WEN Cleansing Conditioner Reviews: Is It Worth It?

When it comes to hair care, I’ve tried it all—high-end salon brands, drugstore products, you name it. Each of them promised to transform my hair, but few delivered consistently. That’s why, when I first heard about the WEN Cleansing Conditioner, I was intrigued but skeptical.

Could one product really replace my shampoo, conditioner, and a dozen styling products? It sounded almost too good to be true.

WEN Cleansing Conditioner is marketed as an all-in-one solution—a shampoo, conditioner, and treatment in a single bottle. The formula is meant to cleanse your hair without stripping it of its natural oils. I was eager to see if it could deliver on that promise.

First Impressions of WEN Cleansing Conditioner

The first thing I noticed was the consistency—it’s thick, creamy, and unlike traditional shampoos, it doesn’t lather.

It feels more like a conditioning treatment than anything else.

The scent, especially with the Fig variant, is fresh and slightly herbal, with a touch of sweetness that is pleasant but not overpowering.

For my first cleanse, I followed Chaz Dean’s recommendation to use several pumps—6 to 8 for medium-length hair. It felt like a lot of product, but I decided to give it a fair shot.

As I massaged it into my scalp, I could feel the difference almost immediately. My hair didn’t feel stripped; instead, it felt nourished, like I was giving it something it needed.

Pros of WEN Cleansing Conditioner

• Hair Feels Nourished and Healthy: The standout quality of WEN for me is the way my hair feels after using it—soft, shiny, and genuinely healthy. Traditional shampoos have always left my hair feeling stripped and a bit dry, but WEN managed to make it feel conditioned and moisturized without any extra effort.
• Reduces Hair Loss During Washing: Before WEN, I would often notice significant hair fall whenever I shampooed—clumps of hair in the drain, on my bathroom floor, everywhere. The first time I used WEN, I was shocked—almost no hair in the drain. The conditioner seems to be so gentle that my hair doesn’t fall out in the same alarming way.
• Great for Curly or Wavy Hair: My hair is naturally wavy, and most products tend to either weigh it down or make it frizzy. With WEN, I was able to maintain my waves without needing additional styling products. My hair had a natural bounce, which was a delightful surprise. My husband, who has a similar hair type, also noticed that his natural curl returned after using WEN. It was like his hair came back to life
• No Color Bleeding: One of the biggest issues I face is color maintenance. I dye my hair a vibrant shade of red, and many shampoos tend to strip away that color quickly. With WEN, I could see a clear difference—there was no bleeding. My towels stayed white, and my hair maintained its color vibrancy for a longer period.

Cons of WEN Cleansing Conditioner

• Greasy Residue for Fine Hair: Now, WEN might not be for everyone. If you have very fine hair, there’s a chance it may leave your hair feeling weighed down or even greasy. The trick for me was finding the right balance of how much product to use. It was definitely a learning curve. The “greasy feeling” was a real issue until I started using fewer pumps. So, if you have fine or oily-prone hair, you might need to experiment with the quantity to get it just right.
• Pricey Compared to Traditional Shampoos: WEN isn’t exactly a budget-friendly product, and it’s significantly more expensive compared to drugstore shampoos and conditioners. That said, it does replace multiple products, which may even out the cost. But if you’re on a tight budget, the price can feel a little steep initially.
• Non-Lathering Experience: For some people, the lack of lather can feel unsatisfying. We’ve been conditioned to equate lather with cleanliness, and WEN simply doesn’t do that. Instead, it feels more like a mask or conditioner on your hair. It takes a bit of getting used to, and some might not enjoy the sensory experience of not having that bubbly lather.

Getting The Most Out of WEN Cleansing Conditioner

Step-by-Step Usage Guide

Getting the best results with WEN requires a bit of a shift in the way you use hair products. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Use Plenty of Water: Before applying the cleansing conditioner, ensure your hair is soaking wet. The water helps spread the product more evenly throughout your hair.
2. Use Enough Product: Depending on your hair length, you need a decent amount of pumps. I use 6 to 8 for medium-length hair, but if you have shorter hair, 3 to 4 pumps should suffice.
3. Massage Gently: It’s important to massage your scalp thoroughly to break down oils and dirt. This helps ensure that you get a good cleanse, even though there’s no lather.
4. Leave It In: One mistake I made initially was rinsing it out too quickly. The conditioner needs to stay in your hair for a few minutes to work its magic. I leave it in for about 3 to 5 minutes while I complete the rest of my shower routine.
5. Rinse Well: This part is critical. Make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all product. If any residue is left behind, it can lead to buildup or greasiness.

Using It Sparingly

The instructions might say to use a lot of pumps, but I eventually found that using slightly less can work just as well—especially if you’re cleansing more frequently. Finding that sweet spot took me a bit of time, but once I did, my hair never felt weighed down.

The Importance of Repetition

One of Chaz Dean’s tips is to “cleanse, rinse, and repeat.” I initially thought this was overkill, but I found it beneficial to cleanse twice, especially if my hair had gone a few days between washes or if I’d used any additional products.

Comparing WEN To Other Brands: How Does It Stack Up?

• WEN Vs. As I Am Leave-In Conditioner

As I Am Leave-In Conditioner is a well-loved product among those with textured hair, providing great hydration and definition.

However, when compared to WEN Cleansing Conditioner, there are key differences.

While As I Am excels at detangling and conditioning, it doesn’t replace your shampoo.

You still need a separate cleanser, which can be harsh on curls. WEN, on the other hand, is an all-in-one product that cleanses, conditions, and revitalizes the hair in one step.

It also leaves my waves feeling more bouncy and defined without needing any extra products.

• WEN Vs. Blue Magic Coconut Oil Hair Conditioner

Blue Magic Coconut Oil Hair Conditioner is a classic that has been around for years, particularly for those who prefer heavy-duty moisture.

It adds shine and reduces dryness, but it’s definitely on the heavier side.

In contrast, WEN provides more balanced hydration without leaving a greasy residue, which can be a concern with Blue Magic.

While Blue Magic is effective for sealing in moisture, WEN’s lightweight formula works from root to tip without buildup, giving a clean but conditioned feeling.

This is especially important if you want to avoid heaviness or that weighed-down look.

• WEN Vs. TGIN Leave-In Conditioner

TGIN Leave-In Conditioner is another popular choice for those with curly or dry hair.

It’s very effective at moisturizing and helps with detangling, but, like As I Am, it doesn’t have the cleansing properties that WEN does.

You would still need a shampoo or co-wash, which can add another step to your routine.

What I appreciate about WEN is that it simplifies the entire hair care process—one product cleanses and conditions, saving both time and money.

With TGIN, I found my hair often needed additional products to maintain definition, whereas WEN keeps things smooth and manageable all on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a new approach to hair care—something that nourishes rather than strips—WEN Cleansing Conditioner is worth considering.

While it might not be the cheapest option, it’s certainly one that offers a lot of value, especially if you’re struggling with dry, damaged, or curly hair. For me, it’s been a game changer, and I’d recommend giving it a shot.