hair dye

1 August 2017

Natural and Organic Haircare Routine 2017 featuring Madara, Odylique, Evolve Organic Beauty, John Masters
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Things have changed a little bit since I last wrote one of these hair care updates back in October 2016. I'm still faithful to my Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo and Naturtint hair colour but I've switched out my conditioner and styling products.

I started to believe that my beloved Desert Essence Red Raspberry conditioner was causing irritation. Every time I switched it out my scalp felt better. I have no idea why this happened or whether it was just temporary but I decided to find a replacement. I eventually settled on Madara Colour & Shine Conditioner. I'm on my second tube so that goes to show how much I am enjoying the results. I don't use very much of this conditioner because I find it nourishes my fine hair easily. I like that my hair can feel soft but without weighing it down.

My little bottle of *Evolve Nourishing Elixir which featured many times in posts has now been upgraded to a full size. I truly do think it's a great addition in my routine. I don't necessarily apply after every wash but I make sure I use it at least once a week. I use 2-3 drops on damp hair, through the middle to ends and it never leaves my hair weighed down. I believe in the long run this helps maintain softness and keeps my hair free from frizz.

I moved away from Giovanni styling products simply because I had the opportunity to test something different and it stuck. The John Masters Organics Green Tea & Calendula Leave-In Conditioning Mist has grown on me over time. At first I thought it wasn't doing much but my hair isn't a frizzy mess so I trust it's protecting in the long run. As the mist is very fine I haven't noticed build up. I'm still not the biggest fan of the scent but it doesn't linger once my hair has been dried and styled.

What's your hair care routine? Are my favourites something which you have tried and liked?

Sarah x

20 October 2016

Natural and Organic Haircare Routine 2016 featuring Odylique, Giovanni, Desert Essence, Naturtint
I’m pretty boring when it comes to my hair care routine, it hasn’t changed much over the years. I’ve stuck with the same brands. I’ve tried different products in their ranges but I always come back to the same ones. I spent a number of years with itchy scalp and eczema covered neck so call me paranoid but when I find what works I stick to it as I don’t want to go back to those horrible times.

This year a couple of additional products have crept into my routine but I’ll start with the old favourites. I’ve been banging on about Odylique Gentle Herb shampoo and Desert Essence Red Raspberry Conditioner since 2013. There haven’t been many shampoo and conditioner reviews as nothing else has made a lasting impression or gives similar results. If these products were ever discontinued I’d be a wreck which is totally superficial but I really wouldn’t know what to do.

I’ve been colouring my hair since my teens but Naturtint is the one that stuck when I became more conscience about ingredients. It first appeared on my blog in 2011. Permanent hair colour is similar to nail polish in that you’ll never truly find something “green and clean” but you can eliminate certain ingredients which are controversial. Naturtint does contain PPD if this is a concern for you but my hair is so grey these days that I’ve been unsuccessful in covering it with any other "natural" brands. 

When it comes to styling I keep it very simple as I have fine hair and don’t like using too much product. Giovanni Ultra Sleek Flat Iron Styling Mist is perfect and first appeared on my blog in 2013. A bottle lasts me a long time and my hair never feels weighed down and since my hair isn’t dried to a crisp then I trust it protects from heat styling. Often people are quick to assume the worst about the Keratin in this product but it is from plant sources. 

Recent additions to my routine are Evolve Nourishing Hair Elixir and Giovanni Vitapro Fusion Leave in Hair Treatment. I use the hair elixir once or twice a week just to keep good condition and add moisture. I never find it too heavy and it leaves my hair silky smooth. I’m still experimenting with the Giovanni Leave in treatment and so far I like using this after I have coloured my hair. I liberally spray into my damp hair and let it do its stuff. This wouldn’t replace the flat iron mist because I find it gives my hair volume not sleekness. I don’t like having “big hair” so it’s all about personal preference with this one.

As you can see I’m a creature of habit not much has changed over the years but that’s also testament to how good I think these products are. The initial switch to natural hair care can be frustrating. I certainly felt that my hair took time to purge the build up of mainstream product and my skin/scalp needed time to heal. Once you find those "magic" natural ingredients (and it does take trial and error) you’ll never look back.

Have you tried any of the products mentioned here? What are your favourite natural hair care products?

Sarah x

6 October 2015

Sugarpuffish Natural and Organic skincare haul
In recent weeks I have been stocking up on my favourite products and I thought I would share them. 

Dr Bronner's Green Tea soap & Neom Handwash from TK Maxx
Naturtint 7N Hazelnut Blonde
Organyc Cotton Buds
BWC Serenity Loose Mineral Eyeshadow 

Sarah x


Disclaimer: Links are not affiliated. The video does not contain PR samples, products bought with own money.

20 December 2013

Repurchase Products of 2013 featuring Desert Essence, Sarakan, Naturtint, Giovanni
If you have been following my empty posts you will have notice there are a number of products I have repurchased time and time again throughout the year. I thought it might be nice to summarise them into one blog post.

Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy - my original Bodhi review was published in 2012 and my love for their products has never ceased. I was introduced to Mint Thé when I received it as a GWP, it wasn't a fragrance I thought I would enjoy but it took me by surprise. I adore the fresh minty scent and this has been a repurchase and on my Christmas/Birthday wish lists ever since.

Sarakan Mouthwash - not a sexy product I know but I do like this mouthwash, it has a pleasant taste and it helps keep my mouth healthy.

Desert Essence Red Raspberry Conditioner - I experimented with a couple of products from this hair care range and the one that stuck with me is the red raspberry conditioner. It leaves my hair silky, smooth and soft but never greasy or weighed down.

Essential Care Gentle Herb Shampoo - I think it is fair to say this is now my Holy Grail. I spent many years searching for a shampoo that did not irritate my scalp but also gave me the results I wanted. It took a while to get use to the low foaming but now I can not be without it.

Everyday Minerals Semi Matte Foundation - at the start of 2013 I wrote about how I was finally going to ditch high street foundation. I fell in love with Everyday Minerals and I've used it every day since. 

Giovanni Ultra Chic Flat Iron Styling Mist - once I discovered this product I never looked back. I often buy in bulk as I don't want to run out. Only issue I have is the website that stocks this is not the greatest and I've had issues with orders. I wish it was available elsewhere in the UK.

Naturtint - I'm cheating with this one as I've been using for many years but this is the hair dye that works for me so I have stuck with it. I like the colour options, how it doesn't make me want to pass out with toxic fumes and it appears to leave my hair in reasonable condition even after all these years of colouring.

Deep Steep - You are probably wondering why I left this one out of the picture. I frequently purchase from the brand but I always try something different. I think the body wash is probably the one item I have bought several times this year.

Let me know what products you have repeat purchased this year.

Sarah x

9 June 2011

Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour
(Images updated in 2020 and yes I'm still using Naturtint 7N Hazelnut Blonde)

I started going grey in my 20’s and was not willing to accept them into my life, so I have been colouring my hair ever since. Almost 2 years ago I was made redundant and was unemployed for a short amount of time so I had to make cut backs and decided to go back to home colouring. I never gave much thought to chemicals in hair dye until I used a Boots brand that nearly made me pass out from the strong toxic aroma.

The chemicals to avoid in hair colourants are Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), ammonia, peroxide, resorcinonl and parabens. From what I understand you need a certain amount of PPD to successfully cover grey. I have tried a few alternatives to mainstream box dyes. There are some alternative brands that have reduced the worrying ingredients in their products. I've experimented with  Daniel Field, Logona and Sanotint. I do not have any major complaint with them but the brand that by far works best on my troublesome greys is Naturtint.

I've been using Naturtint for around two years. It is a permanent hair colour formulated without ammonia, resorcinol and parabens but it does contain PPD and hydrogen peroxide. If you'd like PPD free then opt for Naturtint Semi-Permanent colours. I am not willing to accept the greys so this is my compromise and an improvement over mainstream brands. I find Naturtint hair dye very easy to use, it is a non drip formula, easy to apply (I use a colouring brush for use of application on roots) and there is no strong odour. After colouring my hair always feels very soft. If I get any colour on my skin or bathroom surfaces as long as I wipe immediately it will remove with warm water. To maintain my colour I make sure to use sulphate free shampoo and conditioners. My greys usually pop back around four weeks but I can usually hold out until week six before I choose to touch up my roots.

Naturtint is available to buy online but I also purchase at Holland & Barrett which is very convenient. If you're familiar with home colouring the box contains the expected kit required – a bottle of hair colorant and hair developer (which you mix together), instructions, plastic gloves and tube of conditioner for aftercare. 
Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour
My tips for successful colouring at home are –

- Remember with all dyes chemical free or otherwise a patch test is important, even if you have been colouring your hair for years with the same product, you can still develop an allergic reaction. 
- Take your time colouring your hair, do not do it in a hurry that way you can achieve a more professional look. I have had hairdressers comment on how well I dye my own hair. 
- Always wear old clothes and protect surfaces and flooring if you tend to make a mess 
- If you do not like the plastic gloves provided buy latex-free gloves from the chemist (usually found with first aid products) 
- I mix the product in the bottle and decant into a bowl. Then apply the colourant with a professional dye brush, this way I find I can brush onto the roots for better coverage. 

- Combing through the product with a wide tooth comb gives a more natural coverage so the colour does not look flat. Save some of the conditioner and use it a couple of weeks later as treatment boost for your new colour.

- For greys opt for multi tonal colour as it looks natural and re-growth is less likely to show after couple of weeks. Greys can feel prominent with darker colours which may not be to your personal liking. If you only have a few grey hair you may wish to choose a semi-permanent colour or try highlights/lowlights to camouflage.

Sarah x

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