Makeup Wars: Favorite Hair Products!

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It is time for another Makeup Wars! This time we are talking about our favorite Hair Products! 

Hair products are near and dear to my heart. I put a lot of time and effort into my hair. So, I want to use products that bring out the best in my hair. I will fully admit that I probably spend more than I need to on highlights and cuts. So, I want to take care of my investment, lol! I am not satisified with "ok" hair. I want shiny and pretty hair everyday. If my hair looks good, I feel better about myself overall! Before diving into my favorite hair products, lets talk a bit about my hair type.

My Hair:

I have heavily highlighted, long, and thick hair. My hair is coarse in texture. Rarely is a product "too rich" for me. In fact, I struggle to find products that are moisturizing and soothing enough for my hair. Because of my highlights, my hair is on the dry and damaged side. However, I have found that using really great products combats the damage and makes my hair look healthy.

My Favorite Products: 

These favorites have been collected over the years. Some are very old favorites and some of these are new favorites. Either way, these are all heavy hitters in my weekly hair routine. So, let's dive right in.

To find out all of the details about these products and why I love them, please click "read more" below! :)

Top Ten Tuesdays: 10 Things in my Shower

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Welcome to another round of Top Ten Tuesday!!! If you are new to this series, it is a collaborative post which links up to other top beauty bloggers in the links and thumbnails at the end of this post. Every other week, we pick a beauty category. We then make a Top 10 (or as close to 10 as we can get) list for said category. This weeks topic? Things in my shower! :)

Top 10 Things in my Shower with ApHogee, Ecru, B Kamins

10 Things in my Shower:

I am a bit of a shower product fanatic!!! I actually have almost 20 products currently in my shower. This Top 10 assortment is a collection of my current favorite things in my shower! No, I don't use all of these things for every single shower. Some of these are 1x/week or occasional use items. Still, I like to have them on hand for when I do want to use them. Sure, it makes for a lot of products in the shower; but, hey, that is why we build in extra shower shelves during our shower rennovation! :)

Here they are (in no particular order):

1. Neutrogena's Rain Bath: This product is such a classic! It has that fabulous and distinctive "Neutrogena" smell (fresh herbs and spices). I know this product has been around for ages, but I just finally tried it! It has quickly become a favorite of both myself and my husband. It cleanses completely yet is also gentle and rinses clean: exactly what I want in a soap. Plus, it has a great later! I like the original Rainbath so much that I want to try the other scents, too! It is also available in Grapefruit and Green Tea Pear.

2. LUSH's Flying Fox Shower Gel: While on the topic of shower gels, here is another great one! To me, LUSH proucts are all-about scent. This shower gel's sensual scent is to-die-for!!! It is a mixture of jasmine and ylang-ylang. This shower gel lathers great and the scent really lingers on your skin. 

3. LUSH's H'Suan Wen Hua: My latest craze in hair treatments? Products that you apply to dry hair! While I do not technically keep this product in my shower, I do rinse it out in the shower. I slather this deep conditioner all over my dry hair in the mornings when I wake up (about once a week).  By the time I am ready for my shower, it has penetrated deeply and is ready to be rinsed out. Then I proceed with washing and conditioning like normal. I love the scent of this deep conditioner: it smells like gingerbread batter! Plus, like most LUSH products, the scent really lingers! This product packs in both protein and moisture for damaged hair.

4. LUSH's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner: Yes, another LUSH product. My shower is typically an oasis of LUSH products...what can I say? I am obcessed!!! This scent is, hands-down, my #1 all-time favorite LUSH scent. It is a soft and intoxicating rose scent. While I would not normally describe myself as someone loving Rose scents...for some reason, this particular rose scent just really appeals to me! It is like rose mixed with honey. I wish that LUSH made more products infused with this scent! So, what is a body conditioner? It is like a hair conditioner...but for the body! You apply it at the end of your shower (after cleansing). You just massage it onto your skin and then rinse off. It leaves you so soft and moisturized. Actually, it leaves you so moisturized that you can skip moisturizer after your shower. I absolutely adore this body conditioner!!!

5. Avene's Gentle Body Scrub: This is the perfect pre-self tan scrub! It exfoliates very gently and rinses clean (you don't want any residue to interfere with your self tanner). It is gentle enough to use on your entire body. Plus, it smells so clean and refreshing!

6. Number 4 High Performance Hair Care Clarifying Shampoo: I adore Number 4 Hair Products. These high end French hair products are so luxurious! Until I tried this shampoo, I have never been one to clarify my hair as clairfying shampoos always seemed so over-drying. Well, this shampoo does not over dry nor strip my hair. I just cleanses deeply and removes all traces of product residue.

7. B. Kamins Laboratories Maple Sugar Body Scrub: This is a big tub of pure maple sugar combined with luxurious oils, antioxidants, and AHAs. Since this is an oily scrub, I only use it during night time showers as it does leave a bit of an oily residue on my skin (I don't mind that before bed, but I prefer not to have that oily feeling during the day). I mostly use this on my rougher areas like my elbows and heels. A little bit goes a long way. So, this huge tub will last me forever!

8. Ecru New York Sea Clean Shampoo: This freshly-scented daily shampoo does just what I need! It cleanses my hair completely without overdrying it. I leaves my hair bouncy and shiny. Plus, it has a great lather!

9. Ecru New York Protective Silk Conditioner: This thick and creamy conditioner detangles and conditions my hair in 60 seconds. It provides both protein and moisture to strengthen and soften my hair. Plus, it smells amazing!

10. Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor: I don't think that I could do a shower post without mentioning a product from ApHogee! This Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor has been a staple product in my shower for about 10 years. About once a week, I use this 2-Minute treatment after shampoo and before conditioner. This product has proteins and amino acids that penetrate deeply to help combat damage from highlights/color treatments. While not as effective (or as complicated) as my beloved ApHogee 2-Step Protein Treatment, this is still a great way to get protein into your hair on a weekly basis in a quick and easy way.

So, there you have it! The Top 10 Items in my Shower!!! :) I would love to hear about what shower products you are loving day-to-day!

Be sure to visit the links below to see what my fellow Top Ten Tuesday bloggers picked for their top Shower Items! :) 

XOXO!!!

15 Minute Beauty polish insomniac Beauty Info Zone Pammy Blogs Beauty Gouldylox Reviews Prime Beauty The Pink Sith Blog Blushing Noir Beautiful Makeup Search Beauty and Fashion Tech Phyrra: Beauty for the Bold Beauty411 The Makeup Blogger Older Girl Beauty Perilously Pale Retrodiva's Beauty 

Protein Treatments Series: There is help for seriously damaged hair!!! Aphogee review

Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatment: The "Cure" for Extremely Damaged and Broken Hair: 
There is no question, nothing stops hair breakage and hair damage better than this product! Introducing: Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatment! This amazing miracle of a product has saved my hair time and time again. I have tried a ton of protein treatments. From high-end, to salon formulas, to drugstore products...nothing beats Aphogee. Hands down, it is the best! I first found this product years ago when trying to save my hair from some serious chemical damage (more on that below). Since then, I have continued to use the Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatment, without fail, before and after every single highlighting appointment that I have. This has saved my hair and allowed me to grow very long, thick, and healthy hair that also happens to be heavily highlighted! What can I say? Aphogee works and I have turned many of my friends (and blog readers, too) on to this product and they agree, too!

How Does Hair Get Damaged?
Chemical processing (highlighting/coloring or perming) works because your hair cuticle is being physically transformed by chemicals in order to change the color or texture of the hair. It literally takes the protein right out of your hair. The desired color or texture can be fantastic; but, you will pay the price with some damage. So, you need take very good care of your hair.

Well, the good news is that there is "help" for damaged hair! Protein treatments are the best way to combat damage from chemical processing. Strengthening your hair with protein will protect your hair from breakage. Protein adds strength, but not moisture. So, it is always good to follow up a protein treatment with a moisturizing one.

My "Protein Treatments Series” blog posts will cover a variety of Protein treatments currently available. So, keep an eye out for future "Protein Treatment Series" reviews. I choose these products from my years of testing out various products, doing online research for good reviews, and tips/recommendations from my hair stylists.

The ApHOGEE Two Step Protein Treatment is the strongest and most effective protein treatment that I have used (the "mother" of all protein treatments). It is somewhat tricky to use (and a lengthy process), but the results are worth it if your hair is very damaged.

Background info: My severe-hair damage story:

I found out about this treatment while doing research online after having my hair practically *ruined* by a bad colorist. My hair literally felt like "mush". It’s hard to explain...but, when the cortex of the hair gets damaged, the hair becomes VERY fragile and feels sticky when wet and "mushy". This is the type of damage that most hairdressers would tell you to cut off. Well...luckily I stumbled upon this miracle treatment that, over time (and new hair growth) helped my hair. You can't really "repair" cortex damage. But, a good protein treatment can help manage the problem.

Now that my hair is in good condition, I use this treatment as a preventative measure to ward off hair breakage (especially since my hair is very long). By using this, I can get my hair heavily highlighted with minimal damage. Aphogee recommends doing this treatment one week-48 hours prior to hair coloring or highlighting.

If you do not have damaged hair or do not highlight your hair, then this treatment might not be for you. So, if you have healthy hair...you probably don’t need this. I find the results of the Aphogee 2-step treatment are unparalleled. This is the absolute *best* hair treatment on the planet for severely damaged hair. Severely damaged = breaking off when dry, "mushy"/sticky when wet, or hair that is so damaged that it won't hold color.

Be forewarned readers, this treatment smells REALLY bad! We are talking rancid, somewhat "cat pee" smelling product. So, just consider yourself warned
about the smell! My husband and I jokingly call this the "stinky treatment". But, hey...if it works...!!!

Aphogee 2-step Protein Treatment: For severely damaged hair

Tips for how to use the Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatment: 


1. Wash your hair with a detangling shampoo (I like to use Redken All Soft Shampoo).


2. Towel dry hair and gently comb out.


3. Drape a towel around your shoulders and secure (this treatment will drip and you don’t want it on your clothes). I even place an old towel on the floor to catch any drips.


4. Thoroughly shake your bottle of Aphogee 2-step treatment. Saturate your hair with the product and comb through. Try to work quickly as this product will eventually harden. *be very careful to keep product off of skin and do *not* get in your eyes. I keep a wet washcloth nearby to wipe any drips as the product can really irritate your skin...and it will drip.


5. Blow dry hair. This could take between 45 mins-1 hour depending on how damaged your hair is. I usually go about 45 minutes myself. This is important: Do not move nor agitate your hair when drying. Hair will become rock-hard and if you move it while it is hard, your hair will break. Keep blowing it dry until your hair is as hard as a rock. You will know. Just when you think it is hard...it will get *harder*


6. *gently* remove your towel (it will be under your hard hair (which can get stuck sometimes on the towel)


7. *gently* rinse out product in the shower with warm water. Note: do not agitate or move hair until product is rinsed out. Remember to be careful as hair can break as long as it is "hard"...once product is rinsed out you can "move" your hair again just fine! And, I promise, it does rinse out! 


8. Towel dry hair


9. Apply a VERY moisturizing conditioner or conditioning masque. I like the L'Oreal Natures Therapy Mega Moisture Cream (this is also from Sally Beauty Supply). Slather on a generous amount of moisturizing conditioner and cover with a plastic cap. I then proceed to cover my hair with a heat-cap (I use the "micro hair cap" that I found online), but if you don’t have a heat cap, a hot towel will do. Leave on from 20-30 minutes.


10. Rinse out conditioner.


11. Optional step: To maximize results before coloring/highlighting. Use Roux Porosity Control. Apply after rinsing conditioner. Leave on a few minutes and then rinse out. This equalizes the pH I believe and helps color adhere better as porosity is controlled. 


12. Rinse and style as usual.

Note: you can get most of the products mentioned at your local Sally's Beauty Supply

How it works:
The heat allows the protein in the Aphogee to create a bond with your hair and elimate breakage. The packaging guarantees "no breakage for 6 weeks"...and honestly ya'll...that is the TRUTH.

I now do this treatment both prior to and post highlights (and that might be over-kill on my part, but it has been working!)...and my hair is absolutely healthy and VERY long.

Good luck if you try this treatment! And, remember to consult a professional if you have any questions! I know that for me...this hair treatment has been a total "lifesaver" for my hair!

Whew, that was a long post! :) Hope this helps someone out there!!! I swear by the Aphogee 2-Step Protein treatment. I just love it and it keeps my hair healthy and practically damage-free! Honestly, I don't even know what I would do if they ever stopped making my miracle Aphogee product! If you have damage, I highly recommend this product for you. Yes, it is a lot of work and a long process. However, it is 100% worth it for the results!

Aphogee has some other great products in their line besides the Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatment. Be sure to check out these other items that I recommend from the Aphogee line, too! In addition to the 2-step Protein Treatment, I also particularly love the Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructor and the Keratin 2-Minute Reconstructor. I like the Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructor as a detangler and strengthener after every shampoo and the Keratin 2-Minute Reconstructor every other week in the shower to give my hair a protein boost in-between my Aphogee 2-Step Protein Treatments.

Other Great Products from Aphogee:

*disclaimer: This product is "for professional use only". I am not a hair care professional, just someone who purchases and uses this product. Please consult a hair-care professional before using this product on your own. Using it after color can strip out your color. So, generally, safe for use *before* coloring or highlighting. This is a VERY strong product please be careful and use caution! Please follow the instructions listed on the product. And, if at all in doubt, please have a professional apply this product.