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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