Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Treatment Primer

Redken is one of those brands that I've wanted to try for ages, so I was really excited when the Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Treatment Primer* (£17 for 150ml) popped through my door.

The press release came with the cutest bag of American sweets, which I'm currently tucking into as I write this post. It's a miracle I made them last so long! Redken is a US salon brand, with based on 5th Avenue, New York. The brand was co-founded in 1960 by Paula Kent, an actress and congresswoman. She teamed up with chemist Jehri Redding, who developed a range of low-pH products for Kent's sensitive hair. Since then, the brand has grown and grown and is now a leading professional brand.

The Redken Express Treatment Primer Cream is the newest of three products in the Pillow Proof Blow Dry range alongside a spray primer and a Style Extender dry shampoo. A primer is something I regularly use on my face to extend the life of my makeup, and a primer for your hair essentially has the same function, to make your style last longer. The main idea is to be a time-saving leave in treatment, as well as offering that all-important heat protection.

CLAIMS

Protects hair up to 230 degrees

Reduces blow dry time

Holds style longer

3x stronger and healthier hair

Anti-breakage formula

Nourishes dry hair

To be for all hair types, even thick hair

The packaging is really eye-catching with its bright pink label, which makes it really fun, although it does make it bloomin' difficult to photograph! The product boasts an innovative design, with a push down dispenser that administers exactly the right amount for the hair. The instructions say to push down twice to give a 50p size blob, but I have found that one pump is perfect for my long, fine hair. I rub the product between my hands and apply to towel-dried hair.

One of the best things about the product is that it doesn't weigh down my hair. Whilst I didn't find that the product made my hair any softer, it actually worked to volumize my lengths. I have quite fine, flat hair and this gave it a bit of grit which allows it to hold its style so I still have a swishy, bouncy blow dry by day 2. I'm usually a bit put off by the time it takes to blow dry my hair, but I have been pleasantly surprised. This really does save time, and I had my whole hair dried and styled within 10 minutes.

At first I wasn't sure if the Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Treatment Primer could hold its own amongst other blow dry creams and sprays in my collection, most of which sit unused in my drawer. I am really impressed with the product as it does live up to its claims, and it offers a little something extra other than just heat protection. This actually makes me want to use my hairdryer over leaving it to dry naturally, which is a miracle!

At £17, it is more than I would usually pay for hair products, but now that I have tried it I would definitely say it is worth the money as I think it will last a long time. I really want to try more from Redken, the Pillow Proof Two Day Extender dry shampoo and the High Rise Volume range in particular sound amazing!

Have you tried anything from Redken?

*Post contains PR samples kindly provided by Redken for the purpose of this review.