Conditioner -Live Clean - Professional Damage Therapy Conditioner 
Xya 11/20/2012 4:27:00 AM
I tried the split end cream first, which I could feel strengthening my dry hair (recently bleached/colored) within minutes of putting it in - my hair just absorbed it, and I could tell it actually did strengthen it because I tugged on it now and then (which would normally cause at least a bit of breakage at the top/ends with hair that dry/damaged, especially when firmly tugging a good chunk/fist of it). The shampoo and conditioner aren't quite as strong as that but are great for regular use (and none of the products irritate my sensitive skin) - the shampoo cleans the best of all of the Live Clean line without drying the hair or stripping even semi-permanent color, and the conditioner moisturizes and strengthens the hair without weighing it down or creating residue (the hair actually has more volume because of the added strength, yet is still light and very well-cleaned - it also cuts down on frizz even in humidity because of how well it repairs/strengthens porous hair). The spray also works well as a lightweight leave-in conditioner. The Damage Therapy products are now my favorite of the Live Clean line and in general (the scent is subtle but not spectacular, for a better scent you can mix it with a bit of another product you prefer the scent of) - I'd recommend them for anyone to try, especially people with fine, dry, and/or damaged hair.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -John Frieda - Frizz-Ease Weather Works Weather-proofing Style Sealant Creme
Xya 6/25/2011 5:57:00 PM
This product doesn't completely eliminate frizz, but aside from serums that so easily get greasy and weigh down my fine/thick, wavy, porous, shortish (bangs to my jawline, layered sides gradiating to a short/shaggy/spiky pixie fringe in the back) hair that's generally dry but gets greasy very easily too, this is the only thing I've found besides gel (but this doesn't make it stiff, nearly as heavy, or substantially slow the time it takes to dry) that prevents frizz and weird poofy flyaway waves to my bangs when I let my hair air-dry (on days when I decide not to fry it with a hair drier to give it a break). I haven't been able to find a leave-in conditioner that works this well yet. It doesn't do wonders for volume but gives great shine and hasn't made my hair greasy no matter how much I've used. I'd give this a 5 if it completely eliminated frizz and didn't make my hair air dry so flat that it necessitates products (I really like Marc Anthony Instantly Thick Cream for volume, a bit of Alberto Clay to tease some extra volume into it, and Alberto Gum for stronger texture/lift - Alberto Gum also holds up to damp hair that's been crushed by a hood to keep rain off it, though it'll still flatten like all products you can easily fluff it back up to nearly it's original volume once it dries a bit which is odd because it washes out so easily in the shower, but if left to its own devices can last and give volume to hair for days..this is the only thing I've found giving natural hold and great volume so far that can get me through rain/snow, which makes a huge difference on short hair. Short, fine, FLAT hair generally does not look good). EDIT 3/8/11: I've found that Live Clean Argan Oil Conditioner is the only thing that completely eliminates my frizz without weighing down my hair at all (though you should only sleep on your hair with it once it's completely dried, or it'll likely turn out weird..but once it's dry it's fine). With that conditioner, I don't need to use anything else in my hair afterward (and it's sulfate/silicone/cruelty-free - detangles/moisturizes extremely well too)..and it smells like cocoa butter! I can use that conditioner on my hair when dried to, and once it soaks in it makes my hair soft/smooth (I've never used too much, but you do have to wait for it to soak in on dry hair). However, that doesn't seem to do as much for the ends of my hair as something with silicone does (because that coats the hair, and makes it glossier), but for the rest of my hair it's miraculous! EDIT 6/25/11: After noticing my fine, porous hair beginning to become dried out and start to break off I eliminated products with sodium hydroxide (diluted lye, used to relax hair or balance ph in products) which I didn't previously notice this had - and that is not something I'd want to leave in my hair, let alone sometimes add to it once it's already dry. I still use the Live Clean Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner (I used the conditioning mask now as it's thicker and more deeply moisturizing, but still doesn't weigh down my hair) with great results, and once I'm out of the shower I add some Live Clean Fresh Water Leave-In Conditioner, Live Clean Smooth & Shine Cream, and finish with L'Oreal Indestructible Ultra Strong Hold Gel (though it has alcohol in it, it's the only thing I've found that I can use in my hair and even sleep on while it's wet yet still have my short layered bob with cropped/spiked back come out nearly as well as if I'd blow-dried it - it perfectly shapes/straightens my normally wavy hair as if I'd heat styled/set it even when I sleep on my hair wet, which is amazing as sleeping on damp hair generally makes me look like Edward Scissorhands the next day. I just have to comb it out the next morning so it's not stiff, and it doesn't even feel like there's anything in my hair. If it was alcohol free it'd definitely be my HG and I'd never bother trying anything else - though I still haven't found anything nearly as great, especially for the price. I barely ever have to use additional product to give it volume anymore, and haven't blow-dried it in months!).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Giovanni - Vitapro Fusion Leave-In Hair Treatment
Xya 3/19/2011 6:21:00 PM
This seemed to work a bit better than their Direct Leave-In Conditioner (neither weighed the hair down or eliminated frizz, and the other leave-in had this gross underlying vomit scent that made me nauseous. I really liked their 50:50 conditioner when I tried it a few years back though, and it smelled much better). However this smelled distinctly like sharp onion/B.O. - exactly as if I'd rubbed an unwashed, sweaty armpit on my head (and the scent wafted)..I had to wash it out right away, I couldn't even cover the scent (it made it smell as if I hadn't showered in a week or 2 when I'd just gotten out). I'm not normally picky about scents, and not the kind of person who showers twice a day unless I really need it (only in severe heat/humidity with prolonged/intense physical activity could I ever justify drying out my irritable skin like that)..but the two Giovanni leave-ins just smelled absolutely foul.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Giovanni - Direct Leave in Conditioner
Xya 3/19/2011 6:07:00 PM
This seemed to work okay (didn't weigh down the hair, and didn't really eliminate frizz either), but I couldn't get over the smell - it had an underlying scent that was exactly like vomit (it actually made me feel nauseous, and even strong scents don't normally bother me at all), which is not something I'd want my hair to smell like if I had a choice in the matter. It's too bad because I really liked their 50:50 conditioner when I tried it a few years back (and it smelled much better, not that it'd take much). I also tried their VitaPro Fusion Leave-In Spray, and it smelled like sharp onion/B.O. - exactly as if I'd rubbed an unwashed, sweaty armpit on my head..completely unpleasant (I had to wash it out right away, I couldn't even cover the scent..it just smelled like I hadn't showered in a week or 2).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Yes To Carrots - Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner
Xya 3/19/2011 5:52:00 PM
This detangles and moisturizes great without silicone or other additives - it's thick and creamy, not really expensive for the amount you get (I've often seen it on sale nearly 1/2 price), and has a decent scent that isn't overwhelming. It doesn't smooth the hair as much as my current favorite conditioner (Live Clean Argan Oil - smooths better than serums/creams/lotions/leave-ins I've used without weighing the hair down at all..though I suspect it could be more deeply moisturizing for processed hair, but they have a mask I haven't tried that'd no doubt be better in that respect), but is the second best silicone-free conditioner I've used so far. EDIT 6/25/11: Realized that the sodium hydroxide (diluted lye) in this and other products was drying out my hair (it's stopped breaking off since I ceased using products with it), not to mention that getting it in your eyes can blind you (a risk I'm not willing to take with shampoo/conditioner).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo
Xya 3/19/2011 5:39:00 PM
Though I don't love the smell, I find it lathers and cleans much better than the EverStrong Bodify shampoo I also have, and combined with a conditioner with argan oil (I use Live Clean's) it really does tame frizz without weighing down the hair. I wouldn't use the line's leave-in cream unless you like the smell of the rest, as it's the same masculine aftershave scent (works well though) - but the scent of the shampoo can be covered by most conditioner I've used with it. I'm not sure if I'd get it again though just because of the smell, and it's not my favorite shampoo simply for cleansing ability either (I've found many more effective that also don't strip/fade hair/color) - as long as you use a good argan oil or silicone product (conditioner, serum, etc), you'll still get great smoothing results. EDIT 6/25/11: Realized that the sodium hydroxide (diluted lye) in this and other products was drying out my hair (it's stopped breaking off since I ceased using products with it), not to mention that getting it in your eyes can blind you (a risk I'm not willing to take with shampoo/conditioner).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Live Clean - (Apple cider)- clearifying shampoo
Xya 3/8/2011 12:39:00 AM
Seems to work well as a clarifying shampoo without being too drying (I've only used one other clarifying shampoo to compare it to, and while that was drying it was also volumizing..this one didn't weigh down my hair and got rid of all the product, but I wouldn't really actually call it volumizing)..but I did need to use conditioner afterward to detangle even my fairly short hair, though not much. Also, it gets rid of most of the residue when I first wash the semi-permanent dye out of my hair without seeming to strip the color (I initially bought it as I've heard vinegar rinses are good for helping semi-permanent colors absorb right after dying). I also found another use for it - as an apparently quite effective sulfate-free body wash for acne (which Apple Cider Vinegar's known to be good for)..even better than the Desert Essence Vanilla Chai Body Wash I was previously using that had salicylic acid (I think because ACV is also anti-bacterial as well as an exfoliant due to the citric acid). It did seem to dry my skin just a tad (but didn't make it flaky, just quite tight), but also dried up my spots and evened my skin tone very quickly without irritating my sensitive, eczema-prone skin (the irritation is why I've previously been able to use ACV, even when very diluted..but this seems to be a perfect balance). EDIT: 3/19/11: You have to dilute it a lot to be able to use it as a body wash without it drying your skin out, and it even dries my scalp with regular use. It is however a great occasional (monthly) clarifier and body wash for acne, just not suitable for frequent use with my particular (finicky) skin/hair.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Mitchum Solid Deodorant - Powder Fresh
Xya 3/8/2011 12:27:00 AM
Mitchum is the only brand I've used that lasts more than a day or through much heat and/or physical activity. I was using the gel, but that seems to strip the dye from the underarm of my shirts for some reason, and is drying. I don't have either of those problems with the solid (I have the Clinical Performance), and it seems to work just as well. I've tried other brands, but I don't know why when this works so amazingly compared to all the rest.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Mitchum - Smart Solid - Powder
Xya 3/8/2011 12:26:00 AM
Mitchum is the only brand I've used that lasts more than a day or through much heat and/or physical activity. I was using the gel, but that seems to strip the dye from the underarm of my shirts for some reason, and is drying. I don't have either of those problems with the solid (I have the Clinical Performance), and it seems to work just as well. I've tried other brands, but I don't know why when this works so amazingly compared to all the rest.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Mitchum Smart Solid Clinical Performance - Unscented
Xya 3/8/2011 12:08:00 AM
Mitchum is the only brand I've used that lasts more than a day or through much heat and/or physical activity. I was using the gel, but that seems to strip the dye from the underarm of my shirts for some reason, and is drying. I don't have either of those problems with the solid, and it seems to work just as well. I've tried other brands, but I don't know why when this works so amazingly compared to all the rest.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Live Clean - (Exotic Nectar) Restorative Conditioner
Xya 3/8/2011 12:01:00 AM
This is the only conditioner I've ever used that actually eliminates the need to use something else after showering to combat frizz - it completely eliminates it (and without any silicones)! Very little is needed, it smells like cocoa butter (mmm..), and it also detangles and moisturizes amazingly without causing my hair to be flat/limp when it air-dries (I've even left it in my hair, or added it to dry hair - it eventually soaks in, and makes my hair so soft. I've never used so much that it looks/feels odd in my hair, even on already dry hair I've never had any problems). The only issue I've had is that if you sleep on you hair with just this in it before it's completely dry it won't keep the hair tame (I've woken up with some weird fly-aways on my shortish hair because of that, which is how I found out it works well on dry hair too), but once it's completely dry it's fine. I'm so glad I found this, I won't ever use another and will be devastated if it's ever discontinued.. EDIT 11/20/12: I find using this in the summer can cause some residue and that the Live Clean Professional Damage Therapy line is actually superior to this and much else for cleaning, repairing, volumizing, defrizzing, etc without drying/stripping the hair, irritating the skin, or leaving residue (it's amazing in all respects, including not stripping even semi-permanent hair color) - I still use the Argan products because I love the scent and find they improve the subtle but not great (not bad, but not good either) scent of the Damage Therapy products, so I mix a bit of the LC Argan shampoo/conditioner with the Damage Therapy shampoo/conditioner for that reason.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Marc Anthony - Thickening Cream
Xya 1/20/2011 9:50:00 AM
My hair's fine (but thick in that there's a lot of it), porous (tends to be dry but also easily gets greasy), wavy, and frizzy. When I let it air-dry (using John Frieda Weather Works to keep it from looking crazy when I do) it tends to be pretty flat. However, I add some of this stuff (sometimes quite a bit, the more the better I find) and it makes my hair almost look like I blow-dried it! It gives so much volume/lift so quickly (I work it into the roots and through the hair, scrunching/fluffing/teasing to help heighten the effect..it gives hair an interesting feel that makes it very easy to work with to give volume, and without drying alcohols), there's very few products that I absolutely love instantly and this is one of them. After using the thickening cream, to add more strength/body/thickness/texture to the volume of my hair I use Alberto Texturizing Gum (a little bit goes a long way) - that stuff has incredible hold/body/volume and has even stood up to my hair being soaked then crushed with a hood to fend off rain (it'll be flat, but dries quickly and you can fluff it right back up to nearly the original height without adding more once it dries because the Gum is just that incredibly resilient even if it's been in the hair a few days yet still washes out easily in the shower..that was my last and so far favorite miracle product that I now feel the need to share in most of my hair product reviews because it's AMAZING! It feels kind of thick and tacky when you first put it in but that fades in a few minutes so your hair'll feel normal but with great volume/hold/height and you'll be able to work with it more easily then. I haven't found anything as strong as this that gives such a natural-looking hold and lasts so well even through rain/snow). But yes, I will definitely get more Marc Anthony Thickening Cream. I didn't expect the results to be dramatic enough (especially on flat hair) for it to become a staple, but it really is incredible and I'd probably cry (on the inside anyway) if it was discontinued. If Alberto's Texturizing Gum was ever discontinued though, I'd buy every single jar I could find (I'd get it by the crate if I could)..
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Giovanni - D:Tox System Purifying Body bar
Xya 1/20/2011 7:30:00 AM
I actually used the body wash (however, the bar soap contains the same ash in it so I felt the issue was still relevant) but felt I should warn anyone with sensitive, irritable skin that thought this didn't seem to initially irritate my skin, I found that the ash particles in it were so fine that they actually got embedded in my pores and have been there for a week after only using it once on the body and a few times on my face and have been continually causing irritation/inflammation from inside my skin (this hasn't gotten better and shows no signs of working its way to the surface of my skin and out of it yet). Of everything I've ever used on my sensitive skin, this stuff has made it react the worst (nothing I use that generally helps acne/inflammation - that's barely been much of issue on my skin for years until using this - works because the particles are still trapped and just continually irritates it again from the inside, and some areas of irritation hurt as if there's tiny particles of sand rubbing at the inside of my skin..it makes me want to scream with frustration). I wish I had a time machine so I could go back and break my own arms to keep me from ever picking this stuff up (it's sad that I'm not joking). Between this and the issue I had with the Giovanni leave-in conditioners (the cream smelled enough like vomit to make me nauseous every time I caught a whiff, and the spray smelled exactly like sharp B.O. and made my head smell exactly like a sweaty armpit and lingered strongly enough to make it simply smell like I hadn't washed or used deodorant in a week when I'd just showered) I think I might personally boycott this company - I'm only hesitant due to one product I used and liked a few years back that has since been reformulated so might not even work as well (the 50:50 Conditioner was the only conditioner besides a hair mask that ever seemed to really help the condition of my fine/thick, porous, wavy, frizzy, often chemically damaged from bleach/dye/heat hair that tends to be dry but also easily gets greasy..I only had to use it once or twice a month as a deep conditioner and it was amazing, though I can't speak for the new formula. It was also a great leave-in if you diluted it with water, and didn't smell bad at all). EDIT 3/8/11: It's been over a month, and my skin has yet to completely heal. I've found another body wash (that isn't actually a body wash - it's Live Clean Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo. I tried it because ACV is known to be good for acne, but is too much for my sensitive skin unless extremely diluted..but this seems to be perfect once I water it down a bit to keep it from over-drying my skin. I think it's so effective because it not only exfoliates because of the citric acid, but is also an anti-bacterial) that seems to be more effective than my previous one at helping to repair my skin (the other body wash was fine until I used this scrub and ruined my skin).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Alberto Vo5 - rework Fibre Putty
Xya 1/19/2011 8:48:00 PM
At first this seemed to be decent for teasing/fluffing up my hair, but it didn't seem to have any real hold and always fell flat very quickly..maybe it's better for very short hair (I add volume to the crown and lightly spike up the back of my hair which is only about 3-4" long, and this isn't effective for). It also makes my head itchy (maybe the mineral oil, which is probably also what weighs it down). I give this a 2 because it might add a tiny bit of texture to hair that might be good for adding volume to fine hair if combined with another product or hair-sprayed into place, and I also might try watering it down and adding to damp hair before I blow-dry to see if it'll help hold a style so it isn't a completely waste of money. It's not the worst thing I've ever used but doesn't deserve all the outstanding reviews I've read as far as I can see, but Alberto's Clay and Gum were also on sale when I bought this and I find those both work very well (I like the Gum best for strong but natural texture/volume and overall fantastic styling ability as well as the fact that it makes my hair quite resilient to rain/snow which nothing else does, but the Clay's good for teasing the hair to give it light/airy volume). The Gum and the Clay also didn't make my head itchy. Alberto's Texturizing Gum is what I'd hoped the Putty would be but wasn't. I use the Gum to add strength/body/thickness/texture to the volume of my hair (a little bit goes a long way, even on my fine hair) - that stuff has incredible hold/body/volume and has even stood up to my hair being soaked then crushed with a hood to fend off rain (it'll be flat but dries quickly, and you can fluff it right back up to nearly the original height without adding more once it dries because the Gum is just that incredibly resilient even if it's been in the hair a few days, yet it still washes out easily in the shower oddly enough. It feels kind of thick and tacky when you first put it in but that fades in a few minutes so your hair'll feel normal but with great volume/hold/height and you'll be able to work with it more easily then. I haven't found anything as strong as this that gives such a natural-looking hold and lasts so well even through rain/snow). I rub just a little bit of it between my fingers, through the back of my pixie/shag to spike the back (but in a way that looks soft and natural..it can give both definition and subtlety depending on how you work it into the hair), then I use the bulk of it to tease/scrunch the roots/hair at the crown for volume (this is the place that needs the most height/volume/hold, and is the thinnest/flattest and most difficult part of my hair), then work the sides/bangs to give them some volume/texture too (the parts where the most is added for volume may not look great at first until it dries in after a few minutes, then it's easy to fluff it and get it the way you want it so that it looks just like your regular hair only better..for me at least). So in conclusion, Alberto's Rework Putty didn't do it (or anything really) for me, but Alberto's Gum is the most amazing thing that has ever touched my head!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Garnier - Fructis - MANGA
Xya 1/19/2011 8:21:00 PM
This works great for what I use it for. Using too much will make your hair crunchy, as will adding globs assuming that because it's creamy/gelatinous that it should be used similarly to gel..it actually dries to feel more like hairspray when I use it (but no helmet head/crunch/stiffness) and gives strong hold but lightweight volume and a natural look (once you get the hang of it). I use it two ways. First, I water a small bit of it down and add it to damp hair (after adding thermal spray) and distribute evenly through the hair (don't add too much and you need to water it down as it will dry in the hair fairly quickly, it actually seems to cut my blow-drying time and will dry exactly the way you style it so make sure you're styling in it the direction you want it to go in..if you don't add too much product it will give a strong hold while still feeling natural, too much will give you too much hold and if you have short/shaggy hair you can easily end up with crazy, gravity defiant anime hair that will stay in place for days - yet oddly still have very natural movement - and that may or may not be your style). So I use this to give hold to a blow-dried style, and it does this well (it seems to soak into my hair to still feel like hair, just stronger and even thicker if I add enough). The second way I use this (it works best after being blow-dry styled, but also works well on its own for shorter hair) is after the hair's dried. I take a bit and rub/spread it out thinly over my fingertips and fingers so it no longer feels so puffy/gelatinous (it dries quick so you need to use it quickly) and spike the back of my hair (just gently/lightly run it through the hair or it'll be too stiff), then I use it to scrunch/tease my roots for extra volume/strength and lightly brush the tips of my fingers through the ends for height and lightweight hold, and continue to scrunch throughout the hair until it has strong but lightweight volume (it shouldn't feel stiff or crunchy, but may take a few tries to get used to the odd texture/behavior of the product). This product is the closest thing I've found to having the height/hold of Got2b Freeze Blasting Spray without giving me helmet head or having drying alcohols in it. It has lots of strength but no resilience so if it gets rained on and/or crushed it will flatten unless you add something texturizing that's also resilient to rain - I use Alberto Gum (which works well enough on its own, but has more strength when used after the Manga Head is applied) for stronger texture/lift at the roots/base of the hair as this gum also holds up to damp hair that's been crushed by a hood to keep rain off of it (though it'll still flatten like all products you can easily fluff it back up to nearly it's original volume once it dries a bit, which is odd because it washes out so easily in the shower..but if left to its own devices can last and give volume to hair for days). Alberto's Gum this is the only thing I've found so far that gives such strong natural-looking hold and volume, and can also get me through rain/snow (though I still try to keep my hood or an umbrella up during so as not to push it, I've never had it fail me) - this makes a huge difference on short hair, which can look great until rain completely deflates it and then often just looks flat, limp, sometimes stringy due to watered down hair product, and sad. Alberto Gum feels really thick at first (and I don't use a lot) and may seem hard to work with, but it will sort of dry into your hair - it won't make it feel dry, your hair will just gradually start to feel like there's less product in it until it feels basically like normal hair again but with more texture/strength/volume that you can fluff up, scrunch, and play with until it suits you (it'll only keep feeling like there's a lot of thick product in it if you use too much, it's best to just use a bit and add some more once it dries if you need to). Though this all sounds like it'd be time consuming, doing my hair usually only takes me maybe 20 minutes including the time it takes me to blow-dry.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No