Caudalie Divine Oil

I have decided that the China Glaze collection that we looked at the other day will be my last holiday collection of the year.  Many of the special gifts that were put out by Tarte and Stila are already sold out and I cannot see the point in showcasing products and collections that are sold out and have little to no chance of being restocked.  I am guessing that I started my holiday collection coverage a bit too late this year, other blogs had pictures of products from these two brands up in the end of September...a time when I was in no mood to even think about the holidays.  I am also starting to get excited for spring after reading the Spring Trend Report in the last issue of Allure.  I think that I will have coverage of the upcoming spring trends coming within the next three weeks.

Today I wanted to focus on a great skincare product from Caudalie, I have been loving the Divine Oil as my skin is changing with the end of the fall and the beginning of the winter season.  I bought this product at the end of October and saved it until my skin got a bit drier as the temperatures dropped.  I bought this oil to use as a body moisturizer but I didn't realize that it could be used on the hair and face also.  I have only tried it on my body and sprayed into my hair so I can't comment on facial use but I can review how it worked in the other two scenarios. 

"A luxurious dry oil that provides nourishing moisture and lasting comfort to body, face, and hair.  Divine Oil contains a blend of grape seed, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils combined with patented grape seed antioxidant polyphenols to leave skin soft, visibly firm, and radiant. Perfect as a post-sun product, its glamorous texture is instantly absorbed, imparting a subtle, floral, and sunkissed fragrance.", states the Sephora website. 

Caudalie is a brand that it well known for using grapes as a main ingredient, the anti-oxidant benefits of grapes and wine are becoming more popular in both the United States and Europe.  This brand has harnessed the power of grapes ever since its first few products and I have used this brand for many years.  I always get excited when new products come out and I have wanted to try this oil for the past few months.  I had wanted to order the oil since late last winter and forgot until the weather warmed up too much to reap all the benefits of oil.  I tend to use oils more in the fall and winter but this oil is light enough that I could it in all but the warmest months of the summer.

The key ingredients contained in this multi-purpose oil are...

- Grape Oil: Rejuvenates and nourishes.
- Extra Virgin Argan Oil: Restores hydrolipidic film.
- Sesame Oil: Softens and moisturizes.
- Patented Anti-oxidant Grape Seed Polyphenols    

Divine Oil provides a light spray of oil all over the body or hair.  I spray it right onto the skin and then rub it in with my hands, it hydrates quickly and leaves little to no residue on the skin.  I also liked to use it as a pre-shampoo oil treatment on the ends of my hair.  I shied away from using this oil on my face as it has a bit more fragrance contained in it than I normally like to use on my face. 

The fragrance is a light floral with a hint of green notes.  It is a slightly more floral version of their best selling perfume and I would also love a perfume in this fragrance for the spring.  The fragrance will let me use this oil into the warmer weather and I will see how long I can use it into the spring and summer months.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Biolage KeratinDose Shampoo and Conditioner

I am rather loyal to my Biolage shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair but I always try and alternate between more than one formula.  My hair stylist gave me some small bottles of the shampoos and conditioners in some of the various Biolage formulas and I start trying them out about two weeks ago.  I started with the KeratinDose products as my hair will only need more hydration as the weather continues to cool out.  So far, the combination of the Color Care and KeratinDose has proved to be spot on and I would consider buying the full sizes in these two products.

The KeratinDose products work very well for anyone who has chemical damage to their hair or who heat styles on a regular basis.  I see that there is a hydrating treatment spray in this collection and I would like to purchase that product also at some point. 

The shampoo is described as, "Damaged, over-processed hair can be brittle, dull and lifeless. Formulated with Pro-Keratin and Silk, our keratin shampoo provides targeted reinforcement for over-processed, weak or fragile hair. When combined with the KeratinDose Conditioner and Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray, formulas provide cleansing while locking in moisture to help fight frizz. Restore overprocessed hair. 90% more conditioned after one application."

The benefits of this product are listed in the Biolage website...

- Rich, sulfate free lather gently cleanses while maintaining the integrity of over-processed hair
- Formula with Pro-Keratin and silk provides targeted reinforcement and moisture balance to the hair
- Hair is shiny and healthy-looking with increased elasticity
- Free of sulfates, parabens and harsh salts

The matching conditioner has the following description, "Damaged, over-processed and unconditioned hair can feel brittle, lacking manageability and shine. Formulated with Pro-Keratin and Silk, our KeratinDose Conditioner provides targeted reinforcement for over-processed, weak or fragile hair. When combined with the KeratinDose Shampoo and Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray, formulas provide nourishment and cleansing while balancing moisture for over-processed hair. Restore overprocessed hair. 90% more conditioned after one application."

The following benefits are listed on the Biolage website...

- Paraben free conditioner moisturizes and smoothes overprossed hair
- Formula nourishes hair and prevents damage
- Hair is left silky with manageability

The shampoo is a nice formula but does not really provide any results that set it apart from other hydrating formulas.  It cleanses well without stripping my hair or leaving a residue all over the strands.  The conditioner is a great product, it hydrates very nicely and makes my hair very easy to straighten.  Keratin will not help to bring hair "back to life" as it is already dead but it will help to hydrate and smooth the hair cuticle.  The smoothing aspect of this product really helps me to style my hair in the morning. 

The performance of the conditioner guarantees that I would purchase the duo again without a second thought.  I am very fond of the Biolage products and I can't wait to keep trying more from this line.

photo courtesy of Biolage

Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Hair Treatment

Aveda is a relatively new brand for me and I have branched out from the using the makeup to adding the hair care products to my beauty product line up.  I have heard the most amazing reviews of their Smooth Infusion hair care line and I will order several bottles of the shampoo and conditioner when I am in need of some new products.  I just bought new liter bottles of my favorite Biolage Color products so this won't be anytime soon but a review will be forthcoming once I get to try them out.  One of the few hair products that I was actually in need of is a new deep conditioner so I started my love affair with Aveda hair products by ordering one of the best selling formulas.

The Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Hair Treatment is designed to help hydrate and repair signs of surface damage.  I have both problems with my hair all the time since it is chemically treated and heat styled on a regular basis.  The best deep conditioner that I have found so far is from the Carol's Daughter line at Sephora and the Aveda formula is on par with it, I am glad that I have two formulas that I love just in case either ever becomes unavailable.  Both formulas are quite similar and I will touch on why I love both of them after a few more details about the Aveda formula.

"Intensive treatment packed with quinoa protein strengthens damaged and chemically-treated hair with deep repair.  Quinoa-packed treatment fills in damaged cuticles to help strengthen and reinforce hair—which also makes it more resilient to future damage.  Replenishes natural oils with jojoba, to leave hair looking and feeling healthy, shiny and strong.  Part of a four-step restructuring system.", states the Aveda website. 

The Aveda treatment is top rated and best selling for many reasons, the biggest one being that it is very effective and really improves my hair.  I use it once a week for about five minutes in the shower and it guarantees that I will have a good hair day after use.  It hydrates well and rinses clean without leaving any traces of residue behind.  This mask hydrates the dry and damaged areas of my hair and helps to restore shine to the areas that need it most.  It helps to repair signs of surface damage, improving the overall look and feel of my long thick hair.

The proteins in this product will help to fill in the cracks and weak areas of my hair but cannot repair or bring hair back to life.  It helps to smooth the surface by filling in the top cracks and reducing the appearance of frayed ends, both of which I need with my love of heat styling.  My hair is soft to the touch and overall I am very happy with the results that I get from this product.

I get great results from both this product and the Carol's Daughter Monoi Mask, the Aveda product might come out on top for me because of the fragrance.  The Aveda product has a slight herbal fragrance, it is light and doesn't bother me at all.  The Carol's Daughter product has a strong tropical floral fragrance which might deter some users of the product and therefore I would recommend the Aveda product over the other for anyone who has issues with or doesn't like much fragrance in their hair products.

This was a great introduction to Aveda hair products for me and I will be buying more from this company.  I think my next purchase will be the Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner and perhaps the same products from the Color Care line.

photo courtesy of Aveda

Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Dry Oil Mist

I first began using Alterna hair products last year when I started out with a new salon and my stylist used the Kendi Hair Oil on my wet hair before styling it and I brought it before I even left the salon that day.  I then followed with purchasing shampoo and conditioner from this brand and it is now ranked as one of my favorite hair product brands.  I have used up my first bottle of the hair oil and have replaced earlier this year, I use it almost every single day to keep my hair smooth and hydrated before styling.  I have now discovered another version of this hair oil and bought it a few days ago at my salon, the spray oil is a lighter version of the product and I have been alternating the two oils and having wonderful results so far.

The Bamboo line of products from Alterna is made for smoothing and adding shine to the hair.  I have used styling products from this line and want to order the shampoo and conditioner to alternate with the color care formulas from this line and from Matrix.  I am so glad that I was introduced to this awesome hair care line!

"A weightless, nutrient-rich oil mist that protects hair from heat styling tools, enhances shine, and boosts hair's health.  This double-duty formula can be used as both a deeply nourishing treatment that helps to repair split ends and environmental damage, and as a color protecting style primer. Made with strengthening organic bamboo and smoothing organic kendi oil, it banishes frizz and imparts intense shine while providing vital nutrients."

"Bamboo extract and kendi oil contained in this product are eco-certified, fair-trade compliant, and certified organic. Their production and sale aid in supporting the development of local communities while remaining environmentally friendly. Free of gluten, TEA, and phthalates.", states the Sephora website in a product description. 

The website states that this product is best used on damp hair before styling but can also be used on dry hair to add shine to the finished product.  I have only used it on damp hair so I will need to try it the other way very soon and see how the results compare to the Fekkai Glossing Cream that I have been using for years.

I can only comment on how the product is used on dry hair and I have gotten great results from the use in this way and now I want to try it the other way too.  I spray the product from root to tip all over my hair and then start the blow drying process.  I have gotten to a point where I only blow dry using my fingers and try to never touch the brush to my hair, my hair is much smoother and easier to straighten when using this technique.  The product takes that even further, after just blow drying my hair is smoother than when not using one of these oils and much softer to the touch.  Both products perform equally well in this regard and both leave the hair cuticle soft and very shiny.  I can't say that one of the two versions of the oils are better than the other but I like having and using both of them, alternating the two helps keep build up from forming on my hair cuticle and reversing all the good effects of this product.

I love Alterna products and I would recommend these oils to anyone who has issues with frizz and dryness throughout the year.  I might recommend the spray oil version to those who has medium to thick hair and then the true oil only to those with thick or coarse hair, both versions will be too heavy for anyone with fine hair.  I have another winner to add to my hair product line up and I will continue to purchase both versions of the Kendi Oil.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Alterna Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Vibrant Color Shampoo and Conditioner

I was first introduced to the Alterna line of hair care products late last spring when I first visited my new salon and I have been using some of their styling products ever since. I am very fickle when it comes to hair care products and I rarely purchase the same products twice in a row.  One of the only products that I am very committed to is the Matrix Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner...and one of the others is a serum from Alterna.  The logical next step was to order a shampoo and conditioner from the Alterna line and alternate it with the Matrix products.  I always alternate at least two sets of shampoo and conditioner so that I can protect my color and highlights and prevent overall build up issues.  I had just finished up a round of Fekkai products when I decided that I wanted to try a completely different company and I decided on the color line of product from Alterna

I order both the shampoo and conditioner from the Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Vibrant Color line of products.  The serum that I first tried from this company was part of the Bamboo line and I think that this is a dominating ingredient in many of their hair care products.  I have been alternating this shampoo and conditioner with my Matrix favorites for the past week and I can easily state that I have a new hair care line that I will be ordering more items from.  I had heard many compliments on the Alterna products and I can see that they were completely correct.

Starting the shampoo...  "A color-preserving and protecting shampoo with rinse-resistant Color Hold® UV+ Technology for the highest level of color protection.  This gentle, daily use shampoo free of sulfates and sodium chloride cleanses, nourishes, and moisturizes, laying the foundation for healthy hair with vibrant color. Strengthening pure organic bamboo extract with color-locking, protecting Kalahari melon extract in this gentle sulfate- and sodium- chloride-free cleanser nourishes hair while maintaining healthy vibrant color. This formula is ideal for preventing color wash-out and fade-out with a high level of color protection, and contains rinse-resistant UV filters that protect against oxidative color damage."

My first impression of this shampoo is that it is much thicker in formula than I had expected, the formula is sulfate-free and these formula shampoos tend to be thicker than those with the chemicals contained in it.  The lather that was produced by this product was minimal, I used too much of it the first time around and not enough water to use it correctly.  The next time I made sure that my hair was truly soaked and I only used a quarter-sized drop of the product, this time the product rinsed much cleaner and worked much better.  Less is more when it comes to this formula.

Moving to the conditioner...  "A color-protecting and strengthening conditioner that prevents color fade-out.  This conditioner combines strengthening pure organic bamboo extract with color-locking, damage-locking Kalahari melon extract in a paraben- and sodium-chloride-free conditioner. Its formula infuses hair with nourishing moisture and vital nutrients to keep it strong and healthy with beautifully vibrant color. Featuring rinse-resistant UV filters that protect against oxidative color damage, this conditioner extends the life of your color."

The conditioner is very concentrated and is another product where a little bit goes a long way.  It was very hydrated and rinsed clean without creating any issues with build up.  My hair is very soft and easy to manage and style.  I really liked this formula from the first time that I used it.

My color has been going strong for the past few weeks with the use of this duo and the one from Matrix and my hair is very soft and easy to style.  This is one of the shampoo and conditioner sets that I would be interested in repurchasing and very few hair products make this cut.  I am now looking to see what other products from Alterna that I might want to order and try out.  This is one of the best hair care lines that I have used recently and I cannot see that I would ever stop using products from this collection.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask

I have begun working through all the products that I bought during the Sephora Friends and Family Event and I must say that a few of them are emerging as clear winners in my book.  My first love from the orders is the small bottle that I bought of Stella McCartney's L.I.L.Y., I have been using this fragrance at least twice a week and fall more in love with it each time that I put it on.  I have now started using the Carol's Daughter hair mask that I ordered and I am really pumped that I have found another great product from my order!  This is the first product that I have ever used from Carol's Daughter, I had heard many good things about the line over the past few years but often passed over it at my local Sephora or only looked at some of the body products in the line.  In fact, I wasn't really aware that this company sold hair care products until a few months ago when I searched through every hair brand on Sephora and started to plot out my upcoming Friends and Family Order.

I used Friends and Family to try a variety of brands that I had never used before and to stock up on some old favorites.  Obviously this product fell into the category of untrieds since this is my first product from Carol's Daughter.  So why did I choose this one from the series of hair masks that are carried by Sephora?  It was quite well rated, contained a good amount of natural ingredients, and had a monoi oil in it.  I have used monoi oil in beauty products since college and I love the mixture of coconut oil and tropical florals. 

"A deeply nourishing hair treatment to undo and prevent damage by up to 96%.  Strengthening your hair is the only way to lengthen it so you can do whatever you want with it. To really fortify fine, fragile, or chemically-treated hair requires major nourishment found in the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask. Added to the rejuvenating Monoi Oil – a repairing Tahitian blend of the Tiare Gardenia Flower and Coprah Coconut Oil – is rebuilding Bamboo Water and protective Hydrolyzed Silk.  This product is free of alcohol, petroleum, mineral oil, and artificial colors. For over 2,000 years, Tahitians have used Monoi Oil for its natural reparative properties that undo and prevent damage from the sun, sea and surf. Using ingredients that only grow in Tahiti, Monoi Oil is made by taking 15 freshly picked Tiare Gardenia Flower blossoms and combining them with 15 ounces of Coprah Coconut Oil over a 15 day sacred ritual, passed down only through an oral tradition."

I have used this product twice so far and I am very happy with the results.  With any deep conditioner, your hair will feel different after using it but I have rarely had my hair be so soft and easy to manage after use of this deep conditioning product.  This product has a very thick and creamy texture and a little of the cream goes a very long way.  I ran my fingers over the top of it to pick up a light coating of product and found that this is enough to cover my medium length hair, I actually thought that I didn't use enough the first time when I could coat my whole hair shaft with it but I had decided to err on the conservative side with this product the first time.  It turned out that it was a very good idea to use a small amount, I would have just wasted product had I used more than a quarter-sized drop of it.

My hair styles very easy the day after using this product and it is soft and manageable.  I love the results that I get from using this product and I am glad that I decided to try something very new to me during Friends and Family. 

Sephora posted the clinical results from usage of this product and many people have had a similar experience to mine.

"- 96% less breakage after only 1 use
- 13 times longer hair life after only 1 use
- 85% better conditioning and detangling after only 1 use"

I have no comments on the claim of longer hair life, I would guess that this is linked to the lessening of breakage after using of this mask.  I can say that my hair is much softer and since it is easier to style, it would lead to less breakage from styling damage.  I have been using this product once a week and I think that I will continue to use it in this fashion. 

What gets me even more excited is that Carol's Daughter has an entire line of monoi oil hair products, from the traditional shampoos and conditioners to all kinds of treatment products.  I now have a list of products that I want to buy at Sephora and I will be plotting out an order once I have some spare room in my shower!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Ojon Dry Recovery Hydrating Smoothing Cream

I haven't been really trying many new products for my hair lately, I have been buying Matrix Color Care products from my salon and I have been so happy with them that I have been using them almost every single day.  I should be changing up my haircare product more often so that I can avoid any type of residue from forming on my hair and I have decided that I should order a few new products from Sephora and go back to alternating between brands.  I just started looking back through my stash of products and I found this Ojon product that I bought at the end of last fall and then put away until I used my Alterna Bamboo Oil up.  I just finished that product two weeks ago so I brought this cream out and have been using it for about a week now.  I have always loved Ojon' performance but until recently, the scent of the products have made me shy from using them on a regular basis.  I must not have been the only one since this company has really improved the fragrance of all of their hair care products!

I decided to buy a smoothing cream from this company late last fall, I wanted something hydrating and that will fight frizz in both cold and warm weather.  Ojon was a logical company to look for this product from as they are know for having some of the best hydrating products on the market and their products are designed for coarse hair types.  I bought the Dry Recovery Hydrating Smoothing Cream, a cream that can be used to polish and smoother hair either before or after drying. 

"A nourishing styling cream that adds definition, hydration, and brilliant shine.  This cream instantly helps dyed, dried, or fried hair come alive. It's a nourishing leave-in conditioner with the hair-repairing power of nature's golden elixir, ojon oil, plus blue agave, rich butters, and oils. It tames split ends, flyaways, and frizz, and it's so lightweight you won't know it's there—but it still holds your style.  In healthy hydrated hair, the scales of the cuticle lie flat like the shingles on a roof. But when these scales become damaged, they lift and separate and no longer play their protective role. Water evaporates, cuticles become more brittle, more moisture is lost, and hair becomes drier. This simple daily ritual breaks this vicious cycle. And the refreshing aroma of ylang ylang, sweet orange, and geranium refreshes your spirits."

This product is recommended for use on damp hair but I have read reviews of it being used on dry hair too.  I have only used when my hair is damp so that I can add a bit more moisture and protection before blow drying and straight ironing.  It comes out of the tube with a thick lotion texture and I only have to use a dime-sized drop to cover all of my hair.  I soften it in my hands and then evenly apply it through damp size so that I can style it with the blow dryer. 

I was happy that this cream is a light texture, I was afraid that it would be as thick as some of the Jonathan Dirt products and that I would still need another product to alternate with it.  This product does not weigh my hair down and hasn't created any issues with building up on the ends.  The earthy floral fragrance of the product is much improved from the old "dirt" scent that the first generation of products had and I love the improvement.  I now want to buy more products from Ojon and I will be alternating them with the Matrix products that I currently love. 

photo courtesy of Sephora

Ojon Dry Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner

My last post was about how dry my skin is this winter and now we are going to talk about how dry my hair is too.  I feel like every single winter, my skin and hair just keep getting worse and worse (perhaps Al Gor will have some thoughts on climate change being expressed through the degradation of my appearance!) and I have to enlarge my product collection each month just to get through the cold weather.  I think that I have stumbled upon a great product in the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil and now I am on to trying to find just as great a hydrator for my hair.  I still color treat my hair so I need a shampoo and conditioner that I can rotate with the Matrix Color Care line.  I will keep buying the products in that line and then change up my other haircare products every few months.  This time around, I will be trying the Dry Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner from Ojon.

I first received samples of these products from Sephora last fall and then I went and purchased the full sizes of both the shampoo and the conditioner.  Before I even saw the results of the use of these products, I was struck by one aspect of the product...the scent!  And not in the way that I am normally struck by the scent of the Ojon products, these two products have a subtle herbal scent and not the strong scent that I have often complained about from the products in this line.  I was expecting the strong, dirt-like fragrance from these two products and I was nearly blown away in the shower when i liked the subtle and herbal scent.

The Sephora website provides both the product information and then why the products function as they do.  "In healthy hydrated hair, the scales of the cuticle lie flat like the shingles on a roof. But when these scales become damaged, they lift and separate and no longer play their protective role. Water evaporates, cuticles become more brittle, more moisture is lost, and hair becomes drier. This simple daily ritual breaks this vicious cycle."  Dry hair normally has scales that lift and then the moisture evaporates normally, chemical treatments and heat styling make the problem even worse and the cycle just continues.  When used together, the Dry Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner have been designed to help combat this problem and to put the needed moisture back into the hair shaft.

"A moisturizing shampoo formulated for dehydrated hair.  Instead of stripping away natural oils like strong action shampoos can do, this gentle coconut-derived cleanser actually preserves them. Ojon oil, nature's golden elixir, helps repair damage in the shower while our Blue Agave Nectar, Macadamia Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Babassu Oil complex helps restore moisture and smooth roughed-up cuticles to keep hydration sealed in. Straw-like strands become soft and smooth as silk.", states the Sephora website when describing the shampoo in the Dry Recovery product line. 

The matching conditioner has the following description.  "A deeply nourishing treatment for dry hair.  This rich, rapid daily moisture-proofing system instantly quenches parched strands and surrounds them in an invisible aura of protection. Formulated with Ojon oil, nature's golden elixir, plus Blue Agave, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, and Babassu Oil, this cream smoothes down the hair's cuticle, making dull hair brilliantly shiny. Never greasy or heavy, it smoothes static and tames flyaways too."

Clinical test results have also been provided by the Ojon company.  "Used in combination, Dry Recovery™ Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner improved the condition of dry, damaged hair by 52%.   82% said their hair felt smoother.  84% agreed their hair was soft. 78% claimed their hair felt nourished."  The results were made under the condition that the shampoo and conditioner were used together each and every time that the hair was washed and conditioned. 

I have been alternating this shampoo and conditioner formula with the Color Care line from Matrix.  The shampoo doesn't strip my hair of color or moisture, it doesn't add moisture but sets the stage for the conditioner to work its magic.  It produces minimal foam since it doesnt contain the Sulfates that are found in many traditional shampoo formulas and rinses clean from the hair.  I was a bit concerned as to how it would cleanse and rinse, I have used sulfate-free formulas before that cannot do either and make my hair worse than before use of the product.  I don't know that a shampoo can really help repair damage, but the formula can help avoid further damage and get the hair ready to receive the conditioning formula.

The conditioner is very hydrating and my hair is much softer after use of this product.  In addition to increasing the hydration level of my hair, it makes it lie flat and then much smoother and easier to blow dry and straighten.  The oils in the conditioner helps to both hydrate and smooth the hair, the appearance is much improved after using this product several times.  I really love this conditioner and now I want to try the Deep Conditioner in this line and see what kinds of results that it provides. 
The one drawback with this line is that it is not listed as being color safe.  It has not stripped my hair color and so far I have had no issues with it in this line, some products from this company have been known to strip color from the hair.  It helps that the shampoo is sulfate-free, it is gentle and doesn't contain ingredients that aren't recommended for color treated hair.  So far I have been having great luck with this shampoo and conditioner.  I do not use it in the first two weeks after I have colored my hair, I use the Color Care line only in this time and then begin alternating for the next four weeks until I color again. I would love to see some clarification on this topic from the company...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Phyto Huile d'Ales Pre-Shampoo Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment

I haven't posted about Phyto in months now, I still love this haircare line however it is getting to the point where I own almost every single product in the line and I have reviewed most of the them.  I do wish that this company would release more new products than they currently do, I have loved lamost every single product that I have used from this French company and I would buy as many new products as they would bring out.  The other week in Sephora, I repurchased a product of theirs that I had first used in college and itis just as good as I remembered it from all those years ago.  Winter is the perfect time for me to use hydrating skin and hair products as this is when I will reap all the benefits that they have to offer.

The Huile d'Ales Pre-Shampoo Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment is actually the first product that I ever purchased from this company, way back in 2004.  I bought this hair treatment when I was an associate at Bath and Body Works and I visited the King of Prussia store for the first time and I got all the exposure to brands other than their house brands.  This was even before King of Prussia had a Sephora in the mall and this was one of the few stores that I could play with all kinds of beauty brands and find out all kinds of information about brands that I had never heard of.  I am still waiting for King of Prussia to get a Space NK or a Blue Mercury...

Huiles d'Ales is one of those products that you will either love or hate, it is one of the most intense hydrating treatments that I have ever used and is great for someone with dry, thick, and/or coarse hair.  If your hair is oily or fine, then this product will be the kiss of death for any volume that you are attempting to induce into your hair.  This is a product that is very similar to the Ojon Hydrating Treatment but without the awful smell...

"A moisturizing pre-cleansing ritual for dry hair.  Created in 1967, this original rejuvenating formula is named after the Phyto founder himself. Its unique blend of essential oils revitalizes the tresses, restoring healthy radiance to dry hair.  This water-soluble complex can be safely mixed into the coloring process to protect hair and scalp from damage."  I have never mixed this into any type of hair color but I will bring this product to stylist and see what she thinks about this and how/if it could be done.

I have used this product in two different ways.  In each case, I use one entire vial of the oil and pour it into the spray bottle that is provided with the product.  I spray the oil all over my hair (mostly from the ear level and down) and then wrap a towel around my hair and let it sit for about half an hour.  I have used it with the just the towel several times and other times I have used a hair dryer blowing directly on my head for most of the half hour in order to keep the product hot.  Most stylists and chemists believe that the product will penetrate deeper if continous heat is applied and then I reap more rewards from this product.  I prefer to use a hair dryer with this product but I haven't always had the time to simply devote half an hour just to my hair.  I am more likely to use this product and wrap up my hair while doing homework or blogging.

This product is a very intense hydrator and you will see results from it, my hair is much softer and very shiny after use of this product.  However, I do not recommend using this product right before you plan to go out, it left my hair worse before it started to get better.  Let me explain fully.  Right after I use this product, I need to wash my hair twice to get all the excess oil out and then I condition my hair like I normally would.  With this method, I usually cannot get all the excess oil out and my hair will look awful for the rest of the next/the next day (if I do it at night).  My hair acts like it is pouring outside and behaves like the humidity is 100%, lots of frizz and hard to style.  As soon as I wash and condition it again at night, it straightens perfectly the next day and garners me tons of compliments on how pretty it looks.  I prefer to use this product at night and then only before a day where I know that I will be going nowhere for about 24 hours.  I am going to try to get my hair into a top knot the day after using this product and see if I can improve the appearance a bit of my "day after treatment" hair.  I will report back as to how this works.

The smell of this product is so much better than the Ojon treatments, this product has a very strong herbal smell but it is still very pleasant and does not detract from the formula.  Everyone knows that I cannot stand the scent of the Ojon product and it is a trial for me to ignore it while it is working wonders on my hair, this product works the wonder but doesn't make me gag while it is sitting on my head.  I use this product once every two weeks, Phyto suggests using it once a week but with the time that it takes for my hair to improve after the treatment, I cannot devote one day every week to not leaving my home.  I really don't believe that it needs to be used once a week unless your mix chemical treatments and your hair is really bad, once every two weeks is enough to reap all the benefits without wasting product. 

My only thoughts on improving this product is the packaging, the vials are pre-measured as to the amount that Phyto thinks should be used.  The amount is best for medium hair, if your hair is long then you need about two vials and if your hair is short then you are wasting product by having to use the whole vial.  If it was up to me, I would prefer this product to be contained in a regular size bottle and the user can decide how much they wish to pump out.  This is my only complaint with the product and it isn't that much of one (at least for me).  One vial is pretty much perfect for my hair, I wouldn't mind using a bit more but two vials would be too much for it and I only use one. 

This product is a great deep treatment for dry or chemically treated hair, it will hydrate any dry areas and improve the shine factor and the overall appearance of the hair.  This was my first love from Phyto and continues to remain a favorite treatment of mine.  If you love the effect of the Ojon products but hate the smell, this product will be a favorite.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Pure Treatment

The first new product that I bought when I switch hair salons was the Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Pure Oil Treatment, this was used on my hair before drying and straightening and I immediately fell in love with the heavenly scent of the product.  Later on that day, I fell in love with the texture and feel of my hair after using this product.  Needless to say when I asked for some product recommendations to purchase, this was the first and only product that my hair stylist recommended and I was sold in an instant.  I have been using this oil on my hair everytime that I straighten it and so far I have been loving the results (even though I have been dealing with a long line of rainy days and awful humidity).

Sephora has recently started carrying Alterna so I can get it from my stylist or the store now.  "A strengthening and smoothing oil for the hair.  This double-duty formula can be used as both a deeply nourishing treatment that helps to repair split ends and environmental damage, and as a color protecting style primer.  Made with strengthening organic bamboo and smoothing organic kendi oil, it banishes frizz and imparts intense shine while providing vital nutrients." 

The Sephora website lists two major ingredients in this hair oil.  The first is Organic Bamboo Extract.  It "immediately boosts hair's intrinsic strength, flexibility, and sustainability for stronger, healthier, better-performing hair".  The second one is Organic Kendi Oil, it "repairs and maintains the hair's lipid layer, and protects hair from future damage by infusing it multiple essential fatty acids (Omegas 3,6,9) and antioxidant Tocopherol".

This oil comes in a traditional oil with a dropper and a spray formula.  I bought the oil formula since it is more intense and better for thick, dry hair.  The spray formula have worked on my hair too but it is best for medium hair.  I use about a dime sized drop on damp hair before I blow dry to help protect it from the heat.  I then use about a drop on my hair before I use the iron on it.  I can still follow the product with a shine finishing product and haven't had any issues with my hair getting weighed down.  I got my hair cut over a week ago and so far I haven't noticed any major dryness issues or split ends, a near miracle for my hair. 

My stylish also told me that I can use this product as a deep hydrating treatment like I would any other hair oil.  I have yet to try the product that way but I will be using this product as an overnight treatment once a week this summer to help further its hydration benefits.  This formula of the oil is the product is recommended for use as the deep treatment, the spray formula will not provide the same hydrating benefits, so if you want a deep hydrating treatment then you must buy this oila nd not the spray version.

I love that I now have Alterna products easily available to me and I see that this oil product is actually part of the Bamboo hair line that is made to fight frizz and smooth hair.  I am really considering buying both the shampoo and conditioner from line and alternating it with my Fekkai Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner.  I have another appointment at the end of next month so I will be following up with more reviews of Alterna products in the next few months...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Phyto Plage "L'Originale" Protective Beach Spray

It may not be beach weather yet but I have already began to think about my summer haircare regime.  I have already started exercising outside and therefore I have to think about how the sun's UV rays are affecting my hair color and how the wind is adding to my split end issues.  I have brought out a product that I bought two years ago just for the beach and I have began adding it into my haircare regime to protect my hair from the outside elements.  My main concern in the summer months is how much more dry seems to be and the resulting frizz issues, I don't have any blonde in my hair yet so I don't worry about brassiness and the resulting color change associated with blonde.  But I am still looking at blonde highlights for the warm weather so it is never too soon to start thinking about protecting my hair color.

Phyto Plage is a line of four products that is made for protecting and hydrating hair at the beach and then replenishing it after the sun exposure.  The product that I using right now is the original product from this collection, the beach spray that was made for vacationers at the Riveria.  The Plage "L'Originale" Protective Beach Spray is used both during sun exposure and then after it to further replenish and hydrate the hair.  I spray it on before I go out running and then use it again after I wash my hair, the first time for protection and then second time for hydration and shine promotion.

This product was carried at Sephora when I bought it two years but I think that it is only available during the summer (at least in the stores).  To the best of my knowledge, it is available all year round on the Phyto website so this is where I am finding my information now.  "The original formula since 1974.  Create the ultimate beachy look with this original sun protection oil formulated to protect color and combat the effects of powerful UV rays.  Provide maximum sun protection with added moisturizing and softening benefits for ultimate sheen and shine."  Phyto recommends that you use this product before sun exposure and then again during the exposure (especially after any kind of swimming or exposure to water).  Since I am not at the beach yet, I use it before I go running to protecting my color.  I use it later then to help rehydrate my hair.

The active ingredients in this product are two hydrating oils and the UV protectants.  Calendula and Castor Oil are both very hydrating and help to prevent tangles and knots that are very common during a day at the beach.  The UV Filter and Anti-UVB Polymers help to protect color and help retain the moisture in the hair.  Since beginning to use this product again (about a week has gone by now since I began using it), I have seen that my hair is very soft and easier to style.  Even on days that I am not exercising outside, I use this product on my wet hair since the hydrating oils aide to moisture retention and have boosted the shine of my hair. 

I love knowing that I am protecing my hair even when I am running outside, this line of products is made for the beach but protects and hydrates well in any warm weather outdoor activity.  I haven't noticed any huge difference in the appearance of my hair color, however if I put blonde or red highlights in it than this product will become a necessity.  Currently, I love this product for how soft it makes my hair and for the shine finish of my hair.

photo courtesy of Phyto

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

The Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment might be one of the best loved hair products while being one of the most hated at the exact same time.  Let me explain...this mask hydrates and nourishes like nothing else on the market but smells awful.  Simply awful...and the scent lingers the longest with use of the hair mask.  Ojon is one of the most unique brands on the market today, the entire line uses pure ojon oil to help hydrate and restore dry, damaged hair.   This line started out at a group of products only for very dry, damaged hair and has taken off to include products for every single type of hair issue.
First we will start with a description of the ojon oil and the background behind it.  I found the best description on the Ojon website and that is where I will be pulling the information from.  "Everyday sun, pollution, coloring, harsh chemicals, heat styling, friction from combing, diet, stress, and the natural aging process cause serious damage to your hair, making it limp and lackluster, coarse, dull, tangled, difficult to style and manage.  Now whatever the damage, you can transform your hair to perfect health with Ojon hair treatments formulated with nature's golden elixir.  This 500 year-old beauty secret was discovered by Ojon founder Denis Simioni in the remote regions of the tropical rainforest in Central America.  The velvety-smooth, golden elixir is is obtained from the nut of the native Ojon tree and is hand-extracted according to ancient, eco-friendly traditions.  In one year, a single Ojon tree yields less than 8000 nuts, just enough to produce three cups of this precious natural ingredient.  The purity of this precious oil is what creates its natural affinity for hair.  Whenever pure Ojon oil comes into contact with hair, it helps restore radiance, suppleness, bounce, body, volume, and vibrancy to help repair even the most damaged hair."

The nut oil in this product is really what makes it so unique, Ojon owns the patent on this ingredient so the effects from this line are not available from use of any other product.  It is what makes this hair mask so hydrating and repairitve and also what makes this product smell so bad.  I first bought one of these masks several years ago and bought another one when I ran out, the product can't be beat and I learned to ignore the fragrance of it...

The Restorative Hair Treatment is one of the best known products in the Ojon line and the associate at Sephora told me that she recommends this treatment to anyone that complains of dryness or dullness of their hair.  "This clinically proven cult classic is now purified using an exclusive double-filtration method and is fortified with nature's golden elixir plus Rouge Oleifera to create the next generation of our deeply restorative treatment.  After just one treatment, it restores vibrant health to even the most deeply damaged hair.  Plus helps increase hair's strength against breakage.  Hair is soft, silky, and manageable.  A must-have for lifeless, dull, brittle, frizzy, flyway or unmanagable hair."

I use this product about once a month in the winter and maybe once every two months in the summer.  It is more tolerable in the winter months since it smells very strong and I use it with a hot towel on my head.  I coat my hair from the ears down when I use this product and then put a warm towel around my whole head.  I keep the towel warm for about the next half hour with the use of a hair dryer (see why this is not the best to use during the warm weather?!) and then I rinse it off in the shower.  I usually need at least two washings to get all the residue and the smell out of my hair.  It leaves my hair soft and very shiny for the next few weeks and is worth all the trouble that I go through to use it. 

This product is not recommended for use five days before or after hair coloring as it will affect how the hair shaft keeps the color.  I do have to plan when I use this product pretty carefully since I have plan around colorings and when I have the time to really use this product correctly.  This does make the product much more high maintence than many other deep treatments on the market today but the results are just soooo worth the stress.

I noticed when I was looking at this product on the company's website that they have reformulated a bit since I bought my last jar of it.  The company states that they have lightened the fragrance of the product and I am really excited to buy another jar of this now.  I might have to update this post in a few months since my least favorite part of the product have been changed, I am hopeful that this company hasn't changed any other aspect since this is one of the best deep treatments that I have ever used.

photo courtesy of Ojon

Phyto Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream

I have reviewed many Phyto hair care products on this blog and this is one of the few hair brands that I continue to repurchase products from over and over.  I have been using this line since I first got out of college in 2006 and still continue to faithfully use products from this line.  My favorites are the PhytoCitrus line of color care products and the Phyto 9 Leave In.  Phyto 9 is a god-send this time of the year, with the dry winter air sapping my hair of all moisture and luster.  The last time that I ran out to Sephora to replenish my supply of this leave-in treatment, I discovered that Sephora was sold out of it and I needed to try something else out until it came back in stock.
I thought that my safest bet would be to try another leave-in product from Phyto.  I choose to buy the Phyto 7 Leave-In treatment, a slightly lighter version of the Phyto 9 product that I had been using.  Phyto 9 has nine natural plant extracts and Phyto 7 has two less.  Phyto 7 is included in the collection for dry hair, where Phyto 9 is in the collection for very dry hair.  I expected this product to be a bit less hydrating and I was suprised at how much of a difference the two less botanical ingredients made.

"A daily leave-in treatment for fine to medium-textured hair.  Infused with seven pure and natural plant extracts, this weightless cream instantly hydrates, smoothes, and protects tresses while preventing frizz, static, and split ends.  Hair is left shiny and managable."  The seven active plant extracts are: Mallow, Soybean, Burdock, Rosemary, Sage, Calendula, and Willow.  All of these extracts are used in the product to aid in hydration and helping the hair shaft to retain moisture.

Why the description of this product states that it is for fine to normal hair when it is in the dry hair collection is well beyond me, unless Phyto completely changed their product line around.  Aside from the labeling confusion, this product helped hydrate my hair but wasn't near as hydrating as the Phyto 9.  Phyto 9 is the better of the two products for my hair.  Phyto 7 has a lighter texture, it absorbs into my wet hair quickly and left no residue on my hair shaft.  It helped to hydrate my dry ends, of course it was better than using nothing in my hair but still left a bit to be desired.  I might use this product during the spring and summer months when ny hair isn't as dry and I am not fighting static and flyways. 

Someone with fine or normal hair isn't the target market for a hydrating leave-in, even one that is light and leaves no residue.  This product would be better marketed to people with dry hair as they are the primary purchasers of leave-in creams.  I hope that my Phyto 9 is available the next time that I go to Sephora, this version was a bit too light for my hair this time of the year.  I might revisit it next May since my hair will not be as dry that time of the year.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Phyto Phyto 9 Leave In Treatment

Well the summer is over and it has had quite an impact on my hair.  Sun, chlorine, ponytail elastics...I often find myself trying to decide what season is the worst for my hair, the summer or the winter.  That being said, my hair has just survived three long months and while I have a hair appointment coming up, I still have some time to bid before it gets here and I am not going to wear my hair in tight bun every single day until I am able to get a nice cut.  Enter a routine of heavy conditioning and leave in haircare products for the next two or three weeks. 

When I know that I need a hydrating product that will work and work very well, I very often turn to the Phyto brand of natural haircare.  Started in the 1960s in the South of France, this line was one of the first to use plant extracts in a highly concentrated form.  A small amount of any of the products in this line goes a very long way.  I have used products from almost ever single line of this haircare collection at least once and I can say that every single one of them had great qualities even if they weren't my favorite products ever.  Phytocitrus is still my reining favorite group of products but I firmly believe that no matter what line you purchase products from, you will be happy with them and have a series of great hair days everytime that you use them. 

Since my hair is in post-summer mode, I chose a product from the ultra-day haircare line, the leave-in conditioner Phyto 9.  In the dry hair line, Phyto also offers Phyto 7,  a conditioner with seven essential moisturizers in it.  Since Phyto 9 is for ultra-dry hair, it is pretty easy to figure out that it contains an extra two essential hydrators than the Phyto 7.  Both of these leave-in conditioners are very targeted to toward only the driest and most damaged types of hair and are not for everyone.  If your hair isn't dry or ultra-dry, you won't need these products and they will just end up weighting down your hair.  Just some food for thought guys...

Now my hair is thick, curly, and dry.  Not to mention chemical treated and heat-styled and I pretty much do everything that I shouldn't do to my hair all the time.  And no amount of hair stylists or beauty editors will ever change my mind.  If everyone saw my hair when it was dried naturally then they would understand my need for the blow dryer and flat iron before I leave the house in the morning.  So I won't change my habits but I will help stop my hair from becoming completely fried and looking awful. 

"Infused with eight plant extracts and macademia nut oil, this weightless leave-in conditioner instantly hydrates, smoothes, and protects medium to coarse tresses while preventing frizz and split ends.  Hair is left silky soft and illuminated with shine.", states the Phyto website.  The eight active plant extracts are as follows: Burdock Root Oil, Canendula, Rosemary Oil, Sage, Soybean & Protein Oil, St. John's Wort, and Willow.  All of the oils in this product are put in to do one major task which is to really hydrate hair and to help stop the cuticle from easily losing moisture. 

This product is a cream texture that is about medium weight, I have used thicker creams on my hair but they didn't always penetrate as well as thinner formula.  I use this product once a day on damp hair when I get out of the shower.  Phyto states that this product can be used as your regular conditioner however if I don't use some type of conditioner in the shower then I will not be able to get a comb through my hair so I use this in addition to my daily conditioner (which is exactly how I use every other type of leave-in that I have tried).  I have to use about a quarter size dollap of this cream in order to fully cover the last three inches of my hair.  This amount allows me to cover that whole area but isn't so much that is builds up on my hair.

When I first began using this product, I needed to use it every single night in order for the moisture to stay in my hair.  After about a week of doing this, I was able to use it three times a week and still get the exact same result.  It makes my ends much softer and smoother.  Since it helps to close the hair cuticle and smooth the surface, this product also helps to make my ends easier to straighten and therefore I have to spend a bit less time on them with the iron in the morning. 

I have bought many tubes of this product in the fall and winter months since I use it all the time.  Also, the tube is so small that if I know that I cannot get back to Sephora within the month, I end up purchasing two at a time.  I love the way that this product works and helps to hydrate and smooth my hair, my only suggestion to Phyto is to make this tube bigger since I burn through them in no time. 

My mission is to keep my hair hydrated and in good condition until I can get to my hair stylist and get the last remains of the summer season cut out of my hair.

photo courtesy of Sephora 

Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo

Since I love Phytocitrus, I decided that I might like their other shampoos just as much. Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo is one of their most famous products so I decided to try and start with this one. This is a favorite of Jean Godfrey June and she has written about this product multiple times in Lucky. So I must admit that she did help to push me to try this shampoo out before some of the other ones from this line.

This shampoo is based toward dry and moderately damaged hair. Sephora places that product in the following category - "A gentle, moisturizing cleanser for dry, medium-to-coarse hair". The Sephora website gives the following details about the product. "Nuture and soften distressed locks with this aromatic, coconut-based shampoo, formulated to cleanse while instantly rehydrating hair with jojoba oil, and a unique concentration of cornflower and mallow extracts (40%)".

This shampoo has four major active ingredients. Jojoba Oil moisturizes and restores the hydrolipidic film of the hair. Wood cellulose helps to retain moisture and detangle the hair. Both cornflower and mallow extracts help to soften the hair and rebuild elasticity. The coconut in the shampoo helps to cleanse the hair without having to use strong detergents to clean the hair. This shampoo has a very thick texture and produces very little foam. This shampoo has a similar texture to the other Phyto shampoos that I have tried so far.

I bought this product at Sephora and when I was there, I expressed the concern that this product has nothing about color treated hair in the description. The sales associate assured me that with the lack of detergents, the product would be color safe. She then proceeded to tell me that when using this product on color treated hair, best results would be obtained by alternating it with the Phytocitrus Shampoo. I want to try this combination out but I have to hit them up again and buy more Phytocitrus Shampoo to try this and see how they work together.

I already own all the matching conditioners to this product and will finish trying them out very soon. I think that I prefer the Phytocitrus since I always color treat my hair but I am willing to try the combination of the two shampoos to preserve my color. This product is a fantastic hydrator and is recommended for those with dry and coarse hair.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Phyto Phytosesame Conditioner

This is yet another product from Phyto that feeds my loyalty to this wonderful French company. However, this must be one of their less popular products since everyone that I have met that uses this line has either never heard of or has ever tried this product. It's not had to find, it is available any place that Phyto products are sold and is one that I have purchased quite a few times over the past few years. This conditioner is called Phytosesame and is part of their collection aimed at dry hair.

Sephora places this product in the category of "fast-acting, lightweight conditioner for dry hair". Further details about the product have been provided. "Packed with exotic ingredients to ensure optimum hydration levels, this formula fortifies hair and adds body. Sesame oil, and cocoa and shea butters hydrate, nourish, detangle, and impart luminous shine. Hibiscus flower strengthens and adds body." This product comes in a pump bottle for the perfect application.

What do I love about this product? This is my favorite conditioner that I ever used, followed by the Smoothing Conditioner from Oscar Blandi. This product hydrates really well, rinses clean, and hasn't caused any problems with build up. I do feel that I burn through this product, but I don't know if that's because I love it so much or because I am using slightly too much. I think it is that I love it so much since I have gotten much better at rationing exactly how much I need to cover my hair. I am fine with a pump and a half for my thick, medium length hair. My hair is really soft and shiny and I get lots of compliments on it when I go back to using this product.

What do I not love about this product? I have a love/hate relationship with the pump bottle. I have to put it all out and shake the bottle to get the last few uses out of it. Usually the pump goes when only a little bit of product is left and I have learned to shake it all out and I can get about six to eight more uses from it. The other aspect of this product that I don't love is the scent of sesame oil. It is really strong in the shower and it does tend to linger in my hair after rinsing. It's not as bad as the Ojon but I have found that it lingers longer. However, these are not serious enough to make me not want to use this product.

I really recommend this conditioner to anyone how has dry/color treated hair and doesn't want it to be weighed down. I have used this conditioner following the Phyto PhytoCitrus Shampoo in the first four weeks after I color my hair and following the MOP Gisten Shampoo anytime after the first four weeks.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Ojon Revitalizing Mist

Ahhh...the unmistakeable scent of Ojon hair care products! And now with a product that I am actually not going to wash out of my hair? If you can't guess, I put off using this product for quite a decent amount of time but one day I ran out of my favorite PhytoMist and this product was sitting in my collection, ready to be taken for a test drive. This is product falls under the category of detangler more than a leave-in conditioner. It is a hydrator but it also helps to smooth the hair at the same time.

Ojon states that, "Fortified with exclusive Ojon oil, an ancient native secret to naturally beautiful hair from Central America's Tawira tribe, known as "the people of beautiful hair". Ojon Revitalizing Mist is a refreshing, weightless, "shake to activate" formula that works like "liquid Ojon" to instantly detangle hair. This pH-balanced formula, enriched with a vitamin blend helps smooth the hair's cuticle layer to allow for a more even application of styling products."

As stated in the description, this product is originally formed into two separate layers and it must be shaken in order for the ingredients to blend and work correctly. I have always blended the two layers and do not plan on trying each layer out by themselves. I use this product at night only, on wet hair before I put it all into a bun for me to sleep in.

My first thought when using this product is that this product doesn't allow the fragrance to be rinsed off. Though I must admit that after using it for two or three days in row, I began to barely even notice the fragrance at all. After about a week of use, I found that my hair was softer than before I started with it and the overall shine factor is greatly improved. I noticed that this product adds to all the build up that I get on my hair from all my smoothing and hydrating hair products, so a deep cleansing shampoo once a week is still a must with this product.

I got this product when Sephora offered a small version of it as a Beauty Insider gift. I am pleased with the results that I have gotten from it so far and will be comparing the ingredients between it and my beloved PhytoMist. PhytoMist is better for use on hair that has been freshly colored so I may have to alternate the two products. The Ojon doesn't strip hair of color but it isn't color protectant and I find that essential for the first two weeks after a salon visit.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Phyto Phytokarite Ultra-Hydrating Masque

I really should have just stuck to my original favorite masque from Phyto, the PhytoCitrus Masque. But no, in my quest to find and try nevery beauty product on the planet and especially every product for my hair type from Phyto, I decided to give this masque a shot. The Phytokarite masque is specially formulated for ultra-dry and unruly hair so I thought that this product would be a god send for me. Ignoring the rather lukewarm and somewhat negative reviews on Makeup Alley, I decided to purchase this masque and I had very high expectations for it.

"Phytokarite is an intensive that helps rejuvenate and repair very dry, damaged hair by providing it with the essential elements it lacks. Brimming with naturally rich agents, including Shea Butter, Cashew, and Pastel oils, filled with essential fatty acids, Phytokarite nourishes the hair from within. A wood-cellulose derivative with water-binding properties helps maintain the hair's moisture balance. Hydrolyzed keratin coats the hair and makes it easier to detangle, while Tocopherol (Vitamin E), a known anti-oxidant, helps protect hair from external stress factors. The hair is replenished from within, regaining its original softness, suppleness, and shine."

Phyto classified ultradry hair as hair that has been weakened from within with both a dual deficiency in both mositure and lipids (sebum). This dual deficiency alters the hairs' elasticity and suppleness. As a result, it becomes porous and loses certain elements, such as keratin (amino acids). Ultra-dry hair becomes difficult to detangle, is coarse and brittle, and requires replenishing with both nourishing and restoring agents.

The reviews on this product from Makeup Alley are very divided, some love it with a passion and others hate it with equal passion. I really thought that I would love this product for my dry and damaged hair. Well...first I totally hated it but over time, I grew to a slight like and tolerance of it.

The first time that I tried it out, I still had my long hair. It didn't rinse out fully and left me clumpy, tangled hair. I decided to give it another shot. The second time I still had issues with the rinsing and my hair was never improving. I pretty much gave up on the product then. Several months later, I decided to retry the product with my shorter hair. It was much easier to rinse out and made my hair softer but was no miracle product. I didn't notice any real difference in the feel of my hair or its shine level. This deep conditioner isn't the greatest but I like it enough to finsh up the tub that I have and just not repurchase it. I still prefer and would recommend the PhytoCitrus Masque instead.

photo courtesy of Beauty.com

The Body Shop Originals Line

The Body Shop has just decided to bring back some of their original best selling products from the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s. I remember seeing some of these products in this store when I began shopping there in the seventh grade. The Dewberry products are the ones the jump right out at me, everyone had this scent in the late 1990s. The Body Shop has released hair care product, skincare products, and body products. Time to go back a decade or two.

First the haircare products...

Banana Shampoo - Gently cleanse and nourish your hair with a shampoo that smells good enough to eat and will leave your hair feeling soft and silky.

Banana Conditioner - Nourish and protect your hair with an irresistable smelling conditioner that leaves it free of tangles and easy to manage.

Ice Blue Shampoo - Cleanse and refresh your hair while leaving it soft and healthy-looking with an invigorating and deeply refreshing shampoo.

Now the skincare products...

Carrot Moisture Cream - Hydrate and protect your skin with a rich, moisturizing, non-greasy daily moisture cream that leaves the skin feeling beautifully soft and supple.

Cucumber Freshening Water - Remove excess traces of oil, dirt, and makeup with a mild toner that will refresh and soothe your skin without over drying it.

Cucumber Cleansing Milk - Wash away excess oil, makeup, and impurities with a refreshing cleansing milk that gently cleanses without drying to leave skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed.

Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel - Wash away excess oil, makeup, and impurities with a refreshing cleansing gel that gently cleanses without drying to leave skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed.

Now for the body products...

Dewberry Body Lotion - Moisturize and hydrate your skin with a deliciously fruity body lotion that will leave it feeling soft, smooth, and fragrant.

Dewberry Bath & Shower Gel - Feel fresh and clean with a deliciously fruity gel that creates a luxurious foamy lather to leave skin feeling cleansed and gently fragranced.

Fuzzy Peach Bath & Shower Gel - Enjoy the rich lather of a soap-free, cleansing gel that leaves your skin feeling clean, soft, supple, and scented with the sweet and fruity scent of fresh peaches.

Green Apple Bath & Shower Gel - Feel fresh and clean with the luxurious foamy lather of a fresh and fruity cleansing gel that will leave your skin feeling cleansed and gently fragranced.

I want all the body products, I remember playing with these when I used to shop in the little Body Shop in my local mall. I would also like to try the Banana hair products, I have heard from various sources that banana is very hydrating and it is an ingredient that MOP uses in their deep conditioner. I would also like to get the two cucumber facial care products. I have used a cucumber tonic from C.O. Bigelow that did a great job calming my skin dow so hopefully these products will have the same effects.

photo courtesy of The Body Shop

MOP Glisten Drops

About two months ago, I talked about my raves for MOP Glisten Shampoo and my thoughts on the matching conditioner from the line. In the meantime, I have been using a styling product from this line, the Glisten Drops. Currently, MOP has five styling products available in the Glisten line. The Glisten Drops are what we will discuss today, however the other four products are Volumizing Spray, High Shine Pomade, Finish Spray, and Spray Gloss.

The MOP website describes this product as follows, "Smoothes the hair for beautiful light reflection to create modern, healthy looking hair. May be used to reduce tack, improve dispersability, and add shine to any other styling aid. This is truly the ultimate cocktailing product!" This product contains organic oatstraw, horsetail, and aloe to add shine and reflection to the finished hair style. It also contains Vitamin E and UV protectors to help protect and strengthen hair.

Based on the instructions from MOP, this product should be used on dry, styled hair as a last step in the morning regime. The majority of my usage is done in this way. I tried it as a smoothing product on wet hair before styling instead of my normal Jonathan Silky Dirt. I prefer it used on dry hair, it didn't feel that it smoothed my hair as well as Silky Dirt. I also have not tried to cocktail this product, most of my products are for hydrating and smoothing but I feel that cocktailing would make them too heavy and really weigh my hair down. This might work if your haircare products are lighter weight than mine are but I will need different products to test this theory out.

Used on dry hair, I get a great shine without my hair feeling weighed down. This product didn't build up over time or leave my hair feeling sticky. I have gotten great results from this little gem of a serum.

I was given this product from the vendor at Bath and Body Works before they stopped carrying it. I have been using this product for over a year and I am only halfway through the bottle, I only need 2 to 3 drops to do my whole head. I put the drops in my hand, rubs my hands together, and run them over my the top of my hair. This product is also unisex, I knew a guy that used it on dry hair to style. He rubbed a drop between his hands and then ran them for his hair for a quick mussed up style. I love that MOP products can be used multiple ways by many different people and still deliver high quality results.

photo courtesy of Modern Organic Products