TheMakeupGirl

ANOTHER July Contest: L'Oreal Feria Hair Color Party With Me!!

UPDATE:  Okay I see that some people are entering that don't live in DC...this contest is for DC area residents ONLY - No transportation will be provided.  Thanks!

Hello Darlings!!  Okay so here is the scoop.  I am hosting a hair coloring party sponsored by L'Oreal Feria in August.  They have re-formulated Feria and I want YOU to help me test it out, and review it....all while sipping a few cocktails and nibbling on some munchies!  I will be taking photos and doing a few videos as well (don't worry, if you don't want your face on the internet we can just shoot the back so we can see the hair color)

So here's the deal, I need FOUR (4) readers from the DC AREA that color their hair and wouldn't mind doing so in my guest bathroom.  I will have towels, blow dryers, flat irons you name it!  Also L'Oreal is sending over the latest shades in the form of makeup gift sets for us to play with and more more more!  So to enter...tell me in the widget below why you think YOU should be at this party and don't be shy be creative.  Also, please check out the color chart at the end of this post and pick TWO shades and include those with your entry.  The best 4 entries win.

Official Rules:

If you are in my family or you are in my phone book you cannot enter (sorry...but I have to be fair), also make certain you include your FULL NAME and e-mail address with your entry so I will know who you are and how to contact you!  The contest will end at 11:59pm EST on this Monday July 28th.  I will draw 4 winners and they will be announced Tuesday July 29th.

Win Pretty!!

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

Green Beauty: Simply Organic Beauty

Thanks to my amazing new hairdresser (and pre-booked appts) I decided to go for the GOLD (literally) and be a blond for the next 7 weeks! BUT we all know what one is in for when they "sign on the bottom-line" for blond hair.  I have never been able to be a blond without that getting "cotton-ball head"...you know, the 18 hour long blow-outs (resulting in spaghetti arms), mounds of frizz...basically a fried mess...until now that is.

Just in the nick of time, I was introduced to Simply Organic Beauty...a new green haircare line that all the stars are using right now to maintain their stellar locks.  Gwyneth Paltrow keeps her blond beautiful with this stuff so why not Josi???

Simply Organic is a sulfate-free  line of products that relies on Olive Leaf Extracts to return our hair back to it's original pre-peroxide beauty...and it works. I have been keeping their Everyday Wash and Rinse right by my faucet outside so right after I get out of the pool I can wash my hair and get it soft again.  Hubby REALLY loves this line..he comments on the smell every time he uses it, AND this has become the perfect shampoo for our entire family! I have been slathering up the kids when they get out of the pool and my daughters hair is actually brushable now.  This stuff smells delicious, manages to get rid of build-up without stripping and delivers a great lather without the drying effects of old-school shampoos...plus I am doing good for the environment every time I use it.  Simply Organic Beauty won't put any harmful ingredients for us or the environment into their products!

Even better, I've found that Everyday Wash makes a great body wash and shave gel. It moisturizes and provides the just the right amount of lube for easy shaving! Nothing better than all-in-one summer beauty, I say!!!

Simply Organic Beauty products can be found at www.SimplyOrganicBeauty.com or at premier salons and spas nationwide.

Be Beautiful!!!

Drugstore Diva: Alberto VO5 Extreme Style Heat Defense Conditioning Spray...

Greetings from HOTlanta baby!  The weather here is nice...not a cloud in the sky but boy is it humid!!!  This is more humidity than I have seen in a while!  Let me break it down for you...I got off the plane...stepped outside and my hair was almost instantly reduced to that of a chia pet (say it with me...ch ch ch chia!!)  So last night I washed my hair (it was really the only solution y'all) and I brought something that I have has hanging around for a while to use in just such an emergency.

So far, Alberto VO5 Extreme Style Heat Defense Conditioning Spray is my new buddy for humidity.  This baby will not only protect your hair from heat styling, it claims to give you 24 hour frizz control which I plan on putting to the test today.

I really like the trigger spray as it gives you more even distribution of the product than with the other spray bottles (they are always slipping out of my hands!)  It left my hair feeling softer than usual and after I have blow it dry, it is holding it's shape and guess what??  I have already been ouitside and so far, no frizz people which is a big deal for me.  As soon as the air hits my hair, it will rise up in the air NO JOKE.  Normally in this situation, I have to put something heavier on my hair before I even THINK about going outside like a smoothing cream to "hold it down", with this...my hair feels lightweight, soft and dare I say....bouncy! Trust me, my hair NEVER does this in any type of humidity so I am looking forward to see how it reacts as the day goes on.  I will be back with updates!!

VO5 Extreme Style Heat Defense Conditioning Spray is available at major drugstore retailers nationwide and drugstore.com.

Un-Frizz Pretty!!

Get This: Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil...

Is your hair dry and "malnourished"??  Mine is...it really is and when I visited the Kiehl's Flagship store in NYC I was so excited to see that they had developed a line made with Olive Oil.  Olive oil has a special place in my beauty heart because back in the day, my Mom and Nana used to give my sister and I hot oil treatments.  Not just any hot oil treatments mind you, they used olive oil warmed in a cast iron pan!  Our hair was never ever dry or unmanageable (and we were swimming EVERYDAY....go figure)

Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil line is fantastic if you have extra dry hair.  They say...

"Formulated for dehydrated, under-nourished, and damaged hair.  It contains Avocado Oil, Lemon Extract, and Olive Fruit Oil–inspired by traditional home recipes–to help restore the healthy look of the hair, leaving it full of shine and softness without weighing it down. Ideal for hair weakened by overexposure to sun, chemical-processing, or excessive heat styling."

Ummm hello??  Excessive heat styling??  Me me me meeee! So last weekend I gave the entire line a try...shampoo, conditioner and the ultra rich Deeply Repairative Hair Pak.  The shampoo was thorough but not drying, the conditioner was very light but still effective in helping to detangle my mop.  But the superstar was the restorative pak.  My hair felt silky in the water when I rinsed it out!  I left it in for 20 minutes (oh yeah I got out of the shower and got back in honey, I need to let my deep conditioners marinate!)  My hair was extra soft and insanely shiny.

If your hair is sun or heat damaged I would definitely give this a whirl, and because it's Kiehls it's not insanely expensive which is a huge plus when thinking about buying hair care that is on the department store end of the price scale!

Wash & Style Pretty!!

Beauty By Josi: Oopsy Daisy Rinse Free Baby Shampoo!

So my addiction to all things beauty will not be caged in by such silly things as age or gender...wherever toiletries are to be found I am like white on rice... .

So when I came across Oopsy Daisy Rinse Free Baby Shampoo I was really excited to try it...my 4 and 7 year olds are such animals! If it is sticky and gooey or oozy and they are within 5 feet, it will be on their person in no time! I am normally a baby wipe junkie...I keep them in my car, purse and makeup kit (love 'em on the job..). But lately, I can't help but think about all those wipes adding up in our local landfills..

Well now I can get the same kind of gentle, tear-free clean as baby wipes with this rinseless shampoo! First off, it smells divine...it is a plant-based cleanser that contains lavender,orange and vanilla...yummy! What I like even better is that it doesn't contain any of those scary tearless, numbing no-tear ingredients usually found in kids products...you just lather up and wipe off with a washcloth or towel..(okay..I guess you could use a paper towel if you REALLY didn't have any other options..lol)

It works great in my  4 year old daughter's long thick hair...gets the stink out and dosen't tangle her curls or get greasy on me...it gets gunk off of icky hand and faces just as well. I've also been using on myself....great for freshing up stinky armpits,etc in this awful Texas heat..and heck, maybe I'll even save a tree or two!

Oopsy Daisy Rinse Free Baby Shampoo retails for $18 a bottle (a little goes a long way) and can be found on their website or at better baby boutiques across the country.

Bathe Beautifully Bebes...

Get This: Redken Real Control...

I know I have been really into talking about hair lately but tis the season for dryness and frizzies.  I even went a WHOLE summer without putting anything on my hair and wore only protective styles just to see if I could grown my hair 4 inches in one summer...guess what it worked..LOL.

That being said, I love it when I find new products that help my fragile hair retain strength and moisture level and stay smooth at the same time.  Impossible??  Maybe not ladies.  Redken's latest line called Real Control is touted as a system for "dense/dry/sensitized hair".  To me that means fried, permed, dry, thick, relaxed etc.  My kinda stuff!!!

This line is indeed...intensely moisturizing (formulated with shea butter), and is specifically for hair that is dry, porous and prone to frizz.  I decided to try the shampoo, conditioner and hair mask first.  Last Saturday (Saturday is hair washing day) I did the shampoo and conditioner and I noticed that my hair felt really clean but I didn't get that whole squeaky feeling which I don't like at all...that makes me think my hair is being dried out!  I left the mask on for 30 minutes (which I don't normally do because I am impatient) and WHOA.  I could see/feel the difference while I was blow drying my hair.  It was shiny and I hadn't even put any product in it yet!!!!!

The line consists of shampoo and conditioner, the Intense Renewal Mask (that I soooo love btw), Thermal Resist leave-in spray for the those of you (and me...lol) that cannot live without their heat styling appliances, and the Crema Care leave-in conditioning treatment which would be great on thicker hair.

The line is available exclusively at Warren Tricomi salon in Los Angeles and will roll out nationwide in June at participating Redken Salons.  To find a salon in your area check the website or call 800-REDKEN8. 

Shampoo Pretty!!

Last Night A D.J. (errr a flat iron) Saved My Life!

Okay...you all know that I am obsessed with new and exciting ways to keep my hair flat yet in good condition (I know an oxymoron...as we all know heat + hair = death to hair)  Well I am pretty confident that I have found one that will give you the equation of heat + steam + hair = FABULOUS!

I was poking around various hair forums and had heard a whole lot about the Maxi Glide Flat Iron...every "long hair care forum" said that this iron was the BEST one they had ever used.  Then I saw it on HSN complete with demonstrations taking FRIZZED OUT hair to smooth and shiny in seconds.  That was IT I had to try it.  Guess what.... it sold out in minutes - I was BESIDE myself!!  Then I googled it and found it over at StyleBell...yaaay!  I had it in my hot little hands in 2 days.

Now on to the good stuff...how did it work.  The main complaint on all the forums about this iron was that the ceramic pins that are meant to detangle your hair actually pulled it out - yikes!  The reason I went ahead and got it is that the newer version has interchangeable plates.  There is one with the detangling ceramic pin plate but it also comes with a smooth plate too.  The plate with the pins works quite well is you are using small sections of hair and working slowly but if you have no patience or tend to work quickly with your hair, don't do it!  Use the smooth plate instead.  The iron has a temperature control and the best feature of all STEAM!!!!!!  When I tell you that my hair was SHINY and smooth...that is an understatement. I was in AWE I was staring at myself so hard!  I would suggest watching the enclosed DVD for tips and just play around with it.

Now one thing...the iron is bigger than what you are probably used to BUT once you get the hang of it you will love it.  It has grooves on the outside so you can flip and curl your hair as well.  The steam feature should only be used near the ends of your hair - we don't want any burned scalps now!

At the moment they are sold out on HSN but you can scoot on over to Stylebell and they have several packages to choose from.  You can even get the same sold out HSN package that has both the Maxi and Mini glide irons for under $130 (not bad right??)

Style Pretty!!

Drugstore Diva: Free Mani/Pedi's on Herbal Essence Ya'll!!!

Hello my fellow Americans....I wish I would've found out about this deal a month ago...lucky me....going to Mexico for some much needed R&R!!! Yippee....so if you are in the states (hee hee) and happen to be in your local grocery or drugstore....check this out!!   

          
With the purchase of any two (2) specially marked Herbal Essences shampoo or conditioner products, you can receive a free manicure or pedicure at participating salons. I will definitely be trying out their New Color Me Happy line when I get back and get my hair did. (what's the point of dying BEFORE May-Heck-O?..) Save your receipts and visit Herbal Essences Free Manicure/Pedicure to redeem for vouchers!!!! (takes 4-6 weeks).  Be sure to look for  the specially marked products with the green stickers  now through June (they have a green sticker, like the pics here in this post).

Now you have NO excuse...be proud of those pouncers !

Be Beautiful!

Drugstore Diva: John Frieda Frizz-Eaze Straight Ahead Shamp & Conditioner

Soft, Shiny-Hair Alert Girls.....I have been a Frizz Ease junkie for as long as I can remember so I was super excited to try out the new Straight Ahead products.  I'll never forget when the Original Frizz-Ease Serum came out...I think I was in high school? Well, needless to say - LIFE-CHANGING!!  I am pretty sure that good 'ole John Frieda was one of the first to start using silicones and dimethicones for the hair...did we know that he would start a revolution in hair?

 
So needless to say...love, love the new John Frieda Straight Ahead Shampoo and Conditioner.  I thought it delivered on all it's claims...my hair is soft, shiny and almost a joy to blow-out (yeah, right like THAT will ever happen LOL!) And an added plus of the Straight Ahead collection is UV and humidity protection...lord knows we need it here in Dallas!

Under $7 bucks @ CVS, Target, Walmart and all the others mass merchants..

Be Beautiful Babies!!!

Do-It-Yourself Beauty: Clairol Perfect 10 By Nice'n Easy...

First off, let me say that I am SO jealous of you girls that can get away with dying your hair at home (and my husband is too..he can't seem to grasp that "roots happen")..just think of all the dough I could save....I just can never seem to make it work because the dye always seems to end up all over the bathroom and I always miss big'ole spots in the back of my head......but my best friend Amy has been doing-it-herself now for over 15 years! So she has been-there-done-that when it comes to trying different box colors.

And when she saw that her favorite brand, Nice 'N Easy came out with a new formula, Clairol Perfect 10 she just had to try it....what's so great about this new stuff?

Time:  It only takes 10 minutes to get beautiful, full-grey coverage...you would never guess it by her gorgeous mane, but this girl has been full-on grey for about 5 years now!!!

Condition: Perfect 10 is WAY less harmful to the hair then other brands because of the short processing time...so you get the coverage you want without the damage...

Alas, pictures speak better than words so here are Amy's results: Beautiful...even, glossy hair..and all for under $12 bucks!!!!

   

So all you at-home hotties, be sure to try this stuff the next time you dye.....check it out at your local CVS, Walgreens, Target or Walmart!

Be Beautiful Ya'll!!!

Bringin' Beauty Back (to my hair) with Rahua!!!

Well it's that time of year again kids....time for fried, crispy ugly hair brought to you by sun, heat, humidity, and chlorine (not to mention the torture I put my hair through keeping these highlights) but I just HAVE to open that sunroof when the temperature soars and the sun comes out...but can literally see the difference in my hair right away..

Fortunately for me, I have found hope in Rahua Leave-In Treatment. This lovely concoction is the creation of New York's one and only "Hair Shaman" Fabian Lliquin. A 25 year haircare veteran, Fabian creates beautiful hair for his clients at his upper-east side salon  Cocoon Hair Studio. In all his years in the biz, Fabian has traveled the world sculpting manes for fashion shows, celebrity clientèle and researching ingredients for his concoctions. Starting way back in 1999 on one of his trips to the Amazon, Fabian came across the Quechuan-Shuar Tribe...well, the women took special pride in their maintaining their thick, luxurious hair....which for them represents a symbol of  health and status..(sound like any other tribe we might be familiar with?). The women created their beautiful manes by making sacred oils and elixirs from the Rahua nut...scavenged from the forest floor once a year.

Well lucky for us, Fabian was able to bring this secret home to us...and the true beauty of Rahua is that by bringing their handmade oils and elixirs to trade with us, Fabian has empowered the women of the Quechan-Shuar tribe economically and environmentally. Not only do we get beautiful hair but we get to help protect the Amazon while we do it!!!

I gotta tell ya....my hair has never felt better. A quarter-size dollop of this wonder potion concentrated on the ends of my hair is all it takes...my hair is soft, shiny and bouncy again! I don't know about you, but leave-in treatments are a MUST for me...and I have tried them all...combining lotions w/serums, creams,etc...but I could never seem to be able to get the moisture and shine that I need without combining products...and most annoying of all, usually getting that heavy-greasy feeling. This stuff is incredibly light...in fact, the first time I tried it I was convinced it wouldn't work...it's just TOO easy...

Now I have to prepare you....the price tag (gulp) is $125 for 4oz....but luckily for those of us that are  NOT on New York budgets they sell a 1oz trial size for $35... My trial size is going on a week now and I am about 1/3 the way through....so I am pretty sure that the 4oz would last a pretty long time...and no more mixing products to get a spectacular mane!!!! And just think...Even better heat styling only makes this stuff work better by driving it deeper into the hair shaft making it stronger and more resilient..so when it comes to the price tag...think of it as a "hair treatment" vs a "leave-in"...I know I will....

Rahua products are available at Fabian's Cocoon Hair Studio as well as Rahua.com & www.cocconhair.com.

Be Beautiful Y'all!

Rita Hazan: Super Secret Celeb Salon...

What do you get when you mix a top colorist who has worked with the likes or Oribe in NYC and throw in a posh setting off 5th Avenue??  The all new Rita Hazan Salon that's what!!  Rita recently moved into a sprawling new salon space uptown off 5th Avenue near 57th street, and honey it is GAWGUS.  I have been admiring Rita's work for a while now, I just didn't know who she was.  All of that has changed now, with celebrity clients and a stint on Oprah's big makeover show she is quickly becoming infamous in the world of hair styling and color.  And guess what else?  She is super nice and totally unassuming to boot.  Clad in some skinny jeans, a pair of sneakers and a bandanna tying her locks back, Rita was busy working her magic on a client but took the time to visit with us and thank us for coming by.

When we toured the salon last week, we were informed that Jennifer Lopez had just been in for her highlights the past week AND Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child had been in EARLY Friday morning for her hair appointment (hello....Beyonce's wedding was that day!!!)  They have a super sleek and uber private VIP salon area that is separate from the rest of the paying customers.  They have some top stylists there as we found out when Tia Williams squealed with delight when she found her long lost hairdresser working in the trenches at the salon.

I won''t lie to you the salon is not cheap but what NYC salon is??  One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is ONCE in your lifetime, get a cut or color at a top salon and then when you go back home, your stylist should be able to follow what has been done so you can keep it up.  You will feel like a stahhhh and that alone is worth the money honey.

Stay Pretty!!

Beauty By Josi: Sulfate-Free Shampoo That Really Works....AG Hair Cosmetics!!!

So armed with a new head of Jessica Alba caramel highlights (As if...she is such a goddess...but kind of snotty to the press...yes, I have a subscription to US Weekly y'all) I have decided to protect my investment.

Just in the nick of time I found AG Color Savour Shampoo and Conditioner . This is the first Sulfate-free shampoo I have used that actually lathers! Unfortunately, my thick-but-fine hair usually has the texture of a cotton ball right after a dye job.....it sucks up water and takes like 9 years to blow out! Well, this AG Color Savour Shampoo and Conditioner managed to return my hair back to a decent texture while keeping my new color true. (watch out Jessica you have some competition...hee hee!)

I followed up my shampoo and conditioner with their Fastfood Leave on Condition....because you know I cannot live without a good leave-in conditioner. This product really moisturized and has a great non-greasy texture...all while smelling DIVINE..(remember Fruit Stripe gum?..yummy)!!!

If you have never heard of AG Hair Cosmetics they are a family-owned company that has been in the salon haircare business for 19 years...a husband and wife duo, they started out their company literally from the basement of their home in 1989.

The Color Savor Shampoo and Conditioner retail for $20 each and the Fastfood leave on is $14 dollars. AG products are available at better salons throughout the US and at www.beautyclicks.com.

Next time you get your hair "did" I highly recommend checking this stuff out!

Shampoo Beautifully Y'all!

Awww Helll Nawww!!: Green Hair Down There???

St. Patrick's Day approacheth lassies!!  So you want to decorate your most prizes possession right?? Noooooo!!  Call me crazy but I just don't see it!!  Granted, Betty Beauty has an award winning formula, (check out their product info & FAQ's) it is not tested on animals, is perfectly safe for dying the hair down there and contains natural ingredients like chamomile, comfrey and cherry bark. But green??  C'mon people...hey they have stencils too if you are into it and honestly if you are then go for it...be adventurous LOL.

Now...Betty Beauty ('color for the hair down there'...catchy no??) has a pretty innovative idea on their hands and while they DO make regular colors for those of us that may have grays (great idea) or for those whose carpets don't match the curtains so to speak....I don't think I could get with green (or pink for that matter...LOL) Each kit includes 1-2 applications and retails for $19.99.

You can purchase Lucky Betty or any of the other Betty hair color products from their online store here.

Color Green (errr pretty...LOL!!)

Beauty By Josi: I Don't Have To Buy a CHI!

I just wanted to share my joy....I have needed a new flatiron for a while....and was pretty convinced that I was going to have to pony up and get a CHI.....but after a girlfriend told me about Ulta's Wigo Ceramic 1" Titanium Digital Flatiron for only $29.99, I thought I'd give it a go.........

And it's great.....it did the job on my mountain of hair...it's double spring loaded so it was almost as tight as a CHI.....and lot cheaper!!!! So if you have an Ulta close and you need a new flatiron, save some cash and pick one up!!!

Be Beautiful Y'all!

Get This: Burts Bees Spa Goodies...

So I was so excited to test out the latest from Burt's Bees  ....I loved their packaging so much in the beginning I was almost hooked before I even tried their products! Seems like I see a new product every time I hit a beauty isle.....so  I decided to give my self a  Burt's Bees mini-spa adventure (because dammit I deserve it! )....hee hee!

First off on my spa night was Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment . It gave  my hair some needed TLC and moisture. Women have used olive oil for years on their hair.....(I had a roommate in college that liked to use olive oil on her hair...I"ll never forget finding one of her long, dark curly hairs wrapped around our olive oil....now that's disgusting!!!)  So now, along with the avocado butter,  Burt's has found a  way to deliver all the therapeutic benefits plus provide us with some very needed aromatherapy....loved it!

Get Your Favorite SAG Awards Looks With GHD...

Celebs were all about playful curls, romantic waves, and sexy volume at the 2008 SAG awards. One of my favorite lines GHD,  shows you how to get your favorite red carpet looks without spending a minute at the salon!

The ghd IV styler is one if the best irons I have used because it allows you to create curls....which i am so into these days instead of the stick straight styles of yesteryear.  If you are looking for a new iron, this one is totally worth the money in my book.  So if you are sick of stick straight hair and want to get on the waves bandwagon, these tips are really helpful!

Eva’s Playful Pin Curls

• Spray damp hair with ghd thermal protector and blow dry
• Take a small section of hair, and starting at the root, hold the ghd IV styler vertically and gently clamp hair in between the plates. Then turn the styler 180° so the hair is twisted around part of the styler and slowly pull the styler through the hair to create a perfect curl (the technique is similar to curling ribbon with a pair of scissors. Move the styler slowly through the hair to create tighter curls like Eva’s
• Spray ghd ultimate hairspray for a non-sticky look that will last throughout the night
• Smooth on a little bit of ghd polishing serum through the curls to control flyaways and give a high-shine finish

Loose, romantic waves à la Amanda

• Apply damp hair with ghd thermal protector and blow dry
• To create loose waves, take a small section of hair, and starting at the root, hold the ghd IV styler vertically and gently clamp hair in between the plates. Then turn the styler 180° so the hair is twisted around part of the styler and pull the styler through the hair. Keep the pressure light (the plates shouldn’t be clamped down tightly on the hair) and ove the styler quickly through the hair to form the loose waves
• Shake out the hair a bit using your fingers, then spray on ghd sea spray to give hair some texture and provide a long lasting hold

Get Ashley’s Va-va-volume!

• Apply ghd fat hair lotion throughout damp hair
• Spray on ghd uplift spray to roots and blow dry
• Use the ghd IV styler to curl the ends of hair away from the face
• To create more volume around the crown, tease the hair a bit and finish with ghd ultimate hairspray

Style Pretty!!

Goddess of Touch...

Are you in NYC??  Would you like to be treated like a celebrity for a day??  Got2B is having an exclusive event in the West Village tonight!  Got2B has a new line of haircare products called Smooth Operator that provides touchable luxurious smoothness...be the first to try them out!

It should be a lot of fun with some relaxing elements, food/drinks, activities, prizes and gifts!  Plus get this...they will send a car service to pick you up...how's that for indulgent??

WHEN:  Tonight (January 30th) at 5pm
WHERE:  Cielo 18 Little West 12th Street, NYC
WHAT:  Food, drinks, prizes plus a chauffeured ride!

If you want to go, contact Jen O'Holla or 212-979-8884 ext. 205.  Get ready for your phone to ring Jen!!

Stay Pretty!

Silver Streak...

Have you been looking for a new hair dryer??  They just don't make them like they used to do they?  The motor burned in mine right in the middle of drying my hair!!!  Imagine my horror..one half wet one half dry.  Insane.  So I wrapped up my soggy mess and headed over to my beloved Tar-jay.  There I found so many different kinds of dryers it was almost overwhelming!  I have a few requirements in the hairdryer that I choose.  It must have 1875 watts or higher, it must have different temperature settings, and most of all... it must look pretty.

I found my dryer soulmate that day...Infiniti by Conair Nano Silver Tourmaline, Ceramic Styler 228 is a total dream!  In addition to my requirements...it has a bonus - tourmaline and ceramic technology!  Thank you Jesus!!  Both of those things cut down on the frizzies so that made me jump for joy.  It gets screaming hot when you need it to but has a cool shot setting as well. There is a high torque motor, the cord swivels AND it comes with 3 attachments!!

Oh I am in heaven...

Style Pretty!!

Oh So Silky...

Kimberly Kimble is a third generation hair stylist with firm roots in the industry, that is most likely one of the reasons that she has been so successful - that drive and determination.  Her training began at the Vidal Sassoon Academy & Dudley Cosmetology University in North Carolina.  She has styled hair for such major cosmetics companies as CoverGirl, L'Oreal and Neutrogena.  According to most, it was not only inevitable that she would become a stylist, it was a given.  Her celebrity clientèle includes Beyonce, Gabrielle Union, Mary J. Blige and Kerry Washington just to name a few.  And recently, Ms. Kimble worked her magic on the Oprah Winfrey Show helping regular ladies achieve astonishing results in Oprah's Great American Haircut show.

It may not come as a surprise to you then, that Ms. Kimble has her own haircare line.  Yes, yes she does.  Not only does she help to formulate shampoos, conditioners and styling products, she also has a line of haircare for extensions (which she also designs)

I got a chance to try her Silk Treatment System and I am telling YOU.  It made a difference.  I could tell as soon as my hair was dry...it felt different.  In this system, there is a shampoo, a conditioner and a leave in thermal conditioner.  It is formulated with a decadent infusion of silk so shine and softness are immediately apparent.  The Silk Treatment system is also touted to be great for all types of hair especially coarse hair.  My hair is quite fine and it worked beautifully on me.  I almost think my hair was too soft (if that is at all possible...LOL).

I am anxious to try others now!!  All of her products are available at her online store here - I also hear that she is developing a line of tool for styling that is set to debut before the year is over.

Style Pretty!!

How To: Holiday Hair - Romantic Waves...

Nothing like having gorgeous hair for the holidays - right??  My favorite look these days is a loose wavy one.  No structure or stuffiness, just loose romantic waves.  Nexxus and world renowned hair stylist Kevin Mancuso show you how to get the look with little or no effort.  This look is sooooo old Hollywood, think Veronica Lake and Dorothy Dandrige.

Nothing is prettier to me than loose wavy hair and trust me, whether your hair is short or long this will work for you.  Now, if you are sporting a short close cropped do, this isn't for you BUT if your hair is right above shoulder length or longer (read, can you pin curl it??) then this is YOU.

below is step by step video to get the look - just tried it this weekend with stunning results.  Knock yourselves out ladies and get the look you want and need for that holiday party at home without breaking the bank.

Style Pretty!!

Steal This: Original CHI Flat Iron...

I love being able to pass savings along when I can and this one is a total STEAL.  StyleBell has the original 1" flat iron by CHI for $89.95 PLUS free shipping!  This is a great flat iron that will give you professional results in minutes.

The Rundown:

• 1” ceramic plates
• Curved edge plate design to curl, straighten and flip
• Ceramic ionic technology eliminates frizz, creates silky shiny hair instantly
• Far infrared flash heating in only 6-10 seconds
• Fixed temperature settings from 302-356 degrees F
• 10’ power cord with 360 degree swivel cord

Shop Pretty!!

Dirty..Dirty Girl

HA...well I am!  My hair is somewhat of an obession for me.  It has rules and regulations, if it is humid do this, only wash me once a week, trim my ends...blah blah blah.  Well sometimes I have to work around these rules because sometimes I will have to wash in the middle of the week because it looks dirty and that would just throw everything off.  Enter my newsest love...from Oscar Blandi.

Pronto Dry Shampoo is a GODSEND!  Thiis is a dry powder freshener if you will.  I used this in the middle of running around NYC during fashion week....I was hot and my hair was sweaty.  Very hard to look cute and washing was not an option..I had zero time!  I grabbed this at Sephora in Times Square and it helped immensely.  Was it as good as actual washing...no but who cares??  My hair looked great for a day which is exactly what I needed it for. 

Be careful if you have dark hair though...if you use too much it will make you look like you have grey hair...LOL.  Just use it at the roots and use your fingers to fluff.  It absorbs residual dirt and oil, leaves you hair looking and smelling fresh. 

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Product Review: Paul Penders Hair Care...

Shampoos and conditioners are one of my first loves.  In general, ever since I was little I have been obsessed in one form or another with them.  My sister I would watch the commercials in the 70's for brands like Body on Tap (which was made with beer and I swear made my hair bounce like crazy!)and admire the ladies with the hair that bounced in slow motion...LOL.  Hair washing day was on Saturday or Sunday and it took all morning because there were two of us that had to get our hair rolled.  We only had one mom and one dryer so we would both be done by 12 if we started early.  These days, I don't have as much time as I used to but I still want my hair to look good right?? 

Recently I tried a brand that I had never heard of called Paul Penders.  Their products are organic which is good...always nice to be kind to your hair especially since we put it through so much with the dying and the perming etc.  I used the Shampoo Gentle for fine hair.  What struck me was that the shampoo had little or no suds.  I thought that was odd so I ended up shampooing 3 times because I thought it wasn't "working".  We are so conditioned to feeling like our hair should "squeak" or its not clean...not the case.  Apparently shampoos with low suds are better for your hair because too much detergent can leave your hair dried out.  Also, this shampoo is fantastic if you wear braids or even a weave because you don't have to worry about having suds residue on your scalp!

So not only will your hair get clean, but the condition will be preserved as well with organic olive oil to moisturize. Rinse Gentle was actually really nice, smelled fresh and lemony.  My hair didn't feel weighed down, it was extremely light.  It has coconut oil, aloe vera and apple cider (which are all great for your hair by the way).

Stay Pretty!!

Wet To Dry and Straight in a Hot Minute...

I am usually skeptical when it comes to hair appliances promising what seems to be the impossible.  But I have been won over this time.  I had heard my buddy Kristen rave about the T3 hair dryer, so I figured the brand had to be good.

Enter my newest hair buddy the Bespoke Labs 1.75" T3 Wet-or-Dry Flat Iron.  This baby is normally $200 but you can get it at Banler for $50 less (SCORE!!).  I started with damp, towel dried hair and as a ran the iron over my locks, something that looked like smoke came out (it was in fact steam) and my hair looks glassy and shiny and above all....straight and dry.  It did make my hair a little bit too straight, but who cares!  To a curly haired girl that has humidity issuses, i will take too straight over too frizzy any day...LOL!  I just threw in some hot rollers when I finished and I had shiny bouncy hair.

How does it work??  Well the ceramic plates are infused with tourmaline gemstones (hence the high price tag...), there are these little channels on either side that they call SmartPipes™.   Strategically placed holes for the water to escape as steam.  Steam is actually better for your hair than dry heat (remember the Caruso setter??)  Your hair (wet or dry) ends up really shiny and if you do the damp thing, kinda hydrated too.

       

• T3 channeling and vents evaporate excess water; dry and straighten in one fast, healthy step
• 1- 3/4" flat pure Tourmaline infused ceramic plates; pure tourmaline heater
• Fully adjustable temperature control that reaches a maximum temperature of 410 degrees Fahrenheit
• Unsurpassed infrared heat for deep, long lasting straightening; straighten or curl
• Comes with a convenient travel pouch & 48 month warranty

Shine Pretty!!
      

Hair Apparent...

Looking for some worthy goodies fo