Umberto Giannini Glam Wash Shampoo & Glam Care Conditioner Review*

I am always a little reluctant when it comes to trying haircare products. If I find something that works, I usually stick to that and just keep repurchasing. My hair is probably the least high maintenance thing about me. I'm lucky that I can just wash and leave my hair to dry, and it just falls in its own natural way. Sometimes I might feel a little experimental and use salt spray. I thought that it was time to try something new, but I'm always a little apprehensive when reading reviews about haircare products as everyone's hair is so different and it's hard to pinpoint your hair to a certain type of product unless you know exactly what you're looking for. When my shampoo and conditioner finished at the same time (this never usually happens), I thought it was a sign, and also time to make a change.

A brand I really wanted to try was Umberto Giannini. I had used some their styling products very many years ago, and they also use a vegan and cruelty-free formula, which is at the top of my list for haircare products. Their shampoo and conditioner range from moisturising, nourishing, curl enhancing, and volumising. Umberto Giannini was kind enough to send me the Glam Wash volume shampoo and the Glam Care volume conditioner to try. They're also known as the Wham Bam Glam Duo, which I think makes it 1000x cooler. I chose the volumising duo because I love big hair. I went through a teenage stage where I would backcomb and pile on the hairspray, thank you to the hair Gods that has now stopped. Now I like to stick to a beachy wave style. Very easy for me to maintain with my already quite naturally wavy hair, and I'm really lucky that my hair is thick too.

Let's start off talking about the Glam Wash shampoo, well because that comes first. I know we shouldn't care about the colour of shampoos, but it's an iridescent colour, and I'm all for aesthetics. The scent is a combination of fruity and sweet, including notes of patchouli, vanilla, grapefruit, and night flowering jasmine, fancy. The consistency is quite thick, so I find it easier to rub it between my fingers and use my fingertips to massage it through my roots. The recommended use is to use one round, and if a second if needed, use less product. Now, I've never been one to listen to instructions, so I shampoo my hair the opposite way they suggest; I use a small amount of product for my first wash, which doesn't really lather well, and then I use more for my second wash, which creates a lot of lather. Like I've mentioned, I have thick hair so it takes me a while to make sure my hair is properly washed. I split my hair in two and working on one side, I work the product into my scalp and roots working from the bottom to top. I then repeat the same process on the other side. I massage the product through the rest of my hair, and rinse. I squeeze as much of the water out, and use a wide tooth comb to comb through my hair. I have tried volumising products before, and it always left my hair tangled and dry, but this shampoo went against all of my doubts.

Now for the Glam Care conditioner. The scent is exactly the same as the shampoo, but obviously the consistency is much creamier as it is there to help moisturise, repair, but still add volume. A small amount goes a long way with conditioner, so I just work it through the ends of my hair, well anything below my ears. Even though this isn't a leave-in conditioner, I still like to clip my hair up and leave it in to work its magic for a few minutes. During this time I like to cleanse my face, or use a body scrub, or even just dance (being very careful) and sing. Once I am done pretending I am in the cast of Grease, I just rinse again, clip up and cover with a towel. I don't leave it in the towel for too long, long enough so I don't leave a trail of water everywhere I go. I always brush my hair at this point too as it helps keep my hair smooth when drying. I also find it helpful to scrunch up the ends of my hair as it's drying, just to add to the volume. I usually spray salt spray in my hair, but for the first few weeks, I kept my styling products to zero, just so I could see the capability of the duo.

VERDICT:

I'm not a pessimist, but I wasn't expecting this duo to work so well after the first wash. My hair is so full of life and has really worked with the natural waves in my hair. It feels strong and has still kept its shine too. You could really see the volume during the first couple of day, but I wouldn't expect it to last any longer. All the products in the 'Glam' range help volumise, thicken, and lift your hair, so I really want to try some more of that range to create some beautiful, textured and of course voluminous looks. The duo really cleans your hair well too. I have quite oily hair, and I haven't had to wash my hair anymore then when I was previously using deep cleansing products. Would I repurchase this product? Yes, absolutely. I would recommend these products to anyone who wants to add lift and life back into their hair. If you have naturally waved hair, this would work so well.

Let me know in the comments below if you've tried the Glam duo, or any other Umberto Giannini products and what you thought. I also want to know any secret tips or tricks you like to do when you're washing your hair.

*These products were sent to me by Umberto Giannini. You can read my full disclaimer policy here.

LISTENING TO

• Panic! At The Disco
• Time To Dance