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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

Make Your Voice Count

Are you a person who likes to takes surveys?  Because my secret confession is that I kinda am.  Even if it's some silly one question poll on like, People.com about Jennifer Aniston's hair, more often than not I'll click on my answer.  I have no idea why.  I guess I just enjoy a good poll!  If you're like me, you'll be interested to hear about L'Oreal's new "2012 Hair Color Census."  Here's all the official info on it:

Have you ever wondered if blondes really do have more fun OR if brunettes truly are the brainiest?  In hopes of getting to the bottom of these hair color stereotypes once and for all, L’Oréal Paris is asking women of ALL hair hues to take the “2012 Hair Color Census,” presented by the brand’s Healthy Look Crème Gloss Hair Color.

Designed to take natural hair color up a notch, Healthy Look Crème Gloss’ digital and interactive “Turn It Up” Facebook campaign invites readers to express their hair color identity by …

Taking the Hair Color Census – Stand up for your shade by answering a short series of questions.  In the coming months, L’Oréal Paris will reveal the findings and set the record straight!  Find out which hair color group is deemed to be the wildest, the most trust-worthy and what else (besides at-home hair color) everyone wishes could be achieved in 10 minutes …

Enhancing Your Facebook Page – Just like natural hair color can always use a little boost, so can our Facebook photos!  Add some glamour to your “social” life thanks to tools for creating customized cover photos, wallpaper and poster images, including editing options for adding a touch of sparkle and cool quotes/artwork to celebrate your hair shade (i.e. Life is Better Blonde).

Experiencing Shade Inspiration AND  Entering to Win – Upload “Before & After” images of your Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color experience for a chance to win a year’s worth of FREE hair color.  Plus, check out the “Who’s Turned It  Up?” image gallery for hair color inspiration and find the Healthy Look Crème Gloss shade that’s right for you.  Bonus: a downloadable $2-off coupon is the perfect excuse to get coloring.

As far as the results, L'Oreal will be getting out the headlines at a later date, but in the meantime, you can click here to check out the app and take the census.  Enjoy, fellow poll people!

Behind The Scenes With J. Lo

 

I think we can all agree that Jennifer Lopez has gorgeous hair, right?  In case you didn't know, she's also the spokeswoman for L'Oreal Paris' new Sublime Mousse by Healthy Look hair color. I'm really curious to try it because it's a mousse formula that applies like shampoo, which seems like it would really help out a klutz like me since when I've previously colored my hair at home, I've ended up getting the dye all over me and the bathroom.  You don't even have to part your hair and do it in sections, you just massage it in and the formula expands around each strand does the rest.  Sounds intriguing!  (And easy.  Easy is key).  It's available in 12 shades for $9.99 each and you can pick it up in drugstores, etc...     

Here's a sneak peek at some behind the scenes footage of the ad campaign with J. Lo on set in the Santa Clarita desert.  (Side note - I love her sunglasses.  I need to find out who makes them so I can go buy a knockoff version because I lose sunglasses like it's my job, so I refuse to spend tons of money on them anymore.  Thank God for Nordstrom Rack).   

HSN Welcomes Kelly Van Gogh

If you color your hair at home, get excited for this.  Kelly Van Gogh's products will be premiering on HSN starting on August 31st.  (Shopping from the comfort of your couch really is the best, isn't it?)  Here's some info on Kelly's latest innovative hair coloring treatment.

Kelly Van Gogh MASTER BLEND Multi-Dimensional Luxury Hair Colour kit

Magnificent hair colour begins with groundbreaking ingredients.  This sophisticated at-home all over hair colour system allows you to leave the salon and never look back.  Kelly’s proprietary cold pressed caviar oil delivery system is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, C, and D, and amino acids.  As a result, it penetrates the hair shaft to seal the cuticle so that the colour molecule stays intact and protected from environmental aggressors including caustic water.  Combined with amino acids and keratin proteins, the formula also replenishes weakened hair fibers and stimulates collagen growth needed to grow and strengthen hair.  Available in ten shades, the hair colour delivers 100% gray coverage with an ammonia alternative, MEA, which is very gentle on the hair.  The MASTER BLEND Multi-Dimensional Luxury Hair Colour kit is simple and easy to use for a goof-proof application.  The result is glossy, healthy hair with a beautiful and youthful shine.

The kit retails for $49 and is available at kellyvangogh.com.

U Color With Ease

 

I am a huge fan of dying hair at home.  Of course I totally love the pampering of in-salon (and the security that the color will almost always look fabulous and exactly as how you envisioned) but there's something to be said for saving all that money and doing it at home yourself.  Especially if you have the right at-home coloring kit that will give you exactly what you need with minimal or no mess.  I checked out U Color by Umberto and this is the best at-home hair color I have tried so far because the color is amazing and it is seriously SO easy to apply!  Its unique packet system looked odd to me at first, but I quickly realized why this is so much easier to work with.  Each kit contains actually two sets of color packets so if you are like me and have shorter hair, the kit will actually go you two coloring rounds (woo hoo - even bigger savings!).  You take three packets (which are labeled well - color, developer and equalizer - and are actually connected to each other so you can't screw it up), cut off the tops and mix all the stuff together in a bowl (I used an old tupperware).  You then use the enclosed brush and brush the mixture into your hair.  What I really loved is that the smell is minimal and the substance you brush on is actually a gel so there was no dripping at all!  I usually drip all over the place with the other at-home kits I've tried, but this one made no mess.  I dyed my hair with 6.43 (a beautiful dark copper brown) which covered all my greys and has a nice, natural sheen to it.  And just to be sure I liked this stuff on all hair types, I dyed my friend's very curly hair with  2.56 which is a stunning light black with slight reddish highlights (I loved that it was a soft color and not the deep black so many at-home kits offer).  Both of our experiences were amazing and the results were perfect (exactly as the box indicates).  A definite must check out.  They offer 24 shades, which you can find at beauty supply outlets, Ulta and online at www.umbertobh.com.  Retails for $12.00.

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