Hair Care Friday: Davines SU/ Cream Protective Moisturizing Sun Cream (review)

Suddenly this "short" week started to feel long. Maybe because I tried to do 5 days worth of stuff in 4 days? Hmmm…could be.

Well, even though my weekend is going to be a little busier than necessary; it's still the weekend, and I'm pretty darn happy about that. And today is Hair Cair Friday! Which means another fabulous item for your lovely locks. But wait! There's more! Today you're getting hair care and sun care all in the same bottle. Courtesy of the earth-friendly folks at Davines.

SU/ Cream Protective Moisturizing Sun Cream

Blurb: To care for the well-being of hair exposed to the sun, salt water and chlorine, Davines sourced ingredients with powerful protective, anti-aging and moisturizing properties. This lightweight, non-greasy cream-gel provides hair with ultimate hydration. Consisting of powerful anti-oxidants, the formula creates a protective film that shield hair from UV rays and environmental pollution.

This is a powerhouse of a product. I got it for the sun protection (UV rays cause hair color to fade, and aren't so great for the scalp either); but it also turned out to be an excellent styling and conditioning cream. It contains Argan Oil, Wheat Proteins, Vitamin E and Hairsphere (a system of fatty acids). All of these lovely ingredients leave hair soft, smooth, nourished and conditioned – in addition to the sun protection!

I like this best when I use a flatiron (and it's also great for blowouts). I pump a little on my hands and work it though before straightening. Then I add a little more after the straightening is finished. In addition to smoothing and adding shine, it also seems to help give hair a little bit of "swing." I've also fluffed it through my hair after letting it dry naturally and got some extra lift and shine (as well as color protection).

One of the stellar things about Davines is their dedication to earth-friendly products and sustainable manufacturing techniques. You can learn more about them by visiting their website. And you can find their wonderful products at their salons (or sites like Amazon, StyleBell, and Folica).

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!
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May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

You know I don't need any kind of special month to yammer on about the importance of sun protection. But my obsession aside; you will be your prettiest and healthiest if you take care of and protect your largest organ (skin).

To tempt you into fine skin stewardship, here is some product info I received about fabulous products to protect and prettify (all under $30). There are also some skin cancer facts to promote health awareness. Start reading (and take notes)…

Sun Protection Facts

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects again heat, sunlight, injury and infection. It also helps control body temperature, stores water and fat and produces vitamin D. Cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers.

Skin Cancer Facts:

· The American Cancer Society estimated that 62,720 men and women were diagnosed and 8,650 men and women died from melanoma in 2009

· Approximately 91.4% of people diagnosed with melanoma live at least five years – early detection is important!

Skin Protection Facts:

· The best way to lower the risk of skin cancer is to limit exposure to the sun

· For sun-exposed areas, sunscreens with an SPF 15 or higher and sunglasses should be used

· Protection is equally important during childhood, since severe sunburns in childhood may be associated with an increased risk of melanoma later in life

Products That Aid in Prevention:

California Baby Everyday/Year Round SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick: Pop this convenient PABA free, non-chemical sunblock stick into your pocket, purse or diaper bag. The whole family will love this easy-to-use stick that gives those "hot spots" a boost of extra protection. California Baby non-chemical sunblock stick employs a highly micronized, non-whitening titanium dioxide that scatters and reflects dangerous UV rays, offering UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection. Non-staining formula. It glides on smoothly for easy application. May be used in combination with SPF30+ sunscreen lotions. www.californiababy.com, Target and Wholefoods

Korres WATERMELON Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30: Ideal for photosensitive complexions, this lightweight, oil-free foundation cream imparts a radiant, tanned look and provides broad-spectrum sun protection. The formula delivers uniform color and medium coverage with a fresh and smooth texture, while allowing the skin to breathe. Watermelon extract, rich in naturally occurring vitamins, carbohydrates and amino acids, prevents photo-aging and decreases erythema. At the same time, the extracts of Vanilla and Curcuma longa provide essential antioxidant protection. AVAILABLE SHADES: Light Sand, Medium Honey, Dark Tan. www.sephora.com

Miss Oops Goblet Goop: Sunshine doesn't stop when it reaches your neck- neither should your sunscreen. A moisturizing and firming neck cream, Goblet Goop protects and firms the delicate skin of the neck with SPF 30, algae, yeast, rosemary and Echinacea extracts, helping skin retain moisture while enhancing firmness and promoting collagen. Protect your goblet and keep the dreaded turkey neck at bay with Goblet Goop. www.missoops.com

Surv-Vival Natural SPF 30+ SunBlock: has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection formulated with Zinc oxide (5%) and titanium dioxide (7%) and fortified with green tea extract, pro-vitamin B5, C and Vitamin E. 4 oz. This SPF sunscreen is sweat resistant, water resistant, won't sting your eyes and is chemical free and paraben free. This is the best sunscreen for your body and it is environmentally friendly! Made in USA. 4 oz. www.smartgirlswhosurf.com

Burt’s Bees Sun-Protecting Lip Balm SPF 8: This all-natural balm provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and helps keep lips hydrated without using chemical sunscreen actives like octinoxate and oxybenzone. Instead, titanium dioxide, a naturally-occurring mineral creates a micro-fine barrier to reflect the sun's harmful rays. Meanwhile, passionfruit extract soothes, nourishes and rejuvenates lips so they're soft and healthy even after the sun goes down. www.BurtsBees.com.

So Cozy Protective Conditioning Mist: A breakthrough in hair protection. So Cozy, introduces an innovative, multi-tasking essential to protect kids’ hair and scalp from harmful UVA and UVB rays: So Cozy Protective Conditioning Mist With Sunscreen. The revolutionary formula is designed to help parents shield their children’s delicate hair and scalp from the harsh effects of the sun all summer long.

Davines SU Sun Protective Moisturizing Crème: To care for the well-being of hair exposed to the sun, salt water and chlorine, Davines sourced ingredients with powerful protective, anti-aging and moisturizing properties. This lightweight, non-greasy cream-gel provides hair with ultimate hydration. Consisting of powerful anti-oxidants, the formula creates a protective film that shield hair from UV rays and environmental pollution. www.davines.com

Of course, the best form of sun protect is to stay out of the sun! To achieve that healthy glow without compromising your skin there is:

Jergens natural glow REVITALIZING Daily Moisturizer: Your favorite gradual, glow moisturizer was just upgraded this spring –it now contains 50% more antioxidants and last 2x’s longer! Moisturize into an invigorated glow. Jergens® natural glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer delivers fabulous natural-looking color gradually that lasts twice as long as the leading lotion sunless tanner and infuses your skin with a blend of effective moisturizers, antioxidants and Vitamin E to keep it looking healthy. Also, 30 Rock star, Jane Krakowski has teamed up with Jergens skincare to help raise money for The Skin Cancer Foundation and help women get “In the Glow” when it comes to tanning. Now through the end of summer, log onto www.youtube.com/jergens to view a video she created for the cause that you can forward onto friends—every time the video is viewed, Jergens will donate $1 to The Skin Cancer Foundation!
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Monday Musings: Davines DEDE Conditioner (review)

We interrupt this blog for a panic attack: Oh my goodness, it's Monday already! And it's afternoon already! And I get on a plane the day after tomorrow and I'm not even remotely ready! And I haven't finished my shopping! And! And! And!

Whew. Okay. All done. Just needed to have my little moment there. Thank goodness I have a nice opportunity to stop my worrying and talk about pretty things that make me forget that…oh, I'm just not even going to mention what I'm trying to forget. But since I'm feeling a little…stressed…I am going to cleverly (and by cleverly, I probably mean cornily) tie in to today's product. It's for hair. Hair that is stressed. (See how I did that?). Today's cure for stress comes from the sustainable and socially minded people at Davines.

Blurb: Davines DEDE Conditioner Delicate Replenishing Leave-in Mist is specially formulated for fine, stressed hair that tends to lose its volume and body. This powerful yet delicate dual-action spray conditions and strengthens fine, dry hair while infusing a layer of anti-oxidant protection without weighing the hair down. Featuring Grape Extract for strength and protection and Panthenol for moisture and conditioning, a few sprays are all you need to leave your strands with a silky soft finish and a healthy shine. DEDE Leave-in Mist is also the perfect foundation to any chemical treatment, providing a smooth, base of hair by evening out the hairs porosity. Effective yet gentle enough for everyday, you’ll love the softness you get from Davines DEDE Conditioner Mist.

Even though my hair isn't exactly fine, I decided to check this out. In the dry weather, my hair tends to start acting very strangely; so it's fun to try things out and see what happens. When the weather is extra dry (like it has been all weekend), sometimes my hair won't even curl very much…and I'll even get flyaways. And instead of shine, it tends to just sit there and look flat. I misted the leave-in on my damp hair and worked it through…and was really pleased with the results. My hair got much softer, got a little more curl to it and the flyaways were gone. I was also really surprised to see some nice shine. I imagine that if you have fine hair, this would be amazing. It didn't seem to weigh my hair down at all either.

Besides making fabulous hair care products, Davines is also dedicated to manufacturing their products in a responsible and sustainable way. They pay close attention to balancing style, spirit, science and nature. Check out some of the things they have to say about this on their website. You can also purchase their products at their salons and sites like Amazon, StyleBell, and Folica.

Oh I almost forgot...Happy Winter Solstice!

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