Sulphate Free Hair!

Hi Ladies,

After what feels like years of trying to grow my hair with tablets, oils, treatments, masks and brushes, I think I've finally found what I've been doing wrong - using shampoo and conditioner using sulphates!

Apparently sulphates cause the hair to be brittle and weak, which, of course will slow down growth and snap hair. From now on my hair (shampoo and conditioner wise anyway) is now sulphate free!

Reports show that sulfate can be the worst irritant ever responsible for burning sensation in the eyes and skin. Sulfate can penetrate in the skin even by application and can easily reach eyes, brain, and liver and damages the cells present there (sounds dramatic, I know.) It also interferes with the hormonal levels in the body.

Baby shampoos are always formulated without sulfates. This is the secret of their ‘no more tears’ formula. However, you cannot use baby shampoos as they have very mild cleaning agents which do little to take the dirt out of your hair.
I thought you'd be interested to see a comrehensive list of some shampoos that are sulphate free:

- ABBA True Curls Shampoo
- Alba Shampoo
- Alfa Parf’s Splendore Hydrate Shampoo
- Allafia Shampoo
- Aloe Jojoba Shampoo
- Aubrey Organics Shampoo
- Aveda Shampoo
- Avalon Shampoo
- Burt Bees Shampoo
- BrocatoSplash Shampoo
- Body Shop’s Honey Moisturizing Shampoo
- Beauty Without Cruelty Shampoo
- Dead Sea Natural Mineral Shampoo
- Deva Curl Low Poo Shampoo
- Desert Essence Shampoo
- Enjoy Shampoo
- Fragile Color Safe Shampoo
- Herbal Choice Natural Shampoo
- Honey Moisturizing Shampoo from Body Shop
- Jason Shampoo
- John Masters Organic Shampoo
- Jonathan Shampoo
- Kenra Shampoo
- Kiss My Face Shampoo
- L’ANZA Shampoo
- Logona Shampoo
- Mastey Shampoo
- Max Green Scalp Rescue Shampoo
- Nature Gate Organic Shampoo
- Neutrogena Triple Moisture Shampoo
- Nuture My Body Organic Volumizing Shampoo
- Optima Australian Tea Tree Shampoo
- Organic Care Systems Shampoo
- OSMO Shampoo
- Paves Prof Shampoo
- Pravana Shampoo
- Pureology Shampoo
- Real Purity Shampoo
- SEXY HAIR Shampoo
- Shikai Shampoo
- Silkane Shampoo
- Tara Smith’s Shampoo
- TiGi Shampoo
- Treasured Locks Shampoo
- Ultimate Shampoo
- Zerran Shampoo

I love Aveda products anyway and used the Shampure range, which I adored, so I'm off to pick up some more tonight. I'll keep you posted with any changes I have noticed - a review will follow.

Are you trying to grow your hair? Have you tried sulphate free too? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks!


Thank you for reading, as always.

Love,
Amy
xxx

The Products That Have Saved My Hair...

Hi Ladies,

To cut a long story short, when I was 15, I became very friendly with Sun In. For those of you who don't know what Sun In is, it's practically bleach in a bottle that you spray on your hair to lighten it. This resulted in my hair being weak, brittle and a pretty awful colour.

My friend, Steph, has the most amazing natural hair that you could imagine (dark brown and down to her hip bone.) She recommended a number of products that have helped her to grow her hair over the years and keep it in such good condition.

I think hair is such a personal thing, for some girls it can pretty much make or break how they feel about themselves on nights out.

Years of abusing my hair with GLUE in extentions (I know, I know and I cringe at the thought now), rubbish quality brushes that break the hair and too much heat, I have finally got my hair in to what most people would call 'good condition'. My friend, Christina, commented at the weekend looked in really good condition "especially as your blonde"!

So here are the products that have helped me along the way:

Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Shampoo:

Super rich, smells gorgeous, cleans the hair really well, retails cheaply and the bottle lasts such a long time.

Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Conditioner:

Feels really luxurious on the hair, more like a treatment, retails cheaply, lasts a long time. I sometimes use this as a mask too.

Palmers Coconut Protein Pack:

I pretty much credit this single product with saving my hair. I ususally use a whole pack and leave it overnight. This has improved the condition of my hair dramatically.

Moroccan Oil:

You've seen the reviews, I won't bore you with the details. Just know that I couldn't not have this.

Moroccan Oil Hydrating Mask:

Pricey but absolutely worth it. Smells gorgeous and makes a massive difference to hair after using it.

Tangle Teezer:

Not to sound dramatic, but I couldn't brush my hair with anything else. My hair is very thick and naturally curly and this is honestly the only brush that can actually get through my hair. I even take it to my hairdressers to help her out when I go!

What products have helped your hair grow? What can't you go without?

Thank you for reading.

Lots of love,
Amy
xxxx

Shellac & New Hair

Hi Ladies,

I hope that you're all ok and that you're enjoying your weekend.

You know sometimes when you just feel a bit 'blah' and plain? I've been feeling like this all week and decided that something needed to change so I slathered myself with fake tan last night (Loreal Sublime Bronze) and had a hair and nail appointment booked in for today.

For my nails, I decided to go for Shellac on my hands and feet and went for the shade Hollywood. Excuse the snapshot below but I wanted to show you how pretty the colour is:

I hadn't tried Shellac before but I think I'll carry on with the appointments from now on as acrylic nails can look nasty sometimes and just leave your nails so damaged.

In regards to my hair, my lovely hairdresser added highlights all the way through my hair using three different shades.

As I'm trying to grow my hair (rib length would be ideal), I couldn't resist and picked up another little bottle of Moroccan Oil (I tried a cheaper alternative in VO5 oil but it just didn't cut it.)

Have you tried Shellac? What is your favourite colour?

Any hair growth tips would be appreciated. Trust me, I've tried most things!

Thank you for reading.

Love,
Amy

xxx

A Hair Product That REALLY Makes A Difference.....

Hi Ladies,

My friend, Steph, over at A Rapunzel Story mentioned a glossing spray to me a few years ago that really made a difference to the condition and appearance of her hair. She has dark hair but recommended it for lighter hair, like mine.

The product that I am talking about is Inecto Pure Coconut Glossing Spray and it's FANTASTIC!

It retails at about £3.00 in the UK and really is value for money.

I use this on dry hair after it has been styled to give it a gloss (I have blonde hair and it really is noticeable) and I know that Steph sprays hers on to wet hair before she blow dries her hair and then again afterwards.

What products really make a difference to your hair? I'm on the lookout for a really luxurious mask so any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you for reading, as always.

Love, Amy

x

This Week's In's & Outs

Hi Ladies,

I hope that you're all well.

I love these kind of posts but looking at my 'In's' photo, I don't know how interesting you'll find this!

In's:

- Macbook Pro - Simply my best purchase of all time!

- Jeannie Brewer - A Crack In Forever Book - You need to read this! I must have read it 10 times!

- Bath & Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Bath Bubbles and Lotion - both products remind me of my holiday in Dubai this year with my beautiful friend, Jodie. The products work really well and the smell takes me back there

- Dove Hair Oil Treatment - Not only does it retail cheaply but it works! I use this between shampoo and conditioner and leave it on between 3-10 minutes

- YSL Top Secret Exfoliator - I use this every day. It's so gentle and makes my skin super soft

- Fendi Boots - So comfortable believe it or not and prefect for winter

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - Perfect for dry patches. I use on my cuticles and lips mostly

- VO5 Miracle Concentrate - A great alternative for Moroccan Oil (must cheaper too)

- Sudocrem - I use this to moisturise sore skin and to dry up any blemishes

- Models Own Lip Tint In Blackberry - I'm really trying to introduce colour to my lips so this seems to be the best starting point. Really moisturising and gives a sheer berry tint to the lips

Out's:

- Desperately being in need of a break/holiday

- The last Made In Chelsea episode on Monday

- My Hair - I still hate the colour. It's gradually fading but still

Speak soon!

Thank you for reading!

Love, Amy

x