Foamless Cleansing Conditioner - WEN

So over the past few weeks I have swapped my recent obsession for nails and nail colour for haircare. And this new hair care range WEN is a real mind bender! You may have read my previous post on WEN Volumizing Treatment Spray. WEN has been developed by top US stylist Chaz Dean, and is a unique hair care system consisting of a single step cleansing conditioner that cleanses and conditioners your hair simultaneously; sound weird? Let me explain more…

The cleansers are made from a blend of herbs, botanicals and provitamin B.  Uniquely, WEN doesn’t lather but creates a smooth foam when mixed with water. Still sounds weird? Here’s a bit more…

Chaz Dean created WEN following his belief that some shampoos can be harmful to hair. The concept of not using regular shampoo is something Dean began to implement in 1993 and now, no longer uses ordinary shampoo on himself, or his clients.

WEN Haircare

WEN has been designed to gently cleanse and moisturise your hair, leaving it with more sheen, lustre, moisture and better colour retention.  OK, so now it’s time for me to try it. The concept to me is still rather odd. I have a short bob, and my hair is fine and blonde so will look dirty or greasy if I simply step outside for 5 minutes, so I was very dubious to even try this product. I decided to give it a whirl on a weekend where I didn’t have plans to go out or do anything glam in case my hair ends up looking like a ropey mop end.

BUT I wasn’t being fair; this system was quite a pleasure. It saved me time, as I didn’t have to go through a ‘wash, rinse and repeat’ process followed by conditioner. The range smells very invigorating and quite herbal, but not in a stuffy way, more uplifting. So in all I was happy with the end result, but as some one who pretty much feels manky and dirty if I don’t wash my hair at least once in 24 hours, I think WEN would be best suit to those who can go a few days without washing their hair. In fact, this system would be ideal for K, whose hair seems to look better the longer she doesn’t wash it for! (I’m utterly jealous of that fact!).

Ax

Beever Haircare – another big hair review

Beever is a salon styling range created by stylists and hairdressers and developed through trial and error. Steve Beever who has been working in the hairdressing industry since he was 16 founded Beever. He and his team of developers use the products in salons daily to make sure each product is just right for us, the amateur to use with ease to create our favorite looks.

I have been using the Sculpting Lotion, which is a bit of an all rounder. Designed for all hair types this product offers medium to strong hold, enabling you to create the looks you really want, that last. Sculpting Lotion is great for creating the on trend wet look by applying 5-6 pumps to dry hair, and combing hair into place. Your wet look with shine and look positively chic and slick.

I have been using Sculpting Lotion for the volume benefits. As you may have read previously, I am a big fan of big hair. I thoroughly believe in the saying ‘the higher the hair, the closer to God’. So I have been using 1–2 pumps on wet hair and then blow drying my style with a large round barrel brush to really help lift the root. The results have been very impressive. I was rather apprehensive as to how this product would work, as the formula is like an oily serum and from past experience, you don’t put those types of products on fine hair, any hair even if you are looking for volume. However, this is actually so light in formulation that it simply blows out. Leaving your hair feeling soft, manageable, and big!

Beever Sculpting Lotion

The product is a please to use and smells lovely, I would highly recommend trying the Sculpting Lotion.  Also, the packaging is quite cool too! I’m a sucker for design and the Beever range is a winner.

Ax

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Range

Recently I was given the opportunity to try some products I have been desperate to use since it launched.  Liz Earle’s Botanical Shine range. I adore everything from Liz Earle, Cleanse & Polish being one of my most coveted products. Now Liz has put her expertise in skin to hair. The four-piece range has something for everyone, with a universal shampoo there are three specially designed conditioners, one for normal hair, one for dry and damaged hair and another for fine and oily hair.

I have been using the shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair. I torture my hair daily with a hairdryer and straightening irons, and then suffocate it with hairspray and styling products. Therefore, my poor locks rarely get a chance to breathe.

Botanical Shine Shampoo – I love it! It has a scent that reminds me of two things; herbs and clean. However, not herbs in a horrible stuffy way, more fresh and uplifting. And by clean, I mean it is squeaky clean! You can actually hear is squeak when you run your fingers along it.

With West African shea butter, natural source vitamin E, shine-boosting apple and orange extracts plus naturally derived cleansers, Botanical Shine Shampoo gently cleans without stripping to leave hair soft, shiny and smooth. Better still, it does not contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate.

Botanical Shine Conditioner for dry and damaged hair – another love!! Conditioners often leave my hair limp, especially if its designed to repair damaged hair, as I have fine hair which get droopy quite quickly (hence the styling product overload) but this one is a really winner! My hair looked so shiny after use, felt soft, and not in the least bit dry.

Specially formulated with West African shea butter, yangu oil, blue seakale and shine-boosting apple and orange extracts, our ultra-rich colour safe conditioner leaves dry or damaged hair hydrated, under control, soft and smooth.

Liz Earle notes the following on how she and her team created the range

‘Creating one naturally-based shampoo for all hair types, free from sodium lauryl sulphate, laureth and olefin sulphates (all of which can irritate sensitive scalps) was a real challenge for us, which is why it took so long. Mainly because the usual more naturally-derived foaming ingredients don't perform very well as washing agents. They tend not to foam properly, can strip or fade colour-treated hair and cause static. We know this because we tested over 100 different formulations using many different kinds of ingredients. Then, our team discovered a new breakthrough ingredient which does deliver outstanding amounts of foamy lather that gently cleanses without stripping, drying or irritating hair or scalp.’

‘We have tested our shampoo on very many different hair types, from fine, limp hair to thick, coarse hair, young children's hair, older thinning hair, fine, wiry, colour-treated, permed – you name it, we have been there and tested on it! And the most exciting news of all is that our shampoo works wonderfully well on all hair types. Yes – just as Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser works for all skin types, so Botanical Shine Shampoo works well for all hair types.’

Ian, Liz Earle’s hair care expert recommends the following

One shampoo for everyone
When Liz and Kim first approached me with their concept for hair care; I was not surprised to find that they had once again come up with something truly original that could benefit everyone. In the same way, that Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser suits all skin types, their Botanical Shine Shampoo would suit and work on all hair types, including coloured and damaged hair.

So choosing the right shampoo is easy. All that is left for you to decide is which conditioner will be best for your individual needs.

Choosing and using the right conditioner
It is vital to choose the correct conditioner for your hair type and to use it in the right areas. Think of your hair as three separate parts – the roots, the mid-lengths and the ends – as each part might need slightly different treatment.

All the Botanical Shine Conditioners are very high-performance, colour-safe and packed full of botanical ingredients, so a little goes a long way and you only need to use a small amount of conditioner. Apply just enough to coat the surface of the hair – any more will be a waste, as the hair can only absorb a certain amount of hydration.

Do not assume that your hair type will always remain the same. Regular use of the Botanical Shine range can change hair texture, and as your hair becomes more manageable, you may want to alter your choice of conditioner. If in doubt, always choose the less intense option.

Fine hair: if your hair is long enough to catch back in a ponytail and your ponytail is only as thick as a finger, your hair is probably fine. Generally, people with fine hair suffer from a lack of volume and have hair that is often oily at the roots and flyaway at the ends. Avoid using water that is too hot or over-stimulating your scalp when shampooing, as both can increase the amount of natural oil you produce.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for fine or oily hair to the ends of the hair only. If your hair is feeling particularly parched, for example after a summer holiday, apply to mid-lengths too, but not the roots.

Normal hair: normal hair is neither dry nor greasy. It needs regular care to maintain and enhance its healthy lustre. Normal hair can sometimes become dry on the ends due to weather conditions, changes in your environment such as central heating, medication or regular swimming.

Recommendation: use Botanical Shine Conditioner for normal hair after shampooing on mid-lengths and ends.

Oily hair: the people most likely to complain of oily hair will either have fine or normal hair. It is vitally important that the scalp is not over-stimulated during shampooing as this can exacerbate the problem. Also, very hot water can make the scalp produce more oil, so wash with cooler water.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for fine or oily hair to the ends of the hair only to hydrate without making the hair look limp.

Dry or damaged hair: many people with dry hair or damaged hair find that it is parched, brittle and lacks shine. While shampooing, use warm water and vigorous massage to help the scalp increase natural moisture levels.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for dry or damaged hair from the roots through to ends to help reduce volume by adding hydration.

Grey hair: this hair type is often considered to be parched and dry. It is generally coarser than non-grey hair.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for dry or damaged hair to mid-lengths and to ends, although if you consider your hair to be thick and dry from the roots to the ends, apply this conditioner to the roots as well.

My recommendation is – get this for Christmas...Botanical Shine Christmas Gift

Ax

Volume WEN You Need It

As you may have read before, big hair is my thing and what I strive for daily. So when I was given the chance to try WEN Volumizing Treatment Spray, I jumped at it. Created by celebrity stylist Chaz Dean, this new product is designed to add volume and extra body to any style. It has a gorgeous sweet almond mint scent. I have been using it everyday for over a month now simply sprtiz into wet hair comb through and style, easy as that. It makes your hair feel thicker and look shiny. Volume lasts all day and for extra height I have used a large round brush to blow dry and lift the hair from the root.

I love it and it leaves my hair smelling so wonderful after. ALSO, it is great at keeping hair looking fabulous all day even after the wind has blown my hair about on my way to work!

Better still…The WEN range contains no SLS and is packed with herbs including green tea, botanicals and provitamin B.

WEN Volumizing Treatment Spray

Ax