I.C.O.N. India Line For Heavenly Hair

I love I.C.O.N. hair products- MESH Styling Cream (also known as the best curl cream ever) and CURE Conditioning Spray are permanent parts of my hair care routine and I can't imagine not having them. Not only do they work perfectly, but they smell like heaven. I.C.O.N. is known for the beautiful scents they use in their hair care line, and it just enhances the incredible effectiveness of each product. I have been asked what perfume I am using when I wear MESH in my hair, of course usually only when someone is *that* close to my hair....

ICON India Oil Shampoo, Conditioner & a touch of serum does this.

I was keen to try their ICON India line after seeing it at my salon. After my stylist used the India shampoo and conditioner on my hair, I floated away on the gorgeous scent of ambery goodness and  silkiness left behind by the active ingredient, Moringa Oil. I knew they had to come home with me. They are the same gorgeous top quality products I have come to expect from ICON, and you can feel it the minute you pour it into your hands. ICON India Shampoo is thick and rich, with a pearly look to it, and even on my massive mop of hair, I only need to use the tiniest amount. The lather is medium, not crazy, and it rinses out beautifully, and my hair feels soft and smooth, not oily or matted. As Goldilocks would say, "just right". And the sultry amber scent wafts in the steam of the shower. It is exotic and wonderful, sort of a woodsy amber, and would work wonderfully on a man as well. Not a "girly" scent, and frankly, it smells expensive.

The ICON India Conditioner is just as wonderful. It has a thick almost paste like consistency, yet melts into my hair beautifully. Again, an unbelievably small amount is all it takes. I apply it from mid point of my hair (around the ears) to the ends, massage it in as much as possible, then use a wide tooth comb to distribute it evenly. I like to do this right after shampooing, and that right after I get in the shower. Tip: this way I am able to leave the conditioner on for as long as possible while I go through the rest of the shower routine. So it's like a mini deep conditioning treatment everytime I use it. It rinses out beautifully and my hair feels soft and bouncy. Tip: I often like to use a nickel sized amount of conditioner as a leave-in product, especially if my hair has been punished by sun, sea or pool water. I apply to the ends of my hair after I take my hair out of the towel, and scrunch it in, then comb through. This is helpful for dry or coarse hair, but would likely be too heavy for finer that hasn't been abused by highlights.

I am seriously in love with the ICON India line! Stay tuned for my review of the India Oil serum (yes- I am using a serum....) and their India Healing Spray (just got it today!) which is a protein rich repairing leave in treatment. How exciting!

No frizz on a hot summer morning. Seriously, this is right out of bed.
 NO COMB.

I.C.O.N. India line and their other products are available online and from authorized salons.

Gorgeous For Earth Day With Live Clean & Weleda

Anselm Feuerbach, Gaia*, 1875

Its not hard to find things make you look and feel beautiful, are gentle and natural and are good for the planet. Two of my fave lines fit this criteria perfectly. Live Clean is one of my favourite hair & skin care lines, everything is gentle, effective, softly scented and there is something for every need- you can read about Live Clean here. Weleda has long been respected as having quality products and a respect for the earth around them- you can read their philosophy & mission here.

My latest Live Clean discovery is one specially designed for dry, colour treated hair, their Professional Damage Therapy Collection. This amazing collection l uses a unique combination of essential vitamins and nutrients that seals damaged cuticles, improves hair strength and texture and mends split ends. The unique formulation "enhances moisture retention with no heavy buildup and increases resistance to breakage". Their Professional Damage Therapy Split End Cream, which is like a deep conditioner, is bloody miraculous and you notice immediately that your hair looks and feels softer, smoother and bouncier. That product along with the gorgeous Restoring Spray, a leave in conditioner, make every day a Breck Girl day. The leave in conditioner smells so incredible! I also got these products for my 16 year old daughter who has the same hair as I do- super thick and wavy with a slightly coarse texture that tends to have dryness at the ends. We have been known to snap combs and brushes in our hair. The Split End Cream + the Restoring Spray is like a hair miracle. All without silicones! Best part? Smells like heaven. It has a rich, creamy scent, perhaps sort of woodsy? Its a clean scent without being soapy or floral. I even use the Restoring Spray to refresh my waves/style on dry hair. Softens and conditions without weighing hair down. Love it!

I've been really liking my Weleda One Step Cleanser & Toner- you can read my review here. But they also have a terrific Refining Toner. Now, while the One Step product doesn't require a toner, per say, the refining toner is more than just a simple skin refresher. I just put a little on a cotton pad to use before I spritz a little rosewater on and then moisturize. It helps to purify the skin and refine the pores after cleaning. An astringent rose leaf helps to clarify the skin, and vitamin C, which has skin brightening properties, refines the skin. It feels like it gives you that little bit extra, especially if you are like me and your skin tends to oil and shine. It has a fresh spa-like scent that only Weleda can do, and I love the way it smells and makes my skin feel. Of course, it's in the gorgeous cobalt blue glass bottle that has looks and feels elegant. Another love!

So there are two little Earth Day suggestions from me. What are your fave planet friendly prodz?

Doesn't this just make you want to hug a tree? And have a Coke? Ok, a Diet Coke...

* From Wickipedia: Gaia  /ˈɡeɪ.ə/ or /ˈɡaɪ.ə/; from Ancient Greek Γαῖα, a poetical form of Γῆ, "land" or "earth";^[1] also Gaea, or Ge) was the goddess or personification of Earth in ancient Greek religion,^[2] one of the Greek primordial deities. Gaia was the great mother of all: the heavenly gods, the Titans and the Giants were born from her union withUranus (the sky), while the sea-gods were born from her union with Pontus (the sea).

Peter Lamas Avocado & Olive Ultra Smoothing Line Is Amazing

My search for gentle and moisturizing hair products is an ongoing one. Often products that claim to do this are full of silicones and other stuff that actually just build up on hair. It may work the first few times but eventually will have a boomerang effect on your hair as it dries out underneath the layers of leftover product. Peter Lamas makes a natural line of moisturizing and soothing hair products, The Naturals, that are loved and used by many Hollywood lovelies with enviable gorgeous healthy hair. 

Well, needless to say, I am in love and the Avocado & Olive Oil Shampoo and Conditioner are my new favourite products. The shampoo smells like a lovely black tea with a touch of citrus, and the conditioner has a gentle sandalwood scent. Both are soft and gentle and make these products completely unisex in scent. Nicely done, as girly stuff can tend to smell like a bouquet of flowers or the manly stuff like Axe. The Naturals smell beautiful and high quality. My hair felt smooth right away after shampooing, in the shower. This is always a good sign as a harsh shampoo can make my hair a wooly mammoth mess that needs a bucket of conditioner to calm. Again- using the cotton t-shirt hair wrap after the shower has made a difference as well. Silky smooth hair is mine! I can't stress enough how my hair can be like Crusty The Clown if I don't look after it, so trust me, the photos of my hair are testimony to Peter Lamas The Naturals awesomeness.

I got a sample of the Chinese Herbs Styling Cream that smells amazing and makes my hair shiny and soft. Its full of rice proteins and good stuff that conditions as it controls. It does have a touch of silicone but it is one of the last ingredients so it is not a concern. I plan on getting a full size of this one as well. I used it on my hair twin daughters long blond locks as well and it made her thick coarse hair silky too. 

Indirect light...no frizz, baby!

Shiny in the sun...

So silky....

It's quite sunny. You can tell by the sunglasses

No pouffiness but not flat either. Perfect! 

Peter Lamas products are available online via their site. The shampoo and conditioner are each $18 for a large 350ml bottle. Canadians can buy it here, US residents here.

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.

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.

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!