What's Beachin'?

For being off the blog for so long, I have to say I start missing it. I started to have the urge to review lengthily on instagram...that's an instagram don't! Purty images first, link to review later.

After getting a freebie beachspray from a sort-a fixed hairgirl stylist, I was like...I have a lot of these. Why not do a 5 days of faux-beachin'? Because seriously, after beachin bitching oftenly about my hair, I seem to have reached instagram-a-ble hair status!

  

Which means, I've been buying and using a lot of hairstuff (link here), eating healthily, and being a part of the Olaplex posse seems to pay off a bit.

But that does not mean I'm playing

straight, sleek hair all the time...

I'm liking the beach-babe role a lot and beachsprays can help a lot in making prissy straight a bit messy fun.

Which explains the selection of beachsprays I will review. So why now in the midst of summer? Because nostalgia is going to kick in soon enough and that so-called memory will make us think our hair looked amazing after a dip in the sea.

So keep on beachin'...

The 2016 Resolutions edition: #BUDGETIZE (somewhat) with Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Mask

Resolutions often have something to do with #budgetizing or spending less on luxury goods. 

 Oh, and so we like love the little me time when you can pamper with gorgeously scented products that make you glow like nothing else? I mean, there is often the new diet or that epic new workout schedule: can't we get some pampering as a reward?

I found this little new hairgem that not only peforms at that ridiculously Philip B Russian Amber Conditioning cream; it even smells like it!

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme has been an upgrade or a version on speed from their already well-performing Phytokeratine line. And lets add the wonderful golden packaging...

 -the outside-

 

When opening the can, there is a pastlike substance that looks like a golden yellow. This is similar as the Philip B. one.

The formula of the mask is quite past-like. Thicker masks are often more concentrated, and they are handy for handluggage air travel.

-the inside-

 I have been so generous to highlight the ingredients that I find beneficial to hair-care.

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Mask ingredients:

Formule INCI:  paeonia officinalis flower extract (Peony flower), cetearyl alcohol (derived from coconut oil), isodecyl neopentanoate, dicetyldimonium chloride (dérivé de colza), stearyl alcohol (dérivé d'huile de coco), isodecyl, neopentanoate, dicetyldimonium chloride, aqua, pouteria sapota seed butter (beurre de sapotier), sipalmitoylhetyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, mauritia flexuosa fruit ouil (buriti oil), isopropyl alcohol, ceteareth-33 (dérivé d'huile de coco), glyceryl stearate, parfum, ceteareth-20 (dérivé d'huile de coco), polyquaternium-10 (dérivé de celullose de bois), ricinomidopropyltrimonium methosulfate, adansonia digitata seed oil (baobab oil), panthenol (provitamine B5), hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein (proteines from corn, soja, wheat), tocopherol, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, caprylyl glycol, tetrasodium edta, maltodextrine (pomme de terre), CI 75470/carmine, methylchloroisothiazoline, methylisothiazolinone.

Peony flower extract is also a prime ingredient in Klorane Peony Shampoo and is claimed to have anti-irritant, soothing and anti-radical properties. It is also often used in Chinese medicine. 

Sapote Butter has high lipid replenishing power and is infused with 2 times more omega 6 extract than shea butter.

I really like the pure version of buriti and baobab oil and I have used them for hair.

The hydrolized wheat proteins (glutenfree people beware) is claimed to "biomimetic properties that replicate natural keratin" so "it works very precisely to fill in the gaps and rebuild the initial architecture of hair".

Philip B. Russian Amber Conditioning Creme Ingredients: 

 Water/Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Benzyl Benzoate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Glycine, Alanine, Myristic Acid, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Phytantriol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract/Chamomilla Recutita, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract/Rosmarinus Officinalis, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract/Salvia Officinalis, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract/Urtica Dioica, Styrax Benzoin Resin Oil, Benzaldehyde, Cinnamic Acid, Coniferyl Benzoate, Vanillin, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil/Vitis Vinifera, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Citronellol, Caramel, Bismuth Oxychloride/CI 77163, Yellow 5 /CI 19140

Philip B has a concoction of more expensive ingredients. Funnily, I could not find amber oil in this list, but that might be my lack of latin plantnames.

I find that Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme has more natural ingredients and the chemicals are limited to the ones that can be derived from plants. I also love the addition of soothing Peony flower extract. True, you will seldom use a conditioning mask close to the scalp as it weights down hair too much, but I really loved it in the shampoo version of Phytokeratine Extreme. 

-price-

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme mask retails for €35.90 for 200ml over here. Philip B Russian Amber conditioning cream retails for a whopping $150 for 178 ml.

-results-

 I have been using the sample mask recently, but it really is a heavy duty performer. I love it on my dryer strands and it does feel silky, smooth, shiny and well-conditioned afterwards. For healthy stands I find it a bit too heavy: the hairs around my face felt limp for being oversaturised.
*
I cannot tell too much about the long-term results but I am happy to have found a rather natural alternative on adding keratine to my hair. I still depend on my pricey Alterna Fill & Fix mask for my protein fix, but that is an additional step in restoring my hair. Overal,  Phytokeratine Extreme Mask is a well-scented alternative and feels a lot like Philip B Creme conditioner.

Hence, for budgetizing on beauty there are a variety of options to find a good alternative for your (over)pricey treat.

Leave Me In! Fast Conditioning with Aveda, Wunderbar, Unite & Less is More

Yesterday I watched an old episode of Sex and the City. The theme was about getting into the most desired restaurant, so the 'let me in' kinda got mixed up with the 'leave-[me]-in' conditioners: 

I'm not gonna talk about the hippy-hair-gone-normal-long story about mine, but maintainance has been easier: I'm often permitted to go 'fast-n-go' with a good leave in conditioner. I'm still about quality, and my stylist, recommendations of other bloggers, own curiosity has led me to these.

1. Wunderbar Moisture Leave in Treatment: This brand is quite new. It smells chemically fresh but has a refreshing low amount of ingredients including poweroil Argan Oil:
   

   

    Aqua, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyquaternium-37, Quaternium-87, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Quaternium-80, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil,hydrolised Adansonia Digitata Extract, Propylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium Edta, Dmdm Hydatoin, Carbomer, Fragance, Limonene, Lanalool, Geranol.

    Most of all, it's actually good and it doesn't irritate my scalp nor the skin of my face. Affordable! This travel sample is €1 for a reasonable 50 ml.
2. Unite 7 Seconds is a typical blogger's recommendation (various here): I've noticed a lot of [bleached] blondes use it as their hair needs volume & oh-so-much care as well. The spray-formula is light and easy. It conditions well but it's not my favourite: this for being too chemical as my skin doesn't like it when it gets into contact with my hair.
3. Less is More Lavendel Smooth Balm is not a listed Leave-in Conditioner but more of a pre-blowdry moisturizer. Meh, different-label-same-construction to me.

   

   Balmy, my hair absorbs it better than this flower

   It's lovingly balmy and shockful of good ingredients (more here). It smells like authentic lavendel: not everybody would be into this scent but I think it's soothing and reminds me of the South of France, nice.
4. Aveda Damage Leave in Treatment is infused with Quinoa: really! I think it's the strongest and most conditioning one of the pack.
   
   It really functions as a deep-conditioning mask only in the leave-in form. I love it's Aveda-ish scent. On some days it can be too moisturizing so I actually use it like I would use a wash-out mask; every now and then for that extra boost.

Comparing ingredients:

 It is surprising how the naturals can have either a long list (Aveda) as a shorter list (Less is More). Aveda is actually not as natural as it claims to be (eg here & here) but they have been around for a longer time bringing quite good quality in a more natural way, so I give them credit for that. And how to resist power-superfood Quinoa in haircare?

I was already surprised Wunderbar has a short ingredients list and other chemical partner Unite has a longer one.

I really like all of them for specific reasons. Unite is the fastest on the go, but I still believe in combing through the liquid. The rest are to be rubbed in and are wonderful in protecting it from blowdry & other styling tools.

You absolutely do not need as many as I have but I've been sampling them by chance, curiosity and for different kind of needs. I'm glad to see the leave-ins gotten more sophisticated and effective throughout the years. They used to be a gooey 'residence-left-over' potion that couldn't really compare with the rinse-out's, but now they equal the effect you might need for your hair.

The Argan Posse...

Oils and cosmetics products with Argan have been de rigueur since a while. Basically, they work and they have an excellent blendibility with other ingrediënts.

One of the lesser known hairoily serums I have been loving lately is Goldwell Elixir with Argan & Tamanu oil. Tamanu is probably the Argan of 2014, and both oils are brilliant for dry and damaged hair.

Goldwell is in the cheaper section than its posher sister Kerastase Ultime. Nevertheless, I've been preferring this thicker serum for a while before/during blowdrying in the ends of my hair. It prevents split ends, seals existing dry hair and gives an excellent sheen. I really like it's vanilla-like fragance: quite reminiscent of Morrocan Oil.

It's sold out at Beautybay right now: I got a better deal in this Dutch webshop for about €13. It's available at Goldwell hairdressers too.

The Pretty Straight: L'Oreal & Rowenta Steampod

*The Steampod has become my official Neat-hair tool* 

Yes girls [and the men that likes it [hair] straight],
I've tested this one and I finally could say:

 "it's pretty straight!" (or straight 'n pretty, like you have it)

It's not that I've haven't tried the others:

IKEA Micke Drawer for hairtools is loaded: beachcurler anyone?

 But the key has been the stream and that little (or rather big) tube of cream that got it straight-'n-sleek.

Funny, I have the GHB at home and could never get it all sorted straight with this one. It took me too long and I felt my hair was frying, even when people suggest it's not that damaging for hair.

Steampod, as its name suggest, is based on straightening the hair with steam. It is not only steam that does the work: it collaborates with a dual heated blade as well. However, the steam makes it much easier to attain a sleeker appearance, goes faster, and you can work with a lower temperature for longer results. 

It basically sounds I'm repeating everything on the box with my own words. But the best thing is that I finally can! 

However, it's not the most travel-easy:

Steampod comes with a lot of bulk, and their specified hairstyling cream/serum

So, let's take a look up close:

The key element of this tool-of-sleekness is steam: for that they have a special department that you can put your water in. To know if your water is suitable, they will provide a testing-paper to see if your water is soft enough for it. 

Mine is ok, so then goes the next step:

• shuff the top half of the steaming reservoir

There you go!

And fill it with your filter-approved water.

Don't worry about the water-holder moving around, the knobs (?) adher to almost any normal surface:

adher to any surface like a clingy girlfriend to her boyfriend

When you start up the Steampod, you have to press the <ON> button for a while. I slightly panicked at first for mine not working: it did, but after 10 seconds of pressing.

• set your desired temperature. Note: You can go lower now than your previous straighteners as the steam will take care of a lot of frizz/curls/etc. 

Try and experiment with temperature

• For the steam to come out, wait approximately 2 minutes. And afterwards, clutch the plates together to activate the steam (takes 15 seconds)

The arrows show the way the steamer has to go down!

That is necessary for the combination of steam/Steampod cream & heated plates to work!

If you use straighteners oftenly, you know to carefully comb your hair beforehand.

• the steampod has little combs embedded so if you forgot a tangle, it will show [feel] up

Ok, I haven't figured out all of it myself: there's a booklet included:

 

There are always some instructions that are quite clear to the normal minded, but they've included it for Dummies, such as "Do not hang straightener on the steamcord"

"Gee, I always hang my straighteners on the cord...that's just what I do, right?"

Did I forget anything...oh, the Steampod cream that you have to use to get even better results 

(it collaborates with the stream)

• apply the right amount for your hairlenght or volume when hair is towel-dry

I often apply it the night before after washing my hair.
The next morning this cream alone left my hair quite straight and frizzfree.
Nevertheless,
with the steampod I can get even sleeker results
Bonus!

Recap:

PROS:

• FINALLY, I can optically have straight and frizzfree hair
• not as damaging as heated plates alone
• fast: or faster than the regular straighteners
• effective Steampod cream that works even without Steampodding
• so, RESULTS are SUCCESFUL

CONS:

• expensive
• bulky, not travel friendly
• have to buy accompaning styling cream (& serum, I don't have yet )
• not for steam-phobics

Availability:
I bought mine at a Dutch webshop haar-producten.nl 
for the international crowd it's available at lookfantastic.com and other webshops

Project reconstructing hair

I have been discussing my hair a lot lately. Fact is that my longer hair with quite some volume has gotten thinner and sparser, with patches of boldness.

I announced on the blog that I would be "working on it". And I have, taking the hair serious. So I will show the steps I have been taking:

1. Yucky shakes used by supermodels:

Normally I do not fall for "supermodel X has been using this"-dogmatisms. That is just because genes, photoshop, makeup artists and fairy intervention have made them more beautiful than the rest of us. Exception in convincing, the almost 50-something Elle McPerson still rocking a body even 20-somethings would be envious of, AND excellent hair (even though it has gotten bleached, blowdried and all other modelly tools done by eager hairdressers all around the world). 

Ok, not just the potion, but she claims it works

 Also, Nigella Lawson, food-Goddess by excellence, was able to add this stuff to her sophisticated palate of food-perfection, keeping her beautiful hair and loosing some extra pounds too.

It is horribly tasting, but if it gives me better hair (and body) than I will keep up with it...(got Clean & Lean Body Brilliance from *SpaceNK*)

 

 2. The usual omegas  and Superior Hair (biotins & others)

Anything called Superior Hair sounds tempting, and the omegas are good for the skin too..

3. Too expensive newest supplements range:

 I wrote about it *here*

4. No Hair-dye

My hair is already breaking off without dye: let's not do chemical thingies with it!

The jury is still undecided whether dye brings out more volume in limp, greasier hair by altering the original structure. So for volume a bit of dye would be good. Also, the smoke-n-mirror effect that some dye can have the impact of it looking better than it actually is. But I have to wait for my own hair to get better, which brings me to step  5...

5. Protein cement treatments that smells like rotten eggyolk

Or better known as the oh so succesful Apoghee Two-step Protein treatment. See various reviews & explanations on Makeupalley. I have to say: it works.

6. The multitude of Volumizers that are somewhat succesful:
6.A. Dry Shampoos

 Batiste XXL volume wins hands down from French Klorane..."dommage" [=sorry]

6. B. Moussing Up...

Liese Wave-up Foam is actually targetted to create curls, but is actually tons better than L'óreal Proffessionel Volume Expand. Liese has a better hold and a natural feel. L'óreal Professionel has that sticky-feel and doesn't hold that long.
 

7. Finally, things that work:

I have blogged aplenty about Kerastase Elixir K Ultime Moringa Immortel for glossing up and reconstructing damaged hair, and I still like it and find it effective.

My latest volume hit has been L'óreal Elnett Heat protecting styling spray in Volume: it was BlushingLoves review that was really enthousiastic and convincing about it and I loved it since. It feels natural, non-sticky, and has the power to give the limp 'do a bit of volume, more than all the other potions I've tried so far.

8. The things I already did, a lot:

Left (brown bottle) washing the hair with a sulphate-free, non paraben shampoo (mine being L'óreal professionel Nature Abondance de Cacao, review coming soon).
Middle and right: the abundance of conditioners and hairmasks (some reviews here, others will be made soon).

9. Change hair-partings

from laurenconrad's site

*Another 'tip' from the experts I followed*

It helped me not to touch the bolding spot on the side that I had my parting on, and that could grow back with the help of Phylia de [M] Connect. But changing hair-parts can be quite iffy to work with and can feel a bit unconfortable in the beginning (tutorial of how-to here). Experts/magazines often tell you this change can give your hair more volume, but when volume is already sparse in hair, the change is minimal. But it helps to disguise thin spots and can look like you did something new with your hair (and you actually did).

10. Sweet Silk to protect the hair

I often wrap my hair in a silk scarf in bed. You could also opt for a silk pillowcase, which would also benefit the minimising of wrinkles. To see why it (can) help, visit this page.

So, has it been worth it, this much work, if a dramatic cut would do too?
I have seen an improvement in my hair-quality from quite horrible to tolerable. The major frizz has been gone and the baldness has been replaced with 3 cm hair-regrowth.  

If it is worth it, all these steps/time/money?? Perhaps not, if you would be not into beauty-regimes nor being as stubborn as I am.   Lack of volume is still an issue, and perhaps I should reach for the dye soon because my hair is almost healthy enough to tolerate this: only something that matches the natural shade. Or these type of perms that are not perms but provide more volume, I'll see.

Using, Used, Gonna Use

I'm such a chatty blogger but I will keep this round of "using, used, gonna use" concise.

1. Using: Sofina Primavista Smooth Base Coat primer in Yellow:
I've talked about my Rudolph (red nose) syndrom yesterday. This primer doesn't just make pores appear much smaller, but the yellow cancels out most of the redness too.
I've bought it a while ago and revisited it recently...and my nose thanks me for it

2. Used:  Christophe Robin Creme Lavante/ Cleansing Cream with Citron
I once got a GWP of this and I liked it enough to repurchase in large. Anyway, sometimes it happens that you like the sample but feel *meh* about the full-size: that happened (but I still emptied it because it's still good).  It works as a no-poo sort of cleansing conditioner (see what the no-poo method is over here, trust me, nothing to do with the toilet). I started to get *meh* about the scent which reminded me of Cif cleansing lemon scent. And, I am not really a no-poo person: I love to shampoo my slightly-greasy roots with foamies...sorry for that.

3. Gonna Use: La Prairie Cellular Treatment powder Foundation
 I finished up my Poor Burberry and hope to be much gentler for this luxury babe...

L'óreal Professional Pro-Keratin Refill mask

A few weeks ago I received some new L'óreal Professional masks that I have been trying out. My pre-haircut hair was in a state of dryness & rebelliousness that needed some serious prepping&preening.

My favourite of the two, spoilers allowed,  has been their latest release: the Pro-keratin Refill Mask

Decorated in a fresh teal jar, it has been a frizz-soothing and somewhat hair-repairing mask. I say somewhat to keep it realistic, as real damaged hair is still difficult to repair completely, let's say almost impossible: Brazilian Keratin or Japanese Keratin treatments can smooth it for a couple of months, but the complete cure is often that dreaded rendez-vous with the scissors.

Ingredients:

What is really noticable it its texture: it is a pasty formulation that feels like a real treat on parched locks.

L'óreal Professional Pro-Keratin Refill mask: textured like a cake batter

Verdict:

• a fresh marine/ozonic scent that lingers 2 hours after washing
• thick texture
• that means you don't have to apply tons of it (frugal use)
• has become one of my favourite L'óreal Professional masks
• visible damage relief, both short term (after shower) as longer term (2 a 3 weeks of use)
• less fluffy frizz
• reasonably priced for around € 15 for 200 ml

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed this mask and reached for it even though I have a variety of other hairmasks (too many). This was based on the shorter & longer term effect (see verdict). In the meanwhile I have done the rendez-vous with the scissors because these things have to be done every now and then. However, I have been able to keep the lenght on the longer side and I'm sure I really had to go too short or deny the hairdresser's arguments a lot if I haven't been using this mask (and other treatments/supplements such as Phylia de [M] (here).

Availability:
Dutch (& Belgian, German, Luxemburg) shoppers can get it over here. Other shoppers can find it on feelunique.com

Using, Used, Gonna Use...

Gosh, I am posting this feature a lot lately, ain't I? At least I am using up some tingies and reach for some lonely-n-unused items in my cupboard too to try.

In similar order:

• Using: Phylia [de M] Connect: 

Elaborate post over here. I'm currently on their second bottle, and the hair is getting more *OOMF*.

• Used: Nuxe Eau de Mousse Micellaire

More elaborate post over here. I described this one scented as a masculine rose, and at a certain moment I got a bit over the scent. I like the mousse way of cleansing, which I knew before of Kose Sophymo Airy Whip. However, I can descibe the way Nuxe Micellaire foams as a "hesitating mousse" which is moussy but a bit watery too. I love that it's semi-natural and the initial dryness I experienced gotten better after my skin got used to this method.
Key line: I might repurchase, but it's not a favourite due to it's fragance.

• Gonna Use: Sholl footcream for harder skin

My winter feet have been into socks a lot and they gotten a bit...*undainty*. This cream hopefully will make them softer and daintier for that moment that spring arrives and the sandals can be put on again.