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 :)

currently loving...

happy saturday, beauties! hope you're enjoying your summer. it's been a fabulous mix of busyness and relaxing in my life these days...

because my kids home for summer break, there's obviously more to do {more meals to cook, laundry and dishes to wash, messes to clean up}. so i'm never without something to do in that respect. thankfully, they help out with those chores and the like, but can keep themselves occupied doing the things they enjoy when we hang at home for the day and it's just too hot to play outside.

with regard to relaxing, i'm still an early riser {i prefer to do my daily workouts before the fam wakes up and there's nothing more fabulous than watching the sky wake up while out on a run}, but i've grown to appreciate the slower-paced mornings {no school!}. i've been watching lots of movies and tv shows {many thanks to Netflix streaming service, the library and my cable's VOD}, reading, and of course, cooling off in the pool.

this past week i've relished cooler temps {though still hot, don't get me wrong!}, discovering new music via NPR's podcast and website, All Songs Considered, and using some fabulous beauty products...

Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Overnight Treatment Crème* makes split ends virtually disappear, allowing me to extend time between salon trims. this has definitely saved me some moolah! in addition to giving beautiful overnight results {no residue or stickiness} over the past few months of using it {about twice a week}, my hair has benefited from its rich, conditioning formula.

since i can't always avoid spending time outside mark No Place to Run Longwear Eyeliner* is perfect. during hot summer days when makeup can literally melt off {not pretty!}, this eye-defining gem lines smoothly and blends well, but when it sets, it stays there all day.

in the fragrance department i've been wearing an old favorite: Mark Jacobs Daisy. i wore it a lot last summer, too. it's bright, cheery and feminine; just the sort of scent to put a smile on any face. i prefer it in rollerball form-- easy to apply where i want it and travels well.

do tell! what beauty goodies are you currently loving?

*products sent to me for review consideration; pics taken my me :)

Natalie Portman's 'Black Swan' Premiere Looks

Natalie Portman's new movie "Black Swan" is getting a lot of buzz, and while it is likely i won't see the movie for months (getting to the theater is so hard these days), i'm loving the looks she rocked for two of the premieres-- one in Toronto, the other in NYC.

at the Toronto Independent Film Festival red carpet premiere, Natalie paired a smoky eye with a pretty pink lip. her hair was styled by Nexxus creative director Kevin Mancuso, who chose to create soft, feminine waves, a fabulous complement her black and white Jason Wu dress.

Kevin says,"...to bring out the natural, organic beauty of Natalie’s hair...i went for touchable texture and a feminine silhouette."



get the look at home by prepping with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, followed by a curl enhancing mousse on damp hair (Nexxus Gorgeous Curls was used in this case). to style, dry hair with a diffuser, smoothing ends with a round brush, and transfer warm hair to large Velcro rollers. after the rollers have cooled, remove and tousle hair with fingers. curl hair around the face using a medium barrel curling iron and tousle again with fingers to release the curls and create more of a 'wave' effect.

to finish the hair, apply a dime-size amount of a taming lotion like, Nexxus Sleek Finish, to fingers and gently run over hair to help define and control waves then lightly mist hairspray for hold with movement.




at the new york premiere, Natalie's hair was again styled in full waves, but this time looked like a classic Hollywood starlet, complete with a perfect deep red lip, lush lashes and black Dior off the shoulder dress.

her hair look was created by stylist John D. he says of the look:"it was beautiful, and helped balance the total look, especially since the bottom of the dress was so full. he says, "i started with argan oil-infused Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream then blow dried the hair smooth using a round brush to give it 'oomph' at the root.



since Natalie has naturally curly hair, it needs extra moisture to look its best. so, John used Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream for its soft hold benefits, but also because it helps protect hair, moisturizes, smooths the cuticle and is perfect for getting rid of any frizz and static.

John says, "i then used a 1" curling iron, and starting at the back of her head, i curled round sections all over her head to set the volume in. i finished her hair with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray to give it extra hold that looked soft. it was raining in new york tonight and i wanted to make absolutely sure the body stayed. after her hair cooled, i used one of my tricks: i sprayed a paddle brush with hairspray and used it to separate and loosen the hair. this also tames the curls at the same time. i completed the look with a touch (more) of hairspray to give it extra hold. i find that i can brush through the hair several times and it gives no residue. it looks naturally shiny and still moves. i gave used a light mist of Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray to finish.”

Natalie looked great at both events! which look do you prefer?

xoimages: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images North America, Michael Loccisano/Getty Images North America and Photo Agency

NY Fashion Week: Kevin Mancuso at Vivienne Tam Spring 2010

for Vivienne Tam's spring 2010 runway show, the focus was on nature with warm pastel colors, flowing dresses and delicate fabrics. lead hairstylist and Nexxus Salon Hair Care creative director, Kevin Mancuso, created the mane look, which was inspired by the glamour of the 70's and free-spirited "Woodstock generation": free-formed waves and a voluminous silhouette.

want to know how to create this look yourself? Kevin has some easy-to-follow steps below...




prep:

**distribute a lightweight, curl enhancing foam (like Nexxus Gorgeous Curls) throughout hair to add body, enhance natural curls and waves, and help to support the structure of the style.

** flip hair upside down and blow dry, while running fingers through hair to create texture.


style:

**once the hair is dry, flip it back and create a center part.

** use fingers to smooth and flatten the crown of the hair. hair should be smooth 1-2 inches from the root, then billow out with volume from the forehead down.

** next, take 1-inch sections of the hair and, using a large barrel curling iron, create big, loose waves throughout the bottom half and underneath the hair. to curl the top half, use a small barrel curling iron.




finish:

** brush out the curls using a wide tooth comb or brush. lift the hair up and away from the root as you're brushing to maximize the volume.

**finish the look with a spray of Nexxus Comb Thru to keep style looking runway-ready all day long.



actual products used for the show:

Nexxus Gorgeous Curls Curl Enhancing Styling Foam

Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam Styler

Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Hold Design & Finishing Mist


to see the entire Vivienne Tam spring"10 collection, click here. Nexxus haircare is available in your hair care aisle at a grocery, drug, mass, and club retailers across the u.s.

xo
first image: style.com
other images courtesy of DailyMakeover.com

hair therapy: Hairstyle Tips For Curly Hair From Nexxus

this season is all about mixing different textures for a contemporary and bold statement. celebrity hairstylist, Kevin Mancuso says "transform everyday curls into hot holiday hair by pumping them way up and adding a bit of sleek structure to the style."


here's how he would create the style, pictured above, using products by Nexxus:

step 1: shampoo and condition with moisturizing products that add a natural sheen and bounce like Nexxus Therappe Shampoo and Nexxus Humectress Conditioner.

step 2: towel dry hair, and spray locks with a leave-in conditioner, such as Nexxus Humectress Luxe, to help lock out frizz and boost shine. apply a mousse, like Nexxus Gorgeous Curls, to the bottom half of hair to help accentuate natural curls.

step 3: create a side part, and comb hair behind ears. lightly blow-dry the top and front sections of hair using your fingers to smooth out the texture from your crown to mid-ear level. emphasize the sleekness of the top section of hair by fastening bobby pins in a half-moon pattern from ear to ear.

step 4: blow-dry the bottom of hair with a diffuser to add volume and texture. use a large barrel curling iron to add a few structured curls. allow hair to cool, and scrunch to build volume.

step 5: pin the front sections into place behind each ear. finish look by applying a volumizing hairspray such as Nexxus 360° Volume.




watch the step-by-step video for perfectly messy curls!

xo