Redken Diamond Oil Review

The Redken brand is already well-known for its extreme hair-repair credentials. That's why I was so excited to trial their latest product launch, a smoothing oil for strength and shine...

Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine, £31.99

Firstly, big praise goes for the fact Redken have thought to deliver TWO variations of the same product, one for fine hair (in an amber bottle) and one for thick/coarse hair (black bottle). I’m sure fellow fine-haired beauty buffs will breath a big sigh of relief at hearing this.

Dare I say it? Yes, I do. I think the Redken Diamond Oil is one hundred times better than the market leader, Moroccanoil. Here’s why...

1. The little pipette applicator is a stroke of genius. I hate how much goes to waste you use a pump.
2. The formula is so light and versatile. I’ve used this product as a serum before blow-dying and on dry hair, and both have had gorgeous results.
3. It enhances shine AND strengthens. Most oils only focus on the latter. Redken has used it’s supreme knowledge of hair repair, including its trademark IPN (Interlock Protein Network) technology in the mix – which penetrates to the core of the hair and strengthens from within.
4. It’s nice and natural. The silicone-free blend is formulated with 99% natural oils, including coriander oils to create a protective barrier and apricot and camelina oils to enhance flexibility.
5. It’s good value. Although £31.99 may seem a touch pricey (roughly the same as Moroccanoil) you only need a few magical pipette drops per usage – so each bottle is going to last quite some time.
6. And finally… it looks really, really nice on your dressing table thanks to the gorgeous packaging.

Hair Repair: Redken Extreme Review

After years of dying my hair every shade of blonde under the sun - heck, even a splash of pink here and there - my hair has finally given out on me. I thought I was invincible, but no. The glory days are over. Now no dressing table of mine is complete without at least a gazillion stands of freshly-malted hair... SO attractive.

Not one to admit defeat, (I've been growing my hair for quite some time, and I'll be damned if I'm giving in now) I've got my locks under serious TLC management. I've been using Redken Extreme range as part of my hair care routine for the last two weeks - shampoo, conditioner, CAT and anti-snap - and my hair has already visibly improved.

I use the Redken Extreme CAT Protein Reconstructing Treatment (£14.30) spray every few washes, spritzing to damp hair after shampooing and leaving for 5 minutes, before rinsing and conditioning. The spray contains ceramide and protein to rebuild hair strength, without adding excess weight (so no lank greasiness, phew!) 

My standout product from the range is the Redken Extreme Anti-Snap (£14.30), which I use after every wash. It acts as a great de-tangler, restores that much needed hair strength, and contains heat protection too. I was very impressed by how soft my hair felt after just one use, and there was no stickiness as a result of the extra product. 

*Psst! Damaged hair? SEE POUT OUT PROUD'S JOHN FRIEDA FULL REPAIR GIVEAWAY - Starts Monday 8th July on our Facebook page*

Bye Bye Blemish: Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer

Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer, £17.55 (usually £19.50) available from Debenhams

Christmas parties, mulled wine, late night shopping... I, for one, LOVE the fabulous festivities. However, upon examining my face in that oh-so-telling bathroom mirror (you know the one I'm talking about, the one that you avoid at all costs when you have a horrendous hangover) I've come to realise that all this festive cheer has left me looking, well, a touch haggard. Dark circles have set up shop for the long haul, alongside little bags and tired eyes.

There is a saviour out there, ladies and gentlemen! Banish those imperfections with Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer. It eradicates those pesky booze-induced blemishes in an instant, keeps unsightly dark shadows at bay, and generally helps to create the illusion of constant perfection. Hurrahs! Mulled wine for everybody!

This little pot may be a bit of a splurge, but a little goes a long way. The paste is really concentrated and quite thick, so it stays put all day long. Use a concealer brush to apply before foundation.

 Find out all the latest beauty news by subscribing to the Pout Out Proud blog, and following @PoutOutProud on Twitter!

Hair A&E: Repair and Protect

I've been trying everything, short of buying a wig, to achieve a seriously healthy-looking mane. Here's what made the grade when it came to intensive hair repair...

1. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment, £26.25, available from PhilipKingsley.co.uk

It might be a bit of a splurge, but this product is an amazingly good thirst-quencher for hair. Apply to damp hair (concentrating on the length and the ends), and allow to absorb deeply for twenty minutes. A handy little shower cap comes with the product so you can tuck your hair up and out the way! Rinse off and shampoo/condition as normal. The treatment left my hair instantly replenished, and it felt REALLY silky smooth.

Top Tip: Ensure that you apply to damp hair as opposed to dripping wet, as excess water droplets will lessen the product penetration.

2. Charles Worthington Salon at Home Intense Rescue Melting Balm, £11.33, available from Boots

A quick and easy fix, this hard wax-like product should be worked into a rich oil by rubbing between your palms, and then applied to dry hair (concentrating on the length and the ends). Comb the product through hair, and leave for twenty minutes or so before washing hair as normal. It leaves hair feeling healthier, less frizzy when dried and smelling fabulous.

Top Tip: For really damaged hair, apply heat from a hair dryer for five mins after the product has been absorbing for twenty mins.

3. Tigi's Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender, 200ml, available from FeelUnique.com, £10.85 (delivery inclusive)

This product is genius. It works by bonding together the ends of your hair, preventing split ends. I use it every single time I wash my hair, and I have really seen the difference over the past six months. Apply a few squirts to damp hair after every wash and it will help your hair stay stronger for longer.

Top Tip: Start using Ego Boost after you've been for a trim, it'll lock down those naughty ends and stop them from straying.

4. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for All Hair Types, £30.45 for 100ml, available from FeelUnique.com (delivery inclusive)

This product really does instantly soothe dry, straw-like hair. I've got heavily highlighted hair, so this intensive oil works a treat for an instant sleek revival. I apply a small pea-shaped amount (you DO NOT need a lot) spread across my palms, then work through the ends of my damp, clean hair. If your hair isn't that dry or damaged, then this product probably isn't for you. It's rather intensive, so can leave soft hair a bit weighed down. I'd recommend Catwalk by TIGI's Blow Out Balm for a lighter alternative.

Top Tip: Always apply to damp hair to avoid looking like an oil slick. Seriously, it's not a good look.

Rid the Elephant Elbows

After many years of smugly sauntering around with super smooth elbows, it seems the inevitable has happened. I'm not entirely sure when, where or how (some ghastly little goblins, per chance?) but now I have been left with dry, cracked (and occasionally itchy) elbows. Just think of the fake tan disasters...

*Cue the dramatic music* Together we shall rid the curse of the elephant elbow.

Yes ladies, (and you dry-elbowed gents) I have been on a one-woman mission to fix this conundrum. Foot cream, intensive moisturiser, cocoa-butter body scrubs... you name it, it's been slapped on my 'bows in a crazed fashion.

The best product (by a country mile) is Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant, 50ml, available from Boots for £25.00. Although it claims to be a cream, it is actually more like a healing balm. Boy oh boy, it's good. I gently rubbed a pea-shaped amount onto each elbow before bedtime, and come morning a miracle had happened. Redness reduced, lizard-skin removed, and mr flaky had packed his bags and gone on his jollies. Perfect!

Share your top tips for banishing elephant elbows below...