I know I’ve been MIA for the past ten days (eek, sorry!) but with August coming to an end, I just had to soak up the last few days of summer. I celebrated Casey’s birthday with some friends last weekend, spent a couple of days with the birthday boy himself in Whistler, and worked like mad on a few different articles. Finally, a week later, I’m back.
Which brings me to my update — a few days late, but here nonetheless. I’ve been using the Monat products on my hair for exactly two weeks, and while I’m noticing more differences in the feel of my hair than the look of it, there have been a few pleasant surprises. Here’s my routine and my thoughts so far:
The Routine
I’ve been washing my hair 2-3 times a week and using five Monat products each time. The three-part hydration system (Renew Shampoo, Replenish Masque, and Restore Conditioner) as well as the Rejuvabeads Split-end Mender and the Rejuveniqe Oil. It sounds like a lot, but the nice part is that you can create your own routine and customize it in a way that works for you, so you don’t necessarily need to use all the products each time you wash your hair. I just like to treat myself.
What I’m Loving So Far
I think my favourite thing about the Monat hair system so far is how little product you actually need. Seriously, it still blows my mind. I have to fight the urge to load up my palm full of shampoo and conditioner (which is exactly what I used to do) and instead follow the instructions to use just a nickel-sized amount. Yes, nickel. As in the second smallest coin that Canadian currency has.
I’ll be honest, my hair is super thick, and the first time I use the shampoo it definitely doesn’t work through all of it. The trick here is to use the shampoo twice — the first time I use it, it doesn’t really lather up, it just ‘breaks down the residual product and oil build-up in my hair’, as I’ve been told. It’s the second time with the shampoo (directly afterwards) that it starts to froth up and cover the rest of my hair, straight down to the ends. It’s crazy how the exact same product can react so differently the second time around, but it just goes to show it must be doing its job. Oh, and don’t forget to rub your palms together first so that nickel-sized amount doesn’t just end up in one spot.
I’ve also been loving the leave-in conditioner, especially since I’ve been a bit lazy with the replenishing masque. Ideally, I’d get out of the shower, apply the masque, let it sit in for awhile and then rinse it out. But honestly, I am not at all a morning person, so I never have time for that. Instead, I squeeze out as much of the water as I can within the shower, apply the masque, wait ten minutes while I do other things (shave, soap up, face wash…) and then rinse it out. I’m pretty sure my hair is still a bit too wet for the masque to properly do its job, but the leave-in conditioner is magical. It doesn’t leave my hair greasy at all, and it doesn’t make my hair straightener steam up either. It’s like there’s really just nothing there.
Lastly, the Rejuvabeads seem to be doing their job. While the ends of my hair are still a bit drier than the rest when I let my hair air dry, I haven’t been able to locate any actual split ends anymore, so it seems to be working. Hopefully with a bit more of that oil the ends of my hair will be as soft and smooth as the rest. Two more weeks to go!
A Few Additional Tips
I wouldn’t call these cons, per se, but rather tips. Aside from the fact that you should really use the masque outside of the shower, you should also aim to apply the hair oil mostly to the ends of your hair. I have some damaged pieces of hair framing my face since I straighten them so often (they naturally get those bad-ass cowlicks) so I tried to use the oil on them, but it just left me feeling a bit greasy so I ended up tucking my hair behind my ears that day. That said, if you like the sexy, slicked-back look, you can treat your hair while you’re at it.
Also, I’ve been noticing quite a lot of my hair has been falling out in the shower. Don’t freak out — this has always happened to me, as it does for most girls (seriously though, where does it all come from and how are we not bald yet) but these products don’t seem to help with that. Unfortunately my boyfriend will have to deal with hair stuck to the shower wall for a little longer. At least I look good, right?
That’s it for this update! I’ll be back again in a week to let you know how my hair looks and feels, and hopefully have some photo evidence to prove it. If you have any questions, please feel free to shoot me a message or comment on any Instagram post!
