What They Say: "Where do you want your hair to go? Atmosphere transports your hair to its ideal climate, changing its Relative Humidity to behave like it's in the arctic. Beyond styling, Atmosphere surrounds hair in a new form of control and texturizing possibility. Go where it takes you. Transports your hair to an arctic climate. Hair becomes sleek, smooth with icy high shine."

Alissa's Opinion: I'm not exactly sure how I would describe this product. It dispenses like a mousse, looks like a gel and behaves like a styling cream. The formula feels quite gooey when applying and the stickiness doesn't completely disappear after blow drying. I found it easier than usual to get my hair stick straight, but my round brush almost got stuck a few times. The shine factor was definitely pumped up after using this, and my sleek style lasted all day. The biggest downside was the smell, which was very much like a bathroom cleaner and unfortunately long lasting.

Retail Price: $26.00 (at select salons and distributors - go here to find one near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Where do you want your hair to go? Atmosphere transports your hair to its ideal climate, changing its Relative Humidity to behave like it's somewhere else - wherever you may go. Beyond styling, Atmosphere surrounds hair in a new form of control and texturizing possibility. Go where it takes you. Transports your hair to a tropical climate. Plumps and shines, delivering moist, lush hair behaving as it would in a tropical climate. It is a unique, water soluble, gel-like product that will never harden or appear stiff. The humectant properties activate and enhance pliable, dewy curls and sleeks straight styles without frizz. This rich formula infuses and holds moisture and leaves a wet, soft look as a finished style. Through the discovery of Relative Humidity these results are driven by a high humidity proprietary technology unique to Profound Beauty."

Melissa Says: I was a bit apprehensive after first pumping this out of the bottle, because of the very gooey texture of the gelee. In my mind, this was going to possibly weigh my hair down severely, or make it feel sticky. But, I followed the directions and applied it liberally to my towel-dried hair, then let it air-dry.

The result? Practically frizz-free locks, tamed-down first-day "poof", and soft, manageable movement. My slight natural wave had still come out, and my hair was super-touchable. I will admit that if you apply too much near the roots, you could end up feeling like your hair's a tad greasy, especially if your hair is thin or fine. However, I do love that this helps me have controllable hair without having to put it through the stress of blow drying each time if I don't want to. I will definitely be giving it a shot to see how it performs with a blow dryer as they suggest for a super-sleek look at some point as well.

Retail Price: $24.00, 5oz. (at select salons - find one near you at profoundbeauty.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Frizz Not. Fear Not. Honey nectar and ginseng hydrate, define and enhance curl shape in even the most humid of conditions.

Kit includes:
4 oz Luscious Curls® Shampoo - Renews elasticity & restores bounce
4 oz Luscious Curls® Conditioner - Defrizzes & detangles curls
2 oz Luscious Curls® Cream - smoothes, controls & defines curl shape"

Jamie's Thoughts: I nearly jumped for joy when I found out I'd be reviewing this product. The products that comprise the trio kit need no introduction; really, the name and buzz alone would indicate that I was in for a fantastic experience.

The scent is great - a creamy citrus, kind of like one of those push pops that we all loved getting from the ice cream truck. The shampoo lathers up nicely, and the conditioner is a smooth, moisturizing dream. The combination of the two left my naturally curly hair lightly hydrated, very soft, and feeling fresh.

The smoothing cream leaves a bit to be desired, however. When used as directed, it's not strong enough to adequately contain my curls. (As a point of reference, my hair is very similar to Keri Russell's - naturally very curly, but the waves aren't necessarily uniform in shape, or size) There simply wasn't enough structure in it to keep my hair smooth when applied to damp hair and allowed to air dry. Surprisingly, I had better results with the smoothing cream when I used it as a defrizzing balm on dry, curly hair.

All in all, this is definitely a combo worthy of the Frederic Fekkai name and cult following, and the smaller sized bottles in this set are great for a 1-month test run (or a treat on a long vacation). I definitely recommend this to any curly girl looking for a solid product regime.

Retail Price: $29.00 (at bathandbodyworks.com and in stores)

DeLush Ratings:
Shampoo -
Conditioner -
Smoothing Cream -

What They Say: "Eufora Formation™ Whipped Styling Solution is a new generation of sculpting and styling foam. Formation™ provides volume and hold with conditioning and color protection benefits. Eufora Formation Whipped Styling Solution provides all of the benefits of a styling foam without the drying and dangerous chemicals isobutane and propane . Use this high performance, people and planet friendly product to sculpt, add volume, control, and create texture. Formation™ provides leave in conditioning benefits and protects hair from color fading and sun damage. It's not just different, it's Eufora!"

All Eufora products are based in or contain an active amount of Pharmaceutical Grade Aloe Vera Gel which contains 22 Amino Acids. Other ingredients include:

• Squalene
  
• Botanicals and plant extracts
  
• Pure essential oils
  
• Food Grade Preservative System utilizes four distinct preservatives to accurately and completely protect the product. This allows Eufora to reduce the overall percentage of preservatives contained in each product without sacrificing protection.
  
• People and Planet Friendly - formation™ offers new and innovative technology from Eufora that provides all of the benefits of styling foam without the drying and dangerous chemicals isobutane and propane. Use this high performance, people and planet friendly product to sculpt, add volume, control and to create texture.

Application: Use on wet hair to sculpt and set. Blow-dry into hair for volume and control. Use on dry hair to create texture and separation. Formation™ reactivates with water.

What Lisa Says: I woke up one morning and took what seemed like forever to straighten my hair only to be caught in a downpour early one afternoon. By the time I got to the house my almost sleek hair was a mass of damp ringlets. I had 10 minutes before having to dash again. I had just received my Eufora and thought it a perfect time to give it a try. A handful of this mousse-like foam tossed into almost dry hair and it very nicely laid down the frizz and accentuated the curls. There's really not much fragrance. It is sticky to the touch and, when it all finally dried down my hair looked fine but it felt crunchy with product. For those who don't wash their hair daily, I wouldn't recommend using this every day but you can re-wet to reactivate though I never got the same results a second time that way. Upon using a diffuser the results were still okay but my hair felt drier than normal. When trying to blow dry straight, it still left my hair feeling not as touchable as I liked and again, it felt drier than normal. All in all, it did do what was promised but I took two "lippies" off for the texture and for dryness.

Retail Price: $23.75 / 8.0 oz. (at eufora.net once their site renovation is complete, or call 800.638.3672 for salons)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "All Eufora products are based in or contain an active amount of Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, which contains all 22 amino acids, has its own preservative properties and contributes its legendary healing and soothing properties to hair and skin. All botanical extracts are of the highest quality grade available. Eufora only utilizes plant and flower technology where there is a scientifically proven benefit to the hair. No fluff stuff for the label. All aromas are formulated with only pure essential oils for a true aromatherapy experience. There are not artificial aromas, colorants or known carcinogenic ingredients in Eufora products."

Sculpture Styling Glaze: Infuses soft volume and control, while hair stays soft and moveable without flaking. Provides wear-in treatment benefits as a blow dry solution.

Illuminate Shine Mist: Versatile shine enhancement product does not weigh down hair of leave a greasy residue and offers additional detangling, conditioning and frizz control.

The Color Locking System - Squalene, nature's sealant, is an important part of Eufora's Color & Perm Locking System (Sculpture Styling Glaze & Illuminate Shine Mist), that provides a proven method to extend the life of all chemical services and promote hair and scalp health.

Melissa Says:
(about the Sculpture Styling Glaze) - This stuff smells so good! It's a little fruity, and very uplifting. It gave me a little extra texture and control when blow drying my hair and didn't leave it sticky or greasy in the least. The volume factor is there, but it's subtle, which may be perfect for many of you. I'd be curious to see how this works on someone with very fine hair (so write in and tell us if you've tried it!). This also gives my hair some great shine, but my hair doesn't feel like it has any product in it after blow drying, which I love.

(about the Illuminate Shine Mist) - This added some shine with decent de-frizzing, though not as dynamic as what I'd ultimately have liked. On the plus side, it didn't weigh down my hair or make it oily-looking.

Retail Prices:
(Sculpture Styling Glaze) $22.95
(Illuminate Shine Mist) $19.25
(call 800.638.3672 for distributing salons or go to eufora.net)

Delush Ratings:
(Sculpture Styling Glaze)
(Illuminate Shine Mist) $19.25

What They Say: “Raffinata is a hair straightening balm designed to calm and shape hair without weighing it down, particularly when using hot styling tools.
This straightening balm physically helps in straightening hair – it is not just a cream that sits on your hair shaft to give a smooth appearance. This product actually penetrates into the cuticle, providing smoothness to natural waves and eliminating any degree of curl.
This high powered straightener combats unwanted static and frizz, prevents hair from expanding in high humid conditions, protects hair while blow-drying and minimizes blow-drying time.”

Alissa’s Opinion: This is my new favorite hair product! It adds just enough weight to my fine hair to keep it smooth and it gives me plenty of moisture without greasiness. I didn’t find that it minimized drying time, but it was easier to get stick-straight locks with my flat iron. I even use this balm on my dry tresses on days when I go curly, as it adds a bit of definition and protection from humidity. This is a great, long-lasting product for anyone fighting their wavy hair genes.

Retail Price: $19.00 (at oscarblandi.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This frizz fighting, curl enhancing, shine promoting botanical gel is fragrance free therefore is great for layering over or under your favorite styler. It works great as a stand alone gel also.

Infused with Plumeria Alba Flower Extract and Aloe leaf juice, this botanical gelle imparts sheen, fights frizz, and creates popping curls!

The perfect product to use before traveling...to set and keep your curls in place!"

Toya's Take: The Curls Goddess Glaze is supposed to work in the same way as Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. I decided to compare the products. Curls Goddess Glaze is thinner in consistency and pretty much odorless, as opposed to the Curling Custard, which is thick and has a coconut scent. I have to give the Curls Goddess Glaze the slight advantage. The Goddess Glaze works on defrizzing your curls - defining them and offering hold without adding stickiness or any white flaky residue, which I've found with the Curling Custard from time to time. I think it probably works best for women with looser curls, but it added hold and definition to my kinky curls, too.

Retail Price: $14 for 8 oz. (at curls.biz or go here to find a salon that carries Curls products near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "CURLING CUSTARD gives moisture and curl definition, hold and brilliant shiny hair!

You get Moisture + Hold + Shine in one product!

An all in one product which will simplify the styling process and provide you with the best value for your dollar!

This high performance product is very concentrated so a little goes a long way. 16 oz jar yields many applications and depending on length and thickness of hair should last a few months.
It reduces bulk, defines & elongates your curls helping them to 'hang' better. CURLING CUSTARD will bring out the natural curl or wave pattern you never knew you had!
It is an advanced botanical formula made with ALL NATURAL ingredients that nourish and strengthen the hair.

Utilizing the humectant properties of the Agave Nectar, CURLING CUSTARD will give weight to your hair, define your curls, remove frizz, provide long lasting hold and shine without ever being greasy, crunchy or drying to your hair. "

Toya's Take: I really enjoy Kinky Curly's products. The Knot Today has become one of my new favorite detanglers and I like the Curling Custard almost as much. Curling Custard has a wonderfully pleasant coconut scent. It works really well to define curls and cut down on frizz. There are a couple of downsides, though - it has a bit of a weird consistency. It feels kind of like snot, actually, which sounds funny, but it's true. And, if you use too much of it, it can make your hair a bit sticky, so use sparingly. Still, neither of those things are enough to keep me from using it. I still encourage girls with tight curls to give this a try.

Retail Price: $25/16 oz. (Kinky-Curly.com)

Rating:

What They Say: Oscar Blandi Riccia curling serum is the ultimate product for curly hair. It wraps perfectly around each individual lock and provides unmatched results for hold, shine and protection. Its perfect performance secures and defines curls naturally and beautifully. This curling Serum provides definition to curls and unmatched humidity resistance.

Benefits:

• Provides hold, shine and protection for curly hair
  
• Provides definition for even the curliest hair
  
• Moisturizes and fortifies hair
  
• Provides humidity resistance

Key Ingredients:

• Soy Protein, Wheat Starch
  
• Vitamin E, Olive Oil
  
• Aloe Vera and Tea Leaves

How to use:

• Shampoo and condition with appropriate Oscar Blandi products for your hair type
  
• Gently towel dry hair
  
• Working from bottom up, evenly distribute product
  
• Diffuse hair with low mild heat or dry hair naturally

What Lisa Says: I have lived in a humid region of Texas my entire life. I have also tried to tame my dark curly hair for a majority of that time by trying about every straightening product, curling iron and brush that I could find. It’s only in the past few years I decided to make peace with my curls and have begun a similar request for the HG of curling products. This one comes oh, so close! I really loved this Oscar Blandi product. It’s far and away, THE best curling serum I’ve used to date.

To begin with the packaging is simple and easy - a plastic bottle that locks with an easy twist. Going away for a weekend? Just toss it in your bag. The fragrance is light and pleasing – not the least bit overpowering. I followed the instructions and tried this product in several ways. I worked it in from the bottom up as instructed. It doesn’t take very much! Some days I would use my blow dryer on low heat with a diffuser and other days I’d just blow and lift & scrunch gently with my hand. Either way it came out lovely, soft without fly away hair or any frizziness. My favorite way to use this product is to apply and go! Easy as 1 – 2- 3. If used sparingly, my hair curled nicely and naturally without feeling crispy or stiff. The curl held up all day and stayed shiny and healthy looking. I was even able to handle my hair without ruining the shape of the curls. It’s just an all around awesome product.

While I don’t relish the heat that summer brings to Texas, I’m anxious to see how this product holds up in the heat and humidity that July and August can bring. If Oscar Blandi’s Curl Serum can fight that kind of humidity, it’ll be a staple in my basket o’ hair goodies! If I can find any flaw at all, it’s that I usually wash my hair every other day. After sleeping on my beautiful curls, I do find that they’re a bit frizzy the next morning. The answer? Lightly spritz with clean water from a spray bottle and use a very, very small bit of the Curling Serum and you’re done.

BTW, a peek at Oscar Blandi’s website reveals that, “Ricci means CURL in Italian”

Retail Price: $18.00/4.5 fl. Oz (at sephora.com, Bergdorf Goodman, Fred Segal, Jeffrey New York, C.O. Bigelow Chemists, The Oscar Blandi Salon, and oscarblandi.com)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: (about the Curls Milk Shake) "The perfect 4-in-1 leave in for all curlies ... especially for those with needy, dry curls. It is guaranteed to define, defrizz, revive, hydrate and soften dry, kinky curls. Derived from natural milks (coconut and sweet almond milk), this moisturizing cream will bring life back to your overworked tresses." (about the Spiral Curls Cream) "For perfect curls with the hold you've been looking for! It performs like a gel, but with much more sheen and moisture. This miracle worker glides easily on the hair and dries without a producty feeling. Great for all hair types."

Toya's Take: I am always more than happy to try a new product for my naturally curly/kinky hair. I have to say that I really like the Curls products. They smell awesome and are made from natural, moisturizing ingredients that work great on curly hair of all kinds. The Curls Milkshake made my hair feel instantly soft and supple and really made it much easier to detangle after washing. And the soft coconut scent is quite pleasing. I like the Spiral Curls Cream, too, but I don't think the product is heavy enough for my dry, thick hair. However, I think it would work quite well on someone with a more fine hair texture. At these prices and with such good results, I will be making the Curls Milkshake part of my regular hair routine and will be trying other Curls products, as well.

Retail Prices: $16 (Curls Milk Shake) and $15 (Spiral Curls Cream) (at curls.biz or go here to find a salon location that carries Curls products near you)

DeLush Ratings:
Curls Milk Shake -
Spiral Curls Cream -

What They Say: "This alcohol-free, curl defining gel, formulated with Thermacore Complex, a US patented ingredient, revitalizes naturally curly or permed hair as it creates flexible texture and definition with soft control, natural movement, and added shine.

How to use: Work throughout towel-dried hair and style as desired. For added definition or special effects, apply after drying and mold hair into desired shape."

Toya's Take: After washing and conditioning my hair as usual, I towel-dried my hair and applied a bit to my hair, making sure that I applied the product to each section. The first thing I noticed was the scent. It's kind of light and sweet - it actually smelled like something you would use as a bath or shower gel. I really liked the texture - it didn't feel sticky to the touch at all. I let my hair air dry. After drying, my curls were nicely defined and even shiny, with minimal crunchiness and not stickiness at all. I'm able to run my hands through my hair without getting any product residue on my fingers. I like it a lot - I think I'll add this to my regular product rotation.

Retail Price: $11.99/8.5 oz. (Visit GrahamWebb.com for salon locations)

Rating:

What They Say: (about the Curl Refreshing Shampoo & Conditioner) Senses are indulged as hair is treated to a beneficial blend proven to activate and define curl. Gentle cleansers and detangling conditioners in these moisturizing, anti-frizz formulas keep curls smooth and separated, soft and shiny.

(about the Curl Activating Gel) Formulated with a natural blend proven to activate, define and separate curls. Moisturizing, anti-frizz formula keeps curl smooth and shiny throughout the day.

Jamie's Review: Hello, my name is Jamie, and I have high maintenance hair.

(in chorus) Hello, Jamie.

Despite several very solid DeLush reviews on the Back to Basics line of products, I was skeptical about this one. I second guess any product that claims to have any control whatsoever over my naturally curly hair. Do these so-called "curly hair only" products actually do what they say they will?

Well, yes. And no.

The shampoo is predictable, nothing special happening there. It rinsed out quickly and completely, which I always appreciate. The conditioner, on the other hand, is phenomenal. It was very creamy upon application and especially rinsing - it had an instant softening effect on my hair. When I stepped out of the shower, I was able to run my fingers through my hair without physical pain. Usually, I need 4-5 spritzes of detangler before that can occur. Hallelujah! Graham Webb, I love you, wherever you are. After a quick brush, it was onto the gel. It went on very goopy but distributed nicely in the end. The "golden rule of hair gel" definitely applies here - the more gel you use, the crunchier your hair will be. It also did not control the strange, frizzy waves I have on the back of my head at all.

A note on the scent: Holy jasmine, Batman! I found the scent (a very thick, heady floral mix) completely overwhelming, and not necessarily in a good way. If you're like me and prefer a lighter, fresh, citrus scent, do not purchase this product. The scent lasts all day and well into the evening, which is fantastic, if you like the way it smells.

Overall results of the "curl refresher" suite of products? Average at best, save the conditioner. If they made the conditioner in citrus, I would use it everyday!

Retail Prices: (the shampoo & conditioner) $9.95 - 31.95 each in a range of three sizes (the gel) $9.95 (available at salons and select distributors - find a location near you here)

DeLush Ratings: Back to Basics "Curl Refreshing" Shampoo
Back to Basics "Curl Refreshing" Conditioner
Back to Basics "Curl Activating" Gel

What They Say: "Boost your style. Halo Bodifying Gel infuses hair with body, texture and control with a smooth finish. A blend of specialized proteins strengthen and thicken each strand, increasing the width of the hair shaft and enhancing hair's overall body and fullness. Like all Halo styling products, this Bodifying gel is formulated with our exclusive Illuminating Color Protection® Technology to protect vibrant color and increase brilliant shine. It also delivers added UV and thermal protection."

Features and Benefits:

• Hydrolyzed Soy Protein strengthens and thickens hair, increasing the width of the hair shaft.


• Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein adds additional strength to style while conditioning the cuticle for a lustrous finish.


• Breathable, bodifying holding agents hold style in place, yet allow for touchability and excellent memory.


• Shine enhancing agents reveal incredible glossiness.


• Halo's exclusive Illuminating Color ProtectionTM technology seals in hair color to prolong its vibrancy and reflects light to reveal a luminous, radiant glow.

Jen's Experience: It takes a lot of styling products to make my fine hair hold a style in the high humidity days of summer, and they all have "volumizing" or "bodifying" in the name. I liked that this product is a gel, yet it does more than just help style the hair -- it imparts shine and does seem to thicken my hair without weighing it down.

A look at the gel before I apply it onto my wet hair shows lots of sparkle; the glimmer in the gel gives the hair shine (although not so much that I don't feel the need to apply a final finishing shine) as well as a generally healthy appearance. After it soaks into my hair, I notice that may hair perks up a little. The volume the gel had added is already present. After blow-drying, my hair looks so much fuller than it does without the gel, and yet it still feels totally touchable.

Normally when I think of gels, I think of them as a styling aid, something I would use to help my hair hold a style. I'm not so sure that this product really helps in that department since it doesn't do a lot to texturize, but it does retain the body all day long, and for me, that's saying something.

To me, the only downside to this product is the scent. I think it smells like a bad perm. Although it's surprisingly strong at first, it quickly dissipates, so it's definitely not a lingering problem, just something to be aware of when using the product.

Tips: This may be the only styling product that I will ever say this about, but the key to really impressive volume with this product I've found is by using more of it than you would think you need. Usually, less is more with these types of products, but that's certainly not the case with this one.

Retail Price: $16.00 (Visit HaloHaircare.com for information on salon locations)

Rating:

What They Say:
"Adds Extra-Body – A conditioning formula that provides extra body, fullness and control
Provides Flexible Hold – This thick, rich foam creates a flexible hold while enhancing shine and sealing in moisture
Great for Blow-Dried Styles – Super emollient conditioners provide manageability and high shine"

Jen's Experience: Can you believe this is the first Paul Mitchell product we've reviewed on DeLush? Well, believe me, with results like these, it won't be the last. This Paul Mitchell mousse is the star of my hair care products, giving me amazing amounts of body without making my hair extra dry. One of the great things about this product is that, unlike a lot of volumizing products I've used, if I use too much on my hair, it's not sticky. I just keep blow-drying and the foam settles into my hair making it really easy to style. It's really amazing. I saw this product mentioned in a magazine by a hairstylist who named this product as one of three he couldn't do without. Now I know why!

Retail Price: $8.99 (hair salons and some drugstores)

Rating:

What They Say: "For those that wake up and dread washing their hair because they love the "second day" texture, Privé has created a solution. This is a unique mousse that allows you to cleanse your hair and still pull off a great "bed hair" style and a matte finish without waiting an extra day. The versatile product can be used on wet or dry hair to create any hairstyle and has the control of a mousse with the separation of a pomade.

Privé Foaming Styler is formulated with co-polymers that help to control coarse hair, define curls, and deliver volume. Sage soothes and softens the hair, while oak bark delivers control. The Foaming Styler has an incredible styling memory with a medium to firm hold that makes the product perfect for up-dos.

Laurent Dufourg, founder of Privé Products, uses the Foaming Styler for most of his dress work. "Before their events, many of my clients come to the salon with freshly cleaned hair. By applying a small amount of Privé Foaming Styler before blowdrying, their hair is much more manageable and I can achieve any style. I've created fantastic looks for celebs like Sharon Stone, Debra Messing, Tea Leoni and Shannon Doherty with the Foaming Styler."

To use, shake well, then work a small amount through damp hair and style. For added control, apply to dry hair and blowdry.

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: It's hard to describe something that truly does make your hair this pliable without making it greasy. Just make sure not to use too much or you might weigh your hair down and it could feel a bit tacky when blowdrying (which does go away when hair is dry, but you have to get it completely dry to get that feeling to go away if you've gotten too much on an area). However, if you use a conservative amount and comb it evenly through, you may be just as impressed as I have been with this product. There is definite increase in thickness and texture. If you have thin, fine hair, this may be a godsend as long as you find the right balance when applying it. The Foaming Styler can be truly helpful when you're planning on wearing your hair up or half-up, but need to wash your hair that day. The hold is flexible and touchable yet substantial enough to maintain curls and waves as well as the body of a blowout.

Retail Price: $18.00 (available in premiere salons and spas - call 866-351-1193 or go to priveproducts.com for more info)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: (about the shampoo & conditioner) "A beneficial blend of bamboo, ivy, avocado oil and panthenol. The shampoo's color-safe formula acts as a humidity barrier to keep straight hair soft, shiny and frizz-free."
(about the crème) Effectively smoothes curls, waves, and frizz without leaving any buildup, so hair stay touchable and soft. Also, adds an additional layer of protection against thermal tools. Just apply evenly on damp hair and blow dry straight."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: (about the shampoo & conditioner) I have to come right out with it. Frankly, I'm thrilled with this formula. The clear shampoo alone makes my hair feel soft when it's rinsed out. Then the conditioner, which is more gel-like than cream-like, finishes off the super-soft feeling. After blowdrying, I don't notice any weighing-down, but instead very frizz-tamed and soft locks. I also feel like my hair has more swing and it even looks healthier. Now, my hair is very thick, but the strands are fine and prone to waves and frizz. If you struggle with thin or limp hair, you may want to be careful and perhaps even find out if your stylist thinks this will work for you (maybe they can use it on you at your next appointment). I tend to think because of the products' lack of buildup during my experience that it won't be a problem. (Readers with fine or thin hair who've used this already - please go ahead and leave a comment to let us know how it worked for you!).

(about the straightening crème) Stick to applying this a few inches away from your roots, comb it through, and blowdry - and you'll have sleeker heat-styled hair. I think this combined with the Bamboo Straightening Shampoo & Conditioner really makes a difference, especially when you do a blowout or use a straightening iron. If you aren't really going to use a heat styling method, this likely is not necessary if you just use the shampoo & conditioner alone.

Retail Prices: $9.95 for the shampoo, $10.95 for the conditioner, $10.95 for the crème (exclusively through premier salons and distributors across North America...to find a salon or distributor near you, please call 800-456-9322 or go to www.backtobasics.com)

DeLush Ratings:
Bamboo Straightening Shampoo & Conditioner
Straightening Crème:

What They Say: "This non-greasy, non-sticky, water-based texturizing paste is infused with Lemongrass Essential Water to add instant manageability to hair. Sweet almond protein helps to repair and strengthen as white tea, almond, horsetail, and nettle extracts nourish, stimulate, and condition. A potent antioxidant blend of natural plant botanicals combined with a UV filter work to protect hair and prevent color fading."

Jen's Experience: I am addicted to hair styling products, which means, I might use 3 or more every day. Something to detangle, something to help manage and hold my style, something for volume, something for shine. This had the potential for eliminating the need for some of these extra products, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

This is definitely a product that does everything it claims. It makes my hair look healthier and shinier and it definitely holds style better. However -- you knew there would be a "however" though, right? -- I found it difficult to use at first. Too little and you won't see much of an effect. Too much and your hair could become an integral part of solving the world's oil crisis. The container says to use a very small amount, and following that advice is key to success. If you're patient and willing to do a little experimentation, I think you'll find this to be an excellent product that will leave your hair looking great, and smelling great as well.

Tip: I like to run my hands on the underside of my hair before running them through the surface. Much less potential for the grease effect. Also, this product says that it can be used wet or dry, but I like it best on dry to slightly damp hair.

Retail Price: $26.00 (Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "The Ultra Shine Cream uses calendula flower and rice bran oil to impart instant shine and texture to any style. The non-greasy formula facilitates styling without leaving an oily residue."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: On the packaging, it says you can use this on damp or dry hair. When I used it wet and finished blowdrying, I felt like it weighed my hair down a little bit. I think this can be avoided by only applying the product on the ends of your hair and making sure to avoid the roots. When applying to wet hair, it's easier to accidentally apply a bit too much product, so be careful of that. When I applied it after blowdrying instead, I didn't have any problems at all - in fact, my hair had a nice soft shimmery shine (not too obvious, but one that caught the light and looked really healthy), and I felt no buildup whatsoever.

Retail Price: $18.00 (at sephora.com, or call 800-55-PHYTO to find out about salons or retail locations near you...UK readers can also purchase Phyto products in leading hair salons, department stores and Space NK and can call 020 7620 1771 or email karine@phytologie.co.uk...other international readers can locate Phyto in their country by going here)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "There’s no better feeling than sun on your face and wind in your hair. Now you can ride with the top down minus the stress of mussing up your hairstyle. Graham Webb’s Brit Style Styling Paste is a unique product that allows your hair to reshape to its original look - even after cruising down the highway! Styling Paste contains an Advanced Pliable Resin System that styles and re-styles easily and lets you worry more about getting to the beach than getting to the mirror. “The best thing about Styling Paste is that it has incredible hold and shine, but doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy or stiff like a gel or a wax would. You don’t have to re-apply any product to get your original look, so hair stays touchable all day,” says Jarrod Harms, senior manager of education and training at Graham Webb International. "It also contains avocado oil that not only strengthens hair, but works as a natural sunscreen to protect hair from harmful summer rays."

Use a dab in damp, long hair before blow-drying for separation, shine, and hold. A simple raking of a brush or fingers gets hair back in control after a wild ride. If you want a beachy look, emulsify a dab between palms before scrunching into dry hair. You’ll get all the tousled texture any Betty should have. For short styles, go for a highly textured look by using just a little more. Use on either dry or damp hair."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This scared me at first, because when you put it on your fingers it's incredibly thick and sticky-feeling. Almost glue-like. And you can't help but think to yourself, "...this is going to not create buildup on my hair HOW exactly?" Yet somehow, magically, it doesn't. I mean, it feels like you're really putting something heavy in your hair at first, but when you blowdry it's amazing how soft and pliable yet not "gunked up" your hair feels. It really is a nice way to maintain the look you want without crazy flyaways. I recently got a shorter, choppier haircut, and I like to add this to my hair on the ends after it's dry to add more texture, separation, and definition without adding tackiness. The key to adding it when your hair is dry is to go in TINY amounts at a time, because it can go a long way.

Overall, I was truly surprised by this product - in all the good ways.

Retail Price: $15.95 (available exclusively through premier salons
and distributors across the globe...for more information on salon and distributor locations, call 800-456-WEBB or go to grahamwebb.com.

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Our patented formula—which includes certified organic honey, burdock and marshmallow root—creates weightless volume on fine and medium hair. Adds shine without build-up or weight. Uses air-infused technology."

Jen's Experience: I generally use a whole menagerie of volume-building and shine-building products with my hair, starting with my volumizing shampoo and ending with the shine serum that ends my daily hair care routine. Here's a product that claims to help in both respects, so I had to give it a whirl. I like that it's similar to a mousse, which is tops for volume, but that it doesn't contain alcohol. It appears to be liquid in the bottle, but pressing the pump a couple of times results in a handful of light foam. Using the right amount (which appears to be two pumps) is perfect for light, fluffy volume that lasts for a couple of days. Too much, though, and I get stiff, greasy hair with no volume at all. It's a fine line. When it's works, it's great, but when it doesn't, my hair looks pretty pathetic. Would I recommend it? If you've got fine to medium hair, and don't mind experimenting, this may be a great product for you. But if you're like me and are looking for something more foolproof, you should pass on this product.

Retail Price: $13.00 (Aveda stores and online)

Rating: