Category Archives: Hair Care

#PatrickCameron & Wella's Modern Vintage Collection, Indian Beauty Blog, Indian Haircare Blog

#PatrickCameron & Wella’s Modern Vintage Collection

#PatrickCameron & Wella’s Modern Vintage Collection

Hi guys,

Last week I and a select few bloggers were invited to meet Patrick Cameron, Wella’s Global Ambassador and the world’s leading long hair hairdressing expert. He is called a magician of long hair styling!

Hair styling as a category in India has still not reached its full potential. Styling products are used mainly by stylists at salons and less frequently used at home. Wella Professionals as a brand strives to bridge this gap by providing the consumers and stylists with premium quality products making the art of hairstyling rather convenient.

Wella recently brought down the Global Ambassador Patrick Cameron to educate 1800 hair stylists across three cities in India through grand shows where he exposed them to the various possibilities of hairstyling and his association with Wella. He believes that hairstyling is an expression of individuality and thus cannot take a back seat.

Patrick has spent the last 25 years travelling the world sharing and presenting his show stopping hair styles. During this visit to India, Patrick Cameron showcased his Modern Vintage collection with state of the art styling products from the Wella Professionals portfolio. Modern vintage takes its inspiration from the 1960’s because this era has an enduring influence in fashion, in the balance and the proportions of the way hair is dressed .This legacy is seen across the board from international catwalks to red carpets as well as editorial work.

Acknowledged as a long hair expert, Wella Global Ambassador Patrick Cameron had devised the collection to showcase step-by-step looks and demonstrations to the hairdressers that struggle with styling long hair. These hair shows were held across three major cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore where there was a live demonstration of these looks.

We met him a day after his hair show. He was quite happy to see majority of us sport long hair. He also gave us some styling and general hair tips and made us try out some products.

Some things shared by him which I would like to mention here:

  • Indians love oiling the hair, so go ahead and oil your hair. It’s not bad, but you can also use oils/serums/elixirs in between the days when you haven’t oiled.
  • Keep the shampoo a little longer in your hair for it to work and ingredients to penetrate. Don’t wash off immediately.
  • Always use a conditioner/hair mask, that is what will keep the ends/lower half hydrated and shiny
  • One can use a dry shampoo to add some volume/texture to the hair

He is a genius with hair, he looked at few of the bloggers and predicted their personality with the way they carry their hair! He complimented my hair saying they are hydrated and hence shiny. He also explained how if the lower half of the hair is dry, light passes through the hair and they appear dull and rough. And when they are healthy and moisturized, light bounces off the hair and it gives them a shiny appearance.

It was a pleasure meeting him and learning few tips from him, a wonderful experience.

Khadi Trifla Powder Review & How to use for Hair

Khadi Trifla Powder Review & How to use for Hair

By Nidhal

The most common and irksome hair woe everyone be it a man or a woman faces today is the dreaded 8-lettered word ‘HAIR FALL’. Didn’t it send shivers down your spine? Its roots (no pun intended) find origin in myriad causes ranging from stress to poor/substandard quality of products used, from bombarding oneself with chemical-laden products to diet deficient in proteins. ‘When everything fails, head to Granny dearest’ is the mantra I espouse and live by both metaphorically and literally.

My grandmother’s pearls of wisdom in the realm of hair care have always had one product since times immemorial. No points for guessing ( for you would have already seen what it is thanks to the title of the post), it is TRIFALA POWDER (also called ‘Triphala’). It is a blend of three herbs- Amlaki (Amla), Haritaki (Harar/Hadad) and Bibhitaaki (Bahera/Baheda). And the three together, pack a punch at so many hair woes that you’d be left wondering why on Earth didn’t you use it before.

Trifla Powder is also excellent for people suffering from constipation, acidity and irregular bowel movements. You just need to have one spoon with water whenever you feel bloated or have irregular bowel movement. Do not have it regularly as the body gets used to it.

I grabbed KHADI TRIFALA powder from a Khadi store in Delhi a few months ago. Today is the time for us to know if it deserves a second try or not 🙂

PRICE- Rs 45/- for 200 g

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Mix Khadi Trifala powder in the base ingredient. Mix well. Apply on scalp and hair. Rinse with cool water.

INGREDIENTS- Amla, Harar and Bahera

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Trifala is good for constipation and acidity. It regulates bowel movement. (This indicates that the product is edible)

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple plastic pack, the packaging of Khadi Trifala powder is way too simplistic in fact, underwhelming. Once cut open, the contents need to be transferred to either a clean container or a zipper pouch. Carrying it while travelling is a hassle both ways. As a result, I think it would be better if Khadi revisits its packaging decision for the current one for this product is disappointing.

Khadi Trifala powder is finely powdered and that makes it a cakewalk to mix it with the base ingredient of one’s choice be it curd, water, raw milk or anything that suits one’s hair type. Since my hair type is dry, I team it up with coconut milk. I suffer from one hair woe and that is why I opt for coconut milk because of its intensely hydrating properties.

I have used the above concoction for a month consistently without fail twice a week and what I noted was an improvement in my mane’s volume, strength and frizz control. It softened and imparted shine/lustre too but that wasn’t as praiseworthy as some of the herbal powders I had used in the past such as-hibiscus powder. It is important, I believe to be realistic. One product cannot be a Hindi film hero who’d bash all the goons to pulp, mouth one-liners that’ll make the audience whistle in awe, rescue his leading lady and basically do everything 😛

This product is no different. When used consistently over a period of time with the right base ingredient, it works wonders in some spheres (say-volume increase, strength, frizz control) but doesn’t perform as well as expected in some (shine and softness). Perhaps, addition of a few more ingredients to the above mix help me achieve my ‘unachieved goals’. All in all, it is a good investment keeping the price and its benefits in mind. Go grab a few packets to treat your mane naturally!

GOOD-

1. Dirt-cheap

2. A single pack will last long. Each pack contains 200 g of Trifala powder which is sufficient to last long.

3. Finely powdered hence, mixing with any base ingredient is cushy.

4. Gives complete volition to the user to mix with whichever base ingredient one wants to say- milk, curd, water, etc.

5. Strengthens hair overtime

6. Removal is easy

7. Other ingredients can be added to the Trifala+ base ingredient mix such as- Reetha powder, shikakai powder, tulsi powder, etc.

8. Makes one’s tresses voluminous

9. Suitable for use by all

10. Natural. No chemicals pumped into it hence, a safe solution to combat hair woes.

BAD-

1. Limited availability. It isn’t easily available online. The only option currently is to visit a Khadi store and grab it.

2. Does not impart as much shine as is expected from Trifala powder (Amla imparts shine)

3. Packaging needs to be improved. The provision of a zipper pack will be better.

4. Does not soften hair much. I have used some herbal powders before and this powder does not soften my tresses as much as those did. That said, it does not even dry my hair too.

RATING-4.5/5

Editor’s Note: Trifla is fabulous, I have had it often as a part of capsules if I suffer from irregular bowel movement. But I have not used it directly as a mask, though a part of hair masks in general. I would surely give this a try Nidhal.

Have you tried using Trifla powder for your hair?

Top 7 Yoga Asanas for Healthy Hair

Top 7 Yoga Asanas for Healthy Hair

By Nidhal

A healthy mane which is lustrous, glossy, satin smooth and manageable is what we all eye. Quite naturally, we look for ways to get what we desire. From application of herbal home remedies to intake of supplements, we it all at our disposal but somewhere down the line, physical workout misses out being in the picture and that is where we flunk.

We have already covered the Top Asanas for Glowing Skin.

So, in line with this thought, why not have a look at some Yoga asanas that leave one with cascading locks that we’ve always desired? 🙂 These Yoga asanas enhance hair growth in addition to ameliorating their texture and semblance. Let us check them out.

1. KAPALBHAATI-PRAANAYAAM- A highly soothing and revitalising asana offering a multitude of health benefits, Kapalbhaati-praanayaam literally translates to ‘skull shining’ exercise for it increases the amount of oxygen in the body which imparts glow to one’s skin. It also helps to give one’s scalp all the oxygen it needs to rejuvenate damaged hair and helps it grow. Start with 20 breaths per set a day and increase its frequency as you gain confidence and strength with each day 🙂

2. SARVAANGA-ASANA- An easy asana that helps to purify blood and optimise the functioning of the thyroid gland, Sarvaanga-asana helps to improve the length, thickness, texture and girth of hair. Gorgeous mane, did I hear you say that? Hold the position for 30-45 seconds in each set and gradually increase the duration to 1-1.5 minutes as you acquaint yourself with the asana.

3. SHIRSH-ASANA- Quite challenging and daunting as it may seem, but if mastered, Shirsh-asana is a sure-shot way to ensure long-term health and vitality. Hair loss, greying of hair and baldness are often caused due to poor blood circulation in the scalp. Shirs-asana not only directs enriched blood to the brain, but also sends it to the scalp. The transforming of grey hair into its original colour and good growth of hair is possible through the practice of this headstand pose.

4. PASCHIM-OTTAAN- ASANA- The seated forward bend pose aka Paschim-ottan- asana helps to stimulate kidneys, liver, uterus and enhances blood circulation in the body which further enhances hair growth due to better oxygen intake. It also relieves one off stress, anxiety and a host of minor headache issues.

5. SHASHAANG-ASANA- Also called the “rabbit pose” for it makes one resemble a rabbit’s structure, Shashaan-asana is what you need to incorporate in your daily workout regimen if flaunting shiny and lustrous tresses is on your “To Do” list. Performing this asana daily for 15 minutes (30 seconds for each set) will improve blood flow to your scalp, thereby bringing more oxygen to it and leaving you with glossy locks in no time, however, the key is to be patient and persistent no matter what 🙂

6. VAJRA-ASANA- Widely known as the ‘diamond pose’, Vajrasana enhances the supply of energy and blood to the upper part of our body. Besides accelerating the rate of hair growth, it also helps in correcting ones back posture.

7. ADHO-MUKH- ASANA- Not only does Adho-mukh- asana acts as a major stress buster, it even helps in stimulating the flow of blood to the head, and thereby accelerating hair re-growth. One set should last for roughly 30-40 seconds. Begin with 5 sets a day and increase its frequency as you get accustomed to it 🙂

Image Source: 1,2,3,4,5

Editor’s Note: This is a fabulous post Nidhal. I am surely going to try some, we all need a little yoga and flexibility in life.

Do you do yoga and/or any of these asanas already?

Livon Hair Gain Tonic Review

Livon Hair Gain Tonic Review

By Nidhal

There is an inexplicable joy in stroking one’s fingers down lustrous, satin smooth and long locks that cascade like a waterfall. In fact, if we take walk down the lanes of Bollywood, then that scene in Rangeela where Urmila (named Mili in the movie) stroked and played with her hair sensually while grooving to the beats of the coquettish and peppy number ‘Tanha Tanha yahan pe Jeena’ is one that stays afresh in my memory even after so many decades. Oh boy, Urmila defined sensuality in that song and how! Okay, let YouTube be of help to you in case you are unable to recall that iconic song sequence 😛 Relive that era once again and don’t forget to drool over Urmila.

Coming back to hair, thanks to the fast-paced lives that we live today with dirt, pollution, dust, grime, chemical-laden products pumped into our mane at the drop of a hat and stress, our mane looks anything but gorgeous (of course, there are some exceptions but let us turn a blind eye to them for a minute and focus on the wider, general populace). Naturally, hair fall is what we face and dread. To combat this pesky woe, Livon had introduced its Hair Gain tonic. Honestly, I was wary of it since hair growth is influenced by a number of factors such as- diet (protein and iron rich), weather, quality of products used, type of comb used, sleeping pattern and duration, and so on and so forth, so I picked it up unwillingly. That said, I have used it a couple of times keeping my inhibitions aside. So, that calls for us to glance at its report card, right?

PRICE- Rs 685/- for 150 ml (BUY HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Apply directly on the scalp with the bottle’s nozzle or fingertips. Begin from the centre of the affected area and spread all over the scalp. Rub the tonic with your fingertips gently. DO NOT MASSAGE.

INGREDIENTS- Aqua, ethanol (denatured with diethyl phthalate), propylene glycol, PEG-12 dimethicone coplyol, polysorbate 20, diaminopyrimidine oxide, Aloe vera freezed dried powder, copper peptide, D-Pantheol, PEG-40, Hydrogenated castor oil, Imidazolidinyl urea, fragrance, PEG-6 Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cl 19140, Cl 16255, Cl 42090

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Livon hair gain tonic contains root energizers which are enriched with hair re- growth molecules. It is clinically tested to accelerate hair growth and control hair fall by revitalizing hair follicles from the roots and improving hair quality.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Livon Hair Gain Tonic comes packed in a cylindrical plastic bottle with a cap on top. There is a nozzle inside that is covered to prevent spillage. On account of packaging, it is hygienic to use, leakage-free and travel-friendly. Since it fulfils all the requisite parameters of evaluation for me, I do not find anything worthy of modification. Hence, is up to the mark in terms of packaging for me.

The tonic has a liquid texture. In fact, one could mistake it for water had it not been pumped with an artificial fragrance and a yellow colour. The colour, however, isn’t visible when poured from the bottle. It does not leave any sticky or oily feel after being applied unlike an oil. In fact, it leaves a cooling sensation. I do not suffer from hair fall thankfully but some of my family members do and after using religiously for over a month, they did note reduced hair fall. They didn’t note any growth which is of course, tacit since I mentioned in the beginning that hair growth is impacted by a number of factors and no product, howsoever effective it may claim to be, can help one’s hair grow. What it can do at the best is arrest hair fall and this is exactly what Livon hair tonic does.

On the flipside, it comes laced with an alarming number of toxic chemicals such as- PEG, Propylene glycol, fragrance (under the garb of which a number of noxious chemicals are added), silicone (dimethicone) and coal tar dyes. So, using it would be like playing with fire. This point is subjective. Some people are comfortable with using chemical-laden products. Some are not. That said, if you are using it/desirous of using it, then at least do not develop a hang of it because so many chemicals if added to your scalp on a regular basis, will eventually wreak havoc in the long run.

GOOD-

1. Readily available

2. Arrests hair fall unless it is severe

3. Cooling sensation

4. Non-sticky feel

BAD-

1. Contains way too many chemicals such as- PEG. Silicones, fragrance, propylene glycol and coal tar dyes.

2. Artificial fragrance is irksome for me

3. Expensive

RATING- 3/5

Editor’s Note: Sounds ok, I think it’s good for someone having severe hairfall, can atleast control that. Don’t think it would help in hair gain though.

Have you tried the Livon Hair Gain Tonic or something similar?

DIY Homemade Hair Mask for Strengthening Hair

DIY Homemade Hair Mask for Strengthening Hair

By Nidhal

One can never run short of ways or ideas to pamper their crowning glory. There is a hairstyle or hair cut that you’d been thinking of getting at any point of time. There’d be those accessories that you’d be dying to experiment with. There would be hair products that you would have played with to give your tresses that bounce of life. But amidst all this, being Indians, we cannot never turn a blind eye to our Good Ol’ home remedies, can we?

So, why not treat our hair to the bountifulness of natural ingredients today and drool over them all over again? March straight to the pantry for there lies your paraphernalia for this DIY recipe.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED-

1. CURD- Enriched with the bountifulness of lactic acid, curd/yoghurt (called Dahi in Hindi) helps to eliminate dandruff, foul smell and dullness. It adds unprecedented gloss and softness that you just can’t get over.

2. TULSI POWDER- Being a plant that has been revered in Hinduism for centuries, Tulsi has benefits galore for your mane. It treats lice, dandruff, itchiness and scalp infections. Yes, your granny was right when she said that Tulsi is a miraculous plant. No questions asked anymore!

3. ALMOND OIL- Being a storehouse of Vitamin E, almond oil helps in locking moisture and adding that enviable sheen to your locks. Prefer organic/cold-pressed almond oil and not the ones that are laden with mineral oil. In my opinion, Almendrop 100% pure almond oil is a wise choice.

4. METHI/FENUGREEK POWDER- Now comes the wonder ingredient which cannot be done without. Methi helps to add shine in addition to imparting softness. It also accelerates the rate of growth of hair which spells cheer for those ladies waiting anxiously to flaunt long luscious locks. Opt for methi powder for grinding is a tad cumbersome and finely grinding takes patience (which sadly, today is a lost virtue).

PROCEDURE-

1. In a clean and dry bowl, add 5-6 tbsp of curd. This is the amount for shoulder length hair. Increase if you have longer hair.

2. Add 3 tbsp each of methi and tulsi powder.

3. Add half a tbsp. of almond oil

4. Mix well thoroughly to form a smooth and consistent paste.

5. Apply generously all over your scalp as well as length (of hair).

6. Wash off after 45 minutes with a mild herbal/organic shampoo. Condition if you feel the need to do so.

7. Repeat twice a week to expedite the results and acclimatise your scalp to these natural ingredients.

That is all for now, folks. Feel free to post your queries and results with me through the ‘comments section’ and try this DIY recipe to get locks which you cannot stop drooling over.

Pssst… It compels you to keep stroking your fingers down your mane intermittently!

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Nidhal and methi and tulsi are very good for dandruff too. I am definitely trying this, have to get methi and tulsi powder now.

Have you tried this DIY before? If not, do so and let us know how you find it.

Top 5 Natural DIY Hair Conditioning Treatments

Top 5 Natural DIY Hair Conditioning Treatments

By Somreeta

The dry and cold weather during the winter months tend to strip your hair of moisture. As a result, your tresses look dull, frizzy, and lifeless. Dry hair is more prone to breakage and develops split ends. Hence, it is important to nourish and condition your hair. The right kind of conditioning treatments during the winters would help to lock in moisture content in the hair shafts, thereby making your hair soft and manageable. Check out the top 5 natural hair conditioning treatments that are not only simple but also effective.

1. BANANA NOURISHING HAIR TREATMENT: Put a ripe banana, 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of honey in a blender. Blend well and apply this rich concoction on your hair shafts. Olive oil is one of the best known natural moisturizers while honey is a natural humectant. Banana helps minimize contraction while nourishing your hair thoroughly. After 30 minutes, wash it off. Be patient while washing, as banana tends to stick to your hair. Do it once a week for best results.

2. WHOLESOME EGG TREATMENT: Whisk an egg, 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise and a cup of plain yogurt in a bowl and apply the mixture liberally on your hair strands. The natural proteins and vitamins present in egg works wonders in strengthening the hair follicles and bringing about significant reduction in dryness. Yogurt makes hair soft while mayonnaise moisturises your hair. Wait for 45 minutes post application and rinse thoroughly with trepid water and shampoo. This homemade hair treatment can be done twice every week.

3. AVOCADO PROTEIN HAIR TREATMENT: Avocado is a rich storehouse of natural proteins and oils. Mash an avocado and add 5 to 6 drops of peppermint oil. Shampoo your hair, squeeze the water out and apply this mask. Wait for about 20 minutes and rinse well. Hair feels soft, smooth and hydrated.

4. CLASSIC MILK AND HONEY TREATMENT: It is pretty easy to prepare this classic hair mask. Mix two tablespoons of honey to a cup of whole milk and apply this natural hair potion along the length of your hair. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and rinse well. This mask strengthens your hair, moisturises it and rejuvenates dry hair. Do this treatment twice every week to see amazing results.

5. HOT OIL TREATMENT: The homemade hot oil treatment has stood the test of time. Warm up any natural oil of your choice and massage your hair and scalp well. You could use olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil or jojoba oil. You may even love to blend two oils in equal amounts and then, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for extra benefits. Follow up with turban therapy and then shampoo. Hair feels soft, moisturized and well-nourished.

Isn’t t easy to attain gorgeous locks just by following a few homemade hair care treatments? Opt for these DIY conditioners and get beautiful and nourished hair, naturally!

Editor’s Note: I so agree with Hot Oil one. I am going to try a few of these for sure, especially milk and honey 🙂 Nice post Somreeta

P.S: Images from Google

Do you follow these at home DIY’s for Deep Conditioning your hair?

Parachute Advansed #KhulkekheloHoli Contest – 5 winners

Parachute Advansed #KhulkekheloHoli Contest – 5 winners

Hi guys,

Holi is coming up and I have so many good childhood memories attached with this festival. From prepping up previous day with balloons and pichkaris and finding all amazing colors to waking up early at 6-7 am and enjoying it with friends and family untill afternoon. It was so much fun! While the previous two years, I had my friends come over and we did have some fun with colours. But nothing beats the childhood fun, right.

This video totally refreshed my Holi memories.

#KhulkeKheloHoliYe Rang Hai Gaadhe Rishton Ke,
Inhe Pheeka mat padne do.

Iss baar, Holi Khul Ke Khelo.
#KhulKeKheloHoli

Posted by Parachute Advansed on Monday, 14 March 2016

Holi is all about love, joy, family time, togetherness and applying colours. Khul ke khelo Holi doesn’t mean we waste water, water conservation is an important issue currently and we should always try our best to not waste water. Holi can be played with colors and is equally fun!

I have a contest for Holi for you guys 🙂 I have teamed up with Parachute Advansed Hair Oil where we will be giving away 5 Holi hampers to 5 of you.

All you have to do it share the above video on facebook, link HERE and tell us about your favourite childhood Holi memory in the comments below. That’s it. Just make sure to tag my page when you share the video on facebook so that I can verify the entry.

The contest starts right now and ends on Sunday 20th March, the winners will be announced on 20th itself, so that the winners can receive the hampers before Holi. It is only open to residents of India.

Good Luck guys and Happy Holi 🙂

Update: The winners are:

Shilpa Bindlish

Neha Thagela

Mansi Tokla

Shweta

Divya Gattani

Also hubby has picked winners this time for an unbiased third person view 🙂 Congrats winners! Please mail me at bhumika_thakkar (@)yahoo.co.uk with your complete mailing address and number soon, will have to send it ahead tom afternoon so that the hampers reach before Holi. If I do not get the details by 1pm tom, I will need to pick another winner.

Thanks a lot for the participation 🙂

BBlunt Blown Away Volumizing Leave-in Spray Review

BBlunt Blown Away Volumizing Leave-in Spray Review

By Pallavi

Hello ladies,

Thin hair is a concern for many ladies. And owing to today’s stressed and pollution hair fall is also an increasing trend. But in order to look presentable you need to make your hair also look trendy and stylish. But that’s not possible with such thin lifeless hairs. So, what should we do??? Have you ever heard about Volumizing sprays??? Well, Volumizing sprays are actually a mist or gaseous product which when sprayed on hairs lifts the roots and gives a good amount of volume to hairs. but this increase in volume is only an illusion. There is no real volume.

I have heard a lot about these Volumizing sprays. So, one day while online browsing when i saw a brand called B-Blunt had a volumizing spray in their kitty. I decided to try it. And to cut the long story short here is the product – B-Blunt Blown away Volumizing leave in spray.

Price : Rs.550/- for 150ml

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Turn your hair upside down. Now, apply the spray on roots of your hair. If you have long hairs you can also apply it on your hair length. But try to concentrate mostly on the roots. Apply on semi-wet or towel dry hair.

Colour – transparent

What B-Blunt claims: If big hair is your thing, may we introduce you to your new best friend. This volumizing spray gives you incredible fullness and bounce, that lasts. Go big with confidence.

Details

Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Wheat protein, Meadowfoam seed extract & Provitamin B5
Specially created for Indian hair
Protects from the environment and heat styling damage

My experience with B-Blunt Blown away Volumizing leave in spray

To begin with the product impressed me with its packaging. It comes in a big but slim and stylish yellow bottle. The bottle is transparent so that you can see the amount of product left inside. The bottle has the entire product details mentioned. It has a spray like opening with a tiny tube like structure. . You need to spray it a bit so that the product comes out of the thin yellow tube.
The texture of the spray is clean foam like. It smells heavily of chemicals. When i first pressed the spray a very little product comes out. So, you need to spray the product a number of times to spread it evenly on face. Try to concentrate only on roots. The product does not wets your hair much. After spraying the product well, try to spread it with your fingers on hairs. you can see a beautiful illusion of volume. Try not to comb too neatly. This will give you a messy and voluminous look.

But sadly the volume is not long lasting. It stays only for a while. If you go to a outside wide then the volume will fly away in no time. But of course the volumizing spray makes your pouf more prominent and beautiful. Since a little product goes a long way so a single bottle will last you ages.

Good about B-Blunt Blown away Volumizing leave in spray

Runaway brand
Affordable price
Comfortable and easy to use texture
Gives an illusion of volume
Little product goes a long way

Bad about B-Blunt Blown away Volumizing leave in spray

Not much volume
Volume doesn’t last long

Rating – 3/5

Editor’s Note: Sounds nice when you need instant boost of volume, sad that the effect doesn’t last long.

Have you tried the BBlunt Blown Away Volumizing Leave-In Spray yet?

MoroccanOil Moisture Repair Shampoo, Conditioner Review

MoroccanOil Moisture Repair Shampoo, Conditioner Review

Hi guys, I had this Moisture Repair Range since a long time but never really got to use it. Since this range is meant for dry and damaged hair, I thought the winters would be the perfect time to use it.

MoroccanOil products are sulphate, phosphate and paraben free and Color Safe.

What the Company claims: Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner are for hair that has been weakened or damaged by color, chemical processing or heat styling. They restore hair by bathing it in a highly concentrated formula rich in antioxidant argan oil, reconstructive keratin and fatty acids. Both products restore elasticity, moisture and manageability. The formulas are free of sulfates, phosphates and parabens, so they’re safer for the environment and won’t dry, fade or strip color-treated hair.

Directions:

To Use the Shampoo: Because Moisture Repair Shampoo uses a highly concentrated, water-loving formula, begin by using plenty of water to activate the shampoo into a rich, luxurious lather. Add more water if necessary. Massage through hair and scalp. Rinse and follow with Moisture Repair Conditioner.

To Use the Conditioner: Gently squeeze excess water from hair and apply a small amount of the highly concentrated conditioner from roots to ends. Leave in for 1–2 minutes. Rinse well.

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.1395/- for 250ml (BUY HERE)

To start with, I love the blue and white round packaging, the color is quite bright. It has a flip cap and the shampoo being blue and conditioner being white, it’s easy to distinguish.

It has an off white tint and is quite runny. It foams and cleanses the hair well, but if you have oiled your hair, you will need to shampoo twice. Also as they have mentioned in the directions above, it does need a wet base and lot of water to foam up. Since I wash my hair twice a week, I do need to shampoo twice to cleanse my hair well.

Conditioner

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.1395/- for 250ml (BUY HERE)

The conditioner is thick and creamy and off white in color. It is quite rich in texture, it does hydrate the lower half and ends where it is applied, really well. Also it is easy to wash off.

Hair is soft, smooth and frizz free. No trace of dryness at all.

Both the shampoo and conditioner have a slight argan oil kind of smell, not very pleasant but kind of ok. It’s quite a rich range and even though I used it for winters, it is still rich for me. I have normal hair which are straight to wavy, they are not very dry or voluminous and neither damaged. I do not use heat, color, chemicals on my hair, so my hair is quite healthy and for my hair, this range was over rich. It weighed down my hair and also my hair looked oily 2 days post washing, which does not usually happen. My hair stays well behaved for 3 days post washing, sometimes even 4. (Perhaps I should also try the ‘Reverse Shampoo’ technique with this, do you guys know about it? Would you like a blog post?)

I loved the ingredients, it has argan oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, chamomile leaf extract, lavender extract, rosemary oil, castor oil, glycerine and even panthenol and hydrolyzed keratin. It has all the ‘good things’ needed for the hair. It is the best thing for dry and damaged hair coz the keratin and panthenol along with all the oils will deeply repair the damage and also control the volume and frizz.

For me since I do not have dry or damaged hair, I would skip this, maybe I would use this once a month or so or when I have travelled a lot or my hair has gone through some heat. I would love to try their other Hydrating Range. For now, I have switched back to Wella Pro Elements Range.

Moroccanoil is pricey and also available at selected salons, but now you can get it online on Amazon too. But being all chemical and sulphate free, it is perfect for cysteine, rebonded, colored hair or that has gone through any chemical procedure. And while being color and treatment safe, it will also repair, nourish and hydrate at the same time. Definitely recommend this range for dry, damaged and treated hair.

Rating:

Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Would I buy it again: No, not this range. Maybe the other Hydrating one.

Have you tried MoroccanOil Shampoo and Conditioner before?

How to Make your Hair Stronger & Thicker Naturally

How to Make your Hair Stronger & Thicker Naturally

Do you want a stronger, thicker mane? Well, who doesn’t. One of the main causes for weak hair is thinning, which makes it more prone to hair fall, and inversely overall thinner density and fine hair. Many of you have always asked for my hair care routine, now I don’t follow particular brands all the time, but these tips are something I follow in general always.

This is my natural hair which is curled..no extensions
Straight Hair

Read on to know how you can get stronger & thicker hair naturally.

1. Washing hair on alternate days

If you are washing hair every day, then you are washing off the natural oils from the scalp, which keep the scalp healthy. On the contrary, if you are washing it just once a week, you are letting dirt and dandruff settle on your scalp making it more prone to hair fall. The frequency of washing hair should be moderate, preferably once every two-three days.

2. Never brush wet hair

Never ever do that. This is a strict NO-NO. Wet hair is prone to breakage. It may come off from the roots or even split in parts. Invest in a wide tooth comb, preferably made of wood, to comb through wet hair with a very gentle hand. Take a firm grip of your hair in small bunches, while combing through the roots, so that the roots are not succumbed to unnecessary pulls.

3. Well Balanced Diet

Your hair may be thin because the roots are unable to get the nutrients it needs, from your diet. Proteins and Vitamins are an absolute necessity for your hair. Include fish, daal, pulses, and soybeans (for proteins) And nuts, fruits and veggies (for Vitamin B, Biotin and Omega 3 Fatty Acids). Flax seeds, Avocado deserve special mention as a rich source of Vitamins. Also, Vitamin C helps promote hair growth, so a lot of citrus based fruits and Amla must also be included. As a last resort, you can also take supplements which usually contain biotin, fish oil, protein, multi-vitamins, etc. Also, drink lots of water as mentioned always.

4. Massage your scalp

Massage your scalp daily with your fingertips with a gentle hand for better blood circulation of the head and scalp. You can also go for an overnight oil treatment or a one hour massage just before you shampoo, with warm coconut or olive oil or a mix of both. I also add Evian Vitamin E capsule oil at times.

5. Avoid hot tools

Use hot tools only during special occasions (read once in a blue moon). Avoid it as much as you can. Air dry your hair instead of a blow dryer and use frizz-fighting products. If you still have to use hot tools, always use a heat protectant.

6. Protect your hair

Protect your hair from direct sunlight by using hats, scarves, etc. Go for regular trimming to get rid of split ends and breakage.

7. Do not color your hair

I know if someone has grey hair and wants to cover that, coloring is necessary but if want to color your hair just for the fun of it, you are going to damage your hair, especially if you go for lighter colors like a blonde which requires bleaching of the hair. It thins your hair to 1/4th of the original size! I have pictures and would find them and add them maybe. I had just gone for highlights on a few strands a year ago and that too a darker color but I literally saw the size difference in the colored strand of hair and my normal strand of hair! I am never coloring my hair again, unless I have way too many greys. Also would prefer using something natural first like henna or sesame oil if that can help. But of course if you want to color anyway, always take good care of your hair by regular oiling, deep conditioning, etc. coz color does thin and dry out your hair!

All the above tips when followed religiously would help reduce hair loss and promote new hair growth which will help your hair become stronger and thicker.

I follow all of these and try to follow the diet one as much as a I can. I rarely use a blow dryer or straighter, I prefer natural, air dried hair and let my hair be. I always use a conditioner post shampoo and also a leave-in serum or cream, I like MoroccanOil and Kerastase for that.

Read another similar hair concerns post HERE and more hair care posts HERE.

I have gone shorter this year coz I wanted a change but I am sure my hair will grow back again quickly 🙂

Do you follow these tips? What do you do for stronger, thicker hair?