I have long, naturally wavy hair that has been a little dry lately and I recently shopped around for a miracle product that would help to give me locks like Jane Seymour! In the past I've always found that serums or gel moulding creams helped to reduce the parched and frizzy look and create more of a structured curl. I saw this alternative product in Boots, though, and thought it was worth a try.

I do use L'oreal Elvive products quite regularly and really rate their range of shampoos and conditioners. This product is part of the Elvive 'Re-Nutrition' range - a set of products made especially for dry hair which contain a very special ingredient: royal jelly. In the world of cosmetics, this honey bee food is a like a pinch of magic stardust and is considered to be a rich and valued component. It contains a multitude of B-complex vitamins. If you've ever scanned the ingredients of hair tonics or 'hair and nail' pills claiming to give you a lush head of hair, the imporatne B-vitamin group are always at the top of the ingredients list. Royal jelly also contains a complex structure of acids and proteins - more details about this are on the back of the tube. I have seen royal jelly used in moisturisers and bath washes before but never hair products.

The product is described as a 'night serum' and is a serum that is meant to be applied to the hair at bedtime. When you wake up, the brand claims, your hair will be "replenished" and "silky".

The product comes as a 150ml upright standing tube with a pump action dispenser. It actually looks a lot larger than 150ml and tends to run out before I realise it! There is some information about the ingredients on the back and a lot of hype about the L'oreal laboratories who invented the stuff! Full ingredients and directions for use are also on there. The product will stay fresh for 12 months after opening.

It is very easy to control the pump dispenser and eject as much of the liquid as you need. The serum has a gel like texture - it is pearly grey in colour and has a shiny, glycerin look to it. It is easy to work through the hair and goes on like a very light moulding gel. I find it is good to target specific strands of hair or problem areas like dry ends. On the hair it feels quite light and seems to dry quite quickly - almost like it evaporates. When it does this, however, it leaves behind a kind of silky covering on the shaft of the hairs. The serum has a beautiful, rich fragrance that is a lot like sunflowers and honey. It is a natural, summery smell that makes my hair smell gorgeous.

It only takes one or two pumps of serum to use on a head of hair. It is not uncomfortable to apply or to sleep with the product in the hair as it drys so quickly on dry hair. The serum can also be applied to damp hair. It seems to give the same result regardless. The serum does not rub off or stain pillows.

I find that the serum makes my hair feel very soft and a little bit fluffy after one application! As someone who washes her hair every few days I'd have to say that I can't use this product more than once between washes. It does tend to leave a build-up in my hair which makes it unmanageable and feeling too thick. I should point out that I have naturally thick, wavy hair anyway and at the best of times it's hard to brush - so depending on your hair this may or may not be a problem. I personally, though, could feel the texture of my hair change and become more heavy and more greasy after two or more applications.

I wouldn't say that the serum improved the shine factor of my hair. Its main benefit seems to be that it softens the hair to a huge degree. The aroma is also quite lovely and can freshen up hair between washes. The fragrance lasts through the day after applying.

I have bought my second bottle of this now and feel that because so little effort is required to use this and the result quite reasonable, that it is definately worth using as an occasional replenshing booster. My only complaint would be the build-up problem that ensues from regular use.

The product is available at major chemists and supermarkets and is priced as a special conditioning treatment so expect around £5.