The Daily Record's fashion and beauty writer Rachel Williams has found that Lidl's Cien Luxurious Lengths shampoo and conditioner, priced at £2.19 each, left her long hair smoother, glossier and easier to manage.
Williams, who has fine hair prone to dryness, decided to grow out her previously short cut a few years ago. She noticed that the ends tend to fray easily and are prone to heat damage as the hair grew down her back.
The budget products caught her eye during a weekly food shop, partly because of the bright orange packaging, which she said looks like it has taken direct inspiration from L'Oréal Elvive's Dream Lengths, name and all. She has used the L'Oréal Dream Lengths mask once a week, alongside brands such as Olaplex, OUAI and John Frieda, but noted that some of them can be a bit costly.
Ingredients and first impressions
According to Lidl's description, the Luxurious Lengths shampoo and conditioner have both been "developed by experts to reduce split ends and brittle hair". The key ingredients are vegetal keratin and castor oil, the same as L'Oréal's Dream Lengths, adding to their similarities. Specifically developed for long, damaged hair, the active ingredient combination is said to strengthen, repair and help grow longer lengths.
Williams found the shampoo formula fairly rich, lathering into the hair without feeling too heavy. She washes her hair twice to remove build-up and felt the foam "bubbled" well enough to get rid of dirt and grime, leaving it feeling clean and fresh. The conditioner was creamy and easy to apply, melting into her strands and allowing her to comb her fingers through without knots, which she said was not usually the case with damp hair.
Results and value for money
After washing and blow-drying, Williams noticed her hair looked a lot glossier and frizz-free, with no matted ends. She found the scent of both products quite powerful, with a fruity, fresh aroma that was potent as soon as the bottle was opened, which she said could be a hit or miss for those sensitive to smells.
At £2.19 for a 400ml bottle, Williams noted both products will last a long time. She compared this with L'Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths, which costs £2.75 for a 250ml bottle and up to £8 for a similar 500ml, making it between 56p and over £5 more expensive than Lidl.
Overall, Williams said Lidl's Luxurious Lengths has done exactly what it says on the tin. While she acknowledged nothing can prevent split ends outside of a salon visit, it made her long hair smoother, easier to manage and a little bit healthier looking. Fellow haircare fans can try the Cien Luxurious Lengths at their local Lidl store.
