Humidity Chose Violence (AKA Hair Frizz)... So I Chose BKIND, Drybar, Redavid & Conair!

All winter long we dream about summer. We beg for it. We count down to it. We swear we'll never complain about the heat again. 

 

Then it finally arrives... and immediately reminds us that every season has its own special way of keeping us humble - we step outside for approximately 17 seconds, and suddenly our hair has transformed into a tribute band for Hagrid. 

 

Because while summer is great for patios, iced coffee, and pretending we'll "definitely spend more time outside," it's also absolute chaos for our hair. Humidity has one job, and apparently that job is making every strand on your head ignore years of styling, expensive products and your personal wishes.

 

The sleek blowout you spent 30 minutes perfecting? Gone before you've even backed out of the driveway. Your curls? They've formed a labour union and are refusing to follow instructions. 

 

If your hair has recently entered its feral era, don't panic. These are a few of my favourite frizz fighters that help convince my hair to behave... or at least fake it convincingly... 

 

BKIND Leave-In Conditioning Serum - 90ml - $58 

 

If your hair has been screaming for moisture louder than your garden in August, this leave-in serum is exactly what it needs. 

 

It's lightweight, packed with hemisqualane, repairing phytosterols and nourishing plant oils and somehow manages to smooth frizz, strengthen hair, define curls, add shine and protect against heat up to 450°F all at once. 

 

And if all that isn't enough, it also helps restore softness, shine and manageability while keeping curls defined and colour looking fresh. And as an added bonus, the pear and green tea scent makes hair smell amazing!

 

Basically, it's the overachiever of the group while the rest of us are just trying to survive until September.

 

Available at spas and boutiques across Canada - you can locate one near you or buy online at bkind.com.

 

Drybar Final Call Frizz & Static Control Mist - 140g - $39.50

 

You know that moment when you leave the house looking fabulous and five minutes later your hair says, "Actually... no"? 

 

This is for that. 

 

 One quick mist creates an invisible shield that helps keep frizz, flyaways and static from hijacking your style for up to 24 hours. The nourishing formula combines Monoi oil, coconut milk and vitamin E for softness and shine, while sunflower seed and jojoba help create a humidity-resistant barrier around each strand. It also protects against UV rays and pollution because, apparently, our hair has more daily enemies than we realized. As an added bonus it has a coconut, vanilla and amber scent that gives me the summer vibe that I am here for in the Blanc Scent option - or if you prefer something more tropical it also comes in a Coconut Colada version. 

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Chatters stores across Canada or online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and chatters.ca 

 

Redavid Orchid Oil Treatment Ultra Nourishing Anti-Frizz Serum - 30ml - $22, 90ml - $46, 250ml - $98

 

This serum is basically the friend who shows up with snacks, a charger, a first-aid kit and jumper cables. 

 

Frizz? Covered. 

Heat protection? Yep. 

Detangling? Absolutely. 

Shine? You got it!

 

A lightweight leave-in treatment smooths frizz, restores moisture, detangles, speeds up blow-drying, adds shine and protects against heat without leaving your hair looking like you accidentally deep-fried it.

 

It uses a combination of coconut oil and Cymbidium Orchid Oil to strengthen, hydrate and smooth even the most dramatic hair days without leaving behind greasy residue. 

 

Some hair oils promise the world but leave you hanging - this one actually clocks in for work! 

 

Available online at redavid.ca and amazon.ca. 

 

Conair Smooth and Shine Cordless Heated Brush - $39.97

 

This little gadget is for all those moments when your hair betrays you in public. 

 

It's cordless, rechargeable, travel-friendly and smooths flyaways faster than you can say, "Was my hair seriously doing that all day?" 

 

Ceramic heated bristles and ionic technology help tame frizz in minutes, making it perfect for your purse, desk drawer or glove compartment—because hair emergencies have absolutely no respect for your schedule. 

 

Available at Walmart stores across Canada and online at walmart.ca and amazon.ca.

 

 

Summer is wonderful... but until my hair learns to agree at least these products will help keep the frizz under control and let me look like I have my life together... even if it's just from the shoulders up!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Frizz and silicone free with Mark Anthony Bye.Bye. Frizz!

Looking for a silicone-free and ultra-lightweight way to keep the frizzies at bay? Introducing new Marc Anthony Bye. Bye. Frizz with a collection of products that tame frizz without weight or build-up!

Eliminating frizz is an inside ​and outside job - moisture and nutrients need to penetrate the inside of the hair shaft, and then you need to seal them in from the outside. This new collection works brilliantly together to do just that – controlling frizz, adding shine and giving all hair types the manageability needed to look and feel soft and of course frizz-free.

Unlike most frizz fighting products that use silicone to smooth out hair, this line uses abyssinian 0il - a natural oil that delivers the benefits of a silicone without the unbreathable coating that they produce. From the inside it helps with manageability, strengthens, protects and has anti-breakage properties. On the outside it seals the cuticle and leaves hair sleek and shiny. And as an added bonus, the products all smell great - especially the Shampoo and Conditioner!

Available in the collection:

Bye.Bye. Frizz Keratin Smoothing Shampoo - 250ml - $11.99 - with a formula built to help hair become more manageable, shinier and stronger. It’s formulated with ​hydrolyzed silk for moisture and polymers to keep the nutrients locked in; and hydrolyzed keratin combined with ​abyssinian oil - helps to strengthen, while smoothing the cuticle for hair that is left softer and shinier

Bye.Bye. Frizz Keratin Smoothing Conditioner - 250ml - $11.99 - the first after-wash step to achieving beautiful frizz-free hair. Formulated with ​abyssinian oil and hydrolyzed silk to give hair the slip it needs to detangle easily while also conditioning and adding shine; Lightweight ​grape seed oil - helps to keep hair moisturized; and strengthening dual ​keratin - smooths the cuticle to diminish the look and feel of frizz.

Both available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

Bye.Bye. Frizz Heat Protection Leave-In Conditioner - 250ml - $11.99 - with a lightweight leave-in formula that keeps hair soft and frizz-free from wash-to-wash, without weighing it down. Cuticle penetrating coconut oil​ provides hair with extra moisture, leaving it softer with a natural glide;  abyssinian oil​ provides the conditioning and shine hair needs to live a frizz-free life; and the dual ​keratin​ formula strengthens and smooths the cuticle.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart stores across Canada.

Bye.Bye. Frizz Keratin Smoothing Blow Dry Cream- 140ml - $11.99 - helps achieve the good blow dry that is the foundation of long-lasting style with lightweight ingredients, that allow hair to move in a natural way and polymers​ that help keep your look all day and night. The dual ​keratin​ formula strengthens and protects hair from outside elements while keeping ​abyssinian oil​ locked inside.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart stores across Canada.

Bye.Bye. Frizz Humidity Shield Hairspray - 249ml - $11.99 - a frizz-repelling hairspray with the ability to hold hair naturally thanks to the formula which provides an invisible net. Dual ​keratins​ helps to protect, ​abyssinian oil ​provides shine and ​hydrolyzed silk​ conditions locks. The ​polymers​ provide “no shell” hold that looks natural, while helping hair look its frizz-free best for longer.

Available at Walmart stores across Canada.

And my favourite product from the line:

Bye.Bye. Frizz 8-in-1 Perfecting Serum - 50ml - $11.99 - with 8 frizz-fighting benefits: reduce frizz,  heat protect, humidity shield, smooth, nourish, moisturize, repair and strengthen with a formula that blends together the ingredients needed inside to help hair stay soft and moisturized. It then seals all the goodness in with a mix ​hydrolyzed silk​, dual ​keratin​ and oils like ​abyssinian oil​ and ​sunflower seed oil,​ which give hair a natural barrier to keep humidity out and moisture in and is light enough to reapply when needed.

Available at Walmart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Summer frizz fighters from John Frieda, Wella and Pantene!

John Frieda Frizz Ease Forever Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner - 250ml - $12.99 - anti frizz products designed for medium-thick and wavy-curly hair types, but suitable for all levels of frizz - with groundbreaking Frizz Immunity Complex - penetrates hair fibers, working from the inside out to help combat the porosity of frizzy, dry and damaged hair while building an internal barrier and frizz immunity with every use.

Infused with a blend of pure coconut oil and conditioning agents to help improve hair’s texture and manageability while fighting the onset of frizz. Paired together, they offer noticeably smoother hair with continued use.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

Wella EIMI Flowing Form Anti-Frizz Smoothing Balm - 100ml - $18.95 - formulated to reduce frizz and help protect hair against dehydration while using hot tools to create luxurious smoothness with flexible control and natural movement.

Available now at professional salons across Canada - check out www.wella.com for more info or to find a salon near you.

Pantene Pro-V Seriously Sleek Serum With Argan Oil - 50ml - $8.99 - a frizz-fighting serum that  helps keep frizzy hair sleek and sexy - even in high humidity. With a powerful, lightweight formula that imparts glossy shine and silky softness that doesn't look weighed down.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Goldwell Dualsenses Just Smooth Collection

Dealing with unruly and frizzy hair thanks to cold weather or just life in general? Then you need to find yourself some:

Goldwell Dualsenses Just Smooth -  provides manageability and frizz control with an outstanding soft hair feel and brilliant shine - with a whole range of products including a few of my favourites:

Just Smooth Taming Shampoo - 300ml - $18.95 - as gentle as water, it instantly creates manageability and frizz control and contains a unique FadeStopFormula to minimize colour fading with every use.

Just Smooth Taming Conditioner - 300ml - $18.95 - instantly detangles and nourishes for smooth and touchably soft hair.

And the newest addition to the line:

Just Smooth Smoothing Blow Dry Spray - 200ml - $18.95 - speeds up drying time and improves manageability for smooth responsive styling while shaping the hair and giving it light hold.

Also available in the line is Just Smooth 60Sec Treatment - instantly regenerates hair and Just Smooth Taming Oil - for control and brilliant shine

Available now wherever Goldwell products are sold - check out www.goldwell-northamerica.com to find a salon near you.

- Lisamarie -

Get rid of frizz with Kérastase, John Frieda and got2b!

Kérastase Discipline Keratine Thermique Smoothing Taming Milk - 150ml - $49 - offers blow-dry care for unruly hair with a must-have pre-styling milk that consolidates the hair fiber to restore all of its smooth evenness, ensure protection from humidity by enveloping the fiber with a water-resistant shield all while ensuring high-heat protection up to 180º C/356º F.

Available now in Kérastase salons across Canada and online at kerastase.ca.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Forever Smooth Anti-Frizz Primer - 90ml - $14.99 - creates the perfect foundation for smooth, long-lasting, style with a formula containing Frizz Immunity Complex and  pure coconut oil to even out and smoothe the hair's surface, block frizz and gradually build a powerful defense against humidity that lasts up to 72 hours - for hair that is instantly smooth and frizz free.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

Schwarzkopf got2b Smooth Operator Smoothing Lustre Lotion - 200ml - $7.99 - a decadent lotion insfused with luxurious cashmere to shape, smooth, control fly-aways and impart an amazing weightless lustre and softness while helping to protect against damage from heat styling along with a UV protectant to guard from sun damage..

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Affordable frizz control from Garnier, L'Oréal and got2b!

Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist - 177ml - $6.99 - a powerful frizz-taming straightening mist, with Moroccan argan oil, offers protection from the heat of your flat iron while sealing in smoothness and shine. for the perfect, sleek style that lasts 72 hours!

L'Oréal EverSleek Precious Oil Treatment - 115ml - $14.99 - is infused with argan oil from Morocco, sunflower oil and olive oil to heal, banish frizz and protect - this cocktail of natural oils instantly penetrates hair to condition and seal in smoothness for hair that is left sleek and shiny, without feeling weighed down or coated.

Schwarzkopf got2b Guardian Angel Frizz Taming Hairspray - 340g - $9.99 - delivers 90% humidity defense to combat frizz to keep your style calm even in the hottest of conditions. Features special neutralizing agents that fend off the most humid of weather and deflects moisture in any conditions so you stay fly-away free all day and night.

All of these frizz-fighting products are available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin Treatment Service - for hair like silk for up to 5 months!

I recently had the opportunity to check out the brand new Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin Treatment at the Haartek Salon in Toronto. What makes it different then the other smoothing services available is that it is entirely customizable to your hair type and desired outcome. Wavy to curly, frizzy to unmanageable - it makes unruly, frizzy hair manageable, softens curls and smooths frizz and reduces daily styling time significantly - whatever the issue, the treatment has a solution!

I was super impressed when I saw the before and after on this lady (although I really hope they treat the other side of her head before she goes home) - frizz ball to sleek and gorgeous! And the other thing I found noticeable was the lack of smell - there were many treatments going on at the same time so some sort of chemical smell would have been expected and yet I could smell nothing!

The Kerasilk Keratin smoothing service utilizes a new generation of technology - consisting of glyoxylic acid, keratin and silk proteins - that penetrates the hair structure and creates a matrix of new keratin bonds that reinforce and stabilize hair for up to 5 months - you can see the amazingly smooth and shiny results here!

My hair wasn't frizzy/curly/scary enough to need Keratin so I was treated to a Goldwell Dualsenses 60sec Treatment instead (sigh, bliss - thanks Dakota!)

There's also a range of at-home products to compliment and maximize the salon service enriched with Kerashape Technology in both Rich and Ultra-rich formulas. The products can even be used if you haven't had a treatment to help smooth hair and control frizz.

The Kerasilk Keratin service takes about 2 1/2 hours and costs $300 and up - depending on the length and condition of the hair. Check it out at Haartek Salon in Toronto at 55 Bloor Street West in the Manulife Centre - 416-962-3355 or other participating Goldwell salons - find out more at www.kerasilk.goldwell.com.

- Lisamarie -

Sleek and shiny hair is yours thanks to Shu Uemura Art of Hair, John Frieda and L'Oréal!

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Touch Of Gloss Brilliant Melt-In Wax - 50ml - $42 - elegance in hair gloss with a lustrous texture for impeccable reflective styles while instantly detailing strands, precisely defining ends and revealing hairstyle angles with brilliant shimmer and comfort.

The product has a great texture that really does melt into the hair without being the least bit sticky. If you have long hair I'm told it’s best used to slick back hair or applied on the ends to add a healthy shine. If you have shorter hair like I do, applying throughout gives my layers definition and a lovely glossy shine, especially in the sun.

Available at shu uemura Art of Hair Salons and online at www.shuuemura.ca.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution Lightweight Frizz Control - 60ml - $14.99 - made especially for those of us with fine to medium hair, it's a silky and lightweight solution that delivers the same benefits as the original serum without weighing the hair down - a dual-phase product of smoothing lotion and lightweight serum offers both frizz control and nourishment and is safe for both colour and chemically treated hair.

To use just shake to combine the two solutions until mixed, apply 10 drops into your palm, rub hands together and work through towel dried/damp hair before styling.

L'Oréal Eversleek Precious Oil Treatment - ml - $14.99 - great for all hair types with a unique formula that absorbs rapidly without feeling greasy including: argan oil from Morocco to soften and add shine; sunflower oil to smooth; and olive oil to penetrate and condition. It instantly penetrates the hair fiber to condition and seal in salon-smoothness while over time, hair becomes softer and shinier with significantly less frizz. 

Use it on wet hair to increase manageability and smoothness or on dry hair to take softness and shine to the next level..

- Lisamarie -

Redken Smooth Lock - fights frizz while nourishing your hair!

My hair seems to have an eternal struggle with frizz - in the summer, it's frizz due to humidity and in the winter it gets frizzy from overuse of the blow dryer since I don't want to go out into the cold with wet hair. I can't seem to win this one so I'm always on the hunt for products that will solve my frizz problem!

Enter the Smooth Lock collection from Redken which is perfect for my winter frizz issues because the products actually have a Thermo Active Polymer which forms a humidity-resistant, heat-activated barrier on the surface to retain internal moisture while locking out frizz. They also contain Almond Oil to condion and coat the hair's surface for a silky, smooth finish with added shine as well as IPN which penetrates the cortex to strengthen and reinforce hair for improved manageability.

Smooth Lock Shampoo - 300ml - $14.49 - delivers nourishing shine and helps retain moisture while it eases detangling and improves manageability.
Smooth Lock Conditioner - 250ml - $16.99 - instantly improves manageability as it resurfaces the cuticle with smoothness and lasting shine and nourishes dry hair.
Smooth Lock Butter Silk - 250ml - $21.99 - provides deep moisture and long-lasting smoothness while it replenishes damaged areas of the cuticle and eases detangling and improves manageability and shine.
Smooth Lock Stay Sleek - 250ml - $20.99 - an intense smoothing balm that seals the cuticle for sleek, compacted look while offering weightless frizz control and intensive surface smoothing for up to 3 shampoos
Smooth Lock Heat Glide - 150ml - $23.99 - smooths and tames rebellious, frizz-prone hair; replenishes, nourishes and smooths the cuticle; and provides 92% frizz reduction for 48 hours.

I've been using the whole line for a couple of weeks now and I can really see a difference in how much smoother my hair looks. When I use the Stay Sleek it takes a lot less effort to smooth my hair out for the next couple of shampoos which is a great time saver! My favourite product from the line is the Butter Silk - I've been using it every few days and does my hair ever look shiny and feel soft and silky!

Visit www.redken.ca to find a Redken salon near you.

- Lisamarie -

John Frieda Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight - not only saves your hair, it saves you time!

It's that time of year again - the heat, the humidity all combine to make my head a frizzy mess most days. When I take the time to flat iron my hair it's fine but most mornings I just don't have the time or inclination - a product that will make it possible to only have to do it every 3 days? Yes please! Just keep in mind that this means that you can't wash your hair for the 3 days either - dry shampoo will become your best friend!

John Frieda Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling Spray - 105 ml - $15.99 - you might think it's just for curly haired girls who want to straighten but it's also awesome for those of us with straight hair and a bad case of the frizzies!

John Frieda Canadian Creative Consultant Alain Larivee was kind enough to share his top how-to tips for how best to use the product and achieve the perfect blowout at home:

1. Set the foundation with a frizz fighting shampoo and conditioner then towel dry and spray Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight onto hair and comb through to distribute evenly.

2. Using a round brush, blow dry your hair angling the air flow downwards from room to end.

3. Flat iron one section o hair at a time, pressing both plates together until you reach the end. The styling spray works with the heat of your flat iron to lock in straightness.

4. Touch up with the flat iron on day two and three if needed. The heat will reactivate the straightening benefits in the product.

- Lisamarie -

Marc Anthony wants you to say Bye Bye Frizz!

I love spring, I really do but I could do without the effects that all this nice rain has on my hair - I'm talking about frizz of course! It's not just rain and humidity that cause it of course: styling damage; dehydration and texture are all other causes but this new line from Marc Anthony promises to banish frizz from whatever cause with four new products in their bye.bye.Frizz line!

Marc Anthony 30-Day No Frizz Keratin Smoothing Treatment - 100ml - $12.99 - with a heat activated Hydrolyzed Keratin formula that penetrates the cuticle to smooth the surface layer. Humidity is blocked, moisture is retained, strength is restored, damage is alleviated and shine is boosted. As well, it reduces blow drying time by laminating the hair surface, sealing in moisture and preventing additional moisture from diffusing into the cortex. Great for all hair types in achieving a level of smooth you never thought possible!

Marc Anthony Keratin Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner - 250ml - $9.99 - formulated with K-Silk Complex - hydrolyzed silk and keratin - and an Amino Acid Blend - it forms a coherent cuticle smoothing layer while improving strength, repairing surface damage and binding moisture for soft, silky hair with incredible shine. 

Marc Anthony Keratin Smoothing Blow Dry Cream - 140ml - $9.99 - can be used on straight or curly hair for a fool-proof sleek blowout or for defined scrunching and diffusing. With K-Silk Complex - a protein that occurs naturally in hair - forms a protein shield on the cuticle to absorb damage caused by external factors such as styling, hot tools, UV rays, etc., leaving your own cuticle intact. it smoothes the cuticle, preserves moisture and protects your hair's natural keratin for hair that is soft and glossy!

You'll be saying goodbye to frizz and hello to beautiful sleek hair in no time!

Check them out at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, Loblaws, Maxi, Walmart and other retailers now.

- Lisamarie -

Road Testing: L'Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes and Garnier Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfection!

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes - $12.99 - the newest addition to the Voluminous family, this defining volume mascara has a collagen-infused formula.  The millionizer brush is designed to thicken every eyelash thanks to multiple long and short bristles that generously envelop the entire length with colour.  They keep you clump free with the special wiper technology on the tube - it adjusts to every bristle wiping the brush free of clumps, giving you the perfect amount of mascara!

 I've course it's easiest to just show you what 2 coats of it looks like - obviously on the left hand side.  No primer and combed between coats - if you don't comb it you get a thicker look but I prefer a fringe effect so I always comb.  I didn't have any clumping issues at all and as you can see from what my natural lases look like, it added a lot of volume.  Because of the non-clumping, you could even do 3 coats for super volume!  I also found that it got the smaller inner lases without any problem or mess.

Garnier Fructis Blow Dry Perfector - $14.99 - When I posted about this product initially, I got some feedback that this had not been good on a reader's colour treated hair so I was a little hesitant to try it -  but I decided to live dangerously so I just went for it!  I used it on Saturday, right before I went to a wedding so this could have been a disaster but I'm happy to say it was a total success.  It's a 2 step smoothing kit that's very simple to use.  First you wash your hair and wearing the gloves provided, apply the smooth-it serum that you leave on for 20 minutes.  The serum is quite runny when you apply it so I did it over the sink. Once it was in my hair I didn't have any problems with dripping - my big complaint is the chemical like smell, it's awful! After 20 minutes you wash out the serum, towel dry your hair and then apply  the leave in heat activated perfect-it cream. Fortunately this one smelled good, kind of fruity.  It's hard to know how much to use, they tell you to use as much as needed and to lightly coat the hair from root to tip.  I decided it was better to use less because it's easier to apply more then try and get rid of too much!  After that you blow dry your hair and if you want it really straight, also use a flat iron.

Just to let you know what I was working with, my hair is fine and has a little bit of a natural wave to it but straightens out easily with a flat iron.  After using the Garnier product, it was straight after blow drying.  After using my flat iron, it was poker straight.  The best part though was how it calmed the little frizzies and gave my hair some body!  I have washed it 4 times now and I am still getting the same result so I am very happy with it - I would love to hear results from someone who used this that has curly hair!

Also keep in mind if you have shorter hair, there is enough product in the kit for two uses  - you will just need to find a second pair of plastic gloves!

- Lisamarie -

Say Goodbye to Frizzy Hair with Rene Furterer and Phyto Anti-Frizz!

Being obsessed with frizz, I'm always willing to test anti-frizz products - here is the latest:

This Rene Furterer anti-frizz masque (100ml - $30, 200ml - $54) - from the Myrrhea line - is  a hair mask to be applied on rebellious, or curly hair after shampoo. You only need a small amount and just like the Myrrhea anti-frizz fluid (125ml - $30), it works pretty well: your hair feels softer and smoother.  Again the only thing I don't like about it is the scent, but since this mask must be rinsed out, it's a complete non issue.  You can find it at selected salons as well as Sephora.

I've known about Phyto for many years but I had never tried anything from this brand before. I know a few Caribbean girls who kept on gushing about this line and this hair relaxing balm (phytodefrisant, $24 for 100ml) is fantastic, indeed. Apply a dab of this translucent balm on wet hair, just before styling. It's designed for curly or permed hair and provides natural hair relaxing benefits.  It does not straighten your hair completely obviously, that's not the point, but it really eliminates the frizz. It left my hair smooth and not greasy at all which I really loved. It may seem pricey but to me it's worth every penny!
You can find Phyto products at Sephora as well as selected salons.

-Christelle-

Eliminate frizz for up to 3 days? I'm listening Avon!

Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield Anti-Frizz Treatment - 60ml - $12.99 - lotus leaf inspired technology defies 97% humidity to help keep hair soft and smooth.

What was really interesting to me was the promotional piece of paper I got with the treatment, one half was treated with Lotus Shield Technology, the other half wasn't and you were supposed to drop a small amount of water on each side to see the difference.  Of course on the treated side the water pooled and on the untreated side the water was absorbed, which visually was a really clever way to show what the product was doing to your hair.

Considering what a humid summer it has been in Toronto, I had the perfect testing conditions for this product.  It's easy to use, just apply to towel dried hair.  They don't actually tell you how much to use so I guessed a dime sized amount would be about right and it was.  What was interesting was after I applied it, it also seemed to give my hair some texture - which is a welcome thing when you have fine hair - I normally add some product to texturize but when I used this I didn't bother.  I let my hair air dry and then did the ultimate test for frizziness, I checked it out in a mirror under fluorescent lighting - sure to highlight every out of place strand - frizz free people, we are frizz free!  Now the only way to test out the 3 day claim on this would be to not wash my hair for 3 days - obviously shampoo would wash out the shield.  Fine hair just can't go 3 days without washing but I did push it to 2.  On the 2nd day I just wet my hair but didn't shampoo it - my hair still had a lot of body and no frizz when it dried.  I would love to know what the results were for someone who does have the kind of hair that you can go without washing for 3 days - would this ever be a godsend!

Also available in the line is Advance Techniques Frizz Control Shampoo or Conditioner - 350ml - $7.99 and you can purchase from your Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

- Lisamarie -

Mixed Chicks Hair Care Makes The Curly Ladies Bounce Back!

If your hair is a curly mess in the morning, a curly mess in the afternoon... and a curly mess in the evening like me: keep on reading!

It's pretty hard to get my curls to look the way I want so it's the main reason why I straighten them...so I decided to try the Mixed Chicks hair products to see if I could keep my hair natural looking from time to time without looking like a frizz ball. The shampoo  ($11.99/300ml) has a nice scent, it contains avocado oil, borage and panthenol and while it left my hair soft and clean, I was concerned my hair was still too fluffy. Usually, the shampoos I use coat my hair with moisturizing agents and weight it down. Not in that case. 

I then conditioned it quickly with the Mixed Chicks deep conditioner ($10.99). Again, my hair didn't feel oily or greasy so I worried I was going to look like a sheep by the end of the day.  I styled it with the leave-in conditioner ($16.99) which acts  as a curl defining formula. I left my hair dry without tying it in a ponytail as I would usually do (to keep the frizz under control). To my surprise, at the end of the day my hair was dry and soft, and most of all, my curls were lovely: well defined and without any frizz! That day was pretty humid so I was pretty impressed!

I think this line is well priced and will really help you maintain a natural hairstyle.  Now you don't have to take my word for it... you can order this trio online in a trial and travel sample pack for $0.99 (it's enough for one use) if you prefer trying it first. To find where you can purchase Mixed Chicks products, you can check here.

-Christelle-

One Non-Blonde at The Sheer Blonde® Exclusive Experience

I thought it would be fun to attend John Frieda's Sheer Blonde Experience event last week since I'm a...brunette. Unfortunately my wicked plan for world domination failed as a good number of brunettes showed up at the very same event. John Freida even introduced a new liquid shine illuminating conditioner for brunettes, ha! The evening was pretty fun actually: Josie Dye from Cosmo TV was the host - and did she glow: the hair, the sparkly dress, the energy...I suddenly felt the need to sit down and drink before moving towards the first hair consultants station where I got a quick personalized consultation. The consultant mentioned that sometimes dark hair needs a little help to catch the light and look shiny - which is very true for me: straighteners definitely take the shine away -

Moving to the next station while sipping water - I swear - and Alain Larivee, one of the John Frieda's hair stylists, styled my hair using an Infiniti Conair flat-iron. Now honestly, when I saw "Conair" I thought this was not going to do any good to my hair, but make no mistake this is not your basic drugstore flatiron anymore. It straightened my hair very nicely. But I kept the best for last. My hair has a new best friend: the Frizz-Ease Glossing Mist which gave my hair a really smooth and shiny finish. And I was still sober. So I know I wasn't dreaming.

You know when I wrote I kept the best for last in my previous paragraph....well I lied. No, the very best was watching one of the guests pole dancing. Did I mention that guest was a guy? Awesomeness.

And don't forget to enter our Sheer Blonde contest, you can find it here.

-Christelle-

Frizz-Ease helps us with celebrity worthy summer hair!

Celebrities make it look so easy, because for them it is.  They have hair lackeys at their beck and call to make them look amazing any time they need it.  The rest of us have to struggle through ourselves without a magic hair fairy.  Harry Josh, Canadian stylist to the stars and creative consultant for John Frieda feels our pain and has been kind enough to share a few easy summer hair looks and the products needed to achieve them! 

Effortless Grecian Goddess (aka The Natalie Portman)

The Look: Undone Bun

Start your style in the shower with Frizz-Ease Dream Curls shampoo and conditioner to awaken your natural curl pattern.  Follow up with Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection hair serum to seal-out frizz and protect hair from UV and heat styling damage.  Next, apply Frizz-Ease Dream Curls curl perfecter to wet hair.  Its magnesium-enriched formula penetrates hair to transform waves into sexy curls.  Turn your head upside down and blow-dry hair near the roots until it is 80% dry and then pin-curl sections and secure each piece at the scalp.  To pin-curl, divide hair into two-inch sections and wrap each section around your index and middle finger.  Use a diffuser to dry hair completely.  Once hair is dry, carefully unravel the pin curls.  Gently run fingers through curls to loosen them and create a more natural look.  To complete the style, pull hair into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic.  Tease the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic, securing it with bobby pins. Apply Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier firm-hold hair spray to maintain the style all-day without making it sticky or stiff and to protect against frizz for up to 24 hours

Easy Breezy Beauty (aka The Kate Bosworth)

The Look: Naturally Straight

After washing and conditioning hair with Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Hydrating shampoo and conditioner, apply Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection hair serum to seal the cuticle, prevent frizz and protect hair from heat styling damage.  On damp hair, apply Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Smoothing Crème.  This lightweight crème smoothes frizz and keeps hair silky-straight for up to 24 hours without weighing it down.  Next, blow-dry hair in sections with a two-inch round natural bristle brush, which will minimize frizz.  Once hair is dry, use a comb and create a centre-part.  Finish this look with a glossing mist like Frizz-Ease 100% Shine™ to instantly deliver a burst of high-gloss shine and smooth frays, flyaways and frizz.

                                        Classic Pony (aka The Blake Lively)

                              The Look: Sleek, Sophisticated Ponytail

                              

After washing and conditioning hair with Smooth Start Hydrating shampoo and conditioner, apply Frizz-Ease Original or Extra Strength serum (depending on your degree of frizz) to soaking wet hair to seal the cuticle, seal-out frizz and protect from heat styling damage.  On towel dried hair, apply Frizz-Ease Take Charge mousse and blow dry.  If your hair is curly, dry it with a large, round brush starting at the roots, elevating two-inch sections for maximum body.  If your hair is straight, rough-dry it until all moisture is removed.  Once hair is dry, take two-inch sections of hair and set it in hot rollers for 10-minutes.  Once the rollers are cool, remove them and brush hair.  Gently back-comb hair at the root and spray the root area lightly with Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier firm-hold hair spray to hold the back-combing in place.  Pull hair back into a high ponytail near the crown and secure with an elastic.  To finish this look, apply Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon flawless finishing crème to smooth away imperfections and reveal a perfectly smooth, sleek, sophisticated ponytail.

I can't speak to most of the products that were used, never having tried them but I will give a thumbs up to the Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon finishing creme.  A tiny bit rubbed between my hands and smoothed over my hair is wonderful for getting rid of flyaways and polishing my look!  And at around $11 - a bargain!

- Lisamarie -

Living Proof - the proof is in the pudding - well actually, it's not pudding but damn good hair products!

If you've been hanging out here for a while then you have heard me whine about my fine hair  Fine hair is annoying, a pain to style and in the summer, frizzy!  Why don't I just shave all my hair off and start hanging out at the airport with a tambourine you ask?  Until now I might have been tempted but someone out there has been listening and salvation has come to me in the form of a deluxe sample of Living Proof  Full Thickening Cream.  Now normally I would see the word "cream" and assume that it will be thick and greasy and not something I would ever think of putting any where near fine hair but this cream is super lightweight - I would say it was more of a lotion.  What's really amazing is what a small amount of this stuff will do for your hair and it works with or without using a hairdryer although I do find the results more impressive with the hairdryer.  And what's really impressive is it works for any hair type from straight to curly!  Apparently it contains a new technology that creates a micro-pattern of thickening points on each hair strand.  Better yet, it's completely flexible which means not only will your hair not collapse back to it's sad flat self, but you can run your fingers through it, it's not the least bit crunchy!  And really, if I run into Justin Timberlake on the street, I want the man to be able to run his fingers through my hair (or anything else he wants to but I digress).  Now personally I like the smell but I have heard other people say that they find it strong - you'll have to be your own judge of that.

I've been meaning to post this review for awhile but what finally got me moving was finding out that my newly discovered beauty destination - The Shopping Channel is now carrying the Living Proof line!  What a good excuse to try some other products from the line - I especially want to try one of their non-frizz products which contain - PolyfluoroEster, a new material not found in any other beauty product that creates an extremely thin barrier on your hair and eliminates the main causes of frizz - humidity and friction.  Humidity is prevented from penetrating the hair shaft and friction between hair fibres is reduced for the most effective anti-frizz action.

Tune into The Shopping Channel tomorrow (Wednesday, June 2) at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 8pm for your opportunity to pick up the Living Proof summer collection - I have no idea what is in it, but I have no doubt that it will be a great collection at an amazing price!

- Lisamarie -

3 Products to become Little Miss Shiny Hair: Kim Kimble, Garnier and Rene Furterer

I was curious to try Kim Kimble's hair care line, now available at Target and online. For those who don't know Kim Kimble: she has worked with Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Shakira etc....so she knows a thing or two about hair.
Now my hair is quite dry and processed so I need a pretty good hair care routine to keep it healthy. The Peppermint Cream Shampoo is a nice little shampoo and for $9.99, it won't break the bank. This shampoo's texture is truly creamy, I mean like a dessert, something I would want  wanted to eat.  The mint scent is nicely refreshing, it tingles but -thank god- it doesn't burn (I had that happen to me once, with a brand I can't recall). One thing that you need to be aware of is it doesn't produce a lot of lather, so you may end up using more shampoo than you really need. Overall, it left my hair clean, shiny and smelling good.

Of course, I still need to condition my hair after, I have been using Garnier's Fructis Melting Hair Conditioner because it's so fast and cheap (less than $6)...and it does a good job!

 
The last step of my hair routine includes the excellent anti-frizz no-rinse Myrrhea fluid from Rene Furterer ($30/125ml).  This product truly excites me: it's the perfect product to protect your hair before a blow-dry. It definitely helps getting rid of the frizz, I could see the difference right away: my hair was smoother but not greasy at all after using it. You only need a small amount, so the bottle (despite a pricey $30) should last you for a long time. In fact, this product is so good that I use it despite a major flaw: I absolutely hate the smell.  Too musky and spicy for my taste. But like I've said it does a superb job. Now, if only Furterer could change the scent, I would never leave this product.

-Christelle-

Da Frizz in My Hair

So after our little escapade yesterday, there was something extremely important that Lisamarie forgot to mention in our previous post: as we left our show, it drizzled. Yuck. Drizzle is even worse than rain when you have curly hair, it makes your hair frizzy and gross, and when my hair is like that it gives me very violent thoughts. Because frankly, my lifelong goal to go from this:

to this:

...requires a lot of work! Aside from the obvious extensive plastic surgery needed, I also use an army of hair products to keep  the frizz out (fun fact: I once asked my hairdresser to make me look like Wilhelmina Slater, but someone named Lisamarie told me I had failed because I'm actually a lot bitchier than her). Here is my winning combo to tame that mane:

1 - After your Shampoo (it doesn't need to be too fancy if you have a great conditioner/hair treatment afterwards), start with hair treatment from the Kérastase line (Oleo-relax) by L'Oréal:

The Oléo Relax treatment is AMAZING. It makes your hair so silky and soft and the frizz is gone, gone, gone. You only need a very small amount each time so don't panic when you see the size of the product and the price. It's not cheap ($50/200ml) but it's OK, because you're worth it! In fact, this is the type of treatment used in fancy salons.

For cheaper alternatives, you may want to try the "Shea all naturals" hair conditioner ($20) which works quite well.

I also use the Elsève Liss-intense hair treatment by L'Oréal again (around $12 for 250 ml) which helps controlling frizz and doesn't need to be rinsed out. However, I'm not sure what Canadian retailers carry this particular product. The Elsève anti-frizz is a good buy though: it's well priced and practical.

2 - Nourrish and protect with a touch of Palmer's coconut oil hair conditioner ($10), it works great and last forever since you need a very small amount each time.

3 - Before you blow dry or flat iron your hair, you may want to protect it with the Kerastase Oleo-relax serum ($30) or a cheaper alternative like the Frizz-Ease Hair Serum by John Frieda ($10 for 24ml)

4 - Buy an umbrella for the rain and if it drizzles, just stay home, damn it!

-Christelle-