Mischo Beauty Pick: L'ANZA's Neem Plant Silk Serum

When I discover a hair product that works for multiple hair types and issues, it's always a must that I tell you all about it! That was the case for L'ANZA's Neem Plant Silk Serum. It's a leave-in treatment that not only leaves your hair soft and shiny after a blow dry, but it strengthens, protects and even prevents haircolor from fading.

So those of you with chemically damaged hair, color-treated hair and weakened/brittle hair should definitely check this out! What I love most is that there is a recommended regimen (and you know all know how much I love regimens!) to go along with this serum: White Tea Shampoo, Manuka Honey Conditioner & Neem Plant Silk Serum.

Would love to know your thoughts on the Neem Plant Silk Serum, or any other L'ANZA products. Please share!

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: 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 Pick: Nexxus Dualiste

According to Nexxus, fading haircolor is due to water, though people think UV rays and other harsh chemicals are the main cause. When water enters the hair shaft, haircolor molecules escape and that's the reason Nexxus developed the new Dualiste collection for color-treated hair.

Now if you follow my tweets on Twitter, then you know that I recently shared a beauty tip regarding investing in products for color-treated hair to help preserve, protect and prevent fading. Well I've always been pleased with Nexxus products in the past, and I believe that this collection is definitely worth checking out!

I love, love, love the fact that both the shampoo and conditioner have a dual chamber bottle which offers you the option to pump color protection from one side and either Intense Hydration, Volume, or Anti-Breakage from the other. This means that the shampoo and conditioner are formulated for your hair type and whatever issues you might have! Now what more could you ask for!?!

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Mischo Beauty Pick: Sebastian Professional Drench Shampoo & Conditioner

Recently, I've received a few emails with regards to product suggestions for relaxed hair. And in response to those emails, I've decided to revisit Sebastian's Drench Shampoo & Conditioner. I mentioned having used both in the salon on clients and I've also used them on myself.

The products are recommended for dry/frizzy hair and, based on my experience with them, are great on both relaxed, natural, color-treated hair- and on extensions and weaves. Now if "dry/frizzy" isn't your hair type/issue, then visit www.sebastianprofessional.com for additional product offerings.

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Mischo Beauty Alert Reminder: Kérastase's "Our Treat" Event - Complimentary (FREE!) Hair Services

I wanted to remind you all about the Kerastase "Our Treat" Event happening now! Be sure to check out the Kerastase blog for photos, stories from clients and updates from events in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. Enjoy!

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Mischo Beauty Pick: The EverPure Collection by L'Oreal Paris

About a month or so ago I wrote about the newly launched EverPure Moisture shampoo and conditioner by L'Oreal Paris and told you all how much I loved the fact that there was a range of products to meet your specific haircolor needs. And to refresh your memory, the EverPure collection is formulated without sulfates, surfactants and salts which are drying, strip color and cause premature fading.

Most of you know that I'm quick to advise that if you're investing time and money in coloring your hair, you should do the same with your home maintenance routine. The EverPure collection of products includes three formulations: Moisture, Smooth and Volume. So, for those of you with thin, limp hair- try the EverPure Volume collection (shampoo, conditioner & UV protect spray pictured above). And for those of you who deal with frizzy hair- try the EverPure Smooth collection (smooth deep control masque & smooth frizz-free serum pictured above).

The EverPure Moisture collection (moisture leave-in conditioner & moisture deep restorative masque pictured above) is for dry hair. You should also know that the products are 100% vegan and contain UVA and UVB filters (for sun protection). And, in addition to what I've already mentioned, the price point also makes these products worth trying.

So has anyone tried the collection yet? Do share!

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Mischo Beauty School: Haircolor 101

With spring here and summer around the corner, some of you are probably considering a change in your haircolor. I've found that with the arrival of the warmer months, many clients prefer to lighten their hair or add highlights; and the opposite seems to be the case with the cooler months.

With that said, let's quickly review the four categories of haircolor so that you're able to make informed decisions when it comes to your hair! The categories are as follows: temporary, semipermanent, demipermanent, and permanent.

1. Temporary haircolor coats the hair shaft and is easily removed by shampooing. Examples include: color rinses or color-enhancing shampoos.

2. Semipermanent haircolor partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It doesn't lighten the hair and is usually used to enhance fading haircolor.

3. Demipermanent haircolor doesn't lighten hair and, like semipermanent haircolor, it is used to enhance fading haircolor. It penetrates the hair shaft and lasts longer than semipermanent haircolor.

4. Permanent haircolor is used to both lighten and darken hair, and also to cover grey. It remains in the hair shaft until the growth of new hair.

So that's it for now! Please leave your questions in the "comments section" and we'll definitely chat more! Also, I'd love to know your haircolor plans! Planning to go a shade lighter or two shades lighter? Or, are you planning to go red, brown- or maybe highlights?

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Mischo Beauty Pick: EverPure by L'Oreal Paris

For those of you who invest time and money in coloring your hair, I highly suggest doing the same with your home maintenance routine. One of my top beauty tips is to invest in products for your particular skin and hair type/needs/issues, and with that said if you color your hair, you should be using a shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair.

EverPure is the newest shampoo and conditioner launch from L'Oreal Paris. What makes the shampoo and conditioner different is that they are formulated without sulfates, surfactants and salts which are drying, strip color and cause premature fading.

Both are formulated with UVA and UVB filters (for sun protection), are 100% vegan and contain extracts such as rosemary, juniper and mint which all smell amazing!

Though my hair isn't color-treated, it's always super dry, so I did test the EverPure Moisture shampoo and conditioner and was pleased with the ease of use (yes, the shampoo does lather) and the way my hair felt after using them. The conditioner left my hair soft and very easy to comb through (one of my biggest challenges!).

I'm loving that there's a range of products in this line, which means you have no excuse for not selecting the shampoo and conditioner for your specific haircolor needs. For those of you who deal with frizzy hair- try the EverPure Smooth collection and for those of you with thin, limp hair- try the EverPure Volume collection.

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Beautiful hair needs an expert: Silk Pillowcase

My recommendation this week is simple- invest in a silk pillowcase. With the arrival of winter, you might find yourself challenged with unusually dry hair. One way to prevent this problem is to use a silk pillowcase.

Certain fabrics, such as cotton, deplete the hair of moisture and cause friction on the hair's cuticle (outermost layer of hair), leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Not only will a silk pillowcase keep your hair soft and smooth, but it feels so good on your skin! I'm recommending that Beyonce add this to her packing list as she travels around the world promoting her new album.

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Beautiful hair needs an expert: L'Oreal Vive Pro Color Vive Shampoo

I'm sure most of you have seen Beyonce's new L'Oreal Paris Feria commercial and it's quite evident that her hair is colored using Feria's permanent haircolor formula, which would lighten her natural brunette color to the "Golden Sunset" or is it the "Sunflower Blonde" we're so used to seeing. With her hectic schedule of appearances, her hair is probably touched up every 3-4 weeks in order to keep her haircolor flawless, as I'm sure is what's expected of a L'Oreal Spokesmodel. With that in mind, we must remember that haircolor is a chemical service that can take it's toll on your hair if not properly treated.

This week I'm suggesting a product from the L'Oreal Paris family to care for Beyonce's hair and it's L'Oreal's Vive Pro Color Vive Shampoo for dry, color treated hair. It's a hydrating shampoo that seals the hair's cuticle, which locks in haircolor and prevents fading. It cleanses the hair gently, and leaves the hair soft and smooth- and it contains antioxidants and UV filters which protect that hair from the environment and again ensures longer lasting haircolor.

What are you using to protect your haircolor?

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Mischo Beauty School: Wella Professionals Fun Stats On Haircolor

Good morning everyone! This week again, I'm turning today's lesson over to the experts at Wella and here are a few fun facts on haircolor that they've compiled:

Did you know?

70% of women agree that hair color products used in salons are better quality

32% of women chose "good friend" as the best way to describe their relationship with their colorist

29% of women said that blonde is the hair color they most wish they could pull off over 23% who picked red (I'm a natural redhead- go redheads!!) and 21% who picked brunette

55% of women know how permanent hair color works

45% of women surveyed are interested in the science behind how hair color works

If you've been following my blog, then you're probably familiar with my "Mischo Beauty School: Haircolor 101" post, and at the very least, you now understand that haircolor falls into four categories.

Well, here's your chance to learn more! Please send me your haircolor questions and I'll get back to you with answers!

(photos courtesy of wellausa.com)

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Mischo Beauty: Scarlett Johansson Beauty File

(photos courtesy of style.com)

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Beautiful hair needs an expert.

Here are the products and tools to maintain Nicole Richie's look!

*Vote for Mischo Beauty Now!*

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Mischo Beauty School: Hair Porosity 101

Let's discuss the hair's porosity. Porosity means 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 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.

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

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)

Love your hair.

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

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Beautiful hair needs an expert.

I'd love to be Erin Fetherston's colorist. Her hair looks perfect in every photo. She must touch her roots up every 3-4 weeks faithfully! Here are the products and tools to maintain her look!

*Vote for Mischo Beauty Now!*

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Mischo Beauty School: Haircolor 101

I’m passionate about haircolor and I’ve wanted to discuss this topic for quite some time. My apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon required me to search high and low for models wanting root touch-ups, highlights, gray coverage, bleach & tone, highlift blonde, and single & double processes. Believe it or not, I was always able to find a model that needed one of these services and the results always left me amazed and excited about the next assignment.

With that said, let’s discuss haircolor. Haircolor falls into four categories: temporary, semipermanent, demipermanent, and permanent.

1. Temporary haircolor coats the hair shaft and is easily removed by shampooing. Examples include color rinses or color-enhancing shampoos.

2. Semipermanent haircolor partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It doesn’t lighten the hair and is usually used to enhance fading haircolor.

3. Demipermanent haircolor doesn’t lighten hair and, like semipermanent haircolor, it is used to enhance fading haircolor. It penetrates the hair shaft and lasts longer than semipermanent haircolor.

4. Permanent haircolor is used to lighten hair and cover gray. It remains in the hair shaft until the growth of new hair.

Love your hair.

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

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Mischo Beauty Pick

I love this product! I use it as a blow-drying serum because I've discovered that it smooths the cuticle while I'm blow-drying my hair, and leaves it shiny. I also use it a few times a week as a moisturizer when my ends begin to dry out.

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Mischo Beauty Pick: Wella SP Power Mask

I discovered this conditioner while working for Vidal Sassoon. It's the best conditioner I've used so far... for very coarse, damaged or bleached hair.

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Mischo Beauty School: Hair Texture 101

Let's understand hair texture. Hair texture is often a point of confusion, but simply means the diameter of each individual hair. The texture of hair generally falls into one of the following five categories:

a. Very Coarse
b. Coarse
c. Average
d. Fine
e. Very Fine

The coarser the hair, the thicker the cuticle and larger the cortex, so stronger coarser hair textures will be able to withstand stronger chemicals and rougher treatments than fine hair.

Hair textures have nothing to do with the quantity of individual hairs on the head so it is possible to have a thick head of fine hair and on the other hand a thin distribution of coarse hair. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions! Love your hair.

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The Mischo Salon: DREAM Salon

I worked here briefly, and this is how I envision the Mischo Salon. Coming soon...

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