Control GX Shampoo Reviews

Control GX Shampoo

Overall Rating

1.6

126 Customer Reviews

Summary

Control GX Shampoo by Just For Men uses a formulation that reacts with air and traps color in the hair shaft, gradually reducing your numbers of gray hairs.

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Customer Reviews

1.6 Stars out of 126 Reviews
5 Star:10% 4 Star:3% 3 Star:3% 2 Star:4% 1 Star:78%
16% Recommend This Product
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Posted on Jun 16, 2017

Great color gray hair alternative to Henna Orange and Grecian Lead Acetate and strong PPD chemicals

By GClay, Atlanta, GA, Verified Reviewer

I've just discovered Just for Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo with Conditioner, a great solution for covering gray hair without permanent PPD color issues, or henna mud, or Grecian Formula lead acetate.

I have fine light brown hair with about 60% gray. Based on numerous comments from others (mainly girlfriends) the gray made me look ten years older.

I'm 59 and used Grecian Formula for a couple of years until my Naturopathic Doctor informs me I have a lead build up in my blood.

I tried Just for Men's 5 minute color in a light brown/blonde which worked fast, but I would get a drastic shoe polish solid brown extreme color change. I slowly developed a bad allergic reaction to PPD chemicals with swelling, itching, for days. I had to take Benadryl. The allergic reaction got worse every time I used it until I got the message.

I switched to henna light brown windigo and it looked fine indoors but would reflect sunlight and fluorescent light with an orange on the brown hair and a brassy look on the gray. People would ask me if I was Irish. What a mess that stuff has been. It would also fade over weeks to an orange and brassy look under bright lights, fluorescent and sunlight.

I finally decided to go back to Grecian Formula and just try to be more careful to not contaminate by bathroom, house, brain, and blood with lead. It wasn't good. I was a walking lead contaminator, and I knew it. I always felt dirty especially if I ran my hands through my hair, plus the sulfur smell, and it gave me a puffed up blow-dried TV minister looking hairdo I didn't like, plus I had to shower it out at night, so I don't contaminate my pillow and bed with lead.

Then I discover Just for Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo and Conditioner, and I believe I've finally found an easy, quick solution. The directions say shampoo, leave it for one minute, then rinse it out. Within 2 to 3 weeks you'll find your perfect shade. Cut back on use to occasionally to maintain the color. This stuff is great. I got a perfect multi-tone natural look with just a touch of gray if you look close. No more 5-minute shoe polish brown sudden color change from the Just for Men 5 minute stuff.

I did a 48-hour pre-test on the inside of my elbow and had no reaction, which surprised me. Then I started using it in the morning and night and leave it on for a minute at a time. After one week it had a subtle difference. I read a few reviews like this one on Just for Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo and Conditioner where others said leaving it just one minute isn't long enough, try 2 to 3 minutes and it works quicker.

Then I ran across a review where a guy says to try combing it into the areas you want to target on dry hair and leave it for 5 minutes then rinse it out in the shower (at your own risk and after a 48-hour skin test). Which I tried and within 2 or 3 days I have the exact look I want and couldn't be happier. In fact, I'm ecstatic to finally find a quick, easy solution without lead acetate.

I rinse it out of my hair using lukewarm water because I don't want the hot water opening all the pores on my scalp to suck up the little bit of chemicals in this stuff.

I see this as the lesser of all the bad hair color chemical ingredient evils. Especially lead acetate. I am posting to help other guys (or women) who may be looking for a better solution.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 62 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 19, 2019

Works, but be prepared for major hair loss

By Gerald K., Texas, Verified Reviewer

I began using this product over 1 year ago, and have now stopped. It took about 4 weeks to see results, but was really effective at controlling grey hair. But after a few months, I noticed my hair was thinning. At first, I thought it was simply due to aging. But then realized after about 6 months, everyone was saying I'm going bald. My drain began getting clogged every few weeks with hair, which was highly unusual. I decided to stop using it. Been waiting, but haven't noticed my hair returning yet. Does anyone else know of a replacement product that won't thin your hair?

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 38 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 18, 2019

Dramatic hair loss

By James H., Florida, Verified Reviewer

The product does change the color of my hair, but it is also making my hair fall out in dramatic fashion. I had to stop using the product and now have to figure out how to detox my scalp and my body from the chemicals that caused the fallout. I have no idea if the lost hair will ever grow back.

If anyone has had any success in growing back the lost hair, then please share. Starting to get depressed.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 30 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 25, 2018

Beware: you could get bald in no time!

By Igor S., Montréal, Québec, Canada, Verified Reviewer

It works, in a sense that you get rid of gray hair, and it looks ok. However, you may start losing hair in dramatic fashion! I think I lost 70% of hair on top by using one and a half tubes of Control GX for three months. Hopefully, it will start growing again. This was a BIG mistake.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 24 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 10, 2021

New formula is bad

By David B. , Stroud, United Kingdom

Used to work - now hair goes orange. Please revert to the old formula or do a lot more research and trials. Can we get compensation?

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Old formula used to work

Silly color

Helpful Review? 24 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 31, 2021

New formula doesn't work

By Elis K., London, England, Verified Reviewer

As most have stated here, the new formula turns grey into a D.Trump kind of orange.

Very disappointing, as is their customer service.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 23 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 11, 2021

Orange look

By Mahmut B., London, England, Verified Reviewer

I have been using the product for the last three years and I was happy with it.

But the new formula is just terrible, it made my hair orange.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Easy to use

Color was good

Good value

Orange look

It dyes hands and nails

Helpful Review? 22 People Have Voted

Posted on Jul 26, 2021

The new formula turns your grey hair orange.

By David C., Cambridge, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

Please be warned, I've been using this product for years now and have always felt it did exactly what it stated on the box, gradually turn grey hair back to my original color - dark brown. However, more recently since the new formula was released the same can not be said. Grey hair turns an orange/light brown color that looks ridiculous.

Please only regard reviews for this product since June this year, 2021, anything earlier will be completely misleading.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

Orange/light brown where the grey was.

Helpful Review? 21 People Have Voted

Posted on Jun 16, 2021

New formula

By John L., Leeds, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

I've been using Control GX for over 2 years with great results, however, this new "improved " formula has made my hair go orange! Tried contacting Just For Men but that's almost an impossibility.

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

Makes grey hair go orange

Helpful Review? 20 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 14, 2021

Terrible now

By Gordon T., Dunfermline, Scotland, Verified Reviewer

I agree with all the other reviews. I have used this product for about 2 years and it worked extremely well. I was very happy with it. However, it is now (within the last 3–4 months) turning my hair a strange orange/goldish color. I've had to stop using it. A real shame since it was great before. I thought that it was just me until I read these other reviews. Why on earth have they changed the formula? I won't buy this again unless they go back to the way it was.

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

Turns hair a weird gold/orange color

Unusable unless you want to look ridiculous

Helpful Review? 20 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 30, 2021

Dreadful effect of new formula

By Steve M., Brighton, England, Verified Reviewer

Cannot describe the dreadful effect this new formula has. My hair is now an orange/copper/green tint.

After using the old formula without issue, I’ve used the new formula (not advertised as such) with devastating effect. I have no idea how they are getting away with still marketing.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

The result

Helpful Review? 20 People Have Voted

Posted on Sep 11, 2021

Terrible

By Ray H., London, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

The old formula was much better. I will not buy this again.

It left an orange color. The old formula used to leave a nice dark color.

Why the heck did they change this? If it's not broken why fix it?

I want compensation.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 19 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 28, 2021

New version terrible

By Brian M., United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

I have used the original version for the last 5 years and it was perfect and looked very natural. I recently bought it and the 2021 version dyed my hair orange and has to be used every day, but my hair is still orange and grey! Nightmare, what are they thinking? I will have to stop this product.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 19 People Have Voted

Posted on Jun 17, 2021

New formula is bad

By Chris S., United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

The previous version was great. More purple wash shampoo. They have recently brought out a ‘new’ formula, with terrible results ending up more orange/light brown.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Old version

New version

Helpful Review? 18 People Have Voted

Posted on Oct 5, 2021

Altered product disaster

By Alan B., England, Verified Reviewer

The product has been changed and is now an awful orange effect. Please revert to the previous one or no more sales!

Also, the amount has been reduced, so in summary, a terrible new product and less of it!

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

What it used to be

Awful new product

Helpful Review? 18 People Have Voted

Posted on Sep 11, 2019

Ideal - if your aim is baldness!

By Andrew W., Marple, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

I have used GX for around three months, approximately 1 tube a month.

Yes, it has reduced my grey hair, BUT it has reduced all my hair. I have suffered major hair loss with using this product, and only HOPE that it will grow back now that I have stopped.

I would NOT recommend using this product. It is loaded with chemicals that, in the end, remove ALL your hair!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 17 People Have Voted

Posted on Jul 22, 2021

Orange hair

By Gary M. , England

Absolutely terrible product, never felt so embarrassed, I look like Ronald McDonald. It turned my hair bright orange, usually it is very dark brown, and everyone is commenting about what have I done.

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

Orange hair

Looks ridiculous

Helpful Review? 17 People Have Voted

Posted on Jul 25, 2021

New version is awful

By Mark C., Manchester, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

Don't usually write product reviews but am so disappointed with the new version that I am taking the trouble. I completely endorse other reviewers about the orangy brown color. The old version (which looked sort of purple when you rinsed it) left a much blacker more natural color. Please bring the old formula back or have the two as alternatives - old = natural, new = unnatural!

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Old version was great - gave a natural color

Easy to use

Slowly, discretely changed hair color

Makes your fingernails look dirty

Causes a bit of scalp irritation

Helpful Review? 17 People Have Voted

Posted on Oct 2, 2021

New formula is terrible

By Ben R., United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

I have used this for almost 4 years now and the new stuff is making my hair orange. Don't buy it! I've had to shave my hair off, it's that bad.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

It used to work

It is now making my hair orange

Helpful Review? 17 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 28, 2021

New 118ml tubes turn hair orange

By Mark M., London, United Kindom, Verified Reviewer

Have used it for years, this was an amazing product, worked well. Then they changed it and now it just makes you look like Trump.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Nothing it is junk not only did they decrease the size but they wrecked it

It is junk

Not only did they decrease the size but they wrecked it

Orange hair

Helpful Review? 17 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 7, 2022

Changes to product?

By Matthew M., England, Verified Reviewer

Not good. Something has changed, leaving my hair orange! This product has changed recently. Not good! It is now not fit for purpose, it leaves my hair orange. It was perfect, and a number of my friends think the same and will no longer purchase it.

Change it back!

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Was perfect, great, usable, fantastic

The changes

Orange tinge

Not fit for purpose

Helpful Review? 17 People Have Voted

Posted on Apr 6, 2018

Best thing I have found. Great results with no ill effects!

By Tom Brown, Providence, RI, Verified Reviewer

I am a 60-year-old Caucasian man. My natural hair color was always very dark brown, appearing black. Over the last twenty years it has gone more and more grey, and in the last five, it went way too grey to get away with calling it salt and pepper. It was near white. I wear a short cut, approximately 1/4 inch over the ears progressing to 1 to 1 1/4" on top. I have a full head of hair with no balding pattern, but it is noticeably thinner in the last ten years.

I tried the Control GX product mainly because I am a performer and I could not get roles I wanted without temporary dye, which always looks like crap. This product seemed to me to be accomplishing nothing for about five weeks used every day, until I saw some people I had not seen in that time and the first words they said were "Wow, you colored your hair. It looks great!" I tried to BS my way out of it but they had photos taken in the exact place we were standing at the time, and I was wearing the same shirt! They shot identical photos under the same lighting and did a side by side and there was no getting around it; my hair was many shades darker and looked absolutely natural, and it had been so gradual that I couldn't tell on a daily basis.

Perhaps the most telling factor: I am getting the parts I want (and not just in my hair!) I used the tiniest amount of shampoo each time, perhaps a half teaspoon. I used my fingertips and did notice some very minor staining. I solved that with a clear matte polish which I use on stage anyway. I let it sit about five minutes with each use as I shaved and washed the rest of myself. Tube says one minute. You will find that the color stains the tip of the tube and if you touch that it suddenly looks like you picked up a melted Hershey bar. DON'T TOUCH THE TIP!

Oddly, the shampoo is not dark out of the tube nor sitting on your head. Apparently the "dying" effect is a result of it building up gradually on your hair. Does it ONLY dye the grey? Not bloody likely, since it stains everything else it touches, according to the package, but perhaps it only actually adheres to the grey dues to some physical difference, or perhaps is just seems that way. I couldn't care less. IT WORKS.

There is no odor to the product. No scent or perfume etc. I did not find any problem of staining towels or tiles, etc. IMHO, this is a great product. I am STILL waiting for my wife to say something. I don't know if she hasn't noticed or is "protecting my dignity" by not mentioning it. I am waiting for when she does and I can say "Wanna try it?" LOL. Buy this product!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 16 People Have Voted

Posted on Mar 12, 2019

This really works.

By Chris E., Newtown, Powys, Wales, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

In England, it is said that men who have a full head of hair which is grey, ala John Kerry, although I think he wears a "syrup" (English rhyming slang, "Syrup of fig-wig"), that they look distinguished, but if they have little hair, and what they have is grey, then they look extinguished.

I have been using JFM products for just over 30 years and I am now three score years and twelve. To start with, they were a two-part mix and the results were instant, and I got some obtuse comments from some ladies alluding to whether I used hair colorants or not, and that was despite not leaving it on for long. Really messy too.

Then in more recent years, there was an oxygen activated product, a precursor to Control GX, in a small tube, which was great as being parsimonious, I could use as little or much as I wanted, when I wanted, and the rest stayed in the tube for another day. Had to measure out 50 percent of the two-parter, above to save on waste. With this, there was no mess.

Now we have Control GX. This really does work. With my years of JFM knowledge/use, I have worked out a regime, some of which has already appeared in previous reviews. What I am posting below is what I have found works for me, and except for the bit about gloves, is IN NO WAY intended to countermand JFM’s instructions, and I will NOT be held responsible for the actions of others if they follow what I do!

OK, wearing gloves, I would suggest, is mandatory when using this product. When using the two parter years ago they even supplied gloves. Initially, they were good quality (latex), but in order to cut costs, they later supplied a rubbish cellophane type which went straight in the bin for me to buy my own. I have found that blue vinyl ones are better than the paler white latex ones. Apparently, one has to use palms in order to apply pressure to break down a constituent within the product for it to react with oxygen to work. Using gloved fingers allows me to exert more pressure and it allows greater accuracy of where to put pressure. These gloves can be easily purchased from a hardware shop, market stall or a motorist spare part store in boxes of 100. Although credited as "single-use," I rinse them well and use them until one falls apart. (Ever the parsimonious Capricorn!).

I squeeze product into a glass desert dish so can more easily gauge how much I am using and can instantly close the tube afterwards to prevent air/oxygen getting back into the tube. Using one of those long handled brushes as favoured by ladies hairstylists when applying hair colorant professionally, I can apply the product more easily to where I want it first. It also allows pressure to be put on the roots first. One of those brushes can probably be purchased from the pharmacy where you buy your product. Once the product has been applied all over, I can then massage the product in with gloved fingers. I have a stop watch which I start when I first apply the product. I wait for 10 minutes before I rinse off in the shower. I have found that the product continues to gradually work for many days after application, so there is no need for me to use it daily.

A couple of tips. Whilst it is not normally messy to use, it is better to stand on an old towel on the floor when applying it. One would normally do this in the bathroom above the basin, so fill it with warm water and have a cloth of some sort to hand (one of those blue/white checked "household" cloths are ideal), wet to mop up any little splashes. The gloves are going to be well and truly covered in the product, so before you climb into the shower, whilst still wearing them, rinse the gloves in the basin. The water will turn a dark purple colour with white bits mixed/floating in it. Gently pull the plug and let the water out rinsing gently as it drains. Refill basin and rinse gloved hands again and also the cloth. I use the cloth in my hand to handle everything until my hair is rinsed. Taking the cloth in the shower with me enables me wipe my face and to cleanup little splashes. They are easy to see as they will be a pale purple. Once the water is running clear, I then remove the gloves and shower as normal.

As I said, this regime works for me; it is your choice as to whether you go down my road or not.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 16 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 29, 2019

Major hair loss

By Robert U., Georgia, Verified Reviewer

I am 52 years old and have been fortunate to have always had a thick, full head of hair with zero hair loss. I started on this to get rid of my grey. First, the shampoo feels really greasy and more like a conditioner than shampoo. It got rid of my grey, but within a month, I had lost approximately 50% of my hair. All my friends were asking me if I was sick. I immediately stopped using it and about 2 months later I had my thick grey hair back. I've used other dyes before and never lost hair. My recommendation would be to stay away from this stuff.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 16 People Have Voted

Posted on Jul 6, 2021

New formula, zero stars

By Andrew S. , Manchester, United Kingdom

I've been a user of Control GX for over two years, and would have been happy to recommend it to anyone, that is until now. The new formula is terrible and I can honestly say that I would rather be grey than the orangey-brown color my hair is now turning. It looks awful and totally unnatural, the quicker I can get to the barber's for a number two the better. I'll accept the grey from now on, if the new Control GX is the only option.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

The old version was fantastic

New UN-improved formula

Everything, will no longer be using GX

Helpful Review? 16 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 5, 2021

New 118ml version is awful - orange hair

By Matthew A., United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

Been using Control GX for around 4 years. After previously suffering allergic reactions to any hair color product I tried, finding Control GX was a godsend: no allergic reactions at all and gave my hair a perfectly natural color (and my hair is black).

Fast forward to September 2021. I brought a bottle and noticed the packaging was different and had gone from 147ml bottles to 118ml bottles. Didn't think anything of it, however, after 2 applications, I noticed my hair was orange/bronze and I was having a severe allergic reaction on my scalp, which has caused hair loss!

It can't be a coincidence as every review I've read about the new product says the same thing! Did JFM even test the product?! They had the best product on the market and they have completely destroyed it! I've now reverted to buying the old 147ml bottles with the original formula off eBay and it's working like a dream again.

JFM need to address this fast. If it's not broken, don't fix it!

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

Turns hair orange

Allergic reactions

Hair loss

Smaller bottles

Helpful Review? 16 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 7, 2022

So disappointing, change it back!

By Kieran K., Staffordshire, United Kingdom, Verified Reviewer

Why oh why would a company mess with a successful formula? Has worked perfectly for 3-4 years at hiding my grey simply and naturally but now my hair looks a very weird color. As per previous reviews, it has an orange tint.

Change it back or lose sales!

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Used to work

No longer works as it should

Helpful Review? 16 People Have Voted
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