When it comes to your looks, there are not many people out there who will tell you the honest truth. That’s why you have best friends…amongst many other reasons. Bottom line: If your hair is looking crappy, they’ll tell you.

Since it’s actually been cold in Miami, I’ve been wearing my hair straight a lot. It’s a nice change to not have to wash it everyday. I can go several days even! See, PGH isn’t so bad after all.

But finding the right products is key to maintaining straight, frizz-free locks. I polled two girlfriends who I have known for over 10 years and both battle daily with PGH.  Here’s what they recommended:

The Chi product line. This brand is probably most well-known for their amazing flat irons. But they also make some great products for straightening your hair. Personally, I’ve tried the Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray and I really like to use it on my ends to make sure they don’t fry off from 400+ degrees of heat.

My other girlfriend swears by all things Redken…well, before she started getting the Keratin treatments to tame her mane. Products to try: The Iron Silk Straightening Spray, the Smooth Down Detangling Spray, as well as the Smooth Down Conditioner. I used to use Redken many years ago but haven’t given the brand another chance. Think it might be time to.

The name alone caught my eye – Silky Straight Ironless. This new line from Fekkai contains an anti-frizz straightening complex to smooth each strand. Each product works synergistically to create and hold a chic, straight style.

For curlies going straight for the winter (like me), this seems like a cool product line to try out. I know I want to! The collection includes a shampoo, conditioner, smooth finish serum and a straightening balm that is supposed to give you a salon blow-out look sans stylist.

Hmmm, sounds too good to be true. Well, I got an e-mail today saying that to celebrate the launch, book a silky straight blowout in any Fekkai salon and receive a complimentary bottle of Ironless Straightening Balm (3.4 oz.). For a list of salons click here.

As you probably know from previous posts, I’ve been wearing my PGH straight lately. All the heat styling tools take a toll and I’ve been on the hunt for a product to keep my hair healthy and strong.  Enter It’s a 10 Miracle Leave in Conditioner. This product was recommended to me by five different stylists at five different salons, so I figured it had to be somewhat good, right?

On the bottle, it claims it does the following instantly:
1. Repairs dry, damage hair
2. Adds shine
3. Detangles
4. Controls frizz
5. Seals & protects hair color
6. Prevents split ends
7. Stops hair breakage
8. Creates silkiness
9. Enhances natural body
10. Flat iron spray & thermal protector

Sounds like a pretty good all-in-1 solution! I’ve been using It’s a 10 for about 2 weeks and so far I really like it. My hair is still looking healthy, shiny and I think it’s even getting easier to style.  I reccommend this to anyone who has dry, damaged or chemically treated hair.

I just read this article about hair fragrances in the New York Times and immediately thought of my best friend Aly.  She wears this hair perfume by Tom Ford called Black Orchid and it is so strong! You can’t walk by her without sniffing her hair – it’s her signature scent.

Now that I’ve been wearing my hair straight and only shampooing about 1-2 a week, I think I need to start using a hair perfume. Black Orchid is too strong for me though, I need something refreshing, soft and light. Perhaps I’ll try a brand they mention in the NYT article, Clean By Fusion – a spray that claims to evoke a “fresh out of the shower” scent.

Have a favorite hair fragrance? Let us know!

This just in…

Dita’s haircare products return in a special edition holiday gift set complete with a signed and lipstick-kissed index card. A great gift to give or receive!

The products in this set are made from specially selected ingredients chosen by Mom Von Teese (Dita’s Mom). Mom Von Teese has 23 years of salon experience in the beauty business and sat down with Dita to discuss what she would ideally like from a haircare range branded with her name and for her own use. These products are the result, and are excellent formulations for every day styling and for their protective properties, and bear Dita’s signature martini glass logo.

The set comprises of 8oz biomoist shampoo, 10oz Stuctura Shaping Spray and 8oz Tri-Protein Conditioner. All three supplied in a set wrapped with a signed and kissed card.

Want it? Get it here.

We are always looking for ways to make our hair look and stay fabulous for longer. Let us introduce to you The All Nighter Styling Powder. 

This innovative styling powder, creating by long-time industry pro Tony Artur, absorbs excess oil and contains real silk powder for a luxurious feel. The product comes in six color-matched options for all hair types. But what makes this product unique and alluring? It contains no aluminum, no parabens, no talc, no silica, no propellant, and it’s cruelty free. Translation? It’s really good for your hair! 

The All Nighter is available at www.stylingpowder.com. 

Also, don’t miss your chance to purchase this amazing product and much, much more from designers and exclusive retailers during VH1’s Big Shopping Holiday Event. From November 27th through December 31st, you can have access to the newest and hottest products out there. Best of all? You will be supporting VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, helping to keep music alive in school systems. Join the event now! 

Happy shopping

This just in…

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Conditioner was voted one of the Best Products of All Time by Marie Claire editors in the  December issue! Noted as one of the “industry classics,” beauty editors raved that “by detangling and preventing breakage, this lightweight hydrator helps hair grow longer and stronger.”

Other haircare products that made the list:

Mason Pearson Junior Brush, $126 A hairstylist’s best friend, these nylon-and-boar bristles make blowouts a breeze.

L’Oréal Elnett Hairspray, $13.99 The ultimate backstage updo glue that miraculously brushes out without flaking or stickiness.

Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, $3.29 Gentle enough for overprocessed strands, this no-tears formula also removes stubborn waterproof mascara.

Check out the story here.

Every e-tailer is going to have crazy deals on Cyber Monday – Nov. 30th. We just got word of what Aveda is offering:

Choose any 4 sample size products + receive free shipping with just a $25 purchase at Aveda.com – enter promo code PICK4 at checkout.

Check out their site for a complete Holiday Gift Guide. They have some great sets at affordable prices like the Carry-on Grooming Essentials set for the guy in your life and the Bringing Forth Brilliance set which makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Happy shopping

For the past two days, my curls have been softer and more defined than ever before thanks to this new product I am testing – Wen’s Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. Seriously, when the bottle runs out, I may just cry (it’s a little pricey but totally worth it).

Developed by celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean, Wen is both a cleanser and a conditioner in one. But please don’t compare it to your dad’s 2-in-1 Pert Plus. Wen is made with a balance of herbs and natural ingredients and avoids damaging detergents usually found in shampoos — so it won’t strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils.

You can add my name to the long list of Wen fans, which hails celebrities like Jennie Garth, Finola Hughes and Melissa Gilbert. Even Shecky’s awarded Wen the coveted“Beauty at Its Best Award” for Best Shampoo and Conditioner. One less step in the shower for better looking, more touchable hair? It’s a no-brainer.

Attention, attention! Fekkai’s Golden Shimmer Gelee Mist gets our vote for ‘09 Holiday Hair Must-Have! Take hair from everyday to holiday with this limited edition, lightweight spray gel. Golden micro-diamond particles provide subtle shimmer and shine with soft, touchable hold.  If you want sparkle and shine this holiday season, you have to check out this product!