L’Oreal Pro Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo and Rinse-off Mask Review

 Whenever I visit a salon, I always ask for the brand they use (on treatments especially) and I would always lean on to @lorealpro . They have been around for so many years for a reason. And this time, I am bringing salon Home!

The L’Oreal Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo and Rinse-Off Mask are 2 combos I went for and I've used this for more than a month finishing the Mask left with less than half of the bottle of shampoo after I posted this on my Instagram.

I guess, it's finally time for me to share my thoughts.

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Molecular Sulfate-Free Shampoo 300ml (Php1,570.00) ---

Sulfate-free formula gently cleanses to nourish and strengthen the hair.

When hair is damaged, its molecular structure, composed of peptides, is compromised. Hair breaks, becomes too elastic, with no movement. But most peptides are too big to be reinjected into the fiber, making damage almost irreversible. Repair 2 years of damage in one use¹ with Absolut Repair Molecular.

For the first time, L’Oréal Advanced Research achieved to decompose peptides, to inject their components separately into the fiber². Once inside, they reform & rebuild the molecular structure of the hair³.

For all damaged hair textures, color-treated, lightened & natural hair.

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Molecular Rinse-Off Masque 250ml (Php1,990.00) ---

Repair 2 years of damage. Replump hair’s molecular layers.

This patented concentrated mask, formulated with Peptides bonder + 5 Amino acid, repairs 2 years of damage1 and replumps hair molecular layers1. Hair is stronger (+94% strength2) with improved elasticity, movement3, and +85% smoothness2. OR Hair is 94% stronger with improved elasticity, movement3, and +85% smoothness2.

For all damaged hair: color-treated, lightened & natural hair.

When hair is damaged, its molecular structure, composed of peptides, is compromised. But most peptides are too big to be reinjected into the fiber, making damage almost irreversible.

 

AMW says ---

• Both products smells so good I look forward to use them daily.
• My hair texture does change on first wash.  I usually do not claim that to be good as most hair products seems to work well on first use, after a week, no itchy or dry scalp.  
• Shampoo itself is NON-drying.  Some professional sulfate-free haircare line are so drying I can't survive without conditioner, this is surprisingly good.
• The mask is my favorite!  I apply it at the bottom part of my hair and lesser dry edges.  You can see how healthy my hair look considering I use heating tools almost daily!
• I can easily comb my hair after shower with this combo!

I have tried a lot of variants under the L'Oreal Professional line but this (as of the moment) my top fave!  I will definitely repurchase the Mask and Shampoo (especially the shampoo) since there are so many good mask brands out there but a few good sulfate-free shampoos in the market!  A little goes a long way - yes, even with my hair length!  Hair feels soft, smooth, clean and healthy!

Have you tried any products under the L'Oreal Pro line?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

 

5-Minute Wavy Hair

How does having cute curls in less than 5 minutes sound to you?
Good? Impossible?

Possible for me  after this hack and of course, our timings could be different depending on the thickness of your hair and how good you are with sectioning hair and handling heat styling tools!  Key takeaway is to PRACTICE.  Because that is all the investment I did for my hair so I am used to styling my own hair even with eyes....almost CLOSED!  :P

All you need are hair ties, a flat iron and a whole lot of skills :P

A side profile on how C-curls help you look like you've spent an hour on your hair.  Also keep in mind the effect would be better with Layered hairs!

Watch this video and tell me what you think!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nikki Tiu 黃素華 (@askmewhats)

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

  

Messy Neat Hair Tutorial

 

Hi Everyone!  How have you been?
It is finally the first day of February!  January seems so long and I can't be the only one who felt that right?

DID YOU KNOW?  That February is my most favorite month of the year? 
Obviously, it is my birth month and this month still has a cool breeze before summer kicks in - I am not a summer girl BTW...I'd rather freeze my toes than perspire!  :P

Thankfully, I live in a tropical country so I only get to choose between 2 seasons - summer and rainy and I would choose ....hmm..in between...and that is FEBRUARY!

Back to the main topic of this post, I wanted to share something ROMANTIC...for the hair.  I have been wanting to do this hairstyle for too long --- long enough to be dated back in 2007 --- I wanted this hairstyle (Messy bun though not ponytail) as my wedding hairstyle but my hairstylist didn't /can't do it!  

Now don't get me wrong, you don't need to get married to do this hairstyle!  You can easily do so with ponytail and I am sharing some hacks you guys!

Imagine --- HOHUM PONYTAIL ...

To THIS! ......

How to Have Healthier Hair for the New Year

 

My hair is TRASH. 

Hahahah.  What a way to call my own hair right?  I am honest.  My hair is one of my concern since I was a teenager.  I remembered saving up my allowance to buy hair care products.  

I was born with unhealthy hair.  Kinky texture, dry and brittle.

So I spent my whole life taking care of it to look as decent as today.  Whatever you see today - even if it's still dry - is the best of my hair's ability! :P  

So to those who want to know what I've been doing - or using, here are some of my top products that I have purchased and repurchased.

Healthy hair starts with healthy roots.

I seem to have thick hair, but you are definitely tricked by the illusion of thick hair!  I have a lot of hairfall and my super patient husband is already complaining!  

"Have your scalp checked and use something!!!" - yup!  That's from him!

I did purchased a lot of hair thickening products, a lot of them are greasy, and worst, smells super bad!  SO obviously, I got lazy and did not even bother to do something about it.

Thankfully, I discovered Hairreve Hair Thickening Serum - when the brand says Hair Rescue, well, it is true!  I have a huge blob of "thinning hair area" making my hair looks thicker on one side and super thin on another side.  I used this spritz bottle after every shower and spritz all over my scalp and massage.  

Can I tell you a secret?  I was even trying to save this product so I only spritz (sometimes) on the thinning hair area and I can't seem to find that area anymore after finishing up the whole body!  I was amazed!!!!

Best of all, the product is NON-greasy, smells SUPER GOOD and best of all IT WORKED.  It really worked!  

Strengthen your Hair 

Especially when you love to use styling tools!  The constant blowdry, curling, straightening will put a huge toll to your hair.  I find my hair to be more brittle when I was trying out different hairstyles using various hair tools! 

So today, I can't seem to use any heat styling tools without protecting it with a product.  

Currently loving Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-in Treatment.

Another Easy Bun-style (Low Bun)

Easy is the new favorite word of people nowadays.  I mean we all love the word easy but because of Social Media like Tiktok, everything seems to look easier with a tutorial worth a minute of your time or even less!

I am NOT complaining because things are starting to be easier with hacks available in the market.  I mean some of the hacks are obviously not feasible while some really saves a lot of your time.  Just like this particular bun hack!

I used to study hairstyling and I remembered doing a bun on a client is one of my most not favorite hairstyle in the world!  

How hard it is to do a bun?  

HARD!  Especially if you are doing weddings or special occasions were clients are really perfectionist with their hair.  Certain techniques are needed to achieve that professional looking bun so this post IS NOT IT!  This easy low-bun is perfect for simple gatherings or when you're doing errands or just a quick coffee date.  Just casual.  The more messy it is the cuter it looks! 

So after the long intro, here we go! *winks*

If you have layered hairstyle like I do, you may need to use several hairclips to secure some falling hair and use a hairspray to keep everything in place!

Also you can use cute clips like this ribbon that I used in this tutorial to level-up the look!  If you want something more formal, you can use sparkly clips!

 As always, I shared this hairstyle on Instagram a few weeks back.  Please watch this tutorial to better undrstand how this is done! 

How To: Easy High Bun

 

I used to dislike high bun as it screams "Old".

Thankfully, high bun now depicts class, Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany and just plain - beautiful.

I like to do this high bun because I started to have allergies at the back of my neck from perspiration and hair!  But it always ends up falling down on my face and neck!  Thankfully, I've found a way to keep it up there for the whole day!  I can even workout with this hairstyle!

If you like to keep it neat and formal, use hair pins and spritz it with Hairspray to keep it in place and maybe attach and beautiful flower or wrap the bun with a nice scrunchie.  

So many options right?  But at the end of the day, make sure you are comfortable whenever you do a specific hairstyle.

This look also goes well with full bangs!

Vodana Glam Wave Curler Review

 

If you type in hair curlers on this blog's search box, you will probably see that for someone who has only 1 head of hair, I do own a number of hair tools!  Don't get me wrong, hairstyling was my first love that is why I studied hair cutting and hair styling first before I studied make up artistry.  

I am frustrated with curling and styling my hair.  I used to sit for hours practicing at my own hair and that includes buying various tools to create the hairstyle I want.  At the end of the day, aside from a good curling tool, you also need a good pair of hands with loads of practice to achieve the hairstyle we all want.

Just like this BEACH WAVES!

A few years ago, I watched this light Korean Drama called True Beauty.  In this story, this girl, who has bad skin learned to do makeup and style her hair to look pretty!  On episode 1, my eyes got caught with this cute pastel-colored curling iron she used and I researched the brand right away -- Korean brand VODANA.  At that time, it was close to impossible to buy this brand because I have to either physically go to Korea or buy from their website which is way more expensive to have it shipped locally.

Thankfully, with the advancement of online shopping (No Thanks to COVID by the way for all the lockdown), I was able to find a Korean seller via Lazada who sells VODANA products.   I did a lot of research and finally went for 32mm size.  

For your reference:

• 32mm is equivalent to 1.25 inches
• 36mm is equivalent to 1.5 inches
• 40mm is equivalent to 1.75 inches

I already own a 1.5 inches iron which I bought more than a decade ago - Read Remington Review

And with  my hair length, I knew 40mm won't do much as the weather calls for CURL NOW- STRAIGHT in 60Seconds! :P

It was an easy-peasy decision and thankfully, the color PURPLE is available as I was left with only Black or Purple.  BORAHAE BTW to fellow ARMYs!

I got the best time of my life curling as soon as I received the VODANA GLAM WAVE CURLER (Php3,134.00)

AMW says ---

How to: Longer Staying Curls

 

"My curls won't last!"

"1 hour pa lang bagsak na!" (Just a few hours layer, my hair is straight once again!)

That's what I read on my comment section whenever I post about curly hairstyles.  So here, I posted another technique to prolong your curls since I have been doing a lot of Bridal makeup and I've been watching and looking how hairstylists prolong the curls of brides and bridesmaids.

The main idea to make the curls last longer is ---

• Do not condition your hair the day you plan to curl your hair.  Better yet, even the day before!
• Shampoo your hair thoroughly massaging your roots well on the day of hairstyling.  
• Use dry shampoo if you have extremely oily hair.
• Use mousse before styling or CURL sprays.
• Do not spritz A LOT OF product on the hair as it will weigh down the curls.
• Set your hair with a light mist of hairspray - again, same concept as above.
• Set your hair after curling with tools until hair is cool or while doing makeup.  This setting technique will make your curls last SUPER LONG!
• Also, use small iron size, start with very tight curls as it will loosen up after a few hours.

Here's a video for you to know how it is done!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐮 (@askmewhats)

What do you think?
Do you have more tips?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

  

Salon Blown Hairstyle with Vidal Sassoon's Air Hair Styler

 

When I first got my Air Hair Styler, I didn't know what to do with it!  I just like the idea of having hair tools with interchangeable heads and just HAIR TOOLS IN GENERAL!  I love collection them - no judgment please :P

Thanks to Tiktok and the stuck at home Pandemic, I was able to watch a lot of Tiktok Influencers who are using a similar hair styler (mostly in other brands), and noticed how they can easily create curls using the round brush head!  I mean, I have the tool, I should at least try right?

Yes, I did and pulled out a lot of hair I ended up using Hair Growth serums!  LOL.  But thankfully, with my persistence and love for hairstyling, I was able to FINALLY umderstood the right way to work and hold these tools.  

There are several ways to be honest but I like the vertical method!  The direction of the hairstyler is standing straight as shown on photo below and the effect of the curl is soft..wavy and romantic!

Expect gentle pulling when you use such tool as compared to regular curling rod!  But surprisingly, if done correctly, NO HAIR PULLING and no Hair Fall!

Did I just Forgot to Share My New Haircut???

 

Shame on me!
My first ever professional cut after almost 3 years!

During pandemic, I tediously cut my own hair even if it hurts my back and gave me the most stress!  Yes, I have a certificate in haircutting but cutting your own hair is not as easy as it looks!  I know there are a lot of Tiktok and IG videos out there showing you the "shortcut" and easy way to cut your hair.  Good for them...but NOT FOR ME.

I know a good cut needs the right layering.  There are techniques to keep your hair from "fly aways" and there are techniques to have a good bounce.  I just can't deal with ponytail and cut technique.  Maybe, that's the CON of knowing and learning too much.

So anyways, I did low layers mostly when I did my own cut, so when I got the chance to go to a salon, I asked for higher layers even asked to shorten my bangs - like VERY SHORT.  I wasn't comfortable with this length so don't comment and tell me I am a trying hard gradeschooler --- I am just getting my money's worth guys!  LOL Php1,000.00 na pala ang haircut sa Tony and Jackey ha!  My styliest used to be on the Php500.00 range.  Iba na po!

But it was worth it!  All the dry ends were gone, my head is as light as a feather (OA) pero you get my point!  My hair was super long during the pandemic and I now appreciate a good cut!  

And yay for more hair tutorials with better layers!

How do you like my look?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Blowdry Like A PRO

 

For many years, I worked as a Make Up Artist but a few of you know I only do hairstyling.  I hire a partner to work with me when I do Bridal gigs but for random clients who wanted simple hairstyle, I do it by myself so I have a fair share of experience doing hair.

Ask any professional hairstylists, no matter how good you are with clients, there is a small percentage of difficulty to style your own hair.  One style I've had a super hard time and have been practicing so much through pandemic?  BLOWDRYING!

To create waves or curl, I am more comfortable using a flat iron or curling iron.  But to achieve a full volume style, blow dryer is still my bestfriend.

How?  I've finally found a way to blow dry your own hair but you need 2 things - a good Ceramic Ion brush (A brush that is used not for brushing but for curling! This brush traps heat!) and a good blow dryer. 

I find my Dyson Supersonic blow dryer perfect because it is lightweight and small!  So it is easier for me to handle this on my own without worrying about ouchie arms.

Watch this video to learn how to Blowdry like a PRO!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐮 (@askmewhats)

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

  

Summer Hairstyle!

 

Ah, the weather is so crazy nowadays!
It gets super hot in a couple of hours then it'll suddenly rain for a couple of minutes making it extra sticky and humid! 

I used to be called a --- cold blooded mammal!  *laughs*

I can stay inside a sauna bath for 30 minutes and starts to break into sweats a few minutes before I leave the sauna.  PORE-LESS to be exact!  But things have changed because...Global Warming! 

Especially I stay and work from home most of the time, I find myself moving more because I need to --

1. Work

2. Take care of my son.

3. Cook

4. Work again

5. Hold meetings.

and a whole lot more and in between those tasks I felt the perspiration tickling down from my scalp to the back of my neck!  It is seriously gross but #REAL .

Found a perfect hairstyle to confuse my head perspiration to move around the braid before it tickle down to my face!  hahahah seriously, no Science behind this - solely based from experience! 

And easy side braid on my hair and thigh it up in ponytail!  I felt fresher, more in the mood to move around!  Seriously, an old hairstyle that works!

What's your summer hairstyle?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!