The First Step to Lush Hair (Lush Strokes Hair Treatment)

Member Name: apele

Product:	Lush Strokes Hair Treatment
Date:	18/05/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Improves silkiness of hair

Disadvantages: The smell, the price

*PLEASE NOTE: (I have already put this disclaimer on one of my reviews and on my profile) SOME OF THESE REVIEWS ARE COPIED FROM MY OLD CIAO AND DOOYOO ACCOUNTS, EIBEE AND EIBEE8 RESPECTIVELY. SOMEONE HASN'T PAID ATTENTION TO THIS AND TAKEN MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS. I WOULD SUGGEST ANYONE ELSE HALTS THEIR "NOT HELPFUL"S UNTIL THE MATTER IS RESOLVED.

The Strokes comes in a white tub (250g), on which it claims this product will control wild frizz. Lush was one of the first places I looked. I thought, having tried some of their other products before, they would have something to suit me.

The Strokes is a hair moisturiser, not a shampoo as I originally thought. The recommendation is that you use it on dry hair before washing, and leave it for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing out and shampooing and conditioning as normal. The first time I tried it, I really didn't notice much difference. Unwilling to waste what I'd already paid for, a few weeks later I gave it another go. I used a little more of the stuff than I had previously - about a palm full - and left it on for 10 extra minutes, just in case. The results were much better. I could see that, as soon as I rinsed my hair, it was much softer, smoother and untangled, leaving it easier for me to brush and blow-dry after washing. I always leave my hair a little damp after drying to prevent the frizz that comes with direct heat. Normally, after a few hours is when my hair starts frizzing up again. But not this time! Although it was still slightly poufy (nothing a pair of straighteners couldn't fix), it was much, much better than my hair usually is directly after washing - and definitely more effective than most other 'miracle' hair products I've tried.

In looks, the moisteuriser isn't so pleasant. It's a browny-goldy coloured slush. But the aroma, I thought at first, was even worse. It's supposed to smell of lemon and stout, but I really couldn't smell that at all. I'm not sure what it smells like either. Maybe it was just because I had it on my head for 20 minutes, or maybe I had put too much on, but it didn't smell very appealing at all. It's still not exactly my favourite scent, but I don't mind it as much now; it's grown on me a little. And the scent doesn't stay prominent after drying.

Tubs come at a slightly pricey £7, the last time I checked. Using the product generously, I'd say one tub serves up to seven washings, but my hair is really, really thick and somewhat long. Others with shorter and finer hair may find they need to use much less, therefore not needing to use as much. I find the effects of the product tend to last about three or four days without further washing.

The main ingredients include Irish Stout, olive oil and yeast, to give hair weight, body and protein. Other ingredients include lemon grass, rosemary, thyme, mint and a hint of perfume. Lots of great natural herbs as opposed to a tub full of chemicals. The product is also suitable for vegans.

Using it since has produced much the same effects as the first few times. I'm used to getting my hopes up about a product that makes my hair feel great, only to find it doesn't last and fails a few products later. Now I use The Strokes regularly, and I definitely recommend it to anyone with dry, frizzy or damaged hair. It's definitely made an improvement to my hair's overall appearance and feel, each and every time I wash it. It's good to know there are hair-care products you can rely on.

Summary: Natural product that works well