Posted by TeenaC | 0 Comments

The Brazilian Blowout

As a busy mother of two boys, I have been looking for some easier options for my hair. I have had thick semi frizzy hair all of my life, look at my 80′s high school pics for reference..lol….My typical hair routine is lots of hair product after the shower, anti frizz gel, leave-in conditioner, blowdry, styling spray, ceramic flat iron, shine spray, then a light hairspray. All for a nice smooth sleek look,ugh, exhausting! No wonder I only wash my hair every 2-3 days!

Well hopefully that long process is over and I am here to share with you my new experience with The Brazilian Blowout! After googling the top hair salons, I kept seeing on their service menu “The Brazilian Blowout” . I googled it and found that they actually have a website and it is the newest healthy hair process in Hollywood. The 90 minute process gives you healthy, shiny, straight hair without the frizz, and without having to flat iron. I was excited at that very moment that I finally found a product to eliminate my time consuming hair time.

On the Brazilian Blowout website you can put in your zip code and they will refer you to salons that have trained Brazilian Blowout stylists. This day had been long time coming for me so I immediately called the nearest salon and made an appointment for the next morning. I arrived at the Carlton Hair Salon in the Topanga Plaza. When I made my appointment I asked for their top stylist that is trained in the Brazilian Blowout, she said her manager was fabulous. Well I don’t mess around when it comes to my hair I need skills or you can not come close to my hair. I met with the manager Carmina. She was really great she discussed the whole process with me so I knew what to expect. So as she began the process her salon offered me a mimosa and I took them up on the drink, I was a little nervous.

The 90 minute process is washing the hair with the Brazilian Blowout product, drying the hair and sectioning. Then applying an all natural solution to each section of the hair. After another wash, blowdry, flat iron, I can really see the shine and smoothness of my hair. After the flat iron process we washed again. Then the miracle came, no frizz and she blow-dried my hair with her fingers and a paddle brush for my bangs and wahhlahhhh!!! I love it!

The expense was half the price of the Japanese press. Carmina said it should last up to 12 weeks but everyone’s hair is different so we shall see how long mine lasts. I did purchase the shampoo, conditioner masque, and hair serum, which is an extra expense on the pocket book but I think worth it if it helps prolong the process. For all my Valley readers definitely check out Carlton Hair and ask for Carmina. This process requires someone knowledgeable and who knows what their doing. The salon’s hospitality was great! I am in day two and I woke up looking like I just walked out of the salon. I will keep you posted on the weeks ahead, so far I love it!! What do you think? Check out the pic!

p.s. A special thank you to my girly Sylvia for allowing me to be contributing writer on her website. I am truly honored!

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Posted by SylG | 1 Comment

Blaq Vixen Beauty is Giving it Up!! Clairol, that is!

VISIT BLAQVIXENBEAUTY AND ENTER HERE!

“Around this time last summer, traces of my highlights were still visible, even though my hair was reasonably damaged. However, thanks to my on-again, off-again hair regimen, my strands are noticeably healthier, minus the color. So when I heard about Clairol Professional Advanced Gray Solution with its patented SynAIRgy� technology, I almost managed to restrain myself from contemplating a new color for Summer…almost being the keyword! It’s specifically for women of color!”
Taken from BlaqVixenBeauty.com – click here to enter/read/subscribe

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Hair Towels are the Real Deal!

I have seen these in stores all over the place for years, and always thought that it was just one of those things that you really didn’t need, because in my head, I would always say ‘oh, well I have a bunch of towels at home’ BUT let me share 1 thing with you: I spent the $25 on a whim on a set of 2 hair towels, and I am constantly going back for more. Seriously, these little miracle blankets wrap around your head perfectly, and take all the moisture out of your hair for a way faster blow dry!!

Again, one of the best mini-buys I have done, and the results prove to be fabulous over and over! Want specific deets?

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Michael Ruth Salon in Sherman Oaks

Ok, so I am super-duper loving my hair that Rocio did at the Michael Ruth salon. I wasn’t shocked at the ridiculously high price this time, but only because I was prepared for it. And it WAS ridiculously overpriced. WAY overpriced. But I look and feel fabulous. I’ve got to figure out a way to keep going, maybe I might have to only go a couple times a year, and find someone more affordable for my in-between maintenance appointments. I’m keeping an open ear for referrals in the valley.

I also decided to get my eyebrows cleaned up while I was there, and it was reasonably priced at $20, but I don’t recommend that you spend them money. I have fierce brows, but the brow chic wasn’t really able to pull of anything more than mediocre. I’m waiting for them to grow out so that I can reshape them myself back to their default status of fierce.

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Beauty Boot Camp 2009

Early springtime, and that means its Beauty Boot Camp phase 1 season for me! Here is my list of accomplishments thusfar. Remember, phase 1 is moreso preparation than result driven!

- Started using sensodyn to prepare my sensitive teeth for whitening. The full whitening will take place in phase 3. Before the whitening, and after the month of sensodyne is a trip to the dentist to get a full on cleaning.

- Got my hair colored and lightened. It won’t really be the color I want until june-ish, but by then the weather will be warm enough to offset the lighter color with some sun.

- Got some Patricia Wexler at home microdermabrasion, again DIY style.

- Got some Surgicream hair removal for my ‘stache, again DIY style.

- Started using my Jergin’s gradual tanning daily moisturizer. I don’t want to suddenly be ‘orange’ with a full on spray tan, so first phase consists of a gradual color application, like the Jergins, which allows minimal streaking and just a touch of color to kind of transition into full spray tan mode. Plus it’s cheap, and I can DIY it.

- Increased my cardio per week. Time to work on burning off the cold weather comfort food weight gain. And I’ve gained around 15 lbs since last summer. Can you believe it? Believe it.

- Make last minute appointments to get my spider veins zapped with Sclerotherapy. Since these are small veins, they will heal in about 4 weeks, so good maintenance and will not be bruised by warm weather months.

- Started swapping out my winter cozy scents around the house with fresh and revitalizing springtime scents, more in the fruity zones rather than the spice realms.

and there you go, phase 1 almost is coming to wraps, and preparing for phase 2.

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Heads Up – Nourish Shampoo @ Trader Joes is Ok.

If you are looking for a recession-friendly shampoo (especially after reading my previous post about $50 hair products by Ojon lol) head over to Trader Joe’s and try out the Nourish line. It contains only organic products, doesn’t test on animals, and will only cost you $3 bucks.

Now keep in mind that all I said is that it is organic and will only cost you $3 bucks, I’m not claiming that it will make your hair fabulous…because it won’t. BUT if you are in the hole and need a budget friendly, soul-relieving cheapie, Trader Joes can provide it for you. It’s better than buying a potentially harmful shampoo for $3 at the drugstore that might test on animals. I’m just saying…

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Ojon Restorative Hair Goop

For the record, I did end up buying the Ojon Hair hype. I got the 5 piece ritual kit, and I am glad that I did. I do really like the conditioner and the leave in spray treatment, but I’m still not sold on the goop. It might be that it is just too greasy for my hair type. Of course, since there is no way to store the cool looking tribal pick thing, I have already lost it so I have to use my fingers to jab into the salve. No biggie.

When you rub it together it forms a thick oil based sort of paste, and then you massage it into your hair/scalp and leave it in overnight if you can handle it. It smells like hair grease – the pink lady hair grease that doesn’t cost $55 bucks.

However, the packaging says that you can also use the Ojon hair goop on your body and cuticles for extra moisturising…I don’t think that pink lady can do that, but hey, for $55 something extra needs to be added on, don’t you think??

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Michael Ruth Salon in Sherman Oaks

I went to see a woman named Rocio at the Michael Ruth salon when I first moved to the valley on a referral. Coming from a small town, I had no idea of what the prices were or how tremendously different they were, so I booked my appointment, went in with a photo from a magazine which was 4 shades lighter and tons shorter than my existing hair, and was amazed at what Rocio was able to do. It was like her scissors were magic. We didn’t talk much, she just went to work and I patiently sat. When it was all done and over, I felt amazing and went to pay my bill and could not believe how much it was!!!! It was over $300 for a cut, blowdry & style and color correction with a full highlight. Of course, I didn’t know, because something like that in good ol Oxnard might have set me back $100.

anyway, I was super embarrassed because I barely had enough money to pay the bill, and didn’t have any left for the tip, plus I was panicking because I was also digging into my grocery money. That was my first LA experience where I chose my fabulous hair over my food, and didn’t realize it wouldn’t be the first time haha!

Anyway, I’ve always felt like a million bucks when I can afford to go to Rocio – I just booked another appointment today, but did talk it over with her assistant as to exactly how much everything was going to be so that there would be no recession-unfriendly transactions potentially ruining my fabulous moment.

anyway, Rocio is fabulous, expensive, but totally worth it. Just be prepared!

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Hey, remember I bumped it??

Yay! After almost a month of waiting for my online order for my bumpits to come, they finally did! And I’ve got to say that I’m super digging them! It was nice to see that the packaging was really nice, and the volume combs are indeed super easy to put in, they work and they stay in place!

I got 2 baby bang bumpit combs, 2 medium size bumpits, and the extra large ‘special event’ bumpit (which I haven’t worn yet). The thing I love about them, is that they are sooooo easy to put in, and I haven’t had to tease my hair since! I even wear them to the gym after a long day at work, with no slippage or anything. With shipping and tax and what not, the package came out to around $37 bucks, but I’ve had SO many good hair days without incident, that I’m thinking it’s been worth it time and time again. Yay two thumbs up!!

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Posted by SylG | 1 Comment

Moroccan Hair Oil

If you don’t know about Moroccan Hair Oil, PLEASE let me be the one to tell you! IT IS THE BOMB!!! Holy Grail Bomb!

Seriously – if you do alot of styling stress to your hair, you are going to want to incorporate this miracle serum into your locks. It totally takes away that dry “old lady hair” look…do you know that crispy-coarse hair texture that women start to get around 35? Yea…well this will get rid of it. Booyah!

You can thank me later. xoxo

Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for All Hair Types

Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream for All Hair Types

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