Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare blog

During my hairdressing career, I have been fortunate enough to have had many varied and exciting opportunities.  I’ve known both Liz and Kim for a long time and, I’ve watched and admired the way that they have built their company with full focus on their customers, sourcing the finest ingredients, and offering straightforward advice and affordable botanical solutions to skincare.  My wife has been a fan of the Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare range for years and, like many of you, eagerly awaited the launch of their haircare range.

One shampoo for everyone
When Liz and Kim first approached me with their concept for haircare, I wasn’t surprised to find that they had once again come up with something truly original that could benefit everyone.  In the same way that Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser suits all skin types, their Botanical Shine Shampoo would suit and work on all hair types, including coloured and damaged hair.

So choosing the right shampoo is easy.  All that is left for you to decide is which conditioner will be best for your individual needs.

Choosing and using the right conditioner
It is vital to choose the correct conditioner for your hair type and to use it in the right areas.  Think of your hair as three separate parts – the roots, the mid-lengths and the ends – as each part might need slightly different treatment.

All the Botanical Shine Conditioners are very high-performance, colour-safe and packed full of botanical ingredients, so a little goes a long way and you only need to use a small amount of conditioner. Apply just enough to coat the surface of the hair – any more will be a waste, as the hair can only absorb a certain amount of hydration.

Don’t assume that your hair type will always remain the same.  Regular use of the Botanical Shine range can change hair texture, and as your hair becomes more manageable, you may want to alter your choice of conditioner. If in doubt, always choose the less intense option.

Fine hair: if your hair is long enough to catch back in a ponytail and your ponytail is only as thick as a finger, your hair is probably fine. Generally people with fine hair suffer from a lack of volume and have hair that is often oily at the roots and flyaway at the ends.  Avoid using water that is too hot or over-stimulating your scalp when shampooing, as both can increase the amount of natural oil you produce.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for fine or oily hair to the ends of the hair only. If your hair is feeling particularly parched, for example after a summer holiday, apply to mid-lengths too, but not the roots.

Normal hair: normal hair is neither dry nor greasy. It needs regular care to maintain and enhance its healthy lustre.  Normal hair can sometimes become dry on the ends due to weather conditions, changes in your environment such as central heating, medication or regular swimming.

Recommendation: use Botanical Shine Conditioner for normal hair after shampooing on mid-lengths and ends.

Oily hair: the people most likely to complain of oily hair will either have fine or normal hair.  It is vitally important that the scalp is not over-stimulated during shampooing as this can exacerbate the problem.  Also, very hot water can make the scalp produce more oil, so wash with cooler water.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for fine or oily hair to the ends of the hair only to hydrate without making the hair look limp.

Dry or damaged hair: many people with dry hair or damaged hair find that it is parched, brittle and lacks shine.  While shampooing, use warm water and vigorous massage to help the scalp increase natural moisture levels.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for dry or damaged hair from the roots through to ends to help reduce volume by adding hydration.

Grey hair: this hair type is often considered to be parched and dry.  It is generally coarser than non-grey hair.

Recommendation: apply Botanical Shine Conditioner for dry or damaged hair to mid-lengths and to ends, although if you consider your hair to be thick and dry from the roots to the ends, apply this conditioner to the roots as well.