Tag: curls

Phil Smith Curl Control Shampoo & Conditioner

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Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.


If you have just started to embrace your curly hair, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products available, all promising to create amazing curls. Finding the right products to define your curls is not only time consuming but can be expensive too, as what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. Not everyone can afford to spend a small fortune on hair products so I was really pleased to discover the Everyday Expert range from celebrity hairdresser Phil Smith which costs a very purse friendly £4.

The range, which includes Curl Control, Radiant Blonde, Coconut Shine and Weightless Volume products has been designed to provide great quality, high performance haircare at an affordable price – the question is would the Curl Control shampoo and conditioner be able to tame my unruly curls??

The Curl Control products contain Grapeseed Oil which helps redefine and hydrate curls and both products have a lovely gentle fragrance. The shampoo lathers easily, creating a creamy foam which removes dirt and grime from my hair, leaving it feeling lovely and clean.

The conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply to my hair, I leave it on for a couple of minutes before scrunching it into my hair to help to add extra moisture to the curls. It rinses out easily, leaving my hair tangle free.

I am really impressed with these products, after leaving to dry naturally my curls were beautifully defined and looked amazing – shiny and bouncy and no longer flat, frizzy and fluffy. I really can’t believe these products only cost £4, they are so much better than some of the expensive shampoos and conditioners I have tried and are a fraction of the cost. Those that follow the Curly Girl method will be pleased to hear that they are Curly Girl Approved too.

After using these products for a couple of weeks I can see a huge improvement in my hair, it not only feels more nourished and hydrated, but the curls are more defined and it looks much shinier than it was before.

RRP £4 available online and from Sainsburys

got2b got CURLZ Hair Products

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Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I have naturally curly hair which is currently quite dry and frizzy and in desperate need of some TLC so the arrival of a parcel containing a couple of Schwarzkopf got2be got CURLZ products couldn’t have come at a better time!

The got2b gotCURLZ Coil Refreshing Cream is a lightweight 2 in 1 hair styling and care cream which moisturises and revitalises curls without weighing them down. Infused with coconut oil, castor oil, argan oil and shea butter this cream works by defining and sealing single coils to shape the hair. It can be applied to towel dried hair or a small amount can be used to refresh curls in between washes.

The cream is quite thick but as it’s in a wide screw top pot it is really easy to scoop out. I used a small amount on my shoulder length hair, raking it through to make sure it was evenly distributed before scrunching it in. I then dried it with my diffuser and I have to say I am really pleased with the results – my normally dry, frizzy mop of curls was magically transformed into beautifully defined bouncy curls. As well as looking amazing there was less frizz and my curls lasted longer, meaning I didn’t need to spend as long each morning refreshing them.

The cream is also great for defining curls between washes, a small amount scrunched into the ends of my hair was all I needed to define my curls and leave them looking good until the next wash day.

RRP £7

The got2b gotCURLZ Hydrating Beach Waves Spray is great for adding a little texture to my hair and I’ve been using this between washes to revitalise my hair. Infused with coconut water and ocean minerals it not only smells amazing but leaves my hair lovely and soft with a summery tousled look.  

It can be used on both damp and dry hair although I tend to get better results when I use it on dry, day old hair as it revives my curls and gives my hair a little body. It’s easy to use, simply spray onto dry hair and tousle or if using on wet hair you can leave your hair to dry naturally or use a diffuser.

RRP £7

Both products are Curly girl method approved and are suitable for Vegans too. If you have a Boots Advantage card there is currently an offer to save £1.50 per product here

MONPURE Hair Products

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Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

After years of straightening my curls, I am now embracing them and in my quest for perfect curls have tried a huge selection of curl friendly products, all with varying results. One product my hair likes is protein as it gives my curls strength, shape and structure so I was really pleased to receive the Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Strengthening Essence Conditioner from MONPURE.

If you’re not familiar with MONPURE they are a luxury haircare brand who know that the secret to healthy hair begins with the scalp. Their products contain retinol and lactic acid – products more familiar to us in skincare – and are effectively bridging the gap between skincare and haircare, taking haircare onto a new and exciting level.

The Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo £36 is a fantastic product, cleansing the hair and scalp without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture. The shampoo lathers easily, creating a creamy foam that lifts away dirt and debris and the vegan silk peptides in the shampoo create a breathable ‘second skin’ on both the scalp and hair to protect it from the effect of pollution, irritants and bacteria.

I love the fragrance of this shampoo, it smells fresh and luxurious and as you massage it in it instantly feels like it is doing wonders for both my scalp and hair. It rinses out easily leaving my hair clean and fresh.

The Strengthening Essence Conditioner £36 is designed to hydrate both your scalp and hair, the lightweight formula glides through my hair leaving each strand silky and free of tangles. I found a walnut sized amount was perfect for my shoulder length hair and I left it on a few minutes before scrunching it into my hair and rinsing with plenty of water. The conditioner deeply hydrates and nourishes my hair and scalp and the blend of strengthening vegan silk peptides, Argan oil and pro vitamin B5 has left my hair incredibly shiny and it definitely looks a lot healthier than it did a few weeks ago!   

The key to great curls is to keep them moisturised and hydrated and these products do just that, helping keep the dreaded frizz at bay and enhancing my curls.

Whilst the products are fabulous they aren’t the cheapest so with Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day coming up it’s time to start dropping a few hints!!


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ALTERNA Caviar Anti-Ageing Hair Products

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Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Eureka moment!! You know when you find a product that transforms your hair and you can’t imagine using anything else – this is how I feel about the Caviar Anti-Aging range from Alterna. When the box of haircare products arrived, I had been struggling with my shoulder length curly hair, which in the last year has become incredibly dry and frizzy. Despite spending a small fortune on new hair products nothing seemed to be helping and I had almost given up hope on finding a product that could transform my frizzy mop back into smooth curls again.

Alterna isn’t a brand I had come across before despite being around since 1997. They wanted to create a range of luxury hair products based on the science of skincare and developed products for professionals using natural eco-certified ingredients with no sulfates or parabens in sight.  

I received the Caviar Anti-Ageing range which is designed to nourish and protect hair and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that help to strengthen and hydrate your hair. The vibrant purple bottles looked stunning, and I couldn’t wait to see if they would help my frizzy locks.  

The shampoo and conditioner are very easy to work through hair and rinsed out easily. The shampoo lathered nicely, creating a rich foam that cleansed my hair and smelt gorgeous. The conditioner left my hair feeling hydrated, soft and manageable and helped bring back my bouncy curls.

The Priming Leave in Conditioner was nice and light on my hair and didn’t weigh it down like thicker products tend to do. It removed the tangles effortlessly adding some much needed moisture to my hair.

The Shampoo/Conditioner cost £39.90 each for a 250ml bottle and the Priming Leave in Conditioner is £34.70 for 147ml.

The Caviar Replenishing Moisture Intensive Ceramide Shots (RRP £52.10) are a potent ceramide concentrate in individual capsules that hydrate, reduces breakage and strengthen hair. It is easy to twist the capsule open and then apply to damp hair. I used them after the leave in conditioner and before the CC cream.

I’ve used CC Cream on my face but not on hair before so this was a new step for me. The cream feels like a conditioner and smells amazing and is applied to towel dried hair. This miracle leave in product and styling cream delivers 10 benefits in one easy step – Moisture, Shine, Smoothness, Softness, UV Protection, Manageability, Strength, Anti-Breakage, Heat Protection & Light Hold. It is suitable for all types of hair and once applied all you need to do leave it to work it’s magic. RRP £35.85

These products have really helped hydrate my curls and after only a couple of washes my hair was smoother and the dreaded frizz was gone. Thanks to this range I now love my curls again, my hair looks fantastic – shiny, smooth and nourished from the scalp to the ends – what more can a girl ask for?

Available from the Alterna website they also have smaller sizes which are perfect for travelling or if you are trying the products for the first time.


Justice Smooth & Grow Hair Products

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Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.


I have curly hair and looking after it can be quite troublesome. At the moment it is dry and frizzy and I am certainly having more bad hair days than good so I was really pleased to receive a couple of Smooth & Groom products from Justice Haircare to see if they could transform my wild, frizzy locks.

Justice Haircare is an Australian brand which was founded on the sun-kissed beaches of Sydney Australia back in 1990. Inspired by nature their philosophy is to harness the very best elements of Australia  – nature, authenticity and fun – and create haircare products that can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what type of hair you have. They have a fantastic range of products including, shampoos, conditioners, anti-dandruff and dry scalp products,  leave-in treatments as well as styling products and hair colours.

I love their simple, yet stylish packaging, the vibrant pink looks stunning against the white bottle and definitely brightens up the bathroom.

The shampoo smells lovely, very sweet and floral and is a nice consistency, it lathers well leaving my hair feeling fresh and clean.

My curly hair tends to be dry, frizzy and dull so a hydrating conditioner is an important step in my haircare routine. The Smooth & Groom Deep Conditioner is rich and creamy and contains Pro-Keratin formula, plant stem cells and marine collagen which has really helped give my curls a healthy dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection and has left them noticeable shinier and softer. It was easy to apply to my hair and after combing through I left it on for the recommended 5 minutes before scrunching it into my hair to help add moisture to my curls. It rinsed out easily and left my hair tangle free.

These products leave my hair feeling super soft and nourished and my curls are shinier and more defined. I usually leave my hair to dry naturally, and I have noticed that my curls are a lot less frizzy now. I occasionally use a hairdryer with a diffuser and when I dry it this way my hair is easier to style and has a lot more bounce and volume.

My curls really adore this duo, the dry frizzy mop has been transformed into glossy, defined curls.

If you are looking for a product that smells lovely and gives quality results at a very reasonable price then I recommend that you give Justice Professional a try, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

The 300ml shampoo and conditioner bundle costs a very reasonable £20

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

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Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review however all thoughts and opinions are our own

I’m the first to admit that that I’m not the best at taking care of my hair and it’s currently not only long overdue a cut but dry and frizzy too. I was therefore really pleased to receive a pot of Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and to see if this cult product could transform my unruly mop of hair.

Originally designed for Audrey Hepburn back in 1974, this classic hair product was created to deep condition her hair after being damaged by weeks of styling on set. Fast forward almost 50 years and it is still a best seller and loved by many, including Kate Winslet, Georgia May Jagger and Cate Blanchett.

Developed by leading trichologists it can be used in a couple of different ways – as an overnight conditioner to treat very dry, brittle or damaged hair and as an intensive anti-frizz treatment. 

As it is a pre shampoo product it is really easy to use, simply wet your hair and then apply in sections to ensure all your hair is covered. You then cover your hair with a shower cap (don’t worry there’s one in the box) or a warm towel and leave it to work it’s magic for 10-20 minutes. The heat created helps open your hair’s cuticles enabling them to absorb the nutrients in the mask.

I tend to wash my hair in a morning and have found if I apply the Elasticizer just before bed I get the best results as it has all night to soak into my hair. Once applied I use a turban style towel that fastens with a button, rather than a shower cap, which also helps to protect my pillowcase overnight. In the morning all I need to do is rinse it off and then shampoo and condition my hair as normal.

I have noticed that once my hair is dry it feels much softer, smoother and the dreaded frizz has gone. My curls are now much bouncier and healthy looking and it has been so easy to fit it into my haircare routine so no more bad hair days for me!

Available in 4 sizes –  75ml, 150ml, 500ml and 1000ml starting from £19.50 from the Philip Kingsley website here

TAOH Hair Products

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Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Years of straightening has left my hair very dry and in poor condition, so I was really pleased to receive a selection of hair products from TAOH to try.

TAOH which stands for The Art Of Hair, was founded back in 2014 by Bruno Marc, of the multi award winning salon group Marc Antoni with the aim of making hair care simpler for everyone. Rather than having lots of different products for every hair type, he has created just a couple of shampoos, conditioners and hair products which are suitable for every hair type and condition, removing the need to switch products every time your hair needs change. After 2 years of research and getting feedback from clients, stylists and directors, the TAOH brand was launched

The TAOH brand really appealed to me as my curly hair constantly changes and I end up with multiple bottles of hair products cluttering up the bathroom so just being able to use a couple of products sounded a fantastic idea and I couldn’t wait to see what they could do with my mop of curls.

The Hydrate shampoo and conditioner contain coconut, babassu and argan plant oils and as my dry hair was in desperate need of a moisture boost it felt incredibly luxurious using these products. The shampoo has a rich lather that feels like it’s cleaning deep into the roots, while the conditioner is thick without feeling heavy and really feels like a sumptuous moisturising treatment. The fragrance is delightful, leaving my hair gently scented. And it doesn’t just smell great – after using them for two weeks I can already see and feel a noticeable difference in my hair. Overall, my hair is healthier and has a beautiful shine and my normally dry frizzy hair has been transformed, the frizz has gone and my curls are bouncy and defined and in much better condition than they were before.

Shampoo RRP £17 Conditioner RRP £18

I was told by a hairdresser many years ago that the best thing you can do for frizzy hair is to use a hair mask every week so I was looking forward to trying the TAOH Hydrate Mask and seeing if it could tame my wild, frizzy curls. After washing my hair I slathered on a generous amount and left it for 5 minutes before rinsing. I liked the fact you only put this on for 5 minutes, and yet it really seemed to make a difference to my hair, leaving it smooth, soft, nourished, frizz free and smelling gorgeous.

RRP £25

Designed to be used on damp hair the TAOH Tangle Free spray makes my curly hair more manageable and tangles and knots have become a thing of the past. A quick spray on my hair and a rake through with my fingers and the knots simply drop out. It”s nice and light and turns my hair into beautiful curls giving me a good hair day everyday!

RRP £28

All TAOH products contain premium, naturally derived ingredients and they don’t contain any nasties. They are also sulphate, paraben and cruelty free which is perfect for anyone following the Curly Girl Method.

I am really impressed with these products and will be treating myself to some of the other products in the range so why not do the same – they would make a fantastic Valentines Day gift!

Rhyme & Reason Quench & Curl Review

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Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Rhyme & Reason are a haircare brand that’s passionate about creating products that are not only care for hair but are good for the planet too. Their products are vegan friendly, cruelty free, free of parabens and sulfate free and their bottles are designed to minimise plastic use. The rectangular shape of the bottle means they nestle together nicely, taking up less space in transit (and in my cupboard!) and as the bottles and caps are made from 100% recycled plastic they can be recycled together when empty.

I have shoulder length curly hair which is currently a bit unruly and frizzy so was really pleased to receive the Rhyme & Reason Quench and Curl shampoo and conditioner. Rhyme & Reason is a brand that I was aware of as it had been mentioned on a Curly Hair Facebook group I follow, but I hadn’t had the chance to try it yet so was quite excited to see whether it could tame my wild curls!

I found the shampoo to be a nice consistency, it produces a good lather which removed dirt and grime from my hair easily, leaving it feeling lovely and clean and tangle free. It has a lovely fragrance too.

The conditioner was rich and creamy and easy to apply to my hair, I left it on for about 3 minutes before scrunching it into my hair, helping to add moisture to my curls. I was surprised that it didn’t weigh my hair down, considering its thick, creamy texture and that it contains Shea Butter, but my hair seemed to love it and it detangled it like a dream.

After drying my hair, I was so pleased, my curls are tighter, bouncier and look lovely and defined. After switching to these products my hair looks in much better condition and looks so much shinier and healthy.

This is a fantastic duo, my hair feels moisturised from root to tip and my hair is bouncier and frizz free – fantastic!!

Available from Boots RRP £8.99