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Reader Review of the Day: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:01 -0700

Girls, girls, girls: Everybody needs a little extra hair refreshment now and then, and award-winning Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo ($19) is a hair care staple for reader Nikisix. Here's what she had to say about this oil-absorbing product:

I have always washed my every day, even when I know I'm not supposed to. But my hair would get so greasy at the roots I could never break the cycle. I've tried other dry shampoos that came as a spray and they just made my hair feel gross, and ultimately wouldn't last. Pronto, however, is fantastic. It lasts well over one day, so I'm now able to wash my hair every other day. It's great, and the fragrance isn't too overpowering. I could see how brunettes might not like the white powder, but it works great for my blond hair. Will definitely buy again.

If you're in the same old situation, it might be worth looking into. Are you itching to get your beauty reviews out there? Our Product Reviews website is just the ticket. Even better? Maybe you'll see your opinion featured here.

Need Blowout Tips? Here You Go.

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:00:45 -0800

You've probably heard of manicures and martinis before. How about blowout lessons and bellinis? That's just what the Oscar Blandi Salon in Manhattan is offering to its clients.

For $250, attendees of the class have one-on-one instruction time with a stylist. "Everyone’s nervous," Blandi told the New York Times. "This is why we have Bellinis," he added. Find some of his tips from the class when you read more.

Squeeze any excess water out with your fingers.
Apply a straightening balm to your fingers (not palms). Rub the product on your fingers together and rake through your hair as if you were using your fingers as a comb.
Dry hair slightly using low heat, without a brush.
Section and clip hair into four parts: one in the front, back, and on each side.
Blow-dry each section separately, always using a nozzle pointed at a 90-degree angle, for the most consistent, straightest, and shiniest results. Use a flat brush in one hand and a blow-dryer in the other. Take a strip of hair (about brush-width) into your brush. Using your brush as the lead, move the brush down the hair from roots to ends, following behind with your blow-dryer.
After completing each section, repeat the blow-drying techniques with a round brush for smoothness. Hello, fabulous hair.

Source

Julie Haus Is in the House

BellaSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:03:26 -0700

Being a "Haus frau" is a very good thing. Just ask Leighton Meester and Molly Sims, who showed up for Julie Haus's first-ever New York runway show. The intimate affair featured bright colors, bold prints, and a few cute dresses that I wouldn't mind wearing in the hot sun right now.

The hair and makeup were fresh and fun, with a hint of rebellious streak thrown in for good measure. "It's a little messy, yet kind of neat," said Dwight O'Neal, who created the makeup look for The Balm. "It's the everyday woman doing her makeup. We didn't want anything too dramatic or too perfect." Check out the lips to see what he means; to get the look, O'Neal's team dabbed Prom Queen Stainiac on the center of the lips, then filled in the remainder of the lips with Plump Your Pucker gloss in Cocoa My Coconut. Instead of using a brush to spread the color, makeup artists used their fingers - easy!

View 5 Photos ›

To find out how to recreate this hairstyle at home with some tips from Oscar Blandi, read more.

Lead stylist Oscar Blandi worked with Haus to create a beautifully natural look for the models. "The whole idea is that the girl has her hair done, goes out and has a good time, and it’s the day after," he explained. To get this look, he sprayed Protein Mist on wet hair. After applying a volumizer to the roots, he then covered the ends of hair with Acqua Marina to provide hold. After a quick blow-dry with a diffuser, he curled the hair, directing each piece a different way.

Here's my favorite part of the look: Oscar and his team made small, thin braids (you can see them in the close-up shot above) and wrapped the irons around them to create more texture. A little teasing at the ends and you're good to go.
Source

Product Review: Oscar Blandi Shampoo di Jasmine Smoothing Shampoo

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:00:22 -0700

I'm pretty picky about my shampoos. I tend to stick with ones that help create volume and shine, but I decided to test out this oldie but goodie Jasmine Smoothing Shampoo from Oscar Blandi ($20) based on a recommendation from my friend who has similarly frizz-prone, limp hair.

She told me that it really helped take the fuzz out of the ends, especially in the Summer months when the air contains extra humidity. I've used it twice and what I've discovered is that it has an incredible floral scent (thanks to the jasmine). Also, it most definitely helped smooth out the ends of my hair (thanks to vitamin E) to the point where I didn't even need to add a greasy, silicone-based serum.

The only drawback to having fresh and sweet-smelling, clean hair is the flat after-effect. My hair just kind of hangs by my face if I don't add in product, so I do wind up having to plump it up with an extra shot of volumizing spray. This is definitely something that I'd use every other day when I want to wash and go and not have the hassle of having to spend extra time straightening out frizz.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

SPF Beauty Bonanza, Part III: Sun Care Hair Products

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:20 -0700

Not only can the harmful rays of the sun affect your skin, they can also be damaging to your hair - especially if it is chemically and/or color treated. Below are three great SPF-enhanced products that will help protect your hair from drying out, breaking and oxidizing while you're frolicking away on a sunny day.

Capri Sun-Shield Spray ($20) is yet another new beauty product inspired by the jet-setting Italian island. The reason? Oscar Blandi loves the sunny locale and feels it's the ultimate Italian paradise. This hair mist works just a sunscreen would act on your skin. All you need is a little bit to lock in moisture, boost shine and protect hair from UVA and UVB rays.

Kerastase Voile Protecteur ($34) is a colorless spray that keeps your strands safe from drying out and oxidizing in the sun. It protects against UVA and UVB rays, salty seawater and the chemicals (generally chlorine) in swimming pools. Plus, it won't make your hair feel greasy and it washes out well.

For one more hair (and body) sunscreen, read more.

Shiseido Refreshing Sun Protection Spray SPF 16 PA+ ($27) offers broad-spectrum safety for your hair, scalp and even your skin while you are exposed to extensive UVA and UVB sun rays. It's lightweight, virtually odorless, water-resistant and comes in a sporty spray bottle that even spritzes if it's upside down.

Product Review: Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:00:07 -0700

About a month ago, Oscar Blandi launched a brand-new medium hold aerosol hairspray called Lacca ($23). What sets this styling product apart from the crowd is the scent, the ingredients and its anti-static properties. Not only can you use this to keep your hair in place, it can also double as a static guard (a little trick for ya).

We've talked about beauty advice from our mothers, but how about from our fathers? Oscar Blandi says that his source of inspiration for creating Lacca came from watching his dad make home-made hair products at the family's Italian salon.

This spray is formulated with sugar and honey to help control frizz, add shine and leave hair touchable and move-able all without being sticky (I was a little afraid of this). The smell is to die for. At first I wasn't impressed with the hint-of-honeysuckle, mostly chemical aroma, but once it dries, it leaves behind a pleasantly sweet essence.

I adore the huge mist button so you can cover your whole head easily and evenly. I also love what it does when you spray a little bit into the roots, (kind of like a volumizer). It's a great way to add body to fine hair without weighing it down when you're aiming for runway hair. The only trait I can't attest to is that it's moisturizing. Even though that's what the label says, my hair didn't feel any softer or more hydrated after a few uses. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Saturday Giveaway! Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Do you, like us, obsessively inspect your skin in the mirror, and at the site of a new blemish, wrinkle,or age spot, lament, "Why? Why me?" Sephora is here to tell you exactly that. From the "whys" to the "hows" to the "what-ifs," they're answering all of your frequently asked questions-even those you're embarassed to ask. Even better, every day we're giving away one product to help you implement their expertise. Congratulations to Colormesticky, who won yesterday's giveaway for Dr. Brandt Pores No More.

Today's question: I don't have time to wash my hair. Any quick fixes?

The answer: Fortunately, you are not resigned to having dirty, greasy hair. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo is such a simple, smart time-saver. More than a few of us Sugar girls are big fans of it because it lets you refresh your hair and scalp without water. So whether you're in a hurry or just need to freshen your tresses during the day, you're all set. Brilliant!

To enter today's giveaway for this hair helper, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, July 14, and we'll announce the winner on Monday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here.

Coddle Your 'Do For Just One More Day

BellaSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:55:33 -0700

Who do you think you're kidding when asked about the ol' powder in the hair trick? We are all guilty of the one, two, three - and yeah, I'll even say it - four-day stretch of not washing our hair after we get a wicked blowout. And you know the only thing stopping you from washing your perfect, frizz free hair is that it's gettin' pretty gross and greasy looking.

These genius powders are the answer! For all the dirty birdies out there, you can now just sprinkle some absorbent powder in your dewy 'do to prolong washing. For the rest of you who do like to keep your hair clean but know that it's best to create an up-do with day old hair, these powders are great for you too! Enjoy.

Cake Satin Sugar Hair & Body Refreshing Powder, $18, is a talc-free colored powder ideal for those of us who want to refresh our hair without having to wash it. This is the must-have product to keep in your bathroom.

Simply sprinkle some powder into your hands and run them through your hair between washings. You can also use it on your body by sprinkling a little bit in the areas that need a quick freshening up! It smells oh so sweet and is available in two hues: one for light hair and one for dark hair.

For two more dry shampoos, read more

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo $19, is another fab way to give back some life to your day old 'do. This amazing dry shampoo actually cleans your hair without the mess of water and the fuss of styling!

It contains natural ingredients such as: rice, oat, and tapioca starches to absorb oils and increase the volume of your hair at the roots. The lemony scent also makes your hair smell fresh and clean too - this stuff rocks!

Lastly, you remember my post about the Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder from Red Week right? If not, check it out here. This stuff is awesome too.

Straight is Great!

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:15:33 -0800

Believe it or not, stick straight hair is back in style. So get your dusty flat iron out of storage and make sure it is in working condition for Spring. We've already seen tons of straight hair on the Fall runways and now again at the Oscars from Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Ellen Pompeo, Kelly Preston and Zizi Zhang. Here are some new products that can help you achieve your own Oscar winning look.

Oscar Blandi Raffinata Pure Straight, $19, is a balm designed to smooth out any type of hair without weighing it down. It acts as a straightening agent by deeply penetrating into the cuticle of your hair as well as provides protection against heat damage caused from styling tools.

Simply rub a dime sized amount into your hands and rub evenly all over your towel-dried hair beginning from the ends and working your way up toward your roots. Then, blow dry hair straight. You will notice this product significantly reduces your drying time!

For one more straightening product, read more

Frédéric Fekkai Straight Away, $17.50, is a featherweight styling balm that helps to achieve straight hair when blow drying.

Even if your hair is naturally wavy or curly, it will help relax your hair instantly. It washes out - so it's perfectly safe for permed hair...and since it's made from pure botanicals, it smells delicious!

Sunday Giveaway! Oscar Blandi Pronto Wet Instant Volumizing Shampoo

BellaSugar — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:30:00 -0700

Stylist Oscar Blandi has been immersed in the hair business since he was a young lad, as his father was also a stylist and salon owner. With a successful haircare line and A-list clientele, Blandi's name is synonymous with carefree yet sophisticated styles. And now, thanks to our friends at Sephora, you can experience premium products from the Oscar Blandi haircare collection.

We've been giving away a different prize each day this week, and for the final treat, we've got the Pronto Wet Instant Volumizing Shampoo, an eco-friendly bodifying hair cleanser that's packed with botanicals.

To enter, just take the quiz by 5 p.m. PDT today, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your entry to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

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