Weekend Reads

Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog had another Manic Monday and two readers will have a FLABuLESS day by winning FLABuLESS shapewear. Enter now to be FLABuLESS in the skin you're in!

Alison of the Advice Sisters has discovered Tooth Soap, a cool way to clean your mouth and actually have fun, doing it!

Viva Woman finds out if green tea can help with slimming.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido's Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara.

Georgia at Neon Bible lists her favourite Beauty Products under $10.00.

Beauty411 shares her recommendations for the Best Winter Lip Treatments!

Face Candy shows you how to get Gossip Girl Style for less.

At Fabulous Over Forty see what Beauty on a Budget product Hollywood stars loved at Sundance.

The Makeup Divas reviews Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder.

Could you use $25 to buy whatever you want on Sephora.com? Beauty Junkies Unite is giving away a $25 Sephora.com eGift Certificate!

Win a 12-piece brush collection from More than a Pretty Face and Beauty Strokes!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews a mineral foundation unlike any other she has used before. Read about it here!

MissWhoever You Are reviews the new Kiss My Face SOS collection and SIX lucky readers will have a chance to win three glosses. What are you waiting for?!!Head on over there now!!

Boutique Flair reviews Dea Bella Eyelash Conditioner. Did it live up to its lofty claim of more beautiful lashes in 2-8 weeks and is it worth $150 per tube? Click here to find out!

Beauty Blvd. has a new GIVEAWAY! Win the entire Kiss My Face SOS Collection! That's 6 lip shimmers and 6 glosses!

Calling all Curls! AHS is giving away a bottle of Curls new Curl Gel-les'c just tell me why you have the most envious curls! Enter to WIN!

Lipstick Addict makes a review on Magic Lips Sunblock with SPF25 It's a steal for less than $2 dollars!

Feel like you need a little lovin'? Beauty Beast has all the details on the limited edition Valentine's Day goodies from LUSH

CaliforniaCosmetics shows you how to Step Into Spring with details from the new Coach 2009 Spring Shoe Collection.

eye4style is giving away $189 worth of Wei East skincare! Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Glossypink scopes out some gorgeous spring beauty trends straight from the runway!

This weekend is your last chance to enter to win an Anastasia Highlight Brow Kit from the girls at Beauty in Real Life. Click here to enter.

I Heart Heels has the scoop on a celeb fav: Mary Norton clutches!

Looking for your love potion? Get ready for Valentine's Day - The Beauty Blog reviews The Top Ten Most Romantic Perfumes.

Did you know that the original creator of Bare Minerals has another very popular mineral makeup? Mineral Makeup Reviews reviews Colorescience Mineral Makeup.

Suzanne at RN Guide to Skin Care discusses the Best Facial Cleanser.

Hot Beauty Health shares with you 6 beauty items a Gal just can't live without.

Butterfly Diary reviews Ojon's organic new Batana Collection.

It's Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train week at Beauty Blogging Junkie! Click here to find out what products under $10 Amber recommends for recessionistas everywhere.

Enter to win a Beauty.com/Drugstore.com gift bag from the Sundance Film Festival at Makeup Bag.

Phantom Goddess shows you how and where to get fabulous discounts on makeup at Phantom Goddess's Beauty Obsessions.

This week, Spoiled Pretty is hosting three amazing giveaways. Enter to win Benefit's new CORALista blush, China Glaze's Romantique nail polish collection, and a Sundance Film Festival beauty swag bag!

The Beauty Alchemist tests & lovesMAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

The Jet Set Girlsreview the Sally Hershberger Face Place in New York City.

Indian Girl gives you the scoop on awesome lip treats for $7.95 from your drugstore

Weekend Reading!

Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog had another Manic Monday and two readers will have a FLABuLESS day by winning FLABuLESS shapewear. Enter now to be FLABuLESS in the skin you're in!

Alison of the Advice Sisters has discovered Tooth Soap, a cool way to clean your mouth and actually have fun, doing it!

Viva Woman finds out if green tea can help with slimming.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido's Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara.

Georgia at Neon Bible lists her favourite Beauty Products under $10.00.

Beauty411 shares her recommendations for the Best Winter Lip Treatments!

Face Candy shows you how to get Gossip Girl Style for less.

At Fabulous Over Forty see what Beauty on a Budget product Hollywood stars loved at Sundance.

The Makeup Divas reviews Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder.

Could you use $25 to buy whatever you want on Sephora.com? Beauty Junkies Unite is giving away a $25 Sephora.com eGift Certificate!

Win a 12-piece brush collection from More than a Pretty Face and Beauty Strokes!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews a mineral foundation unlike any other she has used before. Read about it here!

MissWhoever You Are reviews the new Kiss My Face SOS collection and SIX lucky readers will have a chance to win three glosses. What are you waiting for?!!Head on over there now!!

Boutique Flair reviews Dea Bella Eyelash Conditioner. Did it live up to its lofty claim of more beautiful lashes in 2-8 weeks and is it worth $150 per tube? Click here to find out!

Beauty Blvd. has a new GIVEAWAY! Win the entire Kiss My Face SOS Collection! That's 6 lip shimmers and 6 glosses!

Calling all Curls! AHS is giving away a bottle of Curls new Curl Gel-les'c just tell me why you have the most envious curls! Enter to WIN!

Lipstick Addict makes a review on Magic Lips Sunblock with SPF25 It's a steal for less than $2 dollars!

Feel like you need a little lovin'? Beauty Beast has all the details on the limited edition Valentine's Day goodies from LUSH

CaliforniaCosmetics shows you how to Step Into Spring with details from the new Coach 2009 Spring Shoe Collection.

eye4style is giving away $189 worth of Wei East skincare! Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Glossypink scopes out some gorgeous spring beauty trends straight from the runway!

This weekend is your last chance to enter to win an Anastasia Highlight Brow Kit from the girls at Beauty in Real Life. Click here to enter.

I Heart Heels has the scoop on a celeb fav: Mary Norton clutches!

Looking for your love potion? Get ready for Valentine's Day - The Beauty Blog reviews The Top Ten Most Romantic Perfumes.

Did you know that the original creator of Bare Minerals has another very popular mineral makeup? Mineral Makeup Reviews reviews Colorescience Mineral Makeup.

Suzanne at RN Guide to Skin Care discusses the Best Facial Cleanser.

Hot Beauty Health shares with you 6 beauty items a Gal just can't live without.

Butterfly Diary reviews Ojon's organic new Batana Collection.

It's Don't Need No Credit Card To Ride This Train week at Beauty Blogging Junkie! Click here to find out what products under $10 Amber recommends for recessionistas everywhere.

Enter to win a Beauty.com/Drugstore.com gift bag from the Sundance Film Festival at Makeup Bag.

Phantom Goddess shows you how and where to get fabulous discounts on makeup at Phantom Goddess's Beauty Obsessions.

This week, Spoiled Pretty is hosting three amazing giveaways. Enter to win Benefit's new CORALista blush, China Glaze's Romantique nail polish collection, and a Sundance Film Festival beauty swag bag!

The Beauty Alchemist tests & lovesMAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

The Jet Set Girlsreview the Sally Hershberger Face Place in New York City.

Indian Girl gives you the scoop on awesome lip treats for $7.95 from your drugstore

Kerastase Bain Satin Review

Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Nutrition 3 Shampoo and the Kerastase Nutritive Nutridefense are just wonderful! I have been using both the shampoo and conditioner for about a week and a half and my hair LOVES it! The Bain Satin Shampoo #3 is specifically for dry and sensitised hair, it uses glucose, proteins, and lipids to hydrate and nourish the hair as it gently cleanses it. After I shampoo and rinse, my hair feels soft like the shampoo also has some conditioner in it. It never leaves my hair feeling stripped or dryed out. The conditioner claims to "replenish and saturate the hair with lightweight softness, and offers anti-drying protection to counter the effects of harsh external elements." It does exactly this, my hair feels soft and is easy to run my jilbere shower comb through my hair after I have left this conditioner on for just 5 minutes! Just a good thing to remember when you use these products is that a little bit goes a very long way.

New Giveaway - Kiss My Face Gloss

Enter the second Valentine's day themed giveaway on Beauty Blvd. This time 1 lucky reader will win 12 lipglosses from Kiss My Face!

Here is the link! Good Luck

Most Envious Curls Giveaway!

Get ready because The Anti Hair Slave and Curls have teamed up to bring 1 lucky winner a bottle of their brand new Curl Gel-les'c (pronouned Curl Jealousy)! All you have to do is let us know why everyone is jealous of your curls!

Curl Gel-les'c the newest product from Curls and while isn't a gel and is not quite a serum it creates enviable curls that will surely invoke Curl Gel-Les'c from those around you. So what are you waiting for?!? Enter now!

Ted Gibson Hair Makeovers!

Check out both of these amazing hair transformations thanks to Ted Gibson!

The Hot Momma Hair Makeover

Watch as TotalBeauty.com reader Christine's hairstyle goes from so-so to so fabulous

Our makeover dream team -- celebrity stylist Ted Gibson, owner of Ted Gibson Salon in New York City, and celebrity makeup artist and Beauty.com spokesperson Tina Turnbow -- will give Christine a shorter haircut and makeup worthy of a night out.

See makeover

The Frumpy-to-Fab Hair Makeover

TotalBeauty.com reader Jennifer discovers the hot hair she should have been born with

Our makeover dream team -- celeb stylist Ted Gibson, owner of Ted Gibson Salon in New York City, and celeb makeup artist and Beauty.com spokesperson Tina Turnbow -- will give Jennifer modern hair and gorgeous makeup.

See makeover

Worst Shampoos!

Be kind to your hair. Avoid these.

Before you fall for promising packaging, see why readers gave these shampoos a thumbs down

See shampoos

No. 8: Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo, $16

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.4*

"It does have a funny smell and my hair doesn't feel clean after use."

No. 7: PHYTO PhytoSpecific Optimal Hydration Shampoo, $24

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.3*

"For the cost you can buy another better shampoo; it's just not worth it."

No. 6: Burt's Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar, $5.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.2*

"It was pretty difficult to get enough lather to completely get my hair clean, and I ended up in the shower for way longer than I wanted to be."

Want to see No. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1? Click here.

Review: HairVeda's Whipped Gelly

Although my package took slightly longer than I expected to arrive I received an email providing an explanation without having to inquire. The email stated, "I wanted to personally send you an email to thank you for placing your HairVeda order.Your order is made fresh, by hand, and will take a few days longer than most online stores to ship. Don't worry, we're making sure everything is quality before it gets out to you!" Now while this might be a standard email that all customer's get it made me feel better about my purchase.

Whipped Gelly is made to be a holding gel that does not flake, and it does just that. For the latter part of this week, ah hell practically the entire week, I've been wearing a ponytail. I forget how many weeks post I am right now, but I have a good amount of new growth. The whipped gelly (no I'm not making typo's that's how they spell it) smoothed down my edges and kept my ponytail looking good. The only thing I wish it did was actually smooth out new growth like SoftSheen Carson's Let's Jam gel, but it doesn't. While Let's Jam can turn a kitchen into sleekness, Hairveda's Whipped Gelly really didn't do the trick in the back but because it didn't break me out along my hair line like Let's Jam it stays. Plus, the ingredients in the Whipped Gelly are better.

Ted Gibson at Target!

Oh how I love going to Tar-Jay, that's Target for everyone who doesn't know, but now I have another reason to love Tar-Jay! Ted Gibson will be expanding his hair care empire to include Ted Gibson Beauty that will feature a shampoo, conditioner, blow-drying agent, gel, and setting lotion which will be available exclusively at Target. The price range for the collection is $22-$25, now I can just wish for a recessionista verison of the Goodnight Serum!

By the way, that's me (before having my hair styled) and Ted at NY Fashion Week September 2008!

Romantic Hairstyles

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! How will you be wearing your hair? In my opinion, soft touchable hair is the most romantic type of hair there is. Romantic hair isn't overly done or perfectly put up, it's loose and flowy. I especially love Paula Patton's hair here because it's easy to re-create at home, but it's still cute and the pouf can always be replaced with a side swept bang.

How will you be wearing your hair for Valentine's Day?

Give your hair some SUGAR!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! So... give your hair some SUGA, Bain de Terre Sugar and Fig Scalp Massage Sugar that is. You all know how much I love giving myself scalp massages, well this Sugar and Fig Scalp Massage Sugar steps it up a notch. The sugar gently exfoliates my scalp without damaging my hair and rinses out completely without a lot of manipulation. Fig is said to be very moisturizing and I found that after the treatment my hair felt soft and better yet my scalp felt incredibly clean. You know one of the keys to healthy hair is a healthy scalp and one way to maintain a healthy scalp is to keep it clean.

Best Boxed Hair Dye

See which brand beat Clairol and L'Oreal to deliver the most natural results

These boxed wonders do the job so well, you may want to cancel your salon appointment. See the best

15. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Multi-Lights, $7.79

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8*

What you said: "It doesn't smell as strong as ..."

14. Clairol Natural Instincts Brass Free, $9.49

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1*

What you said: "The brassiness is definitely gone from ..."

13. L'Oreal Paris Feria Hair Color, $9.59

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1*

What you said: "I would prefer [this] over paying ..."

Want to see what's number 1? Click here!

Pantene Nature Fusion

Now that the air has been cleared regarding Pantene and a few of the myths surrounding the company, I'm happy to say I've received information about their brand new collection, Pantene Nature Fusion. I first saw the products on the Essence and Pantene Pro-V Healthy Makes it Happen campaign, this quote sparked my attention: "The new Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality collection brings together the purity of science and the potential of nature. Pantene science combines Pro-V technology with naturally derived ingredients such as Cassia, to leave your hair strengthened against damage."

The brand new Nature Fusion Collection features Nature Fusion Moisture Balance shampoo and conditioner as well as Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality shampoo, conditioner, and smoothing creme. The Moisture Balance line is formulated to moisturize hair for touchable softness, using a blend of cassia, calendula, ginger and aloe vera extracts. The Smooth Vitality line is formulated to transform frizzy hair to a silky and smooth texture, while strengthening against damage using a blend of cassia, avocado, bamboo and grapeseed extracts. I can't wait to try these products, they are especially made for women with thick, dry, frizz hair in mind! Both lines will be available in Febrary and the prices range from $3.99 to $5.99.

Stila & A Natural Haired Black Barbie!

Hurry Hurry right now to Sephora and order the Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 1980 Foxy Doll! It's only $40.00 and it features a barbie with NATURAL hair on the can. It's a must have even if you aren't a collector or anything it's just so cute. I've been waiting waiting waiting and it's finally available, so quick do it now!

Pantene & Ingredients

Just a few days ago I posted Pantene Myth #1 regarding the thought that Pantene leaves a waxy coating on the hair, that's so not true but I had a few people ask about the use of ingredients and why so many of their products have similar ingredients lists. I'm sure people may have been doubtful in Pantene's ability or willingness to answer the question, but they did! Pantene Senior Scientist, Jeni Thomas had this to say about the ingredients used in Pantene products:

"Although two product labels may look almost identical, they can actually be very different in their composition and in their performance. Ingredient statements show ingredients in order from most to least, but they do not indicate the level of each ingredient – the levels and ratios of ingredients affect the function an ingredient performs and how well that ingredient can perform that function. The same principle applies to food. Egg nog and custard are very different, but their ingredient lists would appear the same if listed on a package – it’s the amounts and ratios that differentiate them. Also, the name of an ingredient as it appears on a label can cover a range of ingredients with very different properties – for example, the particle size of dimethicone (a common silicone ingredient) impacts the interactions it has with other ingredients as well as how uniformly it deposits on hair. If you went strictly by the ingredient list, you would not know the properties of the ingredient you are getting. So, if you are looking for a particular benefit, such as smoothing frizzy hair or taming curls, it is really important to read the benefit that’s listed on the bottle."

Big thanks to Pantene for answering this question so quickly and thoroughly!

Food and Hair Connection: Green Tea

I'm sure by now you have heard the millions of health benefits promised by sipping green tea, from prolonged life to weight loss and reduced risk of cancer none of which are supported by the FDA, but I still sip it because I think the anti-oxidants are doing wonderful things for my body. Whether it really is or not, who really cares? Bottom line is it has the anti oxidants in it and that plus the taste is enough for me. I use honey instead of sugar and it's delicious, a great alternative to coffee some mornings. Anyway, moving along to green tea and hair. Green tea is a key ingredient in Rusk's Green Tea and Alfalfa Shampoo. Here are the product details: Formulated with Alfalfa extract to lightly moisturize, wheat protein to strengthen and add body and fullness, and green tea to help seal the hair for greater shine. Sounds like a winner for hair that is not in need of moisturization and instead seeking protein. Plus this shampoo is part of the Rusk Sensories line so the scent

Beyonce & Solange at Inauguration

Check out Beyonce and Solange at the inaurugation rocking straight hair! The blow-outs are on point, I'm especially loving how shiny and healthy Solange's hair looks - perfect proof that lighter hair is not always prettier. I'm so tempted to dye my hair jet black, I really think it adds an air of mystery to a person.

Ladies, your thought?!?

Spring 2009 Hair Trend: Loose Curls

Curls Curls and more Curls... for Spring 2009 it's really about a romantic style of curl that's loose touchable. It ranges from your traditional idea of a curl as seen here on January Jones to a more beach inspired curl like Demi Moore. The key to nailing this look is to create texture with the hair and sometimes the more texture the better! Take Deborah Messing's highly textured tousled ponytail, the top says sleek and polished while the actual pony is wild and curly. Ouidad Styling Mist is one product you can turn to, it provides long lasting hold without making the hair super stiff and untouchable.

For us relaxed honeys, we have a few different options to get this type of romantic looking loose curl. One being Bantu knots, another is a large barrel curling iron used on blow dried hair, and also braid-outs using large sized braids and a roller placed at the end of each braid. I really like Beyonce's curls in that picture and that can actually be easily recreated with a large curling iron.

Spring 2009 Hair Trend: Side Parts

Side parts were seen all over the runways for Spring 2009! I'm really excited about this because if you are an avid reader you know that the side part is my signature look! The hair on the runways for Chloe's Spring 2009 look was soft, natural, and featuring a side part as seen on the model featured above. Other designers that featured a side part in their hair looks included Philip Lim 3.1 and Derek Lam. I love the side part because it looks great with just about any texture of hair, and it's so simple and easy to do, plus it doesn't require a stylist to do!

Image Credit

Spring 2009 Hair Trend: Blunt Bangs

Most recently Kate Hudson can be seen sporting some serious yet fresh and fashion forward bangs in the new movie Bride Wars. Blunt bangs are definitely a Spring 2009 hair trend in their own right and although the look isn't for everyone, suprisingly blunt bangs are relatively low maintanence. Most of the celebs that have been rocking this look have long hair such as Kim Kardashian and Tyra Banks, but the look can be pulled off with shorter hair like Keri Hilson.

I think Keri Hilson's bangs are just long enough, but won't impair your vision like Kim Kardashian's might. Then once you get sick of the trend you can begin the grow out process and start sweeping the bangs to the side like Nicole Richie.

So ladies, who is going to make the cut this Spring by updating their look with some Blunt Bangs?

Follow the lead of these celebrity beauties and transform your haircut by cutting bangs.

You can try retro blunt a la Katy Perry or soft and sideswept like Jessica Biel. Let these celebrity photos inspire you. See bangs

Wavy Woes

For a few weeks now I've been trying to create the perfect waves via Bantu knots. I really have a thing for loose beautiful waves, but if you make the knots too small or too big the look is completely off, plus you have to be careful about how to tuck the ends under. Usually when I make bantu knots I do not use any bobby pins or anything to secure the knots, instead I twist the hair around it until it's secure. I also prefer to do the knots on dry already straightened hair, because the look is more of a loose wave when compared to knots that have been set on wet hair. Usually 4-5 knots do the trick on my hair.

So ladies, how do you bantu?

The Best from the Golden Globes

See all the glamorous looks and learn how to easily recreate them at home!

The Golden Globes are a great way to kick off awards season. We love watching stars like Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Lopez get all glammed up. But who says these styles are just for the red carpet? Not us. Use our tips to recreate these hair and makeup looks for yourself. (No reason celebrities should be the only ones looking fab.) Bonus: There was only one major hairstyle disaster of the night -- can you guess who? See her photo revealed at the end. See the looks

Pantene Myth

How many of you have heard that, PANTENE PRO-V LEAVES BEHIND A LAYER OF WAX ON YOUR HAIR AND CREATES A WAXY BUILD-UP OVER TIME? I have to raise my hand and say that I have heard this and (gasp!) at one point I believed it. How silly right? Well, lucky for us Pantene is setting the record straight for 2009.

Here are the FACTS:

1) Pantene Shampoos and Conditioners do not contain wax. Although Pantene has unique and proprietary ingredients based on recent technological advances, the classes of ingredients (silicones, fatty alcohols, cationic polymers and cationic surfactants) are used consistently across the hair care industry.

2) Pantene Shampoo and Conditioners do leave behind conditioning ingredients (such as coacervate conditioning complexes, liquid crystals, and terminal amino silicones) for healthy hair benefits such as moisturization, damage protection and shine. Pantene shampoos and conditioners are designed to work together, depositing conditioning ingredients that will wash out of the hair with the next shampoo.

3) When women feel they have build-up from their shampoos and conditioners, it is often a sign that the products they are using are too heavy for their hair, and they may be more satisfied with a lower conditioning version.

CHI Vented Round Brush

I recently used my new CHI vented round brush to blow dry my hair and I'm loving it! Because it's vented my hair gets dry evenly and fast, because the heat from the blow dryer can get through the brush to reach the hair on the other side. In addition, (according to the CHI website) the brush reflects the heat back to the hair which cuts down on the drying time, uses far infra red/negative ions, and ensures the hair gets an even temperature. All I know is this round brush helps me get my roots super straight during blow drying and I'm no professional, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at my roots. This brush would work great from all hair types ranging from type 1 fine hair to type 4 super coarse. This brush and a whole lot more is available on BeautyChoice.com for just $14.95

Spring 2009 Hair - AG Hair Cosmetics

Pass off your Posh, kick your Katie to the curb and revamp your Rihanna – there’s a new bob in town. Celebrate the New Year in style and try on what AG Hair Cosmetics’ stylists are predicting to be the hottest look of 2009: the simple, sexy, versatile long bob.

Remember, we talked about this... it's my new hair cut! The LOB!

According to the dozens of AG stylists surveyed, the versatility of a look like Gwyneth’s long bob is what makes it so appealing. As with the ‘Posh’ bob before it, it took no time before a growing number of A-listers followed Gwyneth’s suit and started chopping off their long hair in favour of the easy to wear ‘Lob’. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Christina Applegate liberated their locks with bouncy, mid-length bobs, while model Kate Moss and socialite Nicole Richie opted for fringe to finish off their long, blonde bobs.

“The best part of this look is the endless styling possibilities it offers,” says AG’s Artistic Director and Calgary, Alberta salon owner, Jami Symons. “By applying a straightening balm like AG’s set it straight and ironing flat with a heat protectant like AG’s insulate, the long bob is smooth and sleek for the office. But with a few twists of the curling iron and some firm hold working spray like AG’s thermal spray gel, the look becomes textured and glamorous for a night on the town.”

Visit AG Hair Cosmetics for more product information!

Vive Pro Glossy Style

L'Oreal's Vive Pro Glossy Style is here just in time to help you amp up your hair's shine factor. It's no secret that we all want soft, touchable hair that has tons of shine. Shiny hair looks like healthy hair and while healthy hair begins on the inside, the Vive Pro Glossy Style Styling products can help you get shiny hair on the outside. Addressing all hair type needs—color-treated, curly, frizzy, or limp—new VIVE Pro Glossy Style provides extra nourishment that styles, shapes and holds hair with a glossy finish, a top-priority for beautiful hair. This complete collection creates sophisticated, polished style with every application using the best in L’Oréal haircare technology and luxurious, professional-quality formulas synonymous with VIVE Pro.

The entire line includes Color Vive conditioning spray, Glossy Volume Mousse, Smooth Gloss Anti-frizz creme, Glossy Curls Spray Gel, Glossy Volume Gel, Smooth Gloss Serum, Glossy Curls Mousse, and non-aerosol hairspray. From the line I want to try out the Smooth Gloss Anti-frizz creme, the Smooth Gloss Serum, and the Color Vive conditioning spray. Even though my hair is not color treated, the Color Vive Conditioning Spray is at the top of my to try list because of the UV filters that can help protect all types of hair, not just color treated. Remember the sun's rays can be harmful to your hair so it's important to protect it, so why not protect it while you condition it?

Healthy Hair Habit: Detangle

Depending on your hair type and the styles you wear detangling may or may not be a huge headache. When I wear my hair straight as a result of rollersets or just blowdrying then flat ironing the detangling process is so much easier, but I still do it prior to every single wash. I prefer to wash my hair in the shower, because it's easier and better than flipping it the opposite way to wash in a sink. Anyway, I use my Jilbere shower comb and gently comb my hair so that's it's straight back. Sometimes I'll take the comb and gently rub my scalp with the teeth, they are perfectly rounded so it doesn't scratch or irritate my scalp in any way. I like to think it's improving the circulation and gently lifting any debris or whatever. Now when I wear my hair in a braid out or twist out the detangling process takes much longer and I don't worry so much about combing it all back, instead once I have shampooed or shikakai/amla'ed I coat my hair with a conditioner and then proceed to detangle it completely. If you take the time to detangle properly you will end up with less broken hairs.

Farouk Systems

Farouk Systems Group has yet to let me down.  Not quite sure what Farouk Systems Group is, well it's the name behind Biosilk, CHI Professionals, and CHI Tools.  Biosilk quickly became my go to shine enhancer back in college way before I started the whole healthy hair journey.  Then, CHI Silk Infusion became another favorite of mine.  But now I'm curious to try the CHI Olive Nutrient Therapy.  According to the website, "The CHI Organic Olive Nutrient Therapy line is designed to bring ancient philosophies of health and beauty together with Advanced American Technologies. These Hair Care and Skin Care products are designed to promote wellness through the proper balance of necessary nutrients using Olive ingredients, herbs and essential oils."  What do you say ladies, have you tried this?  Is it great or should I skip it? 

Need a new do?

16 New Quick Hairstyles to Try

Knock off these celebrity styles — in a flash

Need a style update but don’t have time to hit the salon? No worries — these celebrity hairstyles are incredibly easy. See hairstyles