Philip Martins Maple Wash Shampoo

Hello to all of my readers out there in the Blogosphere!  I've been out of action again and this time it is due to having a new operating system that I've been trying to tweak to my liking.....BUT I just can't seem to get my emoticons working, so unfortunately it's time to bid them farewell.  I am feeling a bit lost without them and have to get use to the fact that from this post onwards it's just going to be standard text (bit boring, but what can you do???).  Anyway, please bare with me until I get these layouts happening to my preference, you will still see the same style of review, just minus the emotion.  Cheers for that xxx ooo

I was sent the next product, a natural based shampoo, from the gorgeous Tammerly, author of Spoilt blog to test drive and then write about my experience for sharing on her website, which you can find published here.

The moisturising, plant based Philip Martins Maple Wash Shampoo is suitable for dry, unmanageable or chemically treated hair and claims to restore elasticity, whilst increasing shine and body for cleaner, softer tresses.

I received this shampoo in a sample sachet, so am unable to share my thoughts on the product packaging.  I am aware though, that it is available in both 100 and 250ml sizes.

The very pale amber coloured gel is translucent and of a medium consistency with an extremely sweet and very potent fragrance.  Actually, the aroma is quite hard to ignore, as it so strong and unfortunately reminds me of the old pharmacy perfumes my Nana use to wear (think Tabu or Yardley for example), very cloying and is what I consider a bit too overpowering.  After washing it does eventually settle and evolves into a less pungent scent that isn’t offensive, so that’s a relief.  Because of all the natural ingredients that are infused in the formula, this shampoo doesn’t have the same foaming action to lather up like a frothy detergent based product, therefore I just massaged it onto my scalp and distributed through the lengths.  It is also recommended to repeat the wash process to achieve the best results.  It rinsed out with ease, leaving my hair feeling thoroughly clean and not stripped of its natural oils.

I used this shampoo in conjunction with the conditioner in the same range and the duo left my locks ultra soft, shiny and full of extra volume and bounce.  While my strands were left lightly fragranced the gentle formulation didn’t irritate my scalp or cause it to get dry and flaky, so it’s great for even the most sensitive of skin.  One restricting factor for me is that the shampoo is, in my opinion, expensive, however, if the scent were more appealing and not so oversweet, I would definitely invest, as I was impressed with the way it transformed my mane without causing any aggravation to my scalp.  I’d recommend the Philip Martins Maple Wash Shampoo to anyone who is interested in high-end hair care product enriched with natural ingredients and a scalp-friendly formulation that will deliver super clean hair that is lightweight, incredibly soft and smooth, with a natural, radiant looking sheen.

TIP - Leave this shampoo in your hair for 1 – 2 minutes after massaging before rinsing out (Yes! Do this not just for conditioning, but also shampooing). Natural shampoos are packed with botanical ingredients that take longer for your hair to absorb, hence, your locks will really benefit from the rich nutrients during this absorption process.

Have you heard of or tried this brand before?  What is your favourite natural brand for hair care products?  Please comment below with any thoughts. xx oo

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Aromatherapy Associates

Hi again beauties! :-h  This next post features a couple of hair care products that were sent to me by Tammerly, who is the talented author of Spoilt.  She asked me to test drive a shampoo and conditioner from a company I’d never heard of before, so I could then review them for her blog.  I’m always happy to try out new hair care brands, especially when they’re a little bit different than the norm, but of course, who wouldn’t hehe   ;))  Anyway, here’s what I though: 

Aromatherapy Associates Balance Shampoo

( $28.80 per 300ml –  I received the 40ml Travel Size )

Aromatherapy Associates is a UK brand focused on delivering effective and luxurious aromatherapy experiences.  Their Balance Shampoo claims to be mild, gentle and suitable for all hair types.  It’s enriched with pure essential oils to maintain optimal hair and scalp health.  :)

I received this shampoo in a small, squeezable tube, which is lavender in colour and has a clear plastic flip-top lid.  The generous size makes it ideal for travelling and reminds me of the amenities that are usually supplied for guests to use when staying at certain motel/hotel chains.  ;)

The clear, gel-like shampoo has a thick consistency and a very prominent herbal scented aroma,   @};-  due to rosemary and ylang ylang being the two key ingredients.  I’m not sure if it’s the sort of smell that appeals to everyone, however I found it quite soothing and relaxing, yet considering it was quite strong initially, the scent eventually faded.  I needed to dispense about a 20c coin worth of product to massage into my scalp and lengths, which developed into a very light, somewhat creamy lather that left my locks feeling squeaky clean and instantly refreshed.  It rinsed completely out of my hair, leaving no oily residue, but I did notice my strands were quite tangled and feeling a little parched.  :-S

I then used the Condtioner in the same range, with the combination resulting in shiny, lustrous tresses that ended up feeling adequately nourished.  I was really disappointed to discover that the second ingredient listed on the back of the shampoo was SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)   :-O   which I really didn’t expect to find in an aromatherapy range.  I originally assumed the brand supported the use of natural ingredients, considering the company philosophy includes ‘Pure natural and effective’ and especially since it didn’t work into a very foamy lather either.  But after using both the shampoo and conditioner several times, I noticed that my scalp had become irritated and itchy, only since introducing these products.  This triggered me to check the ingredients list and I know based on past experience that the SLES in the shampoo was the most likely culprit to cause the scalp aggravation.  ~X(  What a shame, in my opinion that alone, spoils the whole experience for me and I don’t understand the sense in using nasty ingredients in a product that claims to keep the scalp in good condition?  :-/  It goes to show, if you’re concerned and have sensitive skin then always check the ingredients labels, despite what the product name suggests.  /:)

Travel Size Shampoo

Overall, this shampoo was a let down.  :(  It’s rather costly like a high end salon product and while it promises to deliver healthy, strong tresses and to keep the scalp in good condition, I guess it would be better suited to those without sensitive skin issues.  My hair was soft, smooth and healthy after using the Aromatherapy Associates Balance Shampoo and Condtioner combination, however because I determined that the detergents in the shampoo were upsetting my scalp so much, I had to discontinue use.  Unfortunately, this product was not for me and based on my own personal views, I would only be comfortable suggesting it to people who are keen on the therapeutic benefits of essential oils and don’t mind the distinct fragrance they produce.  :)>-

Rating - 2.5 out of 5 (published for Spoilt. Click here to view) 

Aromatherapy Associates Balance Conditioner 

($28.80 for 300ml - I received the 40ml Travel Size)

Aromatherapy Associates is a UK brand focused on delivering effective and luxurious aromatherapy experiences.  Their Balance Conditioner claims to be enriched with pure essential oils and suitable for all hair types.  It maximises smooth, soft glossy hair.  :D

I received this conditioner in a small, squeezable tube, which is pale grey in colour and has a clear plastic flip-top lid.  The generous size makes it ideal for travelling and reminds me of the amenities that are usually supplied for guests to use when staying at certain motel/hotel chains.  ;;)

The white, creamy conditioner has a smooth, rich consistency and boasts a distinct herbal fragrance,  %%-  based on the key ingredients of ylang ylang, geranium and patchouli.  The smell may not appeal to everyone, but I find the aroma uplifting and it stimulates the senses and leaves me feeling revitalised.  I use a small amount of conditioner, around the size of a 20 cent coin to massage into my scalp and distribute it throughout my lengths.   It washes out with warm water and instantly detangles my long straight locks, which were all tangled after the washing process.  =D>

When dry, my mane is left soft and shiny, with no greasy build-up weighing it down, instead it’s more balanced and effectively nourished.  It works well at taming my frizzy flyaways, resulting in smooth, sleek strands with a more definite shine.  After using the conditioner, in conjunction with the shampoo in the same range, unfortunately my scalp became itchy and irritable as a result of the detergents in the shampoo, so I was unable to continue using the combination to determine if over time the products do in fact improve the strength and condition of my hair.   :|  I’ve been using the conditioner alone as an occasional treatment and I have not experienced any discomfort to my scalp, so I can vouch that it is in fact suitable for those with sensitive skin too.  :-*

Travel Size Conditioner

The conditioner has wonderful detangling and smoothing properties and did moderately care for my overall hair health.  It’s quite expensive, in line with top-shelf, salon brands and based on my personal experience, I highly doubt I would consider spending that much on what I consider to be more of a mediocre product.  The Aromatherapy Associates Balance Conditioner may appeal to anyone who appreciates the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, particularly those who don’t mind the aromatic qualities and can afford the cost.  It’s really a better option for those who wish to team it with the partnering shampoo, otherwise if used on its own; it could make for a nice moisturising treat that delivers soft, sleek, more manageable tresses.  :)

Rating - 3.5 out of 5 (published for Spoilt. Click here to view)

Have you heard of this brand or tried it before??   :-?  Have you tried hair care products that you assumed were natural, based on labeling, only to discover they were not quite what you were led to believe?   :-/  Please feel free to comment with your thoughts.

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Royal Moroccan Sulphate Free Hair Repair Shampoo

Hi guys! :-h   Effort #2 for the night coming right at ya, hehe!   ;))  This next post is about a hair care product from the brand Royal Moroccan, provided by Tammerly from Spoilt, to test drive and review for her blog.  I’d never heard of this brand before, although everyone has heard of the benefits of Argan oil, especially for hair, so it was something I was looking super forward to putting through its paces.  \:D/

The Royal Moroccan Sulphate Free Hair Repair Shampoo is presented in an 300ml amber coloured, see-through, plastic bottle, with a silver/chrome lid and pump-action dispenser.  The label, in contrast, is blue and has a stylish silver, orange and black design that would look attractive on display in the bathroom vanity.  ;;)  The packaging isn’t travel-friendly and even though the pump features a locking position, there is a possibility that it could still leak and get very messy, EEK!  :-SS  (Yes, this happened to me and it WAS indeed a big, fat, mess   ~X(  that took me AGES to clean up and attempt to salvage  :(  ).  The clear gel-like shampoo has a smooth, runny consistency to begin with but after contact it’s dense and slightly creamy in texture.  Blended with the fragrant goodness of plant based ingredients, including the widely popular Argan oil, I would describe the reflective scent as a floral, botanical aroma, which is also evident in the matching conditioner.  @};-  Whilst I don’t consider the smell unpleasant, it is quite pungent to begin with,  @-) but fortunately it isn’t so noticeable once the hair begins to dry and in fact over time I have even grown quite partial to it.  >:D<  I found that 4 – 5 pumps of shampoo provided a sufficient amount to massage right through my medium length hair.  Because the formula is sulphate free it doesn’t lather up into a big mound of bubbles, instead it gradually works into a lightweight foam, which effectively cleans my hair.  My scalp is sensitive and easily aggravated, particularly from harsh hair care products, this shampoo is quite mild and instead of upsetting my scalp it soothes and nurtures, making it perfect for frequent use.  =D>  Water rinses out every last trace of shampoo from my tresses, with no greasy residue left coating the strands.  It leaves my hair feeling nice and clean, but the only downside is the lengths are a bit mattered and knotty after shampooing (but I guess I can live with that, LOL   :))  ).

After following through with the conditioner in the same range and towel drying, the result is silky, soft, glossy locks that aren’t weighed down, stripped or parched.  Instead it imparts an incredible fullness and bounce that gives the impression of thickness to my naturally fine hair.  :-*  The shampoo and conditioner combination from this range has already improved the overall condition of my hair and scalp in the short space of just a few weeks.  I no longer have a dry, flaky scalp that is red and itchy and my over processed tresses are less fragile with the boost of nourishment helping to diminish the brittle, straggly ends and transform my locks leading into an overall healthier-looking appearance.  :D

My thin hair has been colour treated and exposed to regular environmental & chemical abuse as well as, general heat styling, all over the past couple of decades, so the damage is clearly evident.  [-X   :">  I have heard of the treating and repairing capabilities of Argan oil and hope that over time, this Argan oil enriched shampoo will perfectly compliment my personal hair care needs.  I look forward to restoring life to my neglected mane, enhancing its elasticity, whilst adding moisture and strength.  Packed with vitamins and proteins to protect against future assault, yet promoting all over lustre, vitality and brilliance.  <:-P   I’ve always wanted to experience the benefits of Argan oil, but popular brands like Moroccanoil were just too expensive, so I was thrilled to discover that Royal Moroccan is an affordable alternative at just a fraction of the cost.  :">  The short term results I achieved using this shampoo, along with the matching conditioner in the same range are impressive already, although I plan to continue the use over a longer time to determine the possibility of rejuvenating my tresses to an even greater extent.  The Royal Moroccan Sulphate Free Hair Repair Shampoo is suitable for anyone with damaged or coloured hair, looking for a restorative solution that will help keep your hair and scalp healthy and especially those who want to try the benefits of Argan oil, without succumbing to an expensive price tag.  B-)

I awarded this product with 4 stars out of 5.   (*)  (*)  (*)  (*)

Have you heard of this brand or been lucky enough to try it out?  :-?  If not I say hop to it, it’s a worthwhile investment and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed ;)  What about Argan oil, what are your thoughts, is it 'all that' or……?


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