Clairol Color Boosting Glaze--A Review

If you read nothing else, I leave you with these words: don’t bother. I saw this at Big Lots and thought I’d give it a go, hoping it will help blend what’s left of my highlights with my natural hair, virgin hair color.

I purchased Light to Medium Brown, the color is recommended for those whose color is an ashen or neutral tone. I thought it may help to cancel out some of the warmth my hair has gotten from the California sun this summer. The results were absolutely non-existent, for better or worse. No shine, no color, no nothing. This product contains neither ammonia nor peroxide so perhaps only previously color-treated or porous hair will be able to absorb the pigment.

Generally speaking, there must be some chemical to “open up” the hair cuticle in order to allow pigment to be deposited. Nevertheless, I have experienced a significant deposit using vegetable dyes--Manic Panic and the like--which also act as stains on top of the hair shaft. Did you get better results? Tell me all about it!

Image Credit: Clairol.com

Trends I Just Can't Understand

I guess the PeopleStyleWatch Beauty section boggles my brain no less than the Fashion section for here I am, writing another post about a Celebrity Trend I cannot understand. Doesn't this look like some misguided trend Rachel Zoe would talk her poor clients into? Then again, the three pictured here are not skinny enough to be affiliated with Zoe. Unless you're Pocahontas or protesting the Vietnam War, please, do save your money and skip this one.

Image Credit: PeopleStyleWatch.com

The Best of Bobs

For better or worse, Victoria Beckham brought the Bob (or "Pob" if referring to the A-line, tapered nape version) back into the fashion spotlight and now it appears as though it's here to stay--at least for another season. The Bob can be a great, low-maintenance hairstyle and save you time and styling products if you pick the right shape for your hair type.

I particularly love the cut (in the images above) on Leigh Lezark because it is the epitome of low-maintenance if you have medium to thick, straight hair. Just ask your stylist for a blunt, shoulder length, angled bob without any layering ; part it on the side and let your hair's natural texture do the rest! If you have a round or heart shaped face, the length and angular construction of the cut will reduce the fullness of your cheeks and create a more balanced look to the face.

The best part is having a unique but trendy style that doesn't look like every other gal's floppy-eared "Pob." And please, don't bother with a round brush since this cut's appeal is in its swingy, I'm-not-trying-too- hard mod shape. Glossy? Professional? Yes, please!

If your hair isn't as glossy as Leigh's, you can use a silicone serum (i.e. Paul Mitchell's Skinny line) to create the illusion of silky shine. As with all silicone products, be sure to clarify once a week to avoid buildup in your hair.

Image Credits: Elle Uk, JAMD

Life Preserver for Your Strands

Your hair is dry, unmanageable and frizzy. Your wallet is near empty and your bathroom cabinets are full of hair products that aren't as effective as you'd hoped. What to do? If your hair is anything like mine, the solution is in your local drugstore's "ethnic" aisle!

Those who know me will be amazed to hear that I am impressed with a drugstore hair product. I insist on purchasing only the best high-end products for my hair (damaged, dry and coarse) and skincare regimen as drugstore products normally contain ingredients I prefer to avoid. I am also the type that will read every single ingredient in a haircare product prior to purchase. Yes, I'm the one in your way as you maneuver your way to that shampoo. Sorry, but you probably don't want it anyway as its primary ingredient (sodium laureth sulfate) will likely trash your hair. If your hair is damaged and/or dry, the ingredients you put on your head are as important as the ones you put in your mouth. On to the review...

I bought this deep treatment on a whim. I was perfectly happy using my Redken Buttertreat at the time but wanted a product without any silicone ingredients for daily use. For those on a 'cone-free diet, there isn't a one in sight! Take a gander at the ingredients:

Water - Aqua , Cetearyl Alcohol , Mineral Oil - Paraffinum Liquidum , Dicetyldimonium Chloride , Ceteareth-20 , Cetyl Acetate , Phenoxyethanol , Propylene Glycol , Fragrance - Parfum , Polyquaternium-22 , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol , Panthenol , Butylphenyl Methylpropional , Amyl Cinnamal , Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde , Benzyl Salicylate , Limonene , Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone , Olive Fruit Oil - Olea Europaea , 2-Oleamido-1 , 3-Octadecaniol , Jojoba Seed Oil - Simmondsia Chinensis , Coconut Oil - Cocos Nucifera , Avocado Oil - Persea Gratissima , Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.

These components make for a very moisturizing and smoothing conditioner without the side effect of buildup in your hair. No matter how dry my hair feels, I leave Optimum Oil Therapy Ultimate Recovery Conditioner on towel-dried hair for about 30 minutes, rinse and my hair feels smooth again. This doesn't weigh my hair down but if your hair is thin or fine, it may be too heavy for you. I wouldn't recommend this for ladies who chemically straighten their hair on a regular basis; an emollient, oil-based conditioner might be more effective.


Image and Ingredient Source

Gee Your Hair Smells Like Summer...

Some of us here in California cannot wait for Summer to finally end. The heat seems to get worse with every year; oily faces and dry, parched strands are only part of the problem. Nevertheless, you've got to admit--that wind-blown, textured hair sure looks great (even if it is a little damaged)! Baptiste Tropical Dry Shampoo can give even the straightest hair a bit of texture and with minimal effort at that.

While I abhor the scent of the original Baptiste dry shampoo, I cannot get enough of this coco nutty concoction. It reminds me of lounging on a hammock on Gilligan's Island even if I'm stuck indoors and in front of a computer. And of course, this will make your greasy mane feel fresh and clean so that your boss doesn't even suspect that you rolled out of bed and ran out the door this morning.

Did I mention that washing your hair less often helps preserve artificial color or that a little bit of natural oil keeps your hair moisturized? That doesn't mean you don't have to wash the rest of you, though...

Per the instructions, shake the bottle vigorously between sprays and keep it a 30 cm distance from your scalp. I suggest you use your fingers in a raking motion to distribute the product through your roots, wait about a minute and then use a mixed bristle brush to comb the product through the length of your hair. Be sure to wipe the nozzle clean with a wet cloth to prevent buildup. It doesn't really matter if the product is concentrated around your scalp and roots since that's where hair tends to be most oily anyway.

Baptiste Dry Shampoo is priced at approximately $7 ($6 with Beauty Club Card) at Sally's but the Tropical version is only available in physical stores (not online). This product is also available in the U.K.

Please test the product on a small area of your head (prior to regular use) to ensure that you are not allergic. Baptiste Dry Shampoo does contain Alcohol Denat (denatured alcohol) which can be poisonous if consumed so use with caution. Warning: small amounts of alcohol can be bad for extremely damaged hair and fragrance can affect those prone to dandruff--this product may not be for you.