Hair Care Tips - Inspired Living SA

My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair

Hair Care Routine

People often ask me to recommend hair care products, which can be quite tricky because as with beauty care, hair care is such a personal thing. Everyone’s hair is so different, which makes their hair care needs unique as well. I thought I would share My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair with you, as well as some of the products I am using and enjoying, particular to my hair type. Hopefully this will help some of you, who like me struggle with fine hair, add volume and maintain great healthy hair!

I have very fine hair, which is colour treated, plus I heat style it most days, so as much as I need volume, I also need to protect my hair against heat and the elements. The hair care routine I am sharing, is not a daily routine but rather products I would use for a full week, which includes styling products and treatments.

You may recall a while back I attended the re-launch of the Bonacure range by Schwarzkopf at The Stylebar, in Tygervalley. We received a range of the Bonacure products to take home with us but I did not start using the products immediately, as I was finishing products I already had. I began using the Bonacure{BC} products when I returned from holiday and I am really loving them! As with skin care, it is important to spend a bit extra, on good quality hair care products.

Shampoo ~ Admitedly I am a bit naughty because I wash my hair almost everyday! I do try to take a break once a week but my hair is oily at the roots and because I exercise most days, I need to wash my hair more often. As I mentioned I have fine hair, so a volumising shampoo is a must for me. Most stylists will tell you that you should shampoo your hair twice but I only do it once, unless I am going to apply a treatment or mask. I find that if I double cleanse every-time I wash my hair the ends get extremely dry. I am currently using the BC Volume Boost shampoo, I also really found the L’Oreal Volumetry shampoo worked really well on my fine hair. The BC Volume Shampoo is great as it adds great volume without making my hair feel tacky. The BC products also smell amazing which is important for me in hair care products.
Conditioner ~ Fine hair tends to tangle very easily, which is why I find it vital to use a conditioner, each time I wash my hair. On occasion I will also use a volumsing conditioner but for everyday purposes, I use a colour protecting conditioner like the BC Color Freeze. The only time I do not use a conditioner is when I use hair mask or treatment. When applying conditioner I do not apply it to my roots, as I find this makes my hair limp and can make my roots oily. I leave the conditioner on for a few minutes and the rinse thoroughly.

Hair Mask/ Treatment ~ My hair care routine usually involves a hair mask or treatment once a week. I find that because my roots become oily quite quickly this is more than enough for my hair. Using a mask is definitely something my hair needs, especially the ends and I can see an immediate difference in the texture of my hair afterwards. I have been using the BC Color Freeze Treatment along side The Victorian Garden Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, which I alternate each week. Most often I apply my hair mask in the shower, directly after shampooing it and leave on for the length of my shower. For a deeper treatment I apply the mask in the evening when I bath and leave on for approximately 20 minutes.

Heat Protection ~ It is very important to include heat protection as part of your hair care routine, especially if you are heat-styling your hair everyday. When it comes to heat protection I have a few products I alternate between. The BC Color Freeze Thermo-Protect Cream protects against heat damage, as well as protecting and prolonging your hair colour. My other favourite heat protector is Argan Oil, you may recall a post I did featuring the Inoar Argan Oil, which I have loved using. Inoar recently launched a new Extreme Premium Oil, dubbed as a Miracle Oil, it heals, seals, moisturises, rejuvenates and protects hair, as well as repairing split ends. The Inoar Extreme Premium Oil contains Argan, Macadamia, Coconut, Sesame, Rose and MYRRH. The Inoar Extreme Premium Oil smells amazing and you can also use it once a week as a treatment for your hair. As with applying masks or conditioner, do not apply the Inoar Oil or BC Color Freeze Thermo-Protect Cream to your roots, only to mid-length or ends of your hair, to avoid weighing the hair down. I apply a small amount of either heat protector to my hair before styling.

Dry Shampoo ~ On those occasions when I take a break and do not wash my hair, I like to use a dry shampoo, to freshen it up and add a bit of volume. There is nothing worse than flat lifeless bed-hair! The Batiste Dry Shampoo range is probably my favourite, I have a few different fragrances but I really love the Tropical shampoo, it reminds me of summer! I also love the fact that you can but the small dispensers, which are perfect for travel. Another product I have found works really well on second day hair, is the John Frieda Volume Refresher. While it is not sold as a dry shampoo, it does the same job – absorbs oils and gives your hair a volume boost.

Styling Products ~ Last but not least are a few styling products which work for fine hair. As a rule I do not using styling products on my hair unless I am going out or want to achieve a wavy, beachy look. I find too much product can weigh fine hair down and make it appear limp. My hair as a slight wave in it and I find with it being a bit longer I can create great “beach waves”, which is great for a more relaxed, casual look. I have tried quite a few of the Sea Salt sprays, which work initially but using over a longer period, dry my hair out. So if I need a bit of extra volume or want waves I have gone back to using Mousse. The Tresemme Extra Control Mousse from their Salon Finish range is great and works well on creating beach waves or adding extra volume, when I am blow-dry my hair. If I do curl my hair or create beach waves I do like to finish off with a bit of hair spray, after styling to help hold my fine hair in place. I find both the Tresemme 24 Hour Body and the Extra Hold finishing sprays, work well on fine hair. The 24 Hour Body Spray giving you a bit more of a natural hold which is perfect for creating beach waves.

So in a nutshell these are the hair care products I am using as part of My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair. If you have any questions or have any products you find work well for fine hair please leave a comment below.

Stockists: Bonacure available in-store from Stylebar or online from Retailbox. Inoar online from Inoar Website. Tresemme, John Frieda and Batiste available from Clicks stores countrywide.

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Hair

Inoar Argan Oil

I am one of those people who has extremely fine, fly-away hair and heat styling my hair everyday definitely does not do me any favours! About a year ago someone suggested I try an oil treatment on my hair before styling. I must admit I was rather skeptical, as my hair tends to become very greasy very easily.

After trying quite a few different treatment oils available on the market, I managed to find one which did not weigh my hair down but rather left it feeling silky smooth and looking great. Sadly that bottle is now finished and I have not yet had a chance to repurchased it.

Luckily for me I received the little bottle of magic above, at an Inoar launch, which I attended recently – perfect timing or what!

Extracted from the nut of the Argan tree in Morocco, Argan Oil contains active ingredients known worldwide for its beneficial abilities to create extraordinary shine, condition and protect the hair from harsh elements.

The Inoar Argan Oil eliminates frizz and provides thermal protection for the hair, delivering silky, smooth and luxurious tresses. This hydrating Oil can also be utilized in hair coloring processes and deep conditioning treatments.

I apply the Argan Oil to clean damp hair but be warned you only need to use the tiniest amount. Gently rub through the hair and comb out, then style as you usually would. The first time I used the oil I used far too much and rubbed it into the ends of my hair, which left my hair looking rather greasy. So the smallest amount goes a long way and remember do not rub it vigorously into your hair.

This Argan Oil really is the business! It is great to untangle knots and smooths down any flyaway bits, leaving your hair smooth and beautifully shiny! RRP: Inoar Argan Home Care Oil 60ml R 434.00

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If you would like to find out prices or more about this an other Inoar products you can visit the Inoar Website.

Disclosure Ranking: 2

Beauty, Hair, Product Reviews, Reviews and Features

{ Favourite } Tresemme Heat Defence Spray

I recently received a bottle of the Tresemme Heat Defence Spray to review. This is actually a product I already use and love, which makes it a great one to share with you! I am not really sure why I have not shared it before now.

If like me, you heat style your hair often, then I hope you are using a product to protect your hair against damage caused by using a hairdryer, flat-iron or curling tongs! The best solution, naturally, would be to stop heat styling your hair but we all know that is not going to happen! 😉

The Tresemme Heat Defence Spray comes in a plastic bottle with a handy pump, spray nozzle. To use simply release the lock on the spray mechanism and spray liberally on damp hair before blow-drying or on dry hair, before curling or using a flat-iron.

This product is recommended for all hair types but it is particularly effective on fine hair, like mine, which tends to be “fly-away”. It smooths down your hair, preventing it from frizzing and leaves it looking shiny and soft.

The Tresemme Heat Defence spray protects your hair up to 230°C and the moisture-locking vitamin complex helps prevent hair becoming brittle and dull; with continued use it can prevent up to 82% less breakage.

I have used quite a few other brands of heat protection spray but I always seem to come back to the Tresemme one, mostly because I find it as, if not more effective than many of the other brands on the market but at half the price. I also prefer the type of spray nozzle on this product. You get better and more even coverage when spraying onto your hair, as opposed to a great deal of the other sprays, which have an aerosol type nozzle. This spray does not leave your hair feeling sticky or weighed down and is definitely a firm favourite of mine!

As well as the regular 300ml the Tresemme Heat Defence Spray, also comes in a smaller, 100ml, bottle which is the perfect travel size. Recommended Retail Price R79.99 for 300ml Clicks Stores.

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For more details on this and other hair care products visit the Tresemme SA Website.

Beauty, Beauty Products, Hair

{ Beauty Review } The Victorian Garden Hair Mask

The Victorian Garden, a South African, organic skin care company, recently re-launched their hair masks and I was fortunate to receive one to try out. After going very blonde last year, which I must admit I have loved, my hair is soooo dry! This is probably largely because I heat style my hair – usually everyday, naughty I know. This is a habit I am trying hard to break!

I have been testing quite a few different hair masks and treatments and was keen to try out The Victorian Garden Hair Mask. I am currently using their Mango and Vanilla Exfoliating Salt Body Scrub, which I love.

There are two hair masks in The Victorian Garden range: a Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, with Peppermint and a Cocoa & Mafura Butter Hair Masque, with Orange & Rosemary.

I received the Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, with Peppermint to review. The mask is recommended as an extra nourishing treatment for dry or damaged hair, to help repair, moisturise and protect the hair shaft for smoother, shinier hair with less frizz. The formula combines Jojoba wax, Shea Butter and Avocado to deeply penetrate the hair and plant proteins to build strength and manageability. Rosemary and Lime essential oils assist in root health, soothing a dry and itchy scalp, while revitalising Peppermint balances pH and promotes hair growth.

I must admit I am always hesitant when trying new hair care products, as many of them leave my super fine hair unmanageable but I was keen to see if this masque could work its magic on my hair!

You do need a bit of time when using a hair mask – so for me the evenings or weekend mornings work best. The mask has a pleasant botanical fragrance, which smells quite strongly of rosemary but I did not find the smell lingered in my hair after rinsing. To use, apply the mask after shampooing from mid-lengths to ends of hair. You do need to leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse well.

Tip: For a deep treatment, apply mask to damp hair and wrap head in a towel for 20 minutes or overnight. Rinse well after use.

I was initially quite surprised after rinsing my hair,as it felt quite dry and not as silky smooth as it has using other masks or treatments. After combing through and applying my everyday heat protection and styling products to my hair, I dried it as per normal. My hair was definitely easier to manage when styling it and not as “fly-away” as it usually is. My initial reaction was completely forgotten because my hair looked awesome – it had much more body and a great healthy shine to it. I was even asked later that day, whether I had gone to the hair dresser because my hair looked so amazing 🙂

Needless to say this product is a winner – well for me anyway! I recommend that you give it a try, especially if you have dry, over-processed hair.

To find out more about these and other products please visit The Victorian Garden website.

Beauty, Beauty Products

Pantene Moisture Renewal Review

A few weeks back I received the Pantene Moisture Renewal Range, of hair care products, to try out and review. Pantene is not the range of products I normally use but I have been struggling with dry ends, so I was keen to see if these products would help.

Much like our skin, our hair requires devoted loving care, nutrients and most importantly, conditioning, especially during the dryer months of the year. The weather can play havoc with your hair, especially the extremely cold winter weather but there are other factors, which can contribute to dry and lifeless hair.

I thought I would include some hair-care advice in this review, from Dr John Gray, who is an expert medical practitioner and internationally acclaimed trichologist. He explains that temperature is not necessarily a leading factor for caring for dry hair, but rather a combination of the following habits:

• How processed is your hair?
• How many times a week do you wash and heat style your hair?
• How often do you condition and add a moisture treatment to your hair care regime?
• How often do you make an appointment with a professional stylist, to keep split ends trimmed and your hair shaped in an attractive and easy to maintain style?

My hair is in fairly good condition and not over processed but I do heat-dry it on a daily basis hence the dry ends. I find it vital to condition my hair each time I wash it but because my hair is extremely fine, I cannot use products which are too moisturising and leave my hair feeling oily.

The Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal collection works to re-hydrate and replenish the driest of dry hair, with targeted micro-moisturisers. By supporting the control of moisture movement, the hairs’ natural lipid layers are protected, which ensures your mane looks and feels silky smooth, glossy and radiant, for up to 24 hours.

These are a few tips from Dr Gray to banish dry unmanageable hair:

“Condition, condition, condition! Hair must be conditioned after every wash. Protection against moisture loss works best after working a conditioning cure or masque treatment through the hair such as the Pantene Intensive Moisturising Masque.
“Wash ‘n rinse: Many of us subject our heads of hair to rigorous washing and styling on a daily basis. Through our devoted attention, we lose precious moisture, which ultimately leads to damage.”
“After using a rich shampoo such as Pantene’s Moisture Renewal Shampoo with micro-moisturisers, which targets the driest areas of hair to help protect the natural lipid layer, towel-dry your hair. This is an important step before completing the drying and styling process because a hairdryer, by way of example, can boil the water in your hair because it delivers dry heat temperatures of around 140°C.”
“Ensure you pay regular visits to a professional hair stylist. With over 100,000 strands of hair on the average human head, two centimeters of split ends, actually equates to two kilometers of damaged tips. By maintaining the right length of hair, your style will be easy to control and maintain, and ultimately, your hair will be enabled to hold its moisture content.”

My Pantene Moisture Renewal Review:

Moisture Renewal Revitalising Shampoo and Conditioner:

After our recent trip to Thailand I have really been struggling to get my hair back to its natural soft silky state and have tried various different products to add more moisture. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical at first, when I was offered these products to review but I have really enjoyed using both the Shampoo and Conditioner. These products are not over moisuturising and do not weigh your hair down at all. I found my hair soft but not fly-away, which tends to happen to my hair. My hair was manageable and easy to comb through making styling it a pleasure.

2 Minutes Intensive Moisturizing Mask:

This is an awesome treatment but because my hair tends to become oily quite easily, I have only been using it once a week. It is light and does not weigh your hair down or make it tacky after using it. My daughter who has curly hair, which tends to dry out, has also been using the treatment but twice a week. You can apply it after you have washed your hair and leave on for two minutes, while you shave your legs or use your body scrub. Then rinse as per normal, it is super quick and easy to use and is definitely a product I would buy!

Deep Moisture Soufflé:

Last but certainly not least, the Deep Moisture Soufflé, leave in treatment, which looks like pipped meringue, is truly amazing. It is a blend of four moisturises, which help protect your hair against heat damage. It looks a bit like regular styling mousse but it does not have the same sticky texture that mousse does. You only need to apply a small amount to towel dried hair before you style it, for perfectly silky tresses!

*Disclaimer – The Pantene Products were sent to me for review purposes but the views and opinions are my own.

About Dr John Gray:

John qualified in Medicine from St George’s Hospital in London. He ran a family-based primary care practice and trichology clinic before moving to South Africa in 2010.
As well as being a senior consultant to P&G, John is a member of the European Academy of Dermatology, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the European and North American Hair Research Societies, the Royal Society of Medicine and the Institute of Trichology.