Viva Woman

If hair is our crowning glory and impacts the first impression, then it makes plenty of sense to take good care of it.  Which is why I only use salon grade shampoos which tend to contain better quality of ingredients.  

In case you do not know, most heavily advertised and over the counter shampoos are not only 97% water based, but also use harsh surfactants such as ammonium laurel sulfate and sodium laurel sulfate.  These ingredients can cause the scalp to dry and hair to break easily. They are therefore, a no-no for my fine hair.  

The only over the counter product I would buy is Neutrogena’s anti-residue shampoo.  It is one of the mildest shampoos around and I have used it since my college days until I got acquainted with Redken’s volume shampoo through my hairstylist.

So for many years now, I’ve been using Redken’s.  Initially known as Fatcat and now Body Full, the shampoo really worked wonder, providing anti-gravity volume to my fine limp hair and giving it extra fullness.  However recently, I found the result less than satisfactory, even though the newly improved formula is supposed to deliver more.  Plus the price has also gone up to S$26 for a 300ml bottle although I can sometimes get it at Sasa for $18 if the stock is available.

Just when I was considering a change, I was introduced to another volume shampoo at Beauty Language last week.  REF 335.  I was initially skepitcal because it contains moisturising ingredients which I was afraid would make my fine hair limper.  However, at a price of $16 for a 250ml bottle, I was willing to test it out. 

It’s been a week and I have to say the result is great.  Two lathers and my hair feels as squeaky clean as when I used Body Full.  After my hair is blown dry, I can see the fullness and the best part is, the right side of my hair which was sticking out is much settled now.  I can wait a while longer before I head back to my hairstylist!  In fact, my hair feels smoother as a whole.

Perhaps it’s due to prolonged usage, but it does look like my Body Full has not been delivering as promised.  So REF 335 is what I’m going to stick to for better volume now. 

Edit on 16 Feb 2007: I’m now having problems using the new formulation of REF 335.  Their newly improved version in green is too heavy for my hair and no longer gives me the desired volume.  I wish they’ve stuck to the previous formulation.

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