Could your tap water be sabotaging your beauty routine? Maybe. Across the US, tap water is riddled with chlorine and heavy metals, which are necessary for keeping water clean and clear of harmful bacteria but not so great when it comes to our skin and hair.
Chlorine and hard water (water that’s rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium) can strip away the body’s natural oils, causing issues like dry, flaky, irritated skin and brittle, coarse hair prone to breakage. It makes sense that your beauty products can only go so far when your water is counteracting their benefits — which is why Jolie was created. The sleek filtered showerhead removes chlorine by processing your tap water through KDF-55 and calcium sulfite, saving your skin and hair from the chemical.
While shower filters are not new, most options out there are bulky and can be quite expensive. (It’s also worth noting that shower filters may claim to remove heavy metals from hard water, but a water softener will be the most effective for that.) The Jolie Filtered Showerhead is still on the pricey side, but it’s also one of the most attractive options out there and promises easy installation. We put the viral product to the test, with four Underscored editors swapping out their old shower heads for the Jolie and seeing what difference it made after a month.
- Related: Do you need a shower filter for your hair? We asked the experts to find out
The Jolie shower head is the sidekick you didn't know your beauty routine needed. It's actually easy to install, looks streamlined, boosts water pressure and removes chlorine for a better shower experience that'll promote healthier skin and hair.
What we liked about it
It’s super easy to install
It was the first time replacing a shower head for all of us and we were all a bit nervous about the installation process — and pleasantly surprised at how painless it was. “Transparently, I was super hesitant about the installation process since I’m not handy and hire a Task Rabbit for quite literally everything, but the Jolie package came with easy-to-follow instructions, a very cute wrench and plumber’s tape that made the process seem a lot less intimidating,” shares social lead Stephanie Griffin. Likewise, senior editor Chelsea Stone says that any apprehension about installing the Jolie shower head was quickly eased. “I had never swapped a shower head before and had no idea whether it would be a difficult task or not. But Jolie made it easy, fast and, dare I say, fun? Jolie’s instructions were clear, and I’m confident anyone could follow them.”
It was really as simple as unscrewing our old shower heads and screwing on the Jolie. Most of us didn’t even use the wrench, and it took us all less than 20 minutes to complete. Just be warned, removing your old shower head might reveal some gross stuff. “Once I uninstalled the shower head that came with my apartment, it was covered in unidentifiable gunk and debris that seriously still haunts me to this day,” says Griffin.
Two of the testers also tried replacing the filter and found that it was just as easy. “I found changing [the filter] efficient enough so that when it comes to taking it out in a few months I won’t be dreading doing so,” says social strategist Madison Yerke.
It looks sleek and stylish
Available in five colors, the Jolie shower head prioritizes style alongside its function. “Upgrade” was the unanimous word we all used to describe the Jolie’s addition to our bathrooms, and chic, modern and sleek were also thrown around.
In the world of unappealing apartment bathrooms where you’re stuck with ugly tile or bad lighting, being able to make a simple change to a stylish shower head makes a big difference.
The water pressure feels amazing
Besides the look of the Jolie shower head, the biggest change we immediately noticed was the water pressure. I didn’t have weak water pressure before, so it was a happy surprise to step in my shower the first time after installing the Jolie and find that the stream was even stronger. “At first use I noticed my water pressure was stronger and more seamless,” Yerke adds.
It made our hair softer
After using the shower filter for a month, we already noticed a difference in our hair. As someone who has dandruff, my scalp is often itchy and my hair gets oily after a day. The second week into testing the Jolie shower head, I noticed that my hair felt softer and I could go two or three days in between washes. Griffin also noticed less breakage in her hair after a month.
As for our skin, it’s hard to tell if it has actually made a big difference. Personally, this could be due to the fact that I usually shower in the morning and then wash my face at night using regular tap water from my bathroom sink. However, Yerke noted that her showers have felt refreshing for her skin. “As the weather gets colder and my skin and hair become more prone to drying out, I’m definitely exciting to keep using it and feel its long-term effects,” she says.
Griffin's hair before (left) and after (right) showering with the Jolie Showerhead.
What we didn’t like about it
The biggest drawback to the Jolie Showerhead is the price. At $165 for the initial shower head and filter, plus the filter refill every 90 days, you’re looking at nearly $300 for the first year.
And yes, having to replace the filter is a universal truth when it comes to any water filters. After months of running water through it, the filter cartridge will collect contaminants and become less effective at keeping the chlorine out. So we do recommend opting into the refill subscription, which will automatically bill and ship you a new filter every quarter. By subscribing, you’ll save a few dollars from each refill and the hassle of remembering when it’s time to change the filter.
How it compares
Out of the four testers, I was the only one already using a shower filter — and there was one key difference I noticed after I swapped to the Jolie. Because Jolie’s filter is built into the shower head itself, that means you’re stuck with a fixed shower head. Those who like the flexibility of a handheld shower head may want to opt for an in-line shower filter instead. I was previously using Hello Klean’s original shower filter and found it of similar quality to the Jolie and just as easy to install.
Bottom line
The Jolie is an attractive shower filter that removes chlorine while delivering impressive water pressure. Its easy installation and instant upgrade factor make it a gratifying change, even if we didn’t notice a huge difference in our skin. As Griffin notes, “it can’t hurt to filter out the chlorine and heavy metals in your city’s water and I think it’s an important change that everyone should make for their health!”
Stone agrees, adding, “The water I’m showering with does somehow feel cleaner. Could it be a placebo effect? Possibly. But showering with filtered water just makes sense! For me, there’s no going back.”
