Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
My Top 4 Favorite Dry Shampoos (and how to use them!)

My Top 4 Favorite Dry Shampoos (and how to use them!)


Do you use dry shampoo? I honestly don't know how I ever lived life without it. It's right up there with electricity, indoor plumbing and air conditioning. I remember using Psssssst! dry shampoo in the '70's and thinking it was awesome. Ha! Dry shampoos have definitely come a long way since then!

several different dry shampoos lying on a table; white graphic overlay with words "My Top 4 Dry Shampoos (and how to use them!)"

(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

About a year ago, I did a post about my Best (and Worst) Dry Shampoos. Since I've tried some new products, I wanted to do an update.  But first, let's talk...

How many times have you read a rave review about a product, so you run right out and buy it, only to discover that it doesn't work at all for you? The products I'm getting ready to rave about work well for my hair. So I'm going to tell you about my hair and how I use the products, then you can decide whether or not you you want to give them a try. They are all available in travel sizes, and I think that's a great way to sample a product without investing a lot of money.



My hair is long. Depending on my mood, it is either to the middle of my shoulder blades or the top of my bra strap. It's naturally thick and wavy, and the texture is "normal". I straighten it with the amika polished perfection straightening brush or NuMe Silhouette flat iron (mine is hot pink!) 2-3 times a week. I have my roots colored and highlights/lowlights done every 6-7 weeks.

My hair has never been super oily, but menopause "gifted" me with hair that now gets drier between shampoos. I usually shampoo my hair every 4-5 days, and with a good dry shampoo, I can easily extend the time to 7+ days (as long as I'm not getting super sweaty). I know that sounds crazy to some of you, but when your scalp isn't oily, your hair doesn't look dirty. As long as I don't use a ton of hairspray on it, it looks as clean at 7 days as it did at 1 day. If I notice any oiliness, it's right around my face, and I think it transfers from my skin rather than from my scalp.



The way you use dry shampoo can definitely affect your results. My hair isn't dark, so I don't struggle with the residue as much as someone with dark brown or black hair would, but it can definitely make my hair look dull. Colored blonde hair typically looks a bit dull anyway, so I don't need anything making it look worse. (Tip: I use Aveda brilliant™ emollient finishing gloss and Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Smoothing Anti-Frizz Dry Oil Mist to add healthy shine to my hair.)

I usually start using dry shampoo around day 3 or 4. This will vary for you depending upon your hair type. I apply at bedtime. I spray as close to the roots as possible around my face, wait about 30 seconds, and then work it through with my fingers. After I finish my evening skincare routine, I brush my hair to distribute any remaining dry shampoo. Using it this way does two important things: By morning, 1) there is never any residue left, and 2) most (if not all) of the scent is gone.



I expect certain things from my dry shampoo (your list may be different):
  • unscented or a light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly
  • no white/light-colored residue on hair
  • doesn't leave hair feeling stiff or "dirty"
  • doesn't leave hair looking dull
  • leaves my hair easy to style 

I want to address fragrance quickly. Scent is a very subjective thing, and I am very sensitive to certain scents. I usually prefer unscented products, and there are very few perfumes that I like (or that smell good on me). Keep in mind that just because I like/dislike the fragrance in a product doesn't mean that you will feel the same way.



There are two dry shampoos that I absolutely love. They both work so well for my hair and never leave any residue or build-up. I can use them both for several days and my hair will still look good. I'd say they tie for my #1 favorite!


can of tarte Hair Goals dry shampoo lying on a table

tarte Hair Goals Dry Shampoo
This one is a new one for me, but I've been using it for a couple of months and find myself reaching for all the time. I actually like the light scent, but even if I didn't, it dissipates quickly. It never leaves residue or build-up on my hair, even when I use it several days in a row. As far as I can tell, it sprays out clear, so it should work well for dark hair colors as well. It comes in 4 oz. and travel sizes, and will definitely be on repeat at my house. (This one is on sale at Sephora! I hope that doesn't mean that it's being discontinued!)


can of Living Proof PhD dry shampoo lying on a table

Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
It's probably no surprise to see this one here since it was on my "best" list last year. It does everything I expect my dry shampoo to do. My hair is always easy to manage - even if I use it several days in a row. While Gus loves the scent, I wouldn't say I love it, but I definitely don't hate it either. It dissipates quickly and leaves my hair smelling fresh.  It's available in 1.8 oz. travel size as well as a 4 oz. full size.

You can't go wrong with either one of my top picks, IMO. The only possible negative is the price - especially if you use dry shampoo as much as I do. I look at it as a trade-off. I'm using less shampoo and conditioner, so I use a little more dry shampoo!


If you prefer a budget-friendly product, my top pick is this one:

can of Dove Coconut dry shampoo lying on a table

Dove Refresh+Care Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo 
You can't beat Dove for the price and effectiveness. They offer several versions/fragrances, and they're all good - I just happen to like the Coconut version the best. All of the ones I've tried have worked the same for me - just the scents are different. The one drawback (for me) is that I can really only use it for a day or two, because after that, I will start to feel a little build-up and my hair is more difficult to style. But for about 1/4 of the price, it's pretty darn good. This comes in a 5 oz. size and sometimes you can find travel sizes as well.
P.S. I did see that they are now offering an unscented version, so I need to give that a try!


There's one more dry shampoo I want to mention, and I'm going to give it "runner-up" status:

can of amika Phantom hydrating dry shampoo lying on a tablecan of amika Phantom hydrating dry shampoo lying on a table

The only reason this didn't appear higher on my list is the fragrance. A lot of people like the amika fragrances, but they're a little too strong and perfume-y for my taste. However, I do like this product. My initial thought was "how can a foam be hydrating?", because in my experience, most foam products are drying. Well, I don't know how it works, but it does, and it doesn't make my hair drier. Another concern I had was whether the wet foam would make any products already on my hair (like hairspray) all gummy and nasty. Since I only apply to my roots this hasn't been a problem for me. (This one is on sale at Sephora, too!)



Of course, I also have a list of dry shampoos I still want to try - so if you've used any of these, let me know what you think!

  • Aveda shampure™ dry shampoo - this one is a bit pricey; I wish it came in a travel size so I could try it without spending $31 for 2 oz.! Maybe I'll stop in at the local Aveda store and try it there.
  • it's a 10 Miracle Dry Shampoo & Conditioner in One - I know the other "it's a 10" products are popular, so I'd like to give their dry shampoo a try. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this one comes in a travel size either.
  • Ouai dry shampoo - this is another foam dry shampoo. I'd like to try it but I don't see a travel size, and I'm a bit worried about the fragrance. It contains musk, amber, sandalwood and patchouli - four of my least favorite scents - but I do like the other things in it - bergamot, Italian lemon, rose de mai, magnolia, lily, blackberry, violet, and cedarwood.
  • Marc Anthony True Professional Refreshing Clear Dry Shampoo Coconut - it looks like this one is available at Walmart and Walgreens, and I do love a coconut scent - plus it's another drugstore-priced product!

If you have a favorite dry shampoo, I'd love to hear about it! 


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Kim
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Get Smooth Shiny Hair with Aveda Smoothing Fluid!

Get Smooth Shiny Hair with Aveda Smoothing Fluid!


If you have blonde hair that has been given a little "boost" in the salon (or at home), then you know that it can be difficult to make that blonde hair shiny. This is even more true when the hair that is being colored is grey.

Aging gives hair a whole new set of issues. I talk about this a little in my posts "Does your hair need anti-aging products?" and "Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Hair Products". Everyone is different, of course, but the issues I face are:
  • my hair gets drier each day between shampoos 
  • my blonde highlights are covering some grey now, so that part of my hair is more brittle and less shiny
  • using a flat iron can sometimes make my hair look even drier/duller

bottle of Aveda Smoothing Fluid

(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

A product that I've been using lately - and that I have fallen in love with - is the Light Elements™ Smoothing Fluid from Aveda. It's a styling serum that does several things for my hair that make me very happy. It makes my hair feel less dry and crispy, it gives my hair some much-needed shine, and because it contains silicones, it helps protect my hair from heat.

In the photo below, which was taken earlier this month, my hair is looking fairly smooth and shiny. We were in Florida, and it was about 90 humid degrees out, and I had been outside for almost 2 hours, so I'm surprised my hair was still straight!

My hair in Florida heat and humidity when I use Aveda's Smoothing Fluid

And yes, that is a "We have a wedding to plan" sign you see my daughter, Lulu, and my now future son-in-law, Bruce, holding! They're engaged! It was a beautiful surprise for my daughter, and all of the credit goes to Bruce. We flew to Florida that morning, and his parents drove up from Tampa the previous night. It was a surprise birthday party, but when the cake came out, it said "Will you marry me?". Lulu's favorite thing in the world is cake, so it was perfect! She said yes, we all cried, and now we're planning a wedding!

But back to the Smoothing Fluid...
Here are the ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene <ILN27010>

As you can see from the ingredient list, if you're someone who avoids silicones, this isn't the product for you! If you're someone who doesn't like fragranced hair products, this isn't the product for you. I find that people usually either really love the fragrance of Aveda products, or they really dislike it. I happen to love the scent of this particular product (as well as my favorite firm hold hairspray, Aveda Firmata). 

Aveda Smoothing fluid in the palm of a hand

The consistency is fairly thin - similar to BioSilk Silk Therapy Original Cure, but a little thinner - which makes it easy to apply. It never makes my hair feel greasy - only soft and smooth. And shiny!

You can use this product on dry or damp hair - and I do both. After towel-drying my hair, I usually apply a little Living Proof's PhD 5-in-1 Styling Treatment or T.B.D. Multi-tasking Styler and start blowdrying my hair on low. Once my hair is about halfway dry, I apply the Aveda Smoothing Fluid. My hair is pretty long (it hits my bra strap in the back), so I use two pumps on the top and upper back of my hair (this is the highlighted section), and one pump for the ends. If I'm styling second, third, or even fourth day hair, I apply the same amount to the same areas before using the flat iron. 

bottle of Aveda Smoothing Fluid

I've tried hair oils, and they work somewhat (especially if they have some silicone in them), but so far, nothing has worked as well as the Smoothing Fluid. This one gets two thumbs up from me, so if you have some of the same issues as me, give it a try!

I'm always looking for new products to try - what's your favorite smoothing/shine product? Let me know in the comments or connect with me on Instagram or Snapchat!

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Kim
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Best (and Worst) Dry Shampoos

Best (and Worst) Dry Shampoos


Who doesn't love a good dry shampoo? Am I right? As I've become menopausal older, my hair tends to get drier rather than oilier between shampoos. If I have any oiliness, it's usually around my face, so I'm pretty sure it comes more from the oil on my skin than it does from my hair. With a good dry shampoo, I can easily extend the time between shampoos to 5-7 days.

Today I'm sharing my personal list of the best and worse dry shampoos. Keep in mind that not only do hair needs differ from person to person, but we also perceive scent differently. So what works for and smells good to me, may not work for or smell good to you.

cans of dry shampoo lying on a wooden surface

(This post contains some affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

If you've read any of my dry shampoo reviews, you know that there are some very specific things that I require of a dry shampoo:

  • unscented or a light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly
  • no white/light-colored residue on hair
  • doesn't leave hair feeling stiff or "dirty"
  • doesn't leave hair looking dull
  • leaves my hair easy to style

Let's start with my favorites!

can of Living Proof dry shampoo

Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo 
Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo is my absolute favorite dry shampoo. I love everything about it. I love the fresh, clean scent. I love that it sprays on clear. I love that it miraculously leaves my hair looking and smelling freshly washed. And there isn't any dulling residue like some dry shampoos. If I had to choose a "con", it would be the price. (Here's my review of the Living Proof PhD Dry Shampoo.)


can of Dove Coconut dry shampoo

Dove Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo 
There are several versions of Dove dry shampoo, but my favorite is the Refresh + Care Fresh Coconut. It has a light coconut scent (one of my favorite scents), and for me, it sprays on clear and doesn't leave a residue. My hair doesn't look quite as "normal" as it does with the Living Proof, but it's pretty good. The trade-off is that this one costs much less. The other versions are: Detox + Purify, Volume + Fullness, Fresh + Floral, and the one I'm most excited about but haven't tried yet - Unscented. I like the Detox + Purify, but it's a little stronger and more "perfume-y" than the Refresh + Care Fresh Coconut or Living Proof. I'm hoping I can find the unscented version next time I need dry shampoo. (Here's my review of the Detox + Purify.)


can of amika silken up dry shampoo

Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner
The Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner isn't technically a dry shampoo, but you spray it on to restore softness and shine. A lot of the reviews I read before buying said that people used it as a dry shampoo or prior to using a dry shampoo. Since my hair tends to get drier between shampoos, I thought this might work well for me - and I was right. I'm not totally crazy about the scent, but it's not horrible and it dissipates quickly. (They also have the Perk Up Dry Shampoo that is supposed to add volume, but I haven't tried that yet.)


can of Not Your Mother's Clean Freak dry shampoo

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo
Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo has a clean, fresh scent. I don't like the scent as well as Living Proof, but for me, it sprays on clear and leaves my hair looking clean and easy to style. When I tried this, the unscented version wasn't available, so that's on my "want to try" list. They also have Plump for Joy Body Building Dry Shampoo and Clean Freak Tapioca Dry Shampoo with a warm sugar scent. (Here's my review of the Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo.)


When I talk about scents and whether I like/dislike them, keep in mind what I mentioned above: scent is a very subjective thing. I dislike heavily perfumed (affectionately referred to as "old-lady perfume" in our house) products, and I also dislike floral scents. You may love them - and that's why there are so many different products!

Also, keep in mind that I apply dry shampoo at night before I go to bed. I find it allows the product to do it's job, and by the time I wake up in the morning, if there is any left on my hair (there usually isn't), it's easily brushed away.

Now let's talk about the dry shampoos that didn't work for me:

can of dry bar detox dry shampoo

drybar® Detox Dry Shampoo
I seriously cringe just thinking about drybar® Detox Dry Shampoo. I couldn't get past the scent. I won't go into more detail here, so if you want to read more about it, here's a link to my review of drybar® Detox Dry Shampoo. Let's just say I'm glad that I only had a travel size. I have since discovered that there are two scents, and the one I had was apparently the "Lush" scent. (There is also an "Original" scent.) Maybe the original scent smells better. However, that wasn't the only issue. It left a a lot of residue and made my hair stiff and difficult to style. Not a fan, even though it's a popular product.


can of Batiste dry shampoo

Batiste Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo Plus
I know the Batiste brand is a popular one, but I didn't like this version. They do offer many varieties of their dry shampoo, so it's possible that I would like another version better. But to be honest, it would take a lot for me to spend money to try it again. The scent was too strong for me and there was somewhat of a residue, but the deal-breaker was that it made my roots look so dull and lifeless. (Here's my review of the Batiste Brilliant Blonde.)


bottle of bumble & bumble pret-a-powder dry shammpoo

Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder
Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder is now available in a spray, but I've only tried the powder. I know it's another popular product, but I'm not a fan. I don't like the scent, and it left a residue on my hair. I find powders more difficult to work with - they're messy and I have trouble applying it to roots just above my ears.


I do have a few dry shampoos on my "want-to-try" list for 2018:

  • Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo - Since I've liked all of the other Amika products I've tried, I'd like to give this one a shot as well.
  • Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - This product is a four-time Allure Best of Beauty winner, so obviously a lot of people like it! 
  • tarte Hair Goals Dry Shampoo - Reviews say that the scent in this one is "light & fresh", and some compare the performance to Living Proof - both of which make me want to try it! 

cans of dry shampoo lying on a wooden surface


What's your favorite dry shampoo? What one just doesn't work for you? Give me the details! Leave a comment here, on Instagram, or Snapchat!






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Kim
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Product Review: Dove Dry Shampoo

Product Review: Dove Dry Shampoo


Even though Living Proof Dry Shampoo is my favorite, my wallet doesn't always love the price tag. So I've been working my way through some drugstore brands, looking for one (or more) that work similarly.         

Dove Dry Shampoo

(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

So far, I've only liked Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo. I heard good things about Dove's Dry Shampoo, and as luck would have it, a travel-sized can of the Volume & Fullness version was included in one of my Target Beauty boxes. I used it a few times, and liked it enough to want to buy a full-sized can. Since there was another version, and I didn't really need Volume & Fullness, I decided to give the Detox & Purify version a go...

Interestingly enough, the ingredients for both the Detox & Purify and Volume and Fullness are:
Isobutane, Propane, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butane, Fragrance (Parfum), Isopropyl Myristate, Silica, Cyclopentasiloxane

If you've read my other posts about dry shampoo, you know that I have these expectations from my dry shampoo:
  • light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly
  • no white/light-colored residue on hair
  • doesn't leave hair feeling stiff or "dirty"
  • doesn't leave hair looking dull
  • leaves my hair easy to style

And you also know that I like to address each of these individually when reviewing a new dry shampoo, giving them a "check" for meeting that expectation or a "fail" for, well, failing:

Light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly? Check. I do like the scent, but it is a little overwhelming when you first spray it. I usually just hold my breath until I'm finished spraying and it's had a chance to dissipate. And it does dissipate fairly quickly. After awhile, I don't even notice it. I do believe that fragrance is a very subjective thing, so what one person likes, another may hate!

Dove Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo

No white/light-colored residue on hair? Check. Doesn't leave hair looking dull? Check. These pretty much go hand in hand. This dry shampoo sprays on perfectly clear for me. In the photo above, I've concentrated a spray of it on the clear cap - and you can see, well, you can't see - and that's the point, right? Because it sprays on clear, it doesn't dull my roots, and I like that. Please note that I have dark blonde hair, so someone with dark brown or black hair might have a different experience.

Doesn't leave hair feeling stiff or "dirty"? Check. Leaves my hair easy to style? Check. Again, these pretty much go hand in hand. I don't usually need to use dry shampoo until my hair is on at least Day 3 (and I can go even longer in cold weather). I don't usually shampoo until it's Day 4 or 5, so I need the dry shampoo to leave my hair easy to style for a couple of days. I can use the Dove dry shampoo for a day or two and not have any problems with my hair feeling like it has something on it. I can still use a flat iron and style my hair as usual.

Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo

The other version - the Volume & Fullness - is very similar, and I like it, too. Honestly, I'm not sure I can tell a difference between the two - and that was before I knew they had the same ingredients. I have lots of hair and it doesn't really get flat even after several days post-shampoo, so I probably wouldn't notice an increase in volume or fullness anyway. I think any dry shampoo will impart some increase in fullness and volume - especially for someone with fine, thin hair.

This product sells for about $4-5 for a 5 oz. can, so it's very reasonably-priced.

Overall, I really like these products! Since they're basically the same except for the fragrance, I prefer the Detox & Purify. But they both do everything I want my dry shampoo to do. I feel like they could be drying for hair due to the high SD Alcohol content - however, I only spray a small amount on my roots on Day 3 or 4 post-shampoo. Since I keep it directed on my roots and use the smallest amount needed to do the job, I haven't noticed any drying effects, but someone with very dry hair or who uses it all over might find it to be a bit drying (then again, they might notice that with any dry shampoo).

Do you have a favorite dry shampoo? Leave a comment or send me a snap to let me know!


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Kim
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Product Review: Batiste Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo Plus

Product Review: Batiste Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo Plus


I've got another dry shampoo review for you today! I'm sure you've heard of Batiste - their products are always highly rated. They have a number of different dry shampoos, but the one I tried was called "Brilliant Blonde", which is part of the "Hint of Color" line (there is also Beautiful Brunette and Divine Dark), because those products are tinted.

Batiste Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo Plus

(This post contains some affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on the links and make a purchase, it doesn't cost more, but I will receive a small commission. You are free to use the links or not. If you do, I thank you!)

The cap of this product had a sticker that said "96% recommend", so that convinced me to give it a try. It comes in a 6.73 fl. oz. aerosol can, and I picked it up at my local Kroger (grocery) for around $8-9.

The directions are pretty standard for dry shampoo: Shake vigorously, then keep 10-12 inches from hair as you spray into roots. Leave a few moments and then massage with fingertips. Style as usual.

Batiste Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo Plus

If you've read my reviews on Living Proof Perfect hair Day® Dry Shampoo, drybar® Detox Dry Shampoo and Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, then you know that I have very specific things I look for in a dry shampoo:
  • light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly
  • no white/light-colored residue on hair
  • doesn't leave hair feeling stiff or "dirty"
  • doesn't leave hair looking dull
  • leaves my hair easy to style

Let's see how this one measures up...

Light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly? There is definitely a good amount of fragrance in this product. I'm not a fan of it, but it's not nearly as bad as the fragrance in the drybar® dry shampoo. It does dissipate somewhat, but I feel like I still get whiffs of it throughout the day. So not a "check", but not a complete fail either.

Batiste Brilliant Blonde Dry Shampoo Plus i

No white/light-colored residue on hair? The tint in this dry shampoo is a very light, bright yellow, in my opinion. Way lighter and brighter than my hair - especially my roots. I can definitely see it when I spray it on, no matter how carefully I apply. However, once I brush it through, it doesn't seem to be noticeable. I'll give it a cautious "check".

Doesn't leave hair feeling stiff or "dirty"? I can definitely feel this product on my hair when it's first sprayed on. Once it's been on for a few minutes and I brush it through, it's less evident, but I have to use it very sparingly if I want to use it more than one day. I'll give it a "check - but only if used sparingly".

Doesn't leave hair looking dull? This is where this product disappoints me the most, and how I know for sure it's leaving a residue on my hair. It makes my hair/roots look dull. Nothing says "I used a dry shampoo" like having dull, dry roots! Yuck! Fail.

Leaves my hair easy to style? This is a little disappointing as well. I think because of the residue left on my hair, it makes it difficult to use the flat iron. If I'm just pulling my hair up, it's fine, but I find it very difficult to use any styling tools. Fail.

There are other Batiste lines: "Fragrance", "Nourish", and "Style". Fragrance is self-explanatory - each of the ten products in this line has a different scent. Nourish has one product - the Strength & Shine Dry Shampoo, which is enriched with L-Arginine to strengthen hair structure. Style also has one product - the XXL Plumping Powder, which is actually a volumizing powder you sprinkle into your hair. I would be interested in trying the Strength & Shine Dry Shampoo if it's a clear product, and if the fragrance isn't overpowering. I'll have to check some reviews.

So overall, this was not a great product for me, even though it seems to be a favorite with a lot of people. I may pass it on to my niece if she wants it (she's the only other blonde in the family!). In my opinion, there are better drugstore options available.

What's your favorite dry shampoo? Let me know in the comments!



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Kim
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Product Review: Bed Head After Party Styling Cream

Product Review: Bed Head After Party Styling Cream


If you've read any of my posts about hair care, then you know I'm pretty picky when it comes to hair care products. I don't mind spending a little more (although I always search for the best deal!), but the products must perform or I'm done with them.

One of the things that comes with aging is drier hair (well, drier everything, but that's a story for another time). Less oil production and grey hair. For someone who had oily hair in their younger years, less oil can be a good thing. It's one of the reasons I'm able to go 4-5 days between shampoos. Grey hair tends to be wiry and less manageable - drier, in a way. If you're like me and color your hair - highlights or a lighter shade than your natural color - it can make for a dry, crispy crown.

I talked about this in my posts Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Hair Products and Does your hair need anti-aging products, and discussed how I deal with this issue. Although my hair care routine helps a lot, it doesn't always smooth my hair as much as I would like - especially when I use a flat iron to straighten it. So I need styling products that will "finish" the job.

Bed Head After Party Styling Cream

(This post contains some affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on the links and make a purchase, it doesn't cost more, but I will receive a small commission. You are free to use the links or not. If you do, I thank you!)

One of the products that I found a few months ago that is working really well for me is a styling cream by TIGI from their Bed Head line called After Party. It's supposed to give you "silky, smooth, shiny, healthy looking hair". You use it on dry hair, then style as you like. It says to use a dime-sized amount, but as always, I just assume that is for shoulder-length hair of normal thickness. I have thick hair that is to the bottom of my bra strap, so I use 2-3 times that amount by the time I'm finished (I'll explain that later).

Bed Head After Party Styling Cream


It comes in a funky neon pink 3.4 oz. airless pump bottle with a round cap. So fun! It smells delicious - kind of like fruit, but not in an overly sweet, obnoxious way. It does contain silicones, as well as mica and castor seed oil.

Ingredients: Aqua (water/eau), Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum (Fragrance), Amyl Cinnamal, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, PEG-8 Methicone, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Laureth-7, Sodium PCA, Dimethicone PEG-8, Meadowfoamate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77019 (Mica), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride)

Bed Head After Party Styling Cream

It's a lightweight, white cream that is easy to smooth over your hair. If you look closely, you can see the shimmery mica in it that helps make your hair look shiny. Don't worry - it's not like the shimmer sprays from back in the 90's! It's very subtle.

At first, I used it by applying the entire amount to my hair before styling - and that worked okay. But then, one day, I decided that since it had so many silicones, it was probably offering some heat protection, even though it's not marketed as such. I decided to apply a dime-sized amount all over my hair, then as I sectioned it for flat ironing, I applied a tiny amount to each section. I flat iron larger sections of hair (probably about 3-4" wide and 1/2" thick), so I put about a quarter pea-sized amount of the After Party in my palm, rubbed my hands together just a little to distribute it evenly, then placed my palms on either side of the sectioned piece of hair and pulled it through my hands, concentrating on the ends. It really makes my hair smoother and shinier than when I just apply all over at once! It also make subsequent touch-ups with the flat iron much easier.

The parts of my hair that are highlighted tend to be drier on the ends, especially after flat ironing, and this product used in this way has really smoothed those sections! I still use a hair oil or other night treatment product overnight to help keep it from getting brittle, but this has made a big difference with my styling. My hair looks and feels so much softer. I'm so happy I tried it!

As I mentioned, the After Party product comes in a 3.4 oz. bottle and is priced at $23. But girl, you know I didn't pay that much for it! I would, but not if I don't have to - am I right? I bought mine on - you know it - Amazon. I paid around $9 for mine. Yep, about a third of the original cost. I do want to mention that some of the reviews said that the product had separated and wasn't authentic. I didn't find that to be true at all. Mine was perfectly fine and exactly like the ones sold in stores. It's sold and shipped by Amazon, so I felt comfortable ordering and I would do so again. There are some 2-packs that are even a better deal (around $16). I will probably go that route next time since I know I love the product.

Have you tried Bed Head After Party? What's your favorite styling product? Let me know in the comments! 

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Kim
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How to Choose the Perfect Hairstyle for Your Face Shape

How to Choose the Perfect Hairstyle for Your Face Shape


Have you ever wondered why a hairstyle that you love on someone else just doesn't look as flattering on you? One possible reason may be the shape of your face! Here today, to tell you how to choose the perfect hairstyle to flatter your face shape, is Sara Ferguson!

How to Choose the Perfect Hairstyle - Great tips on determining your face shape as well as choosing the perfect hairstyle to complement it!

Most of us have had the unpleasant experience of choosing a hair style that does not work for our face shape. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to figure out what doesn’t work than it is to learn what does when it comes to our hair!

When you add to this that our hair is the one accessory we wear every day, the weight of the decision becomes that much heavier. Today I’ll lay out some universal rules for flattering cuts and styles for each face shape.

How to Choose the Perfect Hairstyle - Great tips on determining your face shape as well as choosing the perfect hairstyle to complement it!

How to Determine Your Face Shape

First, let’s go over the different face shapes and how you can determine which one is the closest fit to yours.

Face shape is really determined by our underlying bone structure. There are three main variations that are determined by your genetics:

Heart

This is the kind of face shape that you just know it when you see it. It’s characterized by prominent cheek bones that are set wider in the face than the jawline. If the chin is pointed, this results in a heart shape. A variant of the heart-shaped face is a square face, which differs because it lacks the pointed chin.

Oval

This is the most common face shape, characterized by soft round lines. The forehead is typically slightly wider than the chin, and the face is longer than it is wide.

Round

A round face shape is very similar to the oval-shaped face, except that the length of the face is close to its width and not longer. Round faces typically have wider cheekbones as well.

If you’re still not sure about your face shape, search for celebrities that you think have a similarly structured face. Google the celebrity’s name with “face shape” in the search window, and see what comes up!

Haircuts for Every Face Shape

Now that you have an idea about your face shape, it’s time for the fun part: choosing a suitable haircut! While there are no hard and fast rules, there are some general guidelines that you can follow for a flattering cut.

Hair for heart or square shaped faces

The ideal cut for heart or square shaped faces is all about proportionality. The goal is to minimize the broadness of the forehead and not to overemphasize the distinct shape of the narrow chin or square jawline. Avoid cut like bobs that hit right at the level of the chin. Opt for soft layers and styling features that show off your cheekbones. Bangs or short layers in the front that highlight the eyes may be just the ticket!

Hair for oval faces

Oval-faced ladies, you’re in luck. You can try just about any style your heart desires. I suggest going for a long, tousled look, or, if you’re the more daring type, try a bob or short cut. Unless your hair brings some interesting texture or wave to the mix, avoid medium length cuts as they tend to be less interesting when framing an oval face.

Hair for round faces

The goal for those with round faces is typically to add the illusion of a little bit of length. This can be achieved through longer styles and adding texture and depth with layers. Long, loose curls also tend to work well with this face shape.

How to Choose the Perfect Hairstyle - Great tips on determining your face shape as well as choosing the perfect hairstyle to complement it!
 
Ways to Pick A Winner

We all want the perfect cut and style to make us feel beautiful. Sometimes the best way to do this is actually to throw out the rules! There are two things that you should keep in mind to ensure you end up with a style that you love.

How much styling do you want to do? 

Only you can know what your hair is like on a day-to-day basis. Is it naturally straight, wavy, curly? Are the strands fine or thick? Does it get frizzy or act up with changes in the weather? Generally speaking, shorter cuts take a bit more effort to style, particularly for ladies with fine strands. But if your hair naturally has some wavy body to it, a shorter style may be easier for you to pull off with less effort.

Take some time to think through how a certain haircut will look on you with your hair. And be honest with yourself about how much work you want to put into your hair every morning. If you have a cut that you love when you leave the salon, but you don’t want to take the time to style it that same way every day, you won’t be happy with it for long.

What do you want to highlight about your face?

The face shape guidelines are really about minimizing any perceived flaws that come with a particular face shape. I suggest that instead of focusing on minimizing things that you don’t like, that you focus on drawing attention to what you do like. Love your eyes, your skin tone, or your pointed chin that you’re supposed to ‘minimize’? Ask your stylist for ideas on how your favorite attribute can be highlighted! This will bring a whole host of tools into play from cut to color, and you’ll be much more likely to walk away with a style you can’t take your eyes off of.

So are you ready to try a new hairstyle?

Sara Ferguson is a wedding fashion specialist that loves to bring the best fashion for her clients when it comes to weddings
Sara Ferguson is a wedding fashion specialist that loves to bring the best fashion for her clients when it comes to weddings. She works for Froxoffalkirk.com and is dedicated to making her clients feel beautiful when attending a wedding. In her spare time, she loves to involve herself with charity events in the local area and give back where she can. 
 
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Kim
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Product Review: Living Proof Perfect hair Day® Dry Shampoo

Product Review: Living Proof Perfect hair Day® Dry Shampoo


You guys know I love a good dry shampoo, and I always have one on hand. I've reviewed a few lately, and they've ranged from one I really liked (Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo) to one that was less than stellar (Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo).

Living Proof PhD Dry Shampoo

(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

Today, I'm going to review my current favorite dry shampoo - Living Proof Perfect hair Day® (PhD) Dry Shampoo.

If you haven't read my other dry shampoo reviews, then you don't know that I'm pretty picky. I expect my dry shampoo to perform a certain way - and if it doesn't, then that product isn't sticking around long. For each of my dry shampoo reviews, I tell you whether or not that product met each of my five expectations.

I expect my dry shampoo:
  • to have a light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly
  • to not leave a white/light-colored residue on hair
  • to not leave my hair feeling stiff or "dirty"
  • to not leave hair looking dull
  • to leave my hair easy to style

Small travel-size bottle of Living Proof Dry Shampoo sitting in a box with shredded paper

I've never been shy about stating my love for Living Proof hair products and their dry shampoo is no exception. There's just something about this product that works so well with my hair. I can use it for 2-3 days (and yes, on occasion, 4 days) and still not have any build-up. Big fan here!

Living Proof says that their dry shampoo is powered by their patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA) and Triple-Cleaning Technology that will absorb and remove oil, sweat, and odor, as well as make your hair look, feel, and smell clean. It works on all hair colors because it leaves virtually no visible residue or build-up. It also has a time-released fragrance that delivers a light, clean scent throughout the day.

Directions: Shake well. Hold can 6-10 inches away from dry hair, then apply section by section in a sweeping motion to dirty or oily areas. Wait 30 seconds, then massage hair with fingers or brush hair. Apply more if needed. If you see a little white residue just wait 30 seconds and brush gently to remove.

Light, pleasant scent that dissipates fairly quickly? I'm fairly sensitive to fragrances, so I really prefer unscented products - although I can see that sometimes you might want a slight fragrance to "freshen" your hair. The Living Proof dry shampoo doesn't smell like their regular shampoos or conditioners. I don't hate the scent, but I don't love it either. It does, however, dissipate fairly quickly, and I don't notice it lingering, so I'm okay with it. Check! (Note: Gus likes the scent.)

Doesn't leave a white/light-colored residue on hair? I've never noticed any residue at all from this product, which is one of the reasons I love it so much. Check!

Doesn't leave my hair feeling stiff or "dirty"? After using this dry shampoo, my hair always feels soft and clean. It's pretty impressive how much it can make my hair feel like "clean" hair! Check!

Doesn't leave my hair looking dull? My hair doesn't just feel soft and clean, it actually looks clean! There's none of that dullness that some dry shampoos leave on your hair. Check!

Leaves my hair easy to style? After using the Living Proof dry shampoo, I never have any problems styling my hair. It doesn't feel like there is any residue on my hair - just clean hair that is easy to style. Check!

Bottle of Living Proof Dry Shampoo lying on a wooden table with the words "love it"

As you can see, this product does everything I ask it to do! If I had to choose a down side to it, I would say it's the price. I can go through a can of dry shampoo fairly quickly, so paying $20+ for it - even when I love it - hurts a little. I just keep my eyes open for good deals!

I do recommend this product. Not only does it do what it claims it will do, it also does everything I want my dry shampoo to do!

Do you have a favorite dry shampoo? Tell me in the comments or send me a snap


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Kim
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