The Great Mask Off: PHYTO Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Brilliance Mask

I am in the quest for the perfect hair mask...and after trying three I have come close, but no cigar.  This Phyto mask was probably my least favourite.  While it comes in a pretty gold package, it smells and feels like Elmer's glue.  In the name of (hair) science I put it in my hair and didn't notice much.

I was hoping it would make my hair healthier and shinier, but I found it left my hair with a bit of a matted texture.  I will admit that the next day my hair seemed marginally better, but not good enough to merit using it again.  I will be returning this mask to Sephora.

"A staple at top salons, this aromatic formula is enriched with jojoba oil and guar gum to instantly moisturize, soften, and detangle without weighing hair down. A unique concentration of angelica root extract (75%) and sweet orange essential oil give hair manageability, shine, and a look of vitality and elasticity."

It looks like mashed banana cream and smells and has the consistency of school glue.  Gross.

After shampooing my hair as usual I worked this mask through my hair and left it alone for 5 minutes while I sat at the bottom of the shower and shaved my legs.  I followed the following instructions to a T:

Suggested Usage:

-On wet hair, distribute product with a wide-toothed comb, from roots to ends.

-Leave on for two to five minutes, depending on hair's thickness.

-Rinse thoroughly.

I usually am a huge fan of Phyto products so I will give their other mask a shot.  I wanted to love this product so badly, and had such high hopes but at the end of the day it just isn't right for me. I am really disappointed by this.  I think that next time I will try Moroccan Oil brand mask, and pure coconut oil.

If you are interested in purchasing this mask you can do so here:  PHYTO Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Brilliance Mask

Do you have any suggestions for quality hair masks for long hair girls?

The Great Mask Off: LUSH Jasmine & Henna Fluff Eaze

After a long day at work I come home, put on some warm fuzzy PJ pants and a t-shirt and applied this mask to my hair.  I took a seat on my bed ready to do some homework when S says "Let's go out for dinner, my treat.".  Literally I just put a huge amount of smelly hair mask in my hair, and he decided to ask me out for dinner.  Did I mention I had just used my oil cleanser to take off all my make-up? Men. Haha-- if only he had asked literally 20 minutes earlier.  I ended up waiting the required 20 to 30 minutes,  hopping in the shower, washing out the mask, drying off, doing my makeup again, putting clothing on again and going out.  

LUSH Jasmine and Henna Fluff Eaze

"If your hair is a little fluffy, frizzy, dry, or out-of-control, Jasmine and Henna Fluff Eaze is made for you. Our specialty hair treatment, it's packed with copious amounts of moisturizing and nutrient-filled oils including organic jojoba, almond, Brazil nut and extra virgin coconut oil. It works brilliantly on curly hair as well, as all of the oils help define the curls and add loads of shine. And if that doesn’t stop passerby’s from stopping in their tracks, the jasmine fragrance will stick with you for days after using it, so you'll have irresistibly soft, shiny and sexy smelling locks."

"Apply generously to dry hair, leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, and then shampoo out. Use about a quarter of a pot for short hair, or about half a pot for longer hair. Those with very long hair should use the whole pot. (Yes, it is a lot, but the effects are long lasting and well worth the investment.)"

After I washed it out and went about my usual shower routine I found my hair was softer than usual.  I found this mask brought out the natural red in my hair, so I wouldn't recommend this for true blondes  (Check out LUSH's Marilyn instead).  I found my hair shiner, that frizz was decreased and that my split ends were much much better looking.

Applying this mask to dry hair feels a little awkward.  I suggest using a wide tooth comb to gently move the product through your hair.  I also started about 1/4 down my hair and them adding more product worked my way up.  This helped me budget out the mask so I could use as little as possible to properly cover my hair.

This stuff is expensive, however I could easily see myself using it once or twice a month.  While the instructions recommend using a full pot for long hair I managed to stretch  what I got and to just use half a tub.

Over all I really enjoyed this product and found it lived up to its claims.  While I am still new to the world of pre-shampoo treatments, I was really happy with these results.  The only thing I will note is that a strong herbal scent was infused in my hair for a day or two.  Not a bad scent, and likely not noticeable to others, but noticeable to me.

Taking care of long hair is tough, so I recommend every long haired lady, or those looking to grow out their hair that they find an oil for the ends of their hair, and a mask that they love and can see themselves using. 

Click here to read my review of the Living proof Restore Mask

Are there any hair masks you recommend?

July 2014 Empties!

Even though I participated heavily in Kalyn Lord's Sample Killah this month, I still managed to knock off a fair number of full sized products owing mostly to the fact that they were 90% done so I buckled down and finished the last 10%.

This month really lacked for any duds.  Sure, some products I liked more than others, but nothing that was so awful that I would never try again.  For the most part this is because I carefully research and sample a product before purchase.  However as previously mentioned these products were 90% done already.  I think I was just holding on to the last 10% because I didn't want to give up the product.

This month I finished 13 full sized items.  Anyways, on to the mini-reviews!

All in the garbage now!  Except the hair mask container.  Keeping it for travel!

On My Face:

Swisspers Organic Cotton Rounds - Maybe Re-Puchase

Nothing special about these cotton rounds.  The next pack I buy will be which ever is on sale or comes with a points promo at Shoppers.  They got the job done, but I mean considering what they are tasked with, is it really that difficult?  These were perfectly fine, but nothing to write home about.

Sephora Honey Mask - Maybe Re-Purchase

I will have a more in depth review coming up shortly.  I loved this mask.  I think it did what it said it would, and was enjoyable to use.  However I also have a Face Shop Honey mask to try which cost $2 compared to Sephora's $8.  Before I commit to a honey mask I want to make sure I am getting the most bang for my buck!

The Face Shop Nose Strip (Aloe) - No Re-Purchase

At $1 this was a great deal.  I didn't notice results nearly as dramatic as my boyfriend who used the charcoal version.  Now, I'm not sure if its because he had more blackheads to remove(okay, he did) or because his nose strip was a better ingredient, but I am going to error on side of caution and stick to the charcoal masks.

The Face Shop Nose Strip (Charcoal) - Re-Purchase

Also $1, I found the results of this nose pore mask to be more dramatic than its aloe cousin.  For this reason I will just be buying the charcoal versions from now on, which is fine.  I bought one of each to see which was better.

Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub - Re-Purchased

Simply put, this is my Holy Grail face scrub.  It smells like delicious sweet almonds, and is rough enough that my skin feels like it is being cleaned yet gentle enough to use nearly every day.  I love this scrub and would recommend it to friends in a heartbeat.  When I had only two uses left I stopped a Sephora on my way home from work to make sure I didn't run out.

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil - Re-Purchased

Another product which is essential to my daly skincare routine.  Every night after I take off my makeup I take one pump of this product and smooth it all over my face. When I wake up in the morning the oil has observed into my face and my skin is soft, smooth, and radiant.  I love this product and can't see a reason to leave it.

In My Hair

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Perfect Blow Dry Smoothing Cream - Re-Purchased

I'm not one of those girls who has the time to blow dry my hair every day.  However, I love using this product in my hair after I shower.  I find it smoothes my hair and tames fizz better than most other products I have tried.  When I do blow dry my hair I find it does a good job at protecting my hair and keeping it shiny.  I re-purchased this on a Shoppers point promo last week.

Battiste Dry Shampoo in Wild - Hold

Battiste is my favourite dry shampoo brand.  I can usually get it for a decent price at Winners.  I loved how Wild smelled, however had trouble finding it in store last week when I went to buy it.  I ended up buying Blush instead which has a gentle floral smell.  Once Blush is gone I have an Aveeno and a Herbal Essences Mini dry shampoo to finish.  Then I will go looking for Wild again.  

Living Proof Primer Style Extender - No Re-Purchase

I like this product, but I don't love it.  For the price they charge I better love it.  I prefer the Marc Anthony product previously discussed if I am being totally honest.  I have a deluxe mini of this product to use up before I am rid of my stock of this product.  I prefer their spray primer from this line to the original.  While there is nothing wrong with this product, I find the results are not spectacular.  I also have quite a  bit of similar products to finish before I can justify buying another one.

Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment - Hold

I have reviewed this product as a part of The Great Mask Off.  I had a great experience with this deep conditioner, however I have two more to review before I pick my favourite or decide to keep looking.  Over all I was impressed by this product, and am willing to purchase it again.

The Awkward "Other" Category

Softsoap Citrus Splash Moisturizing Body Wash - Hold

I won't be buying any body wash for a while.  My collection has gotten a bit out of hand, to put it gently.  I picked this up in a 3 pack from Costco before moving way for the summer.  It lasted two people about two and a half months.  It has a generic fruity blue body wash scent and is neither too drying, or moisturizing.  Not my favourite, but not my least favourite.  And it is nearly impossible to beat on price.  Once I run low (in 10585858 years) on body wash I will ask my dad to pick up another 3 pack.  I still have the yellow and red body washes to go!

Smashbox Love Me Love Paint Pen Eyeliner in Jet Black - Can't Repurchase

This limited edition product was my introduction to the world of eyeliner pens.  Before this I had always gone for straight up gel liners.  This pen is a bit thick for my liking, now that I know better, but at the time of purchase I was thrilled.  I have since moved on to the thinner Stila pen. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't re-purchase this item because it is gone forever.

Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment - Re-Purchased

Some people complain that this treatment makes their nails peel.  I don't find that to be an issue.  I like to wear this occasionally between manicures to give my nails a rest and let them heal.  It has the benefit of not only being good for my nails, but it is also pretty.  To the average person it looks like I just have a simple soft translucent pink nail polish on, while it actually provides benefit to my nails. Win-win!  I snagged my replacement bottle on a great sale from Julep.

The Even More Awkward Category

LUSH Rockstar Soap - Re-Purchase
I love love love love this soap.  It smells like pink.  I have no better word to describe it.  It runs a bit expensive so I only pick it up as an occasional treat, but I highly recommend it.  Since the bar of soap is gone I photographed the little bag it came in.

I am pretty surprised that I managed to finish off this many full sized products this month given all the samples I have been mowing down.  I am really going to miss my wild dry shampoo and my LUSH soap.  But I have some new Lush soaps to try that I can't wait to delve into.

What products did you finish this month?  Any duds?  Anything fantastic?

The Great Mask Off: Living proof Restore Mask Treatment

The weather here in Ottawa has been hot and humid and rainy.  On top of that, my new apartment's shower water is much different from the water I am use to.  All of this is to say that my hair has been under a lot of stress lately, and has been in need of some TLC (no...not watching Wedding shows on Friday night).

One of the biggest challenges of having super long hair, or trying to grow one's hair to be super long is keeping it healthy.  After all, long and stringy unhealthy hair isn't attractive.  

Regular "mini-trims" are said to be important, but I have found that if I focus on hair care and damage prevention that I can get away with one trim every 9-12 months.  I like to use oils, deep conditioners, and minimal heat.  My goal is to grow two more inches of hair, and then maintain that length.

When I was a kid there was a girl in my class who was pretty, popular, and well liked by teachers/parents.  She had long hair, and so one day in Kindergarden I made it my goal to grow my hair longer.  Silly?  Yes.  Necessary?  No.  But that aside, as a kid I always wanted long hair.  My mom, on the other hand, kept mine at a mid length so it was easy to deal with.  As soon as I was old enough to take care of my own hair I started growing it out.  One day, a few years ago the girl from Kindergarden cut her hair to her shoulders.  Success!  Mine was now longer.  Haha, but in all seriousness I love having long hair.  I love all the styles I can make with it, and how much fun it is to swim and float with.  Some girls can really rock short hair, but that's just not my style. :)

Lately though my ends have been dry and getting to become straw-like.  Considering I had a haircut 3 months ago I really an not interested in getting another one.  On to the masks!

  I think this photo does a good job at showing my hair's length.  Yay context!  Fun fact:  This photo was taken in March when I was in Dublin, Ireland.  My hair is a little bit longer now.

"Restore Mask Treatment is formulated with Living Proof's moisture-controlling molecule, PolyfluoroEster, to restore the protective layer on dry or damaged hair and reduce hair's porosity by 100%. Restore makes dry or damaged hair look, feel, and behave like virgin hair and increases hair's resistance to breakage up to nine times while healing, protecting, and preventing further damage. "

"Suggested Usage:
-Apply generously and spread through hair from roots to ends.
-Comb through if desired.
-Leave in for five minutes.
-Rinse thoroughly.
-Use one or two times per week in place of Restore Conditioner."

-Gently squeeze excess water from clean, wet hair.

I had low to moderate expectations for this product.  I actually bought it on a whim while standing in line at Sephora with my Phyto hair mask in hand.  The mini was only $14 (damn you Sephora check out line!) so I figured in the name of science, why not!

This mask is very thick and creamy.  Really, more of a body butter texture.  I have used it twice, and both times I could not get over how touchable and soft my hair was.  Even my boss, who is a guy, complimented my hair the day after using it, so that has to count for something!

I noticed that the ends of my hair also look better after using this product.  I am not sure if it is a Holy Grail product yet, but I think that my search for the perfect mask is off to a great start!

I used my normal shampoo and then this in place of a conditioner.  I wrung out as much water from my hair as possible and then used about half of the mini on my hair.  I really tried to focus on the ends of my hair, but made sure to distribute some on the rest of my hair.  I used a wide tooth comb and then took a seat at the bottom of my shower and waited 10 minutes, and then rinsed it out.  

This mask exceeded my expectations.  I look forward to trying the Phyto mask next week, and to reporting back.

The Great Mask Off

I don't know what it is with the humidity, or my awful shower, or that I am in a rush every morning, or what, but lately my hair is in desperate need of some TLC.

As a background, I have super long, golden blonde hair with a healthy dose of red and brown undertones.  I've never dyed my hair, and I don't use heat on it too often.  It is generally wavy and thick, but lately the ends have been limp and split.

When I went mask shopping I was generally looking for something deep conditioning, restorative, shine creating, and just generally good for my hair.  I picked up a pre-shampoo treatment and two conditioning masks.  I may have splurged, but honestly, my hair needs it.

LUSH Jasmine and Henna Fluff-Eaze $22.95

LUSH Marilyn Hair Treatment (Sample)

PHYTO Deep Nourishing Brilliance Mask $43

Living proof Restore Mask Treatment $14

With any skin or hair care product, it takes time to see results.  So I am going to use up these products one by one and write a review for each.  I am looking for the very best hair mask for my needs to keep my hair healthy, long, and strong.  I may also need a hair trim to help get rid of some of the "dead weight".  Here's to hoping I find Mr. Right!

Do you have any suggestions for good quality hair masks?  I would love to get suggestions in the comments.  In the past I have also used Marc Anthony single use deep conditioners.