Redken Raves

I hauled Redken after my latest hairdresser visit. It was one of those purchase sprees spurred on by relief that the appointment had gone well.

Shampoo, conditioner and treatment product all added to basket and after a couple of weeks of usage I have to say, money well spent. In fact I am glad that I threw caution to the wind and deviated from my beloved Phyto.

Here's what I got:

• All Soft Shampoo
• All Soft Conditioner
• Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment

First things first, the shampoo and conditioner combo works well to ensure relatively smooth, detangled hair. I will admit that there is an initial "puff head" phase where my hair appears to have tripled in size and I resemble a mushroom but by morning (I always wash at night) it's straight and pretty sleek. It reminds me of that Pantene Aqua stuff that ruled my laugh last summer....sadly not available here.

Now the really good stuff is the Extreme Anti-Snap. I am sure that this has been personally recommended by many of you. (I may be going mad but I am sure Arlene has used this and espoused it's virtues?)

Your recommendations are why I bought it in the first place and I am so glad I did. I practically use this every day and I have to say it's better than the Phyto day cream. If I am honest I also prefer it to the Kerastase Elixir...

And why? 
 
It smells like a fruit salad, dries quickly, doesn't weight the hair down and smooths the cuticle. It's designed to be used on those crispy ends and then works to fortify them - well, make them look healthy.

I feel that this started to work almost immediately. I apply on damp hair and it makes everything look shiny and healthy.

Now another thing...my hairdresser told me to wipe the residue on my nails and see if I noticed a difference. That's what I did. After I apply this to the lengths of my hair I wipe the residue over each nail. Two weeks later and my nails are noticeable stronger - even after I peeled off my Gelish (don't tell the manicurist). I actually don't remember my nails being this strong for a while.

This could be total coincidence but if it's the Anti-Snap...all the more reason to worship it. This may just be a miracle product! Or maybe I am just getting over-excited... :)

So that's the end of my hair ramble!

Have you ever used Redken? What is your miracle hair product? :)

Kerastase Elixir Ultime: so wrong yet so right?

I was sceptical. Another supposed hair oil amongst a sea of hair oils.

Meh

*Shrugs shoulders*

But I tried the sample tube and...well, it was love from first *pump*. This stuff smells like a diluted Tom Ford Black Orchid, left my hair looking and feeling silky and de-frizzed the fuzz.

The flirtation with the sample tube clearly lead to a full size purchase and so here we are.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime is supposedly the Daddy of all hair oils if the marketing spiel is anything to go by. Get a load of this mesmerizing copy peppered with outlandish promises...

"...our first versatile beautifying treatment enriched with a complex of four precious oils. Maize, Argan, Camellia and Pracaxi oils combine to create a luxurious Elixir for all hair types.

With a few drops of elixir Ultime, hair is transformed into silky, weightless matter. Applied before cleansing, hair is instantly nourished and visibly regenerated. Applied before styling, hair is incredibly supple and protected."

Okay then!

I do think it's lovely and I am not yet regretting the financial outlay to pick this up - a pretty hefty £34. Here's why:

a) The consistency is easy to work with and control - thinner than the likes of Moroccan Oil or Shu Uemura Essence Absolue it makes me feel like I am not weighing down my hair with product;
b) It's light enough to be used daily - I often apply this on the ends of my hair and don't find that it makes me look like a scrub. I don't look oily - just someone with slightly less crispy hair.
b) It absorbs immediately - Moroccan oil can sometimes hang around and then make me paranoid that I am going to look like a grease slick. The Kerastase, like the Absolue, disappears and instantly makes hair feel stronger and better.
c) It leaves hair looking smooth, relatively frizz free and shiny - I apply it on the lengths when my hair is damp, let it air dry and this is what I end up with.

So yes, in terms of what I have tried before I can say that I would absolutely recommend it. It's a lovely styling product that will probably last me 12 months+. 

BUT there is a but...

I say that this is a lovely styling product - as oppose to miracle moisturising conditioner - because part of me cannot forget that this contains a bunch of silicones.

Now I went into this purchase with my eyes open - I saw it as a premium Frizz-Ease rather than a miracle moisturiser but the marketing accompanying both this product and other commercial oils on the market makes me a little cross inside.

The emphasis - or at least my take away from the ads - always rests in the transformative ability of the product and the fact that the natural oils will help strengthen and nourish. What they never mention of course is that the natural oils are bolstered by the use of cheap silicones. It all feels like a naughty, dirty little lie.

Kerastase isn't the only one at it. Moroccan oil and Shu Uemura have added in the odd -cone and then charged £30+ for the pleasure.

So what am I trying to say?

a) Elixir Ultime is the best commercial "hair oil" I have tried - a fantastic serum that will superficially soothe the ends.
b) I will achieve good condition through haircuts and Phyto but I will keep applying the Ultime for truly great looking and smelling hair.
c) The marketing accompanying these types of products makes me cross.

End! :)

What do you think of these kind of products? Can't live without? Or do you prefer to use something different and completely natural? If it's the latter let me know what you recommend!

Forgive the cheese but...hair we go again!

Look past that achingly faux smile in the photo. I was not pleased with my hair today. You see, this morning I had a brain wave and decided to straighten it. I haven't done that for months and I wanted to see what it looked like/how long it was.

And the verdict once complete?

Ewwww.

When straightened it took on a totally different look and feel. In other words:

* The colour looked brassy
* The look was flat and lank

It's funny how different it made me feel. Whereas the wavy hair makes me feel confident and pretty, this made me feel depressed and drab.

I was "this" close to cutting bangs/fringe in an effort to make it feel more exciting when I thought of the video below...watch it all (as it is funny) but specifically focus on 1 min 41 - 1 min 48. That IS ME when it comes to fringes. I want it, I get it, I hate it :)

Despite that I am still thinking about cutting in some layers. To go professional or to DIY? :)

Onto some perfume

I wanted to give this a mention as I have been wearing it constantly since I got it.

This was a perfume exchange with one of my oldest friends in Dubai - old as in I have known him for a long time by the way (we worked together) and not in age.

We are both perfume nuts and agreed to exchange for Christmas. This I highly recommend you do with any similar minded friends. There is nothing more special than receiving a perfume from someone who picked it out because it reminded them of you.

He got Bulgari Black and I got...Ferre eau de parfum by Gianfranco Ferre.

This was released a while ago and reminds me of Calvin Klein Beauty in it's notes.

Think of soft, misty florals and fruits sitting atop a warm sensual base. It's unassuming and inoffensive. Iris lies at the heart of the notes and for that reason it has been compared favourably with F. Malle's Iris Poudre. If you like that, and you like these soft fragrances that have a hint of powder about them then you will adore this.  

And finally...

I got my first GlamBox today. Yes, the beauty box phenomenon has hit the UAE.

I will spare you the review right now - I know how exciting and original beauty box review posts are - but this had a couple of nice products in it, including an Arden lipstick I wore in the post above.

I still can't make up my mind about these programmes though. Part of my brain screams "scam" and the other coos at the thought of monthly parcels winging their way to me. I might do a thought piece on it soon so prepare yourselves :)

Hope the week started well for you!

Hair: Products + Routine

I have had quite a few lovely comments and emails from readers - ie, you lot! - regarding my hair.

This is very nice.

You see, my hair typically looks crap so the fact that it has been acknowledged as looking less crap is quite odd!

As you would expect the routine itself is not that complicated - wash, condition, style and go...but there are a few products I absolutely swear by to attain the look that I am going for.

That look by the way is the "imperfect wave". I don't want neat little curls or waves. It's okay to look a bit messy.  I want it to look organic, like I have naturally full, wavy hair texture. I'm all about faking it.

The Products

L-R: Phyto Phytorhum shampoo, Phyto Phytobaume conditioner, Phyto 9 leave in conditioner and Beach Blow texturising mist.

PS. I am not sponsored by Phyto. I just really like their stuff.


L-R: Redken Real Control Thermal Resist, Black & White styling wax, Elnett hairspray, Batiste dry shampoo (used for day after - or even two days after - washing) and Babyliss Conical Wand.

The Routine

This is what it takes:

1) Wash hair - use Phyto shampoo and conditioner - and when hair is about 70% dry, put some Phyto 9 on the ends. We are talking about a 50p dollop size applied from mid lengths to ends. For now this replaces any oil and maybe I prefer this? It's lightweight and yet soothes the ends. I feel odd without it.

2) Prep hair with Beach Blow hair texturiser - i.e randomly spray in the roots. This is a sea salt spray I got last year in Newport Beach - so not exactly easy to find! It's a good product - much better than Bumble & Bumble's - and after heat adds some much needed volume, a "day old" feel and a soft matte finish to the hair.

3) Blast hair with a travel hair dryer (no T3's round this neck of the woods!) and then go to sleep. Yes, that's right. I always wash my hair at night and I let it "rest" before I start the curling ordeal. I do not sleep on wet or damp hair as I will guarantee to wake up with some weird peak at the crown that will require a hair wash to get rid of.

I then go to sleep and ponder on the ultimate hair question: will it be less frizzy by morning?

No.

4) By morning it is still frizzy - and quite big. I like the big part but I also like waves so say bye bye to this look.

5) Spray/drench hair in Redken's Real Control heat protectant. Then locate a hair band - which I continually buy in packs and yet continually lose - and get to work!

6) Heat up the Babyliss curling wand to "scorching" and forego gloves.

(NB. I do not recommend this. Wear the MJ gloves they give you when you buy the wand.)

Separate the hair into sections and start wherever you feel comfortable. For me this is always the bottom section at the front. As a general rule work away from your face. I do this all the way to the back sections - they get curled any way I can do them.

(NB. This whole "curling away from the face" malarkey has taken me years to work out.)

7) For each curl keep the conical wand in place for 5-10 seconds. Ensure the fattest part of the wand is the nearest to the root - the curl should really only appear a few inches away from the hairline. Then release. Ta da!

8) Complete head of hair and marvel at the curls.

9) The next part is the critical part...the brushing.

This softens the waves and makes them look a little more carefree.

For this I use my beloved Mason Pearson Junior brush. I have had this for 15+ years and there is not a day when I don't hold it in gratitude. Do you need to go out and spend $80+ on this brush? No. For reference the Tangle Teezer and the Aveda paddle brush works similarly.

Gently brush the curls.

10) At this point you could stop. However, I always do a couple of final things.

Blasting some Elnett hairspray around the crown is certainly one. But secondly, and the key step, is using a teeny bit of Black & White styling wax to "seal the wave". 

This stuff is incredibly cheap and absolutely fantastic. It doesn't weigh down the hair but it will define it for you. If you have flyaways or frazzled ends its also a good quick fix to disguise them whilst still being easy to brush out if you need to. Beats anything I have tried from TiGI, Bumble and Bumble or Aveda. Buy it in Boots/Superdrug/anywhere for just a few pounds.

As the day goes on the hair drops and settles and inevitably looks a lot better than the above picture.

The day after this whole routine I just brush my hair in the morning with the brush (funny that!) and then apply a little more Phyto 9 and/or Black & White wax.

If I feel like it's all looking a bit sad and flat I dry shampoo the shizz out of it and rub manically to remove the "old lady" white residue.

Fin!

I feel like this might be disappointing to read because, as we already knew, I am no hair guru and I haven't revealed anything other than known and rather pedestrian tips and tricks. Still, this is what I currently use and these are the steps I go through.

Whilst I am sworn loyal to Phyto I am still interested in other styling and treatment products so if you have any recommendations please do share them below.

Thank you
x

Groomed!

I spent some serious time watching Tamara Ecclestone: Billion Dollar Girl the last few days and I think that is what inspired me. I needed to get groomed this weekend.

So this weekend we did nails and we did hair :)

Nails first

The bi-weekly manicure/pedicure/threading session has become an embarrassingly expected ritual. The nail element is always Gelish. I was meant to have my two week break from this gel technology but um.....I haven't got round to that yet. I love it's longevity and I love the fact that my nails actually grow when I have it on.

This time though I stepped away from the neutral pinks and dove into something a bit more fitting to the season - I went for a vampy shade that reminded me of Chanel's Rouge Noir.

Rather fittingly this is called "All about me". After I was told this my decision was made. Can you say narcissist? It was meant to be.

I love the richness of this colour. I would describe it as a deep merlot and I am so happy that I went for it.

Hair second

You all know I am not that keen on haircuts. I like my hair long and I am, quite frankly, scared of hairdressers. Even the hairdresser that I love the most in the UK (Lesley at Ledbury McIntyre) has often chopped off more than I asked. I fear - rather than relish - the haircut.

But crappy ends do not look good and as my hair is naturally a very dry texture, the longer I avoid a cut, the worse it gets.

So it was time.

I went to Jetset in JBR - the place I went to about 6 weeks ago for colour...


...and dove in with a cut and a colour refresh. I wanted root touch up and more highlight flashes. And that's what I got.

I also got a cut but I am so happy about this - I asked for a tiny trim and that's exactly what I got. She chopped away the ends that needed to go but still kept the length. Hairdressers always promise the latter but seldom deliver - this time it actually happened and I am so happy/relieved.

The only "lost in translation" moment occurred in the blow dry. I wanted beach waves but ended up with what I would call "FOX newsreader hair" - ie, very big, bouncy and to be honest, a bit scary.

Obviously I immediately came home and brushed it out and it now looks more normal. Phew! :)

So here's the before - freshly washed, air-dried hair, wrapped in a bun for an hour to give some texture and wave...but obviously looks a bit sh*t :)



...and after....bouncy, healthy and a little more put together!




It feels good to be a little bit more groomed. Of course, it's  seriously indulgent to invest so much time and thought into the external but I just know that you guys understand :)

Now I am thinking about what else I could do...did you know I have never had a spray tan in my life? I think this could be next :)

What beauty treatment makes you feel good?

I put my trust in Phyto

This post is so sickening positive that it is going to sound like it's sponsored. But it isn't in the slightest.

I bought this shampoo and conditioner in Boots (Mall of the Emirates to be precise!) and from the very first moment I used the combination together, I LOVED it. 

Insert smiley face!


Phytorhum - the rum smelling shampoo - I have used before and so this was a very happy repurchase. Phytobaume however, I have not. It purports to be for all hair types and manages to provide strength and detangling powers...so for £10 I thought I would give it a try.


The lesson I have learned so far? I should always trust Phyto.

I don't know if it's the conditioner on it's own - or if its the combination together - but as soon as I used them I noticed a huge difference. And this was as soon as I stepped out of the shower.

My hair felt nourished and thick - not coated with that silky silicone that the cheaper (and sometimes not so cheap!) conditioners leave behind. It felt....I suppose the word is healthy!

Even better it has continued to dry completely smooth and with natural volume. It doesn't feel weighed down and there are no flyaways.

It's interesting - and very exciting - that the statement made on the packaging about what Phytobaume does has rung exactly true in reality:

* It's a gentle conditioner
* The use of mallow softens the hair
* It has a delicately scented formula
* Detangles without weighing it down
* Reduces static electricity
* Makes hair shiny, silky and soft

In short, it's bloody marvellous!

So yes I would recommend this and all other Phyto products I have talked about before (tablets, shampoo etc...) For a middle-market price you get a really great product and that's something I think we are always happy to hear about.

Okay, I will shut up now :)

Any hair products inspiring you lately?