Luxe hair: Amika Hydration Cream

Hello Divas!

We are still snowed in in the A. I am still in shock.  But I am thankful for having a home, food, and heat during this storm.  God is good!

Right before Christmas, I received a new hair product to try from Amika.  Amika is a hair care company based out of Israel and specializes in hair styling tools and hair care products.  Apparently their Obliphica hair care products are all the rage.  They are specifically designed for curly hair.  The Obliphica line includes obliphica oil known to nourish the hair and restore natural moisture and balance and Morrocan Argan Oil known to produce remarkable shine to hair and also improve elasticity and reduce hair loss due to breakage.  I am always open to try new products on luxe baby's hair, so I thought we would give it a whirl.

I used the hydration cream on luxe baby after washing her hair.  The cream can be used on wet hair or dry hair if you need moisture.  The cream is very light weight, which I loved.  It has a very silky texture.  The cream instantly hydrated luxe baby's hair.  Her hair absorbed the cream immediately.  It made her hair soft and manageable.  I used a small palm size of the cream and easily twisted her hair without having to re-apply a lot of the cream.

Results

The cream made her twists very soft and defined without product build-up.  Her hair had a smooth and soft texture...not sticky at all.  Here is a pic:

Also, I am able to apply a quarter size amount every morning to smooth her hair and re-define her curly twists.  Not bad.

The Obliphica line also includes a curl defining cream, nourishing mask, pure obliphic oil, a serum, and spray.  So far I have been very impressed with the product.  I would love to try the curl defining cream to see if I can achieve more curl definition.  I think the hydration cream does an excellent job of curl definition, but maybe the curl definition cream is better.

Have any of you tried Obliphica oil or Amika products?  If so, please share.

Toodles!

drugstore beauty: Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Nutrient Spray

i love shine sprays over the type of serums that have to be poured into my hand. this fabulous one, Triple Nutrition Nutrient Spray from Garnier Fructis, has become my must-have, not only because it give s my hair serious luster, but because it also nourishes my tresses with 3 highly moisturizing oils-- avocado, shea and olive.

this dual formula is activated after being shaken and can then be sprayed on anytime your hair needs some pampering (wet or dry). it leaves it looking (and feeling) silky soft and has a yummy smell.



this is my second bottle, and as you can see, i am almost out! time to head to Target...

visit garnier.com for more info.

xo
pics taken by me :)

NY Fashion Week: Backstage Beauty at Alice + Olivia

celeb stylist, Ric Pipino, and his team created three different hair looks for the alice + olivia spring 2011 presentation at cedar lake on tuesday. these styles included the not-so-perfect chignon at the crown of the head, the double, pig tailed-like chignons, and simple, flowing tendrils.



to achieve the not-so-perfect chignon, hair was sprayed with Revolution In Cut Lift Me (from Pipino's hair care line, Revolution In Cut) to add volume, then brushed through, gathered and pinned into a bun at the top of the head.



for the double chignon, stylists used the same process, but created two imperfect buns on the sides of the head.



the simple, flowing tendrils were achieved by blowing the hair dry, using Revolution In Cut Smooth Me to tame any flyaways, and finishing by using a curling iron to create the tendrils.


xo
images: style.com

Wha??? Abbey Lee Has Gone Platinum

The Hair Transitions of Abbey Lee: L-R Fall 2010 for Emilio Pucci; Fall 2010 for Chanel Couture; Spring 2011 for Rag & Bone

Ok, so we know they're all prone to doing it at some point ... the high fashion models ... and platinum blonde hair.  Agyness Deyn, Iekeline Stange and now little Abbey Lee Kershaw.  I say little not because of her stature or popularity, this girl rocks it! I say it because the dear is a mere 20 years old (yes, I know 33 or so in model years).  We've been following her here since she first broke out as a fresh-faced catwalk star Fall 2008.

Here's what fashionologie reports about Abbey's fun new look having spoken with the gorg one herself at Chanel's Soho store opening this past Thursday:

Abbey Lee Kershaw, who not long ago cut her hair short, has taken the change even further. "I was ready for a big change," she explained this evening at the Chanel Soho store opening in New York, where she debuted her newly-dyed platinum blonde hair. She plans to keep the color all season, "unless a designer asks for it to be changed." How's it been received so far? "I only dyed it two days ago, so no one's really seen it yet." She told Modelinia of the dye job: "It took seven hours and I didn’t speak for another four hours. I’ve never dyed my hair before. Also I think that with the cut that I’ve got, it was the time to go white.”

Lee is so beautiful she could shave her head bald and still garner beauty adoration!  On another note, Stay tuned, my loves, some Spring 2011 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week posts about to roll out!

source: fashionologie

NY Fashion Week Spring 2011: Aveda Backstage at Christian Siriano

let the beautiful madness begin-- fashion week for the spring/summer season is underway, beauties! so much is going on, but i will do my best to bring you the best hair and beauty as the week progresses. so, here we go...




Aveda lead stylist Antoinette Beenders (pictured above with Christian Siriano) created an amazing, textured bun at the Christian Siriano spring/summer 2011 show. using a lot of Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray, Antoinette explains, "the Christian Siriano hair look for this season is all about different cultures mixing and blending together. the style is a modern bun—full of attitude—with sections of crimped hair cascading over it for texture. it's a strong, contemporary twist on the classic bun."

here's how she created the look:

1. brush hair with a Mason Pearson brush. pull the top section of hair — from the hairline to the crown — and clip it out of the way.

2. comb the remaining hair back into a tight, high ponytail and secure with a bungee elastic. spray with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray for hold.

3. spray Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine directly onto the bristles of a kabuki-style Aveda Uruku Bronzing Brush. "paint" the sides of hair with the Uruku Bronzing Brush for shine.



4. take the ponytail and braid it. then twist the braid into a bun, securing to the head with bobby pins. spray with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray for ultra-strong hold.



5. remove the clip from the remaining top section of hair and comb to the crown. working with small portions of hair (approximately one inch) at a time, use a micro-crimping iron to add texture from the crown to ends.

6. brush the hair with a Mason Pearson brush to loosen the crimp. gently pull the hair over the bun and secure at the base with hair pins. spray with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.



7. pull a few pieces of hair out of the bun with fingers for extra texture. set the look with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.



visit aveda.com for more info about the styling products used.

xo
all images courtesy of Aveda

Total Beauty: What Does Your Hairstyle Say About You?

another fun hair quiz!

my results said "your hairstyle says you're youthful and romantic"-- true! product recommendations were those that promote strength and keep tresses healthy: Nexxus Keraphix Restorative Strengthening Conditioner and Nexxus Emergencee Strengthening Polymeric Reconstructor. will have to give those a try!

take the quiz yourself:

Hairstyle Personality Test

Consider this the Myers-Briggs test for hair and discover what your hairstyle says about you

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article Wanna know what your 'do says about you? Find out by taking this quiz -- then see which hairstyling products you should use. Take quiz

what were your results?

xo

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: PROFECTIV Root Health Anti-Dryness Strengthener

Hello Divas!

I hope all is well!

Remember you can choose to be happy or miserable. You only have one life.  Be happy!

I have been testing out a new product on Luxe Baby's hair.  Now you know I LOVE Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream for her hair.  It defines her pretty curls and slicks her hair into a style unlike any other hair product.  Plus I really do believe it is making her hair grow like wild fire...or it could be because she has hair like her grandmother...but I digress.  I love it. 

But recently I ran out of Baby Buttercream and I have not had the time to go to Curltopia to get a couple more jars.  So until I do, I found Strength of Nature, Profective Root Health Anti-Dryness Strengthener in my beauty arsenal.  I received the product to test about 6 months ago, but never had a need to use it.  Well desperate times call for desperate measures and I had to find something to tame her hair into ponytails and twists.

This hair cream is light weight and instantly moisturizes her hair.  This product is designed for persons who have natural hair styles and are suffering from dryness, itching and flaking.   So it is extremely moisturizing.  It does define her natural curls and does not make her hair feel sticky.  The baby buttercream does make her hair sticky, but it keeps her styles in place.  The Profective Root Health does not necessarily keep her hair style in place.  It is a bit too light weight for luxe baby's hair.  But overall it has been a good substitute for the past two weeks.  I think the Profective is perfect as a natural styling product for natural divas with light to medium hair textures.

PROFECIV Root Health Anti-Dryness Strengthener retails for $4.99 and you can purchase it from CVS.

Toodles!

Easy Summer Hairstyle Trend: Braids

adding a braid or two to your hair is one of the easiest ways to give your hair a little something extra. variations of the style have been seen on runways and celebs like Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, Lauren Conrad and Kristen Stewart sport braided styles frequently.

for summer, it's not just little girls who can wear braids. they offer a little change and work fabulously day or night (you may also find a braid helpful during odd growing-out-the-hair stages). one style in particular that i love (and wear often myself) is the headband braid. it's quick and simple, really! take a look...

*first, take a horizontal line two inches back from your hairline and separate that front section of hair. leave the rest loose.

*then, starting at the left side of the head, just above your ear, french braid until you reach your right ear.

*finally, secure the braid with an elastic and tuck the ends behind your right ear. style the rest of your hair as you wish.



Women's Heath Magazine features how to get this style as well as other twisted and braided styles in their current current july/august issue, on newstands now. you can see a how-to slideshow online by clicking here.

xo
info courtesy of WH; Kate Hudson image: Anwar Hussein/Empics Entertainment/Abaca; Kristen Stewart image: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

My Salon: Fluer Elysee Salon, Grant Park, GA

Hello Divas!

I hope your weekend was wonderful. I had to travel New Orleans this weekend to attend a funeral. Not a particularly happy occasion, but it was good to see my family.

Before I traveled to New Orleans, I went to visit my stylist, Bizette, at Fluer Elysee salon to get a wash and press before my trip. I have been going to Bizette for over two years and she took my hair from a perm to a natural. Since going natural my hair is much healthier and it grows faster!

What I love most about Fluer Elysee is the super comfortable and posh atmosphere plus the fast service. Bizette always gets her customers in and out within 2 hours...sometimes less. She is super professional and very efficient. Plus she has early morning hours that work super with my busy schedule. If I have a 6 am appointment, I am usually done between 7:30 am and 7:45am. Fab!

The salon is decorated in rich tones of burnt orange and browns. This built in sofa is the absolute best piece of furniture in the salon. It is so comfy!



There is also free Wi-Fi. This is a huge plus for me, because I need to stay connected!

Fluer Elysee is a Phytospecific salon and I just love their products! Bizette uses Phytospecific Optimal Hydration Shampoo and Optimal Hydration Milk on my hair. These products are formulated with pro-Vitamin B, shea butter, and vitamin E. These products leave my hair super soft, shiny, and manageable. Also according to Bizette, the Phytospecific hair vitamins are her number one sellers. She can't keep them on the shelf. Her clients swear by them. She has noticed significant hair growth in her clients who use them consistently. I might have to try those vitamins!



Whenever I visit Bizette my hair is shiny and bouncing! I love it! Here is the finished product.

A wash and press is $60.00. She also offers relaxers, custom color services, cuts, and trims. Fluer Elysee is located at 1040 Boulevard SE Atlanta, GA 30312. Call (404) 622-4696 for appointments.

Toodles!

Salon Week! Lux Salon in Grant Park

Hello Divas!

I hope everyone is having an awesome week!

This week I will feature several salons I have visited in the past month! I will give my honest opinion regarding the services, prices, and customer service.

Before I ventured to New York for Fashion Week, I was offered the opportunity to receive styling services from Lux Salon in Grant Park, Atlanta, GA. I had previously blogged about Lux Salon's "First Impressions of Style." They were offering $10 styling services for anyone who had a job interview. Since the salon is literally in my neighborhood and offers services for ALL hair types, I was eager to check it out.

First the decor is lovely. I immediately fell in love with the color scheme, furniture, and location. Also they offered free wi-fi so it was all good! In addition, the receptionist immediately offered me a glass of wine. Lovely!

Adrienne Mitchell, the stylist I was seeing that day was extremely busy. She had several clients ahead of me. Although I had to wait a bit, I figured this was a good sign that she was a good stylist and in demand. Plus the receptionist offered me more wine, so the wait was not that bad.

Adrienne specializes in Ethnic hair and used Sebastian products on my hair. She used Sebastian penetrating shampoo and conditioner. She said these products are great for detangling naturally kinky hair. She then blow dried my hair wet. She pointed out that blow drying the hair wet minimized breakage. The hair is more elastic and will give. If you blow dry the hair after it has dried, it is less elastic and will break. Who knew?? She then flat ironed my hair with FHI ceramic platform professional flat irons.

Adrienne mentioned that she is an advocate for strong healthy hair. She recommends regular trims and minimal heat to maintain a healthy head of hair. She also recommends Nioxin recharging complex vitamins to grow healthy hair. Adrienne swears by these vitamins! She said she has noticed amazing hair growth with her clients after only two weeks of taking the vitamins. Uuummmm why am I so getting these vitamins! LOL! You can purchase a 30 or 90 count bottle of these vitamins at Lux Salon. They are in high demand and always stocked!

Adrienne charges on average $65 for a blow out and press and $45 for a cut and trim. I must admit the cut and trim is a bit steep for me. My stylist only charges $20, but I was very pleased with my hair. As a matter of fact, I left the next day for NY Fashion Week and my hair pretty much looked like this the entire time I was there. Fab!

Lux Salon is located at 452 A Cherokee Ave, Atlanta, GA 30312 in Historic Grant Park. However, October 1 they are moving to their new location only a few blocks away at The JANE"(next to Six Feet Under on Memorial Drive),318 Cherokee Avenue Suite 108, Atlanta, Ga 3031,(404)222.0244.

Come back tomorrow to read my review of Curltopia Salon! They have an insane intense hair treatment that I have to share!

Toodles!

Farrah Fawcett: The Original Blonde Bombshell

Farrah Fawcett was unbelievably beautiful and she only got better with age! What did we love most about Farrah? Well look at that hair..Amazing! It was so thick and lush and feathered! Even in her 60s, her hair was still gorgeous. Some people just got it like that! I loved watching her as a child on Charlie's Angels. Her character was so fierce and fly. Plus she wore the cutest outfits! Gorgeous Farrah with the trademark hair and style..A true style icon! She will be missed!

Men's three piece suit with plaid shirt? Love!


Toodles!

Paris Hilton Hairstyles

Paris Hilton Hairstyles. One of the most highly sought after fashionistas of our time is Paris Hilton. We've all heard of her and if you haven't you're probably living under a rock. Her eye catching style is the talk of the world and her hairstyles are no exception. From her long hair extensions, to her angled bob, her hairstyles are always trendy, fashionable, and worth talking about.