BellaSugar

Use the Hair Dryer on Products, Not Just Your Head

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

My pals with choppy layers often sing the praises of dense styling products in creating their piecey looks, but don't have as many kind words for the wax itself. When one recently complained that, no matter how vigorously she rubbed her hands ("like I was trying to start a fire between them"), it still clumped when she went to put it on her head. Not so pretty.

If this sticky situation sounds familiar to you, simply hold your blow dryer up to the mouth of the jar a couple inches away and skim the top layer with circular motions for about 10 seconds. This softens the product so you can scoop and smooth easier than ever. Simple!

New Product Alert: VO5 Extreme Style

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:00:57 -0700

Think about VO5 and you probably think of its hot oil treatment. I remember using it in junior high with good results, and when I gave it another whirl last year, the same thing happened. It's a classic.

Less classic and more modern is VO5's new collection of hair styling products, Extreme Style. I wish it weren't doing that "extreme!" thing, which is too Mountain Dew for my taste, but what can you do? Besides, I'm more interested in what the products do. The seven-piece collection consists of hair spray, two mousses, conditioning spray, styling spray, gel and putty-all of which promise 24-hour hold without stiffness or flakiness. And at $3.49 each, they're a steal.

Hair Care That Will Blow You Away

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:49:44 -0800

Blow Styling Salon, located in the trendy meatpacking district in NYC, is a unique and fun one-stop-shop to help get you primped and pretty for a night out on the town. They don't do haircuts; just blow-out's, makeup applications, nails and waxing.

Inside, everything is pink, and the clients are A-Listers who vow never to go above 14th street again or they'll get a nose bleed. Why just this past Saturday, I ran into Kelly Klein (you know, Calvin's ex) while getting pampered.

The best part about Blow are the prices. Getting a blow out or a time consuming up-do at your fave salon can cost $85 or more, but here, prices begin at a mere $40 and will never be more than $60. It actually makes tipping a pleasure.

Just when you thought this place couldn't get any better, they've announced the launch of their very own line of styling products. To read about each of Blow's new products, read more

Make My Day Daily Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner $15 each, is a deep cleansing shampoo and moisturizing conditioner that gently washes away residue/build up and leaves hair healthy, balanced and shiny.
The Heat Is On Blow Dry Styling Mist, $15, is an ultra lightweight conditioning mist that you spray on just for blow-drying. It helps detangle and protect hair against split ends and heat damage.
Blow Up Volumizing Mist, $15, is a product that adds fullness and shine to your hair. Spray on roots while hair is damp/wet and then blow dry for beautiful body.
Weather Or Not Climate Neutralizer, $19.50, is a silicone based hair serum that help fight frizzies and fly-aways in humid weather. Squeeze a few drops in the palms on your hands and distribute evenly to your hair.

Review: Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 05:30:37 -0700

The first thing you need to know about Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product is that it doesn't make your hair look dirty - or even like it has product in it. I say this because when I mentioned Dirt ($26) in a recent post, some readers were wary of what stylist Jonathan Antin says about the product: "There's something amazing about the way hair looks and behaves the day after - washing that is."

But do not be frightened: Dirt is, hands down, one of the most wonderful styling products I've ever had the pleasure of dipping my fingers into. I don't like having dirty hair, but the fact is that freshly washed, light and wispy hair just isn't very manageable. That's where Dirty comes in, so read more

I know women with all sorts of hairstyles who love Dirt, though it seems to serve slightly different functions depending on your hair types. On short hair, it acts more like a sculpting paste, while long hair looks more polished and fashionably piece-y. Even better, it's incredibly light, so it won't cause buildup and lets your hair move naturally. And lest you be scared off by the price tag, a single jar lasts forever.

Let's Get Something Straight, Part III

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:09:07 -0700

Welcome back to Let's Get Something Straight, my three-part series on products for straight hair. (For more ideas, check out part one and part two.) Since smooth sleek hair is so highly coveted, there are tons of products to help combat frizz and fly-aways. Just remember that whatever you choose to buy, please keep your hair protected from excessive heat and stay away from styling products that contain alcohol; that's the kiss of death if you want to keep your hair shiny and soft.

Göt2b Crazy Sleek Hot Smooth Iron & Blow-Dry Lotion ($5.99) is a straightening lotion that forms barrier on your hair to protect it from heat damage caused by blow dryers and flat irons. Spray on damp hair and work it through from roots to ends.

For two more hair straightening products, read more

Biosilk Silk Hair Therapy Smoothing Balm ($12.10) is a luxurious product suitable for all hair types. It will eliminate frizz, calm ragged cuticles, control cowlicks, and prepare hair for styling. It even provides a little bit of hold and will leave your locks feeling smooth and sexy.

TIGI Bed Head Control Freak Extra Extra Straight Hair Straightener ($14.95) is the ultimate way to achieve stick straight hair that has a silky soft feel. If the name of this product doesn't hook you, consider how easy it is to use: Simply spray it on damp hair sparingly and style as usual.

Beauty Byte: Frédéric Fekkai's New Coiff Line

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:03:55 -0700

One of my favorite haircare brands is Frédéric Fekkai, and the wonderfully uncomplicated line just keeps the innovations coming. On the heels of the new More line, Fekkai is bringing us even more.

According to Women's Wear Daily, the brand is launching a new line called Coiff in September. The eight styling products - specialized for the pre-style, style, and finish steps - will smell like tea and violet leaves. More from WWD:

Designed to be mixed and layered, each formula contains UV and environmental protection with sunflower and moring seed extract. Other ingredients include hibiscus protein used to strengthen and condition hair, polymers to help the hold, panthenol used as a deep conditioner, and rice and jojoba proteins to help restore and maintain the hair's moisture balance.

The Coiff line - love the name - sounds like a luxurious way to keep my hair healthy while also indulging my styling-products jones. It include a finishing creme, a pre-style heat protectant, and more. Coiff will be available at Fekkai salons, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other retailers.

Doing Drugstore: FX Special Effects Texture Dirt Texturizing Paste

BellaSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:59:19 -0700

As I know from firsthand experience, it's easy to spend a small fortune on hairstyling products. After all, salon products are pricey, and it's hard to know if they work unless you try them a few times. One of my stalwarts is Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product, which is designed to give your hair a slightly dirty look. Writes stylist Jonathan Antin on the label: "There's something amazing about the way hair looks and behaves the day after - washing that is."

But I have to admit: $26 is a lot to pay for a product that makes my hair look dirty. So I was intrigued when I saw this description of FX Special Effects Texture Dirt Texturizing Paste: "Texture Dirt has been created to easily give you the amazing way your hair looks and behaves the day after washing." And it cost just $5.99! Could it be a budget version of Dirt? Well, sort of, so read more

Though drugstore hairstyling products improved over the years, this is one category where it's usually better to splurge. Having said that, FX Special Effects Texture Dirt is one of the best drugstore styling products I've ever tried. It has a nice, clean smell and a whipped mousse-like texture. Just a little bit of paste adds a lot of texture to even the fullest manes, but it also isn't heavy on your hair.

But while Texture Dirt is perfectly serviceable for people on a budget, it really doesn't come close to approaching the wonderfulness of Dirt. The Jonathan version adds way more texture and lasts longer, too. I'm willing to keep ponying up the $26, but if you're looking for a quality budget hair paste, you won't be disappointed in FX Special Effects Texture Dirt.

Bella Brand: EasyStraight

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 16:00:50 -0700

Come rain or shine, EasyStraight is a brand that anyone fearful of the frizzies should familiarize herself with. The haircare brand was founded in 2004 by Haime Munoz, a salon owner who was dissatisfied with anti-frizz styling products, most of which left behind a grimy residue and made hair look dull and flat. Munoz set out to create something affordable that would rinse out easily and protect hair from humidity.

EasyStraight products address three of the most common causes of frizzy hair: over-processing, natural frizziness, and environmental factors like humidity, weather, and sun. The line includes shampoo and conditioner, a finishing gloss, an ironing styler, blow-dry spray, and two at-home straightening kits.

Most recently, the company launched four new products, all of which can be purchased at drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. (To find a retailer closest to you, click "Where to buy.") The best part: EasyStraight products are priced from just $8 to $30 each. For details on the four new products, read more

Long-Lasting Frizz Remover ($15) is a straightening kit that is intended to keep your hair frizz-free for a month by repairing the cuticle and raggedy split ends.
Instant Silk ($8) is a light anti-frizz cream that helps to soften hair using silk and cashmere.
Climate Shield ($8) is a waterproof hairspray. Very cool. I have never actually heard of anything like this: It shields hair from weather and humidity while providing a strong hold./li>
Frizz Block ($8) is a serum made from flax seed, coconut, and cashmere extract that helps detangle hair and protect it from heat and breakage.

Doing Drugstore: Styli-Style Hipsticks

BellaSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:22 -0800

Being the habitual browser that I am, I couldn't help but try out this hip new lip product from Styli-Style called Hipstick ($7.99). The bright packaging, the fun name and the shiny product oozing through the felt-tip applicator were too enticing to resist.

And the texture is equally as exciting. It's incredibly creamy and sheer, falling somewhere between a lipstick and a gloss. It's even fun to apply. Just twist the base and watch the color filter to the top. The soft, angled tip is contoured to fit your lip, making the application foolproof and smooth.

The only drawback is that it doesn't last as long as I'd like. It seems like the more often you rub your lips together, the faster it vanishes into your skin. While it's wonderfully moisturizing, when I apply color to my lips, I'd like it to stick around, or else I'd just as soon wear a lip balm. But if you're interested, Hipstick is available in 12 colors ranging from neutral nudes to deep berries and is available in drugstores.

New Product Alert: Tame It Shine Lotion

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:00:29 -0700

New from Ted Gibson is a styling product for hair called Tame It Shine Lotion. Gotta love the cute names he always comes up with. This inventive product helps calm frizz and fly-aways as well as liven up lackluster locks without weighing hair down.

The idea was inspired by the process of making red wine, so the formula contains a special merlot complex that hydrates hair, adds shine, texture and fluid movement. Also, thanks to the built in humidity shield, now hair won't fall limp in the heat either. It is made from all natural extracts blended together in a featherweight, silky smooth cream and sells for $31. I haven't tried it, but I love Ted's stuff, so it's likely just a matter of time...