Why Did Playa’s Supernatural Conditioner Have SUCH a Long Waitlist? We Tried It to Find Out

I've been growing my hair out over the course of the pandemic, and with my strands now reaching below my belly button, I've realized I've gotten a little bit pickier about what I'm putting in my hair.

After all, any damage I do to my hair right now will probably stick around for a while. That's why I was so intrigued when I was contacted by the team at Playa, a natural hair care company with viral products, who offered to let me try their coveted Every Day Shampoo and Supernatural Conditioner. I took them up on the offer, and have been enjoying lusciously flowing locks ever since.

The Shampoo and Conditioner

Playa's Every Day Shampoo ($28) and Supernatural Conditioner ($28) are the brand's best-loved products, and for good reason. Their sulfate-free shampoo cleanses gently with coconut water, while their Supernatural Conditioner is packed with all kinds of natural goodies that make it their best-selling product. In fact, before restocking in March, there was a two thousand-person waiting list for the conditioner. According to the brand, it self-adjusts for all hair types, with baobab protein that restores the damaged parts of hair cuticles, so the more breakage there is, the more it does to help. Plus, they both come in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Each retails for $28, and they're available together in a set for $45.

The Experience

I was excited to start my Playa journey from the moment I popped open the Every Day Shampoo bottle in the shower. It smelled amazing, with the coconut imbuing it with an almost marshmallowy vanilla fragrance, and I squeezed a dollop into my hand before applying to my roots.

Immediately, I felt like I could feel how gentle the cleanser was. There were plenty of sudsy bubbles, but it didn't feel like it was cleaning too harshly as I rubbed it into my scalp and then gave it a good rinse. It left me feeling clean, but not unnecessarily stripped of oils or dried out.

(via Playa)

Next, it was time to apply the Supernatural Conditioner. The first thing I noticed about it (besides the similar fragrance) was the texture. Unlike most other conditioners, it didn't have a slippery feel to it, perhaps due to the fact its ingredients are more natural than most. When I applied it to my hair, from mid-length to ends, it also didn't feel like traditional conditioners in my hair. For one, it didn't feel like much of a detangler, and it didn't give my hair a sleek feel.

That was different than what I was used to, but for good reason. Once I was out of the shower, I'd seen that after a single use of both shampoo and conditioner, I could feel and see the difference. Firstly, it air-dried super fast, and since then I've discovered that whether I'm bundled up in blankets on a chilly morning or soaking up the sun outside on a warm spring day, I never have to sit around for hours with soaking hair, waiting for it to dry. Next, the tips immediately seemed healthier. They dried with a slight, beachy wave—even though my hair is very long and generally very straight—and there wasn't a split end in sight. Over the past couple of weeks, with repeated uses of this shampoo and conditioner in tandem, my hair's health has gotten even better, and I have Playa to thank.

(via Playa)

Bottom Line

After my time with Playa's hair products, I can see why it costs $28 per bottle, and why people have been so willing to wait to get their hands on it again. Using them has made my long hair look and feel amazing, while also making it lower maintenance—something I can always appreciate. Of course, I have a very specific kind of dark, straight hair, and I can't speak to how well they work for people with other hair types. Even so, if you've been on the lookout for the chance to splurge on a high-quality shampoo and conditioner, Playa would be at the top of my list of recommendations. It's done wonders for me, and I know I'm not alone on that.

Want to read up on a few more options before diving in? Click HERE to read about some of our favorite shampoos with fancy ingredients for affordable prices.