Dabur Vatika Enriched Olive Hair Oil - Review

Dabur has recently launched the Dabur Vatika Olive Hair Oil and I've been testing this product for sometime now. Must admit that I've never been too fond of oiling my hair and the only reason is that washing it off is nothing less than a nightmare. Be it the lightest or the heaviest hair oil, I'll have to shampoo my hair at least five to six times to get it all off and I just cant gather the energy or the enthusiasm to go through that process regularly. But then maintaining the quality of my hair has kinda forced me to religiously oil it atleast once a week and it's the new Dabur Vatika Olive Hair Oil that I've been trying out.

Matrix Biolage Deep Smoothing Serum - Review

The Matrix Biolage Deep Smoothing Serum is I think one product that  most of us have used some time or the other. The first time I got to know about it was when it was recommended to me in a salon and since then I've probably used up about two or three bottles of the serum. Well now Matrix has come up with a newer and better formula of the Deep Smoothing Serum and its called India's first professional 6-in-1 serum.

The Matrix Biolage Deep Smoothing Serum is the perfect quick fix solution for rough, frizzy, dull, lifeless, dry, unmanageable, coarse and tangled hair. Created with a fusion of natural elements including Avocado, Grape-seed oils & Frizz Taming Polymers – this smoothing serum works wonders for hair with its light, non-sticky texture, that doesn’t weigh the hair down. The Biolage Deep Smoothing Serum is the 1st Professional 6-in-1 Serum that :

• Controls Frizz
• Adds instant shine
• Nourishes Dry Hair
• Instantly detangles
• Smoothens rough ends
• Protect from Humidity

I've been trying out the newer formula of the serum along with the Deep Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner and I must say that this range is great for anyone who has dry and frizzy hair. The shampoo and conditioner actually makes my hair straighter after washing and the serum adds the shine and detangles. I usually apply the serum to my hair after towel drying. I take about 3-4 drops on my palm, rub hands together so that the serum is slightly warm and then apply it from the middle of my hair to the ends. Avoid applying any kind of serum to the scalp or the crown since it will only weigh your hair down and make it look limp.  

I like that the serum has a pleasant fragrance and that it absorbs quite fast. It's light, non-sticky and makes hair a lot more manageable. You can definitely use it either with this range or separately. Here are a few uses of the serum:

In-salon

• WITH A BIOSPA SERVICE – mix few drops in the masque for extra smoothness.
• AFTER A BIOSPA SERVICE – apply few drops for added shine.
• BEFORE BLOW DRY – Protects from damage due to heat styling
• AFTER BLOW DRY – For smoother & shinier results
• PARTY STYLING – Mix few drops with your styling product for added shine.
• BEFORE A HAIRCUT – to ease in detangling

At-home

• BEFORE BLOW DRY – Protects from damage due to heat styling
• AFTER BLOW DRY – For smoother & shinier results
• PARTY STYLING – Mix few drops with your styling product for added shine.
• AFTER SHOWER – Detangles hair to avoid breakage
• WHILE TRAVELLING – protects from damage due to humidity

The Matrix Biolage Deep Smoothing Serum is one of the best affordable serums in the market and you can get it at professional salons . It is priced at Rs 275 for 100 ml and can be a good choice if you are looking to tame dry and unmanageable hair. 

P.S - PR Samples

Have you tried Matrix products? Which is your favorite?

The Long Hair Range Shampoo and Conditioner - First Impression

Remember I shared with you in this post that I'm trying out a shampoo and conditioner that claims to make me love my hair even more? No, I still have not figured out the name and the brand but I have been using the products everyday and they are pretty good.

The shampoo and conditioner smell lovely and I'm really happy for that. As much as I hate any fragrance in makeup, I do not use hair products unless they smell good. So these 'mystery' products score in that parameter for me.

Now for the minute details. The shampoo is not too thick or runny and it also does not lather much. So I'm thinking it's probably sulfate-free but not sure. What I like about the shampoo is that its quite gentle and after washing off, the hair feels quite soft and smooth. It does not give volume but makes the hair frizz free which is great. Another plus point is that there is no hair fall or tangled hair. I have dry hair and it suits me perfectly so quite happy with the performance.

The conditioner is not too thick either but quite creamy. I love that it does not weigh my hair down or make it look limp. Paired with the shampoo, my tresses are nowadays looking and feeling very good!

So that was my initial impression of the two products and I'll give you a second update very soon. Watch out!

Love Long Hair?

Love long hair and looking for products that not just cleanses your long hair but also makes it strong, shiny and soft? Well there are two products that claim to do just that.

‘A shampoo that doesn't just cleanse your hair, but also helps make it strong and shiny. And a conditioner that not only moisturizes your hair, but also helps detangle it and keep it soft’. Intrigued, interested and very very curious to know the name of the two products and the brand that is making them right? Well, here is the surprise. I don’t have a clue!! I gave you the description from the box that contains the shampoo and conditioner and all I can say right now is that both smell very good!

This is the first time I’m going to be using products without having any clue about the brand, the ingredients or the names. All that I can say is that I’m really really excited to use them and see if they live up to the claims. I

Tomorrow I try the shampoo and conditioner for the first time and I will keep giving you updates on how they perform. Stay tuned..

New launch: India's 1st Professional 6-in-1 Serum - BIOLAGE DEEP SMOOTHING SERUM by MATRIX

Today’s hectic schedules leave you with never enough time to care for your hair.  It gets exposed to harsh elements like the sun humidity pollution and dust. What your hair needs more than ever is an EXPERT solution for common hair problems. Recognizing this need, Matrix, the world’s no. 1 American professional brand, presents a one-stop solution - the BIOLAGE DEEP SMOOTHING SERUM - India’s no.1 professional serum. This revolutionary 6-in-1 product, now even better than before, is the answer to the increasing needs for modern day hair care.

Discover new-age Nourishment for your hair with a Professional ‘award winning’ formula that is the perfect quick fix solution for rough, frizzy, dull, lifeless, dry, unmanageable, coarse and tangled hair. Created with a fusion of natural elements including  Avocado, Grape-seed oils & Frizz Taming Polymers – this smoothing serum works wonders for hair with its light, non-sticky texture, that doesn’t weigh the hair down.

Uses

IN-SALON

• WITH A BIOSPA SERVICE – mix few drops in the masque for extra smoothness.
• AFTER A BIOSPA SERVICE – apply few drops for added shine.
• BEFORE BLOW DRY – Protects from damage due to heat styling
• AFTER BLOW DRY – For smoother & shinier results
• PARTY STYLING – Mix few drops with your styling product for added shine.
• BEFORE A HAIRCUT – to ease in detangling

 AT-HOME

• BEFORE BLOW DRY – Protects from damage due to heat styling
• AFTER BLOW DRY – For smoother & shinier results
• PARTY STYLING – Mix few drops with your styling product for added shine.
• AFTER SHOWER – Detangles hair to avoid breakage
• WHILE TRAVELLING – protects from damage due to humidity

How-to-use: Work a small amount of product in hands and apply evenly through damp hair. Blow dry or style as desired. The serum can be reapplied throughout the day for added shine and frizz control.

So kick start the New Year with the Best of the best and include Matrix Biolage Deep Smoothing Serum, an essential hair care tool which offers hassle free solutions.

Win 4 L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Travel Sets - Contest On till 15th Jan 2014

I wish all you beautiful people a very very happy New Year! May 2014 be your best year ever and may it bring you lots of love, happiness, success, prosperity and good health. I thank all of you for reading the blog and giving me so much love, encouragement and support over the last year and a half. I sincerely hope that you will continue to do so in 2014 and for many many more years to come :)..

To ring in the new year and to show my love and gratitude, I bring to you a lovely giveaway sponsored by the wonderful people at L'Oreal Professionnel. If there is one hair care range that I swear by, its the L'Oreal Mythic Oil range. For me, it is the breakthrough launch of 2013 and now L'Oreal wants you to experience the Mythic Oil magic for yourself.

Four of you can win a travel set containing a Mythic Oil Nourishing Shampoo (75 ml) and a Nourishing Masque (75 ml) each and all that you need to do is answer a very simple question - Share your best tip to get healthy and glossy hair. Four tips that I like best wins the travel sets!

Here are the contest guidelines:

1. Contest open only to Indian residents above 18 yrs
2. Contest starts on 1st Jan 2014 and ends on 15th Jan 2014. Winners will be announced on 18th Jan
3. Only one answer allowed per participant. The four best answers will be declared the winners.
4. Winner selection will be made by me and the decision will be final and binding
5. For entries to be considered valid, follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easy rules right? So what's stopping you? Go ahead, share your tip and maybe you can win my favorite shampoo and hair masque :D

All the best!

Kérastase introduces Volumifique, the renovation of its Volumactive range for fine, flyaway hair

Women with fine hair often complain that their hair is fragile and their hair fibre tends to break easily. Fine hair tends to be flat at the roots and becomes oily quite quickly. Fine hair is also difficult to style and quickly loses its shape. The strength and thickness of the hair depends on the structure of its cortex. The cortex is composed of keratin and makes up thebody of the hair fibre. The mass of the cortex defines the overall diameter of the hair fibre. For fine hair, the quality and mass the cortex are lower than that for thick hair and this is what makes fine hair look limp and more vulnerable to breakage.

Kérastase creates the Volumifique range to cater to the specific needs of fine hair. Building on Kérastase’s current range for fine hair Volumactive, the Volumifique range goes further in terms of performance and lightness. A volume innovation, Volumifique is Kérastase’s 1st thickening effect hair care range to create shapely hair texture. The products of the Volumifique range have a unique combination of Système Ampliflex and Intra-Cyclane. Système Ampliflex provides external action which reinforces the hair fibre and adds body and shine to the hair. Intra-Cyclane works from within to create long lasting shape memory.

Volumifique products offer textures especially tailored for fine hair. Stylight® Textures as they are called are the new generation of anti-heaviness textures which are completely absorbed by fine hair, offering volume and lightness.

Volumifique offers a 3 step regime that guarantees the transformation of fine hair:

01 Bathe: Bain Volumifique: Creates feather light volume on fine hair. Soft and light, the formula gives a visible thickening effect on the fibre without weighing it down.

Pack Size: 250ml, MRP: 1500 INR

02 Treat: Gelee Volumifique: Rinse-out transparent conditioner care with ultra-light texture that integrates the most powerful volumising ingredients. It offers soft cosmetic touch and spectacular volume.

Pack Size: 200ml, MRP: 1900 INR

03 TEXTURISE: Mousse Volumifique: Amplifying mousse that revives hair with long-lasting substantial volume and structure. Mousse Volumifique reinforces support and gives hair a natural feel and shiny finish. Mousse Volumifique Protects the hair from heat styling. Volume is safeguarded by an anti-static effect.

Pack size: 150ml, MRP: 1700 INR

The results of the Volumifique Range are visible almost instantaneously, with efficiency even on long hair. Roots are lifted. Hair is shaped uniformly. Hair becomes a playground for style. With time, shine is locked for a hair texture with depth and contrast. Volume and lightness are like imprinted into the hair.

Volumifique will be available across Kérastase Salons from the month of November onwards.

The Products that Give Me Glossy and Smooth Hair!

I've noticed that when I meet women, they invariably at some point ask questions about my hair. Please don't think that I'm boasting but the fact is that I do have shiny and silky hair (Touch wood Touch wood!!) and I've had that since I was a kid. I also used to have pretty thick hair which by now has thinned considerably but the glossiness thankfully has remained. Many of my friends and acquaintances have asked me about my haircare regime so that's what I'm going to do talk about in this post. Will share with you the products I'm using currently and what extra I do to take care of my mane.

When I talk of a hair care regime, it's actually pretty basic. I've never believed in using a ton of products and my mantra in life has always been to keep it simple. I have normal - dry hair so all these products are for that hair type. These have given me good results and that's why I'm sharing with you. If you have the same hair type as I do, you can definitely give these a try but remember hair and skin care products react differently on different individuals. So don't come and catch me if for some reason they don't work for you :D.

Here are the products :

1. Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo for Dry or Damaged Hair - I bought this shampoo from strawberrynet after hearing a lot of good things about the Macadamia range of products. The shampoo is sulfate and paraben free and is safe for my color treated hair. Usually shampoos without sulfates and parabens tend to make hair dry and I also dislike the fact that they don't lather much. This one lathers very well and is excellent for my dry hair. Even if I skip conditioner, my hair does not feel dry at all.

2. Schwarzkopf Color Save Treatment - This hair mask protects color from fading and it also deep conditions to give healthy and shiny hair. This is quite a rich mask and I use it as a conditioner pretty much everytime I shampoo. I love how soft and smooth it makes my hair and the glossiness is partly due to this product.

3. Kerastase Oleo Relax Anti Frizz Serum - We all know how super Kerastase products are and this one is no exception. I use this serum everyday and I feel as if something's missing if I don't. It's lightweight, absorbs in a jiffy, excellent in controlling frizz, smells wonderful and instantly gives shiny and manageable hair. Love it!

4. L'oreal Mythic Oil - I think I have the world's weirdest hair when it comes to rinsing off oil. It just does not let go of the oil no matter how light it is.Rinsing off is pure torture and unless I shampoo at least 6-7 times, the oil refuses to come off. That's why I've stopped using natural oils and switched to L'oreal 's Mythic oil. This one is perfect for me as it is very light and does not cling on to the strands. It washes off easily and leaves me with silky, smooth hair.

That's really it. Apart from the above products, I just get a hair spa once a month but even that's not a regular to do item in my calendar. It's only when I remember that I go book an appointment. What I do however is eat a lot of protein and drink milk or have yoghurt everyday and those are super foods for the hair. Nourishment from within is as important, if not more as nourishment from outside so do up your intake of protein and calcium if you want healthy hair. And refrain from regular blow drying or straightening and curling hair. Heat makes hair brittle and dry and it does nothing good. Keep it simple. Keep it natural. Your hair will thank you for it :)

What's your favorite hair care products? Do share in the comments below.