Tag: shampoo

Five Late Summer Favorites

So, today marks the official back to school here in my city. Time to face the music and start thinking about prep for those cooler months ahead. I’m focusing on stretching out this tan, staying safe in the sun, repairing sun damage and nourishing my dried out hair. Among other things! Here are five favorites that I keep reaching for to do just that:

RéVive ‘Sensitif’ Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15 is the most gentle SPF I have come across and the oil-free formula finishes matte and won’t clog pores. Plus, it works fabulously under makeup.

Kate Somerville ‘Somerville 360°’ Tan Maximizer is helping me milk this summer glow for all that it is worth. I love the smell and how nourishing it is on my skin. Natural oils add so much hydration that this might be my go-to lotion all year long!

Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo basically transports me back to high school with its fruity scent (how appropriate this time of year!). But what really impressed me was the effect – I use this at night and sleep in a wet braid – the next morning I have full and bouncy waves!

Coola TotalBody Organic Moisturizing Suncare with SPF 30 is keeping me sun safe these last couple of pool days. The scents can’t be beat (my favorite is Plumeria). And I feel even better staying safe in the sun using an organic product.

Essie for the twill of it from their fall collection was high on my wish list. But now that I have it in (or on) my hot little hands I’m swooning so hard I almost fell over. The opaque shade is as nuanced and special as any luxury polish. Fall signature mani sold!

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.

Philip B Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo

I have been pining away for this iconic luxurious shampoo for over a year. Something about the astronomical price point and the endless raving just had me drooling. Vogue named it best of the best. The trigger had to be pulled. Just had to.

Carefully savoring the unwrapping, I opened the tub to reveal a sticky molasses like texture. After a little fumbling, I found I could lather it a bit in my hands but it was best just to spread on the crown of my head. Soon, the glue-like texture turned into rich lather. Then the magic happens.

After my wash, at dinner that evening? Compliments flew freely. I was even asked if I had a keratin treatment. Nope – it was just my shampoo. The Amber Oil and Shea Butter act ultra-nourishing. The silk and soy proteins strengthen strands. And Emollient Chamomile, Grape Seed, Rosemary, Nettle, Burdock and Sage left amazingly shiny.

It might be a real indulgence. But I absolutely think it is worth it for special occasions. The 355ml is $140, but I have the smaller jar – enough for maybe 8 washes – 90ml for $50. Russian Amber is safe for color treated hair.

Available at Net-a-Porter.

Cristophe Professional Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

I’m throwing everything I can at this dry hair situation. The current regimen that is finally giving me soft and silky hair is Cristophe Professional Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. The formula has all the nourishing goodies to add moisture back into my strands, healing dry ends. It also contains UV protectors, creatine to provide strength and improve elasticity, and Vitamin C for shine and vibrancy. The scent is that classic old school juicy floral, perfectly nostalgic.

At $8.99, these salon-quality products are worth snatching up. Shop online or find your closest salon here.

Color safe. Paraben free. Cruelty free. Not tested on animals.

Amazing At-Home Blowout From Eva NYC

It is with my pleasure to introduce you to Eva NYC hair. I am a smitten kitten over this affordable and edgy brand out of New York. After test driving some of their collection, I am happy to report, across the board, I am so impressed with the tools and products. So much so that I just can’t quit using the hairdryer and volumizer for my weekend and everyday blow out with these guys:

Eva NYC Up All Night Volumizing Spray was suggested to me when I lamented flat locks on twitter. While I have finally perfected the round brush blowout, my hair can end up on the flat side. The formula is rice derived to add texture and lift. Plus a bonus: it acts as a heat protectant and can revitilaize day old hair. Plus it smells fabulous.

Eva NYC Almighty Pro-Lite Ionic Dryer was never going to be a replacement for this guy…. I thought. But after I gave this affordable dryer a shot, I was immediately sold on its featherweight design. I get great heat from the high setting and it also offers two speeds (I’m always on hottest and fastest – go figure!). There is a cool-blast feature to set your style.

Some other favorites:

With my new found love of product, a shampoo that goes after build up is even more important. Eva NYC Clean it Up Shampoo leaves my hair clean, but still bouncy and soft. Like the conditioner below, this shampoo smells like a very subtle baby powder with a hint of vanilla.

Eva NYC Soften Up Conditioner came recommended from my fellow blogger (and friend) of OpinionNothing.com (check out this beauty site stat if you haven’t already). Who doesn’t want touchably soft hair? This conditioner helps me get there with Argan Oil and Kereavis Protein just like the Clean It Up Shampoo. Argan Oil feeds hair with vitamins and nutrients, while Kereavis Protein gives hair renewed vitality and strength.

Eva NYC 100 Percent Ceramic Straightener was one tool I was reluctant to try. I’ve shied away from flat irons, thinking they make my hair even more flat. Wrong. Used at the ends of my hair, or in an upward direction, this flat iron make my hair insanely shiny and sleek.

Cruelty-free

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.

What’s In My Shower These Days

You probably aren’t shocked to find out my shower is full to the brim with beauty goodies. Every day, I grab for something different. But there are those favorites that I keep buying again and again, using every bit to the very last drop. Here’s my current shower MVP list:

H2O Plus Sparkling Currant Shower & Bath Gel is doing a darn good job getting me ready for spring time. The fruity, invigorating scent reminds me of being at the beach in high school without any of the cloying sweetness. The Black Currant Extract and Fruit Enzymes improve skin tone and texture. The best part? The Vitamin E capsules – tiny, jelly like balls that burst with just a bit of pressure that add crazy softness to my skin.

Tokyo Milk Eiffel Tower Soap from Neiman Marcus are almost too pretty to use. But eventually, I couldn’t resist and ripped that pretty paper to reveal a heafty bar of delicious smelling soap. The triple milled soap is made from a pure vegetable base and scented with the finest perfume. I get great lather while Shea Butter provide moisture. The Eiffel Tower scent is a blend of Linden, Honeyed rose, Wisteria petals and White musk.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel is my new go-to shower face cleanser. While it doesn’t have my beloved foaming action, I love the way it can remove every bit of makeup and dirt. It has a fairly strong floral, cucumber-like scent – sounds odd, but it is actually delightful. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are provide exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids to deep clean pores. Love using this with my Clarisonic.

Neutrogena Shampoo, Anti-Residue Formula is a relatively new addition and I constantly scratch my head why the classic formula didn’t make its way into my shower sooner. My hair was looking a little dull – no excuse for that – I never color it and always use this heat defense serum. Well, the problem was residue. Used once a week, this shampoo and remove all that gunk from shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

St. Ives Revitalizing Pear & Soy Body Wash, another bargain hit from St. Ives that really works. Soy and Pear not only make this formula smell great, but also moisturize skin. Like H2O Plus Sparkling Currant Shower & Bath Gel, the fragrance is getting me in the Spring mood. The soap lathers but without leaving that dry, tight feeling. And around $3, you can beat the price.

Brand Spotlight: Amika: love your hair and GIVEAWAY

Amika’s tag line is “heathy, easy and stylish”. Um, sounds about perfect to me. I’ve been imersed in the world of Amika for the past two weeks and my hair is softer, happier and healthier than ever before. I was able to try out quite a few products so, today I am featuring a little brand spotlight.

I’ve been trying out the Color pHerfection Shampoo, Hydrate Conditioner and Nourishing Hair Mask in the shower. My hair is super fine and been a little dry this winter, so I was angling to improve that situation. While my hair isn’t colored, the Color pHerfection Shampoo is chock full of antioxidants, vitamins, healthy fatty acids, Omega 3, 6 & 9, and the rare Omega 7 (usually only found in fish oil) to heal my drier hair. All these goodies come from Amika’s signature ingredient, the Obliphica Berry (Sea Buckthorn Berry), known for centuries renowned for its healing powers.

Hydrate Conditioner and Nourishing Hair Mask notched up the moisure element in my routine significantly. Both of these rich formulas infuse hair with fatty acids, proteins, anti-oxidants, and other nutrients. Somehow they are both ultra-creamy but leave hair balanced and voluminous. The Nourishing Hair Mask takes it a bit further than the conditioner with extra penetration, nourishment and repair. Both have a vaguely tropical scent. And I am not sure you’ll ever find me without one or the other again.

Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment might be the center piece of the brand. I was slightly concerned about the Obliphica seed oil for my fine hair, but it managed to deliver hydration without weighing my hair down or making it oily (this goes for all Amika products I tried). I was especially impressed I could use the Oil Treatment fairly liberally and I still had volume with loads of shine. It also helped on next day hair for a little boost at the ends. It also provides UV protection from environmental and sun damage. The treatment has that delicious and amazing argan oil while being free of parabens and artificial colors. Like the Oil Treatment, the Leave in Cream also surprised me by not weighing my hair down. I applied the cream and then slept on braided, wet hair. My waves were shiny, bouncy and healthy. I have a sneaking suspicion curly-haired girls would go nuts over this stuff.

Lastly, I’m embarassed to say I never use a heat protectant. Now that I a have mastered the blowout, I use heat tools much more often and I knew I needed to step up my game. Amika’s Obliphica Heat Defense Serum uses their signature ingredient’s omega 7 and vitamin C to protect strands. It revitalizes and forms a protective barrier. This layer also helps fight frizz. All three styling products have that tropical oil smell that I go bananas for, but it is very subtle.

And now for the juicy part… a GIVEAWAY. I am thrilled to be sharing one of Amika’s hottest tools with one of you lucky readers. I’ve been using a similar clip-less rod with four interchangeable barrels for the ultimate in styling flexibility. We are giving away Zebra Triple Barrel Pro Curler Set – it also includes a curling rod with interchangeable barrels and one of their famed ceramic irons. Guys, this set is valued at $300!

Enter using the widget below. Open to US Only and GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.