Feb 22 - Eco Styler Argan Oil

Today's weather:

High: 24

Low: 11

Humidity (avg): 72%

Dewpoint (avg): 4.8

Today's products:

Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner (co-wash)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, lactic acid, potassium chloride, fragrance, disodium EDTA, PEG-150 distearate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tocopheryl acetate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

Generic Value Products Conditioning Balm (rinse-out)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Myristyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal) Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwack) Extract, Methyl-2-Octynoate

SalonCare Sparkling Apples and Pears Conditioner (leave-in)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearalkonium chloride, hydrolyzed keratin, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, pyrus communis (pear) fruit extract, propylene glycol, dicetyldimonium chloride, fragrance, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin, blue 1, yellow 5.

Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel

Ingredients: Water, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PVP, Glycerin, Trithanolamine, Sodium Hydrxymethylglycnate, Plysorbate 20, Tetrasodim EDTA, Argan oil, Fragrance, Yellow #11

Styling method: Nothing out of the ordinary here... rake leave-in, scrunch gel.

Notes: The LALSG has been my go-to gel lately, but I really like this EcoStyler with Argan Oil. It feels a little bit lighter than the Krystal EcoStyer, and my hair seemed curlier than usual. It also smells nice, though the smell doesn't linger. I'm not sure how well it will work in higher dews, but it is working great with these low winter dewpoints.

Feb 21 - Sally's Haul :)

No hair pics or anything for today... been busy cleaning and working on our kitchen (off work for Prez day) so my hair has not been a priority. BUT a box of goodies from Sally's came today! Yay! Last Monday they had a 25% off coupon for Valentine's day and the Product Junkie in me couldn't resist any longer... so be on the lookout for new posts as I try out my new goodies. :)

From left to right:

Ion Color Brilliance Semi Permanent Hair Color - Medium Warm Brown. I did a Demi-Permanent color a while ago and it hasn't all washed out so this is basically going back to my natural color for a while. Since I don't use sulfate shampoos, I expect it will last a while. The ingredients look great too - silk, jojoba oil, aloe, and of course no sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, etc.

Nutress Stop Break Healthy Hair Enhancer Leave-In Spray - has protein and aloe so I expect my hair will love it.

Ion Spray Gel - Sometimes I think regular gel is too heavy... or I need too much of it to get a decent hold and then it weighs my hair down. Hair sprays tend to have drying alcohol in them and many also have silicones. This is the best of both worlds and I can't wait to try it!

Ion Moisturizing Treatment - Lots of nice ingredients for curls here - aloe, jojoba oil, avocado oil, mag sulfate (I know some are sensitive to it but mine seem to like it), wheat protein... smells nice too. I'm thinking of using it as a leave-in if it's not too heavy.

Biotera Gel - Seems to be popular with curlies, and I already have the Curl Creme and leave-in - thought they might work well together. The curl creme doesn't have nearly enough hold for me on its own.

Neutral Protein Filler - I'm always looking to try new protein treatments. I don't have any plans to use it prior to coloring my hair.

Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol - We've still got a bit of winter and low-dews left before spring. My hair does really well in low dews with the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition which has shea butter, so I thought I'd try this too.

Ecostyler Argan Oil Gel - I wanted to try the Ecostyle Olive Oil gel, and then I saw this! Plus it was on sale. Smells awesome (kind of like apples). A curly girl can't have too many gels, am I right?

Salon Care Clips - going to try clipping my roots. I tend to get the "flat-top" more often than not and I'm hoping that clipping (if I can do it right) will help.

Feb 17 - Playing with Mag Sulfate part 2

Today's weather:

High: 61

Low: 43

Humidity (avg): 48%

Dewpoint (avg): 31.3

Today's products:

Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner (co-wash)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, lactic acid, potassium chloride, fragrance, disodium EDTA, PEG-150 distearate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tocopheryl acetate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner (rinse-out)

Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid (Capric Triglyceride), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance (Parfum), Lauryl Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed)/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Aspartic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil (Organic), Citric Acid, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (Organic)

SalonCare Sparkling Apples and Pears Conditioner (leave-in)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearalkonium chloride, hydrolyzed keratin, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, pyrus communis (pear) fruit extract, propylene glycol, dicetyldimonium chloride, fragrance, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin, blue 1, yellow 5.

Ecostyler Krystal Gel

Ingredients: Water, carbomer, hydrolyzed wheat protein, PVP, glycerin, triethanolamine, sodium hydrxymethylglycinate, polysorbate 20, tetrasodium EDTA, fragrance.

Current spray bottle concoction: ~1tsp magnesium sulfate (epsom salt), ~1Tbsp Aloe Vera Gel, 8oz water.

Styling method: Same as yesterday, just trying the Ecostyler since the dews were significantly higher and I've seen some ladies on NC.com say that they liked the Ecostyler in higher dews. I don't think it's very noticeable in the pics, but I do think my hair was a bit curlier this day. So here are the photos:

Feb 16 - Playing with Mag Sulfate

Today's weather:

High: 49

Low: 24

Humidity (avg): 46%

Dewpoint (avg): 16.6

Today's products:

Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner (co-wash)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, lactic acid, potassium chloride, fragrance, disodium EDTA, PEG-150 distearate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tocopheryl acetate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner (rinse-out)

Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid (Capric Triglyceride), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance (Parfum), Lauryl Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed)/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Aspartic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil (Organic), Citric Acid, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (Organic)

SalonCare Sparkling Apples and Pears Conditioner (leave-in)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearalkonium chloride, hydrolyzed keratin, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, pyrus communis (pear) fruit extract, propylene glycol, dicetyldimonium chloride, fragrance, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin, blue 1, yellow 5.

LA Looks Sport Gel

Ingredients: Water, PVP, sorbitol, carbomer, keratin amino acids, panthenyl ethyl ether, palmitoyl oligopeptide, glyceryl polymethacrylate, propylene glycol, glycerin, oleth-20, rahnella/soy protein ferment, aminomethyl propanol, PEG-8, tetrasodium EDTA, benzophenone-4, methylparaben, diazolidinyl urea, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance, butylphenyl methylpropional, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, violet 2, blue 1

Current spray bottle concoction: ~1tsp magnesium sulfate (epsom salt), ~1Tbsp Aloe Vera Gel, 8oz water.

Styling method: Same as usual, plus spraying my mag sulfate concoction all over. I just made up the recipe, not sure if those amounts are really enough to do anything but I figured it was a starting point! I do think my hair was "springier" and some of the curls had a smaller diameter than usual. I'm more interested in springier than smaller. I am open to suggestions for modifying my concoction. :) Here are the photos:

Feb 15

Today's weather:

High: 33

Low: 23

Humidity (avg): 49%

Dewpoint (avg): 10.7

Today's products:

Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner (co-wash)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, lactic acid, potassium chloride, fragrance, disodium EDTA, PEG-150 distearate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tocopheryl acetate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner (rinse-out)

Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid (Capric Triglyceride), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance (Parfum), Lauryl Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed)/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Aspartic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil (Organic), Citric Acid, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (Organic)

SalonCare Sparkling Apples and Pears Conditioner (leave-in)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearalkonium chloride, hydrolyzed keratin, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, pyrus communis (pear) fruit extract, propylene glycol, dicetyldimonium chloride, fragrance, citric acid, dmdm hydantoin, blue 1, yellow 5.

LA Looks Sport Gel

Ingredients: Water, PVP, sorbitol, carbomer, keratin amino acids, panthenyl ethyl ether, palmitoyl oligopeptide, glyceryl polymethacrylate, propylene glycol, glycerin, oleth-20, rahnella/soy protein ferment, aminomethyl propanol, PEG-8, tetrasodium EDTA, benzophenone-4, methylparaben, diazolidinyl urea, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance, butylphenyl methylpropional, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, violet 2, blue 1

Styling method: Just a different style today. I used to wear my hair like this pretty much every day because it a) looked decent consistently, b) kept my hair out of my face and c) was a common/popular style (I realize I am dating myself a little here).

Feb 10

Today's weather:

High: 26

Low: 17

Humidity (avg): 40

Dewpoint (avg): 1

Today's products:

Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner (co-wash)

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, lactic acid, potassium chloride, fragrance, disodium EDTA, PEG-150 distearate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tocopheryl acetate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner (rinse-out)

Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid (Capric Triglyceride), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance (Parfum), Lauryl Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed)/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Aspartic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil (Organic), Citric Acid, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (Organic)

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner (leave-in)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil (Palm Oil), Behentrimonium Chloride, Pyrus Malus Extract (Apply Fruit Extract), Glycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCI, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Shea Butter), Citric Acid, Olea Europaea Oil (Olive Fruit Oil), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract (Sugar Cane Extract), Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado Oil), Ribes Nigrum Oil (Black Currant Seed Oil), Linalool, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract (Lemon Peel Extract), FD&C Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake (Yellow 5), FD&C Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake (Yellow 6)

LA Looks Sport Gel

Ingredients: Water, PVP, sorbitol, carbomer, keratin amino acids, panthenyl ethyl ether, palmitoyl oligopeptide, glyceryl polymethacrylate, propylene glycol, glycerin, oleth-20, rahnella/soy protein ferment, aminomethyl propanol, PEG-8, tetrasodium EDTA, benzophenone-4, methylparaben, diazolidinyl urea, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance, butylphenyl methylpropional, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, violet 2, blue 1

Styling method: It was really cold and dry so I thought the GFTN would be good as a leave-in with all those oils. Turns out I was right :) I did my usual rake leave-in, scrunch gel, squeeze out excess with microfiber towel deal. Here are the pics:

Not sure about this combo with higher dews, but wow, I was really happy with my hair and even got pretty nice second-day hair too after I scrunched in some Biotera Curl Creme to tame the few flyaways I had in the morning. Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of the second day hair because I taught a 45 min Zumba class and then went to a 2.5 hour Valentine's Day Zumba party after work -- my hair was no more good after all that!

Feb 1 - Salon Grafix Mousse

Today's weather:
High: 35
Low: 24
Humidity (avg): 89%
Dewpoint (avg): 27

Today's products:
Suave Daily Clarifying Conditioner (co-wash)
Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, lactic acid, potassium chloride, fragrance, disodium EDTA, PEG-150 distearate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tocopheryl acetate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone
Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner (rinse-out)
Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid (Capric Triglyceride), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance (Parfum), Lauryl Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed)/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Aspartic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avacado) Oil (Organic), Citric Acid, Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice (Organic)
Salon Grafix Professional Shaping Mousse (Super Hold, 8 out of 10)
Ingredients: Water, polyquaternium-11, isobutane, propane, stearyl alcohol, cetrimonium bromide, cetyl alcohol, polysorbate 20, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, oleth-20, cocamidopropyl betaine, propylene glycol, panthenol, citric acid, wheatgermamidopropyl dimethylamine hydrolized wheat protein, keratin amino acids, lawsonia inermis (henna) extract, linum usitatissimum (linseed) seed extract, hedychium coronarium root extract, aloe barbadensis leave juice, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, glycerin.



Styling method/notes: I haven't used a mousse in months, so I was a little nervous about trying this. But looking at the ingredients, I had pretty high hopes. Lots of things my hair likes - proteins, aloe, and jojoba oil specifically. When I try new things, I like to try them alone to see what they do without other products interacting with it. While the hold was a little too soft, I got nice volume and curl pattern/definition. I did have a little bit of frizz, but it wasn't terrible and my hair felt very light all day. It's been a few days so I'm a little foggy on exactly what I did to style my hair, but with mousse I generally apply it in sections - top, sides, back and then scrunch. Not all that different from how I use my gels and leave-ins. I probably used my Denman prior to scrunching to help detangle and distribute the product. And now for the photos!