Neutrogena T/Gel 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner

RRP: from £4.39 for 125ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo Dry Hair cleans, softens, and conditions dry hair while also bringing immediate relief to the problem of itching and flaking scalps.

Dandruff can be a persistent problem for people with dry skin on their scalps. This shampoo contains salicylic acid, which breaks down and clears the flaking skin build up on the scalp, and also piroctone olamine, which is an antifungal that helps to manage the condition.

It is formulated to relieve the irritation that is often associated with dry hair and dandruff, but is gentle enough to be used daily as part of your normal cleansing routine. It forms a rich lather that helps to soothe and protect the skin on the scalp from drying out.

The added conditioners contained in this shampoo will leave your hair feeling cleaner, softer, and healthier, without drying it out."

--Packaging--

The clear pale yellow of the gel, visible through the see-through bottle and cut-out in the box, along with the baby blue of the box and writing on the plastic bottle, offers a calming influence, compounding the suggestion in the promotional material that irritation will be soothed and eradicated. Simply push the plastic disc at the top of the bottle cap down to reveal a small aperture; when you squeeze the bottle, the gel is dispensed in a very controlled way, reducing wastage.

--Application--

Lather into wet hair, then rinse. As this is a 2-in-1 product there is no need for a separate conditioner.

--Appearance--

Even though the gel is pale yellow, no visible residue is left. It lathers into a luxurious white foam.

--Scent--

Arguably clinical - those looking for richly scented hair products will definitely want to look elsewhere. However, Neutrogena's emphasis is on efficacy, not on a sensory experience.

--Texture and consistency--

The gel is smooth and lathers up abundantly into a rich foam, which rinses out easily when you need it to.

--Effects on the hair--

I noticed a reduction in dead skin flakes and hair was left feeling clean and soft for a number of days after use. However, I wouldn't say I felt I could wash my hair less frequently than usual (every 2-3 days), although the product never claims to reduce time between washes.

--Value for money--

At £4.39 for 125ml, this isn't the cheapest shampoo on the market. It's difficult to make comparisons at the 125ml level since quite simply not many brands make shampoo bottles this size. 250ml is much more common, and as Neutrogena offers this product in this size as well, it's easier to compare on this basis. It's fair to say, then, that this shampoo competes well in price with other leading brands, including TIGI, Schwarzkopf, Wella, Mark Hill, and Toni & Guy. It also is at roughly the same price as Eucerin's specialist shampoos. I was sent mine for free by Neutrogena's PR, but would purchase again given the travel-friendly size (albeit not for hand-baggage-only travel) and proven effects on the hair.

Grahams Natural Shampoo and Conditioner

RRP: £11.99 each
 
--What does the promo say?--
"A gentle blend of organic and natural ingredients to relieve and protect a dry and sensitive scalp."

--Packaging--
The bright yellow and blue combination is bold, youthful, unisex and unique, meaning it would definitely stand out on the shelf.

--Usage--
Business as usual here: lather up the shampoo and massage through wet hair before rinsing out. Follow this by smoothing the conditioner through the roots and leave for a few minutes before washing it out. The usual amount required; a blob around the size of a 50p piece should suffice in each case.

--Appearance--
Both come out an unorthodox blue colour; no idea where this comes from. They foam whiter, though, and leave no visible residue.

--Texture and consistency--
As is normal, the conditioner doesn't lather as such, but just remains a blue, creamy, slightly pearlescent lotion. The shampoo foams up a bit into a slightly whiter concoction with some effort, but again, is a blue nacreous cream to start with. Both rinse out without difficulty.

--Scent--
Weirdly, slightly pepperminty or menthol-ish. Again, no idea where this originates. You can smell the coconut a bit if you sniff hard enough, which is good for those who aren't especial fans of the coconut scent.

--Effects on the hair--
Easily as effective as any commercial shampoo and conditioner, leaving hair softened, volumised and degreased. Scalp-wise, dry skin is definitely reduced and there is no irritation.

--Value for money--
Admittedly I balked at the price when I saw it online, but we perhaps shouldn't be so surprised: if we want quality results on our hair without the artificial ingredients, we surely need to pay for the care that goes into selecting authentic components. Commercial products are frequently so ludicrously cheap that we just aren't used to paying what things actually cost anymore. If by buying this you get good results without the chemicals, and kick dry and itchy scalps into touch too, then tant mieux. However, I think Grahams need to pimp the packaging if they want consumers to believe this is a high-end product that delivers equally good results. While this current packaging is unique and eye-catching, sophisticated it ain't. It's also significantly more expensive than, say, Lush's natural shampoo bars, which also deliver excellent results through natural ingredients, without the plasticated packaging. So while Grahams' hair products ultimately have a good basis, I'd say there's still a few tweaks to be made.

perfect partners
Grahams Natural Soap, £5.50
Grahams Natural Sooth-It Balm, £17.99
Grahams Natural Bath Oil, £14.50
Grahams Calendulis Plus Cream, from £13.95
Grahams Natural Kids Eczema Cream, £18.99

Palmers Co Wash Cleansing Conditioner

RRP: £5.99 for 473ml
 
--What does the promo say?--
"Palmer's® Olive Oil Formula® Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner is a unique, all-in-one cleansing cream that replaces shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner and detangler. This gentle, no-lather cleanser contains an exclusive blend of natural Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Keratin Protein and natural herbal extracts to moisturize, soften and detangle hair for the gentlest daily cleansing possible. The salon-quality formula is a safe way to pamper dry, frizzy and over-worked hair and scalp.
Formulated without Sulfates, Detergents, Lather, Phthalates, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil or Harsh Chemicals."

--Packaging--
The large green plastic bottle would definitely stand out on the shelf, as this isn't at all a common colour scheme for hair care bottles. The colour is natural, not lurid, and so accurately reflects the idea of olive oil being the main component. It's sturdy, so stands alone in the shower easily, and the pump-action mechanism makes for quick and convenient use.

--Application--
The advisory notes on the bottle state that a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 40 pumps per use may be required depending on the length and thickness of your hair. As my hair is not that long (only down to my chest) or thick, I went for the lower end of the recommendation (12 pumps). You then smooth this through your hair and leave it on for as long as possible while washing. Finally, rinse it from your hair before drying and styling as normal. Alternatively, you can leave the product in your hair without rinsing if you wish to capitalise on its conditioning more than its cleansing properties.

--Appearance--
A pale cream that doesn't leave any visible residue in the hair.

--Scent--
A natural scent that perhaps surprisingly makes the most of several of the lighter-smelling ingredients (such as olive oil and camomile), while the stronger scents (for example, rosemary and peppermint) are not detectable.

--Texture and consistency--
Creamy and luxurious. I found it difficult to rinse out, however.

--Effects on the hair--
Sadly I found that this really weighed down my hair, even when I used less than recommended (e.g. 9 pumps). While it made it easy to style (as promised), I think this would only work if you also had dry roots as well as dry ends. As someone who has greasy roots and dry ends (grr - what a combination!), it didn't quite meet my needs.

--Value for money--
If this product works for you, then it's great value. At just under £6 for half a litre, it WILL last ages (although of course this will vary depending on your hair length and thickness). However, I'd be more interested in trying the accompanying hot oil treatment, as I've had more success with similar treatments in the past. In the meantime, I'll be passing the Co Wash on to someone with drier hair to see if they get a better result.

perfect partners
Olive Oil Smoothing Shampoo
Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner
Olive Oil Gro Therapy
Olive Oil Conditioning Spray Oil
Olive Oil Strengthening Leave In Conditioner
Olive Oil Invigorating Hot Oil Treatment
Olive Oil Moisturising Hair Milk
Olive Oil Hair Dress
Olive Oil Deep Conditioner Sachet
Olive Oil Curl Extend Hair Pudding  

Dove Express Treatment Intensive Repair Conditioner

 RRP: £3.99

--What does the promo say?--
"Introducing the next generation of daily conditioner with the added benefits of a treatment. Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Conditioner works in just one minute. Our dual action formula contains Fibre Actives™ technology which penetrate deep inside the hair to help rebind damaged proteins without weighing hair down as well as repairing and sealing lifted cuticles to help protect against future damage. Prevents split ends and breakage."

--Packaging--
The white, blue and silver colour scheme is slick, eye-catching and unisex, with the classic Dove logo ever-present. The flip-top plastic tube, which stands on its end in the shower, is practical too.

--Application--
After shampooing, apply to the ends of the hair. Rinse off after one minute.

--Appearance--
A sumptuous white cream that leaves no visible residue on the hair after use.

--Scent--
Cotton-like. Mmm fresh laundry.

--Texture and consistency--
Creamy and smooth without being claggy or sticky. Washes out easily when you want it to, while staying in the hair for the one minute required and beyond.

--Effects on the hair--
Really revitalises hair, making it feel soft and voluminous. Perfect result even from the first use.

--Value for money--
No complaints about how the product is to use or its results. Once my free bottle runs out, I'd definitely buy another to replace it. Practical yet luxurious - love it :)

perfect partners
Intensive Repair Shampoo, £2.69
Intensive Repair Leave-In Conditioning Spray, £3.59 

Have you tried the cure for overworked hair?

SPONSORED CONTENT

Being a natural blonde, I've always fallen back on my tried and tested faithful on the rare occasions that I've actually been allowed to choose my own shampoo and conditioner: John Frieda Sheer Blonde. It gives smoothness and bounce like virtually no other shampoo and conditioner, without weighing my hair down with any lingering greasiness or heaviness. En plus, it gives great luminosity to already naturally great colour. Brilliant Brunette, the accompanying shampoo in the range along with Radiant Red, also does wonders for the brown-haired beauties in my family. It can really be said that there are John Frieda hair treatments for everyone, whether you're looking to colour your hair or reduce frizz. 

This is even more true with the arrival of their new kid on the block, the family of John Frieda Full Repair hair products. Touted as 'the cure for overworked hair', it not only includes traditional shampoo and conditioner but also has one treatment that's just for the ends of your hair (where damage is often most visible - remember those split ends?), and a heat-activated styling spray, which ensures you don't undo all of your good work during blow-drying or straightening.

Claiming to help strengthen and detangle hair, the shampoo is available not only in the form of a 250ml stand-alone tube, but also in a travel-friendly 50ml format. The conditioner is only available in a halfway house of 150ml, but bolsters the work of the shampoo through one of the product family's main ingredients, Inca Peanut Oil. When used in the Perfect Ends Deep Infusion in conjunction with crambe oil (which contains omega-9 and is a relative of rapeseed oil), it promises to "[absorb] into worn-torn strands instead of just coating the surface" and to "leave hair smooth, shiny and full of body". There's a Sheer Mist too for the ends of hair, for those who aren't fans of infusions and just like to spray and go.

The styling spray uses similar ingredients and assures us that manageability will be improved and hair will be protected from heat to create natural movement and long-lasting hold, which certainly sounds like something I could use (to keep a style in place in my hair often seems to involve the use of products with similar strength to cement). I also often forget to use a heat protection spray, but with this coming in a 100ml bottle that can come everywhere with me, there should be no excuses.

But there's more to the Full Repair range than this: also on offer are a Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer (to combat frizz all day - oh John, is there nothing you don't know about my hair?!) and a Protecting Root Lift Foam, which adds extra volume right from the roots of your hair, as well as providing heat protection and preventing breakage. It just needs to be worked through your hair before the use of heat styling products such as curlers.

While I haven't been sent any of this product range to test (yet!!) it definitely sounds like an excellent complement to my hair routine and one I can add to my arsenal of friendly, reliable products to fall back on when the deluge of free press samples subsides. (While I know other bloggers sometimes just throw products away, even if unfinished, or pass them on to friends and family, I always try to use up the vast majority of products I'm sent, leaving the opportunities for free choice few and far between.) It definitely sounds like it could be a 'cure' for me and that, as is often proved to be the case, John Frieda's products meet almost every conceivable haircare need.

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

RRP: £7.65 for 200ml

--What does the promo say?--

"With West African shea butter, natural source vitamin E, shine-boosting apple and orange extracts plus naturally derived cleansers, our shampoo gently cleans without stripping to leave hair soft, shiny and smooth. Contains no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate. Naturally active ingredients include natural vitamin E, west african shea butter to moisturise plus apple and orange extracts boost shine. Specially formulated with meadowfoam and yangu oils, blue seakale and shine-boosting apple and orange extracts, our creamy, colour safe conditioner leaves normal hair glossy, hydrated and in perfect condition, ready to style. Naturally active ingredients include meadow foam oil to help condition, Kenyan yangu oil to smooth and soften plus apple and orange extracts to boost shine."

--Packaging--

The blue and white is perhaps a little too conventional in terms of the shampoo and conditioner market in general, but fits in well with the rest of the Liz Earle range. Even though the fact that they contain apple and orange extracts means that they probably could have gone for a pale green or orange colour scheme, I can appreciate that they didn't want things to look too wacky. The plastic tubes are shiny and the flip-top lid is secure; the grass-decoration banner is also successful in conjuring up the desired natural image and hinting at the product ingredients.

--Application--

"Wet hair thoroughly, massage into a rich lather from root to tip – a little shampoo goes a long way," says the Liz Earle website. It continues: "If needed, add water for more lather. Rinse and repeat if required. Massage [the conditioner] into clean, wet hair after using Botanical Shine Shampoo. Apply to mid lengths and ends. Rinse thoroughly." Nothing tricky about any of that.

--Appearance--

The shampoo is a runny, but not too runny, opaque off-white lotion that creates a fine white lather when mixed with water. The conditioner, however, is a stiff white lotion. Neither leaves any visible residue on the hair after rinsing.

--Smell--

If you sniff hard then you can smell the fruit extracts; however, it is not immediately obvious. Overall a fresh and clean scent suitable for both sexes.

--Texture and consistency--

The shampoo, as mentioned, is a runny lotion, while the conditioner is more like a stiff cream; both, though, are easy to spread and work through the hair. A smoothing and luxurious experience on both counts. I am also always amazed by how Liz Earle manages to create such a fine yet rich foam in the company's products without the use of traditional industry foamer SLS.

--Effects on the hair--

Makes hair smoother, cleaner, less frizzy, less tangled, and more manageable. However, as someone with hair that is quite quick to get greasy (although, simultaneously and frustratingly, when it has just been washed it is usually too dry!), I would be interested to try one of their other conditioners: there exists one for dry or damaged hair, as well as one for fine or oily hair.

--Value for money--

Gives a good salon effect with natural ingredients, so I'd say this is quite a good buy. Even though some may balk at the price, it is in the same bracket as the chemical-laden L'Oreal and Tigi, so at the end of the day, I suppose it depends on your priorities.

Botanical Shine Shampoo - for all hair types

Three types of conditioner available: for normal hair, for dry & damaged hair, and for fine & oily hair

All £7.65 for 200ml

Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo and Moisturising Rinse

RRP: £4.20 for 60ml (each); £12.65/300ml (shampoo); £15.30 (conditioner); all prices from www.feelunique.com

--What does the promo say?--
"Macadamia Rejuvenating Shampoo is a moisturizing shampoo for all hair types and is excellent for dry, damaged hair. The Rejuvenating Shampoo gently cleanses the hair while weightlessly replenishing moisture and protecting the hair from environmental elements...Ideal for all hair types, Macadamia Moisturizing Rinse is an every day conditioner that gently nourishes, detangles, moisturises and protects, leaving hair soft, manageable and ready to style. Benefits of the Macadamia range:
- Provides intense nourishment, smoothing and a long lasting, tangle-free, frizz-free finish.
- Hair is ultra-smooth, manageable and shiny.
- Instant absorption and light-weight, non-greasy feel.
- Shown to extend the life of colour treatments by reducing fading.
- Natural UV protection.
- Reduces drying time an amazing 40-50%."

--Packaging--
The packaging of these bottles is very unusual with its combination of brown and green as well as its conical shapes. However, on the 60ml size at least, I found the plastic to be very hard to squeeze on the conditioner bottle, so I'm not sure how easy these would be to handle long-term; I can see how after a while this might get on your nerves or lead to some of the product being wasted because you can't get it out of the bottle. It stands up well in the shower, though, with no risk of it wobbling or being difficult to balance.

--Application--
You are supposed to only use a small amount of each of these, working them through wet hair before rinsing out. However, this was difficult to do, as no matter how much or little I used, and no matter how thoroughly I tried to wash it out, it seemed that these products were near impossible to rinse.

--Appearance--
An off-white almost shea butter type of colour. However, this probably comes from the macadamia oil or the oil from the linseed or wheat germ that is also in these products. Fits in well with the image the company is trying to project.

--Scent--
A very pleasant sweet smell which is simultaneously very natural and in keeping with the product's image; a nutty, slightly sugary smell which is occasionally reminiscent of pear drops. Curiously, the lavender oil present in the product is undetectable.

--Texture and consistency--
The shampoo is smooth, runny and glossy, lathering well through the hair. The conditioner is whiter and lumpier, holding its shape well in the hand, but smoothing well through the hair all the same. They are both, nevertheless, perhaps in spite of their initial appearances, tricky to wash out.

--Effects on the hair--
As perhaps anticipated, the consequence of this difficulty in washing the products out of the hair is that my hair felt weighed down and almost greasier than before. I had one glimmer of hope when I got out of bed one morning having washed my hair with the stuff the previous day, as my hair did seem lighter and silkier at this stage, but this was all soon shattered when I passed a hairbrush through my hair, which restored it to its dull and weighed-down state. It therefore goes without saying that I experienced none of the benefits outlined in the promotional material, including any reduction in drying time. I also tried the shampoo with a different conditioner in case it was the moisturising rinse that was causing the heaviness, but to no avail. 

--Value for money--
In short, I would expect so much more than this for the money paid (even if in this case I didn't have to pay), in terms of results (see above) and quality of ingredients (this contains a few industry nasties including SLS (which reportedly has carcinogenic qualities) and disodium EDTA (a persistent organic pollutant). For this price, one should probably go instead to upmarket brands such as Aveda, or to established 'hairdresser' brands such as Bumble & Bumble or Rene Furterer, in order to get a better finish. In any case, there's no need to pay this much even then: lower-priced brands such as Aussie also provide impressive results for a fraction of the price. In future, I would perhaps buy the infused comb or brush, which are innovative and give you all the macadamia oil's alleged benefits in a lighter layer without breaking the bank. But keep your eyes peeled: the Macadamia Natural Oil leave-in conditioner (to be reviewed here soon) is much more impressive.

perfect partners
Healing Oil Treatment, from £4.90/10ml
Deep Repair Masque, from £20.99/250ml
Nourishing Leave-In Cream, £15.95/300ml
Healing Oil Infused Comb, £6.40
Healing Oil Spray, from £12.70/60ml
Oil Infused Brush, £15.95

Scandalous Gorgeously Rich Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner

RRP: £5.49 each, or 2 for £7 at Superdrug (correct as of January 4th 2011)

--What does the promo say?--

"This shampoo creates a more luxurious lather than regular shampoos and feels wonderfully soft in the hand. The fragrance fills the room instantly, creating a pampering spa experience. Conditioning Murumuru butter will leave your hair feeling fresh and revitalised....Murumuru butter and vitamins have been added to this conditioner to nourish the hair to a glossy shimmer. The fragrance of the conditioner creates an entrancing layering effect. The feminine scent is released with every turn of your head."

--Packaging--

The combination of black, pink and gold creates an instant effect of a girls' night out, and in terms of practicalities it's fairly effective too (though the conditioner is a little more controlled while the shampoo rushes out of the tube a bit enthusiastically). Attention-grabbing, young and funky.

--Application--

Proceed as usual - lather shampoo into wet hair, rinse out, and then massage conditioner through, leaving it for a few minutes before rinsing.

--Appearance--

A very ordinary off-white colour for both; perhaps would have been nice if it had been a pale pink to echo the pink of the bottle design (I think adding gold glitter would be a bit much though).

--Scent--

Now, I don't know what kind of women they asked when putting their promotional material together and doing their market research, but sorry, Scandalous - I don't think this scent is feminine at all. In fact, it's masculine enough to be off-putting - a very heavy scent which just smells like shaving cream and aftershave. This might just be permissible in a unisex product, but quite clearly the packaging would send red-blooded men running for the hills, and most women (funnily enough) don't want to smell as if they don't have any shampoo of their own and so have just nicked their bloke's. Or am I just the exception there?! I don't think the murumuru butter is to blame as other websites describe the stuff as having a "natural, earthy aroma" - irritatingly, though, any other fragrances are only classified on the bottle under the umbrella term 'Parfum', so are untrackable. Grrr.

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth and luxurious. No problems there - including with washing out.

--Effects on the hair--

Makes hair silkier and less flyaway, and even keeps my hair in good enough condition so that I don't have to wash it every day. Top.

--Value for money--

£5.49 a bottle seems quite expensive seeing as competitors in this price bracket for the same amount of product include John Frieda, Tigi and Lee Stafford. However, the 2 for £7 deal is considerably better, so I'd take advantage of that if I were you. Truthfully, though, the only thing really stopping me from purchasing this product regularly is that smell - to me it is really off-putting, and made me realise just how large a part scent plays in our choice of product. Go back to the drawing board on that, Scandalous, and then I'll get back to you.

perfect partners

Scandalous Intensively Glossy Rescue Treatment, £5.99/150ml

Scandalous Flaunt It Firm Hold Hairspray, £5.49/250ml

Scandalous Seductive Shimmer Serum, £5.99/50ml

Schwarzkopf Gliss Shea Cashmere Shampoo and Conditioner

RRP: £1.59/bottle
Retails at: Sainsbury's, Superdrug, Savers, Bodycare

--What does the promo say?--
"Hair Repair - Repairs Inside the Hair Cell

Dry or Lifeless Hair

Easy Combing & Cashmere Smooth Hair

Suitable for Daily Use

The nourishing formula with Shea Butter and Cashmere Protein provides the hair with intensive care and tangibly more suppleness."

--Packaging--

Like many other brands of its type, it reaches its target audience of women aged 20-30 with soft pastel colours, although the purple is a bit more zingy and adds a nice touch. The unusual combination of shea and cashmere immediately conjures images of softness and luxury, and high technology is also evoked in the illustrations on the bottle. With the shampoo bottle standing on its flip-top lid and the conditioner bottle having its lid at the top of the bottle, the slightly opposing yet harmonious design works well too.

--Application--

Massage the shampoo into wet hair as normal before rinsing out, and then add the conditioner, smoothing it down the full length of the hair, or just on the ends if this is where you have most difficulty with dryness, and then rinse out completely after a few minutes.

--Appearance--

The shampoo is a lovely pearlescent slightly beige/off-white coloured product, which continues to create the image of something truly luxurious in the shower. The conditioner is slightly yellower and more matte than pearlescent.

--Scent--

The shea butter is expectedly prominent; you are definitely given what you are promised. Always nice to have a slightly chocolatey start to the morning!

--Texture/consistency--

No problems here: it wasn't too sticky, too thick, too runny, or too anything. The  conditioner is creamier and less runny than the shampoo; both products are very manageable and easy to control and rinse out.

--Effects on the hair--

Truthfully, Schwarzkopf's claims on this shampoo and conditioner are very modest, so you cannot claim that they do not deliver. The main claims are "increased suppleness" and "cell repair", with the former being very subjective and the latter being presumably only something that could be tested by a scientist. However, I did thankfully experience increased softness in my hair, which I assume to be down to the various proven conditioning ingredients within, such as glyceryl cocoate (derived from coconut) and wheat protein, as well as the cashmere protein and shea butter mentioned in the brand's promotional materials. I was therefore fairly pleased with the products, in spite of the fact that they didn't quite deliver the high-shine result I was after (but hey - you can't have everything).

--Value for money--

Being a hair colour company primarily, I had always (perhaps stupidly) presumed that Schwarzkopf's products were expensive (since hair dye usually is) and was very pleasantly surprised to find this retailing at such an affordable price. It easily competes with others in its price bracket, such as Aussie and Trésemmé, as well as with others of a higher price range, such as John Frieda. Would buy again - they just need to bring out a hair mask now!

Lush Godiva Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

RRP: £5.50/55 grams

--What does the promo say?--
"Sexy, jasmine-scented, two-in-one Shampoo (and conditioner) Bar. Shea and cocoa butters moisturise dehydrated hair. Smoothing, shine-inducing camellia oil makes hair manageable."

--Packaging--
Comes wrapped in paper, but you can buy a tin to transport it in for when you start to use it. I understand that the bar shapes and sizes vary marginally, but mine didn't fit in the solid shampoo tin, so I used an old Lush tin that was bigger and squarer. You may be luckier though.

--Application and usage--
Rub the bar in wet hands until a lather builds up and then spread this lather onto your wet hair. Massage into hair and then rinse out.

--Appearance--
While the bar is a honey yellow colour, the lather itself is white and no visible residue is left on the hair after use. There are also a few jasmine flowers in there, and sometimes there are a few yellow lumps visible as well.

--Scent--
Not sure if I could really smell the jasmine - a few times, though, my fiancé has commented that my hair smells like petrol after I've used it (!)...not a good sign...

--Texture and consistency--
Disregarding the jasmine flowers and occasional yellow crystals/lumps that are present in the bar (which sort of fall away anyway rather than getting stuck in your hair), the lather is smooth and easy to rinse and the bar is easy to lather and manipulate. The bar holds its shape quite well before beginning to go a bit mushy. However, when this happens, the paste that is left behind is easy to massage through hair and to create a lather with, and for any especially stubborn lumps that are left in the tin, a dash of water turns it into said paste and makes it usable again (in fact, quite a few Lush products can be rescued in this way).

--Effects on hair--
The scent, as noted, is perhaps not always positive; I also can't say I saw any increase in shine. However, hair was made smoother and more manageable (albeit not 100%; it lacked the wow-factor I was looking for). Ultimately, though, hair is clean and easy to style after use.

--Value for money--
Excellent - I bought this for use on holidays to try to weasel out of the baggage restrictions on liquids that are imposed by airlines, and it's got me through about a year's worth of holidays (I holiday for about 12 weeks a year). The fact that it's a shampoo and conditioner in one means that this is also a favourable aspect of the product, helping you to cut down on your packing. Unfortunately, it's the only hard 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner available, meaning that if you don't like Godiva, you have to either have a hard shampoo + an extra liquid conditioner, a hard shampoo + the only hard conditioner available (Jungle), or ditch the conditioner altogether. If you do like Godiva, however, then life's pretty sweet - it's perfect for travel.

perfect partner
Solid Shampoo Tin, £2.50 (or free with 2 shampoo bars)

Lush Veganese

RRP: from £3.50 (100g) up to £11.50 (500g)

--What does the promo say?--
"Lavender and lemon all-round conditioner for all hair types. Our vegan customers have quite enough to put up with without having rough, dull, tangled hair. The majority of Lush products are vegan, but making a vegan conditioner without lanolin (from sheared sheep's wool) took us a few years. Absolutely refusing to be beaten, Helen Ambrosen finally found a formula that reached her high standards, using agar seaweed gel as a hair softener with lavender and lemons for shine. It's an effective conditioner for you to use. Vegans and everyone with fine hair should choose this one and stick with it."

--Packaging--
As with all Lush packaging, it's minimalist and recyclable, bearing a unisex black and white label. The black flip top lid makes it easy to use in the shower, and the transparent plastic bottle means you can always see how much you have left. No problems here.

--Application--
After shampooing, slick this through wet hair. Leave to do its work for a couple of minutes and then rinse off. You may have to use a fair amount each time, though, even for shoulder-length hair.

--Appearance--
A light brown, sludge-coloured, slightly lumpy-looking lotion. Mmmm.

--Scent--
Quite masculine-smelling; similar to the Grundy soap from Villainess that I reviewed in 2009. It's almost bitter-smelling, so the most likely culprits are the lavender along with the citrus oils. It's not a horrible smell, but it wouldn't be my first choice either.

--Texture/consistency--
Runs through hair easily, and washes out well. It's not fabulously luxurious, but there are certainly no problems with it.

--Effects on the hair--
It didn't ruin it, but there was no wow-factor for me either. It made my hair clean, but I sadly didn't see the shine that's talked about in the promotional materials.

--Value for money--
Again, this is an interesting conundrum. At first sight it seems rather expensive: many other high-quality 'salon' brands (such as Tigi, Charles Worthington, Mod's Hair, and Lee Stafford) have conditioners available for less than the price of the medium-sized bottle of Veganese (£6.95/250ml), as do other more 'ethical' or 'natural' brands such as Tommy Guns, Le Petit Marseillais, and Klorane. However, one medium-sized bottle will last months, whereas the brands listed above might not. The only serious threat to Lush's products perhaps comes in the form of the Green People (whose organic children's shampoo, crucially, is not only the same price as Veganese for the same amount of product, but also does not contain the irritating-to-some sodium laureth sulphate, or SLS, which Veganese does). However, ultimately it comes down to the choice you make: if you want a special treatment for your hair, to restore some quality that it lacks or has lost, then go for the cheaper salon treatment, as I found that Veganese did not do anything special for my hair. However, if the ethics of it is what you're after, Veganese is certainly an adequate, ethical, and long-lasting product that will go down well with most.

Sunsilk Silky and Straight Shampoo and Conditioner

RRP: £2.19 each for 200ml. However, prices vary across the internet, starting at just £1..
Other varieties from the Sunsilk range: Lively Blonde, Deeply Brunette, Care and Repair, Colour and Shine, Waves and Curls, Fresh and Flowing, Voluptuous Volume

--What does the promo say?--
"Is your hair stuck between straight and curly, neither one nor the other?
Sunsilk Silky & Straight Shampoo and Conditioner, enriched with satin proteins, will help smooth your hair along its whole length, leaving it fabulously sleek and shiny."

--Packaging--
A cheerful purple tube that sits sturdily on its plastic flip top lid in the shower. The quality of said lids varies - my conditioner lid closes very well but the shampoo lid is weaker, meaning that lots of water collects in the lid during showers. It's also too big to take on holiday with you if you're travelling on hand luggage, but is a good size for everyday use.

--Usage--
Massage the shampoo through wet hair and then rinse. Then stroke the conditioner through clean, rinsed hair and leave on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing out. You can repeat this procedure again if you like, but to be honest, it's not really necessary.

--Scent--
A nice clean cotton-type scent. While this is nice, maybe something more fruity, matching with the purple bottle (blackberries perhaps?!) would be a welcome novelty to rival brands such as Herbal Essences. However, it's definitely not unpleasant and shouldn't offend anyone.

--Appearance--
A white, glossy lotion, with the shampoo being runnier than the conditioner.

--Texture/consistency--
Very smooth. No problems here.

--Rinsability--
Fairly easy to rinse out; I occasionally find that I miss the very front of my scalp, but I think that's due more to my own shortcomings than to those of the shampoo and conditioner.

--How does your hair feel afterwards?--
I have very dry hair, so perhaps the Care and Repair version of Sunsilk would be better for me. You've probably already guessed that my hair still felt quite dry after the use of this shampoo and conditioner. However, there was nevertheless a definite improvement.

--How does your hair look afterwards?--
Definitely straightened. Good job!

--Value for money--
This is about the price of your average shampoo and conditioner, and I think that its price and its supermarket audience is reflected in both this and the fact that as with most supermarket haircare you do seem to end up using a fair amount of the stuff each time as compared with more expensive haircare. However, the bottles do seem to last a really long time despite this (though the conditioner always runs out before the shampoo...why?!), and deliver solid, dependable and palpable results every time. I've never had anything but a positive experience with Sunsilk, having also tried their range for blondes, and it's a great cheaper alternative to brands such as John Frieda. Onto the Care and Repair range for me, then...

perfect partner
Sunsilk Silky and Straight Leave-In Cream, £2.19

Pantene Smooth and Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner

RRP: £2.87 each for 400ml, or buy both for £4 on promotion at Boots

--What does the promo say?--
"Pantene's cleansing formula is designed to give you the polished, lustrous look you want. The smoothing formula helps control hair frizziness, and is the first step to irresistibly smooth hair. Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Conditioner is the important second step to beautiful healthy looking smooth hair. Its outstanding formula, enriched with Amino Pro-V Complex transforms damaged, out-of-control, frizzy hair into hair that looks and feels incredibly healthy and ready to style. Hair is left smooth, soft, super healthy-feeling and so under control it makes styling easy."

--Packaging--
A little boring, and I feel that Pantene's more 'basic' variants seem sidelined compared to their more edgy and glamorous products, such as the Ice Shine haircare range, which has a more distinctive advertising campaign, which features Anna Friel, and general packaging design. The bottles for Smooth and Sleek, however, are white, with minimal information and adornment, which instead of being successfully minimalist, are just boring and don't stand out on the shelf. My shampoo lid also didn't close properly. Great.

--Usage instructions--
Proceed as usual - run shampoo through hair, lather up, rinse out, slick hair with conditioner, leave on for 1-2 minutes, then wash out.

--Scent--
Pretty nondescript: both just smell slightly soapy, that's all.

--Texture/consistency--
The shampoo is runnier than the conditioner, and I find the conditioner more pleasing to use, as it is slightly stiffer without being viscous or hard. In the hair, both products feel smooth and non-lumpy.

--Lather--
The shampoo lathers up well, though not as well as some other shampoos that I've tried. However, saying this, I don't believe that lather is necessarily indicative of how good a shampoo is.

--Appearance--
Both of the products are white, slightly pearlescent lotions. On the hair, no residue is left, and the hair looks glossy after use, but not artificially so. The hair also appears smoothened and less frizzy as well as having added shine.

--How does your hair feel afterwards?--
Both short-term and long-term, hair feels much smoother, less damaged, and more manageable. Thanks to Pantene, I was sent a full-size bottle of each for free, and was able to give them a good report after a month's trial.

--Value for money--
I would definitely buy this again, especially on the 2 for £4 deal. My two 400ml bottles were sent to me for the purposes of a month's trial, and there is still loads left in each bottle, so you can be confident that these will last ages. Both products also made a significant difference to my dry, frizzy, damaged hair. I had previously avoided Pantene as I felt that they would be too artificial, and while they're still never going to be the most natural products in the world, I would definitely feel more confident about using them again, as well as trying the intensive conditioner. Good work.

perfect partners
Pantene Smooth and Sleek Intensive Conditioner Leave In Bottle, £3.99 for 300ml
Pantene Smooth and Sleek 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, £2.87 for 400ml