I.C.O.N. Mesh Styling Cream & My Hair- Oh Behave!

It always surprises me to find what I consider to be some of the most incredible beauty products out there are a) completely unknown to my friends (one of the reasons I started this blog) and b) not reviewed by anyone, anywhere. ICON Mesh Styling Cream is one of them. This is probably the best hair styling product I have ever used. Ever. And I've meant to write about forevah but get distracted by all the sparkly shiny things that come my way *oh glitter nail polish*....but I digress. I have coarse wavy hair that whips the butt of pretty much every styling product out there. For something to actually hold and calm my hair, it usually has to have the texture of thick glue or lacquer. I.C.O.N. Mesh teaches my hair to behave.

My amazing hair-whisperer/stylist/artist Katarina introduced me to ICON line years ago. She carries a different main line in her family salons, but is committed 100% to ICON Mesh Styling and ICON Cure (that's another post...) and once I tried it on my hair, I became a believer. Its a light weight gently scented styling cream, perfect for wavy, curly hair, or just for controlling hair. It works well on short hair as well as long hair. I use it on damp hair pre-styling and also on dry hair after styling to refresh my style the next day. I use a quarter sized dollop and emulsify it between my hands then evenly distribute it on my hair. For my long hair it works best to concentrate Mesh on the lower half of my hair.

...because we all don't have Warren to do our hair for us...

It is described as "A styling cream that creates structure and flexible style". That is exactly what it does. It does not build up in hair and its almost impossible to tell there is product in the hair. It doesn't flake off and actually seems to have a conditioning effect. It does have the tiniest bit of silicone in it (way down the ingredient list, near fragrance) which adds slip but there isn't enough to build up in the hair. I am silicone phobic as all it really does is mask issues in the hair and coat it so conditioners can't work & my silicone detector has not gone off with Mesh. The scent is very soft and gentle and seems to dissipate as your hair dries. I actually love the smell- it's very soft & sort of a sweet floral woody scent. If I want tons of hold ( like for a fancy party- otherwise that is just not my lifestyle...) I use hairspray. But for everyday control and polish, Mesh is simply perfect.

3rd day waves....hair for the lazy...

I get my ICON products from my stylist. They have a store/salon search engine on their site so hopefully you can find some near you! It is also available for sale on Amazon. I buy the giant 250ml bottle and it lasts at least 6 months. I also got the travel size bottle and refill it for, well, travel.

Gently Wash Your Hair with Live Clean

I've been meaning to post about Live Clean shampoos for awhile now. In my search for gentle but effective shampoo that doesn't have pthalates, parabens or excess foaming agents (like SLS or Sodium Laurel/Laureth and DEA) I've tried several brands. I've tried expensive brands that actually have all that nasty stuff and lots of silicone, which gives the illusion of soft hair...for awhile. Until your hair is coated with silicone and needs to be clarified, or until I realized that my hair was actually drying out. My Holy Grail of conditioners, Terax Crema, has a permanent place in my hair arsenal, and manages to make my hair silky soft without coating it in gunk. Crema also makes a perfect leave in, so I take a dime size drop in my hand post shower and rub it into the ends. This is more effective than any silicone shine serum I have ever used- and trust me- I've used them all. I have my favourite protein treatments that I do from time to time- my Joico K-Pak and my Thann Shiso Hair Mask. These conditioners sink right in to the hair and work miracles, turning dry lifeless strands to silky perfection. Add to that my new found anti frizz secret of wrapping my wet hair post shower in a cotton t-shirt- yes, a t shirt- and my hair has never been softer. More on the cotton t-shirt secret in another post....

Use enough silicone & this look could be yours!

Silicones have become ubiquitous these days as they are a cheap way to fool people into thinking their hair is suddenly healthy and smooth. 99% of products that claim to be full of healthy oils (argan is the most popular claim) are actually mostly silicone. I get very frustrated at when I see otherwise intelligent women  about a miracle product that has changed their hair, when all they have to do is read the label to realize their hair is exactly the same, it has just been coated in silicone. The old "time to switch shampoos" thing should never happen, and only does when your hair is so coated that nothing can penetrate the gunk on your hair.

Soft, frizz-free hair....

Now those foaming agents aren't really the devil, but they do make the shampoo a little harsher than necessary, as they are more like dishwashing detergent and can dry the hair over time. They do serve a purpose though, as some products will build up in our hair. Styling products and, the worst offender in my opinion, hard water. Some water is so harsh it makes my hair feel like straw due to the mineral build up. In cases like that, using a clarifying shampoo (ie one without silicone and with foaming agents- my favourite is Neutrogena's classic) and the occasional diluted vinegar rinse helps restore your hair to a more virgin condition.

So- Live Clean, I say? I saw them at the drugstore, read the ingredients, and thought, for under $7 a bottle, this is worth a try. I may even have been in a rush. Part of me was convinced nothing so cheap could be effective. Well, I was wrong. This was last year some time and Live Clean has become a staple in all our showers. My faves are the Fresh Water Moisturizing formula and the Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying formula. I don't think the clarifying formula is as harsh as one with SLS or foaming agents, but it smells amazing and when used on the roots/scalp, makes my hair soft and bouncy. Its perfect in summer for those hot summer days. It has a soft sweet green apple smell that reminds me of some beauty product from the 70s. If anyone has an idea of what that could be, tell me! Its so nostalgic....The Fresh Water Moisturizing shampoo just smells gently clean and you can feel how gentle it is as it rinses out and your hair feels soft. I really feel like the Live Clean line has simplified my shower routine.  The conditioners don't excite me, but my long, thick, coarse and high-lighted hair needs more than a detangler.  I tried the Live Clean Argan Oil line and found the sweet smell overpowering and the oil just weighed my hair down. The Apple Cider and Fresh Water formulas, however, are amazing. My hair has never been in better condition.

...it's not a lot to ask for...right?

Have you tried the Live Clean line? It is available at almost any drugstore and all of the products are under $10. Neat fact- Live Clean is a Canadian line.

Goody Double Wear Bands- Fun, Fashionable & Functional!

I don't know a person with long hair who has not, at one time or another, worn elastic bands on their wrists. I do it all the time. One of the things I love about the Goody blonde ponytail holders is that they are skin tone so they don't look *that* bad when worn on my wrist.  More functional than pretty, but they are close by when I need them. Well imagine my delight to find Goody Double Wear Bands! Fine they are black, but with your choice of silver or gold accents there is something for everyone! I actually like to wear both but am quite keen on the gold. My daughter wears exclusively silver/white gold so the silver ones are quite chic on her. 

How fun are these!

They actually look so cool one could forget how flipping functional they are! They look so cute but also do what Goody does best when you need them- hold up your hair! And for the women in this house, holding up all this hair is not for amateurs! I was thinking how familiar they looked...they were reminding me of something I'd seen in a magazine. Then I remembered. The Accessories & Beyond brand of elastics that retail for $70 for 15....vs $5 for 3 of the Goody Doublewear. People, may I remind you that we are talking about hair elastics. That, dear reader, is where Fashion meets Victim. Do. Not. Do.

Goody Double Wear bands are available wherever Goody is sold- Walmart, Target etc.

Thann Shiso Mask for Amazingly Beautiful & Silky Hair

I was at one of my favourite beauty/lifestyle/spa boutiques the other day- it is called Thann. If you are not familiar with this stunning boutique, Thann is a boutique that features a range of all-natural hair, skin, and body care, for women and men, formulated from botanicals and essential oils by combining the art of natural therapy with modern science. All products are dermatologically tested, paraben free suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types, and they use recycled packaging, support human rights, oppose child labour and all kind of wonderful things. You can read more on Thann’s website.

We are quite lucky to have a Thann boutique here in Ottawa, as they are an Asian based company with only one shop in North America, the rest are in Asia and Europe and Australia. You can shop online though, which you will definitely want to do. The Canadian site ships anywhere in the US as well. Especially if you have hair that is coarse, dry, colour treated, or suffering from a summer spent in the sunshine.

They do resemble mint leaves....

Thann Shiso Hair Mask is part of their famous Shiso line. Shiso is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties and is an anti-oxidant. Shiso is a valuable ingredient widely used in medical, food, and cosmetic industries worldwide. It also has a fresh smell, almost like a green tea/mint combination, that I adore. There is an entire Shiso skincare line that is definitely worth exploring.

The owner of our beautiful Thann Boutique, Fadi, saw my long thick coarse hair and recommended the Shiso Mask. A quick skim of the ingredients told me it did not have silicone. This appealed to me immediately, as I am OVER having my hair coated with grease. This only offers the illusion of silky hair, and that illusion does not last. He explained the benefits of the proteins, shiso and other ingredients, and I was sold. I was out of Joico K-Pak, which has been my go-to protein treatment forever, and was willing to try something new. And I’m so glad I did! My hair was literally transformed. Smooth, silky and shiny, my hair would just slip out of my hands. The coarse dry ends were eliminated. But- the scent! Oh wow does this stuff smell divine! And the scent lingers in my hair for days. Not strong, but if I get a bit warm or my hair goes in front of my face, I get a hint of that lovely fresh oddly floral tea. My hair is impenetrable by anything other than uber effective product. I have tried so many “deep conditioners” that do nothing for my hair, and some leave it impossible to get a comb through. So for a product to work, and to work so well, is almost miraculous.

Not a dry strand to be found- this is bouncin' & behavin' hair!

Verdict: Thann Shiso Hair Mask has earned a permanent place in my hair arsenal for sure. I got my Thann Shiso Hair Mask at Thann Boutique in Ottawa, 100ml tube for $33. I have very thick hair that is halfway down my back so my usage will be different than for someone with different type of hair.

Beautiful Fall Hair Freshen Up

After driving my cabrio all summer, and just being out in the sun, my summer highlights were completely bleached out. I wasn't ready to re-do the highlights but needed to refresh my 'do. Time for a toner! I go lighter than my roots but a wee bit darker than my highlights. Toners also smooth the hair cuticle so my hair feels soft silky and smooth. Not to mention shiny! Check it out!

Random Act of Beauty

Sometimes I just see something so pretty I want to share it with everyone. It's not surprising that those beautiful things often include my daughters! Lately the girls have been crafting jewellery. They love the feather earrings that are everywhere these days but being the crafty girls they are, they wanted to create their own designs. Well that they did, in every colour of the rainbow! Emilie was leaving the house the other day wearing a pair that I just love. Beautiful bright blue feathers mixed with natural brown feathers accented with gorgeous moonstones! It was a steamy hot sunny day and she had just whipped up her hair into two fishtail braids. Braids of all shapes and sizes are everywhere this summer and I love the casual yet pretty way they get our hair out of the way. Did you see the beautiful Kristin demonstrate another pretty braid over BeautyXpose? Love it! I am thinking of adding videos to my blog and Emilie could do a terrific tutorial on fishtails. I can never get them as perfect as she does! Anyways, I thought this was a lovely boho look and I just wanted to share! What is your fave way to put your hair up in the summer?

Goody Spirals into a Beautiful Bun

Hot on the heels of my Goody Modern Updo pin, Spin Pins (review coming soon) is the Goody Simple Styles Bun Spiral pin, pictured above next to the mini Spin Pins. Isn't it neat? It is so new and hot that it hasn’t even made it onto the Goody website yet or I would link to it J Anyhow, those of you with longish to long hair probably do a pony tail or the messy bun in an elastic band trick when you want your hair up. Fine and functional, but not really pretty. I love the look of a bun but find the struggle with bobby pins a bit much, and even if I buy some, I rarely have enough on hand to make a nice bun. It just feels, well, formal, and requires more work than I am up for.

I feel like Black Swan kicked off a ballet style fashion kick that I love. Soft and feminine without any of the countless hours of practice or sore toes. I covet the cashmere outfits that Natalie Portman wore and love the elegant look of the ballet bun. It showcases the neck, making it look long and, well, swan-like- in a good way not a crazy way. The bun is a perfect look coming into warmer weather and a stylish and chic way to deal with a bad hair day.

slightly messy with a rogue section but I love it!

So the Simple Styles Bun Spiral pin is super cool and makes a pretty bun a no brainer. The way I used it is to start with a pony tail, high up on the back of my head. Using a wide tooth comb or fingers I back comb the pony to give it some texture then twist loosely into a bun shape. I squish the bun through the Bun Spiral (with the red tips facing down) and twist and turn the pin clockwise until it hits scalp. It doesn’t pull or pinch and holds even my thick heavy mop in place. I suppose if I was plié-ing and pas-de-deux-ing around it might wiggle loose but for my purposes it works perfectly! 

I can hardly believe I made this bun in less than 2 minutes!

One of my favourite things about the Simple Styles line is that they are metal. My hair is thick and I have lost track of the number of plastic hair accessories that have just snapped into pieces while I try to secure them in place. Not an issue with a solid metal piece, this will last forever. There is nothing to snag or pull on your hair so it is gentle and comfortable. Verdict? Love.

see how cute? easy to toss in my purse

As with all the Goody Simple Styles tools, this comes in light or dark colours to best compliment your hair, and in Canada is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart (where I got mine) for around $7. I saw them on sale for $2.99 at Shoppers last week though so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for deals. Have you tried the Goody Simple Styles tools? 

Terax Crema Conditioner for Silky Beautiful Hair

In my efforts to purge silicones from my hair routine I ended up revisiting an old favourite hair conditioner. You know, the products you love because they do exactly what you want and expect them to do, but that you set aside one day because something allegedly better comes along….then time goes by, more products come along, and the fabulous product you loved so much gets forgotten. Such was the case with the cult favourite (for a Reason) Terax Crema Conditioner. Now, I am often let down by “Cult Favourites” as my expectations are unreasonably high. But Crema did what it should do, which was make my hair smooth and soft and not weigh it down. It actually claims to alter the PH of the hair, making the cuticle somehow more open to moisture. I’m dubious on that claim and wonder if some ad copy translator took a liberty or two. Terax is an Italian company and seems to specialize in products that work well on thick  hair that has been processed, and/or spent a lot of time in the sun and the sea.

I’ve written earlier about my love for Living Proof but I do have an issue with their smoothing/straight making products. They build up in the hair. Its so light that you can’t feel it, it doesn’t add weight. But after 10 days to 2 weeks of continual use my hair becomes flat, dead and dry as I feel the ends cannot be conditioned properly due to the build up. So, I might use it if I plan to blow dry and want a smooth look for a special occasion, but not more often than that. And if you have been paying attention to the style mags, stick straight F L A T hair is thankfully passé. While I may not be keen on the frizzy styles that I have seen, a more natural bouncy and yes, even slightly poufy look is “In” right now. Can I get a hallelujah?

One thing has most definitely changed since I first tried Crema 15 or so years ago. The scent. Um- what the heck. The only way I can describe this…scent, after some help from my hair twin /15 year old daughter is, um, wet dog. Amazingly unpleasant, blessedly short lived and not lingering. I just don’t get it and wonder if some ingredient they used in the past became unavailable. There are conflicting reports of the scent online which makes me wonder could it be a weird musk scent, as musks are notorious for being shape shifter that are unbearable for some and invisible to others. I read a review that said it smelled like “beef”? I don’t get that at all, just an odd funk but as I said, it disappears almost immediately upon application and the fact that it turns my hair into silk helps. There is a soft lingering cream like scent but it is almost unnoticeable.

Look ma, no straight iron!

Now that I am being more analytical and practical with my approach to the functionality of beautyproducts, I have yet to find anything that comes close to the efficacy of Crema. I have a secret though, and those of you with dry, frizzy hair, processed, thick and/or strawlike hair need to know. I use Terax Crema as  Leave In Conditioner as well. This was a game changer for me. We all know why a silicone is a nice “idea”, put it on your wet hair, then as it dries it won’t frizz or pouffe up. Sadly, over time silicone just accumulates and then none of your conditioners can touch your hair and you have to use harsh shampoos to get the silicone out, only to start all over again. Silicone gives you a false sense of soft hair, if you will. Not the case with Crema. After I take my hair out of the towel and before combing it out (with a wide tooth comb) I take a dollop the size of a quarter and rub into the ends of my hair. Taa-daa! Softer and silkier than any silicone could muster up, and I can almost feel my hair soaking it up.

Smooth & silky but not pin straight aka dead looking

Another neat thing about Crema is that a little goes a long way. Some conditioners just disappear into my hair instantly requiring massive amounts in order to cover all my hair. Not Crema. And, it offers daily aka regular conditioning if left on for 1-2 minutes or, deep conditioning if left on for 15 minutes. Gotta love the multitasking properties of this product. Regular, deep and leave in conditioner= WIN! 

Natural & fun hair...FTW

I use this with Neutrogena Clarifying Shampoo (once every couple weeks, to remove build up from hard water etc) or, more regularly, with the bargain-o-rama Live Clean Moisturizing Shampoo. I love the Terax Shamp Latte clarifying milk shampoo as well but it’s hard to find. For a more moisturizing shampoo they have a honey line, Miele, which is lovely and gentle, and from what I recall, smells really good. I buy Terax Crema from my stylist but I have also seen it at Winners. Sephora has it on their website. A 17oz jug is around $48 but seriously, it will last forever. I have hair halfway down my back and shampoo twice a week and would say maybe 4-6 months with one jug. I get the smaller tube for travel and just refill it. Perfect!

Smooth Beautiful Hair by Living Proof

My daughter Brigit and I have been officially using Living Proof No-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner exclusively for the past 3 weeks. Wow! Colour us impressed. I am still amazed at how when I comb out my wet hair I need no leave in conditioner spray or cream, and no smoothing serums. Seriously- this is a first. I had a few more highlights and lowlights done 2 weeks ago and that usually dries my hair out a bit necessitating extra conditioning, serum, detangling etc etc. Not anymore. Did I mentioned that I am amazed?

Brigit and I took the Straight Styling Cream for a test drive and we are both loving it. Again, I need to stress the lack of extra products used. 

For smooth straight hair I have always needed:

- deep conditioner

- leave in conditioner

- silicone serum/ Moroccan oil type product

- spray on silicone shine serum

- smoothing cream

Wow. Not low maintenance at all which explains my extreme laziness and refusal to blow dry my mop. No more! All I need is Living Proof Shampoo and Conditioner and Straight Styling Cream and my hair is soft, silky, flowing, smooth and straight. I still have a bit of my wave come through, which is fine with me. Public Service Announcement ladies- the pin straight, flat ironed hair look is OUT. It looks dead and unnatural, which is never a good thing. Pics are from my phone so not the best quality but  you get the idea.....it feels as a soft as it looks! Brigit had the straight blow dry but went to leadership camp this weekend. She was too tired for a blow dry and is curly today. But, they are smooth pretty curls!

Living Proof products are available online on the Living Proof website and on the Sephora website, and in Sephora stores as well.

My Beautiful Hair by Living Proof No Frizz

Last week I decided to finally take the Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner for a test drive. I have been really skeptical, as I made what I now know was the mistake of using only the styling cream without the shampoo and conditioner. Which I had been told, but I tend to think that is hype so I had purchased a tiny bottle of the Wave/Curl Cream for Thick/Coarse hair only to be disappointed. After going through the Brazilian Blow Dry mania I thought I would at least make an effort to smooth and control my mane with products as opposed to a very expensive semi permanent treatment.

Color me SOLD on Living Proof. I have been making a concerted effort to rid my hair and my styling routine of sulfates, which strip and dry out the hair, and of silicones, which coat and weigh down hair. Sulfates have a place in my routine as a bi-weekly clarifying treatment but the fact is 90% of shampoos contain these chemicals. They offer a lovely lather that people seem to need to feel clean, but other than that they are far too harsh for our hair. I have long thick hair that is highlighted so dry ends are a reality for me. Sulfates exacerbate this condition. So in an attempt to calm and smooth my stripped and dry ends, I would apply silicone products to my hair to coat and smooth. Now it’s true that the first few times we use silicone it seems miraculous. We get silky smooth flowing hair….for awhile. Then, the silicone builds up and our expensive favourite conditioners cannot even touch our hair let alone be effective. So the cycle begins…sulfates to strip, then deep condition, then smooth with silicone because even the deep conditioner doesn’t work on your poor hair that has been stripped dry of every ounce of healthy shine and bounce.  Living Proof touts a miracle ingredient that coats the hair that is a teeny molecule hardly visible when compared to silicone. I am no scientist but you can learn more about it here.

So I have purged my shower of sulfates except for one clarifying product to be used sparingly. I only use conditioner without silicone, spray on/leave in conditioner without (yes silicone is in almost every conditioner out there) and I use a smoothing and curling product without silicone (yes…it is everywhere). But still, there was the frizz, the pouf , the flyaways. I would have to coat my hair with conditioner after shampooing and leave it in….it was ok but let’s just say there were a lot of steps. My path to low maintenance hair was fraught with obstacles…

Enter Living Proof No-Frizz. All I can say is OH MY GOD. Trust me when I say I have spent thousands of dollars on products and treatments to smooth my hair over the years. And all it took was one shampoo, one conditioner, and one styling product? They do have a scent, so if you like scent free, these are not. But it is a benign soft citrus woody scent that does not smell like plastic fruit or candy, which is my issue with most hair care products. And it doesn’t last long at all so it won’t interfere with your perfume- key for me as my friends will attest. I did one thorough shampoo and then used a wide tooth comb to distribute the conditioner throughout my hair and left it on for a few minutes. Wow. For the first time in memory, after I used the shampoo and conditioner, I did not need a spray on detangler to comb my hair after I took it out of the towel. I combed it out, applied the Living Proof Wave/Curl Cream for my hair type (thick to coarse). Coarse might be applying to the ahem, few greys that are scattered throughout my hair. I gently combed and scrunched the curl cream to distribute it well. I let it air dry while I applied my moisturizers, lotions and potions, and make up. I then lightly diffused and blew dry a few sections on the top to give a slightly styled feel to my curls and stood there amazed. Smooth silky hair. But that is not the best part. The best part is waking up the next day with the same smooth waves. And the next day. I read somewhere that the miracle ingredient in Living Proof somehow repels oil and dirt and I can attest to this. Here is the kicker. Day 6 of my test drive was in Toronto where for some freakish reason the weather was 34 degrees with gusts of 80km/hour winds. And guess what? My hair, after I combed it (that wind!) was perfect. No frizz!

So. If you are frizz challenged, run, don’t walk, to Sephora and get thee some Living Proof. You can also purchase from their website and The Shopping Channel. You can get nifty little trial kits for your hair type, which is what I got. I plan to reuse the little bottles for travel because I have purchased the big bottles. SOLD!

Stay tuned for my review of the Living Proof No Frizz Straight Styling Cream. I’m still dubious that any one product will be able to achieve a straight smooth frizz free finish on my hair, but, after my experience with Living Proof so far, I am willing to try!


Hair courtesy of Living Proof, and my No Make Up Make Up look :)

disclosure: all products used in this review were purchased by me

Beautiful Hair & The Brazilian Blowout™…Do We Want This?

The Brazilian Blowout™ has been all the buzz lately among those of us craving low maintenance, silky hair with minimal or zero blow dry time. A good friend of mine from LA who is plugged into the beauty/fashion scene there says that pretty much EVERY star has it done. You know, the ones you see in the tabloids, frolicking on the beach in say, Hawaii, with silky hair? Yes Jennifer Anniston I am looking at you. What the heck? How is this even possible? Watch the first season of The Mentalist and note the lovely Robin Tunney’s hair. Very thick and wavy- I’ve met her and can attest to her hair texture. Yes I am weird that way. Now. Watch the last/current season. Her hair is flowing and shiny- like silk and she has the Brazilian Blowout™ to thank for that.

First there were the scary Japanese Keratin Treatments that were full of formaldehydes. On our heads?? In our hair?? YIKES! I think not. It just didn’t seem worth it.

Then, came the healthier protein based Keratin Treatments. Yes these really did seem to offer a miracle. You will have silky, smooth FRIZZ FREE hair for months. However, the process was intense. Three hours of shampoos, drying, applications, straightening etc in the salon, which renders your hair completely flat and lifeless until you shampoo it. And no shampooing, touching, pinning back, putting behind your ears- basically anything that could bend the hair- for three days. I watched my dear friend Vicki go through it this past summer. Now there is no question the final result was worth it as her hair is lovely and flowy which makes her a very happy camper. But. She would not leave her house for those long 3 days as her hair basically looked like oily spaghetti.

Enter the Brazilian Blowout™ (cue heavenly choirs) which does IT ALL in one afternoon at the salon with no wait time for the final result. If you are wavy or curly your waves/curls will be slightly relaxed or perhaps a better word is calmed. None of the flat dead hair that straightening irons have brought upon us. That look is unnatural and unflattering and we do not want to go there. My salon and stylist here in Ottawa has just started offering The Brazilian Blowout™ as an alternative of what my friend had done. I’ve had several friends ask me about it as I referred to it here and I have recommended it to a few hair challenged friends as well. Now even I am beginning to be tempted by the prospect of a speedy blow dry and ready-to-go hair. The cost is probably in the $200-$350 range for 10-12 weeks of blow dry ready hair that gets softer and silkier with every treatment. Yeah that’s right. It makes your hair healthier.

Do we want this? I am seriously considering it….are you?

Beautiful Top Five In My Purse (this week....)

1.      MAC Blot Powder: If you have oily skin, or if your skin tends to get shiny throughout the day you MUST HAVE THIS. It does come in different colours but you will be hard pressed (lol) to see an actual colour on your skin. It absorbs oils and somehow manages to hide redness. I don’t use foundation, just a little concealer and this patted on lasts for hours. Even if I don’t touch up for several hours I just get a bit “glowy” not super shiny. It is so fine milled that it does not settle into lines or get cakey, nor does it turn orange. Using an old fashioned powder puff (that comes with, and you can buy replacements from MAC) it’s easy to just dab on when no one is looking, and VOILA perfect pore less skin.

2.    Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Cream: Dry skin is a pet peeve of mine and I need to be able to moisturize anytime, anywhere. Although for all over moisturizing my holy grail is Kiehl’s Crème de Corps I have not been able to find a small tube of this to carry. The Palmers is fantastic. I touch a lot of doors during my day so I wash my hands a lot, and the Palmers keeps my hands and cuticles soft. I use the excess on elbows, and, if I’m feeling a bit dehydrated I may even gently dab some on under my eyes and on my décolletage. In the summer with bare legs I keep my knees soft and my skin supple- all before getting out of my car for an appointment.

3.      Mini atomizers for perfume: You know the little sample sprayers you get with perfume- some come pre-made or at Sephora they will make custom sprayers of whatever scent you would like to sample. I keep my favourite perfumes in these little babies in my cosmetic bag so I can refresh throughout the day. Or even more fun- if a friend tells me I smell so good and wants to know what I am wearing, I can just give her a sample. Anyone who knows me will confirm I feel naked without my perfume so this is a must have. I buy them in bulk, around $25 for 50 2.5ml atomizers. Perfect for travel as well. 

4.       Smashbox O Plump: This gloss is simply genius. A small tube of gloss that packs a beauty 1-2 punch. This is one of those intuitive glosses that change color according to the wearer. The color ranges from a nice bitten pink to a slightly more coral look depending on who I’ve seen it on. On me, it is a “my lips but better” pink with a  soft gloss on top. The shiny gloss doesn’t last long, but the color is almost a stain effect and lasts long enough to make me happy. I am NOT a lipstick person and have learned not to expect long lasting miracles for color. O Plump adds a soft plumping/moisturizing effect without discomfort, stinging or that weird cinnamon hot pepper plumping that can be quite uncomfortable for some. Adding: this is not to be confused with the O Glow, which gave me pink popsicle lips. Not what I was going for…..

5.  Sephora Sephora Wide Tooth Comb: I have long thick and wavy hair that tends to get messy (maybe driving my car with an open sunroof/window might have something to do with that…..) and I have found the best way to prevent frizz and to maintain my waves is to gently run a wide tooth comb through my hair. Ladies, if you have thick wavy hair and you are using a brush…unless you have straightened it or have a Brazilian Blow Dry, you are only making matters worse! Trust me, I have road tested every possible method for keeping frizz, stringiness and matting at bay. Using a wide tooth comb is the only way to keep those foxy curls.

What is your Top 5? Are there any items you cannot live without in your purse?