Growing My Hair : The End of April Update

For those of you following the extremely s l o w saga of my journey to find something to sprout hair quickly from my head, here is the update.

When we last discussed this, I was taking vitamins from Phyto (which are really helping). My hair has gone from this:


to this:

in about four months. Not too shabby! But, it's not fast enough (I have no patience). I have been looking all over for something to really stimulate my scalp and get my hair growing faster, healthier and thicker. And I am still in search of better ways to style it to make the growing out phase not as painful. Some days are ok. Other days, I feel like I am wearing a hair helmet from the 80's. I am so painstakingly picky about my hair on a good day, the bad days have me itching to cut it off.


So for the next several weeks, to encourage faster, better growth, I will be trying Chinese Herbs Stimulating Shampoo and Conditioner from Peter Lamas. This shampoo and conditioner is designed to make thinning hair grow; making it healthy along the way. While my hair isn't thinning, several people have told me that these kind of shampoos will help hair grow thicker, healthier and maybe a little faster, providing you can find one that actually works. I also have some Chinese Herbs Revitalizing Mist, which is a leave-in treatment that promotes healthy hair growth. I can certainly use any extra help I can get, especially since my hair is put through the ringer with the constant coloring and heat styling.

I am also happy to report that Lamas products are vegan (no animal testing, no animal ingredients), paraben-free, sulphate free, with the majority incorporating plant-based, organic and certified organic ingredients. While being vegan or not vegan isn't specifically a dealbreaker for me personally, if these products live up to their claims, I will be much happier that they are vegan and paraben/sulfate-free. I have only used this system once, and maybe it's the change in 'poo, but my hair feels glorious. I think I was actually singing to Loxy (while dancing around our bedroom) about how amazing my hair felt after I blew it out.


I have been taking your advice and trying to work headbands and barrettes into the mix, but not sure how to do this without looking like a pumpkin head. My favorite find so far is this beadazzled clip from La Papillon. I feel a little weird about wearing this hair accoutrement, maybe because it is a little out of character for me or maybe because I feel like it screams, "LOOK AT ME! I AM GROWING MY HAIR AND HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO WITH IT!" (Am I the only one who feels this way?) I also cheated and trimmed my bangs a tiny bit. The amount trimmed is negligible, but they have a slightly different shape, which makes me feel better.

If you have any other ideas on how to deal with growing out your hair, please let me know. Have you tried the Peter Lamas line? Let me know if you have! A little insider birdy told me that celebs like Kiefer Sutherland ditched their prescriptions for thinning hair in favor of Chinese Herbs from Peter Lamas. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! And in the meantime, if you have any other ideas on something to do with my hair as it grows, please tell me!

Peter Lamas products were sent to me for the purposes of review.

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Mally Evercolor Poreless Face Defender

I wrote about wanting to try Evercolor Poreless Face Defender by Mally Beauty a month or so ago. Having never seen it, twitter-pal Paula and I tried to figure out what it was. Our best guess was that it was similar to a primer that you applied after your makeup, so I tried a few different ways to make my own version of this new product. I was wait-listed for this on the Q and had nothing better to do...

My idea, while good in theory, stunk in practice. But somehow, despite my wait-list time expiring, the Q shipped it to me anyway. Sweet! So what is it and how does it work?

It comes in a square container with a pan and the product itself is clear. If you aren't careful when you get it, you may take a chunk out of it with your fingernail when you go to remove the top, so be careful. It doesn't come with a huge amount of product, but you only need a tiny amount, so it should last you a decent amount of time. This particular product came with a sponge, which totally flummoxed me. I didn't see Mally present this with a sponge when it was on the first time and I don't get how you would use it. It's a nice sponge, don't get me wrong, but I don't think you need it for this (I am sure Mally disagrees, btw).

Basically, it's like an after-primer, or a face finisher. (Instead of a face powder, you would use this.) Imagine a semi-solid chunk of silicone based primer and you'll get the idea. To apply it, I like to gently swirl a kabuki brush (or any large, flat top soft brush) across the surface. Don't try to make dents in the product with the brush. It's all about getting a tiny bit on the tips of the brush. Then lightly "dust" it all over your face. You shouldn't be able to see this on the brush or the product on your face. Think of it as magically working - you won't see it go on.

This is the equivalent of putting a soft filter on your face. All of your pores are hard to see and your blush, contouring or concealer is diffused. It wears fairly well, but I still have a problem with my face eating my blush (I always do - it has nothing to do with this.) Instead of touching up with a powder, I just use blotting papers, which I love, because I am not adding a bunch of gunk to my skin throughout the day. I really like this product - but remember a tiny bit goes a long way!

What do you think? Have you tried this or are you really happy with your powder finisher?

I bought this myself.

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You'll Thank Me In 10 Years: Beautisol Sunless Tanning

Last summer, I tried out several self-tanners and wrote about a few that worked. A bunch didn't do such a great job on me. Here's a recap (with a new twist!):

It turns out I have an odd skin thing that prevents some self-tanners from actually working on my skin. Weird. If only my skin had some other super power, like banishing dryness or glowing non-stop, I would be really proud. Instead I am just a little embarrassed when I have to tell some really nice company that their awesome self-tanner was laughed at by my pasty legs.



One company to reach out to me was Beautisol (formerly Antidote Skin). They take tanning very seriously. The owner of the company, Sinead Norenius, even contacted me directly to help me figure out why other tanners weren't working or why they were streaking long before she told me about her own line. The cool thing about Sinead? She never spoke ill about any of the other companies whose products I tested and liked (or didn't and never really wrote about). She just loves to tan, in the safest way possible.

That is why she created the Beautisol line. This line is free of self-tanners that smell, that contain parabens and that ruin your manicure. Their self-tanning kits make tanning easy. Even for klutzes like me.

Here is what you get in a Beautisol Sunless All Seasons Glow Self Tanning Kit:

Rubber Gloves (so key and genius)
Go Slough Yourself Scrub (use with caution, this is serious stuff)
All Season Glow Self Tanning Lotion (one to two applications is all it takes)

Sinead recommends using the Go Slough Yourself Scrub before tanning. I have to say I adore this scrub. That said, if you are a delicate little flower, GO EASY with this stuff. It is a serious scrub and the white, nicely scented lotion is deceiving. There are teeny little scrubbers in here that will work wonders.

Afterwards, I decided to forgo any lotion and started to tan. The lotion is somewhat pigmented so you can see what you are doing. It doesn't have to look perfect - as long as you are covered, you will be good to go. Then wait a few minutes and get dressed. Voila! Several hours later, your tan will develop and you will look bronze and gorgeous. And there isn't a hint of nasty self-tanner smell! My tan lasted several days before it needed to be refreshed. If you aren't dark enough the first time, you can use this kit to build a natural looking tan over a few days.

Just because the seasons change doesn't mean you have to lose all of that summer sun look. And with 6 full body applications in one kit, this sunless tanner is budget friendly. If you still aren't sure how to successfully apply sunless tanning lotion, check out the how to videos. It couldn't be easier!

(It's a back applicator - not a weird safety pin. Trust me!)

So wheres the twist? Now through May 31st, with the purchase of any self tanner, add the genius back applicator to your order for free! Just add it to your cart and enter the code GLFREEBA. No more asking your boyfriend or pals to make sure your back is even. Now's the time to get ready for warmer months - don't tan today and have to deal with ruined skin in a few years. Get the best of both worlds with Beautisol!


This product was sent to me for the purposes of review.

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Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Fighting Free Radicals: SAMPAR Urban Express Mousse

Do you ever have days where you come home and just can't wait to wash your face? Sometimes by the time I get home, the first thing I do is head for my Clarisonic to remove the ick on my skin. I'm not talking about taking off my makeup, I am talking about taking off the remains of the day. The bits that materialize because of humidity, smog or getting stuck behind that car that didn't pass its emissions test. Bleck. I can't be the only one who feels this way.

I know pollutants in the air (along with other free radicals) can cause skin damage. If you aren't sure, a free radical is a when a molecule is split and left with uneven electrons. Free radicals are very unstable and glom on to other things (like your face) looking for their missing electron. But when the glomming free radical steals an electron and becomes whole, it makes another free radical. Apparently, they are just that selfish. Once it starts, it becomes a vicious cycle of electron theft and creates a chain reaction of molecule destruction. In the wake of this destruction, living cells are damaged. The result is that your skin doesn't look as good as it did before the free radicals invaded. Antioxidants and vitamins can help undo the damage these lonely molecules can cause when they "split" up from their other molecule friends. One way to correct and repair the free radical damage caused by the ick in the environment is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. But I don't write about what to eat, so...

Another way to combat free radicals is to use products with antioxidants and vitamins to help keep everyone (and by everyone, I mean molecules) on an even keel and balanced. SAMPAR created a facial cleanser designed to specifically to stop free radicals from damaging your face. SAMPAR's Urban Express Mousse is formulated to work with all skin types to revitalize skin and correct damage caused by the environment. SAMPAR's Urban Advance Complex claims to:

• Redness, stinging, irritation and other signs of inflammation are instantly soothed.
• Chlorine, nicotine and heavy metals found in polluted air are absorbed.
• Toxins and free radicals generated by pollution are rapidly neutralized.

I used this cleanser for several weeks and here are my thoughts. I loved how it smelled. It has a faint floral smell, which I can't get enough of. After using it, any redness in my skin was quelled and my skin felt clean, soft and balanced. I do tend to use a lash enhancing makeup remover afterwards to get rid of mascara, but otherwise my skin feels thoroughly cleansed and fresh. It retails for $20, which is a steal for a gentle, effective, free radical fighting cleanser. If you're interested, SAMPAR created an entire line around their Urban Advance Complex. It's one of the top selling lines in France, so check it out!

Are you concerned about environmental damage? Would you use products specifically to help stop damage caused by urban living? Tell me in the comments!

This product was sent to me for the purposes of review.
Photo by Jan Krcmar and myself.
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Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

My First Time: My Own Hair Makeover

Partially inspired by hair extensions that were a bit too light and wanting to warm up my hair color for spring, I decided to chat with my stylist, Bethany at Balance the Salon. I wanted to figure out what would be involved with changing the color of my hair. I have always colored my hair at home and am the go-to girl for simple at-home hair color for my friends. Since I have to color my short hair every three weeks, I just can't afford salon color. But this was a big job and despite what I have accomplished in the past, changing my color was officially above my pay grade.

Last fall, I went from bright red a dark ash brown on my own at home. Anyone with any color know-how will tell you not to do that at home. Going from warm to cool colors, or vice-versa, runs the risk of getting green or gray hair. By the grace of the hair gods, my hair turned out a lovely color, but like every other beauty change I make, I grow tired of it within months. It's why clip-on hair extensions like these are perfect for me.

So I decided to ask my stylist what she thought of changing my color. While normally, she gives me tips on how not to screw up my home color, this time, she was really honest, cautioning me against doing it myself. (She kindly implied, "Don't even try it. It'll be hard for me to fix.") To safely take my color from a cool ash brown to a warm, chocolaty color, she would need to bleach out my entire head, add a new color and maybe some highlights. This process would take over 3 hours, but would leave me ready for summer. Deciding it was time for me to go from a haircolor-girl to a haircolor-woman, I booked the next available slot.



We started by bleaching out my whole head. Somehow, my hair lifted to a really pretty reddish brown with highlights. Go figure. While we were all secretly tempted to leave it there, Bethany decided to add an all over reddish brown hair color and some strategically placed highlights. I normally am not a fan on highlights that stem from the part. I think they look like tiger stripes, which is fine for some, but not my cup of tea. Bethany placed highlights under the top layer of my hair, so they peek out, depending on how my hair falls. Plus, as they grow out, I won't have the telltale roots.


Bethany finished my hair with some Davine's Defining Relaxing Fluid, which helped my hair fall really straight, giving it the ability to "swish" when I shake my head. It's made with Panthenol and Meadowfoam Oil and leaves your hair super shiny, protects it from heat styling and leaves it really straight. You gotta love that.


I am loving my new color, but what is surprising to me the most is all of the compliments I am getting about how long my hair looks now. More than a few people have actually stopped me and asked if my hair is all mine or if I added a few extensions. While I can assure you it is from the carefully placed highlights, the end result is hair that looks significantly longer than it did when I entered the salon.


If you want to warm up your hair for Spring or give your growing hair the illusion of being longer (and finally feel like you are actually getting somewhere with your hair growth!), have your stylist add similar highlights. Or if you're in Baltimore, call Bethany at Balance for yourself. (Just don't all call at once or I won't be able to get in again.)

Are you thinking of changing your look? Or doing something drastic to your haircolor? Tell me in the comments!

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Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.