OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil Review

OUAI is one haircare brand I always look to when I want to give my hair some TLC. I have quite a sizeable collection of majority of their offerings and none have ever let me down (you can check out my full review here and here). I use OUAI haircare on my Afro and on my hair extensions. I am drawn to the brand because it effectively works to keep my hair in the best condition regardless of the weather which really affects my hair (my hair is not built for this weather at all). I love the signature fragrance to all OUAI haircare products because my hair always smells clean and fresh. I am a huge fan of their Hair Oil which I have since repurchased because it is one of the best I have tried. I was very kindly sent their recently launched Rose Hair and Body Oil and I loved it from the first spritz. Anything with roses makes me happy because it is one of those scents that never grows old. I have been trying the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil* for a while and I am so happy to finally share my thoughts.

Rose Hair and Body Oil // Link //£26
The Rose Hair and Body Oil* is designed to nourish and protect the hair strands, lock in moisture and impart a radiant glow on the skin and the hair. I had such a good experience with the OUAI Hair Oil so I knew I would get nothing short of perfection from the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil. It is free from parabens and silicones and OUAI does not test their products on animals which is great. Some of the ingredients include Rose, Bergamot, Lychee, White Musk, Absinthium, Shea, and Rosehip Oil. Together, these ingredients work so effectively in producing a beautifully fragrant oil which has both hydrating and moisturising properties.


Packaging
I have always been a big fan of OUAI hair products packaging because they are well made, great quality and minimalistic. I still love the shampoo and conditioners packaging because they look so chic. The Oils are not left out and I particularly love the Rose Hair and Body Oil because you can see the beautiful rose coloured oil through the transparent bottle. I love transparent bottles because you can tell how much product you have left so there are no nasty surprises if it runs out. It has a lovely pump which lets out a good amount of oil for the hair and body. I am currently travelling with it so I will let you know how travel friendly it is (fingers crossed there are no spillages- it does look quite secure).



Texture/Formula
The first thing I noticed about the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil was the amazing fragrance. I can always still catch a whiff of it whenever I use it on my hair and body. It is a dry oil which is my preferred oil texture especially when it comes to body oils. I can't deal with anything greasy on my body.  Although it is a dry oil which sinks in quite fast, you still get a nice radiance/glow on your hair and body. There is no greasy feeling on the skin at all and it does not make you feel uncomfortable. I think that's one thing that I love about it and one of the main reasons why I keep reaching for it.


My Hair Experience
If there is any hair care product I can't do without (apart from shampoos and conditioners), it will have to be Hair Oils. I love Hair Oils and I go through bottles of them because my natural hair (an afro) thrives on having a good oil to seal in moisture and retain its radiance. I would say the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil feels slightly lighter than the regular OUAI Hair Oil. I feel you need more texture when it comes to a hair oil compared to one that is a dual use product. On my hair, I find that the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil works more effectively when my hair is slightly damp compared to when it is completely dry. I tend to use one pump starting from the tip and working it up to my roots. The best part is that it does nto weigh my hair down at all which is incredible. So you get the moisturising, hydrating and luminous benefits and you still have grease-less hair. Love it!!


My Body Experience
It has been a really long time since I committed to using an oil exclusively for my body as I tend to use moisturisers or body balms. However, I was more than ready to switch to this oil to see how well it worked. For reference, I have combination oily skin mainly around my face but my body is generall normal.  I got the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil just at the tail end of Summer so I had a good chance of testing it out in the sun to see if if I ended up feeling greasy. Thank goodness that did not happen and I think it is down to the fact that its texture is similar to a dry oil. It sinks in well, gives my skin a nice radiant (non-greasy) look and this radiance lasts pretty much the entire day. I think I actually enjoyed it more on my body than on my hair and I am really surprised about that.


Where to Buy //Link //£26
OUAI Haircare products can be purchased directly from their website or from several retailers including Selfridges, Cult Beauty, Space NK, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, etc. It retails for £26 which I think is very affordable giving that you get almost 100ml (approx 98.9ml) of product and this can be used both on the hair and body. I don't think I have tried any other hair and body oil formula that is similar to this so it is a very unique product. Even if it was used everyday, I think it will safely last for at least 2 months or more so I think it is worth the price tag.




Overall Thoughts
I am really glad I got a chance to try out the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil. It definitely lived up to my expectations as with majority of the OUAI Haircare products I have tried. I could not resist taking a picture of some of my favourite OUAI Haircare products and I can't wait to purchase a few more to add to my collection. I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you tried the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here

New In from Celebrity You Natural

Last year, I was introduced to the lovely Celebrity You Natural brand and I really enjoyed the hair care products I was kindly gifted. If you want to find out more about those products, head on over to this post where I wrote about the brand and reviewed the first set of products. You can imagine my sheer delight when the founder of Celebrity You Natural told me she had launched a body and skincare range and wanted to send me some. Of course, I said Yes because who can resist organic Shea Butter and Argan Oil? Certainly not me. I have been using them for a little over a month now so I thought I should share my thoughts on them. I was very kindly sent three products which include the Argan & Coconut Oil Natural Moisturising Shampoo*, the Organic Shea Butter Body Butter *and the Organic Shea Butter Honey Soap*.



Argan & Coconut Oil Natural Moisturising Shampoo* //Link // £9.99
My shampoo and conditioner collection is super huge I kid you not!! However, I only have very few shampoos that are natural/organic so I was very delighted to welcome this Argan & Coconut Oil Shampoo to my collection. I use this mainly on my Afro and my hair absolutely loves it. Celebrity You Natural describe it as a natural moisturising shampoo formulated with a unique blend of ingredients that aim to help restore the hair's natural lustre. It contains Argan Oil for softness and shine and Coconut Oil which promotes scalp health and protection against hair problems. I love these two oils as they have a lot of hair benefits so I was keen to try this out. It does not contain silicones, sulfate or parabens which is always a good thing to know. The first thing I noticed was a soft fragrance which I like because it means my hair will smell fresh when I am done washing. It has quite a runny texture so it's important to watch out for it so you don't waste the product. It lathers quite well considering that it is Sulfate-free but you do need a little bit more than regular shampoos. My hair felt really clean but not stripped or limp. I did have to use another conditioner but I am sure a conditioner will be developed at some point. If you are into co-washing (washing with a conditioner) but you want something to keep your hair quite clean, I'd recommend trying out this Argan & Coconut Oil shampoo.



Organic Shea Butter Body Butter* //Link// £10.99
I love Shea Butter but I sometimes avoid it because I am not a fan of its natural scent and how heavy it could sit on my skin. However, I was in for a pleasant surprise when I tried out the Organic Shea Butter Body Butter from Celebrity You Naturals. If you follow me on Instagram you'd have seen me talk about this Body Butter and it's because I am obsessed with it. Celebrity You Natural describe it as an intensive moisturiser designed to nourish and moisturise the skin. It contains three key natural ingredients among others including Organic Shea Butter (deeply moisturising with healing properties), Wheat Germ Oil (naturally high in Vitamin A,B, D and E which are all antioxidants and anti-aging) and Olive Oil (which helps rejuvenate and regenerate the skin). It is vegan-friendly and does not contain parabens, sulphates and mineral oils.




As the name suggests, it is made from organic Shea Butter, however it smells incredible and it has the lightest texture ever. It feels just like whipped cream and melts instantly on the skin while providing moisture, hydration and maintaining the skin's natural lustre. I use this almost everyday and I will be repurchasing it when I run out because I absolutely love it. If you have dry skin or combination oily skin suffering during this cold weather, I'd very highly recommend giving this a try. My back was having some dry patches and getting super itchy especially at night. I have been using this consistently and all the itchiness is now history. I cannot praise this gorgeous tub of goodness enough!!



Organic Shea Butter Honey Soap* //Link //£3.99
Last but not the least is the Organic Shea Butter Honey Soap. I do like the idea of this soap but I am not really a big fan of bar soaps. I think the only bar soap I use regularly is the Dudu Osun (African Bar Soap) which grew on me because it is very effective. Celebrity You Natural describe this as an indulgent bar which provides a relaxing scent of Honey and Shea butter and designed to moisturise and soothe skin irritations. Armed with this description, I was determined to see if this bar would make me change my mind about bar soaps. The first thing I noticed was the fragrance/scent which I am not a fan of. I am not sure the honey aspect comes through sufficiently so it does have a proper soap scent. I know many people would not mind this at all. I did still use it for a good while and I noticed it does help with irritated skin. I used this soap regularly for my showers and I do have to say it is quite effective at keeping my body clean but I struggled with the scent. It still has not grown on me but I am hoping it does for the sheer fact that it does what it promises. I wish another hybrid will be developed with a more pleasant fragrance. If you are not bothered with scents/fragrance and you are looking for a good bar of soap, I'd recommend giving this a try.


Where to Buy//website link
As far as I know, the Celebrity You Natural products can be purchased directly online from their website. I do like how easy their website is to navigate which is always a plus when online shopping. Celebrity You Natural is a subsidiary of Celebrity You Premium Hair which is their main site where you can purchase anything hair, extensions, etc. They also go for a good number of exhibitions where you can see the products in real life and get advice from Elizabeth (the founder) who is so pleasant. The best way to find out where any information and discount codes is to follow them on their Instagram Page: CelebrityYou Natural and CelebrityYou Premium Hair.


Overall Thoughts
I am so pleased I got a chance to try out these new products from Celebrity You Natural. If I were to choose only one product, it will definitely be the Organic Shea Butter Body Butter. For the price and quality, it is easily giving many other high end brands a run for their money in my opinion. That's it from me today. Have you tried any of products from the Celebrity You Natural range?
*Gifted PR Sample, read my full disclaimer here.

Aveda Split End Repair Review

Back in September, I was very kindly invited to an Aveda Haircare event which was very exciting for me. After having my first stint with trying Aveda products (you can read about my Tulasara review here), I was very excited to attend this hair care event. I have always known Aveda more for their hair care products particularly on how they cater to a wide range of hair types including Afro hair types. For that alone, I was very impressed because I know many hair brands struggle to do this. I had the day off which is always good as it means I can attend any blog events during the day and relax for the rest of the evening. The event was the to celebrate the launch of the Aveda Damage Remedy Split End Repair* which I was very curious about.




It is part of the Aveda Damage Remedy range which has been formulated to restore, repair and rescue hair from various effects of damage. The Split End Repair in itself is designed to instantly draw and bind frayed ends back together while also preventing new split ends from forming. I don't think I have ever come across any product that has this claim so I was naturally curious to give it a try. That's why I was so happy to attend the event and learn more about this product. I don't know about you but when I have split ends, I just snip them off (ever so sadly though). I know it is quite healthy to trim off split ends and having just a trim in general but if a product could help prevent this, I am all over it.





The event was held at Carousel in Central London. I have attended a few blogger events at the same venue and I am always amazed at how beautiful they manage to transform it each time. It was a drop-in session so I just popped in for my slot. I love how Aveda use a lot of greenery at their events and I find it really relaxing. The venue looked gorgeous as expected from Aveda.






I had a quick bite and some fresh juice before I settled down for my appointment. The Aveda Professional Hair Stylist (Luke) was so knowledgeable and I learnt a whole lot about taking care of my Afro and how to use the  Aveda products. He applied a small amount to my bun(well, my bun is not actually a sizeable bun so let's leave it at that, shall we?)and I loved it on first impressions. Armed with so many good hair care tips, I was ready to put the Split End Repair to the test.




Packaging
I know it looks like a regular hair care tube packaging but I wanted to draw some attention to the design. First off, I love that it's quite compact and travel friendly. It contains 30ml of product which is quite small for a hair care product but I will get to that later. What I do adore is the lid which twists up and down to dispense the right amount of product through its nozzle tip. I love it a lot although I do wish it came with slightly more product in it (I think 50ml would have been great especially for the price).


Formula/Ingredients
I was very curious to see what ingredients the Split End Repair contained especially with the claims. It is formulated with Nangai Oil which is sourced from Nangai Tree nuts (in South Pacific). This is the star ingredient in this product and it envelops the surface of each split end and  helps draw wayward strands back together. The texture is quite a lovely one and it is really easy to use on my hair. It does not feel greasy or weigh my hair down which is really key for me because I cannot deal with greasy hair at all. I also love the way it smells as it is so fresh just like beautiful greenery and herbs.


How I use
It is recommended to use it on dry hair and that's exactly how I have been using it. The first time I tried it at home, I did use it after I had washed and conditioned my hair and I loved it. It made my hair look so curly and I was like "ooh la la"  however I have stuck to using it as instructed. Aveda recommend using a pea sized amount, emulsify (I just rub between my hands) and apply in downward motions from mid length to hair tip. It is much easier if you split your hair into sections. I don't have a lot of split ends on my natural hair but I've noticed the front section of my hair has some split ends. I think this is mainly due to the fact that I always straighten this section to blend with my hair extensions. Applying heat on many hair types especially natural Afro hair textures is not the best at all and I have got some damage now. I used the Split End Repair mainly on the front section of my hair as this was the only part I noticed some heat damage.


Results
The first thing I did notice was that my hair was not breaking as much as it does especially after continuously straightening the front section. It looks so much healthier as well and I find that it also acts as a heat protectant for my hair. The good thing about it is that it helps whatever style I am wearing my hair  last longer. For example, when I left my front section (leave out) curly, it helped my curls look better defined and when I straightened my hair, it helped preserve this. I have really enjoyed using it and I still use it. It also makes my hair softer and more manageable. However, I have to say that it would not last too long if I were to use it on my entire head because it is only 30 ml. On the other hand, If you are using it on a particular section of your hair (like I was), it will last longer and get maximum benefits. I do think it will be brilliant at preventing split ends but if you already have a lot of split ends, it will help reduce the amount you may need to eventually trim off.


Where to Buy//Link //£25
The Aveda Split End Repair is available in all Aveda stores and online. If you happen to go into an Aveda store, you can ask them to do a damage diagnostic test for you to see if you have any hair damage. They'd also provide advice and recommendations for you which I think is pretty neat. I definitely think I need to pop into an Aveda store for a hair makeover because they are one of the few brands that cater to Afro texture hair. I was also very impressed with the advice and hair tips I received during the event.



Overall Thoughts
I am really pleased I got a chance to attend the Aveda Hair Event and also test out the Split End Repair for myself. I still use it frequently and I have enjoyed how it has helped my hair. I do think I may still need to snip some split ends away but at least now I know that it will prevent other split ends from showing their ugly faces. That's it from me today. Have a lovely weekend. Have you tried the Aveda Split End Repair?
*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Range Review

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'd know that Sachajuan is one of my favourite hair care brands especially their Intense Repair range. I have a full review of all my Sachajuan range over here and I highly recommend checking it out. I have always heard about the Ocean Mist range and I really wanted to try it out. A lovely opportunity came when the amazing folks at Mark McDonald Consultancy (MMCL) invited me to the Sachajuan Pro Hair Care Event which I have written about over here. It was an amazing event as we were taught how to create the Undone Bun and Pro Blow Dry. I was kindly gifted the Ocean Mist range and I could not wait to put it to the test. I received the Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo*, Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner*, Sachajuan Ocean Mist Spray* and the Sachajuan Hair Repair*.  I am actually halfway through the shampoo and conditioner as it's been all I have been using in the past month or so. I took these photos when they were still fresh looking. I have previously used the Sachajuan HJair Repair and you can read a more in depth review about it over here. For this post, I will just focus on the Ocean Mist range.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Shampoo*// Link //£20

I don't remember ever owning a blue shampoo and I fell in love with this shampoo just from its appearance. The blue colour reminds me of the unique blue colour of the ocean. I love the simplistic yet aesthetically pleasing packaging and I find it really easy to use in the bathroom. Just like many other Sachajuan Hair Care products, the Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo is enriched with the unique Sachajuan Ocean Silk Technology. It also has natural vegetable proteins which help give the hair structure, volume and strength. I absolutely adore using this on my natural hair and I also use it on my hair extensions. It really does leave my hair clean especially if I have been using loads of products over the week. It is not sulfate-free however I do have to say it is one of the few shampoos (which are not sulfate-free) that does not leave my hair stripped. It is a really good all rounder shampoo because it adds volume, cleans the hair and maintains the hair's natural lustre. If you are after a shampoo that will get rid of any product build up and dirt, I would highly recommend this. The best part is it smells so beautiful like you have been playing in the ocean and this really draws me back to using it.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner* //Link //£22

I had nothing but high hopes for the Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner (especially after being impressed with the shampoo) and I was not disappointed. The Ocean Mist Volume Conditioner has also been developed using the Ocean Silk Technology and is further enriched with natural vegetable proteins. I am a huge fan of conditioners because they can be used to co-wash as well as condition the hair. I love the way it makes my hair feel and it also has some nourishing properties. Of course, it smells really good but that's a given with Sachajuan products. As a conditioner, I tend to leave it on for quite a good while because my Afro tends to get dry and needs a lot of moisture and hydration. I leave it on for 10 minutes or some more depending on how I feel. As a co-wash, I just use it like I would a shampoo and my hair still feels very clean. I always take the time to detangle my hair while I use it because it is really good at this. It adds that extra volume to my hair and it rinses out well without weighing my hair down at all.


Sachajuan Ocean Mist*// Link //£18
This is basically the product I really wanted to try because I'd heard so many good things about. There was a time I was seeing the Ocean Mist in every review both on blogs and YouTube videos and I was super curious. You can imagine how delighted I was to finally try it. The Ocean Mist is a leave in spray with a formula that mimics a beach kissed feel (aka beach kissed waves). It is designed to give the hair a natural twist and volume similar to the one you get after a lovely day at the sea. It can be used on wet or dry hair. I am huge on using leave in sprays for loose waves on my extensions and I have been enjoying trying it out. I prefer to use it on dry hair and I spritz it all over and then go back section by section. I recently had some loose waves on my hair and I used the Ocean Mist first and then added some loose waves with my Babyliss curling wand. Honestly, my waves looked so lush, had a beautiful lustre and bounce to them. I was so surprised because I had not quite experienced that with other mists so I am very impressed. The best part is that the Ocean Mist is really helpful in refreshing previous days' waves or curls (I just spritz and scrunch it up). I really like that it does not weigh my hair down at all even when I reapply after the first day. Now, I know why this a favourite for any people and it's totally worth the hype.


Where to buy
I believe Sachajuan products can mainly be purchased online and there are quite a few retailers that stock them. Of course you can purchase directly from the Sachajuan website. Other retailers include Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, Feel Unique, etc. I always look out for discount codes to make some savings so do check online if you are looking to purchase some products from the range.


Overall Thoughts
I have been using Sachajuan Hair Care for slightly more than a year now and I absolutely adore them. I love the brand and I have never used any product within the range that let me down and I have really enjoyed using the Ocean Mist range which is one of their best selling ranges. If you really want to try just one product, I would highly recommend trying out the Ocean Mist.  Massive thanks to MMCL for introducing me to such lovely brands and gifting me products from them. I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried the Sachajuan Ocean Mist Range?
*Gifted PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here