Quick Reviews:  Guerlain Champagne Pearl Kiss Kiss Gloss, La Mer The Hydrating Facial Mask, Urban Decay Razor Sharp Finishing Powder

What are quick reviews? I’m glad you asked!  Quick reviews are products that I just haven’t gotten around to reviewing but either photographed, swatched, and/or tested.

Guerlain Champagne Pearl (847) Kiss Kiss Gloss ($30.00) is a sheer, sparkly peachy beige with champagne and gold shimmer. It’s definitely a sheer wash of color on lips, but it provides tons of sparkle. I like it better over a lipstick, because it can bring out the depth of a lipstick that way, rather than just being a wash of shimmer on lips.  Rating:  B+

La Mer ‘The Hydrating Facial’ Mask ($250.00 for 6 applications) is the closest I’ve ever come to feeling like I’m getting a spa facial at home. Granted, I’ve only had about two facials in my entire life, but I felt like I might have spent a little time on cloud nine when I relaxed with this on. There are two parts to the mask–an upper and lower zone–and together they infuse skin with moisture. My skin felt as amazing as it looked, and I definitely wished I had more than one mask to try, ha! The price is steep, but it’s La Mer–not surprising. I still find it completely funny that my Mom, who is not a beauty junkie, LOVES La Mer and says she can tell the difference when she uses something else I’ve given her. At least every gift giving occasion for Mom is easy   Rating:  B+ — love the product, value drags it down a bit.

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder ($30.00) is a nice, translucent powder to help set your makeup, but I really hated the delivery system. It annoyed me so much that I only used it twice and completely forgot about it. It’s a sponge that goes over the “nozzle” that disperses the powder. It just strikes me as particularly unsanitary, but aside from that, I much prefer a brush for a delicate, soft application. I feel like this presses more product onto the skin than necessary to set, but it can also smudge or over-blend your makeup if you’re not careful. I tried to twist/pry off the whole contraption on top, but to no avail, and thus why it’s taken me three months to review.  Rating:  B- — the product itself is decent, the packaging drives me batty.

See product photos & swatches!

Lush Retread Conditioner ($22.35 for 8.4 fl. oz.)

I’m usually a big fan of Lush products, but this product left me wanting more. I found that this conditioner didn’t work as well as conditioners I’ve tried in the past (AG Hair, Herbal Essences, etc.), but what dismayed me is I felt like I needed to use quite a bit in order to cover all the hair I wanted to condition. I feel like if I used this as my regular conditioner, I’d probably go through the jar in a month–and I have shorter hair now! I think the problem I have with it is I can’t “work it in.” It just feels like it stays put wherever it first comes in contact with my hair, so I can’t spread it or work it through my hair at all.

The scent of Retread is an organic-floral kind of scent. There’s that more traditional organic scent (though not nauseating), but you can sniff a little perfume-y floral-ness to it, as well. The scent does linger a bit in the hair after rinsing the product out, and it’s one of those smells you either love, can put up with, or just hate. Since it lingers, you’ll want to try to do a sniff-test before you bring it home with you! (I was mostly indifferent, personally!)

I do feel this product is better suited as a leave-in conditioner or a hair mask worn for five minutes or so outside of the shower with damp-to-almost-dry hair. I think wrapped up in plastic, it will condition better. Since it would be used more as a treatment than part of your day-to-day routine, it would also allow you to stretch the product out over time and get more value out of it.

A few days ago, I mentioned how much I was enjoying my new shampoo/conditioner set by AG Hair Cosmetics. I also wanted to tell you a bit about my experience using their Re:new Clarifying Shampoo ($12.00). Like I said before, I’ve been using more product in my hair than I ever used to, and it is only natural that there would be more build-up. In the past few weeks, I’ve also started to swim some laps on occasion, and we all know chlorine is none too kind to hair.

Enter in Re:new, which is AG’s clarifying shampoo. It’s designed to remove discoloration from chlorine, as well as mineral deposits and dulling product build-up. Like the Colour Savour line, this product is color-safe. After using this clarifying shampoo, my hair doesn’t feel stripped or dry; it just feels incredibly clean. It feels silky and looks shiny (the good shiny!). I’m so happy to have found this, because I had no idea what to really look for in a clarifying shampoo–but now I do!

I’ve spent the past week or two drooling over the above haircut. It just appeals to me, and I couldn’t really tell you why. Perhaps it’s because the model has such amazing features that she can rock this cut. I’ve always gone to the same hair salon for $8 hair cuts–yes, $8 haircuts–but I’ve always wanted to go to a professional hair stylist and have them do my hair. (Not to say they did a bad job; most of my visits were fine, but I didn’t ask for anything beyond lots of long layers!)

Well, I finally took the plunge. I went to Allan’s Salon this afternoon (I was so excited that they had an opening!) after reading all the rave reviews on Yelp!. $65 (and tip) later, and I’m loving my new ‘do! Allan was amazing–I brought in the photo above, but also something less tame, a lot longer, and he said I could totally work the one I wanted. But since I had expressed concern over going super short, he said he would add more length to it. Perfection. Absolute perfection.

I watched him when he did my blow out, to see how I would need to style it myself, and it didn’t look overly difficult. It’ll be interesting when I attempt it myself, but he just used a thermal protectant (duh), thickening spray by Bumble&Bumble, and then some pomade/wax. I think what I am so happy with is it is obviously different from my hair of 21 years, but it doesn’t look overly drastic. I was also thrilled to hear I could go shorter (he said I had the facial features for it) if I wanted to. Never was sure if I could pull off short hair! Nonetheless, parts of my hair had at least 7-8 inches taken off, so it is definitely a lot shorter than it was a few hours ago.

OK, OK, I know you just want to see how it turned out. Peep my new hair…

Side-by-side comparison!

Antonio Prieto, a hair care guru, shares these home remedies with us:

• Oily Hair: Boil two tablespoons of mint in 1 1/2 glasses of water for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture and mix it with your regular shampoo. Using the mint mixture on alternatiev days absorbs the excess oil in your hair!
• Damaged & Dry Hair: Apply a paste of egg yolk and water. Leave it in for 10 to 15 mintuse and rinse of with cool water.
• Frizzy Hair: Tame it by rubbing coconut oil into your hands and apply sparingly into your hair.

Get more recipes!

• Build-up: Massage a small amount of olive oil into the roots of dry hair before shampooing. Olive oil is also great for helping coarse hair. Apply from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair for great control and moisture.
• Dull Hair: Rinse your hair with lemon juice to bring lfie and shine back into your hair. Not recommended for color-treated hair, so instead use a cold water rinse after shampooing for great shine!
• Everyone: A healthy diet consisting of veggies, fruits, nuts, grians, and lots of water helps you get healthy hair!

Learn more about Antonio at www.antonioprietosalon.com.

Biolage Scalptherapie Oil Control Treatment

The purpose of this product is to minimize the effects of oily scalp and hair with a “refreshing mist.” To apply, you simply mist it onto your scalp to ward off greasiness and flattening of your ‘do. As I am only getting into the world of hair products, I can’t say that I would incorporate this into my usual routine if only because it is such a targeted and specific product. I’m lucky enough that my hair doesn’t get noticeably greasy until day 3 of unwashed hair.

I liked using this on warmer days, because it was “refreshing” against my scalp, and it is a nice option to use when you’ve forgotten to wash your hair because you’re way too busy procrastinating over a Constitutional Law midterm.

Would you use this product? Have you?

Terax’s Crema ($20.00), Hydrate Botanica ($20.00), and Gloss ($16.00)

Crema is a daily conditioner suitable for all hair types that has a very light, more herbal-natural scent (though not the “bad” natural scent, ha!). It is an intense moisturizer that helps to heal and restore split ends and breakage. It is supposed to alter the pH level of your hair, open the cuticle to increase moisture, and reduce frizziness. To apply, add to damp hair after shampooing and leave on for 1-2 minutes. For deeper conditioning, leave on for up to fifteen minutes.

What I really liked about this was that it told me how long to leave it in my hair for, because I always wonder how long is the right amount for many hair care products (especially since I am hair care-stupid). I also loved that a small amount was enough for all of my long, thick hair, and I didn’t feel like it got stuck or used up halfway through application. I felt like it let me “spread” it all over my hair with a single dollop-always a huge plus in my book! And can I just say that deeper conditioning and regular conditioning in the same product is phenomenal?

Hydrate Botanica is a leave-in moisturizer that is supposed to help refresh normal and stressed hair. It is lightly scented with cucumber and green tea, culminating in a nice, herbal-esque aroma. It advertises its “Naturina Complex,” which is exclusive to Terax products. This particular complex includes Vitamins A-D, chamomile, yarrow, nettle, fennel, sage, and hops. It sure does sound natural to me! All of these extracts are meant to infuse hair with antioxidants to help against environmental damage to hair/scalp.

I’m not really a leave-in conditioner kind of gal, mostly because I am low-maintenance when it comes to hair. Less is totally more for me! It does leave my hair feeling soft, but I just always feel like I should be washing my hair after putting product in it, especially a conditioner. The scent is lightly floral and reminds me spring. Unlike traditional rinse-out conditioners, this product is much thinner and more liquid. I found that I had to be careful or else I would spill way more than I needed onto my palm. Overall, I felt like this would better serve someone who preferred or required a leave-in versus a rinse-out conditioner.

Gloss is a finishing serum to help tame flyaways with a concentrated silicone serum that also adds shine without weight (and there is no oil in it). They use Vitamin E to also protect against free radical damage (can I show my hair care ignorance-I didn’t know free radicals damaged the hair!). I really liked this for when I left my hair down, because I could easily smooth it over the crown of my head to minimize strays, frizzies, and flyaways, which I hate to see. The bottle is small in size (though I think you’ll get plenty of uses out of it), so it’s totally convenient to stash in your purse for on-the-run fixes.

Have you tried Terax products? If so, what did you think? Favorite products?

Now, onto some product reviews!

Healing Serum: Every so often, your hair might be fried, overblown, or just plain tired from day to day wear and tear or from the various torture we put our tresses through in the name of style. This is a product that is meant to repair all the damage you’ve caused your mane, and it really does return it to its natural balance of rich, luxurious locks with a good amount of moisture locked into each strand. This is a product that I personally only need to use on occasion, but it is a great way to healthy-up hair and it doesn’t take long at all. I designed the Healing Serum as a ready-to-wear treatment, one that women can spray in their hair at any time and just go,  says Jamal.  Now damage can be treated any time, all day long, and women don’t have to wait to find the time to do a deep treatment mask.

Shea Hair Mask: This is another product meant to help and repair tortured, unhealthy hair, and for those who need it more often, use it daily, and others can use it as little as once a week.  It even helps those with colored hair by enhancing it. I love that it includes sunscreen to help protect your hair from the sun (we so often overlook sun damage to our hair!). It’s ultra moisturizing, and a little goes a long way, which is always good to know in advance!

Shea Hair Cream: This is a great styling product for adding texture while keeping hair smooth and healthy looking. It can be used on dry or wet hair, and it can be left to dry naturally or blown dry, depending on the style you’re after. Shea butter has naturally occurring sunscreen in it, and as I mentioned earlier–great added bonus.

The unique Hamadi Beauty line contains:

• Ginger Soymilk Hair Wash Daily Shampoo For All Hair Types – Contains essential oils of ginger, sweet orange, and rosewood. This gentle shampoo can be used everyday to invigorate and purify the hair. Soymilk seals in moisture and proteins. 4oz. $18, 8oz $27
• Honey Soymilk Hair Wash Daily Shampoo For Fine Hair – Contains essential oils of ylang ylang and guaiac tree. This gentle shampoo can be used everyday. Honey adds volume, texture and body, while Soymilk hydrates the hair without weighing it down. 4oz. $18, 8oz $27
• Lemon Mint Hair Wash Shampoo/Color Protector For Blonde Hair – Contains essential oils of peppermint, green mint, white cedar and lemongrass. It removes product and environmental build-up, protects against chlorine discoloration, and seals in existing color. The fresh-smelling wash leaves hair and scalp feeling buoyant, refreshed and pampered. 4oz. $18, 8oz $27
• Shea Leave In Daily Conditioner/Styling Cream – Contains essential oils of lemongrass, verbena, ylang ylang, and lavender. When used as a light conditioner, it moisturizes and adds shine to the hair without being too heavy, leaving the hair pliable and textured. When used as a versatile styling cream, it creates soft, natural looks, and enhances curl. This light cream can also be used to straighten and add shine, leaving no traces of starchiness or stickiness. A naturally occurring sunscreen in the shea butter protects hair and scalp from harmful rays. 4oz. $22, 8oz $37
• Shea Hair Cream All Around Styling Solution – Contains essential oils of lemongrass, exotic verbena, lemon, and palmarosa. This styling cream texturizes, separates and smoothes. It can be used as a straightener or to enhance naturally curly or wavy hair. It contains rice protein to enrich and strengthen. A naturally occurring sunscreen in shea butter protects hair and scalp from harmful rays
• 4oz. $23, 8oz $38
• Shea Hair Mask Moisturizing Treatment – Contains essential oils of vanilla and ylang ylang. This is the perfect weekly indulgence or daily essential for hair in need of repair, replenishment and color maintenance. Avocado oil silkens and aloe vera hydrates from roots to ends. It leaves the hair feeling sensuous and touchable. A naturally occurring sunscreen in shea butter protects hair and scalp from harmful rays 4oz. $24, 8oz $39
• Shea Pomade Classic Grooming Aid For Short Hair – Contains essential oils of bergamot and ylang ylang. For a no-nonsense style, use this pomade to create slick, spikey, and tousled looks. A naturally occurring moisturizing sunscreen in shea butter protects hair and scalp from harmful rays.  4oz. $24, 8oz $39

Available at Fred Segal stores and www.hamadibeauty.com.