Tag: frizz

COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray on Belle Belle Beauty

I struggle with my hair. It is fine, but I have a fair amount of it. And it is crazy wavy underneath in the back, transforming to a highly unattractive frizz if not tamed. But because it is fine, my hair becomes limp and stringy if I overdo frizz fighters, especially frizz-eliminating shampoo and conditioner.

I was reading a celebrity magazine, lamenting my troubled hair (lol), and came across a celebrity testimonial for COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. This stuff apparently “Slays Humidity and Prevents Frizz” (again lol). I may or may not have been having some sauvignon blanc and thought “why not?” –> add to amazon cart –> purchase.

Exactly two days later (thank you, Amazon), the Dream Coat arrived on my doorstep. In my blind sauvignon-blanc-driven haste, I failed to notice the this formula was heat activated. I had been on a kick where I wash my hair in the evenings and allow it to air dry, straightening it in the AM. In a way, COLOR WOW made me realize I just need to buck up and dry my hair.

First trial, I shocked to find my hair voluminous but completely frizz-free. I travelled to San Antonio and put Dream Coat to the Texas Frizz Test – same fabulous result. The reason is Dream Coat’s technology borrowed from the textile industry. Each hair strand is covered with a waterproof cloak made of a heat-activated polymer. It compresses and tightens hair strands leaving silky and smooth hair. Because it doesn’t weigh down hair, volume is preserved.

I apply liberally to my hair from roots to tips and dry normally. Those with super-frizz, but want to section out hair as they dry. The formula works up to 72 hours or 2-3 shampoos but I use it each time I wash my hair since I am shooting for a shampoo every 2-3 days. Thank you, sauvignon blanc!

 

Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Creme

Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Creme // Belle Belle Beauty

Frankly, I thought naming a hair product a BB Cream was embarrassing, cheesy and gimmicky. But then it worked on me. I snuck around to the hair aisle on Tuesday and tucked that puppy right into my basket. I do admit to giving it the stink eye on my bathroom counter. But I have to admit now, this stuff is gooooood.

The cream/gel hybrid went on my damp hair with a focus on the bottom half of my strands. As a note, my hair is just ever so slightly due for a cut (it has been months) so ends are a touch dry and my hair is a little dull from product (read a lot dull). My hair immediately felt soothed and nourished. After a rough dry, I started in with a round brush. As the strands left the brush, I immediately noticed a shine and bounce. I was deeply concerned this would weight down my fine hair. But it actually volumized.

The formula has that classic Pantene smell that I melt for – cue high school flashback. It also works to improve strength, shine, smoothness, moisture, frizz, and fly-aways. It also provides that crucial heat protection.

Bottom line: don’t judge a book by its cover (or silly name).

If found my bottle at Walgreens, but it is also available here online.

Amazing At-Home Blowout From Eva NYC

Amazing At-Home Blowout From EvaNYC // Belle Belle Beauty

It is with my pleasure to introduce you to Eva NYC hair. I am a smitten kitten over this affordable and edgy brand out of New York. After test driving some of their collection, I am happy to report, across the board, I am so impressed with the tools and products. So much so that I just can’t quit using the hairdryer and volumizer for my weekend and everyday blow out with these guys:

Eva NYC Up All Night Volumizing Spray was suggested to me when I lamented flat locks on twitter. While I have finally perfected the round brush blowout, my hair can end up on the flat side. The formula is rice derived to add texture and lift. Plus a bonus: it acts as a heat protectant and can revitilaize day old hair. Plus it smells fabulous.

Eva NYC Almighty Pro-Lite Ionic Dryer was never going to be a replacement for this guy…. I thought. But after I gave this affordable dryer a shot, I was immediately sold on its featherweight design. I get great heat from the high setting and it also offers two speeds (I’m always on hottest and fastest – go figure!). There is a cool-blast feature to set your style.

Some other favorites:

With my new found love of product, a shampoo that goes after build up is even more important. Eva NYC Clean it Up Shampoo leaves my hair clean, but still bouncy and soft. Like the conditioner below, this shampoo smells like a very subtle baby powder with a hint of vanilla.

Eva NYC Soften Up Conditioner came recommended from my fellow blogger (and friend) of OpinionNothing.com (check out this beauty site stat if you haven’t already). Who doesn’t want touchably soft hair? This conditioner helps me get there with Argan Oil and Kereavis Protein just like the Clean It Up Shampoo. Argan Oil feeds hair with vitamins and nutrients, while Kereavis Protein gives hair renewed vitality and strength.

Eva NYC 100 Percent Ceramic Straightener was one tool I was reluctant to try. I’ve shied away from flat irons, thinking they make my hair even more flat. Wrong. Used at the ends of my hair, or in an upward direction, this flat iron make my hair insanely shiny and sleek.

Cruelty-free

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Brand Spotlight: Oscar Blandi

Brand Spotlight: Oscar Blandi // Belle Belle Beauty

You’d think I’d won the lottery. I was positively giddy when I scored a travel size of Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Voluminizing Dry Shampoo back in September. I was already devoted to their Jasmine Oil Hair Serum. But people just raved about their dry shampoos. Alas, it did not disappoint  I love the feather-light weight and instant volume is provided. It contains Vitamin E and wheat proteins to strengthen and protect the hair shaft.  Plus, it did not show up one single bit on my dark brown hair.

I’m sure it doesn’t shock you that I had to dive deeper into the world of Oscar Blandi. The Naples native with family roots in haircare came to the United States 20 years ago to share old Italian methods. With a New York salon buzzing, he launched products in 2005.  Today, stars like Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Faith Hill and Kelly Ripa credit their hair to Oscar. After trying out some of his more notable products, I almost feel like the Italian has done my hair. My favorites:

Jasmine Oil Hair Serum: I ordered this eons ago from Birchbox just based on a fabulous scent. I couldn’t get enough of the Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Eucalyptus. But I was also happy to find it provided a whallop of shine. I use just a very small bit mostly on ends to hydrate and tame fly-aways. It also makes for a great heat-protectant.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Voluminizing Dry Shampoo: As mentioned above, it adds instant volume, revives day old hair and is clear! No white residue on my dark hair. Side note: did you know Oscar Blandi makes three dry shampoos!? For more of a heavy duty oil absorption, try Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder on your strands while you sleep for an overnight refresh. It also helps combat dandruff. If you want a slightly more amped version of the Invisible, try Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray (this might be ideal for those with a slightly oilier scalp). 

At Home Salon Glaze: To wrap up every hair color service at the salon, clients are treated to a shine enhancing, color-preserving glaze. Oscar wanted to share it with us who couldn’t make it to the salon and wanted the treatment at home. Thanks to my new found blowout skills, my hair has been a little dull and dry. So I couldn’t tear this open quick enough. The three minute treatment socks hair with moisture and nutrients. Natural plant emoillients help maintain vibrancy while Olive Oil & Macadamia Oil provide instant shine. Soy & Wheat proteins with Panthenol & Vitamin E add nutrition and healthy appearance. You can do the glaze weekly or add a bit to your conditioner for a daily shine boost.

Pronto Texture & Volume Spray: My hair prefers to be straight with zero volume. I got to the point where I didn’t fight it because nothing seemed to work. Well now… hold the phone. This Texture and Volume Spray added that much desired “undone” look to my straight blowout. For the first time, my hair actually held a decent curl. The natural mineral, zeolite, is the key to this volume and hold. Plus, a dose of keratin strengthens hair. The formula is very similar to a hair spray – dry and light-weight. It also comes in handy for extra hold in updos.

I’ll be keeping my eye out for the newest from Oscar Blandi: Dry Teasing Dust and Dry Sculpting Pomade. What can I say? I’m hooked! Shop my favorites here:

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Living Proof No Frizz

I admit… it was the fact that Jennifer Aniston became spokesperson and part owner of Living Proof that I finially bit the bullet and tried their products. I am such a sucker for celebrity endorsements. But this wasn’t just an endorsement. Jennifer has purchased a partnership in the company and will be taking an active role as product creator.

I picked up the Living proof® ‘No Frizz Discovery’ Set from Nordstrom to get a sense of the products. They also have “restore” and “full” product lines, but frizz seems to be my main enemy. So I set out to experience the solution discovered by scientists at MIT. The anti-frizz solution is oil and silicone-free. I am fairly anti-silicone these days – I just don’t like the slick feel it gives. The solution promised to block humidity, fighting frizz at the source. Sign me up.

Just after the shampoo and conditioner, my hair felt silkier and smoother. This remained the case for a couple shampoos after I ran out of my samples. The shampoo is sulfate-free with a hefty lather. The conditioner was creamy and rich but not greasy. The scent of the shampoo and conditioner is slightly chemical – fairly faint but just don’t expect anything fruity or perfumed. My clean hair was easier to comb through and looked more resilant and shiny. But at the same time, my hair wasn’t weighed down by those nasty silicones.

Living proof No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner

I tried both the sample of No Frizz Straight Styling Cream and the full size No-Frizz Weightless Styling Spray I purchased. Overall, I like the spray slightly better.  It also repels dirt to keep hair cleaner and frizz-free longer. Both products smooth equally – it just depends on preference in styling product weight. Note, the cream did win Allure magazine’s Beauty Breakthrough and Best of Beauty awards three years in a row. The No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner is great for that extra oomfph of hydration in these winter months – but it did leave my hair a little greasy. Perhaps this is perfect for a Saturday night staying in.

Living proof® 'No Frizz' Weightless Styling Spray

I also got a free sample of Living Proof Prime Style Extender on Facebook. Perhaps I eeked out a couple extra hours of a blow out, but I was due for a wash anyway. Maybe those who can go three or four days without a wash could benefit from this product more. I’ve heard rave reviews, but if you are an every-other-day girl like me, save for the shampoo, conditioner and spray.

The line is also available at Sephora, where Prime Style Extender is an exclusive.

 

Nexxus ProMend Styling & Frizz Defy

Talk about a breakthrough. I have never seen something work so well against the dreaded frizz. Nexxus just launched two collections: Pro Mend and Frizz Defy. Frankly, I love all the products but there was definitely a standout. The Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Conditioner leaves my hair smooth, hydrated, healed and without one bit of unwanted fluffiness. In fact, I didn’t even dry my hair – just threw it up in a bun. When I took my hair down, it was full of smooth bouncy waves. I even earned a compliment or two. This stuff is going is going to be a lifesaver during the humid summer months.

The other collection, Pro Mend, comes in handy when you are a week or two overdue for a hair cut (or months as was my recent situation). While it doesn’t “repair” split ends, it does bind them together using molecular technology for a quick fix. My favorite products from the collection are the  Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum and  Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion. They definitely give the illusion of shiny, healthy hair.

The whole product line from both collections:

ProMend

  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Bodifying Mousse
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Curl Defining Crème Gel
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion

Frizz Defy

  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Shampoo
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Conditioner
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Styling Crème
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Leave-in Oil Shine Treatment
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Hair Spray
You can find these products at drugstore.com, where this product qualifies for free shipping and it is on sale. Yay!