Our hair is filled with protein. That is what keeps it strong and healthy – the more damage you do to your hair, the more protein you need to fill up the damaged hair shafts. Most shampoo/conditioner/hair mask to a certain degree has protein in it to keep hair manageable and smooth.
L’Oreal Professional has been a long standing haircare brand that I believe in and actually spend my own coins for. I was introduced to this brand since I was 12 by my mom no less and she is a huge fan of it too. Over the years I have picked up her habit of ALWAYS having their hair care products in my bathroom – note keyword is always.
Bit on my hair, it is as damaged as hair could be – heat styling, bleached, battled and coloured as often as Taylor Swift swapping boyfriends. Beyond that, I naturally have oily scalp (the type you HAVE to wash errrday other wise it gets itchy), hair texture is fine and my hair is limp and straight by default. Over the years, I have developed a haircare routine (which includes a wardrobe of products) to cater to different hair needs and I am a firm believer of swapping shampoo + conditioner every 2 – 4 weeks.
While I do not have a scientific explanation to it but I always feel that once I swap my shampoo + conditioner over (to something new or something I haven’t used in a while) my hair just seems to accept the newly introduced prodz into my hair care routine better. In additional, when it comes to hair care products it is one of those things, you just know when it works.
Pro Keratin Refill hair care range is designed for dry and weak hair. This range is designed to repair, strengthen and protect weak/dull hair. There’s also an “in salon” treatment that you can request for when you head to your salon that carries L’Oreal Professional hair care products.
I recommend this to those with long hair or split end prone hair as long hair tend to be weaker. I use them when I feel that my hair needs intensive TLC and when I am punishing it with heaps of heat styling. The shampoo lathers effortlessly and the mask is great as an intensive weekly hair treatment and leaves hair baby smooth and manageable.
Highlight of the range for me has to be the Pro Keratin Blow Dry Thermo Cream, this dual action cream protects my hair from the hair dryer but also doubles as a leave in conditioner as well. Love it!
Pro Keratin Correcting Care Shampoo RRP AUD$$26
Pro Keratin Blow Dry Thermo Cream RRP AUD$26
Pro Keratin Correcting Care Masque RRP AUD$31
Call 1300 651 141 for stockist
Before I start this post, let me swear that I did not write this post simply because these bottles are in pink! If you haven’t noticed, I am in the process of growing my hair out to waist length again. At point of writing, they are 4 inches away from reaching my lower waist so it is fair to say that I have long hair.
One thing with long hair is that when you use a good shampoo it really makes the world of a difference. You will instantly know it and feel it while washing your hair all up til you dry it and how it carry itself throughout the day. Kerastase Cristalliste did exactly that, it was lightweight to wash (complete scalp cleanse type of feel without drying it out) and condition (not overtly heavy/greasy), foams up really well, rinses off to smooth, manageable and most importantly soft hair without feeling weighted down AT ALL!
I do know that there is a shampoo for thick and one for fine hair, I went with the fine since my hair has been thinning out from years of bleaching it to death. Overall, I am a convert and I will see myself stocking up this very soon.
Random titbit: Did you know that the iconic Kate Moss is now the face of Kerastase?
Kerastase Bain Cristal Fins Shampoo RRP AUD$38.00
Kerastase Lait Cristal Conditioner RRP AUD$44.50
Available on counters now
Wrinkles, once they are formed there is very little you can do to erase them (apart from getting botox which is temporary or tapering into the plastic surgery arena) – split ends are exactly the same. Once you get them, you’ll need to chop them to remove them entirely. However, one key thing that you can do to prevent them at bay is “prevention”. If you are diligent with your skincare routine you can push back the signs of ageing and reduce the severity of it. With split ends, if you keep your hair in top tip condition using the right products you too can prevent them.
TRESemme is launching their Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner to address the issue that most women suffer from – split ends. With the reconstructing complex technology infused in the Split Remedy range, it helps to soothe, repair weak + damage hair and to prevent split ends. I have been using the shampoo & conditioner diligently over the past two weeks and I find that even with daily wash, my hair doesn’t turn dry or coarse.
Texture wise, the Split Remedy shampoo foams really easily and leaves my scalp well conditioner without feeling dry/itchy. As for the Split Remedy conditioner, it delivers what it promises – keeping hair smooth and repairs any damage to hair by conditioning and nourishing.
Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner keeps my hair baby soft and smooth without weighing it down. Best of all, it comes in affordable price and in generous sizing too.
Other tips to prevent split ends:
- Do not rub your hair dry with towel, instead pat and squeeze excess water out instead. Let your hair air dry if you can.
- Try to avoid heat tools as frequently as possible, this includes hair dryer, tong, straighteners, curlers. If you have to use it, be sure to use heat protectant spray and to avoid using heat on hair ends.
- Do not pick at your split ends as tempting as they are.
- Use hair treatment regularly (minimum once a week) to keep hair in good condition.
- Avoid using chemicals (dye, perm) on hair more regularly than the recommended break in between.
- Always use a leave in hair treatment on damp hair regardless of your hair type. Hair oil is also a great alternative.
Split Remedy Shampoo RRP AUD$11.49
Split Remedy Conditioner RRP AUD$11.49
Available on counters (Priceline, Woolworths, Coles) 15th August 2012 onwards
Couple of months back, you got to see my Swissh commercial, now you get a chance to win a pack of Pantene Aqua Light Packs that made my swisshy hair possible.
Pantene Aqua Light is a new care range with zero residue and zero weight, leaving you with beautifully nourished hair that you can swissh…!!
There will be a total of 5 winners and each winner will walk away with one Aqua Light pack (value at $26 each) which includes:
- 1 x Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo 350mL RRP $7.99
- 1 x Pantene Aqua Light Conditioner 350mL RRP $7.99
- 1 x Pantene Aqua Light Treatment 200mL RRP $9.99
How to win it:
Drop a comment below and use one word to describe your current hair condition, don’t forget to leave your email so I can contact the winners.
- Competition starts today 19th January 2012 and will run until 6pm 23rd January 2012
- Winner will be announced on the 24th January 2012
- Competition is only open to Australia residing readers only
With the warmer months, for some reason I use more hair products be it mousse, anti-frizz products or hair conditioning leave in moisturisers. Needless to say, a deep cleansing and preventive hair care is needed to not only keep my scalp healthy but also avoid ended up with flaky bits on my head (never a good look!).
Head & Shoulders is a hair care brand I’ve long heard about but never actually gotten around to trial it. I have always identified them as the ‘scalp’ specialist in treating dandruff. So when I gave this a shot, it’s actually very moisturising (doesn’t leave my hair dry) and my hair doesn’t feel weight down with the conditioner either.
Anything to prevent dandruff is on the cards for me as I produce 500% more oil from every single possible pore in my body during the warmer months.
RRP AUD$5.99 each
Available on counters now
Why I love it:
- Those of you who have fine/flat hair who couldn’t use Moroccanoil hair products previously due to the richness and thickness of the products, you’ll love that Moroccanoil released the Extra Volume range
- Still infused with Moroccanoil trademark nourishing and hair loving ingredients; minus the richness and the ‘heavy/creamy’ feeling
- Shampoo lathers really well for my double cleanse and the conditioner instantly de-tangles my mob
- Additionally, the rinse off is noticeably quicker and the results is clean, soft, de-tangled hair minus any heaviness
- Great option if you have oily roots and dry hair end bits like I do, you’ll benefit from the lightness of the shampoo and nourishing bits for the end bits.
RRP AUD$35 (250ml each)
Moroccanoil stockist 1300 437 436 or on AdoreBeauty
KMS California professional hair care products had a new face lift approximately two months ago (yes, I am late to the game due to trialling and testing the products before I can review it here). The new packaging features more fun + playful colours that are easily identified by collection.
My favourite combo has to be a combination of Add Volume + Free Shape (heat activated technology) range.
Every night, I’d start with Add Volume Shampoo (RRP AUD$28.95) then use whatever conditioner/hair mask. Once hair is towel dried, I’d spray a combination of Free Shape Quick Blow Dry (RRP AUD$31.95) and Free Shape Hot Flex Spray (RRP AUD$31.95) paying additional attention to the ends of my hair with hot flex spray. After gently blow drying my hair for 2 minutes, I’d spritz Add Volume Volumizing Spray (RRP AUD$31.95) and massage thoroughly especially around the crown/root area for that boost of volume.
I find that if I follow this routine and style my hair, the curls tend to hold heaps longer and crown area appears to be less flat. Try it some time will ya?
“All KMS California range are aimed to enhance the users individual hair condition and style – from start to finish”
All products are now available from KMS California salons nationally
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The Schwarzkopf giveaway is now finished and the three lucky winners according to Random.org are:
- Dianne Childs
- Sharon ShiYi Wong
- Jessica Melliza
Congratulation ladies! I will be in touch shortly via Facebook for your postal address, if you don’t hear from me to email me (ponikuta@gmail.com) your postal address.
