 Prose Products: Complete Breakdown
Product Line & Pricing
| Product | Price | Size | Subscription Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Shampoo | $34 | 8.5 oz | $28.90 |
| Custom Conditioner | $34 | 8.5 oz | $28.90 |
| Hair Mask | $38 | 8.5 oz | $32.30 |
| Curl Cream | $32 | 5 oz | $27.20 |
| Hair Oil | $48 | 1.7 oz | $40.80 |
| Hair Supplements | $58 | 30-day | $49.30 |
The Customization Process
- Online Quiz: 25+ questions about hair type, scalp condition, lifestyle
- Environmental Factors: Analyzes your zip code for water hardness, humidity, UV, pollution
- Ingredient Preferences: Choose vegan, gluten-free, silicone-free options
- Scent Selection: Choose from 6 fragrances or fragrance-free
- Manufacturing: Made-to-order in New York facility
🔬 Real Customer Reviews: What Users Actually Say
We analyzed 300+ reviews from Reddit (r/Haircare, r/curlyhair, r/Wavyhair), Trustpilot, and beauty blogs to compile this feedback.
Positive Experiences (What Fans Love)
- “Finally found my holy grail” — Curly-haired users report excellent definition and reduced frizz
- “Purple toner works better than anything else” — Blondes praise the color-preserving formulas
- “Love that I can choose no scent” — Fragrance-sensitive customers appreciate customization
- “Curl cream gives perfect beach waves” — Wavy hair types report great results with minimal effort
- “Way better than Function of Beauty” — Former FOB customers say Prose’s formulas are more sophisticated
- “Environmental customization actually works” — Users moving to different climates notice formula adjustments helping
Complaints & Red Flags (Critical Feedback)
- “Totally fried my hair” — Multiple reports of dryness and damage after initial “honeymoon” period
- “Autoshipped without warning” — Subscription model catches customers off guard
- “$60 for shampoo and conditioner is insane” — Price point feels unjustified to many
- “Took almost a month to arrive” — Long shipping times frustrate customers
- “Conditioner is too thin” — Requires 5-6 pumps instead of recommended 3
- “Saw absolutely no improvement” — Some users report no difference from drugstore brands
- “First 3 washes it was like magic, then it got SO dry”
- “Nothing seemed to get through the coating it left”
- “My hair felt stripped and left dry and limp”
- Your hair type and concerns
- How long did you use it?
- Did you see lasting results?
- Would you repurchase?
- ✅ Deep customization including environmental factors
- ✅ Excellent for curly and wavy hair types
- ✅ Can choose fragrance-free or custom scents
- ✅ Vegan, gluten-free, silicone-free options
- ✅ Extensive styling product range
- ✅ Purple toner formulas effective for blondes
- ✅ Refund policy (within 30 days)
- ❌ Expensive compared to salon and drugstore alternatives
- ❌ Subscription model traps some customers
- ❌ Long shipping times (up to a month)
- ❌ “Honeymoon period” followed by declining results
- ❌ Some formulas cause dryness or oiliness
- ❌ Conditioner consistency too thin for some
- ❌ Not widely available in stores (mostly online)
- You have curly or wavy hair needing specialized care
- You’ve struggled to find products that work with your local water
- You want fragrance-free or highly customized options
- You’re a blonde needing effective purple toner
- You like having matching styling products in the same line
- You’re willing to pay premium for customization
- You’re on a tight budget (drugstore brands work fine for many)
- You have straight, low-maintenance hair
- You need products immediately (long shipping times)
- You don’t want to deal with subscription management
- You’ve had bad experiences with custom hair care before
- You prefer to buy in-store rather than online
The “Honeymoon Period” Phenomenon
A recurring theme in negative reviews: many users report great results for the first 3-4 washes, followed by declining performance:
📝 Prose Reviews: Share Your Experience
Have you tried Prose custom hair care? Your honest review helps others:
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⬇️ Scroll to the comments section at the bottom of this page to share your thoughts.
⚔️ Prose vs. Competitors
| Feature | Prose | Function of Beauty | Formulate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Shampoo) | $34 | $29.99 | $39 |
| Environmental Analysis | ✅ Yes (zip code) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Styling Products | Extensive | Limited | Limited |
| Best For | Curly/wavy hair | Color-treated | Scientific approach |
| Shipping Time | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 2 weeks |
✅ Pros and Cons at a Glance
Reasons to Try Prose:
Reasons to Think Twice:
🎯 Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Prose?
✅ Give Prose a Try If:
❌ Look Elsewhere If:
🏆 The Bottom Line
Prose delivers on its promise of customization—but whether that’s worth $34 per bottle depends entirely on your hair and expectations. For curly and wavy hair types who haven’t found their holy grail products, Prose offers a level of personalization that generic brands simply can’t match. The environmental customization (water hardness, humidity) genuinely helps some users.
However, the “honeymoon period” phenomenon is real and concerning. Many users report initial amazing results followed by dryness, buildup, or worsening hair condition. The high price point and subscription model create pressure to make it work even when it’s not the right fit.
Our recommendation: Start with just the shampoo and conditioner (skip the subscription initially), give it 2-3 weeks of consistent use, and monitor your hair’s response closely. If you see the “honeymoon period” ending, request a reformulation or take advantage of the 30-day refund policy.
For many people, Not Your Mother’s, OGX, or other affordable brands deliver similar results at a fraction of the cost. Prose is best viewed as a specialty product for specific hair needs—not a universal upgrade for everyone.
💬 Tried Prose?
Your honest review helps others decide if custom hair care is right for them.
↓ Scroll down to the comments section below to share your review ↓
Post rewritten on February 21, 2026 using Reddit discussions (r/Haircare, r/curlyhair), expert beauty reviews, and 300+ customer testimonials.
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