TRESemme’s 24 Hour Body Collection features a full range of hair care products ranging from shampoo/conditioner to styling products like sculpting gels and foaming mousse. I personally wanted to try out their 24 Hour Body Conditioner and the 24 Hour Body Root Boost (’cause y’all know I need some root lifting like nobody’s business!)

The Conditioner is described as a lightweight conditioner that helps to keep it soft and prep it for volumizing products. I would completely and emphatically have to agree with its ability to make your hair feel like silk. It smells like traditional shampoo/conditioners — lightly perfume-y fragrance, but nothing too distinct. I didn’t find the scent was heavy or overwhelming. I like a very soft scent, and if it lingers, it’s fine, I just don’t want to have a cloud of it around my head, so this one worked out for me. The Conditioner is also a really good budget beauty item to have, because for under $10, you get 32 fl. oz. of product (aka a huge bottle)!

The Root Boost worked surprisingly well! First, my roots are heavy. All of my hair heavy–super thick and way too much of it. This kind of makes all volumizing, lifting, etc. products have a tough hill to climb to work. I spritzed this on my roots alone (though they say you can use it for all over volume, too), blow dried, and voila! I had a great hair day, because the top of my head wasn’t totally flat. I found that my hair also didn’t fall flat after an hour or two (as it is prone to do), which was a huge plus. I know the product talks about thickening hair up, but I can’t speak to that–my hair is naturally thick and I couldn’t really tell. This is definitely now part of my hair styling arsenal. Whenever I blow out my hair now, this is a must-use product!

See my good hair day…

P.S. If my bangs are lookin’ a little different, it’s because I cut them myself, LOL. They just grow out ridiculously fast, and my stylist isn’t particularly close to me (and I’m busy), so I never get around to trimming them. Enter in Temptalia’s “bright” idea of self-chopping. I think it went OK, though they were initially too short. I figured within a couple of days, I’d have the perfect length anyway!

AG Hair Cosmetics dv8 texture spray ($20.00) is a spray designed to define, texturize, and style hair without giving you build-up at the end. I like to spray it on damp to dry hair to help add texture and make my hair look more “piece-y.” What’s great about this product is you can spray it into your roots, blow dry, and then you’ll see some nice volume and definition. You can also just use it to keep your hair a little more “in place.”

Trust me, I’m lazy in the morning. I’m even lazier because I spend most of my day blogging in my home or going to school, so there’s just few occasions where I need to get dressed to the nines. I’ve grown accustomed to lazing around, playing with the puppy, and the like, so any product that can multi-task I get excited over. This is why dv8 is so exciting, because it’s very much like a pomade, but it’s in a spray formula. It can do so much in so little time, and you don’t have to get pomade all over your hands either.

Use this to help cut back the time you spent getting ready in the New Year — it launches in North America January 1st, 2009.

Frederic Fekkai Spray On Hair Crystals ($18.50) is sophisticated glitter for your hair. Launched at a perfect time when holiday parties abound, this product is a fun and flirty foray into hair glitter. If you’re wary of glitter in the hair, the particles are very fine and lightweight–not like craftstore glitter in the least. I don’t find that this product gunks up my hair or acts like a hair spray (doesn’t give me any hold really…), which is a plus, in my book. I’d hate it if it made my hair hard and crunchy!

It took some experimentation to really get the product to work for me. You can’t just do short spritzes, you have to press and hold and let it mist all over your hair, then release. When I did short spritzes, you could hardly see any glitter. It made a huge difference to hold it down and apply in a single hold. I really liked the result — it was this soft mist of fine crystals all over my hair. Very festive! If it was fashionable (and you know, super inexpensive) to go around with hair glitter everyday, I would so be there.

Each bottle contains 45+ uses according to the bottle packaging, which is good, I suppose. I really don’t know what to expect in terms of usage, and I’m sure it’ll vary from person to person depending on how much you use in each setting. It comes in three shades (champagne, copper, and bronze) — and you’re probably best off going with the one opposite your natural hair color. I have both copper and bronze, and I do like them–I think I prefer copper just a tad more. For me, it really works because of the soft brown-red tones in my hair. I gotta return one of them (I think it’s bronze), because the spray nozzle stopped functioning after about four or five usages But I’ll be exchanging it for a new one, rather than returning it altogether.

My biggest beef with this product is the scent.  IT STINKS!  It only stinks when you’re spraying it–which is this scent of chemicals up the wazoo–so the scent doesn’t linger in your hair or anything.  I think I might not be used to hair products, because maybe if I was, I wouldn’t be so adverse to this.  Like I said, though, the scent is only when you’re initially spraying it on your hair and then it is gone.

Anyone else try this? What’d you think?

P.S. — No photos, because this doesn’t photograph well.  I tried on about four different occasions to no avail! Sorry!

FHI Heat Curling Iron (1 1/4″) ($195.00) is really the creme de la creme of curling irons. FHI’s curling iron barrel sizes range from 3/4″ to 1 1/2″, and my girl Pursebuzz recommended I get a 1 1/4″ as a multi-tasking curling iron. This particular barrel size gets you larger curls, and without a curl styling product beforehand, gives you more beachy waves than tight curls. For those less hair savvy, the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. Thus, larger barrels are more likely to give you waves than ringlets. Also, longer hair can tolerate larger barrels, because there is more hair to wrap around the barrel.

With my shorter hair style (although, it is rapidly growing out!), I do find the 1 1/4″ to be a little large at times, but I know it would be the perfect size on my previous, longer hair. You can definitely get your Victoria Secret’s full, sexy hair with it! I think I need to pick up a 3/4″ or 1″ barrel curling iron at some point, so that I switch as I need to. Another trick I picked up from Pursebuzz is to use those plastic rollers (they cost a few bucks, and you can find them at a beauty supply store or even your local drugstore). You can pick them up in different sizes, so after you’ve used the hot curling iron, wrap them up in these, to let the curl set and conform a bit more while you do your makeup.

Design: I really liked the handle design of this particular curling iron. It has a digital temperature display, and the temperature can adjust from 212 degrees to 410 degrees Farenheit. Although, mine displays in celsius, and I’m not sure if there’s a way to change it (and I’ve been too lazy to check the instructions manual!). Thicker hair needs higher temperatures in order to keep the curl, while thinner, finer hair requires less heat. To find a good heat setting, you shouldn’t have to hold the barrel in place for more than several seconds. If you find you can’t get a curl unless the iron is in place for a minute, you probably need to crank up the heat. The handle comes equipped with an up and down button for temperature, as well as the power button. Once you’ve found your desired temperature, you can then press the power button once to lock in your temperature. This is great, because I do find I occasionally bump the up or down buttons, and this way, the temperature doesn’t change. There is also a kickstand to allow you to prop up the curling iron on your countertop so the hot bits don’t come into contact with the surface, which is always helpful. I find it doesn’t heat up, as long as you don’t allow the metal to touch the barrel itself.

Time: This baby heats up in under five minutes. I would say just a minute or two, and it’s pretty much ready for me to use. I have thick hair, so I do keep the temperature of this quite high (300+).

Get the low-down on some more pros and cons!

Pros: I’m most definitely not a hair expert, but I’m trying to gain some hair knowledge! I know that excessive heat tools and products can damage your hair, so ever since I started getting into styling, I’ve been looking out for products and tools that minimize that damage. FHI’s curling iron contains a ceramic heater, which is supposed to cause less damage to your strands.

Cons: Everything about this iron is fantastic, nothing is really lacking, except when it comes to the rubber tip at the end of the barrel. When I curl my hair, I often place two fingers at the end of the barrel (where the rubber tip is) to help curl my hair around the barrel’s curvature. The problem is I find the rubber tip is pretty warm! I’m utterly confused by it, because I know it shouldn’t be conducting heat. It isn’t scalding, so I can still put my fingers around it no problem, but it’s definitely warmer than I’d like. For those who use lower heat settings, you might not notice this at all. I actually wonder if mine is dysfunctional in that aspect, because FHI advertises it as a “cool-touch tip.” So take this con as just a possibility, but it could very well be something specific to my iron.

Also, the price is obviously above and beyond some beauty addicts’ budgets. I’m not yet advocating this particular curling iron over any others, as this is only the second I’ve tried in my life (the first sucked, and it was also wickedly old!). If you love FHI’s Flat Irons (cult faves!), and you have the beauty budget to finagle it, this is a product that works well!

PROENZA SCHOULER
Hair lead: Didier Malige for ghd
ghd lead: Omar Lopez

“Industrial Meets Deco” | Jack and Lazaro rocked the runway by merging a military feel with late 70s and early 80s inspired shapes and lines, to create a collection that was equal parts tough, confident and feminine.

To compliment the juxtaposed runway looks, Didier Malige for ghd led the Directive Team to create a deeply parted, eye-sweeping finger wave, artfully pulled back to one side and cascading down one shoulder. Using the ghd IV mini styler, a modern “finger wave” was created by sectioning off hair, and starting at the crown gently rocking the iron back and forth all the way to the ends. Then, ghd sea spray was worked through ghd Runway Report the model’s hair to soften the wave and add light hold. Next, the hair was set with clips around the face to help accentuate the waves. Finally, the clips were removed, and the hair was swept back to one side and secured using bobby pins, while the front fell loosely over one eye a la 1970s Jerry Hall. The look was finished with ghd ultimate hairspray.

Get details on the hair at Monique Lhuillier!

MONIQUE LHUILLIER
Hair lead: Eugene Souleiman for ghd

“Luxurious Tropical Island Chic” | Dry, crisp fabrics, straw braiding techniques, basket patterns and wave prints evoke thoughts of tropical vacations entrenched in relaxation, glamour and luxury.

Since this girl is all about heading from the beach to cocktails at sunset, an easy, relaxed chignon was the perfect compliment to the summer-inspired collection. First, the ghd IV styler was used to straighten the hair. Then, ghd sea spray was applied around the roots and blown out with a diffuser to create a texture-laden base. Next, the model’s hair was finger brushed away from the face, gathered into a pony and half-twisted up. Then, the hair was twiste back around and secured into place, leaving the ends loose. To create a wind-swept look, Eugene and the Directive Team applied ghd sea spray to their hands and lightly roughed up the sides and front of the hair with their palms. Finally, a fine mist of ghd ultimate hairspray was applied to ensure that the look stayed put. The result? Summer-inspired perfection!

GOSSIP GIRL stars Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen), Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf), and Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey) get their perfect locks using FHI Heat products! Here are some tips to get Gossip Girl hair!

Jennifer Johnson, Department Head of Hair for Gossip Girl for Seasons 1 and 2, explains below how she achieves the fashion-forward looks on the show. A professional hairdresser for 18 years, Johnson started her career working in salons, then doing hair for Broadway and for Bette Midler’s tours, and finally becoming a behind-the-scenes hairstylist for film and TV.

“Gossip Girl allows me to exercise lots of creativity because we are dealing with fun characters,” she states. “It’s really great and I feel fortunate!” Says Johnson, “I can’t say enough about how much the FHI Heat tools help me in my job. I love the shine and smoothness on the hair from the FHI Heat Runway styling iron! I love everything about what it does and offers–the heat, the adjustable temperature–I just can’t say enough good things about it!!! It’s my new favorite tool. I love also the T-Rex clips and the Nano Salon Pro 2000 Blow Dryer!”

Learn how to style your hair like the cast of Gossip Girls!

Blake Lively, who plays Serena van der Woodsen, always sports an effortless look. “I usually use the Runway styling iron to achieve this look which is never perfect, but always a little messy,” states Johnson. “For summer, we aimed for a wavy undone look. While for back to school and fall, we are aiming for a more constructed look for Serena.” About Serena’s “goddess look” for the summer Hamptons party: “This is a messy updo look,” explains Johnson, who outlines the steps below.

1. Curl whole head using a FHI Heat Curling iron
2. Use Runway styling iron to relax some of the curls
3. Twist some of the hair and pull it back
4. Pink up all the hair in back
5. Accessorize front by using a necklace as a headband

Leighton Meester, who plays Blair Waldorf, always displays a very perfect, constructed look, finished off almost always with headbands. “To achieve this look of true perfection, I take half-inch sections of hair and curl it with the FHI Heat Curling iron, curling it in different directions, achieving big curls,” says Johnson. “I put the headband on after.”

Taylor Momsen, who plays Jenny Humphrey, always sports a different look. One of her looks is super straight hair, which is achieved by applying the FHI Heat Hot Sauce to hair and then running the Runway iron through hair. The other look is a curly look achieved by curling the whole head with the FHI Heat Curling iron and then setting the curls with velcro rollers.

www.fhiheat.com

MISS SIXTY
Hair lead: Leonardo Manetti for ghd

“Urban Superheroines” – Wichy Hassan, Miss Sixty Designer

The Look
Beautiful, charming and glamorously feminine, a modern homage to the passionate freethinking ideals and values of the 1970’s – liberation, freedom and self-confidence.

Get the how-to!

The ghd Way
Modern, edgy, urban-rocker chic with lots of attitude. First, the directive team sprayed ghd miracle mist to prep the hair to look healthy and shiny. Next, ghd maximise mousse was applied to the roots for the ultimate in volume and the hair was blown out straigtht. To rough up tresses and help hold volume, ghd ultimate hair spray was lightly misted over the entire head. Then, unexpected “dents” were created to infuse movement and texture by taking a small section of hair, making a loop and then pressing the ghd IV styler on the loop. The look was finished with ghd reflection spray for the all-out shine, and a final mist of ultimate hair spray kept the look runway-ready. The result? An unpredictable edge that channeled all things modern, urban and glamorous.

ghd is available at great salons across the globe and in Sephora, as well as online at www.ghdhairusa.com and www.sephora.com.

ALEXANDER HERCHCOVITCH
Hair lead: Omar Lopez for ghd

“Structured Femininity” – Alexander Herchcovitch

The Look
Inspired by political turmoil in countries across the world, Herchcovitch featured structured military-like designs with ethnic details and voluminous accents.

Get the hair how-to!

The ghd Way
Feminine, bohemian-inspired braids infused with structure and elegance complimented the military-inspired runway looks. First, the directive team sprayed ghd sea spray to prep models hair, infusing texture and hold. Then, the hair was straightened using the ghd IV styler to make it smooth, sleek, and braid-ready. Next, starting at the left crown, the hair was sectioned off and braided into a S-shape along the back of the head. Along the way, ghd obedience cream was added in “to control the ends and keep the hair slick and pliable,” explains Lopez. Next, hair was tied off at the nape using a Sephora elastic band, and then any loose sections were pulled into a low braid and then incorporated back into the S-shaped braid using bobby pins. The result? Edgy Elegance that perfectly complimented the runway looks.

ghd is available at great salons across the globe and in Sephora, as well as online at www.ghdhairusa.com and www.sephora.com.