1.23.2014

This or That: Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque Vs. L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm

Every week I compare two similar products to see which one I liked better. 
Enjoy this week's This or That:


Let's share my recipe for a potential hair disaster: dry, frizzy, color-treated, with a dash of winter temps. Add it all together, and you have my hair type. But I swear by weekly deep conditioning treatments to keep any potential hair disasters at bay. Two products I use for this are the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque and the L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm.


Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque
-Macadamia Deep Repair Masque is a revitalizing hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair. 
-Combines Macadamia & Argan oils with Tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extract
-Deep nourishment & long-lasting conditioning
-Ultra-conditioning hair reconstruction
-$33 8.5 oz


L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm
-Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm by L'Oreal specially formulated for damaged, over processed and chemically treated hair. 
-This intense luxurious reconstructing balm instantly repairs the 5 signs of damage: 1. Split Ends 2. Weak 3. Rough 4. Dull 5. Dehydrated.
-$6.99 8.5.oz

This or That?
  • I tested these products many times, in a variety of conditions and different ways, including half of my hair with one and half with the other. Longtime readers know I am a very thorough reviewer. 
  • Normally, I weigh the pros and cons of each, but these products are so similar. The two biggest differences are the scents and the prices. The Macadamia Oil does have oil while the L'Oreal relies more on waxes and wheat protein..
  • Did both products work? My hair felt instantly softer once air or heat-dried.
  • My hair looked and felt pretty much the same regardless of the product that I used. 
  • The Macadamia Oil made it ever so slightly softer, but that was only noticeable when compared side by side. Friends and family couldn't detect a difference and were split down the middle when it came to softness and frizziness.
  • For me, this is completely up to personal preference of scent (I like them both) and budget. I personally wouldn't repurchase the MNODRM simply because of price, and would stick to the LTR5DEB or something similar. But if you have really damaged hair, you will want the Macadamia Oil.


60 comments:

  1. Considering they're so similar, I'm checking out the L'Oreal one first:D

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  2. i love your honest reviews! i rarely use hair masks, but with this extra cold winter, i might need to start!

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  3. I'm so glad you did this post! I've been using a different l'oreal masque and I really do love it-- but of course have wondered if the macadamia one is better because of all the hype! I'm similar to you in that my hair is pretty healthy I just need the extra moisture in the winter and for my ends!

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  4. I love that you add this or that to you blog.

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  5. Thanks so much for your detailed review! I've been wanting to try the Macadamia Oil mask but haven't gotten around to it yet. Now that I read your review I think I'll try the L'Oreal one first and save a little money. ;)

    xo, Sarah
    Hustla, baby.

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  6. ah good to know they are pretty similar...defiantly going to save some cash then! xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  7. As soon as I seen the products you were reviewing I secretly crossed my fingers hoping the L'Oreal version would be just as good. I really didn't want to spend $33. Thanks for sharing.
    Beautetude

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  8. Glad to hear the less expensive product made the grade! I think my hair could use a little TLC these days.
    Chic on the Cheap

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  9. I'd probably stick with the less expensive one simply because of price.

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  10. Ohh I love Macadamia oil masque but I'll check out the other one now too! Thanks for the review, xoxo.

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  11. Great comparision! I haven't tried the macadamia mask but I absolutely adore the loreal mask. As you saw in my hair rescue post on Wednesday!

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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  12. Fab comparison and reviews, darling!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  13. yes they are very similar...i have stopped using and buying macadamia and i only use loreal one now!

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  14. I've considered trying both of these hair masks! I might try the loreal first because it's so much cheaper! Great post!!

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  15. These are always my favorite kind of posts....splurge or save. I use this Redken strengthening mask it has done wonders for my ends :-)

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  16. Hey Elle, I love the Macadamia oil condtioner its amazing, the only thing that I really feel has made a difference to my hair! Its smells divine too! :) x

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  17. I'm definitely going to check out the L'oreal one...we're having crazy cold temps again and it's doing a number on my hair.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Headband Giveaway!

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  18. Since they are so similar I would probably go with the cheaper one for right now. I love the thorough details you gave us!

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  19. $6.99 is much more my speed ha. My hair is a frizzball from wearing hats and earmuffs and enduring the cold so I'll have to give this cheaper one a shot. I'm really sick of my hair splitting and being unmanageable in general this cold season.

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  20. I'll check out the L'Oreal one then if its so similar. The cold is killing my hair. I am trying to not wash every day to help, but need a mask for sure!

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  21. I'm so glad you reviewed these! I've been reading great stuff about the macadamia nut one for ages but the cost is ouchie! Just received a sample of the L'oreal one, and since the price is so good, I'll definitely repurchase!

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  22. I use deep conditioner a couple times a week with my hair because it does tend to be dry. I am always looking for new ones to try. It's good to know the L'Oreal does about the same job for much less!

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  23. Thanks for doing the testing for me :) I haven't tried either product yet, but at least now I am more informed.

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  24. That's awesome that they both worked. I'll have to try out the cheaper option. :)

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  25. i'll take the under 7 doll hairs one please

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  26. interesting! I need to try more treatments on my hair, especially in the winter. sounds like you can't beat the price of the loreal one!
    -- jackie @ jade and oak

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  27. Unluckily I dont get either in India, but have been very keen on trying Moroccan oil but the price is steep so I'm trying to find a smaller sized bottle of it
    xx
    www.JuneWantsItAll.com

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  28. I actually JUST bought this L'Oreal treatment and tried it out this weekend with great results. Excited to keep using it to see if it repairs a bit of hair damage. :)

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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  29. I LOVE and swear by the L'Oreal hair product! It's fantastic!

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  30. I love how thorough you are with your testing! :) I'm gonna have to give the L'Oreal a shot. I love stuff like this! No way can I afford the other one though. Unless I sell my eggs or something.

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  31. Such a super helpful, honest review! I love it! I have not deep conditioned my hair in forever, and I totally need to! :)-Ashley

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  32. I've never done an at-home deep conditioning! may have to give that a try. my hair's been really frizzy lately.

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  33. My daughter loves the Loreal product. She uses it all the time.

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  34. I totally agree with your love for the L'Oreal product. I love that stuff and now I won't worry about trying a more expensive brand. I'm totally loving your This or That series. SO helpful!

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  35. I've heard great things about both products! Thanks for your thorough review!

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  36. I've heard the macadamia oil is pretty good, but lately I've been using the pro naturals hair repair mask, made from argan oil too, and it is the best hair mask ever

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  37. I'll totally have to check out the Loreal product for sure now! Thanks for the review.

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  38. Out of everything I've tried so far, nothing beats Macadamia! Nothing! But I haven't tried the Morrocan Oil one yet. At the time I used Macadamia I got some dandruff, I can't point my finger towards that mask, I'm pretty sure it was the other stuff I was using (shampoo from other brand) so I think I'm gonna give it another shot, despite the dandruff at the time, it felt like I had silk in my hair!

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  39. This is awesome! I'd been interested in trying the Macadamia hair treatment for the longest time, but I'm definitely going to the L'Oreal treatment first. Thanks so much for this review!

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  40. I'd actually been considering purchasing this L'Oreal Balm, thanks for the review! I probably will now!

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  41. I love trying out new masques, every few months I change mine so these two would fit ideally into my hair regime. Great reviews. Thanks for the visit doll.....Happy Friday!

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  42. As you described your hair, I felt like you were looking at mine and describing it. Mine is the same way! I've never tried anything like this, but I know my hair needs help! Thanks for posting this! I may have to try...I'll keep you updated!

    *Kendwy @ MindofKiwi

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  43. Okay I need to try the LTR5DEB one. I normally don't have dry, brittle hair but pregnancy has totally changed it and that combined with the winter weather I am dying!

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  44. My hair has been crazy lately. I definitely need to try one of these products.

    Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights

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  45. Are you spying on me, Elle? I was just reading about Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque yesterday and voila! You did a post about it today! Thank you, thank you for this post as it definitely help me to decide whether to purchase Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque....the steep price has been holding me back.

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  46. nice mask!
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    www.MOSAMUSE.com

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  47. Thanks for the review Elle! I'd definitely test out the L'oreal balm then. Can it be used as a heat protectant too?

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  48. It's crazy how a more expensive product doesn't necessarily mean that it's a majorly superior product. Thanks for this review!

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  49. How awesome! I'm not really a hair person so deep conditioning is something I have never done. I have colored, dried out, horribly long and frizzy hair so I'm definitely gonna try out that L'Oreal one!

    ♥ Duckie.

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  50. Amazing post my dear!
    http://www.fashionhypnotised.com/

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  51. I used the Macadamia Oil mask for a while - my hairdresser suggested it a few years ago. Then I realised that some of MO products had parabens in them (don't think the mask does, though) and stopped using the entire line altogether. At the moment I am being very loyal to KM everything :) - should probably blog about it and share my love. :)
    Thank you for another fab review, Elle!
    x

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  52. I need to try it, I always heard good things about Macadamia oil!
    Xxx beauty
    Carolina

    www.the-world-c.blogspot.com

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  53. Awesome comparison! I believe we have the same type of hair, so this was super helpful! Since my hair is more damaged, I'd probably opt for the Macadamia since it's oil based. I ordered Living Proof's Restore Masque (should be coming in today, yippee!) so I'm hoping it works well on my locks. Now, I have to say that you are beyond thorough in your reviews and I absolutely appreciate and applaud that! I mean, you did your hair half and half! Amazing job, and thanks again for sharing the advice!
    xo ~ Lia | Smart n Snazzy

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  54. I bet it is good. I've only tried Moroccan Oil which seems to do the same thing.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  55. Seriously was just thinking man I need a hair mask for my hair earlier this week. I'm going to try and find the L'Oreal one, thanks for the review and comparison on these two. I've never heard of either one, but opting for the L'Oreal first because of the price.

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  56. Oh I've always wanted to try the macadamia oil one but I never wanted to spend that much for it, so I'm glad you said that the L'Oreal one works in a very similar way! I will definitely check the L'Oreal one out because my hair is in need of some deep conditioning! :)

    Nina
    http://curvymod.blogspot.com/

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  57. I've never tried hair masques, but I really should! My hair doesn't seem to soak up conditioner in sections and is perpetually dry, so I'm wondering if something like this might help.

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  58. I've always been curious about the Macadamia products. Doesn't sound like it is worth the crazy price. I'll go with the L'oreal one to start :)

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