Strong, luscious locks - a result of patience, nurturing and good hair care. Your hair needs all the goodness, in order to look healthy. While diet and other factors do play a crucial role, a basic haircare routine (using suitable products) also plays a key role. This is my haircare routine - simple head massage, using a blend of four oils, that I have been using on a fortnightly basis since age 16 (result of a random experiment, which worked wonders). It's an easy, fuss-free and inexpensive way to promote hair growth, keep it healthy and ensure your locks get some much needed pampering.

Ingredients: Coconut Oil (I use Parachute Advansed or regular Parachute Coconut Oil), Almond Oil (I prefer Dabur Almond Oil or Hamdard's Rogan Badam Shirin), Olive Oil and Castor Oil.

Tip: If you plan to store this in a bottle (for use upto 1-2 months), do not heat the oil. For those who are using this only once, the oil can be warmed in a small bowl (for approximately 30-45 seconds). Remember

- results may differ from individual to individual, depending on their overall health, hair care and other factors. Here's to happy, healthy hair!

During my hunt for new hair leave-in (honestly, I was looking for something new, although I was quite happy with TIGI's Ego Boost Leave - In conditioner), Kérastase launched their brand new Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Cream. Before its official launch, their team very sweetly posted the products with a customized diary to our HQ and honestly, it couldn't have happened at a better time. The trial period began and so did the process of feeling a change in my hair. Let's face it, monsoons have more bad hair days than good ones and all the humidity, damp environment leaves us with limp or frizzy hair (depending on the hair texture). So, does Kérastase Beautifying Oil Cream live up to its expectations and serves as a good product for this weather (or for that matter, all seasons)? Keep reading to find out!

What? Kérastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Cream

Quantity: 150ml

Price: Rs 2200

Shelf life: Approximately Two years

Availability: Exclusive to all Kerastase Consultant Salons

What does it promise? Elixir crème fine is Kérastase's 1st beautifying oil day cream for all hair types: a cream of precious oils for lightweight moisturizing, protection, and flawless perfection. Hair is instantly replenished, radiant and lustrous.

Packaging: Just like all their hair products, the Kérastase beautifying oil cream comes in a classy tube with a metallic cap. The packaging looks very rich, especially due to the choice of golden hue for the tube. It is travel friendly and our personal experience was that it did not spill in the bag during a day long travel. Although similar tubes cause such problems, this one was sturdy and fuss free.

How to use? Take a pea-sized amount in your hand. Apply to the lengths and ends of dry or towel-dried hair. Gently massage the product in.

Texture: Supremely smooth and light weight. Just the way this brand likes to call it, the texture of this product is indeed like silk. A pea sized amount (or a little more, if your hair is longer than mine) is enough to go a long way and ensures that your hair gets de-tangled, feels light and smooth. The product has a little bit of shimmer, which is not visible on your hair, but it does not go unnoticed when you check your palms after application. Despite infusing oils and being a cream based product, the texture is not heavy at all.

Overall experience: I used this product regularly for a month, post wash and towel drying my hair well. During Summer, my hair goes through a lot of wear & tear, thanks to major traveling (especially under the sun during hot afternoons), different forms of work out (and tying up my hair), using hair styling equipments for shoots among other things. Plus, the humidity post Summer (mostly in June) makes my hair feel really heavy and limp. That was the major concern and most products only lead to additional build up of residue. When I started using the Kérastase Beautifying Oil Cream, the first trial felt just like most other products, although the texture was really amazing. It would make my hair feel soft and shiny for a few hours and then, all the traveling would take me back to square one. But, as you know, we do not judge anything based on just one trial. After a couple of trials, overtime, I realized the product is actually doing a good job of keeping my hair light, smooth and soft for a couple of days. By the third week, I could notice how even after several hours of work, my hair did not weigh down or feel heavy at all. I also used this along with a pre-styling cream before using the blow dryer for a shoot, and noticed how my hair did not dry out even after two days (which would happen sometimes earlier). I was the happiest when I paired this Oil cream with another product from the same - Elixir Ultime - family. I used the Kérastase Elixir Ultime Versatile Beautifying Oil as a pre-wash treatment and realized that when combined, these two products work as a magic potions for the hair. My hair felt so good, that now, the product has become a part of my hair essentials kit.

Pros: Smooth and extremely soft, light texture

Good packaging

Works overtime to ensure you get the best result

Adds a great, natural shine to your hair

Requires a small amount, so the product will last long

Perfect for all hair types and weather conditions

Cons: None

Verdict: This amazing product not only leaves your hair feeling soft and shiny, but also makes it perfect for experimenting with different hairstyles. Say goodbye to oily, heavy hair that leaves you with no option but to tie it up in a bun. This product comes to your rescue and stays true to almost everything that it promises. Its perfect for my hair and keeps it in control, especially in this confused. I highly recommend the Kérastase Beautifying Oil Cream. Give it a try!

Have you tried the Kérastase Beautifying Oil Cream or any other product from their Elixir Ultime range? Tell us about your experience on Twitter - @priyaadivarekar - Join the conversation!

Outfit & MU Details
Butterfly print dress - Reliance Trends
Leopard hand cuff - Zara
On my lips - MAC Miley Cyrus Viva Glam
Eyes - Chanel Liquid Eyeliner
Hair - Kérastase Beautifying Oil Cream (no styling equipment used)

Love,

The Dancebee

Rainy days look perfect, don't they? Just tuck yourself inside a blanket, with a hot cuppa and your favourite book in hand. But when it comes to stepping out, all kinds of worries take over. The worst? Your hair. Not everyone is lucky in that department. Most of us see more bad hair days this season, when compared to spring or winter. The biggest woes being greasy scalp, hair that weighs down, zero moisture and more. But thankfully, the market is filled with products that cater to a variety of hair and scalp issues. For those who are having a tough time choosing the right product, we have got a list of  our Top 5 Hair Care favourites this season, that will ensure that your scalp stays clean and those locks get all the attention that they deserve.

Dove Oxygen Moisture (Shampoo & Conditioner)

This brand new range by Dove sounds promising and needless to say, does a good job of giving your hair a good balance of moisture and volume. While looking for a product that can save your hair from dryness and condition it well, most people end up conditioning their hair a bit too much. The result? Your hair feels heavy and often weighs down. But we love how the lightweight formula of Dove Oxygen Moisture gently cleanses and nourishes our hair, without making it look limp. We have got a detailed review of this product coming up soon. Stay tuned!

 The Body Shop Rainforest Balance (Shampoo & Conditioner)

The Body Shop has a great range of hair care products, but for this season, we are in love with their Rainforest Balance range. All those work outs, running around in the humidity, dealing with damp weather and more, leaves our scalp in the worst condition ever. But we love how The Body Shop's Rainforest Balance Shampoo gently cleanses the scalp and gets rid of all the excess oil and dirt. Follow it up with the Rainforest Balance conditioner, that will condition your hair well enough and make your hair look fresh all day. It is perfect for those with oily hair!

Kerastase Dermo-Calm Bain Vital Hypoallergenic Cleansing Soothing Shampoo

Your best bet for thoroughly cleansed scalp this season. With hydrating and cleansing properties such as Calophyllum oil, Mentha P (peppermint) and Glycerin as its key ingredients, the Kerastase Dermo-Calm Bain Vital Hypoallergenic Cleansing Soothing Shampoo is all that you need to keep your hair feeling nourished and light, all day long. Those with sensitive scalp should definitely give it a try. You can follow it up with the Kerastase Masque Sensidote, a creamy formula that not only soothes the scalp and strengthens the hair fiber, but also keeps itchiness and irritation at bay.

Bed Head TIGI Reboot Scalp Shampoo

Cleanse and Hydrate - two things that this product swears by. Its amazing how this product delivers just as it promises. The Bed Head TIGI Reboot Scalp Shampoo should be your go-to product on days when you are traveling to different places, especially post monsoon treks, hikes and adventurous journeys. Get back home, cleanse your hair with this 'antidote' (they like to call it that way) and voila! you have got squeaky, clean hair that are both soft and well protected against dryness. Follow it up with any conditioner that suits your hair (or opt for one of the antidote range of conditioners).

Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Range (Shampoo & Conditioner)

If coarse, frizzy and unmanageable hair is your main worry this season, then you must give the Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan range of shampoo and conditioners a try. The sulfate, silicone & paraben free shampoo (enriched with the goodness of fairly-traded Argan oil) will gently cleanse and moisturize your hair, without weighing it down. Follow it up with the Superbly Smoothing Argan conditioner from the same range, and the result is frizz-free hair with a shine that lasts for long. This is one efficient range that does its job of cleansing, hydrating and nourishing quite well. No more fly-aways, because you have got Argan Oil coming to your rescue.

Have you tried any of these hair care products? Or do you wish to try them this season? Tell us about it on Twitter - @priyaadivarekar - join the conversation!

Love,
The Dancebee

Kerastase is well known for their pampering hair rituals, that not just leave you feeling a lot lighter and relaxed, but also works magic on your tresses. They understand that every woman is unique, and that every type of hair and scalp has specific problems and need. Hence, Discipline is perfect for those who have a tough time managing their hair. Kerastase invited me to exclusively try out the Morpho-Keratin Discipline VIP ritual, a 90 minute session, that promised to leave me stress-free, while ensuring that I have bouncy, super smooth hair that shall last even after 5 shampoos. Here's decoding the ritual for you:

Step 1 - Consultation and hair analysis

After a detailed introduction and understanding of the Discipline range, the in-house expert analysed my scalp and hair, in order to understand its condition. She recommended a few products that will suit my hair type and showed me the pictures (captured using their state-of-the-art hair analysis machine) that were proof of all the damage that winter and my crazy schedule has done to my hair. She further explained the entire process of the Discipline ritual.

Step 2: Shampoo

The first hair wash began and the first product from the Discipline range was introduced. The Kerastase Bain Fluidealiste Sulfate Free shampoo was used, which gently cleansed my hair, leaving a strong fragrance that I loved. Just a little amount was enough and post emulsification, it was massaged on my scalp for a few minutes and then, washed off. No conditioner was used after the shampoo.

Step 3: The Massage
Be prepared to let your hair feel light as a feather as the expert then moves on to massaging your hair with the Kerastase Maskeratine. After towel drying your hair and leaving it damp, the product (packed with Morpho-Kertaine) is gently massaged on your hair for 5-6 minutes. This was definitely my favorite part, as for a few minutes, the lights were dimmed and the gentle strokes of the massage made me forget how packed rest of the day actually was. I closed my eyes and went into an almost meditative mode. After the massage, my tresses were sectioned and a hair iron was used, in order to ensure that the properties of the product were locked in.


Step 4 - Wash
After the massage, my hair was thoroughly washed and towel dried. It was then time to move on to the last and most important step - styling.


Step 5 - Leave in care
Post wash, my hair was towel dried and the super smooth (yet non-greasy) Kerastase Fluidissime anti-frizz leave-in care was sprayed on each section with great case. The leave-in promises to add a glossy finish to the hair, while protecting it from heat and facilitating faster, long-lasting blow dries. After spraying the product and ensuring each section is well protected, my hair was blow dried.




The Overall Experience
If there was one word to describe this ritual, it would be luxurious. The Kerastase Discipline ritual is all you need to pamper your hair in the best possible way. The 5 step treatment added some excellent volume and shine to my hair, that lasted a good fortnight. It left my hair feeling a lot lighter. True to its tagline, this really is a smooth in motion hair care, that gets rid of rigidity and leaves your hair super soft and fluid. For those who suffer from unmanageable hair and extreme frizz, I would definitely recommend this miracle ritual, that will do wonders to your hair. Plus, the fragrance of these products are fantastic. So much, that it continues to linger even after days.

Pricing
Kerastase rituals spell luxury and they are always priced at the higher end. While the Discipline Express Ritual is priced at Rs 2000 (30 minutes), the Discipline VIP ritual is available for Rs 3200 (90 minutes). But trust me, this ritual is worth every penny. Your tresses are your baby. If you don't invest in your hair, who will?

Verdict
My honest and heartfelt opinion - A must try!


PS: The Discipline range is also available as a three step hair management home care regime. It consists of - The Bain Fluididealiste Sulfate free (Rs 2000 for 250ml), Maskeratine smooth-in motion masque (Rs 2750 for 200ml) and Fluidissime (Rs 2000 for 150ml). The products are available at all Kerastase affiliated salons. For more information, like the Kerastase Facebook Page.

Have you tried any Kerastase ritual? Do let me know your feedback on Twitter - @priyaadivarekar

Love,
The Dancebee