HAIR | TRESemmé Instant Refresh Waterless Foam Shampoo Review

TRESemmé Instant Refresh 

Recently my friend was clearing out her cupboard and gave me a few products she wasn't using. This was one of them.

The TRESemmé Instant Refresh Shampoo is similar to Batiste in the sense that it is aimes at reviving hair between washes. My hair personally does not agree with Batiste, I find that it doesn't fully remove the grease so a couple of hours later my hair will look awful again. Additionally it makes my hair all clumpy and matted at the roots.

What I like about the TRESemmé Instant Refresh is that it is just like a mini wash in a pump. The waterless foam removes oil from the roots without drying out the ends. I used two pumps, rubbed the product between my palms and then applied by combing my fingers through my hair. The hair then becomes damp, which means I can quickly restyle with my blow dryer; making it a lifesaver in the morning because I often wake up with crazy hair stuck to my head!

This is going to become a firm staple of my hair care routine!

Love Lillaxx

HAIR | Macadamia Flawless Shampoo Review

Macadamia Hair Flawless Shampoo*

After reviewing the Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque, Macadamia Hair sent me out a bottle of their new Flawless Shampoo. It is a sulphate and paraben free shampoo, which is perfect for me as my scalp can be very sensitive and then the condition of my hair condition quickly deteriorates.

When the shampoo arrived, I thought the packaging was lovely, the directions are simple; Just lightly emulsify 1 to 2 pumps in between hands, apply to wet hair and gently massage spreading Flawless over hair and scalp area. Continuously massage throughout the hair for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on hair type. Add a splash of water to assist in the spreading if needed and rinse thoroughly.

The application process focuses mainly on the scalp and roots, I personally stopped spreading shampoo to my ends to stop them drying out a while ago.

So there I was casually about to wash my hair, I squeeze my first pump out of the bottle to discover the shampoo has a shaving gel consistency. I then applied it as directed and was a bit unsure about how I felt about the product.

Once I had rinsed it out of my hair though, it left my hair feeling really clean and conditioned. I find a lot of shampoo leaves my hair feeling rough and dry.

In the press release, Macadamia Oil claims that the shampoo has the following benefits; and I would definitely agree.

• Refines hair texture
• Optimises styling process
• Drastically cuts down blow drying time
• Perfect for all hair types
• Surfactant-free and Paraben-free
• No stripping suds
• No-frizz detangler
• Incredible finish
• UV protection reduces colour fade
• Creates volume
• Adds shine and lustre

My hair blow dries a lot more quickly and was a lot easier to style, I also noticed the improvement in the volume of my hair. As I continued to use the shampoo I also notices that my scalp was less itchy and flakey, my ends were less dry and my hair was lasting longer between washes.

Also with other sulphate free shampoos I found that sometimes they could leave my roots feeling greasy, but the Flawless shampoo made my hair feel brilliant. This is a brilliant shampoo, and is now my regular shampoo.

HAIR | Final Week Dove Colour Radiance Challenge and #giveaway

I've finished the Dove Colour Radiance Challenge. My personal favorite item from the range is the leave in conditioner, it's so light that you can use it to help refresh your hair in between washes, not to mention is has UV filters so protects from sun damage. The regular conditioner did the trick as well despite my early doubt. My personal experience with the shampoo is that it made my head itch, which is normal as I have to use 100% natural shampoo, but as this is low in sulphates it took 3 week or so before it started itching which is a miracle.

Anyway, the lovely people at Dove sent me some of the range out so that I can run a competition and give you guys the chance to try the range for yourself!

                         

a Rafflecopter giveaway ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

HAIR | Dove Radiance Challenge Week 3 Overview

Here are my five photos from week 3 of the Dove Radiance Challenge. My colour has only really started fading the last few days and I think it's only really noticeable to me. The lighter bits at the ends are definitely not as subtle now, but I quite like it. They are still less harsh than they were to began with.

My scalp is starting to take a dislike to the shampoo, this is common for me and to be honest I'm surprised it's taken so long to show a reaction! I'm really pleased with the condition my hair is in and how well the colour has lasted. On to the final week now!

Love Lilla xx

HAIR | Dove Radiance Challenge Week 2 Overview

OK so the top picture is my official Dove photo, you can see all the other girls on their Facebook page. I have to admit they are not the best pictures, the photographer made me over smile, but hey they would have been worse when I was bigger. As a result someone commented in Portuguese that I need to see a dentist! To be honest I was bullied about my teeth a lot at school so I'm kinda over it, it hasn't bothered me. In fact I was quite lucky as I only had two negative comments on my photos, I was really upset to see some of the awful comments on the other girls photos. Considering that the Dove brand is about real women I was very disappointed in the amount of women on women hate.  I think it is awful and pathetic that women can be so horrible and negative towards each other. We aren't models we are real women, even models aren't perfect, unless they are photoshopped. I guess the internet gives people the anonymity to say horrible things to people to make themselves feel better, but that doesn't make it right.

Anyway, about the products. When I start using shampoos that contain sulphate my scalp usually becomes a dry itchy mess, so I'm again very surprised that the Dove Radiance Shampoo* hasn't affected my scalp. Another common problem with these shampoos is that after 1 day my roots will be crazy greasy, but my hair is lasting up to 3 days which is a miracle! Conditioners are working really well, I alternate between the two and my hair is really soft. But my favorite product by fair though is the Leave In Conditioner! Its great to use to restyle my hair between washes, and because it is so light it doesn't make my hair greasy. My colour is holding well, although I am getting a major urge to make the tips more blonde as I want some crazy colour in my hair! So on to week 3!

Love Lilla xx

HAIR | Dove Challenge Week 1 Overview

So I survived my first week of the Dove Colour Radiance Challenge. Above are the five pictures I submitted to them. In an earlier post I said that I wasn't impressed by the Colour Radiance Express Treatment Conditioner because my hair still felt very dry after using it, I take this back! My hair is already back to feeling nice and soft. It was obviously just very dried out from the colour treatment.  

I'm actually very impressed with all the products that Dove have given me to use. I usually worry about shampoos, as if they contain sulphates my roots get greasy in a day and my ends dry out. But I'm pleased to say that the low sulphate shampoo has done the trick. Both conditioners have worked wonders on hair and I think I am obsessed with the Leave In Conditioner, it's so light and great for refreshing dry hair between washes.

Also my colour has lasted very well which obviously is the whole point of the range.

Love Lilla x

BEAUTY | Argan Oil - Whats the deal?

Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil is an organic oil pressed from the seeds of fruit from Morrocco's Argan tree. Traditionally used as a cooking oil, in recent years it has been exported as a treatment for skin and hair problems such as acne, dry skin and damaged hair.

When I was doing #30daysnoheat, Argan oil seemed to be hailed as a magic cure for my damaged locks. Since completing the challenge and making a few changes (using a natural bristle brush, detergent free shampoo, heat protection spray, condition mask and using my straighteners less) my hair is in incredible condition. I don't have the problem, where my scalp would be dry, roots greasy and ends dry and frayed.
Taking all of this in to consideration, I thought it was about time I saw what all the fuss was about.

I tried two types of oil one for my hair and one for my skin (Argan oil is high in vitamin E, so I am hoping it will help improve the appearance of a scar i have on my forehead.).

The first one I tried was Rodin olio lusso Rodin by Recine Luxury Hair Oil. My main concern was that the oil would make my hair greasy so I applied a few drops to damp hair and then styled it. My hair was definitely softer and shinier. I also found that putting a few drops on to the ends of dry hair seems to bring it back to life! But be careful about how much you use, I rub it into my palms and then through my hair.

You can buy the Rodin by Recine Luxury Hair Oil on their website for $65.

For my skin I tested the Kahina-Giving Beauty's 100% Organic Kahina Argan Oil, which is described as being rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants. Again when using the oil on my skin I was worried about my skin appearing really greasy as a result, but the oil is absorbs very quickly and left my skin feeling smooth and soft. Not only did I notice my skin was more even than before, but I noticed that the spots that I sometimes get near my hairline have more or less vanished.

This product can also be used for your hair, but I found it was a tad heavy for my thin locks, my OH on the other hand found that it absorbed perfectly into his thicker mop.

This oil can be purchased from the above website and ranges in price from $36-$82 for 30ml-100ml or from Beauty Works West for £74.

The oil may seem expensive but it is well worth the investment and when you consider how little you will use each time the product will last for ages!