Deal Changers for My Hair

Products to Tame the Frizz!

If you have a mop of hair that falls naturally into place after washing then I envy you and you won't understand my need of hair product! If you have hair like mine that has a mind of it's own then read on.....

My hair , if left , is something akin to a wiry, frizzy mess and takes some work to get it to look mildly presentable. I have the sort of hair that seems to react violently to strong products and either hangs limply because the product is too heavy or flies free and frizzy because the product is just not right. There is no rhyme nor reason to it.

If I had to pick a word to describe my hair it would be 

UNPREDICTABLE 

So, after many years of trial and error I have come up with a list of my top styling products that tame my hair.

• I do use two or three products on my hair at a time

• I don't use a load of product that weighs the hair down but layer a smaller amount of the products in my hair

• I don't put each product all over my hair, just in the area I need it. e.g healing oil on the ends.

Sebastian Volumpt Spray

This is a root spray gel for volume. It works wonders for root lift . I love this product. It really brings shine to my hair too.

Sebastian Mousse Forte

This is more of an all over volume mousse, but when I use it I apply it more where I need it and then comb it through the rest of the hair. It is not sticky at all and brings amazing lift and volume that lasts over a few days . It makes my hair feel really light. A fantasic product for big hair!

Beauty Protector

This is a protect and detangle spray. It makes my hair smooth and soft and tangle free. It gets rid of the frizz and seems to prevent it frizzing up again during the day! I did a separate review on this product I love it so much here.

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray

I always found the normal healing oil a little heavy for my hair, but this spray is delightful. I got the smallest size to trial, but will be getting the biggest when I can! I use it on wet hair before I style and occasionally on dry ends between washes. It eliminates dryness almost completely. It is one of those "no brainer" products.

Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity

This is a lightweight, brushable, control hairspray. It gives a light mist of spray, but not heavy control and brushes out easily. I use it to hold my hair during styling and find that my hair lasts days longer if I do . A revelation!

TRESemme Instantrefresh

This is a dry shampoo to remove oil and boost body. I used a whole bottle and more of this whilst camping this year. It is a great dry shampoo. It smells lovely and does not leave a residue behind. It is very similar to the KMS one, but a lot less expensive! A great find.

What is your current favourite hair product?

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Protect and Detangle

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Beauty Protector

I have gone against a lot of what I have said before in repurchasing this product. 

It is a case of " don't throw the baby out with the bath water" . In other words, I don't want to discard every product because I am suspicious of one ingredient - alcohol denat.

This does have alcohol in it, but I shall overlook that for the benefit it seems to give my hair. 

My hair is dry at the ends from having colour applied to it and from being blow dried and straightened at regular intervals. I find a great shampoo and conditioner helps, but to keep it conditioned, shiny and tangle free when I am styling it this has been the only product lately that has worked. 

I don't know what it is that is in it that makes such a difference, but my hair is really soft and shiny and easy to manage when styling. 

I got my product through the Birchbox shop here. I don't think it retails on the High Street.

I am also using two great mousses for volume lift at the roots. Phyto Intense Volume Mousse  - review here and a new sample I am trying which I LOVE. Sebastian Mousse Forte. It keeps touchable volume with no dryness, on day 2 as well. I shall be tempted to buy a bottle when my sample runs out! You can get this reduced on Beauty Bay here.

What hair styling products are you loving at the moment?

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Liz Earle Hair Oil

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Since discovering how hair oils can transform my hair from a frizzy explosion into a  much more controlled ensemble, I have been hooked. I have used up almost a whole bottle of L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil as recommended by Jen at Beauty and the Biriani . It is a really lovely oil as I mention here.

However, never one to miss out on an opportunity to try something new I was topping up on my Liz Earle shampoo and conditioner and this sort of fell into the basket at the same time . It is their Botanical Shine Nourishing Hair Oil. It retails at £15 which is a little more expensive than the Extraordinary oil, so is it really worth the extra?

It contains Kenyan Yangu Oil, Coconut oil and Radish Seed Oil and claims to instantly condition and protect your hair from heat damage caused by styling. It says it leaves hair with a natural looking shine.

I have been using this for about 3 weeks now and I do love it.

It is a lightweight oil, but is strong enough to control my frizzy bush for a whole day. I have tried it before drying and afterwards and it works equally well both ways.My preferred way is to run some through my hair before I straighten or curl it. I then add a little more to tame any flyaway ends. It smells amazing, as do most of Liz Earle products. I don't like hair products to smell too strongly, but this is such a gorgeous fragrance I'll break that rule!

Liz Earle Hair Oil

Liz Earle lightweight Hair Oil

I'm not sure whether it does any better job than any other good quality oil if I am honest, but the staying power and the smell make it a favourite for me. As I use the shampoo and conditioner as well it makes sense to stick to the range as the smell is the same. I don't like mixing too many aromas and smelling like the inside of a chemist shop. I have been using less of my heat protection spray since using this oil as it seems to add a good layer of protection from the heat of styling anyway.

I tried a sample recently of the coveted Keraste oil. This retails at a ridiculous £30. Lovely though it was I don't feel it did any more for my hair than the Liz Earle or L'oreal oil. 

It is like any product , the best thing to do is to try some samples , read some reviews and see what suits you and your hair best. Never just go for the most expensive product thinking it will be the best.

If you have unruly hair, a little tip is to decant some oil into a small leak proof container ( travel size bottles are perfect) and carry some with you during the day. You can just run a few drops through your hair when it is needed to keep the frizz at bay. I use an old serum bottle that I have rinsed out and is perfect - really small and compact so easy to carry in my bag.

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Phyto Intense Volume Mousse

 Wednesday Beauty Buys

I hate the way that some mousses leave a sticky residue in your hair or even just a 'feel' of product. I don't find that I need a lot of product in my hair to create volume. Although my hair is fine , I have a lot of it, so it is quite happy to turn into a bushy mess with a bit of the wrong product thrown in!

However, I do find that without product my hair lies very flat at the roots and I don't like that. So, I have been hunting for a simple, unfussy mousse that will add a bit of lift without residue or stickiness. 

Easy? No!

 I have tried a fair few in my quest.

However, this product,Phyto intense volume mousse is fantastic.

 You only need a small amount as it does create incredible volume -too much for me the frst time I used it - I looked like I had been caught in a wind tunnel!

I use a small amount and apply it as close to the roots as I can get it. I leave the mid and ends clear. I then comb through to make sure it is evenly spread. Most of the product is at the top of my hair where I want the "lift".

What it says on the tin:

It creates structure, increases volume and controls the style. Acacia collagen hydrates the hair while protecting from environmental stresses. Contains a natural UV filter.

I don't find it leaves any feel of product in my hair, but it does add an amazing amount of volume. My hair is quite dry at the moment, but this mousse seems to add more shine to it rather than dry it out further. It doesn't have a strong aroma at all, in fact I would say it doesn't really smell of anything which is a huge bonus for me as I often dislike the artificial smell of hair products!

I wasn't sent this product to review . This is just something I have purchased I think is really worth the money. If you are struggling to find a product to give volume without residue I would recommend giving this a go.

You can buy Phyto Mousse from Bath and Unwind here

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Tantrum Children's Hair Products

I have tried many different products over the years for my children and am conscious that there is a huge market geared at making money out of parents in particular. Although I do realise that children have differing needs as they grow up, I also am aware that not all products need be soley for children do they? I've learnt to decide more what it is I need and go for a product that provides that, whether or not it states " For Kids" at the top. 

Children's suncream is one of them. Quite often we pay over the odds for a child's suncream when in actual fact a 50+, 5****, dermalogically tested "adult" one is often cheaper and just as good. As I found out with Style At Every Age's brilliant and informative post, just because it is labelled kids doesn't mean it is the best - Nivea kids suncream is actually only a 3 star UVA product, as is the Johnsons kid's one! Not good.

So on to hair - I have an 11 and 9 year old boy and a 5 year old girl - all with differing needs . The 11 year old washes his own hair . He needs a product that multi tasks - hair and body wash - speed is everything! The 9 year old has sensitive eyes and skin so I have to be a little careful what I put on him. The 5 year old has long, tangled hair so conditioner is a must. 

I have tried the brand name children's products and not found them worth the extra money, although at a push the L'oreal range smells great and does a good job. However , it still makes my 9 year old's eyes red and sore.The supermarkets own brand don't do my little girl's hair much good if I'm honest. I've tried adult's shampoo, but we have the " It's in my eyes!!"  problem too often then! This has led me to doing a little more research  into what is in the products we use with our kids and consequently deciding to go down the Paraben Free route where possible with my children. Here is  a quick explanation to what parabens are :

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives, and that’s why they are found in so many products. They are used to fight bacteria and fungus, are widely available, and cost very little to manufacture and use. Nearly all of the parabens used as preservatives are man-made and not naturally occurring. 

If you want to read more, this site is useful and not too biased.

Parabens

Having made this decision I also wanted to get something easily available and not horrendously priced. So my first try is the children's range by Tantrum. This range was born out of the Salon based in London . See here for more details. I was able to get a shampoo, conditioner and a hair and body wash for £3.00 an item, all from Sainsburys. The children have used them a few times and so far, so good. The smell is great, conditioner takes out the tangles and it doesn't irritate the eyes or skin. Good job. My eldest son even commented that he liked the smell as it smelt like Haribos and gets his football mud off without scrubbing! The price could do with a bit of work - some buy one , get one free offers and I'd stock up big time!! We have only used this for a few weeks now so a final verdict is yet to be made, but the signs are good. It is a product for children, but I think in this instance there are factors that need to be considered that make that more of a necessity for me. The most important thing is , it got the thumbs up from all 3 kids - that's got to mean something!

Here are a few links to sites that sell Paraben Free products if you are interested in looking a bit further.

I am Natural

My Pure

Green People

Faith in Nature


What hair products do you use on your children?

What is your opinion on the whole Parabens issue?