Not So Brilliant Brunette... By RachelReviews on Jun 30, 2009 - Updated Sep 18, 2011

To put it bluntly: John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo with Shine-Infusing Complex is overrated. The shampoo is supposed to be the pinnacle of sheen. I only noticed minimal shine, and honestly, that shine may have already been there before I washed my hair with it.

The sample I received of John Frieda Brilliant Brunette was .28 FL. OZ. / 8.3 mL. This small packet provided several uses. Though, Brilliant Brunette may not be ideal, a plus of the product is that even a small bit of product foams up really well with a bit of water. The less you need to wash your hair, the more money you save in the end. The appearance of the shampoo was definitely more clear than creamy.

Out of the ingredients in Liquid Shine, only Hydrolyzed Silk (To soften), Amodimethicone (To defrizz) and Olive Fruit Oil (To hydrate) jump out at me as the quality ingredients. Otherwise, the other ingredients just seem like typical detergents or foaming agents like Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA; and fragrance, color, etc.

The fragrance was really generic and boring! It did not thrill me, relax me or energize me. It was just this nondescript sweet smell. I think they could have done better in that regard. Along with the shampoo sample, I received the Liquid Shine conditioner, as well, and found it had the same exact smell only it smelled slightly more floral.

Oddly enough, when I used the samples I had of John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine, I found it made my hair look curlier.