Phyto

Sometimes I feel as though my hair is so parched that all the conditioner in my shower (and trust me, that's a lot) isn't going to do the trick. Unfortunately, most leave-in conditioners just weigh my hair down into an icky matted mess. So when I came across this Phytonectar Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment ($30) I was excited.

As it turns out, I was excited with good reason. First of all, this stuff smells downright amazing — it's not even a touch perfume-y or sweet. The thick oil produced by the sturdy pump smelled herbal but not medicinal, with a hint of chamomile. Two to three generous drops warmed quickly in the hands, then massaged into hair from tips to scalp, is all you need. I like to put a little extra just on my ends to really soak them in the nourishing solution. If my scalp is feeling at all dry or itchy, a little bit of this massaged directly into it helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

This is meant to be applied 15-20 minutes pre-shower and then rinsed out, but I put it on at night and sleep in it, then rinse it out in the morning. A warning, though: unless your hair is genuinely dry, coarse, or frizzy, or you're having a freak dry spell, I would not recommend this product. The thick oil would weigh your hair down if it wasn't in need of a good quenching. But, if you're like me and sometimes you really need a super dose of hair-quenching moisture, this is just what the doctor ordered.

These fab hair smoothing products ensure that curly, frizzy or hard to tame hair become more manageable. They also protect your hair and add shine during the heat styling process. The result is straight, soft and smooth hair! Using these products is simple too! Just apply a dime sized amount into the palm of your hand and distribute evenly throughout towel dried hair. You can also add a very small amount to dry hair to smooth away frizz after styling. To see another post about more fabulous hair straightening products, click here.

Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $32, is a thick and yummy smelling balm suitable for all hair types - even those with permed hair who are looking for a sleek looking blow out. It is made from ferula, horseradish, sage and garlic extracts - I know what you are thinking, but I swear it smells good! This concoction coats the hair and adds fiber for strengthening purposes.

It isn't oily feeling like a serum and it leaves your hair feeling really shiny, soft and straight! You can buy this 5.9 oz tube for $32 or you can buy a smaller 3.3 oz version which sells for $24.

For two more hair straightening balms, read more

Smoothing shampoos are great for hair that tends to be frizzy and unruly. The idea is to tame raised or shaggy cuticles in the hair. These shampoos have also been created to protect hair from the follow up of heat styling. Hair should look and feel softer, healthier and hydrated. I can't wait to hear what you think of these smoothing shampoos.

Phytobrush Special Smoothing Shampoo For Blow-Drying, $22, is an anti-frizz shampoo that works wonders for those of you who are constantly blowing out your hair. Not only do you want it to last for a few days, but you also want the blow out to be as easy and smooth as possible.

This shampoo is really fab for frizzy hair. It contains thermo-protective agents to help protect it from heat damage and also smooths out your hair cuticle so it's left looking shiny, soft and resilient.


For two more smoothing shampoos, read more

After spending countless hours and dollars getting colored, highlighted, glossed and coiffed, spending just a few short hours in the sun can leave your hair looking oxidized and dehydrated. Considering that you would never imagine leaving home without sunscreen on your face, why not do the same to protect your lovely locks?

It's time to take action! Here are some tips as well as two sunscreen sprays to ensure that your hair won't get damaged from the sun. Summer days are intended to be carefree, so let's get the pool party started. After all, it may have been the 80s but Phoebe Cates' infamous poolside scene from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" can encourage us all to be wet & safe! Keep in mind that wet hair is weaker than dry hair. The cuticle is opened and hair is up to three times more delicate when wet so be mindful.

• Wet your hair with clean water before swimming so that chlorine and salt don't discolor it and dry it out.
• Secure hair in a braid or ponytail so it won't tangle and then spray it with an SPF product for protection.
• Rinse again with clean water and reapply sun protection once you get out of the water. If at all possible, protect hair even further with a hat.

For a couple of recommended summer hair sunblock sprays, read more

I feel like it's my duty to tell you guys when there is something I don't love just as much as it is to tell you about something I do love. I have thin hair and I bite my nails, so when I saw these Phytophanere Dietary Supplement for Hair & Nails, $50, I was convinced that this was going to help me out in a big way. Lots of my pregnant girlfriends swear that vitamin supplements have significantly sped up the growth process of their hair and nails and additionally improved their strength. (I'm sure hormones played a part too.)

I began my regimen and started taking these pills for two months. My nails did grow a little faster than usual, but I also began to break out. Little bumpy red zits appeared all over my face!

I decided to call my dermatologist and she told me that I could be having a reaction to these supplements. I immediately stopped taking them and my skin cleared up some. I am not saying they don't work - or that you will break out from them, but this was just my experience.

I thought I'd open this up for discussion. Has anything like this happened to anyone else? Do you care to share any stories where you've reacted strangely to a beauty product? I'd love to know!

If you want to attain heavenly hair that is flowy and soft, for him to run his fingers through, then the PHYTOJOBA Intense Hydrating Mask, $36, is what you are looking for. It is designed to gently and instantly restore elasticity, shine and thickness to dry, damaged or normal hair.

The jojoba plant was selected because the oil that this plant produces is characteristic of the natural oils in your own hair. The mask has a creamy texture and delicious scent heightened by sweet orange. Angelica seeds and roots detangle, protect and revitalize both your hair and scalp.

It even has a special UV filter in it to protect your hair from the damaging rays of the sun.

Apply a quarter sized amount (don't be shy) to wet hair and comb it through. Pay special attention to the ends of your hair and add extra if those aren't completely saturated. Leave it on anywhere from two to five minutes and rinse.

If your are taking this week to wipe the slate clean, then what better place to start then with the top of your head! Cleanse away all of that 2006 shampoo and product buildup with just one wash of PHYTO Phytoneutre Rebalancing Cream Shampoo, $20.

This shampoo is formulated to deeply cleanse, balance and neutralize both your hair and scalp. It has been specially created to remove all of the impurities and grimy residue that's been left there from: pollutants, over shampooing and the use of daily styling products.

Since it is made from extremely gentle and natural ingredients such as coconut oil derivatives, extracts of ferula, chamomile and sage, St. Johns wort, eucalyptus and witch hazel, it will in no way change the composition of your delicate hair.

It is also mild enough to use daily and is perfectly safe for use on hair that is color or chemically treated. Simply shampoo twice and leave it on two-five minutes in the second round. Lastly, rinse and style as usual. Enjoy the newness of your clean product-free locks!