Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Art of Hair and Shu News

First, some Shu-related news.

Many of you have heard by now that our beloved Shu Uemura will no longer be sold in stores in the US. If this news is new to you do not panic, do not despair, and for goodness sakes do not call 911. You will still have full access to the Shu Uemura line (including all the new launches) on the Shu Uemura website. Shu Uemura's Art of Hair line will still be available both in salons and on the Art of Hair Website.

Holiday Beauty Gift Guide- Pureology

Holiday season or not, can any of us afford to have anything less than fabulous hair? The answer to that one should be a resounding no. Offering up a fantastic array of products for those who rock hair color that they were not born with, Pureology goes one step further and puts everything in a pretty box that is too cute not to gift. With a fabulous array of such holiday giftable goodies for that mane person in your life, what more could a girl ask for?

Holiday Beauty Gift Guide- Philip B Hair Gift Set

This holiday season, volume-tastic hair luxury comes in the giftable form of Philip B's Full, Sexy Hair Collection. Designed to plump, cleanse, and thicken wimpy hair, this kit is everything a limp haired lady could ever want or need.

Living Proof Hair Has Me Singin' In The Rain

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Why I hate rain, a Haiku

Inconvenient
Bringer of frizz and mayhem
Makes me want to hide

I loathe rain. It makes everything messier, and that includes all things beauty. Humidity-induced frizzies are the bane of my coif's existence, and taming poofiness becomes nigh impossible with the promise of the wet stuff. Fortunately, Living Proof's Frizz line has the cure for what ails me, with a line of cleaning and styling products for hair that is especially prone to looking like one just stuck their finger in a socket.

Frizz lets you pick the styling products with the right formula for your hair's texture, mine being thick and coarse. The products smell great, but more importantly, they are effective.

The proof is in the pudding they say, so here is a picture of my hair post Frizz shampoo, conditioner, and curly cream. I must say, I am very impressed. The conditioner conditioned my hair quite well, while the curly cream did its job to keep my hair in it's natural soft curl.

Frizz is available on their own website, or at Sephora. If you hate frizz as much as I do, give this one a go.

Protect Your Hair from the Sun with Miss Oops Block Your Locks

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We all know that our skin is susceptible to the harsh rays of the sun (see above), but did you also know that your hair-color is just as vulnerable? Those of you with dyed hair, like me, are vulnerable to fading caused by those gosh-darned UVA and UVB rays. Said "death rays" of the sun cause the melanin and dyes in hair color to disperse, leading to lightening (highlights). Desirable for those seeking natural, sun-kissed highlights, this isn't so desirable for those of us gals who go dark, darker, darkest. Redheads are especially vulnerable, since red hair color already has the tendency to fade very, very quickly.

Once again, it is Miss Oops to the rescue with Block Your Locks hair finishing spray. Block Your Locks is a lightweight spray with SPF 15 built right in. Simply spray hair before you head out, and your color is protected in the harshest of climes.

Switch up you Hairstyle with Ecru New York

Styling Pros of ECRU NEW YORK Provide Other Ways to Express Your Style

Being stylish is more than wearing the latest fashion trends and the newest shades of artfully applied makeup, its also about having the perfectly coiffed hair. With so many different styles to choose from, why not go bold with hair that makes a statement? Texture is in for fall, in a major way. From super short to bordering on ridiculous long, these styles will have you rocking well into the winter.

Hair designers Lisa Lobosco and Justin DePasquale of ECRU New York tell us how to get the hottest looks this season using their favorite ECRU New York products:

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Make like your inner Posh with the Pixie Crop (hot soccer hubby optional)

This bold cut is much more dramatic than the traditional bob, creating a young, funky temple-length look, shaped by choppy layers and razored fringes. Use Silk Texturizing Balm to smooth, define and separate the hair without weighing it down, creating a piecy and edgy style.

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Go dramatic with Long, Flowing Mermaid Locks

This part hippie, part bohemian, part rocker chic ‘do combines volume, beachy waves, and smooth texture to create a carefree, down-to-earth style. Comb Marine Styling Balm through damp hair and lightly scrunch. This weightless fast drying formula will add body, shine and hold for a relaxed style.

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Not just for gals named Heidi, Milkmaid Braids are effortlessly beautiful

This classic updo is back – and better than ever. Begin by applying Silk Nectar Serum to damp hair to moisturize, smooth and repair split ends. This non-greasy formula helps to prevent frizz and fly-aways. Create a center part and blowdry the hair downwards. Braid the hair into two pigtails, bring the ends of each together, and bobby pin in place. Top it off with a coat of Finishing Spray MAX to secure the look and eliminate strays.

All Ecru haircare products are available on their website, and are made with the best ingredients that science and nature have to offer.

What are your hot styles for fall, and what do you use to achieve the look?

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Contest

Carol's Daughter has a great contest that is running RIGHT NOW.

In the weekly HAIR MILK contest, winners are selected every Thursday night with the winner announced every Friday. The weekly HAIR MILK contest ends on October 15.

The weekly winners advance to the next level of the contest where a GRAND PRIZE winner, a RUNNER-UP and a third-place winner will be announced on Monday October 26th.

Make sure you enter, to win a bunch of fabulous prizes. Enter by clicking here, and good luck!

Leonor Greyl Shampoo

My adventures in haircare continue, this time turning to the country of France for help. My hair has serious issues, and it is Leonor Greyl to the rescue with the Shampooing Crème Moelle de Bambou.

Shocking, I know, but I have 'special needs' hair. I struggle with frizz and keeping my curly mop poof-free everyday. Having tried many different brands and having various degrees of success, I haven't sought out products before that specifically address the fact that my hair needs more tlc due to its length. Considering my hair reaches just above my derriere when straightened, I think it is safe to say that my hair falls into the "very long" category.

Why does hair length matter? Well, the longer your hair is, the more exposure the ends have had to damaging elements, causing the overall appearance of hair to be dull and lifeless. Longer hair is also more prone to damage, including breakage and split ends. It is for that very reason that it becomes important when treating long hair to look for products that will not only repair damaged hair, but will also reinforce, strengthen, and infuse moisture into hair that really needs it.

Formulated with natural active ingredients like bamboo marrow, silk proteins, and wheat derivatives; this shampoo's specialty is regenerating damaged hair. The result is shiny, manageable hair without any effort. Being a cream shampoo, this wonder pulls double duty as a cleanser and light conditioner. Love that! The shampoo itself has a musky floral scent that is very soothing and natural. It lacks the traditional lathering agents that ultimately damage the hair too, another bonus.
Don't think that this shampoo is for long hair only, any hairtype that needs a little extra loving would benefit from the gentle, moisturizing cleansing that this creamy shampoo provides.

I give the Leonor Greyl Shampoo a great big thumbs up. I love it!

And if my endorsement isn't enough, I have a tidbit to share with you all.

The Queen of Pop, Madge herself is a big fan of Leonor Greyl as well:

Celebrity hair stylist Andy Lecompte took the following Leonor Greyl products with him to use on Madonna during her current tour:

Eclat Naturel styling cream for dry hair

Laque Souple gentle hold setting spray

Voluforme volumizing setting spray

Leonor Greyl Haircare is available at select salons throughout the county, and also on various websites including BeautyHabit and Folica.Com

TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Shampoo and Conditioner

* So bad, it wasn't even worth me taking an original picture of it

I am not going to beat around the proverbial bush (of hair) with this review folks, up for review are a shampoo and conditioner set that I did not like... at all.

Curls Rock is a line of products by TIGI Catwalk, designed (according to the label) to de-frizz and detangle curly hair while giving ringlets plenty of bounce. Looking for a shampoo and conditioner duo to switch up my routine a bit, I was lured in by bright blue bottles and promises to give my curls bounce. C.M was digging it, but was quickly disappointed as she found these claims to be as limp and lifeless as she was after being treated to this shampoo and conditioner.

Not only did Curls Rock not do what it promised, it also seemed to amplify all the bad things about my hair. After use my curls looked limp, my hair was full of frizz, and my color was just left looking dull. Normally, when I use a new shampoo and conditioner I see its positive effects immediately. After using this duo 3 times, I could definitely tell that it wasn't for me. I definitely wasn't chanelling Minnie Driver, more like Minnie Mouse meets electrical socket.

Ah well, can't please them all, and Curls Rock is a dud for me. I will valiantly be on the lookout for the next great curly haired products, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, what shampoo/conditioner line are you loving or hating?

Hair Care- Keeping Curly Mops in Tip-Top Shape

I have introduced you to C.M before, now let me tell you a bit more about my current routine that keeps my curls looking happy and healthy.

1. Brush your hair to get the knots out before you shower. This is pretty much the only time you can brush your hair without going all chia pet, since you will be washing anyway. Brushing curly hair once it is dry is a huge no-no because it breaks and separates the curl, resulting in poof that is not pretty.
(This is your curly hair on the brush, any questions?)

2. Shampoo and condition with a curly hair shampoo and conditioning treatment. The formulations of these products are gentle so as not to break down the hair's natural texture, and they are super moisturizing since curly hair is almost always dry and coarse. What you use is up to you, but I have had success with Phyto, Ojon, Bumble and Bumble, Loreal Professional, and vast others!

3. After showering, wring excess water out of hair with an old cotton t shirt, or allow hair to air-dry. Using a terry towel is another curly don't, as it will only generate frizz. The texture of most towels is way too rough on delicate curls anyway.

4. Follow up with a leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture, and a curl enhancing cream to minimize frizz and provide light hold to bouncy curls. Products I am currently loving are Rene Furterer Karite No Rinse Nutritive Concentrate and MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream
I always shower at night, so the best tip I ever got was to do this to keep hair curl and frizz free when you sometimes sleep on it damp:

Divide hair into 2-3 sections and loosely (very loosely) twist each section into a loose braid. Secure each braid with a rubber band (again, loosely). In the morning when you wake up and unravel the loose braids, you will find your hair has kept its curl without the frizz you get when you sometimes sleep on wet hair. I do this every night, as it keeps my curls pretty and tangle free. [see above for what I mean]

The finished results keep my curls springy and frizz free.
Like so:
So there you have it, my curly hair routine. What do you do to keep your hair looking great?

Get your Beauty Fix

Beauty Fix is a program that allows you to sample the latest and greatest products 4 times a year. All you have to do is sign up here; and Beauty Fix will send you a package brimming with high end goodies, four times a year! This is great for all those folks who want to stay on top of all the latest and greatest products from both up and coming brands, and familiar favorites.

This is my second installment, and I am sure you can all see some familiar brands in there!

Long story short, I highly recommend you all try this program out. It is a fantastic way to try new things!