Retread; for hair you no longer have to dread! (Lush Retread)

Member Name: missixty

Product:	Lush Retread
Date:	14/10/08 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Leaves hair moisturised, soft, shiny, manageable, looking and feeling great

Disadvantages: Expensive

Amongst the goodies I got for my birthday was a pot of Retread from Lush. I had wanted this for quite sometime having had various success with the Lush range but not yet finding a conditioner that quite suited my hair. I had tried Lush's pre wash treatment - H'suan Wen Hua and absolutely hated it as it did nothing for my hair other than make it stink to high heaven. I had tried American Cream and had the opposite experience, I absolutely loved it because it made my hair stink to high heaven in a GOOD way, it smelt absolutely delicious. However, it still didn't quite do enough for my hair.

American Cream is advertised as a Double Strength conditioner yet it didn't feel strong enough for me. Retread, is advertised as a triple strength conditioner, and Lush pretty much warn you to stay away from it unless your hair really needs it as it could leave some hair flat as a pancake.

My hair is very long, and whilst the hair itself is fine, I have absolutely mounds of it - so it does seem thick-ish - confusing I know! It's not in terrible condition since I've started using Lush shampoos but it has been known to take quite a battering from all the heat styling and back combing I subject it to, not to mention I get my hair cut once year (as opposed to the recommended every six weeks!) Needless to say, it could do with a good conditioner!

That's exactly what I've found in Retread. The beneficial ingredients alone should give you an idea of exactly how much this can do for your hair. It has; Agar Agar Gel, Soya Milk, Fresh Cantaloupe Melon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Yoghurt, Avocado Oil, Lanolin, Organic Jojoba Oil and Neroli Oil!

Agar Agar Gel holds an unbelievable amount of moisture within it and comes from a special species of seaweed, which due to the huge levels of elements found in it makes it healing, protective, nourishing and moisturizing and due to this it is great at softening the hair.

Soya Milk can help detangle hair and reduce frizz whilst also providing shine, softness and moisture.


Fresh Cantaloupe Melon is hydrating, nourishing and healing due to it containing Vitamins A, B and C as well as natural sugars.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil nourishes and conditions, whilst improving the strength and elasticity of your hair.

Organic Yoghurt leaves dry frizzy hair silky and manageable by restoring the moisture levels in the hair.

Avocado Oil is high in vitamins A, D and E and proteins, lecithin and potassium and penetrates better than other similar oils. It can stimulate hair growth and soothe scaly scalps. It is great for dry unmanageable hair as it is rich, nourishing, and softening. It also strengthens and conditions the hair and leaves it looking shiny and healthy.

Lanolin resembles the natural sebum produced by your body and is moisturizing, nourishing and protective especially against the effects of weather. It can also strengthen the hair.

Organic Jojoba Oil gives hair glow, shine and smoothness, even to the most dull and dry hair by coating the hair shaft and making the hair manageable.

Neroli Oil is rejuvenating and can also help lift moods too.

I've had my tub of Retread since by birthday (August) now and there is still around a third of it left. At first I was using it just for special occasions (nights out etc) as it is quite expensive, but I soon became addicted to how good my hair looks when this is used, and have since used it roughly twice a week and it has still lasted well.

When I am actually applying Retread, I'm not all that keen on the scent. It smells a bit herby, almost like the H'Suan Wen Hua smell but not nearly as bad, mixed with a scent that's a bit like a mix of banana and melon. In all honesty it doesn't smell great, but it doesn't smell awful either. I'd rather it smell as delicious as American Cream of course, but I'm happy it doesn't smell as bad as H'Suan Wen Hua. When my hair is dry however, it's a different story and the smell it leaves behind is actually quite nice, it's definitely a melon-ish smell it leaves behind, and it's quite faint unless you specifically go to sniff the hair, in which case it smells nice.

Since I've had this I've used it in many different ways. I've left it on for a full hour while I've had a bath, I've left it on for a few minutes at most whilst having a shower. I've blow dried and straightened my hair, I've left it to dry naturally. Every way that I have tried, my hair has looked and felt fantastic. It really does just nourish the hair so much, that it doesn't look at all dry or damaged. It looks so smooth and healthy.

Whilst Lush warn people of how heavy this is, I don't find it to be at all, I find it's just right for my hair, although if you have very fine or greasy hair it may be too much. When I style my hair straight with it, the extra weight does keep it straighter longer which is great, but when I leave my hair to dry naturally, it still goes wavy.

This is the perfect conditioner performance wise for my hair. It leaves it both looking and feeling in brilliant condition and due to all the great ingredients it isn't just faking it - it actually is helping your hair out. The only thing that could make this better is if it smelt like American Cream - then I would be well and truly head over heels in love!

At £8.25 for a 245g pot it's not exactly cheap but comparable to other high-end conditioners that hairdressers try to sell you that are full of chemicals - for the price you're getting about as good quality as it possible out there! It has lasted quite well too, and whilst I won't be able to afford to keep this up as an every day conditioner, I would love to and for those who can you definitely should - as there'll be no more bad hair days whilst this is around!

Summary: The best conditioner around, if only it smelt like American Cream!