2009 Favorites!

Hey guys! I can't believe 2009 is over already... it's crazy! Personally, I couldn't be happier that it's over cos '09 has just been one of the suckiest years ever... but you guys have helped me through it. I love all my followers, and fellow bloggers!

Another bright spot of this year has been trying so many (many, many) different hair products! I've acquired quite the collection since I started this blog! LOL! So I'm gonna tell you what my absolute favorites are, but I won't be restricting it to one product for every category so it'll be a little different than my usual monthly favorites posts. So here they are!

Shampoo!

1. S-Factor Diamond Dreams Shampoo: The most luxurious shampoo I own... it's amazing! It's a total luxury item, but on the days when I'm feeling lousy, it's such a good pick-me-up. Diamond Dreams has a rich lather, it's super moisturizing, and the scent is 2 DIE 4 - blackberry lychee - pure heaven. A great way to indulge yourself without resorting to chocolate. LOL!
2. Redken Color Extend: Pretty much my everyday shampoo. It's moisturizing, protects my color, and gently cleanses. Loves it!
3. Sebastian Drench: I was able to try this thanks to CosmoProf's 12 Days of X-mas special, and I'm glad I did! Drench is good stuff, especially if you have dry hair - like me. And to me it smells like apples, I don't know if that's what they were going for, but I like it. :D
4. L'Occitane Ultra Rich Shea Butter Shampoo: The first product that was ever sent to me to review - it will always be special to me... especially since it works! If my hair was healthy, I would not need conditioner with this shampoo... no, really. L'Occitane is another luxury item, but if you got some spare cash I highly suggest giving this shampoo a shot!

Conditioner!

1. S-Factor Diamond Dreams: Pure silk in a bottle. It leaves my hair feeling amazingly soft and healthy. Like the shampoo, it's a total extravagance - but it makes me happy, so whatevs. BTDubbz, both the shampoo and conditioner are color-safe.
2. Redken Real Control: My favorite Redken conditioner. The Real Control line is meant for thick hair like mine, and the conditioner works awesome for me! Also color-safe.
   
3. Redken Color Extend: Great stuff! Usually I use this in conjunction with Color Extend shampoo for a couple weeks after my hair is freshly colored, or whenever I feel like it.

Treatment!

1. Redken Real Control Intense Renewal: All time favorite hair mask. I dare you not to fall in love with it!
2. Joico K-PAK Reconstruct: K-PAK brought my lightened to the max, over-processed, brittle hair back to life! A must-have protein treatment. I'm going to need this in a gallon size though, so Joico get on that please.
3. S-Factor Serious Conditioner: This stuff SERIOUSLY rocks! Can be used as a daily condtioner or a hair mask - versatility! I love it.
4. Redken Extreme CAT: I use CAT once or twice a month, or after I receive a chemical service to give my hair a good protein boost! I love it because it packs a lot of punch in a short time. Usually I layer Intense Renewal over it to deep condition at the same time.

Smoothing & Shine!

1. S-Factor Dream Drops: STAPLE! This is a must have for everyone! Whether you use it in wet or dry hair, your hair will be blindingly shiny - and never greasy.
2. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: One of the best leave-ins I've ever tried. I love using it as a flat-iron spray too, it like - fills in the damage on the hair shaft. I love it!
3. S-Factor Smoothing Lusterizer: Smoothing Lusterizer saved my hair back when I was blonde. I'd mix a little of it with a few Dream Drops and my hair looked amazing. Even now that I'm (almost) back to natural, I still use it all the time!
4. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap: If your hair is so processed that it's about to fall out - you need this. It leaves your hair feeling healthy... as healthy as over-processed hair can feel. LOL!
5. Bed Head Headrush: STAPLE! I've seriously gone through like four cans of this stuff. I use it on everybody, as well as myself! It's a super-fine shine mist that makes your hair look polished and healthy.

Volume!

1. Redken Blown Away 09: The best blowdry gel I've used so far! Adds a lot of volume and doesn't weigh hair down at all. Staple.
2. Catwalk Your Highness Thickening Gel Creme: The whole Your Highness collection is amazing, but the Thickening Gel Creme rocks! Adds tons of body and shine, and smells like sensual jasmine and violets... mmm....
3. Scruples Direct Volume Spray Foam: This spray foam gives a more firm hold than the other two. If you prefer a firmer hold in your hair, this is for you - but by no means is it crunchy or sticky, it's a great product!

Straightening!

1. Sebastian Potion 9: I love this product for its versatility - you can blowdry your hair silky straight with it or air dry/diffuse for luscious curls.
2. Bed Head Control Freak Serum: This is one of Bed Head's best sellers for a reason! You can blowdry your hair almost pin straight with it, without weighing down your hair or leaving residue!
3. FX Flat Iron Spray: Probably my favorite flat iron spray! I can use it on ANYONE for amazing results, and you can get it at the drugstore!
4. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: Like I said before, I love to use this as a flat iron spray - but more for coarse & damaged hair as it's very conditioning.
5. S-Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray: This makes your hair superrr shiny and superrr straight! Best used on normal/coarse hair, and a little goes a long way!
6. Redken Spray Starch 15: Whether you're straightening, curling, waving, crimping, whatevering, Spray Starch works great!

Texture!

1. S-Factor Spun Satin: One of my favorite hair products EVER! It's a whipped styling soufflé that is perfect for wavy hair (like mine). It conditions your hair while adding soft texture and definition. I want it in bulk. :D
2. Sebastian Microweb Fiber: I've never had so much fun using a hair product before! If you've ever used it you know what I mean, and if you haven't watch this clip: http://bit.ly/8VRNRg It gives you crazy, moldable texture that lasts all day!
3. KMS Hairplay Dry Wax: I use this more than I use hairspray! Spray it wherever you want texture and separation with a light hold.
4. Nioxin Smoothing Reflectives Defining Pomade: Gives massive shine and separation, and smells so wonderfully masculine. Seriously, if it was a cologne I'd totally buy it.
5. Bed Head Hard To Get Texturizing Paste: Perfect if you want separation, definition, and texture with a light matte finish.
6. Bed Head Creative Genius: For the hardcore gel lovers, this has been my fave since I was like 13! Crazy intense texture and hold in dry hair & a lighter, more natural hold when blowdried in wet hair. Curly girls like it too - a little in wet hair + air dry = sculpted, frizz free curls with a firm hold. Perfect for guys with short spikey hair as well!
7. Sebastian Whipped Creme: Versatility!!! Air dry for natural, tousled curls, OR diffuse for sexy curls with definition, OR set hair for gorgeous/bouncy/red carpet ready curls!
8. Bed Head Hook-Up Mousse Wax: One of the most interesting products I own! Comes out in a creamy, mousse-like foam but gives re-workable texture, definition, and shine like wax!
9. B For Men Matte Separation Workable Wax: For the boys! Gives great hold and separaton with a definite matte finish.
10. KMS Hairplay Sea Salt Spray: Beach hair! Using this spray really is like a day at the beach. It has a light hold and really brings out the waves in your hair. Plus it's in a spray bottle, which if you read my review, you know I LOVE! No caps to lose. =)

Hairspray!

1. White Sands Stuck Up: All time favorite! When used with heat you can create insane, avant garde, sky high styles - but by itself it gives a light, yet firm hold that brushes out beautifully.
2. S-Factor Vivacious: OMG I buy this for the scent alone! Especially since it lasts for hours! And it holds great without feeling sticky or heavy.
3. Sebastian Re-Shaper: Re-Shaper has a lighter, more natural hold but still fights frizz and humidity.
4. Rusk W8less Plus: The name is right! Weightless hold, pleasant scent, and versatile!
5. Bed Head Masterpiece: All day hold and it makes your hair crazy shiny! Never seen a hairspray give this much shine and not make your hair feel like crap!
6. New Image Super Hold Hairspray: I'm normally not a fan of non-aerosol products, or Sally's products - but this is an exception! The pump sprays a very fine mist, unlike others that just spit it out at you, and it gives a nice firm hold without the crunchy/sticky mess most others give.
7. Bed Head Hard Head: This stuff is strong - total updo hairspray! Perfect for those who like their hair to have that "frozen" look.

WHEW! That's a lot of product! And writing! Good thing it's only a yearly post haha. Well there you have it - my favorite products of 2009. I wonder what I'll be loving next year...

What about you?! I want ALL OF YOU to tell me what YOUR favorite products of 2009 are! I absolutely love reading all your comments, fo'realz! =) I hope everyone has a great 2010, I wish you all the BEST!

I LOVE YOU ALL! XOXO
-Anthony

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You may have noticed...

Hello all! If you've been following my blog for a while, or if you've read through a lot of my posts, you'll see that at the end of every month I do a Favorites post. You also may have noticed that I did not do one for November. There's a reason though. Most of it is.. well, I forgot. But I also realized I should just do a 2009 Favorites post. Or maybe I should just stop doing them, they don't seem to be very popular. Well, what do you think?

Also, if you have any ideas/questions/comments/etc, comment and tell me. I enjoy new ideas and constructive criticism. : D ...read more ⇒

Sebastian Potion 9 Review

Hello all! Happy December!!! To kick off the month, I'm reviewing Sebastian Potion 9 with Recessionista over at Nouveau Cheap. She's reviewing the GVP version of Potion 9, like we did with Joico K-PAK Reconstruct. I love her, she's the most amazing blogger out there. If you don't follow her blog, you need to be shot, and once you recover you should go follow it. =)

Okay, so Potion 9 has been around for like, a longggg time. With good reason too, because it's pretty awesome. It's extremely versatile, lightweight, and makes your hair feel like heavennn. I highly recommend it for curly/wavy hair. I really should use it more.. but... you know... I've got all this other stuff so it kinda gets lost in the mix LOL. I'm gonna be honest though, when I bought it I thought it was like a hair treatment/deep conditioner kinda product. It wasn't until I got home and... actually read the label... that I found out it was a styling product hahaha. I certainly wasn't mad or anything, but the name "Potion 9" made it sound that way. Right? Agree with me please. I'll feel better. *puts on dunce cap*

Anywho, the main ingredients in Potion 9 are: Water, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, and Panthenol. There are a lot of plant and fruit oils/extracts too, but they're not really doing much other than adding some slight conditioning and making the product sound nice. Glycerin is a humectant that does a great job of keeping your hair and skin moisturized. Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (aka guar gum) comes from the guar bean, which is mostly harvested in India (about 80%). It's a thickening/emulsifying agent that has about 8 times the water thickening power of cornstarch. But don't worry, your hair's not gonna feel like you starched it or anything, it just gives your hair some slight hold and thickens up the product. Hydrolyzed Wheat and Soy Protein are plant proteins that have been partially turned to water by hydrolysis. Panthenol (vitamin B5) is another good ingredient. It plumps up the hair shaft, adding volume and shine. Think of the stuff they use to fill potholes in the road--it's not a permanent solution, but it gets the job done for now.

For curly/wavy hair, I think this stuff works best when you use it and let it air dry. It's also good for blowdrying hair straight. Either way your hair will feel soft and silky, and it'll stay that way all day.

Have any of you tried Potion 9? Or the GVP version? Comment and let me know! Or just comment to say hi!!! ;D

Sebastian Potion 9 comes in both a 5 oz. bottle and 16.9 oz. tub w/ pump. The 5 oz. is around $18-$20, and the 16.9 oz. is around $30. If you really love the stuff, the tub is probably the better deal.

I hope you guys enjoyed this review, and don't forget to check out Recessionista's GVP review too! Take care of your hair, pretties! ...read more ⇒