Smile Darling

It’s Friday! We made it to end of the week, and I’ve saved the best for last. I am sharing with you all today my absolutely FAVORITE haircare brand. Like, I am kind of obsessed! I present to you, amika!

amika, is a professional line of haircare and styling tools for a lifestyle of hair rebellion against conformity & mundane. It was founded in 2007 in Brooklyn, NY. Their products are vegetarian-friendly, cruelty-free and free from sulfates, MIT, MCI, Phthalates and artificial colors. All amika haircare and styling products contain the “super-fruit” Sea Buckthorn Berry.

I first came across amika at my hair salon (shoutout to Poza Salon) two years ago. I was immediately addicted to the scent of the shampoo. I purchased products that day, and I have been using it consistently ever since. I swear, amika is a major hair upgrade.

Speaking of upgrade, amika recently gave their bottles and cans a face lift (my photos are the old packaging)! Their new packaging now color-categorizes by main benefit. But don’t fret! The same signature formulas and scent still stand true! My new bottles are on their way as we speak! I ordered “the kure”.

There are so many great shampoos and haircare products from amika, so today I am going to highlight my top 3 must haves!

Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo

If you have blonde hair, you know the struggle of trying to maintain that “fresh out of the salon” look. There are so many different types of purple shampoo out on the market, and realistically I have probably tried them. None of them have left a lasting impression on me like the Bust Your Brass did. This ultra-violet shampoo immediately pulls out brassiness, and keeps my shade of blonde light and bright. This product smells amazing and really doesn’t dry out your hair. This is my favorite blonde product by far! This is a professional haircare line, so the price is $24. But I promise you this stuff lasts and it’s worth every penny.

The Wizard

The. Best. Primer. Ever! It’s called The Wizard for a reason, simply magical.
It is a weightless, multi-benefit priming spray that detangles, cuts blow dry time and protects against thermal and environmental damage. Leaves hair smooth, soft and radiant. I kid you not, my hair is sooo silky smooth after I blow dry with this product. If there is any product you should be buying, it’s this! It retails for $25.

If the price scares you, I found a primer that is similar, and works almost as good for half the price. They smell similar too! And I use both.

Perk Up Dry Shampoo

The closest thing to washing your hair without water, and it smell fabulous. This product uses natural rice starch to absorb oil and refresh hair. This is by far my favorite dry shampoo. I took advantage of all the Black Friday sales with this product, so I am all stocked up. It doesn’t leave a white residue behind. You can find this for around $25.

If you want a cheaper alternative that works very similar, refer to my post from yesterday.

Well, there you have it! If I haven’t convinced you yet, maybe amika’s sleek, sexy and vibrant packaging will!

Happy Friday Eve! I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. Some days I wake up and it looks great, and on others it’s like a bomb went off while I was sleeping. Today, I’m sharing a terrific haircare brand that helps me tame my locks on all occasions.

Eva NYC, was born in the city of Brooklyn in 2012. They are a professional quality brand, that uses advanced technologies and ingredients to promote stronger, healthier hair. They use premium ingredients to improve hairs health.

I first found out about this brand two years ago when I was shopping online at Ulta. I needed to spend $10 to get free shipping (ladies, we’ve all been there), so I decided to get some dry shampoo on a whim. I saw Eva NYC and was pulled in by the vibrant packaging.

I’m sure you’re seeing a trend here. I’m a sucker for sleek packaging and anything that says NEW. If it’s affordable, then there is a good chance I’m purchasing it. Since then, I have tried a variety of items from their line.

 

Freshen Up Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo is amazing! It absorbs excess oil and adds volume. They use natural rice starch, which is gentle on your hair and leaves no white residue. This was my first product from the Eva NYC line. After one use, I was hooked. The scent is pure heaven, all their products smell like the most incredible thing in the world. It works like a charm too! It is literally one of my Holy Grail items, and it costs around $12. Who needs to shower when you have this can of magic?! Relax, I still wash my body everyday guys.

Surf’s Up Texture Spray

This spray gives you tousled beach waves, and adds major volume. The Zeolite allows for buildable texture. The scent is heavenly! I like this product but I feel like I don’t use it correctly. It sometimes leaves my hair really knotted. But, I do love the instant volume. It definitely is not beach waves you get with a sea salt spray, it is more texturized. It retails for around $12.

Mane Magic 10-In-1 Primer

Eva NYC Mane Magic, is basically your hairs lifesaver. This miracle potion of a primer does it all: detangles, nourishes, strengthens, softens, cuts drying time, adds shine, reduces frizz, and protects against thermal, environmental and uv damage. I use it right after I shower to detangle my knotted mane. I love that it also serves as a heat protectant, and it really does cut down on drying time. My hair is left feeling soft and smooth, without being greasy. And it smells amazing! I have used it just to make my hair smell good. This item retails for around $12.

Clean It Up Shampoo & Soften It Up Conditioner

I was obsessed with the smell of these products. I no longer have the shampoo and conditioner and I did not repurchase. Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan, which makes me sad because I wanted to love it. I felt my hair was left feeling really dry. It does have really good reviews, so I guess it may just have been my fine and color-treated hair type. The price point is around $9 each.

Overall, the collection is pretty great and I highly recommend their styling and finishing products.

Shop Freshen Up Dry Shampoo

Shop 10-In-1 Primer 

[amazon_textlink asin=’B00AFV4EE2′ text=’Shop Shampoo & Conditioner’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’smiledarlingb-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’009bdb1f-3304-11e8-9716-0db94fb880c8′]

[amazon_textlink asin=’B00LENO9WC’ text=’Shop Texture Spray’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’smiledarlingb-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’70e8d47b-3305-11e8-b6a4-89630be9c0ca’]

 

*I get commission from purchases made through some links in this post.

 

This week I am discussing all things haircare. In continuing this sequence, I bring you a product that is new to the scene! Love Beauty and Planet, is a cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and affordable bath and haircare brand. They believe that looking good and doing good should go hand-in-hand!

So, how do they accomplish this? They make all their products vegan-friendly, and they never test on animals. Their products are naturally derived (huh?). Meaning, they use organic and ethically sourced “goodness”. Love Beauty and Planet uses local farms and small businesses across the world. Expect: NO Parabens, NO Silicons, and NO Dyes.

They make their carbon footprint in small ways. Their products are packaged in 100% recycled plastic. The conditioner contains fast-rinse technology, so you get superior conditioning while saving up to 20% water every shower. Be sure to check out their list of goals to accomplish in the next 2 years.

I came across this brand at Target about a month ago. I was intrigued by the sleek packaging and the name. Then I saw it was only $7 a bottle, SOLD! The best thing is that they have a range of products for different hair types and needs.

Review

First, in full disclosure I have only been using this product for not even a full week. I chose “hope & repair” because my hair needs major TLC.  I’m not going to lie, I was a little worried this product would leave my hair dry like most natural ones do. I was pleasantly surprised! It left my hair feeling replenished, without feeling heavy or greasy. It is safe on color-treated hair, which is a major perk for me. The scent is tropical due to the coconut oil. It is not too overpowering but I am not a huge fan of coconut, so that is really my only complaint. In the short amount of time I have been using [amazon_textlink asin=’B0784NY92P’ text=’Love Beauty and Planet,’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’smiledarlingb-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’507d4e37-324d-11e8-8d59-69e39c3f3c54′] I can definitely say I like it! If eco-friendly and organic haircare products are important to you, then I definitely recommend this.

[amazon_textlink asin=’B0784NY92P’ text=’Shop Love Beauty and Planet‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’smiledarlingb-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a419ba15-324d-11e8-92a5-ffbd7edbcb73′]

 

* I get commission for purchases made through links in this post. 

 

 

 

This week I am discussing all things haircare! When it comes to my hair, I don’t always treat it kindly. It truly amazes me how much my hair can withstand (blow drying, curling and coloring). I put my hair through the ringer on a weekly basis. To makeup for all the damage I’ve caused, it is important I am using the right products to nourish it.

I am kicking this week off with a celebrity haircare line that is both high-end and AFFORDABLE! Yes, you read that right. Affordable luxury really does exist!

Kristin Ess, is a celebrity hairstylist known for working on stars like Lucy Hale and Lauren Conrad. She launched her haircare line last January exclusively at Target. Each product is formulated with Zip-Up Technology™, a strengthening complex, that’s designed to ‘zip up’ split ends and smooth the appearance of damaged cuticles while helping to protect hair from environmental stressors and color fade. The product line is cruelty free, and the shampoo and conditioner I use are sulfate-free, color safe, and keratin treatment safe.

When I first bought The One, Signature Shampoo & Conditioner, I didn’t know any of this. If we are being honest,  I was pretty much captivated by the chic, pink bottles (I was an advertising major, so can you really blame me?). Then I saw the price ($10) and I was sold (champagne taste on a beer budget).  I made my purchase, and I have been using this product for about four months.

The Review

The shampoo smells refreshing but not overpowering. I have very fine hair and need to shampoo multiple times a week. I really like that this product is gentle enough to do so. My favorite thing about The One, Signature Shampoo & Conditioner is that it helps detangle my hair! After I shower, my hair is a hot mess (picture a tangled lions mane). These products really help eliminate most of these knots and allow for easy detangling. My hair is left feeling clean and soft! The bottles are on the small side, but I find it great for when traveling. I alternate different shampoos so it definitely has lasted. This line did everything I had hoped for and more. I would purchase this again, and I definitely recommend it!

 

Shop Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo

Shop Kristin Ess The One Signature Conditioner