JML Simply Straight Straightening Brush Review

I had seen a few adverts for straightening brushes and was curious to know whether they really worked... so when JML got in touch and asked me to review their brush, I had to say yes!

JML say 

• Combines the power of a straightener with the gentle styling of a brush
• Ceramic coated bristles
• Set the temperature to suit your hair type
• LCD display
• Auto shut-off safety feature
• Straighten and style anywhere
• No heat damage, no chemicals
• Compact and great for travel
• Temperature control from 150°C to 185°C

My thoughts 

To give you a bit of background... my hair is long, thick and naturally wavy.

I have to be honest I wasn't expecting much from the straightening brush. I thought it would work best on naturally straight hair and I wasn't convinced it would work using a sub 200 degrees heat, but I was actually really impressed with how my hair turned out. I was hooked from the first use and haven't used my straighteners since.

Being a busy mum of two boys, one of which was just 5 months old when I started trialling this brush, my time is really precious. I don't have much time to get myself ready and when you have porous hair that takes ages to dry,  the styling section takes a bit of a back seat. Using straighteners takes time, time I just don't have.... However, using the Simply Straight Straightening Brush my hair is smoothed and styled beautifully. Frizz is eradicated and my hair looks good.

To use - Make sure you hair is dry and brushed through and then section and glide the brush along while holding hair taut. Simple! I find it much easier to use than my usual straightener, particularly working on the back of my hair.

I find it really easy to use and in just 10 minutes my hair, although not poker straight, is good to go. I really like it, no actually I love it.

See the results for yourself with my pics below.

My only niggle is that I wish the cord length was longer but other than that, it is a big thumbs up from me.

JML Simply Straight Straightening Brush costs £39.99 from the JML Direct website and other high street outlets. 

*PR Sample

L'Oreal Extraordinary Clay Review - Shampoo & Conditioner

I do love to try before I buy so I was happy that last month's Red Magazine had sample sachets of L'Oreal's newest hair care range - Extraordinary Clay - both shampoo and conditioner to try.

I managed to get two uses out of the sachets and have to say I was pleasantly surprised, I had envisaged a clay like texture to the products but actually they were just like a regular shampoo and conditioner.

L'Oreal say 

Introducing our breakthrough innovation from Elvive, Extraordinary Clay. For the first time we have combined 3 refined clays into a hair care range to break the vicious cycle of oily roots & dry ends.

Clays have been celebrated in beauty rituals for thousands of years due to their unrivalled ability to cleanse, purify and energise. In terms of hair care, Clays combat the excessive oil production at the roots but also any dehydration throughout the lengths and ends.

THE SECRET OF CLAY FOR 72 HOURS OF PURE ROOTS AND HYDRATED ENDS

• Scalp feels deeply purified for 72 hours with freshness and light, lifted roots.
• Dry hair feels hydrated right to the ends for fluid, free-flowing lengths.
• Revitalises the hair with softness, shine and bounce.

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-balancing Shampoo - 

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-balancing Conditioner - 

Deeply purified roots, hydrated feeling ends. For perfectly balanced hair.

My thoughts 

The products smell fresh and gorgeous, the shampoo lathers well and the conditioner leaves hair soft and silky. Hair smells lovely once dried and feels super clean. I was actually really surprised that this did what it promises. My ends have really looked dead and dry and I wasn't expecting much but the result once dried and styled was that my ends looked healthy and smooth. Hair looked glossy and bright, so bright in fact that my mother in law asked if I had just had my hair highlighted!

I have thick, coarse highlighted hair and Extraordinary Clay rejuvenated my hair and worked a treat. My only reservation which would stop me buying the shampoo is the fact that it contains SLS. As I have scalp psoriasis, continued use of this shampoo would start irritating it. I would definitely consider buying the conditioner however. 

Have you tried this new range? 

TRESemme Heat Defence Styling Spray Review

Hair dryers, straighteners and curling tools all use heat to style the hair and can have a detrimental effect on your hair. I have used a few heat protection sprays over the years but I fancied trying something new and spotted TRESemme Heat Defence Styling Spray on the shelf and picked it .

TRESemme say 

UV Filter
Heat Defence - Up to 230°C protection against heat damage
Styling Spray - Protects and seals in shine

Prevents hair becoming brittle and dull, reduces breakage with continued use.

My thoughts 

This is a great heat protection spray, it smells salon gorgeous, the spray releases product evenly and feels weightless on the hair with no sticky residue.

I would repurchase this.

TRESemme Heat Defence Styling Spray 300ml costs £5.25 from Boots 

Ojon Rare Blend Tamer Review

I have put up with pesky flyaway/broken hair strands on the top of my hair for a few years now, funnily enough I didn't really notice them until I had my son. He loves to play with my hair but not the bottom but the top and in the process has been breaking my hair. I find it really noticable but I didn't think there was much that could be done about it...until Ojon presented me with there Ojon Rare Blend Tamer Wand. It works in much the same way as (for those of us who are old enough to remember) the hair wands that we used in the 1990's that enabled you to have brush in highlights or colour into the hair.

Just remove brush from the tube and apply where you need to sort out frizz, flyaways and breakages.

Ojon say 

Invisibly smoothes stubborn frizz and flyaways.Our invisible, weightless wonder with a rare blend of restorative oils including Ojon™ Oil smoothes frizz, flyaways, broken and baby strands instantly and on the go. Won't leave strands sticky, stiff or greasy.The perfect touch up tool to toss in your bag.

My thoughts 

The Rare Blend Tamer is wonder stuff for my hair. It instantly solves the problem of flyaway hairs after styling and those pesky broken strands of hair that I have. It is really easy to use and the wand is good at applying the product onto the hair to smooth everything down. Best of all your hair feels just like your own hair, soft to touch with no sticky residue so there is no hint of product used.

I really like it and carry it with me everywhere.

Ojon Rare Blend Tamer costs £12.50

*PR Sample

OGX Lemon Highlights Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Last year I reviewed OGX Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist with positive results and so I was eager to try some Shampoo & Conditioners from the brand.

At the end of last year I was given the opportunity to try some new products from OGX - Sunkissed Blonde - Lemon Highlights Shampoo and Conditioner. However, I have to say that OGX have a huge amount of choice when it comes to haircare products and is well worth a look, plus they smell gorgeous!

In big, bright packaging this is a cheery way to start the morning and certainly livens up the bathroom and pleasingly the product inside does exactly what it promises too.

OGX say 

A tropical blend of brightening lemon citrus oil to enhance shimmery, sunlit highlights all year long, with rich coconut oil to smooth and add shine while exotic key lime extract takes you away to a sensual paradise.

My thoughts 

I have highlights in my hair and they were beginning to look a bit lacklustre and dull, using the OGX Lemon Highlights Shampoo and Conditioner has really helped transform my hair. From the first use I could see that my highlights appeared brighter, blonder (although this is not a lightening treatment) and my hair shinier. I liked it so much I have continued to use these products and will undoubtedly finish the bottles, although it will take some time as they are so big!

A big thumbs up from me.

* SLS free and paraben free.

OGX Lemon Highlights Collection - Shampoo & Conditioner are on sale exclusively at Waitrose stores nationwide for £6.99 each. 

*PR Samples

Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing Xpress Dry Styling Spray Review

I have mentioned before on these pages that my hair is thick and porous and takes an age to dry whether naturally or by hair dryer so of course I am always looking for products that can speed up this process.

Back in mid December I was sent the new Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing xpress dry styling spray to try out and have been using it every time I wash my hair.

Schwarzkopf say 

NEW got2b Mind Blowing xpress dry styling spray speeds up your blow-dry, detangles and conditions the hair and provides heat protection against hair dryers for perfectly styled hair in a fraction of the time.

My thoughts 

The spray has a lovely fresh and fruity scent and the one thing I learnt from using it is that you should use it with a bit of restraint. The first time I used it was I was a bit too happy to over apply and I ended with with hair that looked lank and was full of product. The second time I used it I applied far less (I didn't saturate my towel dried hair) and it worked a treat.

I particularly love that it detangles the hair, I have a section of my hair that is always knotted and a real mess and this spray made light work of it. It speeds up blow-drying time to under 10 minutes and it provides heat protection. Hair is left feeling soft and smooth and used correctly leaves no trace of product.

Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing xpress dry styling spray 200ml costs £3.99 

*PR Sample

The Gift Of Perfect Hair From Paul Mitchell This Christmas

Everyone loves to have good hair and these Fashionable Trios Christmas Gift Sets from Paul Mitchell costing £27 are simply the best. The generously sized products come in a delightful reusable gift bag each with a gorgeous hand drawn fashion print decorated by Australian fashion illustrator Sarah Hankinson, I have to say I adore the packaging and think these would make a fabulous gift that will last for ages. (I am already using my wipe clean bag to home my makeup brushes!)

The Art of Blonde

Contains

Forever Blonde Shampoo 250ml
Forever Blonde Conditioner 200ml
Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair 25ml

The Art of Volume 

Contains

Extra-Body Daily Shampoo 300ml
Extra-Body Daily Rinse 300ml
Extra-Body Daily Boost 250ml

The Art of Curls 

Contains

Spring Loaded Frizz-Fighting Shampoo 250ml
Full Circle Leave-In Treatment 200ml
Ultimate Wave 150ml

Also available are 'Classic and Style' gift sets. 

The Art of Sleek

I have been using 'The Art of Sleek' set and have been really impressed with the super sleek, frizz free hair that it gives me. The products also cut down drying time which is an absolute godsend for me.

Contains

Super Skinny Daily Shampoo 300ml
Super Skinny Daily Treatment 300ml
Super Skinny Serum 150ml

Art of Style Gift Sets are available to purchase from Salons stocking Paul Mitchell products.

L'Oreal Hair Expertise EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask

I recently had my hair highlighted and felt it needed some TLC, it seems to have lost its way after styling and heat damage so I thought a treatment was in order.

I absolutely love the L'Oreal Ever Sleek range and fancied trying something else from within the Ever range - I opted for the EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask for coloured and dry hair. It is designed for colour weakened hair.

This range is sulphate free and features botanical oils of Rosemary and Mint. It claims to respect the hair fibre and protect coloured hair, just what I am looking for!

Instructions for use - A generous walnut sized blob of the mask on the hair, distribute evenly and leave for 3-5 mins.

My thoughts

The mask has a lovely and rich minty scent and the texture is relatively thick. As soon as it is rinsed out hair feels instantly smoother. Having blow-dried my hair and then straightened it I noticed a real difference to the finish, smoother, sleeker and more defined hair. It looked and felt so healthy.

I will be using this once a week to keep my hair healthy and manageable.

Top marks for this as my hair loves it.

L'Oreal Hair Expertise EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask costs £7.30

OGX Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist - My Hair Loves

I have been trying out a rather delicious coconut scented hair oil - OGX Nourishing Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist does exactly what it promises to do.

OGX say 

An exotic and enticing blend of lightweight coconut oil to nourish strands along with hydrating bamboo extract for hair that is soft, touchable and healthier looking with each use.

Instructions for use 

Apply Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist to clean, towel dried hair and style as desired. Can also be applied to dry hair to tame fly-a-ways and add shine throughout the day.

My thoughts

Shine in a bottle, the Oil Mist smells wonderful. After the first use my son immediately noted and commented that my hair smelt nice! The lovely coconut scent reminds me of holidays and Summer.

Many years ago I used to use a coconut shine shampoo so I was convinced this was going to provide fabulous shine to my hair and I wasn't disappointed. It leaves hair beautifully soft, sleek and healthy looking. However, I am most impressed with how I can spritz away to my hearts content to add shine whenever, and yet my hair never looks weighed down with product or lank and oily.

Super hair product.

OGX Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist costs £6.99 and is available from Tesco 

*PR Sample

Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Conditioner - My Hair Loves

I don't know about you but I rarely have the luxury of time to apply a twenty minute conditioning hair treatment so I am all for fast working products and so I was super keen to try the one minute intensive repair treatment for hair from Dove.

I have been impressed by the previous hair care products I am tried from the brand and so last week instead of my usual conditioner I applied the one minute Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment, waited just 60 seconds and rinsed it off.

Dove say

Introducing the next generation of daily conditioner with the added benefits of a treatment. Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Conditioner works in just one minute. Our dual action formula contains Fibre Actives™ technology which penetrate deep inside the hair to help reinforce damaged proteins without weighing hair down as well as helping to repair and sealing lifted cuticles to help protect against future damage. Prevents split ends and breakage.

My thoughts 

Can a product be so nourishing and leave hair soft, smooth and silky really in just one minute? The answer is a resounding yes. The treatment smells like the other products in the Dove range, fresh and fruity. Once I had rinsed it off I it left my hair more manageable and gorgeous after blow drying and straightening and actually, although it is suitable for daily use I found that my hair stayed looking beautiful for longer, without looking greasy and weighed down. My hair instantly looks healthier and more vibrant.

A big thumbs up from me.

Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment For Hair costs £3.99 for 180ml

*PR Sample

Remington Keratin Therapy Pro Curl Tong Review

I use the Remington Therapy Pro Straightener to straighten my hair, I am really happy with how easy it is to use and the results it gives, having used it for quite a while now I am confident that it protects my hair.

A couple of days ago I dried my hair, then straightened it as I normally do and it did look lovely but as I had a spare 10 minutes I thought I might try something a little different..I dug out the Remington Keratin Therapy Pro Curl Tong, had a quick look online for how to use it. I plugged it in, it took just seconds to heat up and away I went. Although the tong temperature can be set from 130 degrees up to 210 degrees (in 20 degree increments) I opted for 190 as this was my first time and I wanted to get a feel for the tool. The look I was trying to create was soft waves and a bit of volume as opposed to tight curls. For this I took wider sections of hair and wrapped it around the barrel, holding it in place for 10 seconds (mine were fast 10 seconds, blame the fear of the unknown ;-))

The result you can see is above.

Remington say 

You can style to your heart’s content whilst creating stunning curls with the Keratin Therapy Pro Curl Tong. The Advanced Keratin Ceramic coated barrel is infused with Keratin Micro Conditioners that transfer to your hair as you style. With a 19mm barrel, 210°C heat up and five different heat settings to tailor the temperature to your hair type, achieving enviable, healthy looking curls couldn’t be easier.

Features 

Professional 19mm curling tong
Advanced Keratin Ceramic coated barrel
Integrated digital temperature display, 5 setting 130°-210°C
Heat up in 30 seconds
Ready indicator – display stops flashing
Auto shut off after 60 minutes
Heat resistant pouch
Worldwide voltage
Swivel cord – 2.5M
5 year guarantee

My thoughts 

I was surprised as to just how easy the Pro Curl Tong was to use. How I could create a different look so quickly, with very little effort. This is exactly the kind of hair tool I like, I hate fuss and fiddly things so this is perfect. It is light to hold, has a lovely long cord and you can adjust the heat setting based on your hair type.

Big thumbs up from me!

Remington Keratin Therapy Pro Curl Tong £29.99 

*PR Sample