Hair Treatment – Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair Anti-Damage Mask

*This is not a sponsored post.

I’ve been thinking about birthday presents to myself for awhile now. It’s clearly a process that I am taking very seriously, given that my birthday has passed and I’ve yet to finalise my birthday wish list. One of the items that I’ve been considering putting on my list is a tub of hair treatment. And yes, the implication here is true, I do not currently own or use a hair treatment. I struggle to prioritise my hair as I don’t have the best relationship with it. And because of this, I’m reluctant to invest in hair products. And let’s be real here if you were to purchase the best of every required hair product, it easily adds up to cost a fortune. And do I want more makeup or more haircare? Makeup. Then, I’m faced with another dilemma. Do I want more makeup, or more paint and art canvases? Do you see the problem here? Hair products definitely get bumped down on my list of purchases. Maybe, just maybe, if my hair behaved better and stayed the hair colour I dyed it, I would appreciate it a bit more.

One of the items that I’ve been considering putting on my list is a tub of hair treatment. And yes, the implication here is true, I do not currently own or use a hair treatment. I struggle to prioritise my hair as I don’t have the best relationship with it. And because of this, I’m reluctant to invest in hair products. And let’s be real here if you were to purchase the best of every required hair product, it easily adds up to cost a fortune. So then a series of questions begin to emerge in my mind. Do I want more makeup or more haircare? Makeup. Do I want more makeup, or more paint and art canvases? MORE PAINT AND CANVAS! Do you see the problem here? Hair products definitely get bumped down on my list of purchases. Maybe, just maybe, if my hair behaved better and stayed the hair colour I dyed it, I would appreciate it a bit more. Just saying.

As with any important investigation, I found myself online, loading Google and setting on my path of discovery. And of course, there is not just one type of hair treatment but rather several categories. But this was an easy one for me. I wasn’t looking for an anti-frizz treatment. I have my own golden solution for that! And it doesn’t require your hair to be oily to do the trick! I hate oily hair like it’s the plague, to the point that my mood deteriorates (to highly irritated) when I know that I am carrying oily hair on my shoulders.

I wasn’t looking for a smoothing hair treatment either. I think I have several phases of hair care to do before I worry about how smooth my hair is and how it feels to the touch. As for coloured hair treatments, I don’t actually understand what this is referring to. Unless that they mean blonde and damaged coloured hair. And who’s hair isn’t coloured anyway? So to me, everyone needs hair treatment. And if your hair is not coloured then I’m thinking your hair is probably in good condition, and what you need rather is a lifestyle and nutrition change, rather than a hair treatment.

So I knew I wanted something for damaged hair, like a deep repair hair treatment. I think this type is also confusing in itself because the word treatment implies a solution to a problem (like hair damage). So a hair treatment should be repairing right? Perhaps, my perception of this view is slightly different than the rest of society.

The product I’m considering is the Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus Mask. It was not a product I had any knowledge of before my search and this decision is purely based on the product description and the customer reviews that I read on RY (Recreate Yourself Australia).

However, I remembered that I actually received samples of the Schwarzkopf Extra Care Ultimate Repair range in a recent Priceline Goody Bag. I thought that I might as well this hair treatment and the included Schwarzkopf Extra Care Ultimate Repair Shampoo and Conditioner.

So I guess this test is skewed by the fact that I used the shampoo and conditioner before the treatment. And I say skewed because this shampoo and conditioner is of a better quality than the hotel shampoo and conditioner I’m currently trying to finish. Did I mention I dislike investing in hair products?

But no really, on a serious note, if I actually do find a product that I believe is worthy of the investment then it does become a priority on my shopping list. I used to use the OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Hair Mask when I was a blonde. It does wonders for dry and damaged hair (due to repeated blonde colouring). Surprisingly, the OGX Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Intense Moisturising Treatment did not have the same effect on my hair.

I highly recommend the OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Hair Mask if you’re blonde and your hair is really dry and damaged. I used to pair this with the Matrix Total Results Color Care So Silver Shampoo (purple shampoo) and the TRESemmé Healthy Volume Shampoo.

After washing my hair with the Schwarzkopf Extra Care Ultimate Repair shampoo and conditioner, I applied the treatment to my wet hair and left it on for 7 mins. So precise aren’t I? Well, that’s how long I could stand still and ponder about life before I got bored.

Although my hair is softer and smoother (even before straightening it), I’m not sure it’s the ‘it’ product I’m after. Like I said I wasn’t looking for a product to improve smoothness, there’s too much hair damage to undo before that!

After washing the treatment out, my hair didn’t instantly feel healthier like it has in the past, like when I used to use the OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Hair Mask. I was also surprised to find that after applying the shampoo, my hair also didn’t feel better. I expected it to given that it’s a higher quality shampoo than I am currently using. I’ve also felt an instant difference when I’ve used the TRESemmé Healthy Volume Shampoo in the past.

So if I were to ask myself, would I purchase this item? I really don’t think I will. I would be better off purchasing the OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Hair Mask and trying that on my brunette hair. Though I am keen to try the  Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus Mask, I will have to see which one I add to the birthday wish list in the end.

Until next time.