Finding Gold: Kerastase Initialiste

There's a whole new approach to hair as of late- more of a skincare approach.  There are more serums & oils on the market that sound just like they would belong in your normal skincare regimen. In the past, the focus has been on the ends- but now that's shifted. Because the hair at the end is dead, the way to improve the overall quality of your hair is by treating it at the scalp.

Though I've used many of Kerastase's serums on my hair, often it's from mid shaft to the ends. Initialiste is literally a scalp treatment first & foremost - which made me hesitant, as my hair at the roots is rather oily. The serum however is much different from the Oleo Relax or treatments oils I've used from them in the past. It has a light watery texture & shockingly helped my hair look less greasy, with more volume at the roots on the nights I skipped a shampoo- so go figure. I don't know if I've seen results to warrant $60, when due to this product's texture I use way more of it versus their oil based serums. With their oils, one pump goes a long way in a 4.7 ounce bottle.  Initialiste is only 2.2 ounces, it's a nice product- but the jury's still out on whether I'd purchase it again.

 

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Garnier Fructis Pure Volume Dry Shampoo

 Being a girl is a lot of work, so is having long hair. Where I once shampooed every day, I now stretch it to every other day out of sheer laziness & the fact that it's supposed to actually be better for your hair. The dry shampoo phenomonon makes me feel a bit like Goldilocks- most are way too powdery white versus translucent & leave my hair looking like a brown & white tabby cat.  Never the less, seeing how my favorite one by Oribe is over $30- the search continues for what I call a cheap & cheerful version! In my quest, I recently picked up Garnier's Pure Volume Dry Shampoo at the drugstore.

The spray aerosol smells like Watermelon bubble gum, not in a bad way- just fruity. The issue lies a bit with it leaving my brunette locks looking a little like those of Cruella De Ville. With dry shampoos, I tend to apply several sprays throughout my scalp to refresh it & add volume.  Though  the powder in this (& most dry shampoos) leaves my brown hair looking rather ashy. I definitely feel this product would be a no brainer for those with light colored hair. For those of us with dark hair, it's still a good value- though my search continues. What I do with the Garnier Pure Volume Dry Shampoo, is use the spray before bedtime on the nights when I'm not washing my hair & massage it into my scalp. That way, while I sleep the powder has a chance to absorb oil & not look so white against my dark hair in the morning.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Aloxxi Dry Shampoo

To prevent damage to your hair, I know it's always suggested that you not shampoo every day. That's super hard when you have oily skin, thus an oily scalp.  More often than not, if I skip a night of shampooing (which I would love to do with long hair) my hair looks like it has been licked down by a cat.  Not a good look. All the classic dry shampoos I've tried in the past have left me looking like Cruella De Ville, as I'm a brunette.  Most left my hair looking gray in patches & quite dull- then brown colored powders to avoid looking ashy left me looking like pig pen! Nothing really was a good fit. But brunettes rejoice! Recently I tried Aloxxi's new Dry Shampoo & I think I've finally found a winner! It's the least powdery spray version I've found- the trick is to shake the bottle just a little, not a lot. It's got a highly addictive unisex smell & leaves a cooling, tingly sensation on your scalp- as an added bonus. My hair is quite thrilled I've discovered it.

Peace. Love. product.

Brazilian Blowout: Acai Straightening Balm

For as much effort I put into my skin, only recently have I started upping the ante with my hair.  I have to admit that effort was initiated by obvious signs of breakage. Hair dryers, straightening irons & the fact that I often wear my hair in a ponytail for work were wreaking havoc on my mane.  When I first squeezed some of of Brazilian Blowout's Acai Protective Thermal Straightening Balm (what a mouthful!) in my hand, I quickly noted the slippery texture due to silicones. Had this been a skincare product, that would have had me running for the hills!  However I was careful to apply it away from my scalp, as I have oily hair & apply it only from the middle to the ends. 

 I immediately noticed its amazing detangling capabilities! My hair is fine & prone to tangling. When your hair is wet, it's at its weakest - with this product my comb glides through my hair with ease. This is a dream- so moms out there try to sneak some of this in your daughter's hair post bath time! During my blowdrys with this product, I rarely even need to straight iron after. The silicone keeps my hair frizz free & smooth without it getting 'stringy' looking. I would say it's ideal for those who have shoulder length hair or longer. It retails for $28 & a little goes a long way into helping you have a good hair day.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo

I recently read an article on Rosie Pope's {of Pregnant in Heels fame) hair routine- I believe it was in Lucky or InStyle Magazine, but don't quote me on that.  In it she said that she relied on Paul Mitchell's  Tea Tree Special Shampoo (+ some Shampowder dry shampoo) to make her blow outs last a full week!  First off that's bordering on or just about arrived at gross, Rosie.  My hair would have a shellac like appearance if I ever went that long without shampooing, it's so oily. Nevertheless I picked up a bottle to see what freedom it could give me. It's main ingredient, Tea Tree Oil, has been used for centuries to calm, purify & balance the skin. It's often found in all natural acne products & is very popular in Australia. The shampoo itself smells bracingly, in a good wake-you-up-kind-of-way, of mint. When it's on your scalp, dare I say I get the sensation of how a York Peppermint Patty might feel- it's deliciously cool & tingly.  So a full week of not having to wash my hair again? Not for this girl, but I could easily skip a day, which is saying something. For those with normal to dry hair- I would say 2 or 3 days of freedom. Worth noting, this shampoo is also safe for colored hair & treats dandruff! It's a winner.

Peace. Love.Lipgloss. M

Hair Must Have Monday

So today while I'm at The Make Up Show in NYC I thought I'd talk about one of my new must have hair products. I have super long hair- think Kardashian length. It's in good shape, but at that length I struggle with breakage. I try to keep styling with heat tools to a minimum & when I do I apply protective products.

Matrix's Total Results Break Fix is a great multi- use product. The leave in 'elixir' has a hybrid texture between that of a gel & lotion. I love that it's not very heavy for my hair which tends to be oily. It also smells like fruity Skittles- in a good way. I usually apply about 5 pumps from the middle of my hair to the ends & comb through. Just with the product & drying my hair with my fingers- I have been loving the super sleek results I get!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss.