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Luxury Hair Tools: The Mountaineer Comb by Tan Mujiang

November 6, 2019 · 12 Comments

Taking care of your hair shouldn’t be a task. It should be a luxurious ritual. Part of that ritual is having beautiful haircare tools, like this gorgeous The Mountaineer Comb by Tan Mujiang.

The Mountaineer Comb by Tan Mujiang

The Mountaineer Comb is both beautiful and beneficial for your hair health.

AREN’T ALL COMBS THE SAME?

No! Plastic combs are used by most people for a reason: they are cheap and easy to buy! The majority of combs you see are made of plastic. But that does not make them better. In fact, plastic combs can damage your hair. Hair breakage is common with plastic combs, and they also cause static electricity. Why would you want to use a comb that caused your hair to get frizzy due to static electricity? Additionally, plastic combs wear out far quicker than wooden combs, so you have buy them more frequently. Bad for your wallet, and bad for the environment.

SO WHY ARE WOOD COMBS A BETTER OPTION?

Several reasons:

1) Wood combs are high-quality. A good wooden comb such as The Mountaineer will last years and will just get better over time. While the price may be a little higher than you would pay for a plastic comb, the price per use is so much lower over the years, which makes it an environmentally sustainable item!

2) Tames Flyaway Hair

So here is a little beauty meets science lesson: human hair has a moderate positive electron charge. Basically, “flyaway hair” is static electricity at work on your hair. The motion of combing hair encourages more static electricity and more flyaway hair. Plastic and Rubber combs, due to their electron makeup, lead to even more static electricity! But wood is almost electron-neutral, so if you are combing your hair, using a wooden comb leads to the least static electricity and the least flyaway hair. A wide-tooth comb like The Mountaineer leads to even fewer flyaways!

3) Wood Hair Combs Lead to Better Distribution of Natural Hair Oils

The oil that your scalp produces isn’t a bad thing. It is your body’s own conditioner! Yes, you need to wash your hair to get out old oil and the dirt that accumulates, but the notion that you need to get rid of every bit of oil will only lead to dry hair! Use a wooden comb such as The Mountaineer to distribute your natural hair oil from root to tip for better hair health. Because wood combs distribute oil evenly, using one will lead to better hair health, and you can look forward to smooth, shiny, bouncy, and soft hair!

The same principle applies if you are doing a hair oil treatment. The oil will spread evenly with a wooden comb.

If you have long or thick hair, comb your hair in sections to distribute oil properly. I flip my head over and brush from root to tip to get the back sections of my hair – plus it feels really good! The size of The Mountaineer Comb is perfect for combing in sections: it is large enough to cover large sections quickly but easy enough to handle that fine hair can be gently combed.

And don’t worry about the oil ruining your comb – it conditions the wood as well so it will last longer!

4) Wood Combs Improve Circulation and Blood Flow to Follicles

Plastic and Rubber Combs scrape and damage your scalp. But the gentle pressure of a wood comb like The Mountaineer is like a mini-scalp massage, so it brings blood flow to your scalp. This brings nutrients and oxygen to your follicles, so your hair will grow in thicker and healthier!

5) Wood Combs are Gentle on Tangles!

Wood Combs gently ease out tangles as opposed to pulling on them. A wide-toothed comb like The Mountaineer is especially gentle on tangles and knots, so you will have less breakage!

Well spaced teeth suitable for all hair types, even curly or thick hair

The wood teeth are well spaced and do not snag the hair like man made materials such as plastic and acrylic.

WHAT MAKES THE MOUNTAINEER COMB UNIQUE?

The Mountaineer Comb is hand-painted, so each comb is unique. The comb itself is gorgeous and I love displaying it on my vanity table.

The Mountaineer is crafted from multiple kinds of wood to create its beauty and impressive results. They represent mountains, rivers, and water.

Lovely wood grain detailing

Black Ebony Wood: this type of wood is especially smooth and prevents any friction against hair.

Boxwood: Boxwood has a natural oil that makes it nourishing to hair. It won’t make your hair oily, but it won’t make your hair oily. Just smooth and shiny!

Bubinga Wood: Bubinga is especially good at preventing static and flyaway hair.

Pau Rosa Wood: Pau Rosa Wood is a dense and durable wood that is especially gentle on the scalp, making it great for sensitive scalps.

Beautiful curved design is ergonomic and showcases the wood inlay

The wood has a luxe, natural luster

HOW I USE MY THE MOUNTAINEER COMB

I like to use the comb on clean hair at night after I have washed out any residue from styling products. The sensation of the wooden teeth against my scalp is soothing and relaxing before I go to bed, and makes me calmer and ready for a great night’s sleep! It is so soothing! Gentle scalp stimulation leads to the release of endorphins, so it is an amazing part of any relaxation routine before bed!

THE MOUNTAINEER COMB IS A GREAT GIFT!

Looking for a luxurious gift for someone whose hair routine is a ritual? The Mountaineer Comb is a great gift! It comes in a gorgeous, luxe box that is eminently suitable for gifting. As mentioned above, each comb is hand-painted, so each piece is unique.

Box and comb

The comb comes in a lovely presentation box suitable for gift giving

The gift box comes with a sleeve box cover with logo

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find the truly gorgeous The Mountaineer Comb at https://www.ctansusa.com/products/mountain-river-water-comb. And for our readers, get 15% off with code StyleChicks15.

The Mountaineer Comb Lovely foil and logo pattern presentation gift box

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Have any comments or questions about The Mountaineer Comb by Tan Mujiang? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

ABOUT THIS POST

Like you, the Style Chicks team needs time to evaluate and form an opinion about the products we try. With The Mountaineer Comb by Tan Mujiang, we received compensation for our time and effort to form an opinion of the product. We produced this blog post because we think the product is great and want to share it with you!

Style Chicks Unscented Picks: In Search of Fragrance-Free Hair Care Options

October 9, 2019 · 12 Comments

We’ve all experienced it. Using a hair product that we love the results but hate the scent. Some with allergies or sensitivities can’t tolerate any scent. But styling hair without SOME product is nearly impossible. We investigated unscented, fragrance-free haircare options that deliver.

Finding unscented hair products should be a no brainer, but it isn’t.

Most hair products are scented. Some overtly so, like the Chanel No. 5 effect, but with hairspray. Yet there are plenty of reasons to go fragrance-free. Maybe you or a SO have allergies or scent sensitivities. Your office might ban any form of fragrance. Maybe scent is fine for most occasions, but you don’t want cotton candy or brown sugar vanilla scented hair on a job interview. Or perhaps you don’t want hair products that clash with your signature perfume. Here are a few of our haircare favorites that deliver good hair day results without an olfactory wallop.

Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour is a completely unscented gentle formulation suitable for all hair types

Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Shampoo and Conditioner are completely unscented gentle formulation suitable for all hair types

Why It Is So Hard to Find Unscented Hair Care

The fragrance is part of the lush hair spa experience appeal for many users. Some companies use a signature scent on all their hair care for branding purposes or to encourage using the entire line together. Unscented isn’t only the absence of fragrance additives. Some hair helpful ingredients and preservatives have an unpleasant natural odor that needs masking.

When we want to smell NOTHING on our hair, here is our go-to list:

Allurials Fragrance-Free Hair Conditioner is organic and scent-free. It is intended for post shampoo, instant conditioner use.Excellent on colored hair. It contains Silk Peptides, Pea Peptides, Argan, Jojoba, Flaxseed, Kernel, Linseed, Avocado and Coconut oils plus Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice. We like to use it as a DIY hair masque alone or by mixing in grapeseed or olive oil
Allurials Fragrance-Free Hair Conditioner is packed with oils but has a lightweight texture.
Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Shampoo and Conditioner. Kingsley designed this duo for his own wife while she endured chemo. It isn’t just unscented, it really smells of nothing. No harsh or nasty ingredients in this one. Save for sensitive scalps and colored hair. Plus it contains elastin to give hair a springy bounce and shine.
Philip Kingsley Shampoo and Conditioner has absolutely no scent

Clinique Non-Aerosol Hair spray. The original patron saint brand of the fragrance-free sensitive crowd, Clinique developed a non-aerosol pump spray that smells like …. nothing. Very light hold. Apply it in short bursts. Office-friendly.
No Nothing has an impressive suite of unscented hair care for the very VERY sensitive. A boutique priced product range that delivers haircare without the typical olfactory nasties. The No Nothing range includes shampoo, conditioner, mousse, hairspray, and notably a hot tool styling heat protectant. They have products for damaged hair and very sensitive. A full line meeting modern and trendy hairstyle needs. Some good vegan choices.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Style Chicks Unscented Picks: fragrance-free face lotions and creams.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Know a hair care product that should be on this list?

Have any questions about these fragrance-free hair care products? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

Better Beauty Sleep: NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases

September 29, 2019 · 18 Comments

The best skincare products in the world won’t work properly if your body is not getting the proper amount of restorative sleep. That is why on Style Chicks we have a Better Beauty Sleep series, with tips and products that we find help us to get a better night’s sleep.

You spend (hopefully) eight hours asleep. That is eight hours that your hair and skin are in contact with your pillowcase. It is also eight hours that your hair and skin can either be subjected to friction and irritation, or to gentle, soft comfort. We prefer the latter, which is why we love NTBAY 100% Brushed Microfiber Pillowcases.

WHY WE LIKE NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases:

NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases are soft and luxurious feeling against my skin and my hair easily glides over them, almost like a silk pillowcase. I don’t wake up with “pillow face” thanks to the soft microfiber. It is so gentle on skin!

I also don’t wake up with staticky or frizzy hair. I can style my hair at night and it is as smooth and glossy the next morning as it was when I went to bed!

These generously sized pillowcases are soft on skin and hair

Cozy enough for lounging in bed on a lazy Sunday

Other features of NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases:

They are made of 100% Microfiber
The package contains four Queen size pillowcases (20″x30″). The pillowcases are very well made, and the stitching looks like very expensive pillowcases.
They are breathable so you won’t get too hot at night!
They are wrinkle-resistant. In addition to looking nicer, wrinkle-resistant pillowcases are gentler on your skin and hair.
They are stain-resistant, which is great for nights that your skincare products accidentally get on your pillowcase.
They use an Environmentally-Friendly dyeing technique that is gentle on the skin. So you don’t have to worry about your skin getting irritated from harmful chemicals on your pillow!
Easy Care: Machine Wash Cold on the Gentle Cycle.
NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases are available in Standard, Queen, King, and Body Pillow Size!

Fold-over flap detailing completely covers the pillow

Well done seams and stitching

THE BEST PART: SO. MANY. COLOR. CHOICES!

There are 24 color choices to choose from! No matter what your color scheme, you will find a gorgeous, rich color to match. I like adding a pop of color to neutral bedscapes with gorgeous colored pillows, and there are endless variations to work with! Pink and Sage Green make for a fun and bright color combo, and Pale Orange and Coffee and perfect for Autumn! Try pairing them with Copper colored throw pillows or a duvet cover for a luxurious Fall look.

Crisp white pillowcases add a crisp, modern look and feel to vibrant autumn colors or metallics

Tie together bright colors, metallics, and patterns with these crisp white pillowcases

I picked Sage Green and Royal Blue for this time of year because the Sage Green is still a little Summery, but is also a little Autumnal. They go gorgeously with the richness of the Royal Blue pillowcases! And when it comes to pillowcases, you can never go wrong with crisp white!

Comes in twenty-four vibrant colors

The fabric feels really good too. This month has been a little crazy temperate-wise, so I’ve gotten to experience them on both weather extremes. On hot nights there are cool and don’t cling to your face (I hate that!), and on cold nights they provide warmth thanks to the microfiber!

And after a couple of washings, they are getting softer but are staying just as strong and fresh looking! They haven’t faded or gotten thinner, as some linens tend to do. The no-fade feature is a perk since the pillowcases set comes in so many lovely, vibrant colors.

Mix and match colors for a bright and cheery look

I particularly like that this set has four pillowcases since it allows the ability to switch out pillowcases each night and have spares to wash. Ideally, you should change out your pillowcase daily, as is the recommendation by dermatologists, for keeping your facial skin as clean and clear as possible.

Make a guest room feel comfy with multiple pillows. NTBAY comes four pillowcases in each set

The only thing I would like different about the pillowcase sets is that the packaging is a little tight for four pillowcases, so there were some creases that I had to gently iron out when I first used them. It’s a very small thing, but it would be nice to have them arrive crease-free, especially if I was giving them as a gift.

Four generously sized pillowcases per set

Speaking of giving them as a gift, NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases would make an excellent gift. Either for a child off at college, a friend who needs a pick me up, or to an elderly neighbor, being able to send soft, colorful pillowcases like these makes for a great gift!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find NTBAY 100% BRUSHED Microfiber Pillowcases at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y2JFKBG

Watch our unboxing video:

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Have questions about NTBAY 100% Brushed Microfiber Pillowcases? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

ABOUT THIS POST

Like you, the team here at Style Chicks needs time to evaluate and form an opinion of the products we talk about. With the NTBAY 100% Brushed Microfiber Pillowcases, we received compensation for our time and effort to form an opinion of this product. We produced this blog post because we think the product is great and want to share it with you!

Hot Tools for Healthy Hair & Scalp: Amaxy Limited Edition Featherweight Infrared Light Professional Hair Dryer

September 25, 2019 · 18 Comments

Hot tools can make hair look AMAZING. Hot tools can also damage hair. Don’t forsake your smooth blowout just yet. Use tools that treat hair right. The Amaxy Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer combines infrared heat with ceramic honeycomb technology. This produces a heat that’s gentler for hair. It also reduces frizz and delivers shinier, smoother hair with loads of volume.

Amaxy Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer

WHY PROPER HAIRDRYER SELECTION MATTERS

Many of us invest time and money into our hair. We color, cut, highlight, and use styling products, shampoos and conditioning masques. We pamper our hair to protect it and we put effort into keeping our hair in optimal condition. And our hairdryer is no place to skimp.

Hairdryers can take a toll on our tresses, especially if we style against our natural hair texture. How can we reduce the damage without forsaking silky blowouts?

Pretty white and rose gold design

ABOUT AMAXY LIMITED EDITION FEATHERWEIGHT PROFESSIONAL HAIR DRYER

The Amaxy Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer combines two gentle yet effective heat technologies.

WHAT MAKES AMAXY SPECIAL

Straight away you will notice this dryer is super pretty with its’ white gold detailing. And it’s exceptionally lightweight. But the real appeal of the Amaxy is the dual heat mechanisms that dry hair super fast with virtually no damage. Like, wind tunnel fast. And the result is smooth and soft and frizz-free.

Pretty and functional Honeycomb design ionic nozzle

Rose gold feature details, cold shot button, and settings on a lightweight handle

HOW IT WORKS

Infrared heat and Ionic technology are an excellent pairing. Each dries hair differently. Ionic technology is more common in hairdryers. When these technologies are combined, hair feels evenly dry and there’s less chance of damage from over styling.

Infrared Light Heat

Infrared heat is practically non-damaging heat. It dries hair from the inside out. This is less damaging to the fragile hair cuticle. If the cuticle stays healthy, the hair is protected. This means fewer split ends and hair breakage over time. Infrared is a gentle heat. Hair can withstand higher temperatures from infrared dryers. When you turn on the dryer, the infrared red light can be seen.

Turn the dryer on and see the red light. It is the Infrared Light Heat plus honeycomb ionic technology which dries hair quickly without damage

The red light is the infrared light heat in action. It is positioned behind the honeycomb ionic design to work together to dry hair safely and quickly.

Ceramic Honeycomb Ionic Technology

Over-drying hair that’s already dry is when hair dryer hair damage primarily occurs. It robs the hair of precious moisture. The ceramic honeycomb is an ultra-ionic design. It provides a consistent airflow pattern. This distributes heat evenly so there are no “hot spots” while drying. Another advantage is that ionic technology breaks down the water molecule. This works faster than the typical hot air approach. It also enhances the hair condition and appearance. How so?

The ceramic honeycomb design uses ionic technology that maintains moisture and cut frizz by sealing the hair’s cuticle. This seal creates a flat cuticle surface which reflects light to appear shiny. Ionic technology also provides consistent airflow for even drying with no hot spots. It dries hair quickly without causing damage to hair or scalp.

Honeycomb ionic technology design paired with pretty shiny rose gold detailing!

Honeycomb design ionic technology gently dries hair and imparts shine.

Honeycomb design close up

Some of the benefits of this infrared heat, ceramic and ionic technology are explained on the packaging. These include healing the scalp, preventing hair damage and enhancing shine.

Explanation of features and benefits

COMPLIMENTARY MINI FLAT IRON FOR TOUCHUPS

Once you get a great blowout, who doesn’t want to extend the style with a bit of dry shampoo and touch up with a flat iron?

This dryer comes with a complimentary mini flat iron that heats up to 450 degrees. I find it perfect for the minor touchups needed to extend a good blowout. Its’ titanium plates quickly smooth even the coarsest hair.

Mini iron

The mini size makes it ideal for travel, carrying in your bag for use after the gym or unexpected hair disasters like getting caught in the rain or wind. It fits in my bag along with my lipstick and brow pencil for quick mid-day hair fixes.

For quick touchups on the go, with my lipstick and brow pencil

My EXPERIENCE

My hair dries uber fast and feels so smooth with much less frizz. Its’ featherweight design also is lightweight which makes hair drying and styling easier. Unlike other hairdryers, my arms don’t get tired from extendedly holding the Amaxy dryer and a brush overhead.

The Amaxy boxed set

Something I especially like about the infrared heat is since hair dries from the inside out, you can feel when the hair is already dry. This reduces over-drying or under drying. I find when my hair is overdried, damage occurs. But when my hair is under dried, the style doesn’t hold and my hair gets frizzy. Infrared heat avoids both of these problems.

I like the convenient swivel base and ten-foot cord.

White and Rose Gold design with swivel base

Swivel cord base

Helpful ten-foot cord on a swivel base

The durable professional concentrator attachments make DIY blowouts easy.

Professional concentrator nozzles for precision airflow while styling

CONCLUSION

A great hairdryer is a hair health investment, and ideally, saves time drying hair. The Amaxy Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer works fast and leaves my hair smooth. I love that it dries without hair cuticle damage. It retains moisture even in my coarse hair.

The Amaxy set comes in a sturdy box suitable for storage and gifting

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find the Amaxy Limited Edition Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer (with bonus hair straightener) at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X1MHDZ8

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Got comments or questions about the Amaxy Limited Edition Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer? The Style Chicks are here to answer them!

ABOUT THIS POST

Like you, the team here at Style Chicks needs time to evaluate and form an opinion of the products we talk about. With the Amaxy Limited Edition Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer, we received compensation for our time and effort to form an opinion of this product. We produced this blog post because we think the product is great and want to share it with you!

HOW TO USE Philip Kingsley ELASTICIZER

September 18, 2019 · 11 Comments

Many consider Philip Kingsley Elasticizer a holy grail hair rescue product. We are amongst them. But for some, Elasticizer is just meh. Lyn and Lee loved it immediately. But Courtney took a few treatments to see any results. The variance may depend on a few factors, such as how Elastin-starved the hair is.

Proper application for best product absorption is key to benefit from Elasticizer. Not sure how to use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer? Read our top ten tips below.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a thick, creamy formula that absorbs well using these application tips

Ten TIPS FOR HOW TO USE ELASTICIZER

Apply Elasticizer to damp hair prior to shampooing. Smooth Elasticizer into the length of the hair to help it absorb. Absorption is the key. It won’t accomplish nearly as much just sitting on the hair surface. How to do it: I apply it to a small section of hair. Then place the hair section between two fingers and gently squeegee the product down the hair length to assist absorption.
There is no harm in applying Elasticizer closer to the scalp, but it is a bit of a waste. It is most beneficial applied to lengths down to the ends. I focus extra on areas I heat style with my curling wand – bangs, money pieces, and ends. Some suggest applying from the ear down to the ends.
I like to use a processing cap or hair towel to let it stay moist. As long as it stays damp, it continues to work.
It takes about five minutes to absorb into the hair. Leave Elasticizer in for a minimum of ten minutes, or even overnight in a covered cap or towel. In the Kingsley Clinics in New York and London, they leave Elasticizer in for 30 minutes.
Heat intensifies the penetration. Wear Elasticizer while exercising, at the beach or sunbathing, or while taking a steam.
It rinses out clean. For optimal results, shampoo and condition afterward.
The packaging says Elasticizer can remove hair color or impede coloring. Don’t use Elasticizer for 3 days before and after coloring. I ignored these directions and found out it is true. Olive Oil can remove fresh color.
For sections that don’t absorb after 30 minutes, I re-wet the hair and repeat the tip #1 squeegee process.
Elasticizer is an excellent creamy base for your favorite hair oil. Sometimes I add a few drops of Jojoba or Avocado.
Use the proper Elasticizer formulation for your hair type. PK Elasticizer Extreme is for coarse, naturally coiled, or very damaged hair. Fine and Medium texture hair should use Elasticizer Intensive.

We find the benefits are cumulative. Courtney initially didn’t see much difference, but after second use, she was wowed by the results. Lyn’s coarse hair benefits from Elasticizer Intense, but especially from Elasticizer Extreme.

TIP: gently squeegee Elasticizer into the hair to aid absorption.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Philip Kingsley Elasticizer at PhilipKingsley.com, Neiman Marcus, BlueMercury and Violet Grey

Questions? Comments?

Have any questions about Philip Kingsley Elasticizer?

The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]