Soapopolous

Al’chemy Macadamia & Wheat Protein Treatment Conditioner Review

What it promises:

Nurture dry, damaged and tangled hair with the special care of Al’chemy Macdamia and Wheat Protein Treatment Conditioner. Enriched with combinations of pure active botanics like cold pressed Australian Macadamia oil and Wheat Protein, Al’chemy Macadamia and Wheat Protean Conditioner helps to restore moisture levels for naturally healthy hair everyday.

What I found:

I am falling in love with this company with each product I try. I have been using this conditioner for two weeks now and I really am noticing a change! I bought the 225 mL size since it was the only size I saw.

Advantages:

• Less tangled hair.
  I don’t know how my hair does it but it gets into a giant tangled mess (especially now that it’s longer) but this conditioner definitely has lessened the number of tangles I have after I wash my hair.
• Not a heavy product.
  We’ve all tried those “miracle” conditioners that just leave a thick layer on your hair to trick you into thinking it is healthier and shinier. I can use the whole bottle and it won’t feel heavy!
• Paraben and Sulfate free.
• Not tested on animals.
  I am beginning to look at products that aren’t tested on animals especially beauty products, so this is great since they don’t test on them!
• Smoothing and healing.
  It’s only been two weeks (and I don’t wash my hair every day haha!) but from what I can see this product is really helpful. My bleached hair thanks this product.
• $14.95 according to their website.
  I managed to buy it for $7.99!

Disadvantages:

• The company only ships within Australia.
  Finding this product may be really difficult. I managed to find it at Winners, so check your local Winners/Homesense and you’ll probably be able to find a bottle for yourself!

Last words: I would definitely repurchase (if I can find it!) and I would absolutely recommend this to EVERYONE.

L’oreal Kérastase Review

From left to right: Elixir Ultime, Elixir Ultime The Imperial, Elixir Ultime Moringa Immortel.

I took several weeks to fully test out these products, and my shampoo and conditioner stayed the same so I could see any potential differences in my hair. The claim of these 3 products is that although they are oils they can be used in a variety of ways, such as before you blow dry your hair or as a finishing product. Even though you are able to use them differently I personally prefer to use it on wet hair before I blow dry my hair since that is probably when my hair needs a boost.

Advantages:

• Non-greasy or weighing-down effect.
  I used a lot of this to see how much you could use before your hair turns into a greaseball, and I’m glad that I didn’t turn my hair into a greasy mess right after washing it haha!
  This is great if you have fine/thin hair.
• Scented.
  They have different scents for each of them and the smell stays in your hair all day. That’s really great if you like the smell of it too.
• 4 hair types to choose for.
  It is original (I’m guessing normal hair types), color-treated hair, damaged hair, and sensitive hair.
• Shines and smooths.
  My hair did look slightly smoother and shinier.
• Can be used differently.
  These can be used before shampooing, as a treatment, for blow drying, or as a finishing product.

Disadvantages:

• Scented.
  I know some people can be allergic to perfumes and prefer unscented items. Although the site says that these elixirs are “delicate scents” I personally find them a step above delicate. Plus if you don’t like the scent it’s stuck in your hair all day.
• Expensive.
  It’s great that they can be used in a variety of ways since it’ll be easier to travel with, but I find this to be too expensive for what I find to be a finishing product. It’s $54 USD for 125 mL bottle.
• Strengthening issues.
  These claim to strengthen the hair and to protect it from further external factors, but I didn’t find them to be as effective. Yeah my hair did seem smoother but I found that my hair still had knots/tangles, and it doesn’t really seem to be softer than before usage.
• Short-term results.
  I think it’s because I didn’t find these to be helpful in strengthening my hair that there are no long-term benefits. Does that make sense? I say it’s short-term because it looks great after a blow dry but once you wash your hair again it doesn’t feel any healthier.

Overall impression: I find these to be more expensive than their worth. There are some bonuses with this product but there are different products that work better that cost less, so I would not recommend these. However I will say out of all of these elixirs I found the most effective one to be Elixir Ultime The Imperial. It was slightly heavier than Elixir Ultime Moringa Immortel, but the smell and effectiveness was better.

Helpful tips for oil-based products:

• Never ever apply product to your roots especially if it is a oil! Only apply to your ends.
  I read some reviews that these made their hair really greasy, but with the amount that I tested out on my own hair I personally don’t think these these will do that especially if you’re only applying it on your ends. 
• Dime sized amounts are sufficient.
  I have a lot of hair and it is pretty long, and if I can get away with only using a dime sized amount so can you! You shouldn’t have to use anymore than that.

Heatless, effortless curls

This is a very quick and simple tutorial. With my method I usually sleep with my rollers in. It takes a little time to get used to it but it works! Tip before we get started: brush the section of hair first, then use the roller. It will help make your curls look smooth and fancy.

What you will need:

• Sponge rollers (I use 10-12 and my hair is past my shoulders)
  Also you can get them for $1 at the dollar store. I got a pack of 6 for $1 so no need to spend tons of money!
• Either hairspray or mousse.

Steps:

1. Blowdry your hair until its about 50% dry.
You don’t want to have sopping wet hair since it will never dry and you’ll wake up with damp curls that won’t stay curled. This will be the only heat you will be using.

Optional step: If you have really, really straight hair then I would recommend using some mousse or Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious before using rollers.

2. Starting with your bangs/fringe (1-1 1/2 inch section), place the roller behind your section and roll downwards like so:

I usually use 2 rollers for the “center” of my head.

3. For the sides of your hair place the roller behind your hair but roll upwards like this:

4. Once you are done rolling the rest of your hair you should look nice and sexy like so (ha ha!):

Optional step: Remove the roller with your bangs/fringe after a few hours (or when it feels dry). I personally like the look with just a voluminous fringe rather than fully curled.

5. In the morning (or once your hair is dry) carefully remove your rollers, and spray some flexible hold hairspray. We don’t want crunchy hair! Then lightly run your fingers through your hair. Finished product:

Can you tell I didn’t want to put on makeup for this? haha