Is Function of Beauty Worth the Money? My Honest Review After Trying It
1. The Hype That Was Everywhere
A few years back, you could barely watch a YouTube video or scroll through Instagram without hearing about Function Of Beauty. Every creator seemed to pause mid-video to thank them for sponsoring. It didn’t matter if the content was about beauty, fashion, or something random. Their pastel bottles always found a way into the frame.
Naturally, everyone around me started talking about it. Friends asked the same questions over and over. Does it actually work? Is it worth the price? And most importantly—does it really feel different from regular shampoo?
I was curious too, not going to lie. But the price made me hesitate. It cost almost three times more than the drugstore shampoos I already liked. So I closed the tab and moved on.
Then earlier this year, the brand popped up on my feed again. No big discount code this time. In fact, the price had gone up. But something about it still pulled me in, so I finally gave it a try.
I’ve been using my personalized shampoo and conditioner for about three months now, and I have a lot of thoughts.
2. How Much Does Function Of Beauty Actually Cost?
Let’s be honest for a second. This shampoo and conditioner set is not cheap. If you plan to buy it, the price is something you’ll notice right away.
Here’s a simple breakdown.
| Purchase Type | Price Per Bottle | Total for Shampoo + Conditioner |
|---|---|---|
| One-time purchase | $36 | $72 |
| Subscription (20% off) | $28.80 | About $57.50 |
Delivery costs are extra if you don’t subscribe.
The brand also offers an SOS Custom Repair set. These are slightly more expensive.
| Product Type | One-Time Purchase | Subscription Price |
|---|---|---|
| SOS Custom Repair Set | $88 total | About $70 |
The subscription does save money. But it means your products arrive every 1, 2, or 3 months automatically. That works great if you love the formula. If not, it can feel a bit restrictive.
3. What Comes Inside the Function Of Beauty Box?
Opening the box honestly felt a bit like opening a small gift. Everything inside is neatly packed and very on-brand.
Here’s what you usually get:
- Your custom shampoo
- Your custom conditioner
- Two pumps (if you selected them)
- Cute stickers to decorate the bottles
- A personalized instruction card
The instruction card is actually helpful. It explains your hair goals and the ingredients used in your formula. It almost feels like a mini hair report for your routine.
I kept mine in the bathroom for the first few weeks just to remind myself what my hair “plan” was.
4. How Customization Works
This is where the brand really shines.
Before placing your order, you answer a short quiz on the website. It asks about your hair type, scalp condition, and a few lifestyle habits. Nothing complicated, but enough to build a basic hair profile.
Then you pick up to five hair goals.
For example, you might choose:
- Anti-frizz
- Shine
- Oil control
- Hydration
- Split-end repair
After that, you get to choose the fun parts. The scent, scent strength, and bottle color. It’s oddly satisfying to match the color to your bathroom shelves.
When the box arrives, you can even decorate the bottles with stickers. Totally unnecessary, but honestly very cute.
5. Is Function Of Beauty Cruelty-Free?
For a lot of people, this matters just as much as performance. I’m in that group too.
The good news is that Function Of Beauty is cruelty-free and vegan. The formulas are created by scientists and focus on naturally derived ingredients. The products are also free from sulfates and parabens.
That means you’re not trading ethics for nice hair. You can have both.
6. Things I Honestly Loved
After using the set for a few months, a few things really stood out to me.
The Scent
This might sound small, but the scent is amazing. I picked the nude peach fragrance, which is actually one of their most popular options.
Every time I wash my hair, the bathroom smells like a soft peach perfume. The scent also lasts longer than I expected. Sometimes I can still smell it two days later when I move my hair.
The Bottle Design
The bottles feel surprisingly luxurious. They are large (16 oz), which means they last quite a while even if you have thick hair.
Seeing my name printed on the bottle made me smile the first time I opened the box. It felt like something made just for me.
The packaging is also recyclable, including the delivery box. You can reuse the pumps for future orders too.
The Formula Quality
The shampoo and conditioner feel rich and thick. A little goes a long way.
I’ve used many brands over the years, and this one definitely feels more concentrated. I use less product each wash, which helps the bottle last longer.
The Personalized Instructions
The instruction card might sound simple, but it adds a premium touch. It lists your chosen hair goals and explains what ingredients support them.
It almost feels like having a tiny hair coach sitting on your bathroom shelf.
Flexible Hair Goals
One feature I really appreciate is that you can change your hair goals for future orders.
Hair needs change with seasons. In summer, you might need oil control. In winter, you might want extra hydration.
This flexibility makes the product feel more adaptable than standard shampoos.
7. A Few Things I Didn’t Love
Even though I liked the product, it’s not perfect.
The Price
This is the biggest drawback. My last order cost around $77 after everything.
That’s a lot for shampoo and conditioner. Especially when many great vegan and cruelty-free brands cost much less.
Brands like Faith In Nature, Evolve, and Green People also perform well and are easier on the wallet.
The Subscription System
The subscription discount is nice, but it comes with pressure.
I personally prefer buying haircare only when I run out. With the subscription, you need to manage delivery dates and sometimes pause shipments.
You can delay orders, but only to a certain point. It’s convenient, but also slightly restrictive.
8. The Big Question: Does It Actually Work?
Short answer? Yes, it worked for me.
Here’s the formula I chose:
- Scent: Peach (strong)
- Color: Green
- Hair goals: Anti-frizz, shine, oil control, replenish hair, thermal protection
After about three months, I noticed real changes. My hair feels softer but also stronger. Frizz is easier to manage, even after using heat tools.
I also don’t need to wash my hair as often anymore. That alone made the product feel worth trying.
The shine improvement is subtle because my hair is lighter in color. But overall, it definitely looks healthier.
9. My Honest Final Thoughts
Function Of Beauty feels like a luxury haircare experience. The personalization, packaging, and scent make it fun to use.
But the price makes it hard to justify as an everyday product.
For me, it’s something I’ll probably buy once in a while. Think of it like treating your hair to a spa day every few months.
Will I order it again? Yes.
Will it replace my regular shampoo forever? Probably not.
But when my hair needs a little reset, I know exactly where I’ll go.
