Blake Lively has tried her hand at many things throughout her career. From acting and directing to producing and writing, the former Gossip Girl star has proven herself to be a versatile talent in the world of film and television. However, Lively’s latest project that has garnered worldwide attention is her hair care brand, Blake Brown. The cosmetics line has come under scrutiny following an uproar surrounding her press for the controversial film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. This is largely due to the A-lister shamelessly promoting the hair care line during the film’s promotional tour, drawing the ire of many fans who felt the move was inappropriate given the film’s sensitive subject matter.
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Of course, whether it was a PR faux pas on Lively’s part to do some marketing is the subject of endless debate. What is certain, however, is that opinions on the brand are divided. Lively is, of course, far from the only celebrity to endorse a beauty brand. Industry peers like Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez are currently titans in the makeup world, and Beyoncé recently launched Cecred to rave reviews. With all the drama surrounding Lively’s decision to put the brand in the spotlight, however, one can’t help but wonder: is it even worth a try? Judging by the reactions on social media, the reviews seem to be mixed at best and devastating at worst. On TikTok, a user named jubileedawns even went so far as to share a PSA video urging her followers not to buy Blake Brown products because using them could cause harm.
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Reviewers say Blake Brown hair products smell amazing
Blake Brown’s product is famous for being sulfate-free. As a reminder, sulfate is an ingredient commonly found in soaps that can leave your hair dry and waxy. The brand’s Wild Nectar Santal Shampoo, in particular, promises all the benefits of a regular shampoo without this chemical while adding shine. It also has a fruity fig scent. The latter seems to be the standout feature for many. User RachelTiller shared a video documenting her experience with Blake Brown products and praised the products’ “warm, earthy scents” that lingered long after use.
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However, aside from the pleasant scent, the product itself doesn’t live up to its promise, according to several users. “My hair has never been so dry in my life,” said one reviewer who experienced negative results after a week of using the shampoo line. He added that the product also flattened his hair pattern, making it look like straw. In the comments section of the video, many TikTok users who had tried the product agreed. One even joked in the comments that the brand’s slogan should be a pun on Lively’s movie and should be “Split Ends With Us.” Meanwhile, a user who tested the dry shampoo noted that while it removed oil very well, it left a “sticky residue” on his scalp.
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@jubileedawns If Green Lantern made a hair care line 💚 #blakelively #blakebrown #haircare #review #hair #curlyhair
♬ Original sound – Jubilee Dawn
However, some reviewers say that whether you like Blake Brown depends on your hair type
Despite the numerous negative reviews with high number of views, some people have had positive experiences with Lively’s hair care range.
While Blake Brown does offer a regular conditioner, it does offer a hair mask. Lively herself has publicly stated that she doesn’t use regular conditioner because she considers them to be “watered down” versions of masks. In fact, using a regular hair mask can help nourish dry hair, so it’s possible Lively is on to something here. One user, eamillerr, had a positive experience, pointing out that the hair mask felt light and creamy on his short, curly hair. Hairstylist @Ladresserhair also gave the mask high marks, noting that it lathered well and left his hair “strong.”
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@ladresserhair What do you all think of the new #blakebrown products? Overall, I say yes. The product itself is good, but the packaging is not. #target #haircare #hairtutorial #hairproducts #hairdresser #blakelively @beautylaunchpad
♬ Original sound – Hairdresser Leigh-Anne DC/VA
Also worth noting is that Lively’s hair care line might be best suited to those who have a similar hair type to Lively herself, who has naturally wavy hair. Another user gave a more nuanced review, noting that while the products weren’t suitable for her specific 4c curly hair type, that didn’t necessarily mean they were useless. Another reviewer said that while some products, like the dry shampoo, aren’t worth it, others, like the shampoo, are a good, budget-friendly option.
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