Posts tagged shine
Review: John Frieda Highlight Activating Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner
0The other day a friend commented on my hair – she asked if I’d had it dyed, saying it looked lighter and brighter. I thanked her and explained that no, I haven’t had my hair done for a very long time, but I had started using a new shampoo and conditioner that is designed to make my highlights stand out.
I’d been using John Frieda Highlight Activating Moisturising Shampoo and Highlight Activating Moisturising Conditioner (for Lighter Shades) for about a week when I had that lovely complement. The shampoo contains Jojoba oil, sunflower and white tea complex which help to bring out highlights for “maximum blonde impact”, and the moisturising formula adds shine without actually adding colour. The conditioner incorporates the sane blonde-enhancing ingredients while gently removing those residues that build up and dull the hair.
Looking at the photo what do you think I’m going to say about the packaging? If you’ve been reading Splodz Blogz for a long time you might remember I have featured John Frieda Go Blonder Shampoo and Conditioner, and I mentioned this then. It’s the labelling. The difference between the shampoo and conditioner packaging is so small that if you’ve got water in your face it’s very difficult to see which one is which. John Frieda have used different colours and I think I’ve just about remembered that blue is shampoo and green is conditioner (or is it the other way around), but ideally it should be much more obvious.
I do like this pair of products, they are nice to use and obviously work as I mentioned above. I have found, though, that the moisturising effect of these means by the evening my hair is looking flat and a little greasy. I have very fine hair and have to wash it daily, but if I’m out in the evening I am finding it necessary to refresh using dry shampoo (my favourite ever hair product!). I don’t mind that too much because I think my hair looks better in the daytime than it does with my normal choice or shampoo and conditioner, and I know my hair is very prone to looking lifeless, but it is a bit annoying that it doesn’t last 12 hours.
Disclaimer: I was sent some Shampoo and Conditioner to review. I have not been told what to say and have been no less honest as a result of receiving the product for free.
Tara Smith Haircare
0I have been testing some of the new Tara Smith haircare range over the last week or so.
This is a new range combining the professional expertise and professional performance of high end haircare, with natural and organic ingredients and no harsh chemicals.
“It was important to me to develop a salon-quality product line based on natural plant ingredients and accessible to everyone at a realistic price tag. I have made sure my products are as natural as they can be without having to keep them in the fridge because I believe that what we put on our body is as important as what we put in it.” Tara Smith
There are a variety of shampoos and conditioners for different hair types. I, of course, went for the “Straight Away” for my long blonde straight hair.
Straight Away Shampoo – 100ml £3.75 & 250ml £6.50
For squeaky clean sleek and shiny hair with Ginkgo Biloba extract. Ginkgo Biloba has long been taken internally for its anti stress properties and in this shampoo it is combined with Marine Algae extract to moisturise and condition dry and damaged hair.
Straight Away Conditioner – 100ml £3.75 & 250ml £6.50
For manageable sleek and shiny hair with Wheat protein. A combination of Marine Algae extract to soften the hair and make it easy to comb and Wheat, Corn and Soy proteins to bind moisture to the hair shaft and improve gloss and vitality.
First of all… aren’t these just the cutest bottles around?! I love them. And the yellow is like sunshine. I know, little things, but when you open an envelope and the product inside makes you smile because of the design, that’s good product design!
I’ve used the shampoo and conditioner for about a week, expecting good things based on the descriptions above. Between them they are designed to give shiny, straight hair as well as condition, moisturise and repair my hair.
One of the criticisms I’ve had in the past of organic professional level shampoos is that they’ve been runny and don’t go very far – making them an even more expensive choice than you might think. But not with this Tara Smith duo. The shampoo was light and left my hair completely clean, and the conditioner was thick and nourishing. I was more than happy leaving my hair to dry naturally as it looked light and bright, and after blow drying it had that shine I was hoping for.
I have also been using the Top Coat Glosser (£8.99) which is supposed to add shine and also give a light fragrance of Sweet Orange in the process. This finishing spray is just brilliant – it acts like a really light hairspray, but feels much nicer than the stuff you get in a can, and did indeed give my hair a nice shine – perfect for when I wanted to make extra effort (although I’m not sure how often I would actually make that extra effort – I’m normally more than happy with my hair sat long and straight as it is naturally).
Tara Smith Haircare is available from Cult Beauty. You can also read more about Tara Smith on her website.
