I've been trying to grow my hair as long as possible for a while now and as such I am always looking for products that will help nourish and keep the lengths in top condition for as long as possible. I vary my conditioners, try to avoid straighteners and heat styling and use good quality brushes, but there's always room for improvement and as I start to see progress I'm inclined to invest a little more in my hair as it is such a source of self confidence when it looks good.

I've read a number of reviews on dooyoo for MoroccanOil's Oil Treatment, and judging by the reaction of some shrewd judges on this site the benefits of this product seemed to enticing, even though I would normally baulk at handing over more than £10 of my tight budget for any beauty product. However, my hair feels worth the investment at this stage, and having read what I have I had to give it a try. On top of this I noticed that my recent jaunt to Toni & Guy included the appearance of the brand's distinctive orange and turquoise bottles, and having left the salon with very smooth hair before now I decided the time had come to make the leap.

THE PRODUCT

MoroccanOil is an oil treatment for your hair - simple as. It is NOT a cheap product, however, so I could only afford a 25ml bottle -a slim bottle about three inches high which arrived in a turquoise box with an orange M logo. It is for all hair types.

The manufacturer has a web domain at www.moroccanoil.com.

My 25ml product does have on the label that it is sold only by certain salons; I couldn't find this through usual highstreet options so I resorted to Amazon, where I managed to get my bottle for £12.38.

It is marketed as being ultra-light and non-greasy, able to recondition abused or tired hair and be quickly absorbed, be able to soften thick and difficult to manage hair; it contains "powerful antioxidants", Vitamin E (a favourite for skin care for me), elements that neutralise free radicals, helps enrich hair that has been coloured and over styled and generally improve condition and elasticity of the hair.

It comes in an amber coloured glass bottle, which reportedly is to protect the product from UV rays and keep its integrity.

Can also be used on extensions (I'm presuming natural ones).

MY EXPERIENCE

On the basis of what I've read from fellow users on dooyoo, I got my tiny bottle - which at this point was looking very valuable! - and unscrewed the lid after having washed and conditioned, and towel dried, my hair. I poured out a few drops which, when on the warmth of the hand, were just shy of a pound-coin-sized pool on my palm.

The oil is a slightly bronzy gold colour, smells pleasant and rubs around the hands well before application.

Personally I decided to adapt that time honoured hair-care tradition of basically sticking your head upside down and working the treatment through the lengths! I avoid the roots as my hair as naturally dark and I don't want to make it look any flatter there than it already does.

I found this product did absorb very quickly. I have yet to use more than I have noted above but I find that I do not need to and would not want to either waste the product or risk having to wash again by making my head heavy with oil - and the end of the day this is an oil product therefore over use is going to weight your hair down and make it look greasy.

I have tried both using this before styling as normal and before letting my hair dry naturally on one of the rare days that I have time to do so.

I have noticed a marked improvement in the smoothness of the ends of the hair and through the graduation of the layers, overall making my hair look smoother and more sleek, when styled. It feels softer than usual and having used this after a variety of different conditioners I can say that this applies across the board.

I would say though that having used this without artificial drying methods on my hair, it has never felt softer or smoother, and I can't stop teasing it and playing with the lengths.

In both cases I find that the drying time is slightly longer than before, suggesting a marked improvement in the condition of the hair strands. The scent is gentle, and barely noticeable once the hair has absorbed the oil.

IN CONCLUSION

I love this product and because you can use so little I have noticed that what initially seemed a vastly overpriced product in a tiny bottle is lasting really well - I've been using it about twice or three times a week for over a month and have probably used about a sixth of the content. The small bottle is handy to take away when I have to travel, the glass is thick and the screw top is sturdy.

If I have one criticism it is of the packaging, from which you have to pour the product from this size of bottle. A push dispenser would be more practical as you have to be careful not to drop, spill or waste the product on the side of the bottle, which would be messy and probably effect some dresser table surfaces if they escaped. Besides, they're better placed on your hair! At least you do have control over how much you dispense this way if you are careful.

I have come to love this product for the shine, the feeling of health and smoothness and also the extra body and thickness this lends my hair. With the exception of products used at a really great London salon I treated myself to last year, I think this is far away the best product I have used on my hair and certainly the easiest provided you are sensible about how much the thickness and quality of your hair can handle.

I also attribute to a large degree the fact that my recent temporary colour has lingered for longer than it was advertised to do to this product. I feel that the protection and improvement it lends my hair will help me to grow the length as far as I can and also offers some protection from the day to day stresses of life.

Thoroughly recommended and a worthwhile investment if you are serious about your hair condition. Treat yourself!