BEAUTY KNOW-HOW: latest hair heroes – tried and tested by the you team
The Brunette’s best friend
Right: Redken Color Extend Brownlights shampoo and conditioner (£18 and £19.50, lookfantastic.co.uk), Left: John Frieda Defy Grey Brunette Blending Shampoo (£6.99, boots.com)
Toning haircare range Redken Color Extend Brownlights shampoo and conditioner (£18 and £19.50, lookfantastic.co.uk) use blue and green tones to eliminate brassiness and unwanted warmer tones. We found they worked brilliantly and left hair looking really shiny. If you’re brunette with pesky greys, try John Frieda Defy Grey Brunette Blending Shampoo (£6.99, boots.com) to make the white hairs seem less dramatic. They won’t disappear but we found, at the roots especially, they were far less obvious.
The Scalp Saviour
We found the Ameliorate Regime Kit (shampoo, conditioner, serum, soothing essence and exfoliant) eased itching significantly, but preferred using our favourite conditioners afterwards – apply it to mid-lengths and ends only. £45, though items can be bought separately, victoriahealth.com.
The Thickening Spray
Klorane Keratin Strength Fortifying Spray, £24.50, escentual.com
After a month of using the Klorane Keratin Strength Fortifying Spray (£24.50, escentual.com) our hair looked noticeably thicker – even the hairdresser commented – and there’s new growth.
The Hot Hydrators
Left: VO5 Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil, £4.99, boots.com. Right: Bumble and Bumble’s Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Hot Oil Concentrate, £24, bumbleandbumble.co.uk
VO5 relaunched its Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil (£4.99, boots.com) last year. It’s one of the best – and fastest – ways to add moisture and shine.
And Bumble and Bumble’s Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Hot Oil Concentrate (£24, bumbleandbumble.co.uk) uses castor oil to aid hydration.
It’s hard to choose between them in terms of results but Bumble’s smells sophisticated (tiare and frangipani).
The Gloriously Green One
L’Oréal Botanicals range (from £7.99, boots.com)
If you want to be more eco-conscious, then the L’Oréal Botanicals range (from £7.99, boots.com) has recently been reformulated. It now contains 98 per cent natural ingredients which are all renewably as well as responsibly sourced, biodegradable and silicone- and paraben-free. The bottles are made from 100 per cent recycled raw materials and are also recyclable.
The Purse-Friendly free-From
Herbal Essences Bio:renew Potent Aloe + Mango shampoo and conditioner (£6 each, nationwide
For a good high-street option that’s sulphate-free, Herbal Essences Bio:renew Potent Aloe + Mango shampoo and conditioner (£6 each, nationwide) launch on Saturday. Not only did we find the shampoo still foamed really well but it was one of the densest suds we’ve ever had. Great stuff. Other fragrances including hemp are also available. Plus the range is approved by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.