Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger

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Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger

Paul Mitchell is one of those names that seem to have been around forever, but unlike most of those other brands that I used to spend my teenage babysitting money on, Paul Mitchell has managed to maintain its edge of affordable exclusivity. Avoiding the naff trap, the brand has grown from a $700 three product enterprise, to a multi-million dollar award-winning, trail-blazing business with an international fan base and a strong ethical stance.  January 2012 saw the launch of two magnificent new products within the Awapuhi Wild Ginger Collection and I’ve been lucky enough to try them out.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydromist Blow-Out Spray 150ml £17.95 – The original Awapuhi products first hit our shelves more than 30 years ago, but in an intimate melding, where ‘tradition met technology’ the Wild Ginger range was born and it’s like nothing you’ve ever used before. As someone prone to frizz – or pompom head, as my friends kindly refer to it! – the lowly hairdryer has never been my besty, even professional stylists struggle, often leaving me to meekly  slink away with a hat pressed firmly to my head following a cut and colour. Keeping that in mind, I must admit to some scepticism when reading the Awapuhi hype. The Hydromist Blow-Out Spray has a two surprising ingredients tucked up its sleeve however; Honey and Caster Oil. Now, Honey alone is not necessarily a good thing to have in a hair care product – it may be a natural humectant, which means that it holds on to water molecules and stops moisture-loss, but being a sticky substance it’s not overly conducive to soft and silky locks (that’s not to say that it’s lacking in the styling department). However, when you combine it with deeply moisturising and highly absorbable Castor Oil, which actively works to coat the hair shaft, sealing the cuticle and locking in moisture, you’re on to something of a winner. The Hydromist smells gorgeously zingy, with none of the unpleasant chemical undertones one usually associates with styling products, and works like an absolute dream. While the Castor Oil and Honey combo get to grips with the frizz, lightweight conditioners protect the hair from heat damage, creating a light hold with a non-sticky, healthy-looking finish for all styles. Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydromist Blow-Out Spray also offers UV and colour protection.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydrocream Whip 200ml £21.95 –  While the key ingredients in the Blow-Out Spray are Honey and Castor Oil, it is the current darling of the skin- and hair-care industries , Argan Oil, that struts its funky stuff in the Wild Ginger Hydrocream Whip. Rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, Phenols, and Carotenes, Argan Oil has been embraced by the beauty business as a parent reaches for a long lost child. It hydrates, it protects and most importantly, it repairs dry and damaged skin and hair, apparently even working wonders on psoriasis. In the Hydrocream Whip Argan Oil takes on the roll of conditioner, helping treated hair to look healthy and full bodied, while the Awapuhi helps to lock in moisture and produce a stunning salon shine. I am something of a reluctant mousse user, having grown up in the 80’s and 90’s, those eras of the crunchy curl, but the Hydrocream Whip has a soft, almost untreated finish, leaving hair looking glossy, sleek and full of volume with nary a frizz in sight. One final word to the wise – a little Whip goes a long way! Don’t be tempted to overdo it – Hydrocream Whip hold easily lasts for a full day and extra product will only drag your hair down, giving that lovely  ‘I’ve not had time to shower today’ look, whereas when used sparingly you’ll have beautiful tresses for as long as you need.

The Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Collection is available from salons nationwide. For more information visit www.paul-mitchell.co.uk.


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© Purple Peccadilloes