Nexxus, Kerastase and Shu Uemura: Winter Hair Options to Protect, Reconstruct or Thicken

Toronto taught me that dry hair is a real affliction. Until I lived there, I never gave my hair a second thought. The wonderful temperate climate of Vancouver keep my hair tamed and generally "regular". The near-Siberian temperatures of Toronto had me battling static fly-aways and brittle strands. I never knew I had to care for my hair until I lived a winter in TO and tried this and this to solve my problems. So if you are in that situation, consider these three options to protect, reconstruct or thicken your hair in crisis.

Question: Do you use the same amount of conditioner as shampoo?

A bottle of conditioner and a bottle of shampoo tend to be around the same volume. They also tend to be about the same price. But I never, never use them at the same rate! Does anyone?

Garnier Whole Blend Green Apple and Green Tea

The Garnier Whole Blend Green Apple and Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner* have got to be one of these most photogenic press packages I've received. The greenness of the bottle mixed with the PR boxes graphics and booklets were so A+. Kudos to the Garnier graphics team on this one. But more importantly, aesthetics aside, this hair set has been nice for my locks too!

Rinse and Repeat, But Backwards (ft Tresemme Beauty-full Volume)

Can doing things in reverse ever be game changing? I can't think of many things were doing them back to front would make much sense but Tresemmé and their latest Beauty-Full Volume line is asking you to give it a try.  I am such a person of routine. I shower in the exact same way every day. I brush my teeth with the same hand, in the same direction every day. I put make-up on in the same order everyday. If it weren't for a few instances of decision making now and then, you can basically copy and paste my Monday-Friday and I wouldn't really notice a difference.

OK, It Works (Really Well) - Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler*

I like my hair. I like my hair short. But sometimes (just sometimes) I wish I had long flowing hair that I could style every which way or into curls (and I know that David wishes that too). I received the Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler* ($69.95 CDN at Walmart) at a press function and was instantly skeptical. I was ready to call out "gimmick!" and set it aside but the Kiss reps told me that it the curler would work for short hair too. 

Testing Out Luxury Hair Products (ft Shu Uemura Art of Hair*)

I'm not always convinced that luxury items are necessarily worth it and I'm not convinced that using oils in my hair is always a good idea. When I've used some hair products with oils, my hair is weighed down and greasy by the end of the day and adding on a luxury price...well, that seems like a risk to me. But testing out some of Shu Uemura Art of Hair products (Cleansing Oil Shampoo - Gentle Radiance Cleanser, Ample Anora Volumizing Light Foam, Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil-in Cream)* has shown me that oils can be done right and that oh man...luxury hair products can be so nice.

Drowning in your Morning Shower and Citrus Shampoos

For the longest time I have been, solidly, consistently and religiously, a 'night-showerer'. There is nothing more near-godly than taking a shower after a long day's work or a long night's outings (fewer and farther between for these old bones). No further proof of the superiority of night showering was needed after I tried, one day and only out of necessity, to take a shower in the morning. 

Hair Doppelgängers: Clear Intense Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner*

*Press Sample

Sometimes in life, we happen across the same types of people but in a different forms, maybe a new partner reminds you of a previous relationship, maybe a new friend brings to mind an old acquaintance. No two people are ever true doppelgangers but that can't quite be said of beauty products. Using the Clear's Intense Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner* ($7CDN each, 375ml)  triggered some far off memories of a shampoo long pasted.

Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner*

*Press Sample

If scent is a major driver of haircare purchases and Coconut is right up your alley then the Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner* ($7 each, 350ml) may be for you.

7 Day No Wash Challenge ft Klorane

*Press Sample

The wonderful Klorane lady (aka Celebrity hairstylist Caroline Bufalini)  told me that she hadn't washed her hair for 7 days and only used Klorane dry shampoo.  7 DAYS! Caroline's hair looked and felt clean  but I was still very skeptical. So I OBVIOUSLY HAD TO TEST HER CLAIM.... All the photos are with my 7 day hair.

Nexxus Caviar Complex Therappe and Humectress*

*Press Sample

Scent is linked to memories and I will forever link some people to the scents they wear.  Aside from nostalgia inductions though, scents aren't so important to me.  Its a plus to have a nice smelling, whatever, and the scent usually gets some initial thumbs-up/thumbs-down reaction, but generally scent isn't a real priority. But let me tell you something, Nexxus Rebalancing Therappe Shampoo and Restoring Humectress Conditioner*...smell. great.

In the Moment #27: On French Tossled Hair and Klorane

Photo Credit: Taha N. Muharuma 

We learned about the Klorane line of products at this event but what I really learned was a deep appreciation for the French. Celebrity hairstylist Caroline Bufalini took a break from her Paris Fashion Week gig to showcase the products and because of this I have finally interacted with a real French person who works in fashion and seriously, I was a little in awe after.

On Dry Shampoo*

*Press Sample

In highschool, I though dreadlocks were badass. Those twisted up, knotted, thick strands of hair told me, you were a rebel, you fought against the institution and you didn't give a damn what other people thought. Now, when I think of dreadlocks I cringe at what a tangled, oily, mess it could be and when people tell me that they don't wash their hair everyday, my eyes go like 0_o.

Lush Solid Shampoos - Copperhead and Lullaby*

*Press Sample

David and I took a vacation down the Westcoast one summer via train. The train ride was awesome and everyone should take that route if they can. In Portland, Oregon we stayed with his friends and in an effort to pack light, I had brought a near used up LUSH Seanik Solid shampoo bar. 

In the Moment #23 : Dial and Got2B

As always, being Julie's  shadow has it's perks and I was able to see the new items coming out from Dial and Got2B last week. 

L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme Shampoo and Total Repair 5 Instant Miracle

I'm pretty sure I've been through more shampoo and conditioner types than lovers at this point. I will find the one, damn it!. Have I become the Tay Swift of the hair washing world?! With every new one I reach for, I try and overcompensation for the things the previous lacked. So, while Herb left my strands dry and too squeaky clean, and Lush just wasn't cutting it, I went extreme and took up L'Oreal's Total Repair Extreme Shampoo and Total Repair 5 Instant Miracle to remind me that love washing my hair can be safe and caring again.

Lush Hair* - Blousey and H'Suan Wen Hua

*Press Samples

After Herb gave my hair a rather dry send off, Blousey* shampoo and H'suan Wen Hua* treatment from LUSH seemed like good ways to nurture my locks back to health.  I've tried LUSH's solid shampoos (mostly out of curiosity), but I had yet to dip my hands into their potted versions. Since I'm all for hair promiscuity, I'm more than willing to experiment with shampoos in any format or size.

Herbal Essences Naked 0% Shine Shampoo and Conditioner*

*Press Sample

Even while I was having my torrid love affair with Fekkai, I knew that all good things come to an end evenually. As the last adulterous hair washing approached, my roving eyes were ready to start exploring new hair possibilities with maybe some of the same perks that I've experienced before (such is the fickle hair lover that I am).

TMI: Take It OFF! (On Brazillian Waxing..)

Let's be open. We're friends right? 'Cause the straight up truth is that less is more when it comes to the pubes. Going all natural is a hairy situation but taking it all off makes my women parts look a little bare. I prefer a semblance of propriety and opt for a modest Brazilian which leaves a strip in the front. My FAVE place is Waxon Waxbar and since I've never been treated to a complimentary service there and found it myself, I'd like to think you can trust my opinion.

Fekkai Hair Care Brilliant Glossing Kit*

*Press Sample Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Kit

Here's a great idea! Buy jumbo sized shampoo you've never tried because it's on sale and everyone needs shampoo so...YAY SAVINGS! I'm on my second shampoo of woeful regret (A'kin's Rice Amino and Wheat Protein Intense Moisture Shampoo ) and triple pumping isn't using it up fast enough. If you want limp morning-after hair that doesn't feel clean when you wash it, please take it off my hands. I have half a litre of this stuff, half a litre!!