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My first experience with Crown Affair was not a good one. Years ago, I tried the brand’s original shampoo, hated it, and immediately wrote the entire line off. It took an overwhelming amount of praise for their Leave-In Conditioner to convince me to give Crown Affair a second chance.
I’m glad I did.
Over the past several months, I’ve tested six of their most popular products, ranging from scalp care to styling products to their newer volumizing line for oily hair. Some became genuine favorites that I plan to keep buying. Others left me wondering whether the luxury price tag was really justified.
For context, I have fine hair that gets oily quickly and tends to fall flat. Products that work beautifully for thick, coarse, or dry hair often feel too heavy on me. If your hair sounds similar to mine, this review should give you a good idea of which Crown Affair products are worth the splurge and which ones you can probably skip.
About Crown Affair
Crown Affair launched in 2019 with a tightly edited product range and a less is more philosophy. The packaging is minimal and considered. It looks as good on a shelf as it performs in the shower. Pricing sits in an interesting middle ground: more expensive than most Sephora mid-range options, but just below true luxury lines like Oribe.
Crown Affair Review
The Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo
I have been using scalp scrubs for years. My benchmarks going in were the Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo and the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub, both of which I have used and recommended for a long time. This one may have replaced both of them.
What works: it suds up properly, which matters more than people give it credit for. A scalp scrub that does not lather makes it hard to feel confident that your hair is actually getting clean. This one does both. It exfoliates and cleanses without leaving hair feeling like straw afterward. My one consistent complaint with the Briogeo is that I have to use a lot of product to get full coverage. That is not an issue here.
Would I Repurchase? Yes. This has earned a permanent spot in my rotation
The Leave-In Conditioner Cream
After having such a negative experience with their now discontinued shampoo, I was nervous to try any other products from the line. But, after hearing a ton of positive reviews about this leave in conditioner, I decided to give it a try.
Normally, I opt for a spray leave in conditioner because creams can be a bit heavy. But that is not an issue at all with this cream. I take a couple of pumps and work it through the mid lengths to the ends.
The fragrance is noticeable but not strong. It has notes of bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass, which I enjoy.
I like that this leave in detangles and makes my hair soft, but does not make my hair greasy or weigh it down.
This is a very expensive leave in conditioner and I hate that I love it.
Would I Repurchase? Yes.
The Renewal Hydrating Hair Mask
I have thin fine hair so I don’t use hair masks often. And when I do, I want to make sure they don’t make my hair greasy or weigh my hair down.
After shampooing, I worked a small amount through the ends and up a few inches, let it sit, then rinsed. My hair was noticeably smoother and shinier after drying. What really got my attention was that after my next wash, my hair was still softer.
All that being said this mask is expensive. It is almost twice the price of my current favorite Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask. And while I know I shouldn’t repurchase a $58 hair mask, I did really enjoy using it. I won’t be buying this hair mask all the time, but I will be treating myself to it occasionally.
Would I Repurchase: Yes, occasionally.
The Volumizing Shampoo for Oily, Flat Hair
After trying the original shampoo and hating it, I was excited to see they released products for Oily, Flat hair. I ordered a mini of both the shampoo and the conditioner.
Crown Affair uses coconut based surfactants in their shampoos which are known to be gentler and less stripping. Knowing that, I was surprised by just how much this shampoo sudsed up. It did get my oily hair clean if not a bit dry. For my hair type that is not necessarily a bad thing since dryness means longer time between washes.
But this is an expensive shampoo. It sits just below Oribe pricing, which puts it well above the clarifying shampoos I normally reach for. This shampoo did a good job but the price keeps me from wanting to buy it again.
Would I Repurchase? No.
The Volumizing Conditioner for Oily, Flat Hair
After washing my hair I reached for this conditioner and squeezed some into my hand. When I saw that it was a gel I thought I must have grabbed the wrong product. I double checked the packaging. Yep, that says conditioner.
The texture was off putting to say the least. It is not very nourishing but it did keep my hair from being full of tangles. And since it is such a lightweight gel it does not weigh my hair down.
Overall, I do not like this conditioner enough to repurchase it. I would rather put that money toward the leave-in conditioner, which I like exponentially more.
Would I Repurchase? No.
The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse
As a girl with stick straight hair, I do not use a mousse often. When I do it is to achieve volume, and I always use my hair dryer. So using a texturizing mousse and letting my hair air dry is not a typical part of my haircare routine, and honestly, not something I can give a fully informed verdict on.
What I can tell you is that the mousse did give my hair a bit of texture, kind of like what my hair looks like after being in a messy bun all day. A lot of people love that effortless, slightly messy look. It just is not my style. If you have fine, wavy, or curly hair and air drying is already part of your routine, this might be worth exploring. For me, it is not a repurchase.
Would I Repurchase? No.
Final Thoughts on Crown Affair
After testing six products, Crown Affair ended up being a much more mixed experience than I expected. Going in, I was skeptical after my disappointing experience with the brand’s original shampoo. Coming out of it, I found a few products I genuinely love.
Overall, I think Crown Affair is at its best when it focuses on thoughtful, elevated essentials rather than trying to solve every hair concern. If you have fine hair and are curious about the brand, I would start with the Leave-In Conditioner Cream or the Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo.
Looking to buy Crown Affair? You can shop their products on the brand’s website and Sephora.
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