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Garnier Fructis Strength & Shine Conditioner
by Aliasfan
INTRODUCTION
I have very fine, straight hair and I've learned the hard way that if I don't use a decent conditioner I end up with hideously knotted hair which is horribly painful to detangle.
I've tried a lot of conditioners over the years, most of which have given me only fair-to-middling results. I've learned that ... fairly rich conditioners are best for me: too runny and they don't detangle my hair, too thick and my hair ends up greasy or slimy.
I saw a selection of Garnier's Fructis range in my local Bodycare shop last year and, since it was only £1.20 for a 250ml bottle, I decided to give it a try. I selected the 'Strength & Shine' conditioner which promised easy detangling on the bottle.
The detailed information on the back of the bottle states that the grapefruit extracts present in the product smooth the hair fibres, and the product claims to leave hair feeling twice as strong and three times as shiny with regular use.
PACKAGING
The Garnier Fructis range stands out on the shelf as all the bottles are lime green! There are several product 'flavours' in the range and they are fairly easy to tell apart due to the large lettering on the bottle.
The Strength & Shine conditioner bottle is made of a soft, flexible plastic which is easy to squeeze and doesn't crack. It is opened by way of a snap-cap at the bottom of the bottle. Unlike most toiletry bottles, this product is designed to be stood upside-down. Whilst this is often a poor manufacturer's choice, in this case the bottom is wide enough to provide stability. The snap-cap is opened using a slightly-protruding knob which is easy to use, even with wet, slippery fingers. Storing the bottle upside down means that the product is always right at the bottle entrance and doesn't have to be shaken out.
USER EXPERIENCE
The product is a rich, thick white cream which feels slick on the hands, but not slimy. My hair is shoulder-length and I find a marble-sized dollop is adequate for application. The conditioner is easy to finger-comb through my wet hair, and I find the tangles in my hair come out easily and instantly, with minimal tugging. I do use a wide-toothed comb to thoroughly detangle my hair but even this isn't a chore as the comb runs through my hair easily.
Because the conditioner is so rich it takes longer to rinse out than some thinner conditioners. I find that my hair often feels a little slippery even after the conditioner has been rinsed out, presumably because a protective residue still remains.
Even after towel-drying my hair is still free of tangles, and I am able to finger-comb my hair when blow drying with no knots or snags to catch and pull.
CONCLUSION
I couldn't say if my hair is exactly twice as strong and three times as shiny now, but Garnier's Fructis Strength & Shine is the first conditioner I've found that really does instantly detangle my hair. It is a relief to find a conditioner that really works and leaves my hair easy to manage.
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Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Colour
by PixieDana
After trying various permanent dyes - I am a very proud bottled Redhead. (6.60 Fiery Red)
Nutrisse Ultra Colour is the only dye I now use! I have tried many different brands but they don't tend to stay bright and vibrant for long.
PACKAGING: 4/5
Extremely imformative box including, colour guide, allergy guidelines ... and information, ingredients, box contents, contact details and recycling information.
The box could be a little more attractive but has a lady on the front with the correct hair colour appropriate which is all you really need on the box as includes vasts amount of information.
CONTENTS: 4/5
I have rated the contents slightly down for the lack of glove size, I have to use much smaller gloves and cannot use the ones provided as they are about a large, I would say on average most woman have small-medium, I am aware that I have smaller than average anyway.
1 applicator bottle of Developer Creme (60ml)
1 tube of Nourishing Colour Creme (40ml)
1 bottle of Colour Nourishing Conditioner (40ml)
1 pair of gloves
1 application leaflet (usually includes a money off voucher for Garnier Deodorent, well all of mine always have and have been using it for a few years, this offer may change though.)
PREPARATION: 5/5
With any hair dye you should do a skin test 48 hours before they apply the dye, this is by using a small amount of hair colourant and applying in either behind the ear or on the crease of your elbows (this is because these are thin layers of skin and most sensitive areas of your upper body) and leaving for 48hours to see if you are allergic, if you have any reaction to the test then do not continue to use the product.
Very quick and easy to prepare for; apply to dirty hair so no need to wash it, which saves time and effort.
- Apply the gloves that are supplied in the box,
- Open the end of the colourant by piercing with the reverse of its lid,
- Unscrew the top of the white/clear container, add the colourant in, screw the lid back on,
- Shake well for 30 seconds,
- Pull off the top of the bottle tip and apply roots first.
APPLICATION: 5/5
Nutrisse Ultra Colour is so easy to apply, no need to wet or wash your hair beforehand as it applys better to dirty unwashed hair. Leave for between 10-25 minutes depending on coverage and wash out until water runs clear. You then apply their gorgeous conditioner that is supplied with the dye, rinSe out the conditioner after 2 minutes until the water runs clear again. Once your hair has dried it will feel very soft but still stunningly healthy.
ALLERGIES/CONDITIONS: 5/5
I suffer from psoriasis and was advised never to dye my hair, but this dye helps keep my hair healthly, helps clear my psoriasis and causes me no irration, dying my hair has now become something I enjoy and look forward to.
NO STAINING ON FURNIATURE OR SKIN: 5/5
It doesn't dye your skin, even if you get some on you, just wipe away with a face wipe or damp cloth, if it is still there it will wear off over a couple of days if not before. It wipes away just as easy if you get it on bathroom fixtures and washes out of clothing or fabrics.
NO FADING: 5/5
The colour doesn't fade and everyone always comments on how great it looks and smells, I happily recommend it to others and continue to be a proud user.
PRICE: 4/5
They are often on offer at local pharmacies such as superdrug and boots for buy 1 get 1 at a discounted price so it is worth grabbing whilst on offer for around 2 for £9, although not very expensive normally at around £5.50 a box.
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Garnier Fructis Manga Head Hairstyling Explosive Putty Matte
by perrywinkle9
Over the last few months I have tried a number of hair products as I have recently started trying to do different things with my hair. Of all the Gels, sprays...etc I have tried this is far and away the best and most reliable. I wasn't expecting much when I bought this as I had tried a different Garnier product that advertised itself as ... being a four on the gel scale but was pretty poor. The Manga Head Putty really stood out on the shelve as it has a bright vibrant design that is fairly unique. The main reason I bought it was the bargain price, my local Tesco had it reduced to just a quid so I figured it was worth a go.
I got home and decided to try it out as there is nothing worse than trying a product on your hair in the morning to find out that it doesn't work and ending up short of time because you have had to wash it out and start again. There are no instructions on the pack, I suppose it should be pretty straight forwards but some work better on dry hair, some on wet..etc. Staying true to the axiom of better safe than sorry a quick google found me the official Garnier website which gives these instructions "Warm a little of the paste between your palms. Spread your fingers when applying creating spikes. Apply preferably onto dry or slightly damp hair. Tease strands of hair into spikes using your fingers.
I was really happy when I was styling my hair with the putty for the first time. It has a really pleasant smell that isn't overpowering so there is no concern about it overpowering any scent you wear. When you first apply it your hair is very easy to work and it takes a while to set so you have plenty of time to get your hair how you want it. Once the putty does set it really sets. Your hair will feel like it is solid when you put this on and no matter what you do it will stay how you styled it for at least eighteen hours.
I was slightly worried that it would be uncomfortable while I slept or that it would be difficult to wash out in the morning as it was so solid. Both of these fears were unfounded, I didn't have any discomfort during the night and the putty washed out really easily with just one wash. This is now the styling product that I use most often and I would say that it works much better on slightly damp hair.
The only time I make sure I am not wearing this is in the gym as when I exercise I perspire quite heavily and some of the putty mixes in with my sweat and becomes unpleasant, this is a problem I have with all hair styling products and at the end of the day I don't really care what I look like when I am at the gym. When I have my hair longer I apply it as it says in the instructions but when it is shorter i comb it backwards and the mess it up with my fingers.
There are a couple of minor negative points; it does take about half an hour to set so if it is raining you will need a brolley as wearing a hood before your hair has set will mess it up, There is almost no give in it whatsoever so it won't suit everyone.
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