Some haircare brands have one of those names that makes you do a small double-take in the salon aisle. Rusk’s Being Sexy line is one of them. Cheeky branding aside, this argan-oil-infused shampoo and conditioner has been a backup-favourite of mine for years — the bottles I keep restocking when my pricier options run out. Here’s the long version of why.
What is Rusk Being Sexy?
Rusk is one of those professional-stylist brands that’s been around since the early ’90s, originally aimed at salon use and now widely available online and in beauty supply stores. The Being Sexy line specifically uses moroccan argan oil as its hero ingredient — the same oil that powered the entire “argan oil moment” in haircare a few years ago and has earned its keep ever since.
The Being Sexy duo is a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner combo built around three claims: hydration, smoothness, and shine. At drugstore-adjacent prices (you’ll find it in the $10–$15 range per bottle), it punches well above its weight class.
Why argan oil is worth the hype
Quick beauty-science detour, because the ingredient really does matter here. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants. On hair, it does three useful things:
- Moisturises without weight. The molecules are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft rather than just coating it.
- Smooths the cuticle. That’s the layer responsible for whether your hair looks shiny or fluffy — argan helps it lie flat.
- Adds heat protection. Not as much as a dedicated heat protectant, but enough to take the edge off blow-drying.
So when you see “argan oil shampoo” on the shelf, that’s not just marketing fluff — there’s an actual benefit if the formula uses enough of it. Rusk does.
How the shampoo performs
The shampoo lathers more than you’d expect for a sulfate-free formula. (Sulfate-free shampoos can sometimes feel like you’re rubbing water through your hair.) Being Sexy gives you actual cushiony suds, which makes the wash feel more thorough. The scent is fresh and slightly sweet — not perfume-counter intense, but pleasant.
What I noticed after a couple of weeks: my scalp was less itchy than it tends to get with stronger detergent shampoos, and the ends didn’t have that brittle, just-stripped feeling on rinse-out. Which is the whole point.
The conditioner is where it shines
If I had to pick a hero between the two, it’s the conditioner. The texture is rich enough that you can feel it doing something on contact, but it rinses out clean. I leave it on for two to three minutes (do other shower stuff while you wait — it’s worth it).
After my hair air-dries:
- The lengths are noticeably softer
- There’s a real, visible shine in natural light, not just the lit-from-behind illusion of a freshly-blowdried photo
- It detangles without me having to wrestle with a brush
- Frizz at the crown — my eternal nemesis — is meaningfully reduced
For under fifteen dollars a bottle, that’s a lot of value.
Who should try Rusk Being Sexy?
This duo works best for:
- Dry, frizzy, or damaged hair — the hydration is the main event
- Color-treated hair — sulfate-free formulas help colour last longer
- Heat-styled hair — argan oil offers some thermal cushioning
- Anyone wary of heavy products — it’s rich without being suffocating
If you have very fine, oily, or limp hair, this might feel a little too rich at the roots. In that case, use the conditioner from mid-length to ends only and skip the scalp entirely.
My styling routine with Being Sexy
I treat Being Sexy as my “rebuild week” routine — when my hair has been over-styled, salt-water-soaked, or generally neglected, I swap to this duo for five or six washes and let the argan oil do its thing. Within a week, my hair feels like itself again.
A few practical tips:
- Use a microfiber towel or old t-shirt to dry. Regular bath towels rough up the cuticle and undo the work.
- Don’t over-shampoo. Once is plenty unless you’ve used a lot of styling product. Twice strips the benefit.
- Pair with a weekly mask. The shampoo and conditioner are great as everyday workhorses, but a weekly deep-conditioning treatment makes the difference between healthy hair and really healthy hair.
Honest pros and cons
What I love:
- Genuinely hydrating without being heavy
- Affordable for the quality
- Sulfate-free formula is gentle on color
- Smells lovely without being overpowering
What’s not perfect:
- Bottles run out faster than premium brands (you may use slightly more product per wash)
- The “Being Sexy” branding is a marketing choice you may or may not love
- Might be too rich for very fine hair
Final verdict: love it
Do I love it or leave it? Love it. Rusk Being Sexy with argan oil has earned a permanent rotation in my shower. It’s the kind of unflashy, reliable haircare that doesn’t demand attention but delivers consistent results. If your hair needs a hydration reset on a budget, this is one to add to the list.
You can find Rusk Being Sexy online at major beauty retailers, on Amazon, and at salon supply stores. Prices vary, so shop around.
Related reads: If you liked this, take a look at my Kerastase Cristalliste for Long Hair review — same kind of pick, different haircare line.