This month sees four empties, two which are haircare and two skincare. First up, let’s talk haircare. My hair is colour treated and fine and when it comes to haircare products, I’m looking for something that will give my hair volume and condition but without weighing it down. I had read a lot about the Pureolgy Range before I tried the products and I haven’t been disappointed with my choices. A bit of background about the brand – Pureology was created back in 2001 to care for colour-treated hair without “the nasties” so they are all zero sulphate shampoos and 100% vegan formulas.
Clean Volume Shampoo – Part of the Pureology Clean Volume range, this shampoo gives fullness and shine. There is also a conditioner, mousse and hair mist in the range. With no parabens, sulphates or silicones that can sometimes weigh hair down, for me and my fine hair it ticks the box. There is also an Anti-Fade Complex, so my colour stays vibrant too. I wash my hair in the morning and the scent of citrus, bergamot and cedarwood is really invigorating and definitely wakes me up. You only need a very small amount, work up into a lather and shampoo away. If you haven’t tried the Pureology Brand yet, check it out, as there are many ranges for different concerns, and if you have colour treated hair, all their products contain their patented Anti Fade Complex.
Once I’ve towel dried my hair it’s time for the Colour Fanatic Hair Treatment Spray and it was a video from Caroline Hirons that got me on to this multi-purpose juice for hair. It primes, protects and perfects your hair. It has proteins to strengthen hair and a blend of natural oils, namely olive and coconut to nourish and smooth along with a host of other wonderful hair friendly ingredients. So, if you have no time to condition your hair it works as a leave-on conditioner, if you have split ends or breakages it will help repair them. If you are a mass of frizz it will tame it down and it also acts as a detangler and colour enhancer too. It’s mighty! For me it does everything and has been a godsend. I bought both products on Feel Unique, but check other sites too for offers and Peter Mark also stock the range.
Moving on to skincare and it’s Murad. Two serums that I have loved using and would highly recommend are the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum and the Rapid Age Spot Corrrecting Serum.
In short Retinol is one of the most revered ingredients in the beauty industry and has been proven to be effective at tackling early signs of ageing such as pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. As well as smoothing skin texture and it also has antioxidant properties so you are really getting a lot of bang for your buck! Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum packs a powerful hit of retinol without irritation or downtime.
It’s a potent yet gentle serum that quickly and visibly minimizes lines and deep wrinkles, firms skin, evens skin tone which is great for those with pigmentation and it boosts radiance too. There is also hydrating hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to the skin’s surface to ‘fill in’ fine lines, and swertia flower extract to improve elasticity. The secret with the Murad formula and what sets it apart form other retinol serums is the technology behind it. You have three different delivery systems of retinol so to speak –
1. A fast-acting retinoid (a stronger form of vitamin A than retinol) accelerates results by quickly boosting cell renewal.
2. Secondly, tiny spheres containing retinol slowly melt onto the skin and deliver a sustained supply at low doses.
3. Finally, a retinol booster steps in, which improves the skin’s absorption of molecules such as retinol and peptides.
Just an aside, when buying a retinol serum, check the ingredients list first to make sure it contains ‘retinol or retinaldehyde rather than one of the less effective derivatives such as retinyl palmitate, this just takes longer to convert to retinoic acid and the percentage will be really low.
Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum is my second skincare empty. If pigmentation is your bug bear, then this is a treatment serum worth considering. It will even out your skin tone and help with age spots, dark spots and pigmentation. The formula also has subtle light-reflecting pearls to enhance radiance leaving your skin glowing. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation in as little as one week, over the time that I have been using it (eight months) it has faded my pigmentation marks on the side of my forehead and cheeks. Like the retinol, the technology behind this formula is what delivers the results.
You have a blend of three powerful ingredients (NHP3) Niacinamide, Hexylresorcinol and Plankton Extract which work together to dissolve those dark spots away. Niacinamide enhances cell turnover to visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots, while targeting key signs of ageing. Hexylresorcinol helps to lighten and prevent the appearance of future discoloration and also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Plankton Extract visibly dissolves dark spots to revitalize skin’s natural tone and even out your complexion. I think it’s great and while on the pricier side of serums if you want to see results, this will deliver.
I will be back with more empties soon!
Sherna x
