BEAUTY FILE: KERASTASE REFLECTION COLLECTION

As a blogger, I am fortunate in that I get to test a ton of beauty and haircare products. Of course, I am always open to trying out new things, but along the way, I have definitely developed some favorites. The Kerastase Reflection line is one of those newly favorited product launches.

When Kerastase reached out, I was eager to see what they recommended for my hair.  A few years ago, I had a bad cellophane treatment that left my hair dry and prone to breakage. In 2017, I reluctantly dyed my hair for the first time, which resulted in my hair turning a shade too dark for my liking. In order to counteract the black shade, I got highlights. The bleach killed my hair.  I've been growing it out ever since, trying to do what I can to restore it.

I have been using the Kerastase Reflection line, consistently, for over three months. My hair is stronger, and softer. It also has a lot more shine. I use the Sulfate Free Shampoo for color treated hair and the Reflection Mask. I do use a drugstore shampoo for my first shampoo, then follow it with the shampoo from the line. I leave the conditioning mask on anywhere from 5-10 minutes. I really coat my hair in the mask and use a good amount.  The conditioning mask has lasted me a full three months. I still haven't gone through a full bottle of the shampoo.  These are high end products which are worth the investment.

Natural hair, no product, and air dried after washing / conditioning with Kerastase Reflection Shampoo and Mask

Kerastase is having a sale on their website. You can now get the Reflection Holiday Gift Set for a special price.  The line is carried at my local CVS. Sephora has also recently started carrying Kerastase!

If you have tried these products out, please leave a comment letting me know what your experience has been.

Kerastase sent me the products in the Reflection line. This post is not sponsored. 

Natural hair, no product, and air dried after washing / conditioning with Kerastase Reflection Shampoo and Mask

Pantene Hair

I'm proud to be working with Pantene on this post.  Their tried and tested hair care products have long been the go-to for women across the world.  Pantene is synonymous with beautifully shiny, strong and healthy hair. I was happy to be included in the long line of women who have benefited from using Pantene products, to help prevent and repair lackluster locks.  The products contain actual vitamins that penetrate the hair.  Your hair will benefit from using their products because it's not just a short-term fix, but rather a hair care plan.

How to Restore Dull and Dry Hair

If you're a reader of my blog, you know that I had a horrible experience at Toni & Guy salon in Miami, before it closed it's doors for good (hallelujah). My hair has never been the same, and it's been about a year and a half since that experience.

I recently got a trim and of course, the whole thing sucked, for lack of a better word.  My stylist was appalled at the condition of my hair and how my hair did not really react well to the Lanza EMERGENCY Hair Service / restoration treatment.  I'm going back again in a month or so, to try out something else, but in the meantime, I'm attempting to restore life back into this nest.

I occasionally come across products that I feel really work for my hair - but those that I used to rely on when I had healthy hair, have taken a back seat to the products that I'm in dire need of now.  Needless to say, I'm much more vigilant when it comes to reading the list of ingredients that go into things I'm putting on my hair.

If you read the ingredient labels on your favorite hair care items, you may be surprised to find that a majority of of them contain alcohol. I was surprised to find this out because to me, alcohol is a drying.  Why would I want that? For my already dry hair? No thanks.

The more I researched the more I learned.  I learned that not all alcohol is bad for your hair.  I found out that a good, healthy "fatty alcohol" is extracted from the oil of a palm kernel.  I also learned a good cheat sheet method - alcohol's that begin with the letters "C" and "S" are good for your hair.  

Quick science lesson: Good alcohol: Fatty Alcohols (Lauryl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Myristyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol and Behenyl alcohol).  These are naturally sourced alcohols and act as emollients. 

Bad alcohol: if you have dry hair, you want to steer clear of the alcohol's that contain the phrase "prop" in their names.  The bad list includes Isopropyl alcohol, Propanol, Propyl alcohol and SD alcohol 40. 

Overall, glycerines are good because they're emollients. Ingredients such as Glyceryl stearate, Propylene glycol, Sodium lactate, and Sodium PCA, will help your hair retain moisture. 

Did you know I was also a scientist? I bet you're impressed with me. 

Carol's Daughter recently sent over some products from their line.  I liked the moisturizing power of the Black Vanilla Hair Sheen Spray (oil) but did not like the scent or the fact that I always use too much - admittedly my fault (instructions are clear - spray 8-10 inches AWAY from your hair). 

Let's talk about what really stands out from the line!  The Sacred Tiare Anti-Frizz and Anti-Breakage Restoring Hair Mask is awesome.  This product has a long list of ingredients -  I encourage you to Google them.  There's nothing in there that's bad. It has coconut oil, shea, babbasu. Good stuff.  Again, not crazy about the scent but it's something that doesn't remain after the initial application. This really helps soften my hair and calm frizz.

Another award winning product from this line is the Hair Milk - an Allure Magazine Best of Beauty winner.  This leave-in conditioner helps fight frizz and makes hair soft.  It contains sweet almond oil, agave nectar, cocoa butter, apricot oil, and a bunch of other great stuff.  Combined, these two products from the Carol's Daughter line are helping restore my hair.

Check back in frequently! Something I love about blogging is being able to bring you honest opinions about what really works for me. I hate the fact that so many of us spend a lot of money on products, high-end or otherwise, that end up being complete duds! I encourage you to know your ingredients, and know your products. I hope that this post helped you :) Work has been so busy for me lately, but I will soon have a workwear post up with a new brand that I am loving (Brass Clothing). 

Anatomy Of A Hair Crisis + How To Restore Your Hair Back To Life

This post is how-to guide on how I restored my damaged hair after a terrible experience at Toni & Guy. 

This is not a sponsored post. 
The products I used are down below. 

In May of last year, I visited the Toni & Guy Salon at Mary Brickell Village.  I paid the most I had ever, in my entire life, for a clear, cellophane glossing treatment and blowout.  I had never (and still have not) so much as highlighted my hair, much less dyed it.  I had been doing clear glossing treatments since I was in college.  In my experience, they had always made my hair soft, shiny and more manageable.  Not this time.

The stylist asked me if I wanted to do a treatment that had a color glaze in it.  I declined, telling him that I liked my naturally dark hair.  I should have known something was wrong when I felt like I had remained seated, with the glossing treatment in my hair, for way too long.  Because this wasn't my first rodeo, I knew that a) glossing treatments should not smell as foul as this did, and b) they should not be left on the hair for 30 minutes plus.
Hair Before:

Chroma Studio, Coral Gables Hair Salon, Miami

Good morning!
Emilee at Studio Chroma in Coral Gables reached out and invited me for a visit.   I had just gotten my bangs fixed by Karolina over at Toni & Guy that same day! It was a hair / pampering extravaganza, filled with perhaps one, too many mimosas from Angeliques European Cafe up the street.

Studio Chroma salon is across the street from the Colonade Hotel in Coral Gables at 145 Aragon Avenue.  It's a chic little spot, with clean lines and really cute accents throughout the space.  I loved the art on the walls, and Emilee explained that they function as a mini art gallery for a month or two, and then cycle more artwork through the next month.

I opted for a clear glossing treatment and blowout, while my partner in crime for the day toned up her already amazing red hair with a deeper burgundy shade which she ended up loving.
The salon carries the Pureology line as well as the L'Oreal Expert line.  I started seeing the effects of the glossing treatment right away, but more so the following days.  My hair was noticeably shinier and more soft. I have also been using the Pureology Cuticle Polisher but I am not convinced I love this product yet.  I have fine hair, but a lot of it, and I think that this product may be way too thick/dense for my hair.  I may also be using too much of it on wet hair.  I'm going to switch it up and start using way less on dry hair, to see if that does the trick. My blowout lasted about a day and a half.  By the end of the second day, I had to pick it up in a pony tail.

I highly recommend this charming salon.  The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming.  It was really clean, too.  Everyone I met there was sweet and polite.  They have a range of services, with a focus on hair color.

To book your appointment call 786-518-2920 and ask for Emilee