shiny happy people

There's so much hype about this product--backordered for months--thar I just had to try it! A miracle serum, they say? Hmmm... Let's see. I smooth it on pre-shampoo to intensely hydrate and condition my hair and I also try it after blow drying as a shine serum with UV protection (just a drop will do to avoid the greasy look). When I style my hair, it looks chic, straight, and--yes!--it really shines. But I'm not the only one who thinks so. Chris McMillian uses it on Jennifer Aniston's famous locks. Sheryl Crowe, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kate Bosworth and Emily Blunt are also fans. It smells sweet (think camillia) too which makes you want to rub some on. The best part is that you get such a gorgeous shine, you instantly think you should save it for a special occasion but, the truth is, you can use it any day! To try it yourself, go to www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/styling/design-and-perfect/essence-absolue.htm and order your very own bottle.

hair that gets noticed

True story: I was waiting on line at the bank and a woman walked up behind me and said: "Wow! You have beautiful hair!" The day before, I had washed my hair with two new hair products, Redken Body Full Shampoo and Light Conditioner, proving that they do offer volume that lasts for 24 hours. The clear hair shampoo provides cotton (softens and detangles), wheat extract (adds texture, volume and body) and soy protein (reinforces hair to prevent breakage) for a fuller, voluminous look. It gives you a rich lather and leaves your hair smelling clean and fresh. The creamy conditioner is an ultra-lightweight detangler which contains soy protein to give hair bodifying strength. Plus, it's safe for your hair color and leaves hair with a natural-looking shine. See for yourself at www.redken.com or a local beauty supply store.

holiday gift guide: give Pureology

Wanna be a celebrity? I do! But not for all the obvious reasons. It's because this holiday season, Hollywood A-listers like Sarah Jessica Parker, Heidi Klum, Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron got this incredible gift set from Pureology--and I want one! The Holiday Hydrate Kit is the best antidote to cold, dry winter weather. Packaged in an eco-friendly box, the gift set includes three essential products to keep hair hydrated during the winter months: Pureology's top selling HydrateShampoo, HydrateCondition and GlossingMist. The shampoo helps you keep your color from fading and smells like rose, sandalwood and green tea. The conditioner moisturizes without weighing hair down and is scented with peppermint, sage and rosemary. And the GlossingMist offers UVA/UVB protection and gives you a gorgeous, glossy shine. I told my hairdresser about the products and even got her hooked! Click on www.pureology.com and try them for yourself or give them as a gift this holiday season.

smooth operator

I'm always looking for a new lipstick formula. Something that feels good on my lips and looks natural too. Shu Uemura's rouge unlimited supreme shine lipsticks ($23) do both. I tried 943, a natural looking beigy shade. The color is subtle so I don't feel too made up. There is a hint of shimmer so it looks a little glam. And a sheerness to it so my natural lips show through. The formula is ultra-moisturizing, thanks to ceramide, which protects and cares for the lips. It feels comfortable which makes me want to swipe some on whether I'm going to the grocery store or out at night. And I love the comprehensive color range--from fiery reds, berry reds and icy pinks to flat oranges, warm browns and necessary neutrals. The best part: They last for eight hours so you rarely have to reapply. Choose your hue at www.shuuemura-usa.com.

pure genius

I gave up my highlights years ago in favor of a more natural hue--my own! It wasn't until this past year that I started using single process color. So I was eager to try Pureology's new SuperSmoothcollection from Pureology Serious Colour Care, the first 100% Vegan formula andZeroSulfate^® shampoos for colour-treated hair. The products' heat protective ThermalAntiFadeComplex create a protective barrier against heat styling damage and maximize color retention. The packaging won me over immediately: the SuperSmooth Shampoo and SuperSmoothHairCondition come in lightweight bottles with long, bumpy necks so you don't have to worry about slippage. (The SuperSmooth SmoothingElixir comes in a mini-version). And the SuperSmoothRelaxingHairMasque, designed to nourish and smooth, comes in a round tub and is packaged with a mini wide-tooth comb so you can evenly distribute the product throughout your hair (it's a little small but so cute and does the trick!). They're all scented with a hint of geranium, which smells so pretty! My favorite product was probably the hair mask--it was rich and luxurious and you only have to leave it on for two to five minutes, as opposed to 10 or 15 as with other masks. After styling, I realized I forgot to use the SmoothingElixir oin my damp hair--and there were some visible frizzies!--but I smoothed some onto my my just-blow-dried locks and my hair looked smooth and neat. Get more info or find out where to buy at www.pureology.com. Or, if you're on the East or West Coast, stop by one of the company's two flagship salons: Rare by Ruth Roche/Pureology Salon in New York, NY, and Byu-ti Hair Therapy salon in Santa Monica, CA.

the straight and shiny

In the never-ending search for products to keep my naturally wavy hair straight, I couldn't wait to try Redken's straight lissage collection. The three hero products include power tame 16 intense straightening balm for coarse hair ($16), align 12 protective straightening lotion for medium hair ($16) and sheer straight 06 lightweight straightening gel for fine hair ($15). Thinking I fell into the medium category, I tried align 12, only to find it left my hair straight but also greasy and limp. Maybe I used too much or maybe I should have dried my hair longer but it really didn't work for me. So the next day, I tried sheer straight 06 and had better results. The lightweight formula left my hair looking sleek and polished, with no sticky residue. Proteins build internal hair strength and coconut and olive oils help condition and moisturize. Also in the news for Redken is the company's new Real Control Mineral Elixir dazzling smoothing oil for dense/dry/sensitized hair ($17), which launches this month. Ideal for combatting dry, frizzy, static-y hair, it tames flyaways and adds shine while misting hair with a glistening shine spray. You get light conditioning and control with intense frizz-fighting power. Just spray it on dry hair and reapply as needed throughout the day. Or point the aerosol applicator at your hairbrush and run it through your hair whenever you need to smooth things over and add a dose of shine. To locate a Redken salon, or find our more about these Redken products, go to www.redken.com.

just add oil

It sounds and looks like a suntan oil for your body but Moroccanoil is actually an intensive regime for your hair. Salma Hayek, Katy Perry, Renee Zellweger and Debra Messing have all used it so why shouldn't I give it a try? Moroccanoil Treatment ($39) is a weightless finishing, styling and shine product in one, which protects against UV damage and other environmental hazards. The patented Argan Oil-based formula is rich in Vitamins A, E and F (omega 6) as well as phenols and tocopherols to nourish hair and scalp, promote healing and relieve dry, itchy conditions. I smoothed it on my damp hair after a shower and watched it absorb instantly. After blow-drying, I was left with a silky feel (I couldn't stop touching my hair!) and brilliant shine (who wouldn't want that?). All of the products in the collection strengthen and recondition the hair strand while adding lustrous shine and a polished, frizz-free, static-free finish. Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream ($30) promises to eliminate frizz and add definition and shine. And it delivers. Just a drop in the palm of my hand was easily rubbed into my damp hair before styling. When dry, my natural waves were accentuated and stayed put for the rest of the day. Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask ($31)--my favorite--is a deep conditioning treatment that gives hair moisture and protein. The recommended weekly dose does the trick and makes you feel like you're feeding your hair a healthy snack. The new Moroccanoil Gold Glimmer Shine ($24) didn't really do much for me. It's designed to deliver an invisible veil of shine and protect hair from UV rays and free radicals but the scent was a bit too powdery and it made my hair look a bit stringy. Still, I won't give up the weekly mask or the styling cream which helped me go from maniac mom to a semi-sane female in time for my husband's birthday dinner. To find your favorite Moroccanoil formula, go to www.moroccanoil.com.

in living color

Tired of being Ador-a-ball? Weary of looking Wicked? I know I am. That's why I'm so excited to try Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Nail Color, a unique, patented formula with real liquid crystals, that translates the clarity of High Definition into an unprecedented nail lacquer. HD Nail Color offers spectacular shades with pure, vivid pigments that provide multi-dimensional color and extraordinary brilliance (think Cyber, a futuristic purple, Pixel Pretty, a deep Caribbean bluish-green hue, and Hi-Res, a burst of berries, to name a few). Nothing compares to this color breakthrough when it comes to long-lasting, vibrant, high-definition color and deep, intense shine. The best part: HD also protects nails and helps prevent chipping, breaking and cracking. In celebration of this exciting launch, Sally Hansen is hosting a sweepstakes on their website from July 8, 2009-September 15, 2009. Win amazing prizes like a 32" HD TV, one of three iPod Nanos or one of ten Sally Hansen gift bags. Just go to www.sallyhansen.com and click on HD Nail Color Sweepstakes to enter.

help for humidity

No matter what I do, some days I can't seem to get rid of this halo around my head. No, I'm no angel--it's just that this humidity is really getting to me--and my hair. I've tried smoothing products but I need something more. So I decided to try Ecru Sunlight Styling Spray ($22.95), designed for brilliant shine and brushable hold. The company's first-ever aerosol spray is loaded with proteins and vitamins to keep hair healthy while providing flexible hold. And it comes in a quick-dry formula so your hair doesn't feel wet or sticky after you spray it on. But the best news yet is that Sunlight Styling Spray is formulated to be used in the most extreme humid climates, leaving hair with incredible shine while protecting it from the sun and the environment. Granted, I'm still not moving to Florida but at least I've found something to keep my hair in check on sticky New York summer days. Also try Ecru Sunlight Finishing Spray Max for maximum hold, Silk Nourishing Spray, a weightless leave-in conditioner, and Volumizing Silk Mist for added volume and conditioning. Go to www.ecrunewyork.com to purchase any of these products.

pour on the shine

There's a new love in my life...but shhh, don't tell my husband (he's sitting right next to me and he just wouldn't understand!) His name is John Frieda and he wooed me with his new Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo and Conditioner ($6.49 each). Granted, he's not the first hair expert to promise shine...but he sure delivers! I can feel it oozing over my locks from the second I pour it on. I guess what I'm really experiencing is the uber-silky feeling. But when your hair is perfectly silky and straight, it reflects light better and creates a high-shine look. Formulated with a unique shine-infusing complex that contains hydrolyzed silk, olive oil and a silicone emulsion, Brilliant Brunette products add luster to dull brown tones without weighing hair down. They penetrate damaged areas inside the hair shaft and polish strands outside for a glossy finish. The true test: Blow-drying my hair and actually getting a glimpse of my new shiny strands. But don't think Frieda prefers brunettes; he has a Sheer Blonde Go Blonder and Sheer Blonde Color Renew Collection too! Look for these illuminating new products at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide or go to www.johnfrieda.com for more info.

boost your roots

Growing up, my hair was always flat. Whether I set it in curlers, tried to work my magic with a blow-dryer or attempted to style it with a curling iron, it would usually return to its inevitably flat state soon after. So since then I've always searched for ways to give my hair natural-looking volume. That's why I decided to try TRESemme's new 24 Hour Body line, designed to help create voluminous style that lasts all day. The collection consists of Healthy Shampoo and Conditioner, Foaming Mousse, Sculpting Spray Gel, Root Boosting Spray, Finishing Spray and Weightless Creme (suggested retail price: $4.49 each). To start at the root of the problem, I opted for the Root Boosting Spray, formulated with TRESemme's exclusive Volume Control Complex. This blend of polymers blocks humidity and allows hair to hold its style and volume all day long. After shampooing and conditioning as usual, I spritzed it directly on my roots and blow-dried it to style. (TIP: For best results, blow-dry hair with a vent brush, lifting at the roots for maximum lift). My hair was fuller and more voluminous at the scalp, which is usually the flattest part. I completed the look with the Finishing Spray to set the volume and leave hair sleek and shiny. In addition to a superb, professional formula and a just-stepped-out-of-the-salon scent, the 24 Hour Body line has brilliantly designed packaging. Most products are applied via an actuator, instead of a basic pump or spray, to ensure product placement directly where you want it--in this case, at the roots. Plus, the sleek, plastic bottles are actually shaped like a body so you can grasp the middle (or "waist area") easily and maintain your grip as you style. Go to www.TRESemme.com for expert advice and styling tips, or head to a local retailer near you to make your purchase.

shine on

I was a highlight junkie. For years, I spent countless hours at the hair salon while layer after layer of bleach was applied to my naturally brunette locks. It was addictive. With each session, I added "just a few more" until I was about as close to blonde as a brunette can get. Then in 2000, I decided to go back to my roots--literally. I was my old self again and I loved it! It wasn't until eight years later, when my first single strands of gray started to peek out, that I opted for another dose of color. I made an appointment for a quick single process and walked out of the salon with my grays under cover and some seriously shiny hair. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin a good thing--so when I learned of Lamas Beauty's Soy Hydrating Shampoo ($18) featuring Certified Organic Botanicals for chemically dry, treated or damaged hair, I had to give it a try. The first thing I noticed was that the product lacked any extravagant flowery or exotic scent, which--to me--implied that it meant business. It was designed to do what it's supposed to do. In addition, the clear formula didn't lather up or feel thick when I applied it. Instead, it smoothed botanical nutrients (ie: golden seal, chamomile, carrot seed and yucca) through my hair and rinsed clean without leaving any buildup. Apparently, the soy protein is supposed to reconstruct and strengthen weakened hair shafts. I followed up with the Soy Balancing Conditioner ($18), also for chemically treated, dry or damaged hair. Once blow-dried, my hair looked healthy, sleek and shiny. What more could a girl want? Oh yeah--a discount! Order both on www.lamasbeauty.com and save $3.