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Best Ingredients by hair type. Hair Growth Research. Effective hair growth vitamins, serums, and laser devices. Hair expert advice. How to use T3 Luxe Hot Rollers, NuMe Curling Wand.

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Why We Love Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Hair Treatment

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This article is about our experience with Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer Hair Treatment.

As Summer draws to a close, cooler weather means sun-kissed hair can turn dry and crunchy. Need a pre-poo remedy to rescue your tresses? We’ve just the thing. Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment.

Hair Expert Philip Kingsley understood hair. He coined the phrase “bad hair day”. We will be highlighting Kingsley and his product range in the next few months. This post discusses one of the most popular Kingsley products, the Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

THE KINGSLEY APPROACH TO HAIR

The Philip Kingsley line takes a different approach to hair care. Instead of classifying hair as Dry, Normal or Oily, Kingsley examined the moisture needs of the hair textures: Fine, Medium, Coarse and Naturally Coiled Curls. Each of these textures has different moisture and protein needs.

With this hair texture understanding, Philip Kingsley examined his client’s hair and devised a remedy on the spot. His celebrity clients included Audrey Hepburn. He created a custom hair masque when her tresses were too unruly to hold a style in humid weather. That product is Elasticizer. Today it is still a cult classic pre-shampoo treatment for rejuvenating hair.

Summer sun exposure depletes hair elastin, so there’s no time like the present to try Elasticizer.

Elasticizer 75ml size is ideal for travel or beach bag

ABOUT Philip Kingsley ELASTICIZER

You may swear by a hair treatment, bond builder, or masque. Elasticizer won’t replace your Holy Grail products. But it will likely become part of your Hair Holy Grail arsenal.

Elasticizer benefits are cumulative. The results look exponentially better after a few weeks of use.

It is key to use Elasticizer correctly. Here are 10 Tips How to Best Use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Elasticizer does something that conditioners, masques, and even Olaplex cannot. Elasticizer makes hair look lush and lively like it looked before I colored.

If you have colored your hair for some time, you likely noticed a hair texture change, it can feel dry and even crunchy. What impresses me the most about Elasticizer is hair looks healthy and acts YOUNGER.

Elasticizer by Philip Kingsley

What Makes Elasticizer Special: Ingredients

A key ingredient overview helps deconstruct the elusive je ne sais quoi of Elasticizer.

Olive Oil nourishes hair

Olive Oil

Olive Oil moisturizes with Omega-3s and polyphenols. Omegas nourish the hair follicle, maintains scalp health and make the cuticle smooth and the shaft strong. Olive Oil makes hair smooth and shiny.

You may wonder: What is so special about that? Won’t regular Olive Oil from the pantry work as a DIY hair masque?

Kingsley found Olive Oil works best not as a direct oil application, but within a creamy formula base. It aids in the penetration of the precious vitamins and fatty acids. A creamy formula also makes it easier to wash out without oily residue after use.

Hydrolyzed Elastin

Elastin is key to the Elasticizer treatment, as the name implies.

Elastin gives hair tensile strength. This gives hair the ability to stretch. Hydrolyzed Elastin adds body and elasticity to hair. It improves hair’s resistance to breakage and aids moisture retention.

Unlike protein treatments, you cannot over-do elastin. Elastin returns a youthful look to the hair. Elastin is often a missing element in hair maintenance routines, but it is important to keep hair looking vibrant, lush, bouncy and healthy.

Many hair masques counteract a specific type of hair damage, such as from coloring. No matter what your hair has experienced, it likely has lost some Elastin along the way.

Castor seed oil is a humectant

Castor seed oil is a humectant

Castor Oil

Castor Oil is a humectant. It draws moisture into the hair shaft making it plumper and hydrated. It softens hair with high Vitamin E content. Castor Oil thickens thinning hair and calms the appearance of frizzy hair.

Castor Oil is typically too thick and sticky to apply directly to the hair, but in this formulation, it washes out easily.

Glycerin

Glycerin helps hair to retain moisture. This is particularly important for thirsty coarse and curly hair. These hair types have a wider diameter, which means more surface to lose moisture and feel dry. Glycerin keeps hydration in the hair.

“I like to treat any split or brittle hair with perhaps a teaspoonful, gently worked into my hair and then left overnight. Very economical and a quick and easy boost when I don’t have time for the full works.”

– Jennifer Dye
Philip Kingsley Head Trichotherapist

A thick creamy texture that absorbs into the hair

A thick creamy texture that absorbs into the hair

ELASTICIZER OPTIONS

Elasticizer comes in a 2.5-ounce tube, a 5-ounce tub, 16.9-ounce, and 34-ounce sizes.

Elasticizer Extreme is for naturally curly, coiled, coarse or damaged hair. Elasticizer Extreme contains more of the active ingredients to address the unique needs of coarse and damaged hair require extra hydration. Learn more about Elasticizer Extreme in a future SC post.

Elasticizer comes in various scents. Scents include Coconut Breeze, and Pomegranate & Cassis. There are also seasonal and limited edition scents. A recent one is Philip Kingsley’s Rose & Lychee Elasticizer.

FINAL THOUGHTS on Elasticizer

Elasticizer is one of our holy grail products, a pre-poo treatment we alternate off with Olaplex or an oil treatment.  Many factors can give hair a dull, lifeless appearance including cold weather, wind, sun, sea, chlorine, hair coloring, and hot tool use, or just general over-processing. Regular Elasticizer use keeps hair looking healthy and youthful.

WHERE TO BUY IT

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

Questions? Comments?

Have any questions about Philip Kingsley Elasticizer?

The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at questions@stylechicks.com

Curling Very Long Hair: NuMe Classic Curling Wand

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Do your curls fall out too quickly? Want more curl than large hot rollers give? Something between Veronica Lake structured and bed head beachy waves? This seems simple but isn’t always easy to achieve. And it is even more complicated if the hair is long and won’t fit on a typical roller or wand.
Hot rollers give more volume than structured curls or waves. Steam curlers give lots of tight curls but cause dents or frizz. And many hot rollers and curling wands can’t accommodate longer hair. Meet the NuMe Classic Curling Wand. It’s a versatile hair styling tool that quickly delivers glossy curls that can last for days, even on long hair.
NuMe Classic Curling Wand

NuMe Classic Curling Wand

OVERVIEW

The NuMe Classic Curling Wand comes in three sizes, 19mm, 25mm, and 32mm. The 32mm is best for beachy waves. I got the 25mm (one inch) for classic waves or curls. It can do most styles for me. It has an easy on-off switch and heats up (FAST!) to the perfect temperature. It has a ceramic barrel and infrared heat combo that is suitable for most hair types. It comes in three colors: black, pink and turquoise.

The 25mm barrel size is highly versatile

The 25mm barrel size is highly versatile

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

From unboxing to applying hairspray to my finished bra-strap length hair, it took 16 minutes. I got natural-looking curls that stayed bouncy all day and until I wash them out. Since then, I’ve gotten it down to under 11 minutes.

The wand heats up before I even have my hair brushed and sectioned off. Each curl only takes 3-5 seconds to hold in place and then set.

Hot rollers can’t do the full length of my hair. The NuMe has a long enough barrel to accommodate even very long hair. The curls are soft and natural-looking.

These curls and waves are natural-looking, with no dents, ridges or bumps like I tend to get with rollers.

ABOUT BARREL MATERIAL & INFRARED HEAT OPTIONS

I obsessed over barrel material options best suited for my hair. Barrels come in Ceramic, Metal, Chrome, Tourmaline, Titanium, 24k Gold or Teflon. NuMe has all these options.

The infrared head combined with the ceramic barrel curls my hair with the least damage. My hair has a hard time holding a curl. My hair is coarse, so normally a titanium barrel would be the suggested choice. But my colored hair is dry and damaged. Titanium feels like overkill. I’m very pleased this infrared tourmaline ceramic barrel can achieve curls that stay all day even on my hard to curl hair.

The 360 degree swivel cord makes it easy to curl hair with your non-dominant hand

The 360-degree swivel cord makes it easy to curl hair with your non-dominant hand

HOW I USE THE NUME, STEP BY STEP

After sectioning off my hair, I start the curl at shoulder-length for the bottom layer. I curl starting from around my ears for the middle layer. I do curls a bit higher on the top layer. This keeps the visual length of the hair.

This is what I did, step by step:

  1. Section off the hair. Take a piece not too wide to start.
  2. Wear the glove so you can touch and smooth your hair on the wand.
  3. Hold wand with the tip facing down. Curl away from the face. I took smaller sections than I do with T3 curlers. Wrap hair flat like a ribbon for barreled curls. Wrap tight like a rope for springy, defined curls or to achieve brushed out waves.
  4. Hold for 3-5 seconds. Less time for beachy waves, longer for tighter curls.
  5. I hold the curl in my hand a few seconds to keep the form, then let it drop or clip it to cool.
  6. I went back in on sections and pieces I missed, or if I took too big a section.
    STYLING THE CURLS:
  7. For more structured curls, hold them individually in a clip until they cool.
  8. Instead of brushing or combing the curls out, I gave my hair a VERY light spray of hair spray. Then with my diffuser hair dryer set on cool, I flipped my head upside down, cool the curl for a few minutes. Then I shake them out while still on cool. Arrange with a comb or my fingers where needed, another light hairspray on the front areas.

The results? The curls held from 6AM to 6PM with absolutely no drooping, even on a windy rainy day. The curls didn’t frizz or droop until I washed them out. It went surprisingly fast to do all my hair, and I didn’t have to do my whole head to get a curly look.

The curl is very natural-looking, soft, full, lush, curls with movement. Hair feels very bouncy.

WHAT I LOVE

Heats fast, curls hair fast. The barrel is long enough to accommodate even Courtney’s very long hair. If hot rollers can’t do your full length, the NuMe Classic Curling Wand is a great option.

SUGGESTED TIPS

  • It comes with a glove to wear on the hand that is not gripping the wand handle. Use it. It helps hold the new curl in your hand for a few seconds once you release and drop the curl, and it is easy to accidentally burn oneself with a wand that has no clip.
  • The wand lays flat with no “resting spot”, so it slides around on an even surface. Have a wand matt or silicone pad to protect countertops and keep the wand from sliding while heating or when sectioning hair.

VERDICT

The NuMe Classic Curling Wand is a solid, easy-to-use hair tool that creates long-lasting curls in minutes. Excellent price point. Comes with glove and clips. The ceramic barrel with infrared heat works well on my damaged, naturally coarse hair. The curl or soft wave stay all day. I love that curls set in seconds. The NuMe Classic Curling Wand barrel is the best I’ve seen to date for accommodating very long hair with a full curl.

WHERE TO FIND IT

Find the NuMe Classic Curling Wand in the 19mm, 25mm or 32mm size at https://numeusa.com/classic-curling-wand

Simple one touch button and fast heat up to the perfect temperature

Simple one-touch button and fast heat up to the perfect temperature

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Have any questions about the NuMe Classic Curling Wand? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at questions@stylechicks.com

ABOUT THIS POST

NuMe Classic Curling Wand was submitted to Style Chicks for consideration purposes. All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.

Help for Frazzled Hair: Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends Leave-In Serum

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Nothing heals a split end, it must be cut off. But you can keep hair ends in the best condition possible with a leave-in treatment. This is one of the best ways to recover from hot styling tool use and drying styling products. Grow Gorgeous Split Ends Leave-In Serum is a leave-in hair treatment. It helps dried out hair recover and makes hair ends look as healthy as the rest of your hair.

Grow Gorgeous Split End Serum is full of rich conditioning nutrients for hair

Grow Gorgeous Split End Serum is full of rich conditioning nutrients for hair

WHAT MAKES GROW GORGeous End Split Ends Leave-In Serum Special

  • Acai is rich in the Omegas which reduce hair fall and provide deep moisture and natural shine to hair. If you like how Argan leaves your hair soft, you will love Acai. Acai also makes hair soft but shiny.
  • Plukenetia Volubilis Seed oil replaces lost protein in the hair shaft. It is another name for Sachi Inchi Oil, which has amazing hair friendly properties.  Sacha Inchi Oil has an astounding level of omega-3s, omega-6s and some omega-9s. Omegas feed hair and keep it looking lush and hydrated.

WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT DO

It doesn’t mend an existing split end, but it does seal broken fibers on the cuticle, which is the start of a split end.

APPLICATION

A few drops do the trick. I rub it between my hands and then gently rub it into hair ends. If your hair is long, apply it to the last several inches of hair. It helps hair that looks over-processed and dry.

SCENT

Fragrant, enough to compete with your own perfume. It is the same scent as the rest of the Grow Gorgeous line. When I wear this, I chose to not wear another scent.  Depending on how much you use of the product, it may be too much for wearing to the office if your office is scent-free.
Can’t tolerate any scent but need a leave-in for split ends? Consider Infusium23 Original Leave-In Treatment. It contains ingredients for hair growth and strength. These include B5, Castor Oil, and Lysine. Dilute it with water and apply it with a spray bottle if your hair is a fine texture.

RESULT

Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends Leave-In Serum leaves hair smooth and silky feeling. It is an ideal styling leave-in treatment if you are growing out a bad haircut or chemical process. Also good to use if your hair is worn out from heating styling tools. Grow Gorgeous is an effective way to make hair look better while treating it.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Grow Gorgeous End Split Ends Leave-In Serum at SkinStore, Ulta, and GrowGorgeous.

How to Use Sunflower Oil for Hair and Skin

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Sunflower Oil is a carrier oil with many beauty benefits. This article explains how to use sunflower oil for hair and skin.

Sunflower Oil has many hair and skin benefits

Sunflower Oil has many hair and skin benefits

Sunflower oil can be used alone or combined with other oils. It is well tolerated by sensitive skin.

Why Use Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Seed Oil is hydrating, nourishing and an excellent supporting oil base. Sunflower Oil especially benefits coarse hair textures. It locks in moisture and deters hair breakage.

Sunflower Oil has many hair and skin benefits.

How to Use Sunflower Oil on Skin

Sunflower Oil is an effective face and body moisturizer. But it is a semi-greasy oil which makes the application and dry-down difficult. When mixed into a lotion or cream, sunflower oil can be exceptionally useful on body skin.

Sunflower Oil is non-comedogenic and can moisturize acne-prone areas. It soothes eczema, scarring, redness, and irritation.

  • Sunflower Oil retains moisture in the skin and is also rich in vitamin E.
  • Functions as a lipid buffer against drying ingredients or topical medicines [1]
  • Sunflower Oil softens skin irritated by drying topicals. It works well with Retinol because it hydrates and calms red, irritated skin.
  • Linoleic acid Gives sunflower seed oil anti-inflammatory properties.
  • It is a natural treatment for atopic dermatitis. [2]
  • The Vitamin E in Sunflower oil lightens skin discoloration.
  • It is gentle enough to use as an eye makeup remover. Apply oil directly to face and allow 30 seconds to dissolve makeup, massage gently if desired. Wash face as normal. To remove eye makeup, hold a sunflower seed soaked cotton ball over your closed lid for about 20 seconds. It dissolves mascara without rubbing or pulling on lashes.

Sunflower Oil Hair Benefits

Sunflower Oil is an excellent unscented oil for hair hydration and softening. It works as a base for scalp treatment essential oils such as Tea Tree, Rosemary, and Peppermint. It softens hair when combined with rosemary and lavender oils.

  • Vitamin E promotes scalp health.
  • It blends well with other oils. A blend of Sunflower Oil and Coconut Oil moisturizes and strengthens hair, and is not as greasy.
  • Ideal for coarse hair because it helps hair retain moisture. It is a light non-polar solvent that prevents water loss. It penetrates the hair shaft to lock and retain moisture.
  • It is less greasy than olive oil and won’t cause breakouts.
  • It contains Omega 9, an essential acid needed to stop breakage and stimulate hair growth.

Sunflower Oil benefits all hair types, especially hair needing extra moisture. This includes coarse hair, curly hair, and damaged hair.

General Beauty Benefits of Sunflower Oil

Use Sunflower oil for coarse and brittle hair to stop breakage and dryness

Sunflower oil on coarse hair prevents breakage

Sunflower Oil has a highly nutritious composition. It is one of the healthiest oils skin and hair application. The main component of sunflower oil is linoleic acid. Its other components include oleic acid and palmitic acid, lecithin, carotenoids, tocopherols, and numerous vitamins. These nourish skin and hair.

While Sunflower Oil is an effective moisturizer, it is also a carrier oil. It enables the other active moisturizing ingredients to sink deeper into the skin. Combine sunflower oil with jojoba, grapeseed oil, almond oil, or essential oils for extra benefits.

Interesting in learning more about Sunflower Oil for reversing hair loss? Check out this article: 3 Proven Ways To Use Sunflower Oil For Hair Loss: 28 Days Later.

References

Loden M, Andersson AC. Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin. Br J Dermatol. 1996;134(2):215-20.

Lopez Perez G, Torres Altamirano M. Indications for sunflower oil concentrate in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Rev Alerg Mex. 2006;53(6):217-25.

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