Hair Care

Clear Nourishing Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo {Product Review}

Swathy · August 12, 2013 · 4 Comments

As you all know that I have been using an SLS-free shampoo since like 6 months at the least, using an SLS shampoo was something I was not very comfortable with but I had received it for review so I had to do it. And, generally, anti-dandruff shampoos tend to be quite drying.

So, let me start by saying that I think this product was not very drying. I did take care of my hair by regularly massaging the scalp and using scalp and leave-in treatments but sometimes I just got too lazy and did nothing to my hair except washing.

And, suffice it to say, my hair was in a good condition though a little frizzy. But, that it is to be expected when you do not use conditioner or anything, right? I do have curly to wavy hair and nope, no increase in split ends either. The texture of the product is very creamy and it did not feel very harsh on the scalp.

My scalp also did not feel really dry or anything!! I can not really say that how it affects dandruff since I do not have any but overall, my experience with this shampoo (at least twice a week for a month) was fine only. So, yes, this can be a good choice if you are looking at over the counter shampoos.

Have you used this product? Did you like it?

PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.

TRESemme Smooth and Shine Shampoo

Vaseline Healthy White Lightening Visible Fairness Lotion

TRESemme Smooth and Shine Shampoo {Product Review}

Swathy · July 28, 2013 · 1 Comment

Guest Post by Pranali

Ingredients

Complete ingredient list is provided at the back of the bottle. It contains Sodium Laureth Sulphate which makes this shampoo detergent/surfactant based.

Packaging

Comes in a sturdy black plastic bottle. The opaque bottle never gives you an idea of how much shampoo is left in the bottle. The mouth of the bottle has a tiny button which has to be pressed to dispense the shampoo.

Usage

The texture of this shampoo is slight creamy and has a pearly appearance. I dilute a small quantity with water, pour it on my wet hair and work it up into a lather. It lathers quite well and only a small amount of this shampoo is needed for it.

What I liked about the product

Cleans hair well
Contains biotin & argan oil (in small quantities)

What I didn’t like about the product

Made my hair frizzy
Contains SLES

Price: Rs 64 for 100ml

Recommendation

This shampoo is a total miss for me! The only thing it did was to remove the pre-wash hair oil. It never gave me salon like hair. My mom has extremely dry colored hair, it didn’t work for her either. For me this shampoo fails to live up to its claims. I won’t be repurchasing it.

Have you used this product?

Get it on flipkart:

Hair Combs and Brushes {Reader’s Query}

Swathy · July 22, 2013 · 8 Comments

Hi Swati, I coundn’t find an appropriate post in which to ask this question, so I’m asking here. You’ve written a lot about hair care, but I couldn’t find any post about hair brushes/combs. I’ve been reading that boar bristle brushes are really good for hair. What are your thoughts on that? What brushes/ combs do you use? Do you find that good quality ones aid in maintaining good hair health or is it unnecessary? I’ve seriously been considering purchasing a boar bristle brush (regular brushes cause more hair fall for me compared to combs), but I couldn’t find a single Indian blog that had mentioned anything about it.

So, first of all, thanks Poohkie for pointing such a pertinent topic. And, I am so sorry it has already been a month that I have not reverted back! Now, let me get back to the topic. Long back, I had discussed a bit of history on the combs and the ones I have used subsequently! I am really sorry about the missing pics in that post but I had deleted a pics folder in picasa because of which many of my posts have missing pics!

Wooden Combs

Apparently, the Indian artisans in history used to make wooden combs which had a sort of string of holes through the base of the teeth. One could pour a drop or two of oil through the first hole which used to travel down the comb and when used on the hair, the oil gets applied to the roots and hair strands evenly, nourishing the hair!

I have come across quite a number of wooden combs by now but still the TBS one remains my fav! I think its mainly to do with the finishing of the product. I recently got one for my friend as well and she has been finding a considerable difference in her hair. So, yes to wooden combs compared to the plastic ones! But, whatever you choose, make sure they are wide-teethed.

How to choose Hair Brushes?
Ok, the first rule with brushes is that if you have curly hair, its better to avoid one! Otherwise, I have heard natural brushes or boar-bristle brushes are really good. So, I did find out a long long time back that Denman and Mason Pearson are the two best brands when it comes to hair brushes but unfortunately I have no idea where they are available online. TBS carries wooden quilled brushes as well, one of which I had bought but use it very occasionally.

A flat brush or paddle brush is great to tame the hair and distribute the natural oils from the roots to the tips of the strands. The bristles of the brush can be nylon or wooden or natural hair like boar bristle or horsehair. Also, the base of the brushes should be rubber preferably because that allows the bristles to move more flexibly and damages the hair lesser comparatively!

How much brushing is good?
Hundred brush strokes a day is said to do amazing things to hair but I think that’s just overdoing it. Excess brushing can actually damage the hair. First, brush the hair only when it is dry and it is straight.

Brushing curly hair can harm its cuticles because the hair strand is uneven and the brush quills can rip it off! That is why natural hair is preferable on the brush.

Also, a few brush strokes a day does help distribute the natural oils evenly on the hair. So, make sure you do not brush your hair excessively as it flattens the hair. If you have fine hair, remember that it can look very weighed down if you brush it more often, especially when it is a day old.

How to clean the brush?
I have to say that this is the one part which stumps me completely and discourages me to use my TBS brush. But, you do not have to worry if your brush is not wooden.

After every brush stroke, make sure you remove the hair strands caught up in the bristles. Ignoring them too much can lead to lot of accumulation of hair strands.

Also, soaking them and washing them once in two weeks or a week depending on how frequently you use it or how dirty it has become is good. I use a discarded tooth brush to clean the base of the brush and even my comb and nails.

Do you use a brush? How do you choose your hair brushes? How often do you use them and how do you clean your brush?