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Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatments + Conditioning Remedies

Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatments

Olaplex treatmentPre-shampoo, or pre-poo, is a hair treatment product designed for use BEFORE shampooing. Pre-shampoo treatments are typically a heavier hair treatment that improves the condition of the hair cuticle and cortex, improving hair health, not just smoothing the hair appearance. Pre-poo treatments work best on hair when allowed to soak into the hair for at least ten minutes or even overnight.

Examples of a pre-shampoo treatments are Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme, and Olaplex.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer: 10 Tips How to Best Use

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This how-to guide is about How to Use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment: 10 Tips for Best Use

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment is considered by many to be a holy grail hair rescue product.

But for some, Elasticizer is just meh. How can some people swear by it and others be disappointed?

Proper application is key to getting the most out of Philip Kingsley Elasticizer or Elasticizer Extreme.

Not sure how to use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment? Read our top ten tips for best use below.

How to Use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

How to Use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer: 10 Tips for Best Use

Why Elasticizer is Special

We previously reviewed Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and discussed how we love its’ simple but excellent ingredients.

A key ingredient overview helps deconstruct the elusive je ne sais quoi of Elasticizer. Let’s take a look:

Key Ingredients

Olive Oil nourishes hair

OLIVE OIL

A moisturizing oil with Omega-3s and polyphenols. Omegas nourish the hair follicle and make the cuticle smooth and the shaft strong.

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 gives hair tensile strength: 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 important to keep hair looking vibrant, lush, bouncy and healthy.

Castor seed oil is a humectant

CASTOR OIL

Castor Oil draws moisture into the hair shaft making it plumper and hydrated. It’s Vitamin E softens hair. 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.

Ten Tips on How to Best Use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment

1. Apply to Fully Damp Hair

Apply Elasticizer to fully damp hair prior to shampooing.

How to do it:
  • Warm the creamy conditioner slightly in your hands.
  • Slowly smooth it into the length of the hair to help it absorb.

2.  It Must Fully 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 at a time.

Then place the hair section between two fingers and gently “squeegee” the product down the hair length to assist absorption.

For sections that don’t absorb after 30 minutes, I re-wet the hair with a spray bottle and repeat the squeegee process.

Gently squeeze it in if the squeegee method doesn’t work.

3. Avoid the Scalp

There is no harm in applying it closer to the scalp, but 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.

4. Keep Elasticizer moist

As long as it stays damp, it continues to work. 

HOW TO DO IT:

  • I like to use a processing cap or hair towel to let it stay moist.
  • Your facial steamer can add a special oomph to the penetration.
  • If Elasticizer is getting dry and hard, spritz it down.

5. 10-Minute Minimum Use

It takes about five minutes to absorb into the hair.  Leave it 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.

Don’t have time for a full treatment? Try this tip:

“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

6.  Add heat

Heat intensifies the penetration. Use it while exercising, at the beach or sunbathing, or while taking a steam.

7. Don’t Use Elasticizer before or after Hair Coloring

The packaging says it 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. The Olive Oil can remove fresh color, and color doesn’t take when used within 3 days before coloring.

8. Use the Formulation for Your Hair Type

Use the proper formulation for your hair type.

  • Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme is for coarse, naturally coiled, or very damaged hair.
  • Fine and Medium texture hair should use Elasticizer Intensive.
  • For medium or curly textured damaged hair that is LONG, I found Elasticizer Extreme works. Your mileage may vary.

9.  Add-Ins

Elasticizer is an excellent creamy base for your favorite hair oil. Sometimes I add a few drops of warm Jojoba or Avocado oil

10. Stick With It

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 and colored hair responded well to Elasticizer Intense, but benefits far more from Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer Extreme.

BEST TIP: after slightly warming a small amount in your hands, gently squeegee it into the hair to aid absorption.

Where to Find Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Find Philip Kingsley products at:

  • PhilipKingsley.com
  • BlueMercury
  • Violet Grey

Questions? Comments?

Have any questions?

The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

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

ELASTICIZER: HOW TO USE Philip Kingsley’s Best Hair Care

· 12 Comments

ELASTICIZER HOW TO GUIDE: 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 this beloved hair care product. 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

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

Ten TIPS FOR HOW TO USE ELASTICIZER

  1. Apply Elasticizer to damp hair prior to shampooing. Smooth it 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.
  2. There is no harm in applying it 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.
  3. I like to use a processing cap or hair towel, hydracap or steamer to let it stay moist. As long as it stays damp, it continues to work.
  4. It takes about five minutes to absorb into the hair. Leave it 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.
  5. Heat intensifies the penetration. Wear it while exercising, at the beach or sunbathing, or while taking a steam.
  6. It rinses out clean. For optimal results, shampoo and condition afterward.
  7. The packaging says it can remove hair color or impede coloring. Don’t use it for 3 days before and after coloring. I ignored these directions and found out it is true. Olive Oil can remove fresh color.
  8. For sections that don’t absorb after 30 minutes, I re-wet the hair and repeat the tip #1 squeegee process.
  9. It is an excellent creamy base for your favorite hair oil. Sometimes I add a few drops of Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Tsubaki, or Avocado.
  10. Use the proper formulation for your hair type. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme is for coarse, naturally coiled, or very damaged hair. Fine and Medium texture hair should use Elasticizer Intensive.

Final Thoughts on HOW TO USE ELASTICIZER

Even with these ten tips, you may not see much progress after the first use. We encourage you to give it atleast three tries.

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 the thick creamy formula into the hair to aid absorption.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

WHERE TO BUY IT

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

Questions? Comments?

Have any questions?

The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

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

Why We Love Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Hair Treatment

· 12 Comments

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

Beauty: Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

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Coconut Oil is a multi-purpose, go-to remedy for many beauty, health, cooking and household uses. Finding a quality grade coconut oil is a worthwhile investment. A brand we like is Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil because 1) it is a food grade, cold-pressed, extra virgin oil 2) it has an appealing flavor and scent 3) it absorbs into the skin with a non-greasy finish, and 4) it makes our hair soft and shiny without dull residue.

Island's Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

COCONUT OIL USES
Coconut Oil is a fabulous hair and skin conditioner. It removes makeup. It locks moisture into skin after a shower. Coconut Oil can clean makeup brushes and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. There are also numerous health benefits to consuming Coconut Oil.

FINDING A QUALITY COCONUT OIL
For all that Coconut Oil does, it makes sense to use only a quality Coconut Oil for topical application and cooking use. Not every Coconut Oil brand is created equal. There is a wide variety of price points for Coconut Oil. Some brands are not as suitable for eating, and even some of the food grade Coconut Oils are not very tasty or lack an appetizing aroma.

While most Coconut Oil brands will provide some benefits (serving as a shaving cream or moisturizing cuticles), few Coconut Oils are truly food quality. Fewer have USDA Certification. Coconut Oil must be pure, fresh, free of additives, and, of course, be tasty to be used in cooking and baking.

ABOUT ISLAND’S MIRACLE ORGANIC COCONUT OIL
Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil is a USDA Certified Organic 100% raw, cold-pressed (first press only), extra virgin coconut oil that has a wonderful flavor and scent. Made from pesticide and insecticide free coconuts, with no additives such as salt, sugar, yeast, gluten, eggs, shellfish or preservatives.

PACKAGING
Island’s Miracle uses PBA-Free Plastic packaging to prevent toxins from getting into their pure coconut oil. The container comes sealed, as you can see in the video below. I had to loosen it before I did the video, because it came quite tightly sealed!

Island's Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

TASTE
I was impressed by the light, natural smell of coconut and the cold pressed texture resulting in a densely packed, emollient oil.

It is a quality food grade, making it suitable for use in cooking, baking and included in energy drinks, smoothies, and in coffee. There is no strange aftertaste to the Island’s Miracle Coconut Oil. It is fresh, light and natural tasting.

USING ISLAND’S MIRACLE ORGANIC COCONUT OIL ON MY HAIR & SKIN

I’ve used several brands of Coconut Oil on my hair and skin, and do like the results. What I don’t like is how greasy it can be on the skin, and how the residue can make hair dull. I didn’t have that experience with this Coconut Oil. It’s not greasy and absorbed into the skin well. It is suitable for use on the skin (even on the face and around the delicate eye area) and hair, as well as used as a baby skin ointment. I also used it on the ends of my hair; it left it a soft sheen and my hair felt thicker and softer. There was no dulling film after I shampooed it out.

Island's Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

TEST: HOW TO INCORPORATE ISLAND’S MIRACLE ORGANIC COCONUT OIL INTO MY DIET FOR EASY & HEALTHIER EATING HABITS

I haven’t found the taste of a Coconut Oil very appealing in other brands I tried, but since Island’s Miracle Oil is pure, cold pressed and virgin oil, it has so many health benefits it’s worth trying. I was pleased to find it to be a pleasant taste with no aftertaste or strange texture.

Since Island’s Miracle Coconut Oil is tasty and smells delicious, it is easier to make some healthy dietary changes, such as opting for using the healthier Coconut Oil over less healthy fats like butter, cream or cooking sprays.

I tested a few Coconut Oil substitute ideas using the Island’s Miracles Coconut Oil. These little calorie-saving tricks add up and still give me more energy without sacrificing taste.

1. One substitute I tried was spreading Coconut Oil on my toast instead of butter. This gave me more energy before a workout or long day. The taste was light and sweet, and Coconut Oil still melted into a warm consistency on my toast like butter does, and with the Coconut Oil, my toast was not dry or bland, so I didn’t miss the butter much, and it is an easy switch while watching calories.

2. Another substitute is stirring the Coconut Oil into my coffee instead of milk or creamer. If hot coffee and Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil are mixed in the blender, it makes a creamy cappuccino kind of texture. Coconut Oil is used in Bulletproof coffee recipes, which gives an energy boost and helps curbs the munchies, making it easier to stick to a diet. Coconut Oil in a smoothie makes for a surprisingly good texture, adds some sweetness and gives energy because of Coconut Oils’ fast acting MCFA fats.

3. A fun way we found to incorporate the Island’s Coconut Oil as a healthy fat substitute is for making popcorn! It smells just like movie theater popcorn! To make Popcorn with Coconut Oil, we melted a few tablespoons of Island’s Miracle Coconut Oil in a pot on the stove. Then we popped the kernels the old fashioned way with a tin foil “lid.” Once popped, drizzle the popped kernels lightly with some more melted Coconut Oil add toppings to taste such as sea salt, spices, or cinnamon. Yum! Much tastier than microwave popcorn and without the chemicals.

OTHER COCONUT OIL USES IN COOKING:

1. High-heat cooking, such as Sauteing and Frying, can be done with Coconut Oil because of its high smoke point from its’ heat-stable, healthy saturated fats.
2. A teaspoon of Coconut Oil can substitute for a non-stick cooking spray.
3. To bake with Coconut Oil, exchange the same amount of coconut oil as the butter or vegetable oil that is called for in the recipe.

CONCLUSION: A quality Coconut Oil is a must for every household, it serves so many purposes! A worthwhile investment is a USDA Certified Organic, cold pressed, virgin oil like the Island’s Miracles Organic Coconut Oil, a tasty oil suitable for cooking, baking and a host of beauty purposes. An excellent price for a pure, additive-free Coconut Oil!

Find Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil at https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C79Y0EO

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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.

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