Review: L.A. Looks Power Spikes Gel

Most curlies will tell you that our hair changes as the seasons change. During the summer my hair has volume, it’s bouncy, it’s generally manageable and easy to style. During the winter, it’s another story all around. The loss of moisture in the air seriously affects my hair, and I have to tweak my routine to get the curls I want. Lately, I’ve noticed that my hair seems to have developed an aversion to glycerin, in my stylers anyway. Glycerin seems to turn my hair into a rat’s nest. It’s loses definition, it gets crazy frizzy, and looks a hot mess. So…….it was time to hunt for a new glycerin-free gel. Enter L.A. Looks Power Spikes Gel.

L.A. Looks Power Spikes Gel is a seriously hard-hold gel. It’s a 12 hold, on a scale of 1-12. L.A. Looks didn’t even have a 12 point scale until they came out with this gel, it only went to 10. In my opinion, Power Spikes is a fantastic alternative to Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee. It’s got just as much hold, and you get more than 3x the product for a fraction of the cost. I paid around $2 for a 20 oz container of Power Spikes at Wal-Mart, and in comparison I paid around $13 for a 6 oz container of Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee at CVS.

So how do I use L.A. Looks Power Spikes Gel? So far, I’ve only really used it in the winter, when my hair need more moisture. I typically use Boots Curl Crème, aka Pink Boots, right after my leave-in. Then I take a dime size amount of Power Spikes and start scrunching it in. Usually I do this 3 times, so I end up using probably slightly more than a quarter size amount of gel. Some days maybe a little more or a little less, depending on the weather and how my hair is behaving. Then I continue with the rest of my usual routine.

Power Spikes is one of the only drugstore gels that I've found that can give me the hold I need. The only drawback I've noticed is that it sort of smells like a man. Like men's bodywash or something. However, I don't mind, because the smell dissipates as soon as my hair dries. All in all, Power Spikes is a keeper.

Have you tried it?

Review: Kinky-Curly Knot Today

What curly doesn't love a good, slippery conditioner? What's even better than that? A conditioner that does double-time, working as a detangler and a leave-in. Kinky-Curly Knot Today is just that conditioner. I can't believe I didn't tell you ladies about it months ago, because it's been in my rotation since last September. I used it on and off all winter long, but now that warmer weather is hitting full force, I've been using it daily. Of course I pair it with my staple styler, Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. The two work in unison delivering moisture, definition, bounce, and shine.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today is a conditioner that has the most amazing amount of slip, and for my hair, a little goes a long way. When I use it as a rinse-out I only need about a silver-dollar size amount, and when I use it as a leave-in, I only need a pea-size amount. In the bottle it looks sort of white, but it's virtually see-through once it's in your hands. Much like the Curling Custard, I've heard the smell described a multitude of ways, and I have no idea what it's scented with, but it smells good.

This is one of those rare products that stands on it's own two feet, but really shines when paired. Paired of course with KCCC. If you have kinky hair, or just have a lot of hair, and your ultimate goals are curl elongation and you need products that will add some weight and therefore decrease volume, then using the Knot Today, and shingling the Curling Custard over it, are your best bet. On the other hand, if your like me and your goals are tight, voluminous curls with definition, then raking the Knot Today through, and scrunching the Curling Custard in are the way to go.

I cannot say enough about Kinky-Curly hair products, and the Knot Today is no exception. I love that the entire line is organic, and makes caring for your hair so simple. I can honestly just use the Knot Today with the Curling Custard, and have the most amazing hair. I don't know why I even bother continuing to try new things. If you haven't checked out the Kinky-Curly line, you definitely should. I have yet to find anything else that delivers that same gorgeous results on a consistent basis.

 

Review: Volumax Styling Glaze

 

Oh the joy of cheap products that actually work. Volumax Styling Glaze fits into this category beautifully. It's around $9 for a liter, which will last a ridiculously long time. It's also widely available at Sally's, if you don't have one nearby you can always order from their website. I picked this up a few weeks ago, after remembering that I'd used the Volumax line in high school. From what I could remember I liked the line, and it smells yummy. Well, thankfully my memory served me well.

The Volumax Styling Glaze has the consistency of a really thin shampoo, so be warned when pouring it out of the bottle, it comes out fast. It's so easy to distribute, and it really doesn't take a lot to get good results. If you have thin hair, or hair that gets weighed down easily, this may be a great option for you. If you accidentally use to much, it's no biggie, it's a truly forgiving product.

When I use it,I apply it the same way I would with a hair gel. I apply some of my rinse-out conditioner as a leave-in, then apply the Styling Glaze. I haven't really needed to use it in conjunction with any other products, as it has enough hold for me on it's own. It seems to play well with any other products though, so no need to worry about mixing and matching. After diffusing, I'm left with shiny, bouncy curls that are defined and virtually frizz-free.

The Volumax Styling Glaze contains sunscreen to help protect your color and hair from the sun. It also says it's a great heat protectant. I should mention it contains a PEG-modified cone, so if you're totally against cones then steer clear. I occassionally low-poo and even shampoo, to remove any potential build-up, and give my hair more body.

 If you have thick or coarse hair, this probably won't be a good option for you, as it's really thin and I just don't think it's suited to those hair types. Additionally if you have super frizzy hair, or really dry hair, this isn't a moisturizing styler. However, if you have hair similar to mine, or just love body, than the Volumax Styling Glaze may be a great option!

Review: Eufora Hair Care Products

Hello girls, I'm so excited to tell you all about Eufora International. I was given the opportunity to try out some products from the line, and Wow! The products work great, they left my hair shiny, soft, defined, and gorgeous! And don't even get me started on the smell, everything smells like candy, sort of, very sweet and soft. I love it!!

Eufora Inl. is the only salon professional product line that bases all of their products in certified organic Aloe Vera Gel. None of their products have water as a base, only Aloe Vera, which is super moisturizing. And their conditioners are 80% aloe vera. They also do not use any carcinogenic ingredients in their products.

The easiest way for me to review everything for you dolls, is to do a run down of the Eufora products that I was sent, and what I thought of each, so here we go:

• Urgent Repair Replenishing Treatment: This is a great protein treatment, so the longer you leave it on, the better the results. I sat down for quite a while today with this sitting on my hair. After I got cleaned up my hair was so soft and bouncy. A little protein can go a long way for anyone with hair like mine: damaged, color-treated, and dry. This particular product is based in 85% Aloe Vera, it has soy, wheat, and human hair keratin proteins. It works by helping to rebuild your hairs own proteins, making it stronger and shinier. I really like this, it made my scalp tingle, and smelled great!

• Pure Polish Finishing Drops: This is an awesome shine serum, it left my hair soft, bouncy and smelling like a candy store. Yum! And it's great at frizz control, so it could be used on wet hair, whether I'm wearing it curly or straight! It contains Kukui Nut Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, and Vitamin E. This is just one more reason why I'm loving the Eufora products so much, they all contain ingredients that are actually good for your hair. Instead of simply hiding your hair problems, the line is designed to help give your hair back it's strength.

• Piece Works Defining Paste:  I absolutely love styling products, they're sort of my weakness, as I'm always looking for the bigger better deal. I really liked this stuff. It comes in a pump dispenser, and it looks like thick glue, but when you emulsify it and start applying it to your hair it isn't stiff or sticky at all. It's pliable, and worked great at defining my layers when I blowdry, or giving my curls more definition. It contains all sorts of great botanicals, panthenol, keratin, pure essential oils, and of course Aloe Vera.

• Curl'n Defining Solution: This has the consistency of a light mousse, but it comes in a pump bottle. It left my hair defined, and really didn't feel like I had any product in it. It is super lightweight, smells delectable, and works great at fighting frizz, and defining my curls. It's of course based in Aloe Vera, it contains Lychee Berry, amino acids, panthenol, and silica. For being a styling product it felt really moisturizing.

• Spray Revitalizer: Products like this, that are designed to allow curlies to get 2nd day hair, are always a staple. Even if you always rewash and redo your hair completely everyday, sprays like this are handy, sometimes curly hair can fall flat midday, and this is a great pick-me-up. This won't leave your hair feeling like there's anything on it. It's formulated with Lychee Berry, which is great at fighting off free radicals, Amino Acids, Panthenol and Silica. And of course it's based in Aloe Vera Gel!

• Elevate Finishing Spray: This is the only hair spray that I know of, on the market with an EPA rating of 0.00% environmental impact. It works great, it's flexible even after drying so you can style, and restyle again and again, until you get the look you want. Like all of their products this hairspray is based in Aloe Vera! It also has wheat protein, and panthenol, to help build hair strength.

I really like the Eufora line, I think it's great that their products actually help your hair, instead of simply masking the problems. All of the products incorporate essential oils, which smell like heaven in a bottle. If you're on the look out for a new hair care line, that's planet-friendly, good for your hair, and makes good hair days a regular thing then check out Eufora.

Review: Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Cream

Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Cream smells good, has a nice thick yet not goopy consistency, whether or not it's doing much for my curls I'm not sure. I initially bought Luscious Curls Cream to use in place of gel, but it didn't seem to give me the results I was looking for, my hair was kind of puffy, not the defined curls I'd like. I have however used it with gel and other products in more of a Curly Girl concoction, and it seemed to work just fine. Although, it could have been the gel doing the work, I'm not sure. Luscious Curls Cream definitely leaves my hair soft, not crunchy or sticky at all, yet as for frizz and hold, I'm still torn. This is nowhere near a holy grail product, I'm not even sure I'd repurchase. However, I'll continue to use the tube I bought until it runs out. If you want more information, you can find it here.

Review: Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream

Ladies, Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream is amazing. This is the best hair product I have ever used in my life. This glossing cream is my Holy Grail of hair products. This cream delivers on all its promises; my hair is shiny, soft, and super manageable. I am constantly on the search for hair products that will make my naturally curly, dry hair, shiny and frizz free. I straighten my hair, wear it curly, curl it with a curling iron, and everything else you can do to your hair, so unfortunately my hair takes a lot of damage. With Frederic Fekkai's Glossing Cream my hair not only looks healthy, but it feels healthy and soft. With a lot of glossing creams your hair is left looking greasy instead of shiny, with this cream greasy hair is a thing of the past. The best thing about this high-end hair product is that it's $27.50 for 7 oz. and if you follow directions you should only need a pea-sized amount, so a tube of Fekkai's Glossing Cream should last for months and months. When you look at the numbers that's cheaper than a lot of drug-store products. Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream works wonders and smells good-to-boot. Pick some up for yourself at Fekkai or Sephora.

Review: Wen Hair Care by Chaz Dean

Okay, okay, I was sucked into the infomercial hype for Wen Hair Products by Chaz Dean. I have very dry, very curly hair that I color about once a week, as you can imagine this has led to some bad hair days. However, after watching the infomercial for Wen Hair Products I talked my husband into buying it for me, for my birthday last year. I waited patiently for a couple of weeks for the products to arrive and I immediately showered and used only the Wen system and WOW. My hair hasn't looked this good since..........ever.Not only does Wen by Chaz Dean make my hair soft, shiny, and manageable, but I don't need to use any of the products that I was using before. Granted this stuff ain't cheap $29.95 a month, but, for ladies with hair like mine, it's worth every penny. I will say that I don't follow the package directions because I would be out the cleansing conditioner within a week. I still shampoo my hair, with regular shampoo about once a week, and I use Wen as directed about once a week. The rest of the time I just use the Cleansing Conditioner as a leave-in. Even without using it like it says, my hair looks amazing, and I'm not exaggerating.

Although I do love the product, it is a bit pricey. I've done some Internet research on using conditioner to cleanse or "wash" you hair, and I found out that a bottle of good ol' Suave conditioner will work just as well, if not better than Wen at actually cleansing your hair without shampoo.

I know a lot of people are wondering what's in Wen, so here's the ingredient list in the Sweet Almond Mint cleansing conditioner:Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Wheat, Protein, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polysorbate 60, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Amodimethicone, Citric Acid, Menthol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum, Limonene.

Wen by Chaz Dean