I suck at doing hair. No, seriously - i'm awful. It was well into my teens when I even considered running a brush through it, let alone a pair of straighteners. Some people have the knack for hair styling, some just don't. I've watched countless tutorials where people claim the style is simple, when its obvious they've either spent years perfecting it or they have a Tony & Guy stylist controlling their arms like a puppet.
So instead of filming an awkward tutorial where I claim to know what i'm doing when its clear i'm still a newbie, i've decided to post my favourite simple hair tutorials that I refer back to time and time again.
Llmlrs is a blogger that I have followed for a long time now. I adore her high street style but what i'm really envious of is her trademark bedhead look. I stumbled across this tutorial and was instantly amazed by how simple it was. With fine, flat hair like mine its nice to add a bit of a wave to add a bit of volume, and this is done with a pair of straightners!
This next tutorial features one of the best curling tools I have come across: The Enrapture Totem Styler. I've experimented with creating curls with various straighteners, wands and heated rollers and none of them compare to the simplicity of this styling wand. Here's the tutorial I used the first time I used this amazing product.
I have massive hair-envy for Zoella. Whether its a messy bun or glamorous
curls, she manages to look effortless with a hint of glam. As simple as it seems, I picked up many tips on adding volume and how to create the perfect messy ponytail. I'm yet to attempt the fishtail braid, but it's definitely on my to-do list!
I'm pretty simple when it comes to hairstyles (I'm usually brush, dry shampoo and go!), so hopefully these have given you a bit of an introduction on how to be a bit more creative with fine, limp hair.
I'm always keen to explore new styles, so post a link to your favourite hair tutorial vids below!
Showing posts with label Hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hair. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Thursday, 17 January 2013
My Essential Volumising Hair Products
I've been going on about tackling fine hair recently, writing in-depth reviews on individual products. However, how many of these have remained a favourite of mine after I hit the 'publish' button?
Here is a compilation of my favourite products that I use on a daily basis to give my hair that much needed volume boost:
(1) Percy & Reed Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Mousse - Percy & Reed, £12
This is one of my favourite volumising mousses due its weightless feel. The lift isn't as drastic as others, but it achieves a substantial amount without leaving your hands feeling sticky or your hair feeling heavy. It's the mousse I use the most regularly, as it leaves my hair feeling versatile and lighter than air for when i'm rushing to lectures every day.
(2) Charles Worthington Front Row Rough and Tousled Sea Salt Spray - Boots, £5.49
This is the perfect product for when you want to add effortless texture to a polished style. With a few sprays, a light mist quickly brings out your natural waves and adds a bit of depth to fine, limp hair. I like to tip my hair upside down, spray salt spray into the roots and rough my hair up a little after I curl or straighten it - it gives it that tousled 'bed head' look.
(3) Batiste Dry Shampoo Big and Bouncy XXL Volume - Boots, £2.99
I don't know of a single girl who hasn't tried, or at least heard of, Batiste dry shampoo. However, this combination of dry shampoo and volumising spray makes this an essential product for me. Usually my roots and the shorter hair that frames my face gets greasy quite easily, due to being constantly touched and swept to the sides, therefore this shampoo is perfect for keeping my hair looking 'fresh-out-the-shower' clean as well as give it the lift it so desperately needs. I usually keep this can in my bag for whenever my hair falls a bit flat during the day.
(4) L'Oreal Professional Tecni Art Full Volume Volumising Mousse - Boots, £10.50 (250ml)
Being one of the strongest holding volumising mousses I own, there's no surprise that this was a stylists favourite at Fashion Week. Although it took me a few tries to get the amount I needed right before it made my fine hair heavy, I loved just how huge it made my hair look after blow drying. I use this mousse in wet hair before a night out, when I want extra lift that lasts until the lights come on.
(5) Roots Hair Treatment - Lush, £9.95
This is one of the most irritating but most effective volumising hair treatments I have come across. Its instructed to be worked into your scalp for 20 minutes which essentially activates the treatment, which as you'd understand can be quite annoying. However, the end result leaves my fine hair feeling heavier (but not unmanageable) and gives my roots the boost they would have if my hair was naturally thick. I use this pre-shower treatment as part of my preparation for a night out, helping my flat roots lift up ready for even more volume with the addition of a mousse!
(6) Big Sea Salt Shampoo - Lush, £11.25
Out of all of the products mentioned, this is by far the favourite. It's packed with sea salt, has the consistency of sleet and lathers like you wouldn't imagine. After the advised two shampoos my hair feels well nourished, extremely soft and my hair resembled an untamed lions mane. I achieve all-over lift that lasts all day, along with the adopting the lingering scent of mandarin and vanilla. I've attached the link to a full review of this product - I won't bother repeating myself with how much I love this product!
So there you have it, my favourite volumising hair products. What are yours?
Here is a compilation of my favourite products that I use on a daily basis to give my hair that much needed volume boost:
(1) Percy & Reed Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Mousse - Percy & Reed, £12
This is one of my favourite volumising mousses due its weightless feel. The lift isn't as drastic as others, but it achieves a substantial amount without leaving your hands feeling sticky or your hair feeling heavy. It's the mousse I use the most regularly, as it leaves my hair feeling versatile and lighter than air for when i'm rushing to lectures every day.
(2) Charles Worthington Front Row Rough and Tousled Sea Salt Spray - Boots, £5.49
This is the perfect product for when you want to add effortless texture to a polished style. With a few sprays, a light mist quickly brings out your natural waves and adds a bit of depth to fine, limp hair. I like to tip my hair upside down, spray salt spray into the roots and rough my hair up a little after I curl or straighten it - it gives it that tousled 'bed head' look.
(3) Batiste Dry Shampoo Big and Bouncy XXL Volume - Boots, £2.99
I don't know of a single girl who hasn't tried, or at least heard of, Batiste dry shampoo. However, this combination of dry shampoo and volumising spray makes this an essential product for me. Usually my roots and the shorter hair that frames my face gets greasy quite easily, due to being constantly touched and swept to the sides, therefore this shampoo is perfect for keeping my hair looking 'fresh-out-the-shower' clean as well as give it the lift it so desperately needs. I usually keep this can in my bag for whenever my hair falls a bit flat during the day.
(4) L'Oreal Professional Tecni Art Full Volume Volumising Mousse - Boots, £10.50 (250ml)
Being one of the strongest holding volumising mousses I own, there's no surprise that this was a stylists favourite at Fashion Week. Although it took me a few tries to get the amount I needed right before it made my fine hair heavy, I loved just how huge it made my hair look after blow drying. I use this mousse in wet hair before a night out, when I want extra lift that lasts until the lights come on.
(5) Roots Hair Treatment - Lush, £9.95
This is one of the most irritating but most effective volumising hair treatments I have come across. Its instructed to be worked into your scalp for 20 minutes which essentially activates the treatment, which as you'd understand can be quite annoying. However, the end result leaves my fine hair feeling heavier (but not unmanageable) and gives my roots the boost they would have if my hair was naturally thick. I use this pre-shower treatment as part of my preparation for a night out, helping my flat roots lift up ready for even more volume with the addition of a mousse!
(6) Big Sea Salt Shampoo - Lush, £11.25
Out of all of the products mentioned, this is by far the favourite. It's packed with sea salt, has the consistency of sleet and lathers like you wouldn't imagine. After the advised two shampoos my hair feels well nourished, extremely soft and my hair resembled an untamed lions mane. I achieve all-over lift that lasts all day, along with the adopting the lingering scent of mandarin and vanilla. I've attached the link to a full review of this product - I won't bother repeating myself with how much I love this product!
So there you have it, my favourite volumising hair products. What are yours?
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Paul Mitchell 'Pink Is My Colour' Collection
Paul Mitchell are a professional haircare company with a fleet of professional yet affordable products for practically any hair type. Whether you want to put the bounce back into your curls or tame unruly frizz, Paul Mitchell will have something for you. However, this haircare giant goes far beyond simply producing new products...
Super Strong Liquid Treatment - £16.50
This hair treatment helps banish split ends and uses silicones to protect the surface of the hair, reducing the risk of splitting in the future. It's lightweight but has really big results! You only need a few light sprays and your hair already feels stronger and thicker. It's basically a leave-in conditioner, so I like to use it before I comb through my hair - it stops the creation of split ends (Although this will also help to fix them straight after!).
Super Skinny Serum - £16.75
This serum is a treatment that smooths and conditions wet hair, reducing drying time and styling. It's obviously not as effective as my treasured Moroccan Oil, but this lightweight serum seals ends and leaves your hair smooth and frizz-free. It's great as an after-shower hair treatment, it does the job but it isn't life-changing - it's not the best, but definitely not the worst i've found.
And to top of the kit, it includes a large paddle brush (£10.50), and a smaller brush (£9.50) that's an appropriate size for your handbag. Although i'm not a big fan of the graffiti print (I love the idea of inspirational words, but i've found it's a little too childish for me in design) i've found the brushes, especially the paddle brush are of really great quality.
Overall i'm impressed with the quality of the products - delivering exactly what it says on the tin, my hair is quite fine and none of the products made my hair feel too heavy or greasy. Like I said, I think its amazing that people are raising awareness of cancer and celebrating the strength of both the sufferers and survivors.
You can buy the products in the Paul Mitchell Pink Is My Colour and Super Strong range from professional salons nationwide - to find your nearest salon click here.
Pink Is My Colour is a collaboration with the American Cancer Society, featuring limited edition items, including brushes that bare inspirational words that embody the courage of cancer survivors. The collection* also included products from the Strength collection, which aims to strenghten the hair by up to 50%. I love the idea of raising awareness of such an important issue through haircare products; it allows a wider range of people to be reached. So here's some quick reviews on the contents of the collection:
Super Strong Daily Shampoo & Conditioner- £11.50 & £14.25
I'm always on the lookout for new treatments, and the strengthening shampoo and conditioner is an excellent new addition to my hair treatment collection. The fragrance isn't exactly individual, it smells like a quality product (That sounds wierd but that's the only way I can describe it!) but isn't as distinguished as others. I found after application my hair felt thicker and glossier, and I believe with continued use it would continue to improve my colour-damaged hair.
This hair treatment helps banish split ends and uses silicones to protect the surface of the hair, reducing the risk of splitting in the future. It's lightweight but has really big results! You only need a few light sprays and your hair already feels stronger and thicker. It's basically a leave-in conditioner, so I like to use it before I comb through my hair - it stops the creation of split ends (Although this will also help to fix them straight after!).
Super Skinny Serum - £16.75
This serum is a treatment that smooths and conditions wet hair, reducing drying time and styling. It's obviously not as effective as my treasured Moroccan Oil, but this lightweight serum seals ends and leaves your hair smooth and frizz-free. It's great as an after-shower hair treatment, it does the job but it isn't life-changing - it's not the best, but definitely not the worst i've found.
And to top of the kit, it includes a large paddle brush (£10.50), and a smaller brush (£9.50) that's an appropriate size for your handbag. Although i'm not a big fan of the graffiti print (I love the idea of inspirational words, but i've found it's a little too childish for me in design) i've found the brushes, especially the paddle brush are of really great quality.
Overall i'm impressed with the quality of the products - delivering exactly what it says on the tin, my hair is quite fine and none of the products made my hair feel too heavy or greasy. Like I said, I think its amazing that people are raising awareness of cancer and celebrating the strength of both the sufferers and survivors.
You can buy the products in the Paul Mitchell Pink Is My Colour and Super Strong range from professional salons nationwide - to find your nearest salon click here.
Labels:
Conditioner,
Hair,
Paul Mitchell,
Review,
Shampoo
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Mark Hill 'Vava Voom' Volumising Blow Dry Mousse
Ever since i've been in London, i've become quite obsessed with changing my hair. I've always had it styled exactly the same: side fringe, layers and poker straight. However, since my side fringe started growing out i've decided to have a centre parting and start working on making my hair thicker and generally have a lot more volume!
Mark Hill 'Vava Voom' is part of the Mark Hill Love Big Hair range, aiming to add body, volume and bounce to your hair. A volumising mousse is one of the foundation products for achieving bouncier locks, due to it being so simple to apply, its versatility and is generally quite inexpensive for the results you can achieve.

When I first applied the mousse, I was hesitant as to how much the product would expand in my hand, so getting the perfect amount took a bit longer! I could rub it in both my hands with ease and apply evenly through damp hair without leaving my hands feeling sticky. As you can see, one pump distributed a reasonable amount of product which I found perfect for my mid-length hair. It's got quite a fresh fragrance, but didn't weaken the scent of my shampoo and conditioner.
I applied throughout the lengths of my towel-dried hair, paying particular attention to the root, and then tipped my head upside down and blow-dried.
When I lifted my head up after drying, it looked like i'd been electricuted - volume wasn't the word. My hair had been lifted at least 3-4cm, and I loved it. Even when I wanted to wear my hair straight, the extra lift gave a completely different finish to my regular style. I was seriously blown away by it. However, I have a feeling that i'm going to be constantly on the lookout for the product that gives me the most lift and I know there will be better ones out there. But for £5.99, it's incredible. It really does lift your hair from the root, making my limp hair look like i've just had a professional blow-dry. However, I saw no difference in my hair when I left it to dry naturally, so ensure that you blow-dry it to activate the mousse. I was afraid it would make my hair greasy, but ensuring that it was properly distributed and rubbed in that did not happen. I now use this product after every shower as it does everything it says in the bottle: Gives my hair bounce, versatility and reduces the need to pay over the odds for a professional blow-dry!
You can purchase Mark Hill 'Vava Voom' Volumising Blow Dry Mousse for £5.99 at your local Boots or Superdrug or online here.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Review: Loreal Everpure Reinforce Intense Mask
Ever since being introduced with the Aussie 3-Minute-Miracle reconstructor, i've been such a big fan of intense hair masks. I love the idea of leaving it on for a period of time for it to work its magic through your hair, leaving it in the best condition it can be - a lot more thorough than simple wash- in wash-out products.
Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!
This Reinforcing Intense Mask is part of the new Everpure range from Loreal, which features a 'No sulphate colour care system' - with sulphate being a key component in stripping hair of its colour. It's aimed specifically at coloured & dry hair, and although my hair isn't dry I love to give my hair the most moisture as possible. Its focus is to reinforce the strength and quality of hair that is over processed through frequent colouring. The shampoo from this range is now permanantly part of my shower routine, so I was excited to try this!
*Sorry about the shadow-y picture!*
The mask contains botanical oils rosemary and mint, which was slightly off-putting as I don't really like the inclusion of mint in anything other than chewing gum! However, the fragrance is not overpowering as the rosemary balances out the strength of the mint - it's really refreshing!
It is advised to use after shampooing (The accompanying shampoo is recommended, but it's not necessary!), spreading a walnut-sized amount carefully through the hair and leaving for 3-5 minutes. To further intensify the product, wrap your hair up in a hot towel after application for 5 minutes.
The first thing I noticed after drying my hair was the fragrance, reminding of how hair smells and feels after leaving a professional salon. My hair felt gorgeously smooth, strong and healthy - much like other hair masks, but the difference with this product is that it also protects coloured hair so I don't have to be worried that it will dull my hair with regular application. The product comes in a generous 200ml pot, meaning that the £6.99 price tag is quite reasonable. I have naturally fine hair that gets greasy easily, so I was worried that the thickness of the product will be too heavy on it - but that wasn't the case, my hair felt just the right consistency.
Overall, I would recommend this for anyone who has coloured hair - red in a particular, as it requires the most upkeep. It gives my hair the nutrition it needs to be able to cope with the products I use on a regular basis. I currently use this once a week, and wouldn't recommend using it more than twice due to its thickness and intensity. I've found that this range in general be the most suitable for my hair type, and i'm actually looking forward to when I use this mask again!
You can purchase Loreal Paris EverPure Reinforce Intense Mask for £6.99 at your local pharmacy, Boots or Superdrug, along with the rest of the Loreal Paris Ever range.
Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!
Sunday, 29 July 2012
My "Silhouette" Competition Entry
When public relations company Immediate PR announced a competition to re-create a celebrity hairstyle, I jumped at the chance to enter. I've never been a hair expert (I couldn't successfully put my hair into a ponytail without help until I was 17!) but I really wanted to try something new and be in with a chance of winning a designer handbag.
I was really excited when I was emailed to say that I had qualified and was sent 3 amazing products to recreate a celebrity silhoutte from the Schwarzkopf Silhouette range:
- Colour Brilliance Mousse
- Colour Brilliance Hairspray
- Colour Brilliance Extreme Gloss Spray

I was inspired by this picture of Vanessa Hudgen, purely because i've been fascinated by fishtail braids, and i'll admit that this is the first time I have ever tried one. Like I said, I am really not great at hair, but I gave it my best shot.
I decided to use my sister as a model, purely because she has nicer hair and it's naturally wavy and has that boho look. As you can see the whole style is a lot looser than the picture of Vanessa Hudgens, but I wanted it to be a lot more relaxed and achieve that "Just threw this together" look.
I put the hair into a low side ponytail at the nape of the neck and fastened with a clear hairband.
I then split the hair into two parts, and took a part from the first part and crossed it over into part 2 - and continued back to part 1. It really wasn't difficult once you stop thinking about it and realise that you're just essentially making crosses. I ensured that I kept it loose and relaxed, shaking the braid as I went.
I then secured the end with another clear band, and wrapped a pearl bracelet around it as I really love Vanessa's quirky hair accessory! I then took some scissors and carefully cut the top clear elastic so the hair naturally swept over the shoulder into the braid. I then fastened stray hairs around the back with pins and sprayed with the Silhoutte Colour Brilliance Hairspray to secure the strays and the loose waves that I kept free at the front of the hair. When photographing I ended up pinning back one of the loose bits of hair, as I preferred just having one side loose. Lastly, I finished off the look with some Silhouette Color Brilliance Extreme Gloss Spray so her hair looked glossy and gorgeous.
So there you have it, I hope you like! These products definitely helped perfect the look, and although i'm a terrible hair stylist i'm extremely happy with it!
Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Review: Moroccan Oil Treatment
Hair oils have become increasingly popular lately, with different brands popping out of nowhere swearing that their hair oil achieves the best results! Hair oils are perfect for repairing damaged hair, leaving them well nourished and insanely glossy. But don't let the name fool you, hair 'oil' doesn't leave your scalp and hair greasy. However many different hair oils i've discovered recently, there's always been one that i've been itching to try - Moroccan Oil.
Nicknamed "The Holy Grail of haircare products", The Moroccan Oil Treatment is the first of many products in the Moroccanoil range, who specialise in products that are used by countless proffesionals and salons across the world. The original Moroccan Oil Treatment was the product that really got the company to where it is today, with its popularity spreading through word of mouth.
The treatment contains argan oil, used for years by tribes in Morocco. It has many properties, such as being a solution for scars, stretch-marks and of course, dry, damaged or frizzy hair.
It promises to enhance managability, reduce drying time and repairs damaged hair by restoring lost proteins that are vital in keeping your hair strong. It contains vitamins that enhance the shine, antioxidants for protection from heat damage. It's also suitable for all hair types! Argan oil has since been used in other hair oils, but this is the original and recommended as being the best.
I've wanted to try this product for a long time, but could never justify the price tag, but when I saw it featured on buyapowa.com (A website where the more people that want to purchase the item, the lower the price gets!) I knew this would be the only time I could justify buying it.
The bottle comes in a generous size of 100ml, and comes with a pump for easy dispensing. The directions for use are to use a small amount for each application (I use 2 pumps) so the amount is quite generous.
The consistency is thick and oily - obviously, and it smells really warm and luxurious.
To apply, wash hair as normal and towel dry until it's just damp. Then, use a small amount of product (A little goes a long way, you don't want to use too much product or it won't absorb it all and your hair will look greasy!) through your hair, starting midway down and through to the ends. Then either blow-dry or leave to dry naturally. The treatment can also be used on the ends of dry hair to tame stray hairs and frizz.
I couldn't wait to try this product, frankly just to see what all the fuss was about. My verdict:
Oh. My. God. My hair has never felt so smooth and styling was just so easy! The drying time was signifially reduced as promised, and my hair felt really like and silky. The only thing I found is that I applied a little too much in my fringe, so I had to counteract it with some dry shampoo to ensure that my fringe didn't look greasy - so trust me when I say to use sparingly. It absorbs into the hair quickly and my hair felt so sleek and strong.
The only problem is the price. A 100ml bottle retails retails at £30.45, which I think we can all agree its quite a lot for a hair treatment. However, I managed to purchase mine for £25 via buyapowa.com and there are other sites that sell them at slightly reduced prices. However, this is an expensive product but in my opinion the benefits make it completely worth the money. I'm definitely going to use sparingly to ensure it lasts as long as possible as I don't want to be without it - when I packed it away for London and then released I didn't have it after I showered that night, I was actually disappointed; that's saying something. It really is, in my opinion, "The Holy Grail of hair products".
You can purchase The Moroccan Oil Treatment at professional salons nationwide or online at an official retailer. Click here to visit the Moroccan Oil website and browse their other great products.
Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!
Nicknamed "The Holy Grail of haircare products", The Moroccan Oil Treatment is the first of many products in the Moroccanoil range, who specialise in products that are used by countless proffesionals and salons across the world. The original Moroccan Oil Treatment was the product that really got the company to where it is today, with its popularity spreading through word of mouth.
The treatment contains argan oil, used for years by tribes in Morocco. It has many properties, such as being a solution for scars, stretch-marks and of course, dry, damaged or frizzy hair.
It promises to enhance managability, reduce drying time and repairs damaged hair by restoring lost proteins that are vital in keeping your hair strong. It contains vitamins that enhance the shine, antioxidants for protection from heat damage. It's also suitable for all hair types! Argan oil has since been used in other hair oils, but this is the original and recommended as being the best.
I've wanted to try this product for a long time, but could never justify the price tag, but when I saw it featured on buyapowa.com (A website where the more people that want to purchase the item, the lower the price gets!) I knew this would be the only time I could justify buying it.
The bottle comes in a generous size of 100ml, and comes with a pump for easy dispensing. The directions for use are to use a small amount for each application (I use 2 pumps) so the amount is quite generous.
The consistency is thick and oily - obviously, and it smells really warm and luxurious.
To apply, wash hair as normal and towel dry until it's just damp. Then, use a small amount of product (A little goes a long way, you don't want to use too much product or it won't absorb it all and your hair will look greasy!) through your hair, starting midway down and through to the ends. Then either blow-dry or leave to dry naturally. The treatment can also be used on the ends of dry hair to tame stray hairs and frizz.
I couldn't wait to try this product, frankly just to see what all the fuss was about. My verdict:
Oh. My. God. My hair has never felt so smooth and styling was just so easy! The drying time was signifially reduced as promised, and my hair felt really like and silky. The only thing I found is that I applied a little too much in my fringe, so I had to counteract it with some dry shampoo to ensure that my fringe didn't look greasy - so trust me when I say to use sparingly. It absorbs into the hair quickly and my hair felt so sleek and strong.
The only problem is the price. A 100ml bottle retails retails at £30.45, which I think we can all agree its quite a lot for a hair treatment. However, I managed to purchase mine for £25 via buyapowa.com and there are other sites that sell them at slightly reduced prices. However, this is an expensive product but in my opinion the benefits make it completely worth the money. I'm definitely going to use sparingly to ensure it lasts as long as possible as I don't want to be without it - when I packed it away for London and then released I didn't have it after I showered that night, I was actually disappointed; that's saying something. It really is, in my opinion, "The Holy Grail of hair products".
You can purchase The Moroccan Oil Treatment at professional salons nationwide or online at an official retailer. Click here to visit the Moroccan Oil website and browse their other great products.
Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Review: L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Everpure Shampoo
Have you ever wondered
why your freshly dyed hair colour can’t stop running when you’re in the shower or
bath? That's because you’re using the wrong products.
My hair is regularly
dyed red, and as you are probably aware, it’s one of those shades that fade
really quickly, so I need to go to lengths to ensure that my hair stays as
vibrant as possible for as long as it can. Therefore, I must ensure that I only
use products that are designed specifically for coloured hair (Or red hair, if
possible). One of the key
ingredients in regular shampoos is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS for short), which is notoriously known for
stripping colour from the hair – hence the water turning a lovely shade of brown,
red – or whatever colour your hair should be! It's used in over 90% of shampoo products, and is used to ensure the product lathers quickly and produces lots of bubbles. As well as stripping the hair of essential oils, it can also result in skin irritation, hair follicle damage and dandruff - it is essentially a chemical. And a nasty one at that.
Bearing all this in mind, L'Oreal Paris have
recently released a line of sulphate-free cleansing haircare products, designed to
protect coloured hair, and provide moisture to dry hair damaged through regular
hair colouring. I, obviously, could not wait to get my hands on a bottle. This
range has been created using a new care system for colour damaged hair, developed after
decades of carefully conducted research – and this is the outcome!
There are nine different products in
the Loreal Paris Hair Expertise Everpure range (Wow, that’s a mouthful!), but these are the three basics, available in both shampoo and conditioner:
-
Care &
Moisture
- Care &
Smoothing
-
Care &
Volume
There is also a selection of heat protection sprays and hair masks to indulge in!
I decided to opt for
the care & moisture shampoo (I wanted to test it out before purchasing the
conditioner aswell), as I’m a sucker for anything that gives me glossy,
super-soft locks.
Each product has essential
rosemary and juniper botanical oils in it, which have been added to ‘energise the
senses’, as well as giving it a unique and vibrant fragrance.
I love the sleek,
metallic bottle as I think it compliments the purety of the formula and the
fact that it includes a revolutionary new colour care system, and it most
definitely stands out on the shelf amoungst other Loreal products.
It comes in a general
250ml sized bottle, and comes clearly labelled highlighting the ingredients
that ensure that the shampoo protects colour weakened hair.
Just to clarify, I am aware that this product is swatched quite heavily, I got a bit distracted! I was really excited
to try this product, and it did not disappoint! The only way I can describe the
scent, is that it smells like a hair salon. That may sound odd, but the
products that hairdressers use on you in professional salons have a certain
professional/industrial scent to them, and this is no exception. It is also designed to generate a
high-foaming lather, meaning that you only need a small amount during
application – so 250ml really goes a long way!
As soon as I applied
it in the shower, I noticed one thing … the dye wasn’t running! Usually my
shower looks like the shower scene from Psycho, but the water ran clear and my
hair stayed just as vibrant!
Afterwards my hair
felt soft, looked glossy and generally well looked after. My hair is really
thin, so i'm really selectve with the products I use as i'm afraid they'll be too heavy and cause my hair to look greasy, but this was just enough to keep it gorgeously smooth and regain that 'fresh-out-of-the-salon' feel.
I cannot recommend
this product enough for anyone who has coloured hair. For someone that has to
colour their hair once a month due to it fading and becoming dull, this
actually elongates the colour and re-dying wasn’t needed for another two weeks
afterwards – I’m not so great at maths, but it’s pretty obvious that it saves
you money! The shampoo retails for £5.99, which is excellent value for what it provides.
It's not just about dying your hair a pretty colour and waiting for your roots to need re-doing, it's about the appropriate aftercare - and this new range is perfect.
You can purchase any of the products in the L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Everpure range at your local chemist, Boots, Superdrug or supermarket.
**On a more personal note, Sophie-Says has been shortlisted for the 'Newcomer Blog Award' sponsered by Next - part of this years Cosmopolitan Awards. There will be updates as soon as the voting goes live, but thank you so much!**
Labels:
Hair,
Loreal Paris,
Review,
Shampoo
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Review: Montagne Jeunesse Travel Pamper Pack
Vegetarian, all-natural face-mask and skincare brand Montagne Jeunesse are proud to present their new Travel Pamper Pack. Filled with 6 treatments for all over the body, this pack has been designed to fit nicely in your hand-luggage so you can pamper yourself either before or during you travels. Montagne Jeunesse were kind enough to send me one of their packs to try out, and I couldn't wait to indulge in some gorgeously natural and fruity treatments.
The pack comes in a small cardboard folder, so you can easily flip through the treatment sachets and tear out your chosen one, and use the little tab to keep the pack closed when it's tucked away. Here's what's inside:
I'm not a great fan of orange scented products, because to me they always seem quite fake and you can almost smell the chemicals through them. However, with this product I couldn't get enough! It lathered really easily, and there was certainly enough to cover my whole body. I've found with many body washes that the scent doesn't stay on the skin for very long after drying, but once i'd finished my shower and went downstairs everyone commented on how fruity I smelt! The fresh fragrance adds to the feeling of cleanliness and relaxation, and the fact that there's two means you get two opportunities to indulge in orang-ey goodness!
Packed with the juices of grapefruit, orange, and lemon, and finished with lime oil, this intense conditioning treatment aims to revive dull, lifeless hair and leave it super smooth and nourished.
The quantity of product in the packet was enough to cover my hair, but I think if my hair was any longer I would have needed two packs. The woman on the front of the packet must of at least had two packets on to be able to have that amount of coverage, because my hair certainly didn't look like that!
The fruity fragrance was a perfect fit with the idea of using the mask after a holiday, and it didn't fade after drying my hair either. It certainly felt softer after usage which makes a change as my hair can get really dry and dull quite quickly. I personally think it's a product I was use for the scent rather than the actual conditioning results, as it works just as well as any other conditioner. It certainly does the job, but I wasn't blown away by the end result.
I'm always quite hesitant when it comes to peel off masks, just because they're incredibly messy. However, I was instantly enticed by the long list of berries that are packed into this mask that I knew would make it smell so delicious and too good to resist. Crushed raspberries, grapes, and cranberries are high in antioxidents which help to deep cleanse your skin. With added pulped pomegranate and passion flower, I can honestly say that it smells amazing.
It has the consistency of hair gel, and is bubblegum pink! It's quite easy to apply, and has an instant cooling effect on the skin. Do ensure that you apply a thin even layer, avoiding the eye area and hair at all costs (I accidently got some on the baby hair on my temples, and it really hurt trying to get it out without ripping the hair out completely!), as it will make it much easier to set and peel off.
It instructs to cleanse your face before application, and once applied leave for 15-20 minutes. I decided to leave for twenty as I loved how relaxing it felt. However, when it came to peel off the mask, i'd found that only half of it had set so I would suggest leaving it for twenty-five. It's quite fiddly to remove as it doesn't peel off cleanly, but i'm really impressed with the end result. It aims to purify and deep cleanse, and afterwards I felt really fresh and my face felt so smooth and moisturised.
It seems a bit much to have to wait 25 minutes, but it's a great mask if you want to rejuvinate your skin after a hard week or just fancy a pamper!
This was by far my favourite product. A seriously fruity scrub that contains large grains to gently massage away at the dead skin, revealing the new silky smooth skin underneath. It advises to use on the areas where hard skin is usually found: The feet, elbows and knees. I paid particular attention to those areas but I used it as an all over body scrub. The front image of the packet shows the scrub being used as a intensive face mask, but I think it's much too thick and harsh to be used on the face. Jam packed with apricot and mango (It smells more of apricot during application, but mango after I dried off!) it smells ah-mazing - it takes me right back to memories of a cocktail on a beach!
Foot coolers are something I use quite regularly recently, as i'm on my feet a lot at work and they tend to ache quite easily, and what I found strange about this product is that after application, it claims to dry as a powder so there's no need to wash off. Packed with cooling peppermint, the gel is massaged into towel dried feet until most of it has disappeared. However, I found that it didn't do a lot apart from moisturise them, and I found that the gel wouldn't dry and that I needed a towel to remove it all!
However, once I finally sat down and relaxed I found that my feet hurt considerably less and the cooling sensation made them feel really clean and rejuvenated after a long day at work.
All this for £5! What an absolute bargain. I would definitely purchase some of these products individually, so to get them all in one pack would be such a great indulgent treat after a long day. I would have really liked to have some of these products with me while I was on holiday, as walking around barefoot all day really takes it tole on my feet, and sea water leaves my hair in terrible condition!
I'll be buying this again for sure, as overall I liked the results! Click here to visit the Montagne Jeunesse website, the pack is available to purchase from the site NOW.
The pack comes in a small cardboard folder, so you can easily flip through the treatment sachets and tear out your chosen one, and use the little tab to keep the pack closed when it's tucked away. Here's what's inside:
Juicy Orange Body Wash
I'm not a great fan of orange scented products, because to me they always seem quite fake and you can almost smell the chemicals through them. However, with this product I couldn't get enough! It lathered really easily, and there was certainly enough to cover my whole body. I've found with many body washes that the scent doesn't stay on the skin for very long after drying, but once i'd finished my shower and went downstairs everyone commented on how fruity I smelt! The fresh fragrance adds to the feeling of cleanliness and relaxation, and the fact that there's two means you get two opportunities to indulge in orang-ey goodness!
Intensive Spa Repairing & Conditioning Hair Masque
Packed with the juices of grapefruit, orange, and lemon, and finished with lime oil, this intense conditioning treatment aims to revive dull, lifeless hair and leave it super smooth and nourished.
The quantity of product in the packet was enough to cover my hair, but I think if my hair was any longer I would have needed two packs. The woman on the front of the packet must of at least had two packets on to be able to have that amount of coverage, because my hair certainly didn't look like that!
The fruity fragrance was a perfect fit with the idea of using the mask after a holiday, and it didn't fade after drying my hair either. It certainly felt softer after usage which makes a change as my hair can get really dry and dull quite quickly. I personally think it's a product I was use for the scent rather than the actual conditioning results, as it works just as well as any other conditioner. It certainly does the job, but I wasn't blown away by the end result.
Pulped Pomegranate Passion Peel Off Mask
I'm always quite hesitant when it comes to peel off masks, just because they're incredibly messy. However, I was instantly enticed by the long list of berries that are packed into this mask that I knew would make it smell so delicious and too good to resist. Crushed raspberries, grapes, and cranberries are high in antioxidents which help to deep cleanse your skin. With added pulped pomegranate and passion flower, I can honestly say that it smells amazing.
It has the consistency of hair gel, and is bubblegum pink! It's quite easy to apply, and has an instant cooling effect on the skin. Do ensure that you apply a thin even layer, avoiding the eye area and hair at all costs (I accidently got some on the baby hair on my temples, and it really hurt trying to get it out without ripping the hair out completely!), as it will make it much easier to set and peel off.
It instructs to cleanse your face before application, and once applied leave for 15-20 minutes. I decided to leave for twenty as I loved how relaxing it felt. However, when it came to peel off the mask, i'd found that only half of it had set so I would suggest leaving it for twenty-five. It's quite fiddly to remove as it doesn't peel off cleanly, but i'm really impressed with the end result. It aims to purify and deep cleanse, and afterwards I felt really fresh and my face felt so smooth and moisturised.
It seems a bit much to have to wait 25 minutes, but it's a great mask if you want to rejuvinate your skin after a hard week or just fancy a pamper!
Skin Smoother
This was by far my favourite product. A seriously fruity scrub that contains large grains to gently massage away at the dead skin, revealing the new silky smooth skin underneath. It advises to use on the areas where hard skin is usually found: The feet, elbows and knees. I paid particular attention to those areas but I used it as an all over body scrub. The front image of the packet shows the scrub being used as a intensive face mask, but I think it's much too thick and harsh to be used on the face. Jam packed with apricot and mango (It smells more of apricot during application, but mango after I dried off!) it smells ah-mazing - it takes me right back to memories of a cocktail on a beach!
Foot Cooler
Foot coolers are something I use quite regularly recently, as i'm on my feet a lot at work and they tend to ache quite easily, and what I found strange about this product is that after application, it claims to dry as a powder so there's no need to wash off. Packed with cooling peppermint, the gel is massaged into towel dried feet until most of it has disappeared. However, I found that it didn't do a lot apart from moisturise them, and I found that the gel wouldn't dry and that I needed a towel to remove it all!
However, once I finally sat down and relaxed I found that my feet hurt considerably less and the cooling sensation made them feel really clean and rejuvenated after a long day at work.
All this for £5! What an absolute bargain. I would definitely purchase some of these products individually, so to get them all in one pack would be such a great indulgent treat after a long day. I would have really liked to have some of these products with me while I was on holiday, as walking around barefoot all day really takes it tole on my feet, and sea water leaves my hair in terrible condition!
I'll be buying this again for sure, as overall I liked the results! Click here to visit the Montagne Jeunesse website, the pack is available to purchase from the site NOW.
Labels:
Body,
Hair,
Montagne Jeunesse,
Review
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Review: Tangle Teezer!
Not a day goes by where we all wish we had someone elses hair. For me, I wish my hair had more volume and did not just hang lankly against my head. The problem with having thin hair is that the simplest brush or smallest knot can cause my hair to fall out. It's not that I don't look after it because I really do, but sometimes when I get up out of bed in the morning it looks as if i've malted onto my pillow.
Even though some of it is unavoidable, I thought i'd give Shaun P's 'Tangle Teezer' a try, to see if it stops my hair falling out while trying to de-tangle it after a shower or when I got up in the morning. There is absolutely no way you won't be able to spot this product on the shelf, as they come in colours such as luminous pink, orange or purple.
Even though some of it is unavoidable, I thought i'd give Shaun P's 'Tangle Teezer' a try, to see if it stops my hair falling out while trying to de-tangle it after a shower or when I got up in the morning. There is absolutely no way you won't be able to spot this product on the shelf, as they come in colours such as luminous pink, orange or purple.
Photograph from beautifullygorgeous.co.uk
As you can see, the brush is quite an odd shape. It curves in at the sides so it can fit easily in the palm of your hand, and the teeth are so soft and bend easily. The product comes in a box with instructions and tips on how to minimise damage to your hair due to brushing, and how to look after the teezer. It also advertises the new compact version of the brush, which folds in half and has a protector so the teeth can't get damaged in the bag. So here's how it looked when I used it.
Before:
So here is my ugly mane after just getting out of the shower. Please ignore my red face, this has been taken with my webcam in horrible lighting! As you can see my hair is a complete mess, and full of knots.
I followed the instructions in the booklet and as I had long hair it was recommended that I tip my head upside down and firmly pull the teezer through the hair. I was hesitant at first because I thought my hair would just rip out, but the teeth were really soft (It sort of felt like I was getting a massage!) and I felt the knots leave my hair without feeling any of it falling out.
After:
This is after a minute of brushing. It was crazy how soft and sleek my hair felt! I let it dry naturally after this picture was taken, and my hair just felt amazing and I could run my fingers through it so easily. It was also really shiny, which is what the box advertises. All in all, a must-have and even though it's a bit pricey at £10.50 (Boots), it is completely worth it. I'm contemplating buying the compact one for £10.99 so I can always have one with me, this one is a bit too bulky to fit in my handbag?!
Before:
So here is my ugly mane after just getting out of the shower. Please ignore my red face, this has been taken with my webcam in horrible lighting! As you can see my hair is a complete mess, and full of knots.I followed the instructions in the booklet and as I had long hair it was recommended that I tip my head upside down and firmly pull the teezer through the hair. I was hesitant at first because I thought my hair would just rip out, but the teeth were really soft (It sort of felt like I was getting a massage!) and I felt the knots leave my hair without feeling any of it falling out.
After:
This is after a minute of brushing. It was crazy how soft and sleek my hair felt! I let it dry naturally after this picture was taken, and my hair just felt amazing and I could run my fingers through it so easily. It was also really shiny, which is what the box advertises. All in all, a must-have and even though it's a bit pricey at £10.50 (Boots), it is completely worth it. I'm contemplating buying the compact one for £10.99 so I can always have one with me, this one is a bit too bulky to fit in my handbag?!
Labels:
Hair,
Review,
Tangle Teezer
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