Vidal Sassoon Salonist Hair Color

I’ve been coloring my hair for many years, and I’ve always done it myself at home. I’ve had an opportunity to use many brands of hair color. Most recently, I colored my hair with the new Vidal Sassoon Salonist hair color, courtesy of a BzzAgent campaign. Each box comes with gloves, hair color (colorant, activating lotion and VS serum), brush, bowl, and conditioner.

Two-step Process

It involves a two-step process. First, you brush the hair color on your roots, and then you wait. Then you apply the product to the rest of your hair. I have used another leading at-home two-step system, so I’m used to using the two-step approach. I don’t mind two steps and taking longer with the whole coloring process, as long as the color turns out looking good.

I clipped my hair into sections and used a mirror to get the back of my head. It does take patience and plenty of time to apply the color. It can be challenging to get the color applied evenly, especially if you have long hair

Gray Coverage

I have about 30% gray, and I need to have a coloring product that has excellent and long-lasting gray coverage. But, my hair was ready to be re-colored after about two weeks because my grays were showing (not just new growth, but grays that I already had). I also must note that I only wash my hair every two to three days. I’d expect the color to last longer, but in fairness, I’ve had problems with my gray hairs holding color before with other brands.

My verdict

I used the medium neutral brown. I chose a color labeled “neutral” because my hair has a lot of red, and I have wanted to tone down the redness to have a nice chocolate-colored brown, for a change. For the first week, the color looked practically black. I was a little worried, but the blackness faded into a nice chocolate-brown that I wanted. I also liked the shine after using the product and the fact that the redness was toned down.

I did have some problem with the color turning out even. My roots turned out darker than the rest of my hair. The darkness at my roots did fade after a couple washes.

Compared to going to a salon for color, the price is good. However, when compared to other boxed hair colors, it is on the pricey side. Vidal Sassoon Salonist hair color looks luxurious. It has nice packaging, comes from a well-known name, and has a good scent. The conditioner left my hair feeling silky and soft, and I loved the feel of my hair afterwards.

I really wanted to like this hair-coloring product. After the first week, when it had a chance to “settle in” I did like my hair. It did have rich-looking color and left my hair feeling soft. I do wish the color lasted longer on my gray hairs, though.

The retail price is about $13-14. I’ve had difficulty finding in stores around area, and when I do find Salonist, there is a very small selection.  If you would like to try Vidal Sassoon Salonist, the best selection that I have seen is on amazon.com.


I got the above product for free, through BzzAgent, in return for my honest review.

Adovia Dead Sea Mud Mask Review

I love the luxurious feeling my skin gets after using a good facial mask. For the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of using the Adovia Dead Sea Mud Mask. My skin feels great! My pores look smaller, and my complexion is wonderful.

What is the Adovia Dead Sea Mud Mask supposed to do?

Give you clear & radiant skin
Improve skin elasticity
Get healthier skin
Decrease excess oil

It is made from mud taken from the Dead Sea, which has a high concentration of minerals. It also has vitamin A and C, aloe vera, chamomile, and natural oils (like jojoba, olive, and evening primrose oil). The mask seems to be better suited for people with oily and combination skin. Those with dry skin may find the mask too drying.

To use the mask: Apply the mud to your clean face, either all over or to problem areas. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. As it dries, it takes toxins and impurities from the skin. Rinse with warm water and washcloth. Follow with light moisturizer.

    

The contents do settle in the tube. I recommend shaking the tube and rolling it back and forth in your hands before using it. It comes out of the tube with a thick consistency and has good coverage as it goes on. The product does feel s natural and somewhat gritty. As you apply the mask, it feels like it’s getting to work.  You don’t need to use a lot, and a little goes a long way.


It comes in a convenient tube, so you get what you need without contaminating the rest of the product. The product information says there are about 30 applications in the 5.1 fl. Oz.  tube, which can last three to four months. Adovia Dead Sea Mud Mask is available at Cleopatra’s Choice and Amazon.com.

I received the above product free through a Tomoson.com promotion, in return for my honest review.

InstaNatural Cellulite Cream Review

I’ve battled cellulite for years, and I was happy to have a chance to use InstaNatural Cellulite Cream.

It is full of awesome ingredients, like retinol, caffeine, vitamin C & B5, cocoa butter, and shear butter. It also has green tea, vitamin E, and avocado oil. All these ingredients are supposed to work together to tighten and tone skin, reducing the appearance of cellulite. It is a thick, rich cream that soaks in the skin quickly to get to work. It doesn’t have any greasy feeling.

After regular use for about a month, my skin feels smoother and firmer. InstaNatural Cellulite Cream is a great moisturizer and leaves skin feeling great. I still have cellulite, but hopefully it is less noticeable. My problem areas feel better and more toned. I suspect I always will have cellulite and that it is beyond any cream to be able to make it completely disappear.

InstaNatural Cellulite Cream is available on Amazon.com with a money back guarantee, if you’re not satisfied.

 
I received the product mentioned above free, through a Tomoson.com promotion, in return for my honest review.

InstaNatural Seaweed Powder Review

Recently I had the opportunity to use InstaNatural Seaweed Powder. InstaNatural Seaweed Powder comes from botanical kelp. It is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin E, and iodine. Seaweed is supposed to help reduce cellulite and help your body appear firmer and help your skin to look smoother. It is also believed to remove impurities and absorbs excess water.

When I was a pre-teen, I saw an infomercial about a cellulite cream that contained seaweed. The woman in the program touted the awesome benefits of seaweed to help reduce cellulite. At the time, I lived a short distance from a beach with a plentiful supply of seaweed. Inspired, I quickly rounded up a bucketful of seaweed and rinsed it. I proceeded to rub it on my dimpled thighs to see what would happen. Lesson 1 – real, natural seaweed from the beach is full of sand and little flies. Lesson 2 – seaweed stinks. The only thing happened with this experiment is that my parents got a good laugh.

Seaweed powder is much less messy and can be used for body masks, body wraps and even on the face. I was unable to use it on my face, due to the smell. I did use it several times on my body. I recommend using a dry brushing technique before applying the seaweed mask to your body to exfoliate and stimulate circulation. I recommend using more oil than the recipe on the label says to help the mixture go on smoother and be less messy.  More oil also helps it to be less flaky as it dries and falls off. Then shower after about 20 minutes when it is dry and wash it off.

For a seaweed wrap mix the recipe on the label and apply a generous amount to your thighs and behind. Then wrap in gauze or plastic wrap, leaving it on for about 20 minutes. Dr. Oz also has a recipe for a seaweed body scrub that I tried, and it is good.

InstaNatural Seaweed Powder is available on Amazon.com. It comes in a huge container that will last awhile. This seaweed power is so much better than harvesting your own seaweed.


I received the above product free, through Tomoson.com, in return for my honest review.

Review of InstaNatural Vitamin C Moisturizer

I really like vitamin C in skincare products, since it has some great anti-aging benefits. My newest find from InstaNatural is Youth Express Vitamin C Moisturizer. I like to see vitamin C in skin care products, since it is essential to collagen and elastin production. It is a great antioxidant good for its anti-aging abilities and for protecting skin.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Moisturizer contains 20% vitamin C and other nourishing ingredients that can help you get a healthy and glowing complexion. It helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, discoloration, and dryness.

It is an excellent moisturizer without being greasy or heavy feeling. It is light and absorbs quickly, making it great for using in the morning before applying makeup. It seems gentle, and I really like the fact that it can be used around the eye area. It makes my skin feel softer and smoother. I didn’t notice much of a scent to it, any scent that it does have is very subtle.

InstaNatural has lots of amazing skincare products, and they also offer a great money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. InstaNatural Vitamin C Moisturizer is available on Amazon.com


I received the product mentioned above free in return for my honest review.

Pure Body Naturals Lemon Essentioal Oil Review

I love lemon oil! I love its smell and the fact that it has so many uses. Lemon oil has antiseptic and disinfectant properties. Through a promotion, I recently got to try Pure Body Naturals Lemon Oil. Pure Body Naturals Lemon Essential Oil is pure therapeutic grade essential oil and doesn’t have any fillers or additives.

Uses:

• Aromatherapy

• As a mood booster and pick-me-up

• Cleaning metal surfaces, wood, dishes, clothes, and much more

• Adding a drop to water is supposed to aid digestion and boost weight-loss.

• Freshening the air and freshening clothes

•  It can help to clear the skin, brighten it, and lighten it.

One thing I like best about it is its energizing aromatherapy quality. It’s wintertime and my house gets dark and dreary, which can really get me feeling tired. I love anything to give me a boost, both emotionally and physically (especially, since I started 2015 by giving up caffeine).

I mixed a few drops with some coconut oil and used it for moisturizing my body. I’m impressed, and I can easily see this becoming a staple in my household.

It comes in a four ounce bottle, which is great because I could quickly use up one of the small size bottles that essential oils usually come in. Get Pure Body Naturals Lemon Oil from amazon.com.




I received the product mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products  which I have used personally and believe will be good for my readers.

InstaNatural Dead Sea Facial Mask and Argan Oil Hair Mask Review

Put your feet up, turn your phone off, turn on some calm music, and put on a facial mask and conditioning hair mask for a little time out. InstaNatural has two great masks for this awesome at-home spa experience.

Dead Sea Mud Mask

 A Dead Sea mask helps to detoxify the skin, removing dirt and oil, to keep skin clear. Using a mask once, a week or a couple times a month, depending on the needs of the skin, can be beneficial to your complexion. The Dead Sea contains has a high mineral content, with many minerals that benefit the skin.

The InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Mask provides or helps to:

•     Removes excess dirt, oil, grime & dead skin

•     Improves acne and blemishes

•     Reduces appearance of wrinkles & fine lines

•    Soothes body aches

•     Hydrates skin for softness

•     Restores even skin tone and texture

•     Helps you achieve more vibrant, refined skin

It has a smooth, somewhat gel-like consistency that spreads well over skin. It felt cool and soothing as I applied it to my skin. After applying the mask, let it dry for about 15 minutes and rinse off. After using it my skin felt soft, my pores looked smaller, and my complexion looked better. The mask can also be used all over the body, which I have not tried.

InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Mask comes in a 16oz jar, which is plenty to last for several applications. It should last awhile, as long as it is stored with the lid screwed on tight and in a cool place so it doesn’t dry out. The mask can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Argan Oil Hair Mask

 I often use heat on my hair and I color my hair regularly, so I like to use treatments that help to protect my hair from damage and that help it to look healthier.

Why use InstaNatural Argan Oil Hair Mask? It is supposed to:

• Make hair soft and shiny

• Repair damaged hair

• Strengthen and protect hair

InstaNatural’s Argan Oil Hair Mask contains argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, amino acid complex, and is infused with vitamin B5.

The first time I opened the jar, I immediately fell in love with the sweet scent. I applied it to clean, damp hair and left it there for 15 minutes. I didn’t know what to expect. Would it rinse out and I’d have soft, shiny hair, or would I be left with limp hair coated with an oily film? In the past, some conditioning treatments have left me a bit disappointed. After rinsing the Argan Oil Hair Mask from my hair, my hair felt so smooth and soft. There was no limpness for heaviness left on my hair. My hair felt good and manageable. It also looked healthier and there were less fly-aways and frizz.

Like the rest of InstaNatural’s products, the Argan Oil Hair Mask is available on Amazon.com.

 

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.

InstaNatural Retinol Serum Review

I am a huge fan of InstaNatural skin care products. They are made with quality ingredients and always seem to perform well. Lately, I have been using their Age-Defying Retinol Serum. Retinol Serum is supposed to help reverse the appearance of sun damage and signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and generally give skin a more youthful appearance.

The serum has 2.5% retinol; Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is a powerful antioxidant. Retinol has been used to help acne, eczema, to improve skin discoloration, and to decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The moisturizer also contains 20% vitamin C, 10% hyaluronic acid, and plant and fruit acids.

The serum has a somewhat milky consistency. To use the serum, start with freshly washed and dried skin. Use a toner if you wish. Then apply a small amount of serum to your hands and apply gently to your face and neck. Allow it to dry completely before applying moisturizer and cosmetics. It absorbs and dries quickly on the skin.

The first time that I used it, I felt a slight burning sensation, which went away within a couple of minutes. My skin has gotten used to the serum, but some people may find retinol irritating. I normally apply it at bedtime, along with InstaNatural Advanced Action Retinol Moisturizer. After regular use over the past three weeks, I am happy with the results. I’ve gotten firmer skin and less noticeable lines on my forehead. Retinol does make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure to wear sunscreen.

InstaNatural Age-Defying Retinol Serum is available on Amazon.





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.

InstaNatural Advanced Action Retinol Moisturizer Review

InstaNatural has never let me down. All of their products that I have tried, so far, have been great.  This time I’ve been using InstaNatural’s Advanced Action Retinol Moisturizer. The moisturizer is designed to “transform older, damaged skin into a healthier and youthful appearance.” It is supposed to increase skin’s firmness, thickness, and elasticity.

 The moisturizer has 2.5% retinol, which compared to other non-prescription strength retinol products is really good. Retinol is a form of vitamin A and a powerful antioxidant. Retinol has been used to help acne, eczema, to improve skin discoloration, and to decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The moisturizer also contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, shea butter, and green tea.

The retinol moisturizer is light and not greasy. I like the consistency, not too thick, so it goes on smooth and easily. It absorbs and gets to work quickly. Another plus, in my opinion, is that there is no discernible scent.

The first time that I used it, I did feel a slight tingling sensation, which soon went away. My skin has gotten used to the moisturizer, but some people may find retinol irritating. After using it for the past three weeks, I am happy with the results. I’ve gotten smoother skin and the crease in my forehead is less noticeable. I’ve been pairing the retinol moisturizer with the InstaNatural Retinol Serum, and together they are awesome.

Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure your have sunscreen on, if you’re going out. For this reason, I prefer to use the retinol products at bedtime.

InstaNatural Advanced Action Retinol Moisturizer is available on Amazon. It is economically priced, when compared to other retinol moisturizers.



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.