Tag: hair

I Heart Heels Talks Hair on Belle Belle!

Nothing like a little vacation for an excuse to have the beautiful Julie from I Heart Heels over on Belle Belle! This Southern Beauty is just down the road from me in Arkansas and always seems to have her mane in tip top shape. So what better than a little tutorial on how she gets those locks looking so good. Take it away, Julie!

My Hair Secrets Uncovered

Use A Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Back in the old days, I used so many “natural” shampoos I would barely give another a try. They just didn’t work. Until I found my golden gem in Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo/Conditioner. It just so happens to be sulfate free…which means what, you ask? Besides cutting down on nasty chemicals, this formula actually reduces color fading (or in my case highlight fading) – a major plus. Sulfates can strip the hair, so a sulfate-free shampoo makes tresses look healthier (and there’s less hair loss, seriously).

Don’t Wash Every Day
I used to wash my hair every day – no more. And psst…I have oily hair. I promise your hair gets used to it the more you skip a day. Plus, with long hair, it’s almost a must – whew. By washing every other day, you’re allowing your hair to breathe. Not to mention, you’re not putting as much heat on it since you’re not blow-drying as often. Second day hair = the best. It’s much more manageable and doesn’t look so “fixed.” Which leads me to the next secret…

Use Dry Shampoo In Between Washes
There are countless dry shampoos out there now – in both powder and spray formulas. I like them all for different reasons (although Got2b makes some pretty sweet ones that are affordable). Gone are the days of using baby powder. Dry shampoo is your ticket to freedom from washing your hair every day, if you have oily hair like me. (And I feel like it brings out my highlights!)

Let It Air Dry
When you can, skip the blow-dry! Your hair will thank you in the end. It’s easy for me to say since I have naturally wavy hair, but I just spritz leave-in sea salt spray after my shower (love Ouidad) to cut down on frizz, turn the dryer on cool for a wee bit and let it dry overnight. In the morning, I work a comb through it very gently and voila!

Find a Good Stylist
They key to great hair is really finding a superstar stylist. I went for years with the same one because it felt safe. Until a few years ago I tried someone new and now can’t believe I didn’t switch long ago! If color is your thing, find someone who really knows their hues. Or maybe you’re all about the cut? Look at people whose hair you love and ask them where they go. I found my superstar stylist through my mom of all people! 🙂

P.S. Don’t forget to indulge in the occasional blowout. And it doesn’t have to be a special blow-dry bar – your very own salon should offer one. Whether your hair is already straight or curly…there’s really nothing like being pampered this way! xo

Summer Hair Staples For Long Hair

My hair is getting long! Thanks, Viviscal! I actually find long hair easier in the summer as a messy top knot is so simple and quick. But for those days when I want my hair down, I crave sleek and sliky strands with just a little wave in it. Plus, I am always concious of breakage with the brushing in and out of the pool and every morning and night. A new-to-me tool out of the UK is saving the day!

Tangle Teezer – An import from the UK, this de-tangling hair brush is quirky but just plain works. The design lost the handle but managed to have teeth configuration and an ergonomic shape that got rid of knots in no time (without breakage!). Also, I’ve found my scalp feels healthier. It moves through my fine, wavy hair – wet or dry – in no time. Not to mention, the Queen of England herself is a fan!

Philip B Maui Wowie Beach Mist – While I love this sea spray for texturizing, the version for Phillip B is perfect for beachy waves. The scent alone takes you right to the surf with Coconut and Tahitian Gardenia. I get the thickening sea salt, but hair stays soft and shiny with nourishing Aloe Vera, Marine Extracts, pure Orchid and Kukui.

Bangstyle is a quirky brand with a pretty cool app and website for hair inspiration. I’ve been trying their Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner and Smoothing Lotion. Both have left my hair skily and frizz-free with the Keratin Amino Acids. Avocado Oil and Shea Butter leave hair shiny and manageable. The scent is fairly strong cotton candy, but if you don’t mind (or even like) the sweetness, this duo is great for taming tresses.

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.

image here

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.

Ken Paves’ You Are Beautiful Signed Copy GIVEAWAY

I’ve had my nose in Ken Paves’ new book, You Are Beautiful, for the past couple of weeks. While I always was a fan, I admit I didn’t know too much about his background. Wow – what a story. His Detroit roots and career journey are certainly inspirational. After an introduction to what Ken is all about, he dives in loads of easy beauty tips.

What makes this book different is Ken covers advice for all. He references his work with women of all ages, ethnicities, shapes, and sizes. I particularly love this time-saving styling tips and quick fixes in an emergency. He doesn’t stop there… the book also touches on makeup and clothes. Not to mention a little guest chapter by Sara Lucero, celebrity makeup artist for Stila Cosmetics (one of my absolute faves).

In case you aren’t familiar with Ken, he’s a true celebrity stylist. He’s worked with Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, and Victoria Beckham. His work has appeared in such magazines as Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, O The Oprah Magazine, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, GQ, and In Style.

You can purchase the book here. But just for you readers… I am giving away one signed copy! Just enter using the widget below. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brand Spotlight For The Guys: JĀSÖN Natural Cosmetics

Not to say you ladies won’t want to steal these goodies, but I think Jason Natural Cosmetics is right up a guy’s alley. The natural, but effective products are a look good/feel good kind of situation. And the packaging is largely clean and masculine.

JĀSÖN, meaning healer in Greek, was started in California in 1959. The founders’ mission was to create products without the prevalent harsh chemicals while still preserving efficacy. Some of their core products were:

shampoo fueled by Apricot Oil and Wheat Protein for a naturally aromatic and gentle clean
body lotion with natural Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to soothe and smooth skin
and a whitening toothpaste powered by peppermint oil and bamboo powders.

I had my male testing team try out a couple products and they were universally pleased. First up was the Jason Natural Cosmetics Natural & Organic Satin Shower Body Wash, Tea Tree Melaleuca. First, a word of caution: don’t go in expecting this to work as or smell strongly of Tea Tree. It is more defined by its nourishing ingredients, Vitamin E & Pro-Vitamin B5. The tea tree oil and Aloe Vera subtly purifies and balances skin. I particularly love the giant containers (30oz) this body wash is available in – perfect for families.

Another member of my team checked out the Jason Natural Cosmetics Shampoo and Conditioner, Thin-To-Thick Hair & Scalp Therapy. I too deal with scalp issues so I naturally had to give it a test run myself as well. We love the botanical scent. It approaches herbal but is totally pleasant. Both Shampoo and Conditioner add volume and strength hair with Biotin, Panthenol & Natural Proteins. The Shampoo has a rich later and the plant proteins add shine and bounce. The Conditioner weightlessly strengthens and fortifies with Vitamins A, C and E, preventing split ends.

Also, in the Thin-to-Thick product line, the guy tested out Jason Thin to Thick Scalp Energizing Elixer. Almost like a serum for the scalp, my tester enjoyed using this at night as it is ever so slightly oily. The elixir revitalizes with biotin while natural folic acid and lactic acid help stimulate hair growth and prevent future hair loss. He said his hair was unusually soft and manageable the next morning.

As a note, I have also been a long time fan of Jason Natural Cosmetics Pure Beauty Oil, 5,000 IU Vitamin E Oil (see original post here). When my skin or cuticles need a little extra care, I turn to this nourishing (albeit a little messy) oil containing Black Currant, Evening Primrose, Macadamia Nut and Borage essential oils. It is a truly intensive treatment if you need to heal skin quickly.

All JĀSÖN products are committed to their “Code of Honor”:

Select safe, wholesome, natural ingredients
Rigorously test every formula to ensure safety and efficacy
Never test on animals
Constantly innovate and improve

Budget Beauty Buys

I’m back on Great Day Green Country on Tulsa’s FOX23 this morning to share all my new favorite finds from the drugstore aisles. Everything from a new awesome mascara to some seriously revolutionary hair care lines, there are some great beauty finds at low prices.

CeraVe Facial Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 will have fans of this dermatologist recommended brand thrilled. This sunscreen is powered with physical only blockers, limiting irritation. It also comes in stick form, which dries clear, preventing that dreaded white cast.

L’Oreal EverCurl is the first ever drugstore hair care line especially designed for curly hair. Check out my giveaway here to win the entire line! I’m giving away three gift baskets. Did I mention Jordin Sparks is a fan?

Simple Skincare Radiance Cleansing Wipes have become such a staple for me. This new version promotes a radiant complexion. And they are so perfect for those nights when you are just too darn tired for the whole skin care routine.

Nexxus Youth Renewal is part of one of the hottest beauty topics these days. Backed by some serious scientific research, these formulas adresss the eight signs of aging hair. The Elixir is especially exciting as a versatile styling agent that can give immediate results.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara was recently introduced to me by my dear friend, Jessica. Whoa – she was right! This mascara blew me away. The large fluffy brush gives you soft and full lashes that go on for miles.