Showing posts with label TIGI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TIGI. Show all posts
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Sunday, October 17, 2010

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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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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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Thursday, April 1, 2010

S-Factor Diamond Dreams Shampoo + Conditioner Review

Hey everyone! Wow, ABS was a BLAST!!! There were so many awesome booths, and there was all this craziness - but I got a bunch of stuff to show you all pretty soon, sit tight!

Since I'm feeling so fabulous about ABS, I figured I'd post about another thing that makes me feel fabulous: S-Factor Diamond Dreams Sulfate-Free Shampoo + Conditioner infused with Diamonds, Cashmere, Champagne & Pearls. You've seen it in my hauls (here and here), and I've been using it for a few months so I figured a review is in order! S-Factor is kind of like, TIGI's high-end, luxury line. I've used a lot of S-Factor products, and I have to admit that even though they cost a bit more, they've all really impressed me. Diamond Dreams is a relatively new part of the S-Factor line, and I was dying to get it for the longest time, but like always I would hold back and say "Yeah, I'll get it next time." Fortunately, with the help of some birthday money, "next time" actually came! It is, without a doubt, the richest, most luxurious shampoo and conditioner I've ever used. That being said, I'm not gonna act like this is something that everyyyyone absolutely NEEDS to have, because it's definitely a luxury item... and if I didn't have that birthday money I probably still wouldn't have it. But I'm glad I do!

Let's start with the shampoo. I think the thing I love most about the shampoo, well both actually, is the scent - ohmigod, it is the most heavenly intoxicating scent I think I've ever smelled. Since so few companies actually say what the fragrance in their products is supposed to be, I read on some website that it's blackberry lychee. I'm not sure what a lychee is (I think it's a berry) but if they smell like this then I want some! The shampoo is sulfate-free, and offers "An ultra-luxe complex with diamond dust, cashmere & champagne extracts & crushed pearl to indulge hair and provide • brilliant shine • ultra hydration • superior strength • antioxidant power" Now, you all know these really have nothing to do with how the product performs, but doesn't it sound awesome? Haha! I have to say that for a sulfate-free shampoo, it really cleans my hair well. That's saying a lot, considering I put a lot of product in my hair everyday and have to wash it everyday. It doesn't dry my hair out or fade my color. So let's see what really makes this product work. First the whole ingredient list:

Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinaye, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Fragrance, Cocamide MEA, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Quaternium-91, Glycol Distearate, Pehnoxyethanol, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer Disodium, Cocoamphodiacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-44, Polyquateruim-55, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, Wine Extract, Soy Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Sunflower Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Wool, Polyquaternium-10, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Laureth-9, Polyquaternuim-67, Trideceth-12, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Pearl Extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Butylene Glycol, Diamond Powder, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Mica, Titanium Dioxide.

The ingredient list without the fluff:
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinaye, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamide MEA, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Quaternium-91, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer Disodium, Cocoamphodiacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-44, Polyquateruim-55, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Laureth-9, Polyquaternuim-67, Trideceth-12, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol.
As you can see, sulfate-free shampoos are much more complicated than normal shampoos. Most of it is just gentle cleansing and conditioning agents. As such, I'm not going into too much detail about every single ingredient - but I will talk about a few of them. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a synthetic surfactant made from coconut oil. It's also used in conditioner as an an anti-static agent, in cosmetics as a thickener/emulsifier, and also seems to be replacing Cocamide DEA. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is used to enhance the appearance and feel of hair by adding shine, body, and improving the texture of damaged hair. PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is another surfactant, and an emulsifier. PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate is an emollient that enhances shine and provides a silicone-like feel to hair. Trideceth-12 is a PEG used as a surfactant, sometimes derived from vegetable oil. Butylene Glycol is a humectant and an emollient often found in personal care products; it's used to draw in moisture to hair and skin.

I absolutely love the conditioner, too! It's got the perfect consistency for me. It's thick and creamy as opposed to being too thin or thick and goopy, and conditions my hair extremely well without making it feel heavy or dirty. I can also use any products on my hair afterward, unlike some conditioners where it feels like if I put any other product in my hair, it'll totally weigh it down and look bad... you know what I mean? It has the same scent as the shampoo, but it's a bit more toned down. I guess they don't want you to get sick of it - although I never could. The label is also the same, but in place of "superior strength" this has "superior manageability." So now, here is the ingredient list:
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum (Fragrance), Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonim Methosulfate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate Glycol, Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-91, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Ceteth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Divinydimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Polyquaternium-55, Dicetyl Phosphate, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Polyquaternium-37, Aminomethyl Propional, Olive Fruit Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Wine Extract, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Soy Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sunflower Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Wool, Butylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Pearl Extract, Methylisothiazolinone, Disodium EDTA, Diamond Powder, Cetrimonium Bromide, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
And when we take out all the fluff, we're left with:
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonim Methosulfate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-91, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Ceteth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Polyquaternium-55, Dicetyl Phosphate, Polyquaternium-37, Aminomethyl Propional, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Cetrimonium Bromide.
Basically what we're left with is a very rich conditioner, but with really not that many silicones. Good thing too, since everybody seems to be so anti-silicone lately. Anyway, just like I did with the shampoo, I'll go through some of the ingredients I haven't really talked about before. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient made from coconut oil that forms a barrier on hair and skin to prevent moisture loss. Glycol Distearate is what's used to create that cool pearly effect in shampoos and other cosmetics. Technically it is fluff, but I figured I'd talk about it anyway since it's so common. Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer is a film former derived from silicone. C12-13 Pareth-23 is used as an emulsifier. Cetrimonium Bromide is a cationic conditioner that adds shine.

Wow, that was a lot of typing. My fingers kind of hurt. I hope I don't have pancake butt from sitting in this chair for so long. Maybe it would help if I didn't distract myself so much, but whatevs, no big deal.

So who would I recommend this to? Everyone. I doubt anyone could not absolutely love Diamond Dreams. Unless you're someone who doesn't like products that have a strong scent, or you don't like sulfate-free shampoo, or silicones. However, like I said before, it really is a luxury item - and no one really NEEDS to have it... but I'll definitely be re-purchasing it in the bigger tween size. It probably is too much for some people's budget, but I haven't found a shampoo and conditioner that I actually want to rane-purchase in a long time, so it's kind of a big deal for me LOL!

S-Factor Diamond Dreams Shampoo + Conditioner comes in an 250 ml / 8.45 fl oz. bottle and both retail for around $25. The Tween size is 750 ml / 25.36 fl oz. and they both retail for around $35.

My ABS post/haul will be up tomorrow! Until then, take care of your hair! =)
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Friday, March 19, 2010

Catwalk Your Highness Thickening Gel Creme Review

Oh my Westopher, I know how you've been mourning the loss of the classic Catwalk products... even though I absolutely hated their packaging. I mean really, they just used the Bed Head font, and the bottles looked so plain.

They went from this:

To this:


Don't you all think it looks WAY better? But, I mourn with you, as they no longer make Fast-Fixx, one of my favorite leave-in conditioners/de-tanglers. It was also one of my first reviews ever. Thankfully I got a Biggie size of it last summer, so I still have about a half a bottle (plus ya know... all my other stuff), but still... it won't last forever. Then once it's gone, it's gone... up in hair product heaven. I suppose if I really wanted, I could get more online, but buying hair products online scares me. Plus, I don't know if I could pay retail for it... I'm so spoiled now.

But alas, there's hope! A light at the end of the tunnel! An end to my melodrama! It's called: Your Highness. Isn't that what you like to be called in bed? LOL, kidding! Anyway, aside from the gorgeous and well needed new packaging, the products are a hit! Today I'm reviewing the Thickening Gel Creme For Luminescent Fuller Hair. The new Catwalk has been divided into three categories: Prep It (Elevating Shampoo + Nourishing Conditioner), Work It (Thickening Gel Creme + Root Boost), Perfect It (Firm Hold Hairspray + Weightless Shine Spray).

I've been using the Thickening Gel Creme for a while, and I've come to adore it. By itself, it gives a nice touch of volume with a healthy shine, and combined with other products it can really make some massive hair! Since my hair is so thick already, I usually find volumizing products to be kind of drying and feel like I have a case of Product OD - not the case with this. It conditions and adds body without making your hair feel like straw... know what I mean?

Also something I've decided to start doing is giving you all the full ingredient list, and then de-fluffing it by taking out the ingredients that have little to no effect on the product (botanical extracts, fragrances, preservatives, etc) and explaining what really makes the product work. So, here's the full ingredient list:

Water, PEG-17 Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Fragrance, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Linalool, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Jasmine Flower Extract, Viola Odorata (Sweet Violet) Leaf Extract, Lavender Flower/Leaf Stem Extract, Wisteria Floribunda (Japanese Wisteria) Extract, CI 60730 (Ext. Violet 2), CI 17200 (Red 33).


The de-fluffed ingredient list:

PEG-17 Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol.


PEG-17 Dimethicone is part of a group of polymers that come from polyoxyethylene + dimethicone. Specifically, it's used as a conditioning agent. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and Hydrolyzed Soy Protein are emulsifiers, basically they help the other ingredients get along and mix well. VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer is a film former that gives a slight hold. Methyl Gluceth-20 is made from glucose and methyl alcohol. It's a very effective humectant; it's also used as a foaming agent + an emollient. Hydroxyethylecellulose is a thickening/gelling agent. Panthenol (vitamin B5) works to strengthen the hair shaft, condition, and add volume and shine. Glycerin and Propylene Glycol are humectants used to add moisture to hair and lock it in.

I've used this in a lot of different ways... like if I want a just little bounce to my hair I'll use about two pumps of this and add a couple S-Factor Dream Drops to it in damp hair (I mix Dream Drops in like, everything lol), then blowdry. My hair feels full and looks really smooth + shiny. Or If I wanna wear my hair natural and let it air dry, I'll use a pump of this and my KMS HairStay Style Boost or Sebastian Volupt Spray (both of which I'm reviewing next) or even Rusk Thick, or Bed Head Superstar Blowdry Lotion. You could even try mixing this with a straightening product (like Bed Head Control Freak) or with a curling product (like Catwalk's new Curlesque collection). I think this product is made to be used with other products, but it's useful by itself too!

So Wes, I know how hard it is to move on when you've found something you love, I've been there many, many times. Fortunately, I still see places with the old Catwalk products all the time - you better stock up! The new Catwalk is here to stay, embrace it! You might even like it. If not, there's 5 other TIGI brands out there... I suggest S-Factor - it is my haircare holy grail right now.

Catwalk Your Highness Thickening Gel Creme comes in a 215 ml / 7.27 fl. oz bottle, and retails for around $15-$18.

Have a good weekend everyone! Enjoy Spring, and take care of your hair! ...read more ⇒
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Monday, March 15, 2010

Bed Head Superficial Review+

Hi guys! Today I'm reviewing one of (in my opinion) the best products TIGI makes, Bed Head Superficial Smoothing Liquid For Shiny, Silky hair. I've been on a lot of sites that have reviewed this and it's clear that this is one of those products that some people absolutely love, and some people absolutely despise. I am one of the people who loooove it, BUT only on certain types of hair. Unfortunately there are some hair types that just cannot handle this product, because it's just so super-concentrated - even a little bit can weigh down their hair and make it look flat + dirty. Textbook cases of accidental Product OD. So I'm dedicating this post to anyone with a thick, coarse, unruly mane of hair trying to make it look sleek and healthy with a ton of shine - keep reading!

I actually got this product back in the summer, July I think. It was in this Haul post, actually. I had always seen it on the shelves, and it looked interesting, (especially the metallic letters... oooh shiny...) and it smelled really good, plus I love products that smooth hair, so I gave it a shot. As soon as I started using it on people, I knew that it was seriously strong stuff, and through trial + error figured out which types of hair would respond well to this. This is made specifically for very dry, very coarse hair - and definitely NOT for people with fine hair. I can't stress that enough. No matter how much hair you have in terms of density, this product is just way too strong for fine hair... and even a few people with normal hair might think it's a bit much. Be warned: If you are anti-cone, this product is not for you - it's got a ton.

Before I move on the ingredients, I really want to clarify the differences between different hair types.
  • When talking about hair texture, people typically either have coarse, normal, or fine hair. Depending on your genetics, it is possible to be somewhere between the spectrum - like having normal/coarse hair or fine/normal hair. It's also possible to have hair that is especially coarse or fine, again depending on your genes. Hair texture could also refer to whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or kinky/overcurly. The same rules apply here too - you can have hair that's super straight naturally, but it can be quite coarse. Or you can have hair that's kinda wavy, or kinda straight, or kinda kinky depending on what day it is - lol! Some people just have the kind of hair that changes all the time.
  • Sometimes people get confused when - after they tell me that they have thick hair - I ask what the texture is like. Some people don't understand that they're two different things, and I understand cos it is a bit confusing at first. In terms of hair density, when you say your hair is "thick" you're just saying you have a lot of hair, you're not describing your hair texture. You can have really thick, massive hair, but the actual texture of your hair might be very fine. I see it allll the time. Contrariwise, you could actually have thin hair, but the texture might be coarse. And like hair texture, you could fall somewhere in the middle - like if your hair is pretty normal in texture but a bit denser than the average person, and so on... Hair is tricky like that. Again, it's in your genes - blame your folks.
  • There are other factors that affect your hair type + texture: your environment, diet/lifestyle, mechanical damage, heat styling tools, chemical damage, hard water, I mean there are all sorts of things that make your hair the way it is. Knowing your actual hair type and texture is the key when it comes to buying products. Everyone's hair is unique, but everyone is beautiful.
Haha without even thinking I turned half of this post into a mini Cosmetic Chemistry Tidbits! I should do another one of those soon... ideas anyone? Anyhow, I think I talked about everything I wanted to, now back to the review! As for the ingredients, after taking out all the fluff, we're left with: Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethiconol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethyl Macadamiate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Caprylyl Methicone, Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone.

Cyclopentasiloxane is a type of silicone that is used to protect hair against breakage, and to break up other silicones... good thing cos this product is chock full of them. Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate is a film former that adds a ton of long-lasting shine. It's very similar to Phenyl Trimethicone, but it's a liquid instead of a film former, and it doesn't last as long. Dimethiconol comes from silica; it adds shine and conditions hair. C13-14 Isoparaffin is a thickening agent derived from petroleum. Dimethicone is a silicone that conditions hair well and repels moisture. Ethyl Macadamiate = ethyl alcohol + macadamia seed oil. It's used to increase spreadability, and it seems like it may replace cyclomethicone and dimethicone in cosmetics one day. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a thickener and an emollient. Panthenol (vitamin B5) is used to strengthen the hair shaft, while adding shine + body. Caprylyl Methicone is a carrier for other ingredients and improves the spreadability of a product. Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone is a silicone derivative that enhances shine and adds a silky feel to hair.

See why I don't like this for fine hair? It's just too concentrated and way too strong. But a few sprays of this in coarse hair before blowdrying makes it feel like heaveeennnn. Super shiny, glossy, healthy looking hair. And this is to be used in wet hair only! Usually you wanna towel dry your hair a bit before putting product in - not with this. Just dry it a little so it's not dripping wet, then spray it a few times, focusing on the middle + ends of your hair (don't spray it near your roots), then comb it through and blowdry. Trust me, you will love it. And because it's so concentrated and you need to use so little, one bottle will last you a very long time.

Bed Head Superficial Smoothing Liquid comes in a 100 ml / 3.38 fl oz. bottle, and retails for about $25.

Another review done! I have some big things coming soon, and plenty more reviews so keep reading! Take care of your hair, no matter what type it is! ...read more ⇒
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Thursday, March 4, 2010

S-Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray Review

Hello everybody! How was your week? I don't know about you guys, but I am SO excited about Alice in Wonderland coming out! Me and my best friend are seeing it this Saturday in IMAX! I can't wait! Are you seeing it?! If you do, let me know what you think of it!

Alice aside, today I'm reviewing one of the best products in the S-Factor line: S-Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray. This is serious stuff, it will make your hair look and feel amazing...almost like glass! The label reads: "A scientific blend of ingredients that gives UV protection, Thermal shield, Lustrous shine, [and a] Soft, healthy finish."

Let's see if the ingredients back up the claims. After taking out all the fluff we're left with: Cyclopentasiloxane, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.

I caution people who have fragrance allergies as this product is heavily scented and may cause you to have an unpleasant reaction.

Just wanted to put that out there! Moving on, Cyclopentasiloxane, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Diisopropyl Adipate are all emollients. Cyclopentasiloxane is a type of silicone emollient that works great to strengthen hair by making it less susceptible to breakage. Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate helps to help soften hair + skin, making it softer and more pliable. Diisopropyl Adipate is a film-former, and helps lubricate + condition dry hair. Retinyl Palmitate is vitamin A, and it enhances the appearance of hair by adding shine and body, making damaged hair feel like a virgin again! ;] Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E) is a naturally occuring anti-oxidant that moisturizes and conditions hair, and is especially beneficial in skincare products because it is an anti-inflammatory, and it adds moisture, reduces fine lines + smooths out rough skin. Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate reflects UV rays, protecting your hair from the harsh sun. It's especially important for people with color treated hair to use hair products that have UV protection, because UV rays will fade your hair color - making it look dull and not pretty... and we don't want that!

There are a couple ways to effectively use this product. The obvious one is to use it before using your flat iron, but it's also effective when used in wet hair. It buffers the heat from your blowdryer - anddd because it also protects your hair from your iron, it prevents Product OD. That's a term I use whenever someone overdoses on hair product, and it ends up looking dirtier than before they washed it - LOL! However, people with baby fine hair may not love this product, cos it is a bit heavy. I would definitely recommend this to people with thick, coarse hair. Whatever your hair type, remember that as with most hair products - less is more. This can potentially make your hair look too shiny (I hate to say greasy/oily/stuff like that). Tip: Flat iron sprays are meant to be used mostly on the middle of your hair to the ends.

Also, something that kind of irks me is that the cap comes off very easily and it's kind of annoying. Not that great when traveling... but I like the product, so I can deal.

S-Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray comes in a 125 ml / 4.23 fl oz. bottle and retails for $25-$28 in stores, but on TIGIstore.com it's part of a "Get The Look" kit with two other products for only $29.95 (normal retail value for all three is $83) which is a SICK deal if you ask me! I'm definitely getting in on that! Here's the link if you wanna check it out: http://bit.ly/bT5pQk

Another day, another review! I have big things planned pretty soon, including CONTESTS! Stick around, you might win something. ;] Take care of your hair! XOXO ...read more ⇒
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Catwalk Root Boost Review

Hey loves! Today I'm reviewing Root Boost by TIGI's Catwalk line. I've had this for a long time, and I've used it quite often, with very nice results! The bottle claims Root Boost is "A spray for texture, lift and style support for all types of hair. Precision application allows you maximum design control." Well said! I've tried a few other brands of root volumizers, and I'm going to try more, but I really like this stuff! That being said, I actually still prefer to use a blow dry gel (like Redken Blown Away 09). Though, if I want even more volume, I'll grab Root Boost and get to settin'!

The main ingredients in Root Boost are: Water, Hydrofluorocarbon 152A, Dimethyl Ether, VP/VA Copolymer, PVP, PEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides, etc. Hydrofluorocarbon 152A and Dimethyl Ether are fairly common propellants used in aerosol sprays. A propellant is something that shoots the product out of the can, like whooosh! VP/VA Copolymer and PVP are what give the light hold and texture that make this product so good. PEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides is a fatty acid that comes from palm kernels. It's used as an emulsifier. The rest of the ingredients are pretty much just propellants, hold agents, fragrance, preservatives, yadda yadda yadda.

A quick tip? Root Boost is GREAT for getting volume and height at your crown, but try spraying it all over your hair and blowdrying it in for amazing texture and fullness. After all, root lifting products like this... are basicallykindabutnotreallywellitsortofis mousse with a spray nozzle. ;-) Oh and the scent? It smells just like Fast-Fixx (aka amazing).

TIGI Catwalk Root Boost comes in a 8.5 oz / 250 ml can. It's also available in a Biggie size which is in like a 10 oz. can for like the same amount of money, usually paired with Fast-Fixx or another Root Boost. It's a great bargain if you ask me!

Stay tuned for more reviews, hauls, and craziness! Take care of your hair loves! xoXO
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Thursday, October 1, 2009

New TIGI Products


Hey guys! Just wanted to let you all know about some brand new TIGI S-Factor and Love, Peace & the Planet products coming out this month.

S-Factor has two new products: Spun Satin and Wonderful Tonight.
  • Spun Satin Feather-Light Styling Soufflé ($25) is an ultra luxurious, light as a feather, styling soufflé that is made with silk protein, aloe, green tea, and sunflower seed extracts to give hair soft texture, smooth waves, and healthy shine. Perfect for naturally wavy hair.

  • Wonderful Tonight Overnight Treatment ($60) is for damaged and dry hair in need of repair. TIGI has taken the most luxurious ingredients found on earth and combined them with the powerful Keravis ingredient to give you results instantly.Containing S-factor's premium Luxury Complex and the strength building properties of Keravis, Wonderful Tonight repairs damaged hair while you sleep. Hair treated with Keravis was shown to have a higher fatigue lifetime, making hair more resistant to breakage. This translates into increased hair strength and better hair vitality.

Love, Peace & the Planet is introducing Walking on Sunshine Shampoo and Conditioner, Save the Earth Straightener and Defrizzer, and Totally Beachin' Styling Mist.

  • Walking on Sunshine Shampoo ($18) contains apple amino acids, ginger and green tea that will turn dull locks into something to love.

  • Walking on Sunshine Conditioner ($20) is a totally fresh formula infused with honey, jojoba oil and soy protein which renews moisture and strength, leaving hair smooth and shiny.

  • Totally Beachin' Styling Mist ($18) contains coconut water and sea kelp to nourish hair while pineapple and sea salt add texture and body.
  • Save the Earth Straightener and Defrizzer ($18) is 84% organic content, free of parabens, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Bottle 50% post-consumer recycled material. Soy, olive fruit and wheat amino acids defrizz, smooth and protect from heat and UV damage. Style your hair and help save the earth!

Well you guys know what a huge TIGI freak I am, and I'm probably going to get all of these things, but I'm totally excited for Spun Satin. It just sounds like the perfect product for me! :D Will you be trying anything? Comment and let me know! Take care of your hair and happy shopping!
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Monday, September 14, 2009

Red Haircolor Technique

Hey guys! Just thought I'd share a Red technique I did on a mannequin recently. I was inspired by Clairol's "Blazin' Intense Red" Technique, but I thought it was kinda boring so I took it to a new level. I used triangle partings all around the top of the head, leaving the hair under the occipital free. I lightened some parts to a level 7 and left the other parts natural (about a level 4, maybe 5). Here are some pics, and the products I used will be below them. Let me know if you like it. :D

Start:

Middle:

Finished:
The products I used were:
  • Lightener: TIGI Colour Lights Modern Lightener with Coral and Ember Tonal Blends
  • Red #1: Wella Koleston Perfect 6/45
  • Red #2: Wella Koleston Perfect Special Mix 0/45
  • Red #3: Pravana Vivids Red
  • Color applied to free hair: Redken Shades EQ 05RV + Orange Kicker + Crystal Clear
  • Finishing products: It's a 10 Miracle Leave In Product, Redken Blown Away 09, S-Factor Dream Drops, Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hairspray, Bed Head Headrush.
I'd love to do this on a real person! Unless they really loved how it is I would probably tone it down just a bit, maybe just slicing using a bright red and breaking up the base inbetween the foils with like a warm mahogany color. Anywho, whether you love it or hate it, you should be awesome and leave a comment! :D Love you all, and take care of your hair!
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Bed Head Superstar Volumizing Leave-In Conditioner Review

Hello everyone! Today I'm reviewing a Volumizing Leave-In Conditioner from Bed Head's Superstar line. The product claims to "Pump up your hair! Conditions, detangles, adds volume and gives light hold." I've gotta say that this is pretty good stuff! I agree with all the claims. For those who might be thrown off by the "gives light hold" part--it's not like how a hairspray gives hold, it's more like it just keeps the volume in your hair without your hair feeling all full of product. The scent is also DELICIOUS! Totally sweet and bubblegumish without being obnoxious.

On a completely unrelated note, I severely dislike the way people are trying to phase out putting commas before and (, and) like this label did. This is the way I was taught, and I just think it looks weird and incorrect. Anyone else notice it? Does it bug you as much as it bugs me? Share with me.

Back to the review! The main ingredients are Water, Polyquaternium-11, Amodimethicone, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Polyquaternium-32, Quaternium-91, etc. Polyquaternium-11 gives a light hold, adds shine, and it also has anti-bacterial properties. All the quats are basically the same, with slight differences in each one. They are all very light and pose no danger to your hair. Amodimethicone is a silicone derivative that has good conditioning properties. It'll leave your hair feeling soft and can help tame frizzies as well. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol (long enough?) is similar to Hydorlyzed Wheat Protein in that it has been turned partly into water by means of hydrolysis, and it's used to form a film on your hair to make it feel stronger and thicker.

I'd suggest this product to anyone looking for a light product to give them volume, fine haired gals would surely benefit from this. Pair the leave-in with the Superstar Blow-Dry Lotion (a personal fave of mine) and you'll have a ton of body without any heavy bulid up other products might give... more on that soon.

Bed Head Superstar Volumizing Leave-In Conditioner comes in a 200 ml / 6.76 fl. oz bottle, and retails for around $16-$18. There's plenty more to come, so keep reading and take care of your hair! ♥ ♥ ♥
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| 3 comments |

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Bed Head Some Like It Hot Serum Review

"Been waiting long?"
"It's not how long you wait, it's who you're waiting for!"

Hey guys! Today I'm reviewing Bed Head's latest gem: Some Like It Hot Heat & Humidity Resistant Serum. This stuff is HOT! I love it! A definite must-have for summer, or for anyone whose hair turns into a frizzy mess when they just hear the word humidity. The Some Like It Hot line is brand new and includes a shampoo and conditioner as well as the serum. I'm definitely gonna try it. The scent alone is worth the purchase! "Just a drop in towel-dried hair will smooth, soothe and protect your locks every day."

Let's take a look at the ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, and Olive Oil is the bulk of it. It contains cyclopentasiloxane! No wonder I love it so much! Cyclopentasiloxane is a neat little emollient that detangles hair and makes it easy to comb through. It's also perfect for thinning a product, without using water because it's very watery--perfect for breaking up other silicones. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient with quick skin penetration. It is very useful as a dispersing agent and excellent at spreading skincare formulas. It's also colorless, tasteless, and has no scent. Dimethiconol is a silicone derivative--similar to dimethicone. Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicone that adds some powerful shine to your hair. It's super concentrated so that's why you only need a drop or two of this product. Olive oil has tons of uses, but in cosmetics and hair products it's used as a moisturizer.

Honestly, just one or two drops in wet or dry hair is all you need to look fabulous and frizz free. I definitely recommend this product!

TIGI Bed Head Some Like It Hot Serum is available in a 100 ml / 3.38 fl. oz. bottle, and retails for around $17. Take care of your hair, especially in the sun!!! ♥
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| 6 comments |

Friday, June 12, 2009

Bed Head Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff Review

My 3rd review of the day! Now I'm reviewing one of my favorite shine products EVER! Bed Head Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff! Seriously you guys, this stuff will be in my product arsenal forever. It's so light, provides fantastic shine, and has the most delicious, intoxicating scent. Everybody needs this! :D

The description says: "Shine, defrizz, and add the perfect finishing touch every time you use Bed Head Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff. Created by blondes for blondes and all the colors in between, Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff makes hair smooth, frizz-free, soft and hydrated. Just apply some stuff to your just finished hair, and watch those frizzy fly-aways disappear."

The main ingredients are Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, and Polyacrylamide. As I said in Cosmetic Chemistry Tidbits #2, Cyclopentasiloxane is one of my favorite ingredients, and it's also becoming more and more popular. It's a watery emollient that makes hair smoother and easier to comb through. It's also used to break up other silicones, like Dimethicone. Propylene Glycol (yet again) is an emulsifier. Dimethiconol is a light silicone derivative, and Polyacrylamide is a thickening and suspending agent. The next ingredient is Fragrance, and what a yummy fragrance it is! <3

Since Smoothing Stuff comes in a small pot, I only use it on dry hair--but no one I've used it on has said it was too heavy for their hair. Just take a little dab (usually I use what's on the lid), emulsify it in your hands, and run it underneath your hair, and then the top. That way your frizzies and fly-aways will be tamed, and all of your hair will look healthy and shiny!

Bed Head Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff comes in a 1.69 oz./50 ml pot, and retails for around $15. You should seriously consider buying this, I don't think you'll regret it. ♥ Take care of your hair everyone!
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Bed Head Hook-up Mousse Wax Review

Hello hello! Today I'm reviewing three different products, the first is Bed Head's Hook-up Mousse Wax. Personally, I love this stuff! The consistency is great, it's not heavy, and it can be used in wet or dry hair. Here's what the label says: "Get the hook-up and rock your hair! Way out texture, hardcore style. Use in wet or dry hair. Shape and reshape. Shake well before use. A little goes a long way. You must have a sense of humor to use our products." Curly haired girls, I suggest you give this stuff a shot! It provides texture, separation, shine, and smells awesome! Kind of like cherries.

The main ingredients are: Water, Petrolatum, Isobutane, Polymide-1, and Cetearyl Alcohol. Petrolatum is an emollient that is derived from petroleum, and acts as a lubricant on hair and skin. It's what gives Hook-up its creamy texture. Isobutane is a naturally occuring gas. In cosmetics it's used as a propellant which is how aerosol hairsprays and mousses come out of their cans. Other propellants are butane, hydrofluorocarbon, and propane. Look at your hairspray and mousse cans and look to see if any of these are on there! =P Polymide-1 is a film former, and gives the hold in Hook-up. Cetearyl Alcohol is an emulsifying wax made from a mix of different fatty alcohols. Usually they are made from cetyl and stearyl alcohol, which together form a film that keeps moisture from evaporating. Cetearyl Alcohol gives hair and skin a luxurious, velvety feeling. Not a bad mix if I do say so myself.

However, there is something annoying about Hook-up. Sometimes the product is really hard to get out of the can, and you have to push hard to get it to come out... but to me it's worth it.

Bed Head Hook-up Mousse Wax comes in a 5 oz. /150 ml can, and retails for around $14-$16. If you've used this, comment and tell me about it. Take care of your hair, and spread the word about my blog! ♥
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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Bed Head After-Party Review


Hello, hello! Review Time! This review of Bed Head Afterparty has been requested by a lovely blogger named Recessionista! Check out her blog, Nouveau Cheap, it really rocks! Especially for beauty lovers on a budget!

I had actually been avoiding writing a review on this, because pretty much everyone else has... but whatever! It's for her, she rocks, and I know at least she will read it LOL!

Bed Head After-Party is a "Smoothing Cream for Silky, Shiny, Healthy Looking Hair!" It comes with a warning: YOU MUST HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR TO USE OUR PRODUCTS. Agreed! Haha, that always makes me laugh. This product claims it is "The perfect party favor. After-Party hair creme for silky, smooth, shiny, healthy looking hair. Control the funky fly-aways and silk-ify your hair." Silk-ify... I think I'll start saying that now, haha. But I do agree with their claims, After-Party will leave your hair smooth, shiny, and silky. It's light enough to be used by most hair types, and smells absolutely divine.

The ingredients include Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, and Propylene Glycol. Dimethicone is a popular silicone, and is also one of the heavier ones. However, since this product is water-based, and one of Bed Head's most popular products, I don't belive this will prove to be a problem for most people; you'll just have to try it out for yourself. I'm noticing that Cyclopentasiloxane is becoming quite popular in hair products, and for good reason. It's an emollient that is starting to be used more and more, because it makes the hair less susceptible to breakage, and easier to comb through. If you can find a product that uses Cyclopentasiloxane as its main ingredient, I'd give it a shot. A lot of my favorite products have it as the main ingredient, second to water of course. Dimethiconol is another silicone derivative, and is somewhat lighter than Dimethicone. And of course you should all by now know that Propylene Glycol is an emulsifier.

The only problem I have with this product is the obvious one. I won't go into detail, but I'm pretty sure we all know what it looks like. I think it's funny, and I love the hot pink, but I know that some people don't buy this simply because of the packaging. It's disappointing too, because this really is a great, versatile product. My solution? Change the bubble cap to a cube. What do you think?

Also, I've heard from quite a number of people that this product has a hidden side-effect: it will get rid of the smell of smoke from your hair. I'm not sure what ingredient makes that happen, but a lot of people swear it works. I don't smoke, so I don't know if it does, but I'll try it on some of my smoker friends and let you guys know what happens.

The directions say: "Smooth on dry hair and party on!" I think that's kind of vague... kind of really vague so I'll tell you how I use it! I've used it on wet and dry hair, and I've found that it works both ways equally well. 

  • For wet hair: Shampoo, condition, and towel-dry the excess moisture out of your hair. Pump a small amount in your hand (usually I use about the size of a chocolate chip, but longer/thicker hair may need a bit more so experiment), and run it through the middle of your hair down to the ends, especially making sure to coat your ends thouroughly. Blow-dry, style, look flawless! ;-) 
  • For dry hair: Apply a pea-sized amount in your hand, emulsify it between your palms, and run it through the middle of your hair, taking the time to smooth out your ends. Kind of like using your two hands as a flat-iron, know what I mean? And use whatever is left on your hands for any fly-aways on top of your head. It's important to not put too much on top of your head because there is the potential that your hair will look too shiny-almost greasy looking.
Bed Head After-Party comes in a 100 ml or 3.4 oz bottle, and retails for anywhere from $15-$18. This often comes in a duo with Headrush or Superstar Blow-Dry Lotion, usually for like one or two dollars more, which is a steal! So keep your eyes open for those! Take care of your hair everyone! XOXO
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| 2 comments |

Sunday, May 10, 2009

TIGI Catwalk Fast-Fixx Review

Happy Mother's Day everyone! Today I'm reviewing TIGI Catwalk Fast-Fixx, a lightweight leave-in conditioner. I bought this in a 2-for-1 with Catwalk's Root Boost in "Biggie" sizes about a month ago (I tried to get a picture of the duo but I couldn't find one, sorry.), and I've been loving it ever since. Fast-Fixx is my go-to detangler because it's very light, conditions without weighing down hair, and smells quite delicious. The scent is actually very similar to Bed Head After Party. The label says Fast-Fixx is "A quick solution for unruly morning hair or changing your style from day to evening. Conditions, shines, and detangles between shampoos. Or use as a leave-in conditioner to control tangles and frizz after shampooing." Honestly, I don't think I've ever read the label before LOL! I've always used it as a leave-in, I never even thought to use it as a re-styler. I'll post an update after I've used it this way. So yeah, as a leave-in/detangler, it's really nice, and works on many different hair types so I highly recommend giving this a shot.

The first five ingredients are: Water, Amodimethicone, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Glycerin, and Polyquaternium-37. Amodimethicone is a silicone/amino compound, which conditions and adds shine to hair. I couldn't really find any helpful info on Distearyldimonium Chloride, but Left Brain from thebeautybrains.com says
"Distearyldimonium Chloride is a positively charged surfactant. It is typically used as a hair conditioning ingredient but it should have some moisturizing effect on the skin. Essentially, the positive charge interacts with negatively charged proteins on your skin, so the ingredient doesn't completely rinse off. This provides a nice feel to your skin's surface. It is typically produced synthetically but can also be made from animal by-products. (For PR reasons, producing it from animal parts is not really done in the cosmetic industry anymore.) It has a fine safety profile although some people may find it irritating to their skin."
Thanks Lefty! Moving on, Glycerin is a very commonly used humectant, and is used to lock in moisture to your hair and skin. Polyquaternium-37 is an emulsifier; it keeps all the ingredients together so they don't separate in the bottle.

The rest of the ingredients are mostly light conditioning agents and filler ingredients like Wild Cherry Bark Extract and Hops Extract. They also include Keratin Amino Acids, but at such a low dose I doubt it provides any benefit other than sounding nice. The consistency of this product is similar to watered down milk (it even kind of looks like it too), and while this is a very light product, it may be a little too light for thicker/coarser hair types, so if that's the kind of hair you have you might want to go to a salon that uses Catwalk products and have them try it out on you before you purchase it. If you do buy it, or already own it, I suggest using Fast-Fixx after shampooing and lightly conditioning your hair. Then dry your hair until it is damp and spray Fast-Fixx about 6 inches away from your hair, making sure you get underneath your hair as well, then comb it all through using a wide-tooth comb.

Catwalk Fast-Fixx is available in a 200 ml or 8 oz size, and usually retails for about $13-$15. I've never seen the Biggie size for sale on it's own, it's usually in a duo with a Biggie Root Boost or another product so keep your eyes open for those. Hopefully my review helped you guys, and if you do decide to try Fast-Fixx or already use it or have used it, let me know how it worked for you! I'll talk to you all soon and take care of your hair! =D ...read more ⇒
| 2 comments |

Friday, May 8, 2009

Bed Head Hair Stick Review

Hello all! Before I start my review, I want to express my deepest sympathies for Guy Mascolo, the co-founder of TIGI. He was a fabulous hairdresser and a wonderful person, and he'll be missed greatly. RIP Guy Mascolo 1944-2009.

So, being the huge TIGI freak that I am, I thought I'd review one of their oldest and best products: TIGI Bed Head A Hair Stick for Cool People. This stick is always in my arsenal of products, I can use it on everyone! It's good for creating texture, separation, taming down fly-aways, and spiking shorter hair. It even has a universal scent, kind of earthy, almost like ginger, so it's not just for guys or girls, but I think everyone should have this versatile product!

What makes this funky stick work? Let me tell you. The first five ingredients are: Castor Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Beeswax, and Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax. Castor Seed Oil is a highly emollient vegetable oil obtained from the beans of Castor plant that is used to bind waxes and fragrance together. Hydrogenated Castor Oil is use to regulate viscosity, provide consistency, and moisturize. Beeswax comes from the honeycomb of virgin bees. The bees then process the honey, form the nectar, and then they convert it into wax. Ten pounds of honey produces one pound of wax. It's used in cosmetics as an emulsifier and thickener. Rhus Succedanea Wax, or Japan wax is a tough, sticky substance often used in hair products and cosmetics. Even though there's a lot of heavy stuff in this, it's surprisingly light on your hair. Weird right?

For short hair, I recommend rubbing some on your hands first, and rub it all through your hair to give it that Bed Head look, or focus on the ends for that piecey separated look. For long hair, lightly rub your fingers on it and gently run them through your hair for some shine and to help tame frizzies.

The Bed Head Hair Stick is 2.7 oz. or 75g and retails for around $16-$18. I often see it included in those 2-for-1 packs that Bed Head offers sometimes, so keep your eye out for those. So that wraps up this review everyone and be sure to spread my blog around for other people to read! Take care of your hair! =D ...read more ⇒
| 1 comments |

Sunday, May 3, 2009

S-Factor Smoothing Lusterizer Review


Hello everyone! Today I'll be reviewing one of my new favorite products, TIGI S-Factor Smoothing Lusterizer. The label says it's "a scientific blend of ingredients that silkifies • softens • fights humidity. Use in wet or dry hair. Satisfaction guaranteed!" And I have to absolutely agree with all the claims they make. I've used this on plenty of people, and I use this product in my hair all the time and after I do my hair just feels SO much better. Definitely smoother and more lusterized.. if that's a word. Also, it smells absolutely delicious, like mixed berries.

The main ingredients (the first 5) are Water, Cyclomethicone, Propylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, and Polyacrylamide. Cyclomethicone is made from silicone and is used for detangling, conditioning, and adding shine, but can be too heavy for some people's hair. Propylene Glycol is one of the most widely used ingredients in cosmetics. It works as a humectant to add moisture to your hair or skin. Dimethiconol is another silicone derivative similar to Cyclomethicone and Polyacrylamide is a thickening agent, and is what gives the product it's thick, yet creamy consistency.

My hair is platinum blonde on top and dark on the sides, so I just use a pea sized amount in my hand, rub it together, or emulsify it in my hands, and run it through my hair when it's about 75% dry, then blow it dry. Now, anyone who lightens their hair as much as I do will tell you that they need a lot of product to make it feel smooth and soft, and this stuff works the best for me! =D

However, there are a couple con's. First of all, S-Factor products are very expensive, which will probably be the biggest problem for people, but to me it's like, a little goes such a long way and it works so well for me that it's worth the high price. Now, another little problem I have is that there is a lot of Mica and Titanium Dioxide in it, which gives the product it's glittery appearance, and whenever I use it there is alwayyys glitter left on my hands so I have to wash them... but those two things are really my only problems with it.

So yeah, if you can get past the price I HIGHLY suggest picking this product up if you want very smooth, soft, and shiny hair. Hopefully my review helped you decide if this product is worth buying (I think it is!). S-Factor Smoothing Lusterizer retails for about $24-$26 and you get 200 mL / 6.76 fl. oz.

Have a great day everyone and take care of your hair! <3 ...read more ⇒