Jen's Story: Over the summer, I needed a boost for my long hair in the hot and humid air, so I picked up Redken Body Full Shampoo at my local Ulta store. They had a promotion going where they were selling it in armageddon-sized value packs so, needless to say, I still have half of it left. I was pleased with it at first, but my hair started getting more and more lackluster as time went on. I was months overdue for a hair cut and color (I know, bad beauty blogger!) and it showed.

I was traveling for work and forgot my shampoo and conditioner. Not wanting to subject my already damaged hair to the free shampoo in the hotel, I stopped by the Kiehl's booth at the airport and picked up Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo. Normally I wouldn't buy any shampoo that purported to rehydrate or make my hair healthier...anything like that usually just weighs my hair down. But low and behold, my hair came to life! Was it just the dry Minnesota air? Nope, I was still in need of a hair cut, but my hair looked healthy even when I returned home.

So eventually, I did actually get that haircut. And once I did, the love affair I was having with the Kiehl's shampoo ended quickly. Suddenly, now that my hair was in better shape, it lost its oomph. How sad.

On a whim, I switched back to the Redken Body Full and it came back to life! Their claims of "volume, long-lasting style and shine" were once again totally dead on.

The moral of this story? Depending on when I reviewed each of these shampoos, I might have had a totally different opinion. It's important to take your needs into account when you buy a product, but just as important to re-evaluate your needs over time.

Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo (if your hair is damaged)

Redken Body Full Shampoo (for fine, healthy hair)

Melissa Tried It: I've gone through most of each of these bottles by now, and here's what I can say about this combo - it not only adds lustre and softness, it also has a pleasant fresh scent. Claiming to focus on repairing and transforming "the texture of high-maintenance hair", I was happy to see how it did keep my often unruly and easily-dried-out ends calm. Redken touts these key components in the formula: Cationic Conditioners - moisture & nourishment, Protein / Ceramide - internal strength & repair, Shea Butter - smoothing frizz control. The conditioner is very moisturizing, and I think the combo in general wouldn't be ideal for fine hair or hair that is easily weighed down. For thick & unruly hair, though, it's a nice system. (I'll be reviewing the deep conditioner and overnight treatment soon.) $13, shampoo $14, conditioner. Find a salon location near you.

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Thickening Lotion 06 body builder Fatten up fine hair. Lightweight styling lotion adds substance and shine."

Jen's Experience: I am always looking for a good volumizer. Generally, I choose salon products because they tend to moisturize while they thicken; they aren't full of drying alcohol.

My results with this one are mixed. Some days it looks great, some days my hair is flat or stiff. While I've never gotten stellar results with some products in the past, this one doesn't produce quite the effect I was hoping for, but here's some ways to help this thickener work its magic. First, put this on your hair as soon you've towel-dried it. This will let it penetrate the hair better to have a more noticable effect. You can let your hair air dry for a bit, but be sure to blow dry your roots before they start to dry -- that'll keep it from getting stiff. Finally, don't put too much on, and keep it at the roots.

Like I said, this isn't the greatest product out there, but it's hardly the worst. You can use this is combination with other products to really get the volume you've been craving.

Retail Price: $13.99 (salons)

Rating:

I have baby fine hair, so I am always on the lookout for products that will give the illusion that I have some body hidden somewhere in those strands.  One of my friends mentioned this to me as a way to make my hair hold curl longer when I use a curling iron or hot rollers. 

What They Say: "Create heat styles that have staying power. Thermal protective setting mist locks styles in with lasting control."

Jen's Experience:  I was so excited when I first found this.  It wasn't crazy expensive, which was refreshing, and the directions made it seem pretty easy to use.  For hot rolling, you are supposed to spray your hair all over when it is slightly damp before you put in the hot rollers.  With a curling iron, your hair will be completely dry, and you are supposed to apply it by spraying it on each section before you curl it.  Well, when I started using it, I was pretty disappointed.  It smells and works a lot like hairspray.  When I used it with a curling iron, I my hair was pretty stiff and sometimes a little sticky.  But, I have to say, as long as I didn't brush it out too much, it did hold my style throughout the work day, and that was why I bought it. 

Retail Price: $11.99 (See Redken site for a salon near you)

Rating:

What They Say: Kick-up the shine and flatten the frizz.

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This product works pretty well by adding a bit of shine without a lot of weight. Just go easy on the application!

User Tips: Squeeze a dime-to-nickel-sized drop into your palm (depending on how much hair you have) and rub the product between your hands to warm it up. Apply lightly to mid-to-ends first. Only use the little bit left on your hand afterward to smooth down any frizz on the hairline, otherwise you risk grease-head.

DeLush Rating:

What They Say:
All Soft Shampoo cleans with an ultra-rich formula that leaves hair soft and smooth.
All Soft Conditioner smooths, detangles, nourishes and controls frizz for shiny, touchable hair.

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I used to think that since I color my hair, the smartest thing for me was to use a shampoo and conditioner designed to preserve my color. Well, that's all fine and dandy except for the fact that that did not especially pamper my hair type all that well (at least what I was using). So I thought, heck, if my hair is dry and dull-looking, who cares if my color is still all there? So, I tossed all my old thinking aside and did one of the best things I could do for my coarse, thick hair: this shampoo and conditioner not only smell wonderful and fresh, they also have helped improve the feel and manageability of my hair.

*Both available at salons.

DeLush Rating:

I talked to David Cruz, the key Redken artist for the Abaeté show last Saturday, and he told me all about the inspiration for one of my personal favorite looks from this season's fashion week. With all of the positive female role models out there today, from Hillary Clinton to powerful fictional characters like Sarah Connor of the new Terminator television series, this is the year of woman. The concept behind this year's collection was Joan of Arc, only prettier, and without having to appear masculine. The look is strong and beautiful, polished but with just enough of an edge to be fun. Want to know how to get the look for yourself? Continue reading NY Fashion Week: Warrior Chic at Abaeté.

This Sunday I talked to M.A.C. Artist Victor Gordon at Tunnel, where Jonathan Saunders was showing his collection in New York for the first time. He created a simple make-up look with skin as the star, showcased by a minimalistic hairstyle from Guido Palau, Creative Consultant for Redken. Many designers and artists that I talked to this season told me that their inspiration was a strong woman, a powerful woman, and this is just one of many looks on that theme that I saw this year. Want to know how to achieve it? There's more after the jump.

Continue reading NY Fashion Week: Skin Is the Focus at Jonathan Saunders.