My star Contributor @cnicholac shares her thoughts on the best conditioners by hair type…

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I started out 2011 convinced that I was going to slowly transition out of my relaxed hair into a more natural state. Boy, was I wrong. During the course of the year I cycled through conditioners as I tried to find the one conditioner that would work for the roughly four different hair textures occupying my head. Let me break down the textures:

Texture 1 – Chemically relaxed with Organics Root Stimulator Relaxer
Texture 2 – Chemically relaxed with PhytoSpecific PhytoRelaxer Index 1
Texture 3 – Chemically relaxed with PhytoSpecific PhytoRelaxer Index 2
Texture 4 – My natural hair, which is kinky and dry (mostly 4c and 4b in the back)

Loreal Mega Strength Fortifying Deep Treatment – I’ve never been disappointed with a Loreal product and this is no exception. I do have a love hate relationship with this particular conditioner. When my hair was mostly natural, it did an amazing job of detangling, when it was mostly relaxed the tangles went on for days. I’d recommend for thick naturally wavy or curly hair. Loreal Mega Strength Fortifying Deep Treatment is available at Sally Beauty and retails for under $11.

Proclaim Argan Oil Intense Hydrating Masque – I’m mad at this one because the labeling made it seem like Argan oil is a major ingredient in the formulation. Dimethicone is listed before argan oil, that suggests to me that the argan oil is less than 2% of this formulation. I’m guessing this because Dimethicone is generally 2% or less in conditioners. The Proclaim Intense Hydrating Masque did a great job of moisturized my hair but only a fair job of detangling. I’d recommend for a once or twice monthly use on relaxed or natural hair. Proclaim Intense Hydrating Masques is also available at Sally Beauty, it retails for about $7.50.

Ion Moisture Solutions Intense Moisture for Dry and Chemically Treated Hair – At first, this product confused me. It didn’t do a lot to detangle my hair, but once I managed to detangle it, dried and styled it, my hair had a really great shine and was very light and full of movement. I think this would be great for someone with lighter hair that doesn’t want the hair weighed down too much. Ion Moisture Solutions Intense Moisture for Dry and Chemically Treated Hair retails for under $9 and is available at Sally Beauty

Pantene Relaxed and Natural – This conditioner is simple and straight to the point. No matter the state of my hair I can always go to Pantene for a quick three minute condition and detangle. Though I like this conditioner, I have to break up the routine and do a deep conditioner about once or twice per month. Pantene products are available at your drugstore, Walmart, Target and many other locations. Pantene Relaxed and Natural Conditioner retails for under $5.

Surya Brasil Intensive Restorative Mask – This conditioner is formulated to work on color treated hair, which means it is loaded with amazing conditioning ingredients like Babusu Butter, Cupuaçu butter and so many more! I used this product after I had already given up the natural hair quest and was dealing with textures 1 to 3. It did a great job of conditioning my hair but I had to use another product to detangle. This product is formulated for color treated hair but I think it would also works for tightly coiled, kinky, curly, natural hair. Surya Brasil Intensive
Restorative Mask retails for $9 and is available online

Sidenote: From my own observation, products formulated for color treated hair will always provide more conditioners and smoothing agents than other conditioners. If you have hair that is chemically straightened (or curled, gasp!) and it also has been permanently colored, the hair is weaker and more prone to breakage and dullness, therefore it needs more help to look its best.

Joico K-Pak Conditioner – Formulated with Keratin Silicone Complex, the Joico K-Pak has become one of my go to conditioners. When I first tried it, it reminded me a little of Pantene but it after repeated use, I realize it packs just a bit more conditioning punch than Pantene, especially on my natural hair. This is a good weekly conditioner. For those folks that work out, Joico K-Pak Conditioner is also good for the mid week no poo conditioning rinse. Joico K-Pak Conditioner retails for about $14.

Curls Coconut Sublime Conditioner – I had to save the best for last. This conditioner is amazing! It is formulated for the driest, kinkiest and most unruly tresses, which I clearly have. This conditioner does a fantastic job of not only conditioning and detangling the chemically process portions of my hair but also my natural hair. Made with certified organic ingredients, Curls Coconut Sublime Conditioner retails for $16 and is a must try if you have natural kinky, curly hair and/or if you are transitioning to natural hair.

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I know the average person doesn’t have to contend with four different textures of hair on their head, but with this roundup I’m hoping to give you some options.

I have been d-d-dying to try WEN Cleansing Cream for at least a year.

Finally, my ship came in! Does WEN live up to the hype? See for yourself:

If you’re on a need-to-know basis with what’s “of the moment” in beauty (who isn’t?!), look out for Sephora HOT NOW, a monthly trend report on the beauty industry’s latest innovations, brand collaborations, and off the radar discoveries that deserve your attention!

Each month, the Sephora HOT NOW Report will feature new products with ingredients that have blown the Sephora editors away with their results. This product IT-LIST brings together a smart combination of names you already know as well as ground-breaking brands that require your involvement!

In perusing the current HOT NOW list, I came across Brazilian Peel — an at-home glycolic peel product that I absolutely 100% approve of (see my review here). So, HOT LIST: It looks like we’re simpatico! L-L-Love that!

For more on what’s HOT NOW, visit Sephora’s YouTube channel.

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christella Ritchwood. For previous reviews for Christella, click here, here, here, here, and here.

Although my curl has calmed down quite a bit since my high school years (hello 80′s hair!), it is still occasionally out of control! When I heard of Keratin Tropic, a 100% formaldehyde-free treatment, I was very excited to give it a whirl.

The oh-so-friendly-Oregon-native stylist, Mandeep, of Lasio Hair Studios (117 East 7th Street) safely relaxed my curls with Keratin Tropic. She first started with a cuticle opener on my roots to ensure the treatment would set to its max potential. Once the cuticle opener was set and rinsed out, Mandeep proceeded with the Keratin Tropic treatment. Mandeep then saturated my hair with the pleasantly scented keratin treatment. Since keratin is activated by the amount of heat applied, Mandeep first blew out my hair with a round brush. Once my blowout was complete, she used the flat iron, taking very small sections at a time. She finished with a light trim to freshen up my cut. The entire process took about 3 hours….and it was SO worth all 180 minutes of the time spent at Lasio Studios!
Immediately, my hair looked and felt healthier. The Keratin Tropic treatment has cut my at-home styling time by more than half. After my first wash at-home I was able to flat iron my hair straight in 20 minutes. It looks healthy, shines nicely and feels lighter in weight. I am totally sold! See for yourself…

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Today through February 25th, head to http://www.facebook.com/#!/hairdoUSA for a chance to win  Jessica Simpson Hairdo Clip-In Extensions. The first ten entries to correctly choose the winning style will win a Hairdo 21” Human Hair Clip-In Extension, valuing at $500 or any Hairdo Extensions of their choosing!

If you are not a lucky winner, don’t fret –you’ll still have a chance to win on ThisThatBeauty! That’s right! I’m hosting a Hairdo Clip-In Extensions for five lucky winners! Check back for details soon…

xoxo

What’s new with L’Oréal? So much…So so much! This Spring, L’Oréal launches a bevy of beauty products all in the affordable price range of $4.99 to $15.95.  From skin to hair to cosmetics, L’Oréal’s spring launches will have you racing to your local Target. Let’s run through what’s new from L’Oréal as I point out my faves.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Le Rouge – This Gwen Stefani backed lipstick is the front-runner of the L’Oréal spring collection. Prepare to be amazed! If Gwen Stefani says it’s good, it’s gotta be…

Say goodbye to the era of dry lips from long-wear lipstick. Introducing a new collection of conditioning, comfortable and easy-to-apply lip color that delivers 10 hours of fresh, vibrant wear. The easy one-step formula introduces Color Fix Technology, patented flexible new polymers that offer greater adhesion and truer color that won’t flake off or fade. Formulated with Vitamin E and Ceramide 5, it provides a healthy shine instead of dreaded dryness characteristically associated with some long-wear color. Available in a wide range of color families – from reds, pinks and plums to mauves, corals and browns – every woman can find a shade that is uniquely “her.”

Price: $9.95, Available in 30 shades at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide.

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L’Oréal Paris Go 360˚ Clean Anti-Breakout – This is the brand’s first acne specific treatment cleanser. With 2% Salicylic Acid, the formula sounds promising. The cleanser is paired with L’Oréal Paris’ signature Scrublet™…I recommend that you go easy on the Scrublet if your skin is currently experiencing a breakout!

DESCRIPTION: Go 360˚ Clean Anti-Breakout delivers an innovative new anti-acne formula that’s clinically-proven to help eliminate blemishes, pimples and blackheads while providing a deep gentle cleansing that leaves pores appearing smaller and skin looking and feeling softer. Go 360˚ Clean Anti-Breakout is specially formulated with 2% Salicylic Acid to exfoliate, open clogged pores and remove bacteria while Glycerin hydrates skin and prevents over-drying. This latest innovation in the Go 360˚ Clean collection works with L’Oréal Paris’ signature Scrublet™. More effective than cleansing by hand, this soft, flexible disc applies a rich lather that goes deep – unclogging pores and gently removing traces of dirt, oil and makeup. The Scrublet™ pops right into and out of the custom-made bottle for convenient storage.
Price: $6.99, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Clear Self-Tanning Gel – Just what we need to give legs and arms a a safe color boost for Spring/ Summer. I am particularly excited for the no drip gel formula!

DESCRIPTION: L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Clear Self-Tanning Gel is an innovative, first-to-mass clear gel spray self-tanner that is free of parabens. It combines the comfort of a cooling gel formula with the convenience of a spray bottle for easy, mess-proof application. Infused with a light citrus scent, the clear formula works by utilizing proteins in the skin and brings out a natural, healthy glow. Just spray it on and gently massage into skin to achieve a streak-free, long-lasting bronze complexion that begins to develop in less than one hour. Available in a medium-tone bronze finish to complement all skin tones, Sublime Bronze™ Clear Self-Tanning Gel can be applied daily until the desired level of color is achieved.

Price: $10.49, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Mousse by Healthy Look - Say goodbye to drippy icky liquid hair color and embrace the mousse!

DESCRIPTION: L’Oréal Paris introduces an innovative new permanent hair color technology that’s as easy to apply as shampoo. The ultra-light, airy mousse formula is simple and mess-free, resulting in perfect gray coverage and natural, shiny color. Just rotate the pump bottle to mix the formula, dispense the foam into your hand and massage into hair as you would apply shampoo. There’s no need to part and section hair, as the mousse formula expands around each strand, sealing in glossy shine. Even the most difficult to reach areas, like the back of your head, are easily covered. Healthy Look Sublime Mousse comes with a deeply hydrating after-color conditioner to protect and condition hair for a soft and high-gloss finish.

Price: $9.99, Available in March 2011 in 12 shades at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers

L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Sulfate-Free Smoothing System – Could this collection of products replace professional straightening treatments? Well for the starting price of $6.99, I’m willing to find out!

DESCRIPTION: The desire for straight, smooth hair and the increasing popularity of professional straightening treatments has resulted in women clamoring for products that protect, smooth, maintain results…and really work. Offering an advanced yet gentle way to achieve smooth results without spending salon prices, L’Oréal Paris introduces EverSleek Sulfate-Free Smoothing System, a breakthrough hair care collection specifically designed to smooth frizzy, unruly or processed hair. Free of harsh sulfates, unnatural silicones and parabens, EverSleek technology contains Argan Oil, Olive Oil and Sunflower Oil to penetrate hair fibers and smooth the cuticle for natural, long-lasting frizz control. With seven products including the first-to-mass silicone-free serum, EverSleek offers a complete hair care system for 48 hours of weightless frizz control.

The EverSleek collection includes the following products: Intense Smoothing Shampoo/Conditioner, Reparative Smoothing Shampoo/Conditioner, Smoothing Deep Conditioner, Humidity Defying Leave-In Crème and Frizz Taming Crème Serum

Price: $6.99 – $8.99 each, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers

L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Collection – For 2011 L’Oréal returns to the scene of the crime and revamps a cult classic….but remains pocket-book friendly at just $4.99.

DESCRIPTION: You asked… L’Oréal Paris listened. For more than 25 years the Studio line has offered men and women the tools needed to create their look and express their styles. In 2011, Studio has undergone a dramatic creative overhaul with new packaging, making it easier to find the styling product perfect for you. In addition to a new look, the Studio line now offers five new products, bringing the range to 12 studio-inspired, sophisticated yet user-friendly offerings. The new Volume and Curl offerings help you achieve weightless volume, frizz control and curl definition for long-lasting hold and body. New Mega Hairspray sprays on clean and holds style in place all day with long-lasting shine. The revamped Studio Line provides both men and women with a full line of gels, mousses, sprays, spritzes and texturizers that meet every styling need.

Price: $4.99 each, Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide.

L’Oréal Paris Double Extend Eye Illuminator Mascara – Ahhh, my personal standout product from L’Oréal for 2011. Double Extend has always been a favorite of mine, so the addition of light-reflecting properties has me doing cartwheels!

DESCRIPTION: L’Oréal Paris Double Extend Eye Illuminator Mascara offers a sophisticated new way to intensify your natural eye color with the power of pearls. In just two simple steps, this light-reflecting lengthening black mascara highlights flecks of color found in eyes, while the sphere-shaped tipping brush applies the pearl-infused top coat, resulting in a truly visible illumination effect. Three different customized shades are designed specifically to enhance blue, green/hazel and brown eyes. The fourth shade is a universal pigment that compliments all eye colors.

Price: $10.95 Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers

L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional The One Sweep Eye Shadow – If you’re a paint by number sort of gal and find yourself challenged in the eye shadow application department, THIS is for you!

DESCRIPTION: Leveraging the “professional-look-made-easy” expertise of the Studio Secrets Professional Collection, L’Oréal Paris introduces the first ever eye shadow trio that provides a multi-shade shadow look in one effortless step. The secret? An innovative eyelid-shaped palette and contoured brush applicator designed to pick up the perfect amount of shadow to define, color and highlight eyes for a complete, professional look. With a simple horizontal sweep of the brush from inner to outer eyelid, the three shades are evenly and expertly distributed from lash line to brow bone. The soft, creamy powder formula packed with Vitamin E boasts all-day wear without creasing or fading. Available in four natural and four playful palettes, each designed to maximize your eye color – blue, green/hazel and brown eyes – along with a universal shade for all eye colors.

Price: $9.95, Available in 8 shades at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide.

L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Smooth Soufflé – You didn’t hear it from me but I swear this is a dead-wringer for La Mer Treatment Creme Foundation. My neighbor, who’s a fan of the aforemention La Mer product, road tested L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Smooth Soufflé for ThisThatBeauty..and she agrees!

DESCRIPTION: Designed with L’Oréal Paris’ Studio Secrets Professional expertise, this innovative air-whipped, oil-free foundation makes it easy to achieve a professionally flawless finish every day. Microscopic air bubbles create a light airy base, so skin feels comfortable, not weighted down by layers of coverage. Using L’Oréal Paris’ revolutionary Mati-Crystal Technology, the unique soufflé formula delivers a naturally matte effect that lasts all day without any dullness. The blendable formula smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, while blurring pores and imperfections – transforming skin to velvety-soft perfection.

Price: $15.95, Available in 12 shades at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide.

If you are like me and want to separate truly great beauty products from lackluster duds, then I know you will be blown away by Birchbox, a monthly delivery of highly curated, luxe beauty samples. I am slow to commit to beauty products and will very rarely buy something new without first pouring through product reviews or playing around with a sample. With Birchbox, I’m covered. Founders Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp “created Birchbox to help women cut through the clutter of the beauty world to find products that really work.”

Birchbox is a members only site. For less than the cost of a New York City manicure ($10), Birchbox members receive 4-5 samples of tested beauty products which include: “anything from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.”  Current Birchbox partnerships include well-known brands like NARS, Phyto, Stila, Perricone MD and Laura Mercier.

Once you have found a sample that you absolutely love and cannot exist without, go to Birchbox shop and order your products directly.  Birchbox offers incentives for purchases in their shop by giving Birchbox Points. This points  can be redeemed for discounts on full size products.  Score!

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This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor: Christene Carr @cnicholac

Actress Liv Tyler was spotted at Sundance wearing long, loose, hippie inspired waves. For curly haired girls looking for a softer change of pace, Stylist Creighton Bowman for Leonor Greyl shares how he created Liv’s look for the Sundance premier of her new thriller “The Ledge”.

“On towel dried hair, I applied Condition Naturelle by Leonor Greyl from root to end, combined with Lait Luminescence Bi-Phase detangling milk.

Using a blow-dryer on a low setting, I wrapped her hair around my fingers, creating soft natural waves. Once fully dried, I used a couple of drops of Serum De Soie Sublimateur to finish her style with lots of shine and total frizz control. Her style lasted all day long and into the night.”

“On towel dried hair, I applied Condition Naturelle by Leonor Greyl from root to end, combined with Lait Luminescence Bi-Phase detangling milk.

Using a blow-dryer on a low setting, I wrapped her hair around my fingers, creating soft natural waves. Once fully dried, I used a couple of drops of Serum De Soie Sublimateur to finish her style with lots of shine and total frizz control. Her style lasted all day long and into the night.”

Voila!

This Friday, January 21, I am doing a special Beauty level appearance at Bergdorf Goodman…and I would LOVE to see you all there!

From 6:00 to 8:00 pm I’ll be on hand to answer your beauty questions and help you achieve your 2011 Beauty Resolutions with the help of the latest technologies in skin, body, and hair care! Will I see you there? I certainly hope so! If you have never experienced the Beauty Atrium at Bergdorf’s….boy (girl) are you in for a treat! I’m thinking about bringing a sleeping bag. For reals!

MAC makeup artist Kristin Gallegos designed the look for Naeem Khan’s Spring/Summer 2011 show. The makeup was inspired by 1990‘s Versace in Miami. The foundation was done using MAC Face and Body Foundation. It was applied a shade darker than each model’s skintone and Mineralized Skin Finished was added to give a sun kissed glow. The face was highlighted with Pearl Sunshine Powder.

Gold Metal Remnant, a metallic gold shadow, was blotted on the lid and outside of the eye. A lighter shade, Dalliance, was used to highlight the brow bone and the inner corner of the eye. Dalliance is due to hit shelves in Spring 2011. Center Stage, a dark brown metallic shadow, was used under the eye to add a bit of depth and darkness while Gilded White Power Pencil was used to line the inner rim of the eye. Lashes were well defined using Haute and Naughty mascara on both the top and bottom lashes.

The apple of the cheeks were done in So sweet – So Easy Creme Blush to brighten up the face, compliment the bronze of the face and skin, as well as the intricately designed, jeweled and embroidered pieces in the line. A combination of lip products were incorporated to finish the look.

The bronzed skin, gold shadow with bold lashes and big hair, designed by Laurent Phillipon, was perfect to complete Naeem Khan’s love affair with Miami.

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This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more: @CNicholaC,  www.christenecarr.com, and www.hairandskinjunc.com