Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Intensive Mask

Herbal Essences is a brand that more than likely you will have experienced but definitely heard of. With a new advertising campaign featuring a luscious-locked Nicole Scherzinger making some rather questionable shouts of YES! it's a product that is very much in the spotlight right now. Recently the Bee Strong Strethening Intensive Mask (seriously, how long is the name?) was a super snip at £1.99 so I picked it up to test on my dry, damaged and coloured hair.

 The consistency of the Herbal Essences Masks are what you'd expect of a good hair mask- thick and creamy so you can really work it into the hair and leave it to soak in. Obviously, with the brand they are known for their tasty smelling wares and this one is no different - honey and apricot which once washed out leaves a subtle fragrance.

So, whilst in the shower you work it into your hair (from root to tip) and leave it on for a while. Personally I try and do everything else whilst this is soaking into my hair so that this product has more time to work into my hair. If it is really dry, get out the shower and wash it out after an hour.

It is billed to help repair combing damage and provide silky soft hair. Does it?

I've used it a few times now and it has indeed made my hair softer however I have yet to notice any repair of my hair. Will I continue to use it? Yes! Would I recommend it? Yes, however don't expect miracles. If you are looking for a conditioner that will smoothen and soften then do pick this up, especially when it is on offer however it really is not a super sproblem solver.

£4.79 here. 

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The Body Shop Hair Chalk in Tickle Me Pink

I work in a corporate environment where pink tips just won't cut it. That means any kind of trend is a big no-no? Ombre? If I want a disciplinary yes, if not then a non permanent alternative is a must. This is wear the Body Shop Hair chalk comes in. Available in two colours - Tickle Me Pink and Falling For Blue they are on trend and work on both dark and light hair. 

This small round pot holds the key to on trend, colourful tips or highlights in a very quick, simple and easy way. All you do is on dry hair (that has a leave in conditioner in if you hair is super dry) run the desired hair between the pot and your finger, brush the hair and hairspray to seal in the colour. Sounds simple non?

Well firstly do listen to the box and put a towel over your shoulders as it is messy work. I didn't use gloves as it does come off rather quickly but if you are prone to mess/touching things then do. Once hairspraying into my hair and brushing again I was left with a rather fetching:

The first photo is freshly applied, the second is after brushing and hairspraying. The colour is buildable so for a stronger effect add more. After sealing the colour in with the hairspray I didn't see any fallout onto clothes and I did sleep on it and found only a litter transfer onto the pillow so for those of you with lighter sheets perhaps sleep with a towel. I decided after this I wanted to straighten my hair but was worried about running heat over dry, chalked and hairspray so I improvised and rubbed  a little L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil over the ends (see a review of this multi-use product here!) crossed my fingers and went for it. Extra brushing did take some more colour out of the hair however the result....

.... was amazing! I loved it. I also wore a white jumper the evening and encountered no transfer. 

Now, for the main thing. I have over processed, dry and damaged hair. Would it leave a trace? Would my crazy hair suck the colour in and I'd be forever pink and facing a stern telling off from work? Nope! It fully washed out! Win!

 So, fancy a change? Go for it! For £5 in-store or online it would be a shame not to, as if like me you are limited to what you can do it means you no longer have to miss out!

What do you guys think? Let me know!

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L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil

I have unruly, curly and bleach damaged hair. I open with this because this bottle of oil really lives up to its name, it really is extraordinary. 

The L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary oil is a multi use hair oil that can be used in a manner of different ways from heat protection to smoothing. It comes in a sturdy glass bottle with a lock lid to avoid spillages which is rather handy when it is rattling around the bottom of your drawer (or is that just mine). The consistency of it is rather runny for a hair oil so when you pump it into your hand you do need to be careful.

I personally use it after I get out of the shower and massage two pumps into my hair or after styling and my hair feels smoother and less unruly. You can also use it before shampooing but I haven't really   reaped any extra benefits from doing so. However some of the benefits it boasts includes offering great shine and feels silky which I can't really deny. It also offers UV and heat protection so all in all, a great all-rounder.

Oh, it smells super-duper too. Really it does!

So try it. It gets a thumbs up from me as it is a great multi-purpose product which saves space, meaning theres more room in the drawer for other products! Want to try it? Well it really is great value for money I feel, as its £9.99 and its basically three products in one!

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Percy & Reed Dry Conditioner

I don't know about you ladies but I know all about dry shampoo, batiste being what recently has become a product many of my friends use religiously (Emma @ Ems designs has done a excellent review of it here - click and read!) but something that I was new to the concept of was dry conditioner. I managed to procure a sample of this from Whats In My Handbag? and want to share it with you all today!

It came packaged so nicely, with my name and everything :D Anyway.. it claims to 'give your hair healthy softness and shine without the h20' and to 'add glossy shine to even very dry hair'. Just so happens I have very thick curly hair that is very dry at the ends! Fancy that! It says spray 10 cm away working on the dry areas then brushing through.. this is the result:

Left - Hair before, Right- Hair after.

Don't know about you but I consider this a success! It controlled the frizz, it added shine to the dull, lifeless ends of my hair and made it feel silky smooth! And no oilyness. Unlike the dry shampoo this does not give volume, something I clearly do not need. However I need this product. So will I buy it? YES! Score? 8/10.. simply because it is £12.00 here are ASOS. Curses to the expensive products that work!

Have you tried Dry Conditioner? Know of alternatives?

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