John Frieda Thickening Shampoo for Fine/Limp Hair : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Author's product rating:

Advantages:	The smell is really nice
Disadvantages:	Although promised, my hair wasn't very volumised

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

In search of something to brighten up my hair from the dull, drab state it was in, I came across this in Boots (the fact it was on a 3 for 2 offer persuaded me even more!) It's specified as for people with fine, thin or limp ( i.e. my!) hair.

*** What does it look like? ***
It comes in a deep blue, transparent squeezy tube with white and orange writing splattered across the front. The tube's very tall and this helps give the impression that it contains more than just 250ml. The tube's pretty cool, looks quite sophisticated and professional. However the lid at the base often fills up with the shampoo so when you open it, it escapes over all your hands. Looks good but not very practical as it can spill (and waste) the shampoo.

*** What it claims to do ***
The shampoo basically claims to magically change lifeless hair into thick, gushing with life and vitality. Sounds great but that's not all! The shampoo will give your hair "full bodied shine" and make hair more manageable and style-able. It claims to do this by getting rid of all the gunk that builds up in your hair leaving it dull and lifeless, then leaving polymers in your hair to "crank up" the volume. Pretty impressive stuff!

*** The actual stuff ***
The shampoo is clear and quite runny. I think it's a bit too runny as the first time I used the shampoo it dripped right off my hand before it even made it onto my hair. Its smell is very unique. The only thing I've ever smelt remotely like it is those purple sweets that no one likes but everyone eats, called Parma Violets or something(?)The smell is quite strong but very refreshing.

*** Using it ***
After having lost half of the shampoo to the bath, I eventually managed to get a reasonable amount onto my hair. The instructions are just the norm- apply, lather, rinse, repeat if desired. Easy enough. I massaged it into my hair and was immediately left with a lot of rich lather of my hands. After ringing it out, and it took quite a while to wash all the foam out, my hair was left a little dry, tuggley and really quite limp.

*** Results over the whole day ***
I then towel dried it and immediately my hair felt a lot softer. After blow drying it, I can't say that I noticed any great changes promised as far as the volume of my hair was concerned, although it did seem sort-of bouncier. It felt quite a bit softer and was definitely more shiny. It also smelled really nice and sweet so overall I was fairly happy with the results.

*** Recommend it? ***
The smell lasted for a few hours but then disappeared, which was a shame as I really liked it. My hair did stay shiny and the "clean" feeling remained for the entire day. Though using John Frieda conditioner is recommended (naturally!) I didn't find it necessary as my hair was left fine without it. I do prefer it to my normal shampoo, Timotea, but it is that bit more expensive at around £3.50 for 250ml, so I probably won't buy it again, unless on some special offer.

So, to conclude, I would probably recommend this but personally will only be using it for a treat as it's too expensive for everyday use.