AVEDA Control Force

Right off the bat, I have to say that I LOVE this hairspray! There are only a few tiny things that I am not crazy about. If I had to describe Control Force in a nutshell, I would say that it is AVEDA's answer to Aqua Net. I mean, this hairspray has an incredible hold! For many, I think that Control Force may have a bit too much hold, but it does come in handy and it has a few added benefits.

I'd like to note that it is very easy to spray too much Control Force on; you truly don't need a lot. It is really best to start with a small amount, then if extra hold is needed, apply another layer. There is nothing worst that spraying down your hairstyle and having that crunchy texture! I don't personally use Control Force for my everyday hairspray. I tend to choose a light-hold working spray for my loose daytime styles, and I use Control Force for my nights out or more structured looks that require the extra umph. This product is marketed as 'no-flake', but I have noticed that if you intend to rock a second day hairstyle, Control Force does flake a little. Just a little. It may be best to avoid it for first day styling or you could use a light mist of a prepping product for a flake-free refresh.

AVEDA claims that this no-flake hairspray protects against humidity and contains antioxidants & UV filters. It is really difficult to measure how well Control Force does with blocking out harmful UV rays, but with the added antioxidants, this hairspray certainly has more added benefits than most other hairsprays on the market. I feel like it is also important to add that this hairspray is a more environmentally-responsible choice because it has a net-zero climate impact due to AVEDA's efforts for renewable energy and resources.

Now here's my major gripe with Control Force... the smell. I have been using this stuff for a long time now and I know that there is supposed to be some sort of 'calming' fragrance, but I really just pick up the scent of oldschool hairspray. I don't get it. I really think that the aroma should be re-worked to smell more along the lines of AVEDA's Air Control. If AVEDA fixed the whole fragrance issue, I really feel like Control Force would really be a force to be reckoned with. This will remain as my go-to firm hold hairspray and I still believe it is worth every single penny.

+Pros
+Very strong hold
+Contains antioxidants and UV filters for protection
+Environmentally conscious aerosol
+Doesn't flake much
+Humidity defense

-Cons
-Fragrance smells like oldschool hairspray
-At times, the nozzle will clog and will require cleaning
-May flake lightly
-Can get too stiff if excessive product is used

This product was rated on:
Strength of hold:  5
Workability/Flexibility:  4
Durability of style:  5
Fragrance:  2
Added benefits:  4

Averaged rating:  4.0

Available in 50ml & 258g/9.1oz. Order on-line from AVEDA or find your local retailer/salon HERE.

Product Review: Biomega's Volume Shampoo

Oh, the joys of washing your hair. It should be a pleasurable experience, right? When I use Biomega's Volume shampoo, I don't entirely feel that way. Despite the fact that this product was voted 2011's best volumizing shampoo by SELF Magazine, in my honest opinion, I think that this shampoo has some major flaws. Three that I can name off of the top of my head...

For one, this shampoo doesn't lather well and doesn't feel like it thoroughly cleanses your hair. I may be going out on a limb here, but isn't the primary purpose of any shampoo to cleanse? If you have a cocktail of products in your hair or have built-up natural oils, you will most likely need to wash your hair 2 or 3 times with this shampoo. My peers and I have noticed that it can be a struggle to work the shampoo into a rich lather and that really effects the spreadability of the product. Most of the times, it requires a pre-wash, and then you'll be lucky if you get it to lather the second time around, and still, don't expect a very dense foam.

Biomega recommends that you use Moisture Mist conditioner along with Volume shampoo, which brings me to my next point. I don't like the idea that Biomega doesn't offer a traditional-type conditioner. I am not 100% gaga over spray-on or leave-in conditioners and using Biomega's recommendations, you would have no other option than to use it. We don't feel like Moisture Mist conditioner makes a noticeable difference that you wouldn't already get from a product for blowdrying. It leaves the hair with a dull and lackluster appearance. Hair still feels pretty dry and sometimes after shampooing twice, we have noticed the tendency to get an itchy scalp.

Biomega claims that this shampoo 'revitalizes fine, limp or thinning hair' and all of this is done through an infusion of omega-nutrients, gugo bark extract and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. There truly are a lot of benefits to these ingredients:

• Omega 3's have been used as a natural alternative to DHT inhibitors (blocks a 'balding hormone') and awakens the hair follicles. 
• Gugo bark extract is often used in hair products to stimulate hair growth, reduce hair loss and minimize breakage. 
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein has been used to re-hydrate hair, reduce split ends, and coat hair strands for a more even porosity.

Biomega says that Volume shampoo is formulated to thicken hair from within, create fullness for longer lasting styles and provides the perfect blend of conditioning & body. With that said, we know that this product does have a lot of benefits, but we don't feel that this product is as well-rounded as Biomega claims. So, there it is. All the negatives. Now on to the attributes that we did like.

We really enjoyed the smell of this shampoo. It can best be described as clean and fresh with a ever-so-slight floral fragrance. Biomega's Volume shampoo washes out really easily. The shampoo also contains UV protectants that help keep colors vivid and really make them pop. Probably the best part about this shampoo is that it does not contain parabens, gluten or sulfates. That should be a big positive for those of you who examine the ingredient list of shampoos.

Sad to say, although we really wanted to fall in love with this product, it just did not score well amongst any of us. It provided a poor job compared to most other shampoos, but in all fairness, the positive qualities of this shampoo do make it a very attractive choice, and because of the ingredients (or lack thereof), we wouldn't completely disregard Biomega's Volume shampoo as a potential recommendation.

+Pros
+Ultra-gentle formulation with no sulfates, no parabens, no gluten and no sodium-chloride
+Smells really good
+Ingredients (omega-nutrients, gugo bark extract, HVP; all great for the hair!)
+Contains UV protectants
+Voted best volumizing shampoo in SELF Magazine's 2011 Self Healthy Beauty Awards

-Cons
-Doesn't lather well
-Biomega does not offer traditional-type conditioner for Volume shampoo
-Doesn't feel like it cleanses as well as other shampoos
-Can leave hair with dull and lackluster appearance
-Tendency to make scalp itchy if you shampoo twice
-Can leave hair feeling dry
-Even with good ingredients and gentle formulation, the shampoo doesn't feel well-rounded

This product was rated on:
Fragrance:  4
Moisturizing:  3
Richness of lather:  2
Cleansing ability:  3
Product benefits:  5
Averaged rating:  3.4


Available in various sizes. Find your local retailer HERE

Styling Fine Hair - Building Body & Volume

Here's a quick tutorial on building body and volume with fine hair. The steps are listed below. These steps will help you create a very voluminous style, but can be used as the foundation for your flat-ironing routine for a straight style with body. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Step 1: Apply a blowdrying product to create texture. I use a light gel or mousse (or a combination of the two). Light weight sprays don't give hair the texture that is needed.

Step 2: Apply a root-lifting product. These are sold as spray, powders and foams. Make sure that the product gives your roots enough lift.

Step 3: Give your hair a rough blowdry in the opposite direction of your hair growth. At this stage, you're really getting rid of excess moisture and building the foundation of your style.

Step 4: Roundbrush your hair in sections, working up to the crown. Once you get to the crown of your head, overdirect the sections toward your face. Overdirect the sides upward to build more body. Finish roundbrushing the rest of your hair as usual.

(I would like to apologize for the shoddy first attempt at a video, but we are still trying to adjust the video settings. Thank you for viewing!)

Product Review: Paul Mitchell's Mitch Reformer Strong Hold Matte Finish Texturizer

As you may know, the Mitch brand is Paul Mitchell's attempt to really break into the men's hair care category. Reformer is marketed as a strong-hold, gritty, matte-type texturizer that helps make fine hair appear thicker. Although it does do a great job with initial styling, I feel that the overall promoted effects of this product fall a bit short of spectacular after a good 4-6 hours. I would say that if you are looking for 1 single styling product with great control, this may not be the one.

In my experience with Reformer, I have noticed that the style just doesn't stay as long as I would like it to. If you really want a style that will hold, it will most likely require a good layer of hairspray (which I do recommend anyway). One concern that I have is that although this product is definitely not a high-shine finish, it really does not look or feel completely matte either. I find that a bit strange since this product is pretty heavily marketed as Mitch's matte-type styling product. Reformer has a slickness to it; not the grittiness that is mentioned on the official website. I really feel that this somehow contributes to the fact that the product doesn't hold all that well. Matte products do tend to work wonders for people with fine hair, but like I said, Reformer is not entirely matte. If you want that REALLY matte finish, I would steer away, but if you're trying to stay within the Mitch brand of products, this will be your best bet.

All of my test subjects and peers do agree that the consistency of Reformer is spot-on! It resembles a thick cream and makes it really easy to apply. I don't think anyone appreciates a styling product that causes so much friction that it creates a yanking effect on your hair while you're applying it. Reformer doesn't have this problem whatsoever. For most men, you'll only need a dime to nickel sized amount of product for styling. That is a nice incentive for those who don't care to use much, if any, hair products at all.

Mitch products seem to have a pretty universal fragrance. This one smells quite good actually. I wouldn't entirely consider it a neutral scent, but it definitely smells clean. The last point that I would like to take note of is that Reformer washes out pretty well. I find it rather unlikely that you would have to wash your hair more than once to break down any product build-up. Certainly no complaints about that! This review may come across a bit negative, but I believe that Mitch's Reformer is an overall solid choice for those that are looking for a pliable product with a semi-strong hold and a slight matte effect.

+Pros
+Clean and fresh fragrance
+Semi-strong hold
+Outstanding creamy consistency
+Easy to apply evenly and allows for great control
+Requires little product for most styles
+Semi-matte effect
+Washes out easily and doesn't appear to cause product build-up

-Cons
-Doesn't feel or appear fully matte
-Doesn't always have a lasting hold
-Will most likely require hairspray for a lasting hold
-Can end up feeling slightly oily throughout the day

This product was rated on:

Fragrance:  4
Product consistency:  5
Finish:  3
Strength of hold:  3
Durability of style:  3

Averaged rating:  3.6

Available in 85g/3oz. Find your local retailer HERE

Product Review: Goldwell Sleek Perfection Thermal Spray

Where do I start with this product? I'm just going to jump right into this review and get down to the nitty-gritty. If you are the type of person who straightens your hair on a regular basis, this product is for you. There are a few things to take into consideration, but I'll mention those a little further down.

If you're familiar with heat-protective products, you probably already know that you shouldn't spray too much product because it will make your hair oily. As far as Goldwell's Sleek Perfection goes, I didn't really worry about overspraying because I have a light hand with products in this segment of hair care. It also helps that I am familiar with the greasy qualities that most thermal products have.

Having said that, I was definitely surprised by Sleek Perfection. Although the product is dispensed through a spritzer, the mist is extremely fine which is perfect for a thin and even layer. This is definitely one of the least oily thermal sprays that I have ever used and trust me, I've tried a lot of 'em. If this product were to feel excessively oily in your hair, it would certainly signify that you were using far too much product or spraying it too closely to your head.

Sleek Perfection is formulated to fend off humidity for up to 24 hours, protect hair up to 392°f and help preserve hair color. I think that it does a great job at all of these too! This product is water-free so it reduces damage from thermal tools and has a sweet, but pleasant fragrance. It also happens to be very lightweight, so it is a great choice for people with fine or thinning hair because it doesn't weigh the hair down!

Okay, so now for a couple of things that you should take into consideration before purchasing this product. The first is that this product is really lightweight, so if you have a very coarse texture of hair, I would probably try something a bit heavier. If you're interested in staying within the Goldwell line of products, they do make a creamier heat protectant by the name of Flat Marvel (I'll be reviewing that product soon). The only other thing that I want to point out is that the dispensing mechanism can be a little frustrating depending on the way that you style your hair. You should only run into this problem if you spray section-by-section because if you get any product on your hands, it is difficult to maintain a good grip on the bottle. It really hinders your ability to press down on the spritzing nozzle, but the solution is to spray it all over your head first. Aside from these 2 tiny details, I really feel that Sleek Perfection is the best thermal spray that I have worked with thus far. Here's some quick details about Goldwell Sleek Perfection.

+Pros
+Protects hair from heat (up to 392°f)
+Non-greasy, no hold formula is great for fine hair
+Superfine mist for even application
+Pleasant fragrance
+Water-free formula for less heat damage when using thermal styling tools
+Up to 24 hours of humidity protection
+Helps protect hair color

-Cons
-Not recommended for hair that requires more control (very coarse texture)
-Product can make bottle slippery and become difficult to dispense

This product was rated on:
Fragrance:  4
Easy to use:  5
Product consistency:  5
Heat barrier efficacy:  4
Durability of style:  4

Averaged rating:  4.4


Available in 3.3oz/100ml. Find your local retailer HERE

Styling thin hair

"How do I make my hair look fuller?"

This is the most common styling question that I'm asked. For people with fine or thinning hair, this can seem like an endless struggle. The reason that it is essential to create body and fullness when styling thin hair is because the flatter the style, the easier it is to see the scalp. Creating body and fullness is, without a doubt, one of the most important things to do in order create the appearance of thicker hair.

There are a few things that tend to happen when thin hair is styled. I have noticed that people find it difficult to make their hair full without looking frizzy, especially when using a blowdryer. Thin hair also has a tendency to fall flat rather quickly. If you've experienced these problems before, using the correct types of hair products should be able to provide an easy solution.

It is also important to note that thin hair that has grown too long will appear straggly and more thin. This is a particularly big problem with people who become attached to the length of their hair. If you have thin hair, here is a short guideline that you can follow to create the fullness that you've always wanted.

If you have thin hair, your objective should be:
Increase body and fullness
Create the appearance of more hair

This is how to achieve optimal results:
Use root lifters
Use mousses/gels ONLY as a foundation for a blowdry
Use a blowdryer to establish lift at the roots
Using spray waxes may prove helpful for creating the traction your hair needs
Get the correct type of haircut for your hair density and texture

These are some things to avoid:
Growing hair too long/ Hair should never be left too long
Using mousses and gels as a primary styling agent (crunchy hair)
Oily substances

If you're wondering how to use styling tools and products, I'll be posting a video of thin hair styling within the next couple of weeks. Until then, I hope that this has helped eliminate a bit of confusion related to thin hair. Feel free to comment or E-mail me with any questions or concerns!

Product Review: Paul Mitchell's Mitch Double Hitter Sulfate-Free 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

Just officially finished up my giant jug of Double Hitter Sulfate-Free 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner and I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. Although I think the name is far too long, that won't keep me away from re-purchasing this product. Paul Mitchell's Mitch line of products targets men, but many of the products are well balanced enough for women to use as well. Let's move on to the shampoo/conditioner itself.

When I first purchased Double Hitter, I was feeling a little daring and decided to purchase the giant 33.8oz bottle. On the drive home I began to feel a little weary of my decision because I have not been too thrilled with sulfate-free shampoos and most certainly have not been a fan of 2-in-1 products in the past. Normally these sulfate-free products do not foam well and leave your hair feeling a little bit grimy and let's just face it, 2-in-1... Really?

So I got home, jumped in the shower and was in COMPLETE SHOCK over how well this product worked! It creates an extremely rich lather and washes out well without making your hair feeling slimy or dry. I even handed out a few samples for some of my friends and family to try. This is a total winner and has since been added to my list of everyday hair products to use.

I also experimented with this shampoo/conditioner on a few of my girlfriends. The smell is slightly more masculine than your average hair product, but without the typical musky smell of most men's products. Because it is close to impossible to distinguish the smell as being a men's product, it makes it a perfect choice for a mixed household of men and women! Everyone that has tried Double Hitter has absolutely fallen in love with it! The best part? You need only a tiny bit of this stuff to thoroughly cleanse your hair, so the bottle will last FOREVER! So on to the break down:

+Pros

+Quick and easy

+Ultra rich lather

+Neutral smell

+A tiny bit goes a LONG way

+Sulfate-free

+Leaves hair feeling clean, but not dry

+Effective enough for use by both men and women

-Cons

-The Mitch branding can scare some women away (but try it out, and you're addicted!)

This product was rated on:
Fragrance:  4
Moisturizing:  4
Richness of lather:  5
Cleansing ability:  4
Product benefits:  4
Averaged rating:  4.2


Available in several sizes. Find your local retailer HERE