BellaSugar

Product Review: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:00:31 -0700

My hair is pretty thin, slightly dry, and definitely looking lackluster lately, so I've taken up to reading reviews on different strengthening and reparative deep conditioners. My best friend is a bleach blonde, and she's been raving about the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for a few months now, so I borrowed hers so that we could compare notes.

There are a few things that make this conditioner different from others. It comes with a plastic cap so that the heat from the shower can work to activate the ingredients. Since it's highly concentrated, it spreads easily through your hair and leaves behind a lingering light, clean scent. Also, it contains SPF and is recommended for use once to twice a week (depending on the level of dryness of your hair).

It's easy to use. Just apply a generous amount to the roots and lengths of your hair, concentrating especially on your ends. Clip hair up and cover with the shower cap for ten minutes. Then rinse your hair thoroughly and shampoo and condition as usual.

I was really excited by the results. My hair felt softer, looked shinier, and was smoother - it looked like it chugged a can of Red Bull! My friend loves the way it brightens up her hair and takes away all of the yellow brassiness and even some of the frizz. The only downside is that unfortunately, the shower cap isn't re-usable. It got pretty gooey and even after I rinsed it out, it felt like there was a slimy film left over. Still, it delivered results, and at $5.50 for one treatment, I got my money's worth.

BellaSugar's Top Five Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment Picks

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:00:33 -0700

I use a blow-dryer every time I wash my hair, and unfortunately that sets me on the fast track to Split Ends city. So I try to apply a hot oil treatment, a mask or a deep conditioner on my hair at least once a week to help restore moisture and shine.

My absolute favorite hair mask is a light product from Kerastase called Masquintense ($49.99). It leaves my hair looking shiny, bright and never ever weighed down. Because it's so expensive, I also like to alternate this with the beloved Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Treatment ($3.99). I've said before that I'm a big fan of their products and this is definitely a hair care item that I can't live without. Below are more of my favorite hair treatment picks; what are some of your favorites?

Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs de Jasmin ($53) smells like a garden full of fresh cut flowers. It has a light texture that makes hair feel soft and smooth, and it doesn't leave behind any slimy, grimy residue.
Matrix Logics DNA Color Vitalizing Treatment Masque ($24.99) is so rich that all you need is a little bit on the ends for instantaneous results. It has a fresh, light scent that I love.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer ($42-$125) is a great way to add moisture to your hair and help beat out some of the frazzled, frizzy ends. It penetrates deeply since it comes with a plastic cap that you use under heat to activate the ingredients. The result is smooth, energized and sun-protected hair - and it contains SPF, too.

Tips and Tricks for Fine Hair

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:00:51 -0700

Last week I was lucky enough to interview the talented Ivan Cerquiera of London's swanky Real Hair salon. Ivan works on some of the most renowned international heads, and while I'd love to reveal who they are, he takes his clients' requests for privacy quite seriously.

Ivan did, however, share some insight with me on a few products, tricks and tips to make fine hair seem fuller, thicker and bouncier. I happen to have pretty fine hair and I've found these little adjustments in my styling routine extremely helpful. I hope you will too.

Shampoo: Using a shampoo that doesn't contain lanolin will help to keep hair light and full of life. Lanolin is a common ingredient in most shampoos, but it tends to be too heavy for fine hair. Ivan loves Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo.
Blow-Drying: When you are drying your hair, don't use the nozzle that comes with your hairdryer. This tool is excellent for coarse and thick hair, but it concentrates the heat too much for fine hair and causes irreparable damage that can be easily avoided.

For additional technique and product suggestions for fine hair, read more.

Technique: Use tension when blow-drying. This will reduce frizz at a faster and more efficient pace. It also cuts down the amount of time you'll need to use heat. Additionally, if you use a medium-boar bristle brush, you can create extra body in your hair.
Products: Use a generous amount of volumizer at the roots. A new product that I really like is Kerastase Resistance Volumactive Expansion Spray Blow Drying Treatment For Fine and Delicate Hair because it gives extra lift and sustains the hold, it's not heavy, and it smells good.

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