Redken Pillow Proof blow dry express primer

Good Morning, 

I've had the pleasure to try out Redken's pillow proof blow dry express primer.  I've always been a massive fan of Redken products as they always leave my hair feeling nourished and protected. 

This handy bottle aim's to do a number of things:

1) Protect your hair against heat styling up to 450 degrees (absolute must if you want to look after your hair and for it to grow)

2) To cut the blow dry time

3) Reduce breakages

4) Add volume to your hair for 24 hours.

Now that's quite a lot for just one bottle and really does cut down on the amount of products you need to use if if does everything it says it can!

Redken Pillow Proof blow dry express primer

Review:

Right, so for the heat protection, I believe it does heat protect your hair.  I worry it doesn't give you the full protection as other products aim at only providing heat protection.  However, if it does then this product is absolutely awesome and cuts out my need to purchase a separate heat protector.

As for Cutting blow dry time? Yes, I can definitely say that my blow dry time was cut in half.  Absolutely great as I have tonnes of thick long hair that takes for ever to dry.  This product is a miracle time saver, especially for when you're in a rush.  I, however, would save it for when your in a rush and not as an every day product.

Reducing Breakages I can't be certain, but I'm sure it does as it primes your hair for heat styling and therefore automatically protecting your hair and reducing breakages.

Add volume - yes, again, I did have added volume.  I usually preffer to add volume when I've finished stlying as my hair becomes massive anyway when I blowdry.  But, for all you with need for volume this will definitely do the job.

So BOOM.  Redken Pillow Proof blow dry express primer delivers on all four counts.  Heat protection, cutting blow dry time, reducing breakages and yes adding volume!!  This can really cut down your need to purchase 4 seperate products as it does it all in one.  A slight downside?  You can feel the product in your hair.  However, this is the same for me with most products.  But, a very small price to pay considering all that it delivers!

Redken Pillow Proof blow dry express primer is available (here) from HQ Hair for £12.60.  This is an awsome price considering it is a quality brand delivering essentially four products in one.

*product sent for consideration and review

AVEDA Smooth Infusions Review

Good Morning!

I've had the pleasure of trying out Aveda's Smooth Infusions range (link) which is specifically designed using plant technology to smooth the hair strands.

Review

Results 10/10: I'm just going to dive right in there with the most important part of this review, the results - this Smooth Infusions range REALLY smoothed my hair and made it considerably sleeker. It contains Tamanu oil to restore the moisture balance and organic aloe, maize and guar bean to smooth the follicles. Though as I was washing my hair I could feel the conditioner smoothing the hair strands, it was only have rough blow drying it that I could see a definite improvement in my hairs condition and smoothness.  This meant I could skip heat styling which is normally a must have for me - excellent news as I can try and restore my hairs health a bit!

Packaging 9/10  I love the sleek & minimalist packing of this duo and lives up to the Aveda image of quality.  It has a matt finish and a beautiful duck egg colour which keeps in tone with its focus on plant infusions   

Heat protection 10/10 I don't know why, but this Smooth Infusions range somehow hasn't sung out at the roof tops that the range protections against surface heat damage! A wheat protein creates a protective barrier  - this is hugely important nowdays with all the heat styling that is used on a daily basis.  I love that heat protection is incorporated into the product as it means you feel a little less guilty when you blow dry!

Perfume 7/10 This won't be everyone's cup of tea but it is mine.  You can't help but notice the potent, herbal perfume of Sandalwood that this range has.  For me it is beautiful, yet and reminds me of the plant elements that are working together to protect the hair, whereas for other it may just be a bit too heady.

Summary - This is a beautiful brand with a beautiful product which really works.  I love that my hair is protected from heat styling and at the same time eliminates most of the need for it as it smoothes and calms my dry frizzy hair.  Aveda's Smooth Infusions Range is excellent for anyone with dry / damaged / flyaway hair :)

It retails

Product details - Aveda Smooth Infusions Shampoo* (250ml) RRP £16.50, Aveda Smooth Infusions Conditioner* (250ml) RRP £18.50. Available online from www.aveda.co.uk or  Aveda salons and spas.

*PR samples sent for consideration and review

August Empties - Hair Care

MORNING!

I was washing my hair last night and as I was drying it and styling it, I realised just how many products I use, and worse than that, how many empties I had!!

You can see that most of the products are for dry, damaged and broken hair, or for protecting hair from further damage.  I will always keep to these sorts of products as it is so dry, keeping its colour / volumizing / anti dandruff products never get a look in!

Below I'll give a quick review on the ones to repurchase, and the ones to stay away from!

Products and review:

Shampoo - TRESemme Salon Silk Shampoo (link) - 

Repurchase?  Probably

Ok, so there are a tonne of way better shampoos out there than this one, (even worse because I've heard it is full of silicone) but, it contains 900ml and it costs just £2.00 when in promotion.  I have a hell of a lot of hair, and always shampoo twice, so there's no way I could consider a small expensive shampoo otherwise half my salary would go on it.  You get a lot of product for your buck, and genuinely, I quite like it, it smoothes my hair very well and does give that 'salon silk feel'.  I also use the conditioner, but its not empty yet so not in the post.

Lee Stafford Conditioner for breaking hair (link)

Repurchase? No

Its not that I didnt like this product, but for the expensive price of it, and small bottle, I felt like it wasn't worth the money.  It has a strange smell, which be fine if it really did repair my breaking hair, but it just did the same job as any average conditioner would do. I wasn't really impressed but hey ho.

Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter (link)

Repurchase? DEFINITELY

I got the baby size to try it out and I was impressed.  It's not only free from all sorts of badies, but genuinely it also REPAIRED my hair.  2 weeks ago it was much dryer since coming back from my holidays, I bought this slathered it all over my hair and it already feels much more nourished, richer and moisturized.  It works particularly well when you've already washed your hair, rub it through the ends and sleep on it, and it will leave it smooth and healthy without the greasy feel. So happy with this product.

Aussie Take the heat leave in conditioner

Repurchase - yes

I will repurchase this product, as I use it when I know I'll straighten my hair as it provides strong heat protection.  It also smells delicious.  But, for a regular leave in conditioner I prefer the bodyshop one.  However, for all you girls who use heat protection, this works very nicely and smells great - most  of them on the market smell terrible.  

Lee Stafford Argan Oil (link)

Repurchase - maybe

Here's the deal.  I like this Lee Stafford Argan Oil, and it does the job and it is affordable and I am very pleased with it. BUT, everyone's heard of the famous REAL Argan Oil formula which is always cited as being the best.  So now its finished, I want to purchase that one.  That's not to say there's anything wrong with this one (it can also be purchased with Boots club card point which is always a bonus) but I want to try the real Mc Coy.

L'oreal Elnett Extra Strong Hair Spray (link)

Repurchase -YES

I have been buying these for years (in various strengths) but its always the hair spray I come back to.  I recently bought Aussie hair spray, which did smell nicer but has that trademark sticky feel which all hair sprays except Elnett has.  Elnett always gives great hold with no greasy stickiness and the next day you can't see its reamins/

Have you tried any of these hair care products??? What are your views?

xx