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Survey Says... July 20th, 2016

Happy Wednesday! Here's this week's survey, which you can copy and paste and share as a comment.

  • Your skin tone/coloring:
  • Must-have hair styling product?
  • Last used shampoo?
  • Must-have hair tool?

40 Comments

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Corrine Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Fair, Cool
Must-have hair styling product? I just started using Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl at my stylist’s suggestion – I have thick, wavy hair that tends to frizz – and I really love it.
Last used shampoo? DevaCurl’s new Low-Poo Delight. Another product I recently started using, but unlike the above, I don’t love it. I’m not even sure I like it most days, but I paid too much money for it & the accompanying conditioner so I am definitely finishing the entire bottle.
Must-have hair tool? I don’t really put much effort into my hair – it’s gonna do what it do – so the only thing I would say I have to have is a wide-tooth comb.

AB Avatar

> Your skin tone/coloring: fair, warm
> Must-have hair styling product? Phytovolume Actif volulmizing spray for fine hair. Occasionally I try others but this is kinder to the hair so I always end up coming back to it.
> Last used shampoo? Redken “color extend”. It works better for me than Pureology’s for fine hair, though I use the Pureology conditioner.
> Must-have hair tool? A particular round brush I’ve had for years. Perfect size, not to bristly/harsh and not too soft, hardy. I think it’s boar hair.

Linda Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring:
Medium/neutral

Must-have hair styling product?
Aquage Hydrating Mist

Last used shampoo?
Pantene Age Defy Shampoo.
There was a lot of discussion over at the Beauty Brain forum on shampoos, effectiveness, and claims made by various brands. Long story short — as scientists they really get behind Pantene. They think their products have good chemistry behind them, and work. I do like this product very much — after years of searching and spending way too much $ on products.

Must-have hair tool?
A good blow dryer and med-sized round brush. I’ll be reading for recs here as people post. I think I need a new one.

Julia Avatar

Skin tone/ coloring: Medium, warm neutral, dark brown eyes, brunette
Must-have hair styling product? Leave-in conditioner. My fave is Beauty Protector from Birchbox, I’ve been using it for years now
Last used shampoo Orlando Pita Argan Oil shampoo (from Costco, and I love it)
Must-have hair tool? Blow-dryer+ round brush, that’s how I style every day!

thirteen Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: fair, warm
Must-have hair styling product? Davine’s This is an Oil Non-Oil
Last used shampoo? something cheap from Costco.
Must-have hair tool? …….air?

I have really low maintenance hair. It’s fine, straight, and you can barely tell when it hasn’t been brushed. (Also, I leave it my natural color; haven’t started graying yet other than a couple hairs here and there.) It looks better if I blow dry it with a round brush but I usually don’t bother.

I freaking love the Oil Non-Oil stuff though. My hair isn’t frizzy but it does get FLUFFY and the Oil Non-Oil calms that right down and adds a nice texture. It’s expensive but I only use a tiny amount so this bottle may last me forever.

Katherine T. Avatar

*TIGI Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray -my hair is straight and flat. I do a few spritzes on damp hair, then blow dry , and this will give it about 30% more volume. It feels like nothing (not sticky or heavy like other thickening sprays), the volume lasts all day, with quick tousle to refresh. I always stock up during sales
*L’Oreal Everpure Sulfate Free Volume Shampoo – gives me volume and safe for colored hair
* Round brush to curl the ends

MissJae1908 Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Deep Dark/ NW50
Must-have hair styling product? Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter or the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Grow Loc & Braid Butter
Last used shampoo? Mane ‘n Tail (old school lol)
Must-have hair tool? A Denman Brush

Mariella Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Fair, cool (coloured hair)
Must-have hair styling product? Living Proof Style Extender, Phyto Phyto 9 and Secret de Nuit treatment (I use it as a leave in), the original Moroccan Oil, AG Firewall Flat Iron Spray and their CC Cream, Alterna CC Cream ( have a lot of “must have” hair products…there are more but these are the ones that come to mind just now)
Last used shampoo? Joico (it’s one for colour treated hair)
Must-have hair tool? my CHI flat iron (and my newer one – I forget the name) and this great round brush my hairdresser gave me for Christmas a few years ago; my T3 hair dryer would be another “must have” except that with my flat iron, I can pretty much use any old hair dryer (like those in hotel rooms) and still get a good finished result.

Nell Avatar

Coloring: fair, pink undertones
Hair product: Aveda Volumizing Tonic – a must have for years!
Last shampoo: Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo – I use way too much and too often to purchase anything expensive for a shampoo. This works and smells great. I especially like the Costco large bottle with a pump.
Favorite Tools: very plain Conair curling iron, wide tooth comb, simple favorite small brush that has sadly been discontinued.

Julia Avatar

Funny you ask- I ordered black/silver but received all black. It’s still nice, and at that point I was beyond caring because my dying Babyliss was only running for about 5 min at a time before shutting off and needing a cool-down period- I got too much hair for that nonsense! I can’t believe how light the Elchim is compared to the Babyliss but how much power it has- and yes, it gives shine for days! Did you end up with a fun color?

Tammy Avatar

I have tight curly hair and would not want to live without Ouidad’s Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner and Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel. I co-wash once every three days, condition, and when I get out of the shower put in a light layer of leave-in conditioner and humidity gel. I let my hair air dry.

I wash with Deva Curl co wash (conditioner wash, no sulfate).

Deva Curl recently released a new product called Supercream Coconut Hair Styler. I go to Chicago to Cally’s Curls and Company two times a year to get my haircut, and they used this on my hair last time I was there. I bought this and use it about once a month, just for variety, in place of my leave in conditioner. I top it with Deva Curl’s Archangel gel. I don’t prefer these products over Ouidad, but they are very good, and definitely perform better than drug store products for curly hair and many of the high end products as well. My daughter is a hair stylist with extremely curly hair and we have access to all the salon brands at a reduced price. We’ve tried most, and most really aren’t actually very effective for very curly hair.

Ouidad is excellent and their website is a great resource for people with curly hair. They are expensive but I only buy during their liter sale (20% off) and one liter of their leave in conditioner and climate control gel lasts me approximately 16 months, so for me it is not cost prohibitive.

Deva Curl is also very good and their products are on par with other salon products, probably more in the
moderate price range.

My must have hair tool? My fingers! Curly girls generally do not brush or comb their hair. It interferes with the curl pattern and causes the hair to frizz. Even a bath towel is a no-go on my hair.

Audrey Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: fair, cool
Must-have hair styling product? Alterna Cavier Anti-Aging Multi-Vitamin Heat Protecting Spray
Last used shampoo? Head and Shoulders Advanced Care. *sigh*
Must-have hair tool? A flat iron that has plates on both sides. You can curl with it as well as flat iron. It goes so much faster than normal flat iron curling and the curl holds better. Mine is from Revlon, but they recently stopped making it. I know there are other brands that make this kind of model, however.

Nancy T Avatar

Your skintone/ coloring: Medium w/olive undertones MAC NC37-40, deep brunette, teal-green eyes w/ gold flecks.

Must-have hair styling product: Yikes! I have a few that I literally MUST use! 1.) A leave-in conditioner like, Matrix Village Keratindose or Ion Smooth Solutions Keratin Replenishing Mist, 2.) Oils! Matrix Village Exquisite Oil Moringa Oil Blend is my fave! 3.) A smoothing cream, faves are; One ‘n Only Keratin Smoothing Lotion or Marc Anthony Argan Oil 3 Day Smooth. (Yes, a LOT of work!)

Last used shampoo: Matrix Biolage Exquisite Oil Moringa Oil Shampoo. LOVE!!!

Must-have hair tool(s): A good, hot blow dryer w/a cool shot feature and a very large round barrel brush. My hair’s natural texture is thick and heavy, yet fine, frizzy, wavy, hair that is a pain to style! I do a straightening blowout once a week.

Natalie V. D Avatar

Skin tone is olive must have hair product is dry shampoo any is fine. Last used shampoo is yes to carrots due to my dry hair. Must have hair tool is 1″ flat iron just because I can curly, straighten, wave and texture my hair.

Nicole D Avatar

My skin /coloring: fair, cool.
Must-have hair styling product? Amplify Wonder Boost Root Lifter that I’ve been using for the last 8 years and I love it. I spray it directly at the roots, on wet hair, before blow drying using a round ceramic brush. I have long hair and it gives me a nice natural volume that holds through humidity.
Last used shampoo? Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo. I have colored dry hair. I also use the conditioner of the same brand and they are both great for my blond colored hair. And they are paraben free 
Must-have hair tool? A good ceramic round brush and a good blow dryer (Ceramic Xtreme BaByliss Pro).

Dianne Avatar

Skin tone/coloring: Fair with neutral undertones
Must have styling product: During the summer I wear my natural curls (I have dry, thick hair with 2B/2C curls) and a good curling cream is a must. The Living Proof curl cream has been my go-to this summer after applying oil to my ends.
Last used shampoo: I have been alternating between Living Proof conditioning wash and the AG Sterling Silver toning shampoo.
Must have hair tool: A diffuser for my blow dryer! And the InStyler– it is a miracle. I can’t wear my hair straight without it.

Anne Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: NC15 w/some redness

Must-have hair styling product? I can’t style my hair these days because of my spine, but it used to be a heat protector as that’s a must-have when using anything that has any heat to it.

Last used shampoo? I have to get mine washed elsewhere because of said spine, but I used to use Dove which worked great for me. I think the last bottle I had was the Dry Oil kind they do.

Must-have hair tool? I’m useless with a blow dryer, and have had a straighter for ages, but if I could do my hair these days I’d love to embrace a more wavy style with a curling wand.

Claire L Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Dark auburn hair, green-grey eyes, fair skin.
Must-have hair styling product? In the summer I don’t use styling products, in the winter I use Fudge Hair Body Booster before blowdrying it. I occasionally use Bumble and bumble Don’t blow it! if I’m leaving my hair to dry naturally.
Last used shampoo? Moroccanoil Volume shampoo and hair mask. I have fine shoulder length hair and this gives it lots of body which is great especially in the summer. My light waves don’t get dragged down by lank roots.
Must-have hair tool? A wide toothed comb, I just comb my hair after washing, pat it with my towel and leave it to dry naturally.

Shira Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: light/warm (at this point close to medium because of summer haha)
Must-have hair styling product? I don’t have any go-tos right now! I struggle with finding the right products for my (thick, frizzy) hair as nothing seems to be better than anything else. Pricey or drug store… So maybe a decent leave in conditioner.
Last used shampoo? I like the Desert Essence coconut shampoo and conditioner because I love the smell and they’re nice and moisturizing! The L’oreal oleo therapy oil infused shampoo is my other go-to.
Must-have hair tool? My Harry Josh curling wand for sureeeeeeeeeeeee. It’s mint green which is a bonus but it’s also hands down the best wand I ever used plus you can use as a curling iron as well (it’s removable).

Vanessa Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Medium/Tan Neutral. I think it’s important to add medium/long wavy fine/medium hair.
Must-have hair styling product? Leave in conditioner
Last used shampoo? Tresemme Perfectly Undone Shampoo
Must-have hair tool? 1 1/4 curling iron with clamp

kjh Avatar

~NW 25+. Went to rockport today, outdoors all day. hair is straight, occ wavyish. Looks like Wendy’s only worse. Color is natural, some dark blonde, some lighter blood, and gray that looks as if it was created, rather than natural. People do ask me who colors my hair, nobody. Styling: actually just beginning with product, but it’s not a summer thing. A pureology volumizing spray and a bed head volumizer. Double shampoo like double cleanse. John Frieda blond something, followed by matrix total amplify something or the pureology platinum one. Wow, I sure suck at shampoo names, though I can name shades in e/s palettes I don’t own. Hair neophyte. Tools? It’s summer and it usually air dries. I own a few I never use, but don’t have a flat iron to use in depotting! Need a low watt dryer, any old, in cooler months.

Pteetsa Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Fair/neutral, blue-green eyes, thick brown hair and lots of it with a slight wave (i.e. frizz)

I recently got a pixie cut after years of long hair, so I’m going to answer these questions for both lengths:

Must-have hair styling product?
Long hair: Tigi Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream (really made my tangly, frizzy, thick hair smooth and silky. Plus, it smells really nice) and Kerastase Oleo-Relax Serum (this stuff is nectar of the hair gods. Got my mom (same hair as mine but worse) hooked on it, too).

Pixie: Schwarzkopf OSiS Dust It Mattifying Powder (gives awesome volume and texture), Garnier Pixie Play Cream (soft molding), and dry wax spray (currently use KMS Hair Play Dry Wax Spray that my hairdresser gave me, but am open to other recommendations).

Last used shampoo? L’Oreal Everpure Smooth Shampoo

Must-have hair tool?
Long hair: HOT AIR BRUSH. Yes, I’m shouting because this tool is amazing for those with long hair and no coordination! It’s a round brush that blows hot air. Best hair tool ever.

Pixie: Blow dryer, vented hairbrush, and fingers. Blowdryer and hairbrush to smooth out frizzies, and then I amuse myself by sculpting hair into weird shapes with my fingers.

Genevieve Avatar

Skin tone: fair, light porcelain
Hair Styling Product: I don’t use any products as such on my hair
Last Used Shampoo: Lorenzo’s Rejuivin8 shampoo and conditioner for colour treated hair. Fantastic products.
Must have hair tool: My beloved Mason and Pearson brush

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

Skin tone/coloring: light medium warm neutral
Must have hair products: I have scalp psoriasis so often must use medicated products, ick. When I don, I use PHD by Living Proof and others in that line. My hair is very straight and fine but thick.
Last used shampoo: medicated?
Must have hair tool: my T3 hair dryer. Light weight, not hot but very fast drying.

Stephanie Avatar

Coloring: light with neutral-ish undertones, brown hair, brown eyes

Must-have hair styling product: I am extremely low maintenance with my hair, completely opposite of how I am with makeup. But I do like those sea salt sprays for beachy waves. In the (increasingly rare) event that I decide to straighten or blow-dry, I like to use the Living Proof anti-frizz cream…not that any styling product on the planet can hold up against the heat and humidity of Alabama in the summer.

Last used shampoo: I have a couple bottles of Tressemme that I’m trying to use up…so, that.

Must-have hair tool: Like I said, I’m very low maintenance when it comes to hair, and I rarely even use a hair dryer. So there’s no real “must have” hair tool for me. I do like having my straightening iron around to change things up a bit, but it’s hot and I’m not the least bit inclined to do anything with my hair that involves heat styling tools these days.

Cat Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Fair/light; MUFE LL #7 Pink & #11 Pink Porcelain

Must-have hair styling product? If I’m going for something more tamed, Bumble & Bumble thickening mousse and TIGI On The Rebound. Most of the time, though, I go for untamed and tousled. Then I use both of the above plus a sea spray. I allow my hair to air dry a portion of the way, just until it begins to form well-defined, spiral curls, then dry the bangs and most of the crown with a round brush, after which I blast everything wildly about with the hair dryer on the highest setting. =)

Last used shampoo? Wella Brilliance

Must-have hair tool? Round, bristle brush w/ceramic core and, of course, a blow dryer.

Ae Avatar

1. Bumble and Bumble Sumotech wax or Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
2. Phyto Phythéol shampoo
3. I have very short hair. The only tool I use on my hair is a comb…

Erica Avatar

Fair skin about NC 20 and medium brown hair

Must have hair product: dry oil like argan oil

Last shampoo: finishing up Aussie shampoo and Mane and Tail.

Must have beauty tool: a wide tooth comb. I have thick, coarse wavy hair so this is must for detangling and not damaging my hair

Gillian Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: Fairest neutral. Think Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + in #15 Alabaster.

Must-have hair styling product? Anything that will make my hair sleek and shiny! I swear by hair masques and treatments. There are two that I really love:

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
milk_shake Repairing Hair Treatment

These are the two products that I feel make the biggest difference to my hair. And the milk_shake treatment is really affordable, especially if you can manage to get it on offer like I did!

Last used shampoo? Head & Shoulders Original! I change my shampoo often but always go back to either this or my KMS Hair Stay Clarify Shampoo. My KMS was finished a few days ago so it was the Head & Shoulders today.

Must-have hair tool? It used to be my Tangle Teezer. However after going from hair I could sit on to hair above my shoulders it’s become less vital. So now it would be my straighteners since I’m too lazy to blow-dry my hair properly. I dry it completely and then style it with the straighteners. ?

Alecto Avatar

Your skin tone/coloring: light to medium-light yellow/gold

Must-have hair styling product? Right now I’m using OGX’s Weightless Healing Dry Oil, but I’m not to the point yet where I’d call it must-have. To be fair, it’s doing a great job of making my hair complately non-frizzy; my hair is smooth, with a lot more movement, and is a genuine pleasure to run my hands through, but I despise the way the spray pump (barely) works.

Last used shampoo? Probably the only shampoo I’ll use from here on out — Mother Dirt’s shampoo. I don’t recommend it, especially for highlighted hair, as it has no slip-factor and tends to mat my hair if I’m not super careful while using it, but I’ve bought into the whole Mother Dirt program, body and soul.

Must-have hair tool? ??? Hair-dryer ??? I don’t use anything else, not even a brush or comb.

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