Rockaholic Rock My World Stellar Smoothing Cream Review

Hey guys! Today I'm reviewing a new addition to the TIGI Rockaholic line: Rock My World Stellar Smoothing Cream, because I just don't have enough smoothing products. Is there such a thing? ...No, there can't be! Anyway, this recently came out along with Dirty Secret Dry Conditioner. That sounds weird, right? I'll review that next. The label on Rock My World reads: "This stellar cream goes on wet or dry hair while protective barriers help prevent thermal damage. Light hold keeps hair smooth & sends good vibrations your way!" My first thought? I thought it sounded an awful lot like After Party, and to be honest they are pretty similar, but different. Mostly because this product looks much less phallic then After Party does. Not that it's a bad thing, I'm just saying. Also, thank you to the person who pointed that out to me, and now that's all I can think of when I see it. No, but they are different aside from that. I'll explain after we go through the ingredients.

The full ingredient list:

Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, PVP, Polyacrylamide, Propylene Glycol, VP/VA Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bismuth Oxychloride, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PEG-8 Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, Castor Seed Oil, Mica, Fragrance, Sodium PCA, Laureth-7, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Panthenol, Methylisothiazolinone, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 17789 (Titanium Dioxide).

Without the fluff:

Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, PVP, Polyacrylamide, Propylene Glycol, VP/VA Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bismuth Oxychloride, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PEG-8 Methicone, Castor Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Laureth-7, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Panthenol.

Water: the base of almost every haircare product. Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-8 Methicone, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, are all conditioning silicones. Some are stronger than others, but they all balance out when you throw in cyclopentasiloxane. I think I've covered all of those in previous posts, so if you're wondering about a specific silicone, just use the search function on the top right of my blog. C13-14 Isoparaffin, and Polyacrylamide are thickening agents. Castor Seed Oil is an occlusive coniditoning agent, usually found in skincare products but it's not unheard of to be in haircare. It forms a barrier on the hair/skin's surface preventing moisture loss. Sodium PCA is an anti-static agent, and a humectant, which is perfect for a product like this. Laureth-7 is an emulsifying agent; it's used to blend everything together. PVP and VP/VA Copolymer gives a light hold, almost like you wouldn't know if they didn't tell you. Bismuth Oxychloride kind of threw me off, because I don't remember seeing it anywhere else. It's actually used to give products that pretty pearlescent effect. Apparently it's used in a lot of mineral makeup too, and some people are like allergic or sensitive to it. So if your mineral makeup makes you itch, this might be why.

Now, on to the differences between Rock My World and After Party. The biggest one is that RMW does give hold, however slight, and AP doesn't. This actually does make a difference, because RMW will smooth your hair and keep it together, while AP mostly just smooths and adds shine to your hair. There's definitely more of a "slippery" feeling with AP, because it's SO conditioning, and I don't really get that with RMW. However, some who feel that AP makes their hair "too soft" will probably like RMW, because it makes your hair a more naturally soft feeling. Something that's also interesting, AP directions say to use it on dry hair, when RMW says you can use it on wet or dry hair. I feel like AP got it backwards, because it works great in wet hair, but I feel like it's a bit heavy on dry hair... but maybe that's just me. RMW works great in either wet or dry hair, btw. So, it's not that one is better than the other, they're just different - but similar. Also, the scents are way different. RMW's scent is "blackberry amber" - it's delish! And AP's scent is "fruit medley" ...? I don't know, but it does smell fruity, and it's one of my favorite scents so.

Rock My World is probably best for fine/normal - normal/coarse hair. I don't think people with very coarse hair will get much out of it, and I think it might be a bit too heavy for people with fine hair. It's also a good product to cocktail with other smoothing/shine products.

Cocktail: (v) to mix two hair products together, to combine the effects of both. Most commonly done with conditioners.

Rockaholic Rock My World Stellar Smoothing Cream comes in a 3.46 oz / 98 g bottle, and retails for around $19.

That was kind of a long one! By the way, my birthday is this month. I'll be 21 - yay! Take care of your hair, and try to stay warm!

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It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum Review

Hey everyone! In my huge hair product menagerie, the products I seem to have the most of are serums. Most of them are either good, okay, or not that great. But there are few that are truly GREAT! It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum falls into that category. Seriously, I probably have over 20 "serum" type products, and I really only love a few of them.

As a brand, It's a 10 kind of annoys me with their overuse of the word "miracle." All their products are miracles... I mean, it's a great brand, but their products certainly aren't miracles... they're just effective. But somehow, I don't think "It's Effective" would have the same brand power. Also, the claim that every product "does 10 things instantly" is a bit bloated. So if anyone with any pull at the It's a 10 company is reading this, your products are great! You don't need all these fluffy claims! Seriously, It's a 10 could come in packaging a la Living Proof or evo, and still fly off the shelves. Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising: the kind money can't buy.

Am I getting preachy? Sorry. Moving on, let's look at the ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Argan Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit (Buriti) Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance/Parfum.

De-fluffed:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Argan Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit (Buriti) Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer.

See? Not a miracle, just a quality product. Cyclopentasiloxane conditions and protects hair, and as a base helps to break up other heavy silicones like dimethicone. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient (moisturizer). Argan oil is in everything lately! I've reviewed I think three products that contain it! It's chock full of vitamins and it's great for your skin and hair. Buriti (bu-REE-chee) oil is insanely rich in emollients and essential fatty acids, not to mention it has more beta carotene than carrot oil! I've decided that Buriti oil is definitely not fluff. Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer moisturizes, and regulates consistency and viscosity of products.

Now just like I did with It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, I'll go through the 10 claims individually:

• 1) Adds shine: Definitely!
• 2) Controls frizz: Definitely!
• 3) Seals the cuticle: I'm sure it helps to smooth the cuticle, making hair feel softer and reflecting more light (#1).
• 4) Nourishes the hair: With both Argan and Buriti oil, I'm sure your hair will get some nourishment!
• 5) No build up: I'm not touching this one. Some say cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone are water-soluble, depending on the formula, but others say they're not. You decide.
• 6) Resists humidity: Kinda sounds like #2 + #3 combined to me, but I have to agree.
• 7) Smoothes the hair: See #3.
• 8) Protects color: Yes. The combination of natural oils and conditioning silicones will for sure protect your color.
• 9) Alcohol free: Definitely! Though that's more of a selling point, not a claim.
• 10) Creates slip: See #1, #2, #3, and #7.

See what I mean about some of the claims being... err... a bit "stretched." Doesn't mean it's a bad product, nor does it mean it's a bad company. I just think they try a bit too hard. Just a bit. Oh! And the scent! It's...divine...like some exotic Brazilian perfume. I wish I was better at detecting fragrance notes, so I could describe it better, but you have to smell this stuff! I think you'll agree with me. Let me put it this way: it's like a deeper, more sensuous version of the way the leave-in fragrance smells. That's like, the only way I can describe it while making any sense at all.

It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum comes in a 4 fl oz / 120 ml bottle, and the MSRP is $25.

Another review... done! Take care of your hair, and try and stay warm! It's getting chilly out!

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Vavoom Design Pulse Glow to Pieces Shine Wax Review

Hi all! Today I'm reviewing one for the boys, or you know... anyone that likes shine wax. It's Glow to Pieces shine wax, from Vavoom's "Design Pulse" collection of cool, edgy hair products. I've used this product off and on since I got it, and I'm thinking this is definitely going to be a repurchase. It works, it smells nice, and a little goes a very long way.

Personally, when I reach for wax I don't always use shine wax. I usually like something with a bit more hold, and more of a natural/matte finish. But once in a while, I like to leave my hair in a touchable, almost natural state. Almost, because I don't like it when my hair has nothing in it. It feels too... soft. I need just the slightest bit of texture in it, and that's when I grab Glow to Pieces. It gives a soft hold, while adding shine and texture. I have it in my hair right now, and when I run my fingers through it, I can barely tell I have anything in my hair.

My personal opinion aside, let's take a look at the ingredients:

Water, Steareth-20, Isoceteth-20, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Oleth-5, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Oleth-10 Phosphate, PVP, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Metyhylparaben, Corn Starch Modified, Aminomethyl Propanol, Propylparaben, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Nylon-12, Polyurethane-6, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 19140/Yellow 5, CI 14700/Red 4.

The de-fluffed list:

Water, Steareth-20, Isoceteth-20, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Oleth-5, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Oleth-10 Phosphate, PVP, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Corn Starch Modified, Aminomethyl Propanol, Nylon-12, Polyurethane-6.

The whole product is basically water, a lot of flexible, pliable, film-formers with just a hint of hold and mineral oil. I'm not too crazy about mineral oil. To me, it's old fashioned and I think there are better substitutes for it... but mineral oil is cheap, so whatever. As long as it's in a low dose and not going near my face, I can deal with it. But that's just me. Oh, and when I was going through the fluff I noticed this product has geraniol, which can irritate people with fragrance allergies. Just a heads up.

On a scale of 1-5, (1 = barely there & 5 = cement) I'd definitely give it a 1, with the possibility of being a 2 depending on how much you use. A pea-sized amount works just fine for my short hair. Glow to Pieces can also be used on long hair, to add shine, control frizzies, and enhance the look of layers. Just remember, a pea. Use more if you want to get a funky, textured, straight outta bed look. Always try different things! It's just hair, have fun with it.

Vavoom Design Pulse Glow to Pieces Shine Wax comes in a 50 ml / 1.7 oz pot, and the MSRP is $17 I believe.

There's always more to come, so keep reading and take care of your hair!

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Goldwell Rich Repair Leave-In Hairtip Serum.

Hey guys! Today I'm reviewing Goldwell Rich Repair Leave-In Hairtip Serum. The struggle for healthy hair never ends. It's an interesting little product; I kind of like the fact that it's specifically made for the ends of your hair.

At first I was a little turned off by it, because I saw alcohol on the ingredients list. And when I opened the bottle to smell it, I could smell the alcohol in it. For a second I thought, why would you want to put alcohol in a product for split ends? Alcohol is mainly used for hold in hairsprays and gels and such. But then it came to me, the alcohol is used to smooth down your ends to make it look like your hair is healthy! So once I figured that out, then I wondered if it was going to smooth my ends, or just make them stick together. But once I started using it regularly, I could see that the serum isn't just all alcohol, but it works with all the other ingredients to smooth my dry, damaged ends. Oh, and once the product is in your hands, you don't even smell the alcohol. So, it doesn't actually repair anything, but it does give the illusion of healthier ends. And in the end, isn't that what all "repairing" products do?

Now that I'm done rambling, let's take a look at the ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethiconol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Isopropyl Myristate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolized Silk, Phenyl Trimethicone, Water, Octyldodecyl PCA, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Fragrance, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional.

De-fluffed:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethiconol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Isopropyl Myristate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Water, Octyldodecyl PCA, Sodium PCA, Glycerin.

What did I tell you? The alcohol is in a sea of moisturizers and emollients. Cyclopentasiloxane is useful on its own, or for breaking up other silicones, like dimethiconol and phenyl trimethicone. Alcohol denat. stands for denatured alcohol, in case you didn't know. It's what keeps the ends smooth. Hydrolyzed keratin is kind of a "buzz" ingredient, but it can kinda help fill in cracks in the cuticle. Octyldodecyl PCA is an emollient, and sodium PCA is a humectant. The difference is that humectants draw in moisture from the air and lock it in, whereas emollients just add moisture. Glycerin helps add slip and makes hair feel smooth.

So, who would use this? Definitely people with damaged ends, whether it's from coloring or thermal styling. I'd also say it seems light enough to be used on all hair types, but if you have very thick, coarse hair this may not be enough for you. I'm guessing though, because I don't have that type of hair, and I haven't used it on anyone with that type of hair. I'd say it's a good product, because it hasn't been buried underneath all my other stuff. I do use it occasionally, but not all the time. I might even buy it again once I'm out.

Goldwell Rich Repair Leave-In Hairtip Serum comes in a 50 ml / 1.6 fl oz. bottle, and retails for around $17.

That's all for now. Have a great day, and take care of your hair!

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Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection Shampoo + Conditioner Review

Hey everyone! I'm back! Ohh you don't know how much I missed you all! It was so hard not being able to post reviews on all the new products I've been getting lately! But I'm back now, so let's get the ball rolling with my new faaavorite shampoo and conditioner from Bed Head's Urban Antidotes collection. Urban Antidotes is divided into three levels for different hair types: Re-Energize, Recovery, and Resurrection. Of course after everything my hair has been through with being platinum blonde for so long, I chose level three: Resurrection. "Perfect for weak, brittle hair that needs an intervention." That description fits my hair perfectly! I bought the tween sizes, and I've been using them for almost two months now, and I definitely have noticed a difference in my hair. They certainly haven't "resurrected" my hair, but I notice that my hair feels a lot softer and looks less damaged compared to the other products I was using. I also noticed that I was using less leave-in products than I was before, so that's how I know it's working! These are certainly a step in the right direction towards getting healthier hair.

Now, as always, let's take a look at the ingredients. First the shampoo:

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, Dimethiconol, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, TEA-Dodecylbenzensulfonate, Carbomer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Sodium hydroxide, PPG-9, Mica, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyethylene, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)

De-fluffed:

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethiconol, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Carbomer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Sodium hydroxide, PPG-9, Tetrasodium EDTA. Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyethylene.

Basically an above-average conditioning shampoo. Gentle surfactants cleanse the hair, while conditioning agents soften, and protect against moisture loss. Is it revolutionary? No, but It effectively cleans your hair without making it feel dry and rough. Trust me, if it can make my damaged, processed hair feel nice, imagine what it'll do for you.

Now here's the ingredients for the conditioner:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behenalkonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Lactic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Linalool.

De-fluffed:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behenalkonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Lactic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether, Disodium EDTA.

I loooove this conditioner. It's creamy and rich, I feel like it's actually doing something! Plus I can instantly tell whether a conditioner is good or not by how my hair feels after I rinse it out - this stuff is great. Like the shampoo, this conditioner is really nothing news-worthy, but it's a product that actually does what it says on the label. And if you're a product junkie like I am, you know that's saying something.

So who'd benefit from Resurrection shampoo and conditioner? I'd say anyone with chemically over-processed hair, whether it's from coloring, lightening, or permanent waving. I'd also recommend this to anyone with very damaged hair caused by over-using thermal tools. If your hair is just sort of damaged from coloring or heat tools, I'd say go for Recovery first. Then, if you feel there's been no improvement, exchange it for Resurrection. If none of these descriptions fit you, and you're just looking for a nice daily shampoo, try Re-Energize. If my hair was healthy, I'd try it in a second cos it smells amazing!

Oh! Did I mention the scent? "Papaya Chill Pill." I'm not sure what that is exactly, but I know it smells amaaaazinggg. They all do! My mom uses Recovery, and it smells like delicious, fresh grapefruit. I've smelled Re-Energize in the store, but I can't remember what it smells like, except that it smelled awesome and that I almost wished Resurrection smelled like it instead. So for me, they all pass the nose test. Good thing too, cos you guys know how I feel about that. If a product doesn't smell good, it's not going on my hair! Though actually... I've made one exception to that rule. I'll tell you guys about it later. ;)

Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection shampoo + conditioner come in the regular 8.45 and 6.76 ounce sizes, respectively. They also come in the 25.36 oz. "tween" size, which are the ones I have, and they're the best deal in my opinion.

I'm glad to be back, and I hope you're all glad I'm back too! I've got plenty of stuff for you guys, so check back soon. Take care of your hair! :)

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SORRY!

I meant to update you guys a while ago, but my computer has been out of commission for a while. It should be back up within the next week, so I'll see you then. LOVE YOU ALL! xoxo ...read more ⇒

Hair/Style: Vol. 1

Hey guys! I thought I'd mix it up a bit by introducing a new segment on The ART and SCIENCE of [beauty] that many have asked for, focusing on celebrity hair. Whether it's an actor, singer, supermodel, socialite, or reality-tv star, if they're in the media, they're fair game. I thought I'd call it Hair/Style because I didn't want it to be JUST about the hair, I'll definitely be commenting on other trends like clothing, makeup, and nails (but you guys know I'll be definitely be all over the hair). I was kind of leaning towards not doing a segment like this on my blog, since there are like a million other celebrity style blogs out there, but people keep asking! I'll do my best. ;)

The first celebrity I HAVE to talk about is Rihanna. If you follow me on Twitter, you already know how I feel about her new red hair, but in just in case you don't - I do NOT like it. I just think it makes her look cheap and common, and just straight up GHET-TO. Maybe if it wasn't such an obnoxiously bright Bozo-esque shade of red, I would like it more. Maybe. Rihanna has been off her hair game lately, at least in my eyes. I haven't really loved her hair since her "Umbrella" video. Now THAT was hot! Hopefully it'll be gone in a few days, and she'll have a whole new head of hair like she usually does. What do you think?

(photo courtesy of jungleinkk.com)

On a lighter note, did you watch the Teen Choice Awards? Yeah, neither did I. But out of all the celebs that walked the red carpet that night, Kim Kardashian blew them all away with a supermodel slick-back ponytail to show off her gorgeous facial features. I guess I love it because she really stood out from her sisters, who always choose to sport the same boring wavy hair, especially Khloe. And apparently that was the last little black dress she'll be wearing, according to her Twitter. If she's for real, I can't wait to see what she wears next!

(photo courtesy of mtv.com)

Also, know what else I love? Jessica Alba wearing this beautiful braided chignon. It really stands alone from the braid trend that's almost over, because she could've worn it five years ago and still would have looked amazing. It's classic, and trendy at the same time.

(photo courtesy of nollyzone.com)

Let's talk about nail polish, baby. So, even though I don't wear nail polish, I'm fascinated by it. How these companies keep coming up with all these beautiful colors and effects, I'll never know. That being said, I do keep up on the nail trend scene, and with Fall coming soon there are a few new nail trends being sported in fashion shows and on the runway, and a few that gotta go!

What's IN: Nail Textures, Nudes, Cool Violets.

I'm not just talking about glittery top coats, or the typical nail art you get down at the corner nail salon. Big, visible, chunky flakes of glitter with dark shades like black, blue-violet, or gray are gonna be huge this season. Or using different textures on your nails, like metallic overlays, seashells, rhinestones, or even lace appliques. Think "3-D nails." Nude colors have also been hot on the scene lately, with more women opting for nude taupe shades over reds and pinks. I know my girl Recessionista is in love with those shades, and she's been wearing them before they were even popular! You trendsetter, you! Lastly, expect to see a lot of edgy blue-violet colors this season, with cool-toned, metallic duochromes/glitters being the choice finish.

What's OUT: Matte Finishes, Dramatic French Tips.

Sorry Matte, you've had your fifteen minutes. It's time to go. Personally I never liked matte finish nail polish, I just thought they looked so boring! Then OPI came out with some of their popular colors in that weird Suede finish, and they didn't look anything like their non-Suede counterparts. I admit it was nice seeing something other than than the usual finishes being popular, but I'm over it. I think a lot of people are. Also, with nude colors becoming more and more popular, dramatic french tips are over... thank god. What used to be a classy way to have your nails done has just taken a turn for the worst lately. They're fine for young high school girls, but seriously ladies, it's time to say goodbye. There are PLENTY of other things to do to your nails, so take a chance and try something new!

I think that's enough ranting for now. This was fun though! What did you guys think? Should I keep this going, or give up now? :-P

Take care of your hair, and yourself! XOXO

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S-Factor Spun Satin Review

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been MIA lately, there's just been so much going on! Being that it's summer and beautiful outside, I find myself spending less time indoors, and even less time on my laptop. For that, I'm sorry. Gosh I'm embarrassed at how long it's been since my last post, but I'm going to try to make up for it! Starting with my review of S-Factor Spun Satin Feather-Light Styling Soufflé. I blogged about how excited I was for this to come out (here), and I was not disappointed! Spun Satin has become a new favorite of mine, and a staple in my product collection.

If you've never heard of styling soufflé before, it's basically a very rich, conditioning styler. The consistency of Spun Satin is like a very thick deep conditioner, with a hint of a pomade/wax. However, being as rich as it is, it's very light on hair, and it's absolutely PERFECT for wavy hair! Spun Satin is the next generation of "scrunching" products, so bye-bye sticky gel! Plus isn't the jar pretty? It looks like expensive department store night cream or something - I feel so luxurious when I use it! And the scent... I'm not even gonna try. All I know is that it smells heavenly, so if you see it you have to smell it! You'll fall in love.

As always, we'll take a look at the ingredients:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Fragrance, Cyclopentasiloxane, PVP, Amodimethicone, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium PCA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Trideceth-12, Aloe Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Coumarin.

De-fluffed:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cyclopentasiloxane, PVP, Amodimethicone, Sodium PCA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Trideceth-12, Propylene Glycol.

Now if you're someone who's sensitive to fragrances, you might want to skip this product because it's full of fragrance additives. It doesn't bother me, but I know some people can't take it so I just wanted to put that out there. Anyway, once we take out all the fluff we're pretty much left with a very conditioning product with just a hint of hold. This is probably the reason why it's so perfect for people with naturally wavy hair, like myself. It tames the wave without leaving hair heavy and/or crunchy. Now I've talked about almost all of these ingredients in past posts, but what I do want to point out are Cetrimonium Chloride and Trideceth-12. These ingredients, combined with the other silicones, like Amodimethicone, prevent any buildup on your hair. So if you weren't sure about all the silicone in this product, don't worry about it. By your next shampoo, it will be all down the drain.

Who would I recommend this to? Anyone wanting to enhance their natural wave, while keeping their hair soft and touchable. I do feel the need to point out that this product is not designed to actually create a wave or curl, just enhance what you already have. So I'm gonna say if your hair is straight and you're looking for a curling product, this is not for you. I would also tell you that if you do decide to use Spun Satin, but are unsure of how much to use for your hair, use less than you think you need. It took me a couple tries to figure out just the right amount for my hair. Spun Satin can also be mixed with other products; I often mix in some S-Factor Dream Drops to give my hair some added shine and softness, but it's not really necessary. Spun Satin is great all by itself!

Here's a tip: I suggest towel drying most of the moisture out of your hair, then using Spun Satin. At first it might feel like it's a bit too much for your hair, but just give it time to dry and settle into your hair, and your hair will feel great! I've also found that it's best to let your hair air dry when using Spun Satin. I just think the heat from a blowdryer will kind of work against this product. But try and see what works best for you, maybe you'll find the opposite is true for you.

S-Factor Spun Satin comes in a 2.65 oz / 75 g container, and retails for around $28.

Like I said before, I am REALLY going to try to post more often. It's shameful how little I've been posting lately! Sorry again. But the good part of this is that I've been testing out a lot of new products, so you all just sit tight! More reviews coming soon!

Have fun, and take care of your hair! Especially against the sun, it's brutal!

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HAUL!

Hey guys! Well as you guys can see, it's haul time! There's just been so many new products coming out lately, I definitely needed to do a little retail therapy. To be honest, most of the shopping I do is just checking out (and smelling) the new products in person, and if any of them look like something I would personally use, then I get them. There are a few re-purchases thrown in there, but most of it is new.

Starting at the top left is six TIGI Radiant Gloss hair colours. CosmoProf has a deal going on this month where you buy six shades of TIGI hair colour (pick between Colour Creative, Radiant Gloss, or Ultra Lift) and get a tub of TIGI True Light lightener (not pictured) for free. Awesome, right? If you're curious, the shades I bought are: Mix Master 0/22 Violet, 0/02 Perfect Pearl, 0/07 Perfect Oyster, 0/27 Orchid Mist, 00/ Clear, and 5/6 Indian Red (for my mom's hair).

Next we have Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo, one of my favorite violet shampoos ever! It's fantastic at toning down the brass in blonde/grey/silver hair. I bought the biggest size, 31.5 oz.... I really don't get why they couldn't just add a couple more ounces to make it a real liter, but whatever.

The next two I've been dying waiting for them to come out! The new Bed Head Urban Anti+dotes shampoo and conditioners! There are three different sets for different hair types, categorized into "levels." The two tweens are Level 3: Resurrection, for "weak, brittle hair that needs an intervention." Totally me. Even my mom tried it, but it kind of made her hair a little "too soft" if that makes sense. I suggested she go down to Level 2: Recovery, for "dry, damaged tresses that need a moisture hit." So far, she loves it. Reviews are coming soon.

The big, white, honey pot looking thing is the large size (750 ml) S-Factor Serious Conditioner. When I got the smaller size before, I absolutely loved it and I knew I HAD to have the big size. I've even tweeted about how much I love it, lol! It also smells amazing, kinda fruity and minty at the same time. Very refreshing.

Now on the bottom left are two re-purchases: Aquage Seaextend Silkening Oil Treatment and KMS Makeover Spray, both of which I've reviewed. The next item is actually not a hair product, it's called Skin Smoothie by Fake Bake. It's supposed to smooth out dry areas on your skin to make your self tanners apply better. It was on clearance, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Next is, big surprise, a GVP product! My girl Recessionista would be so proud, lol! It's the GVP version of Paul Mitchell Wax Works. Not only is this my first GVP product, but it's also my first Paul Mitchell product. I don't know why, but I'm never drawn to their products. Anyway, the blue box you see next to the GVP is Rusk Deepshine Oil, a product I've been dying to get my hands on! It's the latest in the "hair oil" trend, containing argan oil and all that - but thankfully it doesn't smell like a greenhouse like the rest of the Deepshine products. Not that it's a horrible scent, it's just not that appealing to me. I've only used it a couple times, so after I've used it for a while then I'll do a review.

The two little bottles on the bottom right with the pink labels are 7th Stage creme hair lightener with a bunch of activator packets. I use it when I lighten someone's hair, and to touch up my own outgrowth. It's so gentle, but so effective at the same time. No matter how dark your hair is, 7th Stage can make your hair the palest blonde while leaving it in great condition. I also got two paddle brushes, one with boar bristles and a normal one. The middle brush is a Monroe round brush, but the barrel is actually an oval shape instead of round like usual. Then right next to them are a chamois buffer and buffing creme - because I like my nails to be shiny without having to put polish on them, and it's something to do when I'm bored. Also, do you like the new tote I got from CosmoProf? It was only a dollar, I had to have it! :-P

That's all for this haul, but I gotta tell you, this was some much needed retail therapy. I could've easily spent a lot more, but I restrained myself... for now. ;-)

Take care of your hair, and have a good weekend!

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Sebastian Volupt Spray Review

Hello, hello! Today I'm reviewing Sebastian Volupt Spray volume-building spray gel. Volupt is Sebastian's newest line, which includes shampoo, conditioner, and Volupt Spray - and it's awesome! This product is descibed as a spray-gel, but I wouldn't say that at all. It has such a light mist and is virtually weightless in hair, but whatevs! The label reads: "VOLUPT SPRAY contains revolutionary cushioning-particles to create hair-raising root volume, leaving a defined hold that stays sumptuous and soft to the touch. With natural bamboo extract. Contains heat protection." Cushioning-particles? Sounds fancy!

I've been using it for a few months now, and I've had no problems with it. It's the lightest "spray-gel" I've ever used, maybe because it's in two parts (you shake it to activate the product). I mist it all over damp hair and either use a paddle or vent brush to dry, or use my round brushes for even more volume. It's also good for layering with other volumizing products. Also, the scent is a bit toward the masculine side, with just a hint of a floral scent. Maybe that's the bamboo I'm smelling. If you've used it (or even smelled it in the store) what do you think?

Anyway, let's take a peek at the ingredients:

Water, PVP, Chitosan, Polyethylene, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Formic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Bamboo Leaf/Stem Extract, Cactus Flower Extract, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl.

And without the fluff:

PVP, Chitosan, Polyethylene, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol.

I was kinda surprised with the amount of fragrance and fixative ingredients there are. When you cut through the fluff, this product is pretty simple. PVP is a film-former that gives a slight hold. If you're a health/fitness buff, you may recognize chitosan as the newest star in the diet pill craze. Apparently it's a good fat inhibitor when used in weight-loss supplements, but in this product it's a polysaccharide film-former that coats and strengthens the hair shaft. Polyethylene is a thickening/gelling agent... maybe that's why they call it a spray-gel? The next four ingredients (PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80) are all emulsifiers. It's not uncommon to see this many emulsifiers in a product that's in two parts (thats why you have to shake it). And of course one of the most common humectants, propylene glycol.

I definitely recommend that if you have fine hair and want volume, but your hair can't take a lot of product, give this a shot. It's extremely light, and it doesn't take a lot of product to get visible results. People with fine-to-normal hair would also find this useful, either by itself or used with other volumizing products like I said before. I don't think normal-to-thick/coarse hair would really see a difference using this product, but I'm guessing if that's your hair type, you're not really lacking when it comes to volume. As for me, I use it when I blowdry my hair back and away from my face. It gives a nice, natural hold while leaving my hair soft to the touch. I also can't wait to try the shampoo and conditioner, just to try something different.

Sebastian Volupt Spray comes in a 150 ml / 5.07 fl oz. bottle and retails for about 17$

I plan to do some shopping this weekend, maybe if I get enough stuff I'll do a haul! Any recommendations of products I should try? Tell me what's good! I'm always open to trying something new, and now that I'm licensed I can shop at a lot more pro stores now. Anyway, have a good weekend, and take care of your hair!

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Aquage Seaextend Silkening Oil Treatment Review

Hey everyone! Guess what? I passed my state boards! Man that test was so easy, I finished it in like 20 minutes. All that waiting and anxiety, it was almost anti-climactic! But anyway, today I'm reviewing an awesome product from Aquage's Seaextend line, their Silkening Oil Treatment. Now, if you're obsessed with hair products like I am, you've probably noticed that a lot of companies are jumping on the hair oil bandwagon. It's like once Moroccanoil came out, everyone else had their own "version" of it with each brand somehow improving upon it or putting their own spin on it (yet using similar ingredients). I've tried a bunch of them, and even reviewed a few (Joico K-PAK Restorative Oil and Marrakesh Oil) and while they all have similar ingredients, they are all totally different.

Now, I've never tried Aquage before... I don't know why but it just never appealed to me. But when they came out with this Silkening Oil Treatment, my curiosity got the best of me. So I've been using it for a few weeks now and I really think that it is one of the best of its kind. For an oil-type product, it's very light and it leaves no residue in my hair or my hands. It also conditions well and even protects against heat. Even my hands feel nice and soft when I'm done, I don't need to wipe them off or wash them. Two-in-one! Love it.

It's a simple product, with simple ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Isohexadecane, Argan Kernel Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Blue Seakale Extract, Sea Fennel Extract, Sea Beet Extract, Seaweed, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Fragrance.

I'm not really gonna de-fluff this product, because I'm not an expert on marine plants and such, and I don't know what effects any of these ingredients may or may not have on this product. They must be doing something right though, because this stuff works great! However, I can tell you that cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone that's great at dispersing other, heavier silicones and it doesn't leave a coated, sticky feeling on your hair. Dimethiconol, which comes from sand, is another lightweight lubricant that conditions and adds shine. Isohexadecane is an emollient/emulsifier used to mix everything together, and keep it that way. Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides forms a barrier to prevent moisture loss, and it also works to thin out thicker products. I talked a bit about Argan Oil in my K-PAK review I linked above, but basically it's this oil that's rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, and it's great for your hair and skin. Almost every hair oil out there has argan oil in it. As for the rest, I'm not sure if it's fluff or not. If you know anything about any of them, feel free to comment and let me know!

Now as for who I'd recommend this to, I can honestly say that I believe people with any kind of hair can benefit from this product. It's light enough so that even people with baby-fine hair can have great luck with it, but strong enough to smooth the thickest, coarsest hair. It's also great for color-treated hair, and for hair that's had keratin smoothing done. The only real downside to this product is that the price is kind of steep for a hair product. Though, from a logical view, I look at other products of its kind, how little you actually use, plus the fact that Aquage is a premium brand, and the price kinda makes sense. But that's just me.

Aquage Seaextend Silkening Oil Treatment comes in a 4.5 oz / 133 ml bottle, and retails for around $28. There's also a 1.7 oz travel size that retails for around $17. Like I've said before, don't let these numbers scare you, they're just a generalization. I'm sure you can get them for less than that if you look hard enough, or have a friend that's a stylist. Wanna be my friend? ;)

There's always more to come, so keep reading + take care of your hair!

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ghd Obedience Cream Review

Hi everyone! Guess what? I take my state board test to get my cosmetology license on the 8th! Wish me luck!

Today I'm reviewing ghd Obedience Cream for Frizz-Free Styling. I got this ridiculously cheap at America's Beauty Show, I think for like $2, back in March and I've been loving it ever since. "A lightweight anti-frizz blow-dry cream for normal to fine hair; ideal for creating glossy looks or defining curlier styles. Helps keep your hair frizz-free longer, and to retain the hair's moisture and elasticity when heat-styling."

Since I've picked up all those ghd products at the show, I'm slowly falling in love with them. I have yet to find a bad product from them, even the two mini products I received with my ghd iron are great - I still need the full sizes! So let's see the ingredients:

Water, Propylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Benzophenone-4, Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Sunflower Seed Extract, Hydroxypropyl Trimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Laureth-7, Polyquaternium-59, Styrene/VP Copolymer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

And without the fluff:

Propylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Benzophenone-4, Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Laureth-7, Polyquaternium-59, Styrene/VP Copolymer.

Basically what we have are conditioning ingredients, UV protection, and a slight hold. Propylene and Hexylene Glycol are humectants that add moisture to hair. Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethiconol, and Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate are all conditioning agents that soften hair and protect against damage. Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch is an anti-static agent to protect against static frizzies. Polyacrylamide, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer give a slight hold and help straighten. Benzophenone-4 and Polyquaternium-59 protect against UV rays.

Now, straightening products are tricky and kind of a matter of personal preference. This product for instance says it's for normal to fine hair, and I agree. Thicker hair probably wouldn't benefit as much from this, as it's pretty light. In my experience, I've found that a small, quarter-sized dollop in damp hair works best, but like with any product you'll have to play around and figure out what's best for you.

ghd Obedience Cream comes in a 150 ml / 5.1 oz tube, and retails for around $16-$18.

I know I've been lacking in posts and reviews lately, but I've just had a lot going on lately. I will try and do more so try and be a little patient! Take care of your hair everyone!

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KMS Hairstay Style Boost Review

Hey everyone! Today I'm reviewing what may be the coolest hair product ever! It's KMS Hairstay Style Boost Weightless Style Foundation. It's a totally innovative product that can best be described as hair primer. Seriously, you put it in your hair and it makes your products last up to 3x longer, at least that's what the label says. I don't know what they base that on, but I could definitely tell that whatever products I use with this (especially volumizing products) last a LOT longer than they usually do.

But the really cool part is the way this product works: it comes out as a foam, then BAM! It starts crackling and cools in your hand, and when it's done you emulsify it in your hands and it turns into a clear liquid with kind of a lotion consistency. It's totally awesome! Okay, I know you're like... what the @#$% are you talking about?! But I'm serious, and to show you how cool it is, I made a little video demonstrating the product for you!

It's cool right?! I've seriously never seen anything like this before. Let's take a look at the ingredients of this awesome product:

Water, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Dimethyl Ether, Trisiloxane, Polyquaternium-68, Pomegranate Extract, Black Pepper Seed Extract, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Benzophenone-4, Ammonium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Sorbitol, PCA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Methylisothiazolinone, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance.

And without the fluff:

Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Dimethyl Ether, Trisiloxane, Polyquaternium-68, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Malic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Benzophenone-4, Ammonium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Sorbitol, PCA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil,

Hydrofluorocarbon 152a and Dimethyl Ether are propellants. They make the product shoot out of the aerosol can - whoosh! Trisiloxane and Benzophenone-4 are UV filters. Polyquaternium-68 (Luviquat Supreme as it's known in the chemical industry) is a fascinating ingredient. It's a cationic film-former that smooths and conditions the cuticle, and adds body and hold. This is especially useful for curly hair, because the film will keep curls intact in extremely high humidity + the hold will not fade. When it's combined with Panthenol, it adds more shine and softness (so the hold isn't too firm), as well as elasticity. But don't worry, even with all that going for it, polyquaternium-68 is completely water-soluble. Now, do you see all those ingredients with the word "acid" in them? They're a group called Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) Sound familiar? I've talked about them before in my KMS Makeover Spray review. Ammonium Hydroxide is used as a stabilizer. Glycerin and PCA are humectants, along with Sorbitol which is also a thickener.

So who would benefit from this product? Everyone! Especially curly hair and fine hair, trust me - you will LOVE this! It's even great used on it's own - but used with other products it totally rocks! I'm definitely buying another can or two of this, it's that good. Plus, it crackles! I've never thought a hair product could be fun to use... I wonder what they'll come up with next?

KMS Hairstay Style Boost comes in a 190 g/ 6.7 oz can and retails for about $17. I know I've been lacking reviews lately, but I'm really gonna try to put up some more! Oh and I have another tandem review with Recessionista coming up soon, so look out for that! Take care of your hair pretty people! XO

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CONTEST CLOSED

Thank you all for entering! The winner of the Hana Pink 1" Professional Flat Iron will be determined on 5/17 and notified ASAP. I'm so excited to see who wins! Hopefully this will be the first of many contests to come, so if you don't win, just enter the next one! :) Take care of your hair, loves!

Update 5/20: Congratulations Renee, I hope you love your iron! ♥

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Marrakesh Oil Review

Hey guys! Only 4 days left to enter the giveaway to win a 1" Pink Hana Professional Flat Iron, so go enter now and tell all your friends!!!

Today I'm reviewing Marrakesh Oil Hair Styling Elixir which promotes the use of Hemp and Argan oils. I've had it for a few months now and it's probably one of the best hair oils I've ever used! It makes my hair feel so soft and healthy, not to mention unbelievably shiny. Plus I love that it comes in a glass bottle. That's so rare these days, I really like it. I'll definitely be buying this again!

It's actually a simple product when you look at the ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Aragan Kernel Oil, Hemp, Fragrance.

Really the only fluff in this product is the fragrance...which is interesting. It's like a mix of... well... honestly, it's hard to describe. The first thing that came to my mind (still does) is a pleasant mix of smoke and cookies. I know that's weird but it's the only way I can describe it! It kind of caught me off guard when I first used it, and I didn't think I liked it at first. But now, it's grown on me and I actually do like it. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't.

Look, I can sum this up easily: The first four ingredients are very effective conditioning silicones. Cyclopentasiloxane is great at protecting hair against heat and breakage, and it also breaks up other heavier silicones like Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, and Cyclomethicone. Isopropyl Myristate is the ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid. It's an emollient that reduces the greasy feel of products by replacing other heavy ingredients. Argan oil and Hemp oil are both natural oils containing vitamins that are great for your skin and hair. Now they are in kind of low doses in this product (and a lot of other "natural" hair oils) but I think they do make a difference.

Who would benefit from this product? Anyone with dry or damaged hair, especially if you use heat tools a lot. I don't think this is really limited to a certain hair type; everyone can use it. Finer hair may need less then coarse hair, but that's true with a lot of products. Also, if you color your hair this is great for protecting your color and keeping it bright and vibrant.

Marrakesh Oil comes in a 2 0z. / 60 ml bottle and retails for around $15. Stay tuned for more reviews and another tandem review with Recessionista! Take care of your hair everyone! ♥

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Pearatin Fortifying Repairative Serum Review

Hey guys! Just to let you know that my contest for the Pink 1" Hana Professional Flat Iron is still going on until 5/16 so be sure to enter and tell all your friends!

Today I'm reviewing Pearatin Fortifying Repairative Serum with ThermalColor Complex to "Reconstruct, Restore, and Shine. Time-released Creatine and Keratin Protein Treatment. Provides Thermal Protection and Locks In All Hair Color" This is quite a versatile product, because you can use it as a conditioning hair serum, thermal protector, and color catalyst. Usually I'm skeptical of color catalysts, because a lot of them don't do anything, but I think this one works! What you do is add one drop of serum per mixed ounce of color (or lightener) and mix it in. For example: 4 oz. of color = 4 drops of serum. I've noticed that my colors, especially reds, have been depositing deeper and richer, and last a bit longer than normal. It's now a staple in my product menagerie.

Let's look at the ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, SD Alcohol 40-2, Fragrance, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Creatine, Keratin Amino Acids, Pear Fruit Extract, Cranberry Fruit Extract.

Without the fluff:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, SD Alcohol 40-2, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Creatine, Keratin Amino Acids.

A simple product, no? Towards the bottom of the label it says the asterisk (*) after Jojoba Seed Oil means Organic. It also says Pear and Cranberry are for aromatherapy purposes, it has food grade preservatives, no animal testing or ingredients, made with 25% PCR plastics, and uses soy inks! Wow, that's pretty cool!

So, by now you should know what the first three are, so I'll move on. Jojoba Seed Oil is an excellent emollient that adds a ton of moisture to dry hair and skin. Creatine is actually a protein derivative found in muscle tissue. Usually it's used in body-building supplements, but it appears that Loma has found a use for it in haircare as well. I talked about Keratin in my previous post about Rusk Keratin Smoothing Treatment, basically it's one of those ingredients that some people think works and some don't.

Who would I recommend this to? Everyone, especially if you're a home haircolor diva - and I know you're out there. Besides this being a great color catalyst, it's a great hair serum too. It adds a ton of healthy shine, protects against heat damage, and helps seal in haircolor. Plus it smells so good, like fruit punch! :)

Loma Pearatin Fortifying Repairative Serum comes in a 3.4 oz bottle and retails for around $17. There's also a bigger 12 oz bottle that retails for around $35.

Have YOU tried any Loma or Pearatin product? Or any other color catalysts? Comment and let me know!

Have a great weekend everyone, and take care of your hair!

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Rusk Pro Elements Keratin Smoothing Treatment Review+

Hey all! It's time for another review with my favorite beauty blogger Recessionista! If you're new to my blog, we've actually done this before. See our reviews on Sebastian Potion 9, and Joico K-PAK Reconstruct. I love doing stuff like this, it's so much fun! The product I'm doing this time is Rusk Pro Elements Keratin Smoothing Treatment and she's reviewing One 'n Only Brazilian Tech Keratin Smoothing Treatment, which is basically the knock off of this product. And I think it's brazenly obvious that this is a knock off considering the packaging is almost exactly the same...but whatevs! Anyway, check out her review, and YOU decide which one is for you!

This smoothing treatment is "a deep-penetrating treatment formulated with natural keratin, vitamins and proteins to help improve the strength of hair. Formulated for chemically or color-treated hair. Helps protect hair against heat during thermal styling. Keeps hair smooth and shiny." Interesting fact: both bottles say exactly the same thing. Even in the same font. Well anyway, that's mostly a bunch of nice words, but it is actually a great product. It smooths hair without leaving it feeling heavy or dirty. Let's take a look at the ingredients:

Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Honey, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol.

And the list de-fluffed:

Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Honey.

Before I say anything, let me just say I'm in looooove with how this smells. It's a coconut lovers heaven! Plus the scent lasts throughout the day without being obnoxious, I love that! :D

Okay so, basically what we have is some excellent conditioning silicones, emollients, and humectants. I've talked about a lot of these already, so I'll discuss some of the more uncommon ingredients. Behentrimonium Methosulfate is an emulsifier used to combine (emulsify) water and oil. Quaternium-91 is another excellent conditioning agent that softens hair and protects color. Keratin and Hydrolyzed Keratin are hair proteins that act like the same kind of protein found in human hair. There is some debate on whether or not they actually work, but they certainly don't hurt a product. And then there's honey. Not only is honey the only food in the world that doesn't spoil, it also has a myriad of uses - it's used in cooking, skin care, haircare, and more. In haircare, it's a humectant used as a moisturizing and conditioning agent, and as a thickener.

Who would I recommend this to? I think all hair types can benefit from this product, especially if you have a problem with smoothing and frizz control. Also, Recessionista pointed out that if you're having problems finding a leave-in smoothing product, try this! It rinses out of your hair and works just as well as a leave-in product! She also pointed out that the directions are extremely vague: "Apply to clean, damp hair. Massage in thoroughly. Leave in 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse and style." Yeah, THAT'S helpful. Well, if you want my opinion, I'd use this as a deep conditioner maybe every other time you shampoo your hair. You don't want to use it too much because it might over-condition your hair. I'd say when you use it, apply it in place of or after your normal conditioner and leave it in for the full 3 minutes (or more if you'd like). Personally I leave my conditioner in for the remainder of my shower, but that's just me.

Rusk Pro Elements Keratin Smoothing Treatment comes in a 150 g / 5.3 oz bottle and retails for around $16. Again, check out Recessionista's review and compare them for yourself. I'd say we both had similar experiences! How about you? Have you tried either the Rusk or the One 'n Only? Comment and let me know your experience!

Also, don't forget to enter my contest to win a Pink Hana Flat Iron! It's open for three more weeks, so tell all your friends! And take care of your hair everyone!

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HANA Pink 1" Professional Flat Iron Review+

*THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU ALL FOR ENTERING*

Hey everyone! Wellllll, I was lucky enough to be sent an awesome Hana flat iron to review, and I have to tell you... this iron is giving my GHD a run for its money. It's awesome! I was sent this iron from a representative at Misikko.com, one of the best retailers of professional flat irons I've ever seen. Misikko carries all the best flat irons: Hana, CHI, T3, GHD, you name it. They've got amazing deals, a ton of awesome products, and the best customer service I think I've ever come across. I've dealt with a lot of online retailers, and none of them have been as great as Misikko.

This iron (seen above, photo courtesy of Misikko) is in a lovely shade of pink and has 1" floating tourmaline ceramic plates with 5 different temperature settings ranging from 140-450° and it gets hot in like, 10 seconds - no joke. In case you don't know, floating plates mean the plates actually move with your hair, so you don't get those ugly creases typical flat irons can give. It also has an 8ft long swivel cord which I personally love because it's a lot less hassle, and the edges of the plates are curved! You can straighten, curl, or wave your hair with this iron! You all know how much I love versatility in my hair products. ;)

Okay, so while I was waiting for my iron to arrive, I decided to do some research on it... I can't help it, I just.. I have to. Haha, so anyway, a lot of the websites + people I've talked to who own it often compare it to the GHD IV Styler - saying it's just as good, if not better. This really made me skeptical because I L♥VE my GHD. To me, it is the best styling tool I've ever used. G H D = G O D. Can you tell I'm a fan? So when I got my Hana iron in the mail, I started using it/testing it/playing with it immediately, and I can honestly say that it is a serious contender with the GHD Styler.

So then I thought I should do some comparisons of my own with the Hana iron and the GHD. I discovered that though they are extremely similar, they both have certain strengths and weaknesses, in my own opinion, of course.

• First off, I love the way the Hana iron feels in my hand. It's very lightweight and ergonomically designed versus the very sleek look of the GHD, which isn't uncomfortable at all, but the Hana is designed better.
• A pro for the GHD, for me at least, is the constant heat setting. I think it's great because it prevents people from setting their irons to hotter temperatures than they need to.
• I think, after a LOT of testing, that I like the GHD for straightening hair a little bit better than the Hana. I noticed that the Hana requires a few passes of the iron to get it perfectly straight, versus like one or two with the GHD. But, I also noticed that the Hana works better with flat iron sprays than the GHD does.
• However, the Hana ROCKS at curling hair! You can do anything from tight sprial curls, to loose beachy waves with this iron. The GHD is good at it, but I think the Hana is better.
• As far as cost goes, I think they're both in the same league. A nice way to say it would be that these tools are investments, and they are, but to put it bluntly: they're expensive. But what I love about Hana and GHD is that they both have pretty awesome gift sets all the time, that are really worth your while, especially the Hana gift sets from Misikko. They've got a bunch and they're all really amazing deals!

In the end I was extremely impressed with my Hana flat iron. It works amazingly well on all hair types, and the price and quality is comparable with other professional flat irons. And if you're in the market for a new iron, there's good news!

I'M GIVING ONE AWAY!

ISN'T THAT AWESOME?!

My first giveaway! I'm so excited!!! The lucky winner will receive an amazing Hana 1" Pink Professional Flat Iron courtesy of Misikko.com! Just like the one in the picture! To enter, all you have to do is:

• Follow this blog using the Follow button on the right sidebar. (Required)
• Leave a comment with your name and a valid email address, and tell me what kind of iron you have now, if you do have one, and why you want the Hana Professional Flat Iron. (Required)

If you want extra bonus entries you can do any/all of these too! Please leave a comment for each individual extra entry, it's easier to count them that way.

• Follow @HeartStarBolt (me!) on Twitter! Comment this post with your username. (1 bonus entry)
• Follow @Misikko on Twitter! Comment this post with your username. (1 bonus entry)
• Tweet about the giveaway (one tweet per day): "Win a Pink Hana Professional 1" Flat Iron from @Misikko + @HeartStarBolt here: http://bit.ly/9pk55N" Comment with a link to your tweet! (1 bonus entry)
• Blog about this giveaway on your blog/website! Comment with a link to it! (3 bonus entries!!!)
• Join the Misikko Newsletter! Comment with the email you provided the newsletter. (3 bonus entries!!!)

You can enter from now until 5/16 at 11:59 PM CDT. The winner will be chosen on 5/17 via Random.org and notified the following day! I can't wait to see what happens! Good luck to you all and take care of your hair! XOXO

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Kenra Platinum Hot Spray Review

Hello, hello! Today I'm reviewing Kenra Platinum Hot Spray, ultimate thermal protection with long lasting, firm hold. On the Kenra Hold Index of 0 - 26 (none - super), Hot Spray has a hold index of 20. If I were to compare it to another product, I'd compare it to Redken Spray Starch 15... although I think I like Hot Spray more. Hot Spray is actually much more versatile than Spray Starch is: I can use it with any hot tool, the scent is more appealing (kind of fruity, maybe pineapple?) and I can also use it as a light hold hairspray. And when I use Spray Starch first of all I don't love the scent, and I find that it's a bit too wet when it sprays. I don't like using it with flat irons either - it just makes the hair too flat. I do like both Spray Starch and Hot Spray for curling and with hot rollers. But, if I'm gonna reach for one, I'd probably go for Hot Spray.

What's so awesome about Hot Spray? Let's take a peek at the ingredient list and find out. First the whole ingredient list:

SD Alcohol 40-2, Water, Vinyl Acetate/Crotonic Acid/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Polymer, Benzophenone-3, Fragrance, Disiloxane, Cyclomethicone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Hydroxide.

And when we take out the fluff, we're left with:

SD Alcohol 40-2, Vinyl Acetate/Crotonic Acid/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Polymer, Benzophenone-3, Disiloxane, Cyclomethicone.

Basically what we're left with is a bunch of long-winded ingredients that are hair fixatives (the first three), UV protection (Benzophenone-3), and silicone (Disiloxane + Cyclomethicone). I wish I could tell you why these ingredients have so many names, but I'm not a cosmetic chemist so I don't know. If any of my readers knows a cosmetic chemist and wants to ask them WTF is up with these names, that'd be great. :D

If you use any kind of hot tool on your hair, and I'm guessing most of you do because it's 2010 and freaking everybody does, then I strongly recommend giving Hot Spray a shot. It's rare that a product like this is so versatile that you can use it with any styling tool, usually if it's good for one tool, it sucks with the other. Curling irons, flat irons, rollers, whatevers, this product is great!

Kenra Platinum Hot Spray comes in a 8 fl oz / 237 ml bottle, and retails for $17 according to Kenra's website. If you really love it, they also make a liter refill size that retails for $45.

Stay tuned to see what I'll review next, and take care of your hair!

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Redken Wool Shake 08 Review

Hello all! Today I'm reviewing one of the products I got at ABS: Redken Wool Shake 08, a gel-slush texturizer that gives an diffused, unrefined semi-matte "wool" finish. This is for the SERIOUS texture lovers! The first time I tried it, I actually said "Wooooow!" I honestly didn't know what to expect, but I really loved the results. It enhanced my natural wave and gave me all this funky volume and texture. It kind of reminds me of the kind of texture that sea salt sprays give, but with a bit more hold. If you love texture in your hair, this is definitely worth a shot!

If you're familiar with Redken products, you may remember Wool Shake 08 from Redken's Urban Experiment collection (pic at the end). Well, it's back! It's good because I never actually got around to buying Wool Shake 08 back then, so when I saw it at ABS I knew I had to get it. The label looks like the rest of Redken's products, so I'm hoping Wool Shake isn't limited edition anymore, because when I run out I'll definitely buy another one! I love the masculine scent too, it smells sexy without being overpowering.

So what makes Wool Shake 08 so sexy and awesome? Let's see the full ingredient list here:

Water, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Propylene Glycol, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate-3, Maltodextrin, Coumarin, Linalool, CI 14700/Red 4, CI 15510/Orange 4, Cotton extract, CI 42090/Blue 1.

And without the fluff:

Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Propylene Glycol, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Polyacrylate-3, Maltodextrin.

Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate is a bulking agent used to increase the volume of a product. It's also used to increase viscosity. Propylene Glycol is a humectant used to keep moisture in your hair and not dry it out. AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer is a film former. Sorbitol is a humectant that comes from fruits and berries. Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier, and can be used as a fragrance ingredient. Glycerin is used as a lubricant and humectant in hair products; it attracts water to skin + hair and locks it in, keeping your hair from drying out. Polyacrylate-3 is another film former. Film formers do pretty much what they say: they form a film around your hair and give hold. Maltodextrin is an emulsifier/binding agent. I think this is why you have to shake the product to activate it.

Who would I recommend this to? People who aren't afraid of texture in their hair. Anyone from people who have baby fine hair to normal hair would definitely benefit the from this product. I probably wouldn't recommend this to people with coarse hair, because coarse hair already has a lot of texture. Wool Shake 08 can enhance your natural wave, gives lots of volume and it gives a lot of awesome texture without making your hair feel like straw, like some products do. Anyway, basically what you do is just shake it up and spray it into dry hair and scrunch while you're spraying. You can use it to finish your style too. It says the finish is semi-matte, but I think it depends on how much you use. I noticed that when I only use a couple sprays, it doesn't really matte out my hair. When I use a lot, the semi-matte effect is more noticeable.

Redken Wool Shake 08 comes in a 5fl oz. / 145 ml bottle and retails for around $15.

Another review wrapped up! There are plenty more reviews to come, AND my giveaway starts soon! Keep reading and take care of your hair! ;-)

Oh by the way, here's what Wool Shake 08 used to look like:

Look familiar? I think I like the new packaging better.

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L'Oreal Solar Sublime After-Sun Shampoo + After-Sun Nourishing Balm Review

Hey guys! Since summer is coming soon I figured I'd start reviewing more summer-related products, like L'Oreal Professionnel Solar Sublime After-Sun Shampoo + Solar Sublime After-Sun Nourishing Balm. If you're someone who spends a LOT of time in the sun, you already know how much the sun's rays dry out your hair - ESPECIALLY for color-treated hair! UV rays will fade your color and dry out your hair in the worst way, so your hair needs as much protection as your skin does! That's where Solar Sublime comes in, it's perfect for thirsty hair that's been in the sun too long. It also has UV filters to protect your hair from drying out. Also, the scent is fantastic - like fresh peaches!

First I'll start with the After-Sun shampoo pictured above. It cleans my hair and gets rid of any chlorine/salt deposits on your hair. That's definitely a plus for me because I hate using those special swimmer's shampoos to get rid of chlorine in your hair. They always strip my hair somethin' awful. It also lathers up nicely and it's super moisturizing. However, I do notice that when my hair is healthier and not as dry, it can be a bit heavy. So I'd definitely recommend this more to people with really dry, parched hair looking to protect it from the sun. Oh, and the entire Solar Sublime line is color-safe.

As always, let's see the ingredients, starting with the full list:

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethicone, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Cocamide MIPA, Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate, PPG-Ceteth-20, Sodium Methylparaben, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, DMDM Hydantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Methyl Cocoate, Sodium Cocoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance.

And the list minus the fluff:

Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethicone, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Cocamide MIPA, Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate, PPG-Ceteth-20, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Methyl Cocoate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide.

So as you can see, this shampoo isn't sulfate-free, however Sodium Laureth Sulfate isn't super harsh like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. In a product like this, you need an effective cleanser. Dimethicone is a silicone; it's an effective conditioning agent. Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate works to clean the skin and hair, increase foaming capacity/stabilize foam, and enhance the body + sheen of damaged hair. Glycol Distearate is a conditioning agent that also increases the viscosity of a product and gives it that creamy, pearly look. Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is another excellent conditioning agent, especially for damged, chemically-treated hair. Methyl + Sodium Cocoate are surfactants made from coconut oil that also improve spreadability of a product. Surfactants made from coconut oil are very moisturizing.

Next I'll talk about the After-Sun Nourishing Balm (deep conditioner). This seriously smells just like fresh peaches, way more than the shampoo, but it's not overpowering. It's just delicious. And even though I hate when conditioner comes in a pot, I really like this stuff. It's super moisturizing and makes my hair really soft and adds a lot of shine and slip. I would also just use it as a deep conditioner, even if I haven't been outside in the sun or the pool, that's how much I like it.

The full ingredient list:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Lanolin, Methylparaben, Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate, Trideceth-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Fragrance.

The de-fluffed ingredient list:

Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Lanolin, Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate, Trideceth-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetrimonium Chloride.

What we're left with is a pretty basic, yet very effective conditioner. Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol and is an excellent conditioner. So is Behentrimonium (and Cetrimonium) Chloride, which is derived from rapeseed oil. Glycerin adds slip and shine to hair, but it's useless in a rinse-off product like conditioner. Amodimethicone is a light silicone that softens hair and tames frizzies. Cetyl Esters are emollients derived from coconut oil. Lanolin is an extremely effective emollient that comes from sheep's wool. It can also be used as a base and an emulsifier. Trideceth-6 is another emulsifier. Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E) is a very potent antioxidant that helps skin + hair against pollution, free radicals, etc.

So overall this isn't my everyday shampoo + conditioner, but it'll be handy to have in the summer time when I try to spend as much time outside as I can! Summer Tip: When you're going swimming, put some leave-in conditioner in your hair before you get in the water for some added protection against the chlorine. This is especially important for BLONDES - it helps to prevent your hair from turning green and/or brassy!

That's all for now! Take care of your hair! ♥

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