Category: hair

Original & Mineral Original Detox Shampoo

We get facials for our skin, so why not our hair? With my recent scalp health kick, makes perfect sense to me. The Original & Mineral Original Detox Shampoo works to dissolve build-up without striping essential oils. Australian River Mint deeply cleanses and Peppermint refreshes the hair and scalp with a cooling effect (so nice during these hot summer days). The result is shiny, bouncy hair that feels and looks revitalized.

The formula is Parbens, MIT, Sulfates, and Triclosan free. To find a local salon or order online, click here.

Check out some of my other favorite hair products in my Summer Hair Gems post.

Viviscal Report #1

I just cut a couple inches off my hair to clean up some dead ends. And I was a total brat about it. I’ve been growing out my hair for about four years and it pained me to part with even two measly inches. Crazy, I know. I’ve always wanted to rock incredibly long hair and have finally made a commitment to get there one way or another. In the past, I’ve hastily chopped off five or six inches. This time, I vow to grow mine long enough to finally experience ultra-long locks. And have enough hair to cut to donate AND have a long bob to spare.

To speed things along, I am starting on a three month trial of Viviscal. This supplement, adored by models (like Karlie Kloss) and actresses (like Reese Witherspoon), promotes hair growth and nourishes thinning hair. 100% natural ingredients and drug-free, the formula works for men and women, all ages and all ethnicities. Fish proteins, horsetail extract and Vitamin C help ramp up production of keratin (which might also help my scalp and nails!).

I measured the length of my hair right at my cowlick – 12.5 inches from scalp to end. I’ll report back in a month with an update. Wish me luck!

L’Oréal Paris Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color & Giveaway!

So, today is the big 3-3 Birthday for me! And what better to celebrate with than a new experience. Confession: I have virgin hair. Never been colored, ever. And frankly, I’m enjoying not having the extra load on my pocketbook. But that doesn’t mean I couldn’t use a little change every now and then. And I know I was massively in need for some conditioning on my dry ends. So when I had the chance to try L’Oréal Paris Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color, it was a no-brainer.

L’Oréal Paris Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color is designed to take natural hair color up a notch. It is no-ammonia hair color that lasts through 28 shampoos. It can blend away grays and since it isn’t a permanent color, you don’t have to worry about roots. I used shade 6BB and my hair came out shinier, slightly darker and massively conditioned.

The process of the color was easier than I expected. You mix a little bottle, activating the color. I used every ounce to cover my very long hair. The nozzle on the bottle allowed me to get in every nook and cranny. The formula didn’t drip anywhere, although I would suggest wearing a shirt that can handle a little stain. The color stays on your head for 10 minutes then it is off to the shower. As you rinse, color is everywhere. I was a bit concerned, but it simply washed away. It took a good couple of minutes of rinsing to get all the color out. Then, I applied the included conditioner. This time, you are allowed to use conditioner on your scalp (normally stick to just your ends). This stuff is a real treat and left my hair uber-soft. Rinse again and you are done! I had no color transfer to my towels or sheets. This was literally a mess-free process.

Check out their app on Facebook where you can:

  • Take the Hair Color Census – Stand up for your shade by answering a short series of questions. When the results are in, we finally get to find out if blonds have more fun (I don’t think so!)
  • Enhance Your Facebook Page – You can create customized cover photos, wallpaper and poster images, including editing options for adding a cool quotes/artwork
  • Experience Shade Inspiration AND Entering to Win – Upload “Before & After” images of your Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color experience for a chance to win a year’s worth of FREE hair color. Bonus: a downloadable $2-off coupon

And since it is my birthday, we’ve gotta make it a giveaway! We are giving 10 (TEN!) so you guys can try it too. I know you will be hooked. Just enter below using the widget. US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo

For some reason, I was expecting this to be like the facial cleansing oil by Shu Uemura – an oil based, non-foaming cleanser. But that isn’t what Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo is at all. The formula actually quickly forms a foam that delicately (and intelligently) removes build-up without striping the natural oils. The result is a very scalp-healthy, balanced head of hair without a hint of grease.

This unique formula became part of my routine just in the nick of time. It was truly transformative. My very long locks are free of split ends, but slightly dry. I deal with scalp issues like itching and psoriasis. So my hair looked dull and tired from the scalp-healthy routine I had in my shower.

The Cleansing Oil Shampoo returned my head full of soft, shiny and hydrated and hydrated hair. Shu Uemura uses deep-sea extracts to remove build-up without stripping the necessary natural oils. It is gentle on my scalp and free of silicons so my strands aren’t weighed down. I love the calming yuzu citrus scent.

Available online at birchbox or locate your salon here.

By Lindsay Rogers

Mason Pearson Hairbrush

The investment in a Mason Pearson brush is a big one. But it is highly possible you could have this brush the rest of your life. I haven’t regretted the purchase one bit. My hair is healthier, with fewer flakes and less breakage. There are loads of options and it can be confusing to select the right one. Here are some guidelines:

  • Pure Bristle brushes (All Boar): For fine to normal hair, fine long hair
  • Bristle & Nylon Mixture brushes: For normal and short thick hair
  • All Nylon brushes: For very thick hair

Then you have to decide on size. If you have very long hair, go bigger (if your pocketbook allows). I have a fairly small brush for my long hair, and it works just fine. Largest to smallest:

  • Popular 9 inches
  • Junior 8 7/8 inches
  • Handy 8 1/2 inches
  • Pocket 6 3/4 inches

They also offer sensitive models are for very fine or thinning hair.

Don’t use this brush for styling. The heat will damage the bristles. I keep mine by my bed to a nightly brushing. Using it frequently helps distribute the oils and keeps hair and scalp healthy!

Nexxus ProMend Styling & Frizz Defy

Talk about a breakthrough. I have never seen something work so well against the dreaded frizz. Nexxus just launched two collections: Pro Mend and Frizz Defy. Frankly, I love all the products but there was definitely a standout. The Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Conditioner leaves my hair smooth, hydrated, healed and without one bit of unwanted fluffiness. In fact, I didn’t even dry my hair – just threw it up in a bun. When I took my hair down, it was full of smooth bouncy waves. I even earned a compliment or two. This stuff is going is going to be a lifesaver during the humid summer months.

The other collection, Pro Mend, comes in handy when you are a week or two overdue for a hair cut (or months as was my recent situation). While it doesn’t “repair” split ends, it does bind them together using molecular technology for a quick fix. My favorite products from the collection are the  Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum and  Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion. They definitely give the illusion of shiny, healthy hair.

The whole product line from both collections:

ProMend

  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Bodifying Mousse
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Curl Defining Crème Gel
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion

Frizz Defy

  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Shampoo
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Conditioner
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Styling Crème
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Leave-in Oil Shine Treatment
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Hair Spray
You can find these products at drugstore.com, where this product qualifies for free shipping and it is on sale. Yay!