TURNING BACK THE CLOCK ON YOUR STRANDS

Posted by Charu 05.04.12

When it comes to turning back the clock and reversing signs of damage, does the haircare category perform as well as skincare?

Living Proof‘s latest Restore Recovery Regimen thinks it can, and to that effect, the company has launched it’s first ampoule treatment to revitalize and restore the damage that comes with the territory of frequently colored, over-processed and stressed hair. The recommended dosage? Weekly.

The key to the Restore Recovery Regimen is the moisture-controlling molecule, OFPMA (PolyfluoroEster) along with a sulfate-free blend, creatine (an amino-acid derivative), hydrolyzed wheat protein and nourishing conditioning agents. The Restore Recovery Regimen’s star product is the set of five 0.5 re-sealable ampoules that lasts up to a month; however, the company promises that the results are visible after just one dose.

The entire Living Proof Restore Recovery Regimen collection includes:

As mentioned above, the ampoules $38: To use this, substitute one ampoule in place of your rinse-out conditioning treatment, or your hair mask. You’ll need to apply this ampoule from scalp to tips on damp hair, and leave it in for a full five minutes. Rinse well.

Restore Revitalizing Spray with Heat & UV Defense, $26: This lightweight spray can be used both on wet and dry hair and its technology promises to instantly polish and perfect dry and damaged hair. This too uses the brand’s weightless, moisture-controlling molecule, OFPMA. The whole idea behind this spray is to protect hair from today’s extremely hot styling tools that sometimes reach temperatures of 450 degrees.

Restore Targeted Repair Cream, $28: This cream boosts the cuticle layer, which is the hair’s natural defense against the elements. Since the cuticle is extremely thin, it’s also easily prone to damage. The Restore Targeted Repair cream aims to replenish the ceramides lost through daily wear and tear as well as UV exposure, so that hair starts holding moisture.

The line also includes its own specific Restore Shampoo ($28) and Restore Conditioner ($28).

David Puerta, a scientist at Living Proof says that they’re not trying to isolate any specific factor that damages hair (be it UV rays, environment, color treatments etc.) with the Restore line. “The Recovery Regimen is our most intense product,” says Puerta. “I don’t really believe in the word ‘moisturizing’ when it comes to hair because it’s about controlling the moisture coming in and out of your hair. Your hair is always trying to be at balance with its environment.”

Having tried an ampoule just once, I can vouch for the burst of hydration my strands experienced. I cannot wait to use the ampoules for the full four weeks—no doubt resulting in a glossier, healthier crowning glory.

 

STOP THE DAMAGE, NOW

Posted by Charu 04.20.12

Thanks to coloring, pollution, and over processing, hair damage is a sad fact of life. And let’s not forget “over-styling,” one of the chief causes of hair damage according to the style gurus at John Frieda.

Targeting the style-obsessed woman who just can’t part with her flat iron and styling tools, the mega-hair brand has created the new Full Repair Style Revival Heat-Activated Styling Spray.

Women who want beautiful hair (and who doesn’t?) often resort to tools, but constant styling can result in short, broken hairs and flyaways and also give you damaged ends. The Full Repair Collection addresses these issues, and aims to repair this constant cycle of damage. Full Repair Style Revival Heat-Activated Styling Spray is created with flexible polymer technology, and has a heat activated complex that aims to provide your hair with a weightless hold that lasts all day. The idea behind this is to really give you smooth, soft hair, and not crunchy strands. The star ingredient to ensure this smoothness is Inca Inchi Oil, which provides heat protection to the strands.

For $8.99, this spray offers solid value, and I would recommend the product to be used with the entire Full Repair line.

Now, if you’re worried about frizz, and have fine hair, there’s a new product from the brand that will knock your socks off. The Frizz-Ease line is well known, but previously the products were geared only for women with thick and normal hair. Women with finer hair types can now enjoy a truly lightweight serum called Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution that fights frizz with a dual-phase formula. If you look at the serum, you’ll notice there are two distinct liquids (the heavier one settles at the bottom, and the ultra-light one floats to the top). The water-like phase has nutrients that nourish the hair, and the serum-like phase has frizz combating silicones. Shake the bottle before use.

The Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution for fine hair is meant to be applied to damp hair, and because it’s super light, it coats every strand without weighing it down. It retails for $9.99. I personally am addicted to this serum because it tames frizz so efficiently, and is convenient to carry in your purse.

UNCAPPING THE BEAUTY OF MUSHROOMS

Posted by L.A. 04.03.12

Edible, hallucinogenic or poisonous, mushrooms are enjoying first class treatment in beauty these days. Marvin Hausman, M.D., the CEO of Total Nutraceutical Solutions, explains that mushrooms are rich in vitamin D and antioxidants. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are known for their ability to reduce inflammation and increase elasticity of the skin, which makes them a key ingredient in numerous products for red blotchy skin. They also help exfoliate and provide an excellent source of kojic acid – a natural skin lightener that helps fade sun spots and heal acne. In addition, ‘shrooms provide an excellent resource for anti-aging and hair products.

From shiitake to the treasured truffle, fungi plays a leading role in the products below.

MUSHROOM MUSINGS

Health guru, Dr. Andrew Weil, has partnered with Origins to create Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum ($66). Formulated to reduce irritation and redness, the serum’s key ingredients are pleurotus mushroom, sea buckthorn and spike moss. It has a slippery consistency and a slightly bitter scent that fades upon application. Not recommended for oily skin.

AVEENO AGELESS BEAUTY

Rejuvenate skin with Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Night Cream with Natural Shiitake Complex ($20). This mushroom-infused cream works in harmony with your skin’s own chemistry to help accelerate the nightly renewal process. Clinically proven to replenish surface cells, it makes your skin look fresher.

MIRACLES FROM MURAD

Reduce the appearance of medium to deep wrinkles with Murad Age-Diffusing Serum ($27). In only 10 minutes, it helps firm skin and begins to inhibit collagen breakdown. Shiitake mushroom extract firms and conditions the skin. People who use it say their skin looks smoother and tighter.

MINIMIZE PORES

Pores will appear tighter and your skin younger with Masque*ology Pore Minimizing Masque With Mushroom Extract ($24).Each unique mesh face mask is treated with a special gel that’s packed with nutrients to minimize the appearance of pores and enhance your overall complexion.

HAIR THIS

Tame frizzy, wild and coarse hair with Tela Beauty Organics ‘Reduce’ Sensational Styling Smoother ($28). This blend of wheat, organic horsetail, wolfberry and reishi mushroom penetrates follicles, creating the smooth, sleek, silky, shiny hair you’ve always dreamed of. It also helps protect hair color from fading.

MUSHROOM MAKEUP

If you suffer from facial redness, try Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup with Probiotic Technology ($26). Lightweight and gentle, it immediately camouflages redness via color-correcting principles and a multi-pronged approach including magnolia bark to prevent the spread of visible redness and mushroom extract to minimize future flare-ups. Available in 6 shades.

WHY YVES?

For dry and very dry skin, Yves Saint Laurent ‘Temps Majeur Suprême’ Set ($185) is especially rich and deeply nourishing to regenerate skin with long-lasting nutrition. Formulated with ganoderma spores, the essence of the mushroom of eternal youth, this decadently smooth treatment erases visible signs of aging while improving the skin’s surface quality. The set’s components include Eye Crème and Suprême Crème.

A IS FOR ALTERNA

Strengthen hair with the intensive reparative treatment found in Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging White Truffle Hair Elixir ($25). This unique, nutritionally supercharged treatment increases softness and shine while repairing and strengthening your tresses. It’s a daily vitamin boost that your hair will love, especially after a chemical process or time in the sun.

ONE OF THE BEST

Stress can take a toll on your skin’s appearance, making it appear dry, dull and wrinkled. La Prairie Anti-Aging Stress Cream ($195) fights back with an herbal blend enhanced with a natural mushroom complex and ultra-active plant extracts to boost natural synthesis of collagen and elastin. Improves skin’s hydration and moisture content.

IT’S A SMASH

Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Primer ($32) is an ultra-concentrated pore and line primer that works to erase fine lines and other complexion imperfections to give you a flawless finish. This advanced formula helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and features Chinese mushroom extract for moisture.