I have here a shampoo range that I fervently wish will be available in Asia some time soon. Its not just me. My sister bought this the same time I did in the biggest size available, and she too is wishing the same thing. This wonderful (to us) hair product is the Pantene Aqua Light shampoo and conditioner.
I believe it was launched in the UK/Europe last year, and ever since I read about it on the UK blogs I’d been intrigued. So when the opportunity arose, off to Superdrug and Boots I went to pick this up for my very own. There were a few sizes. I picked up the largest 500ml size because… what if I liked it and had no more access to it?!
Turned out I did. Bah.
Anyway, here’s what I like about this shampoo and conditioner. They promise virtually no weight and this is a lightweight shampoo and conditioner. You know what? Its rare that you meet a hair product that speaks the truth but Aqua Light does!
The clear shampoo washes out the dirt and dust of the day, without weighing down my hair at all. You don’t have to use very much, and it most certainly isn’t heavy. It also washes out very clean, and does not leave my hair feeling dry or tangled. It must be noted that I have hair has natural volume and the great thing is that my hair feels lovely and light and isn’t weighed down at all.
The matching conditioner is a cream texture, but not as heavy or creamy as the Pantene regular conditioners I’m accustomed to. It doesn’t have that slick feel, if you know what I mean. When I rub it into my hair, it doesn’t coat my hair with goo, doesn’t feel slippery, but just seems to melt right into my hair. It rinses out very easily without making the shower floor slippery, and leaves my hair detangled, lightweight and really nice.
I have to say that for once, I have met a shampoo that does everything it says on the box. Leaves my hair feeling lightweight and nourished. There is no build up even though I’ve been using it for yonks, and it doesn’t dry out either. I just really like it.
And really, boo that its not available in Asia. I checked in China, and its not there. I know for a fact its not available in South East Asia. I met some people from the regional Pantene Marketing Team and my worst fears were confirmed. I have no access to this Pantene Aqua Light range, unless I head back to UK or Europe! Whaa!
But what a perfect excuse “I need to go to London. My shampoo and conditioner is running out!” 😯
I did put in a request for Pantene to please please bring this in, because I really like it, and I do think it will work well in our local hot humid weather. The scent is light without that strong cloying honeydew scent I’ve started to associate with Pantene shampoos, and after washing, my hair feels light and fresh and clean. That’s all we really want in a shampoo don’t we?
In a nutshell
Aqua Light is a lightweight range haircare by Pantene. The texture of the shampoo and conditioner is lightweight and does not weigh down the hair despite regular use. My hair feels light, and clean after using this and I’m terribly afraid of running out before I get a back up 🙁
Pros: Lightweight texture, Does not weigh down hair despite regular use, Conditioner is not too heavy nor slippery on the hair, Hair feels light and clean, Light scent
Cons: Not available in Asia – Boo!
Here are the ingredients from the back of the bottles.
Aqua Light Shampoo Ingredients
Aqua Light Conditioner Ingredients
Oh one other thing I thought to add that I liked about this shampoo. I love the clear liquid texture. It makes me think of water and interestingly, it doesn’t foam up very much. Enough to let you know your hair is being washed, but not so much that you look like you’ve got a foam helmet on 🙂
For those lucky enough to have access to this range, have you tried it? I do hope Pantene will bring it in to our part of the world in time to come. Its lovely!
Paris B
Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner retails for £4.19/500ml and £4.19/400ml respectively at most pharmacies in the UK and possibly Europe. This was purchased at Superdrug, London.
Jenn says
October 14, 2011 at 8:48 amThis reminds me of the old Organics shampoo which i missed dearly! I love super light hair! And yes, I can do without that honeydew scent too! 😀
jozefin says
October 14, 2011 at 8:57 amOh, you just reminded me about Organics! I used to love it but if I’m not mistaken, it’s no longer produced right?
giddy tigress says
October 14, 2011 at 9:11 amOooh yes, I remember Organics! Used to love that one too 🙂
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:48 pmWait! I remember the name Organics but for the life of me, I can’t remember what it looks like! >.< It looks like I'm the only one!
giddy tigress says
October 14, 2011 at 9:13 amThis shampoo sounds like something I would use, because like you, I shampoo every day! Is it because most Asians don’t have fine hair, that they aren’t bringing it in?
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:49 pmI have no idea to be honest. We in Asia get different stuff from those in Europe and the USA. I don’t have fine hair, but this works very well in keeping it tame. Many asian brands cause it to go bonkers after a while.
Hanny says
October 14, 2011 at 9:13 amVery good excuse indeed! Oh yes, sorry for going out of topic, PB, but do you know the prices of Nars in China and BKK? Am going to China this December, so I can try out stuff for meself when I’m there.
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:50 pmNope sorry, no idea of Nars prices. Not sure if Nars is in China but if it is expect at least 30% mark up from US prices. Bangkok is pricey but I think better priced.
Trinity says
October 14, 2011 at 11:55 pmI live in Beijing and I know for a fact that NARS is unavailable here yet. Not even in Sephora China or Skinstore China…
ParisB says
October 15, 2011 at 6:00 pmThanks for the update Trinity! Great to touch base with a reader in China 😀
Tine says
October 14, 2011 at 9:15 amI can’t wait for this to be launched in Australia. I’m not sure if it already has; several bloggers talked about it, but I didn’t seem to see it at Priceline when I was there yesterday. I should be able to do away with my clarifying shampoo with this 🙂
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:50 pmAhhh if its available in Australia, then I can say “I need to go to Australia so I can replenish my shampoo and conditioner!” Cheaper and shorter flight time and I get to meet up with my friends there! 😀
Issa says
October 14, 2011 at 9:15 amAfter reading your post, i wanna try this shampoo and conditioner! I hope the Pantene people will hear your request! 🙂
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:51 pmLet’s all keep our fingers crossed! I’m not placing much hope but we never know 🙂
rinnah says
October 14, 2011 at 9:20 amI want this shampoo/condi! Pantene please bring it in because I have no way of going to UK/Europe to get it! 😛
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:51 pmA friend maybe? 🙂
rinnah says
October 14, 2011 at 5:15 pmNo #evurl girl connection in UK/Europe wor… 😛
peach_ says
October 14, 2011 at 9:55 amBoo for not being readily available. I want to try it! I, too, have voluminous hair…very thick and lots of it. I’ll absolutely back you up in having an “excuse” for traveling to replenish your haircare stash!
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:51 pmSounds like my hair! Isn’t it so decadent to fly halfway round the world to buy shampoo??!!
plue says
October 14, 2011 at 9:59 ami have seen this on some UK blogs and was intrigued by it also! maybe I’ll ask my friend to bring back when she comes back from UK next CNY, if you want to tumpang, let me know ok? 😀
the way you describe the shampoo seems will work well for people with oily scalp! 😀
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:52 pmAh a mule! 😀 Just make sure she doesn’t mind lugging back 4 litres of the stuff LOL! 😀 I don’t know about oily scalps but I love how there’s no build up and how clean and light my hair feels.
plue says
October 14, 2011 at 5:41 pmlol i’ll try to convince her that this is good stuff and why should she lug back 4litres for me. eh wait, add in mine, it’s not 4 litres anymore! 😛
dom says
October 14, 2011 at 10:39 amsounds great 🙂 but unfortunately for the SLSes i might have to give this a pass 🙁
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:52 pmI’m sort of glad the usual suspects don’t bother me too much 😀
lyn says
October 14, 2011 at 11:23 amI love lightweight shampoos as well and it is difficult to find such hair products locally. I really hope they’ll bring this in ‘cos it looks good!
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:53 pmI fully agree with you! Hair products here are all heavy and creamy and tend to weigh down my hair with long term use. I don’t understand why, because the weather is hot and humid enough as it is!
LeGeeque says
October 14, 2011 at 11:41 amYAR! In lieu of this, Pantene has this clarifying shampoo that I use on days I actually use hair products. As you should know, I don’t even own a comb or a hair brush…
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:54 pmI don’t think we even have a clarifying shampoo here by Pantene. I was using their Clinicare for a while. Nice and all, but started weighing down my hair as expected 🙁
ksuan says
October 14, 2011 at 2:52 pmWant, so badly, want, want, want. Must buy in London next month. Thanks for the tip-off, Paris – have a wonderful weekend. x
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:55 pmHaha! Lucky you to be headed to London! Loads of nice stuff to pick up 😀 Enjoy the weekend too.
xin says
October 14, 2011 at 3:04 pmhmm was this the one i used in ann’s house? i quite like it but with 3 days of use my scalp turned sensitive :S
ParisB says
October 14, 2011 at 4:55 pmYes it is. Sorry didn’t work for you 🙁
bubbles says
October 14, 2011 at 10:06 pmI wanted these too, but boo for not available in Malaysia. I am using Pantene Healthy Fullness and Shine range, they are working well on my thin hair so far. Hee..
ParisB says
October 15, 2011 at 5:59 pmYeah pity its not here but happily you have a range that works for you!
gio says
October 14, 2011 at 11:04 pmThanks for the review. You made me really curious to try the shampoo! But what a shame it’s not available in Asia.
ParisB says
October 15, 2011 at 5:59 pmIt is a shame for sure! I’m sure you have it in Italy right?
doubletwentythree says
October 15, 2011 at 4:02 amthis stuff is ahmazeballs! i didn’t try the conditioner as most weigh my hair down, regardless. however the shampoo is enough to shout about. it left my hair really silky, bouncy, filled with volume and didn’t dry my locks at all. mind you, i was trying this out when i was in london over the summer holidays so i’m not sure if the hard water in uk had something to do with it as well? nonetheless, i would still repurchase.
p/s. good to know i wasn’t the only one who thought the shampoo didn’t lather up as much.
ParisB says
October 15, 2011 at 6:02 pmOh hurrah!! Thanks for sharing my sentiments and love for this range! 😀 I thought it a little odd at first that the shampoo didn’t foam up as normal ones do but really, i’m glad for that 🙂
Jane says
October 18, 2011 at 2:49 pmThis is so weird, Asians shampoo and condition their hair more often than others right? In fact we shampoo at least once a day. We can’t relate to the “I can’t go out with you because I have to wash my hair” excuse because we wash it everyday. We have warmer climates. So why is Pantene not bringing this to Asia?! Gasp! lol!
ParisB says
October 18, 2011 at 4:03 pmYou said it! Maybe there’s something else that keeps them from selling the same things here as they do in Europe? Lets keep our fingers crossed then 🙂
RosS says
January 5, 2012 at 7:32 pmParis B! Can u suggest shampoo’s for hair loss,dry hair, and itchy scalp? Preferably affordable ones..so far Nothing works for me.. I tried loreal, tresemme,clear,pantene,sunsilk.. Nothing works.. My hair starts to go thin! Help me Paris B! 🙁
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:30 pmHi RosS – I’m afraid I’m not too familiar with that sort of hair type. My hair is generally normal-dry and I use any shampoo on hand. I am told the Himalaya Herbals anti hair fall shampoo is quite good but I haven’t tried that. Sorry I can’t help!
sarah says
July 26, 2012 at 9:48 pmowhh I wanna try these too! the packaging kinda give me the aqua-ish feeling =D