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Friday, September 26, 2014

eSalon Hair Color Review


I’ve used lots at-home hair color. My passion for using hair color started because I crave variety and love to try new and exciting looks. Then I evolved into to trying to hide my gray hairs, striving to retain my youth for as long as possible. The gray hair has brought a challenge to using hair color, though, because most that claim to provide gray coverage seem to only cover it for a short time, and then the color quickly fades away after shampooing.

I’d love to go to a salon each time I color, but my budget just doesn’t allow that. About a month ago, I had the opportunity to try eSalon hair color for free, through BzzAgent. I’d heard about eSalon, but wondered if it was really any better than the color that comes in the boxes at the drugstore. Most importantly, to me, would it give gray hair long-lasting color?

The Process

When ordering hair color from eSalon, first you must make a profile by answering some questions about your hair, color, and uploading a current photo. The hardest part, for me, was trying to choose what hair color I wanted to have from the options they gave.  The eSalon colorists customize each order for each client by reviewing the profile and photo. Each order comes with the custom blended hair color, developer, and personalized instructions. It also comes with packets of shampoo, conditioner, stain guard, stain remover, and disposable gloves.

eSalon package I got in mail

Coloring with eSalon

My package from eSalon arrived, and I opened it to find the goodies. I really like the way it comes packaged. The personalization, with my name on it, makes me feel special. In my kit from eSalon, I received two different bottles of color: one for applying to my roots and one for the ends of my hair. They each came with corresponding bottles of developer.

I was happy with the results. My hair turned out soft and shiny. The color was rich and even.
I will note that it does take time and patience applying the color. Follow the directions, sectioning the hair with clips, and make sure you take time to put color on all the hair. The two different colors, that I needed to use, made the process take longer than normal, but it was well worth it. Since the ends of my hair were lighter than my roots, the two applications helped the different colors of my hair blend better, for a more uniform color that looks great. The extra time spent is well worth it. If I were using boxed dye from the store, it is unlikely that I would ever think of buying two boxes of different shades. If I did, I would have no idea how to match two colors to get my hair to turn out even.
my hair after eSalon hair color

eSalon and gray coverage

After being disappointed several times with hair color seemingly to wash off the gray hair just days after coloring, long-lasting color is important to me. How did eSalon hold up? I have to say it’s the best color that I’ve used! As I write this, it has been about four weeks since I colored and the only gray showing is a bit of fresh growth peeping through. The color has lasted very well. This alone has me hooked.

Other eSalon products

eSalon carries a line of other products to keep hair color looking fresh and tools to get the coloring job done. They sell several items to make coloring easier: hair clips, mixing bowls, coloring brushes, and other tools. They also have shampoo, conditioner, and other treatments to help the color last longer.

The Heart Lock it Color Safe Shampoo gently cleans color-treated hair. It is sulfate-free and protects color treated hair. It leaves my hair soft, but my oily scalp doesn’t know what to make of it.

eSalon’s Love Unconditionally Color Safe Conditioner gives color treated hair moisture and shine. It, too, is sulfate-free. It nourishes hair and helps to prevent hair from getting damage or breaking from chemical treatments. It does a good job moisturizing my hair, giving it shine and silkiness. However, after using the eSalon’s color-safe shampoo, my hair doesn’t feel like it needs conditioning or anything on it that could weigh it down or cause it to feel oily.

The Tinted Love Color enhancing treatment has been great for keeping my hair color fresh and has given it an extra boost.

Overall, I’m pleased with the results that I got from eSalon.  The color is custom blended, and I think it turns out better than boxed hair color with a one-size-fits-all approach. So, check it out.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Red Rover Naturals Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil Review


There are many good reasons to have tea tree oil on hand in your home, since it has so many uses. It has been used for centuries for its medicinal, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. As far as skin and hair care is concerned, it’s great for dandruff control, scalp acne, and as a lice treatment. My latest discovery is Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil from Red Rover Naturals.
4 oz bottle of Red Rover Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant, which is native to Australia. It is an essential oil that can be used alone or as an ingredient in shampoos, soaps, and creams. 

About Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil

This brand of tea tree oil is 100% pure Australian tea tree oil. It comes in a large, 4oz bottle, which I love because tea tree oil has so many uses and with the bigger size I don’t have to worry about running out so fast.

The company also provides a free guide, which comes as a downloadable e-book with recipes for using the oil. I love this because, although I’ve known that tea tree oil has lots of uses, this book is pretty handy.

Uses

Uses for tea tree oil are many. I’ve found that it makes a good scalp treatment to combat oiliness, acne, and dandruff on the scalp. Tea tree oil cleanses and disinfects the skin, helping to get rid of bacteria and keep pores clear. To use tea tree oil for dandruff or scalp acne you can apply it as a scalp treatment. Massage a few drops directly to the scalp, before shampooing. The oil can be used full strength or diluted with oil, like jojoba or coconut oil. Let it sit on you scalp for 10-15 minutes, then wash. You can also add a few drops to your shampoo or buy shampoo that contains tea tree oil.

It also can be used to treat acne on the face and to treat fungal infections, plus so many more uses that I have not tried, yet. I’ve read that it can be an effective lice treatment, as an alternative to chemical laden commercial lice shampoos.

Buy Red Rover Naturals Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil from amazon.com.  They even have a 110% money back guarantee, if you aren’t satisfied.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Adovia Facial Moisturizing Day Cream Review


I use facial moisturizer each morning and night as part of my daily skincare routine. Lately I’ve been using a rich and creamy facial moisturizer made by Adovia Mineral Skin Care.  Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream is infused with Dead Sea minerals, aloe vera, and natural oils to moisturize skin and help it retain natural moisture. It is dermatologist tested and approved, and is not supposed to clog pores.

Adovia facial moisturizer

Although Adovia facial moisturizer is thick and rich, it isn’t greasy and my skin seems to soak it in quickly. I really like its firming action and long-lasting moisture. My skin feels firmer and softer after using it. Since it is so thick, my makeup had a harder time going on smooth and evenly, if I used the moisturizer right before putting on makeup. I learned to wait a while before trying to put makeup on.
1oz jar of Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream

I did get complimented on how good my complexion looked, while using this moisturizer, which felt great to know that apparently others noticed. Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream is available through amazon.com. It comes in a glass jar, giving it a luxurious look and feel.



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Adovia Cleopatra's Choice Brand Shea Butter Review


I love natural skincare products with simple ingredients. Unrefined Shea Butter is one natural moisturizer that I really like. I’ve tried several skincare products from Adovia and recently used their Shea Butter. This Cleopatra’s Choice brand Shea butter from Adovia is pure, raw, and unrefined. It is good used by itself or it can be mixed into recipes for DIY skincare. Some people even use it as a hair conditioner.
1 ounce tub of Adovia Cleopatra's Choice Shea Butter pure unrefined

It comes in a handy tub, which keeps it fresh. I got the one pound tub of Shea butter, and it is great!   The one pound tub is perfect for me and will last me a while. This pure raw Shea Butter is unrefined and uses the highest quality Shea nuts. It’s 100% organic. Shea butter contains many nutrients, like vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin F, and essential fatty acids. It has many uses, including uses on skin and hair. Relieves dry skin, psoriasis dryness, eczema, and helps to lessen the appearance of stretch marks.

Before trying this product, I had never used straight Shea butter, although I’ve used many lotions and body butters that include it as an ingredient. I’ve really come to appreciate Shea butter after this experience. It’s wonderful! I love it because it provides deep, long-lasting moisturizing. I used it on my body, my dry especially loved it. It is gentle and many skin types can benefit. I can’t wait to use it this winter, when my skin suffers from the cold temperatures.

To use the pure Shea butter as a body cream: get a small amount in your hand and rub it back and forth to soften it. You don’t need much. After it heats up in your hands it is easy to massage in wherever you want to apply it. At first it feels somewhat oily, but it absorbs in a few minutes and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

Cleopatra’s Choice brand Pure Shea Butter from Adovia Mineral Skin Care is available at amazon.com.

Check out these recipes for Shea Butter from Little House Living.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Body Merry Age Defense Eye Cream Review


Since I have battled darkness and puffiness around my eyes for most of my life, I appreciate anything that helps my eye area look its best. I recently had the opportunity to review an eye cream by Body Merry, so for the past few weeks I’ve been putting it to the test.

Body Merry eye cream

 About Body Merry Age Defense Eye Cream

Body Merry  uses natural ingredients and avoids harsh chemicals. So, their eye cream does not contain any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. It is also cruelty-free.
The eye cream claims to be a comprehensive solution for dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness, fine lines, crow’s feet, and dryness. It is gentle, having been designed with the delicate eye area in mind.

It is full of beneficial ingredients, which include: vitamins C and E, vitamin B5, peptide complex, amino acid emulsification, hyaluronic acid, retinol, aloe, cucumber, green tea, lavender, calendula, chamomile, witch hazel, glycolic acid, MSM, cocoa butter, bearberry, blueberry, Oregon grape, eyebright, coenzyme Q10, lemon grass, apple, sugarcane, and several plant-based oils.

My Thoughts

The first thing that I noticed about Body Merry eye cream is that it smells great. I fell in love with the sweet scent, which I really can’t describe exactly what it smells like, but it reminds me of something from my childhood.

To use the product, you are supposed to dab a small amount gently around the eyes. Inevitably I keep being a bit heavy handed when I use the pump, and I end up getting a generous amount, which is more than enough for my eye area so I usually end up applying it to my whole face because I have extra.

Does it help my eyes appear less dark or puffy? I’ve been using the product for a month, hoping to see some results after accumulated use. Honestly, I haven’t seen any difference in the dark circles under my eyes. This is a good moisturizer and does help keep my skin hydrated. It does feel good on my skin, making it smoother and giving it a little more firmness. It did help to subtly minimize some puffiness.

Body Merry Age Defense Eye Cream is available through Amazon and comes with a 90 day guarantee.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.