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Archive for the ‘Good, Glam Hair Days’ Category
Easy DIY Summer Updo
Monday, July 23rd, 2012The do and don’ts of saving money on great hair at the drugstore
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011Last week, I divulged my favorite ways to splurge on grooming, so this week I’m sharing ways to save money — and still have gorgeous hair — at your local drugstore.
#1 Do save on a sulfate-free shampoo: You can pay up to $30 for a bottle of department store shampoo but don’t be surprised if it’s full of sulfates. Yup, sulfates, chemicals that have been linked to hair loss and sensitivity reactions. So, instead of paying top dollar for a shampoo that’s price may be based on the designer name or marketing dollars spent, opt for an affordable alternative at the drugstore. I like Organix, sold for about six dollars at local drugstores, the collection is housed in eco-friendly bottles and sulfate-free.
#2 Don’t overhaul your look: Coloring your hair from the drugstore aisles can be a cost-saver or a complete disaster. My advice is feel free to go a shade or two lighter or darker, but don’t attempt anything more dramatic without a professional’s help. And if you do decide to tweak your own color, don’t go by the picture on the box. Since color reacts differently to hair texture, health and texture – the reason you really need a professional! — the best indicator of the colors you’ll end up with is the color description, such as “light blonde” or “golden brown.”
# 3 Do Deep Condition: Unlike hair styling products, your conditioner just gets washed down the drain after a few minutes which is why it may be worth saving your hard earned cash and opting for a drugstore deep conditioner. And for about eight bucks, you can pick up Burt’s Bees Shea and Grapefruit Deep Conditioner. In just two minutes, Shea butter plus essentials oils including Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Lime and Tangerine leave hair soft, shiny and PH balanced. Plus, this product if free of sulfates, parabens and other harmful chemicals.
# 4 Don’t retexturize: There are certain things I encourage you to save money on. Others, like completely changing the texture of your hair should only be done by a professional. I’ve gotten emails from readers who have broken hair, destroyed hair, discolored hair and more all because they tried to go straight or get curly on a dime. Don’t do it!
#5 Save on Blow driers: If you use a flat iron, invest in a quality brand but when it comes to blow driers, I found that drugstores serve up some of the most affordable – and effective options. My hand’s down favorite after testing more than a dozen drugstore brands in the Revlon RV544 Tourmaline Ionic hair dryer, which sells for less than 20 dollars at Wal-Mart. This product dries hair faster and causes less damage than other dryers.
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The Top 5 Beauty Trends for Spring
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011Spring is officially here and this year’s trends are eclectic and colorful. Here are the top five looks to master as your transition into a blooming beauty.
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2011 - Chapurin
Lip Service
Candy colored puckers continue to pop this spring with hues such as melon, coral and even straight-up orange getting more than lip service on the spring runways of designers including Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore and Milly. The easiest way to appear on–trend this spring is to slick on a vivid shade of carrot-colored gloss or matte lipstick. Then go boldly, and brightly, into spring.
Photo courtesy of MarieClaire.com
Done and Done
Loose waves may be touted by some as a spring trend (staple is more like it, if you ask me) but the done ‘do seen on spring 2011 runways is much more interesting. And the key to making this look modern is a simple side part. Part hair on the side and then opt for a low bun slicked back with a touch of pomade for an easy, breezy seasonal hair update.
Anna Sui’s Spring 2011 Shining Star Collection
Pretty as a Princess
Spring seems to beckon the romantics on the beauty scene and this year is no different. Light, shimmery lips pair with eyes in smooth shades of pink and purple to create a soft palette worthy of a princess. For inspiration, turn to Jasun Wu’s sultry spring runway look. For application turn to Anna Sui’s Spring 2011 Shining Star Collection, which plays up sultry, smoky eyes in shades ranging from lilac to aubergine.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Carlos Miele
And the Braid goes on…
Too many Lauren Conrad sightings had me declaring the death of the braid a few years back but it seems that designers and consumers have spoken, and the braid goes on. A bevy of braids were spotted on the spring 2011 runways including Lacoste, Carlos Miele and Behnaz Sarafpour. Best of all, the wearable braid pairs well with nearly any ‘do. Wrap a low brad into a loose chignon, snake a skinny braid down a side part paired with loose waves, or embrace the au naturel headband trend by encircling the crown of your head with a thin braid.
Peter Som Spring 2011
Techni-color Dreams
Yellow eyeliner at Peter Som. Bold couture combos at Christian Dior, Nina Ricci and Issa. Vivid manicures including shades of turquiose (Sephora by OPI Nail Colour GLEE Collection), yellow (China Glaze Solar Power) and grape (CND Eclectic Purple). The rules? Throw out the rule book. Opt for vivid hues, then mix and mix (don’t match) with abandon.
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The best beauty products in my bag
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011The ultimate endorsement is whether or not a product lands a spot in my makeup bag. Because even when I really like something, that doesn’t mean I’ll keep it. Many of my favorite products have ended up in the handbags of my mom, sisters, or girlfriends. After all, how many mascaras can a girl use at one time?
But this week’s products are items that are so fabulous; they’ve all earned a spot on my vanity.
Eye on Beauty
Dark under eye circles are as unattractive as they are inevitable for many new moms, thanks to sleeping schedules thrown into chaos. Still other women are simply genetically prone to getting dark circles under the eyes. Having two of my own babies, I sympathize with anyone who’s battling under eye circles; even better, I’ve got a go-to product that helps cure and conceal.
Being True’s Protective Illuminating Concealer ($30) cover ups existing under eye circles while brightening the skin under the eyes. Each concealer compact includes a trio of products; two shades of concealer that can be mixed to customize a perfect match, and an illuminating neutralizer that corrects color and deflects attention from fine lines.
Here’s why I love this product: it’s light and moist, never going on heavy (which just calls attention to under eye problems and highlights wrinkles). Plus, it’s long lasting and a built-in brightener actually lightens under eye darkness while it covers.
Being True’s Protective Illuminating Concealer
Lip service
Pretty lips are the crowning glory of any look, and for me that means an effective lip liner that locks color in place and refuses to feather. I’ve gushed about a drugstore brand called Milani in the past and now I’m a huge fan of a product from Eyes Lips Face that’s even cheaper than my $4 drugstore fave.
e.l.f. Studio’s Lip Liner & Blending Brush is just $3 and comes in a shade called “natural” that seems to go with just about everything. The smooth pencil never needs to be sharpened and swipes on smoothly, applying even color that lasts. Get it at eyeslipsface.com.
e.l.f. Studio’s Lip Liner & Blending Brush
What’s a great liner without a great gloss? I’m a big fan of LipFusion Infatuation ($29), a gloss “lip fattener” with a punch of color in a variety of colors. Some of my favorites are Angelic, a rose shimmer; Lollipop, a new hue of hot pink; and Screen Siren, a cherry red. Shop the collection at local Sephora stores or online at fusionbeauty.com.
LipFusion Infatuation; photo courtesy of Sephora.com
Good, Great Hair Days
Moroccanoil is a mainstay in my hair care routine. And that’s surprising, because I have naturally oily hair. But shine and conditioning without residue are what Moroccanoil’s products promise and, despite the name, they deliver on that promise without making hair oily.
Argan Oil, a key component of the collection, also serves as a UV protectant and antioxidant that quenches and corrects locks. For about $40, I get the 3.4 oz. Original Moroccan0il Treatment at my favorite salon. There’s also a Moroccanoil Light Treatment now available for blonde and fine hair.
Moroccanoil
Tune in tomorrow for more of my go-to products. What’s in your bag? What products do you want to try?
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Shine in a Bottle
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011Forget the genie; most women would gladly take healthy, shiny hair from a bottle over three wishes.
Since wishing for great hair probably won’t work, I set out to find the best hair products on the market, trying literally dozens upon dozens along the way.
There was bound to be trouble, of course. There were greasy hair days, thanks to products that were far too oily, and flaky hair days, from products that create build up or have undesirable ingredients that start flaking almost immediately. But there were also hair heroes; products that did just what they promised, imparting shine, improving hair texture and more.
If I could find shine in a bottle, I’d share every sparkle with you… and here they are, the top five hair serums, oils and sprays deserving of a spot in your medicine cabinet.
Best for women who wield flat irons: Gloss-On Brilliance Lustree
Wella SP Gloss-On
Wella SP Gloss-On is a silicon fluid that serves up a high gloss finish when applied to dry hair pre-styling. A dab will do you; just apply a couple of drops into the palm of your hands and work through locks, concentrating on the ends of hair. Women with fine hair will want to use this product sparingly as a little goes a very long way. Best of all, there’s no flaking, or build-up and hair is protected from high heat tools. Get it for about $20 at Wella and other upscale salons.
Best for curly and kinky hair: Phyto 9’s Daily Ultra Nourishing Botanical Cream
Phyto 9’s Daily Ultra Nourishing Botanical Cream
There’s a lot to love about Phyto 9’s Daily Ultra Nourishing Botanical Cream, including the fact that it left my own curly locks smooth and frizz free even in the midst of an oh-so-humid vacation, but there is something missing from this daily-use leave in treatment. Quite a few “somethings” actually such as sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals and a host of other questionable ingredient often found in cheaper products. Get it for $26 at Sephora.
Best for dry and damaged hair: Moroccan Oil
The Original Moroccan Oil Treatment
For as long as I can remember, my mom has been applying Vitamin E Oil to her hair. I have to admit, I always found it to be a little odd but it turns out that, as usual, Mom was onto something. The modern woman’s oil is The Original Moroccan Oil Treatment, a therapeutic oil that helps revive damaged hair while strengthening and conditioning locks. Use a dash on wet hair and it will also help reduce hair’s drying time. And no, it won’t leave your hair oily at all. Get it at local salons for about $30 for 3.4 oz.
Best for women who like it hot: ThermaFuse Heatsmart Serum
Thermafuse Heatsmart Serum
Believe it or not, this dry oil treatment makes my naturally curly and naturally oily hair just gorgeous. I’m talking about impossible to fake; I just rolled out of bed looking wavy and windswept hair. The product calls upon certified organic oils and can be used on dry or damp hair to prep, style, finish or treat hair. To get a wavy ‘do, I simply apply a bit of the Heatsmart Serum to my damp hair and twist a few sections around my fingers. Apply Thermafuse Heatsmart Serum ($20 for 2 oz.) from ends to roots and feel free to blow dry, flat iron or curl your hair—it’s protected.
Best for those who want it all: SachaJuan Shine Spray
SachaJuan Shine Spray
Perhaps it was the crisp white packaging that piqued my interest. Or the brand name, Sachajuan, and point of origin, Stockholm, that intrigued me. Most likely, though, it was the promise of the product within that earned Sachajuan’s Shine Spray ($30 at sachajuan.com) an instant spot in my daily grooming routine. Shine in a bottle? Yes, please. This light styling spray creates definition while serving up hold and maximum shine. And, unlike some sprays I’ve tested, there’s not a hint of telltale flakiness left behind, just well behaved and brilliantly shiny locks. Find out more at sachajuan.com.
Glam 101: How to get a gorgeous bun
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010Angelina Jolie. Jessica Alba. Taylor Swift.
Three glamorous celebrities with one thing in common, they know how to rock a bun.
For many women, hair is an integral part of what makes us feel beautiful, sexy. But glamour and sex appeal aren’t one in the same, so to earn your glam stripes you’ll have to know how to weave your magic spell (that’s how Webster defines glamour) without a single loose hair to toss over your shoulder.
Ready?
Angelina Jolie's Red Carpet Updo
If you’re hair is sparkling clean and full of bounce, by all means, wear it down. Hair that’s not recently washed is ideal for an updo. A touch of dry shampoo (check out our list of the best and worst here) at the roots can do wonders for hair that was washed yesterday.
Set.
Depending on what type of updo you’ll be doing, a little product can go a long way. Ruth Roche, Pureology’s Colour Ambassador and owner of RARE by Ruth Roche in NYC recommends hairspray for a sleek bun, texturizing spray for an unkempt chignon and a shine cream with hold to tame those little flyaways that may frame your face with unflattering fuzz, such as Pureology’s DryShine.
Go.
To get a sleek bun, start by parting hair as you wish and then using a paddle brush and pomade to get a sleek part. Pull the hair around the ears extra tightly to avoid flyaway hairs and tie hair in a low ponytail.
Apply hairspray to the ponytail and then braid half of the hair in the ponytail. Next, wrap the braided hair and the remainder of hair around the rubber band tightly and secure with two Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin ($5.99 at Walgreens), twisting one of the circular pins in at the bottom of the bun and the other at the top, being careful not to interlock the pins.
Jessica Alba at the 2010 American Music Awards
Flawless skin and smoldering eye makeup play up the glamour in a simple, timeless bun. Take a page from Jolie and Alba’s books and opt for cat eyes and nude lips, complemented by glowing skin. Pair your favorite shade of nude lipstick with easy-to-achieve, dramatic eyes.
I’ve been told by many women that liquid liner can be tough to master and I agree. That’s why I swear by Urban Decay Ink For Eyes ($22). This easy to use cream liner is foolproof.
For flawless cat eyes, simply close one eye and apply the liner along the lash line using the brush end of the applicator. Pull the skin at the corner of the eye, with that eye still closed, and extend the liner just beyond the end of the lash line. Then, using the sponge end of the applicator, blend the liner in a sweeping motion extending to the outer corner of the lash line once more.
Add several coats of your favorite mascara and you are officially spellbinding.
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Shine On
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Sachajuan's Shine Spray
Perhaps it was the crisp white packaging that piqued my interest. Or the brand name, Sachajuan, and point of origin, Stockholm, that intrigued me. Most likely, though, it was the promise of the product within that earned Sachajuan’s Shine Spray ($30) an instant spot in my daily grooming routine. Shine in a bottle? Yes, please.
This light styling spray creates definition while serving up hold and maximum shine. And, unlike some sprays I’ve tested, there’s not a hint of telltale flakiness left behind, just well behaved and brilliantly shiny locks.
Find out more at sachajuan.com
Does my hair look old?
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
Redken's Time Reset Collection
Hmmm… could what I thought were cowlicks actually be crow’s feet?
Redken, Zotos, Phyto and Alterna seem to think so. They, among others, are now serving up shampoo, conditioners and beyond for those whose hair gives away their age.
Time Reset by Redken promises to “reverse years of damage and combat six signs of aging.” Despite the fact that I think my hair is quite youthful, thank you very much, what flat-iron-using, hair curling, highlight-gettin’ woman hasn’t done “years of damage” to her locks?
Other Anti-Aging Hair Care collections include Phyto Phytodensium Anti-Aging and Alterna Caviar Anti Aging, as well as Zotos’ Age Beautiful line.
I tress-tested Redken’s Time Reset Shampoo, Conditioner and Youth Revitalizer and let me just say, it makes my hair feel like silk. As in soft, shiny, utterly manageable silk. Don’t even think of skipping the Youth Revitalizer, it’s the work horse of the trio, serving up deep conditioning paired with peptides and ceramide that promise to repair lack luster locks. The products retail from $13 to $20 with in-salon anti-aging services offered at select Redken salons for about $40.
And let’s face it, you don’t have to be an old dog to appreciate a new beauty trick.
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Save Your Locks with the Top 3 Color Safe Hair Care Products
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010You wouldn’t dream of throwing your favorite silk tank in the washer daily with scalding water and a generous helping of bleach, but many women don’t think twice about washing their color treated locks with harsh detergents, zealous frequency and hot water. Not unlike that silk shirt, color treated hair needs to be cared for delicately or locks will end up damaged, dried out and dull. Here’s how to care for color treated hair to maintain shine, bounce and health as well as my list of the top three shampoos and conditioners for color treated hair, culled from the 41 brands I tested on my own locks.
Water logged
Believe it or not, plain old H20 is one of the main causes of color fade, which is why washing color-treated hair less frequently can result in longer lasting color. Simply put, even the purest water draws color from hair strands, meaning that each time you forego a wash, that color you invested in lives another day. (In fact, when color is new, wait two days post salon visit to wash hair for the first time.) To minimize color loss, wash hair three times a week, eradicating oiliness between washes with a dry shampoo.
If spring water can damage color treated hair, imagine what chlorine can do! While many experts agree that color hair should be protected from chlorine, the advice most commonly given to protect hair in the pool — wearing a swim cap – is downright laughable. Avoid certain incarceration by the fashion police when going poolside by skipping the cap and instead wetting hair before swimming, thereby preventing hair from absorbing too much chlorine water. Also, comb a leave-in conditioner through damp locks pre-dip to create a protective barrier around the hair shaft.
Go Naked
Finding a great shampoo and conditioner for color treated is all about what not to allow in your hair care products. For starters, avoid harsh detergents, often called surfactants. Other harsh chemicals that may strip color from hair include sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride as well as paraben preservatives.
When in doubt, simply grab my list of the top three color safe shampoos and conditioners on the market. I kissed quite a few frogs, 41 in total, to find my hair’s true loves. I know you’ll adore them, too.
Liqwd's Hair Saving Collection
Best Salon Collection: Liqwd Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
It’s not cheap – $64 for the pair — but Liqwd’s Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner with ColorLife Technology promises to serve and protect color treated locks from radiant reds to buttery blondes and beyond. UV filters in the products defend color while hair is also shielded against heat, breakage and even frizz. Find retailers or shop online at liqwd.com.
John Masters' Organic Hair Care
Best Certified Organic Hair Care: John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Shampoo and Treatment
John Masters is often named a pioneer in the green movement, a fitting title for a man who began mixing organic essential oils and herbs in his kitchen sink and went on to craft certified organic skin care, hair care, body care and pet care products that are now sold in over 20 countries globally. Safe for color treated hair, the Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Shampoo and Treatment boast an abundance of linolenic and hyaluronic acids, paired with soy, rice and oat proteins that repair damaged hair. Get ‘em for about $26 each at johnmasters.com.
Burt's Bees Color Keeper Collection
Best Bargain Buy: Burt’s Bees Color Keeper Green Tea & Fennel Seed Shampoo and Conditioner
Burt’s Bee’s sulfate-free Color Keeper Shampoo won’t lather at all because it’s free of sodium laurel sulfate, a harsh chemical that can strip hair of moisture and is also responsible for the “bubbling” many of us have become accustomed to. Skip the bubbles, keep the color; the shampoo and conditioner sell for about $8 each at local drugstores.
What are your favorite color savin’ brands?
(Hair) Genie in a Bottle
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010My Dad is a White Rain shampoo connoisseur; he’s never met a bottle on a shelf at The Dollar Store that he didn’t take home.
And then there’s me.
Being born with curly hair, and raised in Florida, may have served as the basis for my infatuation with finding that just right shampoo and conditioner. Or maybe it was growing up in the ‘80s, after all, one needs seriously great hair products to get big hair — and bangs– humidity be damned.
Most likely, it’s the fact that I’ve tested well over 100 brands of shampoo and conditioner that have contributed to my discerning taste.
So this week, I’ve rounded up the best and worst hair care products; shampoos and conditioners plucked from both the shelves of your local pharmacy and the pricey product boutique at your favorite salon. Here are the products that are worth splurging on, and those that should simply be left behind.
Eufora
Love It! Eufora
Eufora’s Urgent Repair Shampoo helped me recover from some subpar shampoos I’d been testing, all in the name of truth in beauty, of course. The sulfate-free shampoo calls upon top-notch ingredients, think Lychee Berry and organic Aloe Vera, to keep locks looking lustrous. Paired with the Urgent Repair Replenishing Treatment, this duo makes even damaged hair seem suddenly manageable. Plus, Eufora has signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Compact, pledging not to use chemicals such as phthalates, petrochemicals, parabens and sulfates. Smart and pretty… just like you. The collection retails for about $30 per product; log on to http://www.eufora.net/ to find a salon retailer near you.
Leave It: Sebastian Drench
While beauty companies are often charged with overspending on packaging, the Sebastian Drench collection leaves a lot to be desired in the packaging department. I tested the 8.4 oz. conditioner and shampoo, both housed in hard plastic containers that make getting the product out a real challenge. And as for that product and its promise to nourish dry or frizzy hair, I felt it left my hair looking frazzled.
Aveeno
Love It! Aveeno’s Nourish and Moisturize
Aveeno’s Nourish and Moisturize promised to “feed” my hair, repairing damage in just three washes. And while I’m fairly sure that I inflict more heat damage to my hair than any one shampoo or conditioner could ever hope to repair, the collection did leave my locks feeling soft and silky. Get ‘em for $7.99 each at your local Walgreens.
Leave it: Carita for Color Treated Hair
Carita’s Intense Colour Shampoo and Daily Protective Cream ($32 and $35 respectively) didn’t deliver on their promise to “boost shine, body and softness.” Plus, this high-end product that is shockingly full of parabens, a chemical preservative that many consumers, including me, are now trying to avoid..
Organix
Love it! Organix Cherry Blossom Ginseng Collection
This collection is so affordable — currently on sales for $4.99 a bottle at your local CVS (normally $5.99) — I’m surely making Dad proud by including it on my “love it!” list. But it’s the product quality and pretty scent, not potential for parental approval, that sold me. Housed in eco-friendly bottles that boast a blend of cherry blossom and ginger root within, the shampoo and conditioner effectively cleanse and hydrate hair leaving it smelling oh-so-sweet.
