Choosing This Product

My hair has always been very curly and prone to forming ringlets. As I've got older and grown it longer it has tended to go frizzy and have the wiry look that's been typical of several ladies in our family. I've been able to tame it somewhat, thanks to the range of good products available these days - including straighteners! However I can't pretend that I stick faithfully to any one brand. I'm as keen to try something new as the next person, especially if I can try it at a bargain price. So when I spotted it on special offer in my local Tesco store I thought it was worth trying it: the description of the hair type it was aimed at sounded so much like mine. It claims that the oils are made of very fine molecules, which means they are absorbed by the hair more quickly than heavier oils. While I don't claim to have much knowledge of hair technology, I do know that my hair dries quickly and seems to absorb moisture quickly; it's almost impossible to keep it straight in humid weather, so maybe there is something in this. I have to admit I can't remember the price I paid. It was some time ago - I've nearly used all of the 250 ml now. I've a feeling it was between £1-£2, and as it is currently available for £2.45 in store, £2.39 online with a 3 for 2 offer currently available [May 2012], that seems about right.

What's In The Container?

The shampoo is light lemon in colour - almost like pale custard. It comes out of the container easily and I can control the amount I dispense with ease. The shampoo is of a good consistency and smells pleasant. Although I can't see it listed as an ingredient, I thought I detected a smell of melon. I'm not going to list all of the ingredients - the list is very long and it's available on websites including Dove's own if you are interested. It does contain almond and coconut oils, and I can see a few ingredients with names including 'citric' which is self explanatory and 'citronellol'. The latter is a scent ingredient occurring in nature which comes from plants like geraniums and roses. However it is something which should apparently be avoided by individuals with perfume allergy, as should another ingredient, cinnamal. However I can't see anything on the packaging advising people to be aware of this. I find this a little surprising as manufacturers are usually so cautious about this. Perhaps the risk is extremely low.

Using This Shampoo

The container is easier to hold when I'm in the shower than some. It doesn't slip from my grasp. I hadn't really thought about it in the first place, but I think it's well designed from in that respect. Although the instructions say you can shampoo twice, I find it lathers up really well; so well that I am wondering if I use too much & could reduce how much I use. This would make it more economical. I think this lathering performance is quite impressive in our area where the water is very hard. The downside is that it takes a lot of rinsing to lose all the foam; we are still officially in drought. I use conditioner at every wash, and a leave-in conditioner too most of the time. I haven't yet found the one that matches the shampoo - I must check in Boots again.

My Verdict

I let my hair dry naturally when I can as I don't think it helps the frizziness to over-process it. When dry I notice that it feels very soft and smooth, with a healthy-looking shine. This could be down to the conditioners, but as I often alternate the shampoos I use I would say that my hair feels in rather better condition when I have used this shampoo. Therefore I believe that it does have a beneficial effect.


Conclusions

Would I buy it again? Yes, I do like this shampoo and I don't think it's over expensive as I find a little goes a long way. I am a bit concerned that there were no allergy warnings, though. I may be over reacting but I don't feel I can give it more than 4 stars for that reason.

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www.dove.co.uk


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