Herbal Essences Wants You to Have Softly Tousled Hair

Herbal Essences has a lot of products out there to choose from. The last time I was in the drug store, I meandered down the aisle to see if this line had hit the shelves yet, and I was surprised at all the different formulas they have. This is my first introduction to Herbal Essences, thanks to Total Beauty.

This line was actually a really good match for me. I usually style my hair in soft waves these days, sometimes using rollers, sometimes using a curling iron, and sometimes hot rollers. I don't go for a hard set, but a more natural wave look, so I was eager to see if this fit well with how I usually styled my hair. I received the shampoo, conditioner, spray gel, mousse, hair spray and finishing cream.

The shampoo and conditioner smelled pleasantly of violet. I didn't find the shampoo to be overly drying, which is always my main concern with new shampoos, regardless of their price point. However, this one didn't seem to affect my color at all, and the conditioner (which you are supposed to rinse from the hair quickly) smoothed my curly mess and added softness. It's a light conditioner, and won't add a lot of heaviness to your tresses, but if you have dry, damaged, or overprocessed hair, you might be left wanting more. Herbal Essences says that it also helps protect against heat styling, which is an absolute must in this day and age.

For styling, you have a few options in this line: a mousse, which works well if you are going for a controlled curly look, and a spray gel which works better for heat styling, straightening, and roller sets. Regardless of the style you're going for, the finishing cream adds softness. I ended up using the spray gel the most, and was happy with the results I got.

The finishing cream is really the standout product in this line. As I mentioned, you can use it on damp hair to add some softness, or on dry hair to smooth frizz. I used it a lot both ways, and it really helped with my constant frizz problem. It's also a great touchup/restyling product for a second day style. Be careful not to use too much - it's in a large jar, and it's easy to just dip your fingers in there and pull out a huge mess of it. A little goes a long way.

Herbal Essences recommends following a few steps for a softly tousled look:

• Prep hair by washing with Tousle Me Softly Shampoo and
  Conditioner to provide a lightly moisturized base to set the style.
• Depending on your hair type, apply either Tousle Me Softly Mousse or Spray Gel on damp hair. For fine hair, apply Tousle Me Softly Mousse to the roots, working it throughout your hair. For medium to thick hair, mist Tousle Me Softly Spray Gel through your hair. For frizzy hair or for just a little extra conditioning, apply the Tousle Me Softly Cream
• Comb product through your hair with a wide-tooth comb. Lean your head to the side and blow-dry with a basket diffuser to create more volume in the middle and bottom sections of your hair. Squeeze a flat iron closed around a 2” section of hair and wrap it
  around the outside, like you’d do with a curling iron. Hold for five
  seconds and release.
• Gently brush out curls with your fingers. This look is all about creating variation from curl to curl—it’s not supposed to be perfect. Lightly mist hair with Tousle Me Softly Hair Spray to provide a light, flexible hold. Polish off the look with Tousle Me Softly Cream, applied to the ends or to control flyaways.

Find out more about Tousle Me Softly at HerbalEssences.com.

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Estee Lauder Introduces a Lovely Summer Fragrance: Pure White Linen Pink Coral

Just in time for summer, Estee Lauder releases it's latest to the White Linen collection: Pure White Linen Pink Coral.

The top notes include Chinese berry, pink peppercorns, apple blossom, waterfruits, and clear aldehydes. The middle notes are jasmine, camellia flower, honeysuckle, sweet pea, cherry blossom, and pink peony. As a finish, vanilla, sandalwood and heliotrope wrap up the base notes of the fragrance.

The bottle is the same as the collection's other two bottles, except this one is a soft, sheer pink. It's really quite lovely.

You will be able to find Pure White Linen Pink Coral at any Estee Lauder counter beginning this month, as well as EsteeLauder.com.

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Ultimate Hair Removal Guide Pt. 2: Waxing

Often feared due to the pain it can cause certain people, waxing is considered one of the most effective ways to remove unwanted body hair. Waxing is a epilation method, meaning that it removes hair from the follicle under the skin rather than removing it only from the surface (depilation). Removing the hair from the follicle results in a longer time without the hair, as it requires more time to grow back from the follicle itself versus just the surface of the skin.

Waxing involves the application of hot or cold wax to the area with hair in the direction of the hair growth, covering with a piece of material, usually muslin, and then removing it quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. This can be done either at home or in a spa, depending on your comfort level, skill level, and budget.

There are two basic types of wax: hot wax and cold wax. Hot wax is generally applied in the direction of hair growth with a wooden applicator which often looks like a popsicle stick. The wax becomes in bedded in the hair, a strip of muslin is applied, and quickly removed in the opposite direction. This is the most popular form of waxing in a salon. Cold wax often comes in strips, especially those bought at the drugstore or other retail outlet for home use. They work in the same way as hot wax but do not need to be heated up. They are often cut in strips to fit certain areas of the body: legs, eyebrows, upper lip, etc. Many people don't have as much success with cold wax systems, including myself, especially if they have coarse hair.

A word about sugaring

Sugaring has become popular due to the many kits available for home use, and because it is water-soluable. In other words, it is easy to remove with just water, whereas wax often needs something stronger. I have yet to find any sugaring system that works anywhere nearly as good as a waxing system. In fact, most sugaring systems I've tried haven't worked at all. If you have dark or coarse hair, my advice is to ignore these systems, save your money, and use a hot wax.

I'm not interested in learning how to do it, I want someone to do it for me.

Excellent for newcomers to waxing, or simply for those who just don't want to be bothered. Look for a reputable, clean salon that does waxing on a regular basis. Inspect the waxing area - is it clean? Does the technician double dip the wooden stick into the wax? What sort of products are they using? Then make sure to check the pricing. A good eyebrow waxing and shaping can run anywhere from $10 to $25, depending on your area. Don't be afraid to shop around.

I'm not paying $25 to wax three inches. I need to do it myself and save some coin.

Waxing at home is not only easy, it's economical too. There are many different varieties of wax out there, from cold wax strips to small jars of microwavable wax to full on heating systems. Regardless of the type of wax you use, the basic process is still the same.

To get started, make sure the hair you are waxing is no longer than 1/2 inch. Trim if necessary. If you skip this step, it's entirely possible that you will get some brusing and/or discolored areas. I skipped it once and ended up with little bloody patches, NO GOOD. So make your trimmer or your favorite pair of scissors your best friend and clean it up. Next, I like to apply a little baby powder to make sure the skin is completely dry and to help with wax removal. You don't need a whole mess of it, just a little sprinkle on the area you're working with. Next, apply the hot wax with a wooden applicator in the direction that your hair grows. If you are using cold wax strips, the same idea applies - just make sure it is applied in the direction of hair growth, not the other way around. Lay a muslin strip on the top of the hot wax and very gently rub it in or pat lightly. Pull the skin taught and grasp the material and pull in the opposite direction that you applied it, and in the opposite direction of hair growth. Repeat.

When you are finished waxing, consider a wax remover to remove any little spots of wax you may have missed. Then smooth on a good anti-inflammatory lotion to reduce tenderness and redness. If skin is very irritated, try 10 minutes with some ice to reduce the swelling.

What about my ladyparts?

All the basic information above applies. Make sure to trim, make sure skin is completely dry, and watch your temperature if you're using a hot wax method.

Okay, I don't know what to buy or where to buy it. Help a girl out.

Easy as pie.

• Waxing systems: run, don't walk to Sallys and buy the GiGi Honee Wax Warmer. For $29.99, you have a salon quality wax warmer that you can fill with any appropriate wax for your skin type. Buy several different sized applicators, some muslin strips and you're set.
• Microwavable Wax: Again, from Sallys, the All Purpose Honee Wax is the best. Sally Hanson also has a very microwavable facial wax set.
• Cold wax strips: Sally Hanson also has a pretty good kit that I would recommend. It has everything you need to get started with the cold wax method. Also, Surgi-Wax facial strips work well.
• After waxing care: this varies depending on what your needs are. Jibere makes a very good wax residue remover. If your skin becomes really irritated, try the Gigi Skin Calming Lotion, which has hydrocortisone in it. Their Cooling Gel is a win for just about everyone.
  

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