The Reviews: Volumizing Hair Products

Let's face it big hair rocks, I'm definitely someone that thinks when it comes to hair, the bigger the better! That said, getting volume in my long thick hair is something that doesn't come without the help of products. From left to right here's my thoughts on what I've been using (not all at once of course!)

Warning: You'll probably read 'apply it through the roots of my hair' about 50 times in this post, but what did you expect! It is a volumzing post after all and that's where I apply all the product to achieve some volume in my unruly locks...

Ojon Volume Advance Volumizing Styling Spray £20 (post here)

If you've seen my previous posts you'll know this is a winner for me, I use it when hair is dry and styled, solely in the roots for some added lift as well as an all over hairspray. It has the ability to lift my hair without making it feel overly crunchy. It's exactly like backcombing hair in a bottle!

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray £18/£38 (post here)

One of the most luxury purchases but one that I know I won't be without for its amazing effects! Sprayed throughout dry hair after styling creates instant lift without feeling gritty. It's for good reason this is applauded by beauty editors and stylists, what I would describe as volume and texture in a can!

Bumble & Bumble Extra Strength Holding Spray £17

A recent purchase after my hairdresser used this and I saw how amazing the effects were! Sprayed throughout wet hair, only along my roots crown of my hair and I could feel the texture it created. It also can be used as a finishing hair spray as it has amazing hold.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray £7/£21.50

Again, I applied this throughout damp hair before styling all through my roots in the crown of my hair. I didn't notice too much of a difference when using this, perhaps I'm a little too used to 'feeling' a lot of product in my hair and this was practically weightless, or perhaps it didn't make too much of a difference on my already thick hair. Bumble & Bumble online do have mini bottles available for purchase which is perfect if you're interested in testing products out, which is why I'm a little relieved this is only a small size that will now be going to my friend who has much thinner hair!

Kerastase Volumactive Volume Expansion Spray £16.10

Another product I didn't notice too much of a difference when using, perhaps I'm too used to thick creams and sprays but I didn't feel as though this made any difference to my hair or helped give it any lift when used on wet or dry hair.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray £8.50/£20.50

One of my favourites of the bunch, named a salt water spray that I spritz a couple of sprays throughout the crown on damp hair before styling as well as on dry hair for instant lift and texture. All in all giving a beach babe hair effect. Unlike a lot of the other volumizing products this I felt lasted all day and even two without changing the oil levels (aka making it more greasy!)

Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip £20

Firstly the nozzle is the perfect size for running throughout the crown at the roots of wet hair, which I then follow by massaging in and blowdrying upside down. A little goes a long way so I would be careful not to over apply in fear or hair clumping together or feeling crunchy. Unlike other mousses I've tried I didn't find this to alter the state of my hair. It didn't leave my hair sticky, make my hair greasy or look unwashed. After blowdrying my hair would actually be huge! It gives such amazing amazzzzing lift!

Bumble & Bumble Texture Cream £9.50/£21.50

What I would describe as a volumizing, texturizing and holding cream which formula reminds me of thick PVC glue. A little goes a seriously long way with this stuff, I tend to use about a 5p dollop and run it through the roots of damp hair and run my hands through the lengths of my hair with whatever is left over for a messy toussled look.

I tend to favour products with formulas I can actually feel in my hair causing some grit and friction which is probably why I didn't get on too well with the Bumble and Bumble & Kerastase as I didn't feel it in my hair like the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Oribe Dry Textuizing Spray. 

My top picks would be the below, if the above ramble hasn't given that away already!

Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip
Bumble & Bumble BB Texture Hair (un) dressing creme
Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray
Orible Dry Texturizing Spray

After using Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip & Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Expect a separate post on lower end volumizing products shortly! In the meantime, do share... Any you recommend?

Hair Hero: Kerastase Elixir Ultime

Kerastase Elixir Ultime £34.50 for 125ml

Something I can't believe I haven't talked about on here before as I use it too much to justify is the Kerastase Elixir Ultime. That little sample is something that was very kindly given to my by my hairdresser after ooh-ing and ahh-ing as she used the oil on my hair post-blowdry about eight months ago. So here I am, half way through a travel size and full size bottle and here's why:

1) The scent - unlike any other sickening hair oil, very summery and floral, that is relatively strong so countacts any unpleasant scents my hair has picked up (yes, cigarette smoke I'm talking to you)

2) Taming frizz - suffering from it myself, I tend to lather my hair up in products that will calm my unruly locks. Pre-blowdry or post blow-dry this will tame it all, without making hair look greasy or overly oiled up, which brings me on to the next...

3) The texture - which has a light consistency, lighter than Moroccan oil and TresEmme, which makes applying product easy to control distributing the correct amount throughout my hair

4) Adding gloss - the ends of my hair is something I would describe as looking very dull and lifeless, Elixir Ultime brings some shine and gloss to my hair making it look more glossy

5) As a mask - I'm all for hair masks to counteract damage applying heat is doing. I apply a generous amount from roots to tips on dry hair and leave for around 20 minutes, followed by washing my hair. Taming all little static hairs, deranging and making styling an absolute breeze. 

So there you have it, a rave about my favourite hair oil of the moment - what a multitasker! Do you use hair oils? Any others I need to give a go?

After The Try Worth A Second Buy #3

I've finished a couple of things so it's about time for a round up of what I would repurchase and would not. Some skincare, body, hair and a couple of makeup bits here...

Kiehls Creme De Corps - I absolutely love this moisturiser, weightless, scentless and totally fuss free. It isn't the most hydrating of them all but a great one for summer when my skin tends to be less dry. It doesn't interfere with fake tan too which is a plus as I'm constantly slapping on Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe (review here) in the summer months too! I am looking for another moisturiser though I think I might nosey around and see what else is out there.. 

Overall: Yes

Shu Uemura High Preformance Balancing Cleansing Oil - When I get home late at night and taking off makeup is the last thing I wanna do purely from being so tired this just makes everything so quick and simple! It literally wipes off the first couple layers without event trying. Especially with eye makeup and waterproof mascara. I do find its not enough to fully remove everything on its own so will use it in conjunction with Bioderma to make sure everything is fully removed. On a day to day basis I do prefer using a hot cloth cleanser like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish or Pai Camelia and Rose Cleanser

Overall: Yes

Etat Pur Micellar Water - I absolutely love Bioderma (a water based remover) for removing makeup but it's impossible to get hold of in the UK! I've been testing out its cheaper alternative at £6.40 and unfortunately it wasn't as good. However for the conditions I use micellar water in, when I wake up in the morning and normally take a cotton pad with micellar water all over my face, this was perfectly fine. For now I think I'll stick to Bioderma, especially as my grandparents very kindly brought me back a couple months stock from France!

Overall: No

Kerastase Nuritive Masquintense - I'll just cut to the chase and say that I will not repuchase this! Not for the reason that it wasn't good, but purely because it wasn't as good as the Fekkai Advanced Salon Technician Rapid Results Moisture Mask or give the same results as the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme which I have written about fully here and here

Overall: No

No7 Beautiful Skin Wipes - I rarely use makeup wipes, but when I do it's purely for the purpose of cleaning up some eyeshadow fallout or taking off makeup before reapplying and I found these to be really efficient yet good for sensitive skin

Overall: Yes

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black - Since about a year ago I heard through the grapevine this was Kim Kardashian's Mascara of choice I've been addicted! I love layering it over Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill for some extra volume and length - they just work together and create longer fuller lashes! You can read my full review here

Overall: Yes

Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - I received this in the Wicked Attraction Set and originally wouldn't even have tried it as I'm too in love with Mac Paint Pot in Painterly (here) but recently my paint pot was packed away and I decided to give the Nars Pro Prime a whirl instead. I thought it would be similar to Urban Decay Primer Potion which I'm not a fan of but I was so impressed with the results! Making the pigmentation of my eyeshadows so much stronger and helping the lasting power increase too. The only problem is that it's clear so doesn't even out lid colour

Overall: Yes

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?