hair therapy: mixing and matching my Infusium 23 shampoo and conditioner

Infusium 23 always takes me back to my childhood. my mom used the original leave-in treatment herself, so naturally, she used it on my hair, passing on the benefits to my tresses. i've continued to use it on and off though my lifetime and it's the best…

now there are collections in the brand that include shampoos and conditioners that focus on repairing and keeping hair looking fab.

Infusium 23's Moisture Replensher Shampoo {with avocado and olive oil} and Repair & Renew  Conditioner {with argan oils and keratin} were sent to me to try and using them together proved that it's ok to mix and match shampoos and conditioners from different lines. after the first time i used it, i noticed a huge difference in my hair, especially after styling; my hair was shiny, soft and looked incredible. being that my hair has been so frail for the past couple of years {personal health issues to blame}, this is nothing short of thrilling to me.

every Infusium 23 collection boasts unique ingredients that address specific hair issues. the Moisture Replenisher and Repair & Renew collections both contain pro-vitamins, proteins and amino acids to strengthen, moisturize and treat even the most stressed hair. the Moisture Replenisher range focuses on helping thirsty hair regain hydration and strength; the Repair & Renew products strengthen and add vibrancy and shine.

i love these haircare gems not only for the results, but also the price. you may also know that you can find them everywhere, from Target to the grocery store, so there's no excuse not to have fabulous looking hair. :)

visit infusium23.com for more info!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

hair therapy: Rahua Conditioner

 happy friday, beauties! i'd like to introduce you to my new favorite hair product: Rahua Conditioner.

this conditioner has found a special place in my product-loving heart ~ oh, let me count the ways…

 it's organic, 100% natural, and works in multiple ways ~ yes, it's a multitasker!

this beauty boasts itself to be both a conditioner and a medium-hold styling cream. this is true, but it doesn't stop there {at least in my use of it}. i've applied it to my hair before heat styling {the heat aids in  helping the product penetrate deeper into my needy hair} and adding a bit of product to the ends, or any flyaways, gives my tresses additional shine, leaving it feeling so silky and soft…

i'm in love.

i have a travel-friendly, 2-ounce size that fits easily into any bag or purse, but it also comes in a 9.3 ounce bottle.

i highly recommend this Rahua Conditioner, dolls! if you're looking for a treat, try it for yourself... and for what it's worth, i know Eva Chen, Lucky mag's EIC, is a fan.

visit rahua.com for more info.

product featured was included in a promotional gift bag given to me by SpaceNK with no obligation for review; opinion/thoughts are my own; pic taken by me :)

hair therapy: Infusium 23 Frizz Controller Collection

the new Infusium 23 Frizz Controller Collection should be on your beauty must-have list this season ~ with unpredictable weather comes the threat of frizz {if you're prone to it}, so having a defense plan is crucial.

wow. that sounded a bit too so serious...

but really, when it comes to a beauty girl's hair, it could be!

think about it: the air goes from humid to dry and back again, wreaking havoc on tresses. i love that i can help prevent this with these fabulous products.

full disclosure, i've always loved the original Infusium23 leave-in treatment. growing up, my mom used it on my hair and i always remember how soft and shiny my hair was. as an adult, i continued to use it, and love it for the same reason.

 this 3-step system consists of a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment {love!} designed to tame and smooth frizz as well as pamper distressed hair. the signature blend of moisture enhancers and anti-frizz ingredients are the perfect booster to Infusium's unique i-23 complex enriched with pro-vitamins, proteins and amino acids.

in a very rare move, so to speak, i let my daughter use these products first; she was beyond thrilled. her verdict? "really good; i like them a lot!" this gave me such a happy feeling, especially after using them myself. it's like my fabulous bestie is now even better and more fabulous ~ you should definitely try!!

find the new Infusium Frizz Controller Collection at your favorite drug and mass retailers and be sure to take some time to visit their website, infusium23.com

products featured sent to me for review consideration; opinions my own; pics taken by me :)

hair therapy: Nexxus Frizz Defy Shampoo and Conditioner

combating frizz and unruly tresses isn't just for serums, creams or leave-in products. in fact, the battle to win gorgeous tresses begins in the shower; choosing the appropriate cleanser and conditioner makes a difference! the Nexxus Frizz Defy collection includes a shampoo and conditioner {reviews of the other products coming soon!}, and even if you choose not to use the other products in the range, i recommend you start with these...

lightweight ingredients, moroccan argan oil and coconut extract, are the stars in this Frizz Defy duo; the shampoo cleans and moisturizes while the conditioner, you guessed it, conditions and smooths, protecting hair against frizz and dryness.

so what makes Nexxus Frizz Defy shampoo and conditioner different than other shampoos and conditioners that promise to fight frizz?

the way my hair looked and felt immediately after using: clean and soft, not heavy or oily, the way some oil-containing products can leave it. after styling, my hair was impressively bouncy and shiny. also, the fragrance is light and pleasant, not overpowering. i also love knowing that Nexxus doesn't test on animals, so obviously, i have to give them kudos for that!

if you have the opportunity, do give Frizz Defy shampoo and conditioner a try! visit nexxus.com for more info about this line, other collections and where to purchase.

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

hair therapy: Unite Volumizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner

in the past, a volumizing shampoo would never touch my hair. i have thick, on-the-dry-side, curly hair that i heat style. moisture is where it's at for my tresses.

i didn't hesitate when given the opportunity, however, to try Unite Volumizing Shampoo.

{this is, of course, where i tell you why...}

Unite created their Volumizing Shampoo formula to not only give beautiful body to the hair, but to nourish and protect it. this shampoo left my hair full as well as looking and feeling amazingly shiny and soft. i'm also happy to report that key ingredients aid in the protection from heat styling damage.

the Moisturizing Conditioner, as expected, is also a beautiful product. the formula contains a blend of highly moisturizing, antioxidant-rich, thermal-protecting ingredients that, when used regularly, repairs  the hair, leaving it full of luster and protected from further damage. i love the silky texture, but even better is the way it makes my hair look.


Unite products are 100% vegan, color safe and proudly free of sulfates, parabens, gluten, sodium chloride, Dea and Mea.

discover more at uniteeurotherapy.com

new product launch: U Luxury by Unite

Unite Hair has recently introduced a new product line that boasts some very luxurious sounding products, and named fittingly, U Luxury. this line includes a frizz-controling spray treatment {called D-Frizz}, a pure argan oil and a shampoo and conditioner, suitable for all hair types, including color-treated.

U LUXURY Shampoo is described as a luscious blend of hydrating, protective formulation. with crushed pearl, hawaiian white honey, pure argan oil and coconut-derived cleansers, this blend is also sulfate and paraben-free. the creamy lather doesn't strip hair of moisture or cause buildup, but is fortifying and gentle. developed with panthenol {a botanical extract rich in vitamin B,} it promises vivid shine and weightless volume, while strengthening and invigorating your tresses.

U LUXURY Conditioner is described as being a rich and creamy conditioner. it, too, contains a fusion of crushed pearl, hawaiian white honey and pure argan oil. additionally, it contains nourishing shea butter, and apple, orange, lemon and sugar cane extracts {these help seal the hair cuticle to lock in moisture}. hair is left looking fuller and shinier and feeling softer and smoother.

a little fyi: crushed pearl has long been renowned for its healing powers and used in ancient medicinal treatments around the world. derived from freshwater pearls, it's rich in calcium, magnesium and amino acids, and contains essential minerals that nutrient-deprived hair craves. rare and utterly exquisite in texture, organic hawaiian white honey is harvested from a single forest of kiawe trees, and is celebrated for its intensely moisturizing benefits.

this line sounds fab, right? have you tried, or do you currently use, Unite hair products? when the opportunity to try these comes up, i'll definitely be back to post my experience and thoughts.

U Luxury is available now at specialty salons nationwide and at Unitehair.com

hair therapy: WEN Fall Ginger Pumpkin Cleansing Conditioner

just in time for the fall season, Chaz Dean introduces, for a limited time, his WEN cleansing conditioner in a fabulous, Ginger Pumpkin scent*.

and yes, it smells just as good as it sounds...

this being my first experience with WEN, i'm certainly thankful it was with this scent {looking forward to trying Pomegranate and Fig varieties}! i j'adore fall and all the gorgeous spices associated with it...

when it comes to hair products, i have tried many deep conditioners, often loving them when my hair was left feeling light and not weighed down. of course, i always used a shampoo beforehand. WEN not only left my hair feeling healthy, shiny and soft, but surprisingly full of body, bounce, and it was clean - without the use of any shampoo!

it's a bit of a different experience using WEN, but i have to say i enjoyed it. since it doesn't lather, you'll be happy to know it won't strip hair or scalp of moisture, and it keeps color-treated hair vibrant; after applying {directions call for a certain number of pumps depending on length and thickness of hair}, let it sit in for a few minutes. you can {as i did} wash and exfoliate you skin, shave, and when time is up, all that's left is to rinse it out.

WEN can also be used as a leave-in conditioner {who doesn't love a multi-tasker?}, so a few times i applied a small pump into my tresses before bed or right after styling {and if you didn't already know, i only wash my hair 1-2x a week since it is so thick}. me and my hair are in love...

have you tried WEN? if so let me know what you think. if not, i highly recommend treating yourself to a bottle! visit chazdean.com for more info and to order.

*product featured sent to me for the purpose of review; pics are my own

hair therapy: Pantene Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized Shampoo and Conditioner

when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, i am definitely the type to go for the most hydrating and moisturizing. i use products for dry or color-treated hair, mostly concerned with ingredients rather than using products that are specified for women of color.

if i'm being honest, i haven't had the best experiences with products for woc when used alone. my hair isn't coarse enough to handle the oils, and they have only left my tresses oily and weighed down. i found this to be frustrating the first time this happened to me because i had to go back and rewash my hair. since then, i have found that i can benefit from the heavier products-- they do give my hair a boost in condition-- but always plan for rewash.

this, however, has not been the case with Pantene Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized shampoo and conditioner. i don't know how they do it, but Pantene has it down when it comes to moisturizing hair! i love their "regular" dry to moisturized line and have used those products many times over.

this new-to-me duo is like a step up in the dry to moisturized range. and no rewashing necessary- yay! i love that i can let my hair air dry and it's left with minimal frizz {tip: if your curly hair is frizzy, it needs moisture!}, and when i style, my hair is soft, shiny and full. fabulous work, Pantene!

i would recommend this to any woman with unruly or coarse tresses. don't let the Relaxed & Natural label deflect you. try them. you can find them at a drugstore near you.

Ojon Introduces New Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask

if you have fine, thin hair that's looking lifeless, you'll be happy to know that one of my favorite hair brands, Ojon, has just launched a product to get you out of your hair rut.

the new Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask is designed to restore hair, giving it fullness without leaving it feeling flat or heavy, and doesn't contain silicone or unnecessary fillers. it does contain carefully selected essential oils that spread effortlessly, improving the condition of thin, lifeless hair by up to 80%-- in just 2 minutes! the lightweight formula works for even the finest of hair types, and rinses "clean" for a soft, volumized feel.

the formula is also enriched with brazilian melscreen coffee, sesame seed oil and creatine to help fortify and condition. meadowfoam oil, babassu, shea and mango butters are used for their high content in essential lipids.

sounds fabulous, don't you think? i can't personally review this product, but hopefully, one of you beauties with a fine hair type will pick this up and let me know what you think!

find Ojon Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask at ojon.com

xo

hair therapy: Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

i don't know one woman in her right mind that doesn't want shiny, healthy-looking hair. even those i know who could care less about fashion or makeup want to have gorgeous, shiny hair. Pantene's Ice Shine Shampoo and Conditioner promise to leave hair looking super shiny and looking healthy.

i was given the opportunity to try them-- so what do i think?

first with the shampoo. it claims to leave dull, tired hair conditioned and shiny. my hair is typically shiny, but i found that it really got rid of any build-up i had. seriously. on the down side, this meant i couldn't have stopped at just using the shampoo because it is clarifying (it dissolves all build-up on the hair left by other products). after using it my hair was left feeling the opposite of moisturized and really squeaky clean. since it's been some time since i've used a clarifying shampoo, i figured my hair would be ok.

the conditioner was my favorite of the two (surprise, surprise, lol!). it's a light formula, but it left my hair feeling fabulous-- boy, was i thankful for this! it smells wonderful, as all Pantene products do in my opinion, and once my hair was styled i couldn't have been happier-- my hair was clean, clean, clean and even shinier!



if you're looking to give your hair a little boost in the shine department, i recommend you give these these products a try. if you only use the shampoo, be sure to use the conditioner (or your favorite conditioner). it isn't moisturizing in the least. according to Pantene, it's ok to use everyday, but unless your hair is on the oily side, i wouldn't recommend it. the conditioner would be great to use anytime. i think i'll be using these once a month to give my on-the-dry-side tresses a good cleaning (and shine boost) from all the products i test out. :)

find Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Shampoo and Conditioner at a drugstore near you. visit pantene.com for more info.

xo
products featured sent to me by the brand's PR for review consideration.

hair therapy: Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Shampoo & Conditioner

Herbal Essences' new line, Tousle Me Softly includes everything you need to give your tresses the sexy, tousled look we see everywhere. the Shampoo and Conditioner are the first steps in prepping hair to take on the style-- or are they?

both the Tousle Me Softly shampoo and conditioner are infused with wild violet and pomegranate and can be used on any hair type. the shampoo, to me, is just a basic shampoo. i felt it may have cleansed my hair too well as i had that "squeak" after using it-- not good. i think it smells wonderful, and the idea behind the whole line is great, but if you have a good shampoo you really like, you don't really "need" this one to create a tousled look.

the conditioner, however, wrapped my hair with its creamy texture, and fabulous, luscious smell, leaving my hair feeling soft and moisturized (it is also contains ingredients to protect hair from heat styling). as i let my hair air dry before i styled, i noticed my hair had very little frizz, as promised by the label-- love that! i'll continue to use this in the future.



overall, these are good products-- not to mention affordable-- but you honestly don't have to use these particular products to get a tousled look-- you need appropriate products to do that. and with that, stay tuned to find out what i think of the Tousle Me Softly styling products!

visit herbalessences.com for more info on this line, now available at your local drug or mass retailer.

xo
pics taken my me :)

hair therapy: No Frizz Shampoo, Conditioner & Leave-In Conditioner

when it comes to the battle against frizz, Living Proof's No Frizz line is the crème de la crème. now, to make matters even better, they've added to the range a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner that will keep your hair looking smooth and feeling soft.

when i was sent these products, i couldn't wait to try them-- i am such a huge fan of No Frizz. i found the shampoo to be pretty basic in that it cleansed my hair well and left feeling clean-- of course, i knew it had to be working in other ways; as for the the conditioner, i left it in my hair for a couple of minutes per the directions since my hair is on the dry side (if you have a different hair texture, leave it in the same amount of time you would leave in your normal everyday conditioner). it left my hair feeling smooth, soft and manageable-- fabulous!


No Frizz in-store display


the leave in conditioner is for dry hair types and is amazing because it will give your tresses the added moisture on top of the regular conditioning. i knew all of the products were doing their "thing" when i let my hair air-dry: very little frizz was to be found!

once my hair was mostly dry, i applied the No Frizz Cream and style my hair as usual-- needless to say, i have no fear of moisture, my hair is protected. :)

visit livingproof.com for more info about No Frizz. you can also find it in Sephora stores and on their website, sephora.com

xo
images courtesy of BOLD PR

Beauty Girl TV: Retro-Chic Conditioning Potion

you all know i love a good conditioner, so when i had the opportunity to try Retro-Chic's Conditioning Potion, i didn't hesitate. watch to find out what i think of this new-to-me product...



Retro Chic makes some other products worth checking out as well-- check them out here. thank you to BeautyChoice.com for the opportunity!

xo

hair therapy: Ted Gibson Daily Cleanse Shampoo & Daily Nourish Conditioner

Ted Gibson is the hair guru to the stars, and many of my beauty blogging gal pals love him. i myself have never me the man, but hope to someday! then i can tell him face to face how much i love his shampoo, Daily Cleanse, and his conditioner, Daliy Nourish.

first of all, i love the packaging- they are so pretty and look great in the shower (i have a lot of products in there, and they definitely stand out)! the intoxicating, yet light, smell of sweet citrus from each is so inviting and makes washing my hair such a fabulous experience. another great thing about both is that they are also light in texture, but really do their jobs well! my hair always feels silky soft and is full of shine (and don't tell him i told you, but hubby used these on his beard and was impressed at how soft they left it-- seriously).

the shampoo is formulated with five different cleansing agents to remove dirt and oil from hair without stripping it of moisture or your beloved haircolor. the conditioner contains nine conditioning agents to also add moisture, balance and strength to strands-- did i already mention the smell?-- a-ma-zing!

so now you know how i feel about these products-- have you tried them yet? if not, check them out. you can now find Ted's products at Target-- legitimately-- as well as his website and qvc.com

xo

green beauty: Samy Esencia

Samy is making it easier to be green on a budget with his new line of eco-friendly, natural products. check out this new line form Samy called e-sen-cia. the entire line is comprised of 100% vegan, natural and organic shampoos, conditioners and styling products designed to indulge your tresses and senses.

i have yet to try these myself, but i have and still do use Samy products and love them! if these work just as well as the ones i've tried, it would be a great incentive to switch to the more eco-friendly version, don't you think?

here are the details...





shampoo:

White Lotus Hydrating Shampoo with Barley and Nettle
gently cleanses while barley and nettle infuse moisture into each strand, making hair soft, silky and manageable. hydrating botanical extracts smooth and calm frizz.

Mandarin Citrus Volumizing Shampoo with Horsetail and Wheat
gently cleanses while horsetail extracts strengthen and thicken fine hair; wheat proteins infuse weightless texture for extra body, fullness and bounce.


condition:

White Lotus Hydrating Conditioner with Barley and Nettle
barley and nettle gently moisturize and replenish hair by smoothing and sealing the cuticle, producing brilliant shine and a high gloss finish.

Mandarin Citrus Volumizing Conditioner with Horsetail and Wheat
horsetail extracts strengthen and protect fine, fragile hair from damage by increasing elasticity while wheat proteins provide weightless volume and body.

Coconut Conditioning Treatment with Shea and Sweet Almond
the ultimate intense conditioning treatment that works instantly on the hair and scalp; shea butter nourishes and moisturizes while sweet almond oils strengthen and smooth leaving locks silky and shiny.




style:

Rosemary Natural Hairspray with Flax Seed and Jojoba
a hairspray that creates flexibility without stiffness, for all hair types; features breakthrough technology with pine resin and flax seed for lasting hold, jojoba for healing and moisturizing, and rosemary extract for workable hold and high shine.

Pomegranate Styling Mousse with M­­arshmallow and Yarrow
a non-aerosol foaming mousse, formulated with pomegranate fruit extract containing several highly antioxidant properties, marshmallow for conditioning, and yarrow for volume; protects hair and transform lifeless locks while strengthening and increasing elasticity.

Vanilla Styling Creme with Macadamia and Sunflower
macadamia nut and sunflower seed oils nourish and moisturize hair and provide style, control and texture; ideal for dry and damaged hair.

Sandalwood Liquid Pomade with Aloe and Avocado
medium to strong hold pomade formulated with aloe to moisturize the hair and scalp and avocado to condition and shine for a flake-free finish.


don't these sound delish? i am so excited to try these. you can find them now at your local Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. and be sure to visit e-sen-cia.com for even more detailed info about each product, right down to the percentage of natural ingredients used.

xo

Beauty Girl TV: Herbal Essences Hydralicious Review

Herbal Essences new line, Hydralicious, is all about hydration for every hair type. i am loving the idea...find out how i feel about the product itself.




xo

my favorite drugstore beauty buys 3.27.09

this week flew by! did it do the same for you? wow...if things keep going like this for me, it will be 2010 before i know it...yowza!

this week's beauty buys, i have just realized, are all moisturizing. i didn't even plan it to be that way-- funy, huh?-- but here they are. enjoy...




Neutrogena Moistureshine Lipgloss comes in an excellent selection of glitterless colors that make my lips feel like butter. i love that these lippies aren't overly pigmented, but still leaves a good amount of color on my lips. the formula is soft and uber-moisturizing-- love these!



Dove Cool Moisture Body Wash is scented with refreshing cucumber (ahh) and is oh so lovely to use, especially when the weather warms up, because the scent is so light and airy-- it just helps keep my mind off of the heat, if only for a short amount of time- ha! it moisturizes well, too, and leaves behind its yummy scent on my skin...ahhhh



Sunsilk Hydra TLC Conditioner is one product that shocked me when i first tried it. mainly because i wasn't expecting too much. i don't know why-- i should know better!-- but i just didn't think it would be all that great. well, i was proven (way) wrong, and i tell you: this stuff is amazing!it leaves my thirsty hair feeling silky smooth and manageable. my hair loves this conditioner (and the shampoo is great, too).


have a great weekend!

xo

hair therapy: Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner

Pantene has a new line of products that are infused with naturally-derived ingredients called Nature Fusion (click here to read my informational post about it), and as i've said before, this comes as no surprise since most companies know that the desire of the consumer these days is to have more natural products available. the bigger surprise? i actually like these.

i've been using Nature Fusion's Moisture Balance Collection that combines a blend of cassia, ginger, calendula and aloe vera, to help strengthen and protect hair against damage while leaving it naturally radiant. the smell of the shampoo is fabulous, while the conditioner is pretty much the same "Pantene" smell, you may be familiar with (not bad, just the same). both products work great, and my hair has been left feeling and looking amazing.

i have to be honest, i haven't used Pantene in many years, but these are really great. i like the concept, and from what i have learned about cassia, it's really great for your hair. so if you're already a fan of Pantene, you might want to give these a try on your next trip to purchase your shampoo or conditioner. if you don't like Pantene, then i assume you'll just pass on these, but you may be pleasantly surprised.

Pantene's Nature Fusion is available in two formulas, Moisture Balance and Smooth Vitality, and can be found at your local drugstore or mass retailer and online here.

xo

hair therapy: L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

if you're searching for a great vegan line shampoo or conditioner with a name you're actually familiar with, L'Oreal now has you covered. they've created EverPure, a 100%vegan, sulfate-free haircare system that treats you and your hair to fresh, natural ingredients while keeping your hair color in tact.

i've been using EverPure Moisture Shampoo and love that my hair's moisture and color isn't being stripped away. the fresh scent of rosemary and juniper is so invigorating and i absolutely love the way my hair looks and feels. i'm so happy that it also has a rich lather that is always lacking in other sulfate-free shampoos.

the EverPure Moisture Conditioner comes in a rosemary mint scent that i didn't think i'd like, but i really have found to be pleasant. the creamy texture makes my hair feel wonderful, is vegan like the shampoo, and i appreciate the fact that it contains UV filters to protect my hair from color fading UV rays.

overall, i say these are worth a try. they also come in smoothing and volumizing formulas so if those are your preferences, you're not left out! find the entire line at a drugstore near you and to buy online visit walgreens.com

xo

hair therapy: Pantene Introduces New Pro-V Nature Fusion Collection

Pantene Pro-V introduces Nature Fusion, a new collection of hair care products formulated with naturally-derived ingredients that offer exceptional results from the leading haircare brand.

because Pantene knows that more and more women are looking to create a more natural way of living, they have infused the once hidden beauty benefits of the cassia plant into its new collection. cassia is a naturally-derived performance ingredient that helps transform hair to make it softer, shinier and stronger.

available in two formulas, Moisture Balance and Smooth Vitality, the Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion shampoos contain the proprietary Cassia Complex that leaves hair naturally radiant and strong against damage. Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion conditioners contain naturally-derived ingredients that help improve manageability and leave hair beautifully conditioned.

in addition to this new line, Pantene has also announced the new spokesperson for the Nature Fusion line.


model, author and Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi!

she will appear in new national television advertising this month, and the photo above is an exclusive behind-the-scene shot from her advertising shoot.

look for the new Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion line wherever Pantene is sold.

xo