good hair day – The Review Studio

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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Josh Wood Miracle care for Dry, Damaged Hair Set

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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.

Josh Wood is a world leading colour expert and has developed a great range of hair products to keep your hair in fantastic condition. As my curly hair is currently very dry and frizzy – a result of all this cold, wet weather and a bit too much straightening over the Christmas period – I was really pleased to receive the Josh Wood Miracle Care for Dry, Damaged Hair set with the hope that they would be able to work a few miracles on my unruly mop of curls!

The Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner are designed for dry damaged hair and being sulphate free are great for curly hair. The duo are full of natural active ingredients as well as Josh Wood’s signature Colour Shine Complex of Quinoa Extract, Green Walnut and UV filters. The products worked really well together, adding moisture to my curls and helping reduce the dreaded frizz. The shampoo lathers beautifully leaving my hair feeling lovely and clean. The conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply, I used a couple of pumps on my shoulder length hair, leaving it on for a couple of minutes before scrunching it into my hair and rinsing with plenty of water. It rinsed out easily, leaving my hair tangle free.

The Miracle Mask can be used once or twice a week and as well as helping to protect colour from fading it gives a much needed hydration boost to my curls. It’s easy to use, a couple of pumps were enough and after leaving it on for the recommended 5 minutes it was easy to rinse off. The creamy consistency felt like it was doing my hair the world of good and my hair felt lovely and moisturised after only one application.

I have been using these products for a couple of weeks now and I am really pleased with the results, not only does my hair look nice and shiny, but it also feels a lot more nourished. After a couple of washes my hair was noticeable less frizzy and the curls are now a lot less straw like and are defined and bouncy again. These products have transformed my dry, frizzy locks and each time I use them I feel as though I’ve just walked out of the hairdressers!

RRP £44

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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.

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!

64 Soho Liquid Gold Shampoo and Conditioner

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

The cold weather has played havoc with my hair, leaving it dry and frizzy, so I was really pleased to receive bottles of Liquid Gold Shampoo and Conditioner from Salon 64. The brand was founded back in 2017 by Soho hairdresser Ricky Walters, who has styled the hair of some of the world’s top actors. He has also developed a fantastic range of hair products which use the power of gold to strengthen hair, leaving it in tip top condition and giving you salon results from the comfort of your own home.

My first thought when I received the shampoo and conditioner was how striking the boxes looked, the gold writing on the black textured boxes looks stunning and you can tell straight away that this is a luxurious product.

The shampoo and conditioner contain real gold particles and it felt incredibly opulent using them on my shoulder length curly hair. The products worked really well together, replenishing moisture and helping to reduce my frizz. The shampoo lathers beautifully and it left my hair feeling lovely and clean. The conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply, I left it on for a couple of minutes before scrunching it into my hair. ( a good tip to help add more moisture to curls). It rinsed out easily and leaving my hair tangle free.

After drying my hair, I was really pleased with the results, my hair looked lovely and shiny and it felt a lot more nourished. After a couple of washes my hair was noticeable less dry and frizzy and my curls are now defined and bouncy again. All in all, these are a very luxurious duo which have transformed my dry, frizzy locks and they genuinely made me feel as though I’d had my hair washed at the hairdressers each time I’ve used them.

RRP £44.99 each and they are available from the Salon 64 website

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ºC-1 English Rose Serum

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Dislaimer: I received the serum free for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are my own

If you have read my review of the H²-2 Hydrate Conditioner from Electric Hair (here) you will know that I was really impressed with the results. I’m also excited to share another of their products – the ºC-1 English Rose Serum which has been helping keep my curls frizz free over the last couple of weeks.

Hair serum is one of my #haircareessentials as serums not only repair and protect hair against pollutants, sun damage and heat styling but help tame the dreaded frizz, something I suffer from a lot!

Most hair serums and oils contain a high percentage of oil based silicones but this English Rose Serum contains absolute rose extract, made with roses they grow themselves in the South of England. The formula creates maximum shine without feeling oily or greasy and smells amazing. I love anything rose scented and this serum leaves my hair smelling amazing.

The pump dispenser is really easy to use, you only need a pea-sized amount and it’s easy to dispense the right amount. Simply rub between your hands and gently run through your hair from root to tip before blow drying. You can also apply it to dry ends to calm frizz and add shine.

The result? Shiny hair that not only appears healthy but also feels lovely and soft. I have used it with damp hair and on dry hair with equally good results. If I use it after styling it banishes frizz, helping to define my curls and leaves them looking in tip top condition. Use daily or any time your hair needs a little TLC.

RRP £20

H²-2 Hydrate Conditioner

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Disclaimer: We received this conditioner free for the purpose of the review but all words and opinions are our own

I have shoulder length curly hair which is currently very dry and frizzy and in need of a moisture boost. I love discovering new hair products and was thrilled when the H²-2 Hydrate Conditioner arrived from Electric Hair

The conditioner is fortified with

Jojoba Oil – rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthen and nourish hair, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and zinc.

Meadowfoam seed oil – this forms a protective coating on the hair helping to retain moisture for longer.

Sugar beet extract – containing betaine, an amino acid that retains moisture and acts as an anti-irritant.

Wheat proteins – increase the strength of the hair and reduce breakage.

The conditioner can be used as an everyday conditioner – simply rub an almond-sized amount between your fingers and smooth the conditioner down your hair or it can also be used as a treatment to nourish your hair. Simply apply and leave for 10 minutes for it to do its magic!

The conditioner was rich and creamy and easy to apply to my hair, I initially used it as a conditioner, scrunching it into my hair with plenty of water to help to add moisture to my curls. It rinsed out easily and left my hair tangle free. I have also been using it as a weekly treatment, covering it with a shower cap and leaving it for 10 minutes for a real moisture boost.

After drying my hair, I was so pleased, my curls loved the conditioner and look lovely and defined. After using the conditioner for a couple of weeks my hair is in much better condition and looks so much shinier and healthy.

This is a great product not only does my hair feel moisturised from root to tip it is finally frizz free and I’m certainly ready for those Christmas parties now!!

RRP £23 available here

This Is Silk Hair Wrap & Hair Towel

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

Bad hair days are inevitable with the weather changing. My curly hair hates central heating and hair dryers so this weather doesn’t help with conditioning and styling. This Is Silk have the ultimate, no-chemical hair saviour though with this brilliant combination of after-wash hair towel and silk hair wrap. How do they work though?

After washing your hair, the hair towel keeps moisture in your locks whilst it dries naturally, saving your hair from excessive heat of dryers and straighteners. It’s perfect if you have colour treated hair or have frizzy or curly hair. The silk wrap is similar in that you wrap up your hair, but this time it’s not necessarily wet and you sleep with your hair in it. Many online influencers swear by the silk wrap to keep the products in their hair (usually hair oil) and in salon-like condition. For someone like me, this would be a God send!

After washing my hair, I used the hair towel as instructed. It’s simple, you just flip your hair forward and twist it into the ‘trunk’ of towel, then twist it up so it’s completely encapsulated. Using the button at the back, twist the towel to the back of your head and secure using the loop. The towel stays very secure and isn’t bulky like a bathroom towel would be so I forgot I was wearing it sometimes. When I took my hair out, it was significantly less frizzy, and that was without any products.

The silk night wrap was similar. Once I got used to having the wrap on (it does feel very silky on the pillow too!) it kept my hair smoother and the shape of the curls. It’s very exciting to find something which isn’t a product that needs a lot of technique but instead works whilst you sleep!

With some practice, finding the combination of products for my hair, the right styling and then drying it in the towel and hair wrap, this could be my best hair yet! Bring on the Christmas parties…

Silk Hair Wrap in Pink £39.99: https://thisissilk.com/collections/silk-hair-wraps/products/silk-hair-wrapsSilk Hair Towel £35.99: https://thisissilk.com/collections/silk-hair-towel/products/silk-hair-towel-wrap-in-golightly-pink