hair therapy: Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield

frizz is pesky (to say the least) and can easily put any gal in a bad mood. it's a dilemma that can occur anytime of year, but thankfully, there are products to help. the newest comes from an unexpected brand, Avon, and it works really well!



as the "big things come in small packages" saying goes, Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield comes in a small bottle (2 ounces), but the formula inside it gives fabulous results. apply the silky creme on damp hair, let hair air dry or style as usual and tresses are protected from yucky frizz. the best part: it continues to work for 3 days, so applying everyday isn't necessary!

not only did i use this on my own hair, but i also used it on my daughter's. as you can see, she has naturally gorgeous soft curls...


my daughter's hair, natural, air-dried after applying Avon's Lotus Shield (and playing most of the day).

i have to say, i am very happy with this product (it's a great compliment to my favorite No Frizz shampoo and conditioner). so much so that i ordered more so we won't be without it when it runs out.

contact your local Avon rep or visit avon.com to learn more and to order.

xo
product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Hair Therapy: BE Beverly Hills Inspired Shine & Repair Serum with Argan Oil

BE Beverly Hills recently launched their flagship product, Inspired Shine & Repair Serum, the first in a line of luxury haircare products with argan oil. since i'm always game to try a new hair product that promises to keep or improve my hair's look, i was thrilled when the company offered to send me a bottle to try.

once it arrived, i was excited to try it right away. i was happy to discover that the Inspired serum wasn't greasy at all and left my hair looking very shiny. this was thanks to the star ingredient, organic argan oil, which is high in vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids and has antioxidant effects on the hair. this includes fighting aging (yes, hair ages too), reducing frizz and keeping fly-aways at bay, all while increasing shine and vibrancy (hello, multi-tasker!). other all-natural ingredients are in this serum (including avocado and jojoba oils) to help renew, rehydrate, repair and protect hair.

i have to stress that this serum goes beyond just adding added shine to hair. it also lightly conditions and protects hair from the damaging effects of heat styling. i love that i can run this through my tresses any time of day, wet or dry, and i'm left with hair that looks and feels great. plus, the light scent of lavender is fabulous-- soothing and invigorating at the same time.

visit bebeverlyhills.com for more information.

xo
a full size product sample was sent to me for review consideration.

The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol's Daughter

is there a princess in your life (a daughter, niece, or fabulous little girl you just happen to know)? you may be interested to know that Carol's Daughter has collaborated with Disney to create The Magical Beauty Collection -- a line created based on the upcoming Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog.

The Princess And The Frog is a story about inner beauty, the power of believing and working hard at your dreams. this groundbreaking movie is also the introduction of Disney's first african-american princess, Tiana (obviously, a major milestone in franchise history).



The Magical Beauty Collection is a line for mothers and daughters (or as i said, you and any little girl you love) to share, and tells the story of Tiana's transformation along with the values she learns along the way. each product is a reflection of a specific lesson that Tiana learns during her journey, making the collection an inspirational way for girls to connect with Disney's newest princess.

here are the product details...




Shampoo ("The Beauty Within"): designed with a child's delicate hair in mind, this cleanser gently removes dirt and residue without stripping hair of natural oils. the formula leaves hair silky smooth and soft to the touch. renowned for its soothing, nourishing and calming properties, aloe leaf juice helps condition dry scalp and hair.


Conditioner ("Inner Shine"): this moisturizing conditioner provides long-lasting softness and shine, leaving hair more manageable for easy combing and styling. sunflower seed oil cleanses as olive fruit oil and aloe leaf juice condition and hydrate. protein-rich sweet almond promotes hair growth and adds luster while silk amino acids detangle for improved control and manageability.


Hair Detangler ("Dream Big"): this ‘wonder-product’ spray releases tangles while protecting hair against breakage, soothing tender scalps as it conditions. aloe leaf juice nourishes and calms as cranberry fruit extract helps maintain a healthy, itch-free scalp. lemon peel extract acts as a natural antiseptic, treating hair concerns while nourishing the scalp and adding shine.


Bubble Bath ("Sharing Means Caring"): this moisturizing bubble bath provides long-lasting bubbles that make bath time fun without irritation or drying delicate skin. the ultra rich formula cleanses and moisturizes skin with natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice.


The Magical Beauty Collection Gift Set: housed in a reusable tote, it includes shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and a rose-shaped loofah sponge.

how fun does this collection look? i was in the Disney Store over the weekend with my daughter, and while her favorite princesses are Jasmine and Ariel, she scoped out Tiana and expressed her excitement over seeing The Princess and the Frog-- i think she would really enjoy these.


The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol's Daughter is available at Carol's Daughter Stores, select Disney Stores, Macy's, Dillard's, carolsdaughter.com and disneystore.com

xo

hair therapy: Rachel Zoe's Must-Haves

like me, and probably many of you, Rachel Zoe thinks of her hair like a security blanket. she also likes to wear her hair tousled, shiny and big (i love her hair). in one of her Zoe Report emails this week, Rachel shares her absolute favorite, must-have products: Byron Williams' Spirulina Hair Spray and Illuminating Shine Spray (she says they are "life-changing", so naturally i'm intrigued).



Rachel says: these are the two products i urge you to try for that frizz-free, running-out-the-door tousled look from home. i use both every day as a final step in my ever-challenging hair regimen. Spirulina, which is the key ingredient in the Hair Spray, is something you'd typically find in a smoothie...good for your body, great for your hair! to quote Byron (pictured with Rachel, above), "it holds everything without getting sticky, and the Shine Spray is a remedy for over-processed hair and split-ends." i have many hair secrets to share, but this one is a sure thing—just roll out of bed and spray!



if you're on a budget, try Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Ultra Strong Anti-Humidity Hairspray and TRESemme Smooth Ultra Light No Frizz Shine Spray (one of my personal faves!)

xo

for the guys: AXE Hair Product review and giveaway!

let's face it, men aren't into fussy routines. i know my hubby more than appreciates multi-tasking products that save him time. the last thing he wants to do is spend more time than he has to on something he knows can be done in less than ten minutes. AXE 2 IN 1 Shampoo + Conditioner addresses this as well as makes sure your guy is cleaned up and looking good.

in addition to being a 2-in-1 product, this duo has a masculine scent that leaves his hair smelling great and feeling soft. your guy, like mine, will also appreciate the superior ease of use-- grab the bottle, push the button that flips the top open, pour the product into hand, rub into hair, close cap, set it down, finish washing hair and rinse.

as far as styling goes, AXE has one for whatever type of look he likes. one, called Refined, is a pomade that is to be used on damp hair. it isn't greasy and leaves hair styled the way you want it-- without a heavy or "crunchy" feeling. again, applying the product is easy: scoop out a small portion, rub it between hands and run through hair until it's where it should be.


pomade instructions inside the cap



if only it were that simple for us girls...nah. i like my routine, he can have his. :)



AXE Hair is on a mission to help guys get the kind of hair that girls love, but they can't do it alone. don't you think your guy would like to have some of his own products? then you'll want to enter my AXE giveaway! three lucky winners will be selected for the following:

*grand prize (1): a pair of AXE Hair Products: one full-size shampoo and one styling product

*two (2) runner-ups: one mini pack containing a travel size AXE DUAL: 2 IN 1 Shampoo and AXE PRIMED: Just Clean Shampoo

to enter:

*send me an email at bgmcontests@gmail.com with "AXE Giveaway" in the subject line.

*include your full name and mailing address

*contest is open to U.S. only please

*one entry per person please

*entries must be received by tuesday, july 21 at 11pm pacific time.



be sure to visit AxeHairCrisisRelief.org. thanks to the AXE Hair team for providing product for my review and this great giveaway!


good luck!

xo

**read please: entering this contest means you are giving me permission to forward your name, email and mailing address to representatives of AXE for fulfillment and mailing of contest prize(s). failure to include all information requested will disqualify your entry. three (3) winners, chosen at random, will receive the prize(s) mentioned. duplicate entries will not improve your chances of winning. giveaway sponsored by AXE. some restrictions apply. open only to US residents only. entries will be accepted through 11pm, pacific time. on tuesday, july 21. thank you. :)

Beauty Girl TV: Retro-Chic Conditioning Potion

you all know i love a good conditioner, so when i had the opportunity to try Retro-Chic's Conditioning Potion, i didn't hesitate. watch to find out what i think of this new-to-me product...



Retro Chic makes some other products worth checking out as well-- check them out here. thank you to BeautyChoice.com for the opportunity!

xo