Tag: Serge Normant

The Top Five Products You Need For Your Next Blowout From Politics of Pretty

I’ve been captivated by Kara’s blog, Politics of Pretty for some time now! Her beautiful site covers it all from daring to classic and all with such beautiful imagary. Today, she shares her “must haves” for the perfect blowout:

Growing up, trips to the salon for my twice-annual haircut was something I always looked forward to (mainly because fresh cut hair plus a fresh blowout meant three to four really amazing hair days). Then, blow dry bars started popping up and girls of all hair types who were craving a great blowout rejoiced. On the flip side, treating myself to salon blowouts has slowly become an addiction and it’s taken quite the toll on my wallet. So if you’re in desperate need of a blow dry spending detox, I’ve rounded up my five favorite products for the perfect DIY blowout at home.

Drybar Happy Hour Shampoo and Weightless Conditioner. Never mind the fact that I’m a shampoo and conditioner chameleon—lately I can’t get enough of Drybar’s sweet smelling shampoo and conditioner.

Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème. Before I discovered this drugstore gem, I was a hair product mixologist as I tried to combine different products in hopes of yielding some pretty spectacular results. What it ended up doing? Turning my mane in to a ball of grease. This styling cream is a one-step miracle (think frizz control, heat protection, brilliant shine, among others) without having to combine with anything else. Love!

A Paddle Brush, any paddle brush. I have naturally straight hair so a soft paddle brush is my go-to when I’m styling a straight and sleek look. For some reason, round brushes don’t always work in my favor.

Jose Eber Infrared Blow Dryer. I’m always careful about protecting my hair from damaging blow dryer heat, but this innovative infrared dryer by Jose Eber infuses a gentle heat at the hair cuticle, not to mention decreases drying time in half. I am always on the go so this dryer is a time saver for sure!

Serge Normant Meta Revive Volumizing Dry Shampoo. While I have a slew of sample size dry shampoos in my hair arsenal, I always find myself reaching for this spray. I’m attracted to its cedar bark scent and its quick-to-dry (two minutes!) formula. Just a few light sprays keep my hair looking clean and healthy for an extra day.

Click on over to my blog, Politics of Pretty, with my top tips and tricks on how to use these products for the perfect blowout.

Summer Hair Gems

1. Serge Normant MetaSilk Shampoo and MetaVelour Conditioner make up my new special occasion routine. This duo makes my hair unbelievably soft, bouncy and shining. Somehow they manage to nourish my hair, but still make it feel clean. Cedar bark from Morocco works to clarify the scalp and hair. Natural botanical oils, rice and essential fatty acids in the conditioner make hair silky.

2. Shu Uemura Essential Drops Purifying Blend: I am really into scalp health lately. I have been using the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo and my hair is performing better and looking healthier. With the addition of the Essential Drops, flakiness and itching is basically eradicated. I am hooked especially since I learned a healthy scalp can make your hair look better, longer, with anti-aging effects.

3. blowPro ‘faux dry™’ dry shampoo: Hands down, my favorite dry shampoo this summer is from blowPro. The formula contains a micronized corn starch that volumizes without getting sticky or weighing hair down. It isn’t a spray bottle, but rather you squeeze to release the formula, giving more control over the application.

4. Bumble and bumble Styling Creme: This formula is somewhere between a mousse and gel that works great on wet hair. My blow outs tend to last just a little longer, waves tend to hold up a little longer, when I use this stuff before blow drying. Just use a little bit and it will never become stiff or sticky.

5. Oscar Blandi Jasmine Oil Serum: The ends of my hair have become a little dry this summer. And they drink up this hair serum like crazy. Not to mention this stuff smells amazingly good. I love it before bedtime. And it doesn’t make my hair greasy in the least bit.

6. Goody Doublewear Elastic: These make a great addition to any arm party, and make a polished looking pony. I also love the headband version that turns into a necklace.

3floz.com

One of my all time favorite websites is 3floz.com. When I first discovered it years ago, it was a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment. Everything beauty related is made travel friendly. They have an amazing selection of products that are perfect to pick up for a trip or try out at home. But to get a real sense of the all-stars, I asked the heavy hitters for their favorites. Founders, Alexi and Kate, share their top picks and Stacy Small, traveler and agent extrodinaire shares her “must haves” for her many days on the road. I also threw in my favorite items for good measure. Enjoy and be sure to check out the pins of the items on my Makeup Makeup Makeup Pinterest Board.

Alexi:

Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – I have these in every bag and my medicine cabinet. They are perfect for taking make up off, especially the eyes – they don’t burn like most Towelettes. I use them as hand sanitizers, cool down after the gym, after a long ride in the car/plane/subway. Basically, you can use them for anything.
Archipelago Dubai Travel Tin – You never know what your hotel room is going to smell like so I like to be prepared. Dubai is blended with Amber, Mandarin and Musk.
BlowPro Beach Blow Texturizing Mist – I love my hair after a day at the beach…. The texturing mist gives my hair a day at the beach look!
Philip B Lavender Body Wash – Hot man smell in a bottle
David Kirsch Wellness Vitamin Juice Packets (Raspberry flavor) – I am pretty forgetful about taking vitamins every day! With the DK vitamins I pour a pouch into my water bottle in the morning while at my desk and drink my vitamins.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels – I use these daily on my skin. They peel off the dead skin and leave my face feeling fresh and wrinkle free, or so I tell myself!

Kate:

Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam – Better than mousse!! Use on the ends and sparingly on your roots for noticeably fuller hair.
Serge Norman Metasilk Shampoo and Conditioner – Luxurious is the only word to describe this combo. I was a afraid my hair was going to be weighed down by these ultra lush products but that was just not the case and now I am a convert. Moisture rich shampoo and conditioner that still gives me volume-AMAZING!
Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – This product is life changing. The reason the BFD is my fav is because it really soaks up the oils and works on all hair. My hair is dark and so I apply it over the crown of my head, massage it in-you need to massage it in like you would shampoo-and use my blow dryer to get rid of the extra powder. I can extend my blow out a least 2 days longer than I should with this product.
Dr. Dennis Gross Glow Pads – these wipes have saved my skin! Since I met these wipes tanning has never crossed my mind. They work with your own skins Vitamin D so the color is perfect and they exfoliate the skin leaving a healthy glow.
Supergoop City Serum SPF 30+ – First serum I have ever found that does not irritate my skin and doesn’t like that dry film. I include a few drops in with my daily face moisturize and apply it directly to my neck and décolletage.

Stacy:

Air Repair Complexion Quenching Facial Mist – The aloe leaf juice, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA makes this stuff a champion at fighting the drying effects of flying. It actually soothes irritated skin and leaves me radiant upon arrival.
Ole Henriksen See the Difference Serum with African Red Tea – As a frequent traveler, I am constantly on the look-out for products that will hydrate my skin without clogging my pores. The Ole Henricksen Red Tea serum is like a magic potion that does just this…especially on the plane and when traveling in colder climates than I am accustomed to.
David Kirsch Wellness B-12 Spray – The B12 Wellness spray is a fantastic way to get my needed energy boost when jet lag hits.
Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector – I love the Murad pomegranate lip protector year-round; have tried so many different lip balms and glosses and this one is soothing and shiny without being greasy.
Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray – My naturally straight hair loves the Phyto volumizer as it adds just enough volume without that awful product residue of many sprays and volumizers.
Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 – Vitamin C can work against those stubborn dark eye circles and I love the SPF is already included.

Me:

Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes – I love their mixed bag of towelettes because I use different scents for different things. On an overnight flight, the lavender is a perfect way to remove germs while unwinding. The mint refreshes in the AM. And citrus is perfect after a rush through an airport or a workout.
Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – Like Alexi, I stash these everywhere. They are perfect if you are just too tired to do the whole routine in the evening. Just wipe your makeup off and fall into bed.
Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – Kate introduced me to this stuff. Thank goodness, because it is the best dry shampoo I have tried. I love how you squeeze the bottle to dispense. It leaves hair fresh and clean.
Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter – Actually designed for men, I can’t quit this lip balm. It is super conditioning and thick, but also with a hefty does of SPF. The mint is really refreshing.
Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil – You know how you can get kinda sore after being cooped up in an airplane? I love throwing this stuff in a bath upon arrival. It supports muscle flexibility and soothes sore joints and muscles.