It may seem a little odd to start a beauty review with an episode of esteemed sitcom, ‘Frasier’, but watch this clip from 2.25 and you’ll see my point.
When it comes to instructions, I’m with Martin: don’t bother with the manual and pre-glue everything. Although I am aware this approach can leave you with a piece of pre-glued plank stuck to your hand.
For as much as I identify with Martin’s flouting of the rules, there are times in life where you just have to follow the manual.
My ‘try one thing’ for February really did test me: not only did it pose a direct challenge to my Martin-like tendencies, but I also had to embrace a different way of doing something very familiar: washing my hair. I’m well aware that my IQ dipped several points with the typing of that sentence, but bear with me.
A cleansing conditioner is a relatively new concept: these are super-moisturising formulas that cleanse your hair without resorting to the detergents and sulphates often found in traditional shampoos which mean no lather, no foam. I’ll be honest, I am a creature of habit, and although I know that the foaming agents in shampoos can be quite drying and responsible for colour-fade, the idea of getting rid of the lathering element altogether did leave me feeling somewhat sceptical. My hair can be quite temperamental and needs a good clean otherwise it just feels wrong and I get an attack of the grumps. Could a cleansing conditioner really take the place of shampoo?
There are numerous cleansing conditioners appearing, and I nearly opted for the Ojon Cleansing Conditioner (£18.50), but I went for the product that boasted not only a budget-friendly price, but a whole lot of love from reviewers online. Containing ingredients such as vitamin E, keratin protein and extra virgin olive oil, Palmers Olive Oil Formula Cleansing Conditioner (at an incredibly reasonable £5.99) got my vote.
As a cleansing conditioner doesn’t lather up like a normal shampoo, it needs to be applied slightly differently. This is where you have to be a Niles, not a Martin. The best advice I can give in using this product is to follow all the instructions: don’t be tempted to skip a step, or cut a few corners. It will end up with you stood in the shower with a lump of goo on your head, which is where no-one wants to be.
This particular cleansing conditioner asks you to wet your hair thoroughly, and then dispense 20-40 pumps of product depending on your hair length (which explains the hugeness of the container). Wet the product a little, emulsifying it (really important!) and then apply to your hair, massaging in as you would a shampoo.
The next bit I originally skipped when trialling this, and in hindsight, this is probably the most crucial step: Palmers ask you to comb the conditioner through your hair. Even if your hair is very short, or fine, do it anyway. Get a shower comb (to avoid snagging) and just ruddy do it. When I didn’t complete this step – the whole experiment ended in disaster. When I combed the conditioner through – smooth, soft, glossy hair was the result. It’s a no-brainer. Get a comb. Use it.
This then distributed the product evenly through my hair, which was then left un-rinsed until the very end of my shower (as per instructions). I found that rinsing the conditioner was surprisingly easy, leaving my hair feeling clean and refreshed. I have had problems with residue from traditional shampoos in the past, and this was a whole new ballgame. My head actually felt lighter as I exited the shower.
The next day, I woke up to smoother, calmer hair: I regularly use salon brands such as Goldwell and Redken, so I was interested to see how well a budget product would perform when compared to them. I’m a devotee of Redken’s Extreme Shampoo and I must admit that the results I experienced with Palmer’s cleansing conditioner were on a par with Redken’s Extreme – and I don’t make that statement lightly. My hair was smooth, under control and had a gentle glossy shine to it. This product is marketed as an all-in-one, and my previous experience of multi-functional products hasn’t been that great, but this product really does deliver on both fronts.
On balance, I would especially recommend this product to those with hair that has issues with moisture loss, build-up or frizz – if you find traditional shampoos too drying, slotting in a cleansing conditioner a couple of times a week will definitely help. I also found the Palmers’ Formula calmed my scalp which is prone to dryness (I think mostly from problems with shampoo residue), so if this is a concern for you as well – it’s worth giving this product a try. Frankly, I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t benefit from using this type of product, and while there are cleansing conditioners available at every price point, Palmers is a great introduction, taking you onto the next level of hair care without breaking the bank.
So, I not only tried something new this month, but learned the importance of not getting a plank glued to your hand. Next month, I go from the best of budget to the ultimate in luxury skincare with Sisley’s Black Rose Precious Oil.
HELEN TOPE
designergirl77 