Tag: curly hair

Ouidad Stylists Bring Texture to the Runway – Tracy Reese Spring 2014

  Ouidad Stylists Bring Texture to the Runway - Tracy Reese Spring 2014 // Belle Belle Beauty

So, one of my goals with my shorter and more layered hair is to embrace the messy look. And nothing could be more on trend. Messy up-dos were all over the runways this past week at New York Fashion Week.

Ouidad Stylists Bring Texture to the Runway - Tracy Reese Spring 2014 // Belle Belle Beauty

I was fortunate enough to be back stage at the Tracy Reese show and got to see the stylists at work. Stylists crafted textured knots inspired by “Afro Cuban” hair. The texture was a perfect play off Tracy’s collection full of leather and raffia embroidery. While my hair is naturally fine, I learned that texture can be created with the right tools and products.

Ouidad Stylists Bring Texture to the Runway - Tracy Reese Spring 2014 // Belle Belle Beauty

I’d already fallen for Ouidad even though it is particularly aimed for those with curly hair (see post here). While the Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer really is better suited for naturally curly hair, some of these products used at Tracy Reese are high on my wish list to transform my straight and fine texture.

Salon Series by Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi Use Hair Treatment // Belle Belle Beauty

First up is the Salon Series by Ouidad Mongongo Oil Multi Use Hair Treatment. Known as “hair food”, the vitamin E packed formula can regenerate and repair hair. It also acts as a heat protectant, reduces frizz and adds shine.

Ouidad Play Curl Volumizing Styling Spray // Belle Belle Beauty

The Ouidad Play Curl Volumizing Styling Spray can help hold both natural and crafted curls. The hold stays soft and touchable thanks to wheat proteins, wheat amino acids and glycerin.

Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray // Belle Belle Beauty

Always a sucker for a sea spray, Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray is high on my wish list. This one in particular is designed for straight hair can help achieve the perfect tousle. Sea Kelp adds shine.

Ouidad Wave Create Texture Taffy // Belle Belle Beauty

Ouidad Wave Create Texture Taffy also works for straight hair. This has a matte finish without being sticky. It also nourishes hair with Marine Complex, Sea Kelp and Algae Extract.

Ouidad is available at ouidad.com, folica, and Ulta.

Brand Spotlight: Amika: love your hair and GIVEAWAY

Brand Spotlight: Amika: love your hair and GIVEAWAY // Belle Belle Beauty

Amika’s tag line is “heathy, easy and stylish”. Um, sounds about perfect to me. I’ve been imersed in the world of Amika for the past two weeks and my hair is softer, happier and healthier than ever before. I was able to try out quite a few products so, today I am featuring a little brand spotlight.

Amika Color pHerfection Shampoo, Hydrate Conditioner and Nourishing Hair Mask // Belle Belle Beauty

I’ve been trying out the Color pHerfection Shampoo, Hydrate Conditioner and Nourishing Hair Mask in the shower. My hair is super fine and been a little dry this winter, so I was angling to improve that situation. While my hair isn’t colored, the Color pHerfection Shampoo is chock full of antioxidants, vitamins, healthy fatty acids, Omega 3, 6 & 9, and the rare Omega 7 (usually only found in fish oil) to heal my drier hair. All these goodies come from Amika’s signature ingredient, the Obliphica Berry (Sea Buckthorn Berry), known for centuries renowned for its healing powers.

Hydrate Conditioner and Nourishing Hair Mask notched up the moisure element in my routine significantly. Both of these rich formulas infuse hair with fatty acids, proteins, anti-oxidants, and other nutrients. Somehow they are both ultra-creamy but leave hair balanced and voluminous. The Nourishing Hair Mask takes it a bit further than the conditioner with extra penetration, nourishment and repair. Both have a vaguely tropical scent. And I am not sure you’ll ever find me without one or the other again.

Amika Styling Products // Belle Belle Beauty

Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment might be the center piece of the brand. I was slightly concerned about the Obliphica seed oil for my fine hair, but it managed to deliver hydration without weighing my hair down or making it oily (this goes for all Amika products I tried). I was especially impressed I could use the Oil Treatment fairly liberally and I still had volume with loads of shine. It also helped on next day hair for a little boost at the ends. It also provides UV protection from environmental and sun damage. The treatment has that delicious and amazing argan oil while being free of parabens and artificial colors. Like the Oil Treatment, the Leave in Cream also surprised me by not weighing my hair down. I applied the cream and then slept on braided, wet hair. My waves were shiny, bouncy and healthy. I have a sneaking suspicion curly-haired girls would go nuts over this stuff.

Lastly, I’m embarassed to say I never use a heat protectant. Now that I a have mastered the blowout, I use heat tools much more often and I knew I needed to step up my game. Amika’s Obliphica Heat Defense Serum uses their signature ingredient’s omega 7 and vitamin C to protect strands. It revitalizes and forms a protective barrier. This layer also helps fight frizz. All three styling products have that tropical oil smell that I go bananas for, but it is very subtle.

Amika Zebra Triple Barrel Pro Curler Set // Belle Belle Beauty

And now for the juicy part… a GIVEAWAY. I am thrilled to be sharing one of Amika’s hottest tools with one of you lucky readers. I’ve been using a similar clip-less rod with four interchangeable barrels for the ultimate in styling flexibility. We are giving away Zebra Triple Barrel Pro Curler Set – it also includes a curling rod with interchangeable barrels and one of their famed ceramic irons. Guys, this set is valued at $300!

Enter using the widget below. Open to US Only and GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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.

Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer

Ouidad-Whipped-Curls

Whipped Curls might sound good enough to eat, but it is really quite something special for those ladies with curly hair. This luxe formula has a triad of functions: styling primer, daily conditioner and leave-in hair mask. The rich, thick cream melts into your hair, hydrating a variety of curly hair types.

First, I gave it a whirl on my naturally wavy locks. I made the mistake of using too much product, but the result was a great hydration treatment. After trying to coax my natural waves out, I gave up and put my hair in a bun. My hair was a little crunchy and greasy. But…. when I rinsed the product out, it was supple, soft and shiner than it has been in … well, a long time. The triple Olive Oil blend with Shea Butter and Glycerine moisturize, strengthen and nourish. Green Tea provides anti-oxidant and environmental protection.

Next, I enlisted Lisa from Elembee. She’s got those enviable, bouncy, ringlet style curls and had mentioned she wanted to try Ouidad a few months ago. She didn’t make my same mistake – she just used a nickle-sized amount of product (see below for what Lisa calls the “Ouidad Flower”). She loves the product as both a styling cream and conditioner. Wait, let me correct that… she “LOVES” it as a styling cream! Once the proper dose was established, Lisa reports “ringlets that were soft to the touch, not frizzy, and hair that doesn’t look or feel greasy.” Her curls looked relaxed, natural and bouncy.

Ouidad Whipped Curls Dosage // Belle Belle Beauty

Bottom line: Curly haired curls, take note! Lisa gives this her seal of approval. To those with dry and breaking hair, I would also recommend this as a hydrating hair mask. Other Ouidad favorites include:

Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls is available at Ouidad.com, salons and ULTA.

Make sure you check out Lisa’s blog here. She has great blogging tips and a fabulous series coming up in 2013 for those who adore travel as much as I do.

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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.