My FoB Reset

Why I even changed my hair products

tbh i didn’t plan on doing a whole “hair reset” moment. i was just trying to be that person with a cute shower lineup and hair that looks good on day 2 and day 3 😅. i’ve used Function of Beauty (FoB) on and off for a while, and what always pulled me back in was the whole customizable vibe—like ok yes, let me pretend i’m mixing a potion for my exact hair needs.

my hair is the type that can look amazing one week and then randomly decide it hates everything the next week. i’m talking: wavy texture, frizz if i breathe wrong, and ends that get dry fast. so the idea of picking a formula “for my hair type” + adding boosters for things like definition or frizz control sounded perfect.

The moment I started side-eyeing my shower drain

here’s where it got weird. i started noticing more hair coming out in the shower. not like “normal shedding, life happens” but like… i would look down and be like wait why is there a whole extra clump today??

at first i tried to talk myself out of it. i was like:

maybe it’s because i’m not washing every day. maybe it’s because i’m brushing less. maybe it’s stress. maybe it’s the season. maybe i’m just noticing it more.

but then i remembered something that honestly made me pause: i had mentioned FoB in passing before and a couple people told me they had a not-so-great experience with shedding. i didn’t want to spiral, but i also didn’t want to ignore it.

What I did instead of guessing forever

i’m not a scientist and i’m not about to diagnose my own hair 😭. but i am very into “change one thing at a time” because otherwise i’ll never know what actually helped.

so i did the simplest thing: i stopped using the products i was suspicious about and kept the rest of my routine as consistent as possible. same wash schedule (about 2x a week), same general styling, same detangling habits.

and i swear… within a few washes i noticed a difference. the amount of hair in the drain looked more like my normal. not zero (because that’s not real life), but not the “why is my ponytail feeling thinner” vibe either.

i’m not saying FoB automatically causes hair loss for everyone. i’m also not saying it was definitely the only reason i was shedding more. i’m just saying: when i removed it, the situation calmed down. and that was enough for me to take a break.

But wait… I still like some FoB stuff??

this is the part that makes my review feel messy but also honest: i don’t hate everything from the brand. i actually think FoB is one of those lines where the experience depends a lot on your hair type, scalp, and how you use it.

for example, i’ve tried their wavy-hair focused products before and i loved the scent and how “clean” my hair felt after. the lather was good, the packaging is cute, and the texture is satisfying (not too watery, not too thick). it’s the kind of set that makes you excited to wash your hair, which is saying a lot.

but for me, the biggest lesson was: my scalp is picky. if something is too intense, too drying, or if i’m layering too many “active” type products, my scalp will absolutely let me know.

The customization part: fun… but easy to overdo

FoB’s whole thing is that you can add boosters (like curl definition, frizz control, strengthening, etc.). and i get why people love that. it feels personal. it feels like you’re building a routine instead of just buying random bottles.

but i also learned that i personally have to be careful with stacking too many goals at once. because when i’m like “i want definition, strength, shine, growth vibes, softness, volume, AND anti-frizz” … i might be asking my hair to do the impossible in one wash day.

now i try to keep it simple: pick one or two priorities max for a season, then reassess. my hair doesn’t need a personality crisis every month.

My “everything shower” hair steps (when I’m being extra)

on the days i do the full everything-shower routine, i treat it like self-care and also like a mini experiment. i’ll put on music, take my time, and actually pay attention to how my hair feels at each step.

Step 1: Pre-shower scalp check

if my scalp feels tight, itchy, or like there’s buildup, i don’t go in aggressively. i keep it gentle because over-scrubbing is one of the fastest ways for my scalp to get mad.

Step 2: Shampoo focus

i concentrate shampoo on the scalp only. i used to drag shampoo all the way down my lengths and then wonder why my ends felt like straw. now i let the rinse do the work for the rest of the hair.

Step 3: Conditioner placement

conditioner stays from mid-length to ends. if i put it too close to my roots, my hair gets weighed down and my waves fall flat.

Step 4: Detangle gently

i detangle when there’s slip (usually with conditioner in). i used to detangle aggressively after the shower and that was… not my best era.

Where mousse fits in (and why I’m curious about “zero gravity” styles)

i’ve been seeing more lightweight mousse options lately, especially ones meant for wavy hair that want hold without crunch. that’s literally my dream because i love definition but i hate when my hair feels stiff.

the idea of a “zero gravity” mousse is basically what i’m always looking for: lift + shape + softness. if you have waves (especially that 2a-2c range), you know the struggle: creams can be too heavy, gels can be too crunchy, and sprays can be too drying. mousse is that middle ground when it’s done right.

my personal rule is: i only judge mousse after i’ve tried it on a normal day AND a humid day. because humidity is the real test.

What I watch for now when trying FoB again (or any new hair product)

i’m way more cautious now, not in a paranoid way, just in a “i’m paying attention” way. here’s what i track for at least 2 weeks:

1) Shedding pattern
is it the same as my normal wash-day shed, or is it noticeably more?

2) Hairline + temple area
this is where i notice thinning first if something’s off. sleek styles make it more obvious, so i check when my hair is pulled back.

3) Scalp comfort
if my scalp feels tight, itchy, or overly dry after washing, that’s a red flag for me.

4) Slip and tangles
if a shampoo makes my hair feel squeaky-clean but then my lengths tangle like crazy, it’s not worth it.

5) Wave definition vs. frizz
some products make my hair look smooth but kill my wave pattern. others make my waves pop but frizz out by lunch. the best ones balance both.

My honest take: who FoB might work for (and who should patch-test their routine)

if you love the idea of hair products tailored to your hair type, FoB can be fun. it’s also easy to find and easy to use, and i get why it’s popular.

but if you’re someone who already deals with a sensitive scalp, fluctuating shedding, or you’re currently switching multiple products at once, i’d go slow. introduce one new thing at a time, and give it enough washes to see what’s real and what’s just a random hair week.

and if you ever feel like your shedding is suddenly intense or your scalp feels off, it’s okay to pause and simplify. sometimes the best routine is the boring one.

If you’ve tried it, I need to know your experience

did FoB make your hair feel super soft and clean? did you love the customization? did you try a mousse for wavy hair and actually get volume without crunch? or did you also have that “why is my shower drain looking scary” moment?

i’m genuinely curious because i feel like FoB is one of those brands where people either swear by it or quietly stop using it and never talk about it again. and i’m trying to be in my honest-review era, even when it’s complicated 😅.