Monday 29 March 2010

A set of mini product reviews

Well, I wanted to post a NOTD, but blogger isn't playing ball. So here are some reviews of new products I've tried recently, some of which have worked and some that haven't,

Boo

Botanics Soothing Cleansing Balm

I ran out of my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish last year and couldn't afford to replace it, and hoped this would be a good alternative. Unfortunately this is too greasy for me and despite being described as soothing, it irritates my sensitive cheeks, leaving them sore, red and blotchy. I also hated the plastic-coated "cloth" that comes with it - it is very scratchy and went straight in the bin. A muslin cloth it really is not! This would be an up side if it worked for me, but: it lasts an AGE! I'm trying to come up with inventive uses for it because I hate throwing things out. So far - to line my hairline when dying my hair. Thassit.


Meh

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel

It's fine, but I don't love it, nor does it leave me particularly well moisturised. Thus no desperate urge to repurchase this. Nice citrussy smell though.

Boots Extracts Brazil Nut Scrub

This comes in a BIG tub and retails for £7.50. It smells lovely (a nutty, vanilla-y scent) but I just don't find it scrubby enough. It's practically one of those Radox smoothie shower gels with bits in! If you like a gentle scrub, you might love this, but I need a scrubby one like The Body Shop's Cocoa Butter scrub to keep my KP (keratosis pilaris, or chicken flesh - nice - ) at bay.

Yay

Waitrose Organic Moisturising Shampoo

It leaves my hair very soft and I've had no scalp itchies since I switched to it. I think it might drain the dye from my hair, but hey, you can't have everything. It's probably too moisturising if you have anything other than very dry very thick hair like mine, but on this, it works a treat. Unfortunately, you need quite a lot because of its SLS-free formula and it's got a bit of a funny smell, but nowt I can't tolerate for a scalp that doesn't itch and bleed plus soft hair. At £3.90 it's also one of the more reasonable SLS-free shampoos on the market.

Aussie Luscious Longlocks Conditioner

Now my staple! It also leaves my hair soft and shiny and is the only high street conditioner I've found that manages this (yes my hair is THAT dry).

Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion

Just call me Itchy Itcherson. Along with my dry scalp, dry hair and dry cheeks, I have the driest, itchiest skin. But this has really helped to keep it at bay! I'm not a fan of the slight tackiness it leaves when you apply it at first, but I guess that's just an indication of how moisturising it is. It's the only lotion I've found whose moisturising properties actually do almost last 24 hours.

4 comments:

  1. My scalp's the same - very itchy, sore and flaky. The only shampoo I've found that keeps it under control is Schwarzkopf Bonacure Sensitive Soothe. It's ph balanced so it's very gentle and doesn't seem to affect my colour in any way. I used to get it from the salon round the corner but they said it's been discontinued so I need to stock up! They don't have any in but I have found it online and in litre bottles too. Don't know what I'm going to do when I run out though :( Have you ever tried oils on your scalp? I've heard coconut and jojoba are both good for dry scalps xx

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  2. Hi Lisa! Ooh I hate it when a product you love is discontinued. It sounds like a great one too.

    I've bought Daniel Galvin Junior's King of Colour Brunettes (well obviously) today to try out so will let you know how that goes as an alternative.

    Oils are good - my mum's done the coconut oil thing on me since I was little - but I have also read that they majorly suck hair colour. I detest dyeing mine so have to try to preserve the colour as long as possible! x

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  3. Ooh yes, let me know who you get on with that Daniel Galvin shampoo. I used to use TIGI's Brunette Goddess shampoo and conditioner but they did nothing to help my scalp. It's so awkward when you colour your hair but have a dry scalp at the same time as you have to choose whether to treat one or the other grrrr!

    Thanks for the coconut oil warning, I won't be trying that then! Very nearly ordered some the other week so it was a good job you told me x

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  4. Oooooh I love Aussie's Luscious Lock conditioner too. I was addicted to the intensive conditioner for ages but I used to use it like a normal conditioner. But then I stopped because they are slightly pricey. I like the sound of the Aveeno moisturiser too. I am currently using Cetraben, it's kind of like aqueous cream but better. It smells nasty though.

    ReplyDelete

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Rabbit-like in a nose that twitches when I laugh and front teeth not 100% rectified by 7 years of braces, postcolonial in being of British-Bangladeshi heritage (and reading many many books thereon). Books, tea and dresses: these are some of my favourite things.