Tried and Tested: M+B Team Empties

Here at M+B we’re pretty obsessed with hair care so it figures that as a team we try out a lot of new products. To make us feel better about our groaning bathroom cabinets we thought it would be cool to share some of the things we’ve found as part of a new series. We’re calling it Tried & Tested and the plan is to give you honest reviews on some of the weirdest and most hyped products out there. Today we bought our most recent purchases into the office to play a little game of haircare empties, whoop! These are the actual products we’ve been using and we’re here to give you the most honest reviews of some of our fave brands.

Tigi Catwalk Headshot Intense Conditioner

Tested by: Esme Why did you like it? I wanted something that would be conditioning and hydrating for my hair and this really did the trick. It injected much needed moisture and smells really nice and minty which is really refreshing first thing in the morning. Is it good for your hair? I'm not sure to be honest... it's not sulphate free or anything, so in that sense it's not the best thing out there for your hair, but a conditioner is always better for your hair than none! Did you see any changes? It did make it feel softer, more manageable and more hydrated. Ingredients you looked out for? Sulphate free etc? Didn't look out for any! How was the smell and texture? Smells nice and minty but not too strong, so it's nice and refreshing. Texture is normal conditioner texture. Was it easy to use? It's pretty straight forward as it's just a conditioner and I left it on for around 3 minutes. But the bottle is quite hard plastic and so when I got near to the end it was actually quite hard to get the remaining product out and you couldn't squeeze it or anything so I'm sure I've wasted some that I can't reach. Do you like the brand? Packaging? I like Tigi as a brand and have a few other things from them. They also specialise in hair so I always expect good things. The packaging looks nice enough but nothing groundbreaking. Would you buy it again? I've started opting for sulphate free products and much prefer the effect they have on my hair so I probably wouldn't go for this again, but if you need super hydration and conditioning, and you're not bothered about sulphates then this is still good.

Palmers Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack

Tested by: Gareth Why did you like it? I love that it’s a sulphate free hair mask and I'm already a huge fan of Palmers and use the Palmer's Cocoa Butter for moisturising my skin so was keen to try this out. I liked using this product because it smelt incredible and it isn't damaging to your hair at all. It nourishes and makes your hair feel amazing after just 15 mins. Is it good for your hair? I believe so! Did you see any changes? I've only been using the hair mask for about a month or so and I do feel as if my hair is a lot softer than it previously was. Ingredients you looked out for? Sulphate free etc? After following the hair guru, Jonathan Van Ness, on Instagram, I decided to take a leaf out of his book and to try looking for sulphate free hair products. I got this as the packaging suggested it’s the most natural and kindest to your hair. How was the smell and texture? The smell is incredible, it’s pure coconut and the texture is a thick and creamy one. I love hair masks that are super duper thick. Was it easy to use? So easy. I put it on my wet hair and let it do its magic for about 15 mins and washed off in the shower. Do you like the brand? Packaging? The packaging is standard but the brand is a great one that I've been using for years. Would you buy it again? Absolutely.

LUSH American Cream Conditioner

Tested by: Rhian Why did you like it? Firstly I picked it up because I know LUSH don't test on animals and their ingredients are ethically sourced. When I tried it I was literally amazed. You really don’t have to use much at all - I had about the size of a 20p in my palm and it was plenty. The smell is incredible and it really does leave your hair shinier and feel lighter and healthier, not so dull and weighted like other products can do. Is it good for your hair? I believe so. I mean, my hair felt a lot better after using it and they do use natural ingredients. Did you see any changes? My hair didn’t feel so weighed down. I think with other products it used to just build up so you'd get a great look the first couple of times but then after a while my hair became dull. After swapping to American cream conditioner though my hair got better after each wash. It also became a lot shinier and I think that it’s down to the ingredients, they put a whole fresh organic orange in the mix which encourages hair cuticles to lay flat. Ingredients you looked out for? Sulphate free etc? I looked for products that aren't tested on animals and ingredients I know have been sourced ethically and are organic. How was the smell and texture? The smell is incredible, as soon as you open the cap it literally smells like cream and strawberries! It's also sooo easy to apply as it's really creamy, works so quickly to get my locks feeling fresh and smooth again. Was it easy to use? Very easy! Do you like the brand? Packaging? Yes! I love that you know the name of the person that made the product that you purchased. Also it’s just so simple, it's all about the product inside! Would you buy it again? Yes, 100,000,000,000,000%

KENRA Blow Dry Spray

Tested by: Christy Why did you like it? I was excited to try this because it’s a heat protector that can speed up your blow dry and I’m up for anything that cuts styling time. Is it good for your hair? Mmm I guess in the sense that it’s a heat protector and you should never skip that! Did you see any changes? My hair was a lot shinier and way less dry than normal which is good! It also cut down blow drying time and gave my hair more staying power. Ingredients you looked out for? Sulphate free etc? Eek! No but I really need to start paying more attention to the ingredients in my haircare... How was the smell and texture? It smells really good, kind of perfumey and it’s super light on your hair which is good as mine’s quite fine. There’s no residue either so your hair doesn’t feel sticky or weighed down. Was it easy to use? Very easy! I just sprayed it onto wet hair in sections and then blow dried my hair using a round brush. Do you like the brand? Packaging? Yes! Kenra has been around since the 20s and they have a product for literally everything. Would you buy it again? 100% I thought it was a really good heat protector and it made my hair so much easier to style. The only downside is that it’s a little bit expensive but totally worth it.

Herbivore Sea Salt Spray

Tested by: Sioned Why did you like it? I loved the smell of this product. It smells of coconuts and reminded me so much of being on holiday. Is it good for your hair? I'm unsure to be honest...I would imagine probably not as it's a salt spray. Did you see any changes? I didn't notice too much in the way of changes except for the fact that my hair was a little easier to work with as it had extra grit from the salt spray. I would also say that it made my hair a little dryer over time. Ingredients you looked out for? Sulphate free etc? I didn't take into consideration any of the ingredients. I needed a salt spray and this was the first one that came to my mind. How was the smell and texture? This stuff smells incredible...think vacay :) Was it easy to use? Super easy. I just spray onto my hair when wet and then style. Do you like the brand? Packaging? I love Herbivore for their ethos and their packaging. Super cute. Would you buy it again? I probably wouldn't buy a salt spray again but I would buy from Herbivore again for sure :)