BellaSugar

Product Review: Phytonectar Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:00:56 PDT

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.

Let's Get Something Straight, Part I

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:50:33 PDT

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 Redken Straight 05 Straightening Balm, $15, is a kink killer! This anti-frizz, humidity and curl product works hard to create great straight locks! It provides a protective shield against heat damage as well as increases shine and elasticity. Enter your zip code in the upper right corner to find a salon nearest you.
Frizz-Ease Wind-Down Relaxing Creme by John Freida, $6, is an oldie but goodie extra strength relaxing creme that helps to calm down curls, cowlicks and frizzies. It contains aloe and vitamin E to strengthen, hydrate and make hair nice and shiny! Work a small sized amount through your hair beginning from roots to ends and brush through to distribute evenly. I've been using this product for a long time and I love it because it's not greasy!

Smooth Move: Smoothing Shampoos For Straight Hair

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:05:44 PDT

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 Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo, $20, is a gentle shampoo that can be used daily to help moisturize and smooth out straight or unruly hair. It helps cut out frizz, fly-aways and kinky waves. If used daily, this shampoo actually softens hair by up 60%. It smells like delicious flowers, citrus fruits and sandalwood and it also helps protect hair from heat styling. This is a brand spankin' new product that will be released in May!
Jonathan Product Shampoo Weightless Smooth No-Frizz Cleansing Crème, $20, cleanses, moisturizes, softens, conditions, and smooths hair. When hair is wet and in its most vulnerable state, the shampoo reaches the damaged cuticle and helps smooth it out. It also protects hair from heat damage, environmental damage and fading, Oh, and it's also 100% vegan!

Wet & Safe! Sunblock Sprays For Your Hair

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:20:33 PDT

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 Fekkai Summer Hair Sun Bandana, $20, is a leave in conditioner as well as a heat activated UV shield for the hair. It is oil free, water resistant and safe for all hair types including color treated hair. Sun Bandana helps to seal in moisture with its new formulation called Solarshield™. It will also help to keep chlorine and other damaging chemicals from a pool or jacuzzi out of your hair.
Phyto Plage Protective Beach Spray, $20, is an olive oil based UVB sunscreen that offers your hair maximum sun protection. It helps reduce fading as well as increase hydration and shine. Olive oil also washes out easily so it won't weigh your hair down and leave you with grimy residue. Simply spray on dry or wet hair before and during sun exposure and be sure and reapply after going in the water.

Are Hair and Nail Supplements Bad For Your Skin?

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:20:22 PDT

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!

Heavenly Soft Hair

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 07:24:33 PST

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.

PHYTO Phytoneutre Rebalancing Cream Shampoo

FabSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:47:32 PST

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!

Beauty Must Reads From the Bella Community

BellaSugar — Sun, 08 May 2011 06:30:00 PDT

Get Malin Akerman's Tribeca Film Festival glow - Style Apothecary
Eight things to note before dyeing your hair - Hairstyle Factor
Getting the royal treatment from Lierac and Phyto - Temple of Glam
How to get the perfect topknot - Kiss and Tell
Going natural: the best natural skin care products - The Beauty Girl

How to Save Money by Skipping the Hairstylist (and When)

LearnVest — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:15:27 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Talk about hating paperwork: Four in ten Americans would rather cut their own hair than do their taxes without the help of an accountant.

Actually, we would rather not pay anyone to do something we could do ourselves. So, in our DIY or Not series, we convince the experts to give us the inside scoop on when we do - and when we don’t - need to pay them a visit, plus tips on how to DIY well.

In our first story we asked an accountant when it’s OK to do your own taxes. But now, since spring is the perfect time to freshen up your look, it’s a also great time to cut down on those pesky hair expenses. We just want to make sure you don’t find yourself in a tough spot (or with a terrible haircut).

To get the facts on the rules and tips for doing your own hair without penalty to your self-esteem or social life, we talked to Eugene Toye, a stylist at the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City.

Here’s what he told us:

Don’t visit me if:

You’re handy with the blow dryer. Getting your hair blown out for a special event is one of the least essential salon services. Most salons include a blow dry in the price of the service, but other places like the Hair Cuttery will charge less if you forgo the hot air. Note: If you’re doing it at home, be wary of “salon grade” hair dryers and tools. They come with professional grade heat, which could burn.

Three (Nearly) Effortless Ways to Get Gorgeous Hair When It's Hot

Susan Yara — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:02:13 PDT

Summer is in full swing, and the thermometer has reached new highs, so why spend hours fussing with your hair? There are easy ways to keep your mane in check when it’s hot out, so we turned to celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis to find out how. Read on to see his tips.