My HairMNL Experience

Before I heard about HairMNL.com , I purchase my favorite Kerastase products inside my favorite salons!  Truth be told, there are many times I find it such hassle to go to a mall just to purchase my favorite shampoo, conditioner and hair treatment!  So when I found out about HairMNL website, I am super ecstatic because I can easily repurchase my favorite hair products at the comforts of my home.  

Yes, you heard that right, professional salon care products accessible with expert hair and scalp care advise all done online for FREE!

I'm sure a lot of you are asking about the "FREE CONSULTATION" right now, it is done via Facebook Messenger so start off by LIKING them on Facebook.

So I did that consultation and got myself a package with products shown on photo above!

And what I love about the service is that, I got the curated products meant specifically for my hair and I have extra notes on product description and how to use them!

I have been using Kerastase products ever since I started Blogging which was 12 years ago, there are so many times I tried to read instructions but I never get to really understand the product usage and product description by just reading the back of the bottle.  With HairMNL, I get everything set out straight!  I knew what each product was meant for and how to use it to achieve #hairgoals !

Eureka Moment: Daily Defense Argan Oil

Up until today, I am still addicted to hair care products!  I still get that giddy, excited feeling whenever I see, purchase or receive hair products.  Because up until today, I am still (and always will be) on the lookout for the best hair care products for my type of hair ----

Dry, Damaged, Frizzy, Sensitized hair.

Ang saklap, but that's the reality of my hair due to constant hair coloring, chemical treatment and almost everyday use of hairstyling tools!

Recently, my hair was really in its' worst shape!  Hair looks extremely dry, frizzy and no matter how many times I mask it with my favorite Argan Oil, it just won't work!  So I changed my shampoo and conditioner and used a new deep conditioning treatment too!

Eureka Moment because it actually puts my hair back to life even for 5-10%  (not bad na yun ha!)

Daily Defense Shampoo, Conditioner and Deep Conditioner

Enriched with Argan Oil from Morocco

Exclusively available at Watsons

With a bit of research, I learned that Daily Defense is originally made famous by Clairol and Proctor & Gamble, the Daily Defense brand has been a trusted and consumer favorite for many years.  Now owned by CLT International, they maintain the same premium formulations using natural ingredients and botanical extracts.

The Argan Oil line is meant to help renew, replenish and add shine to hair.  It can also help minimize frizz and restore split ends.

True enough, after first use, I can immediately see and feel the difference.  My hair near the roots doesn't stay upright like before and they are less frizzy.  The ends are less dry and thankfully, my hair is easier to comb.  

The shampoo and conditioner is good but my ultimate favorite from the bunch is the Deep Conditioner.  Because that is the one product that I saw the most dramatic result after a week of usage!  I leave it for good 5-10 minutes with a shower cap massaging the product onto my scalp and concentrating more products on the tips of my hair were it tends to be frizzy and dry.

True enough, my hair feels softer to touch and thankfully, easier to comb! 

An added bonus on why I love such product?  HURRAH for color-treated hair users because these are available in Low-Sulfate and Sulfate-free formulas!  My hair color can last longer because the product won't strip my hair color making it look dull and flat!  

For a brand that has been sitting quietly in stores, I guess, it's time I give it a spot and make it SHINE because it does work!

Please keep in mind though that it may work for me and not work as great on you because we have different hair texture and condition! :D

Do you have beauty-related Eureka Moments to share today?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Something New: Good Virtues Co.

When I met up with my Sampleroom Family last year for Thanksgiving Party, I always ended up feeling joyours and happy not because it was the season but because for the fact that I am around gorgeous women who share the love for beauty like I do.  

We chat and catch up about our personal lives at the same time, share new beauty finds!  From Japanese Rice Cooker to kitchen scrub that really works *laughs*  we went back to being a Beauty Blogger when we were each given a Good Virtues Co. set to try.

Let's go beyond how cute their packaging are, the brand is from Malaysia and all the products are free from mineral oil, SLES, ALES, parabens, synthetic colourants and are NOT tested on animals!  

That is the focus of Good Virtues Co. --- feel and look beautiful without sacrificing our values.

The brand has full product range from hair care to skincare, I got 4 products to try and I took a leap on their shampoo and conditioner first.

Good Virtues Co. Happy & Heavenly Clarifying Hair & Scalp Shampoo for Oily Hair 

Good Virtues Co. Helpful & Delightful Anti-Dandruff Care Conditioner for Nourishing Hair Fall Protection 

Php160.00 each for 180ml

Kracie Ichikami Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner Review

I've had this pair of Ichikami Moisturizing Hair Series for months now but I just got the chance to use this a month ago!  I have this "mommy-mode" of using up the shampoo and conditioner pair before going to the next one!  #ImATitaLikeThat

This pair is Sulfate and Silicone Free that's why I highly use this especially now that I have very light-colored hair!  The Kracie Ichikami came up with 2 hair care series --- Revitalizing (For Dry, Dull and Damaged Hair) and Moisturizing (For Frizzy, Dry Hair and Scalp).

Ichikami Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Php595.00 each for 480ml

The pair is formulated with Apricot Oil which promotes hair growth and adds shine to hair and also Tea Flower Extract which helps moisturize the hair to prevent dandruff.  After using the pair for a month, here's what I have to say ---

How I Take Care of My Color-Treated Hair

I started coloring my hair even way before I started Blogging, that said, it is more than a decade that my hair has been exposed with harsh chemicals!  

I have been asked so many times by readers and friends on how I maintain the "healthy look" of my hair.  I said "Look" because I am sure my hair isn't as healthy as it was when I was in highschool but I can still say, I can run my fingers through my hair without causing me to tear-up from hair pulling and tangles.

That said, I will be sharing just some of the many secret (or not-so-secret secret) products that I use.

Way before I got an invite to attend an Yves Rocher hair event last year, I already mentioned to the brand how much of an Yves Rocher Hair Products Fan I am!  I have tried and used almost ALL their shampoo and conditioner variants (and please don't let me get started with my love for the Radiance Rinsing Vinegar, I spoke so highly of it my friends where joking me: "Ikaw may ari?")

If you ask me, all their Shampoo and Conditioners work for me but my favorite for my hair type is the Nutri-Silky Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner.  I repurchased so many times I deserve an award :P

Now back to my color-treated hair topic, I currently discovered another "favorite" hair care product from the brand called Yves Rocher Low Shampoo - a new way to wash your hair.

Spotted at Beauty Bar: BARE Hair Care and Body Care Range

So how many among you are like me?  Walking around aisles after aisles at the Beauty Bar soothes your stressed and tired senses?  *sigh*

That's ME!

Unlike skincare, I am quite adventurous when it comes to hair and body care products!  So look what I found!

BARE HAIR CARE RANGE

There are a total of 7 variants of shampoos and conditioners to help target various hair issues.  I got the BARE Horsetail Shampoo which is for scalp repair and fragile hair!  While the conditioner variant I got is Grapefruit which is targeted for Dull Hair.

You can actually pick similar variants for both shampoos and conditioners but at times, it is okay to mix and match.

Bare Horsetail Shampoo

Php550.00

I recently have issues with my scalp.  It gets dry and itchy on certain areas.  Must be the combination of stress and environmental factors.  I personally think I can't use this alone (as to any shampoo brands) as I am used to following up with a conditioning treatment.  The scent reminds me so much of a fresh grass, so refreshing!

The New Palmove Naturals Intensive Moisture Available at Sampleroom!

All thanks to Sampleroom for letting me "try before I buy"!
I am seldom a Palmolive Naturals hair care products user.  Yes, I have tried their Anti-Hair Fall line but I never thought of trying to others until I saw these on my favorite sampling site!

Now, my current hair situation, as you all know, is colored and damaged!  So shampoo and conditioner with the word "Intensive Moisture" are just some of the keywords I'm looking for.  When Palmolive Naturals Intensive Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner + Cream Conditioner landed on my desk, I immediately gave it a test (that same night!  I had to shower again!)

Then the rest was history!  I'm almost halfway done with these power duo so I'm ready to share my thoughts.

Himawari Dear Beaute Volume & Repair Launch

Remember when I blogged about my thoughts after using Himawari Dear Beaute Oil in Shampoo and Conditioner?  I shared how much of a fan I am for this brand but I can't seem to keep my curls stay the whole day whenever I use the said variant!  Why?  Because my hair feels extremely hydrated and a bit on the "oily" side especially on a hot day!  

NOW, Kracie heard my prayers!  Well, they heard the prayers of girls like me who love to bouncy curls!  They finally came up with Himawari Dear Beaute Volume & Repair Variant!  And I was lucky enough to try them out during their launch at Tony & Guy a few weeks ago!

A bit of a flashback on what Rich & Repair (orange variant) can do.  They are sulfate-free formula that contains highly-concentrated premium sunflower oil EX (rich in Omega fatty acid) that helps seal in moisture and nourishes hair follicles for stronger shinier hair.  With the combination of the conditioner, it deeply restores hair's internal lipid-moisture balance leaving hair silky smooth, vibrant and manageable.

Like I explained over previous post, this is highly moisturizing so it is recommended to be used once or twice a week!  I tend to use the combination twice a week when I style my hair with heating tools.

Doing It All With the Right Shampoo and Conditioner

If you are a long-time reader of my blog, you can probably pinpoint how OC I am when it comes to my hair!  I've written about my money-saving elementary days just to buy a nice bottle of hair serum (when hair serums aren't even well-known back then!).  Yes, I have issues with my hair, my natural hair is so unique most hairstylists I visit would always say ---

"You have smooth hair but it looks frizzy, I can't explain your hair!"

"With your type of hair, the solution will always be rebond or Keratin-treatment"

"You have fine hair but since each strand is frizzy, you seem to have a head full of hair!"

"You better invest for a monthly hair treatment because your hair is extremely dead!"

OUCH ha! (Sakit niyo magsalita) :P

But instead of dwelling on my imperfections. I've realized, I just have to face it and maybe look for solutions!  The solution came in actually more than a decade after, when I started working to spend more on hair care products.

And speaking about facing what I have, my quick solution was, to go for a hairstyle that works for my hair type.  That brought me back to my "hair history".  It has always been a bob cut with bangs.  Can you spot me?  (Of course you can, encircled it for you!)

Cute di ba? :P

I  maintained that cut until I college, it has always been above-the-shoulder cut with bangs and it has to be "layered" in a way so it won't look thick!  I visit the same hairstylist for years and that's how I worked through the awkward hair stage and actually survived without people realizing it!

My Thoughts After Using Himawari Oil In Shampoo and Conditioner for a Month

So you've probably seen or heard about Dear Beaute Himawari Oil In Shampoo and Conditioner from beauty blogs or you've probably seen them on shelves at your favorite Beauty Bar Stores.  

I've received this set a month plus ago and here I am ready to share my thoughts after using both Shampoo and Conditioner for a month!  

Initial Thoughts: Moringa-O2 With Argan Oil Herbal Shampoo and Conditioner + Serum

Moringa-O2 is known for their skincare products -- let's start with my favorite, the Malunggay herbal Soap , the Herbal lotion which smells divine!  And they also came up with Facial Toner.   

The brand obviously is a huge success that's why they FINALLY came up with hair care products!  Finally because I've been waiting for them to release this line for the longest time!  

I first got this set from my Sample Room Family a few weeks back and actually gave the shampoo and conditioner a try IMMEDIATELY that night!  I am actually amazed on how nice both products are, that's why when I got a personal event to attend their intimate launch at Salon De Ning, Manila Peninsula with their endorsers --- Team Kramer, I had to at least pass by the show my support!  Because their products are amazing!

L-R Moringa-O2 Herbal Conditioner, Herbal Shampoo and Herbal Hair Relaxing Serum ++

Let's start with the Shampoo and Conditioner Combo ---