Kevin Murphy's Plumping Wash and Rinse and Kerastase's Elixir Ultime Sublime Cleansing Oil Shampoo

When I visited my hairdresser last month, she had two requests:

Stop washing my hair every day
Quit being a commitment-phobe by regularly switching haircare brands

Second day hair really isn't my thing, but I'd like to tip my hat off to dry shampoo, inside out braids and ponytails for helping to mask what I feel can sometimes be a hideous situation. It'll take some getting used to, but I'll get there. If Claire asks me to go three days without washing, I might just sob.

Now the second request was admittedly tough, because I had loads of shampoos and conditioners cluttering the floor of my shower from attending various hair events and PR send outs. I'm not complaining at all, but the copious amounts of product far exceeds my precious head of hair. With Claire's assistance I streamlined my haircare routine and in the process, I may've kicked a few things to the kerb.

Kevin Murphy's Plumping Wash (Shampoo) and Rinse (Conditioner) - I picked these babies up last month and haven't looked back. The scent is sweet, yet smoky with a tinge of earthiness from the ginger root. Although, Scott told me my 'fresh from the shower' hair smelled like popcorn - go figure?! The absence of sulphates and parabens means you'll never reach a proper suds session in the shower and that's ok, because my hair feels properly clean, silky and fuller.

Here's what Kevin has to say about this plumping duo:

Nettle Extract
High in iron with stimulating properties, this extract reduces DHT. It is rich in Vitamins A and C, and a wide range of minerals including Iodine, Silicon, and Sulfur. It is a powerful source of amino acids that the hair follicles require for proper growth. It’s stimulating qualities also help increase the microcirculation to the scalp.
Ginger Root Extract
High levels of zinc counteract DHT levels making this extract a growth accelerator and also reducing hair loss.
Oleanolic Acid from Lovely Hemsleya root
Fights follicle ageing by fortifying the roots. It’s anti-inflammatory properties aid in reversing and preventing the damage caused by DHT.

Kerastase's Elixir Ultime Cleansing Oil Shampoo - A luxe PR send out I jumped at the chance to try. This stuff is crazy expensive, like wicked expensive, so much that I've never purchased anything from Kerastase; let's just say their prices will make your eyes roll to the back of your head.

This shampoo is pure liquid gold, a treat I look forward to when it's time to give my hair a proper washing. Sometimes I'll start with Kevin Murphy's Plumping Wash and then follow it up with Elixir Ultime Cleansing Oil Shampoo. I figure why not, because both brands suggest a double wash. Think peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and chocolate - they just make sense. This cleansing oil is infused with four oils (argan, camellia, maize and pracaxi) which work together to cleanse, condition, strengthen and protect your hair.

Whenever you look at this bottle, I want you to picture boxing gloves because it "floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee."

My hair will never be as lush as it once was prior the great fallout of 2010, but I do feel a glimmer of hope every time I spy whispy strands hovering about like a halo.

If you were a Nickelodeon kid, you'll remember the squishy Gak sold in those funky shaped containers - that's the image that sprang to mind when I spied Kevin Murphy's Color Bug hair shadow.

Where were we? Oh, yes, Kevin Murphy's Color Bug. Small hand held jars of infinite goodness which can add a bit of flair to your hair.

Kevin Murphy released The Color Bug in 2011 to give commitment-phobes and adventurous gals alike the ability to colour their hair easily for an evening of frivolity. After the fun was had, into the shower you go in order to shed the colour from your hair. Simple as that.

I find myself in the commitment-phobe category, but always wanted a dose of colour in my hair that was unexpected and didn't necessarily detract from my personality and look. Color Bug has given me that chance to play. If you want to go a bit further than I did, orange and pink Color Bugs are also available for purchase.

Color Bugs are easy to use, but can get messy - grab that towel. Make sure your hair is dry and even use a leave-in conditioner for girls with lighter hair; this helps to create a barrier and a base for the colour to hold onto. Then I reached for a section of hair I wanted to colour and sandwiched it between a tissue and the flat side of the applicator. I moved my hand in a downward motion a couple of times and massaged the excess in with the tissue. I chose random spots all over my head and worked away until I was satisfied.

A few things to note:

Some of the colour will come off when you brush your hair.
Use hairspray to help seal your handiwork.
Your hair will feel drier than usual; I think this has to do with the chalk quenching any moisture in your hair.
Check for colour fall out on your face and neck; you can wipe rogue hair chalk off with a damp cotton round.