Beauty: I was cynical about this hair product…
…but it really did live up to its super-conditioning promise – and some!
When it comes to hair products, I all too often find that they over-promise and under-deliver. So you’ll understand my innate scepticism when it came to the much-trumpeted arrival of L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths 8 Second Wonder Water (£9.99, boots.com), which is already a big success in the US.
Essentially, it’s a conditioner but doesn’t feel like your usual offering. It’s a totally runny liquid and requires a nozzle applicator to direct it and make sure it doesn’t just instantly wash down the plughole. After washing your hair you apply 20ml of this elixir – though for thicker or curlier hair you may need to double or triple the dose (the amount is usefully marked down the side of the bottle), massage it into the lengths of your hair, leave it on for eight seconds then wash it out.
But Jiminy Cricket, cynicism be gone! This stuff really works. It left my hair in such tiptop condition with just one use, I was astounded. My hair was left smooth and bouncy, with a nice shine (nothing excessive but shine is boosted if you blow-dry; I tend to air-dry and leave the blows to the salon). Also, a comb could just glide through my hair – even the bit that keeps matting at the nape of my neck from scarf wearing.
All of this and it doesn’t contain any silicone. This is one hair product that truly hasn’t disappointed me.
@edwinaingschambers
To have and to really hold
If you have a teenage boy – or anyone else, for that matter – looking to keep his hair in place then I highly recommend Oribe Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste. My nephew Charlie has tried pretty much every alternative at every price point and this is the only one he’ll use. It doesn’t make hair look greasy, gives it a natural-looking lift, holds for ages, and if you have longer hair it’s good at keeping it off your face. £35, mrporter.com.
For ladies who scrunch…
A short note on hair accessories. I’m now never without a Slip Skinny Scrunchie – essentially a slim, silk-covered hair elastic. They glide through hair, look rather nice around the wrist when not holding hair back, and if worn overnight they never pull – and leave my hair with a perfect wave in the morning. This is Desert Rose, the latest colourway – but I’m also partial to the plain black. £39 for a set of six, slipsilkpillowcase.co.uk.