As I sit here, I am on day 6 of a terrible cold.  My plan had been to start my Physique 57 Challenge last week and be a week into it by now.  But I got one workout into the challenge and caught a terrible cold.  Thwarted by germs, I attempted to stay in bed all weekend to get rid of this disaster.  I failed.

So I decided, in the meantime, to review some of my new buys.  First is Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine.  I was introduced to this product while reading an Elle magazine a year or so ago.  One writer decided to examine what “taking care of your hair” truly entails by consulting experts.

Apparently, a lot is required to simply care for your hair in the correct way, according to the article.  This was the same article that introduced me to Dr. Dennis Gross’ Anti-Aging Scalp Serum.  The experts (the names escape me now) recommend all kinds of elaborate treatments, as well as carefully brushing hair in the manner of Disney princesses (brushing with one hand very, very gently while holding the other hand flat on the other side of the brush).  They also adamantly recommend only using a brush with boar bristles and heat styling only when your life depends on it.

While this is all well and good, I learned early that my unruly hair tangles, and the way to get those tangles out is a good old-fashioned paddle brush.  I also know that I look like a drowned rat (or better yet, the survivor of the zombie apocalypse) when I don’t blow dry my hair, so air drying is usually not an option.  However, I have managed to wean myself down to only washing my hair every other day instead of every day, so at least I’m doing something right.

First Impressions

I found the Redken Diamond Oil at Frends Beauty Supply, during the same trip that I bought the Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation Illuminator.  Being a beauty junkie, it is absolutely impossible for me to enter a beauty supply store and only purchase one item.  So after I found the illuminator, I wandered the aisles and found the Redken Diamond Oil.  I remembered seeing a photo of it in the Elle article, so I decided to give it a go.

The bottle is a little smaller than I expected, but you need so little of the product for everyday use that I’m sure it will last for a long time.

Experience

Aside from using the Redken Diamond Oil for everyday use, the Elle article recommended using it as a hair mask, in addition to a scalp mask that I’ll discuss in a different review.  The oil has a light consistency and a delicate scent.  The websites I’ve consulted herald this as an all purpose oil, for use pre-shampoo, mixed with a hair mask, pre-blowout, post-blowout, and even on hands and skin.

As a Hair Mask.  Because the oil is so light, I find myself applying a lot of it as a hair mask.  The site recommends leaving on for 5 to 15 minutes, but I leave the treatment on for at least an hour.  Although with some oils I feel like I need to shampoo more than once, a single shampoo feels sufficient.  Post-blowout, my hair is soft and smooth.

As a Pre-Blowout Styler.  Again, the oil is super light, so the first time I use it I end up using too much.  My hair turns out greasy and kind of flat.  Next time, I stick to only three to four drops as directed, and the Redken Diamond Oil works as promised.  My hair is shiny but not weighed down, and I’m confident the oil is protecting it.

I’ve not tried the other uses recommended by the website, save for kind of rubbing the oil into my hands after applying it to my hair.  As I enjoy a lighter lotion on my hands, I didn’t like the oily feeling on my hands and tend to wipe it off.  I haven’t felt the need to apply any styling oil post-blowout recently, as my hair is pretty oily to begin with and I want to prolong my blowout as long as I can.  What I may try, however, is mixing a little bit of the oil in with my regular conditioner.  I’ve tried this with other hair oils and loved the result, so I look forward to seeing how Redken fares against MoroccanOil and Enjoy.

Cost and Where to Buy

As I said earlier, I bought my Redken Diamond Oil at a beauty supply store, the likes of which are abundant in Los Angeles.  You can find it online at Target for $28 or Overstock for $30.99. As per usual, eBay lists it for a steeply discounted $9.88, but who knows what you’ll get :).

Summing Up

I’d give Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine a 7 out of 10.  It’s pretty well priced, more expensive than some oils I’ve seen but less expensive than others.  The oil works well, smells nice, and is a good value for what you pay.

Random Thoughts

Changing things up a bit here, I’m putting the weirdness at the end of the post instead of the beginning.  The kitten, Petunia, is flourishing.  She has befriended her twin, Mack, the only boy in our house, and they are just the cutest together.  I mean, could you just die?

Also, I booked my ticket today for my semi-annual trip to Ohio.  My grandmother is turning 100 years old this summer, y’all.  100.  She’s amazing and I can’t wait to see her and celebrate her incredible life.  I’ll post photos!

Want me to try a different hair oil?  Like my kitties?  Want to wish my grandmother happy birthday?  Comment below or message me here!