Question of the Week: What’s your favorite new product of 2017?

Ooh! This is a good one. What was your favorite product of 2017? Was it a foundation that changed everything? A shadow palette or a tool? I'm still all about my hair transformation; going from full frizz helmet to soft, shiny hair that swings. What did I use to make such a change? The Vital Nutrition Line from Keune. It adds nutrients damaged hair needs, along with helping to deal with excess porosity. My results are mindblowing. I'm on my fourth bottle of Porosity Filler. I can't live without it.  What about you? What's your favorite product of the year?

  EauMG - Need some last minute gift ideas? Well, I have them! I’ve posted gift guides all week. Check out this one for gifts for niblings and teens.

Geniabeme - See my results after using the PMD Personal Microderm for 3 weeks!

Gouldylox - Could this one brush replace four brushes in your kit? Maybe not every day, but if packing lightly is your thing, this transforming brush may just be your everything.

My Beauty Bunny - has the scoop on all the new releases from Physicians Formula. Wow! Some of these products are department store quality at drugstore prices!

Phyrra - 2017 had a ton of beauty releases. See the Worst Beauty Products of 2017!

Realizing Beauty - The new MAC Jade Jagger Collection just launched on December 14th and Christa shares why she's in love with everything from the shades to the packaging.

we heart this - Look, it's a primer...it's a serum...it's one of our favorite skincare products of the year! It's Ren Perfect Canvas.

Beautygeeks is all about these fragrances that keep summer alive despite the deep-freeze.

Blushing Noir - There is no one more glamorous on YouTube… maybe not even in the world…. than Patrick Starrr. His first collab with MAC Cosmetics is now available and it’s quintessentially Patrick. You’ll need every.single.piece.

(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

EauMG is Currently Craving: - What am I not craving right now?! There are so many great deals, gift sets and new products out right now. I know I don’t need anymore eyeshadow palettes, but I’m so tempted by the new Electropop one from Kevyn Aucoin. It looks so creamy and pigmented. ________________________________________________________________________

How porous is your hair? Have you ever even thought about it? I hadn't. Not really. I've been raving about Roux's Rejuvenating Porosity Control and Correct Conditioner for years. Then I fell in love with this new serum from Keune that made my hair go from straight up Wildling to print-ad-luscious. Before I tell you what took my hair from fuzzy, cotton candy to silky and lovely, let's discuss what porosity means.

Essentially, your hairs' porosity relates to how well your hair absorbs moisture. Hair with low porosity has a very tight cuticle and maintaining moisture may be difficult. Hair with high porosity absorbs water, oils and moisture like hungry squirrel. Why is hair so hungry? Because the cuticle is riddled with damage. Here's a fast way to determine the porosity of your own hair:

1. Pluck a clean strand of hair from your head.
2. Drop it in a glass of water.

If it floats and stays on top of the water, the cuticle is sealed and it's hard for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft.

If it sinks, your hair likely resembles Swiss cheese; and would be considered to have a high porosity.

This is my hair (on a good day) in August. Notice, it sticks together, it's "clumpy", it's frizzy and it's not cute.

My hair last night. I don't know what my bangs are doing, but my hair texture is amazing.

So now that you know if you have porosity issues, here are three products that will change everything you hate about your hair. They did for me!



1. Roux's Rejuvenating Porosity Control and Correct Conditioner at Sally Beauty should be your first stop.  Grab this for $11 or less (there is BOGO right now). This won't add a huge amount of moisture, but it will help manage the porosity of your hair.

2. Add a serum to smooth out hair and fill in the gaps. Specifically, Keune's Care Vital Nutrition Porosity Filler is like manna from heaven for my hair. This dramatically changed my hair and I've actually stopped looking to improve my results. I add a little serum to wet hair before I blow dry and after I blow dry. This keeps my hair silky, shiny non-frizzy. Grab the entire Vital Nutrition line if you have really troubling hair. It's not cheap but it's made the biggest difference of anything I've tried. Keune is a salon-only line, so to find the salon closest to you, click here.

3. Every other week, I treat my hair to an extended masque, using SheaMoisture® Mongongo & Hemp Seed Oils High Porosity Moisture-Seal Masque. I got mine at Target, but it should be anywhere that carries the full line of Shea Moisture.

While you are well on your way to maintaining a frizz-free life (or at least starting to win the battle), there is one more thing you should do. Add a little keratin. I use ApHogee® Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor every other week to help fill in those potholes in my cuticle. You do have to be careful not to overdo it with keratin; too much and your hair will break.

I started using the Keune Vital Nutrition Line, along with the products mentioned above in early September. Since then, my hair has changed dramatically. It swings. It moves independently, instead of in a tangled mass of frizz. It doesn't frizz as easily. My styles hold for days instead of hours. Instead of hating my hair, I love it.

Do you have high porosity hair? Let me know what works for you!

How gorgeous is this ghd flat iron? From the leather case to the heat protector that saves your countertops, this iron is made to love.  With heat one setting and a safety shut off after thirty minutes, it's goof-proof!



Remember when flat irons were used to straighten hair that was curly, wavy or even just coarse? Me too! So I decided to smooth out my very blonde hair to create a summery style that would keep me cool, while looking red carpet (or fancy evening out) ready. The best part? It's nowhere near as complicated as it looks, which is great as I'm not the world's greatest stylist. To create my simply luxe Red Carpet style, you'll need a limited edition ghd gold ruby sunset flat iron, some bobby pins, a few hair clips and a comb.


Style 1: Asymmetrical Braided Bob



I started by creating a deep part in my hair. Because I wanted some volume and texture in the braid, I did not flat iron this section of hair.

Next, I added part of my bangs to the side and began a dutch braid that ran from my temple to the middle section of the back of my hair. Clip the braid securely so it doesn't come undone.

Now section the remaining hair into two sections - the top and the bottom. Pull about 1/3 of the remaining hair into the top section and clip out of the way.

Now begin adding volume to the bottom section of hair by using the iron to create waves. With the iron pointing down, vroom your hands to create a motorcycle-like action. Vroom once and pull the iron through the hair. That smooth edge means a perfect wave! Do this until you've created volume and body throughout the lower section of hair.

Unclip the remaining section of hair and flat iron the hair smooth. If you have bangs, be sure to smooth the bangs in the direction you want them to go.

Grasp all of your loose hair, twisting it towards your face. Gently tuck the ends under and pin, forming a faux bob on one side. Make sure to tuck your braid under the bob and secure it in place as well.

Smooth, braid and go - polished, pretty and easy for summer events!

Don't be afraid to play with your part, especially if you are hiding a sneaky cowlick!

Don't strive for perfection. Slightly out of place is better!

Gently smooth out the hair with a comb and add your favorite shine spray to really play up the smooth side of your hair. Pretty and perfect for warm summer nights!

Style 2: Romantic Roll



Ready to try something a little more romantic? You'll still need a flat iron, bobby pins and a little hair spray. And you may need some extra hands to help you pin hair into place. I most definitely did!

Start by sectioning off the front and the back of the hair.

Twist the back half into a loose roll, pinning as you twist.

Begin creating waves and curls the front section of your hair with the ghd gold ruby sunset flat iron.

Loosely pin back the curls so the face is delicately framed. Leave out small pieces or pull it all back, it's up to you.







Which is your favorite style? Pro tip! If you have hair that is coarse, make sure you use an oil or shine spray to help the iron glide through the hair with ease.


Try it yourself with the ghd Limited Edition Gold Ruby Sunset 1" flat iron. You'll get a beautiful matching bag to store the iron, as well as a heat plate protective "sleeve". This flat iron even comes with an extra long, non-tangling cord and requires universal voltage, so you can take your iron anywhere you go. If you order now, you'll even get FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING.

What is your favorite flat iron? Have you tried ghd before? Let's discuss in the comments!

Want hair that behaves, stays smooth and looks amazing, even in August on the East Coast? Try Living Proof's No Frizz Humidity Shield. Don't be fooled, this is no hair spray, no matter what anyone on the internet says. While it doesn't provide hold, it does magically keep hair from frizzing out, thanks to their signature OFPMA healthy hair molecule. My very blonde, very damaged hair frizzes with the slightest hint of humidity and last weekend was the perfect test. But before we dive into my after, let's talk about how you actually use this spray.

To apply Humidity Shield, simply spray it on your dry hair and smooth the hair, using a brush or your hands. While Living Proof claims this is weightless and will not build up, it definitely deflated my style slightly. That said, being frizz-free is my preference seven days a week.


OMG! Check out how smooth my hair was (without a flat iron!) last weekend in Jersey. This photo was taken after several hours of movie-going, shopping, driving eating and walking outside. The humidity was intense, but my hair stayed smooth!

Grab a small bottle to keep in your purse and the regular size for your vanity. If you deal with frizz, this is really good stuff.  //  $14-22

Grab your tote and hit the road! Just make sure you've packed a few essential items to stay gorgeous along the way.


Drip Dry: The phrase "wash and go" has never meant anything to me. That all changes when you start styling your hair in the shower. Living Proof's New Perfect Hair Day In-Shower Styler is actually the answer to summer hair. Here's how it works: Wash and condition as usual. Apply a little bit of the thick cream to your hair, from roots to ends. Then rinse lightly, making sure not to wash the product out. Comb your hair and scrunch. Now don't touch it until it's actually dry. For me, that means a little crunchy feeling. My hair hardens into a light weight shell and once that shell is 100% dry, I smooth it out and a left with super glossy, non-frizzy hair. I can't believe it works this well, especially on my very frizzy, very straight hair. While I don't get beautiful curls, I do get a slight wave and no frizz without any effort. // $24.00



Faux Ingénue : If you happen to see the Metallic Mattes in HD Gleam from Revlon, grab it. It's a beautiful shade of your lips but better, in a really light metallic, see through pink. It's too pretty to pass up and works anytime you need to look innocent. // $8.00



Be The Beach: Fake good hair with a little extra texture.  Try this Sea Salt Spray from KeraBotanica ($22.00), You Had Me At Hello. It will add a bit of baby texture and a sweet scent to your style, without overpowering anything. Want more texture? Step it up with Ecru's Dry Texture Spray ($26.00). A combo of texture and hold, this light spray adds volume and texture without any heavy buildup.



Golden Girl Forever: Stila's Heaven's Hue Highlighter is trying to trick you. Sure, two of the three shades work well as highlighters, but for pale girls, the Bronze is everything. It's such a light, golden shade, it works on eyes, cheeks and even as a little pop of summer if you brush it onto your hair. This would also be a gorgeous golden shade on darker skin tones as well. And it doubles as a shadow! // $32.00



Glow-getter: Don't leave home without a way to renew your glow. Pixi makes it easy to glow on the go with their Glow Tonic, Glow-On-The-Go AHA Wipes or the new Peel and Polish. Finish up your fresh face with GelTint and SilkGloss Lippies in long-wearing colors!

I change what I do with my hair, and how I wear it, every other week. This means I quickly find out what works for me and what doesn't. However, in talking to so many of you in person and online, I realized one thing that so many people are skipping when they wash their hair.

But before I dive into the biggest hair mistake you're probably making, let's talk about all of the hair washing trends that seem to confuse anyone not obsessed with their own hair.



1. Co-Wash: Conditioner-only washing. This means no surfactants or soaps are used. Some products are actually called "co-washes". You can also use a regular conditioner as a co-wash by skipping the shampoo. Try: As I Am, CoWash $13.00 //



2. Pre-Wash Treatment: This is a conditioning treatment that helps prepare dry or sensitized hair before it's washed. Applied to the mid-shaft and ends only, this treatment helps delicate strands survive the washing process while helping to improve the overall quality of your hair. Try: Burt's Bees, Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment, $10.00 //  Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil, $18.00 // Living Proof Timeless Pre-Shampoo Treatment, $26.00 //

3. Scalp Exfoliators: These can either be used before or after washing and remove dirt and debris from the scalp. In some cases, this may help struggling hair follicles breathe a little easier. One side effect of washing with products like Wen or Hairstory is that the product may not be rinsed completely and cause follicular damage. A scalp exfoliator can help stop that build up and make your hair swing like crazy. If your hair isn't swinging when you shake your head, it needs a little help. Try: Madam CJ Walker, Dream Come True Scalp Exfoliator, $32.00 //



4. Scalp Toners: These are now a thing as well, and help de-gunk an oily scalp. DevaCurl even launched a micellar water to help cleanse the scalp and hair. Use these no more than once per week. Try: ESSENTIAL RINSE Scalp & Hair Toner by Younghee, $29.00// DEVACURL  Buildup Buster Micellar Water Cleansing Serum $28.00 //

5. Reverse Washing: This just means you condition first and wash second. This is great for oily or fine hair that is not damaged. You don't need a specialty product, you just need to condition first and shampoo second.



6. Air Stylers: These are essentially polymers that adhere to wet hair and help it dry without looking frizzy OR wet. If these work with your hair, there is no better summer style than an air dry! Try: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day In-Shower Styler, $24.00 // Redken No Blow Dry Airy Cream For Fine Hair, $24.00 // Matrix Style Link Wild Boho Texturizing Air Dry Cream, $18.00 // Color Wow Coconut Cocktail Bionic Tonic, $24.00 (Technically, this isn't an air styler, but it works wonders on my sensitized hair!) //

Now that we are all on the same page with the trends, what is the biggest mistake you may be making?



So what should a basic wash and condition look and feel like?

Great for sensitized or weak hair! Save 20% with code GOULDY20 at checkout!

Start by wetting your hair completely. You know how wet your hair is after you get out of a swimming pool? Your hair should be wet like that. Otherwise, the soap and conditioner will not spread evenly.

Apply the shampoo to your scalp and massage the shampoo into your entire scalp. Use your fingers to make little circles, massaging every inch of your scalp. Don't skimp! Now go over your scalp a second time, making sure to really manipulate the roots of your hair. It should feel nice, so enjoy! Try: Ms. Pompadour Strengthening Shower Experience (shampoo & conditioner), $40.00 // Use checkout code Gouldy20 and save 20% at check out!

Next, you'll want to spread the shampoo through the mid-shaft of the hair and rinse.

Condition your hair from the mid-shaft down. If you have dry or chemically-treated hair, you may want to apply the conditioner a few inches from your roots. Allow the conditioner to sit for a few moments and rinse thoroughly. Try: Ms. Pompadour Strengthening Conditioner (includes shampoo), $40.00 //
Make sure you really take a few moments to rinse all product out of your hair.

My favorite reason to scrub-a-dub my scalp? I love how it helps my hair swing and move more naturally. Plus, it just feels fantastic. And a scalp that is stimulated and clean is exactly what you want to grow stronger, longer, thicker hair. (Unless you have a serious hairloss problem. then you should defer to someone who knows more about hairloss than I do.) If you aren't thoroughly cleansing your scalp, you're not doing it right.

But rest easy knowing you aren't alone. The more you know, right?

Got questions on the basics? Ask me anything- I'm ready to answer!

Question of the Week: We all go through phases when it comes to beauty products, so tell us what you’re really into right now. Makeup? Skincare? Fragrance? Haircare? Or…?

 I'm all about my hair right now (which should surprise no one). Specifically, I'm interested in it growing faster and not looking brassy. Also shiny. And I want it to be smooth and swing. It's a lot to ask, I know, but the heart wants what the heart wants. This weekend, I'm playing with a new line of de-brassing products from Matrix, Tot Results Brass Off. I've used Blonde Threesome, a leave-in de-brasser that softens damaged hair and loved how allowed my hair to air dry. I'm not too sure about the reduction of yellow in my hair, but the lack of heat styling was lovely. It will also protect delicate strands from heat styling, so it's a total win for me. What are you into right now? What should I check out next?

In the meantime, what did you miss in the wonderful world of beauty this week?

Nouveau Cheap - Ulta has added so many new brands to their website over the past few months, but did you hear about these two brands that will be available (very) soon?

Phyrra - Do you have problem skin but hate caking on foundation? I share my Glowing Light Coverage Foundation Routine for Problem Skin!

Prime Beauty - Ding dong, Avon calling! Color me impressed with the updated color rich Avon True Color Nourishing Lipsticks! Read my review and see swatches.

we heart this - Feel the power of the BUBBLE!

Beauty Junkies Unite - I'm getting ready for some bright summer fun with the new MAC Fruity Juicy Collection!

Blushing Noir - Just when I thought Chrissy Teigen had slayed every aspect of my life she went ahead and did a collab with BECCA Cosmetics, proving she actually IS my spirit animal. Check out the Glow Face Palette here!

EauMG - I’ve decided I just want to smell like the French and Italian Riviera this summer. And this aromatic citrus from Tonatto Profumi smells just like that.

fanserviced-b - I tried the pricey, Instagram-famous Hanacure zombie mask and the results were pretty horrific.

Gouldylox - Bored with your beauty stash? Here are >ten reasons you need to update your routine right now!

My Beauty Bunny - This week, we reviewed the entire Urban Decay x Basquiat collection in a 2 part series. Check out them out here! (Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)

Nouveau Cheap is Currently Craving: I just discovered that Tocca has hair fragrances now, and I’m super excited to try them (especially Cleopatra, since I love the idea of my hair smelling of grapefruit and cucumber).