Beauty pro division

Having a fashionable hairstyle, along with a smooth and shiny texture plays a significant role in how both men and women are viewed by society. Proper hair care is essential, but without the right skills and tools it can be time consuming. Steve Lococo, co-owner of Borrelli Beverly Hills and B2V/Borrelli-Vo Salons says that creating beautiful hair every day can be fast and easy with a few quick tips.

One of the biggest problems people face is dry, damaged hair. This can lead to dreaded frizz or fly aways. Towel drying most of the moisture out of your hair is the first step to combating this problem. Second, blow dry for about one minute. Apply your styling product and comb it through your hair and allow it to set. If product is applied when hair is too wet, it can dry it out, especially if the product contains alcohol.

We’ll have to wait until January to get a glimpse of the new look in store for American Salon. During my lunch with Editor-in-Chief, Marianne Dougherty last week she shared that the creative team has been working since July on a new format. The 130 year old book, the oldest continually published magazine in the country, started its run in 1877 and mainly focused on hair care products from France.

The new look will be more visual and graphic and have less copy, there will also be a supplement titled “American Beauty” focusing on skincare and makeup. Marianne was very excited and commented that the opportunity to direct the change was one of the primary reasons she came back to the magazine that had been her home for so many years.

We also compared notes on some of the interesting products in the marketplace, and in particular the emphasis on natural and organic brands. Two of our brands, Ojon and Korres fall into this category.

Ojon just launched Rare Harvest Tawaka™ Cleanser & Conditioner, a one-of-a-kind collection, limited in quantity duo rich in antioxidants to cleanse condition, repair and nourish the hair and skin. Concealed deep within the tropical rainforests of Central America for centuries, Tawaka combines two ancient tribal traditions (Ojon palm nut oil and Tawaka savage cacao) to create a rare, highly concentrated, potent anti-oxidant-rich hair and full-body one-of-a-kind line of care products. It’s the first of the Ojon products to be completely organic. Because Ojon is a Canadian company the rules dictating “organic” as a label are different. With over 97% of pure natural, organic ingredients, the Tawaka collection is paraben free, color and preservative free and hypoallergenic. Until now, the ingredients in these rare hair and skin remedies have been used exclusively by the Tawaka and Tawira tribes. Both groups continue to harvest and process their precious crops by hand for exclusive use in Ojon products using traditional tribal methods.

The Korres product line is considered to be natural. That means they use natural ingredients, like full fat Greek yogurt (great for oily skin), olive stones (used in an amazingly soft face scrub), Greek honey (a superb hydrator) and chlorophyll (known for its ability to absorb excess oil and sebum). The ingredients are chosen for how they can improve the health of your skin, rather than how they contribute to the product’s fragrance or texture. A personal favorite of mine is the Wild Rose Imperfection-Targeting Oil Pen that is comprised of pure wild rose extract (which is loaded with Vitamin C). This is a priceless tool, and the only one on the market I’ve come across that is for use after a pimple has had its 15 minutes of fame. The Vitamin C helps to heal the redness left behind, in addition to speeding up the healing process…Marianne is sure to be a fan as well.

Another “big in ’07” to keep on your radar, the revammped American Salon hits stands January 1st.

A Beauty Review Roundup of some of the many products I review on a weekly basis. If you have used any of the products below, please feel free to post a comment with your thoughts on what your opinion is!

Super Glossy Lip Shine from e.l.f. Cosmetics
5 out of 5 Stars
Sometimes the colors you see online are not exactly what they look like once you receive your product, however, e.l.f.'s Super Glossy Lip Shine colors looked exactly how they were presented online; I was thrilled....Read More.

Aussie Hair Care's Mega Shampoo, Moist for Dry Damaged Hair, Dual Personality Mousse and Dual Personality Hair Spray.
4 out of 5 Stars
A few days ago I had a hair emergency of sorts. The night before, my youngest son had a bad dream and wanted to sleep in our bed. He also asked for some milk in his "spill proof" sippy cup. If you are a mom, you know that spill proof cups are not necessarily spill proof. So we'll just say that milk and ovaltine are not good for your hair...Read More.

Clairol Hydrience
5 out of 5 Stars
I choose Clairol Hydrience's Level 3 permanent hair color in Sable Cove, which is a dark brown. This coloring kit is a moisturizing cream and comes with IntensivMoisture After-Color Therapy by Pantene. At the time of this hair coloring, my hair was light brown with blonde highlights. My natural hair color is dark brown, so this was my attempt to go back to basics...Read More.

Neutrogena's MicroMist Tanning Spray
3 out of 5 Stars
Looking at my pathetic white legs the other day made me finally spring to buy a sunless tanner. I've never used a sunless tanner before, mostly because of the fear of orange palms and streak marks. As trial and error has progressed, it seems that sunless tanners are getting better at lessening a beginner's chances of messing things up. Call it Sunless Tanning for Dummies, if you will...Read More.

Just as with pin straight hair, wavy locks, bobs and any other hair style, bangs have a way of going out and coming back in. For a long while, my hair was all one length, but one day I looked in the mirror and so tired with what I saw, I promptly went to my hair stylist and asked for bangs several months ago. When you get bangs, it's important to take into consideration the shape of your face, but also your forehead size. You certainly don't want to drown your face in your hair or to look wider or heavier.

Unfortunately, I was given bangs that went straight across my entire forehead, which wasn't very flattering on me. When they were almost grown out, I decided to take to the scissors myself, create a part and then give myself angled bangs. What a difference! I look younger (yes!) and my face appears to look thinner, as well.

Many of the models gracing the catwalk now are sporting various styles of bangs, as well. There are those who have choppy bangs, those with angled bangs, some straight across and those with that thick bang look. Getting bangs can create a whole new look for you, but be sure that you talk with your stylist first on which type would be best.

You see it all the time, mascara that claims to volume and defy lashes better than before. But will it make them grow? There has been a huge buzz in 2006 for professional skin care formulator Jan Marini on her new eyelash product that has been said to really do the trick.

So much so, that she is sold out! And today announced in WWD that she will continue the extension in 2007 with a hair care rollout called; Intervention Hair Rejuvenation.

I think that this new launch will really help to put the brand on the map. If you have not picked up a tube of Age Intervention Eyelash – a Breakthrough Technology invest now. But keep in mind most places that carry the brand are wait listed. Glow shows to be in stock.

I admit it, I color my hair. If I didn’t, I would have that grey Bonnie Raitt stripe at the front of my hair. When I color my hair it tends to dry and frizz a little more than usual, an existing problem that gets magnified.

I love my Joico products, but also love trying out new things as well. This week for a review I tried out some products by Ojon specifically for dry, dull and chemically-treated hair. From the moment I opened the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, I knew this was going to be an experience.

Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm
5 out of 5 Stars
Joico's Smoothing Balm is a hair product that is meant for straightening and protecting your hair, while being humidity-resistant. It is heat activated and comes in a 200ml bottle.
It has a yummy light guava (yet coconut) scent and a creamy texture that looks thick, but as you rub it in your palms, is thin to the touch. I only needed a dime size amount for my just-past-the-shoulder length hair…Read more.

Maybe Baby by Benefit
4 out of 5 Stars
This oh so pretty fragrance has Top notes of apricot and white ginger; Middle notes of water blossoms, lychee, bergamont and Base notes of white musk and warm peach…Read more.

Shea Butter Soap by Hollyrose Aromatherapy
3 out of 5 Stars
The soap was larger than expected and I loved the "Handmade" imprint. Holly's custom Aromatherapy blend is a mix of peppermint, sweet orange, bergamont, lavender and rosemary. I absolutely loved this scent. When using this soap in the shower, the scent was really refreshing and invigorating…Read more.

Brown Sugar Scrub from Bath and Body Bliss
4 out of 5 Stars
When you are pregnant, scents are a love hate affair, especially if they are food-related. Some immediately send you running for the bathroom, while others can create some pretty strong cravings. So was the case when I received some products from Bath and Body Bliss. As soon as I opened their Brown Sugar Scrub, immediate memories of Mulling Spices and wonderful Holiday memories came flooding back…Read more.

Soaps from Bath and Body Bliss
4 out of 5 Stars
I crossed my fingers and hoped that the soap was just as good as the pretty packaging. The Seaweed Soap smelled so nice and you could just feel from the bar that this soap would just glide across your skin. The Seaweed Soap is made of kelp, sage, chamomile and is scented with sage and rosemary essential oils. I loved that this soap was mildly abrasive, exfoliating my skin nicely, while creating a great lather. This soap felt wonderful...Read more.

Bikini Kitty Shave System
3 out of 5 Stars
Bikini Kitty is a Shave Care System to eliminate and prevent razor rash, ingrown hair and provide an irritation free shave. Bikini Kitty's products are vegan and organic. The kit comes in a very handy vinyl bag with handles. It includes a Body Brush, Everyday Magic Spray, Shave Gel, No nick Razor Oil, Razor-burn soother and 2 single blade disposable razors...Read more.

Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstruct
4 out of 5 Stars
As my hair gets longer, I find that it splits and freys a little more easier, or just seems a little more obvious, and that my hair tangles a lot more causing me to wish (for just one millisecond) for short hair again. This product has been a miracle worker, along with the Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm...Read more.

Maryam's Soap Nook Exfoliating Body Wash
4 out of 5 Stars
My VIP package came from Maryam's Soap Nook. Today's review will be about her Exfoliating Body Wash with Kukui Nut Oil and Jojoba Beads. This product was sent in an out of this world fragrance---Pomegranate and Wild Berries. This wonderfully pink Body Wash with it's blue-green Jojoba Beads lives up to my expectations of not only smelling wonderful, but also working just as well...Read more.

Kiss My Face was a green beauty company before green became an in thing. Every product they sell is organic without anything artificial at all. Yet going organic certainly doesn’t mean that quality is compromised at any point or that organic means a heavy price point. Most Kiss My Face users will tell you, their products are top notch and won’t break the bank in the process.

It’s not very often that you can go to a company’s website and read the background on how things were started, and if you can find one, you certainly will not find one so personable and down to earth. When you read the story behind how Kiss My Face began and their mission and purpose of their products you can’t help but feel their humor, lightheartedness, and of course their love for our great Earth. Their story is definitely a Squash to Riches story and one I think everyone should read.

Kiss My Face sells a variety of products for your bath, body and more. The products range from hair care to soap to facial moisturizers. Since we all know that organic is not only earth friendly, but also skin friendly, more people who may have a sensitivity to ingredients in other products may find comfort here.

If you use Kiss My Face, what is your favorite product from their line?

In the winter my hair gets so dry. And frizz? It is positively unruly. So this season I decided to take a new approach to my hair by using a daily leave in conditioner as opposed to the wash and rinse kind.

I received bain de terre, which is part of the Zoto’s brand, White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment. What’s interesting about this bottle is that the opening is on the bottom with a cap that twists open to allow product to come through a hole in the center. This is the least messy bottom capped bottle I have ever used.

The scent is light, delicate and floral. The conditioner itself is not thick or pasty, but easily workable through your hair (and I have long, thick hair). I only needed a little more than a pea-sized amount for my hair. I rubbed it between my hands, smoothed it through my hair and then used a pick to make sure that it was evenly distributed. This renewal treatment is not heavy and doesn’t weigh your hair down.

After styling my hair as usual, I noticed a wonderful shine to my hair. It makes your scalp feel great too in these very dry months. The white lily daily leave-in renewal treatment has some fabulous ingredients for your hair, such as Soy Protein, Gingko Biloba and Sunflower Seed Extract. It definitely makes my hair look and feel healthier.

You can find it on www.zotos.com under bain de terre Spa Therapy for your hair.

Sharon Bolton Scents
4 out of 5 Stars
Sharon Bolton Scents gifted me with her Body Wash, Lotion and Perfume Oil in Luv. Luv smelled like heaven. It smelled like luxury in a bottle. Luv is the scent of rare pink gardenias, lush Hawaiian white flowers, with a hint of creamy vanilla and a whisper of white musk. The Body Wash is thick and creamy and makes you feel like you are showering at a 5 Star hotel. This scent absolutely lifted my spirits and made me feel like I was being purely indulgent...Read more.

Darshan Beauty: Luna P.M. Creme & Multani Mud Facial Mask
5 out of 5 Stars
Darshan Beauty products are all natural, and because of this, they are only made in small batches to prevent them from spoiling. This thick night cream is made with aloe leaf oil and extract combined with noncomedogenic sesame oil. I can't say it is fragrance free, because there is some scent to it. However, it appeared to be the natural scent of the ingredients and not any added fragrance...Read more.

Pure & Petal Hair Fragrance
4 out of 5 Stars
When I was approached to test out the products I was intrigued because I have never really heard of fragrance for your hair beyond that in your typical shampoo or styling aid. The fragrances are light, so you don't have to worry about smelling like a perfume factory and they are also alcohol-free, so it won't dry out your hair. My favorite was Linden Blossom which is floral linden blossoms and pink grapefruit...Read more.

Booty Parlor Dust Up Body Shimmer
3 out of 5 Stars
Punch Drunk Pink was my favorite because of my fair skin. It provided a light shimmer, that honestly when you dabb some powder on, instantly makes you feel a little "vixen-ish." Punch Drunk Pink is scented like cotton candy and is not glittery, but actually makes your skin glow...Read More.

Spa Towells
4 out of 5 Stars
I have to admit, when I was approached to review Spa Towells, I wondered what it would look like and if it would actually work. I received a few packages of the towells, which were pretty good size. In fact, the towells were bigger than I imagined them to be. They are 8x8, which for image purposes imagine opening up a tri-folded papertowel like those in women's restrooms...Read more.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment
5 out of 5 Stars
Ojon is the talk of the town these days. If you haven't seen them on QVC, then you've surely heard other beauty bloggers raving about their products. Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment contains 100% Ojon palm nut oil from the rainforest in Central America...Read more.

Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum
4 out of 5 Stars
I loved the very light rose scent. Not too florally or overly done. Nothing that would cause you to think it was too fragrant. The serum was tan in color and it only took 3 pumps to cover my entire face and eye area. It only pumps out a small amount at a time, so the 3 pumps really wasn't a lot of product...Read more.

Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
4 out of 5 Stars
I have an uneven skin tone, and honestly, I don’t know too many people with the perfect complexion. I am always on the hunt for a product that will transform my blotchy skin and make it look flawless. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to liquid Foundation, I have a love hate relationship with it...Read more.

How do you choose hair care products?

I have been in love with Ojon hair products since I discovered them with the Nourishing Hair Ritual. I’m in heaven with the scent, which is a coffee, nutty type fragrance, but most importantly, I am impressed with the results that Ojon delivers. I have been using the Daily Intensive Shine Treatment for about 6 weeks now and I am wondering how I lived without it.

The Daily Intensive Shine Treatment is made of pure Ojon palm nut oil and Vitamins A & E. The Ojon oil is suspended in tiny microspheres and lay on the bottom of the jar. When using this product, if you have moved the jar around, you will want to wait until the microspheres have settled on the bottom before attempting to dispense the serum. It only takes 2-3 pumps to cover hair root to tip (depending on the length of your hair). The Ojon oil fortifies, conditions and nourishes your hair and is safe even if your hair is color-treated.

Korres Hair & Scalp Scrub
5 out of 5 Stars

Between my pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc on my skin and hair and this super cold winter weather, my scalp is so dry. This was the first time in my life that I actually had dry skin coming off my scalp into my hair. I was mortified. I tried so many deep conditioners hoping that it would resolve the issue, but unfortunately the outlook for flakeless hair was looking dim. Then I received a boxload of products from Korres, one being their Hair and Scalp Scrub, an intensive treatment with green silt and corallina oligoelements..Read More.

Love N.1 from The Soul Collection
4 out of 5 Stars

Love N.1 is a handcrafted (by Andrea herself) organic perfume available in a base of organic jojoba oil or organic grape alcohol. It is available in an eau de parfum spray, body oil and whipped body butter. The fragrance is comprised of: Cocoa Absolute, Pink Lotus, Cassia, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Tuberrose, Rose (Turkish) Vanilla and Blood Orange...Read more.

Max Factor Erase Secret Cover Up
4 out of 5 Stars

The color I tried out, was perfect for my skin color. I received Medium, which is for cool and warm tones. I fall somewhere in between. I loved that I could “erase” some of the ruddiness to my skintone and cover those red blemish scars on my chin. I also loved that the color blended with my skin, not making it obvious that I had concealer on. I’ve used concealers in the past that just looked orange, cakey and just plain obvious...Read more.

Absence by Jane Iredale
4 out of 5 Stars

Once I applied Absence prior to using my Liquid Minerals, I noticed a big difference. While Absence feels thick and balmy at first, it absorbs into your skin and becomes lightweight, just like the Liquid Minerals. I then used the Liquid Minerals over it and brushed on the Pure Pressed Powder (review to come). My face looked matte, with no shine present...Read more.

Today while attending a webinar by Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine, Peter Lamas introduced his brand, Lamas Beauty. The topic was Beauty Goes Green and Lamas Beauty definitely fits into that category as they are 100% Vegan. However, it wasn’t only his products that caught my attention, but the fact that he was prompted into action to create them through life events. It is brands like Lamas Beauty that often catch my attention because I love hearing the passion and circumstances that made the brand possible.

Peter Lamas’ passion for organic Vegan products stems from the unfortunate circumstances that resulted in cancer striking his mother, then three close family friends (all sisters), and then his client at the time, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. After learning that certain chemicals they encountered in their lifetime may have been the culprit, Lamas set out to create beauty products that were safe and led the way creating the first line of hair care products free of parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate; several products from this same hair care line is also Certified Organic. Nearly all of his skin and body care products are paraben-free and he is currently working on converting his entire line over using new ingredients that replace parabens.

Some of the products that caught my attention are:

As we begin the Spring and Summer months there’s a new hairstyle trend becoming more noticeable to go along with the season’s fresh and sassy style: texture. The textured look isn’t just curl, it’s anything from volume and lift to soft waves and extreme curls. This new trend had me thinking about adding life back to my hair, which is currently pin straight. In the past I used to perm my hair for texture. I know what you are thinking, “A perm?” Yes, a perm, and perms are not what they used to be—smelly, poodle curled, brittle hair.

I know, even the thought of smelling like a skunk for several days is nothing short of appealing, but I recently found that Zotos has come out with a new perm formula called Texture EFX that is the perm minus the smell. I currently use a few Zotos products, so I am always checking out their site to see what’s new. Texture EFX’s has two formulas, one for normal and resistant hair and one for color treated or previously permed hair so that women who chose to also color treat their hair can also perm their hair without worrying about fading and breakage. Both of the formulas use the cysteamine chemistry technology to produce healthy curls full of shine and texture. A fortifying splash is also introduced during the process to strengthen hair and eliminate that traditional odor from yesterday’s perms. So there goes that notion that perming your hair means living in isolation until the smell has disappeared. Another benefit is that the color treated formula processes in as little as 2-3 minutes, which is nothing short of amazing.

The processing tools that you can use with this product are also not set to the typical time-consuming perm rods of the past. You can get creative using bridal tulle, large bender rods and even aluminum foil to accomplish a variety of textured looks. If you are interested in achieving this no-smell textured look, be sure to discuss it with your stylist, as they can purchase it at Sally’s Beauty Supply for about $6. So no odor, great price and I can have a long lasting textured look in under 5 minutes? I’m sold.

What ISO says about this product:

Benefits:

* Controls frizz and enables smooth combing.

* Offers long-lasting straightening.

* Gives hair a sleek finish.

Ingredients:

* ISOamine and Guar Gum: Soften internal bonds of hair for smoother combing and long-lasting straightening.

* Amino Silicone: Smoothes hair and provides long-lasting conditioning without buildup.

* Wheat Protein: Penetrates the cuticle and helps improve the condition and styling potential of hair. * Panthenol (Vitamin B): Moisturizes and nourishes the hair.

* Humectants: Balance the moisture levels in the hair.

Who Should Use: 

Besides Sanjaya, anyone with frizzy hair who has had trouble with other frizz control products.

What I thought:

While the directions say to use a generous amount, I found that I really had to use only a dime-sized amount for my hair that’s length goes to about the center of my back. ISO’s Tamer Foam is a foam gel combination, so when dispensing it some of the product will appear fluffy like a mousse with a slight liquid appearance. The Tamer Foam is lightly fragranced, but nothing that you notice once you’ve dried your hair.

So you shampoo your hair and wish to keep that fresh smelling fragrance all day long. Most of us would love to have fragrance for our hair, but without drying it out or weighing it down. Elizabeth Pyshnov, owner and creative mind behind Pure & Petal hair fragrances, felt the same way and decided to do something about it.

Pure & Petal, located in Canada, is the one online store that women seeking gloriously smelling hair can flock to without the worries that they are adding product to their hair that will alter their hairstyle, weigh it down or frizz it out with any drying alcohols. This also means that there is no alcohol-related smell, as you would get with a typical perfume. The Pure & Petal hair fragrances contain silk protein, Vitamin B5 and are silicone-free and alcohol-free.

Having tried this product myself when the company first launched in November of last year, I can tell you that I absolutely think Elizabeth’s product is genius. The mist itself is very light and the scent is not overpowering. You spray it on about 8 inches away from your head once you are done drying and styling your hair. The fragrance lasted most of the day and had absolutely no negative effects on the condition of my hair.

Pure & Petal offers 4 fragrances: Linden Blossom, Sublime Citrus, Summer Passion and Heavenly Clean. My favorite is Linden Blossom, which is a combination of the linden blossom and grapefruit. Heavenly Clean comes in second, literally smelling like I just washed my hair.

At the beginning of this month, Pure & Petal began selling its hair fragrances at retail outlets in Canada. Soon we will be able to find them at retailers here in the states. For now, we can still order them online, and believe me, I’m sure you will love this product as much as I do.

A bad hair day can ruin anyone’s look and can even make you left feeling like you need to wear a bag over your head. It is so important to pamper your hair to keep it in top shape, preventing bad hair days from ever heading your way.

If your scalp tends to dry, make sure to treat it right with a good scrub. Don’t go overboard, you only need to use a scrub once every 10 days. I recommend Korres Green Silt & Corallina Oligoelements Hair & Scalp Scrub. Its not harsh or abrasive the way some body scrubs can be, but leaves you without that embarrassing dry skin flaking off into your hair.

I can never bypass a great hair mask. I love using Ojon’s Restorative Hair Treatment, which uses 100% natural Ojon palm nut oil. If your hair is really is bad shape, it’s a hair mask that can be left on overnight.

When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, I’m again extremely partial to Ojon. It’s a combination of its wonderfully nutty fragrance and how soft and manageable it makes my hair. I’ve used their Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner that is part of their 5-Piece Nurturing Hair Ritual Kit and find it amazing (even my husband loves to use it).

If you don’t like nutty fragrances, you may then like Kiss My Face’s Miss Treated Shampoo & Conditioner. I also use this shampoo/conditioner set and find I reach for it when I am in need of some aromatherapy. The Miss Treated Shampoo and Conditioner have a Eucalyptus and Peppermint fragrance that is great for stress release, but also to boost your mood. It’s an organic product that also uses essential oils to moisturize your scalp and is great for chemically treated and overstressed hair.

Elemis Japanese Camilla Oil
4 out of 5 Stars

The Camillia Oil had no real scent to it, which was fine with me as it didn't interfere with the scents of the other lotions I was wearing on the rest of my body. The oil is nice and thick, but doesn't leave a greasy residue on your skin. It did on the palms of my hands, but it was super easy to wash right off...Read more.

iS Clinical Youth Complex
3 out of 5 Stars

I can't say I saw any immediate results. I applied the Youth Complex to the wrinkles under my eyes, to my crow's feet, my forehead and between my eyebrows. Things appeared to look the same within a few hours of checking the mirror as they did when I applied the cream. By day two I did notice that the wrinkles under my eyes were appearing to soften a bit...Read more.

Sunsilk Beyond Brunette Shampoo, Conditioner and Color Boost
4.5 Stars out of 5 Stars

I've been using Sunsilk's Beyond Brunette Shampoo, Conditioner and Color Boost for about 4 weeks now. I was a little skeptical that I would see a difference in my hair since this isn't hair color and also because I recall a fellow beauty blogger (The Beauty Brains) writing a post a while back that there was nothing new or different in Sunsilk's products then there had been previously. However, my hair color was at the end of of its 6 weeks cycle and it was really beginning to dull and fade. I figured this would really put the new Sunsilk products to the test...Read more.

Robert Craig Hair Coloring Kit
5 out of 5 Stars

If you told me that I could color my hair without any mess and that the dye would be completely void of scent, I wouldn't believe you. And I honestly didn't when I was first approached about Robert Craig Hair Color. I had never heard of it and have used other hair dyes in the past that have said it was without scent, but then couldn't live up to the claims...Read more.

One of my favorite hair care lines, Ojon, has recently added another product to their Rare Harvest collection; Tunu Elastik Flexible Finishing Hairspray. Tunu Elastik features a rare protein-rich extract from the Tunu rubber tree that provides extreme body, bounce and hold due to its flexible isoprene polymer chains.

Tunu Elastik benefits:

* Eco-friendly formula, no CFC's
* Has sunscreens to prevent hair color from fading
* 100% Ojon Oil strengthens and restores
* Brocolli seed oil adds shine
* Natural algae extract eliminates static and frizz
* Soft, flake and frizz-free, hydrated hair
* prevents breakage
* extreme bounce and hold

This product is sold exclusively through QVC (and has often sold out since it debuted in March).

Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner

Caviar=Indulgence. It is no surprise that Alterna's Caviar hair care line feels like complete indulgence. I was completely taken by surprise when I used their Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner. My hair is long and feels thick and coarse. I've never had a day when I can simply use a pick through my hair without spraying on detangler first...Read more.

Zerran Oily Hair Dandruff Shampoo and Sulfate-free Conditioner

My hair is really finicky. If I put too much moisture into it, it gets oily, if I use regular shampoo, it dries out. Many times I have to change up which styling products I use each day, otherwise my scalp dries out and flakes. Oh, and let's not forget that I color my hair to cover that hideous gray that reminds me I will be 33 this summer. So when I was given the chance to try Zerran's Oily Hair Dandruff Shampoo and Sulfate-free Conditioner, I decided to give it a shot...Read more.

Ojon Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

I admit it, I color my hair. If I didn’t, I would have that grey Bonnie Raitt stripe at the front of my hair. When I color my hair it tends to dry and frizz a little more than usual, an existing problem that gets magnified. This week for a review I tried out some products by Ojon specifically for dry, dull and chemically-treated hair. From the moment I opened the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, I knew this was going to be an experience...Read more.

Bain de terre White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment

In the winter my hair gets so dry. And frizz? It is positively unruly. So this season I decided to take a new approach to my hair by using a daily leave in conditioner as opposed to the wash and rinse kind. I received bain de terre, which is part of the Zoto’s brand, White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment. What’s interesting about this bottle is that the opening is on the bottom with a cap that twists open to allow product to come through a hole in the center. This is the least messy bottom capped bottle I have ever used...Read more.

Up until now, the only effective solution to seriously split ends has been to snip them off. Put an end to split ends with the new K-PAK Split End Mender from Joico. This feather-light formula mends the jagged edges that make hair appear damaged and leaves your locks looking smooth and shiny. What’s more, it contains Joico’s exclusive Quadramine Complex, a unique blend that nourishes and repairs hair, as it stands guard against further damage from environmental, physical and thermal forces.

K-PAK Split End Mender features breakthrough, hair-beautifying science. Its Dual-Polymer Hair Bonding technology actually adheres to split tips and fuses them together, creating a durable, long-lasting bond. The Keratin Silicone Complex infuses strands with unsurpassed shine and silkiness as it locks in moisture and seals the cuticle. A unique blend of antioxidants, essential fatty acids and botanically-derived moisturizers protect strands from environmental damage, promotes manageability and elasticity and Joico’s Quadramine Complex reconstructs damage from the inside out.

Don't let humidity get the best of you--I know how frustrating it can be to have perfectly good salon-looking hair suddenly frizz out on you. All you need are the right tools, products and good technique when it comes to creating picture perfect hair while combating the frizz.

First, a great blow dryer is a must, preferably one with a nozzle for aiming the air directly in the desired location and angle you want it to dry your hair. The T3 Bespoke Labs Evolution Dryer uses tourmaline-infused ceramic components to emit maximum negative ionic and far infrared energy, which together eliminate frizz and drying time while creating sleek and shiny hair. It's nozzle directs airflow exactly where you want it and blows a concentrated amount of negative ions and far infrared heat onto large sections of hair.

Second, the right styling aids are a must. I interchangeably use Joico's K-Pak Smoothing Balm and Ojon's Daily Intensive Shine Treatment. Both add shine to your hair and both counteract frizz. You'll also want to make sure you are using the right brush. A round bristle brush will grab your hair and smooth it as you dry your hair root to tip.

When drying your hair, make sure that you only dry sections at a time; don't try to dry it all at once. Start by clipping th top half of your hair to the top of your head and blow dry the bottom half aiming your blow dryer straight down over your brush, but about 5cm away from your hair so that you don't burn it. Slowly brush through hair as you dry keeping the dryer nozzle aimed downwards while you continue to dry your hair, small sections at a time. If you have any flyaways or a small amount of frizz, spray your hairspray into your palms and smooth through your hair.

Have any additional hair care tips you want to add? Let us know in the comments!

Pure & Petal’s unique alcohol-free hair fragrances have been selected to be part of Distinctive Assets’ coveted “Everybody Wins at the Emmys” nominee gift bag. The day after the Primetime Emmy Award Ceremony at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium, each of the non-winning nominees in the major categories will receive one of four hair fragrances made by Pure & Petal, a Montreal-based niche fragrance house.

Nominees in the top categories that may receive the famed Distinctive Assets’ gift bag include The Riches’ Minnie Driver, Ugly Betty’s Vanessa Williams, Weeds’ Elizabeth Perkins and others. The recipients of the gift bag will be among the first to try Pure & Petal hair fragrances in the US, as this new product is just beginning to emerge on the US market.

“Celebrities are frequently on the cutting edge of trends and I think the recipients will really appreciate this unique, new product”, says Elizabeth Pyshnov, Pure & Petal’s founder.

The product line has already created a stir in Canada where it launched in stores to rave reviews iin April 2007 and quickly sold out in Blossom boutiques in Toronto. The unique line seems to have met a hitherto unmet need among consumers, keeping hair smelling fresh and clean while the alcohol and silicone-free formula with added silk protein and Provitamin B5 keeps hair silky and healthy-looking.

The hair fragrance line may be just what actors need in their hectic days on and off the set. Whether it’s for enticingly scented hair for a date, a way to prolong a blow-out and avoiding heat damage to hair or a way to freshen hair after a workout, – Pure & Petal hair fragrances provides practical help in a busy day – in an indulgent and luxurious way.

The Pure & Petal hair fragrance line includes four fresh scents that have one thing in common – a light, clean scent that gives hair a lingering fresh-out-of-the-shower scent:

• Sublime Citrus – an uplifting citrus fragrance made with sweet orange and pink grapefruit essential oils
• Heavenly Clean – a clean, bright unisex fragrance with notes of freshly-washed laundry mingling with fruity-floral notes
• Linden Blossom – a sophisticated, feminine fragrance with notes of linden flowers and a splash of grapefruit essential oil
• Summer Passion – a sweet, seductive infusion of fruity notes.

Pure & Petal hair fragrances are available for purchase online and at select retailers. See www.purepetal.com for locations.

Leave it to an expert to create a true revolution. When it comes to hair extensions and implementing new technologies, Sheila Stotts harnessed her talent and experience creating the amazing looks of celebrity beauties in print, on runways, on television and on the big screen. The result: a signature line of products and tools to support the Stotts philosophy of hair design where revolution rules and change makes the hair grow longer. Welcome to the new world of hair extension technology.

Among many of Sheila's amazing products are her Advanced Removal Tool and Wood Flat Iron Brush. The Advanced Removal Tool (ART) delivers a precise amount of solvent for easy bond removal of hair extentions. The serrated teeth accelerate bond breakage, reducing removal time up to 50% without damaging hair. The Wood Flat Iron Brush is made of natural boar bristles. It is specifically designed to achieve a flat-iron look near the scalp where bonds can’t tolerate high heat by use of the brush and the heat of a blow dryer.

Sheila Stotts has a mass celebrity following that include Rene Zellweger, Mandy Moore, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie. She owns an Aveda Concept Salon in LA and is a preferred vendor of Paul Mitchell the School. Check out images of her celebrity clients wearing her extentions on Sheila's MySpace page. To view her complete line of hair extention tools visit her website: www.sheilastotts.com.

Ojon will be launching their latest Ritual Kit from their Rare Harvest Collection of products, Swa+, which is geared towards those with fine, brittle and thinning hair. Harvested only once a year, this highly treasured oil is clinically proven to penetrate the hair shaft to the cortex.

Benefits of Swa+ Oil:
+ Restores the protein bonds in hair
+ Increases hair strength
+ Provides natural antioxidants
+ Forms a protective shield around the hair to help preserve and smooth hair fibres

Swa+ is free of sulfate, alcohol, silicone and artificial colors. Amazingly, Swa+ is 99% natural, which means quality is not compromised to bring you the most effective product to nourish your hair back to good health.

The Swa+ Ritual Kit includes Kit Includes:
1 - Swa+ Stimulating Cleanser
1 - Swa+ Nourishing Conditioner
1 - Swa+ Hair Juice Daily Leave-in Treatment
8 - Swa+ Concentrated Liquid-Hair Boosting Serum
2 - Swa+ Concentrated Liquid-Hair Boosting Serum applicator nozzles

Swa+ will be available on The Shopping Channel (Canada) on December 19th and on QVC December 29th and 30th. Be sure to check your local listings--you won't want to miss learning more about this rare oil!

So the biggest awards show of the season finally happened! Sunday saw The Oscars and we all eagerly watched the arrivals on the red carpet to see what they had chosen. I must say, many of the celebrities played it safe. Choosing to stick with classic simple hair and makeup. Dresses were simple too, blocks of color and great tailoring, not as much glamour and drama that we have seen at Oscars in the past.

The only person who really took a risk (in my opinion) was La Vie End Rose star - Marion Cotillard. Although, I am sure many blogs and weeklies wouldn’t agree with me!

Hair wise, the most outstanding look of the evening belonged to Katherine Heigl. The Grey’s Anatomy alum and star of 27 dresses dazzled on the red carpet. Her hair was styled by Sean Flanigan, who was inspired by Marilyn Monroe and decided to pay homage. A big fan of Joico products, Sean set her hair with rollers using Joico JoiGel to create those beautiful curls. He finished off by locking her hair with the new Design Collection Humidity Blocker. He had to, it was raining and the temperatures were in the high 70s under the tents! Katherine Heigl won an US Weekly “Best Retro Style” Award for her style.

You can check it out in this week’s issue, which is i