THE L'ORÉAL BOTANICALS LAVENDER SOOTHING RANGE

The appearance that we choose to put forward is such an important part of who we are as people, not to mention it being a huge influence on our everyday style. Your hair is usually one of the first things that people notice about you so, that would explain why it’s always been a talking point in the realms of beauty.

In the past I have shared one or two of my hair care secrets and now I’m about to share the latest of them all with you. It feels right (and in some way necessary) to introduce you to what I’ve found to be a game changer in my hair care routine. So, I’ve finally put together my everyday hair care regime into one space for you here at Miss Perfect Fashion & Beauty. Without further delay, I proudly present the Botanicals Lavender Soothing range by L'Oréal Paris...

L'Oréal is hands down one of my favourite beauty brands, but not just for the likes of lipsticks and such. It’s proven to be one of those affordable high street names that offer more than you may be aware of. I recently stumbled across the Botanicals range online and I felt enticed to do a little digging of my own. I found out something rather interesting, the Botanicals Lavender Soothing range is not alone and currently there are three other Botanical sub-ranges out there.

If you wanted to look them up for yourselves, the entire range is called “Botanicals Fresh care”. Discover the collection, whether you’re a dry hair kind of girl (or guy), or someone who suffers with fragile hair/ who simply needs a little rejuvenation for their dull (but coloured) hair.

The Botanicals range will have something in mind. But today we’re focusing on the Botanicals Lavender Soothing range, made especially for those of us who have a sensitive scalp and delicate hair. The other scents in the range include: Argan & Safflower (Nourishing Therapy), Ginger & Coriander (Strengthening Therapy), Rose & Geranium (Radiance Therapy) and Lavender (Soothing Therapy).

ABOUT THE BOTANICALS LAVENDER SOOTHING RANGE

Using nourishing formulas infused with Organic Lavender Essential Oil and a relaxing scent for a moment of true calm. Sensitive scalps and delicate strands feel soothed and relaxed after use. So, what’s the lavender ritual? Our first port of call is the soothing pre-shampoo oil. This product offers a highly intensive yet soothing treat for use before shampooing. It’ll leave your hair from root to end feeling soft and sensitive scalps feeling soothed.

Next up is the soothing shampoo and conditioner as normal. For an extra little touch afterwards, the soothing mask is available for those of you who want to give an added boost to your strands. Now you’ve all been introduced; I’m going to talk through each product in the lavender range and let you know what each element is about in more detail. I should disclaim that I have purchased three out of four products in this range to review. The product un-purchased being the hair mask, but we’ll get to that later. Don’t worry I won’t leave it out for those of you who are interested in learning more.

SENSITIVE HAIR & SCALP THERAPY PRE-SHAMPOO OIL

Since ordering three products from the range, I think I’ve been looking forward to testing out this pre-shampoo oil the most. Don’t get me wrong, I’m super excited to be testing out other elements of the range too, but I LOVE hair oils.

They seem to work wonders for my hair, giving it that re-bust of life that it needs every so often after facing harsh weather and well life really. They make me feel like I’ve forked out for an expensive salon treatment, when in reality I’ve only opened my bathroom cupboard and used what’s in there. I’m pleased to say that this product met all of my hope and exceeded them! I need to start off with the scent. Lavender has been the elephant in the room since this post began. So, I’d better address what’s on everyone’s mind...

Up until recently, the scent of lavender was just another floral, but I’ve actually fallen in love with its subtle fresh linen properties. My obsession actually grew from discovering those deliciously scented plug-ins by Air Wick. I currently have a double pack of lavender scents in my room raring to go. Well, actually one of them is currently plugged in and I love walking into my room smelling such freshness. It’s really not as sickly as I remember lavender to be.

I’m not too sure where I got those previous ideals from, but know I know that true to nose lavender really is beautifully subtle and pure. Anyway, going back to the pre-shampoo oil, I was amazed when I opened the bottle to discover it smelt identical to this plug-in I’ve been obsessing over. I even go as far as to was my clothing in lavender comforts. So, I really have become a huge fan of its natural and comforting appeal. As soon as I popped open the lid, blissful sleepy waves washed over me in a surge of relaxation.

Preparation:

Gently massage onto a dry scalp and apply through the lengths. Leave for 5 to 15 minutes. Then wash out using the Lavender Shampoo. It’s recommended to use this range of products up to three times per week. I love how this oil gives my hair a sleek, professional-looking finish. From my roots to my ends, my hair looks and feels super soft and the lavender fragrance lingers from head to toe, days after washing. The Botanicals Lavender Soothing range by L'Oréal Paris has slowly become my latest life saver!

SENSITIVE HAIR & SCALP THERAPY SHAMPOO

I am a little ashamed to admit that my knowledge of L'Oréal hair products isn’t very vast, but I’ve always been more attracted to their beauty products... until now. I have fallen slightly head over heels for their enticing Botanicals Lavender Soothing range. As soon as I open the cap to either the pre-shampoo oil, the shampoo, or the hair balm, I am transported to the middle of a desolate field of lavender. Completely and essentially ready for Summer.

The scent actually holds up as a bit of a sweet spot of mine. Since taking numerous trips to the Cotswolds recently, I have grown fonder and more aware of the neighbouring lavender fields nearby. I actually have a couple of trips planned to the quiet chocolate box corners of England in the upcoming weeks and months even so, I am hoping that where one of these trips fall, I will have access to the fields in full bloom.

Another thing that I LOVE about this therapy shampoo is its consistency. It’s creamy, thick and rich texture lathers well into the hair and only a small amount of each product is needed. A little goes a very long way too, so that’ll help on the saving money part. Each product is a fair size too so, I would recommend this range to anyone who fits the bill of a sensitive hair type. I know what you’re thinking, isn’t lavender a bit Grandma-ish? Well I don’t get that vibe at all. It smells fresh and light. Of course, the most intense contact is when you initially open the bottle and lather on the products. Plus, it gave my bathroom a lovely aroma the other day after using the products from this range. It just smells so good and I’m confident that I’m doing my hair some good too.

I’d highly recommend investing in all of the items from the range for the best results. For their quality they’re pretty inexpensive. I’m yet to purchase the mask, but that will be next on my to-do list. This product is most suitable for people with sensitive, fine and fragile hair.

Preparation:

Massage onto wet hair, lather then rinse, follow with the lavender conditioner. In case of contact with eyes, rinse them immediately and thoroughly. Then we’re onto the soothing balm, what could you want more for your hair? If that doesn’t restore your hair, then what will?

SENSITIVE HAIR & SCALP THERAPY CONDITIONER

I adore this conditioner, it’s infused with lavender essential oil which smells absolutely incredible and works well to help combat fine, fragile hair. The Botanicals range has become a huge favourite of mine and I’m always getting compliments on how healthy my hair looks after I have used these products. For an extra treat a couple of time a week you can use the Botanicals lavender mask too.

So, now I’ve given away my motives for having the soothing hair mask in my sights. But can you blame me? Especially when I’m getting so many positive compliments about how supple, soft and healthy my hair has been looking since using this range. I’m eager to try out the last component of the collection. Have you tried out any of the products from the Botanicals Lavender Soothing range before? One of the things that I love the most is its ability to de-tangle. I hate products that dry out my hair and leave me feeling like a crazy woman trying to force a comb through my lengths. That just causes damage in the long run and no one likes split ends, or a sore head for that matter... So, how do you use this product on your hair?

Preparation:

After using the shampoo from this range, apply a small amount of conditioner onto wet hair and leave for 2 minutes. Then, rinse it out thoroughly and your new locks will be good to go! So, now we’re moving onto the fourth element to the current L'Oréal Botanicals collection and that is the hair mask. So, let’s take a look at what this little (or should I say BIG) pot is all about...

SENSITIVE HAIR & SCALP THERAPY MASK

From what I’ve read online, people seem to be raving about this lavender infused hair mask. I only wish I had a tub for myself now, maybe I’ll go back and invest in one at a later date. Although, I do feel like the hair oil that I already own from this range will help to replenish my ends and that’s kind of the job which a lot of hair masks are given. Within a range, there's usually either hair oil OR a hair mask so, I feel like I’m missing a trick here.

There must be some difference between the two products surely? My curiosity is getting the better of me so, I’m going to share what I’ve found out about the difference in hair care products. Let’s start by defining what these two hair treatments are... The short answer is that they can both be defined as deep conditioning treatments for hair, which are applied and are generally left in the hair for a period of time until washed out. So, how do they differ? One word, heat. An oil treatment exclusively utilises heat to assist with hair penetration, whereas a hair mask on the other hand, does not typically include heat or need heat to thrive at all.

The other major difference between the products are the ingredients. An oil treatment formula consists almost exclusively of hair oil or a blend of hair oils. Hair mask ingredients however, can include anything from honey, to avocado, banana, egg, lemon juice, coconut milk, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, oatmeal, mayonnaise, and more. You can probably appreciate how you might not want to heat many of the ingredients found in natural hair masks! Hence, a hair mask (sometimes called a hair masque) differs greatly to oil hair treatments in both its formula/composition, as well as its absence of heat. But are they effective as hair treatments go? I’ll address that question next...

Whether you prefer a hair mask over an oil treatment (or vice versa) either one can be an effective resource for hair nourishment all year round. A good analogy of their importance might be how most of us care for the skin on our face differently than the skin on the rest of our bodies.

Our faces are almost always exposed to more of the elements, such as UV/sunlight, heat, cold, moisture, dryness, pollution (dust, dirt, toxins), wind, salt, rain and so on, unlike the rest of our skin which is often covered up and protected from these elements. In addition to other major ongoing factors which can vary or even shift wildly in our day-to-day lives; things like diet & nutrition, hydration (and dehydration) sleep levels, stress levels and more.

As you might expect, the very same applies to our hair, as it’s only logical that our hair too, as a living organism, is greatly affected by all of the above. Whether you have curly hair, straight hair, dry hair or oily hair, you will probably agree that your hair behaves quite differently in different conditions. A good example might be how hair can get dry, frizzy or brittle during cold winter months or climates, or become oily & suffer UV/Heat damage & split ends in summer months or hot climates.

That’s where deep conditioners can play a big role in overall hair health & beauty; as they can help level the playing field described above. A good oil treatment, or hair mask, will do more than just providing added moisture and hydration when needed, they can provide essential vitamins which your hair requires to be healthy.

SCALP THERAPY MASK VS SCALP THERAPY OIL

If you’re in the market for a hair treatment, you’re going to be asking yourself which one you’d be better off purchasing right? While it’s not easy to give a clean-cut answer (because everyone's opinion is different), I believe that nothing can replace the value in a true deep conditioning hair treatment. The reason for this is that, to truly nourish your hair, any treatment formula must actually penetrate the hair shaft, getting past the hair cuticle and into the hair cortex… therefore repairing dry or damaged hair from the inside out.

Well, this is really the root of all hair damage anyway so, it makes sense to tackle it at the source doesn’t it? So, going back to my personal favourite, the oil has to take the prize here. See, hair masks are limited to treating just the hair’s exterior or outermost layer: the hair cuticle and NOT the crux of the problem. Having said that, not all of you will agree with my opinion, but hey that’s life and I’m used to that so, no hard feelings...

So, the choice between hair mask or hair oil is completely yours to make, I’m only here to relay what I know. BUT if you want my advice any further on the product that’s just right for you, then you know where to find me.

Why not get in touch on social media? You’ll find me on Instagram @missperfectfashion_and_beauty_ if you need any help. Or, if you’re anything like me, then you’ll be interested in purchasing both because there is a substantial difference between the two. Then, I’d just see what one works better for me personally and I’d stick to that.

Good news! You can purchase selected items from the range just below using the links I’ve provided. Being as I don’t actually own the mask yet, it’s only fair to link to the products that I’ve trailed and reviewed myself, but regardless of all that, you’ll find everything you’ll need just below. Happy shopping my lovelies!