Beauty Binge:Ole faithfuls

I find the idea of using the same brands over and over again a tad bit strange. I know there are people who swear by the same brand, but I just can't imagine doing that when there are so many brands and products in the market to try! I am usually loyal to my skincare, and hardly ever change brands. When it works for you, it works for you, But even then, I've only use my skincare brand for about 5 years.

When it comes to make up and hair products, I'm a bit more adventurous. Just like make up, I collect multiple brands, and change often. It's the curiosity that drives me to use multiple products. But sometimes, over the course of time, you tend to go back to the older brands you've tried simply because they worked better. At least I've tried others before deciding what really works for me.

I *love* trying different shampoo brands, and they are usually high end. Unlike make up, high end shampoos have better ingredients, and less soap, so they don't lather up too much, which is great, because it doesn't dry up my hair. It's less scented and had better moisturising properties. I don't colour my hair, but I do re-bond my hair once a year at least. I believe when yopu do any kind of chemical treatment on your hair, be it colour or perm, than you have to go the extra extra mile to take care of it. Just wash and go won't cut it, which I see with a lot of my friends and other women do. I wash using good shampoo, and hardly use a conditioner. Instead I use a mineral based treatment mask as my conditioner. When it's mineral based, it's not too heavy for your hair. I also avoid using cream treatment mask, because those things are 'heavy'. Where treatment masks are concerned, I just grab a locally made one in a big tub.

The one shampoo I used many times was Kadus' Kaprothin shampoo. It's made of awesomeness, I tell you!! My hair had been subjected to many straightening treatments, and this shampoo calms and relaxes my hair, whilst moisturising it without weighing it down. I used to buy it in a litre bottle, but unfortunately, this has been discontinued.

Kadus replaced it with an equally good line called Kadus Imunal. I normally buy the Repair shampoo which is said to have the same calming and moisturising properties as the original Kaprothin. I used that for years before deciding to branch out and use other brands.

Lately, I went back to Kadus, but this time, I've decided to try their Hydro line which is for normal to dry hair. By hair is anything but normal, but since it shorter, I figured I don't need such a heavy duty shampoo anymore.

Kadus Imunal shampoo

Another product that is a staple in my bathroom is the drugstore brand St. Ives. I've loved the Apricot Scrub since my teen days and used it through my college days into my working days. When I had a little bit more money to splurge, I'd try different brands, but kept coming back to this one. The grains are a little rough for some people but I love the feel of them working on my skin. I feel it really does slough off dead skin!! I also use this as a body scrub and it has never failed me in giving me smooth skin!

My love for St. Ives extends to their clay firming mask. I've tried many brands too, and have discovered I dislike peel-off masks. I prefer clay masks better and my face feels less congested. St. Ives firming clay mask has given me blemish-free, oil-free smooth skin since I was a teen. This is also irreplaceable!

The blue goo that gives me smooth clear skin!

After all the years of testing and trying other brands, I doubt I'll find a permanent replacement for these babies.

These are my ole faithfuls!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge:Hairy helpers!

PJ
1.40pm
Heavy rain!

I normally do not like gunk in my hair. Not even hairspray, let alone gels and mousse. I have one bottle of hairspray from L'oreal that I've only used like, twice. It's just the thought of having some kind of styling product in my hair is enough to keep me awake all night!

But I do *love* treatment products! So much so that sometimes I get overzealous with treatment stuff until my hair feels like a helmet on my head!! Here are my treatment stuff that I own:

L-R Joico thermal protectant; Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur leave-in conditioner; TiGi BedHead Ego Boost; Profess hair repair serum

I don't use them all at once though. The leave-in conditioning treatment I use in between washes, and I faithfully put serum or a thermal protection spray before I blow dry or iron my hair.

This leave-in pink spray conditioner from Schwarzkopf was initially bought as a substitute for a thermal protector. I had receive my straightening iron and I wanted some kind of heat protectant before I use heat on my hair. I couldn't find any at the drugstore and settled for this. It has 2 different liquid textures in the bottle, and you'd have to shake well before spraying it onto your hair. The first time I used this, I had spray on every section of the hair I wanted to iron. The result was sticky, helmet hair. Yech!My hair is thick and even with this spray it weighed down my hair. I even tried it sparingly, spraying it once over, and still my hair feels heavy after. This product, even for thick hair, is too rich. It smells nice and makes my hair shiny, but overall, I'm not a fan.

Profess Hair Repair Serum. My ol' faithful. I've used this leave-in water based serum for a long long time. This is a local product and has a pleasant scent to it. I've switched products recently and used Sebastian Potion No. 9 Wearable Treatment, but it didn't give my hair that added 'bounce' like this does. For RM30, this one here works like a dream! I love affordable products that work well! I use this before swimming and/or diving to protect the hair from pool and sea water that can be harsh. You need to work a dime size to your damp hair before blowing and if you want, work a little after styling for added shine and conditioning.

I was pleasantly surprised (and pleased!) when I saw this little bottle at one of the hair supply shops in Hartamas, KL. Joico Silk Result is a thermal protection spray specially designed for flat ironing, so I snatched one. It was on clearance at less than RM8.
But I don't know whether it does protect my hair when I iron, because it does make my hair a tad bit stiffer than usual. I still use this and work in a bit of serum after.

This product from TiGi Bedhead I love!! In fact, I've always enjoyed Bedhead products. Their packaging is fun and quirky! Ego Boost is a leave-in conditioner, and I've had this for years. This is the one I reach for in between shampoos, and it doesn't weigh the hair down. But at RM60 (or more) a pop, I'm not sure I'd re-purchase. With all the other treatment gunk I have, do I really need another bottle? But if you are seriously in the market for a leave-in conditioner, I would strongly recommend this baby. And how can you not love the bright colours!!

Now that my hair is shorter, I don't use as much product anymore. I don't have split-ends, and I'm not battling with dryness much anymore. Just the frizz and the cow-licks every now and then, but that can easily be fixed with a big round brush and a blast from the hair dryer.

Now that I am at home full-time, I should really get back into using pure coconut milk on the hair. It makes your hair healthier, shinier and unbelievably darker!

Nothing quite like natural products, eh?

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge:Hairy tools

PJ
4.43pm

If it was one thing that I'm quite good at updating, it's my hair. Even from way back when, I faithfully would go to Nancy's to get my hair straightened and trimmed every 3 months or so. These days, I'm loving Milca's styling skills. Ever since she chopped off my locks, my hair has been cut in so many different short styles. I love them all! Milca makes me look young(er), stylish and updated, which is why I have ditched(!!!) Nancy for the younger Milca.

Today I made another appointment with Milca. It has been 3 months since my last cut, but honestly, my hair was still in shape. Only I would notice the kinks, but my hair has not gone out of shape. That's a sign of a good cut. But I was itching to take some of my growing hair off my neck. I loved the last style Milca put me in - angled bob at the back, straight long hair in the front. Yes, it's the "Posh bob" when Posh was first spotted out with the hairstyle. Of late, Posh has been spotten with short hair. Since I can't carry super short styles very well (round face, chubby cheeks), this cut fits me really well, so I am claiming this! I'm calling it the "Puss Bob"!!

So Milca trimmed the back of my hair, and a little in the front, and before I knew it, I was done! This is such an easy style to maintain as well, and with hair, I like no fuss-easy-to-style hair.

The Puss Bop!

Here's my hair stuff collectively, minus the shampoo and hair treatment cream which I use as conditioner:


I'm not big on styling products (hair spray, mousse etc) but am into treatment products. This is my hairdryer. Babybliss Professional Turbo 1.8kw, and it does a fabulous job. It has speed settings, temperature settings, and a cooling button which is important but I never use. With hair dryers, it's important to look for one which is at least 1.6kw, as anything lower may fry your hair instead of drying it. The one I have is a professional dryer and it had cost me a pretty penny.

The BabyBliss Pro hairdryer. Reliable!

The brushes I use are made of ceramic which are safer for the hair. The ceramic barrels help to dry the hair faster so you won't be spending so much time blow drying and damaging your hair. They don't come cheap as well, but they are awfully good brushes. My hair is less frizzy and damaged. My tail comb is a staple as well, and the wide tooth comb is used when my hair is wet.

Brushes and combs

I was a bit reluctant to use a hair straightener, since my hair has been re bonded a couple of times. Hair irons and curling thongs are the worst tools you can use on your hair. But I just couldn't resist when I saw this one up for redemption with the points I've collected with my credit card. What could be better than free stuff!! The brand is Swiss-made called Valera and I've seen it at electrical shops costing a bit of moolah. It has a digital temperature control, and most importantly has ceramic coated plates. I've used it every now and then when I am going out, but I try not to use it too often. *Never* use styling tools on wet hair. I always make sure my hair is 90-95% dry before I reach for the straightening iron.

Valera straightening iron

Have a fabulous hair day!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com