I’ve got extremely long hair. To be honest, I don’t even know why I have such long hair. I am not aiming to be Repunzel but somehow my hair just keeps growing and nothing prompts me to get it trimmed regularly. I think the main reason for my length is laziness and it never bothers me, like I don’t feel annoyed with the extra length over time and stuff. Visiting a hair salon rarely ever comes to my mind and is of least priority to me. In the past 10 over years I probably have my hair cut only once a year on average.

However, having long hair can become a daily chore. You can’t just simply use shampoo and expect your hair to be/ feel/ look healthy. (Hair is simply dead cells so of course it isn’t “healthy” since it’s not alive, but at least let it be soft to touch and pleasing to look at right?)

Using wash off hair treatments like hair conditioner or even hair masks are a daily need but for the hair to look even better, leave-in treatments should not be forgotten.

This is what my hair looks like. The length is way beyond my waist. My last hair cut wasn’t too long ago actually, in April, so this isn’t my longest. I am not religious at daily maintenance hence the bad condition. My hair is very fine in texture and certain areas are brittle and I have many split ends.

I probably made the condition worse with my frequent yoga classes – I go almost daily. I have to tie it up in a tight ponytail and that alone causes a lot of damage especially when I tighten it by pulling my ponytail during a class because I don’t have time to spare. The sweat from yoga (more if I’m doing hot yoga) makes the hair vulnerable and even more susceptible to the damage from my ponytail!

This is what it looks like without any leave-in treatment. I tend to get a lot of flyaway hair due to the fine nature of my hair and am guilty for not showing my tresses enough love. After all, it’s been through so many years of my life with me. I’ve been having long hair like that for more than 10 years. I should not be taking it for granted…

To save my life, the Sample Store X Shiseido has sent me this bottle of Tsubaki Camellia Hair Oil.

First things first – I love Tsubaki hair range! I accepted their offer to review this product specifically because this is one of my favourite hair care brands. Five years ago in 2009, when Tsubaki was not officially available in Singapore, I actually brought it back from Taiwan or bought it from certain parallel import shops because it was the best mass market shampoo I know of. I recommended it to everyone I knew who approached me for shampoo recommendations.

Here’s the background information about this product:

1. Formulated with high concentration of selected camellia oil to deeply protect, moisturise and repair your hair, resulting in a luxurious shine.

• Yes my hair feels instantly softer upon application.

2. Instantly penetrates hair upon application without feeling greasy or sticky and gives a silky smooth finish.

• The oil has a very thin viscosity so it’s not sticky to touch even. My hair doesn’t feel or look like a grease ball after using!

3. Protects your hair from damage by UV rays and heat from hair dryers (or other styling equipment), while preventing split ends and hair breakage

• This is the one reason we need to invest in leave in hair care for.  

4. Elegant and indulgent scent of floral and green fruity notes

• The first impression of this product was that the bottle is so much prettier than usual hair oil. Next was the lovely smell. It smells SO good. Now who says hair oil must all be smelly? This smells even better than the Tsubaki shampoo, which already smells pretty good. It has the notes of green fruity notes of Cassis and Floral notes of Iris, making your hair smell really feminine and fresh.

If you’re wondering, selected camellia oil refers to the oil extracted from the camellia plant specifically from Goto Islands in Nagasaki (because it has the best conditions) and using only traditional methods to harvest the fruits and press for the oil. Only the purest first press oil is used for this product. (It’s sort of like how olive oil has different grades, you know? Extra virgin and normal… every small difference makes a whole world of difference!)

Here’s how to use this product:

A 20c coin size is recommended for mid length hair but I need much more since my hair is terribly long. I made it a 50c coin size. For best effect, you should spread this amount on your palms and then work through your hair generally. Next you can reapply a second time to areas which needs more attention.

In this case, it is obviously my hair ends which have went through many ups and downs with me.

Here are two tips for different concerns:

1. How to prevent flat hair (Particularly recommendable to those who have soft and fine hair)

• Refrain from applying large amount inappropriately and unevenly. Start application from the damaged tips and gradually work upwards to the roots to avoid flat hair.
  

2. How to reduce volume or prevent dry hair (Particularly recommendable to those who have thick and voluminous hair)

• Apply an appropriate amount to wet hair and dry it with a hair dryer. Then, spread a small amount onto the palms and apply on bottom half of the hair to reduce the volume.
  

I have very fine hair so applying near the roots is a no-no because I so do not want flat hair. I have a small head and flat hair is just ugly.

This is my hair after using a small amount Tsubaki Hair Oil on the hair ends! I did the same pose as the Before picture for easier comparison.

Here’s how my hair ends look after using Tsubaki Hair Oil! The difference is bigger felt than seen. My hair felt silky soft and smooth, and definitely more manageable.

The difference between oil and cream based leave-on products I feel is the texture. Some cream based products can feel clumpy and sticky on hair, especially if applied when hair is no longer damp. Oils can be used on both damp and dry hair and this means I can give my hair some love any time! This oil in particular was absorbed easily by my hair and left no residual greasy feeling. I love that. There’s nothing I dislike about this product so far and I look forward to healthy beautiful hair with daily use.

You can get Tsubaki Hair Oil exclusively at Watsons from 11^th September 2014 onwards at $26.90/60ml!

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Like to win one for yourself? From 12th September onwards, Tsubaki will be conducting a giveaway via Facebook!

Follow these 2 simple steps to stand a chance to win the new Tsubaki Hair Oil for themselves and 2 of your friends!