Is Prose Custom Hair Care Worth The Hype? Here's My Review

The hair care products my friends love often don't work for me (and vice versa). The detangling spray I swear by, my best friend despises. Why? Because we have different hair types—and that changes everything. We have different wants, needs, and complaints when it comes to hair products.

My hair requires hydration without oiliness, styling products with hold but no weight, and frizz control without a heavy feel. With a long list of wants, you can imagine why I was so excited to test the Prose's Custom Haircare.

Prose creates custom products—including shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, hair masks, and even dry shampoo—formulated specifically for your hair type and long-term goals. And yes, you can even customize the scent!

I first tried Prose in 2020 (and I loved it enough to stick with the brand for two years). Eventually, my job required me to test out other products—but I kept an eye on Prose as they released new innovations, like dry shampoo and hair oil.

I won’t bury the lead: I'm a big fan of Prose, and their products have only improved since I last tried the brand. The custom formulas I’ve tested feel as luxurious as high-end $60 bottles but at half the price.

When creating my box this time around, I aimed to simplify my routine but included some "extras" like the pre-shampoo hair mask and styling gel. I skipped other products to see what a streamlined routine could do (and I’m glad I did).

My box cost $181 without shipping (because with Prose, shipping is always free).

I personally found the price to be extremely fair, especially when you factor in how many products were in the box—and how long they last.

Compared to the routine I was following previously, my Prose routine is actually very minimal. I’ve abandoned my leave-in conditioner and styling mousse, and I barely use the hair gel provided. Why? Because my hair doesn’t need it anymore. 

The texture and shape of my waves are better than before, with more distinct curves and less frizz (even in the humid summer weather). My hair is adequately hydrated from the conditioner, so I don’t need to add more cream after I get out of the shower. 

So now that you know that Prose is wavy-hair approved, let’s talk about the science: How does Prose craft custom hair care? 

First, the brand requires new customers to take a quiz. You’ll answer questions about where you live, lifestyle habits, how you style your hair, your main goals, and complaints with your strands, and so on.

As you can tell, my hair needs the most support with sebum (my scalp runs oily), stressors (I live in New York City, pollution is everywhere!), and dryness (especially on my ends). Using these results, Prose suggests the products I should use in my routine and those I can skip.

I love that Prose is transparent about its formulas. The company tells you exactly what it's formulating for you, and the role each ingredient plays in your hair health. 

You can also change how often your Prose ships to you. If you wash your hair everyday, a monthly send of shampoo and conditioner is probably warranted. However, you can also delay shipping if you use less than you thought of one product (or receive your order sooner if you’re running low). 

Finally, you get to choose your hair care scent from their menu of curated fragrances. I chose Botanica, which is a blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender—and yes, it smells like a spa. 

I’ve gone through countless bottles of Prose Custom Hair Care over the years, and I’m here to tell you it’s worth the buy. Not only are the products customized to fit your unique needs, but the formulas are potent and high-performance, especially for their price.