Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream

Longtime readers know that I used to go through gallons of leave-in goop until I switched my conditioner and hair mask to products with high shea butter content. That made all the difference and now I only need a little extra moisturizer on the ends and/or when I use a flat iron. A great side effect of goo-detox is no limp hair days and no issues with product residue that takes away the shine and makes my scalp itch like crazy.

I'm more selective now about the stuff I do use. It has to be effective in small amounts and to smell good. I was already familiar with Oribe Signature shampoo and conditioner. They are excellent and I use the shampoo quite often (the conditioner only comes in a 6.8 tube which lasts about two weeks and costs twice as much as the L'Occitane conditioner that comes in the same size), so I decided to try Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream, a leave-in conditioner.

Right now it's my favorite product in this category (but I'm notoriously fickle about this kind of stuff). It's the perfect weight for this time of the year- gives just the right amount of moisture but not too greasy/heavy. The shine and smoothness are just as promised, and while I haven't straightened my hair recently, I have a feeling it would be a great help in that department. The scent is the same as the other Oribe products I've tried- very much like a flat version of Uncle Serge's Nuit de Cellophane. And that's a very good thing.

Bottom line: Next on my hair agenda is trying their moisture hair musk.

Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream ($49) is available from select salons, top department stores and oribe.com. I bought mine at Bergdorf Goodman.

Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream

Longtime readers know that I used to go through gallons of leave-in goop until I switched my conditioner and hair mask to products with high shea butter content. That made all the difference and now I only need a little extra moisturizer on the ends and/or when I use a flat iron. A great side effect of goo-detox is no limp hair days and no issues with product residue that takes away the shine and makes my scalp itch like crazy.

I'm more selective now about the stuff I do use. It has to be effective in small amounts and to smell good. I was already familiar with Oribe Signature shampoo and conditioner. They are excellent and I use the shampoo quite often (the conditioner only comes in a 6.8 tube which lasts about two weeks and costs twice as much as the L'Occitane conditioner that comes in the same size), so I decided to try Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream, a leave-in conditioner.

Right now it's my favorite product in this category (but I'm notoriously fickle about this kind of stuff). It's the perfect weight for this time of the year- gives just the right amount of moisture but not too greasy/heavy. The shine and smoothness are just as promised, and while I haven't straightened my hair recently, I have a feeling it would be a great help in that department. The scent is the same as the other Oribe products I've tried- very much like a flat version of Uncle Serge's Nuit de Cellophane. And that's a very good thing.

Bottom line: Next on my hair agenda is trying their moisture hair musk.

Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream ($49) is available from select salons, top department stores and oribe.com. I bought mine at Bergdorf Goodman.

Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream

Longtime readers know that I used to go through gallons of leave-in goop until I switched my conditioner and hair mask to products with high shea butter content. That made all the difference and now I only need a little extra moisturizer on the ends and/or when I use a flat iron. A great side effect of goo-detox is no limp hair days and no issues with product residue that takes away the shine and makes my scalp itch like crazy.

I'm more selective now about the stuff I do use. It has to be effective in small amounts and to smell good. I was already familiar with Oribe Signature shampoo and conditioner. They are excellent and I use the shampoo quite often (the conditioner only comes in a 6.8 tube which lasts about two weeks and costs twice as much as the L'Occitane conditioner that comes in the same size), so I decided to try Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream, a leave-in conditioner.

Right now it's my favorite product in this category (but I'm notoriously fickle about this kind of stuff). It's the perfect weight for this time of the year- gives just the right amount of moisture but not too greasy/heavy. The shine and smoothness are just as promised, and while I haven't straightened my hair recently, I have a feeling it would be a great help in that department. The scent is the same as the other Oribe products I've tried- very much like a flat version of Uncle Serge's Nuit de Cellophane. And that's a very good thing.

Bottom line: Next on my hair agenda is trying their moisture hair musk.

Oribe Shine Supershine Moisturizing Cream ($49) is available from select salons, top department stores and oribe.com. I bought mine at Bergdorf Goodman.

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair

I might be the only one in and out of the blogsphere who isn't singing the praise of Living Proof's Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair (try saying it three times). On paper, it seemed like the perfect product for me: My hair is wavy-curly, it's thick and tends to frizz if not treated with moisturizing products.

The problem is this product isn't really moisturizing. I tried using a little, I tried using a lot, the end result was a coarse, crunchy hair with no significant frizz reduction. To be fair, I tested it during some of the most humid days in NYC, but I also used it in much nicer (and more hair-friendly) days. It was the same.

Since it was clear the No Frizz Styling Treatment was actually drying my hair, I tried using it over other products. There was some improvement, but still, the defined waves were crisp to the touch, and I could get better results with the hair creams alone, so why bother?

I've heard the No Frizz Styling Treatment is a lot more effective when used with heat- blow dryers or curling irons. But I don't use heat except on the rare occasions I'm straightening my hair (which I didn't bother in crazy August humidity), and since this is a wave and curl defining product, the whole thing is moot. I'm back to products from Sebastian, Jonathan and Carol's Daughter, that let me keep my rule of only one styling cream at any time.

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair ($24, 4 oz) is available from Sephora, online and in store.

Photo of Jean Shrimpton from bygonefashion on livejournal.

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair

I might be the only one in and out of the blogsphere who isn't singing the praise of Living Proof's Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair (try saying it three times). On paper, it seemed like the perfect product for me: My hair is wavy-curly, it's thick and tends to frizz if not treated with moisturizing products.

The problem is this product isn't really moisturizing. I tried using a little, I tried using a lot, the end result was a coarse, crunchy hair with no significant frizz reduction. To be fair, I tested it during some of the most humid days in NYC, but I also used it in much nicer (and more hair-friendly) days. It was the same.

Since it was clear the No Frizz Styling Treatment was actually drying my hair, I tried using it over other products. There was some improvement, but still, the defined waves were crisp to the touch, and I could get better results with the hair creams alone, so why bother?

I've heard the No Frizz Styling Treatment is a lot more effective when used with heat- blow dryers or curling irons. But I don't use heat except on the rare occasions I'm straightening my hair (which I didn't bother in crazy August humidity), and since this is a wave and curl defining product, the whole thing is moot. I'm back to products from Sebastian, Jonathan and Carol's Daughter, that let me keep my rule of only one styling cream at any time.

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair ($24, 4 oz) is available from Sephora, online and in store.

Photo of Jean Shrimpton from bygonefashion on livejournal.

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair

I might be the only one in and out of the blogsphere who isn't singing the praise of Living Proof's Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair (try saying it three times). On paper, it seemed like the perfect product for me: My hair is wavy-curly, it's thick and tends to frizz if not treated with moisturizing products.

The problem is this product isn't really moisturizing. I tried using a little, I tried using a lot, the end result was a coarse, crunchy hair with no significant frizz reduction. To be fair, I tested it during some of the most humid days in NYC, but I also used it in much nicer (and more hair-friendly) days. It was the same.

Since it was clear the No Frizz Styling Treatment was actually drying my hair, I tried using it over other products. There was some improvement, but still, the defined waves were crisp to the touch, and I could get better results with the hair creams alone, so why bother?

I've heard the No Frizz Styling Treatment is a lot more effective when used with heat- blow dryers or curling irons. But I don't use heat except on the rare occasions I'm straightening my hair (which I didn't bother in crazy August humidity), and since this is a wave and curl defining product, the whole thing is moot. I'm back to products from Sebastian, Jonathan and Carol's Daughter, that let me keep my rule of only one styling cream at any time.

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair ($24, 4 oz) is available from Sephora, online and in store.

Photo of Jean Shrimpton from bygonefashion on livejournal.

Oscar Blandi Luce

Oscar Blandi Luce looks like a conditioner. But it isn't one, as I've learned the hard way.

Luce is a light glossing treatment. I'm all for shine, which was why I picked this cute (but utterly inconvenient) bottle to begin with. But the problems started from the first use. I followed directions and started by washing and conditioning my hair (using the Oribe Signature products), then applied Luce, covered with a shower cap and gave it time to work. As I rinsed it, I could already tell that my hair felt too thick and had a weird texture. The problem with this product is the way it coats, thickens and separates each and every hair. I have too much hair for it to be a good thing, and no amount of goop in the known world could conquer the frizz.

But I'm a beauty blogger. I do my research and I try stuff so you don't have to. Which is why I didn't toss the bottle. I've read that this Oscar Blandi product needs continued use before you can expect to see results, so I kept applying it for another couple of weeks. While there was a little less frizz and my curls looked a bit shinier than usual, it still was not making me happy. I also made the grave mistake to test Luce without using a conditioner first. It was one bad hair day from hell. This product has absolutely no detangling capabilities and it doesn't nourish hair. At all.

I have yet to test Luce before straightening my hair with the styling iron. But frankly, since hair-ironing requires a couple of extra products (protective cream and finishing serum) as it is, I'm a bit reluctant to go this way.

Bottom line: Oscar Blandi Luce is not for me. My hair has enough shine as it is, since I don't color it and I use heavy duty masks and conditioners, so whatever gloss this products adds isn't worth the hassle of an extra step in the shower or the thick, frizzy hair that comes with it.

Oscar Blandi Luce ($25 for 8 oz) is available from Sephora and beauty.com. I bought it online, but can't remember from which one of these two stores.

Oscar Blandi Luce

Oscar Blandi Luce looks like a conditioner. But it isn't one, as I've learned the hard way.

Luce is a light glossing treatment. I'm all for shine, which was why I picked this cute (but utterly inconvenient) bottle to begin with. But the problems started from the first use. I followed directions and started by washing and conditioning my hair (using the Oribe Signature products), then applied Luce, covered with a shower cap and gave it time to work. As I rinsed it, I could already tell that my hair felt too thick and had a weird texture. The problem with this product is the way it coats, thickens and separates each and every hair. I have too much hair for it to be a good thing, and no amount of goop in the known world could conquer the frizz.

But I'm a beauty blogger. I do my research and I try stuff so you don't have to. Which is why I didn't toss the bottle. I've read that this Oscar Blandi product needs continued use before you can expect to see results, so I kept applying it for another couple of weeks. While there was a little less frizz and my curls looked a bit shinier than usual, it still was not making me happy. I also made the grave mistake to test Luce without using a conditioner first. It was one bad hair day from hell. This product has absolutely no detangling capabilities and it doesn't nourish hair. At all.

I have yet to test Luce before straightening my hair with the styling iron. But frankly, since hair-ironing requires a couple of extra products (protective cream and finishing serum) as it is, I'm a bit reluctant to go this way.

Bottom line: Oscar Blandi Luce is not for me. My hair has enough shine as it is, since I don't color it and I use heavy duty masks and conditioners, so whatever gloss this products adds isn't worth the hassle of an extra step in the shower or the thick, frizzy hair that comes with it.

Oscar Blandi Luce ($25 for 8 oz) is available from Sephora and beauty.com. I bought it online, but can't remember from which one of these two stores.

Oscar Blandi Luce

Oscar Blandi Luce looks like a conditioner. But it isn't one, as I've learned the hard way.

Luce is a light glossing treatment. I'm all for shine, which was why I picked this cute (but utterly inconvenient) bottle to begin with. But the problems started from the first use. I followed directions and started by washing and conditioning my hair (using the Oribe Signature products), then applied Luce, covered with a shower cap and gave it time to work. As I rinsed it, I could already tell that my hair felt too thick and had a weird texture. The problem with this product is the way it coats, thickens and separates each and every hair. I have too much hair for it to be a good thing, and no amount of goop in the known world could conquer the frizz.

But I'm a beauty blogger. I do my research and I try stuff so you don't have to. Which is why I didn't toss the bottle. I've read that this Oscar Blandi product needs continued use before you can expect to see results, so I kept applying it for another couple of weeks. While there was a little less frizz and my curls looked a bit shinier than usual, it still was not making me happy. I also made the grave mistake to test Luce without using a conditioner first. It was one bad hair day from hell. This product has absolutely no detangling capabilities and it doesn't nourish hair. At all.

I have yet to test Luce before straightening my hair with the styling iron. But frankly, since hair-ironing requires a couple of extra products (protective cream and finishing serum) as it is, I'm a bit reluctant to go this way.

Bottom line: Oscar Blandi Luce is not for me. My hair has enough shine as it is, since I don't color it and I use heavy duty masks and conditioners, so whatever gloss this products adds isn't worth the hassle of an extra step in the shower or the thick, frizzy hair that comes with it.

Oscar Blandi Luce ($25 for 8 oz) is available from Sephora and beauty.com. I bought it online, but can't remember from which one of these two stores.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream Trattamento Di Jasmine

My hair has never been happier. Every hair care product I've tested in the last six months has been a success, and the result is a simple, almost minimalistic routine. I wash, condition and use small amount of just one leave-in product, be it a curling mousse or a smoothing serum or cream, and that's it. For someone with the amount of hair I'm sporting, this is a huge improvement that saves time, money and general fuss.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream that also answers to the romantic sounding name Trattamento di Jasmine, is a (very) thick conditioner. The directions tell you to leave it for 3-15 minutes and recommend wrapping your hair in a towel and then covering the whole thing with a shower cap, because it performs better if there's some heat involved. I skip the towel, because there's no shower cap in the world big enough to host both my hair and a towel. I just pin it up with a clip, wear the shower cap and do my thing. In my experience, 5 to 10 minutes are more than enough to get excellent results.

It's a bit odd at first. The cream is thick and the hair feels heavier and texturized after you wash it off, as though you've used a volumizing or a no-grease product, which scared me when I first used it (the last thing I need is more volume. My hair would take the entire Easter Seaboard). But once the hair is dry and everything was in place, with or without a styling product I could tell things are smoother and significantly less frizzy. A good shine and a very pleasant low-key jasmine scent (no sillage, you need to bury your nose in my hair to smell it, but please don't) make this a great product that has earned its place in my rotation.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream ($26) is available at Sephora, online and in store. My original travel size was a GWP, I've bought a full size since.

Image: The Jasmine Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker, shamelessly swiped from an eBay auction.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream Trattamento Di Jasmine

My hair has never been happier. Every hair care product I've tested in the last six months has been a success, and the result is a simple, almost minimalistic routine. I wash, condition and use small amount of just one leave-in product, be it a curling mousse or a smoothing serum or cream, and that's it. For someone with the amount of hair I'm sporting, this is a huge improvement that saves time, money and general fuss.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream that also answers to the romantic sounding name Trattamento di Jasmine, is a (very) thick conditioner. The directions tell you to leave it for 3-15 minutes and recommend wrapping your hair in a towel and then covering the whole thing with a shower cap, because it performs better if there's some heat involved. I skip the towel, because there's no shower cap in the world big enough to host both my hair and a towel. I just pin it up with a clip, wear the shower cap and do my thing. In my experience, 5 to 10 minutes are more than enough to get excellent results.

It's a bit odd at first. The cream is thick and the hair feels heavier and texturized after you wash it off, as though you've used a volumizing or a no-grease product, which scared me when I first used it (the last thing I need is more volume. My hair would take the entire Easter Seaboard). But once the hair is dry and everything was in place, with or without a styling product I could tell things are smoother and significantly less frizzy. A good shine and a very pleasant low-key jasmine scent (no sillage, you need to bury your nose in my hair to smell it, but please don't) make this a great product that has earned its place in my rotation.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream ($26) is available at Sephora, online and in store. My original travel size was a GWP, I've bought a full size since.

Image: The Jasmine Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker, shamelessly swiped from an eBay auction.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream Trattamento Di Jasmine

My hair has never been happier. Every hair care product I've tested in the last six months has been a success, and the result is a simple, almost minimalistic routine. I wash, condition and use small amount of just one leave-in product, be it a curling mousse or a smoothing serum or cream, and that's it. For someone with the amount of hair I'm sporting, this is a huge improvement that saves time, money and general fuss.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream that also answers to the romantic sounding name Trattamento di Jasmine, is a (very) thick conditioner. The directions tell you to leave it for 3-15 minutes and recommend wrapping your hair in a towel and then covering the whole thing with a shower cap, because it performs better if there's some heat involved. I skip the towel, because there's no shower cap in the world big enough to host both my hair and a towel. I just pin it up with a clip, wear the shower cap and do my thing. In my experience, 5 to 10 minutes are more than enough to get excellent results.

It's a bit odd at first. The cream is thick and the hair feels heavier and texturized after you wash it off, as though you've used a volumizing or a no-grease product, which scared me when I first used it (the last thing I need is more volume. My hair would take the entire Easter Seaboard). But once the hair is dry and everything was in place, with or without a styling product I could tell things are smoother and significantly less frizzy. A good shine and a very pleasant low-key jasmine scent (no sillage, you need to bury your nose in my hair to smell it, but please don't) make this a great product that has earned its place in my rotation.

Oscar Blandi Smoothing Hair Cream ($26) is available at Sephora, online and in store. My original travel size was a GWP, I've bought a full size since.

Image: The Jasmine Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker, shamelessly swiped from an eBay auction.