Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

Your Brightening Monday Motivator

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This Monday Motivator is for all the blonde beauties, natural and bottled alike. They say “blondes have more fun”, if you are a bottled blonde, you know all too well the upkeep on our tresses isn’t always a fun time. Between battling tangles, split ends, damage and that ever present frizz, we know for certain that the “blondes have more fun” slogan was created by a natural blonde. Before you run to your stylist and go back to brunette, I have a treat for you! Meet Blonde Life Brightening Veil from Joico!

This gem is a lifesaver for any bottled blonde out there! First and foremost, the scent is out of this world…think of the beach mixed with what you imagine Jon Bon Jovi smells like…it’s heavenly. Blonde Life Brightening Veil was created for natural blondes as well, so all of us are covered. This gem from Joico is an instant safeguard for blonde tresses. It boosts shine and doubles the strength of every strand. It leaves your hair comb-able, manageable, and frizz free. The secret is in the sauce – a blend of rich Tahitian Manoi Oil combined with ultra hydrating Tamanu Oil delivers deep nourishment and protection against the harsh UV rays. Add in Joico’s exclusive Bio Advanced Peptide Complex and your tresses are guaranteed additional repair and protection.

Blonde Life Brightening Veil protects your hair from;

  • thermal stylers
  • chemicals
  • UV exposure
  • humidity
  • dryness

To be applied to towel dried hair, spray all over, comb through, blow dry and style as usual. *for optimum results pair with Blonde Life Shampoo and Conditioner. 

After using Joico’s Blonde Life Brightening Veil, I found my hair had more shine, so much so I didn’t apply my usual shine spray. I had less of those little hairs poking up from the top of my head…you know, the ones your Mother used to pat down with her spit…still a little scarred by that to be honest. I had less tangles before blow drying and my hair smelled wonderful…like so good that I would run my fingers through it just to catch a whiff of the scent in the air.

So there you have it. For all my blonde beauties, with this gem from Joico, you are guaranteed a good hair day this Monday, and everyday.

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator vs Monday Motivator – Battle of the oils

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Here we are again. Monday has arrived and with it the endless questions…Where are my keys? Who is picking up the kids from day camp? Did someone feed the dog? Why do toddlers like to play hide and seek with my purse? What does hot coffee taste like? For most of us, our Monday morning questions list is endless. The most common question…what product is best for my hair – this question is posed not only on Monday, but everyday. Trust me, this I know. I am asked everyday via text, email or by a comment on my blog. With so many products out there, how are we to know what to use? Today I am hoping to shed a little light on two products for you all. Over the past week I created a “battle of the oils” if you will. Moroccanoil vs SarynaKey.

 

Both of these oils are formulated to hydrate and moisturize the hair and to help repair damage and restore luster and shine to the hair. *side note – Moroccanoil has a “light” formula for fine hair/blondes, this I know. I used the original formula for it was the closest to SarynaKey’s formula and I wanted an equal comparison.

Morocannoil Oil Treatment (original) is infused with antioxidant rich argan oil and shine boosting vitamins. It detangles, speeds up drying time and boosts shine. Can be used on wet or dry hair. Formulated for all hair types, chemically treated or natural and any length. *ingredient list to be found at http://www.moroccanoil.com

SarynaKey Pure African Shea Oil Treatment is infused with shea butter – a natural source of keratin which is used to repair hair, leaving the hair soft, shiny and well moisturized. Vitamins and amino acids penetrate the hair cuticle to help restore porosity from root to tip. Can be used on wet or dry hair. Lightweight, absorbs quickly and formulated for all hair types, chemically treated or natural and any length. *ingredient list to be found at http://www.sarynakey.com

Now, for my results.

I used Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for 3 days. I washed my hair the first day, for the other two, I just wet my hair in the shower before styling and blow drying. The first day I applied a dime size amount throughout my hair when it was damp, blew dry my hair and styled. My hair felt softer and had a little more shine, yet still had some tangles. For the other two days, I applied the same size amount of Moroccanoil to my hair when it was dry, after using my flat iron *it is not a thermal protectant*. My hair continued to feel soft but was becoming weighed down and I found it harder to achieve volume and style and unfortunately my blonde was starting to pick up brassy tones. (…I know, the Moroccanoil light formula was created to stop this. As I stated above, I wanted an equal comparison). All in all, a lovely oil, best suited for medium to thick hair, and darker tones and colors.

I used SarynaKey Pure African Shea Oil Treatment for the next 3 days. I washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo to give myself a blank canvas if you will. As with the Moroccanoil, I washed my hair the first day, then only wet my hair in the shower before styling and blow drying for the remaining two days. The first day I applied a dime size amount throughout my hair when it was damp, blew dry my hair and styled. My hair felt softer, had shine and no tangles at all. For the next two days, as with the Morocannoil, I applied the same amount of SarynaKey to my hair when it was dry… again, after I used my flat iron *this is not a thermal protectant*. My hair continued to feel soft, it was not weighed down, it was easy to achieve my desired volume and style….and no brassy tones. My blonde stayed true. As you know, I am  a “non blonde” blonde. My natural level is between a 2/3, so I pick up brassy tones easier then men and money. All and all, a lovely oil as well. Suited for all hair types, fine to thick, and any color, from light to dark.

I am not here to sway an opinion in any way, shape or form. My sole purpose, as always is to educate and enlighten. Both Morocannoil and SarynKey oils are Salon professional oils that deliver on their promise. The difference I found was this…Moroccanoil has 2 Oil Treatments, one for medium to thick hair & darker tones and one for fine hair & lighter tones. SarynaKey has 1 Oil Treatment, formulated for all hair types and tones. Sometimes, having one less decision in your day can make your day that much easier.

A little tidbit of information for your back pocket as you venture into your week. Wishing you a great hair day this Monday and everyday.

Beauty, Hair Care

Shaking your Monday Motivator

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Here we are Beauties! It’s Monday. It’s July. It’s 9 a.m. in my neck of the woods and it is HOT! Tropical temperatures have decided to set up shop. The humidex and our tresses are on the rise, by the second. Before you wrap your hair up in a top knot and to save you from the scavenger hunt through all your closets trying to find a hat, I have something for you! Picture yourself on a beach and as your cabana boy hands you your margarita, you catch your reflection in your glass. Your hair looks fabulous and you feel like a Hollywood starlet. Ladies, you can feel like this everyday. Let me introduce you to the newest addition to the Shake series by the beauties at Joico….meet Beach Shake!

For all the lovers of Sea Salt Sprays, this gem is for you! Beach Shake allows you to achieve a tousled, sun kissed, just left the seaside style to your hair. Formulated with Coconut and Sunflower Seed Oil plus a touch of bees wax, Beach Shake delivers a nourishing, hydrating shine with out any crutch or stiff strands. *the key is the aerosol…most sea salt sprays/texturizing sprays are in a pump bottle, which can be tricky to apply and control and tends to leave the hair too wet in places. Here are some more perks to Beach Shake;

  • quick drying formula
  • delivers a silky sheen without the “crunch”
  • hydrates the hair
  • delivers a touchable finish
  • you can restyle with ease
  • smells like the tropics
  • can be applied to damp or dry hair
  • formulated for medium to thick hair (any length)
  • Color Safe

For optimum results; use on dry hair. Hold the can about 6 inches from your hair, spray lightly. Lift layers of hair and let the Beach Shake mist fall through each layer. *avoid your roots. Allow to air dry. If you are pressed for time, use a diffuser to speed up your drying time. If used on wet hair, you will achieve a softer look.

It’s Monday. You may live in the downtown core of your city, far from the beach. You may be sitting with your toddler in a plastic blow up pool. Maybe your at the laundromat because your only day off is a statutory holiday. No matter where you are on this fine Monday, thanks to Joico Beach Shake, every time you catch your reflection and each time a breeze passes through your hair, you can feel like you are on vacation.

Beauty, Hair Care

Design Me another Monday Motivator

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Happy Monday Beauties! Yes, Monday is here yet again. For many this week is jammed packed with the final days of school, graduations, last minute daycare and summer day camp preparations, trying to convince your toddler that winter boots can’t be worn to the beach and that getting the blue cup instead of the red one is not the end of the world, threatening to change the wifi password if someone doesn’t take out the trash, all the while, trying to drink your coffee while it’s still hot and getting your hair under control. I may not be able to help you with all of the above, but I can be your personal Glinda the Good Witch when it comes to your hair. Let me introduce you to a couple of gems. Meet Design.Me Hair Puff Me and Puff Me Light.

I was introduced to Design.Me Hair a little over a year ago. My Venus Beauty Supplies Rep. Patricia, a true gem, told me of a new product that she thought was right up my alley. It may be 2018, yours truly still adores big hair. The more volume, the better! …I was a child of the ’80’s, what can I say? I had tried many volumizing powders by other brands. They were good, but I never got the results I had hoped for. I found them messy to work with since most came in a shaker form, much like a salt shaker. It was difficult to get the product exactly where I wanted it. Then came along Design.Me Hair Puff Me. The beauties at Design.Me Hair designed their volumizing powder in a pump spray format so you have the control to apply the powder exactly where you want it. Puff Me and Puff Me Light are cruelty free, vegan, sulphate free, paraben free and gluten free. Here’s the low down for you;

Puff Me (Pink Bottle) – Apply to dry hair, focusing at the roots. Spray 2-4 inches from your hair (5-10 cm for our metric friends). You can spray and style, or for more texture with your volume, spray and rub it in a little.

  • offers INSTANT volume
  • odor free
  • mess free (no white powder/residue along your hair line or on your shoulders)
  • formulated for normal to thick hair (perfect for thick ethnic hair)
  • adds the perfect texture for braids and updo’s

Puff Me Light (White Bottle) – This gem is a lightweight formulation of the original Puff Me. A more workable, playable version if you will. Apply to dry hair, once again focusing at the roots. Spray 2-4 inches from your hair (5-10 cm for our metric friends). You can spray and style or like with Puff Me, for more texture with your volume, spray and rub it in a little.

  • offers INSTANT volume
  • odor free
  • mess free
  • formulated for fine to normal hair 
  • helps add texture to updo’s and braids…helps them to look fuller.

Puff Me and Puff Me Light are a great addition to your hair styling regime. From pixie cuts to top knots, Design.Me hair has got your back, on Monday and everyday.

 

Beauty, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

….another Moroccan’ Monday Motivator

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It was inevitable, Monday has arrived. I for one have been known to put on my best pout around 8:00 p.m. on a Sunday evening, knowing that Monday morning was mocking me with every tick of the clock. Since we cannot control time, nor the calendar, why not embrace Monday and make the best of it. We cannot control that a toddler thinks a snowsuit in June is appropriate daycare wear, the sighs, grunts and the all too familiar “UGH!” from our teens, every morning, nor can we control our spouse staring at us, stating over and over “Where are my keys?”…FYI…how about instead of staring at us, move your eyes around and help find them. You all get the picture, Monday morning can be, interesting. Today, I have a treat for you! This gem will bring a smile to your face and relief to your mind. A pot on the stove could be boiling over, a child and dog running through your legs playing tag, a teenager blaming you for their “horrible wardrobe” and with one application of this Mondays Motivator, bliss will surround you and for a moment the chaos of your morning will melt away. Let me introduce you to Moroccanoil Body Hand Cream

For those who may not know, Moroccanoil has a body line. It offers everything body, from Body Oils, Shower Milks, Bar Soaps, Body Scrubs and creams. I receieved a sample of the hand cream in a gift pack a year ago, and immediately called my rep. and ordered 6. I gave a few as gifts and selfishly kept some for myself. I have one in my purse, at my computer and by my bed. The scent is heavenly…it just makes me smile. With every application, I sigh and smile. What I find the most exciting is I have sensitive skin and I can use this hand cream. I have given Moroccanoil Body Hand Cream to friends with skin more sensitive than mine and they were elated! They could use it too.

Moroccanoil Body Hand Cream offers Moroccanoil’s original scent. It is a Paraben free cream. This gem absorbs quickly, so no worry of being locked in the bathroom because your hands keep slipping of the doorknob. Your hands are left soft and silky. The secret is in that sauce, so to speak. Moroccanoil Body Hand Cream is formulated with nutrient rich argon oil, avocado oil, cocoa, shea butter and mango butter. This combo delivers a luxurious, moisturizing effect and helps to repair dry hands. Here’s a break down for you;

  • Argan Oil helps to hydrate and nourish skin = improved texture and tone
  • Shea Butter is rich in essential fatty acids = increased moisture and strength for the skin barrier
  • Avacado Oil contains powerful antioxidants  = helps build skins natural defenses and restores moisture

You are going to adore this cream. The only warning I have for you is you may be referred to as Mary Katherine Gallagher because you will be smelling your hands so often.

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

The Joi of a Monday Motivator

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The alarm has rung. You’ve checked your phone. You’ve checked your calendar. You double checked your child’s school calendar. It’s true. It’s Monday. Before your ruin your perfectly painted cat eye and let your mascara run into your latte, I bear great news! News that will ensure yet again, you will have a good hair day every Monday. The Beauties at Joico Canada sent yours truly a true gem. You all know how I adore Joico Kpak Color Therapy and their divine Revitaluxe treatment … a little reminder for you … https://thatgirlintheredcoat.com/2016/07/12/luster-licious/

Well…do I have news for you! Meet the newest addition to the Joico Kpak Color Therapy family….

Kpak Color Therapy Luster Lock!

Where do I begin? Luster Lock is a multi-perfector daily shine and protect spray. This baby packs a punch yet is gentle enough on hair to be used daily. Created for all hair types, textures, length and color. The first time I used this I could feel the difference in my hair as I was blowdrying…less tangles, less snapping of strands (bottled blondes know of what I speak) and my hair felt so soft…the same softness I feel after I leave the Salon kind of soft. The secret is the dual phase formula. It creates a lotion like dose of nourishment with each spray to deliver;

  • Strength = each strand becomes twice as strong
  • Instant detangling  = brushes and combs glide through your hair with ease
  • UV protection = less color fade with the sun’s rays
  • Thermal protection = less damage from the heat of your blowdryer
  • Reduction to split end appearance
  • Soft, smooth, shiny, frizz free hair

Joico Kpak Color Therapy Luster Lock was tested on red hair – and as we all know, red is the most difficult color to keep intact. ( the red molecule is bigger than most = harder to penetrate the hair’s cuticle). Paired with Joico Kpak Color Therapy Shampoo, Luster Lock Spray locked in the red color to offer 89% color vibrancy after 10 shampoos! Think about that for a minute…if Luster Lock can keep a red vibrant, just think what it can do for your hair color.

Just give the bottle a good shake, apply to damp hair, blowdry and voila! You will step out of your bathroom feeling like you just stepped out of the Salon. Vibrant, shiny, smooth hair…sounds like a great start to the week if you ask me.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat

A Moroccan Monday Motivator

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Here we are again Beauties. It’s Monday. All over the globe, coffee is brewing, children are whining, the dog is chasing the cat, spouses can’t find their keys, all the while we are trying to make sure we have a good hair day. I may not be able to produce a treasure map to find the lost keys or soothe a child’s Monday woes, I can introduce you to a FAB! new trio that keeps your hair color vibrant and your hair feeling soft and silky and smelling wonderful. Meet the latest addition to the Moroccanoil family – The Color Complete Collection

This little trio packs a big punch! Yours truly was fortunate to get her hands on this trial size pack. (#bloggerperks). Earlier this year, Moroccanoil introduced their own approach to color care that addresses all sources of color degradation = a line that helps to protect and retain hair color. The secret is the technology. Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection has two proprietary technologies that enhance hair health and color vitality. ARGAN10 – this technology uses the power of ionic attraction to deliver argan oil deep into the hairs cortex and lock in pigments for maximum color retention. COLORLINK – a blend of three main color actives that target hairs damage on both chemical and mechanical levels.

 

It is suggested for optimum results, to have a full Professional Chromatech Service preformed at the Salon – see http://www.moroccanoil.com for more information on this service. Although I did not receive the full Chromatech experience, I was quite please with my results. I used this trio for a full week, and I did see a difference in the color retention and vibrancy of my hair color – those who know my tales know of my signature magenta panels. My blonde did not get brassy and my magenta stayed bright. Here’s the lowdown;

Color Complete Shampoo – a gentle, sulfate free shampoo that repairs hair, chemically and physically so hair is able to retain color. A protective shield is formed that minimizes color wash out.

 

Color Complete Conditioner – formulated to restore hair health with each use. Features a nourishing, sulfate free formula that helps rebuild the keratin structure and lock in color.

 

Color Complete Protect & Prevent Spray – this little gem shields the hair from environmental factors including UV rays, pollution and thermal damage. It helps to reduce brassiness and fading at the source. A weightless leave in spray that contains Argan10 – technology that repairs and seals the hair cuticle.

Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection is created for all hair types. Strong enough to tame the thickest of manes, yet gentle enough for the finest of strands. I have fine hair and these products did not weigh down my hair.

So there you have it Beauties, another little tidbit from yours truly to help you get motivated to have a great hair day this Monday and everyday. No thanks needed, it’s my pleasure.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

…a FAB Monday Motivator

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Here we are, it is once again Monday. On my part of the globe, the sun is shining and the humidex is on the rise, and we all are well aware that humidity and hair, they just don’t mix. With the summer temperatures on the rise and humidity in the air, our hair can tend to look stringy, fuzzy, dry or all three. …not the best news for our selfie generation. Well Beauties, do I have some motivation for you on this finest of Mondays. Let me introduce you to Design Me FAB ME, a leave in spray that can mend 18 of your hair woes. Yes, you read that correctly, 18 benefits in one bottle!

This little green bottle is quite honestly a magic potion for your hair. I have fine hair, lots of it, but fine. Many leave in sprays leave my hair greasy,lifeless and weighed down. Design Me FAB ME does not. After using this spray, my hair was soft, silky with volume to boot!

Now, back to these 18 benefits I told you of. Design Me FAB ME offers;

  • protection against color fading – perfect for vibrant colors
  • smooths split ends
  • gives your hair a silky feel
  • helps to prevent damage
  • offers thermal protection against the heat of your blow dryer
  • revitalizes your hair’s natural protective layer
  • offers protection against environmental damage
  • detangles
  • helps hair become more manageable
  • reduces blow drying time
  • helps reduce static
  • offers frizz control
  • offers porosity control
  • adds shine
  • offers light conditioning
  • hydrates your hair
  • strengthens your hair
  • enhances volume

This gem is created for all hair types. For best results, apply to damp, freshly washed hair. Spray throughout, comb through, then blow dry and style. I have applied to damp hair and let my hair air dry. The major difference was blow drying added more volume. As with all Design Me hair products, this gem is cruelty free (no harm to the bunnies), vegan, sulphate free, paraben free, gluten free and the scent is pure heaven.

Design Me hair FAB ME can motivate you to have a FAB! Monday, or any day that ends in “y”.

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Women

Changing lives with every good hair day

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Imagine each time you used your flat iron, you could be changing another woman’s life and the life of her children. The simple act of doing your hair for a day at the office, the soccer field or a night on the town could give another woman an income, food on the table, independence. Well Beauties, there is no need to imagine such a scenario. Thanks to AG Hair Care, making sure you have a good hair day enables another woman to have such things.

Let me introduce to you to AG Firewall, a thermal protecting (flat iron) spray. AG Firewall is one of the members of the AG Smooth line. This gem provides;

  • high shine
  • a smooth protective barrier between your hair and your flat iron
  • smooths, protects and prevents breakage
  • controls flyaways
  • controls unruly hair

AG Firewall is infused with Argon oil – sustainably sourced, fair trade organic Moroccan Argon oil, which is rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants which keep hair smooth, soft and protected. AG Firewall is cruelty free (no testing on the bunnies), Paba free, Paraben free and Gluten free. It is an aerosol spray that contains NO CFC’s = friendly to our ozone.  It is meant to be used on dry hair only, right before you use your flat iron. For best results it is best to section out your hair. The smell is heavenly, it leaves a soft, workable hold to your hair, it does not flake and is not sticky. Created for all hair types.

So, how are you changing a woman’s life by having great hair you ask? Using any of the AG Smooth line hair products helps women in the poorest regions of Morocco. The Argon oil used in their products is sourced using sustainable and organic farming methods and is produced by local women of the Berber tribe. In turn, this give the women employment and an income which equals independence. It enables these women to support their families and provide education for their children.

Imagine looking at your reflection in the mirror with the thought that because of you, another woman can have pride in her reflection too. Now that is a thing of beauty.

Beauty, Fashion, health and wellness, lifestyle, That girl in the red coat

The 10 minute mani

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I received a message a few weeks ago from a lovely lady I met at a motivational seminar over 6 years ago. Thanks to social media, we have stayed in touch. (…the real reason for social media, in my not so humble opinion). She let me know she enjoyed my Instagram posts and my blog. She then asked me for my professional opinion about a new gel nail polish system. …professional opinion, a lovely compliment at a much needed time. Of course I said yes, you all know how I LOVE to try new products, how I love researching new things. Without further adieu, let me introduce you to GelMoment.

GelMoment is an at home gel nail polish system, and I gotta tell you, it is FABULOUS! In 10 minutes, yours truly had her nails done. 10 minutes, from start to finish! I love a good mani, I am not a fan of waiting for my nails to dry, and since I can be a little klutzy, I usually have to retouch or redo a nail or two. …but not with GelMoment! This system cures and dries your polish in 45 – 60 seconds. It does. Select your shade, apply a coat, place your nails under the light, wait – 45-60 seconds and that’s it! After the polish had cured under the LED light I pressed down as hard as I could on each nail – no smudge, no finger print indent, nothing but a smooth, shiny finish. I did dishes, I did laundry, I cleaned the house, I even worked in the garden – no chips, no peeling, nada, just a pretty mani.

GelMoment is a DIY one step gel polish application. GelMoment is;

  • non toxic
  • made in Europe
  • Lasts up to 14 days
  • Dilbutyl Phthalate free, Toluene free, Formaldehyde free, Formaldehyde Resin free and Camphor free
  • Cruelty free – not tested on animals
  • Solvent free
  • Gluten free
  • Latex free
  • Safe to use on children

The GelMoment removal process takes a little more time, 20 minutes instead of 10. It is just as easy as the application process. Gelmoment offers remover pads and clips. You simply place the remover pad over your nail, place the clip over the pad, wait 5-10 minutes and VOILA! The gel polish is removed, no damage to your natural nail or the skin around it has occurred. …those of us familiar with acetone know how dry our fingertips can get while removing any kind of polish. If you find that there is a tad bit of polish residue left on your nail, GelMoment provided a cuticle pusher that can also be used to gently remove any remaining polish.

With the GelMoment system, there is no need for a base coat or top coat. There is a hint of a scent, no overpowering polish scent like you may find in other systems. GelMoment offers over 45 colors, so there is a shade for every taste or fashion sense. GelMoment offers an array of accessories from files to nail art gems, hand lotions to buffers.

For those of us who feel short on time due to our own schedules, our kid’s schedules, our work schedules and life in general, GelMoment is the perfect system to have on hand at home for everyone who loves a fresh, professional looking mani.

#thatgirlintheredcoatapproved