Who We Are
Hair: Thick, medium texture, and prone to flyaways due to lots of random coarse strands; currently dark golden brown
Eyecolor: Hazel
Age: 31
Skin Tone: Medium fair with yellow undertones
Skin Type: Combination with somewhat oily t-zone and dry areas around the nose and chin which I need to be ever-vigilant about exfoliating (or the blackheads appear). I also have stubborn undereye darkness that definitely requires concealer.
Hair: Medium blonde currently
Eyecolor: Blue
Age: 31
Skin Tone: Very fair with blue undertones
Skin Type: Dry and very sensitive, recently prone to breakouts
Hair: Bright orange/red with natural golden highlights, naturally curly, currently long
Eyecolor: Green
Age: 27
Skin Tone: Very fair with blue undertones, lots of freckles!
Skin Type: Combination - oily spots in the t-zone, redness around the nose and mouth
Hair: Thin, naturally wavy but usually straightened, prone to frizz; dark brownish red with caramel highlights
Eyecolor: Blue-grey
Age: 23
Skin Tone: Fair with pink undertones and freckles
Skin Type: Oily in most places with occasional dry patches
Hair: Medium thickness, very curly and prone to frizziness. Currently, dark sable brown. I also love to have fun with wigs, extensions, hairpieces, etc.
Eyecolor: Hazel
Age: 48
Skin Tone: Medium with yellow undertones
Skin Type: Normal, beginning to change to a slightly drier complexion; it can be extra dry in winter. Hereditary dark circles and sun damage from youth as well.
Review: Creative Products of New York Conditioning & Smoothing Balm and Triangle Ceramic Brush
What They Say: (about the brush) "Triage Thermal Collection’s triangle brush is both unique, universal and can be used for all types of hair. The three flat surfaces produce a smooth line through the hair – the rounded edge provides a bend and a bit of soft bounce to the hair tips."
(about the Balm) "A rich, botanical, leave-in conditioner and smoothing/straightening balm."
Jamie’s Thoughts: My naturally curly hair is a challenge unto itself – straightening it takes patience, the right weather, and a sense of humor. I have tried countless potions, serums, you name it. Curly girls out there will know what I mean when I say, “I’ve finally figured it out, and they had better not discontinue any of these 9 products it takes me to get it done.” At this point, I’m better at blow-outs on my hair than any of my hairdressers have ever been.
Faced with a new brush and a new balm to use (the horror!), I waited for a dry weekend and got right to work. The balm is thin without being runny, and smells a bit fruity (in a good way). It is easy to work with, it works well, and a little bit goes a long way. I know a lot of straightening products claim to be this way, but this one actually makes good on that promise. I put a quarter sized dollop in my hand and moved it through my entire head. As each section came down for drying, I added a TINY bit more to the ends only. Be careful not to get this too close to the roots – you’ll lose volume.
One interesting sidenote: Creative Products claims that the balm works better as you go – the more you blowdry, the better it gets. I thought this claim to be ridiculous, but they’re right. This is a great balm for those girls who just “have to get that piece one more time.”
The brush, as all super-grippy brushes do, took some time for me to master. I was impressed with the ease at which it turns the hair, and I only got the brush stuck in my hair once! (This is a good thing) I didn’t see the benefit of the triangular shape, but I definitely noticed the ceramic kicking in – I was done in 30 minutes, as opposed to my usual 45. That is a HUGE time savings, especially for anyone with long hair. I suspect this brush would make a difference in professional salons, where time management is crucial. It works well, but I don’t see enough improvement in bounce, shine, or shape to make me put my trusty paddle brush aside.
Retail Prices: Triage Triangle Brush $10.50; Conditioning & Smoothing Balm $14.95
(in salons and also online at www.creativetool.com, but double check pricing because right now their site is mostly for professionals and is a bit difficult to navigate)
DeLush Rating: Conditioning & Smoothing Balm 
Triage Triangle Brush
Posted In Creative Products of New York, Hair - Anti-Frizz, Hair - Styling Tools
Profound Beauty Volume Power Spray
What They Say: "This patent-pending 75mph spray creates unprecedented volume, thickness and dramatic root lift. Micro-fine styling particles are released at high speed, propelling the product directly to the root of the hair, resulting in intense lift and windblown, spontaneous movement."
Melissa Says: This definitely did give my hair a bit of a boost, especially when used throughout my entire hair while bending over and spraying liberally (one of the suggested applications). Once I brushed it through I had increased body with no buildup at all and a soft look. However, in terms of root-lifting, I couldn't achieve a significant difference. I think perhaps my hair is too heavy for the holding level of this spray for me to get any significant root volume from it that didn't get quickly weighed down; this is why I believe this could be a great natural-feel body building spray for those with fine or thin hair. For me, it's nice for a boost in overall fullness, but it didn't achieve exactly what it promised.
Retail Price: $26.00 (at select salons and distributors; go to profoundbeauty.com to find one near you)
DeLush Rating:
More DeLush Features...
Profound Beauty Volume Power Spray
What They Say: "This patent-pending 75mph spray creates unprecedented volume, thickness and dramatic root lift. Micro-fine styling particles are released at high speed, propelling the product directly to the root of the hair, resulting in intense lift and windblown, spontaneous... > Read More
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Comments
Good review, Jamie, but I think your hair looks so pretty when it's curly, I can't understand why you straighten it!
That was a great review. Do you have any hints for making curly hair look great, especially for a night-time, going-out look?
Girl you have great curls, I would never straighten them. It looks great both ways though. My hair is just a weee bit curlier than yours so I have to blow it dry and THEN straighten with either a large curling iron or flat iron. I'll have to try this and see if I can skip a step.
Girl you have great curls, I would never straighten them. It looks great both ways though. My hair is just a weee bit curlier than yours so I have to blow it dry and THEN straighten with either a large curling iron or flat iron. I'll have to try this and see if I can skip a step.
I do love my curls - they only look that good in dry, cold weather, however. You should see me in the middle of August! Ponytail, anyone? :)
My best tip for controlled curls is three-fold.
1. Allow your hair to air dry. (The only time I ever use a hairdryer is when I straighten my hair, which is about 1-2X/mo.)
2. Use mousse, not gel.
3. Keep Smith's Rosebud Salve in your handbag, in case of flyaways and frizz. It's portable, and very effective!
Your hair looks so pretty! I was just a bit confused... did you use a blowdryer with the balm and brush or were you just brushing it?
Sorry - didn't indicate that I was DeLush Jamie on that last comment...To clarify - I put the balm into towel-dried hair, then used JUST the brush (with a blowdryer). No flat iron afterwards, although I could have done that to really seal it up...I felt it just wasn't necessary.
Not to drag this out, but I am glad to hear you like your curls, Jamie. I'm an even curlier girl who has never straightened her hair, and it makes me sad when other curlies constantly fight it. Unlike you, though, I actually look better on humid days, just for the fullness. It's a battle between moisture and fullness for me (I live in the desert southwest). Any suggestions?
Kiki - I'm with you on the fighting the curls issue. I can't imagine taking the time every day to straighten...it would take forever and be so damaging on my hair!
I recommend several products - Bumble & Bumble DeFrizz (a light silicone based serum that can be used on wet hair, or dry hair as a sealant), any of the Frieda FrizzEase products (esp. the rinse-out conditioner), Kiehl's Silk Groom Creme, and Aveda's Brilliance Spray/Serum. All of these products will give your curls definition without weighing them down. Just be sure to use sparingly.
Thanks much for the suggestions, Jamie, I appreciate your taking the time. (Curls are both a pleasure and a pain in the ass, aren't they?) Just as I appreciate all the great stuff on this website. Keep up the good work, chicks! And let me know if you ever need a curly 30-something's organic/vegetarian point of view!
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