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Despite my best efforts to destroy my hair---I bleached my hair a heroic six times in as many months between 2012-2013 and have box-dyed it every other month since---the keratin stumps growing out of my head have defiantly, resiliently, clung on for dear life. In its naturally straight state my elbow-length hair is tangle-free, glossy, and the texture reasonably soft. When I curl my hair however it's a whole different story, I believe the phrase is 'crunchy?' Maybe something to do with the fact that I empty a whole can of hair spray on my curls to keep them so? Either way for the amount of damage I've done (and still do) to my hair it's still healthy and more importantly never lost its seductive glide as it catches the light and cuts through the air when I use it to whip people in the face with. Priorities! All thanks to my repertoire of haircare products which I will present to you, as often requested, in the hope that it proves to be somewhat helpful or instructive.
I must come clean. I consider my hair to be a crutch. I don't care what some feminists say (although if they are real feminists they wouldn't be saying what other women should or shouldn't do) I am my hair and my femininity is defined by the length of my hair. I just wouldn't feel very sexy in a pixie crop. Gamine, mischievous, daring, yes, but not sexy. My boyfriend disagrees and would much rather I cut my hair short but I'm certain he only feels that way because I won't stop slapping him in the face with my mane. But! I love my long hair. I hide behind it when I'm self-conscious, I twist it around my neck when I'm cold or uncomfortable, I drape it over my extended arm when taking selfies, and I use it to frame my décolletage ever so coyly. And despite long, straight hair being perfect for all of the above I still don't feel quite there unless my hair has been curled and styled to death. I'd never go to a social event with straight hair if I can help it, and I say without shame that my social and holiday schedule revolves around when I get to curl my hair. No internet in Cuba? No problem, as long as I get to bring my curling tongs. To minimise the heat damage I never use a hairdryer (air dry, always), only curl my hair twice a week (the curls look their best for two days but last three days), and use an array of products to protect and maintain my head tentacles.
Behold, the bottled ambrosia that I imbibe my Medusian snakes with---
Percy & Reed 'It's so cool' Heat Protect styling mist / Tresemmé mousse / L'oréal Elnett hairspray / Batiste 'dark & deep brown' dry shampoo / Show Beauty sheer thermal protect / Show Beauty pure treatment oil
For someone so supposedly invested in her hair's welfare (well-hair!) I've only just discovered for myself that shampoo and conditioner really does make a huge difference to one's hair texture. To think that this whole time I've been loading those £1 shampoos into my basket at the supermarket! Back in February, shortly after their launch in Malaysia, Syoss sent me a care package to my Malaysian address but it arrived the day I left for London. I've only just managed to get my hands on it a couple of months ago and I've been using their 'Moisture Intensive Care' shampoo, conditioner, treatment, and glossy jelly ever since. Syoss promises affordable, professional performance you can afford and salon results you can achieve at home, and I must say they certainly deliver! My Syoss now-empty shampoo and conditioner bottles are deflated but my hair has never been more 'plump' no doubt thanks to the intensive moisturising. I've run out of the conditioner but still manage to slather my hair, post-shampoo, with the treatment mask. Syoss has also managed to do the impossible---make me embrace my straight hair. I added some 'Straight and Shine' jelly to my hair out of curiosity and astonished at how much sleeker my hair looked despite already being poker-straight and glossy. I now use it as a finishing product after my hair oil.
Asian-Pacific readers of this blog will find SYOSS readily available as it is distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, China but to name a few countries. 'Tis slightly trickier for those in the UK, but I did find Syoss available to buy online on Fishpond and Amazon. For now I'm keeping an eye on Syoss on Facebook for news of when it will be more readily available to buy in London. It's a game-changer, and my hair is my game. Just ask Henry how many times he has had to duck when I try to hair-whip him.
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Disclaimer: Some of these products were sent to me for review, however all opinions and words are my own.