Beauty411

FHI Heat: Platform SE Styling Iron and Hot Sauce

FHI Heat, a well-respected name in styling products, really delivers with the new Platform Special Edition Styling Iron.  I've been using this styling iron with 1" blades and have been very pleased with the results.  There are so many features that make the FHI Heat Platform Special Edition different from other styling irons on the market, including:

• It's lightweight and not as heavy as other styling irons I've used.
• The largest quantity of crushed tourmaline crystals, which means highest negative ion count and less damage to hair.
• Rounded corners, which prevent hair from snagging and getting caught.
• Quick to heat up; variable temperature settings to 450 degrees.
• Triple Nano technology (Nano-Titanium, Nano-Titanium Dioxide and Nano-Silver particles), which produces superior conditioning and shine with less static.

All of those things add up to a great styling iron.  What's most important to me is using a styling iron that is least damaging to my color-treated hair and provides an excellent glide with easy styling.  FHI Heat Platform Special Edition Styling Iron delivers on all counts! 

I also have been using the Hot Sauce hair conditioner in conjunction with the styling iron.  This product is a moisture-based, heat activated conditioner that is applied to hair prior to heat styling.  Hot Sauce is made with jojoba crystals suspended in a cream base.  When you apply heat, the jojoba crystals dissolve and penetrate into the hair shaft, conditioning the hair and improving the texture, which is different than silicone-based products.  I also like that it doesn't weigh my hair down. 

You can find FHI Heat products at hair salons and beauty stores nationwide, as well as the online store. 

Clairol Perfect 10 Haircolor

An unplanned vacation.  A beyond-busy week at work.  A scheduling nightmare trying to get in to my stylist for a color boost.  All of this combined is what lead me to pick up a box of Clairol Perfect 10 Haircolor (part of the Nice 'n Easy line) while at Target last weekend.  I was hesitant, but I had seen the advertising and thought--actually prayed--that I wouldn't have anything to lose.

Perfect 10 Haircolor is a three step system similar to most other color at home kits.  You mix the tube of color into a bottle and apply to your hair.  But this applicator is different than anything else out there.  At the top of the applicator bottle, instead of a nozzle, there is a comb-like attachment, that the haircolor is dispensed from.  The last step is an intensive conditioning treatment that seals and maintains your color.  I found the color easy to apply and loved this new applicator.  I left the color on for the recommended 10 minutes, plus an extra 5 minutes, as directed, to cover gray.

What makes this product different from other at-home haircoloring kits?  First, the time factor; it cuts processing time in half.  I love that!  Also, the pH in this product is lower, that means the formula is more gentle on your hair. So what about the results?  That's really what matters, isn't it?  Overall, I really liked this product and would definitely consider buying it again if I were in a pinch.  The problem that I have with Perfect 10 Haircolor, is that in only 10 (yes 10) days, my grays are popping up again.  I expect better staying power than that, especially when I use a shampoo for color treated hair, a heat protectant product--in other words, I go through great lengths to insure that my color-treated hair is protected. 

Clairol Perfect 10 Haircolor costs about $13.99 and is available at most drug and discount stores, including Target.

Alterna Caviar Moisture Seasilk Shampoo

Alterna Caviar Anti Aging Moisture Shampoo is like a spa treatment for your hair.  This thick, luxurious shampoo has caviar extract in it to help replace lost omega-3 fatty acids--vital to maintaining shine and moisture.  The formula is sulfate-free (meaning safe for color treated hair), Vitamin C (antioxidant) and mineral infused, so as to regenerate dull and brittle hair and restore shine to aging or stressed hair.  I used approximately a dime-sized amount of product to work up a thick lather on my shoulder length hair.  I would definitely adjust that if your hair is shorter, as the formula is so rich.  My hair wasn't weighed down or droopy; in fact, it looked like I came from a salon treatment.  There is a companion conditioner available. If your hair is needing a treatment shampoo to restore shine, lustre and vitality, you may want to give this a try.  The Alterna Cavair Anti Aging Moisture Shampoo is available at various online retailers including beauty.com and Skinstore. 

Seven Deadly Beauty Sins

The Seven Deadly Beauty Sins sounds ominous, doesn't it?  The following list was compiled by Hannah Davies of the Journal (a British newspaper), along with my recommendations for redemption:

1.  Untamed brows:  Eyebrows frame the face, so you should be performing regular brow maintenance.  Regular plucking or waxing is needed and if brows are sparce or unruly, MAC Eyebrows may be the solution.

2.  Forgetting to moisturize:  Winter or summer, dry or oily, you should be incorporating a moisturizer into your skin care regimen daily.  Boots No.7 Advanced Hydration Day Fluid is a good choice.

3.  Heat damage: If you are using a blow dryer, flatiron, curling iron--whatever--you need to be protecting your hair from heat damage.  Sedu Smoothing Heat Protecting Boost or the Chi Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray are good choices.

4.  Foundation issues:  Streaking/blotchy foundation can be solved with one product--primer. If you want your foundation to look flawless, you must use a primer.  My go-to primer is the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer.  I also like (and own) the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. 

5.  Neglected feet:  I just talked about the importance of taking care of your feet this week.  If you missed it, check this article out.

6.  Dehydration:  Nothing is as essential to good skin as staying hydrated.  Listen to your mother--drink your water!

7.  Nails:  Having well groomed nails is important.  For cuticles, read my review of Solar Oil; if nail biting is a problem, try Mavala Stop, which is nail biting deterrent.

And, of course, I have to add one more to the list, making it the Eight Deadly Beauty Sins.  You must wear sunscreen daily.  Not only for it's anti-aging benefits, but to protect against skin cancer.  Find one you like (here are a few of my recs) and in 2008 make sunscreen part of your daily beauty routine.

(Photo credit: News.com.au)

Beauty 411: Best of Beauty 2007

Annie from Blogdorf Goodman is pulling together a bunch of beauty bloggers to discuss their Best of Beauty 2007.  These are the products (some new, some not-so-new) that I discovered in 2007 that changed the way I thought about my beauty routine, simplified my life or just rocked my world.  Here are ten of my highlights:

1. My new favorite mascara is Rimmel Eye Magnifier.  This drugstore find lengthens your lashes out to there!  I love the brush, which separates and most importantly, doesn't cause the mascara to clump.  If you're looking for a volume and thickening mascara, I wouldn't recommend Eye Magnifier, as it is truly a lenghthening formula.
2. Boots No.7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 Wipes.  Another routine changer. I have given up removing makeup any other way.  My original product review can be found here.
3. Smashbox Creme Eyeliner.  I didn't used to be a huge eyelining fan until I bought this Try Me kit, which is a great deal, BTW.  For $29, you get a credit-card sized sampler of 6 creme eyeliners, the Brow Tech powders & wax, Photo Finish primer, Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, sheer lip gloss, double ended brush and a DVD. 
4. MAC Ablaze blush.  Part of the MAC Smoke Signals collection, I love this blush for it's rich color.  I can wear it with anything.  A light hand is needed for this color, though.
5. Coach lipstick.  With it's fabulous packaging and good coverage, Coach has made it cool to pull a lipstick out of your purse!
6. Fresh Sugar Lemon Parfum.  There is nothing in the Fresh line that I don't love.  Spraying on the Sugar Lemon parfum is an instant mood lifter.  I'm so glad I impulse-bought this.
7. Ojon Revitalizing Mist.  What a great discovery!  Using a flat iron daily and having color-treated hair could spell disaster.  Using the Ojon Revitalizing Mist protects my hair from heat damage, adds crazy shine, controls frizz and doesn't weigh my hair down.  Love this!
8. Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion.  Another I-can't-live-without hair product.  A few shakes of the Pure Abundance Hair Potion will transform your flat, mousey hair into hair with volume and loads of texture.  Skip the Pure Abundance Volumizing Hair Spray, however.
9. Staying with a hair theme, props to the Conair Infiniti Nano Silver Hair Straightener.  Before:  I couldn't work a hair straightener to save my life.  After:  Using the Conair Infiniti Nano Silver hair straightener with it's longer blades, I can master the art of the sleek, straight bob.  Check out my previous review here.
10. Whish Shave Crave and Shave Savour.  These products went from the box to the shower to my Holy Grail list! 

Honorable mention goes out to the Bobbi Bown Stonewashed Nudes collection.  I think this was one of Bobbi Brown's most versatile eyeshadow collection building on the Chocolate collection and surpassing all my expectations.  I pull this palette out at least once a week.

That's it!  My Top 10 Best of Beauty 2007 lineup.  What were your best beauty finds?  Make sure to bookmark or subscribe to Beauty411, as I've got a jam-packed January lineup of product reviews and other surprises for you!

Please check out some of the other Beauty Blogger's Beauty Bests of 2007:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Afrobella

All About The Pretty

All Lacquered Up

Beauty 411

Beauty Blogging Junkie

Beauty Talk

Beautiful Makeup Search

Beauty Hatchery

Beauty Jones

Blogdorf Goodman

Canadian Beauty

C'est Chic

Coquette

eBeautyDaily

For The Love of Beauty

Give Me Your Eyes I Need Sunshine

Getting Amped

Grayburn

HauteMommaStuff

Koneko's Beauty Diary

Makeup Bag

The Makeup Girl

Miss Whoever You Are

My Life,My Words,My Mind

Legerdenez

Perfumista

Periodic Style

Platinum Blonde Life

Product Girl

Shop Diary

Slap of the Day

Steeping Beauty

The Beauty Alchemist

The Daily Obsession

The Life Of A Ladybug

The Non-Blonde

Urbane Girl

Victoria's Own

We Love Beauty

Conair Infinity Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Styler

I've been using the Conair Infinity Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic hair styler for a few weeks now, and I have to tell you, my hair has never looked better.  The technology behind this hair dryer holy-grail is the combination of silver and tourmaline, which emit frizz-reducing ions.  In English--hair looks fab!  The biggest difference between the Conair Infinity Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic hairdryer and my old BaByliss Carrera hairdryer is that my hair is so much shinier.  Really noticeably, shinier and without frizz.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Infinity Nano Silver hair dryer by Conair if you are in the market for a new hair dryer.  You can pick it up at Target.

Rave: Infiniti Nano Silver Straightener by Conair

I have been using the Infiniti Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Straightener by Conair on my hair for the past couple of weeks.  When was the last time you heard someone rave about a hair straightener?  I am here to tell you that I am loving it, and yes, there is a difference!  First, let me give you the details.  The mix of tourmaline and silver micro-particles combine to emit frizz-reducing ions and give you shiny, healthy-looking hair with more manageability and less damage.  The iron heats up in 30 seconds and has a wide range of heat settings, which is nice because I have color-treated hair that I want to be able to protect.  The other thing I like, is that it comes with it's own heat protectant pad with a case for storage, which is very convenient.  Honestly I don't think I could part with this straightener. Available online or at Target.

Product Review: Ojon Nuturing Hair Ritual Kit

I'd heard so much buzz about Ojon hair treatment products, that I took the opportunity during the Sephora Friends & Family event to order the Ojon 5 piece Nurturing Hair Ritual Kit.   If you haven't heard of the Ojon products, Ojon oil is found and harvested in Central America by the native Tawiran Indians, called the people of beautiful hair.  The 5 piece set includes the signature product, Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner,  Revitalizing Mist and Hydrating Styling Cream.  The Restorative Hair Treatment comes in a tub, as a paste.  You scoop about 1/2 teaspoon out at a time, warm in your hands until the product becomes an oil, and apply to dry hair.  You then leave on for 20 minutes, then follow with shampoo and conditioner.  To be honest, although my hair was soft and shiny, I get the same results from using the Kerastase line of products.  Of the 5 products in the kit, the one that I liked best and would re-purchase, was the Revitalizing Mist.  I apply the Revitalizing Mist to dry hair before stying and really do like the results.  If you still are curious and want to try the Ojon line, in addition to Sephora, there is a good selection of kits available at QVC.  The set I paid $50 for at Sephora, was available at QVC for $32.84, a significant savings, even when you add in shipping and handling.  The product are carried at other retailers, as well.