September 10, 2008

Review: The Natural Source hi-shine super shine mask

About a year ago (or maybe two years ago), I came across The Natural Source, and I've been terribly curious to try it out. After hemming and hawing a while, my willpower finally creaked and I ended up getting the Hi-Shine Extra Body Conditioner (hmm.. I seem to have a thing for conditioners) and the Hi-Shine Super Shine Mask.

We'll talk about the Super Shine Mask today, shall we?

Made in Australia, it boasts to be "a protein packed hair-glossing treatment for all hair types. It brings dull, tired and stressed hair back to life and gives the hair an incredible softness, fluidity and glossy appearance".

But does it hit the mark? Read on to find out.

Among its active ingredients are wheat germ protein (a combination of lipids, pure mineral salts and vit E); silk protein (to coat hair with fine, protective glossy film) and and panthenol (to boost tissue reproduction and a supplement to nourish and strengthen hair roots and strands).

According to Wiki, panthenol, which is a provitamin B5, is pretty commonly used in hair products as it's known as a humectant and moisturiser. It lubricates the hair follicles and make strands appear shiny. All sounds terribly good, doesn't it?

But for all its goodness-sounding stuff, I can't say that I've seen a mark improvement in my hair after using it. My hair does feel soft and smooth, and my brother says it smells like "cocoa butter" (don't know where THAT came from!), but I definitely don't see any super-shine at work.

I'm not saying it's bad, don't get me wrong. It's just that I don't think the RM70-ish/150gm jar price tag is justified. I kind of expect a lot for that price. With that said, however, it is quite lovely to use.

My hair has just been looking a little dull lately what with late nights, and just feels a little tormented. So what better time than this to whip out some protein goo (which looks and smells like yoghurt, if you ask me) for a little pick-me-up, right?


This stuff has the consistency of err.. hmm.. really thick congee (?), so just a little will do. For my hair length, I only need one teaspoon, which is already moooore than sufficient. I know cos I actually use a clean teaspoon to scoop out the stuff from the jar!

Leave it in shampoo-ed hair for about 15-20 mins, and rinse. Pretty standard stuff.

Overall, it's not bad. I do like it, but I can't say I love it.

So unless my hair suddenly becomes super-shiny when I hit the bottom of the jar, I doubt I'll be getting another one.

6 comments:

AskMeWhats said...

You know what? I have had loads of experience for hair products like that..they don't give out DRASTIC changes but it's not bad at all..so it's just "so so" which would make you think "do I need to repurchase?" it's one of those moments..lol I understand you pretty well!

Kahani said...

I was told by a haircare specialist once that masks, unlike conditioners, don't seal the hair shaft as they're designed to penetrate. She recommends using a tiny amount of conditioner, smoothing it through your hair and rinsing out immediately to "seal in the mask's goodness".

Give it a try? I find that when I do this with L'Oreal's Elseve High Shine Mask followed with John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette Condi I can damned near see my face in my locks.

Anonymous said...

I tried one of the Hi Shine leave in conditioners once. Dried out my hair after 2 weeks so I dumped it. Never really went back to TNS after that :P

Syen said...

Nikki: Well said, woman. =)

Kahani: I've been doing that since you told me that a year ago in Amsty. =P But the results were just ok-lah. For this mask anyways. I'm curious about that L'Oreal mask though. Hmmm... =P

Paris: Yups. I've read reviews that some people have experienced dried-out hair from TNS. Hasn't happened to me yet. But I would chuck it out too, if it did. =P

That's the general "feel" I get from some reviews I've read. High price, high expectations, but mediocre to poor results. Such a shame.

Kahani said...

I swear by the L'oreal mask. Lol I should prolly review it soon

Syen said...

Yes, you SHOULD. (I was hoping you'd say that. LOL) =P