Kevin.Murphy White Color Bug

I am eagerly waiting for my share of the Kevin.Murphy White Color Bug. It should be arriving in the stores next week! If you would like me to reserve one for you, let me know ASAP. I will only be able to get a few and they will be gone within days.

Here is what you can use it for:

• Use as a base layer on dark hair, this will make the purple, pink or orange color bug brighter.
• Use as a base layer on lighter color hair. It will make any other color on top look very vivid
• Create platinum highlights on any color hair with no chemical damage.
• Use on blonde root regrowth to disguise those roots and extend time between appointments.
• Use as a dry shampoo in any color hair.

Here is the best application technique for pops of color:

• Use a pomade as a base, it will hold the color longer and give the powder a substance to adhere to making the color brighter and more noticeable.
• Section your hair, somewhat isolating the pieces that you want to color. You can do just the tips, or ends of a larger section of your hair, or individual long strands.
• Take your favorite pomade, mine is Kevin Murphy Sticky.Business, grab a half dime sized amount, place it in your palm and rub your palms together. Rub them like your are applying lotion to just your palms, keep rubbing until the pomade is no longer white, but is clear in appearance.
• Apply the pomade to your determined  sections by smoothing downward in the direction of the cuticle and sort of smearing the paste in like lotion for your hair.
• Take the cap off of the color bug and place the colored chalk piece against your section, using your fingers apply pressure to the hair using the color bug as the backing. This will get a nice thick coating of chalk on the hair. Repeat until desired depth of color is achieved.
• If you are going for a second color on top I would reapply the pomade to your hair and then repeat the application process, but don't make your hair look greasy with too much pomade.
• Keep your hands off it for the rest of the evening and I would shy away from light colored shirts so you don't get residual color on them.

REVITA.EPS Eyelash Growth Stimulator

Want a drug free way to achieve the thick full lashes that you so desire? This is the product that you need REVITA EPS Eyelash Growth Stimulator​. This product is proven through clinical research to grow eyelashes 25% longer in as little as four weeks. Many users also experience greater thickness and density. These results are achieved using a peptide complex, not a glaucoma like drug. Peptides are believed to work by stimulating the expression of keratin genes and by improving overall eyelid health..

Keratin is a sulfur-containing protein that forms the chemical basis of epidermal tissues such as hair, nails and eyelashes.​ DS-Laboratories uses their peptide complex to stimulate keratin genes to help boost the growth of natural eyelashes.

Why are my eyelashes so short? Unlike hair strands of the scalp, those of the eyelashes and eyebrows have a limited anagen (active growth phase), about 30-45 days, which explains why they are so short. Approximately 60-80% of eyelashes are in this phase at any given time.​

When will I see results? In a clinical trial, visible results in density were achieved beginning as early as week 4. A panel of subjects tested found a 25% increase in eyelash length after 4 weeks .

How do I use it? For best results apply twice daily, morning and evening. Ensure that your face is clean and makeup is removed. Click the button to dispense the solution. Apply to the upper and lower lash line like you would apply eyeliner, a very discrete thin line​. After several weeks of use you can switch to once daily application. 

The Pros and Cons of Extensions

​Pro:

• You can have the hair of your dreams within hours
• Your hair will be longer and thicker than it has ever been​
• Nobody has to know they are extensions, yes they can be that good​
• Everyone will give you compliments on your hair​
• Every style will look better, the ponytail, the braid, the up-do​
• You will feel at least 10 years younger​
• You get to see me more often
• You will find yourself trying new styles you were never able to ​
• Your man friend will adore it​
• Your girlfriends will be totally jealous and want their own​
• ​100% human hair mean unlimited heat styling

Con:​

• ​Can be costly, depending on installation method chosen
• Average maintenance appointment is 2-3 hours​
• ​Takes time to get used to doing all that new hair
• You cannot run a comb or brush through your hair the way you used to​
• Because you look so much younger you will get carded all the time​
• Once you have them you will never want to take them out​
• You will want to tell everyone about your extensions but also want people to think it's your natural hair​
• You will need to wash less, condition more and apply a deep conditioning treatment somewhat frequently.​

Review: DS Labs Shampoo and Conditioner

The products I'm reviewing have made  an appearance in the front ​and then the back of my medicine cabinet for the last few years. I decided they need another review. Here is the reason why.

I'm 6 months post breastfeeding and my hormones are settling into their new state of being, and so is my hair. I also went from blonde to copper hair in the last 4 months. The texture and the thickness of my hair has totally changed since my first pregnancy. I have never had thick hair to being with but it has changed noticeably.​ So my hair looks, feels and behaves completely different than it did 3-5 years ago.

I have noticed more shedding than I thought was normal over the last 12 weeks and I decided it was time to do something about it. ​Here is what I used...

I started with Revita, DS Labs pinnacle product in the hair loss category. I use it 3-4 times per week, as directed; which requires me to shampoo once and leave on for 1 minute, then shampoo again and leave on for 2 minutes. I added Revita-COR conditioner to the lineup next, I use it 3-4 times per week directly on my scalp. Then I use NIA helio hydrating conditioner through my ends, every time I shower.

What I have noticed: The amount of hair that I am losing in the shower has been reduced by half over the course of 1 week. It was reduced by another half 2 additional weeks later. I have not noticed any new hair growth, or baby hairs since the trial started, but I feel satisfied with the dramatic reduction in loss. At this point I am not interested in adding a regrowth serum to my routine because I still feel that I have an ample amount of hair. I'll report to you in a later post on my husbands' review of these products which includes the serum.​

Sclerotherapy

Have you tried this procedure? It is an injection of a sclerosing agent into spider veins. The agent chemically damages the vein from the inside causing the vein to clot. The clot is then absorbed (aka disappears) into the body over several weeks to months. This causes the spider veins to disappear. Potentially it can take 3-5 treatments to completely dissolve the vein. But it is very successful.​

So what are the drawbacks? ​

• Cost, if you can find a deal it can be purchased for $100-$175 per treatment. A "treatment" varies from clinic to clinic some charge this for a 15 minute session. Some clinics consider injecting both legs completely one "treatment". Also medical grade compression stockings are required post treatment to help your legs heal
• Pain, the feeling of the injections is similar to bee stings. One session can include 1-100 injections depending on how many spider veins you are treating. ​There isn't much pain post treatment, just a general aching, swelling sensation. Only the pain of knowing how much money you paid to feel this way and how much more you will have to spend.
• Healing, the healing process takes a minimum of 3-6 months. Unfortunately those veins don't instantly disappear, they very slowly dissolve and usually more than one treatment is required. With 6 weeks between treatments​ x 3 treatments you are usually looking at a minimum of 6 months before you feel like you have perfect legs. Post treatment while healing you have very bruised looking legs which for me means no shorts. This series of treatments are generally done in the winter. 
• Limitations, sclerotherapy only works on small superficial veins, not larger vericose veins. The treatment for the larger veins usually requires laser treatment which is outrageously expensive.​

I can't wait until this treatment is out of date and replaced by something that delivers instant results and is able to treat more than just spider veins. Its ridiculous to think that anybody should have to spend thousands of dollars to have "normal" looking and feeling legs.​

How to Choose a Shampoo

It's a daunting task, even for me because there are just too many options. Even if you decide that you like a brand they usually have 10-20 different options for you to choose from. Why so many options?

First of all you have to decide what it is you are struggling with, let me give you some examples​

• ​You want cleaner hair
• You want bigger hair​
• You want skinnier hair
• You want more hair​
• You want your hair to be less frizzy​
• You want you hair to feel less dry​
• You want to protect your color​
• Your scalp itches or you think you might have some flakes​
• You don't know what you want but you just don't want to spend too much or buy cheap shampoo.

Lucky for you most higher end shampoos are multi-taskers so you may only need one or two in your arsenal to satisfy your needs all year round. 

These are the products my clients are purchasing the most of...​

​Kevin Murphy Angel Wash: This is a product that helps your hair become bigger, fuller, more voluminous. Often considered a volumizing shampoo but it is so much more. It protects that beautiful color you have in your hair. It helps to heal and repair any damage that is happening to your hair, and unless its a pixie cut there is damage. This shampoo also helps to control frizz and reduce breakage. I'm sure you're dying to use it already.

DS-Laboratories Revita Shampoo: If you are concerned with hair loss, hair thinning, or excessive shedding, this is the shampoo for you. This hydrates, feeds, and stimulates the hair follicle to reactivate the growth cycle that is either too short or lying dormant in the follicle. This will also help protect your color and prevent damage although if you are struggling with frizz you might want to consider rotating this in with your other shampoo.​

DS-Laboratories Dandrene: If your scalp is occasionally itchy or you are seeing some flakes this is the product to try. Not only does it calm inflammation and itching but it helps to rid your scalp of the fungi (I know it sounds gross, but everybody has fungi on their scalp, sometimes it just gets out of control)​ and control excessive oil on your scalp. It also calms inflammation and itching so you won't feel embarassed by those flakes. 

Kevin Murphy Maxi-Wash: If you want your hair clean, like really clean, squeaky clean this is the shampoo for you. It will remove product buildup without removing color. It will remove chlorine from blonde hair, it will remove all the sweat from dancing, the stale club smell, the old hairspray and glitter leftover from the weekend. It removes buildup of chemicals that you didn't even know were there. It also contains a natural antiseptics to detoxify the hair and scalp. ​

Kevin Murphy Born Again: This is an ultra rich moisturizing shampoo for tortured or chemically dehydrated hair. It is wonderful if your hair feels crispy, dry, lifeless, dull or in general uncooperative. We all have our days. This shampoo acts like a conditioner. Also if you feel like your hair has too much body or fly away feeling it is craving moisture and this might just be the drink it needs.

If you have other questions concerning other brands or problem you are experiencing with your shampoo please let me know and I will guide you towards a wise choice. ​

Side note: Don't ever purchase a 2 in 1 shampoo, they don't exist, it's a myth.​

Don't forget to read: How to wash your hair​