ProductWhores

Orofluido Beauty Elixir

I really really don't like Gwyneth Paltrow and it's not like I have any specific reasons for not liking her - I just don't.  That all said, however, she does have beautiful hair so when I was reading a magazine and they claim that she just can't live without Orofluido's Beauty Elixir For Your Hair, I was immediately intrigued.  I ran out immediately to ULTA, grabbed a bottle and got to work on my magical hair transformation.  First of all, the stuff is super duper cheap - only $13.00 a bottle!  I felt like that was a steal.  Second, the smell is absolutely amazing (Amber mixed with Vanilla - yum!)  Third, it totally and completely worked on my hair!  I just applied some in my damp hair before blowdrying and I was so excited to see just how silky smooth it made my hair.  I also have been putting a bit in my dry hair to tame flyaways and leave a lovely scent for the better part of the day (especially when I swish my hair around).  I am completely and totally stunned at how great this product is and, frankly, I don't know how I've made it this long without it.  I know you can get it at ULTA as that's where I found it, but it seems like the only other US place to purchase it is through Birchbox.  Let me know if you all find it somewhere else as it seems the website caters to Europe (where Orofluido originates from).  This stuff is simply liquid gold for the hair and I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the line.

The New Biolage

 

Since I color my hair fairly frequently (thanks, weird group of grey hairs that only grow in two places but make it necessary for me to go to my salon every six weeks or sooner to get rid of) I'm always looking for good hair products for colored hair.  I hadn't used Biolage in awhile for some reason, but when I heard about the line being revamped AND that they had a special group for colored hair, I was all over that.  (The four new categories are COLORLAST, HYDRASOURCE, VOLUMEBLOOM and SMOOTHPROOF, so together they cover any and all of your hair needs).  The COLORLAST line was obviously the one I couldn't wait to get my hands on because any and all things that can stretch out my time between expensive salon visits are my new obsession).  The COLORLAST line's products all contain flavonoids, which sounds like a demented sort of candy but is actually something that filters out the UV rays that oxidize color, which causes it to lose its vibrancy.  With these products, your hair can actually keep its color for up to nine weeks after you get it done, which is pretty fantastic.  The Colorlast line has a shampoo, a conditioner, a Shine Shake (love that name!) and a mask for extra conditioning that also adds shine, so it definitely has all your color product needs taken care of. I'm WAY obsessed with the shampoo and conditioner.  They smell ah-mazing - I'm not exactly sure what it is but it's a fresh, clean, maybe apple-esque scent?  Delightful!  And they leave my hair so soft and shiny while extending my pricey salon color for a few extra weeks.  (It's like I have shampoo commercial hair when I actually take the time to style it!)  The mask is also great - I can always use all the extra conditioning I can get and it's super easy to make that happen with the mask.  I think I need to try the VOLUMEBLOOM line next because that's always my other wish for my straight, fine hair.  Make me look good, Biolage!

You can find all the revamped Biolage products on Matrix.com.   

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

Gifts to Love!

I would like to assume most of you have already completed, or are nearing the end of completion, on your Christmas gift list (there is only two weekends left, people!)  But, in case you're still in research mode, let me make it a bit easier and suggest some truly kick-ass gifts that any girl would love to receive! 

Laura Mercier is one my of faves (as you probably already know) and there's a good reason for that - her stuff is fantastic!  Colors are always super wearable, foundation makes you look flawless and the palettes are to die for.  Sure, you have to shell out a bit more, but isn't your friend or family member worth it?  My fave of this season is the Luxe Colour Wardrobe.  This is, by far, the best palette she's ever released (and that's saying something because I obsessessively purchase her new holiday one every year).  The shadows are absolutely stunning (and you get 8 of them!) the brushes are magnificent (you get 3 - well, 4 if you count one as double-ended), 3 powder liners, one pencil liner, two blushes and one shimmer.  I am just so impressed with how many beautiful looks I've been able to create - everything from lovely daytime subtle to sexy smokey eye for night.  Yeah, it's pricey at $125.00 but it's actually a steal if you add up all the items you get in it.  LOVE this one!

Another fantastic palette for this holiday is the Masterpiece Series by Stila.  This palette box set is an absolute STEAL!  It's ridiculous how much you get for only $29.00.  You get three different palettes for three completely different looks (all with the look book, of course, so you can follow their instructions or craft your own if you want).   You get a total of 15 shadows and three blushes and about a billion different looks!  This is a fantastic gift and at the price, you might as well grab one for yourself while you're at it!

If you've got a friend who travels, you have got to check out Katie's Favorites Travel Set by Alterna.  Katie Holmes picked a few of her fave items and packaged them (well, she didn't exactly package them herself, but you see where I'm going) into this cute little cosmetic pouch.  Set comes with Caviar shampoo and conditioner (which are wonderful), Bamboo Translucent Dry Shampoo (amazing time-saver and must-have for any traveler) and my favorite of the bunch - Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist (quite possibly the best, and lightest, hair oil to give shine and eliminate frizzies).  Retails for $29.95.

For the eye liner junkie, you cannot pass up Urban Decay's Black Market set!  First of all, UD liners are my absolute fave - they are so smooth to apply and smudge perfectly when you want them to and don't smudge when you don't want (if that makes any sort of sense).  I love, love, love this set - comes with some really beautiful liners and 5 out of the 6 are exclusive to this set!  It's a total steal, too, at only $24.00.  This is a wonderful must-have for your friend, co-worker, mom, sister and most-definitely for yourself. 

Note:  Some of the above items were sent to be by a PR representative working with the above brands.

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...