PRODUCT REVIEW: MUK HEAD MUK DRY SHAMPOO AND 20 IN 1 MIRACLE TREATMENT

PRODUCT REVIEW: KEUNE BRILLIANT COLOR AND SHINE COLOR CARE PACK

With long coloured hair, I know the importance of using good quality hair care products, as I am immediately tell by the health of my hair if I don't. Keune is one of those brands that has been on my list to try for quite some time. My hair dresser has always used it, and I have always loved the feel and look of my hair after a visit, so unsure why I've never actually gotten around to trying any of the products at home… until a very special pack landed on my desk.. 

The Brilliant Color and Shine Color Care pack, is a haircare pack specifically designed to protect and enhance colour treated hair, so hence absolutely perfect for my hair.

The pack contains:

• Color Care Shampoo, 250ml 
• Color Care Conditioner, 200ml 
• Brow Dry Spray, 200ml 
• Brilliant Gloss Spray, 200ml 
• Keune Cosmetic Bag 

The Keune Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner both contain Sunflower Seed Extract which protect the hair color, along with Sea Silk protein to conditions the hair leaving it silky and shiny. In addition, the products also have an LP300 color stabilizer to enhance the durability of the color, as well as they are enriched with Solamer UV protector to help prevent the hair from fading in the harsh sun.

The products are intended for daily use, and immediately leave the hair feeling clean, yet without drying it out or making it feel squeaky. My hair also immediately drinks up the conditioner, which is easy to rinse out, and leaves my hair feeling so silky soft, and looking healthy and shiny too. And while it is always difficult to tell the effect of such products, I spend a long time at the hair dresser, and not to mention a good amount of money to get it coloured, so I do love knowing that these products help keep my coloured hair vibrant and shiny for longer.

I also love the smell of these products, a gorgeous floral scent that lingers in my hair for long after my hair is dry.

I admit that I often, and due to time restraints, leave my hair to dry naturally - but when I do use the hair dryer, or any other heat styling tool for that matter, I do what ever I can to keep it from any thermal damage. And the Keune Blow Dry Spray is the perfect treatment to be used in damp hair before blow drying. This spray contains among others flexible styling polymers and silicone to help protect the hair from any dehydrating effects of heat styling, while also reducing the time it takes to dry the hair. And this amazing spray contain helps strengthen the hair, and leave it looking even healthier and shinier, and smooths down frizz for a more sleek and polished look, and all without making the hair feel stiff or weighing it down. It does have a slight alcohol-y scent when first sprayed onto the hair, but once that has evaporated, you're left with that same beautiful floral scent.

Finally, the pack also contains the Keune Brilliant Gloss Spray, which is like a hairspray, but which adds so much gloss to the hair, making it look so incredibly shiny and healthy, and as it is an oil-free formula, it doesn’t make the hair look greasy, unlike many other shine products. And all while helping to protect your locks from UV damage. The Gloss Spray is best used in dry hair, once you've finished styling it, for the final touch, and I like that it feel stiff. It also has a beautiful floral scent which you can only adore.

The products come packaged in a gorgeous marble printed cosmetic bag, which is super useful for both travelling and storing items.

Overall I am really enjoying these products from Keune, and I now fully understand why it is the haircare brand of choice for my hair dresser, and I also think that it is safe to say that I will definitely be looking to top up these products next time I have my hair coloured to ensure that the colour stays bright and vivid for as long as possible. The products are beautiful to use, make my hair feel and look so healthy, and as a bonus, they smell amazing too. And the Keune range is so huge, that there are so many more products now on my wish list to try, including leave-in treatments, hair masks, treatment oils and overnight products.


Keune Color Care Kit - RRP: $82
Available from select Hair Salons

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. 


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PRODUCT REVIEW: REFERENCE OF SWEDEN REF 551 SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER, REF 230 HEAT PROTECTION SPRAY

Today I am very excited to be sharing with you a new haircare brand that has just come to my attention, Reference of Sweden, including the Shampoo and Conditioner REF 551 and the REF Heat Protection Spray REF 230.

 

First up I love that the products from Reference of Sweden are Paraben and Sulfate free, and made using natural extracts of omega-rich linseed oil and ultra emollient Tamanu oil, which have healing and repairing properties.
I also love that the products as they are also called are using a very simple reference system, hence why they also go under the name REF., where the REF on each product simply describes the unique characteristics of the product with numbers, so you can always get the product tailored to your hair's personal requirements, according to Hold/Care, Shine, or Volume. Each is simply rated from 0 through to 5, with 5 naturally being the highest strength - so the Shampoo and Conditioner I'm putting to the test here, both have the reference 551, meaning that they provide maximum Care, Shine and minimal Volume, whereas the Heat protection Spray REF 230, has medium Hold and Shine and offers no Volume. How brilliant is that!

Let's start with the Reference of Sweden REF Shampoo 551, which is a sulphate and paraben free shampoo intended for dry, damaged or chemically treated hair. It features extracts of neem, lingonberry seed and walnut, Tamanu and Argan oil, and aims to reconstruct and renew the hair for optimal health and shine. It also repairs hair that is dry and damaged from chemical services and thermal styling, while calming and nourishing the hair and scalp.

What I notice first is that the pearlescent shampoo has the most divine fruity scent, which reminds me a little of green apples. It gently cleans my hair, without drying it out or making it feel squaky clean, and you can clearly feel that the botanical extracts are caring for the hair. Following with the Reference of Sweden REF Conditioner 551, which is an intensive reconstructor for hair damaged by chemical services and thermal styling, and it is also sulphate free. The conditioner has a light consistency, and absorbs quickly into my hair, which did initially make me feel the need to use a little more, but don't be fooled as it really does add intense moisture to the hair. It is easy to rinse out without leaving behind a greasy residue, and afterwards the hair is left soft and smooth and easy to comb out without knots. And once dry, the hair looks very healthy and shiny, without being weighed down. The conditioner has the same gorgeous scent as the shampoo, although unfortunately not quite as strong.

I don’t heat style my hair everyday, but when I do, I've enjoyed using the Reference of Sweden REF 230 Heat protection Spray. This light light spray that can be used in both damp and dry hair before heat styling to help form a protective barrier and prevent the hair being damaged from the heat styling. The spray is easy to apply to the hair, and I love that it has the same fresh fruity scent, as the shampoo and conditioner, although the first few moments it is a little chemically and alcohol-like, but luckily that does quickly evaporate, leaving the nice scent behind. After styling my hair, it is left soft and smooth, and looking healthy and shiny, and I like that it also gives my hair a touch of hold, without making it feel stiff, as that means that flyways are also under control.


Overall I've really enjoyed using these products from Reference of Sweden, as continued use has left my hair feeling soft and smooth, and looking shiny and healthy, so I will definitely consider repurchasing these again, and also look into other products from the brand including Leave-In Treatments, Hair Masques and Shine Spray..


REF Repair Shampoo 551 - RRP: $8 / 75ml, $29 / 300ml, $58 / 750ml
REF Repair Conditioner 551 - RRP: $8 / 50ml, $29 / 250ml, $58 / 750ml
REF 230 Heat protection Spray - $32 / 200ml

Available from select salons, contact Luxury Beauty Concepts to enquire

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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L'OREAL PARIS NEW HAIRCARE LAUNCHES JULY TO DECEMBER 2016

A few weeks ago I was so lucky to go to the exclusive blogger event where the new L'Oréal Paris product launches for July to December 2016 were revealed. I have already told you about the makeup launches, so here I will concentrate on the new haircare products.

First up there are three leave-in treatments, including the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Fibrology Double Serum, which is a unique dual action treatment that consists of two parts that mixes together when pumped out of the bottle, to provide complete action and care to the hair fibres.

On one side of the bottle there is the pink thickening gel, which is enriched with active ingredient Filloxane that penetrates the hair to create substance and thicken the hair fibre from within. And on the other side of the bottle, the transparent smoothing serum that softens and smooths the surface of the hair for a silky and shiny finish. This serum can be used in both wet and dry hair, and smells absolutely divine, and just a small pump or two through my hair really does leave it feeling soft and smooth and looking healthy.

The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil-In-Cream is a leave-in hair cream that deeply nourishes the hair, containing a combination of highly concentrated oils from six precious flowers, and it has a beautiful floral scent that continues to linger in the hair for quite a while. It is quite light and absorbs quickly into the hair, instantly making it feel soft and smoothing down frizz, but without making the hair feel greasy or feel heavy. The treatment can be used in wet hair after washing it, but can also be used in dry hair to add shine, moisture to the hair and smooth down frizz. Finally, it can also be used as a treatment prior to heat styling to protect the hair from any damage, so it is truly a multi tasking product.

Finally, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 CICA Cream, which is also a leave-in hair cream specifically designed for damaged hair. The formula contains among others cicamide which instantly absorbs into the hair fibres to help target and repair damaged hair including breakage and split ends, while also protecting the hair from environmental aggressors. This treatment comes in a small pump bottle and is very light so again, just a few pumps is all that is required to coat my long thick hair. And when applied to especially the ends, in either wet of dry hair, you can immediately both see and feel how it tames frizz and treats dry and fuzzy ends, while leaving the hair silky soft and smooth.

Next is the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Mask, is a concentrated mask for very dry hair, which comes in a golden orange tub. The formula contains Nutri-Ester technology, which leaves an ultra-thin film on hair that acts as a protective top coat. It also contains rose oil to regenerate hair, lotus oil to soften, chamomile oil to soothe, tiara oil to purify, flax oil to illuminate, and sunflower oil for its antioxidant properties. This treatment can be used after shampooing in lieu of conditioner, or as the occasional treatment - but with long hair, my ends are often dry, so i do like using it after each hair wash - also because it is a fast acting treatment that only needs to be left in the hair for 2-3 minutes before being rinsed out, which makes it good when you're in a hurry too. It has a nice scent, and does leave the hair feeling deeply nourished, even my dry ends.

And finally, there's the L’Oréal Paris ELVIVE Smooth Intense Heat Protect Cream, which is a heat protection cream that works to protect the hair from heat styling tools, including hair dryers and straighteners, at up to 230°C, which I believe, is also the highest heat setting of most major heat styling tools. The Heat Protect Cream also features an anti-humidity frizz shield to leave hair smooth for up to 96 hours, as well as it continues to keep the hair deeply nourished. The cream has a floral yet slightly spicy scent, that is quite lovely, and again, continues to linger in the hair for a while.

Overall, some fantastic new releases from L'Oréal Paris, and as I've been enjoying using every single one of these, I cannot even begin to pick favourites amongst these, and I would not hesitate purchasing either of these products again.


L'Oréal Paris Elvive Fibralogy Double Serum - RRP: $9.95 / 30ml
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil-In-Cream - RRP: $9.95 / 150ml
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 CICA Cream - RRP: $9.95 / 100ml
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Mask - RRP: $9.95 / 300ml
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Heat Protect Cream - RRP: $9.95 / 150ml

* Products kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
 

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Product Review: Violet Box – August Review

Finally, the August Violet Box has landed on my door step. Violet Box was only launched in June, so this is only the third box to hit the market, and I have been so impressed with the last two boxes, that I’ve been looking so forward to receiving it this month. If you’ve missed my reviews, you can see the June box here, and the July box here. And here are my thoughts on the August edition of the *The Violet Box;

What They Say:

Violet Box brands promises to every month include 4-6 premium beauty and lifestyle samples from well-known and trusted Australian beauty brands as well as exciting new International brands, one in particular is a revolutionary product currently trending in New York and has been featured in Vogue and on the Today Show!

RRP: You can subscribe to Violet Box for:

1 month – $22.95
3 months - $66.00
6 months - $130
12 months - $250 

What I Say:

Some of the monthly beauty subscription boxes always seem to have a new theme, but like the previous two boxes, the August Violet Box does seem to be to a particular theme.

The Violet Box comes in a stylish matte black box, which is closed with a magnetised flip lid and a purple ribbon, and it has the purple Violet Box logo in the corner of the box. And inside, the samples were wrapped in violet tissue paper. The actual box is of a sturdy design, and the fact that it closes completely with the magnet, as well as it has a violet ribbon to tie it with, and as it is black and stylish looking, makes it makes it easy to re-use it to store small things such as jewellery or maybe lipsticks!!  

So what was in the August Violet Box…

Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Shadow/Liner - Full-size (RRP $19.00)

This is a crayon that doubles as an eyeliner for thick precise lines as well as perfectly-blended eye shadow. It is made from Italian formulated waxes and pigments that allow you to build up the colour, smudge or create bold lines.

 

I got the colour bronze, which is a lovely colour, and as per claims, tests on my hand proves that it is easy to use for both lines and smudge out as an Eyeshadow – quickly and easily, just what a new mum needs, so I can’t wait to play with this one, and see how it performs. I’ve never heard of this UK brand before so don’t really know what to expect, but I am excited to see this full sized product and in a colour that I will actually use, so big bonus points from me!  

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush – Full Size (RRP $22.00)
 

This is another product from the UK brand. A lip stain in style with the Clinique Chubby Sticks. It is made with beeswax and ceresin was, for a sheer smooth application and it claims to be a moisturising lip stain that gives just the right amount of juicy colour while hydrating like a balm.
 

I got a nice red bright red colour, which in the tube looks really bright, and as you can see in the picture, it is very pigmented and once on the lips it still gives a good coverage in spite of claiming to be sheer. But it can be blotted with a tissue for a more sheer look, or built up for a more intense look. 

Again time will tell how this performs during the day, and over lunch, but regardless I’ll love wearing this as we head into summer. And again I am very excited to see another full sized product in the box, and again something that I will really use, so more bonus points from me!

Dr. Bragi Age Management Moisturiser – 5ml Sample (RRP: $179.00/60ml)
 

This is an anti-ageing moisturiser with hyaluronic acid and marine extracts which are to help reduce the signs of ageing by fighting the effects of environmental stress. Just what I need!!! However, at $179 for a full-sized tube of this, I am sadly not likely to get this in the near future, but I will enjoy trying this sample and at least get a feel for what such an expensive moisturiser will feel like on my skin. But with a sample only large enough for just a few days use, I doubt that I will see any results.  

ghd Style Heat Protection Spray – Full Size (RRP: $24.00/120ml)

 

I already have this heat protection spray and I’m loving it, so I am very happy to be receiving a full sized product of this. This spray helps put a protective barrier on the hair protecting it damage when heat styling. And unlike many other such products, it doesn’t make your hair feel stiff or weighs it down, but just makes the hair feel smoother and also reduce frizz. So that makes for the third full-sized product in this month’s box, and another one that I will truly use, so even more bonus points from me!

Goldwell dualsenses Rich Repair Cream Shampoo & Conditioner – Sachet samples, 10ml each (RRP: $24.95/300ml each)

 

This shampoo is for dry and damaged hair while the conditioner is an anti-breakage conditioner – just what my hair needs – and as I’ve never tried any for the products from Goldwell I am quite excited about trying these and seeing how they make my hair feel and look.

All in all I have to say that Violet Box has really really done it again. I have been impressed with the quality of the samples in the previous two box, and I have to say that Violet Box has out-performed itself this month with not just three full sized products, but three full sized products that I will actually use and which have a combined value of $65.00 – almost three times the cost of the box! Well done Violet Box, I am super impressed – and already looking forward to next month!!

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

What do you think of the contents of the August Violet Box? Did you get this months’ box too? What did you think? Have you tried any of these products?

Product Review: Lust Have It – July Box – Review & Giveaway…and August box teaser..

Having a little baby has certainly turned my world upside down, so I am a little behind with my blog posts, and I think by now everyone would have seen reviews of this month’s July Lust Have It Box, but still I thought that I’d post a review of what I received…. And do keep reading, as I will also tell you how to get a discount on your first box, as well as you have a chance of WINNING a Lust Have It box yourself… and not to mention a TEASER of what’s in store for the August box..

What They Say:

"Lust Have It boxes regularly contains products worth $60+ for only $19.95/mth! Monthly box filled with 5 to 6 premium beauty samples. Delivered to your home or work each month for you to try."

RRP: Lust Have It Box (monthly) RRP: $19.95, Eco Box (quarterly) RRP: $29.95 – but read on to find out how to get a discount on your first box..

Available from Lust Have It

What I Say:

This month’s box comes in a pretty pale blue and beige floral printed box, and it has been updated with a magnetic closure, so it closes better, making it even better to use as storage - as I mentioned last month, I can as being quite useful for storing other things such as jewellery, hair ties etc.

The Lust Have It July box is using 'Vibrant Beauty', saying that "in the spirit of Australia’s gorgeous weather all year around for July we celebrate Vibrant Beauty. We have carefully selected a number of products to keep you looking vibrant on the inside and out!". I am not quite sure that I find the items in the box to be particularly 'vibrant', but anyway, this is what was in the July Lust Have It Box;

 Nude by Nature Natural Tinted Mineral Moisturiser with Sunscreen – Full Size ($19.95, 30ml)
 

I had already seen in a teaser Lust Have It posted on their Facebook page that the July box would include this full sized product. I have heard a lot of good things about Nude by Nature, but actually never tried any of their products, so I have been rather excited about this, and the fact that is a full sized product is even better. I am not quite sure of the colour of this cream, but it seems to match my skintone perfectly, so that’s all that matters. And it smells absolutely amazing too. Currently being a stay-at-home mum, these days I tend to use more BB creams or tinted moisturisers instead of more covering foundations, so I do look forward to trying this one.

Knotties by Condition Culture Hair Ties – RRP US$6.25

 

These hair ties are supposedly meant to not snag or crease your hair, and have been designed to look great both in the hair and around the wrist as arm jewellery!! And am I the only one with long hair always running around with a hair tie/scrunchie around the wrist. If I have my long hair out for the day, I always, always, always have a scrunchie – hey, even if I have my hair up, I have one!! Pretty, well no, not particularly, and well, they always leave a nasty mark on my wrist. I am not quite sure how these hair ties will be any different from others on the market with not snagging hair, but at least I don’t think they will be leaving a mark on your wrist. And as my hair seems to be particularly prone to breaking at the moment (blame the cold winter weather as well as a change in hormones in my body after giving birth 6 weeks ago!), so I do look forward to trying these. 

I got one in a pink and yellow design, and one in black and gold, which will be the one I like the best, as the other one just doesn’t match anything that I wear.

Colorsmash by Condition Culture Hair Shadow – sample 3 g (RRP US$15)

 

This hair colour looks like an eye shadow, and is supposed to be ‘smashed’ onto the hair, and sealed with a spray, and then washes out again. I was given colour called Gold Rush, which as the name suggests is a shimmering gold colour. I am glad that I got this colour, as I have seen others getting more vibrant colours, which I would never personally have used. This gold colour will no doubt look nice in especially darker hair giving it a nice look, but I am actually not entirely sure how to apply this evenly into the hair (and there are no instructions!), also because my shadow disc had completely shattered, so I will have to play around with it on a day I am not doing anything too special, just in case I stuff it up completely, and make sure that I wear some old clothes in case it creates a bit mess seeing its broken!

Goldwell Stylesign Hot Form Heat Styling Lotion – sample 30ml (RRP $24.95, 150ml)

 

As the name suggests, this is a styling lotion to be used when heat styling the hair, giving the hair protection of up to 200 degrees, which does sound pretty impressive. It is to help control frizz while also adding shine to the hair. This sounds great and I do look forward to trying this, although I have to be honest that I only hair dry and straighten my hair on very special occasions – with a six week old baby that is learning to grab onto anything and everything, I have quickly realised that I need to keep my hair up, if I don’t want to loose several handfuls of hair every day, and then there’s simply no need to style it too much, a quick pony, bun or braid does the job.

Swisse Hand Cream with Vitamin F & Pomegranate – sample 30ml (RRP$29.95, 500ml)

I think I about the only person yet to try some of the Swisse skincare products, so I am quite excited to see this hand cream in this month’s box. And being winter my hands always get so dry, and on top of that, with two dogs living inside, I  always wash my hands a lot, but now with a baby, I wash my hands even more often, which is certainly not helping my dry hands either. So I go through bucket loads of hand cream at the moment, so the timing is great. I can’t wait to try it!

Natralus NatraSan Antibacterian Hand Sanitiser Chamomile & Apple Blossom Spray – Full size (RRP $4.49, 28ml)

 

I am not normally one to use hand sanitisers. They were not around or at least readily available when I grew up, and well, I’m still alive and healthy!! But in saying that, now that we have a baby and have two dogs, I find that it is very handy thing to have, and find myself using it several times during the day, including after I’ve just changed a dirty nappy and I can’t get to the sink straight away to wash my hands because I have a baby in my arms.

I first thought that this small spray was a sample, so surprised when I realised that it was in fact a full sized product!! But it smells amazing – I love the smell of apple blossoms – and it is a nice change with a nice smelling sanitiser, as usually they all smell quite clinical and like alcohol!! This claims to kill germs, not hands, which with my dry hands (see above!), is just perfect, and I like too that it is made using 99% natural organic ingredients. This small bottle will be a perfect addition to my nappy bag!

 

Health Essentials Maqui Berry Active – 6g sachet sample (RRP $45, 150g)

 

This is an antioxidant containing 100% organic freeze dried maqui berry powder. It has three times more antioxidants than acai berries, and taken daily it has been proven to give the body all it needs to function at optimal performance!! IT can be used with smoothies, shakes, water, juice, ice-cream, yoghurt, cereal, desserts etc. This does sound very interesting and I look forward to trying it out (maybe it will temporarily help with the tiredness from getting up in the middle of the night to fee our son) but at $45 I do not think that I am likely to purchase this.

 

Overall, like last month, I thought that the July Lust Have it Box contains was a nice selection of products, which were all new to me, so I will enjoy trying them out. On terms of value, the Nude by Nature cream on its own covers the cost of the box, so really the rest of the products are just a bonus. I will enjoy trying especially the Nude by Nature cream, and also the Swisse Handcream, so for me the box is worth its cost because of these two products. And while I will use the Natralus NatraSan Antibacterian Hand Sanitiser, and the Goldwell Stylesign Hot Form Heat Styling Lotion, and the Knotties Hair Ties will also come in handy, these products just do sadly just not rock my world that much, and probably not products that I would ever have considered purchasing.

Lust Have It August Box Teaser…

Still I am looking very forward to the August Box… Lust Have It has already given a teaser of what to expect in the August box…a full-sized Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights worth $29.95…woohoo, I can’t wait to try that one out – my only worry is not getting the colour that suits my skintone..

And by the way, have you checked out Lust Have It’s new online magazine Lustre….if not, you can see it here. 

Discount Offer

Have you signed up to any monthly beauty subscription boxes? Thinking of trying the Lust Have It Box and getting a selection of new beauty products to try delivered to your door every month?

Each month the Lust Have It box includes 5 or 6 hand-picked beauty samples worth $60+ delivered to your door for only $19.95/mnth. Some of the brands you can expect to trial include: Benefit, Shiseido, Kerastase, Glasshouse and Laura Mercier to name a few. 

For more information, check out the Lust Have It website

And if you use my unique code LIFESTYLE at the checkout on the Lush Have It website, you are eligible for $5 off your first box from Lust Have It, and at the same time you’ll also be supporting Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, as I will get a few dollars too if someone subscribes using this code.

 

Giveaway

Well now on to the good news… the nice people at Lust Have It are wanting to give away 10…..yep, that’s right TEN Lust Have it boxes to Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter readers. This means that ten lucky readers have a chance to win a box each. How good is that!!! Chick here for further details and to enter.

Good luck everyone!

What do you think of this month’s Lust Have It box? Are you a subscriber? What were your favourite products? Or are you maybe considering subscribing?

 

 

Product Review: Bangstyle Smoothing Lotion

I have long hair, down to the middle of my back, and although it is in a fairly good condition – probably also because I try to minimise the use of heat styling tools such as my hair dryer and straightener. In saying that, of course I do use it, and when I do, a heat protectant is an absolute must to protect the hair. Here is my thoughts on the *Bangstyle Smoothing Lotion;

 

What They Say:

"Living an unruly lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to have unruly hair. With Bangstyle's Smoothing Lotion you won’t have to worry about frizzy, unruly hair any longer. This product gives you smooth, moldable hold that would tame the untamable".

RRP: $28.95 (150ml) – for stockist call Ozdare on 1800 104 204

What I Say:

Until I tried the Bangstyle Volumizing Mousse a little while ago, I have to be honest and admit that I’d never ever heard about the Bangstyle range of products before.

The Bangstyle hair products comes from the streets of Los Angeles, where this new range of independently produced artisan hair products has been developed by artists for stylists and trendsetters worldwide; providing inspiration for individuals to create their own unique look with a variety of specially formulated, no-nonsense products.

"The range was created by Bangstyle as a simple, high quality approach to easy, liveable hair".

Unwilling to accept the status quo, the Bangstyle group presents a revolutionary take on styling tools and with the mantra "We promise to leave your hair better than we found it".

"If Bangstyle was in a vintage record store, it would be filed under 'indie-alternative'", says Bangstyle Founder and Creative Director Geoff Nelson.

The Bangstyle Smoothing Lotion is intended to be used before drying, straightening and styling wavy or curly hair for sleek straight hair. I have quite long, thick and straight hair….well that is, it does have a few waves and 'kinks' so I always need to use the hair straightener to get the completely straight. And in spite my hair being so long and thick, I only need to use a little amount of the smoothing lotion in my damp hair as it is con concentrated.

I did find that if I used too much, it would my hair feel a little weighted down and sticky, so the trick is definitely to apply in moderation, and little after little to avoid overdoing it. But the good thing is as you need to little, a bottle will last you so much longer!

After hair drying and straightening my hair it is so soft, smooth and shiny, and all signs or frizz is completely gone. Even my otherwise dry ends seem to have been revitalized with a moisture boost.  And my straight style lasts all day, due to a smidge of holding power in the lotion, even on a hot and humid day as well as on a day where it is raining does continue to look as if it has just been styled. Even the flyaway hairs that I usually have, seems to be under control.

The Smoothing Lotion comes in a grey-black plastic bottle with the Bangstyle logo. It has a small twist nozzle at the top, which makes it easy to dispense just the amount of product needed, and also easy to seal again afterwards.

On the back of the bottle all ingredients used are listed, along with styling instructions in various languages: "Made from the joyous tears of frolicsome angels. Honest". How great is it to see a brand with a bit of humour, instead of just a boring list of ingredients and instructions!

The bottle also has a little print at the back of the bottle saying 'no friggin' parabens' – which I really like, as the less chemicals we use, surely the better it is, so a few bonus points from me for that!

The Smoothing Lotion is creamy in texture, and is neither too runny or too thick. It has a nice tropical and coconut’ish scent, which is very nice and pleasant, without being too overpowering – although I still have to admit that I wish it didn’t have the coconut scent as it is not on the list of my preferred scents! But luckily for me, this scent does fade once the hairs dry.

I usually wash my hair every second day, and try not to use the hairdryer and straightener every day to protect and save my locks. So I also tried to use the Smoothing lotion, and just let it air-dry – and again I was impressed with the result. While it did obviously not make my hair straighter, it did give my hair a much needed moisture boost, especially at the ends, but again also helped give it a bit of control, making it easier to style as well as it tamed any flyaways, all while still leaving it looking healthy and shiny.

The Smoothing lotion contains among others hydrolyzed silk, olive oil and sunscreen (how good is that!!), as well as keratin amino acids, said to help rebuild and protect the hair. Unfortunately, like so many other hair products it also contains silicones to smooth the hair. Silicones often have a tendency to build up in the hair, making it feel and look heavy and limp, luckily that has far from been the case with the Smoothing Lotion.

So all in all, this is another great product from Bangstyle, and I really love that it not only protects my hair while its being heat styled, it also cares for my hair at the same time.

*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

Have you ever heard of Bangstyle before? What is your favourite heat protectant product when heat styling your hair?