Function of Beauty: Worth the Money? My Experience and Honest Thoughts

Table of Contents

1. The Hype I Couldn’t Escape

A few years back, it felt impossible to scroll without someone thanking Function of Beauty for sponsoring their video.
YouTube, Instagram, TikTok—it was everywhere.

If the content was even loosely about beauty or lifestyle, those pastel bottles showed up.
Always glossy. Always aesthetic. Always with a discount code.

Everyone I knew had an opinion.
Had they tried it? Did it actually work? Or was it just pretty packaging?

I was curious, but not that curious.
At nearly triple the cost of my usual drugstore shampoo, I passed.

Then earlier this year, it popped back onto my radar.
No discount. Higher prices. Somehow, that’s when I finally caved.

I’ve now been using my personalized shampoo and conditioner for almost three months.
Here’s the honest, friend-to-friend breakdown.

2. How Much Does It Actually Cost?

Let’s get straight to the awkward part.
This is not cheap shampoo.

If you buy once, a 16oz shampoo is $36.
Same price for the conditioner.
That’s $72 before shipping.

If you choose the subscription, you get free shipping and 20% off.
That drops the total to about $57.50.
Still pricey, but easier to swallow.

There’s also the SOS Custom Repair line.
That one costs $44 per bottle.
$88 total, or around $70 with a subscription.

Bottom line?
This is a luxury purchase, not a casual restock.

3. What Shows Up in the Box

Opening the box honestly felt fun.
Like a mini self-care gift to myself.

Inside, you get:

Your shampoo and conditioner
Pumps (if you asked for them)
Stickers for the bottles
A printed instruction card

The card is surprisingly helpful.
It lists your hair goals and explains the formula.
I kept mine to track how my hair changed over time.

4. How Customization Works

The process starts with an online quiz.
It’s free and takes about five minutes.

You answer questions about your hair type and routine.
Then you pick up to five hair goals.

Based on that, they build your formula.
You don’t see the exact recipe, but you get ingredient info later.

You also choose:

Scent
Scent strength
Bottle color

Pro tip: match the color to your bathroom.
It’s unnecessary, but it sparks joy.

5. Is It Cruelty-Free?

This part matters a lot to me.
And thankfully, it checks out.

The brand is cruelty-free and vegan.
No animal testing. No animal-derived ingredients.

They also avoid sulfates and parabens.
And they use mostly naturally derived ingredients.

Ethically, I felt good using it.
That counts for a lot.

6. What I Loved

The Scent and Color

I chose the nude peach scent.
It smells soft, clean, and cozy.

The scent actually lasts.
I can still smell it days later.

The color?
Pure aesthetic joy on my shower shelf.

The Packaging

The 16oz bottles are generous.
Even with thick hair, they last a while.

Having my name on the bottle felt silly—but lovely.
Like a tiny luxury every wash day.

The bottles are recyclable.
You can also reuse pumps, which cuts waste.

The Formula Quality

The texture is thick and rich.
I use less than I do with most shampoos.

My hair feels clean, not stripped.
Soft, but not weighed down.

The Personalized Instructions

This was a nice surprise.
It made the whole thing feel thoughtful.

Seeing my goals written out helped me notice results.
It felt more intentional than grabbing a random bottle.

The Flexible Hair Goals

You can change your goals each order.
And that’s huge.

Summer hair needs are not winter hair needs.
I loved being able to adjust without switching brands.

7. What I Didn’t Love

The Price

Let’s be real.
$70+ for shampoo hurts a little.

Yes, it’s customized.
Yes, it’s ethical.

But there are solid vegan options for way less.
That makes this hard to justify long term.

The Subscription Setup

I like convenience.
I don’t love feeling locked in.

Without a subscription, you lose the discount and free shipping.
That feels like a penalty.

You can pause deliveries.
But only so many times.

8. So… Does It Actually Work?

Short answer?
Yes. It does.

Here’s what I chose:

Scent: Peach (strong)
Color: Green
Goals: Anti-frizz, shine, oil control, repair, heat protection

After three months, my hair feels stronger.
It’s less frizzy, even after heat styling.

I wash it less often now.
And it feels soft without being limp.

The shine is subtle, but real.
Especially in natural light.

Will I use it forever?
Probably not.

I see it as a luxury reset.
Something I come back to when my hair needs help.

And honestly?
Knowing how good my hair feels now, I will be back.