L'Oreal EverSleek - Sulphate Free, Not For Me!

I've heard a lot about sulphate free products over the past 12 months. I don't generally buy in to that kind of thing but I am all for trying something new where hair care is concerned so when L'Oreal launched their new Hair Expertise range it seemed as good a time as any to give it a go. 

The range consists of shampoo's and conditioner - £5.99 - as well as styling products and intensive masks - £6.99. There are 6 hair type specific formula's to choose from...

Colour Care & Moisture - Overprocessed, Dry, Coloured Hair

Colour Care & Smoothing, Overprocessed, Dry, Coloured Hair

Colour Care & Volume, Overprocessed, Dry, Coloured Hair

Smoothing & Moisture, Overprocessed, Frizzy Hair

Smoothing & Nourish - Overprocessed, Frizzy Hair

Reinforcing & Vitality - Overprocessed, Fragile Hair

So it would seem this range is targeted at overprocessed hair? Yes, I think so.

I'm not convinced that the moisture and smoothing versions aren't exactly the same but hey, that's the cynic in  me. Don't even get me started on the bad grammar that is 'Smoothing and Nourish' ugh, but that's the one I chose. I didn't really shop around, I just picked up the first one I saw, had I done more research ahead of my purchase I may have chosen a coloured hair formula.

I so wanted to like this, I wanted to tell you it had transformed my hair and I wished I'd banned sulphates years ago but.. I cant. My hair did feel smooth and nourished but it didn't feel clean.. and isn't that the main objective here? Yes I want my hair to feel and look healthy but that means squat if it's hanging from visibly dirty roots. I really stuck it out, I read up on how to get the best from it, I was washing my hair twice I was leaving the shampoo in for longer but nothing worked. Every time I dried my hair I had to follow with dry shampoo so my hair never looked or felt freshly washed - and I've run out of Batiste! I persevered for 2 weeks before enough was enough, I used my regular shampoo and wow did I feel clean. It was like I'd been grubby for a fortnight and finally taken a shower, I can't explain the relief.

I'm sure that 'no-sulphate cleansing systems' (L'Oreals tag line for this range) have their place but that place is not on my head. I don't care what anyone says or how bad they are I need my sulphates and silicones and artificial what-nots to make my hair look good. If you're hair is extremely damaged or dry then by all means give this a go but it is not something I'll be revisiting anytime soon. 

I can't discredit all sulphate free formula's based on this one product and if I was to head out into that murky wilderness again I would for sure go organic rather than high street but if you're hair is normal/oily don't go near this stuff!

Available at Boots.com

Miss BB

Kiss Me.. Caresse Me

Boy have I had a busy day! Swimming lessons, Ikea (a day in itself) and then hours and hours of flat-pack furniture building before reorganising my clothes to incorporate my new drawers and the living room to incorporate the hugely over sized new coffee table. Anyway.. these are the reasons for this very late post and the delay in uploading my Lip Butter/Caress comparison..

I did blog about the Caresse lipsticks a couple of months ago when I first picked one up having heard nothing about them. I assumed they were L'Oreals answer to Revlon's lip butter but having now tried them both.. I couldn't have been more wrong. I would say I prefer these but they are just a totally different animal. To compare the two would be to compare foundation and concealer, they do a similar job but they serve two different purposes. The L'Oreal Caresse it a very creamy, balmy formula that delivers an even wash of sheer glossy colour where the Lip Butters are bold, sticky and can be patchy if applied too thinly. I'm not totally hating on the Lip Butters, they have their place but L'Oreal have delivered what I expected from Revlon and I am much happier with these.

My first purchase was Tempting Lilac. Not a shade I would normally gravitate towards but I've been trying to mix it up lately and add in some new colour aspects to my makeup wardrobe as opposed to the standard neutrals I love. Saying that the next two I bought were Sweet Berry and Nude Ingenue.. very much more me. I really only plumped for the Impulsive Fuchsia to compare a bolder colour with the Revlon counterpart but wouldn't you know I think it's my favourite.

I wanted to get this post up to coincide with my review video going up overnight.. or tomorrow (I haven't decided yet) so I didn't have time for lip swatches etc but they've been requested so I will post them for these and the Lip Butters when I post the video on the blog. 

The lasting power of the Caresse lipsticks is, as you'd imagine, not great. Think tinted balm and you're there. They feel really moisturising and due to the sheer formula the more neutral shades are great to have in your handbag for a hint of colour on the go, no mirror required! They have the usual L'Oreal lipstick scent which I've never disliked but I know not everyone wants scented products directly below their nose. Other than that I can think of no negative and that doesn't even count really, does it? Did I even mention the packaging? It's like the lovechild of a Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited and Dior Addict all for the bargainous drugstore price of £7.99.

 I don't see that you have any choice other than to hop over to Boots and indulge with yourself some of the best drugstore lip products you've tried in a long time.

You Can buy L'Oreal 'Rouge' Caresse here

Miss BB