Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

For my 26th birthday, I decided  to tour Copenhagen [and Arhus], Paris, Amsterdam and Kiles for my birthday. While I thought I was enriching my soul and spirit I didn't realize that I was ruining my hair in the process. My hair sadly, no matter how much conditioner, oils and love I put in it,  I was still getting a dry scalp. I had bought a travel size packet of this to use during a down day as way for when I got homesick I had something familiar. The macadamia, argan, tea tree, and chamomile oil enriched hair masque made my frizzy dry hair super smooth and soft. While I find the mask very rich and  `heavy´, I found using a small amount or mixing it regular conditioner does a better job as it wouldn’t make my hair feel weighed down. The deep conditioning masque is also packed with aloe and algae extract that left hair smell yummy and not overpowering. I love this masque although it is a bit pricey, I will be bringing it whenever I travel.

Dove Hair Therapy Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

This new shampoo and conditioner goes to the hair’s cellular level to promote healthy hair with the Pro-Moisture Complex. With just one wash, the duo promises to moisturize for 5X smoother hair without excess residue or weighing down hair. The creamy shampoo provides a generous lather and washed out clean. The conditioner left my hair silky smooth and soft. I did notice though when I used a lot of product my hair looked greasy. So, use a little and you still notice some results.

Tresemme Platinum Strength Renewing Deep Conditioning Treatment

Photo Source - Tresemme

Tresemme promises salon quality hair products at affordable prices. It can repair damaged hair with 5 uses if used with Tresemme Platinum Strength hair protocol. According to the instructions, after shampooing apply a generous amount from mid length to your ends and apply what is left over to the roots. Wait 5 minutes and then rinse off. After I applied the fresh scented hair mask, I used a shower cap and then I took the hair dryer and blasted my hair [ with the shower cap on ]  for a couple of minutes to let the mask sink in. I then washed it off and let it air dry. The end result? Super soft, manageable and OMG frizz free hair! While it seems to be a lot of steps, trust me the end result is worth it. I kept getting asked if I got my hair done. And the answer is yes, but I did it myself for one - fifth of the price.

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Pudding

Photo Source - Sephora

With a name like “pudding”, who wanted to try this luscious whipped cream? Full confession - I am not one to really like putting things in my hair or doing anything with my hair for that matter. I figured new year, I might try something new. The creamy pudding is not formulated with parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes and petrochemicals. The multitasking  product “promises to define, control, and mold curls, coils, kinks, waves”. I figured that I would used it since my natural hair texture is wavy and a bit unruly. Even on a good day, my hair looks like I just rolled out of bed. I decided to use the pudding after washing my hair. While applying the pudding to my wet hair, my hands felt sticky after applying the product. I was going to heat style my hair but decided it would be easier to tie my hair in little buns and  style my hair in the morning. So was not the case, my hair was thick, greasy, knotty, linty and just plain gross. I couldn’t wait to wash out the gunk from my hair. I am guessing, I have used a bit too much product. The second time I used less product but I didn’t really notice anything. I presume, that I probably need to use heat the next time I use this product but I am in  no rush to try it again. 

Philip B Katira Hair Masque

Photo Credit - Dermstore

The Philip B hair mask is packed with l-amino acid complex and Persian katira extract. The lightweight paraben free formula promises to leave your hair soft, silky, and shiny. The formula has Jello consistency and it was really hard to work into my hair and most of the product fell in clumps in the tub.  The first time I used the hair masque, my hair became really sticky, dull looking and unmanageable.  The second time I used the mask my hair felt soft, bouncy, and body. I had mixed in some of my regular conditioner to make the masque’s consistency a bit smoother and used a shower cap to keep the treatment in place. I am guessing I just got a bad batch or bottle. I did read somewhere  that with gel masque to coat wet or dry hair from roots to ends, leave on until it hardens, then rinse out.  I guess I will try the next time, if I decided to buy this mask again.

Alterna Hair Care Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Dry Oil Mist

Photo Source - Sephora

The dry oil mist is packed with nutrients that help protects hair from the damage from heat styling tools while promoting healthy looking hair and shine. The organic bamboo and kendi oil helps extend the life of your color and protect against environmental damage. I spritz on this dry oil mist after towel drying my hair and it reduces the frizzies! [If you have wild hair like mines, you would be extremely happy too] When I use the oil while straightening my hair it gives my hair nice healthy looking sheen and many people ask where I went to do my hair.

Marie Claire Fall Hair Color Guide 2013

To prevent blonde hair from going brassy, use a lavender tinted shampoo weekly. Strawberry tinged hair brings out redness in skin, so go easy on the blush when your hair is this shade. To keep red hair from fading, shampoo less frequently and cover up in the sun. For dark hair a mist of shine spray keeps midnight hues from looking dull.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Hair Color

1. Take note of your emotional state before you dye. You’ve likely heard of breakovers - those fevered hair and makeup decisions that follow a breakup, only to be regretted shortly thereafter.

2. Let your skin tone not your color whims guide your choice. Before you make a color switch, determine what works your complexion. If you have cool undertones or olive skin, you want warmth  in your hair to balance it out. If you’re more pinkish or flush easily, you want an ashier, or cooler, hair color. If your skin tone is neutral, you can go either way.

3. The test strand isn’t optional.  You need to nail the timing and figure out whether or not you like the color before you commit. Snap a thin lock a hair from the back of your head and do a dry run.

4. Know whether to wash first. For semi-permanent dye, you want clean hair when you color. The formula don’t have strong chemicals, so in order for them to penetrate, there can’t be oil, dirt, or styling products coating the cuticle. If you’re using permanent color with ammonia and peroxide or a home-highlighting kit, then you want hair  that hasn’t been washed in a day or two. The oil will protect your scalp from burning and your hair from getting damaged.

5. Prep your skin before you dye. A stained forehead may seem inevitable, but it’s preventable. Apply a hair wax or any kind of oil - even olive oil - along the hairline first.

6. Lighten up around your face. Think of it as a halo effect: for the most flattering look, go one shade lighter along your hairline. If you’re dyeing your hair light brown, do a dark blonde there. Those fine hairs tend to grab more dye and can become a shade or two deeper, but you actually want that area to be brighter, since it make you look younger and healthier.

7. Don’t overdye the ends. If you’re going darker, the porous ends can soak up more dye than the root area, making it obvious your shade is from a box. To maintain the color, just touch up the roots as needed. Only pull the dye through to the ends when they start to fade, about every third or fourth time your color. And when you dye the tips, wet them slightly first. The water makes pulling the color easier and prevents your hair from absorbing too much color there.

*I apparently lost the thumbail of this magazine :( *

Amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask

Photo Credit - Amika

The fresh scented hair mask is packed with Sea Buckthorn Berry, antioxidants, vitamins, healthy fatty acids, omega vitamins and free parabens and sulfates. It is also safe for color treated hair. The mask promises to provide intense conditioning, replenishing, moisturizes, and repair for all hair types. I use it once a week and it left my hair soft, shiny, and easily manageable. Overall, I really like this hair mask and I will definitely buy this again.