If you have been a part of the natural movement as long as I have, you would have seen hundreds of “natural” hair products come and go. From having nothing specifically geared towards our natural hair in 2000 to 2012 and having the choice of hundreds of hair products has been quite a surge, and a goldmine for those jumping on the natural bandwagon to try to get us to purchase their hair care lines. It can all get confusing.

So I am now going to attempt to decipher for you, the most popular hair product types and their purpose…

Face primers are a great way to smooth, prep and perfect the skin before applying foundation. If you have acne scars, fine lines or large pores, a makeup primer can spackle those spaces for an even coverage. However, some people can be allergic or sensitive to the main ingredient found in most makeup primers, silicone.

Silicone is a chemically derived product that sits on top of the skin to protect and keep moisture in. Any product used with that “slippery/silky” feel to it, more than likely contains some kind of silicone. To identify silicone in a product, look for Dimethicone or Methicone in the ingredient list. The general rule of thumb is that anything ending in “cone” is likely to be silicone. Opinions however, are divided as to whether silicone is indeed good or bad for the skin.

Unless you have a sensitivity to silicone and your skin reacts with break-outs or irritation, it seems quite harmless. Silicone is used in almost every product we use on the body from haircare to skincare. To immediately confirm sensitivity to silicone, notice if you breakout on your back from the hair conditioners used. Silicone is abundant in these products and can be the culprit for reoccurring back acne.

Currently, I have two favorite face primers, one silicone-based, one silicone-free. The main activities I look for in a primer are: skincare properties (I do not believe in adding another step to my daily routine – unless it is good for the skin), ability to smooth the skin and longevity.

Hourglass – Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15: This is a wonderful silicone-based primer. It applies effortlessly, smooths the skin, increases the longevity of my face makeup and gives the skin a subtly glow. It contains anti-aging benefits and restores moisture to dehydrated skin. I use this primer for “special occasions” – mostly when I am wearing a full face of makeup. I have found that mixing a small amount of this primer with your foundation produces a flawless, airbrushed-look.

Fresh – Rose Freshface Primer: This is the first silicone-free primer I have tried and now can’t live without. I use this primer on a daily basis and sometimes as my primary moisturizer. Packed with rosewater and cucumber extracts, this lightweight lotion immedietly soothes redness and evens out my skintone. It contains vitamins and botanicals that are beneficial to the skin and smells like a bouquet of roses.

I do notice a difference between the two products, in terms of skin smoothing. Silicone is currently the best ingredient for reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. This is why the majority of  makeup primers on the market contain them. However, there are many silicone-free products on the market and I assume many more will emerge in the future.

Super Comb Prep and Protect

It’s a leave in conditioning spray, that also protects hair color from UV rays….but what I notice is it leaves my hair super manageable. $38….but it lasts a long time…you just use a few sprays after shampooing.

Oh Fredric...you just get it....

Fredric Fekkai’s glossing cream is a long time fav…it uses olive oil to add some moisture back into your hair(I find mine gets much drier in the winter months-yikes, flyaways!). Truly, a little dab will do you…the tube lasts seemingly forever. 4 oz. for $21…

Alpha lipoic acid? DMAE? What?

Derma-e’s Alpha Lipoic Acid/DMAE cream I love, love, love. On Derma-e’s website this good size jar is $22, but at Swanson Vitamins-here(where I get all my vitamins too), it’s only $15…you can compare the ingredients to some of the tres’ pricey stuff at Dr. Nicholas Perricone.

This stuff is just lovely!!

This Speppermint(that’s not a typo) Lip Balm  and Ginger Lemongrass Solid Lotion were sent to me by a company called Rinse Bath and Body-here….I’d never heard of them, but their products are amazing. Rinse is a family run small business in Monroe Georgia…they make all natural, vegan friendly, gluten free products…and they smell good enough to eat(but don’t). And the solid stick lotions are great for travel as they are TSA friendly…no worries about putting them in a plastic baggie. I’m dying to try the Peppofoot Stick.  Lotion stick is $8, lip balm $4. Enjoy!

Many of us do understand the need to take good care of our skin, especially during the summer months. However, how many of us realise the importance of adding a little extra love and care to our hair? Not only is our hair being hit with a high dose of ultra-violet light straight on top of our heads, but its being put through the mill with sea water and chlorine and the results can become visible with dryness, lack of shine and lustre including colour changes. 

Ultra violet light penetrates the hair shaft which can cause damage to its structure as well as breaking down specific amino acids. The amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and as hair is mostly made up of protein it is vital to protect your hair from the loss of these. It is said that if you have thick hair, you are slightly better off as the amino acids are destroyed from the outside to the core. Either way, the damage can cause your hair to loose the elasticity, strength and shine. UV light also attacks the pigment in your hair, breaking it down, bleaching it and reducing the hair’s natural defence system. Blonde hair is at the greatest risk in the sun. This is because fair hair has very little pigment whether it is natural or coloured. The same applies to our skin, such as the darker your skin the greater its natural protection from those UV rays, and so it is with hair.

As we tend to spend more time lounging by the pool and swimming during the summer months, it is also important to protect our hair from the damaging effects of the chlorine in the water. Chlorine can cause the cuticle of the hair to become rough, resulting in dull tangled hair. After spending a lot of time in the swimming pool, fair hair can end up with a green tint to it, which is the result of the copper or iron algaecide which are often added to the water to prevent the growth of algae. This is particularly so for coloured hair which is more porous and drinks up the copper. Your hairdresser should be able to correct this, however rinsing your hair with soda water or tomato juice is said to help.

Seawater can also have negative effects on those tresses too, as it tends to draw water out of our hair. Seawater can also leave a deposit on the surface of your hair which can cause dulling, penetrating the shaft and breaking down those important amino acids, resulting in rough cuticles. It is important to shampoo and condition your hair thoroughly after you take a dip in the sea or in the pool! 

Parsley Sage has a wonderful range of Solid Shampoo Bars which not only caters for your specific hair type, but is also a convenient and handy alternative to a bottle, especially if you are going away on holiday! No spillages on your clothes, and light weight, these handy little bars slip neatly into your suitcase, and are cram packed full of delicious nutrients to feed your hair and keep it strong and protected! Now you can get on with enjoying all those holiday activities without worrying about your hair!

 Big Softy

Especially good for dry hair. With Juniper oil, Almond oil, Rosemary oil, and Cocoa butter crammed into this Shampoo Bar, life will be put back into dry lifeless hair with an added bounce and shine. Whether your hair is naturally dry or has taken a beating from sun, sea, or other things Big Softy will bring some instant relief.

Deep Ocean Mud

An excellent one for greasy hair. This Shampoo Bar is made with real mud that has been harvested from the seabed. Rich in calcium, iron, and seawater ions, it penetrates the hair follicles and individually cleanses, conditions and strengthens each hair strand, leaving the hair wonderfully soft and manageable.

Satsuma

A real good cleansing and astringent shampoo bar for turning greasy hair. Crushed whole Grapefruits with a generous splash of Lemon and Lime oil make for a refreshing, nourishing and deep cleansing shampoo for the hair and scalp, with added Mandarin and Blood Orange oil, your hair will never have felt so clean. This also makes a great anti-chlorine shampoo, so take a bar to the swimming baths.

Nettle & Limeflowers

This is an especially good treatment for dry hair and scalps, giving dry lifeless hair masses of body and shine. Nettle, Ylang Ylang oil and Juniper are blended into this herbal remedy Shampoo Bar.

Tea Tree

Often referred to as ‘Natures Medicine Cabinet’ Tea Tree is a natural and effective antibacterial and gentle antiseptic, killing bacteria, calming the scalp, as well as being very effective against dandruff. An excellent one for children too as it kills head lice! Tea Tree puts a shine back into dry or damaged hair. This is a must for all homes and should be used once a week by the whole family.

Juniper Tar

this is a natural anti-dandruff shampoo which is crammed full of Cade oil (extracted from Juniper wood) known for its excellent anti-dandruff qualities. Naturally and effectively neutralising the micro organisms on the scalp which are the basic cause of dandruff. We have also added Ginseng, Vanilla and Blackcurrant to condition the hair and soothe the scalp.

Conditioners

Deep conditioning treatments are a great way to avoid split ends and drying. They will add nutrients back into the hair that may have been lost through sun, sea and bathing, as well as all that styling with products and heat. Conditioning your hair will help to keep it healthier and stronger for longer.

Banana Hair Treatment 

This is a lovely rich and nourishing hair treatment which is particularly suitable for dry hair. Containing Banana, Geranium Oil, and Aloe Vera to condition, and add shine to hair.

Directions: After shampooing rub the treatment cream onto the hair and scalp and leave for five minutes before rinsing.

Fresh Salad Hair Pack

A super revitalising hair pack containing Carrots, Celery, Red and Green Peppers which strengthen the hair and tone the scalp. Vitamin E is also added to leave the hair lustrous and healthy, soft and shiny… and smelling great! 

Directions: Spread evenly on to damp hair, leave for five minutes, and rinse with warm water.

Exfoliation – Cleansing – Face (and Body) Masks & Packs – Moisturising (Face & Body) – Foot Care 

Visit us to see our full range of Hair Products HERE

So here is a list of five basic hair care essentials that will help you counter all your tress related worries!

1. Shampoo: As taken for granted as it may sound on the list of must-haves, a right shampoo can work wonders for your hair! The trick here is to identify your hair type correctly and then use a shampoo in accordance. So using a shampoo intended for dry or oily hair will help you work your natural hair better than using the one-for-all shampoo. Also with the boom in hair care industry, there is absolutely no dearth of shampoos specifically tailor made to pamper your colored, permed, straightened or relaxed hair. So if you have invested in getting a chemical treatment for your hair, do not ignore the usage of a recommended shampoo by your stylist.

2. Conditioner: A hair conditioner is an absolute must after washing your hair clean with a shampoo. Many of my clients have expressed how they perceived conditioners to be only an optional add-on. However the fact is that the application of a conditioner is extremely necessary after every shampoo wash as it closes back the hair cuticles that open on hair shampooing. Conditioners ensure a smooth and frizz free result.

3. Leave-in Conditioners: I swear by live-in conditioners and absolutely recommend them. Leave -in conditioners are ideally to be applied when your hair is moist after wash. The conditioner penetrates deep to lock the moisture in your hair, leaving your hair extremely manageable with a healthy shine. Also when you are facing a bad hair day, a small quantity of leave in conditioner dabbed onto the lengths of your hair can magically work wonders!

I  ♥ Toni and Guy Rapid Response

4. Heat Protection Serum: A heat protection serum is a must have in your hair care essentials. Every time you blow dry, straighten or use hot rollers on your hair, you subject it to the styling heat. The high temperature will deteriorate your hair quality if a protection serum isn’t used. So do remember to use a serum on your hair before styling the next time.

I  ♥ L’oreal Professional Techni.Art Hot Style Constructor

I  ♥ Schwarzkopf Osis Flatline Iron Serum

5. Hair oils: Thanks to the chemical alternatives and the busy schedules, hair oils are often given a skip these days. But a hot oil massage once a week will not only relax and rejuvenate your scalp, but will also prevent dandruff while promoting hair growth. Try the following combination of oils to give your hair a natural shine and healthy glow.

• Virgin coconut oil – 3 tsp
• Almond oil – 1 tsp
• Olive oil – 1 tsp
• Castor oil – 1/2 tsp

Picture courtesy: Google Images

Hope this post helps!

For more tips on how to attain that gorgeous mane click Here

Any other query or doubt? Feel free to mail me at streakhuefall@gmail.com

Also if you want me to do a post on any other area in hair, beauty or fashion leave a comment below or shoot me a mail!

Much love,

Kavya.

A girly blog look...for a girly girl...

I’ve told you quite a bit about my daughter(tmi?)…about difficulties she had in school-post here from May 2009-about her moving into her first apartment-post here from Jan. of 2010-(and we’ve made some changes in the apartment since then…I am her official decorator, and I’m cheap). But I’ve always told her, in high school and in college, that she should go to the school paper and offer to write a column about hair and skin care products….because that’s what she loves. She has always been fascinated with hair products and skin care and makeup…she just loves it. And while she never took my advice back then(more’s the pity), she is doing it today in the blogging world.

Her blog is called Recession is the New Blonde-here….and while she may need to change the name when the recession is over(oh, that’s right, everyone keeps telling us it IS over…but),  her focus is on reviewing beauty products that work for her. Hey, I didn’t even know you could get pure hylauronic acid for a moisturizer…and I should know about all that stuff. I love the look of the blog…it is so her…and she is doing something I’ve thought about trying for a while…video blogs.

Doing a blog just out of the shower? That's brave....

And her posts have gotten her some attention…she has been added to the blogging team of Lock and Mane-here, an upscale hair product and hair accessories website. I’ve ordered from them before..they have an extensive collection, and I love the fact that anything over $25 gets free shipping(you know I love that). Here is my girl’s first video blog for them-here reviewing a conditioner called Alterna. Pricey, but she says you only need a little.

If you think I am proud of her…you would be correct. When kids are little, you always wonder what they will be like when they are adults, you know? Will they be funny? Kind? Smart? What? And then when you really start to see the final product, it’s so lovely to be able to breathe a sigh of relief…yeah, she’s wonderful, she never needed braces, and she’s gonna make it on her own(hey MTM). Just wanted to share a little slice of happiness with you on this Friday. Have a great weekend…stay warm, cook something luscious(and eat it), play nice and come home safe…’cause we miss you! ♥

L’Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Vitamino Color Protecting Gel-Masque ($28): The fastest route to  super soft strands for damaged hair–plus, it has color protectors. Perfect for those days when you are looking for that extra TLC for your hair!

Kerastase Oleo-relax Masque: A can’t-miss for very dry hair and very frizzy hair. It smooths the hair, makes it like silk, and smells amazing. It’s like a spa treatment for your hair in a tub!

Pantene Pro-V 5 Minute Strengthening Mask, ($3.99): Such a classic that it used to be called: “Nourishing Moisture Replenishing Mask”. This mask rehabilitates hair without breaking the bank.

Hair conditioning is an integral part of any hair care routine, and it is important to include it in your daily hair care regimen. Hair conditioners are known to restore and rejuvenate hair that has been robbed of its natural vibrancy, by improving hair texture, making them soft and manageable.

However, store bought conditioners can prove to be very strong, especially if the hair is already damaged. This can result in excessive hair fall. This is where Natural Hair Conditioners prove to be very useful.

Natural Conditioners have been a vital part of beauty treatments for centuries. They are effective and gentle and are generally a lot safer than commercially available conditioners.

Homemade Natural Hair Conditioners

Natural Conditioners are made from wholesome natural products like vegetable oils, fruits, and eggs. When applied to the hair either in isolation or in certain combinations, they prove to be restorative and rejuvenate hair. They are also easily accessible; the ingredients can be found in any kitchen. Some popular natural conditioners include:

Hot Oil Treatment (Olive Oil) – Olive oil is a traditional home remedy. A great conditioning agent, it makes the hair soft and strong. Warm a small bowl of olive oil. Using your fingers, massage the oil into the hair. Wrap a warm towel around your oiled hair and let it stay for 30 minutes before washing off.

Egg Conditioner – Another simple and effective recipe is the Egg Conditioner. All you need is one egg yolk beaten to a froth. Add one teaspoon of baby oil to this mix and blend. Add one cup of water to compete the recipe. Massage this solution into the scalp. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off.

Avocado Conditioner – Avocados are known for deep moisturizing properties. Peel and mash a ripe avocado. Add coconut milk to the fruit and blend till it achieves a shampoo-like consistency. Massage this into the hair from root to tip. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing off.

Mayonnaise Conditioner – As strange as it sounds mayo can be wonderful for your hair. Simply take half a cup of mayonnaise and apply it on damp hair. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off.

Banana Pack – Think of this as a banana shake for your hair. Peel and mash a ripe banana. Add one teaspoon of olive oil to it and blend. Apply this paste on damp hair. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing off.

By staff reporter, 20-Jan-2009

California-based Athena Cosmetics has launched a product designed for thinning hair following the release of its thickening eyelash conditioner.

]]> http://mythbusterbeauty.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/jessicurls-chirp-program/ Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:34:16 +0000 Jen Hill http://mythbusterbeauty.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/jessicurls-chirp-program/ While embracing my naturally curly hair, I have come across some extraordinary haircare product lines.  One of my favorite lines is Jessicurl.  To learn more about Jess McGuinty and how her company started you can visit my interview with her from a few months back:

Jessicurl: Hair with Heart and Soul. An Interview with Jess McGuinty

In developing a beauty blog, one of my main objectives is to find products that I strongly believe are worth your pursuit and money.  Nothing is more frustrating than purchasing something and finding out later that it isn’t doesn’t fulfill your need for it.  I first tried the Jessicurl hair care line a year ago and was delighted with the quality, the natural ingredients, and the way my curly hair responded to it.  I also loved the natural scents of the products, not overwhelmingly perfume-y!  I have a very sensitive nose, and a lot of cosmetics and haircare products can leave me feeling whoozy while using them.

I have recommended the Jessicurl hair care line and her demonstration videos many times, and if you have become a fan of the Jessicurl line you might be interested in the CHIRP (the Curly Hair Incentive Referral Program).  Basically the CHIRP program at Jessicurl is an affiliate program to help you build store credit in return for your mentions on your website.

If you feel the desire to sing the praises of the Jessicurl hair care line and would like to join the CHIRP affiliate program at Jessicurl, you can register at:  Jessicurl Partners Zone.

Right now I am trying to save up for some silk pillowcases and some more Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner!