Nexxus City Shield Collection

Nexxus introduces the City Shield Collection that combats the damage city living does to the hair and offers a reinvigorating veil of protection against environmental damage, helping control frizz, making your hair manageable and giving it a natural-looking healthy shine. Available is:

City Shield Shampoo - 400ml - $14.99 - designed to make all hair types more manageable with a silicone and colourant-free formula containing wheat protein and Indian lotus extract reawakens and smoothes hair that is stressed by urban environments.

City Shield Conditioner - 400ml - $14.99 -  with a salon crafted, Phyto Protein Complex formula that smoothes and nourishes hair, improving hair's manageability while restoring a protective barrier that helps to shield it from damage caused by the urban environment.

City Shield Damage Defense Hair Crème - 60ml - $18.99 - a nourishing, leave-in cream that smoothes and shields straight and fine hair from city-life damage while also providing soft hold for your style. Hair is left protected and nourished, formulated with wheat protein and Indian lotus extract for a refreshing, manageable style that lasts throughout the day.

Available now at drug, mass and grocery retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Nexxus Emergencée reconstructs strong, beautiful hair!

Nexxus Emergencée was created with marine collagen and concentrated 100% elastin protein to strengthen hair internally by rebuilding the hair’s protein, reinforcing each strand to make hair strong and resilient with a sophisticated reconstructive system: 

Emergencée Shampoo - 400ml - $14.99 - with a silicone-free formula that cleanses hair while rebuilding the broken protein structure of the hair.

Emergencée Conditioner - 400ml - $17.99 - with a specialized formula that restores each strand of hair internally by reinforcing the cuticle wall and repairing the inner fibre of each strand to leave hair beautifully fluid.

Reconstructing Treatment - 4 x 20ml - $19.99 - enriched with a high concentration of proteins, marine collagen and elastin, it reinforces the hair fibre and fortifies hair that has been damaged by chemical  treatments and heat styling to dramatically improve flexibility and reduce breakage.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Restore smooth sleek fluid beauty to the hair with Nexxus Oil Infinite!

Nexxus introduces the Oil Infinite line - designed to replenish and deeply nourish each hair strand with a  formulation of  100% Elastin Protein along with natural Babassu and Marula oils, known for their antioxidant properties, that helps seal in luminosity and radiant shine and works to renew hair texture and restore smooth, sleek, fluid beauty.

Available in the collection:

Oil Infinite Shampoo - 400ml - $14.99 -with a silicone-free formula that richly cleanses, replenishing lipids and nourishing hair from within to make it manageable, less prone to breakage and smooth and shiny.

Oil Infinite Conditioner - 400ml - $17.99 - seals in nourishment, rich luminosity and restores the protective barrier leaving hair fortified, balanced and hydrated without weighing it down.

Oil Infinite Nourishing Hair Oil - 100ml - $19.99 - formulated with a rich 6 oil blend including Macadamia oil, pure Amazonian Babassu Oil which has been used for generations as a rich emollient, and African Marula Oil renowned for its healing properties. This rich versatile oil infusion encapsulates hair, nourishes deep within and replenishes the lipid layer on the surface for restored natural resilience for hair that is regenerated, healthy looking, fortified, shiny and manageable - that flows smoothly and moves like liquid gold.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist!

In general I'm really not a big fan of hairspray. I wore a lot of it (Joico Ice Mist) in that scary hair decade known as the 80's (thank god there was no facebook then!) and have since gone in the total opposite direction by wearing pretty much none - ever. Of course when trying to keep any kind of style or curl in fine hair, hairspray really is a necessity so I am always on the hunt for one that offers natural control and flexible control - basically hairspray that doesn't feel or look anything like hairspray! Which I have finally found in:

Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist - 283g - $16.99 - a lightweight, micro-fine mist hair spray that finishes effortless long-lasting styles with touchable hold, buoyancy and volume that you actually can comb through because the hair isn't all crunchy or stuck together - which also means you can add more during the day without turning your hair into a rat's nest!

It's great for all hair types and if your boy is at all drawn to hair products keep this the hell away from him - it's so natural guys will love it and you'll never see yours again!

 

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

 

- Lisamarie -

First I'm living like a star at the 2015 Elevate Lounge - then you're winning like one with our contest!

TIFF is back in town to remind us that being a celebrity is hard work - getting your hair, makeup and nails done all the time, having people constantly tell you how fabulous you are - it's a rough life! Being the trooper that I am though I was willing to give it a whirl and headed over to the Elevate Lounge 2015 for some star treatment!


 

You can't be feted without great hair and as mine is anything but, I let the Nexxus stylists work their magic - within 10 minutes I went from limp to luscious with only 2 products - Nexxus Mousse Plus - to add some lift and volume to my roots and Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist - feels super-light on the hair and offers flexible hold and natural control that lasts.

Lesson learned - no matter how hard I try I can never make my hair look as good as a stylist can - I wonder if that's just a thing and even if you are a stylist who can make other people's hair look good, you can't do anything with your own...must remember to ask next time I'm at the salon.

And you certainly can't run around with no makeup - you just end up in the "Celebrities with no makeup" issue of the Star - and I wouldn't be one of the ones that they marvel at looking so good with no makeup either! Of course makeup applies better to a nice, clean canvas so Simple Skincare was on hand with their Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes to refresh and hydrate skin while removing grime, makeup and even waterproof mascara! My skin felt so good after cleansing that I really didn't want to put any makeup back on - but a star's gotta do what a star's gotta do!

Lesson learned - there is probably a giant ball of foundation in my head - I put on a full face of makeup this morning but there was hardly any foundation on the wipe - where did it go? I'm almost positive that it's being sucked in through my face and stored somewhere inside me for some evil purpose that my body hasn't informed me of yet... I don't actually need to lose 10 pounds I just need to stop retaining foundation!

All that pampering has sure is tiring so thank heavens that Dr. Scholl's has foot massages on the offer - but first they get rid of all my dry and calloused skin with their new Dr. Scholl's Express Pedi Foot Smoother - dammit this thing tickles! After much giggling I do have beautifully smooth feet - and laughter is supposed to be good for you...

Lesson learned - heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheeheh - tickles!

If I was a real celebrity I would skip the food part of the lounge or maybe just look at the food (from a distance) and if I was feeling really crazy possibly sniff it:

First I met with Gay Lea who has finally realized that cottage cheese is a disgusting lumpy food not fit for human consumption, got rid of the lumps, added some flavour and Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese was born! It comes in 2 flavours: Salted Caramel and Vanilla Bean and to me tastes pretty much like Greek yogurt - with the added benefit of having 10 grams of protein.

On to Magnum who makes premium ice cream bars that are full of chocolatey, caramely and now double peanut buttery deliciousness - Belgian chocolate, vanilla bean ice cream.... I don't think I need say any more...

Lesson learned - companies have finally figured out that nobody wants to eat food that looks like their thighs but they are fine with eating the (delicious) food that made them look that way to begin with.

Then I met the rep from VOSS - an infusable artesian water from Norway which can be infused with all kinds of things - infuse it with fruits, infuse it with vegetables, infuse it with herbs - you name it, you can infuse it - infused must have been on his word-of-the-day calendar and he was making sure he got his money's worth - I get it, it must be hard to find a lot to say about water even if it is super pure and low in minerals.

Finally I met the Lipton's lady for something else you infuse into water - tea - these guys really should have teamed up.

Always thinking, I took my Voss water home, infused the hell out of it with a Lipton Green Tea with Mandarin Orange teabag and some ice and amazing iced tea was born! Infuse that bitches!

Lesson learned - once you stuff fruit into a water bottle it is not coming out again unless maybe you have really long frog fingers - if you insist on infusing be prepared for your recycling depot to hate you.

After all that I was understandably exhausted and headed home for a celebrity-worthy nap which obviously involved satin sheets, a mink sleep mask and shirtless, oiled-up fireman fanning me - I don't know how the rich and famous do this everyday!

- zzzzzzzz Lisamarie -

Wait, before I go take that nap - we're giving away 3 Elevate Lounge prize packs with all of the products I was pampered with and more! Just tweet us at @Beautycrazedcan with a link to this post, hashtag #elevateLoungeTO and tell us what you think would be the hardest thing about being a celebrity! Canadians only and you have until September 22nd to enter! Good luck!

Nexxus Therappe and Humectress range - for beautifully fluid hair!

Nexxus has reformulated their Therappe and Humectress products and enriched them with 100% elastin protein to make them even better then ever. With luxurious Caviar Complex and fibre actives, the range is scientifically proven to nourish hair from within, leaving hair beautifully fluid and deeply replenished with added moisture.

Available in the range is:

Nexxus Therappe Shampoo - 250ml - $10.99, 400ml - $14.99 - with a silicone-free formula that detangles and smoothes hair while rinsing.
It cleanses and replenishes hair gently, preparing it for conditioning.

Nexxus Humectress Conditioner - 250ml - $12.99, 400ml - $17.99 - with a highly specialized, conditioning silicone formula to smooth and soften hair.
It nourishes and helps protect hair from breakage, while restoring flexibility.

Nexxus Encapsulate Caviar Serum - 60ml - $19.99 - with white caviar to target hair by intelligently reconstructing it and bringing it back to its pre-damaged state. The combination of waterbased gel with rich silicone-encapsulated beads spreads easily to hydrate, smooth and moisturize hair.

I must admit, I love the suspended bead action in this product, I feel like I'm using something from science fiction on my head! The serum is especially great if you have fine hair like mine, the waterbased gel doesn't weight my hair down or make it look greasy the way oil-based serums can - so my hair still keeps a light, healthy bounce!

Nexxus Humectress Restoring Masque - 198ml - $19.99 - with a richly concentrated formula that rehydrates deep within the hair shaft.

Available now in drug, mass and grocery retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Protect your colour with a shampoo and conditioner from Joico, Nexxus and Be.Better!

Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner - 300ml - $12.69/$14.99 - preserves colour and repairs damage thanks to a bio-advanced peptide complex that offers longer-lasting reconstruction and increased strength and elasticity to balance hair and give it a soft, shiny and supple feel for hair that is dramatically stronger and healthier even after just one use.

Available at fine spas and salons across Canada.

Nexxus Color Assure Vibrancy Retention Shampoo & Conditioner - 400ml - $9.46/$13.96 - with exotic white orchid that helps seal and protect the hair cuticle to prevent colour from seeping out for long lasting luminous colour that keeps hair looking remarkably vibrant.

Available at drug, grocery and mass retailers across Canada.

Be.Better Coconut Oil Colour Protection Shampoo & Conditioner - 390ml -$9.99 -the shampoo combines nourishing coconut oil with organic Peruvian inca inchi oil to repair damaged hair and horseradish tree oil for UV protection - to leave hair full-bodied and vibrant; while the conditioner combines nourishing coconut oil with organic Peruvian incha inchi oil to repair damaged hair along with grapeseed, jojoba and sesame oils for intense hydration. works instantly to detangle and help repair colour-treated hair leaving it light, silky and vibrant.

Available exclusively at Rexall stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Hair shines with Nexxus, Hebal Essences and Live Clean!

Nexxus Color Assure Glossing Tonic - 181ml - $20.99 - a weightless oil-infused fine mist that dries quickly to bring out your color's ultimate luminosity and shine. Features exotic White Orchid Extract to help seal and protect each hair strand; repelling water to keep your colored hair remarkably vibrant longer.

Herbal Essences Naked Sheer Shine Mist - 150ml - $5.99 - lightweight hair shine spray that helps nourish by conditioning to protect from root to tip, and leaves behind the silky shiny hair you love.Adds a  brilliant, lightweight shine that has 0% silicone or colourant.

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Smooth & Shine Cream - 120ml - $7.99 - adds definition and shine while eliminating frizz with added certified organic grape seed and olive oils. Can be applied to damp hair and styled as usual or used as a finishing product after blow drying and styling.

I've found all of them great for my fine hair: the Nexxus and Herbal Essences sprays are nice because they are very light and don't weigh fine hair down. My caution though is to use sparingly, too much and you get a greasy instead of shiny look; The Live Clean cream doesn't add as much shine but it does add some nice texture - also great with fine hair - I like to use it on dry hair after styling as it has a smoothing benefit to help get rid of those flyaways!

All three products are available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie - 

Nexxus Hydra-Light - hydrates your hair without weighing it down!

Nexxus introduces Hydra-Light - an new advanced line of hair care products that offers the best of both worlds - natural fullness and deep hydration. With silicone-free formulas that include a blend of deep sea minerals, anti-oxidants and hydrating polymers that delicately nourish hair with moisture without weighing it down to leave hair looking healthy and full of life!

Nexxus Hydra-Light Shampoo - 400ml - $9.99 and Conditioner - 400ml - $14.99 - provide the perfect balance of moisture and volume - the conditioner has a high level of coconut oil and when used in combination with the shampoo, provides up to 80% more moisturization.

Nexxus Hydra-Light Root Lift Mist - 300ml - $12.99 - adds body at the root where you need it most for fullness and bounce. With a silicone-free formula that provides up to 4x volume boost and all-over shine.

and my favourite:

Nexxus Hydra-Light Leave-In Conditioning Foam - 162ml - $12.99 - with a unique foam format that provides weightless nourishment to restore softness and shine.

I use a leave-in conditioner daily but sometimes feel the spray kind is adding too much product to my fine hair and making it feel weighed down. No such problem with the foam, it moisturizes but keeps my hair feeling light and bouncy all the while protecting my hair from styling stress!

Available now at drug, mass and grocery stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Dry hair loves leave in conditioners from Milk Shake, Nexxus, AG Hair Cosmetics and Living Proof!

Finding good leave in conditioners for dry, fine hair can be tricky - you need something that does a good job but at the same time, you want to make sure it doesn't weigh your hair down! I've been trying lots of them lately and here are a few I've found that add plenty of moisture, fight frizz and split ends and won't make your hair look greasy or heavy:


Milk Shake Leave In Conditioner - 350ml - $21.28 - specifically formulated to condition normal to lightly dry hair and generate optimum inner hair moisture balance and outer hair protection. - with milk proteins, rice and avocado oils, fruit and honey extracts, special silicone and hydrating agents that revitalize and improve shine as well as Vitamin E and a sun filter.

I think it's meant to smell just like it's name - a vanilla milk shake, put it actually smells more like instant vanilla pudding to me - either way, your hair will smell good enough to eat/drink! I like the spray in format which makes it much easier to control how much product you add.

Find it at Donato Salon + Spa.

Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment Creme - 141ml - $9.99 - it's claim is that it repairs 92% of split ends after just one use so hair looks and feels freshly cut and I have to agree, my split ends practically disappeared but it took me about 3 uses for that to happen. I have heard some people complain about the smell being too strong but I don't agree, I find it very pleasant and sweet and not noticeable at all once it's in my hair!

AG Hair Cosmetics Fast Food Leave On Condition - 178ml - $16  - nourishes and detangles dry, lifeless hair, with an ultralight formula that helps prevent split ends, adds moisture, shine and vitality. I like how light this is in both smell and texture. Go to www.aghaircosmetics.com to find a salon near you.

Living Proof frizz Leave In Conditioner - 118ml - $21 - moisture restoring for dry or damaged hair - I don't love the smell which is a light floral scent but once it's in my hair I don't notice it. This one does the best job out of all of them taming my frizzies and flyaways, hence the name. Available at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com and Sephora.

- Lisamarie -

Natural Shampoos from Kiss My Face, Just Bee Natural, TRESemmé, Nexxus and Live Clean!

I like how more and more companies are giving consumers natural options - I don't necessarily love all of them and I will probably never go the organic route (only because of the short shelf life combined with my hoarding problem don't make a good combo) but there are some really great ones out there and here are a few that I've tried or had my eye on lately:

Kiss My Face Miss Treated Shampoo and Conditioner - 325ml - $7.95 - for everyday use, perfect for dry/damaged hair - replenishes moisture and shine for beautiful hair.  contain palmarosa mint - nourishes colour treated and permed hair. No SLS, parabens or phthalates, no animal ingredients or animal testing, no artificial colour or synthetic preservatives.

This made the top of my list because it's one of the few that I have ever actually used all the way up! I like how well the shampoo lathers, how it cleans without stripping and I love the minty smell!

Just Bee Natural "Quenched" Sparkling Pom Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner - 700ml - $6.99 - uses the essence of pomegranate and soy protein to hydrate and replenish parched hair to leave you with healthy and absolutely radiant looking hair.  SLS/sulfate, paraben and phosphate free. Contains biodegradable ingredients with botanical extracts. Available at Loblaws.

It's always the smell with me, isn't it? But I can't help it in this case, it's so deliciously fruity smelling that the soft hair it provides me with is just a huge bonus!

TRESemmé Naturals Vibrantly Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner - 700ml - $6.49 - with organic coconut oil and jojoba extract, smoothes away frizz for touchably soft, silky hair with incredible shine. With a strengthening formula to leave hair 10X stronger after one use. The shampoo contains naturally derived polymers and lower levels of sulfates, formulated to control unwanted frizz and the conditioner features a silicone-free formula for lightweight conditioning.

Nexxus Botanoil Nourishing Botanical Hydrating Shampoo Botanphuse Nourishing Botanical Hydrating Conditioner - 350ml - $12.99 - contain organic sunflower, rosehip and grape seed oils to condition, soften and soothe hair as well as organically-sourced amaranth, a nutrient rich herb to provide natural moisture. Hair is weightlessly nourished and hydrated to leave it looking and feeling luxuriously soft and healthy.

Live Clean Enviro-Kidz Line - Berry Burst Shampoo, Fruit Explosion Shampoo and Tropical Splash Detangler - $6.99 - neither Christelle or I have kids so we don't normally talk about kid's products at all but somebody said something interesting the other day about how kids don't have to try to be environmentally conscious they are growing up in a generation that just is.  So it's interesting that more brands aren't doing environmentally friendly lines geared towards kids.  Live Clean obviously understands and have come out with this tear-free line that is: made with up to 98% plant ingredients, hypoallergenic, free of petroleum, sulfates, parabens and pthalates, phosphates, pure vegan with biodegradable ingredients, cruelty free and in recyclable packaging  and in scents that will appeal to them.

Have you dipped you toe into the world of natural shampoos and conditioners? Which ones and how do you like them?

- Lisamarie -

New and Notable at Shoppers Drug Mart - Clarins, Nexxus, Dove Men + Care, Nicole by OPI and Revlon!

Clarins Eau des Jardins Treatment Fragrance - 100ml - $51 - top notes of citrus, orange, grapefruit and blackcurrant absolute; heart notes of crushed leaves and wild rose; and base notes of vetiver, patchouli, cedarwood and white musks. Part aromatherapy, part phytotherapy - call it what you want, it smells amazing! And not only does it smell great, it also incorporated gemmotherapy to bring hydration, radiance, softness and comfort to the skin. Gemmotherapy is a form of herbal medicine that uses plant buds, emerging sprouts and embryonic roots. It's based on the notion that "vital development energy" in plants is at its peak when new leaves, branches and flowers begin to emerge. For this fragrance they have included: Beech Bud - improves hydration, skin renewal and leaves skin feeling beautifully soft; Sorbier Bud - helps improve skin radiance; and Blackcurrant Bud - soothes and comforts.

Split End Treatment Daily Shampoo - 400ml - $9.99 - gently removes impurities and build-up and gives vital nourishment leaving hair clean, strong and shiny.
Split End Binding Daily Conditioner - 400ml - $14.99 - binds 86% of split ends back together in just 3 washes.
Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment Creme - 141ml - $9.99 - repairs 92% of split ends after just one use so hair looks and feels freshly cut.
Split End Binding Overnight Treatment Creme - 56ml - $14.99 - provides intensive repair as you sleep and is designed to restore strength to damaged hair as it repairs 94% of split ends overnight and protects against future splits.
Heat Protexx Heat Protection Styling Spray - 250ml - $12.99 - designed to protect hair from breakage due to heat styling tools. It acts as a barrier to absorb heat, stopping frizz and split ends before they start.

Dove Men + Care has expanded their line up and my husband for one is quite impressed with a couple of the new products: Sensitive Clean Body and Face Wash - $6.99 - developed specifically for sensitive skin, it's unscented and hypoallergenic. It has the same micromoisture technolgy to fight skin dehydration as the scented washes without the fragrance. He also likes the new Anti-Perspirant - $5.99 - all day protection with no irritation in two scents: Clean Comfort and Extra Fresh.  Also new to the line:
Deodorant - $5.99, Clinical Anti-Perspirant - $10.99, Deep Clean 2-in-1 Shampoo - $7.99, Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - $6.99, Thick & Clean Shampoo - $7.99, Shower Tool - $6.99

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Nicole by OPI Nail Apps - $14.99 - in 12 designs: skulls, tigress, peacock, hearts, magic garden, steps, inferno, stars align, argyle, crazy daisy, jump, checkers

Revlon Les Romantics Summer 2011 Collection
Nail Enamel - $7.49 - Tangerine - orange, Sunshine Sparkle - yellow, Blue Lagoon - light blue
Super Lustrous Lip Balm SPF 15 - $10.49 - Peach Crystal - peach, Pink Crystal - pink, Clear Crystal - blue
Illuminance Creme Shadow - $11.49 - Eternal Summer - yellow, khaki, light blue, orange
Dove for Men

- Lisamarie -

Deep conditioners to the rescue for my winter ravaged hair! AG Hair Cosmetics, The Body Shop and Nexxus!

Sick of the cold yet?  I am - especially for what it's doing to my hair!  Calling it straw-like would be an insult to straw, so let's just go with craptastic!  The only thing that makes it looks halfway decent these days is a liberal dose of deep conditioning a couple times a week and here's what I've been loving lately:

AG Hair Cosmetics Conditioner Deep - 178ml -  $19 - reconstructing treatment for hair intensely damaged by over-processing and go-deep down to restore protein, moisture strength and shine.  Contains high concentrations of protein, amino acids and humectants to bring life back into dry, coarse or damaged hair.

Massage into clean, damp hair for 3-5 minutes, comb through and rinse.  This one has my favourite smell - fresh and kind of fruity - I also prefer the packaging, it's much easier to squeeze product out of a tube when you are in the shower then unscrew are jar and scoop it out!

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter For Dry Hair - 200ml - $14 - luxuriously rich and intensive conditioning treatment for soft, smooth, glossy and tangle-free hair.  Contains pracaxi oil which is sourced from the seeds of the pracaxi tree which is grown organically in the Amazonian rainforest as well as Community Trade ingredients: organic olive oil from Italy, brazil nut oil from Peru and honey from Ethiopia.  What it doesn't contain is silicones, colourants, parabens or sulphates.

Work through damp hair and leave on for at least five minutes.  Massage with warm water then rinse out thoroughly.  I love how incredibly soft this leaves my hair so much that I am willing to overlook the smell which is a little to perfumey for my taste.

Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment Deep Conditioner - 156g - $14.99 - helps to strengthen dry hair with ultimate deep hydration and moisture-repair technology.  Formulated with avocado and honey extracts it replenishes vital moisture and leaves hair 10 times stronger in one use. It also reduces breakage and reduces frizz.

Apply to damp hair and comb through evenly from root to tip.  Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse out.  Can be used once a week in place of your regular conditioner or more often as needed.  A little goes a long way with this one, I find if I use to much that it's much harder to get it all out and it feels like there is a film on my hair!

- Lisamarie -

Hair spray to know and love from Phyto, Nexxus, Living Proof, Pantene, Nick Chavez and L'Oréal!

Given how many hairsprays exist out there, it is surprisingly hard to find a good one that isn't too sticky or too heavy which will actually last all day!  My favourite hairspray trick, spray a little on your brush and lightly run over your hair to tame frizzies!

After having tried dozens, here are six that have worked well for me:


Phyto Phytolaque Soie Hair Spray - 100ml - $26 - for sensitive hair - contains silk proteins which have a structure similar to the structure of hair keratin and give an in-depth action on the damaged parts of the capillary fiber to give hair the softness and shine of silk.  It's a non-aerosol spray with a very light smell.  My hair feels bouncy when I use it, not sticky or hard at all!  Phyto has a great line of haircare products that used to be more difficult to find but now that Sephora has picked them up, it's much easier to get my fix.  You can get more info on the line and where it is carried at
www.phyto-canada.ca

Nexxus Maxximum Super Hold Styling and Finishing Spray - 300ml - $12.99 -provides superior hold and a brilliant sheen without flaking, dulling or causing build-up.  Dries almost instantly to prevent stiffness and stickiness.  Works great as a finishing spray or creative styling tool.  It's a non-aerosol and smells the best out of all of them!  This one was especially good for getting a piecey look with my layers - it gave them definition without any stiffness.

Living Proof Hold Flexible Hairspray - 155g - $21 - humidity blocking, style protecting, shine popping for all hair types - contains PolyfluoroEster, a new molecule that prevents the damaging effects of humidity.  Can be layered for lighter to stronger finish yet remains soft and natural feeling.  It's an aerosol spray with kind of a weird smell - plum sauce maybe? This was my go-to hairspray this summer, it really did seem to work the best on days when it was humid and my hair looked much shiner then it normally would during hot weather!  You can find it at Sephora as well as The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

Pantene Hairpray for Fine Hair - 327g - $5.99 - specifically designed to make creating and re-creating any volume look efforless.  Shaping polymers support the hair's structure so you can shape and re-shape your hair while you style.  A versatile, brushable formula that holds all day. Another plum sauce smelling aerosol spray. If you are on a budget, this one is a great choice - I didn't find it was brushable though, as soon as I ran a brush through it, my style fell flat!

Nick Chavez Volumizing Extra Hold Hairspray - 284g x 2 - $34.95 for a double pack - good for any hair type from fine to heavy to curly to textured.  Flash drying volumizing spray that provides a firm hold with a light mist. Aerosol, plum sauce, yadda yadda.  This one was really great for volume, I turned my head upside down, sprayed this on, especially at the roots and did it ever give it lift! Available at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

L'Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold for Colour Treated Hair - 365ml - $14.99 - with a UV filter to protect the shine of your colour provides a long lasting hold and satin touch.  It's an aerosol spray and obviously plum sauce is a normal aerosol hairspray smell, or there is something wrong with my nose.  What I like about this one is you are meant to brush it after applying so there is no stiff "hairspray" look, it's very soft and natural.

What about you, do you have a favourite hairspray that I need to try?

- Lisamarie - 

Leave in Conditioners - AG Hair Cosmetics, Nexxus, Kim Kimble and ghd

As someone who tortures their hair on a daily basis with heat and on a regular basis with colouring, I try to do everything I can to keep my hair as hydrated as possible.  For years I was using the Infusium spray, but months back when I ran out and went to buy one, I couldn't find it on the shelves.  And then I realized that it was crazy to keep using the same thing when there are so many other kinds out there - and what a good excuse to use different types when you can then turn it into a post!  What do I look for in a leave in conditioner?  I like it to smell good, not weigh my hair down and not be sticky.  So here's what I've tried lately:

AG Hair Cosmetics Conditioning Mist - 237ml - $15 - It has a light, fruity scent which I like a lot.  It is supposed to immediately detangle, moisturize and strengthen without weighing hair down which for my fine hair is important.  A little goes a long way with this one and I also found it made my hair look super shiny!  Go to www.aghaircosmetics.com to find a salon near you.

Nexxus Humectress Luxe Ultimate Hydrating Leave-In Spray - 150ml - $12.99 - It has a tropical fruit smell which made me feel like I was on vacation.  It's formulated with Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and Honey Extract for moisture and a special technology for time-released nutrients. It says it seals in strength and intense hydration for softer feeling, salon beautiful hair with a deep dimensional shine.  This one did make my hair super soft and shiny.  The smell really lingers too so if you don't like tropical fruit you might not appreciate that.

Nexxus Botanluxe Nourishing Botanical Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner - 250ml - $14.99 - It smells botanical funnily enough.  It includes natural and unique ingredients such as organic sunflower, rosehip and grape seed oils to condition, soften and soothe the hair. Organically-sourced amaranth, a nutrient rich herb provides natural moisture and there are no parabens or dye.  I liked that this contained so many natural products and that it smelled naturally (is that a word?).  It made my hair soft but not as shiny as the other ones.

Kim Kimble Silk Treatment Leave-In Conditioner - 236ml - $12.99 - It smells like bananas, so this was my favourite smelling one - I'm bananas for banana scented products! They call it a luxurious infusion that leaves dull, lifeless hair, silky and shiny.  It also helps to decrease damage and protect the hair from heat.  Although I liked the smell of this one the best it was not my favourite for softness or shine.  If I had tried it by itself I would probably be perfectly happy with it but in comparison to others it just didn't measure up. Available at Target and www.kimblehaircare.com

ghd Miracle Mist Daily Conditioning Spray - 150ml - $19 - This has a very light scent like a hairdressing salon. It promises shinier, stronger, static-free hair.  I think that because it is from a company that also makes flat irons, they are very mindful of helping with heat damage and this one was really great at making my hair look smooth and shiny - even after several days of using a flat iron. Available at Sephora and www.ghd.com

- Lisamarie -