Review: Origins

While I was at the mall several weeks ago I strolled into Origins, instantly I was pulled in by their friendly staff, their organic environmentally friendly products, animal friendly practices, and recycled packaging. I was greeted with a free mini facial, a face scrub and a mask was firstly tested on my hands to feel and see the difference it made, and they finished with a light tinted moisturizer. I purchased...

Modern Friction- Similar to a face scrub, but is considered a buffing paste, to be used biweekly. Scrub into DRY skin for up to 30 seconds, dampen hands and finish by emulsifying product rinse and see the beautiful result. "Improving texture and reducing fine lines, Minimizing signs of photo-damage, Evening out skin tone, Restoring your skin with a youthful glow"
Overall - 9/10
Consistency- 10/10
Smell- 9/10
Discomfort- 0/10
End result- 9/10

Out of Trouble- Problem skin face mask. Apply to damp skin a thin layer of product avoiding eye area. Let sit for 10 minutes, or until dry, rinse with water and enjoy! My skin tone evened out, many small pimples disappeared, my skin was soothed, a clean oil and dirt free feeing. Great of oily skin!
Overall - 9/10
Consistency- 9/10
Smell- 5/10 (slight sulfur smell, its worth it in the end!
Discomfort- 0/10
End result- 10/10

Nude and Improved- Light coverage foundation with SPF 15. My FAVORITE light coverage foundation, who wants heavy slimy foundation that is oily and splotchy at the end of the day? This foundation is an instant pick me up, and most days I need nothing more I can even build up coverage for problem spots. The consistency is nice, although it has sunscreen my face doesn't feel sticky, the texture is somewhere in-between moisturized and matte.
Overall - 10/10
Consistency- 10/10
Smell- 10/10
Discomfort- 0/10
End result- 10/10


P.S. Bring in empty old make-up/product containers (any brand) and receive a free sample of your choice of origin products! http://www.origins.com/about/index.tmpl?page=recycle

Why is at home hair color a no no?

It could be that I'm a stylist, and therefor have a bias to home hair coloring. However I have many reasons why I dislike the way at home hair color looks, treats your precious hair, and disables your hairdresser. Very often muddy and dull colors result, uneven and blotchy color give away your dirty little secret. There is no comparison as to how salon color shines, has depth and the silky and soft result you can only receive at a salon. Another reason at home hair color can be disastrous is that many do not know enough about hair color to begin with. Different levels of lightness are only perceived through what the color on the box looks like, meaning, for example, that dark blonde in your mind is different than what the box means. Also, tone is completely different than the level of lightness, the words these companies use for tones would be for example black can turn black blue certain tones can turn much warmer or cooler than expected, in short the results are extremely unpredictable. Different hair types color differently (thin, medium, thick and grey) this will effect how well the color takes, how light you can get your hair and how long it will stay. Hot roots can also happen (brighter/lighter and all around different color results from your outgrowth) this happens if the color isn’t matched well, or when the unpredictable happens. At home hair color also uses much stronger chemicals than you need on your hair, especially if your hair is previously colored this can cause damaged ends, these boxes can also be misleading about the damage they can cause. In short at home hair color is deceiving, unpredictable and damaging. In the end if your hair is messed up by your at home experiment you’re bound to spend much much more time and money correcting it with a professional, who will always know what is best for your hair in the first place.
I supposed I’ll write a more technical explanation in the near future, but for now keep this in mind when your impatient at home for a change.

Thermal Protection

One huge factor of damaged hair is thermal usage. Blow drying, straightening, and curling can dry out hair and damage it, but there are some solutions. The first solution I suggest is letting your hair air dry when its possible, then go over it with a flat iron, or get some good styling products to scrunch your hair up and just use thermal on your bangs. If you can adjust the heat on your flat iron or curling iron, use only the amount of heat you need, also ceramic plated flat irons add additional protection, and never curl or flat iron your hair if its even remotely damp! Another helpful solution is actually using a thermal protecting product, these products will coat your hair with protecting agents creating a barrier between your hair and the heat(caution thermal protecting sprays will steam/sizzle when using this is okay, it means the product is working). Many professional products already have thermal protectors in them, there are also sprays that you apply to your hair right before your thermal process leaving your hair soft and silky. Follow these tips and you will have healthier softer and much more grateful hair.

These are my favorite Thermal Protectors ..

Joico Silk Result

Alterna Styling Tonic

Inspiration pt. 2