I.C.O.N Hair Care & Styling Stuff. AWESOME !

It takes a lot for me to rave about hair products, because I have fine, thinning, naturally ratty curly (not in a good way), long, old damaged hair.
So this is lengthy, but pay attention if you have mad or bad hair and sick of products that don't do what they promise.

I have tried every cheap and expensive product out there and usually give away a bag of "no goods" a month, my friends can attest.
I have a mixture of stuff that sort of works, depending on if I'm going straight or curly that day, but have never, ever found a line, full product line that I could just have 6 products to do everything, instead of 30 that I make insane witches brews of mixed "stuff" to try and work it.

The proof is in my Hair Cupboard (yes, this is JUST MY HAIR STUFF, not even including shampoo, conditioner or masques/treatments and tools)

So, I recently got the opportunity to try some of the products in the I.C.O.N line from Escape Uptown Salon & Spa (I also LOVE their Biomega Mist, which is the tall aqua, white cap bottle there) and of COURSE I'm game to try anything new, so when Stephanie asked, I said "YO"

The big deal about this stuff is that care products are as good for the inside as they are for the outside. Shampoos are sulfate-free, conditioners and treatments are filled with anti-agers, A.C.E. of vitamins and all are color-safe and Eco-Tech. The "regimedies" combine a shampoo, conditioner and treatment to take hair to a new dimension repairing and preparing it for style & design.
Utilizing the smart technology inside EcoTech formulations I.C.O.N. works to give each you a new or consistent identity, because at the end of the day, identity is what defines your style. I.C.O.N’s liquid tools can be cocktailed or used alone to create new dimensions that they call “Liquid Fashion.”
Cool huh?

So that's the "about".

My experience ?

I was given samples or a trial size of these...

1. PROTEIN : Body Building Gel - (this is an unusual hybrid of moisture,  hydration and protein, plus a build-able light gel and styler), really innovative and it really works ! It's like a soft styling gel that treats your hair and protects it, but not too much protein to make it hard and brittle causing breaks, just enough for some strength. Very multi-tasking and infuses really well. You can use more to get a pretty impressive hold and hair design if that's your bag.
2. DONE : Build-able Finishing Spray - (my new fave finishing spray by a MILE, sorry Paul Mitchell Clean, you've been dumped). This is also like PM Clean, insofar as it's clean on the hair, doesn't build up, but it has a clean smell, it will add some shine to your hair, it's a great root lifter and use a little for soft movable hold or root lift, then more to lacquer that sucker down if that's how you roll, then it still washes or brushes out without a trace. LOVE IT
3. SERUM : Anti Age Therapy - Glossy anti-aging cuticle soothing, protection from free radicals and split end repairing treatment with hydration (it truly rocks), again really innovative, multi-tasking and incredible shine, protecting from flat irons and blow dryers.

The shampoo and conditioners have been used on my hair at the salon last week and I will have those too today, but I'll get advice on which ones for me, because there are a few and I have a few problems (hold your tongue) :-

There is Anti-aging, Detox, Indulgent, Hydration lines and Treatments as well as CURE Replenishing Spray for dry, over stressed, unruly "sick" hair with  each purchase of that getting a donation to organizations like STOP CANCER - Call the salon at 720 259 1370 for more information or email them.

But after my salon visit, with the Shamp/Condit and styling products, I got SO many compliments on how shiny, bouncy and cool my hair looked over the next 2 days before I washed it all out and did it myself.

And ya know what ? I got the same result as the salon, it's still looks great (miracles can happen?). Tons of shine, not limp and dry looking, volume, bounce.

SOLD !

The I.C.O.N line has a great pedigree, created by Jorge Rubin Owner and Master Stylist of Jorge Rubin Salons in California and Spain...and Chiara, the Hairdresser and mad genius behind the products research and creation, both no strangers to celebrity hair and all it's requirements to be perfect and constantly messed with.

Wrapping Up (or wrap it up)

It's not a cheap line, by any stretch, but it really does go a long way, you seriously don't need much of anything and in fact, you'll get in a mess if you over-do and over-use it. So in my book and given the money I've wasted over the years, this discovery of I.C.O.N is a relief and bargain for me.

Maybe I can use my hair cupboard for something else with just 4-6 products in there ?

like... oh, maybe some more skin care or a laser hair removal at-home machine, or.....

hopeless :( 

If you have questions or just want recommendations, drop me an email, comment or facebook note

Ciao!

from Chez
a Bona Fide Glam Junkie

Still on the subject of eyelashes.... Lash Growers and Extensions

There are SO many things out there that promise the earth for your hair, looks or skin. 99% of it is just untrue or if it has a grain of truth, the result will be small. 

It's about realistic expectations and not abusing products. 

This guide/review is about Eyelashes. The frame of the eyes, window to the soul. Great looking lashes can really add to a look, be it natural and fresh or sexy and smoky. 

OTC Lash Growers 

These products in beauty stores from $10 to $150 and online DO NOT WORK. Please, I beg you, don't waste your money. The only thing that will grow your lashes fuller, thicker and longer, as promised is FDA approved LATISSE® available by prescriptions (and honestly, costs about the same as some outrageous LASH GROWERS from beauty stores). I have no affiliation with the brand, but I've asked my Aesthetics Doctors locally and the fact has been pounded in books, reputable magazines and on Dr Oz. 

In my experience, women who say the OTC ones work, are often women who have either changed some behavior when they start using it OR destroyed their lashes by wearing glued on fake eyelashes all the time. They simply stop the fakes or change some other behavior (conscious or not), apply one of them (growers) for a while and bingo, new lashes... that would have grown back with a rest from glue or habits change anyway and the nourishing agents in the OTC's do help a little for conditioning but they DO NOT grow lashes longer, thick, stronger. 

When to use an OTC Lash Product ?

If you're concerned about your lashes condition, by all means buy a cheaper nourishing grower and wear at night or throw on something like Buxom Gel Eyeliner for Conditioning Lashes or bareMinerals Big & Bright Eyeliner Pencils which have some conditioning properties, but expect the same from it as you would a conditioner for your hair (you don't expect conditioner to grow your hair do you?), because that's essentially what the OTC products are. If you don't abuse your lashes with fake lash glue or 24/7 waterproof high chemical mascara, then you have perfectly fine natural lashes 'for you'. If you want them longer, thicker and fuller, get LATISSE®
Fakes are fine for special occasions.

The skin has sweat glands and hairs. As the junction between skin and conjunctiva is approached, the hairs change their character to become eyelashes. These are NOT meant to be gummed up with chemical glue every day and WILL fall out or break if they are. Wearing harsh, chemical loaded waterproof mascara will cause a similar problem by drying out those brittle hairs and/or breaking when you try and remove it, especially if you don't clean it off at the end of each day and some of the OTC "growers" are Keratin Loaded and will do the same. NOT GOOD!

The solution?

Try to find more natural Mascaras (Korres, Tarte, Bare Escentuals, Josie Maran or some drugstore brands), don't wear waterproof if you don't need to and clean it off with a gentle but highly effective eye makeup remover like Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover that takes little scrubbing and otherwise LEAVE THEM ALONE. 

Leave fake lashes for special occasions and try the self adhesive ones to avoid the glue (Revlon have excellent self adhesive ones). If you must use glue, make sure it's a Surgical Grade glue like DUO, that's meant for skin and don't use it often. If they really are short, sparse and broken and make you miserable, talk to an Aesthetics Doctor about Latisse to see if it's right for you. 

Lash Extensions ?

I have absolutely nothing good to say about these, the cost, the upkeep, the procedure or the sometimes unlicensed and inexperienced people who apply this technology.
It's expensive, inconvenient, will destroy the lashes you have and the cost is ridiculous. You have to sleep on your back ALL the time, get them re-done every few weeks, the chemicals are horrible and potentially eye damaging and for the life of me, vain as I can be as a female, I'd rather you use fakes everyday with double glue than get these. Not every eyelash extensions practitioner is a charlatan, they are just providing the service and do it properly. It's the service itself that's the problem. I predict we'll see state licensers start to get into this at some point and/or the FDA. Ask anyone who's had it done. Anything that stings THAT MUCH and takes that much care and precaution around your eyes and ongoing maintenance just can't be good. Your hair will grow back if you trash it with extensions [maybe], but not your eyeballs. 

Please let common sense prevail and not try to look like someone on Dancing with the Stars... that's just not real Hope this was helpful.

If you have questions or just want recommendations, drop me an email, comment or facebook note

Ciao!

from Chez
a Bona Fide Glam Junkie

SlamPost : bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara

What's a slam post? A fast, short post on one item I personally LOVE and will link to.

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara A gorgeous lash is a terrible thing to waste.  100% pure bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara  accentuates and separates each lash for a flawless and well-defined finishing touch to your eyes.

In Black and Espresso, the brush and non-irritating formula is key for this one and it's pretty idiot proof.
Just Curl Your Lashes (yes, please do it or learn, it's not rocket science and makes a HUGE difference to how your mascara opens your eyes) and apply one or two coats. For evening add in a lash primer first and it's like wearing falsies, gorgeous !!

Stays all day, no racoons, no flaking, no chemicals.

Try it, you can return it, you won't be sorry.

If you have questions or just want recommendations, drop me an email, comment or facebook note

Ciao!

from a
Bona Fide Glam Junkie

Time to start exfoliating for tanning !

Ok, We all know tanned limbs and face look better than fish white and flabby when you've got more skin on display in warm weather, BUT there are two HUGE no-no's to this.

1. DO NOT aim for or do anything that resembles a Snooki tan. It's flat out an abomination and affront to decent society. Back away from the strong orange tanning lotions, double shot with crack on the side spray booths and old tanning beds.
2. DO NOT bake yourself in the sun until you're sunburned, especially if you're of  fair skinned European descent (gorgeous olive skinned Italian ladies, I hate you). It's not only a skin cancer risk now and later, it CAUSES WRINKLES and that nasty old leathery look to your skin that you don't need to be 60 to achieve. I've seen 40 year olds with a weathered leather cleavage and it is NOT sexy, trust me.

So, more about Instant Tan products in another post.
Some time in the sun  is fine, it actually gives you a good dose of Vit D, which in my not-so-humble opinion is why everyone is less sick in summer, because D is your best immune defense against more things than Dr Oz can poke a scalpel at.

This my girls and gays, is about getting prepared for a nice even tan, no matter how you choose to do it (even if it is rust orange).

EXFOLIATE

YES, you must.

There are a few ways to tackle this, but good tools are essential, alone or with body scrubs.
I prefer tools, with scrubs in varying degrees and find this works best too, depending on how often you get to it (in the shower or bath is best) and/or use self tanners.

Get yourself a good loofah/scubbie/wash mit and pumice stone like these : Aquis Exfoliating Towels and Cloths, Plus Eco Tools Sponges and Loofah's

When choosing a scrub, please go for organic or at least natural in a salt or sugar scrub, like these Greenscape Somerset Organic Salt Scrubs which are really effective, but not irritating to your skin (because you are, after all, scrubbing it off, essentially) and they don't contain parabens, sulfates and other nasties that are carcinogenic.

What exfoliating does is slough off all the built up dead skin cells, crusty dry skin (don't say eeeyyyeewwww, we all get it in winter when we can't be bothered with a pedicure) and "polishes" your skin evenly, ready to suck up moisture so that your skin can "accept" an even self tanner or a better (light) sun kissed suntan.
Please, please use a great body moisturizer or body butter - Alana sells fabbo natural and organic skin care so see her Weekly Special Deals at SkincareByAlana.com plus FREE Shipping and search "body butter".

Ever wondered why, when using self tanners that you have orange heels, white ankles and tanned legs ?
Yeah, you guess it, you're not doing the right prep and you're not using the tanner correctly (again, using self tanners is another post but if you want to use an awesome line of self tanners, Au Courant is your choice :: Au Courant skincare Instant products and Free Shipping all orders!).

But start with exfoliating properly. Start now and start gently, so you don't have to scrub your skin off later.
If you're not self tanning, loofah/scrub once or twice a week until you feel pink, refreshed and soft and if you are self tanning, EVERY time before re-applying tanner.

Also use the pumice stone in the shower every time you're in there. This will keep your feet looking good, pedi-ready and stop them from cracking. but hello! moisturize your feet as soon as you get out of the shower or you still will get cracks.

If you have questions about how/where to scrub or techniques or just want recommendations, drop me an email, comment or facebook note

Ciao!

from a
Bona Fide Glam Junkie

REVIEW :: Biomega Moisture Mist by Aquage

I've been using this for a few months since the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfector 2-Step Smoothing Kit trashed my hair (don't EVER be tempted, most good reviews out there are within one day or wash of the product and there are plenty of horror stories about the "later" damage, but that review is for another day, meantime, see my fellow bloggers assessment at the link for the product).

Biomega is made by Aquage, an excellent hair brand not found just anywhere.

And please always buy these products from an authorized professional salon like this one or licensed dealer so you get good advice and the actual product, not water... (don't kid yourself, it happens... if it's 75% off, there's a reason)

SO, the skinny on Aquage Biomega Moisture Mist Conditioner.

It revitalizes fine, limp or thinning hair with a volumizing infusion of lightweight, Omega-rich nutrients and Gugu bark extract. Smells great, has a lot of good plant ingredients you can recognize or pronounce.

NO Proteins, Keratin or straight up alcohol ! 

This is Important if you're using this for trashed, over-chemicalated (my word) or dried, fried hair. 

Proteins and Keratin products, far from repairing, can make your hair hard (like formaldehyde does for your nails in most nail polishes and treatments, another BIG Noooooo), and brittle and you will be filling your sink with broken hair bits in no time and you might have to cut back to a mullet or something. NO ONE wants that, especially your friends.

Proteins and keratins have their place in strengthening hair or used sparingly IN moisture products, but see this is why you go ask the peeps at the salon who know this stuff. Makes ya think huh ? Could have been doing more harm than good with that K-Pak all along, depending on your hair.

So I love this product because.....

Ultra-light, leave-in spray, does NOT weigh down fine limp hair (that's me folks)

Easily detangles without adding weight

Equalizes uneven porosity on all hair types (this is important !! Pay attention)

Excellent cutting and re-wetting spray

ROCKS for touch up re-styling to protect your hair from some extra flat-ironing

 
Try it if you need

• Moisture for dried out, over processed hair
• Shine if your hair is really porous
• A leave-in conditioner that's not heavy and is really natural
• Some extra protection from blowing out or flat irons/curling irons.
• Need to quickly re-style on the fly a lot - for some reason, this seems to help soften up and de-gunk hairspray then shines up dull hair when you need to touch up and re-style a bit.

Good stuff. Try it, you won't be sorry.


Ciao!

from a
Bona Fide Glam Junkie

Welcome !

Glam Junkie... yes. The side bar explanation is about 100% right and I've always been this way as frustrated sisters, mothers, husbands and boyfriends can attest.
Fashion, makeup, skincare, bag, shoe and hair product sales-persons regard me as their best friend (or meal ticket) and embarrassingly salivate when they see me coming, doubly so if I have a victim friend with me.

I have tried everything from home cooked beauty and dollar shop candles, to La Prairie and Louis Vuitton
Along the way I've found that sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you really don't.

• Some things really are a steal and best in class even though cheap.
• Some things the science backs up the splurge and it's a waste of money to get the cheaper (or pricier) alternative that's ineffective or worse, damaging.
• Some things you're flat out stoopid for buying because you fell for the claims/advertising without research or common sense or because Kim Kardashian purportedly uses it (she's a freak of nature, so don't use anything she does, it's a waste)
• Some things, worst of all, you just buy for the brand (do it all the time, my fellow junkies and trying to 12 step out of it).
• Some things are worth the investment for comfort, longevity, performance, results, gratification, classic favorites that carry you through the good and bad... then many are not, but fun to have or use anyway.
• Some things are just favorites that are as good for your mental health as any physical use they may or may not have.
• Some things you wonder if a cheaper version might just be as good, but how to know ? (I can help with that) and how to get over having that cheap brand staring back at you from your makeup kit, hair products, closet or shoe rack (can't help you with that, except to tell you of some coping mechanisms and the upside).

So take a load off and I'll tell you what I know, which is vast and varied, but will take some time. Always bear in mind though, it's just my 2c worth and that plus $1799.98 plus tax will get you a gorgeous Saeco Espresso coffee machine from Williams Sonoma (seriously, it's $1800).
:)
First review tomorrow

Ciao!
Chezz


Bona Fide Glam Junkie