Introducing: Innersense - Organic & Cruelty-Free Luxury Haircare - Hydrating Hair Masque, I Create Finish Hairspray & Refresh Dry Shampoo review

Whether you've fully embraced a lockdown haircut or are eagerly counting down the days to when your favourite hairdresser can fit you into their busy schedules again, many of us are now choosing to invest more time and money into better quality hair care products that we can use at home. It's been a boom for the luxury haircare market and one such brand that is continuing to lead the way is Innersense.

I was introduced to Innersense during May, a time when my hair was in desperate need of some TLC. The lockdown days were beginning to merge into one giant disorientated jumbled mess of sleepless nights and sadly my self-care was not always high up on my list of priorities. So when a parcel from Innersense arrived in the midst of such chaos, it was a breath of fresh air to be able to take some personal time to sort some things out, including my wayward hair.

Innersense is a luxury family-owned business based in California which was founded by two friends who are both beauty professionals. They wanted to create a cruelty-free brand that embodies the best of wellness and beauty by inspiring consumers to make healthier, greener and cleaner choices. Innersense's products use certified organic ingredients which are ethically sourced and harvested, to create formulas that are not only effective but are better for your hair and better for the environment. 

They have a commitment to Beauty Without Compromise which means that their products are free from phthalates, ethoxylates, sulfates, silicones, parabens, propylene, butylene glycol, PEG, MEA, TEA, MIA, EDTA and artificial colourants. The range is a dream come true for beauty fans who love experimenting with luxury hair products and I was thrilled to receive three of Innersense's bestsellers to try out for myself.

 Innersense Hydrating Hair Masque* (118ml, £28, link)

As the lengths and ends of my hair are naturally very dry and frizzy, I'm a huge fan of hair masks and I love to include them in a weekly pampering session at home.  The Innersense Hydrating Hair Masque is packed full of ultra-nourishing organic ingredients such as Shea Butter, Monoi Oil, Flaxseed, Tamanu, Hydrolyzed Quinoa and Coconut Oil to hydrate, repair and strengthen dry and damaged hair, whilst adding lots of lovely shine for a gorgeous swish-worthy finish. 

Depending on how dry and/or damaged your hair is to start with, you can either apply the masque for 5-20 minutes after shampooing, or for a really deep and intensive treatment, you can leave it on overnight. I've tried it both as a 20-minute treatment and as an overnight job, and I would say that the 20-minute option is better if you have fine hair like I do as this is a very rich and moisturising masque so that was enough time for my hair to soak up all of that goodness without overloading it. Dry and thick hair will definitely drink it up overnight though!

Innersense I Create Finish Hairspray* (295ml, £24, link)

Unlike some other green beauty and organic brands which are sometimes a bit lacking in their product ranges, Innersense has a hair styling aid for every situation imaginable. Whether you want to enhance your curls, create beachy waves, add volume or prep for more elaborate hairstyles, Innersense has it all, and their I Create Finish Hairspray is a good place to start.

This is a versatile product which will work well with all hair types and can be used as the finishing touch for any occasion. Most mainstream hairsprays use plastic-derived resins to make the hair 'hold', but Innersense has opted for Organic Honey instead which works as a natural resin alternative. Rice Amino Acids, Aloe, Lavender and Rooibos Tea extracts have also been included in the formula to further strengthen and hydrate delicate strands for fuller and shinier looking hair in one quick spritz.

I must admit that it doesn't perform exactly like a mainstream hairspray, but it does deliver a decent amount of hold without any sticky or stiff residue and it's easy to brush out, so there are no complaints here from my fussy hair.

Innersense Refresh Dry Shampoo* (70ml, £22, link)

I try to only wash my hair once or twice a week so I'm an avid user of dry shampoo to keep it refreshed between these washes. Saying that, this is the first time that I've used a dry shampoo which has a foam-to-powder formula so I found this one quite interesting and novel to try out! 

Innersense's Refresh Dry Shampoo works like magic using a clever combination of Tapioca Starch, Witch Hazel, Hydrolyzed Quinoa and Rice Amino Acids which merge together to create a base that sucks up oil from greasy roots without the need to use any Talc (a dominant and somewhat controversial ingredient in many mainstream dry shampoos). The formula quickly changes from a foam to a light powder once it has dried, eliminating excess oil and impurities, and adding some volume and shine. To apply it, I simply added two pumps of foam to my hands and massaged it directly into my roots and left it to dry. Within a minute or so, it had transformed and I then styled it as usual.

Like all the products I've tried from Innersense, this Dry Shampoo has a gorgeous scent thanks to a relaxing blend of essential oils which help to promote further feelings of wellness, so if this sounds like a brand for you, be sure to check out the full range which is available from Cult Beauty and Innersense Organic Beauty. 

Have you been buying more haircare during lockdown?

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Self Care Beauty: An After-Sun Pamper with Nature's Kitchen, Gallinée and Antipodes

It's been a glorious scorcher of a weekend here in the UK, but despite regularly slapping on the sunscreen, my skin (and hair) has started to feel really parched and dry. Not to worry though - these three products that I picked up from LoveLula are here to help for an after-sun pamper session!

Step 1: Remove All Of That Sunscreen

Sunscreen is designed to stay on your skin so that it can protect you from the sun's harmful rays. This means that it's important to make sure that you take a little extra time in the evening to properly remove all of your sunscreen, otherwise it can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Fun fact - a lot of people think that sunscreen itself is the leading cause of breakouts in Summer and whilst this can be true in some circumstances (e.g a sensitivity or reaction to a certain ingredient), most of the time, it's because it hasn't been properly removed.

To remedy this, I've been enjoying using Nature's Kitchen Oat Milk Cleanser & Makeup Remover* (100ml, £12.99, link), a natural budget-friendly, fragrance-free cleanser that effortlessly removes every single trace of sunscreen, as well as daily grime, pollution and makeup. Packed full of organic plant-based ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Oatmeal, Kale, Green Tea and Cucumber extracts, it's easy to apply and feels really gentle on the skin. 

Step 2: Don't Forget Your Hair And Scalp

My hair is naturally dry most of the time, but when I've been out in the sun, it can soon start to feel incredibly parched and straw-like. On top of that, I often find that the sun and any kind of heat can aggravate my sensitive scalp, so in addition to a hat, I like to use a dedicated hair mask at least once a week during the Summer months. My current go-to rescue treatment is Gallinée Hair And Scalp Care Mask* (150ml, £28, link) which is my first time trying out the French brand's haircare range. 

I've been a fan of their prebiotic infused skincare for a while now, and this specialised treatment also features a unique complex of beneficial prebiotics and probiotics to support the scalp's delicate microbiome. The mask is thick, rich and creamy, yet somehow 'melts' into the hair's fibres to restore and deeply nourish. 5 minutes is all you need for it to work its magic and afterwards, both my hair and scalp feel immediately soothed and softened.

Step 3: The After-Sun Face Mask

No pamper session would be complete without a face mask thrown in for good measure and I've recently found myself going back to an old tried and tested favourite of mine; Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask* (75ml, £26.99, link). I cannot sing the praises of this face mask enough; it hydrates, it soothes, it fights against blemishes and breakouts, and it always makes my skin feel and look rejuvenated again.

With its deliciously creamy texture and sweet natural scent, this mask's hero ingredient is Manuka Honey Active 20+ which is prized for its antibacterial and antifungal properties that helps to clear up the skin, and it acts a natural humectant that draws and holds in moisture for longer. I like to apply a thick layer all over for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water and a flannel for baby-soft, happy skin every time.

What are your favourite after-sun products?

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Budget Beauty: HASK Charcoal Purifying Shampoo & Conditioner + Unwined Deep Conditioners review

Pop into Superdrug, Boots, Waitrose or Morrisons, and you're likely to come across a stand full of HASK products. The affordable cruelty-free haircare brand seems to be everywhere right now and with beauty gurus such as Caroline Hirons singing their praises, it was high time that I properly check out the brand for myself!

I've been trialling HASK's Charcoal Purifying range, alongside the popular Unwined Deep Conditioners to see what all the fuss is about.

HASK Charcoal Purifying Shampoo* (355ml, £6.99, link)

Last week, I mentioned the growing trend for anti-pollution skincare, but did you know that it's also catching on in haircare too? HASK's Purifying range features Charcoal, which is naturally derived from Coconut Shells, to get rid of impurities and build-up on your hair and scalp, leaving it thoroughly cleansed and swish-worthy. This shampoo (and the whole range) is also free from Sulphates, Parabens, Phthalates, Gluten, Alcohol and Artificial Colours which makes it suitable for all hair types to use, including coloured and damaged. It has a nice fresh scent thanks to Lemon and Grapefruit Oils, and don't be put off by the Charcoal content - it won't stain your hair! I like to use this just once a week to eliminate product and pollution build-up, but if you live or work in a city, you can use it as your everyday shampoo to prevent your hair from looking dull.

HASK Charcoal Purifying Conditioner* (355ml, £6.99, link)

To complement the shampoo, there's a matching Purifying Conditioner which shares the same scent and a similar formula featuring Charcoal, as the Shampoo. It's relatively thick and smoothes onto the hair easily, where it can be left on for up to two minutes as a regular conditioning treat (it's gentle enough for daily use too). I found that it doesn't weigh down my fine hair and leaves it instantly softer and more manageable.

HASK Charcoal Purifying Deep Conditioner* (50ml, £2.99, link)

For the next level up in hair masks, the Purifying Deep Conditioner offers a super-moisturising and clarifying treatment that's ideal for all hair types. Perfect as a weekly or fortnightly dose of TLC for particularly worn out, damaged and parched tresses, this 10 minute hair treatment is sold in a 50ml sachet and you can easily get up to four uses out of it if you have fine hair like I do (thicker and longer hair will probably still get at least two uses!). A handy one to try if you're going away with just hand luggage.

Unwined by HASK Deep Conditioners* (50ml, £3.99 each, link)

HASK have become well known for their Deep Conditioners and their latest range is inspired by popular wines and contains antioxidants derived from grapes (hence the clever pun on the name!). Unwined features four different products, each one bringing its own range of benefits to your hair, and I've been testing out three of them.

The Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir Deep Conditioners are quite similar in my opinion; both are brilliant for helping to deeply nourish and hydrate dry and damaged hair, and they get to work quickly in just 5 minutes so are perfect for those who don't have much pampering time on their hands. My favourite of the three is the Sauvignon Blanc which is infused with Wine Extract, Resveratrol, Grape Seed Oil, Apple Extract and Watermelon Extract, and delivers a lovely glossy shine to lacklustre hair. 

To find out more about HASK, visit haskbeauty.com

Have you tried anything from HASK?

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Budget Beauty Under £15: Cruelty-Free & Vegan Hair Masks from Noughty and SheaMoisture

It's becoming easier than ever to find cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty products on the high street, so I wanted to highlight two of my favourite hair masks that you can pick up for under £15 from your local Boots and Superdrug.

 Noughty To The Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment* (300ml, £8.99, link)

Noughty have recently announced that they are now fully certified as cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny (as many of you will know, it's the internationally recognised gold standard in cruelty-free beauty), which is fantastic news! To celebrate, I wanted to mention one of their bestselling products; the To the Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment which has quite literally rescued my hair on numerous occasions.

This thick and creamy hair mask is 97% natural, free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates and silicones, and features several nourishing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Black Oats. It's particularly beneficial for frizzy, dry and damaged hair, so if you're prone to reaching for the bleach and curling tongs a lot, you need to try this ASAP! I love the fact that you can use this as a quick 3-minute job if you're short on time, or you can leave it on for 20 minutes for a seriously intense repairing and hydrating treatment for frazzled tresses.

SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque* (354ml, £12.99, link)

Finding a hydrating treatment for hair that's dry and fine can often be tricky and if I'm being perfectly honest, I've struggled to find decent ones that don't cost the earth. After trying out lots of different brands, the one that has come out on top for its performance, ethics and affordability is this beauty from SheaMoisture.

Formulated especially for fine, wavy, curly and afro hair types, SheaMoisture's Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque has really perfected the delicate art of balancing essential moisture for dry locks without weighing down fine/thin hair.  This treatment feels wonderfully lightweight and it's brilliant for hydrating and smoothing frizzy tresses and annoying static for an ultra-sleek result. Packed full of Coconut Water, certified organic and fairtrade Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Cocoa Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Imbe Oil and fruit extracts, this masque makes my hair much more manageable and easier to style. It's free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates,  paraffin and mineral oil, plus it smells amazing! Find it in your nearest Boots store.

What are your favourite hair masks?

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New In Beauty: Tropic Clarifying Hair Wash, Hair Smooth Radiance Oil, Hair Feast Deep Conditioning Treatment & Scalp Massager review

Tropic are on a roll with their new releases and these SLS-free products are part of their latest haircare range. 

Many of my regular readers will know that I'm a big fan of Tropic (you can check out my previous reviews of their products here), but this is the first time that I've tested out any of their haircare. Often, when a skincare brand launches haircare I'm a little dubious at first, as many brands don't always get it right, but I'm pleased to say that my hair has been getting on well with these over the past few weeks!

Tropic Clarifying Hair Wash* (250ml, £16, link)

Despite having combination hair (oily roots with dry lengths and ends), I only wash my hair twice a week because if I over-wash it, I find that my scalp just produces too much oil and it gets greasy really quickly. In between washes, I use a dry shampoo to refresh it, and I always prefer something more clarifying for when I actually want to shampoo it properly. Tropic's Clarifying Hair Wash is ideal for people like me as it removes all product build-up from the hair, but doesn't leave your scalp feeling stripped or dry afterwards.  This pH balanced hair wash contains Coconut-derived cleansers, Aloe Vera Juice and Babassu extract, to gently cleanse and hydrate. As it's also a concentrated formula, you only need to use a small amount each time, so although it's pricey, one tube will last you a good couple of months if you're not using it every day. It smells gorgeous too!

Tropic Hair Smooth Radiance Oil* (75ml, £24, link)

As my lengths and ends are so dry, I often use a hair oil as a leave-in treatment to keep my tresses in tip-top condition, and this Hair Smooth Radiance Oil is something that I've been reaching for a lot lately. Composed of a blend of beneficial oils such as Abyssinian, Maracuja, Argan, Jojoba, Tamanu and Vitamin E, this oil is surprisingly lightweight and does a brilliant job of keeping my hair hydrated, soft and shiny. I generally apply half a pump after towel drying, but you can also use a tiny amount to smooth frizz and flyaways after styling. 

Tropic Hair Feast Deep Conditioning Treatment* (200ml, £18, link)

Once a week I like to treat my hair to an ultra conditioning hair mask, and Tropic's Hair Feast Deep Conditioning Treatment is a must-buy if you have dry or damaged hair that's in need of some TLC. Reassuringly thick in texture, Hair Feast is packed full of natural ingredients including Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Tamanu Oil, Vitamin B5, Keratin, Murumuru Butter and Maracuja Oil, to name but a few. It smells lovely and fresh as there's also Blood Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, Spearmint, Coconut and Vanilla in the formula, and it gets to work quickly in just 5 minutes, though I would recommend leaving it on for longer if you want a more intensive treatment (I often leave it on overnight for the best results!). After rinsing, my hair is wonderfully soft and feels so silky.

Tropic Scalp Massager* (£8, link) 

If your scalp is prone to build-up, dryness or flakiness, or you have fine or thinning hair, you may want to incorporate a scalp massager into your weekly haircare routine to help stimulate the circulation and improve the blood flow to your scalp. This one features a range of supple silicone bristles which come down into points to allow you to effortlessly massage your scalp, removing dirt and build-up, whilst also boosting the overall circulation. You can use it as often as you like and once you get the hang of it, it's actually quite relaxing!

Shop the full range of Tropic haircare online at tropicskincare.com

Have you tried any of Tropic's haircare range?

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Introducing: Alchemy Oils - Grapefruit & Alma Hair Remedy review

When it comes to the world of hair treatments, hair oils have long reigned supreme thanks to their ultra-nourishing properties that can transform the driest and frizziest hair into a mane worthy of a Disney princess. My latest obsession comes from Alchemy Oils, and their travel-size bottles are perfect for those who are in the market for a new hair oil to try out.

Alchemy Oils are a simple and honest brand that specialises in creating amazing natural hair oils. They despise the short-term, quick fix approach of heavy chemical/silicone laden hair treatments that are all too common to find in the mainstream, and instead, have decided to focus on the tried and tested natural ingredients that have been used for centuries in places like India, where hair oils are used in Ayurveda-based scalp massage practices. They've utilised this age-old knowledge and have succeeded in creating formulas that are not only good for the long-term health of the hair, but also help to promote and stimulate hair growth, whilst providing those instant styling results that most of us are looking for to make our hair more manageable on a day-to-day basis.

How I Use Hair Oils & How Often

I mostly use hair oils as an intensive scalp treatment (applying a few drops directly to the scalp, massaging it in and leaving it on for a few hours or overnight before shampooing as normal), a pre-shampoo treatment (applying a tiny amount to the ends and lengths of dry hair for an hour before washing), a pre-blow dry protector (a few drops through towel-dried hair before blow-drying to make it more manageable), and as a leave-in conditioner (just 1-2 drops) to smooth away frizz and flyaways, and help keep my hairstyle sleek, moisturised and shiny all day.  As I have dry but fine hair, I use oils as a treatment probably 1-2 times a month, and only once a week as a leave-in conditioner or blow-dry protector. If your hair is a lot drier, more damaged or thicker, you can use them more often if needed, but fine hair can get weighed down easily if oils are used too regularly.

Alchemy Oils have just five products in their whole range; three different types of Hair Remedy oils, and two oil-based formulas for beards. Naturally, I've been trialling two of their Hair Remedy oils to see if they can help my notoriously dry and frizzy hair.

Best for Strengthening Hair & Combatting Dandruff - Alchemy Grapefruit Hair Remedy*

The first thing that you'll notice upon opening this bottle is a gorgeous uplifting scent from the Grapefruit Essential Oil which instantly reminds me of Summer and sipping fruity cocktails on the beach! This Grapefruit Hair Remedy is made from just five natural ingredients, each of which brings it's own unique properties to the blend; Coconut Oil (helps to strengthen the hair and keeps the scalp healthy), Avocado Oil (brilliant for damaged and brittle hair), Castor Oil (packed full of fatty acids and proteins, as well as being naturally antibacterial and high in Vitamin E), Almond Oil (contains lots of polyunsaturated and mono fatty acids as well as vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6 and A which all help to deeply condition and soften the hair), and Grapefruit Oil (a natural cleanser that fights dandruff and prevents product build-up).

Best for Hair Growth & Conditioning - Alchemy Alma Hair Remedy*

The Alma Hair Remedy is an interesting one as I haven't tried anything with Alma in it before. Also known as Indian Gooseberry, Alma is mostly famous in India thanks to the high levels of antioxidants and carotene that's naturally found in the fruit. It's often used as a powerful hair tonic to promote healthy hair growth by strengthing the scalp and roots, so it's a popular ingredient in many natural hair loss products. Alongside Alma Oil, you'll also find Lemon Essential Oil (to naturally cleanse and add shine), Sesame Seed Oil and Coconut Oil (to strengthen and condition the hair), Avocado Oil (to soften and strengthen) and Argan Oil (to deeply nourish).

Overall Thoughts

I really like these Alchemy Hair Remedy oils and have seen good results from both of them. They're both similar in consistency and these are definitely a lot heavier than some other natural hair oils that I've tried, so you only need to use the tiniest amount, otherwise, they'll make your hair look greasy (especially if you have fine hair!). The Grapefruit one is definitely useful for helping to clear up dandruff or a dry scalp so brilliant for scalp massages, and I like the Alma one as a conditioning treatment on my lengths and ends to stop them from feeling dry. My only bugbear with these is the packaging, as they really need to have a pipette because it's easy to pour way too much into your hand, so I use a pipette that I bought off eBay with mine to help control the amount that I use. Other than that, these are definitely worth a try!

Alchemy Oils Grapefruit & Alma Hair Remedy (30ml travel sizes are £8 each, full-size 100ml bottles are £27 each) are available from LoveLula.com who offer free worldwide shipping on orders over £15.

Are you a fan of hair oils?

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Travel Size Beauty: Michael Van Clarke 3 More Inches Travel Set review

With summer holidays on the horizon, it's time to stock up on the travel size beauty minis! If you're looking for a silicones-free haircare set to take with you on your travels, this handy three piece kit from 3 More Inches could be just what you're after.

Created by the celebrated London-based hairdresser Michael Van Clarke, the 3 More Inches haircare range is aimed at those who want naturally healthier and thicker hair that grows faster and longer. The range is formulated without silicones and parabens, as silicones, in particular, can cause hair to become brittle over time, and as we all know, it only offers a temporary 'quick fix', without actually doing anything for the overall health of the hair. 

Ditching silicones in my haircare is something that I've been actively doing for a while now and it's made a huge difference to my hair, so I was interested in trying out Michael's 3 More Inches range. It's based on a three-step system that uses a unique naturally derived Cashmere proteins blend, and one of the easiest ways that you can try it out is with his handy travel set which contains all three products, packaged in a travel-friendly, clear, zipped bag.

Step 1: 3 More Inches Pre-wash Treatment (100ml)

Pre-wash treatments have really become much more popular over the last couple of years and I know that many celebrity hairdressers use them religiously on their clients. I try to do one once a week if I have time and it truly makes a massive difference! I've been loving this one as it seems to be noticeably repairing a lot of the damage that my hair has gone through with straightening and blow-dries, and my hair now feels much softer and a lot more manageable. To use it, I apply it to my lengths and ends when my hair is dry, comb it through and leave it on overnight. In the morning, I shampoo as normal and marvel at how lovely and swish-worthy my hair is! If you don't want to leave it on overnight, you can just keep it on for an hour and then rinse it out, but I always get better results when I've left it on longer. I highly recommend trying this if you have bleached, coloured, dry or damaged hair!

Step 2: 3 More Inches Shampoo* (75ml)

I was initially wary about trying this as it contains SLS, but after reading some other reviews, I decided to it a go and luckily I haven't had any problems with it irritating my sensitive scalp. This shampoo contains that unique naturally derived Cashmere proteins blend that I mentioned earlier and it does a fantastic job of cleaning my hair, without leaving it feeling stripped or dry. In fact, my hair feels noticeably more hydrated and softer after I've used this, plus it added such extra volume which was a welcomed bonus.

Step 3: 3 More Inches Conditioner* (75ml)

The matching conditioner is a great way to finish off using this 3 step system, and whilst it's moisturising, it doesn't feel like it's overloading my fine hair - the balance is just right. I've tried it in conjunction with both the Pre-wash Treatment and Shampoo, and with just the Shampoo, and it gave me pretty much identical results which is why I feel it doesn't weigh down my hair or overdo it with the moisture levels. It's a bit runnier and thinner in texture than I was expecting, but it worked well for me so I'm not complaining!

Michael Van Clarke 3 More Inches Travel Set* retails for £24.50 and is available from feelunique.com 

Have you stocked up on your holiday beauty minis yet?

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Haircare Review: Tints Of Nature Hydrate range + Rep-Hair Supplements

The latest haircare range that I've been trialling recently comes from Tints Of Nature, a homegrown, eco-friendly, British brand who offer fantastic SLS-free formulas.

Tints of Nature are perhaps best known for their natural based hair dyes (I personally love their Semi-Permanent Hair Colours that I've reviewed in the past here), yet I've somehow managed to overlook their actual haircare range until now. Admittedly, their range is quite limited in terms of the product choice available, however, what they do sell is pretty damn good and I'd much rather shop from a smaller but effective range, than a massive one full of disappointing formulas!

As my hair is naturally dry, I decided to test out Tints Of Nature's Hydrate Shampoo, alongside the matching Conditioner and Treatment. I've also been trialling their popular Rep-Hair Supplements which I've mentioned towards the end of this post.

 Tints Of Nature Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner* (250ml & 200ml, £6.98 each, link)

The Hydrate range has been specially formulated to 'nourish, plump and moisturise' your hair, whilst locking in colour and protecting against colour fade for those who dye their hair. If you regularly dye your hair, you may already know that ingredients such as SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphate) and Sodium Chloride (Salt) are terrible for stripping away colour and leaving hair feeling dry. This Hydrate range from Tints Of Nature doesn't contain either of those and instead uses a special complex of natural and certified organic ingredients to keep hair looking and feeling its best. 

The hydrating formula contains the likes of Coconut, Aloe, Comfrey, Camomile, Wheat Proteins and Vitamin B5, which deeply nourish and strengthen dry or damaged hair. Both the shampoo and the conditioner won awards last year in the Natural Health International Beauty Awards so I was excited to try them.

I found that both of these worked really well for my hair and they smell good too - kinda fruity and fresh! The shampoo was easy to apply and rinse out, without leaving my hair feeling 'squeaky', and the conditioner is lovely and light to use for every day as it doesn't weigh down my fine hair. After using these two together, my hair was left feeling silky soft, bouncy, looking shinier and much healthier, and I also noticed that my often naturally frizzy hair had calmed down significantly - win win!

 Tints Of Nature Hydrate Treatment* (140ml, £8.98, link)

For an extra conditioning helping hand, Tints Of Nature's Hydrate Treatment is another award-winning product that delivers some impressive results. Like the matching shampoo and conditioner above, the Hydrate Treatment is also free from sulphates and parabens, and is colour safe for dyed hair. It uses key ingredients such as Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Aloe, Camomile, Comfrey, Wheat Proteins and Vitamin B5 to give even the driest or most damaged hair, a serious shot of hydration.

To use it, I applied 4-8 pumps as instructed to clean, towel-dried hair, combed it through and left it on for around 15 minutes. You can use less or more depending on how long or thick your hair is - I used around 6 pumps for my long, fine hair. After 15 minutes, I rinsed it out and left my hair to dry naturally to properly see the benefits. My hair was noticeably softer and totally swish-worthy with lots of glossy shine. It was also a lot more manageable and sleeker than usual which I loved. I think this would be a great treatment to use once a week to keep your hair in tip-top condition.

Tints Of Nature Rep-Hair Hair and Nail Supplements* (60 capsules, £13.99, link)

Whilst topical products are all well and good for keeping your hair clean and soft, if you want to maintain healthy and strong hair, a specialist supplement may well help as a way to ensure that you're getting all the correct essential nutrients that your hair needs. 

Tints Of Nature's Rep-Hair Supplements are free from Gluten, Yeast, Sugar, Lactose and they're suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. They contain a range of naturally derived ingredients such as Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Biotin and Pantothenic Acid, which all help to maintain healthy hair and nails. Each bottle contains 60 capsules (you only need one a day), and I found them easy to swallow with a glass of water in the morning.

Did I see any difference in my hair and nails? To be honest, it's hard to say. I took them every day for 60 days and I think that my nails, in particular, have been feeling stronger but I'm not entirely sure if I've seen any change in my hair. As with all supplements, I think they're more useful to take on a longer-term basis, so if you've tried these yourself, let me know as I'd love to hear what you think!

To check out the full range from Tints Of Nature, visit their website: tintsofnature.com

Do you use natural SLS-free haircare products?

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Haircare Review: Phyto Phytopanama Daily Balancing Shampoo, Phytobaume Express Repair Conditioner & Phytokeratine Extreme Mask

It's rare for me to use a matching shampoo and conditioner from the same range. It does happen on occasion, but for the most part, haircare shopping takes a lot longer than it should do for me. Why? My hair, like my skin type, is 'combination', meaning that I have an oily, gets-greasy-way-too-quickly scalp which is paired with naturally dry, frizzy lengths and damaged ends. To make matters even more complicated, my scalp is also on the sensitive side and my hair overall is quite fine. Honestly, there are days when I think it would be so much easier if I just cut it all off!

For these reasons, I have a tendency to try out a lot of different shampoos and conditioners, and on current rotation in my bathroom are these three products from Phyto. I've used and loved a couple of Phyto products in the past (they do a particularly amazing Clarifying Detox Shampoo), and they're definitely a brand that my hair seems to get on with very well so I was curious to try more from them. These three are definite winners for my fussy hair!

Phyto Phytopanama Daily Balancing Shampoo* (200ml, £13.50, link)

Designed for those with an oily scalp, this sebum-regulating, balancing shampoo is SLS-free and gentle enough to use every day. The first ingredient in this innovative formula is Quillaja Bark Extract which is a plant extract rich in saponins that effectively absorbs excess oil, and it really works. After just the first use, I saw an instant difference in how my hair looked. It's very difficult when you have oily hair to go longer than a day without wanting to wash it again (I use a lot of dry shampoo, let me tell you!), but with this, I was able to get two whole days of clean hair which may not seem much if you have normal hair, but to me, that's a big difference! Word of warning with this shampoo though - it's incredibly watery/runny in consistency so take extra special care when you're pouring it out otherwise you'll go through a bottle very quickly! On a side note, I love the fresh, lemony scent.

Phyto Phytobaume Express Repair Conditioner* (150ml, £14.50, link)

To match the shampoo, I was recommended to use the Phytobaume Conditioner - a weightless daily conditioner for weak and damaged hair that doubles up as a fantastic detangler too. It's silicones free which I'm seeking in my haircare products more and more these days, as silicone heavy products build up very quickly on my fine hair and leave it looking dull. To add moisture and shine, there are lots of nourishing plant-based ingredients such as Mango Seed Butter, Macadamia, Mallow, Jojoba and Castor Oils  This conditioner did a great job of hydrating my dry lengths and ends, reducing frizz, and it left my hair feeling soft and stronger.  

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Mask* (200ml, £32, link)

To further strengthen and hydrate my dry lengths and ends, I depend on a good quality hair mask/treatment at least once a week to keep it looking in tip-top condition and to prevent split ends and breakages associated with such dryness. Phyto's Extreme Mask totally lives up to its name - if you have extremely dry, extremely damaged or extremely brittle hair, this is your knight in shining armour! I use a very small amount of this per application as my hair is also fine and this treatment is so thick, but it's literally a miracle in a tub. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to get to work so you can easily fit it into your weekly routine. Your hair will certainly thank you for it!

Are you a fan of Phyto haircare?

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