Ulta Love Your Curls Kit

I think it's time I come to terms with my new reality: I no longer have straight hair. After years of longing after messy waves and spending a ton of time curling it, my hair has undergone an evolution. First came the summertime frizzies. Then, I started getting little curls around my forehead. Now, if I don't fully dry my hair, flat iron, and pin it up to sleep, I get waves.

This is a whole new world from someone who used to have hair that would shed a curl within 2-3 hours. So I'm still trying to figure my new hair out.

Enter the Ulta Love Your Curls Kit.

To be fair, this has a sample of one of the items I was mulling in-store and I thought it might be a good set to try. I'm not going to go too deep into each item, but if you're familiar with them please leave your thoughts in the comments!

This kit cost $9.99 and claims to be a $56 value.

Let's take a quick look at the products inside:

1. Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil (full size: $38)

Honestly, this is one of the products I was mulling. I'm at the end of my Drybar oil, and I love putting a bit on my ends. I'm a huge fan of Living Proof and nearly purchased the travel size ($20).


2. DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture (full size: $36)

This is a Matcha Butter Conditioning Mask. I've been loving a matcha cleanser, and I'm into hair masks... I'll probably try this very soon.

3. Matrix Air Dry Twisted Boho (full size: $18)

This is one of two products I don't see myself using anytime soon. I already own the Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It cream and will be using that for quite awhile!

4. Bed Head Screw It Curl Hydrating Jelly Oil (full size: $21.99)

This is the other product I don't think I'll be reaching for. I'll play with it this winter because it perplexes me. That said, this is a huge product.

5. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel (full size $26-75)

I wish I'd seen this a couple of months ago. I'm very interested to pro/con this against my Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream!

6. KMD Moist Repair Anti-Breakage Spray  (full size: $23.50)

For some reason, I didn't photograph this. Whoops.

I'm in. I use a protein spray on my hair several times per month, and I'm always looking to rotate my products.

I'm so happy that Ulta is stepping up their game with these kits- I almost picked up a drugstore skincare one at the same time. I'm looking forward to digging into this kit- and figuring out my new hair!

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray

Today I'm going to take a moment to talk about a haircare staple I first was introduced to last spring with a Sephora perk.  Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray is expensive ($28/8oz), but I've been using the same bottle for at least ten months and have probably another year's worth of hairspray in it.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray is described as a moderate-hold product.  I love that it's lightweight, non-aerosol, and combats humidity well. It takes very little of this formula to create the desired effect.  It lasts through most of the workday, and is non-sticky.

I used several 1-oz bottles prior to splurging on the full size.  I'd recommend doing the same.  This has been better than my prior favorite, Elnett.

You can find Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray at Sephora, Blue Mercury, or anywhere that has Bumble and Bumble products.

Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream

Now that summer is almost close enough to taste, I thought it would be the best time to share one of my favorite summer hair products: Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream ($15/2oz - $26/4 oz - $36/8 oz).

Living Proof touts this product as "the biggest anti-frizz technology in over 30 years." The product description from their website states:

"A deeply nourishing styling cream that eliminates frizz by blocking humidity and smooths the hair strand leaving hair tamed and shiny, yet never heavy or greasy. Powered by our patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA), which is the biggest breakthrough in anti-frizz technology in over 30 years. Our Healthy Hair Molecule:

• weightlessly blocks humidity 
• 70% better than silicones and oils 
• nourishes and provides optimum moisture levels keeps hair cleaner, longer 

Good for thick or coarse frizzy hair. Sulfate-free, silicone-free and oil-free. Safe and formulated for color and chemically treated hair."

Wow, that's a bit of a mouthful. In reality, this is the first product I've found that stands up to the worst days during the summer when the air is so thick and heavy that it's almost like walking through soup.

It doesn't take more than a pea-sized bead for shoulder length hair. Most importantly, it doesn't weigh down my hair or make it greasy.  I apply this after washing and before drying. My hair is color treated, and this product works well with it.

I highly recommend at least trying this product- even if you're just looking for a product to protect hair from frizzing from the flat iron.  I try to use as few products in my hair as possible, otherwise I'd just use it year-round.

I purchased mine via Sephora, but Living Proof is carried in Sephora, Ulta, and several other retailers.


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Drybar The Morning After Shower Cap

All of my fellow redheads who need a bit of chemical assistance understand me on this one: being a redhead is tough, expensive, and time-consuming.  Unlike blondes and brunettes who can easily go 8-12 weeks between trips to the salon, based on their cut and how fast their hair grows, by week 4, the luster has already significantly faded from my red locks.

But what does this have to do with an expensive shower cap?  Stay with me, readers.

One of the most critical things with getting your hair dyed red is avoiding fading as long as possible.  Prolonging the time before the first wash as long as possible after visiting the salon is one of the best ways to do that.  So is not washing your hair every day.  If you take a shower; however, keeping your hair dry is easier said than done.  Especially if your hair is long.

Enter my quest for a good shower cap.  We've all seen ladies wearing less-than-chic and less-than-waterproof caps outside.  I wanted to avoid that as much as possible.  I also live by the motto of "buy once, but buy good" for most things.  And shockingly enough, it's actually hard to find a shower cap these days!

Enter Drybar's The Morning After Shower Cap.  Stock photo via Sephora:

The genius about this shower cap is that it has two distinct layers.

The outside of this shower cap is thick, waterproof vinyl with a pretty yellow pattern:

I can attest that it really is waterproof.

The genius of this cap is the inner layer.  It's white terrycloth.

That's what actually touches your hair and your skin.  It absorbs any water that may come near the cap, and further helps to keep everything dry.  The terry acts as a sponge, keeping all moisture off of your pinned-up locks.

I didn't detect any smell from the time that I took it out of the box, and I allow it to dry outside of the shower, on a doorknob. If necessary, it can be washed.  After using it heavily for one week and at least 1-2 times a week for the next few, it's still in great condition, no signs of mildew, and going strong.

Yes, $15 for a shower cap is hefty. However, I consider this the answer to a problem I've been struggling with for years.

It's available exclusively at Sephora.

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is one of those items that has always sounded like a great idea for me, but I've struggled to figure out how to use it in real life.  I've worked my way through a series of failed flings with dry shampoo, but may have landed on a winning formula with Drybar's Detox Dry Shampoo.

I've briefly discussed my hair on this blog before, but let me refresh your memory since it's been a few months.  I have long, straight, fine color-treated hair- and a lot of it.  I dye my hair red (I'm not telling if I'm a natural redhead or another color!), so naturally it fades very quickly.  One of the top tricks that I've come across is both delaying the initial wash following when I get my hair dyed, and also shampooing less often.

I may know it's bad, but I grew up having to wash my hair daily because I'd sweat in my sleep and would end up with oily hair.  Over the past year, I've made a dedicated effort to wash my hair far less often.  Enter dry shampoo.

In full disclosure, I purchased the Detox Dry Shampoo as a part of the Morning After Kit at Sephora only because the store was out of the shower cap alone- the real reason I was in the store (review to follow).

Detox Dry Shampoo retails for $20 for 3.5oz, and comes in two versions: original and brunette.  The Morning After Kit (LE) retails for $35 and includes Detox Dry Shampoo and The Morning After Shower Cap. 

Here's the rear of the can:

Ingredient-hawks, you can find the full list here.  I verified that the list on the site matches that on the back of the can exactly.

This is an aerosol, with a large nozzle:

Now, let's talk about the dry shampoo:

The directions state to shake extremely well, then spray 2-4 inches from roots and gently blend.  I tried this two mornings recently when I was running late for work. 

In both cases, I shook the can for a good 3 minutes or so (hey, I listen to extremely), then applied a good 2 inches from my roots.  I applied a healthy amount since I have a lot of hair and blended.

In both trials, I also brought pins/hair ties to put my hair up if it felt greasy by mid-day.  Shockingly, I never felt the need to do so!  It took me a bit longer to do my hair since I did more of a real blowout in each section prior to flat ironing my hair.  Still, it was faster than washing and drying my hair that morning.

It applied clear and blended with my hair, which is a plus. Other dry shampoos that I've tried have left me looking like I have dandruff.  By a mile, this is my best experience with a dry shampoo.  I wouldn't use it on a regular basis, but it's great to have on-hand for a pinch.

Drybar Lemon Drop Daily Detangler Brush

I'm an admitted beauty junkie, but that doesn't normally extend to hair styling tools.  I have a trusty blow dryer (which I picked up at Marshalls), I received a Chi flat iron for this past Christmas, and have been nursing one singular large curling iron for years.  I have a couple of brushes that I adore that I bought at Walmart at least a decade ago.

So what drove me to pick up this brush?

Truth told, I've heard such great things about Drybar and their tools (I'm going to make it to a location for a blowout one of these days!) that this seemed like an inexpensive way of sampling the line.  At $15, it's the least expensive tool carried by Sephora.


I've been playing with this brush for a few days, and I can see a real difference.  My hair doesn't tangle as often, and getting the knots out is much easier. 

Admittedly, I'm a sucker for the bright yellow handle.  Drybar claims that this conditions and shines and that it's designed for brushing out extensions or clip-ins.  I have below shoulder-length, straight hair.

This is about the same length as my Tivo remote.  I didn't take a comparison shot, but it's just a nice, comfortable size.

The only downside?  I want to try some of the round brushes ($35-40) now.

Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo + Conditioner

I'll admit it.  I'm a huge faker.  When it comes to my hair color, that is.

Although most people would assume that my luscious locks were naturally their current color (and they've been so for seven years!), I was blessed with hair known as  "dishwater blonde", "bleh", "nothing", "boring", "bland", and other terms of affection by my various hairdressers.  So, I combat my less-than-exciting hair in the only way that a modern woman can: I color it. Obsessively. And deny, deny, deny that it's another other than natural.

Anyone has who has had a long-term commitment to color-treated locks knows that finding the right shampoo and conditioner are key.  For years, I've been an Aveda girl.  I still reach for it when I get a chance to go to an Aveda salon, but I've started to enjoy some variety in my hair routine.

I was introduced to Kiehl's for the first time during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale when I started chatting with one of the brand reps.  He sent me on my way with a handful of samples, one of which I had to buy almost immediately (Argan Oil Conditioner).  That led me down the path towards my current new loves: Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo + Conditioner.

Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo retails at $18/8.4 fl oz, and Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner retails at $19/6.8fl oz.

Like the other Kiehl's hair products I've tried, these do not lather, and are sulfate-, silicon-, and paraben-free. It takes a bit of adjustment, but my hair is softer, shinier, and healthier than ever.  Despite monthly abuse, my hair is in great condition.  Unlike some of the other color-protecting products I've tried lately (B+B), these don't weigh my hair down or leave a greasy feeling partway through the day.  The best unexpected bonus?  The delicious peach scent.

Bottom Line: If you've got color-treated hair, check this line out. Kiehl's as a whole believes in sampling; try before committing.