When I first heard of L'Oréal's Eight Second Wonder Water and how it was transforming tired hair across the pond, I knew I needed to try it. After reading countless reviews on how it made hair soft, silky and ultimately shine like a Love Islander's cheekbone, I had to get my hands on it.
And then, when it finally arrived in the UK and was available on Amazon Prime, guess what - it went straight into my online shopping basket.
The day finally arrived and I am pleased to report that the experience was nothing short of magical. Wonder Water definitely made my hair sparkle and noticeably softer. It's no Olaplex, more on that later, but all in all, I am encouraging all my pals to buy it.
And now thanks to the Christmas sales, the Wonder Water Treatment is now half-price. What more reason do you need to chuck it in your basket, ASAP?
Christmas 2023: where to get the L'Oréal Wonder Water Hair Treatment at 50% off
Amazon: L'Oréal Paris Wonder Water, WAS £9.99 - NOW £4.99 - shop the deal on Amazon
Boots: L'Oréal Paris Wonder Water, WAS £9.99 - NOW £4.99 - shop the deal on Boots
What actually is L'Oréal's 8-Second Wonder Water?
It's essentially a liquid conditioning treatment (part of the Elvive Dream Lengths range) that promises to leave your hair ten times smoother with a 'glassy shine and a silky touch'. It's designed to be used as a rinse, in between your shampoo and conditioner, and you only need to leave it on for eight seconds.
A commitment we can fully get on board with, thank you L'Oréal.
Recommended by heat's shopping Editor Aimee Jakes
ON SALE
AmazonRrp: £22.00
It's recommended for long and damaged hair and L'Oréal was the first haircare brand in the United States to utilise Lamellar Water Technology. Essentially, the breakthrough ingredient targets only the damaged areas of your hair without over-coating or over-treating. Sounds pretty cool, huh?
L'Oréal Wonder Water review: how was it, honestly?
Once I'd shampooed my hair, I then started adding the product to my mid-lengths and ends. The bottle cleverly has indicators to highlight the recommended dose and the formula felt oily and watery at the same time.
I did feel a tingle on my scalp (probably best to keep to avoid your actual head) and even though the reviews wished it came in a spray bottle, rather than a nozzle top, I did find it easy-ish to apply without dropping most of it down the plug hole.
Not one to play by the rules, I left it on for 20 seconds wanting to make sure I reaped as much of the benefits as possible and when I was washing out the product, my hair felt as though it had just had a super-nourishing conditioning treatment. I followed with my trusty Redken Extreme Lengths Conditioner and then washed out as normal.
Post-shower, I normally treat my hair to a buffet of styling products (serums, protection sprays, leave-ins) but decided in the quest for a fair test, I should leave my hair NAKED.
I didn't blow-dry my hair as I was knackered and watching The Wire with my boyfriend (soz), so simply let it air dry. Normally a recipe for absolute disaster when it comes to frizz.
Despite neglecting the final stages of my hair care, I was pleasantly surprised with the results.
My hair definitely feels glossy, smooth and way more manageable. It didn't miraculously fix my split ends and my hair didn't feel stronger, more like it was wearing a very, VERY silky jacket. And the shine? Stunning.
So, if you're looking for something to fix the condition of your hair, a protein treatment like Olaplex may be more suited for you.
If you're looking for shiny, silky, can't-stop-touching hair for under a fiver, you really can't go wrong. I've already bought two more bottles.
Aimee Jakes is the shopping editor across heat and Closer. As well as mainly writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she also regularly chats to celebs about their wellness routines for heat's Self-Care Sunday.