Product Review: L'Oreal Botanicals Fresh Care Coriander Strength Source

I am always on the lookout for green(er) beauty products that actually work, so when BeautyCrew offered to send me L'Oreal's new offering aimed at this market, I was more than willing to give the range a try. L'Oreal has launched a completely new range of products, Botanicals Fresh Care, featuring four different collections based around four hero ingredients aimed at four individual hair concerns. 

After a quick questionnaire, I was sent the Coriander Strength Source for Fragile Hair, designed to reinforce, revitalize and strengthen fragile hair from root to tip, which seemed perfect for my fine hair that is constantly being damaged by lightening my hair!

The Coriander Strength Source range is made up of four products, all containing Coriander Seed oil, and all completely free of parabens, silicones and colourants. L'Oreal claims the range will reduce breakage and fall-out, and promote new hair growth to help even the weakest hair find its better nature.  I was a bit wary about the fragrance - coriander is not something I usually associate positively with haircare - but was pleasantly surprised. The scent is a lovely earthy herbal, almost medicinal but very refreshing, and in no way overwhelming. It leaves your hair smelling clean and fresh all day long.

I can honestly say I think I've found my new holy grail hair care range! I have been using the entire range for a fortnight now, and my hair has never looked nor felt better.  After two weeks, my chemically lightened hair has definitely improved in condition - it is stronger, shinier and softer, with less breakage and a lot less hair falling out.  What I loved the most is that it left my hair bouncy and full of volume with clearly defined, non-frizzy waves, no mean feat for my fine, somewhat wavy, somewhat frizzy hair.

The Shampoo ($17.95) is a light gel texture, that foams only lightly (which is a surprise given it does contain SLES) and two pumps is enough for my shoulder length hair. I generally only shampoo once, not twice, and I continued doing that with this shampoo. It's not a conditioning shampoo, so your hair doesn't feel conditioned after using it on its own, but it doesn't feel dry or straw-like either. The shampoo comes in a 400ml pump bottle - it's great value for money, and the pump is really easy to use.

After shampooing, I follow with the Conditioning Balm ($12.95).  The texture of the conditioner is lovely - a thick cream - that is easily worked throughout the lengths of my hair. It de-tangles beautifully, and washes out quickly and easily, leaving my hair smooth and conditioned. What I really love about this conditioning balm is that it a) doesn't weigh down my fine and wavy hair at all, and b) allows me to go at least two days in between washing, without leaving me with greasy roots and dry ends.  I really love the packaging - a squeeze tube is so much more convenient in the shower for a thick balm, and there is less wastage then putting a thick conditioner in a pump bottle. 

The Conditioning Mask ($17.95) should be the hero product of the Coriander range - it is that amazing! It is thick, creamy and luxurious to use, and I apply after a quick towel dry of my hair after shampooing, combing through with a wide tooth comb. Three minutes later, I wash out to reveal hair that is deeply hydrated and repaired, but with absolutely no heavy or greasy feel. After my hair has dried it is soft, bouncy and light. I have been using it twice a week on my fine and wavy hair, and each time my hair improves more and more. I have even started using it on my daughter's hair, as she swims 5 days a week, and it has significantly improved the condition of her chlorine damaged hair. The lack of chemical nasties is also reassuring when using it on the sensitive skin of a 9 year old.

The Strength Potion ($17.95) is a leave in treatment that according to L'Oreal has even more significant  benefit than the mask! I apply to towel dried hair as my last step, mostly before letting my hair air dry, but occasionally before heat styling. The potion is a thin, almost watery serum, easily dispensed from the very cute dropper bottle, that I apply throughout my hair, including at my roots, unlike regular hair serums. I love that it is light and doesn't weigh down my hair at all, or make my roots greasy.