Category: hair

A Little Lighter With Clairol Professional ‘Classic Collection’

As promised in last week’s post, here is the final look with my new, lighter hair. I actually love the way the ends absorbed more of the color for a slight ombré effect. And the more nuanced color actually livens up my complexion. One tone, darker hair can actually be a little aging. And I can see how the lighter shade actually gives a more youthful appearance. One other upside to coloring my hair, I’ve found strands are actually easier to style. My hair tends to hold volume and curl much better. While I went for a straight look here, beachy waves are much more attainable.

This shot is from last weekend’s Saks Fifth Avenue Fall Beauty and Fashion Trend Show. Naturally, I stepped up my fashion game. I was wearing:

Rebecca Taylor Bobcat Printed Silk Dress (now on sale)
Joie Caldine Leather Moto Jacket in Silver Fox
Proenza Schouler PS11 Classic Shoulder Bag in Black
Armenta Maltese Cross Ring (similar here and here)
MAC Viva Glam Lipstick Viva Glam VI

Classic makes a comeback. Clairol Professional’s new ‘Classic Collection’ offers 16 timeless shades with a modern formula for brilliant shine and deep conditioning.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Clairol Professional via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Clairol Professional.

Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

I know you guys have been through this. You try and try to grow out your hair. And then, at some point, the realization sinks in that you’ve got a significant amount of dead and split ends. Then comes the inevitable “trim” when you have to suck it up while a couple inches are loped off your locks. After about four years of growing out my hair, I had some great length. But I knew it was time to clean things up. So at the beginning of this month, I cut about four inches (check out this post for details).

After that experience, I vowed to take better care of my hair, nourishing it and avoiding heat styling when I could. I jumped at the chance to try out Dove’s Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. Hopefully their formulas could help heal and halt any further damage, especially since I’ve started coloring my hair.

Thicker masks that promise to repair my hair often weigh down my fine strands. Dove Intensive Repair delivers moisture without making my hair limp. Keratin Repair Actives helps absorb already present keratin and repairs at the cellular level. Even after blow drying, my hair was ultra-soft and shiny. I loved the fruity, yet sophisticated scent. And the drugstore price point can’t be beat. I’m keeping Intensive Repair in the rotation to ensure my (shorter) hair stays healthy. Maybe one day I’ve finally have ultra-long hair with perfectly healthy ends!

Also worth noting, Dove’s Great Hair Affair Sweepstakes where you can win thousands of prizes! Don’t miss the festivities here.

Dove understands that having beautiful, healthy-looking hair gives you the confidence to feel your best. Whether your hair is dry or damaged, Dove has a tailor-made solution for your hair care needs. After just one wash hair is shiny, healthy-looking and full of life. Thanks to Dove, you can look and feel beautiful from the inside out.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dove via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove.

Clairol Professional ‘Classic Collection’

Well, you can say I am hooked. After years of being a hair color virgin, I now am sold on using color to change things up in the hair department. Not to mention, those pesky grey hairs were just all too visible now that I have hit the big 3-4. So, when I had a chance to try the revamped Clairol Professional “Classic Collection”, I jumped.

The new formula has the addition of SOY4PLEX, an ingredient that keeps your hair looking healthy. There are 16 shades, and I chose 5GN, a light sun-kissed brown. I guess I wanted one last run at lighter hair before we get into the fall months.

I couldn’t have been more pleased with the process. I was a little intimidated by doing at-home hair color as such a novice. But once I got going, it was fairly easy. I made four sections of hair and used a ketchup dispenser to apply the color to my strands. I didn’t have a brush, so I used my fingers (wearing vinyl gloves) and worked the shade from root to tip in smaller parts of each of the four sections.

What I was most impressed by was how shiny my hair came out. It was wildly conditioned. But still had that colored hair texture that holds curl so well. The shade turned out to be subtly sun-kissed. Even though it was a single shade, it didn’t look one dimensional – I got lots of depth (all on my own!). Stay tuned on the blog for the full look next Monday!

Classic makes a comeback. Clairol Professional’s new ‘Classic Collection’ offers 16 timeless shades with a modern formula for brilliant shine and deep conditioning.

Baci Di Sole at NYC’s De Berardinis Salon

Is there anything more glamorous than visiting a salon in NYC? I think not. Especially for this Oklahoma girl. So, while I was up in the big city for NYFW, I swung by De Berardinis Salon in Chelsea for one of their signature services, Baci Di Sole. Side note, I was also in serious need for a trim and they were kind enough to put their scissors to use.

I met with Adrian, the owner of De Berardinis Salon, to chat about the hair coloring service. Now, keep in mind I have never colored my hair. For some reason, being in NYC makes me braver. And I knew I was seeing more and more greys so I was going to have to bite the bullet at some point.

Adrian explained Baci Di Sole would be subtle highlights with a ombre effect. To learn the process, Adrian (who is quite the handsome fellow, ladies) visited a salon in Milan where the service was developed. Hair is teased and then color is painted on, so the effect is an imperfect, highly natural look. Perfect for a first-timer, no? The process never touched the scalp, which I appreciated since I suffer from sensitive skin. Adrian used both Goldwell and Wella hair color.

For me, he chose a warm dark blond/light brown. I love the way it brightens my complexion. And it is truly subtle, but I can feel the way the texture and look of my hair has more depth. Color changes the way hair behaves and my fine hair loves the increased hold of color-treated hair.

I’ve been growing my hair out for years so I surprised myself when I let Adrian cut as he saw fit before the color treatment (he cut it dry since we were doing color processing). But it is a good thing. He cut about four inches of dead hair. Now my ends are healthy (and sun-kissed blond). Bottom line, I am tempted to fly back to NYC for my next cut and color. This guy is truly talented. My blowout was the perfect beachy wave. He used Kérastase’s newest styling line, Couture Styling – more on those products soon to come on Belle Belle. Oh, and De Berardinis Salon also had a great Blow Dry Bar!

Check out my instagrams here, here and here for the final result. I’m hooked and love to natural, sun-kissed look.

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.

Ouidad Stylists Bring Texture to the Runway – Tracy Reese Spring 2014

So, one of my goals with my shorter and more layered hair is to embrace the messy look. And nothing could be more on trend. Messy up-dos were all over the runways this past week at New York Fashion Week.

I was fortunate enough to be back stage at the Tracy Reese show and got to see the stylists at work. Stylists crafted textured knots inspired by “Afro Cuban” hair. The texture was a perfect play off Tracy’s collection full of leather and raffia embroidery. While my hair is naturally fine, I learned that texture can be created with the right tools and products.

I’d already fallen for Ouidad even though it is particularly aimed for those with curly hair (see post here). While the Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer really is better suited for naturally curly hair, some of these products used at Tracy Reese are high on my wish list to transform my straight and fine texture.

First up is the Salon Series by Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi Use Hair Treatment. Known as “hair food”, the vitamin E packed formula can regenerate and repair hair. It also acts as a heat protectant, reduces frizz and adds shine.

The Ouidad Play Curl Volumizing Styling Spray can help hold both natural and crafted curls. The hold stays soft and touchable thanks to wheat proteins, wheat amino acids and glycerin.

Always a sucker for a sea spray, Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray is high on my wish list. This one in particular is designed for straight hair can help achieve the perfect tousle. Sea Kelp adds shine.

Ouidad Wave Create Texture Taffy also works for straight hair. This has a matte finish without being sticky. It also nourishes hair with Marine Complex, Sea Kelp and Algae Extract.

Ouidad is available at ouidad.com, folica, and Ulta.

Finally Bombshell Hair With Sultra!

My hair is so very stubborn when it comes to curls. I have had some luck with professional help as long as they pin the curls as they cool. But that trick isn’t so easy when you are in DIY mode. And a little time consuming for an everyday look. So I was a little hesitant when the new Sultra The Bombshell 3/4 Inch showed up on my doorstep.

This Friday, pre-Journey concert (what better place to try for Bombshell waves?), I whipped out my new Sultra with little hope. After rough drying my hair and using a paddle brush upside down for the most volume (using this product at the roots), I set in for some curl. The Sultra promises to curl in half the time as other curlers. With the Sultra’s high heat and advanced technology, I got a smooth bouncy curl in just around five seconds.

Holding the rod facing downward (in my right hand for the left side and vice versa for the right side), I wrapped a one inch section down the barrel. Wearing the included protective glove, I aimed to get the end as close to the barrel as possible. For more beachy waves or an undone look, leave a little piece uncurled at the end.

Constantly aware of heat damaging my hair, I try to stay away from using things like irons on an everyday basis. But I don’t feel too guilty about the Sultra as it uses their exclusive ThermaTru™ Ceramic Technology, which generates Far Infrared Rays. This technology can mend and defend hair while using constant 380 °F heat. My hair stayed silky and really smooth despite the styling. Thank you Sultra, for my finally DIY bouncy curls.