Herbal Essences Smoothing Mousse
March 1, 2014
Purchased From: Harmon Drugstore
Price I Paid: $4
My Rating: 4/5
Price I Paid: $4
My Rating: 4/5
I actually purchased this product awhile ago but only used it occasionally so I never paid too much attention to how it made my hair look. I initially got it to tame my wild hair during the summer after being exposed to too much sun and chlorine. However, I recently used this mousse once after I showered in the morning so my hair would look somewhat decent for the rest of the day (tangent: my hair only looks good if I shower at night and sleep on it. I know, it's unusual, but my hair looks like a lion's mane in I shower in the morning and then go about my day). So when I used this and my hair was perfectly smooth and straight that night when I was heading to work, I was in shock. Since then, I've been using this after showering during the day, and it is the closest I've come to finding a solution for the predicament of wanting straight hair but not wanting to use heat.
Because this product is a mousse, it's extremely light and does not weigh my hair down at all. It definitely makes my hair look so much smoother, and it keeps it straighter (instead of it's usual frizzy/wavy look) without making it look flat or dull. Overall, my hair looks a lot healthier when I use this product. The only reason why this product didn't received a perfect score is because it doesn't eliminate frizz entirely, and I usually do use this with other products, like my Herbal Essences split end protector and my Aussie hairspray (see below). But overall, I just want to give a big THANK YOU to Herbal Essences for always knowing how to do it right. My hair is spoiled by your amazing products for amazing prices.
xo, Jessica
Because this product is a mousse, it's extremely light and does not weigh my hair down at all. It definitely makes my hair look so much smoother, and it keeps it straighter (instead of it's usual frizzy/wavy look) without making it look flat or dull. Overall, my hair looks a lot healthier when I use this product. The only reason why this product didn't received a perfect score is because it doesn't eliminate frizz entirely, and I usually do use this with other products, like my Herbal Essences split end protector and my Aussie hairspray (see below). But overall, I just want to give a big THANK YOU to Herbal Essences for always knowing how to do it right. My hair is spoiled by your amazing products for amazing prices.
xo, Jessica
Aussie 12 Hour Anti-Humidity Hairspray
January 9, 2014
Purchased From: Harmon Drugstore
Price I Paid: $4
My Rating: 4.5/5
Price I Paid: $4
My Rating: 4.5/5
The iconic purple bottle: Aussie. I've tried a few of their products, like shampoo and mousse, but I never really experienced anything life-changing with any of those products. However, I've never had anything against the brand, so I was willing to try out this hairspray after reading about how well this keeps hair sleek, even during extreme heat (hey, it's gotta be called 12 Hour Anti-Humidity Hairspray for a reason). I've never really tried using hairspray when my hair is down (as opposed to updos) because every brand I've tried has left my strands stiff and crunchy. When reading about how well this worked, though, I searched in my local Harmon and was thrilled when I found it. One of the things I adore about Aussie is that all of the products are such a good price, so it was easy to just pick this up on a whim when I felt like it.
The first time I used this product, I was wearing my hair half-up, so I had the opportunity to see how it would hold both an updo and loose strands. The first thing I noticed when I used this hairspray was the fruity (kind of grape-scented) smell, which was pleasant but also light enough that it wasn't overwhelming. It also sprayed on in an even, fine mist and the nozzle hasn't clogged at all so far. Also, you truly do get a lot of product for your money, and none of it gets wasted in some crazy strong, jet-stream spray that I hate in certain spray bottles.
As for performance, this hairspray definitely holds throughout the day. It keeps flyaways glued down in updos without making my hair look too stiff or stringy. Also, it did an amazing job of keeping my loose hair frizz-free and sleek. While it definitely makes my hair look much smoother, it does feel slightly hard to the touch, but it's not a big issue because it doesn't look stiff, and it really doesn't feel too bad.
This is definitely a hairspray I'll stick with when I run out of this bottle. It's reliable enough to use for big events, but still light enough to wear on a daily basis.
xo, Jessica
The first time I used this product, I was wearing my hair half-up, so I had the opportunity to see how it would hold both an updo and loose strands. The first thing I noticed when I used this hairspray was the fruity (kind of grape-scented) smell, which was pleasant but also light enough that it wasn't overwhelming. It also sprayed on in an even, fine mist and the nozzle hasn't clogged at all so far. Also, you truly do get a lot of product for your money, and none of it gets wasted in some crazy strong, jet-stream spray that I hate in certain spray bottles.
As for performance, this hairspray definitely holds throughout the day. It keeps flyaways glued down in updos without making my hair look too stiff or stringy. Also, it did an amazing job of keeping my loose hair frizz-free and sleek. While it definitely makes my hair look much smoother, it does feel slightly hard to the touch, but it's not a big issue because it doesn't look stiff, and it really doesn't feel too bad.
This is definitely a hairspray I'll stick with when I run out of this bottle. It's reliable enough to use for big events, but still light enough to wear on a daily basis.
xo, Jessica
BEAUTY BRAWL:
Avon vs. Garnier Fructis Smoothing Serum
December 23, 2013
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Avon Advance Techniques Moisture Sleek Smoothing Serum
Purchased From: Avon Price I Paid: $8 My Rating: 4/5 
I've had this product for a long time. As in, I just found out this was discontinued maybe 2 or so years ago. THAT kind of long time ago. I had used it on and off for years, and then I just started using it consistently last year into this year. I kept having to come back to it because it never ceased to impress me.
This product feels sticky to the touch and it's quite difficult to wash off your hands, which is just a small issue. It smells pleasant, and the scent is not strong at all - I don't find that it really lingers either. I love the packaging, too - it has an easy-to-use pump nozzle that doesn't clog and lets out the perfect amount of product every time. It doesn't weigh my hair down at all, which is what I love about it. It adds smoothness and shine to my hair, and it helps to get rid of flyaways and to keep frizziness away. I use it both after I straighten my hair to keep it straight and shiny, and also when I wear my hair wavy to keep it looking smooth and voluminous. My only issue with this product is that it does not do a good job of preventing frizz during rain or extreme humidity. I know I'm just getting picky here, especially because it takes a small miracle to keep my hair smooth during those conditions, but even in a calm drizzle rain, this loses its effect. Other than that, though, I absolutely love this product and am dreading finding a new one when I run out of this discontinued serum. |
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment
Purchased From: Harmon drugstore Price I Paid: $5 My Rating: 2.5/5 
I bought this serum the same day that I first bought the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition shampoo and conditioner, and after using those two products and being so happy with them, this oil treatment really had a lot to live up to. I read so many reviews written by other people absolutely RAVING about this product, so I was super excited to try it. But honestly, I am so upset that it hasn't done anything for me.
First of all, I need to address the smell. In one review that I read, someone described the scent as citrus-y, which immediately made me question whether my product was a fluke or not. I think it smells sooo strongly of cocoa butter or something of the sort. It's pleasant at first, but gets a little overwhelming at times. Also, this product is very liquid-y - whenever I turn the bottle over to squeeze some product out, way more spills out than I want. When I use this on dry hair, it simply makes my hair look greasy, not shiny or sleek. It does little to eliminate frizz. I've tried using it on damp hair after I shower lately to see if that has more of an effect, but so far it still hasn't done much. The only aspect of this product that I like more than the Avon serum is that it is much easier to wash off my hands after I apply it to my hair. I will certainly continue to try using it on both damp and dry hair because I really want it to work, but as of now, I don't have plans of repurchasing it. |
And this Beauty Brawl round goes to...AVON!
Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo & Conditioner
November 1, 2013
Purchased From: Shop Rite
Price I Paid: about $3 each (plus a $1 off coupon!!)
My Rating: 4.5/5
Price I Paid: about $3 each (plus a $1 off coupon!!)
My Rating: 4.5/5
How were all of your Halloweens?! I hope you all had a fabulous time and took advantage of the holiday to dress super crazy/cute/creatively. I wore this elegant purple masquerade mask and a purple cheetah print-dress, and my phone dressed up as a bunny! I got a pink case with big bunny ears at the top and a fuzzy tail, and my phone may have looked cuter than I did...it certainly got a lot of compliments!
But anyway! I was doing some major research on my hair type because, to be honest, the shampoo I've been using for the past however-many-years has NOT been cutting it. I've used so many styling products and still I have not seen any results for my puffy hair, so when my roommate mentioned how great her shampoo was, I realized that maybe that was the source of my problems. I had been using an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner, but I was Googling my hair type and the best treatments for it, and discovered that apparently my hair is DRY and needs some HYDRATING PRODUCTS - basically the one thing I haven't tried, of course.
I looked online at so many super-expensive shampoos - basically products I can't afford on an every-other-month basis - and figured there had to be some cheaper alternative. That's when I came across the stellar reviews (and a coupon...) for Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition and absolutely had to try it. The day after I first tried it (I'm a night showerer), I HATED it. My hair felt disgusting, it was so oily, and while I could usually skip a day of hair-washing and have my hair still look good, I couldn't even go one day without having to wash it again. So naturally, after washing my hair again that night because I totally had to, I was hesitant to see the results. However, the next day, my hair looked sooo much better than it previously had looked - AND, without the greasy problem! The product is super heavy so it adds moisture and weighs down my strands, which used to be way too dry. The result is much more manageable hair that looks smoother, softer, and has about a million less flyaways than normal. Unless this combo literally makes my hair start to fall out in clumps, or dyes it green or something, I am sticking with this product for the foreseeable future. And considering how much healthier my hair feels, I kinda doubt anything like that could happen (knock on wood...).
The only reason why this product did not receive the full 5 out of 5 is the oily hair issue from the first wash - of course, it could've just been my hair adjusting to the new brand, or maybe I tied my hair back too soon after washing it, I have no idea. It's just become necessary to wash my hair basically every night now, though, because of how heavy the product makes my hair (therefore, causing it to look and feel oily faster). But seriously, other than that, this shampoo and conditioner is a GIFT. And the best part is not having to spend a mini fortune to get smoother, more beautiful hair. I am so so psyched.
ONE LAST THING: Before I had bought this, I originally ordered a sample of the shampoo, conditioner, and 3-minute deep conditioner off of Free Flys and I just received it in the mail the other day. I've obviously used the shampoo and conditioner by now but I'm SO JAZZED to try the deep conditioner - reviews to come on that!
xo, Jessica
ONE MORE LAST THING!: For those of you who have the same dry, frizzy hair, another tip I found online was to stop brushing your hair. I know you're probably reading that and being like...what...? (unless that was a totally well-known fact that I was oblivious to...). But I haven't used my brush for a couple weeks now and my hair is so much less frizzy. Actually, I really don't comb or brush my hair when it's dry at all anymore - I just comb through it with my fingers to get the tangles out, and I comb my hair when it's wet after showering. It works, guys. It's wonderful.
But anyway! I was doing some major research on my hair type because, to be honest, the shampoo I've been using for the past however-many-years has NOT been cutting it. I've used so many styling products and still I have not seen any results for my puffy hair, so when my roommate mentioned how great her shampoo was, I realized that maybe that was the source of my problems. I had been using an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner, but I was Googling my hair type and the best treatments for it, and discovered that apparently my hair is DRY and needs some HYDRATING PRODUCTS - basically the one thing I haven't tried, of course.
I looked online at so many super-expensive shampoos - basically products I can't afford on an every-other-month basis - and figured there had to be some cheaper alternative. That's when I came across the stellar reviews (and a coupon...) for Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition and absolutely had to try it. The day after I first tried it (I'm a night showerer), I HATED it. My hair felt disgusting, it was so oily, and while I could usually skip a day of hair-washing and have my hair still look good, I couldn't even go one day without having to wash it again. So naturally, after washing my hair again that night because I totally had to, I was hesitant to see the results. However, the next day, my hair looked sooo much better than it previously had looked - AND, without the greasy problem! The product is super heavy so it adds moisture and weighs down my strands, which used to be way too dry. The result is much more manageable hair that looks smoother, softer, and has about a million less flyaways than normal. Unless this combo literally makes my hair start to fall out in clumps, or dyes it green or something, I am sticking with this product for the foreseeable future. And considering how much healthier my hair feels, I kinda doubt anything like that could happen (knock on wood...).
The only reason why this product did not receive the full 5 out of 5 is the oily hair issue from the first wash - of course, it could've just been my hair adjusting to the new brand, or maybe I tied my hair back too soon after washing it, I have no idea. It's just become necessary to wash my hair basically every night now, though, because of how heavy the product makes my hair (therefore, causing it to look and feel oily faster). But seriously, other than that, this shampoo and conditioner is a GIFT. And the best part is not having to spend a mini fortune to get smoother, more beautiful hair. I am so so psyched.
ONE LAST THING: Before I had bought this, I originally ordered a sample of the shampoo, conditioner, and 3-minute deep conditioner off of Free Flys and I just received it in the mail the other day. I've obviously used the shampoo and conditioner by now but I'm SO JAZZED to try the deep conditioner - reviews to come on that!
xo, Jessica
ONE MORE LAST THING!: For those of you who have the same dry, frizzy hair, another tip I found online was to stop brushing your hair. I know you're probably reading that and being like...what...? (unless that was a totally well-known fact that I was oblivious to...). But I haven't used my brush for a couple weeks now and my hair is so much less frizzy. Actually, I really don't comb or brush my hair when it's dry at all anymore - I just comb through it with my fingers to get the tangles out, and I comb my hair when it's wet after showering. It works, guys. It's wonderful.
TRESemme Platinum Strength Shampoo & Conditioner
September 16, 2013
Purchased From: sample from Chegg
Price I Paid: $0!
My Rating: 4/5
Price I Paid: $0!
My Rating: 4/5
Yes, you read the above text correctly: I received these adorable little shampoo and conditioner samples from Chegg, the textbook rental website. This semester, I basically ordered all of my textbooks from the website, and they softened the blow of receiving a huge box of books by including a bunch of samples and coupons! I also got a full-sized mascara sample (which I am so excited to write about in the near future), so needless to say, I will certainly be ordering from Chegg again in the upcoming semesters. The little presents you get, along with the AMAZING textbook prices they have, makes it a win-win situation all around.
But I digress; I'm not going to bore you with talk about school books anymore, so on to the hair products. When I saw these in the box, I was thrilled - I recently picked up the heat protecting spray from TRESemme's Platinum Strength line and I've really liked it, so it was awesome to see the familiar label because it gave me a little something to look forward to. I just used it in my shower last night for the first time (and maybe tonight will be the last time, because the bottles were so teensy), but I just wanted to sit down today and write my initial reaction to the product. For starters, I thought the bottles were so easy to use and simple, which doesn't sound like a big deal, but TRUST ME - nothing annoys me more than standing in the shower, helplessly unable to open your shampoo bottle (this did happen about a month ago, and I ultimately had to just give up with the bottle). Obviously, the real products that you would buy at a store will be packaged quite differently, and I am familiar with how unusually large the TRESemme bottles of shampoo are, but they are nonetheless easy to open still. I also liked the feel of using the products - they washed out easily, and didn't leave any residue in my hair. Additionally, I am so in love with the scent of the Platinum Strength line! I had experienced it with the heat protecting spray, but I didn't expect the shampoo and conditioner to smell the same way, so I was pleasantly surprised! The scent is actually not fresh or clean, but definitely more sweet - I always compare it to the smell of Sweet Tarts. I know that probably sounds like a strange thing to be putting in your hair, but it is such a pick-me-up and it makes me so happy!
As for the feeling of my hair today, I think the most noticeable aspect is how soft my hair looks and feels. It's not too frizzy today (which is quite an accomplishment for me), and that's quite surprising because the weather today is sadly rainy and gross. I'm so impressed with how smooth my hair feels, though. The bottles claim to be able to reverse up to two years of damage, but that's difficult for me to assess because I just recently chopped off around 5 or 6 inches of my hair.
My only (minor) complaints are that I was hoping my hair would be slightly less frizzy (although it really isn't bad at all), and I wish my hair would've kept the scent of the product! My hair smells clean, but I truly can't detect any trace of the actual smell of the shampoo and conditioner. All in all, though, I would certainly consider purchasing this product, after using this fantastic sample from the wonderful Chegg.
xo, Jessica
But I digress; I'm not going to bore you with talk about school books anymore, so on to the hair products. When I saw these in the box, I was thrilled - I recently picked up the heat protecting spray from TRESemme's Platinum Strength line and I've really liked it, so it was awesome to see the familiar label because it gave me a little something to look forward to. I just used it in my shower last night for the first time (and maybe tonight will be the last time, because the bottles were so teensy), but I just wanted to sit down today and write my initial reaction to the product. For starters, I thought the bottles were so easy to use and simple, which doesn't sound like a big deal, but TRUST ME - nothing annoys me more than standing in the shower, helplessly unable to open your shampoo bottle (this did happen about a month ago, and I ultimately had to just give up with the bottle). Obviously, the real products that you would buy at a store will be packaged quite differently, and I am familiar with how unusually large the TRESemme bottles of shampoo are, but they are nonetheless easy to open still. I also liked the feel of using the products - they washed out easily, and didn't leave any residue in my hair. Additionally, I am so in love with the scent of the Platinum Strength line! I had experienced it with the heat protecting spray, but I didn't expect the shampoo and conditioner to smell the same way, so I was pleasantly surprised! The scent is actually not fresh or clean, but definitely more sweet - I always compare it to the smell of Sweet Tarts. I know that probably sounds like a strange thing to be putting in your hair, but it is such a pick-me-up and it makes me so happy!
As for the feeling of my hair today, I think the most noticeable aspect is how soft my hair looks and feels. It's not too frizzy today (which is quite an accomplishment for me), and that's quite surprising because the weather today is sadly rainy and gross. I'm so impressed with how smooth my hair feels, though. The bottles claim to be able to reverse up to two years of damage, but that's difficult for me to assess because I just recently chopped off around 5 or 6 inches of my hair.
My only (minor) complaints are that I was hoping my hair would be slightly less frizzy (although it really isn't bad at all), and I wish my hair would've kept the scent of the product! My hair smells clean, but I truly can't detect any trace of the actual smell of the shampoo and conditioner. All in all, though, I would certainly consider purchasing this product, after using this fantastic sample from the wonderful Chegg.
xo, Jessica
Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector
August 15, 2013
Purchased From: Harmon Face Value drugstore
Price I Paid: about $3
My Rating: 4/5
Price I Paid: about $3
My Rating: 4/5
I have to admit that one of my favorite hair product brands is Herbal Essences (okay...it's probably my #1 favorite). I am a budget shopper, so I honestly don't even venture towards the expensive beauty products. The way I see it, there has to be cheaper-priced dupes of high-end products that do exactly the same thing for a fraction of the price. That's why I gravitate towards Herbal Essences. Most of their products are only in the $3 range at the drugstore where I shop, and yet they still work well for my hair. I have tried a bunch of their products (some of which I have repurchased); some I have actively searched for after hearing about, and others have simply caught my eye from the shelves. It's a reliable enough brand, so when I needed a new hairspray, I went straight to the Herbal Essences section of the store. This particular product - the split end protector - was a product I had seen on another makeup review website, and I just had to try it.
This product actually did just about everything I was hoping for. I believe it's supposed to diminish the appearance of split ends and make hair look smoother (I don't know if it's supposed to actually protect from split ends?). But just a little background on my hair quickly: it's long - about to the middle of my back, and it has many split ends. I'm convinced my hair type is frizzy. Finding a hair product to tame it would take nothing short of a miracle, so naturally I was willing to give this product a try.
The product is a cream, and I had heard that a little bit goes a long way so I only use one pump of it at a time. I apply it to the ends of my damp hair after a shower and then let my hair air dry, because I'm not a fan of hair dryers. I actually did notice a huge difference in the ends of my hair once I started using this product after each shower. I did not find that it left my hair sticky at all - my hair still felt natural afterwards. It did seem to seal my split ends though, as I could barely find them when I looked at my hair up-close (and they're usually super visible). It also somewhat decreased the frizziness of my hair.
I love the look and feel of this product and the packaging. The product itself feels sticky when using it but, like I said, it feels natural once you apply it to your hair. The packaging is easy to handle (a tall, thin bottle) and the pump makes it super easy to dispense the product, as it gives you the perfect amount. Even the smell of the product is fantastic - it smells really fresh and fruity (I have read that people think it smells like raspberries, but I personally can't get much more specific than just 'fruity'). My only cons of this product is that it didn't smooth the overall frizziness of my hair as much as I had hoped, and the pump gets clogged extremely easily - I'm talking like a few uses into it, it had to be cleared. But I'd definitely recommend this product to anyone, with any hair type. It really couldn't hurt to try!
xo, Jessica
This product actually did just about everything I was hoping for. I believe it's supposed to diminish the appearance of split ends and make hair look smoother (I don't know if it's supposed to actually protect from split ends?). But just a little background on my hair quickly: it's long - about to the middle of my back, and it has many split ends. I'm convinced my hair type is frizzy. Finding a hair product to tame it would take nothing short of a miracle, so naturally I was willing to give this product a try.
The product is a cream, and I had heard that a little bit goes a long way so I only use one pump of it at a time. I apply it to the ends of my damp hair after a shower and then let my hair air dry, because I'm not a fan of hair dryers. I actually did notice a huge difference in the ends of my hair once I started using this product after each shower. I did not find that it left my hair sticky at all - my hair still felt natural afterwards. It did seem to seal my split ends though, as I could barely find them when I looked at my hair up-close (and they're usually super visible). It also somewhat decreased the frizziness of my hair.
I love the look and feel of this product and the packaging. The product itself feels sticky when using it but, like I said, it feels natural once you apply it to your hair. The packaging is easy to handle (a tall, thin bottle) and the pump makes it super easy to dispense the product, as it gives you the perfect amount. Even the smell of the product is fantastic - it smells really fresh and fruity (I have read that people think it smells like raspberries, but I personally can't get much more specific than just 'fruity'). My only cons of this product is that it didn't smooth the overall frizziness of my hair as much as I had hoped, and the pump gets clogged extremely easily - I'm talking like a few uses into it, it had to be cleared. But I'd definitely recommend this product to anyone, with any hair type. It really couldn't hurt to try!
xo, Jessica
Appearance and amount of one pump of product
