Body Shop were doing a 40% off offer and I saw this body and hair oil and decided to give it a go (£16) – Spa Of The World Polynesian Monoï Radiance Oil. It is a coconut oil base with tire flowers which smells amazing.
I mainly use this on my hair s it is perfect for my dry ends but this is also lovely on the skin, easily absorbed without any greasy residue.
I am totally sold, it is a great product at a great price!
I found these two products by chance at my local Boots, the “Buy one get one half price” offer of course contributed to why I stopped! I wasn’t looking for haircare but am super pleased I stopped to look. These are two conditioners from Charles Worthington’s Moisture Seal Range.
The first is a Hair Healer Leave In Conditioner (£5.99). This is a gel crème conditioner with a range of oils including Argan oil, Coconut oil, Abyssinian oil, Tsubaki oil and Macadamia oil. It also works to prevent frizz and give thermal heat protection.
As it is a leave-in conditioner you apply it after washing and don’t rinse out.
The second product is the Overnight Ultimate Hair Healer (£6.99). Again this has got loads of lovely oils in it to repair dryness, frizz or damage and can be used once or twice a week onto dry hair, and left overnight. In the morning you are meant to wash this out (I have been know not to and that seems to work too!!).
I really like both these products, given the price range they are really effective and have left my hair much softer. They are meant to have a cumulative effect so I will keep using them and see how that works.
All in all a good accidental find!
I feel like I am constantly reading or hearing about Olaplex so my curiosity was peaked and I decided to do some research to see if this was something my hair would benefit from. My hair is generally OK, it is very thick and curly and dry. I have bleached my ends but I don’t do this very often probably twice a year.
So Olaplex is “Bond Multiplier that dramatically eliminates breakage from chemical services and leaves hair feeling amazing”. There are 3 parts to the treatment, parts 1&2 are in-salon and part 3 is for home use.
I found a salon in Winchester offering the service so I decided to give it a try. The treatment cost £25 and took an hour. It involved wetting my hair and putting on the Olaplex 1 (a liquid) and leaving that for about 20-30 mins followed by Olaplex 2 (also a liquid) for a further 10-15 minutes. Then your hair is shampooed and conditioned and that’s it! I then purchased a bottle of Olaplex 3 (£30) to take home. You are meant to use this once a week, again wet your hair, towel dry, add the treatment (a little goes a long way) and leave on for at least 20 minutes or even overnight. Wash and style as normal.
The at home treatments are really easy and although the bottle is only 30ml it looks like it should last at least another 5-6 washes (so 8-9 washes in total and given the length and thickness of my hair that’s pretty good!). I definitely find my hair is much less tangled after using it and when left to dry naturally much less frizzy.
The salon did recommend at least three treatments in the salon (once a month) to really notice a big difference.
So after one in salon treatment and three at home washes, my hair definitely feels softer and looks better. I cant say that the results are dramatic but it has been enough for me to book the next 2 in salon treatments. I know that Olaplex works really well if you are colouring or bleaching your hair but I just wanted something to repair the existing damage and make my hair feel and look better. Given that the in salon treatments are actually quite reasonably priced I am happy to go for the next 2 and the take stock again! So far its been worth trying!
Superdrug have started stocking this lovely brand called Shea Moisture. It is a family brand with lovely values:
“To make better-for-you beauty,hair and skin care products with certified organic and natural ingredients, to always be eco-friendly, cruelty-free and fair trade and to give back the goodness by supporting chartiable organizations and women in underserved communities, both globally and in our community.”
I decided to start by trying the Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé (£10.99).
As you can see this has a really thick, gel-like consistency. It is very potent and a really small amount goes a very long way! Now this is for thick, curly frizzy hair like mine, I don’t think this would work at all on normal or fine hair as it is very thick.
Also the smell is quite strong but doesn’t linger, so I don’t mind that. I love that this is just full of natural ingredients :
“Coconut Oil – hydrates and protects while reducing frizz. Agave Nectar – delivers soft hold and body with a smooth after-feel. Flax Seed Oil – rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Flax Seed Oil promotes strength while imparting shine.”
I used this just after I washed my hair and again after it was air dry. It definitely added shine and my looks soft and mostly frizz free.
I am so impressed with this brand and having just finished my current shampoo and conditioner I am going to order the Black Castor Oil Shampoo and Conditioner to try next! Will keep you posted on those!
The much hyped Ouia Haircare range from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin is now easily available in the UK (Selfridges, Cult Beauty, Space NK). I have been dying to try this range and decided to start with the Wave Hair Spray (£22).
I have never got on well with salt/beach hair sprays as they always leave me with tangled, dry, crunchy hair that’s a pig to sort out!
According to Ouia this spray is made with “rice protein instead of traditional salt, this ultra-fine mist is the secret to loose, beachy waves without stiffness or ‘crunch’” Hurray!
Well it definitely doesn’t leave my hair crunchy! I used it on both wet and dry hair and it worked well to add texture and wave. It works really well when left to dry naturally leaving my hair soft but very beachy!
I have to be honest the best thing about this product – the smell! I have heard a number of people mention the smell and how amazing it is – its all true it is divine. In response to the popularity of the smell Jen Atkin has said she is creating a fragrance based on the signature scent of the Ouia range. I will definitely be buying that!
I know I am late to this party but Superdrug have really upped their skincare game! A recent frenzy was caused by the amazing Sali Hughes writing about Superdrug’s Simply Pure Hydrating Serum. She discovered this product four years ago and for some reason Superdrug stopped stocking it, but now it’s back and as good as ever according to Sali Hughes. Well if Sali Hughes (or Caroline Hirons) says it’s good then it’s good!
So off I went to Superdrug to get myself some of this £2.69 wonder serum! While I was there I decided to have a proper look at the other products in Superdrug’s own range(s) and boy was I in for a treat! I warn you this is a long post – there is a lot to talk about!!
First off I was immediately drawn to the Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser because I am always on the lookout for good affordable hot cloth cleansers. This one is £5.99 but seems to be permanently on offer for £2.98! This cleanser has Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to brighten and Cocoa Butter to moisturise. It is a lovely creamy consistency that really melts into the skin and cleanses away all my make-up easily. I remove this with a hot flannel which of course helps gently exfoliate my skin. I really really like this. The smell is slightly fruity but subtle, and it just does a great job at cleansing without stripping my skin.
Continuing with the hot cloth cleansing obsession – I also grabbed the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser (£4.99). This is definitely a thicker, richer version with a slightly stronger smell – I don’t mind the smell but some might find it too strong. Again I am extremely happy with this cleanser, and am pleasantly surprised at the quality and efficacy given the price.
So onto the other skincare products – the Simply Pure Hydrating Serum was of course a gem! I have been using this day and night for a few weeks and my skin is feeling so much more hydrated!
I also decided to get a couple of other skincare products including the Naturally Radiant Glycolic Overnight Peel (£5.99), the Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream (£5.99) and the Vitamin E Leave on Moisture Mask (£2.99).
Starting with the Glycolic Overnight Peel – this is a clear gel that you apply after cleansing at night and wash off in the morning. It is meant to work like most glycolic peels – in that it exfoliates dead skin cell, leaving skin brighter, softer and reduces scars etc. I have used this about 10 times now and although I haven’t noticed a huge difference, my skin generally does look and feel better the next morning. Given the price it’s a good one to just have this as a back up but it wouldn’t be my go to product of this type.
Next is the eye cream – I’ll be honest I just wanted something to tide me over as my Estee Lauder eye cream had just finished and I was going to get a new high end one whilst going through duty free! This was reduced to £2.98 so I just got it. It’s quite thin and not as rich as I like my eye creams to be. I don’t think this was a particularly effective product and wouldn’t get this again but having said that I didn’t hate it either!
Finally (for skincare!) is the Vitamin E leave on moisture mask. I like a good moisturising mask especially in the bath whilst watching YouTube videos! This is like a thick jelly and smells like the rest of the Vitamin E range – not too bad! I liked this, it felt nourishing on the skin and after leaving it on for 10 minutes, my skin did feel much more hydrated. For the price I would get this again. It’s a good basic moisturising mask.
Now onto haircare – yes Superdrug own haircare is also a thing! I read a few good reviews on the Superdrug Style Expertise Anti Frizz Serum (£2.99) so of course I thought I may as well get some while I was on this shopping spree, oh and I also got the Style Expertise Curl Cream (£2.99) – why not!
Starting with the Anti-Frizz Serum, this is a small bottle of clear gel that you apply to washed, towel dried hair. I did just that and let my hair dry naturally. Normally when I do this my hair does get frizzy, this product definitely toned down some of the frizz. It didn’t eliminate it entirely (that would be a miracle for me) but it certainly helped (see picture below – no styling just air dried). My hair was soft to the touch and once I curled it the next day, the frizz was definitely reduced! I am taking this on holiday with me!
The Curl Cream is also meant to be applied the same way. I tried this a few times without the Anti-Frizz Serum and it was OK. I didn’t necessarily notice a huge difference; however I really like using this on my dry hair after it has been curled. I find that it then reduces frizz, defines my curls and gives my hair a lovely sheen! Just be aware though that I have thick, dry hair that never gets greasy so I can really pile on the products! So I do really like this after all – just used in a different way!
So after all that I have to say my Superdrug journey has been good, I am really impressed with some of the products and they will definitely become part of my regular stash – particularly the hydrating serum, both cleansers and the hair products.
I have thick, curly, coloured, dry hair so anything that claims to be an intense hair moisturiser appeals to me. That’s what Phyto 9 Daily Ultra Nourishing Botanical Cream is (£16.50).
Its been around for ages but this is the first time I’ve tried this. It’s a lovely light cream that absorbs quickly into your hair leaving softness with no greasy residue. It also smells lovely because its packed with Macadamia oil and plant extracts like St. John’s Wort, Soybean, Calendula, Rosemary, Willow, Sage, and Burdock!
I use it mainly on dry hair to keep the frizz away and my hair nourished between washes. You can also use it on towel dried hair.
I love this stuff and although it is pricey I feel like my hair benefits from it, but I do try and use it sparingly and really only on the very dry bits so I can eek out the tube for as long as possible!!
I recently had the amazing experience of going to the ESPA at the Corinthia Spa. Oh My..I have done a separate post on that here but suffice to say it was HEAVENLY! Whilst there I had the pleasure of being introduced to this amazing product. Its the Pink Hair and Scalp Mud (£32).
This is a beautiful thick, creamy hair mask that not only smells amazing but leaves your hair baby soft and shiny and healthy! It is also amazing for dry or sore scalps. I tend to use this an intensive treatment for my hair and I have also left in overnight. It really is a lovely products that helps my hair recover from all the heat/colouring damage.
While at the spa the therapists also use this as a moisturiser as it is meant to be amazing for dry skin. So I also occasionally put this on my hands at bedtime and let it work its magic!
This is a real hero product for me and I will most definitely buy this again and again!
I am BIG fan of hair oils, especially those by L’Oreal and have done lots of posts on them (see here, here, here..!). I do quite like an oil spray and this L’Oreal Elvive Nutri-Gloss Luminiser caught my eye. Its is a Shine Booster Spray which is what my hair needs – a good shot of shine without greasiness and that’s what this delivers.
It’s very lightweight and smells lovely. I have been using this daily and am really enjoying it. As my hair is so thick it never makes it greasy but is probably lighter than what I would normally use. I am not sure I would buy this again as I like something heavier but have definitely enjoyed using it.
I have had this for a while and used it a lot over the festive period – its the new(ish) Colab Luxe Shine Glossing Hair Fragrance (£4.99).
This hair spray is a “nourishing blend of precious oils, silk extracts and shimmering diamond dust, this luxurious feather-light mist adds a touch of silken gloss, smoothing and illuminating your hair”. I really enjoy using this. It definitely has a fragrance – light and musky – which is perfect and not too strong. It definitely leaves your hair shiny and holds a style. It also has a shimmer in it but its not too much. All in all a lovely hairspray for glamorous parties!
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