haircare – The Review Studio

Phil Smith Curl Control Shampoo & Conditioner

beauty, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Vegan, Women

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

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Vegan, Women

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

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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!!

⁠

FFØR All:In Oil

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Vegan, Women

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

Frizz can be one of the most frustrating problems to deal with when you have naturally curly hair so any product that can tame the dreaded frizz is a real winner for me. My curly hair has been a lot easier to manage since I discovered FFØR so when I heard they had launched a new weightless wonder oil called All:In Oil I couldn’t wait to try it.

FFØR stands for Free From, Original, Real and they are an ethical company who believe in Clean Beauty, both for you and the planet. Their products are vegan, cruelty free and free from nasties and they only work with likeminded, ethical suppliers who can provide verified information about their sourcing, and who share their important values. They are also winners of the Marie Claire 2022 Hair Awards and the Global Green Beauty Awards.

The new hair oil is packed full deeply nourishing ingredients – vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which not only add shine but helps to define my curls, leaving them lovely and smooth and frizz free.

The oil is incredibly lightweight, with quite a thin texture that barely feels like oil. There’s a very fine line between glossy hair and greasy locks and I found I didn’t need much to coat my shoulder length hair. I recommend starting with just one drop and adding more gradually, otherwise you can easily end up using too much. I found the best way to apply it was by putting a drop in the palm of my hands and then rubbing them together before distributing the oil through my hair.

The formula creates maximum shine and hydration without feeling oily or greasy and like all the other FFØR products smells amazing. I have used it on damp and dry hair with equally good results. Used overnight it hydrates and nourishes my hair and used after styling it helps to banishe frizz, helping define my curls and leaves them looking in tip top condition.

If you are going away this summer, then you really must put one of these in your suitcase, put it on your hair overnight or before you go to the beach to give your hair the chance to soak up every bit of the goodness contained within the oil. It will help keep your hair smooth and frizz free in the heat and protect it too.

All:In Oil is a hair taming gem and the perfect addition to your holiday haircare routine.

RRP £28 available here

Read our other FFØR haircare reviews – Re:Vamp Spray, Show Off Leave In Conditioner and Super Shine Gloss Mist and Re:Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner and Re:Plenish Hair Mask

ALTERNA Caviar Anti-Ageing Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Women

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.

RINGANA Travel Sets

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Sustainable, Vegan, Women

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

It’s the start of June and thoughts are turning to holidays, whether you are planning on staying in the UK or heading for more exotic locations it’s even more important to look after your skin as the heat, humidity and long haul flights can play havoc with your skin.

Many beauty brands now have miniature versions, enabling you to stick to your favourite tried and trusted products whilst you are away. I don’t miss the days of decanting favourite products into travel sized bottles and then finding myself using body lotion instead of face cream as the pen has rubbed off the bottle and I can’t tell which is which – I’m sure I’m not the only one that this happens to!!

If your holiday plans involve a flight, travel-sized products are perfect as not only do they keep the weight down they are essential when travelling with only hand luggage. Airlines still have restrictions on liquids and containers must hold no more than 100ml and fit in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm.

RINGANA are an Austrian skincare brand and their products are vegan, natural, ethical, eco-friendly and aren’t tested on animals. We’ve tried a few of their products recently and they also have a fantastic selection of travel sized products to suit all skin types. They sent me a couple of sets to try and I have enjoyed discovering some new RINGANA products.

The WASH sample box contains a great selection of holiday essentials to keep your hair and body lovely and fresh.

FRESH BODY WASH 50ml which lathers nicely to clean and freshen my skin after a day on the beach.

FRESH SHAMPOO 50ml this gentle shampoo leaves hair lovely and soft and shiny.

FRESH STAY FRESH 50 ml, a gentle foam that you spray onto toilet paper to leave your skin fresh and clean.

FRESH DEODORANT 5 ml, this handy bottle protects against unpleasant body odours and is small enough to keep in your bag to freshen up whenever you feel the need.

FRESH TOOTH OIL 15ml, used instead of toothpaste this oil-based tooth care is derived from the ancient practice where oil was swished in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. It doesn’t foam like toothpaste and I wasn’t keen on the taste but I did find it left my teeth feeling surprisingly clean and fresh.

I loved all these products but I would have liked to see a conditioner in this set as my hair can get wild and frizzy on holiday and I prefer to use the same haircare brands for shampoo and conditioner to get the best results.

€27.10

The BODY sample box contains smaller samples that are perfect for a weekend away.

FRESH BODY MILK 15 ml This rich body milk nourishes and soothes dry skin with high-quality plant oils, restoring its suppleness.

FRESH FOOT BALM 15 ml – Just what you need to soothe tired feet after all that sightseeing.

FRESH HAND BALM 15 ml – This hand and nail balm melts into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy. It leaves my hands beautifully soft and smooth.

€14.90

The FACE RICH Sample Box is ideal for trying out RINGANA’s skincare range, the samples are in now in handy sachets with a screw top lid which take up very little space in a wash bag. The set contains

FRESH CLEANSER 15 ml – Apply to damp skin, massage in and rinse with warm water, this cleanser is great at removing all traces of make up and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

The FRESH TONIC CALM 15ml is gentle on skin and removes the final traces of dirt, grime and impurities after cleansing.

FRESH CREAM RICH 10ml – This rich cream is perfect for my perimenopausal skin, it sinks into my skin effortlessly and leaves it nice and hydrated.

FRESH ANTI WRINKLE SERUM 5ml – The highly-concentrated serum nourishes the skin and RINGANA claim that over time it will boost the skin, correcting and smoothing wrinkles.

€29.80

These are just a few of the RINGANA sample sets so whether you are looking for miniature versions of your favourite products or looking to change your skincare routine then I recommend taking a look at the RINGANA website. In time for the holiday season the popular RINGANA travel sets are now in the eco-friendly foil pouches which are 100% PCR – post-consumer recycled plastic. Mono-material is the ultimate pioneer in terms of recycling, and its 100 per cent recyclability makes it a real winner. Other improved sustainability features are a 20% reduction in the packaging weight, and they are much easier to empty so no wastage. Thanks to the oxygen barrier layer the high-quality formulations are protected even better than they were before.

Justice Smooth & Grow Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Women

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

Nanogen Haircare

beauty, Fashion, Women

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

I have recently had a dietry deficiency which caused my hair to thin, plus it won’t grow very long now so it seems to be getting shorter and shorter with each cut I have! Nanogen Haircare has a solution to thinning hair which includes shampoo and conditioner, Hair Fibre Locking Spray and hair fibres. Intrigued, they sent me some samples to try along with instructions.

Nanogen’s products are designed to thicken your hair in as little as 30 seconds. With 20 years of experience and a variety of products and also boast a wealth of information on their website as to how to care for you hair and how to make it look instantly thicker.

Starting with the Nanogen Hair Fibres, choose your hair colour online: https://www.nanogen.com/pages/what-shade-are-you The Nanogen Hair Fibres are designed to bounce light from the transparent fibres to make your hair appear thicker and more like natural hair. Choosing your shade of hair colours allows the Nanogen Hair Fibres to blend in with your natural colour, and a mix of shades often makes the blending much easier. I have medium brunette hair so I was sent the shades No 05 Medium Brown and No 06 Light Brown.

Once I had styled my hair for the day, I took the darker colour to my roots, sprinkling the fibres onto where my hair needs thickening. Lightly patting the fibres into my hair to make them more even, I then applied the lighter shade of Nanogen Hair Fibres and patted the area again to even out the distribution. Essentially, that’s all you need to do, but if you want to change the thickness, or the tone of the colour, you can repeat the process to get the desired look. As with all products, practice is the key. I was also advised that ‘less is more’ with building up the thickness and colour, so keep trying at small intervals until you get the look you like.

To keep your new thicker looking hair water resistant and to fix in place more, Nanogen also have the Hair Fibre Locking Spray, which I used on my hair before I went out.

If you’re a bit nervous about using thickening products on your hair straight away, Nanogen has other haircare products that might also benefit you. I was sent the Shampoo Luxe Thickening Hair Experience for Women and Conditioner for Everyone. I love trying out new haircare products, so this was another way for me to get thicker hair and also love pampering myself a bit more. As with most shampoos and conditioners which are designed to do a bit more than just clean and condition, it takes a few washes for the condition of your hair to change. Having said that, after one wash I could feel that my hair was coated more rather than stripped back which is what most High Street shampoos do. The hard water in my area doesn’t help the condition of my hair either, so the protection of the conditioner helps.

After a week of washing my hair with the Nanogen Shampoo Luxe Thickening Hair Experience and Nanogen Conditioner for Everyone, my hair began to feel stronger and dried less frizzy when I left it to dry naturally. The fragrance of the Conditioner for Everyone is to die for too – I loved conditioning my hair with it and the scent it left!

I was also sent the Nanogen Shampoo and Half-Conditioner for Men, which lathers up to exfoliate the scalp as well as lightly conditioning. The conditioning aspect of the product is from panthenol and glycerine, which is to prevent hair feeling weighed down. I don’t normally use 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners so I had a good opportunity to test it when I went away for a night and didn’t know what the haircare products would be like. It has a similar fragrance to it as the Nanogen Shampoo and felt like it was just as nutritious as the separate shampoo and conditioners.

From fretting about my thinning hair to suddenly having a 30-second fix and being given a long-term solution with different shampoos and conditioners, Nanogens has given me both confidence and hope, and more healthy looking hair. Thanks Nanogen!

All products available from £9.95 at: https://www.nanogen.com/collections/all

Monat Blow Out Spray

beauty, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Women

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

With my curly hair and living in a very hard water area, my hair is permanently frizzy and needs a lot of products, especially this time of year when it’s affected by the central heating and having to blow dry it after every wash. So, I am constantly looking for something to keep my hair tamed, and anything that can make it look remotely effortless and smooth.

Monat Blow Out Spray multi-tasks heat protection, humidity protection and colour preservation. It can also help prevent split ends and ultimately smooths hair, keeping it less frizzy for up to 72 hours after blow drying. After reading this glowing resumé, how could I not try Monat’s wonder spray for myself?

The Monat Blow Out Spray contains plant actives, lipids and a plant-based polymer. Other ingredients include desert date oil, red algae extract, black spruce bark extract and a botanical oil and butter blend.

The instructions said to use the Monat Blow Out Spray after washing my hair and whilst it was still damp. After roughly combing through it, I sprayed on Monat on the ends of my hair and distributed it evenly. You can tell that this is a high quality product because of the way it sprayed evenly, and didn’t leave my hair sticky or greasy at all. Once I had blow dried it, I could see more definition in my curls, less frizziness and a sheen which I didn’t have before.

It took me a while to get used to how much to use and how to use it. For me and my curly/frizzy hair, I found that I didn’t need to use much at all if I was styling with a hairdryer and straighteners otherwise my hair became a bit starchy and not easy to manage. It also works better when you apply Monat Blow Out Spray to wet hair rather than just damp. It makes it easier to deal with and less sticky. Once you work out the amounts you use and at what times, Monat Blow Out Spray makes a huge difference to the appearance and manageability of your hair. I’ll be using it at every wash now to see how it develops!

Available from £30 at:

Smoothing Anti-Frizz™ Blow Out Spray

hairspray, frizzy hair, anti frizz, heat resistant spray, heat resistance, blow dry, styling, haircare, haircare products,

#Hairspray #FrizzyHair #AntiFrizz #HeatResistantSpray #HeatResistance #BlowDry #Styling #Haircare #HaircareProducts

TAOH Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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!

Umthi Haircare

beauty, Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegetarian, Women

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

Haircare products have come a long way in the last decade, with more products on the market and a far larger range available. The boom of internet selling has made it easy to find the exact product for you and have it delivered to your door.

Umthi haircare products include restorative shampoo, leave-in cream and hair oil, all of which were sent to us to test on this curly-haired reviewer. Umthi was developed by Lolita Sanders who was motivated to find, and ultimately develop new hair products for women who lost their hair after birth. Lolita however, was devastated by her hair loss due to medication after the birth of her second son, and so during lockdown, she developed the Umthi products for friends and family. Like and good entrepreneur story, what started in her kitchen during lockdown soon became much bigger, and the story of Umthi began.

Sent to us were Restorative Shampoo, Restorative Conditioner, Restorative Leave-in Cream and Hair Oil. Based around afro hair but suitable for everyone to use, the products are vegan, cruelty free, sulphate free, as well as paraben and silicone free. So there’s nothing nasty in them to harm either you or the planet!

The first thing that struck me about the products is the smell. They are made from natural products and that includes the scents which are added to them. Each of the products has a slightly different scent but all of them have a slight lemongrass freshness to them.

The obvious product to use first was the Restorative Shampoo. Made with shea butter and almond oil with rose and fenugreek, it has a really strong but floral smell, which stayed on my hair long after I showered. Using it, I realised that it wasn’t going to lathe up because it doesn’t contain sulphates, but it does clean exceptionally well and left my hair soft and smelling lovely!

Also in the shower, I used the Restorative Conditioner. Again it had a lovely fresh smell to it, and as it’s in a tin rather than a bottle, it was easier to handle in the shower. As well as shea butter, the conditioner contains andiroba oil, aloe vera, castor oil, mango butter, and amla. The combination of fatty acids and vitamins are well known in African skincare regimes to be beneficial.

After washing my hair, I used the Leave-In Conditioner and Hair Oil at different times. Using the hair oil the first time I washed my hair, I think I used too much as it left my hair a bit greasy looking. I think it would work well on much longer hair and whilst your hair is still wet so that it had some chance to evaporate. The second time I used it, I was more sparing and used it on just the ends. It isn’t the kind of oil that creates big curls but it does define, and I think it would be great if you are creating a swept back, glossy look.

Finally, I used the Leave-In Conditioner the next time I washed my hair. It’s quite heavy, so again you don’t need much and I found it was best to run it through my hair when it was still wet and to use less than you think. It left my hair feeling softer and the ends didn’t dry out as much. Over time and with the combination of the oil and Leave-In conditioner, I hope it will balance out and leave my curls both conditioned and defined.

Philip Kingsley Haircare Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Women

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

Philip Kingsley is synonymous with quality hair products as well as great gifts. We were sent the Nourish & Volume Jet Set pack – a set of Elasticizer, Body Building Shampoo and Moisture Balance Conditioner in travel sizes, all set for going on holiday this summer!

I have bought Philip Kingsley before and was impressed by with the high quality of their shampoos and conditioners so to have a travel set that I can take away with me, and not have to rely on whatever shampoo the hotel provides makes it a travel must have for me. Whilst we’re on the subject, why do hotels only provide shampoo and not conditioners when you stay? Do we not want luscious, glossy locks whilst we’re on holiday, or do they assume we will bring our own? Well with this shower-proof pack (the set comes in a zip bag) there isn’t a question.

The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (75ml) is step 1 in your haircare routine. To apply, wet your hair before shampooing and work the Elasticizer into all sections. Cover with a shower cap for 10-20 minutes, the longer the better, then rinse off and use the other Philip Kingsley products. The pre-conditioner works on your hair before you take off the residue with the shampoo, leaving it softer, conditioned and as the name suggests, elasticised.

The Body Building Shampoo (75ml) works with the Elasticizer to cleanse the hair but also leave it voluminous and bouncy. It actually cleans really deeply too to leave your hair properly clean, and as I like my hair, squeaky clean! It has a lovely light fragrance too.

The Moisture Balance Conditioner is the last of the Philip Kingsley haircare steps and is great for when you’re on holiday because it nourishes and moisturises hair which might have been exposed to sea water, chlorine and the weather. Used in combination with the Elasticizer, it’s slightly more gentle, but leaves hair soft and bouncy and manageable too. It also has a lovely fragrance like the shampoo.

All Philip Kingsley products are available on their website and are 100% recyclable and cruelty free. All orders on their website are postage free and also come with a free sample – I had a 20ml shampoo sample with mine so I can take that on holiday too!

Philip Kingsley have a huge range of haircare products on their website and works with trichologists to develop the very best in haircare products.

Philip Kingsley Nourish & Volume Travel Kit is available online for £30 at: https://www.philipkingsley.co.uk/philip-kingsley-nourish-and-volume-jet-set.html

64 Soho Liquid Gold Shampoo and Conditioner

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

⁠

ºC-1 English Rose Serum

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, health, Vegan, Women

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

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, health, Vegan, Women

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

RINGANA Hair Products Review

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Vegan

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

I have shoulder length curly hair which is currently quite dry and in desperate need of some TLC, so receiving a couple of haircare products from RINGANA was a very welcome treat!

RINGANA FRESH shampoo – 200 ml – £15.79
This shampoo is quite runny but it does lather well on your hair. The shampoo is gentle on my hair and leaves it feeling nice and clean and refreshed. My scalp felt good too with no dryness or itchiness.

RINGANA FRESH hair treatment – 125 ml – £21.17
This product is a multi-purpose product, containing inchi oil to help restore the hair’s natural protective layer. It also preserves colour, thanks to a special heat and colour complex with bamboo and turkey tail fungus. I used it as a conditioner and a hair mask and it is also great to use, mixed with a little water, to refresh curls between shampoos.

I knew it can take a while to adjust to natural shampoos, but my hair quickly got used to both products and looks so much better after 2 weeks. I was really pleased with the results, the products replenished moisture and helped to keep the dreaded the frizz away and my hair is definitely bouncier, shinier and all round healthier than it looked before.

The Austrian award-winning vegan, luxury skincare and supplements brand are quite new to the UK but based on the products The Review Studio have tried already we are confident they will do well! I can’t wait to try some more of their fantastic products!

Take a look at our other RINGANA reviews too

RINGANA Fresh Soap Review

RINGANA FRESH Tinted Moisturiser Review

GKOMB Review

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, health

Having your hair styled at the hairdressers can give you such a confidence boost but as I am currently cutting back on non-essentials, trips to the hairdressers have reluctantly been cut down and I am now doing my own hair before a night out, rather than relying on the experts. My hairdresser always makes it look effortless creating beautiful curls but when I try to do it myself at home, I just can’t get the curls to look right so I was therefore very interested when GKOMB asked if I would like to try one of their combs.

So, what is a GKOMB………Well it is a chunky comb created by top hairdresser George Katsaros. The comb is quite large and mirrors the spacing of a hairdresser’s fingers, meaning you can evenly distribute volume to heat styled curls. Used straight after heated hair tools it is quite magical how it separates and creates beautiful long lasting curls, making me look like I have just walked out of the salon, not my bedroom! I am really impressed with the GKOMB, it is so easy to use, gliding through curls with no damage or tugging and best of all it is saving me money too!

Three new colours have just been launched, Proud Purple, Super Green and Wild Blue and they are available from GKOMB and Amazon at a very reasonable £15

Disclaimer – We received a GKOMB for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own.

Rhyme & Reason Quench & Curl Review

beauty, Gifts for Her, health, Plastic free, Vegan

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