Add Some Color to Your ‘Do With Put on Piece’s Clip-In Color Strips

Put on Piece’s Clip-In Color Strips

There’s a new trend in hair that’s popping up on red carpets, runways, and on celebrities just about everywhere. Brightly streaked hair – and we’re talking bright – from green to pink and from blue to purple, has been seen on A-listers such as, Kesha, Brittany Spears, Jordin Sparks and Lauren Conrad. Not ready for such a shocking change? Then this bold look doesn’t have to be a permanent one thanks to an easy-to-use option like Put on Pieces Clip-In Color Strips ($8 each: extensions.com).

Put on Piece’s Clip-In Color Strips easily attach to hair for a commitment-free streaked effect. Each bright strip gives hair 16 inches of color that pops for standout hair that gets noticed. Choose from six fun fantasy colors – Amethyst, Blue, Gold, Pink, Purple and Red, or mix multiple shades to express yourself though your hair.

What I think:  I have tried the purple and red in my dark brown hair.  The purple is fun to wear everyday or to work, because it is a subtle flash of color in my dark hair.   The red is bright and fun for a night out.  The clips are easy to use and stay on until you take them off.

To purchase, visit  www.extensions.com.  Have fun!

Moisturize All Over With John Masters Organics Argan Oil

John Masters Organics Argan Oil

Have you tried Argan oil?  This is a natural product that is harvested and produced in Morocco by hand in the Argan forest.  Argan oil is a fantastic moisturizer for hair and skin that nourishes without leaving you feeling greasy.

John Masters Organics 100% Argan Oil ($38.00 USD for 2 oz).   It’s excellent for taming frizzy hair and mending split ends, and when applied to skin it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes.

This product is harvested by a women’s cooperative, which has established an ecosystem reforestation project to ensure sustainability and to protect the rare, endangered tree. The income generated is providing healthcare and education for the entire community.

What I think:  I love that this is 100% Argan oil.  I have tried many products that use the oil as an ingredient, but I really love that this doesn’t have anything else in it.  And, it works so well.  A little goes a long way, but I use it in my hair to cut the frizzies, my  legs after shaving, my cuticles and it is a fab eye makeup remover.

Visit www.johnmasters.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!

New Summer Haircare Products By Pureology, TRESemmé, and ECRU New York!

Summer hair care can be tricky.  Pool water damages hair, the sun can strip the color and humidity makes it frizzy.  It’s important to find a hair care line that fits your summer hair needs.  Here are three product line ideas and some helpful summer tip:

If you have blond hair, try Pureology Perfect4Platinum ($24.00 to $32.00 USD) system for high-lifted and highlighted hair, four levels or more.  It delivers concentrated keravis to replenish and plump the keratin gaps, equalizing porosity. Chamomile extract improves overall suppleness and softness. The lemon extract clarifies and smoothes the cuticle for enhanced shine. Finally, coriander oil creates a mirrored surface to magnify shine.  The signature AntiFadeComplex® delivers free radical damage protection for longer lasting hair colour. The line includes Shampoo, HairCondition, ReconstructRepair Masque and Miracle Filler Lotion.  Visit http://www.pureology.com to learn more and purchase.

Avoid heat-styling as often as possible during the summer months. After washing your hair, wring out any extra moisture with a towel and allow your hair to air dry before blow-drying. Cutting back on your use of hot tools such as a blow dryer and flat iron will help reduce damage. Be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to treat dry, strawlike hair. Try ECRU New York Luxe Treatment Shampoo ($22.00 USD) and ECRU New York Protective Silk Conditioner ($22.00 USD) to restore moisture and provide superior conditioning leaving hair beautiful and healthy. Visit www.ecrunewyork.com for more product ideas.

Worried that your summer hairstyle will wilt or frizz with the heat and humidity?  Help is on the way!  Start the summer off by giving your hair a fighting chance with the TRESemmé Climate Control Collection ($4.49 each item in the line).  Protect against harmful UV rays and keep your locks looking beautiful with the specially designed formula that creates a barrier between your hair and the weather.  Infused with the Climate Control Complex, the collection contains olive oil, keratin, UV blockers and polymers to leave hair shiny, soft and manageable while protecting against humidity, UV rays, static and wind.  With the TRESemmé Climate Control Collection you can have amazing hair regardless of the weather! TRESemmé can be found at mass market retailers near you!  Items in this line include Shampoo, Conditioner, Mousse and Finishing Spray.  Enjoy!

TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curl Collection

TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curl Collection

Are your curls frying in the sun or wilting in the humidity?  Try products that are made especially for curly hair like the new TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curl Collection.

Enhance natural curls and waves to bring out the very best in your hair. The exclusive Catwalk® Aquacomplex features a fusion of Cucumber Water, Kelp, Algae, Seaweed and Sea Fennel to sooth and moisturize curls and deliver extraordinary hydration while creating perfectly formed curls with movement, separation and shine. Each of the collection’s seven products features a crisp, cool, marine-inspired scent that will leave you feeling refreshed, energized and revitalized. The collection is complete with a Defining Shampoo, Hydrating Conditioner, Leave-In Conditioner, Lightweight and Strong Mousses, Curls Rock Curl Amplifier and a Defining Serum.

What I think:  It’s fantastic that TIGI Catwalk has made a line especially for curly hair.  My hair is more wavy than curly, but I really enjoyed the moisturizing elements of the shampoo and conditioner and the fact that it guarded my hair from the Kansas City humidity.  I didn’t try the styling products, but I’m sure they would provide additional conditioning and protection for curls.

Price: $14.95 – 19.95, available in fine salons nationwide; visit www.tigihaircare.com for more information.

The John Frieda Hare Care At Home Hair Colour Challenge

Myself, friends and readers have recently taken part in a John Frieda Hare Care At Home Hair Colour Challenge by using the new John Frieda Precision Foam Color ($12.99 USD).

Easy to apply, the non-aerosol foam formula spreads evenly through hair, saturating every strand completely—even the back of the head, roots and hairline. The 20-shade palette collection was developed in conjunction with the John Frieda® Creative Colour Director, and sought-after U.K. colourist, Nicola Clarke, who is responsible for some of the most iconic hair colours in Hollywood. With an array of options for blondes, brunettes and redheads, the collection brings a salon shade spectrum home.No mess, no drips,no stains—just gorgeous hair from every angle. The revolutionary colour even provides 100% grey coverage and vibrant shine with long-lasting results, offering salon precision at home.

HOW TO USE:Squeeze the center of the bottle to dispense foam into a gloved hand and apply directly to hair. Simply massage foam into hair with fingertips to thoroughly cover each strand from root to tip. The foam easily coats even the most hard-to-reach areas, including the back of the head. Let stand for 20 minutes (30 minute for grey coverage) and rinse with lukewarm water until water runs clear. Apply conditioner and leave in for 2-5 minutes before rinsing.

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?:  I like this color because it is easy to use and doesn’t have a strong chemical smell.  I tried Dark Red Brown and it covered my grays well, but I didn’t get much red in my dark brown, but it was shiny and pretty.  I don’t have a photo up because I didn’t get a chance to take my after photo, my grays popped up after a few weeks (I procrastinated).

My daughter Hannah had reddish blonde hair before coloring and wanted to go more blonde so she chose Dark Golden Blonde.  It turned out almost exactly like her hair was before — not much change.  Marissa went from a golden blonde to Dark Natural Brown and it looked fab, quite a difference!

Bridget tried Medium Chocolate Brown and it covered her gray well.  She loved how soft her hair was afterwards and how great it made her feel to get her color back.

We all had different experiences with this color, but I think it is a quality home hair color and worth a try!

WHERE TO FIND IT: Food, drug and mass retailers nationwide.

Brighten Your Hair With Clairol Natural Instincts Vibrant

Clairol Natural Instincts Vibrant

Do you know that besides the physical benefits of coloring hair, freshly colored hair can do a lot to a womans self-esteem? Clairol has recently held a survey regarding the emotional benefits of coloring hair. The survey reveals 93% of women who color their hair agree their day instantly improves directly after coloring. Women feel confident and on top of the world with freshly colored hair, but as color starts to fade, their confidence and mood drop. This cycle of emotional ups and downs can be described as a “hair color rollercoaster.”

Now Natural Instincts with new Week 2 Color Refresher has a solution to love. The Week 2 Color Refresher replenishes the tones your hair color loses first and can simply be applied two weeks after coloring to give hair a color boost.

The color boost is included in the traditional Natural Instincts demi-permanent as well as the new permanent Vibrant formula. Now you can get up to 8 weeks of vibrant, healthy-looking hair color from Natural Instincts. New Natural Instincts Vibrant is a 10-minute formula that delivers stunning color with 100% gray coverage.

What I think:  I have used Natural Instincts before and liked it, but because it is semi-permanent, the gray coverage never lasted long.  The vibrant color is permanent and so lasts a very long time. I also love the idea of the color boost.  I applied it after two weeks and my hair appeared brighter and my color looked fresher. Awesome!

Natural Instincts is available at mass market retailers near you. Enjoy!

Nourishing and Protective Products for Summer Hair

It’s funny that although I don’t really style my hair in the summer, I use a lot of hair products to get the “natural” look.  But, the products that I use are as good for my hair as they make it look good. Here are a few that I have been using regularly and recommend to help hair stay healthy in the heat.

Nick Chavez Plump ‘N Thick Leave-In Thickening Creme Conditioner ($22.00 USD) — an exceptional leave-in conditioner for all hair types that maximizes your hair’s body and volume creating richer, thicker, fatter hair. May be applied to dry, wet or damp hair. Special thickening agents have been added to super hydrate and expand the cuticle.

What I think: This is perfect for two reasons; if you want extra conditioning in the summer for dry and frizzy hair, plus if you need to plump up your limp hair, this is the perfect product.  I usually air dry my hair in the summer so I mostly use this on wet hair after a shower. It helps my hair dry softer and thicker.  Visit www.nickchavezbeverlyhills.com to learn more and purchase.

Crack Leave In Hair Cream ($19.99 USD) — Crack is a leave-in hair cream made with Acai Extract and Silk Protein to moisturize and protect hair from dryness.   This is a unique multi-tasking leave in treatment AND styling aid in one, that instantly and effectively transforms, keratin-depleted, stressed, frizzy, curly hair to a sleek, smooth, healthy, shiny dimension.  Sophisticated micro proteins and power peptides instantly infuse deep into the hair cuticle and encase the hair follicle with a keratinous bond, to promote healing, block the effects of humidity and eliminate up to 95% frizz and curl, leaving hair smooth, shiny and luxurious. This can be purchased on www.folica.com and several professional beauty supply stores near you.

What I think:  LOVE the Crack!  I have been using this almost every day since I have received it. I put just a little in my damp hair and run it through to the ends.  It makes my hair shiny, less frizzy and strengthens it.  This product also protects from the sun and chlorine which is perfect for the summer, and the rest of the year.  Try it, you’ll be addicted, too!

Redken Extreme CAT Protein Reconstructing Treatment for Distressed Hair (14.95 USD) — is an extreme treatment dedicated  to strengthening and healing distressed hair. Part of the Redken Extreme Collection (for hair that is up to 4 times stronger!) this restorative spray contains patented Taurine Technology and Cationic Proteins to help reconstruct damaged hair while preventing future damage or weighing the hair down. Silky, spray formula increases manageability, comb-ability, body and shine. Redken’s  exclusive Interbond Conditioning System delivers unique Proteins, Ceramide and Lipids that provide internal strength to the hair’s structure, reinforcement of the cuticles, and a protective resurfacing to every strand. Hair becomes healthy looking and shiny again. Dry, damaged hair is no longer a CATastrophe with Redken Extreme CAT Reconstructing Treatment.

What I think:  I love this whole Redken Extreme line, but this is the product that I have been using the most.  I love that I can use this on wet or dry hair; I especially love that it is perfect as a detangler for my daughters crazy hair wet or dry.  My 7-year-old loves to run outside in the morning with knots in her hair so I grab her and spray this in her hair and the knots come right out!  I like it for myself as well as it is a great wet hair or dry finishing spray.  NICE!

Rid Your Skin of Bikini Bumps With Bikini Zone After Shave Gel

Bikini Zone After Shave Gel

Have you been shaving your legs every day (like me)?  Or, waxing or using creams a lot? Then I’m sure you’ve had the little red bumps that can appear after hair removal.  Luckily there are products like Bikini Zone After Shave Gel that will help your skin be smooth again!

Bikini Zone’s After Shave Gel ($7.99 USD) — Bikini Zone’s best-selling, most popular product is specially formulated to help  skin recover from the possible effects of hair removal, such as irritation, redness,  itching and bumps. Its special ingredients instantly stop irritation, redness and  itching. And it helps reduce the chance of ingrown hairs that cause bumps by  exfoliating the skin to prevent hair from curling back under the skin. This formula  is also available in a Medicated Cream.

Bikini area irritation can occur any time, not just during swimsuit season. Using Bikini Zone regularly can help keep your bikini area skin irritation-free and beautifully smooth all year long.

How to Use:  After hair removal, apply a thin layer of  Bikini Zone to the affected areas.  Repeat as necessary but no more than  4 times daily. Whether you use a  razor, wax or depilatory, continue to  apply Bikini Zone as a regular part of a  hair removal routine. Won’t stain  clothing or bathing suits.

What I think:  This is perfect to have around in the summer time! After shaving, I apply to the red bumps and they reduce in size in a few hours.  I do have the medicated version and it is a bit stinky, but it does work very well.

Where to Buy: Nationwide at food,  drug and mass-market retailers.

Website: www.bikinizone.com

Join Me in The John Frieda At Home Hair Colour Challenge!

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

Hi All! I’m looking for five readers who want to join me in trying John Frieda’s hair colour. I will send you a box of hair color in the shade of your choice, and all I need is before and after photos to include on my blog.  Here are the details:

Recently John Frieda® launched their first-ever permanent hair colour –Precision Foam ($12.99 USD). Easy to apply, the non-aerosol foam formula spreads evenly through hair, saturating every strand completely—even the back of the head, roots and hairline. The 20-shade palette collection was developed in conjunction with the John Frieda® Creative Colour Director, and sought-after U.K. colourist, Nicola Clarke, who is responsible for some of the most iconic hair colours in Hollywood. With an array of options for blondes, brunettes and redheads, the collection brings a salon shade spectrum home.No mess, no drips,no stains—just gorgeous hair from every angle. The revolutionary colour even provides 100% grey coverage and vibrant shine with long-lasting results, offering salon precision at home.

HOW TO USE:Squeeze the center of the bottle to dispense foam into a gloved hand and apply directly to hair. Simply massage foam into hair with fingertips to thoroughly cover each strand from root to tip. The foam easily coats even the most hard-to-reach areas, including the back of the head. Let stand for 20 minutes (30 minute for grey coverage) and rinse with lukewarm water until water runs clear. Apply conditioner and leave in for 2-5 minutes before rinsing.

I can only accept readers from the United States and Canada.

Are you interested in trying it? If so, leave a comment or email me at lorena.emerson@gmail.com telling me if you want to color your hair to cover greys or change your color (I want a selection for the review).  Also let me know what shade you would like to try.  If I choose you, I would need you to color your hair within a week of receiving the product and I would like before and after photos that show your transformation that I can use on my blog. I would also like your thoughts on the process.   

Find your perfect (or super fun) shade at:  http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/homecolour/shade-selector/ 

So let me know if you wat to join me in this challenge!

TIGI Bed Head Style Shots Epic Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

Big hair is a hot trend this Spring. How to achieve the look? Start with adding volume with TIGI Bed Head Style Shots Epic Volume Shampoo & Conditioner.

For thick, voluptuous hair, start your styling in the shower. With volume boosting shots for gravity-defying root lift and incredible body, use Epic Volume Shampoo ($15.95 USD) and Conditioner ($16.95 USD), a new volume-enhancing product combination that primes your style while you wash. The super-charged, sulfate-free shampoo provides light to moderate cleansing and improves hair’s strength while preventing colour from fading, while the nourishing conditioner provides style memory while using a volume boosting shot to explode your style from root to tip.

I find that this delicious raspberry scented shampoo and conditioner not only volumize, but seem to thicken the hair all the way down to the roots.  As with all TIGI products, this is a luxurious experience and makes hair big, healthy and shiny! Add a little root volume spray and hair will be huge!

Available at www.tigihaircare.com and fine salons nationwide. Enjoy!