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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