Archives for September 2016

Why We Love Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

September 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I used a lot of straightening emulsifier in my hair to combat the humidity. A LOT of emulsifier. And by mid-day, my hair looked gunky because of the amount of product, not the sleek waves I had in the morning.

So it was time to pull out my new go-to product, Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo. The world was a happy, frizz-free place again.

Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

Why I Love Dry Shampoo

I’ve loved dry shampoo for quite some time now:

it is great if you want to go an extra day or two before washing again
a lifesaver if you need to mitigate product overuse like I did yesterday
it is the best texturizer even on freshly washed hair.

Still, most dry shampoos have a downside.

Some leave a shadow of white dust on hair
most leave hair dull
some make hair feel dirtier than before you used them.

None of these are problems with Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo.

Why Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo is Special

One of the reasons for this dry shampoo’s superiority is the amazing ingredients it contains.

The first ingredient listed in arrowroot, which is a thickener, and is typically featured in high-end dry shampoos for its’ ability to soak up oil and freshen the hair.

It also contains antioxidants like Vitamin B, and Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is interesting here, as the Vitamin A derivative, retinol, has been shown in studies to promote hair growth. So (and this is me saying this, not the company), ostensibly if you are using this dry shampoo on your scalp to soak up oil, you could have the added benefit of promoting hair growth when used on the scalp. Plus, it is gluten-free!

The next ingredient is kaolin clay. You are probably familiar with kaolin clay from luxurious mud masks. But in dry shampoo, it is used to remove sebum and oil and keep it from forming. So, not only do you immediately refresh your hair with Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo, but you get an extra day or two beyond when you use it because of the kaolin clay.

The third ingredient is rice powder. Rice Powder is found in a lot of good dry shampoos, but Pure Glam mills the Rice Powder to an exceptionally smooth and fine consistency, so you get the benefits without the usual tell-tale white dust in your hair. Nice!

Look at how finely milled Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo is!

The fourth ingredient is baking soda, which is an excellent way to freshen up hair.

And I love the name of the essential oil that the dry shampoo contains: Organic Cymbopogon Martini. While it sounds like quite a drink, it is a scented essential oil with light rose and geranium hints, and it also has antibacterial properties.

One of my big issues with a lot of dry shampoos is the overpowering scent, but this is light and refreshing, not perfumey or chemical scented. Just light and lovely.

So with all these great ingredients, how does this dry shampoo fair?

The Experience

I love it. As I said earlier, yesterday I had a bit of a product mishap, and then the issue was compounded by extendedly being outside in the heat and humidity. It only took a small amount blended into my roots for my hair to feel clean and smooth again.

The ability to control how much you sprinkle on an area is one of the things I find superior about Pure Glam. A lot of dry shampoos that come in an aerosol can are unpredictable when it comes to how much will be deposited in an area. Not a problem with this dry shampoo! It also gave my hair incredible, luxurious volume.

How to Use Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

I worked it through the length of my hair in sections and brushed it out, and my hair had a great bounce, which is rare to get when using a dry shampoo.

What impressed me as well is that my hair was incredibly shiny after using it: my blonde and red highlights shimmered in the sun, and the bulk of my brown hair had an incredible luster. A few strangers commented on it, which impressed me!

I also love how my scalp felt in using it. It gives a cool, refreshing feeling when it is being massaged into the scalp and roots of the hair. You know that saying “My hair hurts”? That was how I was feeling, and a nice massage with Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo made my scalp feel light again!

I am truly impressed with this dry shampoo. It has an impressive, all natural ingredient list, smells great, cleans fantastically, and makes hair so shiny!

Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo

Where to Buy it

Find this amazing Dry Shampoo at Organic Beauty Now.

Style Chicks readers can get 20% off with coupon code SC20!

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More Organic Haircare We Love From Pure Glam

Did you enjoy Why We Love Pure Glam Performance Dry Shampoo? Then you may also like:

Pure Glam Volume Root Powder

Hair: Pure Glam Volume Root Powder

About this POST

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

HSI PROFESSIONAL Thermal Protector 450 with Argan Oil

September 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

HSI Professional Thermal Protector 450 is intended for use when using hot styling tools such as flat irons, curling irons, hot smoothing brushes and hairdryers. Hot styling tools can create beautiful, long-lasting hairstyles but they can wreck havoc with your hair. To date, I hadn’t found a thermal protector that I felt left my hair softer and was not too sticky, and was good for my hair. I was excited to try HSI Professional Thermal Protector because it contains several good-for-hair ingredients and is sulfate-free.

HSI PROFESSIONAL Thermal Protector 450 with Argan Oil

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT HSI PROFESSIONAL THERMAL PROTECTOR 450?

HSI Professional Thermal Protector contains Argan Oil, which is associated with increased hair growth when used on the scalp and roots of the hair. It is also a conditioning agent for the body of the hair itself and provides a protective layer on the fragile, delicate ends of hair. While nothing can repair a split-end, Argan Oil can smooth the end and remove some of the brittleness. Paired with the Argan Oil is an infusion of Vitamins including a,b,c and d.

Vitamin A is useful to promote scalp health and aids in the absorption of the Argan Oil. Vitamin B applied to hair can result in increased thickness, strength, and makes hair more pliable. Vitamin C is a useful anti-oxidant, which on hair helps hair detox from environmental pollutants and serves to protect the hair. The topical application of Vitamin D is necessary for hair to prevent UV damage which can cause oxidation and fading, and in the case of colored hair, it can result in brassiness. Topical Vitamin D has also been found to decrease hair loss in lab studies.
USE: FEATURES OF HSI PROFESSIONAL THERMAL PROTECTOR 450

CONSISTENCY: The spray is very light, not sticky or oily. Thicker than water but not as thick as an oil or hairspray. When dry I could not feel the product in my hair; it was easy to brush and to run my fingers through it. As a test of this, I sprayed some on my hands, let it dry, it did not leave a sticky or flaky residue.

APPLICATION: I tried it on both wet and dry hair, not too much is needed to saturate hair enough for styling purposes. It does not excessively extend drying time, there was a slight “sizzle” when I used my hot brush and hot iron, the sizzle was the moisture, not my hair.

SCENT: There is a very light scent of Argan Oil; it dissipates quickly when sprayed onto the hair, and I could not detect any scent after the hot styling tools were used and my hair was dry again.

THE TEST: MOM’S HAIR
Mom’s hair has always been thick, curly, and wiry. She has tried all sorts of straightening products which can’t seem to keep the hair straight, and most thermal protectants don’t last the afternoon before her hair starts to curl again. Today, with the extra humidity, it was especially frizzy, and she just let it dry naturally with no styling product.

A few spritzes of the HSI Treatment before a quick brush through with a hot brush and her hair was left smooth and feeling very soft in under three minutes. In under five minutes, all of her hair was done and could be styled in a smooth flip-up or flip-under lob style. The style stayed in for two days!! A smooth and soft look with no frizz. Smooth, soft, no sticky feel and easy to run her fingers or brush through her hair. Her hair was left shiny, not dull from the product. She is also thrilled that a thermal protectant not only helps her tame her mane but protects and nourishes it. She plans on switching from her current thermal protectant to HSI Professional Thermal Protector.
CONCLUSION: HSI Professional Thermal Protector 450 is a leave-in styling treatment that not only protects hair from potentially damaging heat styling tools such as irons, curlers, and dryers but it encourages hair growth. HSI Professional Thermal Protective leaves hair feeling soft, shiny, smooth and thick. Impressively, it does with without the use of Sulfate based ingredients. The holding power of a hair styling agent without feeling sticky or gooey, I love being able to run my finger through my hair easily and to have hair that shines instead of having a dull residue from the protective agents.

HSI PROFESSIONAL Thermal Protector 450 with Argan Oil

Find HSI Professional Thermal Protector at HSI Professional.

ESARORA Cosmetic Brush Holder

September 11, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I have beautiful makeup brush rolls, but the problem with them is that they get dirty fast, and all the brushes being folded up together can cross-breed bacteria. Additionally, even with all brushes being laid out, I have trouble finding the exact one I want when I’m getting ready in a rush. So I’m very glad to have the ESARORA Cosmetic Brush Holder.

This brush holder has slots for ten makeup brushes. It holds even larger handled makeup brushes well for easy access. I like that I can see which brush is which easily, so getting ready quickly is far easier.

ESARORA Cosmetic Brush Holder

The slots are also well placed. No two brushes end up touching, so dirty and bacteria won’t transfer between brushes, nor will color. Just yesterday I was using the brush I use for highlight on my eyes, and some dark smokey shadow had gotten on it from another brush when I had the brushes in a roll. But with this brush holder, that won’t happen – no messy makeup cleanups!

This brush holder is also fantastic for drying brushes after washing. Since they are standing upright, they keep their form when they dry, as opposed to when you lay brushes down their side when drying them and one side dries flat. Makeup brushes are an investment, and properly drying them will keep them usable for much longer!

ESARORA Cosmetic Brush Holder

One tip: there are plastic films that protect the plates of the holder in the package that peel off. I found this a bit tricky, but the edge of a swiss army knife lifted it easily without scratching the pieces.

ESARORA Cosmetic Brush Holder

Find this great brush holder at Amazon.

I have received this product at a discounted rate for my unbiased review. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!

Closet: Home-It Natural Wood Hangers

September 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Home-It Natural Wood Hangers

It’s NYFW, which means new clothes. And here at Style Chicks, we agree with Joan Crawford: No Wire Hangers Ever!

Why did wire hangers make Ms. Crawford so angry? Because despite dry cleaners using wire hangers, the wire doesn’t do your clothes any favors, especially for structured garments, silks and knitwear. The thin unsupported, ill-shaped wire shape can tear tiny fibers, not to mention snag other items in your closet. Even relatively lightweight garments can have heavier detailing such as beading, sequins, buttons, embroidery or pleating.

WHY USE ALL PURPOSE NATURAL WOODEN HANGERS
Wood hangers allow the weight of the garment to be distributed more evenly, protecting delicate fabrics from weakening. An all-purpose wooden hanger, such as this set, has a wood rod across the bottom. It is intended to hold pants such heavy denim, thick material dress pants, draping items such as saris, pashminas, long flowing sarongs, scarves, and wraps. It can also be used to fold-over longer garments. This all-purpose hanger can withstand the weight of a heavier item such as a suit, coat, or outerwear. A quality wood hanger, such as this Home-It Wood Hanger, have a nice contoured curve to the back of the hanger that keeps the shape of the shoulder line and collar intact. Some wooden hangers have a few flaws including the potential for splinters, bending, exposed nails or staples or breakage. We were pleased to see none of these flaws in the Home-It Hangers; rather they have some nice extra features.

Home-It Natural Wood Hangers

FEATURES
Several nice features to these hangers: they are sturdy enough to hold a heavy winter coat. They have a contour curved back to hold the line of blazers and suit jackets. They have generous notches for holding loops, and these notches have been sanded smooth to avoid snags. Something I especially like about these hangers is an etched tractioned tube the bottom bar that holds slacks/pants, this keeps the garment free of snags but helps prevent the pants from slipping off the hanger itself.

I like that there is enough room to layer scarves, ties or accessories with coats, blazers, and jackets without wrinkling them.

Home-It Natural Wood Hangers

QUALITY
Free of silvers or wood irregularities, there is a smooth, shellac finish to prevent snags from tiny slivers. The wood pieces are fitted well with no protruding nails or metal bindings. The metal hanging hook can swivel around without becoming loose. These are large enough for a man’s suit but fit well with my suits, blazers, and coats.

TEST
Some hangers look good but can’t sustain holding heavier items without bending or cracking. We ran two tests: dropping the hanger and hanging the heaviest coats we could find on it to see if the hanger would break, crack or bend. Dropping the hanger on a wood floor did not cause it to break, chip, splinter or dent. The hanger did not cave under the weight of holding a heavy, full-length, lined wool coat, and it held up to bundling TWO thick winter coats on the same hanger. The bar, intended for pants, was also able to sustain the weight of a winter coat. It also did not scratch or snag more delicate fabric suits or suit linings.

Home-It Natural Wood Hangers

CONCLUSION: We find these to be high-quality in construction and usability. The enclosed, stable pants rod on the bottom has an overlayer tubing to provide traction from slipping without snagging delicate fabrics. We were very happy to have this set of quality hangers in time for the fall and winter season and immediately put them into use.

Find these hangers at Amazon.

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I received this product for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to answer it!