Dr. Miracles Switches it Up

Dr. Miracle's has changed up everything.  They have added more more nourishing ingredients like Vitamins A, B3, C, E, shea butter, soy protein, almond oil, and jojoba oil.    So far I've tried the Conditioning Shampoo, the new smell is amazing.  It smells nothing like the old Dr. Miracle's products.  The light citrus scent of the new products, is perfect - not too light and not to perfume like.  


Product Description: Blended with Olive, Sweet Almond and Jojoba Oils for strong, shiny and healthy hair. 


AHS:  The first thing I do with all my hair care products is smell them.  This shampoo smells amazing, I even had a friend sniff the bottle to confirm.  This is nothing like the original medicinal scent of the old Dr. Miracle's products.  Now, the next thing is the label.  The ingredients for this shampoo can be found below but it does have Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.  Regardless, this shampoo thoroughly cleansed my scalp and hair without leaving it feeling dry and stripped.  This shampoo has earned a spot in my shampoo arsenal.  

Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner is Awesome

(Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, $8.00 Amazon.com)

My quest to add protein free conditioners to my hair care arsenal has lead me to Aubrey Organics and their Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner.  I've heard great things about the line, but for one reason or another I just never tried it out.  So I headed out to my local Whole Foods to pick that up and see what other conditioners I could find that were protein free.  I found that there really aren't too many completely protein free conditioners.  


Product Description:   The sweet smell of success for your hair. Trade those dry, thirsty tresses for vibrant, touchably soft hair with this moisture-intensive conditioner. Restorative herbal emollients detangle and rehydrate to leave hair ultra-silky and irresistibly fragrant. Also recommended for bleached or highlighted hair. 


AHS:  I have to tell you, for the most part I do not like the scent of rose.  But thankfully, the scent of honeysuckle in this conditioner overpowers the scent of rose.  Once I was done sniffing the scent, the consistency of this conditioner is amazing.  The conditioner is housed in a bottle and it totally surprised me when this super thick luscious cream came out.  I applied it to my hair starting at the ends, working my way up, and it made my hair soft almost immediately.  I hopped under my Huetiful Steamer and then applied a plastic cap to seal in the moisture for a little while longer while I did things around the house.  I ended up sleeping with this conditioner in and in the morning when I showered it was almost as if my hair had just drank it all up.  My hair was soft and super easy to detangle.  I completely plan on using this conditioner more and more.  It can easily become one of my favorites.  


Keep Reading for full ingredient list. 

Eucalyptus Scalp Treatment Pre-Poo

As part of the Operation Wedding Hair plan I'm taking my pre-poo sessions more seriously, meaning each week before I wash, condition, and deep condition my hair I'm doing some type of pre-poo and it usually involves steam.  This week I've gone ahead and purchased some Eucalyptus oil to mix with Extra Virgin Olive Oil to use for my scalp massage.  

Eucalyptus Oil is beneficial because it can help rid the scalp of dandruff, it has antiseptic properties as well.  It has been said that eucalyptus oil can increase the ceramide production in your hair, I'm not a scientist so I can't validate this claim but if it's true that in itself is an amazing benefit.  


So this week I mixed up the Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a glass bottle with a dropper.  I used the dropper to help apply the mixture all over my scalp.  I proceed to give myself a lengthy and super relaxing scalp massage.  Once I was done doing that I put a little bit of the Burt's Bees Pre-Poo Avocado treatment on the ends of my hair and sat under my Huetiful Steamer.  To amp up the treatment I added a few drops of the eucalyptus oil to the water in my steamer.  


Afterwards my hair was super soft and my airways were happy as well.  The scent of eucalyptus is awesome for stuffy noses also.  



Eucalyptus 100% Pure essential Oil  $8.95
Amber Glass Bottle 4oz W/glass Dropper $1.75  

Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment, $6.49

Tips for Boosting Your Dark Hair Color

Fall is the perfect time to opt for a darker hue and give your tresses a break give from the stress of highlighting. With many celebs going darker this season (Kate Hudson, Lily Collins, Kylie Minogue, Chloe Sevigny), celebrity colorist Marko Tomassetti of Sally Hershberger Los Angeles shares some quick tips to help point you in your darker direction:

Can a dark hue work on everyone?
Yes! Anyone can go darker but I recommend you consult your colorist so they can tailor a shade that’s right for your skin tone. If you have flawless skin, you’re lucky – try something really bold and go as dark as you like! Those with olive skin should ask their colorist to add a touch of warmth to their hue so that it doesn’t look one dimensional. If you have a lot of yellow if your skin stick with a medium brown, as a really dark shade will wash you out and make you look ill. Women also shouldn’t be afraid of a little red in their hair – it adds shine and can help make the dark hue look more natural.


Color maintenance
If you’re a brunette going even darker, you can go up to 8 weeks between coloring appointments (unless you have grays). However, blondes may need to make salon visits every 4-6 weeks as their lighter roots come through. Whatever your natural color, try not to wash your hair more than twice a week with a gentle shampoo and conditioner to ensure the color remains lustrous.


BONUS: This is a little trick I share with my brunette clients - brew a really strong pot of coffee (avoid instant), let it cool and add the coffee to a spray bottle. Once a week after shampooing, spray the coffee throughout your hair, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, rinse and condition. The coffee helps to boosts your color and add richness!

Popular Sources of Protein in Hair Care Products

So you guys know all about me checking the ingredients lists in all my deep treatment conditioners and finding that almost all of them had some type of protein in them.  If not, you can read about that here.  Anyway, I realized that some of you might go and check your own deep conditioner stash, so I wanted to provide you guys with a list of popular sources of protein found in hair care products.  This should make spotting the proteins easier.  

Popular Sources of Protein in Hair Care Products:*  


Amino Acids
Animal Proteins
Cholesterol
Collagen
Keratin 
Milk Protein
Panthenol
Soy Protein
Wheat Protein 


* Source for the list, The Science of Black Hair by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy.  

Protein Free Deep Conditioning Treatments

After going through the Deep Treatment shelf of my hair care closet I realized that just about all of my deep conditioning treatments have protein in them in some form.  Even if they are not a heavy protein treatment, there was still at least 1 protein ingredient in like 98% of the conditioners.  

So now I'm on a mission to find some protein free conditioners.  With that being said, so far I have not had a problem with the moisture/protein balance in my own hair.  I don't suffer from too much breakage and I don't feel like my hair gets too much of either the protein or the moisture.  I just would like to have some protein free options in the mix.  On my wish list of protein free conditioners are the following products: 

Bee U Ti FUL Moisturizing Deep Conditioner ($19.97 on Amazon.com), I have not tried anything from the Bee Mine line of products but I know tons of people have and love their products so naturally this made my list.  

As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner ($16.00 on CurlMart.com), this is another new to AHS brand.  I did not even hear about it until I started on my protein-free conditioner search but with ingredients like coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, and ceramides how could it not land on my wish list?  

Then I have three conditioners from the MyHoneyChild Natural Hair Product line that I want to try, the Coconut Papaya Hair Paste, Olive You Deep Conditioner, and Honey Hair Mask.  

  
What's your favorite Protein-Free Deep Conditioning Treatment? 

Where's the Protein?

According to Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, author of The Science of Black Hair, the protein-moisture balance is "the key to fighting breakage."*  Quite honestly, this caught my attention because my philosophy when it comes to protein is avoid hard core protein treatments unless totally necessary.  I think that although Henna treatments are not the same as protein treatments, they strengthen my hair in a similar manner.  For the most part, my hair products might contain a little bit of protein here but they are not serious protein treatments. 


Since I do relax my hair and "hair coloring and chemical relaxers are the chief culprits when it comes to protein-deficient hair,"* I'm going to pay more attention to which products are adding protein into my hair care regimen.  So far, I've been extremely diligent with deep conditioning and moisturizing my hair but there is such a thing as over conditioning.  Luckily, my hair is not over conditioned as it's not "super-elastic or too soft, stretchy".  But,  after checking out the ingredients is all my deep conditioners, I've realized that over 90% of them range from a light to heavy protein treatment.  I bet if you check your ingredient list in your favorite conditioner you'll be surprised too!  


*Source- The Science of Black Hair*

Pureology Radiance Amplifier

One of the best things about having healthier hair is enjoying the natural sheen.  Hair that is healthy will have a beautiful sheen to it, but that doesn't mean I don't also enjoy amping it up and increasing the shine of my hair.  The new Pureology Colour Stylist Radiance Amplifier is an anti-frizz shine spray so it's perfect for either relaxed hair or natural hair to give it a boost of shine while keeping frizzies at bay.  


This spray is not only super light weight it is also formulated with concentrated lipids to help make hair shine and amplify whatever color you might have, whether it's natural highlights, henna, or regular hair dye.  The star ingredients are Olive Oil, Coriander Oil, Camelina Oil, Orange Oil Extracts, and Vegetable Polymers.  Camelina Oil is making an appearance in tons of new hair care products since it's known to forms a humidity resistant barrier that helps protect hair against frizz and environmental damage.


Available at salons where Pureology Products are sold.  Visit Pureology.com to find a salon near you.  


**sample received for editorial consideration, see full disclosure**

Lifestyle Leak: Jennifer Bane Haunted House

I told you guys about how we went to visit The Forest of Fear looking for a great haunt, but I'm here to tell you about the best walk through haunted house I've ever been to.  It's brought to us by Bulletproof Haunts and it's located in Livingston, NJ.  


I first noticed this haunted house in the parking lot of the Livingston mall back in late September, I thought to myself it didn't look so great but I wanted to check it out anyway since it was so close to my house.  The admission was just $15.00 per person and there are $2.00 coupons floating around if you can get your hands on one.  

Standing in line, there's not too much to be afraid of.  One the night we went there was one actor (who wasn't very good) outside, but once I stepped inside the house I realized they put the best actors inside.  Around every twist and turn was a scare, so much so it even had 'the man' jumping!  You really have to duck and feel your way through at times which made it that much creepier.  I would highly recommend this haunted attraction to anyone looking for a good scare.  Plus, as a bonus show your ticket stub at Margarita's Restaurant in Livingston, NJ for $5.00 off your total bill.  


Experience it for yourself: 
The Livingston Mall 
112 Eisenhower Parkway 
Livingston NJ 07039

The Science of Black Hair WINNERS

Thank you so much for the overwhelming response to The Science of Black Hair giveaway!  Without any more delay, the winners are Amy & Cupcake. 


The winners have been emailed and have 3 days to submit their info, otherwise new winners will be selected.  

If you didn't win, head on over to our newest giveaway for another chance to win a great prize!  

Giveaway: St. Ives Naturally Smooth Lotion

The cold weather is rolling in faster than I would like it to.  Chilly, I'm okay with; Cold is an entirely different story.  But this winter I'm using St. Ives Naturally Smooth Lotion to keep my skin smooth and touchable.  Not only does this lotion moisturize, it has a natural, fruit-derived AHA complex that gently exfoliates skin by promoting cell turnover.  What else could you ask for in a lotion?  Scent?  Because this lotion has a light fruity scent that's not overpowering just fresh smelling.  


What exactly is AHA?  It stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acid and it is an all-star ingredient that really works to improve the texture of skin.  It's usually found in luxe type of products so for it to be in an affordable drugstore brand lotion, you know this lotion is special.  Want to try it for yourself?  We are giving away 4 bottles!  


Open from Oct. 24th 12am - Oct. 26th 11pm to US residents.  

Pantene Pro-V offers up Hair Solutions

If you've been overlooking Pantene products, it's time you give them a chance.  Pantene offers customized hair care solutions for all hair types, including curly, natural, relaxed, highly textured hair.  In fact, Pantene is my favorite drugstore brand because it's affordable and the products actually work wonders for my hair.  I've tried the Relaxed & Naturals line, the Fine hair line, as well as the Medium to Thick collection and I've found that the Medium to Thick works the best for me.

I found that the Relaxed & Naturals is great if my hair is feeling super dry and has been abused by me, meaning too much use of heat, rough handling, and things like that.  Or if I'm towards the end of a long relaxer stretch because it provides lots and lots of moisture.  But the Medium to Thick provides the perfect amount of moisture without over doing it and making my hair too weighed down.  How can they do that so perfectly?  Well, Pantene is one of the best drugstore companies because they don't skimp out on doing research.  

Did you know that medium-thick hair can contain up to two times more cells than fine hair, making it more rigid and capable of absorbing more moisture than fine hair, which can lead to frizz. This structure has an intermediate amount of fiber-to-fiber interactions?  Pantene does and that's why their products really live up to their claims.  


Once you determine what your hair type is then you can pick which products will best target your hair issues.  My picks?  Medium to Thick Breakage to Strength Shampoo and Conditioner.  Since my goal is to maintain the health of my hair while growing it out for Operation Wedding Hair, these products are perfect because they strengthen against damage to help prevent split ends.  But if that's not your issue, the Pantene Pro-V Medium-Thick Hair Solutions offers a customized product line-up specially designed for medium-thick hair, including Frizzy to Smooth, Dry to Moisturized, or Breakage to Strength, Medium-Thick Hair Solutions offers four shampoo and conditioner systems, six stylers, and three treatments designed to deliver beautiful results. 


The Breakage to Strength Shampoo and Conditioner work together to help reinforce each strand from root to tip to protect and strength against breakage.  The shampoo thoroughly cleanses without stripping and the conditioner provides lots of slip to make detangling a breeze.  Plus the products have that Pantene scent that just smells fresh and clean.  


What's your favorite Pantene Product? 

To find your own custom hair solution, visit Pantene at: http://on.fb.me/lKuFgY

**  Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Pantene via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Pantene **

Lifestyle Leak: The Forest of Fear

Me and my boo enjoy Halloween Haunts and we try to visit different Halloween attractions each year.  A few years back we visited Eastern State Penitentiary and we had a blast!  This year we tried out The Forest of Fear in Tuxedo Park, NY.  


The main event is the haunted house they have set up, but there are other attractions like the Monster Smash Show, the Coffin Ride, and Slaughterhouse Side Show.  I have to say I've been to better haunted houses.  I prefer a theme throughout but in this haunted house each room was a different theme.  The actors did a good job jumping out at you but overall we were too impressed.  Also, we didn't stick around for the side attractions so I can't tell you too much about that.  


Experience it for yourself: 
Forest of Fear
Sterling Forest 
600 Rt. 17A
Tuxedo Park, NY 
Phone: (845) 351-5174

Nicole Richie x Wella Care

Beauty is in the blowout for celebrity mom and designer Nicole Richie, who was spotted after a visit with Wella Professionals Celebrity Stylist, Andy LeCompte in West Hollywood. The black-clad starlet was sporting especially lustrous locks after visiting Andy LeCompte Salon to freshen up her look. Stepping out with a bag filled with Wella Care & Styling products. 

Andy’s favorite blow out tool is Wella Professionals Thermal Image, a heat protection spray that helps to protect by keeping it cooler when you’re styling with flat irons and curling irons. His recommendation is to spray hair in sections on dry hair, holding product at an arm’s length, so you make sure all your strands are covered. 

Optimum Care Salon Collection Heat Protection Polisher

Heat styling and healthy hair typically don't mesh so well together, this is why I always try to use a good heat protectant before I pick up any hot tool.  For the most part, I steer clear of flat irons and curling irons.  But whenever I use a blow dryer I always use a heat protectant for that too.  The latest one that I'm liking is SoftSheen-Carson Optimum Care Salon Collection Heat Protection Polisher, which acts likes a heat protectant and a frizz serum in one.  


Product Description: This dual purpose polisher delivers both instant breakage protection as well as protection from heat styling with strengthening Ceramide and Coconut Oil. Fights humidity and reversion by smoothing hair's cuticle for maximum smoothness and shine. 


AHS:  I showed you guys how I use a blow dryer to get my hair sleek via video.  So basically I used that technique using the Optimum Care Salon Collection Heat Protection Polisher as the serum.  Before blowdrying each section of hair I added a tiny amount of the polisher paying close attention to the ends of my hair.  Once I completed my entire head I noticed that my hair was a tiny bit weighted down, but it was sleek and shiny.   There is little to no scent so if scents are not your thing you'll like this.  Plus for under $7.00 it's a great buy.  This polisher is best for medium to thick hair types, if you have fine hair you might want to use a very light hand.  


You can find this where SoftSheen-Carson products are sold or on Amazon.com

Beauty Break: Stila has Nail Polish

Stila Cosmetics, the creator of my favorite bronzer has just debuted it's new nail polish sets.  Each set is a four polish collection that is free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.  The set featured above is The Daring Collection, starring more daring colors than the Delicate Collection shown below.  

Each set is $24.00 and available at StilaCosmetics.com 

So my question is ... Will you be rocking these collections?  

Joico K-Pak RevitaLuxe Treatment

Joico is a brand that I really have not experimented with too much.  I know some ladies swear by Joico products, but I tend to shy away from products that I think are heavy proteins just because I don't feel like my hair needs so much protein.  But you know guys know how much I love an innovative beauty product, so that's why I was tempted by the new Joico K-Pak RevitaLuxe Bio Advanced Restorative Treatment.  I mean how could you not be tempted?  The name alone sounds super high tech and fancy.  


Product Description:  The new K-PAK RevitaLuxe Bio Advanced Restorative Treatment actually repairs and restores years of damage instantly by reconstructing the hair structure from the inside out. What's more, it offers dramatic cumulative benefits, by continuing to correct and protect strands with regular use. With its unique combination of advanced damage repair plus superior moisture infusion, RevitaLuxe instantly transforms overly-stressed and compromised strands into luxuriously soft, strong and healthy hair.


More on RevitaLuxe's Groundbreaking Technology:  The RevitaLuxe Restorative Treatment features Joico's new bio-advanced, patent-pending, Keratin Peptide Complex which actually mimics the natural hair repair mechanism that exists deep within the cortex of each hair strand. This complex features bio-mimetic peptides that actively target and rebuild weak, damaged and broken areas on the hair, instantly strengthening and rejuvenating. Tests on actual salon clients show that after just one use, hair contains four times as many healthy keratin peptides as it did before application; and after three days of use, it contains more than seven times as many peptides. This means that in addition to repairing existing damage, RevitaLuxe continues repairing and it stands guard against future damage from chemical, environmental and thermal stressors by creating a "molecular bandage" on the hair surface. It also helps prevent premature color fading and maintains color luster.


In addition to Bio-Mimetic Peptides, RevitaLuxe contains these advanced and luxurious ingredients:

• Keratin Amino Acids--19 essential amino acids that restore hair's moisture balance to improve luster and elasticity.
• Joico Quadramine Complex-Joico's signature combination of deep-penetrating, keratin protein molecules provide incomparable damage repair and ongoing strengthening.
• Jojoba Oil-this rich moisturizer penetrates deeply to soften and condition hair as it promotes elasticity, shine, combability and manageability.
• Aloe Extract-a natural ingredient that provides additional, luxurious moisture.

AHS: The very first thing I noticed about this product was the very light but perfume like scent that I actually really like.  The pH of this product is 4.0-5.0 for those of you who like to know that kind of stuff.  Another benefit is that you only have to leave it on for 3-5 minutes, but I know you guys will leave it on longer.  I was actually tempted to, but this time I decided to follow the directions.  I washed and did the instant conditioner that accompanied the shampoo I was using.  Once I rinsed that out, I proceeded to apply the K-Pak to my hair.  I did the rest of my shower stuff and then rinsed it out.  My hair felt soft and was easy to detangle.  Afterwards, I blow dried on a low setting and my hair had a nice shine to it.  Next time, I'll leave it on for a little longer with a bit of heat.  


Have you tried this product yet?  If so, what are your thoughts?   

Kiyah Wright x Clairol Professional

Two-time Emmy Award-winning celebrity hairstylist Kiyah Wright is the fresh, new face of Clairol Professional!


Kiyah’s original styles and cutting-edge techniques set precedent for redefining the appearance of sexy, successful and confident women. Kiyah was discovered by Sean “Diddy” Combs as a teenager and has since gone on to coif A-listers such as Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Faith Evans and Kerry Washington. Kiyah can also be found styling on-set for shows such as The Tyra Show, America’s Next Top Model and America’s Got Talent, and working behind the chair at the Warren-Tricomi Salon in Los Angeles.

Kiyah's Favorite Clairol Professional Products: 

Clairol Professional liquicolor permanente
“Liquicolor permanente with SOY4PLEX technology is easy to use and creates maximum results. No one will be able to tell you DIY at home!”

Clairol Professional Moisturizing Color
“For root touch-ups, I love Clairol Professional Beautiful Moisturizing Color. It refreshes color after a chemical treatment and adds up to 45% more shine.”

Clairol Professional Jazzing
“My favorite at-home haircolor is the Clairol Professional Jazzing collection — there are no steps, you just simply apply, sit under the dryer, and style.”

Orchids Oil by White Sands Giveaway Winners

The winners are as follows:

Valencia, Soroya, Alyssa, Trenice, & Amanda!

Ladies you will receive an email with your tracking number for your prize in a day or two.

Everyone else, there's a brand new giveaway that's Live already!

The Science of Black Hair Book Giveaway

The Science of Black Hair written by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy just might be the best book out there regarding black hair, actually you know what?  It is the best book out there for black hair that I've come across.  Remember I shared my thoughts with you regarding the book in a video?  If not here it is.  

But now, I want to offer two AHS readers a chance to win a signed copy of the book!  All you have to do is use the contest machine below to enter. 

Winter Hair Regimen Changes

Once the weather begins to get colder do you change up your hair care regimen?  I make a few tiny tweaks in my regimen because during the colder months I noticed that my hair feels dry if I don't.  Mainly, I end up moisturizing and sealing my hair more often in the winter.  I use more oils in the winter as well.  Over time, I've realized the winter months can either make or break my length retention just because it's so dry out and my hair can really suffer.  


To protect my hair this winter I'm going to be more diligent about moisturizing and sealing my hair, especially the breakage prone nape area.  I plan on wearing my hair in buns and other styles where the ends are not exposed.  Plus, I'll be sticking to my Operation Wedding Hair plan.  


What do you do differently with your hair in the winter?  Share below in the comments section.  


Image credit

Honey Based Pre-Poo Treatment

This week I decided to dabble in the world of Honey for my pre-poo steam treatment.  I whipped up a mixture of Honey, EVOO, and Tropical Isles Red Pimento Oil.  As a part of Operation Wedding Hair, i've really been taking my pre-shampoo treatments seriously.  Each week, I've been doing some type of pre-shampoo treatment and I really think  it's beneficial for my hair.  In case you're new to the whole Healthy Hair Lifestyle, a pre-poo treatment happens before you start to shampoo and it really gives your hair an extra boost.  


Let's take a closer look at this weeks ingredients: 

(Golden Blossom Honey, $6.00 Amazon.com)

Honey - I chose to use honey because it is great at providing moisture to the hair.  Dry hair equals breakage when it comes to my hair.  So providing it with extra moisture is essential.  Honey is naturally a humectant which means it attracts and holds moisture, which is great for dry, chemically treated, natural, or damaged hair.  

(Olivos Organic EVOO, $18.00 Amazon.com)

EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a great oil to use because it's plain and simple.  Practically everyone has some stashed in their kitchen and it has it's own benefits.  Conditioning, shine, and even dandruff control are just a few of the benefits of throwing a little EVOO in your hair.  

(Strong Roots Red Pimento Hair Growth Oil, $15.00 Amazon.com)

Tropical Isles Red Piment Hair Growth Oil - I choose to add this in because it has all my favorite hair care oils in one, coconut oil, JBCO, and Jamaican Red Pimento Oil.  It's like the secret star ingredient in this Pre-Poo treatment.  

How I did the treatment:  For this treatment I wanted to start out with damp hair so I wet my hair and then covered with a towel while I whipped up the mixture and got my Huetiful Hair Steamer ready to roll.  Then I applied the mixed up treatment to my scalp and down the length of my hair, clipped the ends up, and proceeded to sit under the steamer for about 30-45 minutes.  While I'm under the steamer, I usually blog, read, or chat on twitter!  


Afterwards:  Thoroughly shampoo your scalp and proceed to the conditioning steps of your weekly hair care routine.