Mischo Beauty Challenge Update: "A Healthy, Sexy & Beautiful 2011"

So this is my weekly check-in! I wanted to quickly mention the Rene Furterer dietary supplements (for hereditary and sudden/temporary hair loss) shown above. I'm not one to really advocate the use of supplements over a proper diet (as discussed here), but I do understand the need at times. There are circumstances that warrant the use of them. Also, I loved Cooking Light's "12 Ways to Eat More Vegetables and Fruit"... be sure to check it out and let me know your thoughts!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

*Mischo Beauty is a beauty blog for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are in doubt, please seek the advice of your physician. Mischo Beauty is in no way responsible for the effects of posted information. If you choose to try these products, you do so at your own risk.*

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Mischo Beauty Pick: Rene Furterer's KARITE Collection

So it's clear that we're Rene Furterer fans here! If you follow us on Twitter, then you know our signature hashtag is #BEAUTYisTRUTH, and so with that said it's our goal to bring you the latest and greatest on the beauty products we absolutely love. We've reviewed the Myrrhea, Okara and Acanthe Perfect Curls collections and so it's only right that I introduce you to the Karite collection, which my naturally dry, Type 4 hair loves!

It includes the following:

- Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract
- Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nutrition Oil
- Rene Furterer Karite Shampoo
- Rene Furterer Karite Nourishing Conditioning Cream
- Rene Furterer Karite No Rinse Nutritive Concentrate

The Intense Nutrition Oil isn't pictured above because I dropped it on my bathroom floor (it comes in a glass bottle), but it along with the Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract make an excellent pre-poo treatment. I'd have to say that my favorite product from this regimen is the Nourishing Conditioning Cream, which I'd fallen in love with years ago while apprenticing, and it does not disappoint.

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've tried this regimen, or are thinking of trying it!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Rene Furterer’s Acanthe Perfect Curls

There is no such thing as bad hair. And with the right products, all hair is good hair. The key is identifying your hair type and determining what your hair likes by observing its reaction to different products. Pay attention to what your hair needs, and it will give you what you want.

My hair is curly (Type 3) and fairly low-maintenance. I've mostly used inexpensive shampoos and conditioners and generic gels for many years. After researching, I decided to take better care of my hair, to make it as healthy as possible.

I experimented with many, and found that Rene Furterer's Acanthe Perfect Curls line delivers all that my hair likes, needs, and wants. The Curl Enhancing shampoo thoroughly cleanses away the residue of days worth of product. The conditioner detangles and moisturizes without leaving that heavy, overly conditioned feeling. The Curl Enhancing leave-in fluid is the icing on the cake. With only a few drops, it smoothes out your strands, defining your natural curl pattern, allowing you to style your hair with or without a comb. (I use my fingers!) No hard gel-like finish and no stiff, over-processed residue!

As with all things, you get only as much as you give. Love your hair, and it will love you back.

Be beautiful, and be well. -Ayanna Shamese

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Amoy Pitters & Eryn Brinie Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Celebrity hairstylist, Amoy Pitters created the hair look for the Eryn Brinie Fall 2010 presentation. The look, described as ethereal, wind-swept and effortless, was created by using one of my favorite brands, Rene Furterer (you'll remember that I love, love, love the Complex 5 Regenerating Extract!).

Amoy created the look by first applying Rene Furterer Volume Mousse from root to end to achieve texture. Using a 1-2" curling iron, she created soft waves throughout the crown. After adding Amoy Couture Hair Clip-On Extensions to add fullness and length to the hair, she then sprayed a brush with Rene Furterer Dry Shampoo to create volume.

Next, using a comb, she brushed back the hair at the root, sweeping the hair to one side and creating a long braid. She continued to comb the braid back to create lose flyaways for a soft, renaissance look.

After the models' makeup was applied, Amoy then finished the hair look by applying Rene Furterer Finishing Spray, securing any loose hairs.

So are you all impressed? Please let me know your thoughts!

photos: Ann Lawlor, Eryn Brinie

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Mischo Beauty: Rene Furterer's OKARA Collection

I'm a huge fan of the Rene Furterer collection of products (I'm sure you all know that by now!) due to the fact that I've had an opportunity to use just about all of them during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. My favorites are the complete Karite regimen (for very dry scalp/hair), Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract (pre-shampoo treatment) and the Okara 2-Phase Leave-In Protective Conditioner (great for color-treated hair).

And while we're on the subject of color-treated hair, Rene Furterer sent me their Okara regimen of products (specifically for color-treated hair), which includes the Okara Protective Radiance Shampoo, Okara Restructuring & Protective Radiance Mask and the Okara 2-Phase Leave-In Protective Conditioner. Now I'm mentioning this collection to you because recently I shared a beauty tip on Twitter regarding investing in products to protect and maintain haircolor.

If you're going to invest so much in haircolor services, then it only makes sense to maintain that investment with the very best products! I've used the Okara regimen on clients in the past and I've always loved the results, so I thought I'd share it with you.

I love answering your haircolor questions, so please leave them in the comments section and I'll get right back to you!

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Mischo Beauty: Rene Furterer's MYRRHEA Collection

Rene Furterer products were introduced to me during one of my apprenticeships and I fell in love with the Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner (great for color-treated hair), Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract (pre-shampoo treatment), and the complete Karite regimen of products (for very dry scalp/hair). With that said, naturally I was excited about trying the newest launch of the Myrrhea regimen of products (Silkening Shampoo, Silkening Mask and No Rinse Silkening Fluid).

Now I personally don't consider my type 4B/C hair to be "unruly and rebellious". It's simply thick and tightly coiled- and needs tons of TLC. But, I know that when it comes to describing or characterizing type 4B/C hair, the haircare industry would include my hair type in that category.

At any rate, the shampoo and mask didn't soften, moisturize or detangle my hair as I had hoped it would. But, I do like the No Rinse Silkening Fluid, which I used as a leave-in/blow drying serum. It worked to detangle my hair, and left it soft and smooth after blow drying.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this collection, especially if your hair type is different from mine!

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"Green Your Haircare Routine" on SheBreathes

I wanted to let you all know that I am now the resident beauty expert over on SheBreathes.com! I'd like to thank Ms. Shoo for this wonderful opportunity- I am so honored. I'd like to invite you all to check out my current contribution, "Green Your Haircare Routine", and please enter to win the Phyto Collection for Dry Hair! Enjoy your weekend.

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Beautiful hair needs an expert: Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract

I've had the opportunity to use almost all of the Rene Furterer products during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. I was always very impressed with how nurturing the products were and the fact that many of the products contain essential oils and plant extracts formulated to keep the scalp healthy and strengthen the hair. I love the fact that there is a full treatment regimen which can be prescribed, depending on your hair type and needs.

For Beyonce's color-treated hair, I'd recommend the Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract which is a pre-shampoo treatment. It's a blend of essential oils which work together to stimulate and invigorate the scalp, prior to shampooing. This ultimately prepares the scalp for ultimate penetration of the shampoo and conditioning treatments, leaving both the scalp and hair revitalized, strong and healthy.

Pair this treatment with a scalp massage and you're in heaven. I know because I've both had and preformed the service!

Are you using a pre-shampoo treatment you love? Do tell!

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Mischo Beauty School: Hair Porosity 101

I've received a few emails asking me to discuss the reason(s) why hair becomes damaged and dry after certain chemical services. Well, there could quite possibly be hundreds of answers to those questions depending on the history of services performed on the hair and the home care regimen. I will say that if your hair is damaged and overly dry, then your hair's porosity has probably been compromised. So what is porosity? Porosity is simply the ability of the hair to absorb and retain moisture and is used to describe the condition of hair. It falls into the following categories:

a. Very porous
b. Porous
c. Normal
d. Resistant

A “normal” porosity will mean that the cuticle (outermost layer of the hair shaft) is closed and smooth. Healthy hair will usually have a normal to resistant cuticle, depending on the texture. ”Porous” to “very porous” hair will have a roughened cuticle meaning that the hair is probably damaged. It usually loses moisture very easy and is easily damaged.

So, to determine the porosity of your hair, feel it - both when it's wet and dry. If it feels like straw and it's rough when it's dry, or if it feels gummy or slightly rubbery when it's wet, then you probably have a problem with porous to very porous hair. You should definitely talk to your stylist before receiving any chemical services in order to prevent further damage. Haircolor, perms and relaxers will process much faster on porous to very porous hair and may cause damage.

Porous to very porous hair can be caused by:

1. Over coloring
2. Bleaching
3. Permanent Waving
4. Relaxing
5. Flat/curling irons
6. Improper blow-drying
7. Environment (sun, salt/chlorinated water)

Please feel free to e-mail me with more questions! Love your hair.

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Beautiful hair needs an expert: Rene Furterer Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner

I've had the opportunity to use almost all of the Rene Furterer products during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. I was always very impressed with how nurturing the products were and the fact that this line contains essential oils and plant extracts formulated to keep the scalp healthy and strengthen the hair. I love that there is a full treatment regimen which can be prescribed, depending on your hair type and needs.

For Sienna Miller's color-treated hair I'd recommend Rene Furterer's Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner. It's great because it contains a witch hazel extract that helps set haircolor and seals the hair's cuticle, which slows fading and keeps haircolor vibrant. It contains protein, which strengthens the hair, and it detangles as it conditions.

What's your favorite leave-in conditioner?

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Mischo Beauty School: Hair Porosity 101

I've received a few emails asking me to discuss the reason(s) why hair becomes damaged and dry after certain chemical services. Well, there could quite possibly be hundreds of answers to those questions depending on the history of services performed on the hair and the home care regimen. I will say that if your hair is damaged and overly dry, then your hair's porosity has probably been compromised. So what is porosity? Porosity is simply the ability of the hair to absorb and retain moisture and is used to describe the condition of hair. It falls into the following categories:

a. Very porous
b. Porous
c. Normal
d. Resistant

A “normal” porosity will mean that the cuticle (outermost layer of the hair shaft) is closed and smooth. Healthy hair will usually have a normal to resistant cuticle, depending on the texture. ”Porous” to “very porous” hair will have a roughened cuticle meaning that the hair is probably damaged. It usually loses moisture very easy and is easily damaged.

So, to determine the porosity of your hair, feel it - both when it's wet and dry. If it feels like straw and it's rough when it's dry, or if it feels gummy or slightly rubbery when it's wet, then you probably have a problem with porous to very porous hair. You should definitely talk to your stylist before receiving any chemical services in order to prevent further damage. Haircolor, perms and relaxers will process much faster on porous to very porous hair and may cause damage.

Porous to very porous hair can be caused by:

1. Over coloring
2. Bleaching
3. Permanent Waving
4. Relaxing
5. Flat/curling irons
6. Improper blow-drying
7. Environment (sun, salt/chlorinated water)

Please feel free to e-mail me with more questions! Love your hair.

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Beautiful hair needs an expert: Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract

I had the opportunity to use almost all of the Rene Furterer products during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. I was always very impressed with how nurturing the products were and the fact that this line contains essential oils and plant extracts formulated to keep the scalp healthy and strengthen the hair. I love that there is a full treatment regimen which can be prescribed, depending on your hair type and needs.

For Tamia's color-treated hair, I'd recommend the Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract which is a pre-shampoo treatment. It's a blend of essential oils which work together to stimulate and invigorate the scalp, prior to shampooing. This ultimately prepares the scalp for ultimate penetration of the shampoo and conditioning treatments, leaving both the scalp and hair revitalized, strong and healthy.

Pair this treatment with a scalp massage and you're in heaven. I know because I've both had and preformed the service!

Anyone using a pre-shampoo treatment you love?

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Mischo Beauty Product Review: Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner

Since I've used this product on clients more times than I can count, with wonderful results, I felt it only natural to share it with you. The Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner is a daily conditioning treatment for colored, highlighted and bleached hair. It contains the Okara extract, similar to keratin (protein), which works to restructure and strengthen the hair. It also contains the Hamamelis extract, which helps lock color in keratin to preserve its intensity. And because hair is usually more tangled after a color service, this instantly detangles, smoothes the cuticle and has a great smell. I would use this after shampooing with the Okara Protect Color Protective Radiance Shampoo and conditioning with the Okara Protect Color Restructuring Mask, but before applying a styling aid for blow-drying. It seems only natural to invest in the maintainence of your hair, after investing so much in a color service. It's worth it and I highly recommend it!

Rene Furterer Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner Okara 2 Phase Leave In

Have you tried this product? Any thoughts?

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Beautiful hair needs an expert.

In the spirit of fashion week I've decided to use model, Agyness Deyn for this post. I love, love, love her haircolor! During my apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon, finding a hair model for a "bleach and tone" double-process was my biggest challenge. The requirements were that the hair model had to have dark hair to begin with and the hair had to be heathly enough to withstand a double-process such as this. At any rate I always found the models I needed, but not without sweat! The greater the challenge, the greater the reward... Here are the products and tools to maintain her look!

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Mischo Beauty School: Hair Relaxers & Thinning/Breakage 101

I’ve received many questions on the use of hair relaxers resulting in thinning hair and hair breakage, so I’ve decided to address the issue. Damage from relaxers may result from a number of reasons. At any rate, the problem could be due to one of the following:

1. The "strength" of the relaxer might be stronger than that needed for your particular hair texture. Relaxers come in "mild, regular or super" strengths.

2. Your stylist may not be applying the relaxer properly. It should ONLY be applied to the NEW hair growth, every 6-8 weeks. No overlapping onto previously relaxed hair!

3. Thermal styling may be an issue. Are you frequently using a curling iron, flat iron or blow-dryer? If so, that will definitely contribute to thinning/breakage.

4. Do you color your hair? If you use permanent haircolor, the application should be at least two weeks after relaxing or you will experience thinning/breakage. You should only be using a mild relaxer.

If you're thinning near the scalp, then it's probably from improper application or overlapping of the relaxer onto the previously relaxed hair. If you're thinning along the length of the hair, then it's probably due to excessive heat from a curling/flat iron, blow-drying or constant chemical overprocessing.

Hopefully your stylist will identify the problem and offer you a new haircare regimen. If you feel that your problem is different from those listed above, I'd recommend you visit a Dermatologist.


Love your hair.

Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions!

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I Love Her Hair!

I love the color of Ellen Barkin's hair- I couldn't take my eyes off of it- hence this post. As you all know I'm training to be a colorist and I'm amazed at how natural and soft the color looks against her skin- not too yellow, not too white. Amazing! Great haircolor amazes me these days- I guess it's the chemist in me (yes, I have a BS in Chemistry!) formulating the color, taking into account her natural haircolor, contributing pigments, etc, etc. Ok- so here are my product recommendations for maintaining great color (I've just started using this product line at the salon and it's great!

Cleanse the hair with the Okara Protective Radiance Shampoo. It strengthens, hydrates and works to preserve haircolor.

Treat the hair with the Okara Protect Color Restructuring and Protective Radiance Mask. It works to preserve haircolor, while strengthening the hair. It detangles and returns the hair to it's normal pH.

Protect the hair with the Okara 2 Phases No Rinse Conditioner. Not only does it preserve haircolor, but it also contains UV filters which protect the hair from the sun.

Style as desired!

Look your best with luxurious skin care products & cosmetics from Beauty.com!

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