Here's to stuff from the high-street grocery, S&R! Before summer we like to start thinking in advance about how we're going to stock up on skincare, moisturizers, sunscreen, gentle fake tan, tanning lotions and more. A lot of the time we tend to lay aside the need to protect our hair, most especially if your strands are extra fragile due to color-treating. Currently, yes, even with my short hair, I've been beefing my locks up with high-street grocery keratin infused haircare even before the main heat scorches the city this summer. Keratin is the main protein naturally found in human hair which is also the same strong protein that forms claws, feathers, hooves, and horns in animals as well. So yes, it's the tough stuff in your hair.
Color treatments tend to strip the hair (I only have mine colored every 3 months) which is why hydrating and restorative aftercare while having color-treated hair is so important, especially when it comes to direct heat. This is the dynamic haircare duo I've been looking to lately and they're both from S&R Membership grocery...plus I can't help but say even if they're from different brands I love that they have a coordinating turquoise colorway, lol. The Pantene Expert Collection Advanced Keratin Repair (whew) Conditioner (Made in the U.S.) and Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil (Keratin Infused) Sulfate-free (double whew) shampoo (Made in Canada). What a mouthful between these two, I was just 'bout to pull my hair out while typing the post title.
BLOB ON TOP : PANTENE Expert Collection Advanced+ Keratin Repair Conditioner (also has a shampoo, but not sulfate-free), Made in U.S., the Expert Collection range also has a purple variant in S&R which is the Age Defying Shampoo and Conditioner, whereas this one I'm featuring is a strengthening repair one the other variant is a more rejuvenating, nourishing one for dull hair. This conditioner is thick and rich, almost like a paste which is indicative of the formula being so different from local conditioners, I coat my hair, massage it in and leave it for 3-4 minutes after my shampoo then rinse off. Php550+ (currently -Php100+ on sale) 500ml jumbo size BLOB BENEATH: MARC ANTHONY Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Sulfate-Free (Keratin Infused) Shampoo, Made in Canada, this also comes in a repairing Macadamia variant (sulfate-free also) in S&R. Even if this is a sulfate-free shampoo this lathers up quite nicely but NOT at all like a high-powered detergent thankfully. Php350+ , 250ml tube (more beach friendly)
Between the two, they're not your bog-standard grocery shelf haircare products locally, I'm aware (don't get me wrong I have a few bog standard grocery faves myself which work so well for the price) but you get a whole lot of product as you'll see from the size comparison against my hand here, they're huge, and considering their formulas are processed in better manufacturing locations (US and Canada) you know what you're paying for. They're from S&R membership grocery which means they are more pricy than the items found in a regular supermarket BUT they're both still way less expensive than if you chose to buy a salon-level Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner from a professional salon which would easily cost over Php1000 for each at sizes like this. Both products leave my hair not limp with a bit more oomph and softness at the back and my head doesn't get oily or flaky with these products.
What I like about both is not only are they color-coordinated despite being different brands, but the scents blend beautifully together and they aren't over-powering. They're the nicest fragrant high-street shampoo conditioner tandem I've come across. The Pantene conditioner has a warm, super slightly sugary scent with a tart berry note but it's done in a sophisticated way, not annoying...I could almost say the warmth in the Pantene conditioner scent is like fragrant treacle, the essence of something I've smelt from Haus of Gloi before...and don't get me started on the shampoo, oh my. The shampoo has a gentle...kind of super summery, non-annoying hint of sunblock with floral tones type of scent...it's hard to describe, it's like a coconut tinged scent with a sun-filled, sandy floral note....ugh I'm so not up to par on describing scents these days, help me Sali Hughes, LOL. To round it all off I think if you're not satisfied with what's in your local supermarket but want to level up on haircare without burning holes in your wallet at the salon, try these from S&R membership shopping, if you're not an S&R member it should be average-easy to find someone who might be. S&R membership shopping is currently at BGCFort, another one near City of Dreams, Roxas Blvd., and in Alabang.
