Category: hair

Summer Hair From Joico and a GIVEAWAY

I’ve been using a little duo from Joico this summer and both have been keeping my favorite sleek and straight hair style in business. Using a flatiron can be a little hard on the hair, so this conditioner/protectant duo keeps my hair healthy and style lasting longer than ever despite the warm days.

Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe Bio-Advanced Restorative Treatment – Some serious pool time has left the ends of my hair a little dry. This little five-minute treatment strengthen and rebuilds. While my hair isn’t treated at all, this would be ideal for those who have had processed hair. My hair was left silky soft without being greasy. The healthy and shiny finish made my bone straight styling looking better than ever!

Joico Humidity Blocker – While I am not usually one for a ton of hairspray, even my fine hair can be sometimes prone to humidity causing frizz. This blocking spray creates a barrier around each strand of hair to fight against unwanted volume. I also love using it during the end of the day to revitalize a slightly puffy effect on my long and fine hair. The formula contains Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex to help nourish and strength hair as well, leading to a shiny and healthy look. Not to mention with a great, clean scent.

Now your chance to win in another GIVEAWAY! Are you guys going through Revenge withdrawals like me? This video features Ashley Madekwe and a “Summer Style Session” by Joico’s International Artistic Director Damien Carney. Beachy waves straight ahead!

Drab to Fab: Summer Style Session from Joico Hair Care Products on Vimeo.

Enter using the widget below to win all products used in the video including:

Joico KPAK Shampoo & Conditioner
Joico Power Spray
Joico Power Whip
Joico Instant Refresh

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Summer Hair Staple: Alterna Bamboo Beach

I have beach on the brain lately. I’m headed to the Caribbean in two short weeks to celebrate a friend’s birthday. And to get my locks in tip top shape, I’ve been drinking up the Alterna Bamboo Beach line. It is specially designed to provide UV protection, help combat the damaging effects of the sun, pool and saltwater/ Not to mention, it has one of the best smelling scents perfect for the summer – Brazilian Mango & Coconut Milk.

The favorite of the bunch (although hard to pick) has been the Bamboo Beach Summer Sun Recovery Spray, a leave-in conditioner. I throw this in my pool bag to treat hair while in the sun. I spray it on dry hair and throw it up in a bun. Not only do I get UV protection, but my hair is soft, tangle free and hydrated. And the scent is perfect for pool time.

Before styling, I have been spraying on Bamboo Beach Summer Ocean Waves. While I don’t use this as a traditional sea salt, applying to damp hair and then rough drying, I’ve found it makes a great texturizer. I apply to damp hair and then style with my round brush as usual. I get just the perfect amount of volume. And I’ve found my hair styles last even longer! This product isn’t as strong in the fragrance department, but still totally pleasant.

Just this very morning, I was aching to get a blow out just one more day. Bamboo Beach Mango Coconut Refreshing Dry Shampoo did the trick! I got revitalized volume and my hair looked totally refreshed. Even though the powder is white, it absorbed quickly and didn’t look ashy on my dark brown hair. Major bonus on the fragrance.

All Star Products to Prep For a Big Event

We are in the throws of wedding season! And even if it isn’t your big day, I am willing to bet you’ve got some big social event on your calendar. I’ve come across a couple products that are game changers in bringing your best and brightest for those special events.

After using the GO SMiLE Double Action Whitening System, I was on the hunt for something that could help maintain my new white smile. Naturally, I turned to GO SMiLE again and have been using their ‘Truly Whitening™’ Toothpaste System. This kills two birds with one stone – brush as usual just as you would with your regular toothpaste. And just as effectively as a whitening strip but without the hassle, the paste works to remove stains. The two-tube system allows the use of whitening ingredients at a more powerful concentration that single-tube toothpastes simply can’t match.

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System is one of those truly unique products. At first I thought this was just a mascara that sought to give false-like lashes. But not so. The three-step system actually is Flexistretch™ nylon lash fibers with a base and top coat. The activating mascara base and top coat is designed specifically to melt and seal the Flexistretch nylon fibers. These are truly special occasion lashes, wildly thick and long, without the price or mess of traditional false lashes.

Hampton Sun Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray – Bronze leaves skin looking sexy while still nourishing. To enhance that summer glow, this spray is slightly cooling with Hampton Sun’s classic, beachy scent. Aloe Vera, chamomile, and vitamins A through E hydrate skin, while shimmer leaves a very sheer shine on the skin. Use over time to improve the look of skin long-term.

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme has been helping me heal dry, styling-fatigued hair. Providing a heavy duty dose of moisture, I use this as a pre-shampoo. You can also keep it handy at the beach or pool to protect hair from chlorine, salt and heat. My hair has less frizz and is super silky and smooth. Not to mention looks healthier and less damaged.

Crafted by a smaller indie brand, L.A. Christine N°3 Berry Face Oil uses the power of the Scandinavian Lingonberry, one of the most unique berries in the world. Dr. Oz calls it the new “Superfruit” because it is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories – plentiful organic acids, vitamin C and beta carotene. My skin has been more nourished and smoother since I’ve been using this both morning and night – just a couple drops and pat into your skin. Plus, makes for a great canvas for makeup.

Kerastase’s Cristalliste Salon Visit and GIVEAWAY

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to experience Kerastase’s best-selling Cristalliste line, specifically designed for women with long hair. Could that be any more up my alley? So, I was off to a local salon here that carries the Kerastase line of hair products – a brand I was a fan of but hadn’t had too much of a chance to check out yet. As a note Tulsa folks, Jara Herron is a spot you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait to try out their spa and I was highly impressed with the salon.

I knew that this wasn’t going to be just any ordinary blow out, since I was experiencing one of the nicest salons in town and with a master stylist. After a great consultation with Shawna, we decided the best way to go “glam” was old Hollywood waves. I was excited to see what the Cristalliste line could do with my normally stubborn and straight hair.

But first up was the Fusio Dose treatment – which I can honestly say I never wanted to end. After shampooing, a custom treatment was applied to my hair with a massage and then combed through. The Cristalliste Hair Mask was also used for conditioning and to prep for styling.

Off the bat, I was enamored with the scent of the Cristalliste line – it was clean and not overly floral and feminine – just up my alley. As Shawna blew out my hair, I found it was silkier and shinier than I am used to. After that, while styling, Shawna used the Lumiere Liquide – a kind of shine serum. I was worried it would become stiff or weigh down my fine hair. But it definitely did neither. My hair was left weightless and full of bounce.

But the real treat was when the pinned curls were released to show a significant, bouncy wave in my otherwise straight hair. My hair smelled amazing and was styled in a way I frankly didn’t think was possible. The waves held up through a long night out. Now I can say Hollywood Glam really does work for me!

And here’s your chance to win the entire Kerastase Cristalliste product line… not to mention a fabulous Erin Fetherston Embellished Drape Dress ($395 value and available in a size 4 or 6). So, that’s a giveaway worth over $500!!! US Only and enter using the widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Budget Beauty Favorites

Flower Lash Knockout Volumizing Mascara in Brown has been my daytime mascara pick for the last couple of weeks. I am liking the softer look of brown, but still with some pretty serious fullness. The formula contains Red Seaweed to strengthen and protect lashes. Enriched with Vitamins C & E for antioxidant protection. And the brush is a gentle fluffy style that doesn’t pull or tug on my lashes.

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm was on the blog last week, but I felt it deserved a revisit. With some additional uses, I’ve found this mask is particularly transformative. My hair is super soft and bouncy. But the biggest plus, it makes for a great treatment after a day at the pool or lake. I’m certainly keeping this on hand as my hair gets put through the ringer during summer playtime.

Skintimate Signature Scents Moisturizing Shave Cream in Raspberry Rain takes me right back to high school when I was so religious about using shaving cream. It really does make a difference, I’ve discovered, especially in the summer. Vitamin E & Olive Butter along with 10 other moisturizers leave skin smooth and soft. Not to mention, prevent those nasty nicks.

Limited Edition Schick Hydro Silk Razor is giving me an insanely close shave and not one cut yet (knockonwood). For those of you who love disposables, I also am adoring the Schick Hydro Silk Disposables with five Curve Sensing Blades plus skin guards. They say it is the highest performing disposable razor out there.

Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 Lotion has all you can ask for if you are headed for a marathon day at the beach: broad spectrum UVA-UVB protection, lightweight, fast absorbing, oil-free and water resistant for 80 minutes. But here’s the bonus: it smells like pina coladas. Winner!

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color Bare It All is another winner from my drugstore beauty guru, Jessica. It is a long-wearing lipstick that doesn’t feel like it. The smooth formula glides on and has a semi-matte finish. Hyaluronic Microspheres helps color adhere while natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips. Not to mention – this is a fabulous nude. AND it is under $2.

Top Five for May

I’m loving all this silky, healing goodness for the start of the spring. While I am whipping my body into shape for some swimwear, I am also working on my skin and hair, wanting it hydrated and still natural looking. So for you today: a little top five round up of what is rocking my world lately.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Skin Therapy Oil is from one of those iconic drugstore brands but totally revamped to make me fall in love all over again. This oil helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks or just regular ole dry skin. My uneven and ultra-dry legs have been loving this stuff right out of the shower. The Rapidermal® Absorption Systeme® means just a short wait before you can throw on clothes. Also know this can be used on the face or as a bath oil. Made in USA.

Flower Face the World Tinted Moisturizer is part of Drew Barrymore’s new makeup line exclusively at Wal-Mart. I was tripping over myself to try out the collection, particularly when I heard how it performs luxe at drugstore prices. The tinted moisturizer, available in 11 shades, is a light-coverage, luminous cream. It hides perfections and smooths with out cakey heaviness. Even my dry skin gets plenty of moisture. I can honestly say I have been reaching exclusively for this as my BB Cream/Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer since it landed in my hot little hands.

Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser, another gem from Net-a-Porter’s new beauty section, is a ultra-high quality foaming cleanser. The A-list isn’t shy about signing the praises of this cleanser. It gently exfoliates and prevents breakouts while aromatherapy works to relax and recharge. Its namesake ayurvedic anti-aging Amla Extract is rich in Vitamin C while Hawaiian Green Papaya enzymes exfoliate.

POE Pumpkin Perfecter Enzyme Mask might smell very fall but those active pumpkin enzymes are perfect to embrace all year round. The anti-oxidant rich pure pumpkin promotes cellular turnover. The gentle formula would work for more sensitive skin types and can be used up to three times a week.

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm promises to repairs a year of damage in one use – sign me UP! Even though I don’t chemically treat my hair, I have seen some more damage around the ends over the past year. The luxurious balm works to instantly improve the appearance of split ends, rough ends, weakness and dullness. After one use my hair was silkier and shiner. One of the biggest bonuses? My hair wasn’t weighted down. It was still bouncy and full.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.