My 2014 Favorites PART 1: Hair Products

ALL ABOUT HAIR!

I had so many products to choose from (other product fiends would understand) but these were my favorites from the lot! How I chose? It wasn't on whether I emptied it out (some products I loved I even used judiciously). I picked the following because of how much I enjoyed using them and/or how well it worked. These were products that I craved for, I relied on or reached for when I was on auto-pilot. For a quick run-through, read on: )

SHAMPOO

Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvinating Shampoo

*tamed, frizz-free, shiny hair even without conditioner

*pleasant scent

-not easily available here in Manila 

-a bit pricey  (35 Sing or roughly USD 29)

Big Sea Salt Shampoo by Lush

*clarifying and volumizing without the frizz

*hair does not feel stripped

*can skip the conditioner

*loved the feel of the salt scrubbing my scalp

*refreshing scent

-a bit pricey 

Zenutrients Natural and Organic Scalp Care Shampoo (Tea Tree)

*clarifying without stripping

*can skip the conditioner

*gives a refreshing, minty, tingly sensation to my scalp

*perfect for washing oils off quickly

*-fairly inexpensive for a certified natural and organic product

-scent does not stay 

CONDITIONER & MASK

Happy Happy Joy Joy by Lush

*scent is divine!!!

*scent throw is strong and hair stays fragrant for 3 days!

*always gets good attention

*tames hair without weighing it down

-very pricey! (PHP595 or USD13 for 50 grams, PhP725 or USD 16 ofor 100 grams and PhP1750 or USD 39 for 500 grams)

Veganese by Lush

*hair is bouncy, soft and shiny

*conditions hair without weighing it down

*smells great

*a vegan product

-pricey 

-faint scent 

Macadamia Natural Oil Moisturizing Rinse

*hair is bouncy and shiny

*conditions hair without weighing it down

*pleasant scent

-not easily available here in Manila 

-pricey (43 Sing or roughly USD 35)

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

*consistently revives over-treated hair, scraggly hair

*can be used as a normal conditioner (need not stay on too long)

*pairs up beautifully with ANY shampoo

*hair is bouncy and shiny

*conditions hair without weighing it down

*hair ends look especially tamed with this product

-not easily available here in Manila 

-pricey (54 Sing or around USD 45)

DRY SHAMPOO

 Aerosol-Free Klorane Dry Shampoo in Oat Milk

*can stretch shampooing comfortably up to 4 days

*powder residue washes off relatively easily (as compared to Dove’s Dry Shampoo)

*scent refreshes hair but does not compete with other fragrances

*gives hair texture, volume and grit 

*aerosol free is environmentally friendly

*in-flight friendly; love travelling with this one; perfect for long haul flights that bring out my oiliest scalp and hair (even if freshly washed!)

-dispersing product by squeezing is not so convenient and makes for patchy distribution through hair 

-not easily available here in Manila 

-a bit pricey 

Klorane Dry Shampoo in Oat Milk Aerosol Can

*can stretch shampooing comfortably up to 4 days

*powder residue washes off relatively easily (as compared to Dove’s Dry Shampoo)

*scent refreshes hair but does not compete with other fragrances

*gives hair texture, volume and grit

*aerosol upside: very convenient to use daily and makes it easy to disperse product easily through hair

-downside: not environmentally friendly 

-not easily available here in Manila 

-a bit pricey (if purchased locally, costs PhP850 or USD19)

-not in-flight friendly

Beauty Formulas Dry Shampoo

*the cheapest dry shampoo I have purchased (PhP90. or USD 2)

*works almost as well as the Klorane

*stretches shampoo time comfortably up to 4 days

*gives hair texture, volume and grit 

*gives perfumed hair (which can be a downside sometimes as it competes with other fragrances)

*readily available in our local grocery store (Robinsons)

*aerosol is not environmentally friendly

-more residue build-up than Klorane but can easily be washed 

-quality control of this product is not so strict: got a can without its spout—had to borrow from Klorane) 

THERMAL PROTECTION

Got a good hoard going!

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray

*leaves no gunk on any of the hot tools

*scent is pleasant which dissipates fast

*does not weigh my hair down

*hair feels less dry, tired and stripped after shampooing, when used during heat styling (as compared to using other heat protectants)

*nozzle spray is environmentally friendly

*nozzle spray is convenient and disperses product evenly (no more sticky, messy hands—as opposed to heat taming balms)

*screw top makes it easy to open and decant product into small spritzers for travel

*cheap compared to others (purchased at Target for USD 3)

*now readily available in the supermarket but a bit more expensive

HAIRSPRAY

 

Tresemme Salon Finish Hairspray in Extra Hold

*reasonably priced

*delivers on “extra-hold” claim

*no crunchy, flaky hair

*lightweight! can keep teased hair in place!

*love the in-flight travel size the best

*spray delivers a fine even mist

*scent does not get me gasping for air

-aerosol cans are not environmentally friendly 

HAIRGEL

Splash Control Styling Gel in Strong Hold Clear

*will always be my lifetime favorite

*scent is great

*keeps baby hair in place

*gives understated sleekness (as opposed to super wet look)

*the squeezable bottles can be squeezed effortlessly

*can brush through hair without it getting flaky

*comfortable to use: no crunchy, gummy, sticky hair

*if in a rush, hands can just be wiped dry after application

*very, very cheap!

*because it’s cheap, I don’t feel bad keeping a bottle everywhere: cars, bathroom, bag, dresser, desk drawer, gym bag

*available even in 7/11 stores in the provinces!!!

 (PHP20.0 or less than $0.50 cents for 50 grams)

ARGAN OIL

The Souq Organics Moroccan Argan Oil

*not sticky at all

*nourishes and tames ends

*easily absorbed by the hair and does NOT make it oily

*makes a remarkable difference in the health of hair (it’ll be undeniably clear)

*excess product I like using for my hands and other parts (excluding the face as this broke me out really badly; did not do anything for fading of scars)

*100% pure argan oil 

*scent dissipates quickly

*locally available

-they changed the packaging from the dropper (I loved!) to the pump which leaks and dispenses too much product 

-expensive (PhP1,500 or USD 33)

Pure Bliss Liquid Gold

*a cheaper alternative to Souq’s with only a subtle difference in smell and texture (PhP1,100 or USD 25)

*a bit sticky to the touch but the feeling goes away as it gets absorbed

*takes longer than Souq’s to be absorbed by the hair but nonetheless gets absorbed

*clearly nourishes hair

*excess product I like using for my hands and other parts

*certified organic

*100% pure argan oil 

-pump dispenses too much if not controlled properly (but at least it does not leak as it dispenses, like Souq’s) 

-locally available but only at Skin Station branches

Review: L’Occitane 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner

REPURCHASE? Yes, but I am in no rush. Refilled this soooo many times and having these bottles in my bathroom shelf everyday for the past 4 years have gotten me quite bored with them. It consistently gave me beautiful hair, however, I need a break from it. Anyhow, will keep the empty bottles in storage first and give myself time to miss it before topping them up.

L’Occitane 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner was a set that I always ignored inside the L’Occitane shop--- I was going through my Verbena phase then. However, when my husband brought home a couple of small bottles from a hotel stay, I wasted no moment trying them out and wow! Was I immediately chastised for snubbing them! Somehow, by some sort of miracle, this L’Occitane 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner duo revealed beautiful hair! The scent got me hooked some more because it never failed to bring fond memories of childhood. It smells similarly to Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo, aka, the “scent of my childhood”. That same week, I made a trip to the L’Occitane shop for the sole purpose of getting the full sized set 

I often used the shampoo on its own, foregoing the conditioner. This was no hardship because the shampoo took care of my hair so well. Hair was bouncy. Every single strand had flounce to it. It was light. It was shiny. Have to say, too, that it was easy to brush--- wet or dry. Skipped conditioner half the time because good-hair-days lasted longer this way. My hair didn’t get oily too fast and I found that using the conditioner forced me to shampoo my hair more frequently than I liked. For 5 years now, I have religiously followed this rule: shampoo hair at the very most, every two days. I strive for 3. Ever since I started this habit (helped by dry shampoo and the fact that I’ve stopped going to the gym) my hair has become thicker and healthier.

There were times when I’d slather on the conditioner, though, and that was when my hair was particularly dry because of the weather or because of heat styling. However, I found myself reaching for the conditioner when I craved for the scent. I noticed that the fragrance stayed on my hair so much longer as opposed to just shampoo where the scent dissipated as my hair dried.

As I finish writing this blogpost, I’m beginning to wonder how long before I miss this. Bet it would be soon. Gosh, there must be something wrong with me!

Part 2 Hair Care (The Year End Purge)

HAIR CARE:  Camille Albane Blowdry Smoothing Fluid, Pantene Style Pro-V  Classic Unforgettable Hairspray, Suave Professionals Waterless Foam Shampoo, Delon Coconut Oil, Delon Argan Oil, Kerastase Noctogenist Serum Nuit, Jungle Solid Conditioner by Lush

The scent of Camille Albane Blowdry Smoothing Fluid bothered me. There was this lingering fish sauce kind of smell and the strong sweet scent they used could not cover it up. I got past it sometimes—I had to because I did not want to dub this purchase a fail! I also did a survey at home and I was the only one that found it stinky, hence, my persistence in using it. The thick liquid product didn’t bother me as much when I used it to blowdry. I trusted that it protected my hair from the heat, but it weighed it down a bit—this was not an issue as my hair is still thick anyway. However, I completely stopped using this when I noticed that the product would congeal into a black strip on the sides of the hot iron plates of my straightener. Cleaning the plates in between straightening just wasn’t worth the trouble. Yes, it is called a blowdry smoothing fluid BUT the packaging itself claims it can be used with a hot iron. And yes, I tried using less. Still the same problem.

Pantene Style Pro-V Classic Unforgettable Hairspray weighed hair down like no other. You tease, you spray and then you watch your hard-earned teased hair slowly fall flat. That was how heavy the product was! It got my hair oily, too. How odd for a hairspray. Furthermore, my hair was crunchy to the touch. Also, I had to clean the spray cap often because it easily clogged itself. Waste of time! And may I add that it claims the following: “maximum hold control” and “style freeze for extra-ordinary staying power.” Big HA!

Suave Professionals Waterless Foam Shampoo. This irritated me the most! I find the scent sickeningly sweet. This does not deliver on any of its promises (and it claims to revive hair as well as Bumble and Bumble)! Removes oil my a$$! This, in no way refreshes my hair in between washes. It adds oil to my hair. It makes it greasy. I don’t know if it works better on curly hair. The packaging states that it works well on “dry and curly hair.” It’s not clear whether it was meant to be for curly hair only. Anyhow, I have given this to a friend with naturally curly hair and we shall find out soon enough. I hope it works on her. It gets me sad every time a product goes to waste : (.

Delon Coconut Oil and Argan Oil.  These came as a freebie when you purchase the Shampoo and Hair Conditioner it came with. Both have sooo much silicone in its formulation that I felt my hair choked on it every time. I’m fine with silicone on my face primers but somehow my hair does not take it well. It claims to be treatment for split ends but it added trouble to my already tired hair. It gives shine, yeah. But when shampooed off, I saw the damage these "oils" did to my hair- becomes more frizzy and the tips scragglier than ever. These I threw. I didn’t even give them away. The shampoo and conditioner were okay though—not bad, not good. Those, I finished up.

Kerastase Noctogenist Serum Nuit. Although this performed so much better than the Delon products I just spoke of above, I used this sparingly because it had silicone in it. Sure, I would wake up to beautiful smooth and scented hair but again, my hair looked worse after shampooing it off.  Poor hair. Will not repurchase this.

Jungle Solid Conditioner by Lush.  I liked the idea of the solid hair conditioner (and of solid shampoo, too!) so I purchased this. The smell was a non-issue until I used it on my hair. Didn’t like it but it wasn’t revolting enough to have stopped me from using it several tries. I had usage problems with it. It was hard to spread evenly through my hair strands. It was one that you couldn’t melt in your palms so the solid bar had to be rubbed directly on your hair/head. Worse, it did not do good. It coated my hair as if I had used body lotion (I once made this mistake!). I rinsed it properly. Yes, I did. But still, it matted my hair and made it looked clumpy.  Not the best look.

REVIEW: Blousey by Lush

I WILL NOT REPURCHASE:

I wont repurchase plainly because it did not wow me.  Forking over PhP1250 (roughly USD28) for 240 grams of product (about 25 to 30 uses for my really long hair), I felt ENTITLED to be wowed. I EXPECTED to be wowed. Unfortunately, my hair just didn’t take to it.

The reason why I got Blousey in the first place was because of the online hype surrounding banana shampoo and besides the packaging itself claims that it is for damaged, bleached or naturally fragile hair.

MY HAIR FACTS:

I have really long, black, coarse hair that has been re-bonded twice in the past 3 years. Last re-bonding happened over a year ago.  I used Blousey around 6 months after that. I have never colored my hair. I shampoo every 3 to 4 days--I can afford to do this because I use dry shampoo in between washing. I use argan oil for the ends on a daily basis. I rarely blow dry my hair (thrice a year--max), opting for the fan if I am rushing. I rarely use heat styling tools (twice a year--max). I get a trim once a year only---it should be more often but it requires so much effort to go to a salon and have it done--my patience was all eaten up by the re-bonding session!

WET HAIR EXPERIENCE:

The Lush UK website (https://www.lush.co.uk/products/blousey) describes this as:

“[a] thick, deeply moisturising shampoo that hydrates your hair, leaving it feeling soft, nourished and cared for. Blousey is bursting with butters, bananas and berries to revive and protect hair. Bananas are protein-rich and soften the hair; cocoa and cupuaçu butters also restore moisture, xxx.” It might have hydrated, nourished and protected my hair but it did not show nor did I feel it. I did get to do my “no conditioner test” though (a test I do to see how well a particular kind of shampoo performs on its own), so this wasn’t as bad as the other shampoos I had tried (Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Lush’s Shampoo Bars Ultimate Shine and New) where my wet hair just screamed for conditioner! However, like I said, this was a mediocre performer especially taken in the backdrop of the price I had paid for it.

 

“xxx and antiseptic pimento berry is effective in maintaining a healthy scalp.”

My scalp felt great though. My hair felt clean, smelled clean (nothing of banana); oils were easily washed away but not leaving it stripped. BUT. But. Although my hair felt squeaky clean, my white towel would tell a different story. Some fibers from the banana would always be left behind, no matter how often and how vigorous you rinse your hair. Worse it would transfer to my poor white towel. At first it bothered me but towards the end, I just shrugged it off.

DRY HAIR EXPERIENCE:

I felt my hair to be a tad too bouffant, volumized and frizzy on day 1 when I used this without conditioner. Day 2 gave better results but I’ve seen my hair looking beautiful, soft and shiny with other shampoos  even without conditioner!

Pairing this with Lush’s Veganese & Happy Happy Joy Joy or Macadamia Natural Oil's Deep Repair Masque & Moisturizing Rinse, most definitely helped. But again, (who cares if I sound redundant, right?!) i’ve had better hair days with cheap shampoos paired with those enumerated conditioners.

SCENT:

I really do find the scent to be that of fresh bananas. Banana scents almost always come across to me as funky and off the mark but there is nothing artificial-smelling about this one. It helps of course that fresh real bananas are used. The scent may be strong if you sniff the product straight from the pot but the scent lightens up when used and pairs with other scents (of conditioners) well.

DOWNSIDE:

Aside from its mediocre performance, man how this product stings!!! So do not let it get to your eyes, even when rinsing! And if you have an over active imagination (like my sister), you might want to get used to the way it looks --think wrigglers in a pot of sludge. It doesn't help that it oxidizes as it ages.  Hope the picture helps.

TIP:

This product bubbles up only when there’s much water added to your hair. The first time I used this, scooped so much of it because my wet hair just did not lather up. It was when I started to rinse off under the shower that it did.

SHELF LIFE:

This lasted quite a long time. I used this for almost 2 month past the best before date without any changes in its performance.

INGREDIENTS: