Pureology Supports Global Green

Pureology Serious Colour Care, the pioneer in ZeroSulfate_® shampoos, is working towards a more sustainable future and is proud to continue its support of Global Green USA, the U.S. affiliate of Green Cross International.  Founded in 1994, Global Green's mission is to help solve the world's most pressing environmental challenges.  Pureology will be offering the Hydrate To Make a Difference promotion featuring the best selling Hydrate System from March – June 
in salons.  

“Pureology is excited to continue its ongoing support of Global Green USA and will make a $20,000 donation in conjunction with these promotions,” states Kirsten Marsh, Assistant Vice President of US Marketing for Pureology.  ”Additionally, consumers will receive $10 off their PureGreen Membership from March 1 – June 30 with this promotion.  PureGreen Members receive a subscription to Global Green USA’s Quarterly e-newsletter, Global Green USA pin, and personalized Global Green USA membership card.”

Pamper your hair with Pureology’s award-winning, moisturizing, super-concentrated Hydrate Shampoo.  This extra gentle, non-colour stripping, ZeroSulfate formula enhances colour brilliance and maximizes colour retention.

·         Hydrate Shampoo 10.1 oz

·         Hydrate HydraCure Intense Moisture Masque 5.2 oz

·         Hydrate Condition 2.0 oz

·         Available March – June in Salons at $54.00

Beauty Break: Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Hand Treatment

As you all know I'm a nurse in a hospital, so hand washing is a huge part of my life.  Regardless of how gentle a soap claims to be and how gentle it actually is, it will still dry out your hands.  Enter Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Hand Treatment  I let everyone on my nursing unit try some and all the ladies love it!  I knew they would, Jurlique Age-Defying Hand Treatment is more than a hand cream, it's an instant treat for your skin. 

Product Description: An age-defying, high-performance, moisturizing hand cream featuring Daisy and Biodynamic Licorice and Black Elder to help fade discolorations, even skin tone and brighten skin for more youthful looking hands. Biodynamic Marshmallow, Calendula and Organic Sunflower oil soften and soothe dry hands, while Melon extract moisturizes, helping hands to feel smooth and supple.

AHS Thoughts:  I can't comment on the ability of this product to prevent your hands from looking old, but I know for a fact that it moisturizes deeply and lasts.  Instantly your hands will feel smooth and supple, just like the product claims.  The scent reminds me of a day at the spa and this cream really lasts.  The formula is thick, but sinks right in which is fabulous because who has time to be rubbing and rubbing their hands together to get your lotion to sink it?  I've also tried the 'regular' formula's which are cheaper and work just as great. 

Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Hand Treatment is available at Beauty.com for $49.00
Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream is available at Beauty.com for $25.00

Kinky-Curly Gives Back

Kinky-Curly Gives Back!

Water is the best moisturizer. It is such an important part of healthy hair care especially curly hair care. We shampoo and condition with it, we spray our hair with it and we should be drinking 8 glasses every day. Shelley Davis and her company Kinky-Curly Organic Curl Care realizes that over one billion people on this planet do not have access to clean drinking water so Kinky-Curly is now donating a portion of their website sales to Charity:Water.

More about Charity:Water - This organization helps build wells in developing nations so that women won’t have the burden of walking miles and miles every day searching for water. They can focus on education and taking care of their families.

100% of the donations go directly to funding a fresh water well and we can track the progress on Google Earth.

If you would like to donate directly to the amazing organization or to track Kinky Curly’s progress you can visit the campaign link:

Beauty Break: Fashion Fair Cosmetics

Fashion Fair is revamping their line. Included in the revamping are a few new skin care products. Fashion Fair Cosmetics is introducing a rejuvenating skin care collection that offers innovative solutions for the unique challenges faced by women of color. Designed in three systems that meet the specific needs of oily, dry and combination skin, the exciting cadre of products — moisturizers, cleansers, exfoliants and more — affirm that beauty begins with healthy skin. Products such as Daily Hydrating Cleansing Cream (preserves the skin’s essential oils), Oil Minimizing Toner (stimulates cell turnover and leaves skin with a fresh, matte finish) and Balancing Light Moisturizer (helps fight premature aging with vitamin E, antioxidants and natural conditioners) allow women to follow easy regimens that let their natural complexions shine. Now please note, I was provided with these products for review, but since I"m on a strict regimen from the dermatologist I gifted the products to my mom and grandmother for use. So far so good, no complaints from them.

Continuing with the overhaul of the brand, the cosmetics are getting a makeover in the form of new packaging. Fashion Fair Creative Beauty Director Roxanna Floyd, states “Fashion Fair Cosmetics is a leader in the category for women of color, and it is still committed to constantly enhancing their ‘beauty experience,’ whether in perfectly matched foundations and powders or smart skin care products.” Roxanna Floyd who is also, renowned celebrity makeup artist to superstars including Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston goes on to say, “Fashion Fair products have been must-have staples for me over the years, whether I’m making up famous faces or working with beautiful, everyday women who want to look like themselves, only more ‘finished’ and fabulous.” What do you think? Is Fashion Fair a brand that you believe is a leader in the category for women of color?

Next time you're in a department store, check out the Fashion Fair counter.

Interesing Oil: Sofn'free GroHealthy

The Three Layer Growth Oil from Sofn'free GroHealthy, is the coolest hair oil I've ever seen.  The Three Layer Growth Oil features milk protein, olive oil, and omega-3.  Each of the three ingredients has a different color and when it settles it forms three separate layers.

Product Description: Shake well to activate this exclusive combination of ingredients which delivers nutrients to promote a healthy scalp and strong hair.


AHS Thoughts:  The oils is cool, but my favorite thing is the way you have to shake up the product to get all the ingredients the mesh together so you can get the effects of all the products. 

Mizani Butter Blend - Self Relaxing Prep

I'm a DIY-er when it comes to my hair for the most part.  Sometimes I do it myself and other times I go and get it done, but I'm sort of fed up with stylists so I went ahead and relaxed my own hair.  For me the relaxer prep is the part that takes the longest, between protecting and basing my scalp and then finally the most important step: protecting my relaxed hair.


I use Mizani products usually for my relaxer prep because I really like them a lot.  


Here is how I prep for a relaxer:


1.  Section my hair into six sections - three on each side

2.  Apply Mizani Butter Blends Scalp Protector to my scalp, around my hairline, and to the tops of my ears.

3.  Apply Mizani Butter Blends Honey Shield Protective Pre-Treatment to the length of my hair that has already been relaxed.

Sedu Giveaway Winner

First, I want to thank everyone who entered to win the Sedu Flat Iron Giveaway!  Without any further ado... CONGRATULATIONS To Leanne (check your email)! 

Everyone else more great giveaways are coming soon so stay tuned. 

Sofn'free GroHealthy

A while back I was invited to try a new line of products from Sofn'free GroHealthy.  I was open to try the products because they contain Milk Protein & Olive Oil. 

All the products contain:

• Milk Protein to soothe the scalp, and strengthen and add shine to your hair
• Olive Oil to promote a healthy scalp, repair damage and add even MORE shine
• Omega 3 to rebuild, strengthen & protect your hair from within

The product line includes: Daily Growth Lotion, Srengthening Creme, Leave-In Treatment, Three Layer Oil, and Really Deep Conditioning Treatment. 
 
My favorite product is the Strengthening Creme.  It's a tad bit thick but it worked great when I was stretching my relaxer.  Product Description: Don't wait another day to protect your hair. This medley of natural ingredients conditions and moisturizes your hair instantly while boosting its resistance to any potential damage. 
 
AHS Thoughts:  While I was stretching my relaxer I was wearing all buns, so I would spritz my ends with a moisturizer and then apply this throughout my hair before I bunned.  This product helped keep my hair moisturized and maintained it's softness.  I think it's a bit too heavy for my freshly relaxed hair or thinner hair types.  Plus as an added bonus it smells kind of like cake batter.

Bantu Knots

I'm officially stumped when it comes to Bantu knots. I've tried them on wet hair, damp hair, dry hair, freshly blowdried hair, even freshly flat iron sections thinking the heat from the flat iron would help the knots set. Every single time, my style falls flat, literally. As soon as I take the knots down I have awesome big beautiful curly waves then about 10 minutes later it's a loose wave and an hour later forget it my hair barely has a bend it in. I'm not sure what gives! I feel like I've tried everything from different methods, to different products, to loading up on hair spray (which I hate) and nothing works.

So my question... Relaxed Ladies, how are you getting your bantu knots to last?

Super Shine? Kelly Van Gogh Wonderlust Illuminating Hair Tonic

Kelly Van Gogh Wonderlust Illuminating Hair Tonic claims to provide maximum shine, hair color illumination and condition to all types of hair (especially color treated).  The tonic has mica shine technology, these dazzling particles, combined with keratin proteins and caviar conditioners, revitalize dry, dull hair and protect it from environmental factors including pollution, heat and water damage. 

AHS Thoughts: On my hair the tonic made my hair feel soft and helped me detangle, but I was not able to really see the shine that the Mica shine technology is supposed to add.  I think it might work better in the summer time when the sun is really shining so I'll be saving this product until then.  Plus, this product is a UV protector so if nothing else I'll be protected from the sun. 

Availability: Kelly Van Gogh Wonderlust Illuminating Hair Tonic is $30 and available at KellyVanGogh.com and Space NK

Spring 2010 Hair Trends: Lady GaGa Style

Lady GaGa has taken the music and pop world by storm, filling our heads with catchy tunes and killing us with her electic fashion sense.  Most notably is the bow of hair and while you might not choose to rock your front and slightly off center, you have certainly considered rocking a bow of some sorts. 

Take a cue from Lady GaGa and the models at the Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010 Fashion Show and rock a HAIR BOW, yes literally! 

Rock the Look:

1. Apply Cutler Straightening Cream onto damp hair and blow dry straight and away from the face. Use a flat iron when necessary to get the hair clean and smooth

2. Secure a tight ponytail just below the center of the head

3. Then, using a flat paddle hairbrush, brush the ponytail to the left(approximately two inches from the center of the head) and secure with bobby pins

4. Gather the hair in the ponytail and fold it backwards towards the right of the head (approximately two inches from the center) and secure with bobby pins underneath to conceal the hair

5. Take the hair on the right side and fold it toward the center of the head, wrapping the remaining tresses over the hair band and securing underneath to finalize the bow

6. Set the hair with Redken Workforce 09 for a light hold

Fashion Note:
A staple in every girl’s closet, Rebecca Taylor unveiled feminine pieces with strong tailored jackets and shorts. “I wanted to create a style that was fresh and young like the clothes, but simple enough so as not to overpower the designs,” says Dai Michishita, Cutler/Redken’s lead hairstylist for the show.

Beauty Break: Spring 2010 Urban Decay

I'm a big huge fan of playing up my eyes, whether it's eyeshadow, eye liner, or mascara I'm all over it. One of my favorite brands to turn to for eyeliners and primers is Urban Decay. So of course when I caught wind of a brand new primer I just had to share it here on Beauty Break. I'm not sure if you noticed but every weekend, I've been posting something non-hair related beauty oriented, do you like?

Anyway, Urban Decay has released Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Eden. Eden is the third awesome addition to the Urban Decay primer family and it features a neutral nude hue that helps smooth out skin tone and brightens eyes.

24/7 Eye Liners are my favorite pencil eyeliners hands down and now there are four more must have colors!

Crash (rich deep eggplant), Oil Slick(black with silver sparkle), Mildew (a dark green), and Binge (navy). 24/7 Eyeliners last and last, I'm sure it would probably last even longer than 24 hours but alas I do wash my face before hitting the pillow, but please don't let the ability to last and last confuse you and get you to thinking that the formula is harsh. Instead, 24/7 Pencils are loaded wtih nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E and Jojoba oil. Available at Sephora.com for $17.00

   
Also, Urban Decay has a brand new product for Spring 2010, Stardust Eyeshadows!
Stardust Eyeshadows are an explosion of twinkling, prismatic sparkle against a wash of pretty color. Powder-fine bits of glitter (40% more than our most dazzling shadows) miraculously feel silky smooth. No scratching, no fallout, just sexy sparkle. Available in nine flattering shades that include neutrals to a vibrant green shade.  Available at Sephora.com for $20.00 each

Check your local Sephora for the new Urban Decay products!

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010 Hair: Mackage

Avon’s Global Stylist Advisor Tippi Shorter created the hair look for the Mackage fall 2010 runway show, supported by a full team of Avon stylists.

"This look was really inspired by the woman who had her hair perfectly done the night before, wakes up and tries to recreate the look. It's a look that I refer to as 'second day chic.' It's a sexy and mysterious look that works perfectly with the designs," says Tippi Shorter.

Beauty Break: FarmHouse Fresh Whoopie!

FarmHouse Fresh has done it again.  I've fallen in love with a cream and it's name is Whoopie! 

Product Description: This brand new Shea Butter whip is a jarful of joy! Lightly scented with fond memories of white velvet cream and moist layer cake, it is hard to resist as a start to each morning... or a sweet farewell to each day. Inspired by the famous comfort treats -Whoopie Pies. Farmers would find these handmade creamy cake-like delights in their lunchbox and shout "Whoopie!" We hope this every day cream becomes your every day delight, too... The supple butters and Vitamin E packed Jojoba and Soybean oils calm even the severest of dry skin. A giftably gorgeous 10 ounce glass jar and fun box makes a pretty keepsake.


AHS Thoughts:  This cream is more like a lotion than a cream as far as consistancy goes.  It's slightly thicker than lotion, but sinks right in to moisturize even the driest skin.  The scent is what I especially love, I catch myself just sniffing the pretty little glass jar.  If you have never had a real Whoopie pie, I feel for you you need to click the read more tab (below the link within widget) for a recipe from Emeril.  The cream smells sweet, with a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg and it lasts longer than I expected it to.     
 
Whoopie! is available at FarmHouseFreshGoods.com for $30.00

Beauty Break: Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals

I'm so ready for Spring to come on around now, the snow is getting old.  Bobbi Brown's newest Spring collection, Cabana Corals has won my heart and now I want to buy the entire collection.  Isn't the above Nectar Shimmer Brick amazing, that's the one item that I must have from the entire collection. 

Available at Bobbi Brown for $38.00

Illamasqua's Global Nail Varnish Competition

Illamasqua, the edgiest, nighttime makeup brand, is looking for the next hot Nail Varnish color, and beginning on February 21, 2010, it could be created by you! Submit a description of your dream color and what inspired it, along with an image or photograph, and you could have your shade created by Illamasqua. The winning shade will be sold as an exclusive on Illamasqua.com, and through UK-based Selfridges department stores and Selfridges.com, beginning in October of 2010.

The rules:


The contest is open globally from Feb 21, 2010 through March 14, 2010

In 50 words or less, submit a description of your dream color and what inspired it - pictures are encouraged, whether a photograph, swatch, material etc... - to Illamasqua

You can submit only ONE entry

Entries can be submitted three ways:

via email: competition(at)illamasqua(dot)com

via blog post: email the link to competition(at)illamasqua(dot)com

via mail:

COMPETITION
c/o Illamasqua
6-8 Anwell St
London
EC1R 1UQ


One winner will be selected and notified by 5th May. A prestigious panel of beauty trend makers, including Illamasqua Artistic Director and Legendary Make-up Artist Alex Box, Internationally acclaimed Nail Artist Sophy Robson and the Youtube sensations Pixiwoo will be heading up the judging panel!

Glam Model: Selita Ebanks

Ever wonder how models keep their natural hair healthy?  All that styling, flat irons, curling irons, tiny toothed combs, rough brushes, and everything else their hair goes on a pretty regular basis... it's a wonder they have any 'real' hair left at all.  Selita Ebanks was spotted at the Rebecca Taylor fashion show after party during fashion week rocking a simple style with very healthy looking hair. 

Selita Ebanks uses Bioluste's Intense 4-step Repair System to restore healthy shine to her hair and prepare for styling. 

Rock the Look:

Hair - Biolustré celebrity stylist Ricardo Rojas created her style for Rachel Roy’s Fall 2010 Presentation by blowing the hair dry with a round brush to accentuate her natural waves and add volume. Because the Biolustré treatment evens the texture of hair from root to end, Ricardo did not use any other styling products. Finally, to hold the look for the entire evening, finish with Acanthe Curl Enhancing Leave-In Fluid to set the waves for a flawless look.

Nails - MINX Nails by Lisa Logan


Dress - Rachel Roy

Shoes - Gucci

Jewelry - Grayce by Molly Sims

New York Fashion Week Fall 2010 Hair: William Rast

Thomas Dunkin and the Sebastian hair team were on hand backstage at the William Rast Fall 2010 runway show creating edgy, erratic hairstyles that looked as though the models had just hopped off the back of a motorcycle, complimenting the designers’ aesthetic for fall. Of the looks Thomas says, “we went with a beachy, tousled look with lots of windblown volume and texture to fit the free-spirited nature of the collection.”

To get the "Nomadic biker girls; rides through the desert; textured, dusty, wind-swept, adventure-laden beauty." look, check out these tips

Rock The Look:1. Liberally apply Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray onto damp hair.
2. Next, twist small sections of the hair from root to tip and blow-dry the entire length of the hair.

3. Then, lightly covered hair with Re-Shaper hairspray and gently tease the roots with fingers to create volume and erratic texture.

4. To add definition and piecey-ness, apply a small amount of Matte Putty to finger-tips and whisk hands through hair, concentrating on the twisted pieces.

Maybelline was backstage to handle the makeup look at William Rast.  Charlotte Willer, Maybelline New York Global Makeup Artist created a look that scared edgy and modernized Brigitte Berdot, featuring fresh, flawless skin with thick mega lashes built up with black mascara and nude lips.