Philip Kingsley - Round Two

I ummed and ahhed about this follow up post but in the interest of full disclosure, here it is..

Not so long ago I blogged about Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer. I received a free sample in my Glossy Box and couldn't wait to try it but was disappointed with my results. Not long after the lovely people at Philip Kingsley contacted me and asked if I'd consider reviewing a selection of products they thought would be more suited to my hair type. I received the Moisture Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner and the Elasticizer Extreme. They advised that the elasticizer must be used twice a week for 4 weeks to really see results and so that is what I did. I read numerous other reviews (all positive) to get hints and tips as to how they were making it work for them and sat for extended periods wearing the miracle pomade under a shower cap with my fingers tightly crossed. Unfortunately I had much the same experience as the first time and saw no visible difference to the condition of my hair. 

As I had been sent this product on the back of a less than favourable review I genuinely believed I was doing something wrong or that what they were sending would really would work for me so when it didn't I was at a bit of an impasse as to whether or not I should share my experience. I don't like to give something a negative write up if it has been sent to me, that's not to say I'd ever give a false review but if I don't like it I generally just keep schtum. In this case though I think it's less about the brand and more about me. 

Since I originally screwed up my hair and bleached it within an inch of it's life I've had it cut and I've treated it very well. I've avoided heat where possible and pampered it with masques and such until it's shiny again and almost (dare I say?) healthy. I've also been through a pregnancy which can be known to have restorative powers when it comes to hair, skin and nails. I think the reason that the Elasticizer didn't work for me is that I'm not longer it's target market. I still assume that my hair is dry and damaged but upon closer inspection it really is 100% better than it was this time last year.

I feel like I must take a minute in this sea of seriousness to take a look at the packaging. Very nice! It all feels very luxe and has a very mild 'salon' scent. The whole process of washing your hair is a little bit nicer when you're working with lovely looking things, is it not?

I will keep the treatment in my emergency hair box for such a time as I think I really need it because although it didn't work for me this time I do still believe it does work. I would like to mention that I did get on much better with the shampoo and conditioner! They are designed for "medium, textured, wavy hair types" which I will always be and my hair felt soft and manageable after using them. I'm disappointed that I couldn't give it all a glowing review but there are plenty of others who have.

The Elasticizer Extreme - £26.25 (link) and The Moisture Balance Shampoo - 250ml £14.75 (link) and Conditioner - 250ml £17.90 (link) are available at Philip Kingsley online

One last note I have to mention given my impending holiday. The shampoo/conditioner I received are travel sized (and so cute FYI) which led me to look them up online. If you're looking to try something from the brand but don't want to shell out for full sized products they have a whole range of "jet sets"

Which are totally adorable and so useful for trying something new or just to take on holiday! I'm considering purchasing one to take along to Las Vegas next month. They're just £19.99 each and can be found here

Miss BB

Philip Kingsley - Elastic Fantastic?

I was so excited to receive the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer in my November Glossybox. There was a lot of buzz about this wonder treatment at the time and judging by the reviews it seemed to be a firm blogger favourite. My hair is damaged and dry and very much in need of a cut.. let me take you back to February of this year.. this was my hair...

It was dry, needed a trim, I'd cut myself a terrible fringe and I was searching for super conditioning hair-growing potion to make it long and lustrous...

Then in a moment of madness (of which I've had many) I decided I wanted to be platinum blonde)

I didn't quit achieve platinum but to get to this stage (in 24 hours I might add) I used ALL of the below...

For the first time in my many years of f**king about with my hair something I thought would never happen..did. As I was washing out the final dye my hair started coming awake on my hands. It had turned to chewing gum. It's one of those things you never think will happen to you.. you hear about it happening to other people but think it's totally fine to bleach your hair 4 times in a night and then continue to dye and tone it and it will be healthy as ever. Not so. I had a hair appointment booked, I knew I was going to need a trim at the end of my colouring adventure but I had no idea how big a trim. I couldn't face the hair dressers so I ended up chopping it myself. It turned out okay but quickly lost it's shine and went brassy so I was forced to return to the dark side. I was then left with this...

A super unflattering cut in a very similar shade to what I'd been prior to bleaching only now my hair was so damaged I thought it would never grow. Luckily I'd just found out I was pregnant. Pregnancy was very good for my hair. It grew fast and I didn't touch the bleach again until the day before I went in to hospital to have my son.. And then I enlisted professional help and only had highlights.

I'm still yet to take the plunge and get it cut though and those ends have really had it at this point. I was over the moon when I heard this Elasticizer stuff could leave me with virgin-like hair again. People were saying they had white blonde uber-dead hair and it brought it back. Why then did this amazing tube of miracle pomade do NOTHING for ME? I am both disappointed and perplexed. My hair is bad but surely not the worst. I have just invested in a whole host of healthy hair related goodies (which I'll post on later) I have enough makeup and right now my hair needs some special attention so you can expect more hair product reviews in the next few weeks. I was so hoping to love this Philip Kingsley treatment and was fully prepared to go out and buy a full sized full (£££) priced tub but it it left my hair feeling no better than before. For those totally out of the loop it's a pre-shampoo treatment that you leave on for 30 mins (I left it at least an hour) before washing and conditioning as normal. 

If you love this stuff please feel free to comment as I think that as with skin care what works for one doesn't work for all but I do think with something as pricey as this you want to try a sample first because it's not a guaranteed-to-work product!

God Bless Glossybox for giving me a sample because this is just the kind of "miracle product" I would have bought in desperation to avoid the hairdresser for just another month.

You can buy Philip Kingsley Elasticizer here for £25.50

You can also get a sample sachet here for just £3.50

Miss BB

November Glossybox

First off I'll admit I was a touch disappointed when I first opened Novembers box. They've spoiled recently with full sized "samples" and real luxury brands so this month was a bit of an anticlimax. I got over that pretty quickly, however, when I looked at what I'd got. I should mention that at the time of writing this I haven't seen another review and have no idea what other products were received so I can't compare my box to others, I generally avoid reading other Glossybox posts as I'd like to think I got the best selection and if I didn't I'd rather not know. So.. here's what I did get...

Arbonne Ultra Hydrating Hande Creme 

Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Mask

Illamasqua Freak Eau De Parfum

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Now that last one... that really turned me around on this months box. I love any kind of hair treatment and this one looks a bit special. It's an "Intensive, super moisturising pre shampoo treatment for all hair types. Adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine." Who wouldn't want to try that? Its a 40ml sample and a full sized 500ml tube would set me back a whopping £52.10 so it's definitely a try before you buy kind of product. I'd very much doubt I'd shell out that kind of money unless it left my hair feeling virgin-soft but it will be a nice treat for my first post-baby pamper. 

The  hand cream.. it's always nice to have travel sized hand creams for your bag, right?

The perfume sample.. I'm not sure about yet... there may be a follow up review on that.

The nail wraps.. I haven't used the last ones I got in my glossy box yet but as these are leopard print they're more likely to get worn.

Lastly, the spa mask. The last sample I got from the Dead Sea Spa range was a huge disappointment. It was the exfoliator sachets and they stung my skin so badly (I don't have particularly sensitive skin so I was surprised at the reaction) so I'm a bit dubious about this one but I do love a face mask so I will definitely try it out.

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The little info card that came with this months box said that November and Decembers selections would be aimed at products to add to your Christmas wish list or gift to others. I like that idea in theory but let's be real.. this box is no different to any other month, the items are not particularly festive or "gifty" but it's a nice marketing spin on the last 2 boxes of the year. I am very interested in the new Mens Glossybox they are launching which was also advertised and will be ordering one for the man in my life for sure.

I love the sample box idea, he will appreciate little bits to try almost as much as I do and the thought of little grey glossy boxes stacking up next to my pink ones has me sold. 

Miss BB