What’s Wrong with the Drugstore?

I love the drugstore and it’s aisles of haircare products. I love to go there and open the bottles and sqeeze them just enough to sample the scent of coconut…the aroma of rose hips. I have used a plethora of shampoos and conditioners on my hair, always choosing the mousturizing formulas, never buying the salon brands. Of course, I enjoy the shampoo at the salon and the fresh smell of the conditioners, but it’s just too expensive for me.

While sitting in the salon chair, getting my hair chopped off, the subject of salon brand hair products came up between the stylists.

Young One- No one will buy our products, not with the economy.

Old One-Yeah, they go to Wal Mart and buy them. But, they don’t know that they’re (the product) crap!

Young One-I know! They “fell off the truck” and sometimes they just bottle anything and then the customer thinks it’s the real thing!

They continued to talk about how all of the Pantene commercials are lies, and that Pantene does nothing for your hair. Personally, I use Herbal Essences.

Well, I was quite silent, because I am a user of this “crap.”

So, is this true? Do the general stores really rip us off with fake salon products? Are salon products that different than regular brands?

To answer the first question, I did some research, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t know what the answer is. Most who have this problem on their minds talk about Paul Mitchell brand.

There was a heated argument that made me giggle like a kindergartner on The Beauty Brains article Are salon products in regular stores the same as those in salons–According to the Beauty Brains, Paul Mitchell likes the drugstore because it boosts his sales. He just pretends nothing is going on. But if you look at the flyer on top of this post, there is a different story. Salons furiously defend their products and condemn the “salon” brands at Wal-Mart and supermarkets saying they dilute the product with water and harmful chemicals. The Beauty Brains says this just isn’t true.  Who do you believe?

Of course, it would be nicer if everyone purchased their hair products at salons to keep small businesses afloat, but it’s cheaper to buy them at general stores.

Now, for the second question…I compared conditioning treatments because if any brand was to perform, I think it would be with the deep contitioners. I was going to compare Paul Mitchell with Pantene Pro-V Deep Moisturizing Treatment but when I saw Pantene’s ingredients, I was very disappointed. It may make your hair soft, if it is fine and oily, because it didn’t have enough moisturizer for dry hair. In my opinion.

Garnier Fructis: Fortifying Deep Conditioner-3 minute masque

Ingredients: Saccharum Officiarum (Sugar Cane) Extract–hydrates

 Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride– Antimicrobial

 Cetrimonium Chloride-smoothing, anti-static

Cetearyl Alcohol-smoothing, anti-static

Bentrimonium Chloride-anti-static, antimicrobial

PEG-180– Humectant

Amodimethicone-Selective conditioning

Cetyl Esters-Thickener

Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract-Hair growth

Methylparaben-Antifungal (preservative)

Hydroxyethylcellulose-Thickening agent

Niacinamide-good for acne (?)

Pyridoxine HCl-Moisturizer

Citric Acid-cleanser (can strip hair of moisture)

Trideceth-12-prevents build-up

Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract-Astringent

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract F.I.L. D2669/1-Nutrients

Paul Mitchell-Super-Charged Moisturizer

Ingredients: Cetyl Alcohol-Lubricant used for consistency

Stearyl Alcohol-Smoother, thickener

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein-Adds shine, detangles

Stearalkonium Chloride-Anti-static

Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone-Conditioner

Hedychium Coronarium (White Ginger)– aka awapuhi, moisturizer

PEG-12 Dimethicone-smoothing

Panthenol-moisturizer

Tocopheryl Acetate-aka Vitamin E Acetate, uv protection, moisturizer

 Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG Propyl Dimethicone-conditioner

Algae-Lots of Protein

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf -moisuturizer

Anthemis Nobilis-aka Chamomile, adds luster and smells pretty

Lawsonia Inermis (Henna)-enhances color, conditioner

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)-Conditioner

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary)-Enhances color, conditioner

PEG-12 Dimethicone-smoothing

Lecithin– Paul Mitchell is cruelty free so I guess this is plant derived?-hair growth, smoothing

Glycerin-absorbs moisture

Wheatgermamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate-haven’t a clue

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride-smoothing

Cetearyl Alcohol-smoothing, anti-static

Ceteareth-20-emulsifier

Citric Acid-cleanser (can strip hair of moisture)

DMDM Hydantoin-preservative

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbarnate-preservative

Right off the bat, I could see that there are a lot more ingredients in the Paul Mitchell brand. That doesn’t make it better! There are a lot of “cones” in the Paul Mitchell brand. Cones are notorious for causing build-up, but these cones have “PEG” in them, which fixes that problem.

Paul Mitchell wins in my book.

I will use both of these products in the future and see how my hair turns out!

I am glad I did this just for myself. I think that I should do this for everything I consume. Why not? We should all care about what we put in/on our bodies. I’ll have to wait and see if I do it. The research will keep me busy!

Hairdos Throughout the Ages~~Europe

http://www.docdiamond.com/articles/the-diamond-museum-in-antwerp.php

 

Diamond hair clips and tiara (1899)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hairstyles have gone through fantastic changes throughout the years! From high fashion to reserved, history repeats itself!

17th Century~~~~~~~>

 

Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

HUGE hair was in this century~~

 A high forehead was a sign of beauty and prestige. So women shaved the front of their heads to push back their hairline!

 That’s a lot of hair jewelry…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Some men and women used horsehair to make their hair bigger and molded their hairstyles over birdcages and springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17th Century–pretty curls frame this unknown lady’s face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.artofmourning.com/accessories.html

Stick pin common in the 17th century. Hair decoration inside is probably a memorial to a loved one.

Change Your Hair…

Without Going to the Salon!

Hairdo by Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves.

Now you can have your bangs, and never have to grow them out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Available in 9 colors, these bangs are available on Amazon.com, VogueWigs.com, and salons. Check the website for where you can purchase them.  They are very easy to put in and take out and look very natural. I know what a pain it is to grow bangs out! They are more affordable than other extensions (around $30) and I think they are the most natural look.

Kitchen Time–Avocado Mask…

Make masks with stuff from your kitchen cupboards and fridge!! You don’t need to buy stuff in a jar to make your skin beautiful and soft.

What to buy at the grocery store~~

1. Avacado–Natural oils moisturize skin.
2. Honey–acne treatment.
3. Lemon juice–blackhead treatment.
4. Green Tea–reduce inflammation and raise metabolism, skin toner.
5. Black Tea (like Lipton or Tetley original)–reduce inflammation, skin toner, hair rinse.
6. Olive Oil–moisturizer for skin and hair.
7. Sugar–skin scrub.
8. Sea Salt–skin scrub, toner.
9. Milk–skin nutrition, exfoliant.
10. Cucumber–reduce inflammation.
11. Oatmeal–soothing exfoliant, cleanser, skin nutrition.

Avacado Mask~~~Avocados are ripe when the fruit is soft. The skin should give a little when sqeezed gently. Stick a knife into the avocado and use a sawing motion all the way around the pit. When the entire avocado is cut in half, pull it apart. It should look like this:

The pit can be removed with a number of methods. I scoop it out with a spoon. Slice the fruit with a knife horizontally, then vertically, so that the fruit is cut into little cubes:

http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com

Then scoop the cubes out with a spoon. I like to eat the avocado in a salad and leave a little fruit left in the skin for a mask. If you don’t like to eat avocado, you can use a little and store the rest in a storage container (with the pit) in the fridge. It should keep for 2 days. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice to keep it from turning brown.

Mash a quarter of the avocado with a teaspoon of honey and spread over your face and neck. Cut a couple of slices of cucumber and put them over your eyes. The cucumbers will help with under-eye bags and dark circles. Lay back with some relaxing music and let the avocado and honey moisturize and tone your skin!! Leave on for 10 or 15 minutes and rinse!

Stay tuned for more Kitchen Time Posts!!

Beautiful, long, shiny, silky, curly, fragrant, soft, bouncy hair!

 

Got your attention? I don’t have this hair…naturally. My hair is coarse and dry, and my curls are unruly. But, when it is properly conditioned and styled, my hair can look beautiful! And so can yours!!

I am half Puerto Rican, a quarter Irish, and a quarter Italian. My hair is thick, curly, and frizzy. I’m not really sure if my ethnic group influenced the type of hair I have, in particular, but I associate being Puerto Rican and Italian with heavy, curly hair.

Curly hair breaks easily, so be gentle with it! When washing it, make sure the water isn’t too hot because it can dry your hair out. I wash my hair, first thing, in the shower. I like Sunsilk and Herbal Essences Shampoo and conditioner because it works and is affordable. I like Herbal Essences conditioner better! First, I shampoo and try to concentrate only on my scalp. The least amount of shampoo on the ends of your hair is best. After I rinse, I put enough conditioner in the palm of my hand to saturate my hair. I rub it in from the base of my neck down. I don’t waste the conditioner on my scalp because it really doesn’t need the moisture.

When I rinse the conditioner I try to leave just a little bit in because that seems to keep it a little softer.

 

 

I use a moisturizing styling creme like Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness smoothing leave in creme.

I brush it through my hair and wait until my hair dries a little. Then I use some Aussie gel for curly hair. I work it through and scrunch. After it air dries the curls look perfect!

 

Lately, my hair has become too long and heavy to manage! I need a change!!

I went on eyeslipsface.com-a great website for cheap makeup (but that’s for another post!). If you create an account (just your email address is needed) you can give yourself a virtual makeover complete with hairstyle, color, and makeup!

Go on eyeslipsface.com and click on Virtual Makeover!!!

Tyra’s Going Back to her Roots!

Tyra's "America's Next Top Model" Cycle 6

Tya’s going au naturel! Tyra has modeled hundreds of different hairdos throughout the years. Her weaves sported all the colors of the rainbow and have been teased to amazing heights! But on September 8, 2009, she will be hosting the Tyra Banks Show weave-free!

My fave Tyra dos:

I think she looked good “bald.” I wonder what her hair will look like? Will she shave it? Or has she let her hair grow? Either way I think she will look great!