Review: John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Multi-Tone Revealing Moisturizing Shampoo

Ulta- $5.99

http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/ProductDetail/Hair-Care/Brilliant-Brunette/Shine-Release-Moisturizing-Shampoo-For-All-Shades

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod2095302

Found on JohnFrieda.com

This shampoo uses sweet almond oil and crushed pearl to ‘rehydrate and revitalize dull, dry, brittle hair for renewed silkiness and exceptional shine’, meant to bring out highlights in natural or died brunette hair. The interesting thing is that, according to the packaging, there are no dyes in the product itself so I’m not sure how that is accomplished.

 

Ingredients

WATER, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, GLYCOL DISTEARATE, DIMETHICONE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, CETYL ALCOHOL, BETAINE, COCAMIDE MEA, FRAGRANCE, GLYCERYL OLEATE, GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARAMEL, DISODIUM EDTA, MALIC ACID, LAURETH-4, LAURETH-23, SODIUM CHLORIDE, GLYCINE, SODIUM XYLENESULFONATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, THEOBROMA CACAO (COCOA) SEED BUTTER, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, PEARL POWDER, METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE, METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE, LECITHIN, ALCOHOL, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE

 

This shampoo is a funny one- it started out doing its job wonderfully, but then after around 1/2 the bottle was finished, it stopped cleaning my hair. I have hair that gets rather oily at the roots but remains dry at the ends, and is fine but dense (if that makes sense). My hair was getting oily again less than 24 hours after washing and was looking limp. I don’t know whether this is because of the shampoo itself or if my scalp chemistry changed, so it is difficult to comment on its effectiveness in that respect. Either is entirely likely, during the course of using it, I underwent a month of stress from school. This could have caused it directly or indirectly because my diet changed with the stress to incorporate crappier food. However, before it stopped working I really loved this shampoo- it cleaned my hair while still keeping it hydrated and shiny, and I think it really did live up to its claim of bringing out “multi-dimensional tones”. I doubt it will cover roots, but I think it could definitely extend the life and vibrancy of a dye job.

The shampoo smells interesting, a bit like a shea body lotion with some faint chemicals scents in it. The smell does not stay in the hair, so it won’t be a problem for those who don’t like strong smells.

I think this would be a great pick for anyone with dry hair. This may even work for people with normal to slightly oily hair (if it was the fault of my own scalp chemistry) because it worked well for the first period, but I can’t give any guarantees. Perhaps coupled with a good clarifying shampoo once or twice a week it could work well. I do not think this would be suited for extremely oily hair.

Rating: B

 

Review: Nature’s Gate Aloe Vera Moisturizing Conditioner

18 fl oz/500 mL

Nature’s Gate: $7.79

http://natures-gate.com/Shop/item?Product=42100053&category=233&WithLinks=1

Found on Natures-Gate.com

This conditioner is advertised as “effectively condition[ing] hair while helping to restore moisture”. The Nature’s Gate exclusive “Healthy Hair Blend” include panthenol, soy proteins, vegetable proteins, jojoba oil, borage flower seed oil, vitamin C and vitamin E; these ingredients supposedly provide “enhanced body and bounce”.

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Stearyl Alcohol (Vegetable Derived), Cetyl Alcohol (Vegetable Derived), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Vegetable Derived), Benzyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride (Vegetable Derived), Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Tocopherol Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Viola Tricolor (Pansy) Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethylcellulose (Plant Derived), Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Fragrance*.

* Phthalate Free

 

This conditioner lived up to most of its claims, it was reasonably hydrating and did keep my hair detangled and shiny. Essentially, it performed like any other decent conditioner on the face of the planet. If you have seriously damaged hair this might not be enough for you, but if you have anything from moderately oily hair to somewhat dry hair, this should work nicely. It also doesn’t leave any sort of residue to weigh down my semi-fine hair.

The thing that really is memorable about this product, that might make or break it, is the smell. For some inexplicable reason, it smells like Skittles. What would drive someone to wake up one morning and say, “hey, I wish my hair smelled like Skittles” is beyond me. I don’t really like that feature, it is too sweet for me. But, I can see some people enjoying this, so it really is down to personal preference. The smell also did not last in my hair so it was manageable, if not pleasant.

Overall, it was a decent conditioner, but it really didn’t blow me away. I was not a fan of the scent so I will probably not be repurchasing this again, but will finish it up.

Rating: B

 

Review: Hydrating Moroccan Argan Oil Creamy Oil Body Lotion

13 fl. oz./385 mL

Ulta: $6.99

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4190131

Found on OrganixHair.com

This “lavish creamy oil body lotion” is described as having “an exclusive moisture lock system” made up of Moroccan argan oil (“to restore skin’s elasticity”), sugar cane and willow bark (“to soften, giving a radiant glow” and “promote cellular turnover” ), and finally rice milk and bamboo extract (“to make skin supple and touchable all over”). The “moisture lock system” uses a PCA complex (whatever that is- a quick Google search did not clarify anything) that apparently draws moisture in, and a ceramide complex (stuff that resembles the natural lipid barrier of the skin) to lock in the moisture. The argan oil is supposed to be a dry oil, meaning that it sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.

Ingredients

Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfocuccinate, Socium C14-16 Olefine Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Glycerin, Clycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Saccarum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Cocamide MEA, Laureth-10, Polyquaternium-11, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Milk, Hydrolyzed Collagen (Collagen Peptides), Paullinia Cupana (Cuarana) Extract, PCA, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Ceramide 3, Argania Spinoza (Argan) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Extract, Paullinia Cupana (Guarana) Extract, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexlglycerin, Parfum.

This stuff is amazing. It lives up to basically every claim that was thrown my way. Moisturizing? Very. Makes skin supple? Yup. Sinks in quickly? Yeah, pretty much. Gives skin a radiant glow? Actually, yes.

So yeah this lotion was moisturizing, but that doesn’t necessarily set it apart from the other good moisturizers out there. What does stand out, though, is that one bit about glowing skin. It sounds gimmicky, but to my astonishment it proved to be actually true. What happens is you apply the product, and it sinks in fairly quickly, but leaves this sheen on your skin. I think it might be the combination of the ceramide complex and the argan oil, but damn it is great. It doesn’t necessarily hide imperfections like say a tinted product might, but it certainly does minimize the appearance of discoloration and cellulite. So as it is winter right now, my legs are very pasty and more than a little bit infested with cellulite. This lotion makes them look so so much better. I cannot wait to see what this does when I have a tan! This doesn’t to my knowledge reduce cellulite necessarily, though- just diminishes appearance. I don’t know how they do it but I absolutely love it.

The sheen is a layer of moisture and definitely feels it, but it isn’t like those products where it takes forever to sink in and you feel sticky. It doesn’t bother me at all, it doesn’t stick to my clothes or anything, but I might see some people that are really sensitive to that sort of thing not loving it.

Something that the description doesn’t mention, though, is the scent. I personally love the smell, it’s sort of sweet and floral (it’s the same smell from the conditioner– it’s probably standard for the line), but it is pretty strong so again this might be a turn off for some people.

Overall, though, this is an outstanding product if the slight sheen and the smell don’t bother you. I will definitely be repurchasing this when it finishes and cannot wait to use it in summer!

Rating: A+

Review: Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

6.7 oz/200 ml

Sephora (Clarins.com): $40

Clarins.co.uk: ₤30

Clarins.de: 33€

http://www.sephora.com/moisture-rich-body-lotion-P95060

http://www.clarinsusa.com/Moisture-Rich-Body-Lotion/C020202002,en_US,pd.html&cgid=330&start=6

http://www.clarins.co.uk/Moisture%20Rich%20Body%20Lotion/C020202002,en_GB,pd.html?start=8&cgid=330

http://www.clarins.de/Baume%20Corps%20Super%20Hydratant/C020202002,de_DE,pd.html?start=1&cgid=330

**NOTICE: contains parabens (ethylparaben, methylparaben)**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion is a moisturizer for dry skin. It contains “peach milk, shea, candlenut oil and orange blossom” that “visibly minimize the signs of ageing caused by sun, cold, heating and air-conditioning”. It supposedly “helps smooth dry, rough patches and improve skin tone” and “gently removes dull, flaky cells for a youthful, all over glow”. It also should sink in quickly.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil/Huile Minerale, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Myristate, Glycerin, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Peanut Oil, Stearyl Heptanoate, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum/Fragrance, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Malic Acid, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Ceteth-24, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Wax, Prunus Persica (Peach) Leaf Extract, Choleth-24, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Sodium Citrate, Sutilains, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Bht, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol, Eugenol, Citral, Isoeugenol.

This is a very rich, luxurious cream that smells AMAZING but not overpowering at all, and is excellent for hydrating dry skin. I love how it comes in a tube, so everything is very hygienic. And yes, it smoothed my rough patches. It even made the skin on my legs look polished and semi-healthy, despite their deathly paleness. I don’t know if I would call it a “glow” but it certainly is an achievement. On those points the moisturizer has certainly upheld its claims. I cannot speak for the aging part, but I mean as I, not a dermatologist/expert, understand it, well-moisturized skin looks less saggy than poorly-moisturized skin. I guess that makes sense… That having been said, it really doesn’t sink in quickly. At all. Actually, it kind of takes forever to sink in. But it really is a good product that works really well, I would just recommend applying it before bed rather than before anytime you need to get dressed. I am also not so happy about the parabens or the price. However, if neither of those things bothers you, then I think you will be very happy with this moisturizer.

Rating: A