Comments Off on KeraCare Curlessence Moisturizing Co-Wash Review
hi hi everyone, I hope all is well with you.
Do you still co-wash your hair? I remember when co-washing was the latest trend in the natural hair community and all the brands were coming out with their co-washes. I was hesitant to try it, until I tried the As I am Coconut co-wash then I was on board with the co-wash crew lol. I don’t really co wash my hair anymore but I still, from time to time will co wash my curly hair wigs which is why I bought the Keracare Curlessence moisturising co wash. I’ve used the co wash on both wigs and my natural hair for some time and now I’m ready to share my full thoughts on it
I absolutely love KeraCare, they have some amazing products and the moisturising co wash is one of them. This is part of their curlessence range targeting type 3-4 natural hair. This product is ph balanced, sulfate free and promises gentle cleansing and hydration
Expereince
I’ve used this as a co-wash for both wigs and my hair but more recently(I’ve had this product for a while, I’m talking at least 1 year) I’ve been using it as a pre shampoo detangler. It has amazing slip and it really works well to soften my hair allowing me to detangle that much easier. My tangle teazer glides through my hair with minimal breakage. In terms of cleansing power, I haven’t used it as a co wash for a while however I only ever use cowashes when my hair is dry with minimal buildup, only a shampoo can give a thorough clean
It smells great has a thick spreadable texture that is very easy to smooth onto the hair and finger comb through, exactly what you would expect from a co-wash. it does lather up but not as much as a shampoo.
Verdict
This is a really nice product. I’ve come to see co washes as a multi-use product so if you still love to co wash your hair this works well as that for dry to minimal build up.. It also works very well as a detangler because of the amazing slip it has. You could also use it as a pre shampoo softening treatment if you have extra dry hair as its very softening. I definitely recommend this.
oh yeah I dyed my hair lmao and I’ve been testing out using gloves when washing my hair and omg it is a GAME changer!
Keracare Curlessence cowash is available from Lookfantasic for £8.95 (currently on sale)
Comments Off on K18 Leave-in molecular repair hair mask Review
hey hey! I hope all is well. today I’m sharing my thoughts on the very popular K18 leave in mask
Since its launch in 2021, the K18 leave in mask has been EVERYWHERE. Everybody and their mama and best friend in the hair community has tried K18 by now so when it finally appeared in one of the advent calendars I was so excited.
K18 is a peptide leave in mask that promises to work in just 4 mins on all hair types and textures reversing damage from heat, chemical services and bleaching/coloring. You are directed to use it 4-6 times consecutively for progressive results then switch to maintenance use
Experience
I used K18 as directed for the 1st time back in 2024 and I HATED it! I hated it so much that I didn’t use it again until March 2026- LMAO. It left my hair so dry and CRUSTY and it felt weird not rinsing it out or not using a conditioner. I think I have PTSD lol because how can still remember this almost 2 years later LOL
Anyways this year I was really determined to finish and give it another chance so I did a bit more research on 4c hair use and a lot of people use as directed but follow up with a mask for hydration so I thought to try that. So in March I used it 4 times consecutively, leave it in for 4 mins before following with a mask, I used the Amika hydrorush mask left on for additional 20 mins before washing it out. I took a break in April as it was then time for my usual Olapex treatments- I didn’t want to use them together in the same wash day. I also then had a wig on for holiday. I used the last bit last week.
Usage is pretty easy: after washing and towel drying my hair, I split my hair into 4 sections, use a pump and a bit per section and cover with a shower cap. The texture is lightweight and feels like a lotion so it spreads well. it is not slippery so I didnt even try to detangle with it
Results
In total K18 lasted about 5 wash days. 1st time in 2024, in March 26- 4 weekly washes then final use last week but there was only a little left and it did half my head
Honestly I don’t know if it did anything to my hair. I was sure to pair it with masks I was already familiar with so I could tell if there was any additional benefits. My hair didn’t feel any different in March after using it weekly. I had my routine trim in April and I was told I have a few travelling split ends and some damage and I immediately thought but I’ve been using k18? I don’t think they explicitly say it repairs split ends but I feel my damage might be from heat? back in feb I got the wavy talk thermal brush and I may have abused it on my fine hair lol so if k18 repairs heat damage then shouldn’t my hair app have gone differently?
Verdict
I don’t know. I don’t feel like my hair is any different after k18 use. I have now finished the bottle, I had the 50ml size. I might have been heavy handed as it lasted 5 washes. I wont buy this again, I think for now I will stick to Olapex as my standard bonding treatment.
Comments Off on The Doux SWEETEST THING Honey Moisture Mask Review
The Doux seems to be the latest natural hair brand making the girlies talk! I had heard of the brand in a few videos I watched but when my hair stylist recommended some products I decided to take the plunge and try the Honey Moisture hair mask. I wanted to try more honey hair masks as the TGIN one worked so well for my hair.
The Doux describes this as the sweetest mask you’ll ever know. Hydrates stressed hair beyond the cuticle layer to improve texture, reduce friction, and bring that ol’ elasticity and strength back. Restores moisture balance and hydration to the scalp.
Main ingredients: Barbadensis: For strong, poppin’ curls Honey: Super-charged to fizzle frizz out Aloe: Protects + hydrates stressed out strands
Experience
I’ve used this mask in 3 consecutive wash days to get a feel of it and I do not like it! For a moisture hair mask, it doesn’t leave my hair soft and conditioned as other moisture masks have left my hair. Comparing this to the other honey mask I love, the TGIN honey miracle, this one falls very short!
I noticed the Doux mask has 2 forms of protein in it, Keratin Amino Acids, Silk Amino Acids and I wonder if that’s why I don’t like it. It doesn’t leave my hair stiff at all just not softened. I’ve also noticed some breakage in my crown area- the same breakage I noticed when I was using the Briogeo don’t despair, repair mask which is protein rich very frequently. I think the mask too much protein for my low porosity fine hair and I was using it on my wash days every 2 weeks for at least 3 wash days!
Verdict
I think this is more of a strengthening mask for me than a moisture mask – I’ve noticed this too late though! I’ve stopped using it now and will be using it for strengthening instead. Looking back at my wash days( I keep a wash day log!), I saw that I had used the ApHogee 2 min keratin treatment prior to using the Doux honey moisture and I used it for the next 3 wash days after the Aphogee!! I think the keratin & amino acids in the Doux with the ApHogee keratin was too much protein and I think this combo is responsible for the breakage I saw! sigh
I’ve now switched to the Amika hydro rush hair mask and its a winner! I’m also going back to my TGIN Honey miracle mask as that product left my hair feeling beautiful! I think I will curate a list of protein free moisture hair masks because its really frustrating getting a hair mask that says its moisturizing only have it for more protein in it- I have fine low to medium porosity hair and protein overload can happen very quickly for me. Honestly keeping my hair log is so helpful because I am able to look at the products I’m using to see what is causing issues. If you can do this, try it for a few months- I’m sure you will find it helpful.
Comments Off on HaruHaru BlackRice Moisture Airyfit SPF50
hey hey wonderful people! I hope all is well.
Carrying on with my slew of HaruHaru reviews, today I will be speaking about the Moisture Airyfit SPF50! PA++++ that I recieved.
Experience
I’ve been using this SPF for the last month every morning and I’m almost out of it. It doesn’t have a strong chemical SPF scent and I have experienced no irritation with it. I really like the pump tubing and had no issues with the packaging! It became a little bit harder to pump out as I was nearing the end but I don’t think that’s unique to this product
This SPF is a lightweight lotion and delievers the non greasy velvet finish it promises. This is a semi matte finish, its not extremely matte that my face feels dry and uncomfortable throughout the day, but its not the dewy finish I tend to go for. Still I very much like the finish of it. It wears very well under makeup and does not pill when layered underneath primers ( I like to double prime).
Is invisible on dark skin? YES! this SPF goes on very easily, blends around the hairline like a dream and leaves 0 cast on my skin! I’m in love with it! It doesn’t sting my eyes either so I can use this right under them!
The SPF offers high broad spectrum protection with a high PA rating. This indicates high protection from UVA which is responsible for causing the skin to turn brown. if you have hyperpigmentation like myself, you always want to make sure your SPF has a high PA rating like this one. Its the UVA rays that causes the hyperpigmentation to darken in the sun.
Verdict
I’m very happy with this SPF and I’m glad I found another k beauty one I like! I tend to love dewy SPFs so I wasn’t sure how I would get on with the velvet finish of this product but I love it! I think its because its not too drying on the skin. This would be amazing in the summer and I will be repurchasing then. Absolutely love how easy it blends around the hairline and how well it layers with under products! No eye stinging is a huge bonus too! Definitely in my top 5 products from the brand!
Do you have a fav K beauty SPF? drop your suggestions and i will be on the hunt for them!
Comments Off on Haruharu Dark Spot Go Away Serum Review
Hey hey everyone!
I hope all is good! Spring is in the air in the UK and Im so glad brighter days are coming back
I’ve used up the dark spot serum from Haru Haru so it’s time for a full review and some progress pictures!
The Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum has 5 main ingredients that promise to work together to fade dark spots & hyperpigmentation, soothe the skin and leave it hydrated. These are Vit C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid(4%), squalene and centella complex
Experience
I started using this product on the 1st of feb alongside other Haru Haru products for my 30 day skincare challenge. See my full post here.
I was using this once a day for the 1st 3 weeks then went to 2x a day in the last week and a half. I finished this product on the 6th of March, it lasted 4 weeks and 5 days. It probably would have last a bit longer if I used 2ish pumps lol but Im a bit heavy handed with my products, so with most serums I use 3ish pumps.
The texture is like gel – its very lightweight and soothing on the skin. It feels great and layers very well with other serums. I’ve experienced no irritation or pilling with this. It doesn’t have a strong scent either- I think its also unscented like the rest of the products from Haru Haru Wonder.
How do I feel about this serum? Is it effective? Well, I’m 50-50 on this
I was using the Niod repigment serum which was working very well in Jan but I stopped using it on 28Jan to allow my skin to ‘normalise’ before starting the Haru Haru serum. I started the dark spot serum on the 1st of feb. As with all new active/treatment serums, I use it 2-3 times in the 1st week to minimise any irritation. I was using this serum to treat the 2 dark spots on my chin that resulted from plucking but now that I’m doing laser the hair hasn’t been coming back and I’m able to fade them! I was using the serum all over my face btw lol, but those 2 were my target spots to gauge effectiveness.
Anyway, I noticed by the 4th of feb- the pigmentation was coming back after I stopped using the Niod serum. Something I wasn’t expecting to be honest. It took at least 2 weeks for me to see a noticeable difference with the Haru Haru serum. You can see by 18feb, the intensity of the dark spot was reduced! I was really happy with it, but I don’t think I got any more reduction after this. Looking at the pics from the 21st of feb and 6th of march- I don’t see any more reduction especially in the large dark spot on the right but this may be down to my laser session on the 21st. (the pic was taken before the laser session). As laser can cause pigmentation it makes sense that from the 21st to the 6th I didn’t really see any reductions, infact I even think its slightly(just a tad bit) darker.
I also had a reaction to the laser on the 21st! I totally forgot and was playing with my face later that evening and doing this causes me to have a breakout! This time was bad and it left some dark spots- on my cheeks. It’s like I took several steps back. Sigh!
So why am I 50/50 on the serum?
Well I think I did hit a plateau after the 18th because I still don’t see any huge reductions in the dark spots. Even with the mini breakout I had the serum hasn’t been able to fade those marks and I feel like those are mainly superficial.
Verdict
Hyperpigmentation is extremely hard to treat and for me who is prone to getting it, it makes my serums work even harder! I really like this serum on paper- it has a blend of 3 ingredients known to combat dark spots and other ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin. I really like the texture of the serum, the gel like texture is very soothing on the skin and I love that it layers so well other products. I used it with retinols & acids with no issues
It works, after 2 weeks I started to see results, but I feel like once I got there, there wasn’t any further progression. I know the dark spots in that area are deep and therefore harder to treat so perhaps I was expecting too much from the serum?
Will I recommend the dark spot serum? Yes and no- I think for deep, hard to treat hyperpigmentation it may be best to go for more potent treatments and a chemical peel( having my 1st one this year after I finish my laser!) if you are doing any sort of treatments that leave you prone to pigmentation e.g. lasers I think this might not be able to keep it at bay and you need something else
For superficial pigmentation or if you are someone who doesn’t really suffer from pigmentation then this serum is more suitable for you. It has the blend of actives to fight the pigmentation and added ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin.
I wish it also mentioned the concentration of vit c and niacinamide alongside the TXA
I’m really glad I got to try this product and was gifted it- it was on my Stylevana wish list! of course SPF is non negotiable when treating hyperpigmentation!
This serum is available from Superdrug or Stylevana if you’re interested!
