BellaSugar

Get It Straight: The Rundown on At-Home Straightening

BellaSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:00:03 PST

Don't we always want what we can't have? Curly-haired girls pine for glossy, swingy straight locks, while those with pin-straight manes long for the body, texture, and versatility of curls.

If you decide to try a straight style, there are three types of treatments you can choose from. The strongest are sodium hydroxide and guanidine hydroxide (aka "no-lye"), which break down the hair cuticle so that it softens and can be relaxed internally. Because both of these can be drying, they are only recommended for thick, coarse hair. A gentler alternative is ammonium thioglycolate (the same super-smelly ingredient used in perms). This is less effective, but it's also less damaging to your hair.

Professional straightening, while costly, is the safest option because of the chemicals involved. If you do decide to go the at-home route, I have a couple product suggestions, so

One option that is getting rave reviews from users is the PhytoSpecific Relaxer 2 ($60). This is a guanidine hydroxide-based straightening kit that uses egg and a "soy complex" to straighten hair gently and effectively, while protecting against damage.

Revlon's Realistic Extra Conditioning Creme Relaxer System ($7) is a more affordable but slightly stronger option. It is sodium hydroxide-based, so it should be used only on the thickest and coarsest of hair.

Something to keep in mind is that relaxed hair needs extra taking care of. That means deep conditioning twice a week, using a leave-in conditioner, and laying off the highlights for at least two months. For those of you craving a change, this is a doable process, as long as you're committed to taking care of the results.

Source

New Product Alert: Tame It Shine Lotion

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:00:29 PDT

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...

Product Review: Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Wash and Wear

BellaSugar — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:45:15 PDT

After getting very excited while writing about Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Wash & Wear ($20), I had to hop online and get myself a bottle. It sounded like the ideal hair refresher for summer: I could wash my hair every other day, then spray this stuff on to keep my locks from getting oily, dull, or smelly.

I was a bit dubious about this product's promise: It claims to use "cleansing magnets" to freshen your hair and soak up grease. (What's a cleansing magnet, anyway?) While I was happy with some aspects of this product, it really didn't live up to its big promises, so

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

I have tried several powder-like dry shampoos, and while they're good at absorbing oil on your bangs and around you face, they don't really make your hair look "fresher."

The Summer Hair Wash & Wear, on the other hand, was great for freshening the free-hanging locks away from my face that often look limp the day after washing. Spraying this stuff gave my hair a renewed bounce and shine and a subtle beachy scent.

However, the Fekkai spray did not make the hair around my face look less greasy. In fact, I found that if I played around with it too much after spraying, my hair actually looked oilier. So basically, the "cleansing magnets" don't really do anything.

Really, this product could be great or disappointing, depending on what kind of "hair refreshing" you need. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but I can see it coming in handy for other people. If you like it, tell me what you think.

New Product Alert: More Summer Hair Goodness from Frederic Fekkai

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PDT

A couple weeks ago, I got all excited about this hair refresher, Frédéric Fekkai Summer Hair Wash and Wear. Now, the hairstyling mastermind has unleashed two more products from his Summer Hair collection, which launched last year in a burst of sunny orange packaging.

The newest products are Summer Hair Zero-Humidity Frizz Control and Summer Hair Quick-Quench Rehydrating Gelée ($20 each). Both are intended to create a sexy, undone look while offering protection from sun, seawater, and chlorine.

The products are also rich in antioxidants to help extend the color life of your hair, and they have a scrumptious coconut-citrus scent to them that's perfect for a hot beach day. For more details on this duo,

Zero-Humidity Frizz Control is a lightweight, alcohol-free spray that helps to flatten and seal your hair cuticles to prevent frizz.

Quick-Quench Rehydrating Gelée is a hydrating product in the form of a cream/gel hybrid that helps repair dry hair. It is made with aloe vera to help smooth hair and add shine.

How To: Claire Danes's Polished Pulled-Back 'Do

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:36:13 PDT

Claire Danes totally nailed her look at the premiere of Evening in NYC on Tuesday night. Her lips are bright, her skin is glowing, and her hair looks simple but full of volume.

This pulled-back, partly down style with a touch of bouffant at the crown is very popular - Carmen Electra chose a similar look for her wedding hair - and it's also very easy. So for this week's How To, I've created simple step-by-step instructions on how to recreate Claire's look at home, complete with product recommendations you can scroll through below. (Want to create your own celebrity beauty look? Try this week's TeamSugar challenge.)

Step 1: Wash hair with an advanced shampoo for fine hair, like Jonathan Product Shampoo Serious Volume Volumizing Shampoo.
Step 2: Apply a volumizing mousse to the hair, especially concentrating on the roots. Then, section hair by pinning or clipping the top layers up so you can blow-dry the underneath sections first.

For four more steps,

Step 3: Working in sections - around eight sections is usually plenty - dry hair away from your face using a large round brush to create the curves at the tips like Claire's. When you are finished drying, wrap each section of hair around the brush several times. Hold the brush and give each section a shot of cold air to set.
Step 4: If you are looking for added waves, use a one-and-a-half-inch or larger barreled curling iron to add some curls and volume.
Step 5: Grab a section of hair at the front crown and back-tease the underside to give it some volume. Next, hold that same section of hair, smooth out the topside with a brush, and pin the section using two to three bobby pins. Position the pins away from your ears at a 45-degree angle, and allow them to overlap for more hold.
Step 6: Lastly, mist your entire head with a medium to firm hold hairspray. Make sure that you do an extra once-over at the crown, since you won't want any fly-aways to spoil your look.

Source

Review: Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 05:30:37 PDT

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

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.

Doing Drugstore: FX Special Effects Texture Dirt Texturizing Paste

BellaSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:59:19 PDT

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

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.

Bellissima! Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Wash & Wear

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 06:47:15 PDT

I know a lot of us don't wash our hair every day, which can actually be healthier for your locks. But it can also leave you battling greasy-looking or sweaty hair, particularly in the summertime. Dry shampoos can help, and now here's another kind of instant shampoo that claims to revive hair in a different way. Needless to say, I'm dying to try it.

Unlike powdery dry shampoos, the Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Wash & Wear ($20) uses so-called cleansing magnets to freshen up your hair and get rid of oil, grease, and other grossness. The spray-on treatment also has UV protection to help combat sun damage. That's a lot of promises for one product to make, but if Wash & Wear really works, I could see myself spraying this stuff on my head all summer long.

Bella Brand: EasyStraight

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 16:00:50 PDT

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,

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.

Beauty Byte: Frédéric Fekkai's New Coiff Line

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:03:55 PDT

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.