T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo product review

It may come as something of a surprise to you all but I suffer from dandruff. Yes the condition known for an itchy, flaky scalp producing little bits of skin flaking into your hair. Yes it's gross and I have tried several things in an attempt to combat it. My hair is my pride and joy after all so when I have noticeable dandruff flakes I do feel self-conscious about it, naturally. Typically, dandruff is often associated with men, (why I don't know but all the men in my life use Head & Shoulders to combat the condition). Head & Shoulders are supposedly the market leaders in dandruff care and have since developed a whole product range of goodies to help prevent a flaky scalp. I have tried Head & Shoulders Classic Clean before and was previously disappointed with it. For me, Head & Shoulders does not clean my hair, nor does it rid my scalp of the noticeable flaky skin. Often when my hair is greasy and I have gone too many days using dry shampoo is when I start to see little flecks of white atop my head. I have even previously tried crushing an aspirin into my favourite Pantene Pro-V shampoo, a beauty trick I learned a long time. I was always fairly skeptical of this trick as I was not sure that it would work and if it did how it worked, and more importantly, I have asthma (quite mild) and worried that applying it to my hair would set off an asthma attack. Luckily, it never did but I tend to steer clear of ingesting it just in case it brings on an attack. After a while I stopped crushing an aspirin into my shampoo, mainly because they expired and I was not entirely sure that I should be applying it to my hair when it was not still in date.

I had heard of T-Gel before but I had never thought to buy it. Usually T-Gel is quite expensive (around £6 on Amazon for a small 250ml bottle) and had the misconception that it was marketed solely for men. I came across the T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo very recently in B&M bargains and paid about £4 for a small 250ml bottle. The instructions state to use it two or three times a week and although it does not mention to use intermittently with your own shampoo, I did choose to do that for a while. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo as it works wonders for my hair. When I apply it to wet hair, it often feels quite greasy and heavy on my head as it does not foam up like a typical shampoo. Initially I did have reservations about this product for that reason as I was not sure that it would properly clean my hair. When my hair dries though my scalp and parting are noticeably flake free and my hair still retains its usual body and volume meaning my curls remain in place all day. I am surprised to say that I absolutely love the T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and although it looks a little clinical and like a medically prescribed product, but if you overlook this it is a really effective product for the treatment of dandruff. I have tried to use it sparingly, using Pantene Pro-V but unfortunately the dandruff comes back when I use my regular shampoo. It may be that I have to switch my shampoo to T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo from now on or, it may be a temporary fix until the dandruff clears up. That is something that I will have to persevere with and see.

Do you have any beauty secrets or tips to get rid of dandruff? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below Xx

Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush - product review

I love a Tangle Teezer and I own at least five including my latest AVON purchase, the Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush. I love the simple idea of a Tangle Teezer and I swear by the original pink design for when my hair is wet. For those who don't know me I have long, thick, voluminous hair and unfortunately my hair is prone to snapping if I brush my hair with a regular paddle brush. As I own so many Tangle Teezer's (some of them were freebies from Glossybox or Birchbox subscriptions and I don't rate them all that highly), I can afford to leave Tangle Teezer's in various bags. The original Dragon's Den invented Tangle Teezer lives permanently at my boyfriend's house as I spend most of my time there. The Tangle Teezer brush by Denman however manages to surpass the original Tangle Teezer in my eyes and that handy little brush stays at my house. I love the soft bristles of the Denman Tangle Teezer which doesn't feel like it's ripping through the tats. My grandma was always a firm believer in Denman brushes and she swore by them and I can see why! The bright pink Denman Tangle Teezer has a small handle to ease with brushing and helps to get rid of most, if not all, of the tats in my hair. After using the Denman Tangle Teezer brush I gently sweep my large paddle brush through my hair to get rid of any remaining tats and then comb through and create my parting. Priced at £7.20 at lookfantastic.com it was the best purchase I've ever made!

I enjoy the original Tangle Teezer and although it is ergonomically designed to fit in the palm of your hand, I still prefer to brush my handle with a handle. That said however, when my hair was much longer and thicker my hand would ache from gripping the handle so tight so there are definite benefits to an ergonomic design. The bristles on the Tangle Teezer are angled and made from a flexible plastic rather than the soft bristles of the Denman brush. I like the idea of the Tangle Teezer and use it to get most of the tats out of my wet hair. Sadly, the Tangle Teezer never quite seems to get them all and I still end up going over again with my paddle brush but this is only a minor criticism really. I also appreciate the convenience of the Tangle Teezer's as most models can be pulled apart to clean the whole of the brush. A fact which merely improves their credibility in my opinion!



               

With all of this in mind I decided to buy AVON's new adapted take on the Tangle Teezer. Priced at £12.99 it's only just dearer than the original Tangle Teezer at around £10. AVON have released a new version of the Tangle Teezer and equipped with a stand to allow the water to drain out of the brush. I liked the idea of the new and improved Tangle Teezer but as I don't brush my hair in the shower (I brush it afterwards) the whole brush and stand combination is quite bulky. I thought it would be relatively cumbersome and difficult to use the new and improved Tangle Teezer with stand but it's actually not. The Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush isn't as ergonomic like the original Tangle Teezer but as it's larger you're able to cover a wider surface of the hair quicker. The Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush manages to cover a lot of hair although I found it difficult to brush the ends and work up-over to the scalp using the Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush because of the size of the product. The Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush is set within a hollow tube and allows the water to drain and flow freely through the product. The Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush is quite large however and is the larger of the two aforementioned Tangle Teezer's. The Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Detangling Hairbrush is bulky and awkward to hold but although it won't replace my favourite Denman or the original Tangle Teezer I can appreciate the ingenuity of the design.

Have you tried any of the Tangle Teezer's that I mentioned? What's your favourite? Let me know in the comments below xx

Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml product review

I bought the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml years and years ago when I first cut my hair into a bob. I go through phases with my hair of wanting to grow it long and then getting bored with its' length and chopping it all off to about chin length. My hair grows quite quickly especially when it's short and I have regular trims of my dead ends which promotes hair growth. Although my hair grows quickly it takes time to grow long so I purchased the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml to speed things up a bit.

When I first cut my hair into a bob I took everything from hair and nail supplements, vitamin D tablets and increased my intake of nuts in order to promote hair growth. Although all of those things worked, my hair still didn't grow as long or as fast as I would have liked. The first time I bought Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml it was in a long pink slender bottle with a nozzled tip.

The idea is that you apply the tonic directly to the roots and rub it in wet or dry. I prefer to apply it when my hair is wet as it can leave your hair feeling a bit heavy and greasy when used dry. I remember telling everyone I knew about this miracle product years ago as I saw a noticeable difference in the length of my hair after using it.

At the time the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml was around £13 from Boots and it was (and still is) marketed at alopecia sufferers. The tonic thickens the hair and encourages hair growth and after using a full bottle every day, my hair was long and flowing once again. Last year I went through another bored hair phase and after growing it long I decided to have it all cut off to my chin once again. I love having short hair but to maintain it you do have to have regular trips to the hairdressers to trim the ends and after a while I just get bored of trying to maintain it. As a result I am currently growing my hair out again and will probably cut it all off again once it's long.

I searched everywhere for the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml but it was taken off the market for a short while. Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml is now back on the shelves and has been re-branded in a navy blue bottle and grey nozzle top. With this re-branding the price has now increased to £19.99 but I cannot recommend this product enough. I can't say whether it actually works for alopecia sufferers but my hair is noticeably thicker and fuller after using Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml. I have naturally thick curly hair anyway so I don't need to thicken my hair any more (cue thinning at the hairdressers when my hair is longer).

I've been using the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml for a few weeks, admittedly not every day, and my hair is already thick and past my shoulders. I've barely used any from this bottle but noticeable results are evident when you use the full bottle. The Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml is a complete miracle product for me and with provitamin B, ginseng and hops it's packed full of natural ingredients that really work to nourish the hair.

Natur Vital also do a hair loss shampoo and conditioner which at first I did use the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml in conjunction with the Natur Vital Hair Loss Shampoo 300ml which is now £9.99. I personally don't like the Natur Vital Hair Loss Shampoo 300ml as it really dried my hair out and make it feel quite straw-like. I prefer to use the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml because it really feels like it nourishes my hair. Natur Vital have a range of products in their portfolio and of course there are other more expensive hair loss treatment products on the market but why pay £32 for the leading competitor when the Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml does the job at a fraction of the cost.

I'd love to know what you think of Natur Vital Hair Loss Tonic Treatment 200ml. If you've used it and loved it let me know in the comments below xx

LookFantastic September box review

I thought I'd try something new and decided on the LookFantastic beauty subscription which I bought in September. I've neglected my beauty boxes and hadn't used them all until recently. I was pleasantly surprised by September's box which included six mini samples of beauty products. I had a discount for the box which cost £13.20 although it usually costs £15 which I think it starting to get a little pricey. Having said that you do get a lot more for your money than the other subscription services I've used so maybe it is worth it. The only downside I can see is that with Glossybox and Birchbox they often give you full size samples whereas I'm not sure that LookFantastic do.

In September's box I received the Hydra-Balance Day Cream for combination skin by Elemis, the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad, Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed, Rêve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream by Nuxe, Firming Moisturiser by Monu Professional Skincare and my favourite Eye Shading Brush by Look Good Feel Better. The company Look Good Feel Better is a worldwide cancer charity and donates 12% of their sales of the brush to women who have visible side effects of cancer treatment. Already I'm on board with this idea and I think it's such a wonderful idea. The Eye Shading Brush by Look Good Feel Better has a soft brush head and makes applications a dream to do.

As lot of the samples are 20ml or under they were the perfect travel accompaniment for my time away recently. I had to pack light and these small samples are the perfect size and helped ensure my skin stayed clean and calm during my time away. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad. It's quite gritty when it's rubbed into the skin which feels very odd. Once applied it lathers on the skin which is an interesting combination to have it lather and feel gritty. I didn't really feel any difference and it seems to do the same job as my regular 79p exfoliating cleanser from Home Bargains. I guess I looked a little more fresh faced after using the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad but that's not hard when I was working on an archaeological dig site covered in mud every day. AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad won't replace my cheaper exfoliator but it'll stay in my travel bag for my next journey as it saves me buying last minute toiletries. The AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad is priced between a whopping £34-£45 depending on the retailer and honestly I don't think it's worth that price tag.

I really liked the Hydra-Balance Day Cream as it's quite a light moisturiser and sinks in quickly. I didn't notice any change in my appearance though as the dry areas on my cheeks were still prominent so I'm not entirely sure that it works well on dry skin. It has a pleasant lemony scent which is not overpowering at all and left my face feeling smooth. Much needed after using the foamy gritty exfoliator. It also doesn't work well as a primer but honestly this was the last of my worries trying to look presentable after a day of digging.

The Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream by Nuxe is a must have in either my dig bag or handbag. Particularly when I'm working away my hands really take a battering and when I come home they appear cracked and dry. The Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream by Nuxe came in a tiny sample bottle so I used it up pretty quickly. The Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream by Nuxe dries into the skin quickly so you're restricted unlike other moisturisers. The Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream by Nuxe left my hands silky soft and repaired my dry hands quickly. I really liked the Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream by Nuxe and for £11 you're paying for the active ingredients honey, sunflower, vitamin E and other oils.

Lastly, the Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed is priced at £14 for a 60ml bottle which is a reasonable amount for hair care products. The reason this review has taken so long to write is because the Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed was the last product to use. The Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed is actually a serum rather than an oil. I've used serums on my hair before and been disappointed by them. My hair is naturally curly/wavy yet when I apply a serum to my hair my locks become straight and smooth. This is no different with regard to the Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed. I worked a small amount (2 pumps as directed on the bottle) in between my hands to warm it up and combed it through my wet hair with my fingers. My hair looked shiny throughout the day as the Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed dried into my locks. I tried this out before exercising for an hour and found that my hair wasn't so full of static as it usually is. This is a bonus as I often struggle taming fly-away hairs but usually don't bother to use a product on it to combat this issue. I am undecided about the Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed because like most serums the Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed made my hair lose its' natural curl and bounce. I didn't try this alongside straighteners or a hairdryer so I can't really comment on the product's full potential. I have used serums before however and have found that even when used alongside a hairdryer my hair loses its' kink. The Volumising Smooth Sealed and Sensational No Oil Oil by Percy and Reed is a great little serum that adds shine to the hair and prevents flyaway hairs, I just wish it didn't straighten my hair at the same time.

Let me know what you thought of September's LookFantastic in the comments below. I'd be interested to see what was your favourite product if you've tried them all xx

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum 50ml review

I am a sucker for buying new hair and beauty products even if I don't particularly need them. I used to buy and use a lot of split end treatments for my hair but I as I don't straighten and rarely blow-dry my hair, I don't have split ends. Yet when I used these products my hair looked it's best then. Over the years I've become lazy and haven't used them as much and there's been a noticeable change in my hair. Recently my hair is a lot drier to the touch and dull on some days and it's because I'm not looking after it like I used to. I bought the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum some time ago from Boots. At around £7 it's quite pricey for the small 50ml bottle but I decided that a reputable brand such as John Frieda and the price alone suggest a high end product. For the 100ml it's around £14.

I remember when I bought this I had a long thick hair at the time and really wasn't in need of hair repair. The sales assistant who served me commented that she thought it was a good product and she really wanted to buy it. I hasten to add her hair was long and luscious the kind of hair I envy. When I first started using the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum there was no real noticeable difference. If you constantly maintain something and look after it the effects don't really show.

Recently though I've let my hair regime go a little on my hair believing that I didn't need all of these 'faddy' products. As I said my hair is looking a little dull and lacklustre at the minute and although it's in desperate need of a cut my hairdresser remarked the last time that it wasn't as shiny as it used to be. I figured something had to give so I went back to the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum. I have a collection of products in the house just waiting to be used and the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum was no different. I often buy products and then forget about them after using them a few times. I decided to have another go at the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum to see if it would make a difference to my hair.

It's quite a light-weight cream and it stipulates on the bottle that about the sixe of a 10p coin is sufficient to cover the hair. When I first bought this I didn't read all of the instructions. You're supposed to work the cream into the ends to soothe split and damaged hair. Each time I've used it however I apply it to all of the hair. It works best at night as it can really work to improve your hair without you disturbing it. I am forever running my hands through my hair or fiddling with it so at least at night I can't. Although it's described as a serum it's more creamy and quite thin so runs off the hands easily. I really like the handy pump bottle as it means realistically you can't apply to much to the head. It has a really pleasant smell which is another reason that I think it's an overnight cream as it can help you nod off if you have trouble sleeping. Even the packaging and the design of the bottle is cleverly designed to make you think of sleep. The dark blue and silver colour scheme just screams night time.

As I apply it all over, my hair becomes noticeably greasy. It's designed to do this and needs to be washed off in the morning. It took a couple of applications of shampoo but once it's out my hair is noticeably softer and shinier straight away. I really love this product and I'm sad that I'd neglected it for so long. I used to use this about every other month or so and as you apply such a small amount the 50ml bottle lasts forever. This is truly a BBF (that's beauty best friend) that I will continue to use.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of this product.