Hair Care Products: 

Products are scored on a scale of 5 (Excellent) to 1 (Poor).  The scores are based on quality, price and personal opinion.  If you disagree, please email us on 2patricias@looklovely.net and give us your views. 

Shampoo

Latest Reviews:

Aveda

Pure Abundance Volumizing Shampoo

£12.50 for 250ml (Sept 08)

In the past I have used Aveda ‘shampure’ and been pleased with the product.  As my hair is very fine, I thought that this volumizing shampoo would do what it says on the label.  It does.  The drawback is that I don’t really like the smell. In fact, I left an unlabeled travel-sized bottle in Beautiful Daughter’s bathroom for her to try.  When she was home for a visit she told me that she worked out what it was from the smell.  Oh dear!  Don’t think I shall be trying this one again. 

SCORE: 2

Kerastase Soleil

Bain Apres-Soleil Anti-Photodamage Repairing Shampoo for Colour Treated Hair

£11.05 for 250ml (on-line price, July 2008)

Review submitted by Gemma

Bumble & Bumble

Seaweed Shampoo

£12 for 250ml (June 08)

I purchased this at the same time as a friend bought the companion conditioner.   We used travel-sized bottles purchased from Boots to divide the shampoo and conditioner, so that we both had half the quantity purchased.  This reduced the cost of these expensive products.  We both found that the shampoo lasted a long time, because only a tiny amount was needed to be effective.  This is a very gentle shampoo suitable for coloured hair.  I would not recommend it for someone with oily hair.

SCORE 3

CharlesWorthington

Results Full Volume Body Beautiful

£4.49 for 250ml (June 08)

Designed for fine, limp and flyaway hair, this product is great for giving more body, and making my hair easier to style.  In my opinion, the packaging of the range is attractive, and I like the shape of the container.  It is easy to hold in while I am in the shower trying not to get shampoo in my eyes!

SCORE 4

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Clairol

Herbal Essences Moisture Balance for Normal Hair

£2.09 for 250ml (June 08)

Everything about this shampoo is pleasant – smells good, pretty bottle, low price, and it cleans hair and scalp!   A great, every day, affordable product.

SCORE 5

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L’Oreal

Regenium-XY for Men Body Building Shampoo

£2.98 for 400ml (June 08)

Formulated to give a thickening effect to fine, thinning hair.  Mild enough for every day use.  Will not miraculously restore lost hair, but will improve the texture of existing hair.

SCORE 4

Timotei

Golden Highlights with Camomile & Amber

£2.04 for 400ml (June 08)

This shampoo is supposed to enhance blonde hair with natural highlights and shine.  I disliked the smell – too much like a domestic cleaning product – and I could perceive no difference to my hair colour. 

SCORE 2

Conditioner

Latest Review:

Aveda

Pure Abundance Volumizing Clay Conditioner

£15 for 200ml (Sept 08)

As with the shampoo, the smell reduces the appeal of this product.  This is strictly my opinion – you may like it.  Also, I find this slightly heavy for my fine hair.  My hair looks great on the day that I wash it, but the next day it feels a bit on the limp side.SCORE: 2

Kerastase Soleil

Masque Uv Defense Active

£20.40 for 200ml (on-line price July 2008)

Review submitted by Gemma

This intensive hair conditioner is superb for thick and usually unruly hair. It is a rinse off treatment which you apply as a normal conditioner after washing hair - simply leave on for at least five minutes and you'll end up with lucscious locks! My previously dry and tired hair was much smoother and easier to manage after treatments. The texture of the conditioner is a little runny and can be hard to scoop out of the container; however this is the ony real downside of the product. It's really great for protecting hair from UV in the summer sun and for making you feel special! A fab summer buy.

Aussie

Mega Instant Conditioner

£3.44 for 250ml (June 08)

This conditioner leaves your hair soft and tangle free, but not heavy.  (This is important if you have fine hair that wants to lie flat.)  However, sniff this product before you buy it, as it has a distinctive scent.  In my opinion, the smell is not unpleasant, but a bit lingering.

SCORE 3

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The Body Shop

Honey Moisturising Conditioner

£8.00 for large 400ml size. Other sizes available.

This product is for dry, damaged and  chemically treated hair. It contains community traded honey from Zambia,fairly traded bananas from the Caribbean and Organic Olive Oil is from small scale farmers in Italy. These ingredients moisturise and condition hair with the honey also adding shine.

The Honey Moisturising Conditioner has a fruity, light smell with tones of the bananas. It is creamy and feels lovely when applied to the hair, detangling it and making hair feel softer. The Body Shop also has other varieties including Bilberry Colour Protector and Nettle Oil Balance conditioners.

Score 5

Bumble & Bumble

Seaweed Conditioner

£12.50 for 250 ml (June 08)

I shared this product with a friend to spread the cost.  A tiny bit is all that you need to use, so a bottle lasts a very long time. I was really pleased with this conditioner, finding that I could use it time after time without build-up.  She has long hair, and felt that it made her hair a bit limp. 

SCORE 3

John Frieda

Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Conditioner

£4.48 for 250ml (June 08)

A good conditioner for those with bleached hair.  The chemicals used to lighten hair colour tend to dry the hair and can take away shine.  This product helps to replace the moisture and make hair glossy. 

SCORE 4

  Deep Conditioners

Alberto VO5

Hot Oil 

 £3.89 for a pack of 4 price (June 2008 )

These little tubes of oil have been around for years and with good reason. When my hair is dry and needs a conditioning boost I find VO5 Hot Oil wonderful for restoring a little softness. It is inexpensive and easy to use. You just warm it in warm water then apply it to your hair for one minute before shampooing and conditioning in the usual way. Have a timer or watch easily visible to ensure you just leave the oil on for one minute only as this is the most effective application time. Remember, it is an oil and does need thorough rinsing otherwise it may leave your hair feeling heavy. There are now several different varieties available. Available in Boots.

Score 5

Aussie  3 Minute Miracle Frizz Remedy

99p for 20ml (in sachet)   Very effective deep conditioning treatment that visibly reduced the aura of frizz around my head.  Did not leave hair greasy.  Highly scented.  I left the almost empty packet on top of a catalogue, and the next day the catalogue smelled faintly of the Aussie product. (published 10 April 2008)    SCORE 3

 Trevor Sorbie  Deep Intensive Conditioning Treatment

£1.59 for 50ml

Instructions say to shampoo, rinse and towel dray hair before using this product.  It is to be massaged into hair and left for 3 to 5 minutes.  Not the best product to add to your morning routine if you are in a hurry – save it for a leisurely evening.  Does have a calming effect on unruly hair. (published 10 April 2008)  SCORE 3

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Styling Products

 

Alberto VO5

Volume & Lift Spritz

£2.99 for 150ml (June 08)

Can by applied to damp or dry hair to assist with styling.  I have only used this on damp hair when blow drying.  My experience is that a generous application is needed to be effective, but that style does hold well, and any tendancy of hair to react to static is reduced.

SCORE 3

 

John Frieda

Volume – Thickening Blow-dry lotion

£5.49 for 125ml (June 08)

Towel dry hair, and then spray some of this onto the roots to give fine hair lift and volume when blow drying.  This really works!

SCORE 4

 

Styling Equipment

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GHD IV Salon Styler

£113 offer including gifts .

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Having tried several hair straighteners I have to admit that these ones actually work on my hair. With previous, less expensive straighteners, I never seemed to have the time to use them. My hair is thick and I never had the patience to persevere.

Good Hair Day stylers are often used in salons as they actually work and are quite quick to use. My unruly hair will straighten in about 5 minutes with ghds, it will tame to look less untidy in around two minutes. Result.

Do take care to use heat protector on your hair when using ghds as they do heat to very high temperatures.

The only problem with ghds is the price hence the review score is 4 rather than 5.

Score 4

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Hair Colouring

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Herbatint

Permanent Hair Colour Gel  

 £8.50 online  price June 2008  http://www.herbatint.co.uk/herbatint/buy/herbatint-buy-online.php

It concerned me for some years that, although I reduce the chemicals and additives in food by eating reasonably naturally (except for wine and chocolate- a girl has to live), I happily threw anything onto my hair to colour it. My local health food shop started stocking Herbatint, a permanent hair colour gel without ammonia, paraben and resorcinol. All these chemical names become confusing but I knew ammonia probably wasn’t a great thing to be putting on my hair and had heard of paraben in a negative context. The product does contain diaminobenzenes and there is hydrogen peroxide in the developer so it isn’t completely innocent. Happily it also contains Aloe Vera, Meadowfoam, White Birch, Witch Hazel and Echinacea Augustifolia. My scalp was becoming quite sensitive with repeated use of my standard hair colour so I gave Herbatint a try.

My hairdresser was happy to reduce my bill to allow me to purchase Herbatint which I then brought to my appointment for her to apply.

On the positive side my scalp now feels less irritated when hair colour is first applied. My hair isn’t as dry as it used to be and the colour lasts just as effectively as a standard colour. On balance, I will continue to use Herbatint, as for me the benefits outweigh the slight additional cost and the inconvenience of having to remember to purchase my colour before attending the hairdresser.

I use an N colour from the natural series which promises 100% grey coverage with colours from 1N to 8N. It is recommended that the Ash, Copper, Golden and Mahogany series colours are mixed with the corresponding N series colours to achieve total grey coverage (see pack for guidance).

Note the application instructions carefully when applying as the developing time is a little longer than most products at 40 minutes total processing time.

I found that I needed to purchase a shade lighter than my usual colour to achieve the same effect.

Products are not tested on animals and are approved by the Vegetarian Society.

For stockists Freephone 0800 389 4689, email info@organic-colour.co.uk

Score 4