Current Haircare

It's been a while since I did a post on haircare so I thought it was about time I update those of you that don't watch my videos and missed my recent ramble on the subject (I will link it at the bottom of the page for those interested). My shampoo and conditioner has been the same now since I think October time and I've only just had to repurchase a bottle of each. I never genuinely thought that it made a difference what shampoo you used, conditioner, yes but not shampoo. Aussie changed that, the Miracle Moist range is just fantastic. I try not to wash my hair more than twice a week so as not to lose the natural oils it needs to stay healthy but every time I do I use this and I think it's really helped the condition improve. 

Every other was I use an intensive masque. If my hair is particularly dry I will add a deep treatment to the ends of my hair over the top of my regular Miracle Moist conditioner. Both the 3 Minute Miracle and the Macadamia Deep Repair work well for me but if I had to choose the Macadamia would win. I hate that as it's so much more expensive but it's super moisturising and it really helps to smooth and control frizz.

Talking of smoothing.. Oils! I recently repurchase the 125ml bottle of Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment as well as a 100ml bottle of the Moroccan Oil. After using each for a few months now I would say I prefer the Macadamia in wet hair as a leave in treatment and the Moroccan for styling and smoothing fly aways. Both are great but the Moroccan is heavier and easy to accidentally over-use and look greasy where as the Macadamia is lighter and more like a serum so it's my oil of choice. 

Lastly I've only recently really started using heat protectant. I know that's very naughty of me but I just didn't do it. These are the the ones I'm using at the moment. The Aussie isn't the best because it squirts a concentrated stream of liquid which saturates one spot of hair whereas the Trevor Sorbie gives a wider mist. Either way I tend to spray them on my brush and run that through my hair so as to avoid weighing my hair down with unnecessary excess of products.

So that's everything I'm using right now. I recently tried a few things from the new Mark Hill range at Boots and you can expect to see a mini review of that soon. I only used the shampoo and conditioner once and it's definitely not going to make it in my regular rotation. I'm an official Aussie convert and Macadamia Oil products do wonderful things for dry, damaged hair so if you're looking to improve the condition of yours I would strongly recommend you give them a go!

Miss BB

Hair Oils : Macadamia vs Moroccan

Prior to the "big hair oil boom of 2011" the only mainstream hair oils I'd heard of were the old classics from VO5. Before Moroccan oil started popping up all over the blogosphere I did try 100% Argan oil having seen various reviews online but it did very little to improve the appearance of my hair and absolutely nothing to improve it's condition in the long run. I was disappointed. I went on to sleep in various natural oils over the course of the year, none of which seemed to have any impact whatsoever. So when the new designer brands burst on to the scene you can see why I didn't jump for joy at the prospect of hair restored to it's former glory as everyone else seemed to. It took me until last month to try the raved about "Moroccan Oil" and after just one use I was sold. I put off purchasing for months because it was so expensive. I knew what I was buying when I placed my order but I had no idea how tiny 25ml really was until it arrived in it's TINY box. That said you do only need the smallest amount. For my shoulder length hair I used a dollop about the size of a pound coin and that may have been too much. It made my hair sleek and smooth, I used the residue from around the bottle neck to tame any flyaways after styling and it might just have been the best my hair had ever looked. I couldn't stop staring at my shiny, swishy hair. I was at the mirror every chance I got. It really did do what everyone said it would.... HOWEVER. After about a week of using it I could feel the residue in my hair. The product builds up and the shine is lost. A good clarifying shampoo would no doubt rectify this but if your hair is dry the last thing you want is to be adding a good cleanse to your regular routine and losing any precious moisture you've managed to retain.

I do like Moroccan Oil and I wont be throwing away my teeny tiny bottle of it just yet but if I was to recommend to you a hair oil that would be it. 

Macadamia Natural Oil. Now that's something special! Both of these products are less oil in texture and consistency than they are serum. The difference between the two for me is how easily they build up. So far the Macadamia hasn't come anywhere near to heavy on my hair, I can't feel it at all whether I use it mixed in with my conditioner, on damp hair or as a finishing product.. My hair gleams and feels like silk just as it did with the Moroccan but I can't accidentally put too much in.. trust me I've tried! I need a similar amount of product to get the same result but it's lighter.. oh and it smells gorgeous! Both oils smell nice, I would describe the Moroccan as a kind of sweet mint scent, The Macadamia smells really similar to Lee Staffords products which if you're familiar you'll know smell great (he even launched a perfume it was so popular). 

Now on to the price comparison. We all know it's cheaper to buy in bulk but when it comes to these two products you really have no choice, 

The Macadamia Natural Healing Oil Treatment 30ml £10.75 here 125ml £23.95 here

Moroccan Oil Treatment 25ml £12.85 here 100ml £30.45 here

Since I got the Macadamia Oil I haven't used the Moroccan equivalent and I will say I'm as surprised as anyone with that turn of events. When I loved the Moroccan Oil as much as I did and saw the other online I thought it looked like a rip off of my new hair love.. little did I know it was the oil for me. 

It won't be the case for everybody of course. Remember everyone's hair is different, just as skin care is not universal hair care is often specifically targeted to certain hair types. Mine is thick, dry and damaged from heat styling and over use of bleach and home hair colours. If you have fine, fly away hair this might be the last thing you'd want. Fair enough.. this is just what works for me.

I know that neither of these products are pure oil and both contain nasty silicone's which are oh so dreadful for your hair but if it can make my hair look and feel as fantastic as it does I really don't care! I'm sure lots of people will read this and have their conflicting, no doubt superior opinions to mine but this post is me sharing with you my experience of these two oils.

Have you tried either of these yet?

Leave me a comment with your thoughts, it's always good to share.. your experience may be very different from my own.. that doesn't make either one of us wrong. It just makes us different!

Miss BB

My 2012 Wish List

My wish list for the coming year is not long but it's compiled of items I am desperate to get my hands on. The Moroccan oil is a last minute amendment as I recently purchased the 25ml and will certainly be needing the larger size. The 25ml was on my wish list you see but I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Another thing to mention would have to be the Clarisonic which I am likely to receive next week but that's still technically 2012 and I have waited a whole YEAR to get it so it' still going on the list. The Naked 2 does not hit the UK until January 1st where I will be banging down the door at dawn to get mine so again.. it will be an early check off for that one too but I consider it an absolute MUST-HAVE! The Babyliss Big Hair has seen some major blogger buzz over the past few months and since I'm trying to lay off my straighteners I am loving anything that can leave me looking "done" while avoiding them and the reviews I've seen of this are amazing. Lastly, I'm not sure a haircut can really go on a wish list but I consider any trip to the salon a luxury. I've coloured my own hair for years and haven't had a professional cut in at least 3.. maybe 4 so it it kind of a big deal. I hate to pay for someone to cut my hair when I really don't want it doing but come January "Project Hair" takes effect and the dead ends must finally come off *sob*

 I am on a self imposed spending ban (all but for the Naked 2 which I am allowing myself as an early birthday treat) from now until our trip to Vegas in March. I have the wedding to pay for in January and then all my spare cash will go towards our spending money. It's going to be tough but I'll appreciate it when I'm throwing dollars around our hotel room and cleaning out Sephora (these are the mental images I've chosen to get me through this difficult time)

Watch out for my second annual Budget Beauty Awards post coming very soon where I round up the years most used and favourite products. I've switched a lot of my hair and skin care in the past month so many of my beloved staples have taken a back seat in my regime but they still have their place in my heart and I'm sure I will find my way back to them.. I always do!

What's on your 2012 wish list?

Miss BB

Dear Santa...

Tis the season to be jolly... and lustful! 

Christmas is a great excuse to that yourself to some of the items you have lusted after all year long. For those items a little out of my price range right now.. consider this an open letter to Santa.

Moroccan Oil £30.45 here

NARS Love Thrill Gift Set £45 here

Yankee Candle in Sparkling Snow £9.99 here

Topshop Alphabet Letter Purse £6 here

Givenchy Play Intense £45.90 here

RI Rose Gold Toned Diamante Watch £22 here

KG Adelia Platform Shoe Boot £60 here

H&M Faux Fur Jacket £19.99 *sale* here

Viva Glam II Lip Glass £12.50 here

Viva Glam Gaga II Lipstick £13.50 here

Diamond & Morganite ring £103.77 here

Snowflake CZ Studs £19.99 here

Merry Christmas

Miss BB