For my last review in my hair-stravaganza week, I decided to review a home hair color. In this crazy economical climate, I need to cut at lease a few corners when it comes to beauty. Clairol, a leader in the home hair color arena, is a good one to try.
A few weeks back, I attended a webinar on home hair color featuring Clairol’s Natural Instincts (approximately $9.49 USD). It touted Natural Instincts non-permanent, ammonia free color as a healthy alternative to harsher products. The color lasts through 28 shampoos and is gentle enough to be used once a month.
Something interesting that was featured on the webinar is that you can use a shade that is lighter than your natural hair color, and it won’t change the color, but enhance it.
So far I have tried Golden Cappuccino from the Golden Shimmer collection. It is a dark golden brown that is very pretty. It gave my hair a warm, golden tint. Next I am going to try Clove, a medium ash brown. It’s a very pretty cool color that will add a different hue to my hair.
To check out the different colors and types of Natural Instincts as well as other Clairol hair color, visit the website at www.clairol.com.
Redken has released their Color Extend line. Their website reads:
As the leading haircolor company in the professional industry, Redken is also a proven authority in the care of color-treated hair. Combining this expertise with its continued commitment to innovation, Redken introduces Redken Color Extend, advanced shampoos, conditioners and treatments dedicated to the care and preservation of color-treated hair.
The products in this line are:
Color Extend Shampoo ($13.00 USD 10.1 oz)- Gently cleanses and protects to leave hair manageable, refreshed and shiny.
Color Extend Conditioner ($14.00 USD 8.5 oz)- Detangles and smoothes hair for a finish full of color reflection.
Color Extend Total Recharge ($16.00 USD 5 oz) – Inner hair fuel delivers anti-fade color protection and cuticle reinforcement to maintain color vibrancy and shine.
Color Extend Rich Recovery ($15.00 USD 8.5 oz)- Protective treatment provides deep conditioning to leave hair treated, manageable and vibrant.
Color Extend Shine Enrich ($16.00 USD 3.4 oz) – Protects haircolor while helping to seal split ends, smooth flyaways, and impart mirror-like shine.
I really love this line. The shampoo not only cleans and protects, it make the hair super soft. My daughter Abby, whose hair is always a tangled mess, has been trying the shampoo and conditioner and her hair is now extremely comb-able!
After my shower, I like to spray on the Total Recharge, and leave it in. You can rinse it out, but I need all the help my frizzy hair can get! After my hair is dry, I run a little Shine Enrich through it, to give some much-needed shine. Voila! Great hair!
Once or twice a week I like to used the color exctend Rich Recovery. Like a hair mask this makes hair soft, shiny and my color looks so rich. I plan on coloring my hair again this weekend, and I know that the products in this line will help so much!
Visit the Redken website at www.redken.com to purchase the products or to locate a salon near you. Then, enjoy your beautiful hair!
Aveda’s vision is to, “connect beauty, environment and well-being”. Their wonderful spa products that are infused with natural ingredients, seem to do just that.
I have tried both the Shampure shampoo and conditioner. The products in this line are very gentle and good for every type of hair.
Shampure Shampoo ($9.50 USD for 8.5 oz) – “Our pure, gentle daily shampoo—with MorikueTMprotein—cleanses and fortifies any type of hair. Infusing it with one of Aveda’s original aromas: a calming mix of 25 pure flower and plant essences.” Coriander oil, Eucalyptus oil, Lavender oil, MorikueTM protein, Orange oil bitter, Wheat conditioners, and Babassu are some of the ingredients.
Aveda Shampure Conditioner ($9.50 USD for 8.5 oz) — “provides daily protection from environmental stress and damage.” The conditioner has the same basic ingredients of the shampoo. I really like both products because they clean and moisturize my hair without harsh chemicals leaving me with soft, silky hair.
The wonderful fragrance is also available in a candle ($28.00 USD). Visit Aveda’s website at www.aveda.com for more information and locations where you can receive spa treatments as well as purchase the products.
Sally Hershberger is a celebrity stylist who has recently launched a line of haircare that is sold at accessible stores such as Walgreens.
I have been trying the Supreme Head for Normal to Thin Hair line. The products include:
Shampoo and Conditioner ($9.50 USD each) — The website states: “The shampoo gently cleanses while building volume and the conditioner detangles while adding shine and volume, Both contain Supreme Volumizing Complex to texturize thin hair. Formulated for color-treated hair. ” I really like that these are safe for color treated hair. The ingredients include African Baobab Tree extract, mineral water and rice proteins.
Primer ($12.50 USD) : This is an interesting product. You work it through your hair like a mousse to prepare hair for styling. The website claims it, “Increases shine, gives fine hair guts and makes locks easier to style, boosts performance of styling products, easily layers with other styling products to create gorgeous, sexy hair and provides a veil of thermal protection from hot styling tools.”
Supreme Lift spray ($12.50 USD) : This product is a, “light formula adds power to limp hair and maintains flexibility with a thicker, sexier texture. The light mist spray prevents hair from being weighed down and layers well with other products. Heat activated polymers condition and protect hair from heat styling.” I spray this at my roots and comb it down with my fingers. I then blow my hair dry.
Using the entire product line does create more volume for my limp hair. The scent is a bit perfume-y, but nice. These products are affordable and you get good quality for the price!
Discover more about the Sally Hersberger line by visiting the website at www.sallyhershberger.com. You may purchase them at the website or visit Walgreens.
I have been reviewing a lot of high-end haircare lately, so it’s nice to try an affordable, quality shampoo and conditioner. At the $3.99 – $4.99 USD range, and smelling so fantastic, Herbal Essences makes great hair products that are accessible to all.
I have been using Herbal Essences for a couple of years now. My favorite is the Hello Hydration with the scent of orchid and coconut milk. It leaves my hair very soft and smells wonderful.
They have recently released the Hydralicious collections; Featherweight, Self-Targeting and Reconditioning. I have tried the Self-Targeting Shampoo and conditioner. The scent is red vanilla and whipped aloe. The idea of the Self-Targeting is that moisture will be deposited on the strands that need the most help. This is a really cool idea and it seems to work. My hair was quite moisturized after shampooing and conditioning.
Learn more about the Hydralicious line at www.herbalessences.com. You can purchase the products at most drugstores and supermarkets.
Oscar Blandi creates quality hair care that are made for specific needs. With products such as the Crema Line for overstressed hair, glosses and masks, color conditioning shampoos and conditioners and the fun products I’m reviewing; Pronto Dry Shampoo and Onde Wave Enhancing Spray, you can surely find what you need to make your hair look great!
Pronto Dry Shampoo($19.00 USD for 2.5 oz $11.00 USD for 1.0 oz travel size) : The Oscar Blandi website states, “Natural rice, oat, and tapioca starches cleanse hair by absorbing excess oil, product, and grease and increase hair volume at the roots without weighing hair down. Triclosan and tea tree oil help treat the scalp and reduce the occurrence of dandruff, while the invigorating lemon verbena fragrance leaves hair smelling and feeling fresh.” Dry shampoos are really hot right now, and this is one of the best I have tried. The applicator is a nozzle that makes it easy to place the product right on the roots. After I apply it to my roots I message it in, then run my fingers through my hair. I look good and smell clean with the lemony scent!
Onde Wave Enhancing Spray($18.00 USD): The website proclaims, “Onde is a wave enhancing spray that brings back natural movement and enhances the underlying body of hair. Enriched with wheat proteins to strengthen and fortify the hair, Onde helps retain recoil in wavy hair, and activates movement in any degree of wave.” My hair is fairly straight with a little wave to it. To bring it out, I spray my towell-dried hair with Onde, then twist my hair into little coils and bobby-pin them to my head. I then spray a little more Onde to the coils and used my blow dryer until almost dry. I then unpin and mess it up a bit with my fingers, till I have a head full of waves. Very fun!
You may purchase these products and many others at www.oscarblandi.com and they are also available at Sephora, Sephora.com, Ulta, and Beauty.com
Hi all, welcome to my Hair Extravaganza Week! I am reviewing only hair products this week at Forty, Flirty and Fabulous!
Tigi is introducing it’s Love, Peace & The Planet eco-friendly line. This line of six products is made from natural, paraben free, and mostly organic ingredients that are as good for the planet as they are for your hair!
The products are:
Eco Awesome Cranberry Orange Mint Moisturizing Shampoo ($19.95 USD) — This is the BEST hair scent ever! When you first sniff the bottle, the smell of mint is dominant. But when you shampoo, the cranberry and orange infuse the shower with this incredible fragrance! This is great for the scent alone, but the organic aloe leaf juice, organic geranium, organic lavender and rosemary seed extracts and organic jojoba oil make this shampoo both cleansing and softening.
Eco Awesome Cranberry Orange Mint Moisturizing Conditioner ($19.95 USD) — Same fantastic scent as the shampoo! The conditioner includes organic aloe leaf juice, organic olive fruit oil, organic white tea leaf extract, and organic glycerin. This product claims to moisturize, impart shine and help fight humidity. My hair does seem less frizzy when I use it.
Let it Be Cherry Almond Leave-in Conditioner ($18.95 USD) — This product has a creamy, comforting scent and is great when you don’t have time to condition in the shower or need an extra moisture boost. The ingredients include: mucor miehei and shiitake mushroom extracts, glycerin, organic shea butter and organic hibiscus and horsetail extracts.
Freak of Nature Lavender Citrus Eucalyptus Volumizer & Thickener ($18.95) — This is a good product for me since my hair is rather thin. The scent is nice but strong, you can really smell the Eucalyptus! I rub this into damp hair, making sure I get the roots, then blow dry. The ingredients include: organic Japanese green tea extract, organic pomegranate extract, organic nettle, organic glycerin and wheat amino protein.
Eco Freako Cherry Almond Texturizer ($22.95 USD) — This texturizer paste includes carnauba, soy and beeswax, hydrolyzed wheat starch, hydrolyzed soy protein and hydrolyzed wheat protein plus organic safflower oil, organic shea butter and organic jojoba seed oil. It adds shine and texture and you can mold your hair into fun and funky ‘dos.
Free Ur Mind Cherry Almond Firm Hold Hairspray ($22.95 USD) — This hairspray gives a firm hold without feeling sticky. The ingredients include: organic lavender, chamomile, geranium and aloe vera gel, panthenol and essential oils.
I highly recommend this line for healthy, green (haha) hair! Check out a TIGI retailer near you!
EcoTools is one of my new favorite brands. This is because the are incredibly earth-friendly and they work fantastically well! And bonus — they are very affordable.
The brushes are made with cruelty free synthetic taklon bristles, recycled aluminum ferules (the piece that connects the bristles to the handle), and highly sustainable bamboo handles.
Some of my top picks are:
Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set ($12.99 USD) : Are you kidding me with this price? Wow! This fab set includes a blush brush, an eyeshading brush, an eyeliner brush, a concealer brush and a lash and brow groomer. The brushes are SO soft and apply products very evenly. The set also includes a natural cotton & hemp brush roll.
Recycled Aluminum Retractable Kabuki Brush ($7.99 USD) : This is a great brush for applying powders. I use it to either apply mineral makeup or powder over my foundation. Just swirl in powder, tap off access and apply. It gives you a very smooth canvas for your bronzer and/or blush.
Eco-Foam Cleasing Sponges ($2.99 USD for 12) : Made with natural soybean oil and 100% cotton, which are sustainable materials. I LOVE these sponges! You apply your cleanser to the soft side and it removes every trace of make-up and gunk from the face.
There are other great brushes and tools available as well such as a Recycled Brow Grooming Kit ($9.99 USD), Foundation Brush ($5.99 USD) and Bamboo Mini Brushes ($3.99 USD for a set of 6). I highly recommend these fabulous beauty tools! Visit the site at http://www.parispresents.com/EcoTools_s/36.htm.
Crabtree & Evelyn is a classic brand that makes great bath and body products. Their Aromatherapy Distillations are as wonderful for the senses as they are for the body.
The Aromatherapy Distillations are available in three different collections; Relaxing, Revitalizing and Purify. The scents are:
Relaxing: Calming essential oil blend of lavender and rosewood, tonka, chamomile, vanilla and violet leaf.
Revitalizing: Essential oil blend of lemon, coriander, spearmint, mandarin and star anise.
Purifying: Essential oil blend of eucalyptus, lime, peppermint, grapefruit, mandarin and rosemary.
These ranges come in many different products such as Body Lotion, Body Wash, Body Scrub and Body Salts. Visit their website at www.store.crabtree-evelyn.com for the full collections and prices.
SwitchFlops are very cools sandals created by Lindsay Phillips. With one basic pair, you can make different looks with the interchangeable straps.
There are three styles of SwitchFlops, with one set of straps included with each. They are:
Lulu ($35.00 USD) – This is the basic flat sandal. It comes in black, brown, tan, white, navy blue print and pink print.
Taylor ($39.00 USD) – With a 1 and a half inch wedge, the Taylor comes in black, brown and white print.
Lilly ($49.00 USD) – This sandal has a 2-inch kitten heel. The color choices are black and cork.
The straps sell separately for $12.00 a pair and come in a range of collections such as animal prints, florals and stripes.
I have the Taylor wedge in black and three different pairs of straps. They are VERY comfortable and really cute. The interchangeable straps change my look and it seems as if I am wearing a different sandal every day.
I think these are a great idea and a versatile choice for the summer. Visit the website at www.switchflops.com and browse the sandals and large selection of straps. Have fun!
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 