Hair Care Friday…Saturday Version: Rusk Deepshine Oil Protective Treatment (review)

Yes, this week Hair Care Friday falls on a Saturday. Mainly because I spent most of last night fiddling around with a dessert idea that just didn’t work. But I did learn two valuable lessons. First, don’t wait until the last minute to try out your new dessert idea. And second, whipped cream collapses and turns to runny goo in 90+ degree weather.

Earlier in the week I also learned that it’s a terrible idea to try out a new hair coloring product the day before an event. On the bright side, I learned how to fix said problem with the help of a fine product. From Rusk.

Deepshine Oil Protective Treatment

Blurb: A marine mineral-enriched argan oil treatment that smoothes the cuticle, eliminates frizz, and improves elasticity and hydration, leaving hair soft, silky and manageable. Deepshine Oil is perfect for all hair types. Deepshine Oil smooths the cuticle, eliminates frizz, and imparts incredible shine and condition. This lightweight, alcohol-free formula imparts brilliant shine, while advanced marine therapy infuses the hair with superior condition, renewing the natural integrity of the hair. Used as a styling or finishing product, Deepshine Oil helps seal the cuticle, prevent color fading with subsequent shampoos, and protect against damage caused by chemicals, excessive heat from thermal styling, and environmental factors.

Short version: This Treatment saved my hairdo!

I tried out a temporary color product that a friend of mine had been raving about. I was going somewhere, and I wanted to do something fun…but temporary. Well, the color was cute (and temporary), but it completely dried out my hair. I was appalled…and kind of peeved at my friend.

Luckily, I had a bottle of this Treatment that I’d been waiting to try out. It claimed to smooth the cuticle, and add lots of shine and conditioning. I gave it a try. I smoothed it in my damp hair, then gently combed it through. And…my hair was fixed. Totally and completely fixed. Instead of colored straw, I had colored hair. It was shiny, pretty and the curls came back. Whew!

Even better, my hair felt soft and pretty all night. Thank you, Rusk!

I chucked out my friend’s “suggestion,” but I’m going to keep this Treatment for use after I do my regular coloring. It says that it’s also great for use during the coloring process. I believe it!

The website has the entire Deepshine collection. You can also check out the fashion, culture, and attitude pages. Deepshine is available at leading salons (including ULTA) and online at Stylesource.com.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

While I’m Away: Celeb Memorial Day Must Haves

Check out the great ideas for your long weekend, and your wonderful long summer…

Stock Up For Memorial Day Weekend With Celeb Summer Beauty Must-Haves

Memorial Day weekend is here – marking the unofficial start of summer. Before you hit the beach – or even just the beach house, stock up on these summer beauty must-haves …

Notice-Me Nails: Summer is the perfect time to play with color – whether it’s neon, pastels or a funky fuchsia like Fergie, a bold, bright nail look is the accessory to any summer style. Try POP Beauty Nail Glam in Violetta for notice-me nails. Available at Ulta.com.

Sweat-Proof Makeup: There’s nothing worse than adding a touch of color to your cheeks, only to find it moments later streaking down your face. Make sure your bronzer stays in place with sweat-proof, water-proof makeup. For a natural, bronze glow like Blake Lively, try Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel in Bronze. The mousse-like formula will stay put and deliver sun-kissed color. Available at Sephora.com.

All-In-One: Moisturizer & Sun Protection: It’s alright to have fun in the sun, once you’ve lathered up with a healthy dose of sunscreen. Make sure your beach body stays moisturized and protected with an all-in-one mineral sunblock like the Coola Mineral Body Moisturizer with SPF 30. Celebs like Malin Akerman love Coola’s organic formulation. Available at CoolaSuncare.com.

Hair Moisturizer: It’s easy to neglect your hair but unless you moisturize and protect your strands the way you do your skin – you’re sure to wind up with damaged, dull summer hair. For healthy looking beachy waves like Leighton Meester, infuse hair with Rusk’s Deepshine Lustre. Not only will you get the shine and separation needed for flirty, summer waves – this formula will also protect your hair from UV rays. Available at Stylesource.com

Getting Started: 2011 Met Ball Looks

Celebs attended the 2011 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday, May 2nd. This year’s MET Ball, themed “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” was hosted by Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney and Colin Firth, with Francois-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek as honorary co-chairs. The annual event, dubbed “The Fashion Oscars,” attracts the most stylish and influential in the entertainment and fashion industries.

Here’s a roundup of some of the amazing looks (and products)…

Kate Hudson & Almay

Almay Global Brand Ambassador, Kate Hudson, complemented her dazzling dress with smoldering eyes and a subtle lip at this year’s annual MET Ball. To get Kate’s look, Almay recommends the following products:

Almay Wake-up Hydrating Makeup: Almay’s wake-up makeup instantly hydrates and soothes to keep skin looking well-rested and feeling energized all day. ($12.99)

Almay Smart Shade Blush – Berry: Almay’s Smart Shade Blush instantly transform on application into a shade that perfectly complements your unique skin tone, ($8.99)

Almay Smart Shade Bronzer – Sunkissed: Almay’s Smart Shade Bronzer contains a liquid cream formula unlike any other bronzer that provides a sheer, natural color that builds to your desired intensity.

Almay Intense i-color Shadow – Trio for Green Eyes: Almay’s Intense i-color Shadow is formulated with light interplay technology that brightens and intensifies eye color and blends smoothly for all day wear.

Almay Intense i-color Eyeliner – Rich Mocha (for green eyes): Almay’s Intense i-color Eyeliner brightens eyes while adding definition and dimension and features a built in smudger for a customizable look.

Almay One Coat Get Up & Grow Mascara – Black: Almay’s first anti-breakage, pro-vitamin formula instantly lengthens the look of lashes and defends against breakage so lashes can grow to their healthiest, longest, and shiniest.

Almay Hydracolor Lipstick – Flushed: Almay’s Hydracolor Lipstick combines rich color with hydration and nourishment that refreshes lips with over 100x more water than regular lipsticks.

Jessica Alba & Revlon

Revlon Brand Ambassador, Jessica Alba, complemented her sparkling dress with simple and sophisticated makeup, playing up her eyes with shimmery shadow while keeping her lips and cheeks neutral. To capture Alba’s look, Revlon recommends the following products:

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup and Concealer - Lightweight, creamy texture blends seamlessly and contains photo-chromatic pigments which bend, reflect and diffuse light to help erase flaws.

Revlon Cream Blush in Rosy Glow - Revlon’s Cream Blush formula blends easily into skin, adding a sheer wash of color to your cheeks.

Revlon CustomEyes Shadow in Naturally Glamorous - The silky, lightweight formula containing jojoba and shea butter glides effortlessly on lids and blends easily to offer the greatest versatility to achieve any desired look.

Grow Luscious by Fabulash in Black - Patented formula of unique fibers and phytopeptide complex to help condition and strengthen lashes, complimenting the natural growth cycle by helping to prevent premature breakage.

ColorBurst Lipgloss in Pink Ice - Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss uses Elasticolor™ technology to distribute rich color pigments evenly over lips while conditioning and improving the texture with moisturizers and antioxidants such as sweet almond oil and vitamin E.

ColorBurst Lipstick in Icy Nude - Brings a burst of rich, true color that is virtually weightless on lips. The technology distributes rich color pigments evenly over lips and allows the formula to move comfortably with lips - like a second skin

Top Speed™ Fast Dry Nail Enamel in Sheer Cotton - The patented fast dry formula with built-in top coat that rises to the surface to form glossy, ultra smooth manicure with strengthening power.

Penelope Cruz & Fekkai

Renato Campora for Frederic Fekkai created tousled tresses for Penelope Cruz

Inspiration: A modernized Sophia Loren; a super chic do

The Look: A side part, full of volume and texture

How To Get The Look: Campora applied Fekkai Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse throughout and then formed a side part. He then used a ½ inch curling iron, pinning the up to let it cool. Once cooled, he took the hair out of the bobby pins and brushed the hair using the Fekkai Classic Brush to form the shape. To set the look, he sprayed Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray.

Products: Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse ($24), Fekkai Classic Brush ($95) Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray ($24)

Demi Moore & Fekkai

Duffy for Frederic Fekkai styled the locks of Demi Moore

Inspiration: Philip Treacy Head Dress

The Look: A juxtaposed style; up but down

How To Get The Look: On wet hair, Duffy applied Fekkai Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse throughout and blow-dried the hair giving the roots volume. He then let the hair fall into it’s natural part and curled the hair with a 1’ barrel curling iron, using special technique to give it a broken look. Next, he applied Fekkai Coiff™ Océanique Tousled Wave Spray and teased the hair with a wide tooth comb to break the curls and created 3 sections in the hair. He then took the left and right section and tied the hair as if you were tying a knot in a shoe lace to create two separate knots. Then, to refine the shape he bobby pinned the knotted pieces and the middle section together and secured with Fekkai Coiff™ Océanique Tousled Wave Spray to finish the look.

Products: Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse ($24), Fekkai Coiff™ Océanique Tousled Wave Spray ($24)

Margherita Missoni & Fekkai

Anthony Sorenson for Frederic Fekkai tended to the tresses of Margherita Missoni

Inspiration: A Nubian Princess

The Look: A soft take on and edgy look

How To Get The Look: He started by prepping the hair with Fekkai Coiff™ Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel to create texture and loose waves. Next, he pulled hair into a ponytail and secured at the top of the head. He then split the hair into two sections and applied Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip creating two fishtail braids leaving the edges of the hair out spraying with Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray. To finish the look, he twisted the braids together and pinned the hair to the top of the head.

Products: Fekkai Coiff™ Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray ($24), Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip ($24) Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray ($24)

Jessica Szohr & KeSARI and TEMPTU

Jessica Szohr Preps Skin with KeSARI and TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup for Flawless, Dewy Skin at the 2011 MET Ball.

Inspiration: Celebrity makeup artist Talia Shobrook says “Essential to red carpet ready beauty is having flawless skin from all angles in three dimensions, and blending makeup seamlessly with a minimal amount of product for the most skin-like, dewy finish.”

KeSARI Triphala Radiance Firming Serum to nourish and firm the skin: We prepped the skin with this serum as this gave a great base for the flawless skin that is needed and required for being red carpet ready, it is firming and brightening, while adding moisture.

TEMPTU AIR pod Foundation in Golden for the base and then contour with Espresso

TEMPTU AIR pod Highlighter in Champagne applied to the eyebrow bone and the cheekbone for highlight

TEMPTU AIR pod Bronze in Warm Glow: “No red carpet look is complete without attention to the body. I used TEMPTU Bronzer on her shoulders and décolleté to add shimmer and glow to her skin.”

Michelle Alves & Kerastase, FHI, Aquage, and KeSARI

Marcelino Gonzalez Tended to the Tresses of Michelle Alves for the 2011 MET Ball

Inspiration: Old Hollywood Glamour, sleek with a touch of a wave to compliment the gorgeous Abed Mahfouz sheer gown

How To Get The Look: Create a deep side part on wet hair and apply Kerastase Reflection Chroma Protect Polish for a polished shine and smoothness, then blow-dry the hair using the FHI Heat Nano Salon Pro 2000 Dryer with the Creative Brushes Creative Jumbo Ceramic Ion Thermal Brush. Using the FHI Heat EPS 1" Flat Iron, straighten the hair for a super silky straight look. Then take 2 inch sections and create a wave with the FHI Heat Platform 1 1/4" Styling Iron. Spray Aquage Finishing Spray for light hold and ultimate humidity resistance and brush out hair. Apply KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum with Triphala Radiance™ Silk Complex for added shine and frizz-control

Products: Kerastase Reflection Chroma Protect Polish ($37.99 on www.kerastase-usa.com ), FHI Heat Nano Salon Pro 2000 Dryer ($92 on www.FHIHeat.com ), Creative Brushes Creative Jumbo Ceramic Ion Thermal Brush ($19.99 on www.creativehairtools.com ), FHI Heat EPS 1" Flat Iron ($120 on www.FHIHeat.com ), FHI Heat Platform 1 1/4" Styling Iron ($90 on www.FHIHeat.com ), Aquage Finishing Spray ($18 on www.Rickysnyc.com ), KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum with Triphala Radiance™ Silk Complex ($26.50 on www.hsn.com )

Rachel Roy & Kerastase, KeSARI, and Rusk

Elad Bentov of Valery Joseph Tended to the Tresses of Rachel Roy for the 2011 MET Ball.

Inspiration: Elad Bentov wanted to create a fresh, young, simple updo to complement Rachel's dress and beautiful décolleté.

How To Get The Look: On wet hair, apply Kerastase Mousse Volumactive and blow dry hair using fingers in order to create texture. Apply KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum with Triphala Radiance™ Silk Complex to dry hair, starting at the ends and working up through the hair to leave hair with extraordinary shine and frizz-free all night
Finger-comb hair back into a ponytail at the middle of the head and secure with an elastic
Diffuse roots with hair dryer attachment for added volume and a tousled effect
Then twist hair into the shape of an S down to the nape of the neck to achieve the texture of the messy bun. Finally, secure the look by adding Rusk W8less Plus Extra Strong Hold Shaping and Control Hairspray to provide texture, natural shine and long lasting touchable support all night.

Products: Kerastase Mousse Volumactive ($37.99 on www.kerastase-usa.com), KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum with Triphala Radiance™ Silk Complex ($26.50 on www.hsn.com), Rusk W8less Plus Extra Strong Hold Shaping and Control Hairspray ($12.99 on www.Rickysnyc.com )

“Street” Week/Hair Care Friday – Part 2: Rusk Deepshine Lustre (review)

Part two of Hair Care Friday is all about smoothing things over. Just in case tax time has your feathers all dull and ruffled; here’s something to make everything all pretty, smooth and shiny again. From Rusk.

Deepshine Lustre Shine Enhancing Lusterizer


Blurb: A super-light cream that transforms dull hair into healthy, shiny hair infusing it with moisturizing marine extracts, natural lipids, strengthening proteins and protective UVB inhibitors. Formulated with Rusk's unique Marine Nutrient Complex, a blend of nourishing sea botanicals, this cream provides instant reflective shine for all hair types. Marine Nutrient Complex is a blend of sea botanicals from nutrient-rich algae that nourishes the hair with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, manganese and zinc. It strengthens the hair fiber; rebalances, rebuilds and restores the natural integrity of the hair; improves elasticity and resistance to breakage; protects hair from damage and pollution; and leaves hair with optimum shine and condition.

This stuff is excellent! For damp hair, I worked a pea-sized amount through my ends, and then another pea-sized amount through the rest of my hair. My hair is down to the middle of my shoulder blades now (yay); so I’m using more product than I used to.

Anyway…the result was super smooth, super shiny, super soft hair! It felt very silky; and there were no flyaways or frizz. And I loved the nice shine. I also tried it when I did a blowout (using a little more on the ends), and was really impressed at how pretty and shiny my hair looked. This is a lovely formula!

The website has the entire Deepshine collection. You can also check out the fashion, culture, and attitude pages. Deepshine Lustre is available at leading salons (including ULTA) and online at Stylesource.com.

Today’s second visit to Sesame Street is for those of you who are pulling out your hair with IRS-related worries (or any other worries for that matter). This episode is a little bit after my time; but every time I see it, I get all kinds of happy. Enjoy – and have a great weekend!



(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)