Category: Haircare

Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo & Conditioner

Wella Professionals Brilliance Collection is fab for imparting shine in dry, color-treated hair.

The claim from the Wella website is “Bring the brilliance of Koleston Perfect and Color Touch into a new sensorial dimension with triple-blend care technology and diamond dust. Multi-level conditioning products for all hair textures.”

I have been using the Shampoo and Conditioner from this line, and I’m enjoying them fairly well.  The scent is light and pleasant, but not very distinctive.  The shampoo is thin and lathers okay.  The conditioner was fairly thick, and seemed to condition well.

I find that this system leaves my hair shiny and soft.  And I love that it protects my hair color.

Find out where to purchase at www.wella.com.  Enjoy!

Add Moisture And Shine To Your Hair With Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment

Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment

Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment is a restorative hair treatment derived from the Amazonian Pequi fruit. I have received a sample and have been trying it for a few days now.

What it does: Pequi Oil Treatment revives even the driest, most brittle hair that’s been color-treated or chemically straightened. It also tames frizz, mends split ends with a natural UV filter, and keeps color vibrant. It contains moisture-restoring antioxidants, Vitamins A and E, proteins and lipids that help make every hair type noticeably softer, shinier, and smoother like never before.

What I think:  I have very dry hair that I have let grow longer than it needs to be.  My ends are a bit split and the cold, dry Kansas City air has done nothing for its shine and movement!  I first tried this on damp hair.  I put a few drops on my palm, rubbed my hands together and applied all over — especially on the ends.  I air-dried my hair and used a straightener.  I noticed that my hair was shinier and looked healthier.  I applied a little more to my dry, styled hair and it amped up the shine — so nice!

You can find out more about the product at www.couturecolour.com.  It can be purchased at www.sephora.com in two sizes — .5 oz for $12 and 2 oz for $32.  I recommend trying the smaller size first, to make sure that it works in your hair.  Enjoy!

 

Luxe Holiday Gift Ideas — To Give Or To Treat Yourself!

Treat yourself or someone special to a luxury beauty product.  From potent skincare, to beautiful make up to a new type of hair styler, these products are just the thing to surprise someone.  Or, give yourself the gift of luxurious beauty — you deserve it!

Clarisonic Black Opal Sonic Infusion System with Arcona Eye Dew ($185 USD) — Opal Sonic Infusion is a breakthrough in eye care that uses proven sonic technology to apply eye serum better than manual application. In one minute, Opal gently delivers serum beneath the surface with 7500 gentle micro-massages. Developed by the lead inventor of Sonicare® and Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing. Use Arcona’s Eye Dew in the morning and Clarisonic’s Anti-Aging Sea Serum at night.  Visit www.drugstore.com to purchase.

Opal Sonic Infusion System Contents:

  • Opal Sonic Infuser
  • Anti-Aging Sea Serum, 1.7oz
  • Universal Voltage Charger
  • 2 Replacement Applicator Tips
  • Wristlet
  • ARCONA Eye Dew, Repair/Protect AM 0.3 oz (9 ml)

Caudalie Once Upon a Vine  ($38 USD) — A collection of four products for an at-home spa experience that leaves skin renewed, revived, and glowing.  With the Once Upon a Vine set, Caudalie writes a fairy tale for perfect skin. Fight your way through the wicked dead skin cells with the Crushed Cabernet Scrub. Awaken your body’s hydration with a kiss of Vine Body butter and Hand and Nail cream. Break the curse of chapped lips with the Lip Conditioner. Your skin will be glowing happily ever after. This set contains: – 2.1 oz Crushed Cabernet Scrub – 0.14 oz Lip Conditioner – 2.5 oz Hand and Nail Cream – 6.7 oz Vine Body Butter.  Visit www.caudalie-usa.com to learn more.

Ellis Faas Winter Set 2011 ($85 USD). For the 2011 holiday season, Ellis has selected a gift set of three, best-selling products that can be combined to create several looks. The set contains ELLIS RED Milky Lips L201 for gorgeously blood-red lips; black Creamy Eyes E103 for an easy smoky eye and/or to be used as a black liner; and the light Milky Eyes E209 for fresh accents.  Purchase at www.ellisfaas.com.

Laura Geller Festive Treats: This trio of travel-friendlyLaura’s Light Beam Lip Glosses offers brilliant, yet non-sticky shine ($24.75 sale, $39 value at QVC and QVC.com).   These ultra-versatile and decadently sheer glosses are infused with natural fruit and plant oils including Cranberry, Pomegranate, Apricot and Grape Seed, along with Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter that deeply condition and soften lips.  The kit features the follow festive (and universally flattering) shades:
  • NEW Cinnamon Spice – a honeyed burgundy
  • NEW Clementine– ashimmering sunset orange
  • Fairy Dust – aneffervescent pale pink

Wild & Chic Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit ($55 USD $103 Value) — A limited-edition kit featuring six bestselling MAKE UP FOR EVER products for creating the perfect everyday look.  Wild and Chic Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER includes all of the essentials needed to create a flawless face. Prepare the skin for makeup application using HD Microperfecting Primer and follow with HD Microfinish Powder to even out the complexion with a soft focus effect. Highlight the eyes and cheeks using Aqua Cream’s long-lasting, waterproof cream formula and add dimension with award-winning Aqua Eyes. For added drama, create ultra-black lashes with Smoky Lash mascara and finish off your look with Lab Shine for the perfect pout.
This set contains: – 0.17 oz HD Microfinish Powder – 0.21 oz Aqua Cream in 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer)
– 0.04 oz Travel Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L (black) – 0.09 oz Lab Shine in Star Collection – S4 (pearly pink beige) – 0.5 oz HD Microperfecting Primer – 0.23 oz Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara.  Purchase at www.makeupforever.com or Sephora.

The TopStyler by InStyler ($119 USD) reinvents the way you create curl, wave, texture and body in your hair. Create fun and innovative movement to your hair, explosive texture and even red carpet looks.The secret is the patent pending design of the 100% solid ceramic lined shells called C-Shells. When the C-Shells heat on the rapid heat Thermal Base, they create the perfect temperature to reshape and set the hair, safely. It works on all hair types and most lengths, and is based on forming your hair section into a simple finger curl. Unlike most round or flat heat styling tools that press the hair with a really high temperature, TopStyler works with a gentle heat that cradles the hair evenly from root to end. It can also enhance many of the styling and conditioning products that you use, because it provides a gentle, activating heat. 100% solid ceramic plates conduct heat efficiently to ensure that the C-Shells are able to retain heat longer to fully permeate the hair shaft and set the style.  Visit www.topstyler.com to learn more and purchase.  Enjoy!

Give The Gift Of Beautiful Hair This Holiday Season

Probably one of the nicest gifts that you can give to someone is the gift of great hair.  Try one of these fab kits or hair care collections and they will thank you for their shiny, bouncy hair!

Philip B. The Calming Collection ($50.00 USD) — Treat your loved one to an ultra relaxing indulgence with this delightful duo that delivers a soothing deep clean from head to toe. The Lavender Hair & Body Shampoo preserves hair color while the Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse does impeccable tangle control. This gift comes in the signature Philip B. black gift box tied with a red satin ribbon.  Purchase at  www.philipb.com.

PureOlogy HolidayHydrate Holiday Gift Set ($51.00 USD) — Gift this beautiful box featuring Pureology’s bestselling Hydrate system complete with a stylish headband to complete any holiday hairstyle. The gift includes:

Hydrate     Shampoo (10.1 oz. retail)
Hydrate     HairCondition (8.5 oz. retail)
ColourStylist     StrengtheningControl Zero Dulling Hairspray (11 oz. retail)

Visit www.Pureology.com for a Pureology salon in your area

Matrix Biolage and Total Results Gift Sets ($20.00 USD) — Play it up, tone it down, go au natural or va-va voom. No matter your style, one of these limited-edition holiday gift sets will be sure to please. With 10 varieties, ranging from Biolage staples like Smootherapie, to the new Total Results offerings, it’s easy to create your favorite holiday look. As an added bonus, all Total Results gift sets come with travel-sized versions (an $18 value) – perfect for that much-needed holiday vacation.  Available in fine salons only – for a salon locator please log onto www.matrix.com.

Research has shown that dry hair is a very common problem. In fact, 31% of women in the U.S. admit to having dry to very dry hair. With Redken’s new IPN technology and Keratin Enrich Complex, the All Soft regimen specifically targets these hair types and provides intense softness and deep conditioning with incredible suppleness and improved manageability. In fact, after just one application of All Soft Shampoo, Conditioner and Argan-6 Oil, hair is instantly softer with 15x more conditioning.

All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner gently cleanse the hair and provide fast detangling for intense softness, manageability and shine.

All Soft Heavy Cream softening rinse-out mask is a rich moisturizing cream that intensely softens the driest of hair, and leaves it feeling extremely soft, conditioned, and very touchable, with radiant shine.

All Soft Supple Touch softening cream-spray is a leave-in treatment that delivers the benefits of a cream in a lightweight spray; drastically improving manageability with lasting conditioning and amazing shine.

All Soft Argan-6 Oil is a multitasking oil treatment comprised of fair trade argan oil that intensely nourishes and protects all types of hair and especially dry, brittle hair.  It can be used in a multitude of ways to moisturize, protect, smooth, illuminate, soften or recondition and is enriched with omega-6 to provide concentrated softness, deep conditioning and lasting suppleness.

Visit www.redken.com to learn more.  Enjoy!

As the holiday season approaches,Beauty.com is thrilled to partner with Issa London to offer the new “Safari Bag,” a Beauty.com holiday exclusive.

Right now, customers who visit www.Beauty.com/Issa and spend $100 will receive this exclusive gift valued at more than $175. The zip-top coated canvas cosmetic bag is sturdy and spacious with a playful elephant print exterior.

“The Safari Bag epitomizes our effortlessly chic vibe at Issa,” says designer and creative director Danielle Helayel. “We used a trademark print so our little elephants, who usually march over Issa dresses, have now put their stamp on these easy, waterproof beauty bags. They’re perfect to slip your bikini into, for storing everyday essentials in your handbag or to brighten up your make-up shelf.”

Kathleen McNeill, President of Beauty.com, says, “”With the holidays right around the corner, we are excited to offer customers this versatile design. The Issa Safari Bag is a great way to sample a variety of new products, but it also makes a great gift – especially for the jetsetters on your list.”

See below for a sneak peek of the gorgeous new bag and a list of the must-have beauty samples.

A $175 value, this gift (free with any $100 Beauty.com purchase) arrives packed with 15 prestige beauty samples,a card for $5 toward future purchases at Beauty.com and a voucher for $20 off the purchase of sunglasses from the Sunglass Hut® Store on Beauty.com:

1. Supersmile® Professional Whitening System

2. DERMADoctor® Wrinkle Revenge® Cleanser

3. Too Faced® Primed and Poreless SPF 20 Bronze Tint Face Primer

4. Oscar Blandi® Protein Mist for Restyling Hair

5. Korres® Quercetin & Oak Antiaging & Antiwrinkle Night Cream

6. Laura Geller® Champagne Spackle® Tint and Glow

7. NUXE™ Dry Oil

8. Fusion Beauty® LipFusion™ Infatuation Plumper in Angelic

9. Alterna® Bamboo Luminous Shine Mist

10. Amika® Obliphica Oil Treatment

11. Urban Decay® Stardust Eyeshadow in Retrograde

12. Smashbox® Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer

13. ~H20+™ Sea Moss Body Balm

14. Nick Chavez® Volumizing Gel

15. Lucy B. Royal Collection Pink Frangipani Eau de Parfum

About Beauty.com – The World of Beauty Online™

Beauty.com, Inc. is a leading online destination for prestige beauty products. The web store provides a highly personalized shopping experience and offers more than 200 brands from widely recognized to niche, hard-to-find products.

The Designer Gift With Purchase Series is just one of many Beauty.com offeringsas the site rolls out its holiday helpers. Visitors can browse unique gift guides on stocking stuffers, limited edition products,party makeup ideas as well as value sets and palettes from top brands like Urban Decay®, philosophy®, Amika®, bliss®, Stila®, Arcona® and many more.

About Issa London:

Daniella Helayel was born and raised in Brazil; surrounded by spectacular nature, sunshine, weekends spent swimming at the beach and a laid-back, easygoing attitude to life. Although Daniella moved away to study at F.I.T. in New York before arriving in London in 1999 the influence of Brazilian roots is clear to see in her designs. The unexpected colours, natural shapes and thrill of carnivals have been translated into memorable, striking prints in fantastically unique colour combinations.

Over the years Issa has been embraced by a growing number of celebrity fans; including Madonna, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Laura Bailey, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Middleton, Sharon Stone, Kristen Davis, Kylie Minogue, Keira Knightley, Jennifer Lopez and of course Issa women all over the globe of different ages and sizes.

What I think:  This is a great sampling of prestige products and the bag is adorable!  It would make a great gift for the holidays, or keep it yourself and enjoy!

New Hair Products For Fab Fall Looks

Looking to update your hair this fall?  Try a new, darker color, a new color-enhancing shampoo, or a fun hair extension.  Below are some fun products that will help you look fabulous!

Kelly Van Gogh MASTER BLEND Multi-Dimensional Luxury Hair Colour Kit ($49.00 USD) —  Kelly’s proprietary cold pressed caviar oil delivery system is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, C, and D, and amino acids. Combined with amino acids and keratin proteins, the formula also replenishes weakened hair fibers and stimulates collagen growth needed to grow and strengthen hair. Available in ten shades, the hair colour delivers 100% gray coverage with an ammonia alternative, MEA, which is very gentle on the hair. The MASTER BLEND Multi-Dimensional Luxury Hair Colour kit is simple and easy to use for a goof-proof application. The result is glossy, healthy hair with a beautiful and youthful shine. Available at www.kellyvangogh.com.

L’Oréal Paris Féria Midnight Collection ($9.99 USD) — Féria introduces the new Midnight Collection to reinvent black hair color by revealing the nuances and undertones of this iconic, seductive shade. Custom-blended by master colorists, each shade shimmers with its own unique highlights and combines delicate tones and hints of tint to be visible, even on the darkest hair.  Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers.

TouchBack Plus is the FIRST total system of interlocking formulas for color renewal, maintenance, and gray root touch-up to keep hair looking perfect between permanent colorings. Unlike at-home dyes,TouchBack Plus lets you customize color vibrancy by choosing your perfect combination of Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner in Color or Clear … without harsh chemicals.  No ammonia, peroxide or sulfates. The collection includes:

TouchBack Plus Color Shampoo($29.95): Cleanse hair and revive dull color with sulfate-freeMicro Foam™.  Each wash adds a layer of shiny color to both natural and color-treated hair, while protecting hair from UVA/UVB damage, oxidation and fading.

TouchBack Plus Color Conditioner($29.95): The perfect blend of hydration and color, this conditioner adds color to both natural and color-treated hair.

TouchBack Plus Color Leave-In Conditioner ($29.95): This unique, patented Micro Foam™ treatment colors and conditions natural or color-treated hair anytime, anywhere.

TouchBack Plus Clear ($24.95): Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner can be alternated with the COLOR products to maintain your optimum color level, while providing superior fade protection, hydration and shine.

Available in eight shades:  Rich Black, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Light Brown, Ash Blonde, Golden Blonde, Light Auburn and Dark Auburn.  Visit www.touchbackplus.com to learn more.

POP Clip-In Animal Print Strips ($10.00 USD) Extensions that let you embrace your inner tiger. Celebrities on and off the red carpet have been spotted sporting theseason’s must-have hair trend: animal print extensions. Take a walk on the wild side and try out the trend cruelty-free with POP Clip-In Animal Print Strips, one-inch clip-in extensions that give hair a fierce effect. Each bright strip offers 16 inches of color that pops for standout hair that gets noticed.

A part of POP’sFreestyle Collection, Animal Print Strips are made with Tru2Life ® Heat-Friendly hair. The versatile strips can be curled or straightened with thermal styling tools just like your own hair, complementing any style you create. Choose from six fun and ferocious patterns or mix and match multiple to express yourself through your hair.

FANTASY COLORS: Ginger Tiger, Pink Tiger, Blue Tiger, Purple Tiger, White Tiger, Red Tiger

WHERE TO FIND IT: ULTA, ULTA.com and JC Penney Salons

ghd’s Scarlet Collection Featuring Katy Perry

“I’m so excited to be working with ghd and using their tools on my California Dreams Tour to get me stage ready. ghd has a reputation of having the best products in the biz, and I like being associated with that.” –Katy Perry

Katy Perry and ghd have teamed up to introduce the Scarlet Collection ($225, a $270 Value) A three-piece set featuring the ghd Gold Series Professional styler with decadent red plates and accents, protective plate guard, heat-resistant red deco-inspired styler roll bag, and two sectioning clips.

This sleek and sexy set helps you to create the ultimate show-stopping styles. The styler smoothes through hair for an ultra-shiny result. Free of sharp edges that could catch on hair, the plates’ smooth ceramic coating is designed to enhance the glide of the Styler through the hair promoting luster. The included clips allow for easy sectioning and a 1920s Art-Deco-inspired bag lets you take it all with you glamorously wherever you go.

I have been using the Gold Professional 1/2″ Styler ($225 USD) — A sleek, half-inch styler featuring golden ceramic plates that
deliver the ultimate professional finish.  This styler smoothes through hair for an ultra-shiny result. Free of sharp edges that could catch on hair, the plates’ ceramic coating is designed to enhance the glide of the Styler through the hair promoting luster.

What I like:  Everything! This heats up quickly and although it does get really hot, it leaves hair soft, shiny and undamaged.  I also love this thin size because it can be used for all lengths of hair.  It is especially good for short hair detailing, but makes bouncy curls for longer hair, too! Learn more and purchase at www.ghdhair.com/us/ or www.sephora.com.  Enjoy!

Hot Hair Trend — Braids!

It’s the hairstyle that is popping up on both the red carpet and city streets everywhere – braids. This season’s ultimate accessory is practical and pretty and can be styled in numerous ways, from a French braid to a fishtail and everything in between. You don’t have to spend a lot of time re-creating this chic trend, which has been seen on celebrities like Jessica Alba, Nicole Ritchie and Jessica Simpson. Now, you can add some boho appeal to your hair with a variety of options for braided extensions:

POP Clip-In Braid ($9: ULTA and ULTA.com): No weaving knowledge necessary—the POP Clip-In Braid is attached to a small pressure-sensitive clip that can be added to your own hair as an accent, or to a hair piece or ponytail.

Hairdo 4-Braid Band Duo ($16: QVC.com): Say good-bye to bad hair days and hello to a brand new look with the help of these four-braid brands. Wear closely together for a smooth polished look, or separate them and go boho chic–either way, you’ll turn heads.

Dancing with the Stars Bellissima Braid Band ($10: Folica.com): This fishtail braided headband is easy to attach to any hairstyle to give you a fabulous hair accent in an instant.

Shop For The Cure — Beauty Products That Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

Looking to give to Breast Cancer Awareness and look pretty while you do it?  Invest in beauty products that are helping fight for the cure for breast cancer, like the ones featured here:

For the month of October 2011, Beautyblender, the ultimate make up sponge applicator, will donate 10% of all product sales to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. With the purchase of a Beautyblender product, not only will you be doing something great for others, but yourself as well! Try the Beautyblender Travel Kit, which retails for $23.95 and is available at http://www.beautyblender.net/.

Capturing small indulgences in a bottle, TOCCA’s Laundry Delicate Washes leave fine fabrics gently fragranced with intoxicating aromas reminiscent of timeless moments. Easy to use for hand-washing or in the washing machine on the delicate cycle, TOCCA’s gentle wash is deal for lingerie, hosiery, intimate apparel, silks, cashmeres and bed linens. TOCCA’s signature scents are now TSA-friendly, available in a portable and reusable bag, making it the ultimate travel companion. Each TOCCA Laundry Delicate (8 oz.) retails for $15.00 and TOCCA Laundry Travel Set (four 2 oz. bottles) retails for $22. All are available online at www.tocca.com. For the month of October 2011, TOCCA will be donating 15% of net proceeds from the sale of its Laundry Delicate line to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

If you purchase e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Gloss in Watermelon and Glitter Gloss in Twinkle Pink during the month of October, 100% of the sales goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.The high shine, pigmented Glossy Gloss delivers a beautiful sheen and a rich tint of color to your pout. The intense, show-stopping Glitter Gloss is infused with light-reflecting micropearls.  This non-sticky gloss illuminates lips with sheer brilliance and lots of color. Visit www.elfcosmetics.com to purchase one for $3.00 or both for $6.00.

Stila Positive and Pretty Palette ($14.00)  Get empowered in pink with this limited-edition palette featuring four award-winning Eye Shadows, a Cheek Color and a Highlighter. A mirror is included for on-the-go application and a detailed face chart offers how-to tips and tricks. A total of 10% of proceeds will go to a variety of BCA charities, one of which is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Available at www.stilacosmetics.

Redken Shape Up Your Style ($17.50).  Redken is proud to announce it’s helping support the fight against breast cancer with a limited edition promotion which includes a Redken rough paste 12 working material and a mini version of Redken quick dry 18 instant finishing spray, available now in salons. In conjunction with this limited edition promotion, Redken will make a flat $20,000 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in support of their mission to find the cures for breast cancer.  Visit www.redken.com for more information.

Pureology PureVolume Collection ($39.00)  joins the fight against breast cancer with a limited edition promotion which includes PureologyPureVolume Shampoo, HairCondition and BlowDryAmplifier. It is currently available in participating salons nationwide!I n conjunction with this limited edition promotion, Pureology will make a $20,000 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in support of their mission to end breast cancer forever.  Learn more at www.pureology.com.  Enjoy!

John Frieda’s Full Repair Collection

John Freida Full Repair Collection

John Frieda’s Full Repair Collection is all about reversing what’s been done and protecting your hair from further damage.

“So many women who come into the salon have absolutely destroyed their hair by over-styling, over-coloring, and generally overdoing it,” explains Harry Josh, John Frieda® International Creative Consultant. “They traumatize their hair trying to get a certain look, but then they can’t maximize it because their hair is so fried. Full Repair™ offers them damage control that won’t weigh their hair down, letting them style to the limit while actually reversing the damage they’ve done to date.”

The Full Repair collection includes:

Full Body Shampoo($6.99):Formulated with Inca Inchi oil, this bodifying shampoo repairs the look and feel of overworked hair as it weightlessly restores bounce for full, flowing styles.

Full Body Conditioner($6.99 USD):Omega-rich Inca Inchi oil repairs hair as the formula smoothes and detangles, reducing the risk of breakage and snagging when combing or brushing.

Protecting Root Lift Foam($6.99 USD): This lightweight foam protects hair from heat damage with Inca Inchi oil while creating instant body. Work into wet or towel dried hair at the roots for weightless lift and high-volume hair when styled.

Perfect Ends Deep Infusion($9.99 USD):This breakthrough product for Medium-Textured Hair instantly absorbs into damaged strands instead of coating the surface, penetrating hair with Inca Inchi oil to weightlessly reverse the look and feel of damage while protecting hair from heat.

Perfect Ends Sheer Mist($9.99 USD):This softening mist for Fine-Textured Hair protects heat-damaged hair with omega-rich Inca Inchi oil. Spray evenly through clean, wet hair, concentrating on ends and damaged areas to weightlessly repair and promote smooth, healthy strands.

Touch-up Flyaway Tamer($9.99 USD): This portable wand polishes broken strands, smoothing flyaways and frayed ends with Inca Inchi oil to keep hair sleek and smooth. Brush the wand over dry, styled hair for on-the-go touch-ups and a boost of shine.

What I think — This collection helps a multitude of hair problems.  I have tried the shampoo, conditioner and root lift foam and have noticed my hair is soft, shiny and fuller.  I like the fact that it is an affordable alternative to salon hair care — and gives just as fantastic results.

Visit www.johnfreida.com to learn more.  Enjoy