ProductWhores

Jordin Sparks Loves L'Oreal

L'Oreal makes some of my favorite drugstore hair care products (their EverStrong Overnight Repair Treatment is one of my nightime staples) so it's always nice to see someone else appreciate them too.  (Especially someone who can afford any hair care brand they want).  Jordin Sparks was recently snapped by the paparazzi picking up their EverCurl line at a Walgreens in Los Angeles (a girl after my own heart - the new Walgreens that opened by me is all sorts of awesome).  And not that she's so famous that she can't do her own shopping, but I still kind of appreciate that she does.  Giving up shopping would be the number one thing I would hate if I was super famous, although I guess the tradeoff would be being able to buy anything you want from the privacy of your own home, so not a bad concession, I guess.... 

Hair Perfection

You guys, I have found nirvana and it comes in the form of a hairdryer.  The new Featherweight Luxe 2i Dryer is quite possibly my most favorite styling tool I've come across in years.  YEARS!  Before I got this a few weeks ago, I was using a crappy $30 dryer that I picked up at CVS after I dropped my other good one on the tile floor and shattered it a few years ago.  You would think I would've replaced it with a better one a long time ago, but somehow I just... didn't.  And then the Luxe got sent to me and angels appeared and a choir sang and everything is right with the world again.

I can't even really accurately put into words how great this hairdryer is.  The only thing that could make me like it more is if it got up before me and made me coffee every morning.  (Caramel latte, please!)  It dries my long hair in about the half the time, leaves it practically frizz-free, and makes it so soft and shiny.  It's kind of like wearing a really good wig!  (Or, you know, just seeing the best version of my own hair...)  The only downside is it's really expensive at $250, BUT you'll use it every single day for years, so the cost per use goes way, way down.  I know that doesn't help with the initial outlay of cash, but it does help a little.  (Just make sure you don't drop it on tile like I did.  Tile is not a friend to blowdryers).  

Also, the cool thing about expensive hair dryers is that you can go to ULTA and they have them all on display where you can actually turn them on and check them out before you decide to buy them.  So you'll know if you like it before you have to spend rent money on it.  (Someone should figure out a way to apply this to blind dates so you don't have to awkwardly meet some normal sounding guy for coffee only to find out he texts his mom sixteen times a day or has a parrot he calls his child or something else equally nuts).  So go - try one out and if you can swing it, bring one home.  Your hair will thank you!     

Note:  A sample of the product was sent by a PR representative working with T3

Pureology for Red Heads

So excited to report that Pureology (my absolute haircare brand) has just released a new line specifically for people who color their hair red -Reviving Red!  Whether red-red or copper-red this new collection will length your time between colorings and keep your hair looking as shiny as the day you left the salon!  I have seen an amazing difference in my hair already even after only using for a week.  My red hair is shinier and more vibrant and I've gotten compliments on my new hair color, even though I didn't just have it done.  Just as all the other Pureology products I've tried - and been obsessed with - the formula is sulfate-free and contains all sorts of enriching oils to leave hair super-soft and smelling lovely.  Nothing like a girl with lovely smelling hair, eh?

Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Pureology.

Papyrus Protection from Klorane

My hair has been uber-dry this summer - I think because we've been having some crazy hot days, the air in LA is awful and the fact I've been in the pool subjecting my hair to chlorine.  For whatever the real reason behind my suffering hair, I decided to give Klorane's Papyrus Milk collection a go as papyrus milk is supposed to help smooth hair.  I have been really impressed by the collection and have seen a noticible difference in my hair, a welcome surprise.  First of all both the shampoo and conditioner smell yummy.  They actually smell like freshly-cut grass mixed with cucumber which as I type it, sounds insane, but I assure you it smells fresh and delightful.  While the shampoo is amazing, I found the conditioner to be a bit lacking in the conditioning department. I have really thick hair so the conditioner, while it smells great and does detangle a bit, I think it would be better suited for thinner hair (unless you tend to use a leave-in conditioner, as well, which I do)  The leave-in fluid (No-Rinse Care with Papyrus Milk) also smells delicious and is a fantastic smoother (it doesn't condition, but it definitely tames the wild frizzies).  The Leave-in is also hands-down my fave product of the bunch - my hair is so thankful for its existance!  Definitely a collection worth checking out if your hair is on the dry side!

Note:  Samples of the above products were sent by a PR representative working with Klorane.

Beachify Your Hair

I know I've said this on here before, but it bears repeating.  I hate the beach.  I know I live in Los Angeles and I'm supposed to be all surfer girl, but nope.  I don't hate it in theory and I do like beachy towns and boardwalks and all the stuff that's associated with beaches (mainly lobster rolls), but you would have to pay me A LOT of money to get me to spend a sunny day at the beach.  First of all, no matter how much sunblock I put on, I always, always burn.  It's ridiculous.  Secondly (and I think we can all agree on this) bathing suits.  Ugh.  Also, whenever I go to the beach, I somehow manage to get sand everywhere.  I'll find sand in my car weeks later.  It's the worst.  So basically, don't ever ask me to go to the beach.  (I will, however, walk a boardwalk for hours.  I kick ass at that stupid game where you have to shoot a water gun into the clown's mouth and blow up a balloon.  It's an underrated talent). 

Oddly enough, though I hate the beach, I absolutely love when my hair looks like I've been to the beach.  It's like, my quest in life to get the perfect beachy waves.  So I'm kind of obsessed with Josie Maran's Bohemian Waves Argan Hair Mist.  Basically, it's a spray that contains a mix of Himalayan Pink Sea Salt and Argan oil (among other things) so it makes your hair all full and volume-y without drying it out or making it all crunchy and sticky.  (Crunchy and sticky hair makes me crazy.  I'm not trying to shoot a Bon Jovi video in the 80's, you know?)  I've been spritzing my wet hair with it in the mornings, then letting it air dry a little before I blow dry it while sort of fluffing it at the same time.  (I don't brush it when I use this because that would iron the waves right out of it).  Then I give my almost dry hair another quick spritz of it before I head out the door.  It's really simple and easy and it makes me actually look like I spent the day in Santa Monica, lazing in the sand, sipping tropical drinks.  Even more importantly, other people think it looks good too because two people at work actually told me that my hair looked good last week and I don't think they've ever noticed it before.  That alone makes me want to keep using it.  (I'm a sucker for compliments).  It's almost enough to make me reconsider this whole beach hatred thing.  Almost... 

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Josie Maran

Control Your Hair

I normally don't put a lot of product in my hair because a, I'm lazy and don't want to add any steps to my morning routine, and b, my straight hair doesn't usually really need it.  But lately, since I'm growing out my hair again and it's getting kind of long, I've been experimenting with some products just to help try and give it some shape and volume.  My latest acquisition is Pureology's Colour Stylist Control Twist.  It's a liquid wax made specially for hair that's been colored (always a plus).  It comes out as a liquid (I assume you figured this out based on the name, but you never know...) and becomes a little bit more of a solid as you work it into your hair (but not too solid, it definitely still feels like a liquid).  I basically pump a little bit into my hands and then rub them together and run them through my hair.  It gives my hair more of a texture and adds some volume to it, which I like, but you can also use it to make your hair more piece-y (especially good with short styles).  And you can use it on damp or dry hair, which makes me very happy because I keep forgetting I want to use it until my hair is dry and I'm walking out the door and with this, that doesn't matter.  It makes my hair a tiny bit crunchy, but nothing major - I don't have like, hair that makes me look like I'm heading to a Poison concert in 1988 or anything.  Not that there's anything wrong with that... 

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Pureology

Get In A Cleansing Condition

It's been really hot in Los Angeles the past few weeks, so of course that's when I had to move, which means that basically I've spent the past month sweating profusely as I lugged boxes up and down stairs.  It has not been fun.  I would literally pull my hair out of a ponytail at the end of the night and the back would be one big knot.  Very gross.  Luckily, I had a newly purchased bottle of WEN's Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner on hand because I really, really needed it.  I'm a big fan of their Cleansing Conditioners because I feel like it's less harsh to use on my colored hair if I'm showering twice a day, plus they all smell amazing.  It's definitely not a heavy duty conditioner like a hair mask would be, but I found that if I just brushed the knot out before hopping in the shower, it took care of the rest and made my sweaty hair feel soft and clean again.  And I loooove the almond mint scent.  So, so pretty.  Using it almost made the move seem a little more fun.  Almost... 

Shielo Moisturizes Hair

Before I even review the Shielo line, I have to say when I received the samples the first thing that came to mind was Shia LaBeouf (as I write it, I'm not even sure why as they really don't sound the same, but whatever).  Anyway, because I am not a fan of Shia (again, no real reason but every report I read in my trash mags makes him out to be a jerk despite the fact he's pretty hot), I kept thinking I wouldn't like the products.  Despite my random thought process, I tried the Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner and was pleasantly surprised.  As it turns out, I'm a huge fan of Shielo!  The Hydate line really adds a ton of moisture (even though I have thick hair, I almost didn't even need the conditioner because the shampoo is so great), and I was stunned at how beautiful they make my hair look and feel.  They are sulfate free, do not strip hair and smell fantastically fresh!  I love this line and am excited to try more of what they have to offer.  They have a line for color-treated which I can only imagine is equally amazing.  No more thoughts of Shia - just Shielo.  Hooray!

Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Shielo. 

Precious Oil

Pureology's Precious Oil is my hair's new best friend. Serious this multi-tasker of an oil reduces frizz, gives my hair amazing shine and has seriously prolonged my color (I'm not even kidding, it's incredible!).  I thought it might weigh my hair down, but it does the opposite.  You only need a few smal drops to make an amazing difference in both shine and texture of your hair.  And if that wasn't enough to run right out and buy the stuff, it smells yummy (think beachy coconut smell).  Best hair oil EVER!  Thanks, Pureology!!

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Pureology.

Extend Your Color

I have been so into the new trend of bold hair color streaks.  Every time I see a celebrity with one of the new colored 'do's in a magazine, I want it.  But let's face it, most of us can't jump on the bandwagon for a lot of reasons - time, maintenance, expense...  I may work in a creative field, but as much as I loved Kate Bosworth's blue dipped streaks, I don't know if I can pull them off on a permanent basis, or how they'd go over at work.  (Plus, I have to admit, after my traumatic Sun-In experience in 7th grade, I am loathe to play around with anything permanent that isn't done by a professional or even if it is, that could potentially really mess up my normal dark brown shade).  That's why I'm loving Milani Hair's Clip In Hair Extensions.  They're available in five different funky shades - Purple, Blue, Green, Fuchsia and Red - and at only $14.99, they couldn't be more affordable.  Each package has two  strips of 20" length hair in it - it's a good length for those of us with long hair, but if your hair is shorter, it's easy to cut to your perfect length.  Even better is how easy they are to use.  So, so simple. The top of each strip has a clip on it that functions exactly like a barrette - you snap it open, then position it in your hair, then just snap it closed.  It is literally impossible to mess up.  I'm terrible at doing my own hair (seriously, if I try to do anything fancy, it looks like I let a kindergartner wield the brush) and even I mastered this in under a minute.  The shades themselves are super bright and fun too.  I tried Purple and Red and I love the way they complement my dark brown locks and give it a fun pop of color.  Plus, the fact that they're temporary makes them even more fun to play with.  I can throw them in my bag and just clip them in after work if I'm going to happy hour or out with friends.  I might have to pick up the rest of the shades and keep them around, just because you never know when you're gonna want to channel your inner wild child.  So fun!

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Milani Hair