Hair Care Products

squares2 Top 5 beauty products

It’s Sunday again, which means beauty chit-chatting :) Last Sunday I told you about my favourite concealer, and today I give you 5 products I simply can’t live without:

Untitled 2 Top 5 beauty products

Kérastase Forcintense – hair treatment // Maybelline Eyestudio – gel liner // St.Tropez Self tan Mousse // St.Tropez Everyday Gradual self tan // Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - pre shampoo treatment

(Read more about the Kerastase hair mask and the St.Tropez selftan here, and read more about the Philip Kinglsey elasticizer treatment here)

What are your “5 can’t-live-without-products”?

EDIT: In hindsight it was a very misleading title of the post today.. I could never manage to squeeze in only 5 products on my top list, I have gone through so many other products in my head which are equally as important to me as these. I will give you a new “favourites-post” next Sunday ;)

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Skjermbilde 2012 02 08 kl. 11.50.43 Contest: WIN hair extensions!!!!

I’m so excited about this contest!! One of you lucky ladies can now win a full 7-Piece Set + Quad Clip or 150 I-Tip Single Strand Extensions and a Micro Ring Kit – PLUS Free Fast FedEx shipping!!!

How amazing is that?? It makes me so happy because you readers are amazing, and the hair is fabulous, and the weather today is so sunny and bright and life is so good and I’ll stop ramble away like a crazy person and tell you more about this contest instead!!! :D

How to enter the contest:

  • Step 1:   “Like” Locks&Bonds on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/locksandbonds
  • Step 2:  ”Like”/follow ByCelina on facebook, bloglovin, twitter and/or blogglisten (just one of them is enough, which ever you prefer)
  • Step 3: Go to Locks&Bonds and pick out which product you want :)
  • Step 4: Write in the comment section of this post which item you would like and in what color, and include the link to the product.

Winner  will be announced next week!

Good luck everyone!!! :D

CONTEST ENDED

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Skjermbilde 2012 02 08 kl. 11.50.43 The long, volumous and beautiful hair youve always wanted!

Many of you have been curious about my extensions recently, and as I know how frustrating it can be to find good quality hair extensions in the jungle of options out there I thought I’d share my secrets with you. Fortunately for you, I have tried and failed a few times for all of us so that you don’t have to :) Now I know what to look for, and yet better, I know where you can get the best hair!!

About Locks&Bonds

1. What makes Locks&Bonds better than other brands?

In the past I’ve bought hair from lots of different brands who all claimed that they had “Remy quality hair”, which I fell for because it was quite cheap and seemed like a good deal (Rapunzel, Sara’s, American Dream Extensions etc). It was very disappointing when I washed the hair and it became all tangled and dry and I just had to throw it away after only once or twice of wear.

So, where do I get my hair from now and how is it different?

I have now curled, brushed, washed, straightened and partied (read champagne showers) with my hair from Locks&Bonds a number of times, and it’s still in the exact same soft state as when I got it!! This means I’ve finally found real Remy hair.

2. What does Remy hair really mean?

Remy Hair means that the hair is cut from the donor in one heavy ponytail, with the cuticle facing in the same direction. Inexpensive extensions are made from hair collected facing in all directions from many different donors (even from hairbrushes) so that the cuticle has to be removed in damaging acid baths, then covered in silicone so that the hair seems smooth.

However, after the first few washings, the remaining cuticles will rise as the silicone is washed off and hopeless dry tangling sets in because the cuticles act like little fish hooks hooking with the cuticles facing the opposite direction. Unfortunately brands lie about having Remy hair all the time, which is why it’s extremely difficult to find hair that actually is real Remy hair.

3. What kind of Remy hair does L&B use?

Not only do you have to worry about getting real Remy hair, but getting the right thickness of the hair is also key. Normally hair extensions are 0,5 grams per strand, but Locks&Bonds’ hair is 0,8 grams meaning it’s thicker along the whole strand which is what will give your hair that full and realistic look. I’m sure you’ve seen someone wear extensions where the ends of the hair is so thin that you can practically count the strands of hair, not pretty. With the hair from L&B you get fuller and more volumous hair, and it’s up tp you how long you want it. You have got to love that!

locks The long, volumous and beautiful hair youve always wanted!

What kind of hair extensions do they offer?

1. Clip ins

I use clip ins which is convenient for me as I like to sleep without anything in the way, and still have long and beautiful hair in the day or just when I feel like it. L&B offer two different packs of clip ins, I chose the full set one with an additional quad clip (180g). In the past I’ve found that I’ve needed two packs to get it as fullness I desire, but with L&B I foind that one pack is actually enough for me. The hair is 56cm long, which is a little bit longer than mine, but it blends in perfectly once it’s curled. I have the colour #60/613/16 which is blonde with both highlights and lowlights (perfect for natural blondes).

I wash the hair in the sink with babyshampoo followed by treatments like this, this and this.

2. Micro rings

Micro rings is a permanent solution meaning once it’s in you don’t have to worry about it. It becomes your hair. You have more freedom when it comes to finding the right colour as you can mix and match with four different colours. This is a better option if you want long hair all the time, but be aware that they may damage your hair slightly more than clip ins. There are however several types of micro rings so that you can chose the ones that is right for your hair which in turn will decrease the damage on your hair if treated properly. YouTube has lots of videoes on how to attach them, I know many girls who do it themselves but you can also go to a hairdresser if you don’t want to be bothered with it.

The three different micro rings:

Screw Micro Rings:

  • Screw threading in inside to keep them from slipping
  • Smaller than silicone micro rings and tubes

Silicone Micro Rings:

  • Silicone lining on inside of ring to protect fragil or over-processed and damaged hair. Silicone is very gentle on your own hair as it acts like a cushion between your own hair and ring
  • Good for hair prone to breakage

Copper Micro Tubes:

  • Copper is softer, easier to clamp shut
  • Clamps flatter than all other rings
  • Softer metal is more comfortable if you have a sensitive scalp
  • Longer length keeps them from slipping
  • Can be crimped for even more hold. (crimping means folding the tube in half lengthwise for double hold, also called making “books” To ‘crimp” tubes, you need a plier with a notch and a removal tool with long “fangs” to open the books again. They can not be re-opened with pliers.)

Just so you know, I bought my hair for my own money and I wouldn’t recommend anything I didn’t truly believe in. It’s my honest and sincere opinion as always.

Go to Locks&Bonds to get your fabulous hair!!

I hope you found that helpful, please don’t hesitate to leave questions if there is anything else you have questions about. I would be happy to help :D

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IMG 5396 Secret sale, just for you <3

Beautyexpert has given us a whopping 10% off my favourite products in their store, and they offer free worldwide delivery!!

I have written reviews of some of the products in the past, the rest are mostly products I’ve mentioned before and are all dear to me :)

10 % off Code: ‘BYCELINA’, Valid from 06/02 – 14/02 on these products

Norwegians:

BeautyExpert.co.uk tilbakebetaler nå toll/moms slik at du ikke trenger å bekymre deg for 200kr grensen. Alt du trenger å gjøre er å ta et bilde eller en kopi av kvitteringen fra postkontoret og sende det på mail (care@beautyexpert.co.uk) sammen med ordrenummer, så vil de sette inn penger på kontoen du betalte med i løpet av et par dager. Er ikke det flott? :D Her er et eksempel på hva du kan skrive i mailen:

Hi,

I hope all is well.

I have attached a photo/copy of the receipt from the post office.

My order number is XXXXXX

Thank you.

All the best

Navnet ditt

I hope you’re all enjoying Saturday morning!! :D

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IMG 5311 Review Phyto Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment   Huile dAles

The package contains 5 ampoules of 10ml essential oils of sage, rosemary, juniper berries and lemon, castor oil derivative.

After having seen such surprisingly great results from the Philip Kingsley Elastisizer I was really eager to try more pre-shampoo treatments as they seem to do more for my hair than the post-shampoo treatments. A pre-shampoo treatment means it’s applied to the hair before you shampoo so that the hair really soakes it all up before it’s soaked in shampoo residue. Smart and very effective!

When I opened the package and got my curious little fingers on the ampoules I felt like I was in a labratory and was dealing with some serious clinical secret stuff. I must say I’m totally loving the ampoules as they keep the product fresh in the glass container all untill it is applied to the hair.

IMG 5313 Review Phyto Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment   Huile dAles

The ampoules comes with a little spray bottle which you’re supposed to fill the oil into so that it’s easier to distribute the oil evenly in the hair. To get the oil into the bottle you break the ends and place it on top of the spray bottle. Super easy and very clever!

IMG 5329 Review Phyto Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment   Huile dAles

To apply the oil you divide your hair into smaller sections and spray one sestion at a time focusing on the ends while massaging it in. It’s really important to focus it on the ends as this is some serious moisturising stuff which you don’t want too close to the roots as that might weigh your hair down.

Because it’s so sticky it won’t drip anywhere once applied, but you don’t want this on the floor or on your clothes so I advice you to spray in the shower. After you’ve massaged the oil into the hair you leave it in for 15 – 30 minutes. I normally put my hair up and jump into a robe while it’s in. Naturally this is the perfect time to apply that face mask you’ve been wanting to find time for as well. And while that’s on it’s a great time to pluck your eye brows and file your nails too :)

The oil does not smell nice, it smells organic if you know what I mean… But I’m ok with that because the scent doesn’t stay in the hair after it’s washed out and it means that the treatment doesn’t contain any perfume or other unnecessary ingredients. Don’t be afraid to really shampoo your hair after, I actually highly recommend it because the moisture will stay in the hair anyway but you want the sticky residue to go away. There is no need for any post-shampoo treatments as this is moisture enough, so save your conditioner and hair mask for the next hair wash :)

When hair is dry it’s first of all left with this amazingly beautiful shine. Secondly you will notice a huge difference to the ends, especially if you are suffering from dry and brittle ends.

So, which one do I love the most of the Philip Kingsley Elastisizer and this?

Difficult question as I think they are both great in two different ways. The Philip Kingsley treatment is not as intense as this one which means I use it more frequently to maintain the moisture in the hair while it still keeps my hair light and volumious. This treatment I save for when my hair is so dry that nothing else seems to work, because this really gives a shot of new life and moisture to the hair which means I don’t have to cut it as often :D I must say that it’s a must have if you’ve got chemically damaged hair and you think the only way out is to cut off your hair, I promise.. you’ll be surprised!

You can get it here.

Norwegians: Husk at FeelUnique tilbakebetaler toll/moms. Alt du trenger å gjøre er å ta et bilde av kvitteringen fra postkontoret og sende det på mail til FeelUnique sammen med ordrenummer og navn, så setter de inn pengene på kontoen du betalte med et par dager senere. Veldig fort gjort, og masse penger å spare! Jeg har vært i kontakt med et par andre nettbutikker angåend dette, og det kan se ut til at det er muligheter for at flere vil tilby det samme flotte systemet for nordmenn. Jeg holder dere oppdatert ;)

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IMG 50981 Måndags Barn

It’s Monday girls!! Woohoo, new week with new possibilities and opportunities!! I started my day with a 13,5 km jog and some rock lifting to go with it and it feels great! It’s weird how exersise gives more energy, I have to remember that those days I feel like doing nothing. Maybe I’ll even have a peak at bodyrock.tv later on today, how are you guys doing?

Thank goodness I did that because the energy was very much needed! After the jog I went straight to a furniture shop to design a wall unit for our flat which hopefully will be ready before the furniture from the US arrives. Weee, it’s going to be so nice and I can’t wait to have it all finished. It stresses me out to have empty walls as I would like to have it all done in a week, but its nice to see that things are finally coming together. If it’s all done before the Grand Prix in May I’m happy :D

After I came home I started to do a backup of the blog and 87% in it, the internet died. Argh… how annoying. So I had a technician come in and fix it and here we are. Finally. James is in a meeting so I will be spending the rest of the day with a bath, self tan, hair mask, eye mask and everything that goes with it. Oh how I love having wonderful home spa products to rescue me on days like these!! I haven’t done any self-tan for months, so it’ll be nice to get some colour in my face again :D

I have no idea where you can get the Origins products online internationally, but the self tan can be ordered here, and the hair mask can be ordered here.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful start to the week sweets!!

 

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It’s been a really long time since I did a “favourites of the month post”, the reason simply being that I stuck to using the same few products over the summer which is rather uninspiring to read about. Now that Autumn has come (and flown by like a gust of wind) I thought I’d share my Autumn favourites with you before I throw my self at all the glitter Christmas brings :D

I’ve kept my skin very natural this season, as I had some skin trouble from the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation to get rid of, which is why I haven’t included any foundation or concealers. The skin seems quite happy about it, we’ll see how it goes when Nars Sheer Glow comes along for Christmas ;)

IMG 3358 Favourites of the month (or shall we say Autumn)

Cream blush on the cheeks gives such a beautiful and healthy glow to the face when the skin is so natural. My favourite cream blush is from Make Up For Ever in #5. It’s amazing how long lasting this stuff is as you really just need the tiniest amount!

On nights out I’ve used Nars Dolce Vita which is gorgeous just below the cheek bones and blended upwards. It’s the blush I used in the review of the Tom Ford products which I got so many questions about.

IMG 3356 Favourites of the month (or shall we say Autumn)To get an even healthier glow I’ve been indulging in all kinds of highlighters and I have been loving it!! High Beam from Benefit is beautiful on top of the cheek bones to get that illusion of beautiful high cheek bones, and because it is a cream it works really well with the cream blush as they blend easily into each other making it all look very natural and fresh :) Together with the Nars Dolce Vita blush I’ve used the Mac mineralize skinfinish in Lightscapade which gives the most gorgeous glow I’ve seen in a powder highlighter.

In the daytime I’ve even been using the Jemma Kidd All over Radience Creme which gives a beautiful glow all over without making you look like a disco ball. It really makes me look like a person who only eats vegetables and gets plenty of beauty rest :D Last but not least, YSL Touche Eclat. Do I need to say more? I’m guessing you’ve all heard about it before. I love using it under the eyes to brighten the undereye area and on the brow bone if I feel too lazy to slap on eyeshadow ;) It also gives a pretty effect if used along the upper lip to get that hot Bridgette Bardot pout.

IMG 3361 Favourites of the month (or shall we say Autumn)

I’ve been using quite a lot of colour on my brows because of the all over natural look I’ve been sporting and I’m absolutely loving the Brow Set in Beguile, This stuff is magic! I’m suddenly having lots of little hairs I wasn’t aware of which makes it so much easier to get those full eyebrows I’ve always wanted, and at the same time the cream makes them stay in place. To fill in the sparse areas I’ve been using some of the Mac eyeshadow in Coquette. On my eyes I’ve used the Lancôme Hypnôse Precious Cells in #2 brown which is my all time favourite mascara, and some of the amazing Maybelline gel liner along the lash line for a Olivia Palermo/Bambi eye effect :)

IMG 3355 Favourites of the month (or shall we say Autumn)

I’m so happy with my hair regime right now!! My hair is stronger than ever and it’s finally growing without any split ends – yay :D I’m using a pre shampoo treatment (review here), an organic reconstructing shampoo, an organic reconstructing treatment, an organic scalp/volumising treament and finally an oil treatment for the ends.

I would love it if you would share your favourites in the comment section, maybe we can all find a new favourite product :)

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So the dress code was chic, the event was rock concert but it was taking place in the Casino with the Prince and the most powerful in Monaco, and I would probably be the youngest. What do I wear?? I was thinking it had to be a dress, it had to be black, it had to be cool, it had to be glamorous and it had to be one of those dresses I actually can sit down and be comfortable in. I ended up with one of my favorite dresses from Asos which I bought last year:

front and side What I wore and all about the clip in extentions

side and front What I wore and all about the clip in extentions

On friday I received a pack of 7 piece Clip-in set + a quad Clip-in from Locks and Bonds, colour #60/613/16:

Skjermbilde 2011 09 25 kl. 21.17.04 What I wore and all about the clip in extentions

The colour is a perfect match as it is a natural blonde colour with both highlights and lowlights, the length is a little bit longer than mine (22″/ 56 cm) but with some curling in the ends it worked perfectly. The hair is super soft and of really good quality, best clip-ins I’ve ever encountered. Will definitely repurchase when these get old.

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I mentioned to you the other day how my hair has grown faster than ever and I gave all credits to the fact that I have switched hair products from Kerastase to natural and safe ingredients brands like Alexander Sprekenhus and Moroccan Oil.

haargrowth Volume, scalp treatment and faster growing healthy hair in one bottle.

The reason to why I bring this up once more is that I completely forgot to mention a product I’ve been using which might be a big part of my results. This is the John Masters Organics Deep Scalp Follicle Tretment & Volumizer For Thinning Hair. I got this because I was looking for a plain volumizing product that didn’t contain any harmful ingredients and didn’t leave much thought to the part where it claims “A leave in solution that helps to promote healthy growth by improving the condition of your scalp.” as I have never before seen any true results from fast growth products like that. So when I picked up this product this morning it suddenly hit me that this little bottle probably have done more than I thought it had…

IMG 0374 Volume, scalp treatment and faster growing healthy hair in one bottle.

IMG 0379 700x466 Volume, scalp treatment and faster growing healthy hair in one bottle.

Could it really be that this together with organic shampoo and conditioner promotes hair growth? Yes, I’m impressed! The best part is that it’s really inexpensive, a little goes a long way and it´s super easy to use. After I’ve washed my hair I apply Alexander Sprekenhus One Day Straightener (heat protectant) to the hair and follow up with spraying John Masters Organics into my roots and gently massage it in. When your hair has dried you can’t feel it at all which is a big plus for me (and the boyfriend) as I hate having sticky hair that I can’t slide my fingers through.

Review: 10/10

I bought mine at LookFantastic for £21.

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“Beneficial for both hair and skin, John Masters Organics 100% Argan Oil helps to retain moisture, improve elasticity and soften hair and skin, while also adding instant sparkle and shine. It’s excellent for taming frizzy hair and mending split ends, and when applied to skin it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes.”

IMG 9939 Tip of the day: Argan oil   the liquid gold

When we were at the pharmacy the other day I came across 100% pure Argan oil. After having seen such amazing results from the Aleksander Sprekenhus products, in which Argan Oil is their secret magical ingredient, I thought 100% pure Argan Oil must be even better! I applied some to my hair and on my face before going to bed and I woke up with completely tangle free hair and with beautiful glowing and hydrated skin. Amazing! Whether it can replace my products from Aleksander Sprekenhus I’m not so sure as the hair gets quite oily when compared to the serums from Aleksander Sprekenhus, but as a deep nurishing mask treatment or before shampooing it is amazing.

I must say I’m quite surprised about the results on my skin as well as oil feels like a no-no on the skin after having suffered from acne for so many years. After having read a couple of reviews about the oil I see people are actually using it to get rid off their adult acne (see this thread) so don’t hesitate to try argan oil if you are suffering from acne. Argan oil is completely non-comodogenic and rejuvenates the skin at the same time as it gives you the hydration your skin really needs.

Untitled 26 Tip of the day: Argan oil   the liquid gold

Key ingredients:
Argan oil naturally contains the following compounds:
- Tocepherols, including vitamin E – help to neutralise free radicals on the skin and scalp.
- Omega 6 – help to prevent hair breakage.
- Saponins – naturally soften the hair and skin.

Properties:
- Rejuvenates the skin and hair.
- Rich in anti-oxidants.
- Easily absorbed into the skin.
- Protects against free radical damage.

Usage:
- For dry skin.
- For ultra hydration.
- For softening the hair and skin.
- reat for reducing appearance of scars and wrinkles.

After a quick search on google I found a lot of people have had the same surprisingly great results with the oil, see this thread.

I bought mine in the pharmacy, but after a quick search I found a 100% pure argan oil from John Masters Organic at LookFantastic for only £32.50! :)

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IMG 9811 How to get a full beauty makeover in 1 hour at home!

Today I had a really selfish hour in the bathroom, and it felt wonderful! I don’t know why, but I always think to my self that it takes a really long time but actually it doesn’t need to take a long time! This is how I did it today:

Part 1: Hair mask, exfoliation and feet:

IMG 9826 How to get a full beauty makeover in 1 hour at home!

Hair mask: I’ve been using this two step hair mask, Kérastase Resistance Forcintense, for several years and it really is second to none! It builds up the hair with a shot of proteins and leaves it moisturised, soft and shiny. This is what you want if you are struggeling with chemically damaged hair as your hair is in desperate need of proteins. HQhair sells Kérastase Forcintense for £25.90 which is a lot cheaper than buying it at the hair dressers, but LookFantastic sells it for only £22.05 which is a bargain:)

Scrub: While I had the first tube of mask in my hair I did the exfoliation. MD Formulations contains both exfoliating beads and glycolic acid so you really get a thorough scrub and it is completely safe to use on your face as well. I normally leave it on for a couple of minutes to make sure the glycolic acid gets its magic done properly. This is definitaly the best scrub that is out there for both face and body in my opinion! It is yours for  from £23.80 FeelUnique including shipping.

Foot scrub: While having tube #1 of the mask in my hair and the exfoliation on my skin I scrubbed my feet with a exfoliation scrub for feet and hands from OPI which smells amazing and leaves the feet perfectly soft. You can get the OPI Royal Verbana Scrub at LookFantastic for £17.70.

After feet were scrubbed I showered off the mask and exfoliation and applied tube #2 of the mask. While this mask was working I did my shaving. Boom! All that done in only 20 minutes :)

Part 2: Teeth whitening, moisturising and selftan:

IMG 9832 How to get a full beauty makeover in 1 hour at home!

Teeth whitening: I don’t like the apparance of too white and obviously bleeched teeth so I like to use these strips once in a while to just fresh up the colour of my own. You are ment to use them once a day for 7 or 14 days, but I only use them once or twice every 2nd week and that is enough for me. Make sure you get the strips pressed inbetween the gaps of your teeth as well :) I got mine from a pharmacy but a quick search on google gives you plenty of options so it shouldn’t be a problem to find a place close to you.

Moisturising pt 1: While the strips were on their place in my mouth I used a heavy cream on the really dry parts of my body like knees and elbows and around my ancles and hands to make sure that the selftan won’t get uneven in these areas. Unfortunately this moisturiser is only available in Norway at this time, but the products are amazing so I’m sure they will ship outside of Norway once they have grown larger which I’m confident they will as they are growing bigger in Norway for every day!

Moisturising pt2 : After the heavy moisturiser I used a slightly lighter moisturiser on the rest of my body. Moisturiser is important to use to get an even tan from the selftan, but you don’t want to use one that is too heavy.

Selftan: After letting the moisturiser sink in for a couple of minutes ( and drinking plenty of water which is a big part of beauty as well), I started to apply the selftan. Like most beauty geeks I love St.Tropez Selftan Mousse which has won plenty of awards for a reason. It applies smoothly and doesn’t smell as horrible as many others do thanks to a special technology which removes 70% of the aroma. The main reason to why I love this so much is because it gives such a true olive tanned colour that everyone wants, no orange at all! It dries in 30 sec so be sure to wash your hands often or use gloves! This Mousse is available at LookFantastic for £26.10 and at FeelUnique for only £25.50 including delivery!

Hands are often a problem area for most people as it is difficult to get it even with out getting unnaturally tanned palms. I have found the solution!! Scrub your hands intensely untill all colour is gone (I use the soft side of a foot file to file away the rest) and take a small brush to apply the selftan around the hands. Isn’t it brilliant? No stains in your hands, and perfectly even hands and wrists :) Boom again! All that done in 20 min as well!

IMG 9833 How to get a full beauty makeover in 1 hour at home!

IMG 9837 How to get a full beauty makeover in 1 hour at home!

The last 20 minutes I spent on eyebrow grooming which I will upload a post about later. So much done and in just one hour, I feel amazing!!

Are you good at taking time off for self care?

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IMG 79611 Review of Alexander Sprekenhus shampoo and conditioner

I’ve always been a sucker for big hair product brands like Kérastase, Joico and Redken but recently I’ve become more focused on what I put in my hair with all the debate about SLS and parabens. Finding products that make my hair feel strong, healthy and shiny at the same time as containing no damaging ingredients is difficult though.

Click to read what SLS are and why SLS-free shampoos and conditioners are better

Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Reports include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair and split and fuzzy hair. The main cause of these problems is SLS. Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are are very effective foaming agents, chemically known as surfactants and used because they are cheap. When these chemicals are absorbed into the body from skin application, one of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

Click to read what parabens are and why they should be avoided as well

Just like SLS parabens also mimic the hormone estrogen which may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

After reading about these chemicals it makes some sense to try to stay away from them as much as possible and so my hunt for the right products began. I found Alexander Sprekenhus’ products while sipping on a glass of rosé in my home town in Norway. A friend of a friend of mine came over to our table and raved about a hair oil that only contained natural ingredients like Argan Oil and that it knocked out big sellers like Kérastase and Shu Uemura. She said it was so pure that it could even be used on the skin, and the bottle went around the table. My first thought was that it smelled AMAZING and candy like! Skeptical and suspicious like most beauty bloggers I asked her about the ingredients, but it was impossible to get any sense out of the conversation other than that it only contained safe ingredients (possibly due to the amount of wine we had both consumed). She had a sample of a shampoo and conditioner in her hand bag and gave it to me to try out.

I tried the shampoo and conditioner the day before I left Norway and I was in love!!! The smell, the shine, the feel of the hair… but still I didn’t know what it really contained so I dived into the world of chemistry to find out what ingredients the products contained and what they actually do for the hair, which was a lot easier than I first thought as both the shampoo and conditioner contains the exact same ingredients only in different amounts.

Click here to see the list of ingredients and explanations:

 

  • Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate: Not in the family of SLS what so ever but also acts like a foaming and cleansing agent with low irritation.
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Antistatic and antiseptic.
  • Disodium lauroyl methyl isethionate:  An extremely mild cleanser.
  • Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate: A foaming agent derived from coconut oil which is especially good for damaged hair.
  • Tocophérol Acetate: Vitamin E which is very moisturizing for the hair.
  • Hydrolyzed wheat protein: Improves hair manageability and promotes healing of the hair and scalp.
  • Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice: Aloe Vera which has all round effects and is very moisturizing.
  • Argania Spinosa: Argan Oil which is a luxurious oil with moisturizing, softening and silkening effects that also boosts shine and corrects frizz while not feeling greasy or oily on the hair.
  • Hemp Seed Oil: Very rich in fatty acids which moisturizes the hair and scalp.
  • Salix Alba Willow Bark Extract: Antiseptic and astringent effect.
  • Spiraea Ulmaria weadowsweet: Antibacterial properties.
  • Larrea Diviricata: Contains antioxidants while working as a antibacterial agent.
  • Olea Europaea (Olive): Prevents damage and gives shine.
  • Polyquaternium-7: This ingredient dries and becomes a protective film outside of the hair foillicle to protect the hair. It also gives shine, softness, detangles and work as an antistatic agent.
  • Sodium PCA: Moisturizing.
  • Glycerine: Moisturizing and softening as well as giving shine.
  • Peg-150 Distearate: Works as a mixer to help ingredients dissolve and do their magic.
  • Ethylhexylglycerin: Added for condition and preservative reasons instead of parabens.
  • Phenoxyethanol: Bacertia killing while holding on to the perfume.
  • Perfume: Natural perfume.

About the ingredients in other words:

Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner from the Norwegian brand Alexander Sprekenhus contains no sulfates, phosphates or parabens, but cleanse in a natural way which preserves the hair’s natural balance! The big star of the formulation is the luxorious Argan Oil which is derived from the Argan tree Argania Spinosa, indigenous to Morocco. Argan oil absorbes four times as fast through hair as through skin and nails and has a variety of nourishing properties for the hair. The oil softens and moisturises while correcting frizz and providing incredible volume and shine without making the hair feel greasy or oily. The oil is also rich in Vit A, Vit E, Vit F and also works as a uv protectant. Worth mentioning is also the fact that none of the ingredients comes from animals nor have been tested on animals!

What do I think?

The consistency of the shampoo is a little bit different than normal as it doesn’t foam up as much as shampoos usually do, which actually is a good thing according to specialists because it’s the big foam that is created by adding the dangerous chemicals. This foam is smaller and feels like a silky blend of oil and foam, simply wonderful! The smell is amazing and I’ve caught my self drifting away while twirling soft locks in between my fingers and sniffing them untill I get embarrassed and realise what I am doing. It smells like candy with elements of caramel and vanilla at the same time but it is not the fake sweet smell that you normally find in beauty products. It’s an exciting and different candy smell! I simply love it!!

IMG 8604 Review of Alexander Sprekenhus shampoo and conditioner

The shampoo and conditioner contain the exact same list of ingredients but in different amounts which makes the shampoo a clear liquidy consistency while the conditioner is a thicker cream-like consistency.

IMG 8602 Review of Alexander Sprekenhus shampoo and conditioner

I’ve had so many people asking me what I’ve done to my hair since I started using these products, both on the blog and out and about. My hair feels less tangly and frizzy and the ends of my hair feel much more moist than any conditioning treatments have managed to achieve before. This was highly needed for my hair after the terrible treatment I got at the hair dresser in Norway where she performed not one but two decolourizations in addition to colouring and bleaching afterwards (she called this process treatening and conditioning so don´t make the same mistake as I did and visit Blend hair dresser in Sandefjord if you love your hair). I thought that it would take years to build up my hair again but it is unbelievable what these products have already done for my hair! I can’t wait to try out the oils that I’ve heard so many great things about, can it really get better than this?

beforeafter1 Review of Alexander Sprekenhus shampoo and conditioner
In the picture on the top you can see how the hair has gone through heat treatments to get curls and how the shine and vitality is completely gone from the hair. In the two pictures below you can see how the hair has regained shine, vitality and moisture to the damaged ends. This is after only one wash with the hydrating shampoo and conditioner from Alexander Sprekenhus without adding any products to the hair afterwards. Isn’t it just amazing?

If you want a shampoo without sls and parabens whilst still achieving:

  1. No frizz
  2. Moistened hair
  3. Shine
  4. Less tangles
  5. Amazing smell
  6. Stronger hair
  7. Volume
  8. No static hair
  9. Rebuilding and nourishing properties for damaged hair
  10. Nourishing and softening for hair extentions

… Then these just might be as right for you as they are for me :)

The prices are really good as well!

All in all: 10/10

Go to Alexander Sprekenhus to get your products!!

{ 10 comments }

When I look upon my favorites it hits me how fed up I´ve been with the dark colours of winter which must be the reason why I have subcounciously thrown myself into the summer look with bright colours on the nails, natural makeup and nourished hair and feet!!

IMG 81511 Favorite products of May   11

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue - Hair oil // Kérastase Voile Nuit – Night treatment // Kérastase Elixir Ultime – Hair oil // John Masters Organic Treatment – Scalp treatment

I love hair oils and I like to mix the Shu Uemura-oil and the Kérastase-oil although I´m sure it´s enough to use only one of them but I like to use both just in case one or the other contain some good stuff that the other doesn´t have ;) Before I go to bed I spray my hair with the Kérastase Voile Nuit which nourishes the hair while sleeping and makes it super soft in the morning and tangle free. John Masters Organic Treatment is a scalp treatment that I spray onto the scalp after washing my hair to nourish my sensitive scalp. The fact that it gives me incredible volume doesn´t hurt either :)

IMG 81541 Favorite products of May   11

Alexander Sprekenhus Argan Oil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

These products are from a new norwegian brand and I received the products not long ago. I was thinking about putting some other hair products in here since I havn´t used the products long enough to really justify them being may favorites but I just couldn´t get myself to do it because I really love these products both for the amazing softness I get and for the wonderful smell. I think I will write a review about them soon :)

IMG 81561 Favorite products of May   11

Thalgo Gel for feather-light Legs – Cooling and Decongesting gel // OPI Royal Verbana Scrub – Foot and hand scrub
L´Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream // L´Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream

Neat and pretty feet are a must when going to the beach. I prefer to have someone else do my feet but obviously I need to do them myself once in a while and when I do I like to use the OPI Royal Verbena scrub on feet and hands for super soft and moistened skin. For periods with very dry skin I like to soak my hands and feet in cream and wear socks and mittens on top overnight to really let the cream soak into the skin.

After a long night on heels there are few things that feels as good as layering on some gel from Thalgo which gives a cool sensation that immediately relieves painful, tired legs! Every girl on heels needs this!

IMG 8166 Favorite products of May   11

The nail polishes I´ve used the most frequently on my fingertips are all from Chanel´s spring and summer collections while it is the beautiful bright pink Strawberry Margarita from OPI that has reigned on the toes.

IMG 81681 Favorite products of May   11

Aura by Swarovski Bodylotion // Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb // Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie en Rose

Flowerbomb has been a long time favorite and it still is and not surprisingly I really love the slightly more tangy Flowerbomb La Vie en Rose as well.  However, the star of the month is neither of them as I have completely fallen for a newcomer, the amazing Aura by Swarovski which my dear and sweet mum gave me when I was home In Norway. To be precise it is the bodylotion from Aura by Swarovski that has caught my eye and I have had several people sniffing me wondering what perfume I´m wearing each time I´ve used this wonderful bodylotion. Not only does it smell fantastic but it gives the most beautiful shimmer to the skin as well, hence the diamond. I´m in love, thank you so much my sweet and thoughtful mummy!! (Yes, my mum really is the best!!)

IMG 81711 Favorite products of May   11

IMG 8174 Favorite products of May   11

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre i 30 Naturel – loose powder // Chanel Bronzer in 22 Sierra // Chanel Eyeshadow Quad in Lilium from the summer collection -11
Mac e/s Omega // Mac e/s Coquette // Bobbi Brown Black Ink gel liner // Mac Paint Pot in Painterly // Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude

In the summer I like to keep my skin natural but still even and beautiful looking and this is where Laura Mercier reigns! Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer covers incredibly well at the same time as it feels light on the skin. Personally I would rather describe it as a light weight foundation because you´ll need a moisturizer underneath it but the coverage is really wonderful and I don´t need a concealer when I use it.

After I´ve let the cream settle I use a tiny bit of the loose powder from chanel in my t-sone to mattify this area and then I use some glowing bronzer to give some life to the skin. Omega and Coquette are both used as colours for the eyebrows but I sometimes use them as eyeshadows as well although it is the Chanel quad Lilium from the summer collection that has been used more frequently than any other eyeshadow this month.

IMG 81791 Favorite products of May   11

Mac 208 // Sigma E20 (SS 214) // Sigma E15 (SS 212) // Sigma E30 ( SS 219) // Sigma E25 (SS 217) // Sigma E40 (SS 224) // Sigma F05 (SS 165) // Sigma F10 (SS 129) // Sigma F40 (SS 168) // Sigma F50 (SS 187)

Makeup brushes are just as important and this is what I´ve used this months favorite brushes for this month:

  1. Mac 208 – eyebrows
  2. Sigma E20 – smudge the gel liner for a smokey effect or a pop of colour
  3. Sigma E15 – line the gel liner
  4. Sigma E30 – place shadow in the outer corner and underneath the eye
  5. Sigma E25 – my favorite! I´ve used it for both placing eyeshadow and blending
  6. Sigma E40 – highlighting the brow bone and inner conrer of the eye as well as blending
  7. Sigma F05 – highlight the cheek bone or contour the cheek bone with a darker shade underneath the cheek bone
  8. Sigma F10 – powder in the t-sone
  9. Sigma F40 – bronzer
  10. Sigma F50 – blush
  11. Cleanser! How could I forget, I´ve used the brush cleanser from Mac quite a lot as well as it´s great to dry clean the brushes if you are in a hurry or use a different blush every day!

I think these are all of my favorites this month. I didn´t include the skin care products from Oenothera/Kremfresh as I think you´ve gotten the point by now ;)

What products are your favorites from May? If you have a blog I would love it if you also made a post like this and dropped me the link below :)

{ 6 comments }

I´m trying to let my hair grow and to help it do so I use as little heat and styling as possible and as much as possible of products designed to keep my hair healthy. The market is full of magical protectant oils and I have found two products that I am completely in love with for the moment. It´s probably enough to use just one of them, but product junkie as I am I went out and got both of them and I like to mix them together in the palm of my hand before I apply it to the ends. They make my hair soft, shiny and healthy looking and I like to think that they work on the hair follicle as well ;)

I´m also cautious about what kind of brush to use and I´m completely in love with a Mason Pearson brush at the moment. If you´re not familiar with the Mason Pearson brushes you should go and check them out here. I have the Handy Bristle B3 Dark Ruby Handy Size.

I try to not wash my hair too often as this strips the hair of naural healthy oils and makes the scalp produce more sebum than necessary but I still like to have fresh looking hair and that´s where Frederic Fekkai dry shampoo steps in to the rescue. It is a plant-based formula free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and synthetic fragrance. This 95% natural formula contains ingredients to neutralize odor, while cotton and corn and rice starch absorb excess oil that weigh down hair and act as dirt magnets. It´s simply perfect and I realize that I will never find a better dry shampoo ! :)

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