I have already been using Umberto Giannini's No More Frizz Serum for almost a year and it is one of those products that my hair literally drinks. I absolutely love it and couldn't wait to try the rest of the range. I was advised to use the New Curly Jelly Wash Shampoo (£8) and New Curly Jelly Care Conditioner (£8) when washing my hair. I loved using the shampoo, especially knowing it was free of sulphates. Sulphates in shampoo make the shampoo foam but also tend to strip the hair of any oils, which my dry, coarse hair could do without. So knowing these had been eliminated gave me hope, however I did miss the foaming action that the sulphates create. The shampoo also contains Vitamin B5 which is the vitamins of vitamins for hair. I then applied the conditioner to the ends of my hair. It was a great de-tangler and felt very light weight when I applied it. When I rinsed it all out my curls felt extra bouncy and shiny and super soft so I was already really pleased.

I then went onto dab my hair with my towel as I didn't want to create any extra frizz by rubbing it dry.  The next step that was advised for me was to apply the No More Frizz Serum (£8), like I usually do, and finally apply the Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly (£7) through my curls and allow my hair to air dry. To be honest I couldn't believe I hadn't used this product before as it has been one of their bestsellers for over a decade and I have made my way through a lot of curling products. This products promises to define curls and eliminate frizz, without leaving them with that crunchy feeling. Now honestly, I did find my hair to feel a little crunchy but not enough to bother me or to make my curls look hard or rigid. I found them soft, defined and healthy looking. And trust me this is an achievement on hair that is dry, thick, coarse and in dire need of a hair cut! I felt confident with my curls and didn't feel the need to get my curling wand out and define any of the frizzy bits.

I think the best part for me was when I woke up the next day and my curls were still in tact! I was so pleased I plastered it all over my Instagram stories (@aminaali_mua). My hair had never looked so good on day two. Usually my hair is fine on day one, but by the time I have slept on it and woken up the next morning, there is a whole new routine of hair products that I have to go through to get my hair looking good again. But when I woke up, my curls were in tact and literally no frizz to be seen. For the sake of it, I used the Curl Whip Mousse (£7) which was recommended for my day two curls and it just re-energised my hair and almost perfected the curls. It did add to the crunchiness, but again, it was worth it.

I have literally been so happy with my new routine. It has given me a renewed confidence with my curls and encouraged me to go natural with my hair and my face! I just hope it lasts as I know my hair has the tendency to get used to a product and I occasionally need to switch it up. But so far, so good. I'm honestly trying to contain my excitement, what I really want to say is these products could be LIFE changing! Have you tried any of the Umberto Giannini range? What should I try next?

Amina xx

*PR Sample. All opinions are my own.

This week I am bringing you my hair story with a happy ending and a giveaway to celebrate, so make sure you read all the way to the end. My hair has always been frizzy, curly, thick, coarse and altogether horrible hence 'Curly hair problems'. I sometimes style it straight, but most of the time wear it tied up if it's curly. However, I felt sick and tired and thought what better way, than to ask for some advice on Instagram. I was sent loads of suggestions for curly hair and decided to test some products out. The results I have been left with are so much more than I could ever have hoped for and I'm over the moon that I can let my natural curls bounce like they are supposed to.

First up, let me introduce you to my new hair washing routine. I have heard so much about the Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula range* it seemed so perfect for me and my unruly hair. I had used coconut oil on my hair in the past but sometimes found it too greasy. However I was intrigued to see how it would work in a shampoo and conditioner. Before I give you my verdict, let me explain that I have used the shampoo and conditioner on their own, together and with other products from the range and every time have seen a difference in my hair. I wash and condition my hair twice a week and since using the Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo and Repairing Conditioner my hair has been much more curlier and much less frizzier. I also recently tried the Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack and the effect it left my hair with was so lovely. Full curls, which looked shiny, bouncy and had movement without the flyaways.

After washing my hair I have been using the Coconut Oil Leave-in Conditioner. You simply spray from root to tip, and I find this just gives a little bit of added moisture and structure to my hair, without leaving it feeling sticky or greasy, which is always a bonus as I hate that feeling in my curls. If you have curly hair you will know that curls vary depending on what day after washing it is. Day one for me is always the best and they gradually get worse, in that my hair get's frizzier, the curls fall out, my hair becomes misshapen when I sleep on it. That's where the Coconut Oil Dry Oil Mist comes in, the perfect refresher for day two and three! You simply spray it onto your curls and it revives the shine in them. If you have fine or greasy hair I would stay away from this product as it's extremely greasy. Perfect for my hair though!

The great thing about the Coconut Oil Formula range is definitely the ingredients. Coconut Oil to add moisture, Monoi Oil, to add hydration, organ oil, to add shine and Sea Kelp which will promote growth. They contain no sulphates, parabens, phthalates, miners oil, gluten or dyes, only the best for your hair!



Another item I have been loving is the Umberto Ginaninni No More Frizz Curl Serum. It is one of the best serums I have tried for reducing frizziness. Sometimes I can get away with applying this to my  damp hair and nothing else and it will give me a lovely defined curl for day one. I do have to use a lot of this and this is the problem with my hair , it absorbs product like there's no tomorrow, due to it's dryness. I find with most products I have to put more in than the recommended amount, as it is never enough. When I apply this I usually use the OGX Curl Styling Milk to give it a little added help. This just gets rid of any frizz and binds the hair together. This is also a good product to use on day two and three. Sometimes I just dampen my hair to redefine the girls again and reapply the OGX cream and I am left with day one curls again. Can I get a whoop whoop.




The final product to have upped my curly hair game is the Xtava 5 in 1 Curling Tong (£45.99, currently on sale for £21.99). I very rarely heat style my hair curly. Whenever I do style my hair, I straighten it or add loose waves. The fab thing about this curling wand is you can achieve five different types of curl as there are five interchangeable barrels which vary in circumference. So When I want a tousled effect I can achieve that with barrel five for example, but when I have my hair curly it allows me to just give my curls a little bit more shape and definition by using barrel one ,which is the smallest. If you have curly hair, you will know the struggle of randomly having a chunk that hasn't curled, or an area of just frizz. So this allows me to grab the random pieces that haven't curled and just give them the little help they need. It also allows me to refresh my hair on day two or three after washing. It has 9 heat setting which range from 130 C - 210 C, which is perfect for different hair types. It also comes with a heat protective glove, so there is no worry of burning your hand. All this for £21.99. I only wish I was introduced to it earlier.




I am besotted with my new curls and that is all thanks to the new products I have tried. This is my hair routine for now, but stay posted as I will continue to test out products and keep you up to date. Now for the giveaway! You can win an Xtava 5 in 1 curling tong for yourself! Just fill out the gleam giveaway below. Ends 18th October. Good luck!

Amina xx

*PR Gifts. All opinions are my own