#101 MAGNIFI-CENT: THE FINAL

HAIR:

81-83) BEST SHAMPOO & INTENSIVE CONDITIONER FOR DAMAGED HAIR
Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment is the best. I walk away and end up running back every time. In fact I get a bit panicky when I run out. The shampoo and ordinary conditioner in the range are nice too, but the treatment is the clear winner. The best shampoo I’ve ever used for dry and splitting hair is Paul Labreque Restorative Hair Wash. I’ve mentioned it before, but it really is wonderful – but I swap it in and out with Kerastase Biotic Bain Recharge Shampoo to avoid getting a scaply build-up (which can happen with this). On the conditioning front, Redken UV Rescue After-Sun Conditioner is lovely and creamy too – I’ve been using it while away and it adds a nice sheen to sea-d out hair.

84) BEST SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR COLOUR
My hair has not been coloured for a long time but at the time, I remember rating Elvive and Redken. Zoe Irwin recommended the Kerastase Reflection Bain Miroir, but it wasn’t moisturising enough for my hair, which is also chemically straightened. That’s the thing with products for coloured hair – they’re so focused on boosting brightness that they sometimes feel as though they skimp on the nourishment front. Toni&Guy’s Label.m are particularly good on this front – the treatment shampoo and conditioner are the best in the range.

85) BEST SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR EVERYDAY
I’ve never seen the point in using a lightweight shampoo and conditioner. When I condition, I normally intensive condition (even if it’s just on the very ends), and when I shampoo, I like something that cleanses deeply but that cancels out dry bits and doesn’t leave me with static sections (a pet hate with bog standard shampoos). There are dozens of good shampoos & conditioners out there of course, and it’s certainly not the case that the more you spend the greater the benefits you see. Good, inexpensive formulas are made by MOP, VO5, Superdrug-own Coconut Intensive Conditioner and John Frieda. And, actually, the new Herbal Essences Hello Hydration range is rather nice too.

86) BEST VOLUMISING PRODUCT
Despite mousse conjuring up images of St Elmo’s Fire-style hair, I think it’s great for adding oomph to strands. I like L’Oreal’s Hot Volume Mousse and Fructis Style XXL. Both are cheap but do the job well – although I’ve yet to find a mousse that really keeps hair bouncing until morning. Non-mousse nods go to Aveda’s Pure Abundance Hair Spray and the TIGI Superstar range – the latter builds quite astonishing volume into strands, but don’t be surprised if your brush gets lost in it – it’s not the easiest nest to comb out.


87) BEST SMOOTHING/STRAIGHTENING PRODUCT
One thing works better than the rest: Redken Glass 01. Hair is supremely soft, smooth and shiny. I’ve got one in my gym bag & one in my bathroom.

88) BEST PROTECTING PRODUCT
The Kerastase Resistance range is great on this front – Ciment Thermique is my hands-down winner.

89) BEST MATTIFYING PRODUCT
Schwarzkopf OSIS Dust It Mattifying Powder is a take on Aveda’s original Pure Abundance Powder. Both are great. Also along the same lines in label.m’s award winning Resurrection Dust. I find that all three work better on really light blond hair (think Duffy), but for brunettes looking to get the most out of them, style hair first, then tip head upside down and massage into roots. It takes the edge off of ‘perfect’ styling and leaves hair with a sexy, ruffled finish.

90) BEST DRY SHAMPOO
I recently tried Andrew Barton’s, from the Shiny, Happy Hair range, and it gets a thumbs up. It really does banish oily roots and add lift but the super-sweet pina colada scent is a bit much for most. KMS Makeover Spray is still scented, but a bit fresher, and does the same job (if slightly less volumising) than AB’s. I don’t like Batiste of the Klorane powder-formula for brown hair – or Bumble & Bumble’s either for that matter – they’re too messy, and the former two leave dandruff-style sprinkles behind. Ick.

91 - 94) BEST SHINE-ENHANCING PRODUCT
Well, Redken Glass 01 is a winner in this category too. TIGI Spray Shine adds real glisten (but isn’t great for grease-prone hair), Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops and L’Oreal Playball Soda Sparkler.

95) BEST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
I really like Frederic Fekkai Daily Protein Fortifier for the smoothness it restores (though temporarily) to splitting ends, and the milk-bottle sweetie scent.

FEET & NAILS:

96-98) BEST NAIL POLISH
Essie make the best shades (particularly pinks & reds) and chip-proof formulas. MAC make good fashion-forward hues, and RMK’s pinks go on lovely and glossy (leaving you with nails like little seashells). For unusual ahead-of-the-trend colours cult brand USLU Airlines are a favourite (but are a bugger to buy – I get mine from Colette in Paris)

99) BEST FOOT SCRUB
Avon Footworks Pedi-Brasion Scrub is AMAZING. I’ve never strayed.

100) BEST FOOT CREAM
Margaret Dabbs for regenerating knackered soles and Aveda for adding a minty & tingle freshness to tired feet.