Archive for the ‘tools’ Category
Hana Elite Giveaway!
It’s raining flat irons around here! I have another flat iron giveaway to announce. Courtesy of Misikko, I’m giving away a Hana Elite. It’s a 100% ceramic iron, which offers the highest level of hair damage protection. It will never peel or chip to expose hair to damaging metal, and infuses tourmaline into the heating elements for maximum thermal protection. The Hana Elite also has an adjustable temperature dial with five settings from 140-450°, which is great for all hair types. The beveled edges allow you to easily curl, flip or straighten your hair. This prize is worth $229.99!
How To Enter:
- Leave a comment telling me why you need or want a Hana Elite.
- Individuals who share this giveaway via blog, website, Twitter or Facebook, can leave a comment about it providing a link and that will count as another entry.
- This giveaway will conclude on Friday, March 19, 2010. Winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org.
- The giveaway is for U.S. residents only.
- The winner will be contacted via email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise another winner will be picked.
Good luck! And in the meantime, check out my review after the break. Continue Reading…
Must Have: ghd IV styler!
I’m so excited to write my review of the ghd IV styler 1” because you guys can have one too! Just enter my giveaway that’s currently running on Hair on the Brain and win your very own ghd, worth $240.00. This styler is top of the line; endorsed by best hairstylists in the world; and used by celebs like Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Hudson, and Cate Blanchett.
Here’s the Deal: ghd’s unique ceramic technology heats up to its maximum temperature in seconds, locks in moisture, natural oils and hair color for total hair protection. It creates the straightest, sleekest locks, as well as fantastic curls and waves. The aluminum plates have a ceramic coating which helps to close the cuticle and create shine while locking in hair’s natural moisture and preventing moisture from re-entering the hair. The ghd IV styler emits infrared heat producing negative ions, which are less damaging to the hair. They reduce static and creating shine by closing the cuticle. Other stylers use PTC or copper wound elements which can dry out the hair.
My Take: I’ve tried many flat irons over the years, and the ghd knocks me out! It’s amazing and truly lives up to all the hype. It heats up in seconds (in fact, it’s faster than any other iron on the market!) and straightens hair immediately. I literally ran the iron over my hair once and it was straight. And best of all, it left my hair bouncy and shiny! The ghd creates truly healthy and shiny looking hair, unlike any other iron I have tried. It glides along your hair with no snagging, which has been a major issue for me with other high-end irons, like the Chi. With less snagging, I feel like there is less damage on my hair.
Plus, this little wonder styler does it all. It easily straightens, curls and creates waves. Once you get the hang of the curling technique, it’s simple. (Directions follow.) And the curls come out better than with using a traditional curling iron. I know not everyone can win the giveaway. And the ghd styler is pricey, but for those of you who straighten your hair every day, it’s an investment! Check out the other reviews online before you buy. (But they are equally glowing!)
Tips on how to use your ghd IV styler to create straight, curly and wavy looks, after the break! Continue Reading…
ghd IV styler Giveaway!
Over on Hair on the Brain, I am giving away a ghd IV styler! This 1″ styler is everybody’s must-have beauty accessory–from top stylists to celebrities, including Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Hudson and Cate Blanchett. The unique ceramic technology heats up to its maximum temperature in seconds, locks in moisture, natural oils, and hair color for total hair protection. It creates the straightest, sleekest locks, as well as fantastic curls, twists and flicks. This prize retails for $240.00! Enter now!!
Remington Frizz Therapy Iron
Have any of you tried the Remington Frizz Therapy Iron? I’d read rave reviews online and was super curious to check it out… It’s also one of Good Housekeeping Research Institute’s V.I.P. (Very Innovative Product) Award winners (the only beauty product of the bunch) – and was recently featured in the New York Daily News as one of the “9 Smartest Buys in 2010″. The kicker? It’s only $50.00. And if you know anything about flat irons, you know that’s practically $free.99. Flat irons can easily run upwards of $200.00.
I usually use a SEDU flat iron to straighten my locks–I think it was around $120.00 and I bought it a few years ago. My long, layered hair is wavy, not super curly. It does tend to drop the curl and straightening that I put in it with an iron, however.
When I tried the Remington Frizz Therapy Iron, I was somewhat sceptical that a drugstore flat iron could top my “designer” iron. (I know, I know. What a snob.)
So, here is my experience: I plugged in the simple, smallish iron and set the temperature to the lowest setting, 300 degrees. It has a lcd display and beeps when heated up, which happened super fast. I flat ironed my bangs in literally 30 seconds. And here’s the best part: No snagging! My SEDU snags like crazy, and I always feel like I’m damaging my hair. The Remington straightened my bangs quickly and not in that weird I-just-straighted-my-hair way. They looked glossy and natural. Continue Reading…
Paul Labrecque Premium Boar Bristle Brush
As I have discussed on Beauty Girl Reviews and Hair on the Brain, I am obsessed with Mason Pearson brushes. They are the holy grail of brushes, which is why it’s probably better that I don’t actually, you know, have one. Lusting after the desired item is half the fun… Or so I tell myself.
In the meantime, it’s fun to test out some worthy MP competitors, like the Sonia Kashuk Bristle Brush. But more recently, I’ve been testing out Paul Labrecque’s Smoothing Flat 100% Boar Bristle Bush. This brush is a boar/nylon blend and features a solid rosewood handle and reinforced boar bristles for long lasting durability. It promotes stronger, softer, hair full of radiant anti-static shine. It’s safe enough to use on your hair daily to stimulate blood flow for a healthy scalp.
A paddle brush like this is good for doing straighter, smoother blowouts or detangling hair. Opt for one of the Paul Labrecque Round Brushes if you’re looking for a blowout with lots of volume.
Honestly, I was hoping this flat brush was 100% boar, not a boar/nylon blend, since the Sonia Kashuk brush I own is also a boar/nylon blend, but I might have to splurge at some point for a Mason Pearson to get a brush that’s truly all boar. Although, some readers might prefer a nylon/boar mix brush. In fact, it’s perfect if you have normal to thick hair because it’s better for getting out the tangles. Natural boar bristles are better for fine to normal hair (which is what I have.)
Overall, this is a lovely brush. The rosewood handle is very pretty and feels nice in your hand. A major upgrade from the Sonia Kashuk brush! I use it when I’m blow drying my hair but don’t want the volume a round brush gives. It smooth the ends of my hair nicely. I’m still curious how my hair would do with a 100% boar brush, but this is a great option! Price: $78.00
An editorial sample was provided by the company so I could review this product. Please see my About page for further information on Disclosure policies.
Barbar Italy 3800 Ionic Charger Blow Dryer
I’ve been using the same blow dryer for ages–a BaByliss Pro TT Tourmaline 5000. (Sounds kind of like a race car, doesn’t it?) My BaByliss came highly recommended, but frankly I’ve never been that impressed with it. It’s fine, but it’s not amazing or anything. Contrary to what I’d read about the dryer, my hair actually takes a long time to dry with it. Plus, it’s heavy.
I recently tested the Barbar Italy 3800 Ionic Charger Blow Dryer. It’s equipped with an ionic charger and imported AC motor that heats hair while circulating air to ensure soft and shiny results. It’s a “power dryer”, so dry time is suppose to be cut in half. I did find that my hair dried fasted with the Barbar 3800. It heats up really hot and blows a lot of air. Which, duh, is the point of a hair dyer, I know. But if you’re use to dealing with a not-so-great hair dyer, you will be pleasantly surprised when you use this one! I kept it on the hot setting at the beginning, but then switched to the medium setting for the rest of the time. The medium setting is plenty hot. My hair was left really smooth and shiny afterward. I really like this dryer and it’s a nice convenient size as well. Price: $150.00 (but see below for how to cut that in half!)
Other features of the Barbar Italy 3800 Ionic Charger Blow Dryer:
- Cool shot release button
- High performance controls
- 2000 Watts
- Imported AC motor
- 11-foot professional cord
- Multiple heat & speed settings
- Available in red & black
- Heat 310 F
For a 50% discount off any purchase made on the Barbar website, www.barbarhairtools.com, use the promo code Blog4fun.
An editorial sample was provided by the company so I could review this product. Please see my About page for further information on Disclosure policies.
Solano SleekHeat Professional Flat Iron Giveaway!
After all that giving during the holiday season, it’s time to get something for yourself, right? Well, you’re in luck because courtesy of Solano I’m giving away a Solano SleekHeat 450 1” Professional Flat Iron. A prize worth $199.00!
Features:
- Glides smoothly through hair
- Variable temperature control with settings from 170F to 450F
- Instant heat
- Instant heat recovery ensures constant, consistent heat
- Ceramic for even heat while styling
- 4 sided beveled plates ensures a smooth glide with styling versatility
- Far infrared heat dries hair from the inside out for overall healthier hair
- Ionic improves moisture in the hair while minimizing static electricity
- Tourmaline adds shine and smoothes hair while minimizing fly-aways
- Cool touch tips resistant to heat for more comfortable, safe styling
This giveaway is now closed. The winner will be notified via email. Thanks for entering!
How To: Side Ponytail
Many celebs are big fans of the side ponytail–it’s such a cute and casual way to wear your long hair. This style is easy to recreate if you have the right products and tools.Eiji Yamane, Style Director and Owner of Salon Eiji offers a step by step how to create a sexy, messy up do with Hair Jack from Japan. (Price: $12.95)
Step One: Add Texture. Start with second day hair, which will help the look hold longer. Next, create separation, texture and volume by applying a little styling product on dry hair. Be sure to apply it all the way from the roots to the ends. Use a dime size amount, warming it in your hands and run it through your hair with your fingers. Don’t use a brush or comb. If you want your ponytail to be wavy or curly, curl hair with a curling iron.
Step Two: Prep. Choose what side you want your part to fall on or follow your natural part. The ponytail will fall on the opposite shoulder as your part. Lightly spray some quick drying hair spray at the roots of your hair and backcomb lightly at the crown to give the hair more volume.
Step Three: Pony Up. Use a Hair Jack snag-free hair elastic to create a pony tail at the chosen side. Keep your ponytail on the nape of the neck or as low as possible. Leave out about two inches of the front of the hair. You don’t want to slick back everything; your style will look too matronly. The true allure of messy, sexy hair is creating soft texture.
Step Four: Wrap It Up. Take a small amount of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to cover the elastic. Secure with a Hair Jackbobbypin.
Step Five: Face Forward. Now to the front of the head where you will create texture around the face line with the rest of your hair. Depending on your face shape – A round face needs to add height by teasing the roots to add “height” and length to the face. A square face to triangle face – hair should gently fall around the temples. Long face should add body around the sides of the hair.
Step Six: Finish. Apply a small amount of shine serum to smooth away any flyaways on your crown or at the ends of the ponytail. Finish with hair spray to hold the style, Eiji likes Redken Forceful 23.
An editorial sample of Hair Jack was provided by the company so I could review this product. Please see my About page for further information on Disclosure policies.
Copyright Beauty Girl Reviews. Designed by Curt Ziegler.
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