The Bitch is back!: Hair

Product Review: Hair Fix Deep Repair (Watsons Series)

Beauty 10/25/2015 11:51:00 PM

Image courtesy of https://ladybug026.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/pharmacy-internship-watsons-philippines-list-of-qualified-students-in-national-university2012-summer/

Finding an affordable yet effective hair treatment product has been a quest ever since my stylist accidentally ruined my tresses a few years back. I realized that I should not rely on the strand strength of my mane alone.

This is part 4 of my Watsons hair treatment product review series. Click HERE for part 1 (Hair Fix Intense Straight), click HERE for part 2 (Casa Cellophane), click HERE for part 3 (Hair Treats Hair SPA), or go to the Watsons label located at the right hand side of the page.

Click HERE to read about a short article I wrote about tips and tricks for at-home hair treatment.

This product promises to restore and rebuild dry and damaged hair and claims to be enriched with Argan Oil and Aloe Vera.

It doesn't take rocket science to figure out how to use it. Just remove excess water after shampoo, apply the treatment product on damp hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes then rinse. Use a hair cap if you like.

For Php49 you get two sachets with 25ml of product. It is good for 2 uses if you have medium to long hair. I picked up two packs and got it only for Php65 instead of Php98.

Consistency: think Creamsilk conditioner in a thicker formula.

This is how my hair looked like after using this treatment product for the first time. Although my tresses felt softer and silkier, I wasn't impressed.

I used it again after a week and was shocked to see the result! No heat styling was involved when I took this picture was taken. I did not even use a blow dryer.

PROs:

Affordable
Easy to use
Smells pleasing
Can be used 3-4 times depending on hair length
May produce promising results after weeks of continued use
Works well with chemically treated hair

CONs:

Treatment effects will wear out easily when shampooing everyday

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Although I try to avoid shampooing on daily basis, there are just days when I can't. Unlike other treatment products, whatever result I got washed out easily. It would have scored higher if the effects lasted longer.

Note: Effects may vary depending on hair type, condition, length, and other external factors. Use at your own risk.

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Product Review: Hair Treats Hair Spa (Watsons Series)

Beauty 9/14/2015 08:36:00 AM

This is part 3 of my Watsons hair treatment product review series. Click HERE for part 1 (Hair Fix Intense Straight), click HERE for part 2 (Casa Cellophane), or go to the Watsons label located at the right hand side of the page.

If my list is correct, they come in 6 different variants: Virgin Coconut Oil (white), Tsubaki (red), Argan Oil (orange), Macadamia (brown), Aloe Vera (green), and Lavender (violet). Each variant is marketed to have specific uses, such as Macadamia for anti-breakage, Argan Oil for nourishing, Tsubaki for hair protection, so on and so forth.

It's super easy to open. Just peel of the plastic tab pictured above and you can pop the lid off hassle-free. For Php229, consumers get two jars with 650 grams of product each. And Like any other treatment merch, instructions say to apply it after shampoo, leaving it on for 10 to 20 minutes and rinsing thoroughly afterwards. For best results, they recommend using it 3-4 times a week.

PROs

Affordable
Easy to use
Some variants smell good

CONs

Doesn't really treat problem areas as promised

Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I've tried all variants, but never did it treat any of the problem areas it's meant to target. I have rebonded hair. Maybe it works for virgin hair? I'm not sure. I've been using it for almost 7 years though. Wonder why? I've stuck with this product for so long because it acts as a great substitute for conditioner. I save a lot of money on expensive conditioner brands because I use the Hair Treats Hair Spa for conditioning every other day. Each jar lasts me about 2-3 months. My feeling: indifferent. I do not recommend it for treatment purposes, but I will encourage purchasing this item as a conditioner alternative.

Click HERE to read about a short article I wrote about tips and tricks for at-home hair treatment.

Note: Effects may vary depending on hair type, condition, length, and other external factors. Use at your own risk.

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Product Review: Ahglow Keratin Hair Protek (Hortaleza Series)

Beauty 7/21/2015 04:53:00 AM

Hortaleza is known to be one of, if not the pioneer for beauty and wellness stores here in the Philippines. Fellow kikays will surely understand why I feel like a child inside a candy shop whenever visiting a branch. I must admit, aside from Watson's, this is my happy place. I ran out of heat protecting spray so I decided to purchase the Ahglow Keratin Hair Protek hair spray during a recent trip to Hortaleza. After several uses, here's my personal opinion on this product:

For Php173 you get 120 mL of product. It promises to restore keratin; help repair/seal damaged tresses; and make the hair smooth, silky, shiny and straight. The "straight" part is obviously not true. This product will not make your hair straight.

The instructions are quite simple. It says: "after relaxing the hair rinse and blow dry. Spray Keratin Hair Protek all over the hair and comb to spread evenly. Blow dry very well, then iron hair.

While some spray nozzles start malfunctioning after several uses, surprisingly this one didn't after heavy pumping.

Pros:

Inexpensive
Easy to use
Smells decent
Mist is very fine and even - distributes product evenly
Hair looks healthier when used prior to heat styling
Significantly reduced static

Cons:

Hair feels a little heavy
Has devolumizing effects

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Note: Effects may vary depending on hair type, condition, length, and other external factors.

The only thing I don't like about this product is the fact that I can't use it within two months after rebonding as it makes my hair look stick-straight due to the cons I listed above. Looks like I'm going to have to find an alternative for that specific period. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the results after using it. Definitely something that should have space on your racks!

Do you experience the same pros and cons when using this product? Comment below! Click here to read my review on TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-in Spray.

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Product Review: EpSA PRO Flat Hair Iron

Beauty 7/14/2015 02:19:00 PM

I've been using and abusing the JML PRO Ceramic Hair Straightener I purchased from Watson's almost a decade ago. I love it dearly however, it was about time for the unit to retire. It definitely served it's purpose and served me well. So I recently picked up the EpSA Amber PRO Flat Hair Iron. I never intended on posting this topic however after getting a lot of questions about it, I figured maybe a product review will be better than answering each query individually.

I got mine for Php 1200 (excluding SF) from BelNikShoppe, an instagram seller. Note that price is subject to change without prior notice. Click here to view the seller's IG profile.

You won't find fancy pictures on the box. Just the brand's logo/name and a line saying "Titanium plates anti static to reduce frizziness reduces damage to hair." There was a little bit of struggle reading and understanding that. I mean come on, is it too hard to insert punctuation marks?!? Edit much?!?

Do these plates look titanium to you? Nope, didn't think so.

The width is quite small as you can see, it can only cover my pinky and ring finger.

It has 5 heat settings. Very easy to change from one temperature to another.

While a lot of people will be bothered with that very obvious gap, I wasn't. I have a firm grip and can press evenly so I didn't mind. Maybe it was a factory defect? Maybe the other units don't have it?

I could tell that the product is made to last just by looking at the cord. And oh, no need for an adapter!!!

Its ergonomic design makes it suitable for personal and professional use. Look at that thumb grip! I don't see this in a lot of well known brands.

It is very easy to handle and secure. Even when I'm not looking, I can still find the right way to hold it regardless of the hand I'm using.

I love this built in hook - making it easy to hang the unit somewhere accessible and far away from getting someone (or something) burned. Wish they made the material thicker though.

Pros:

Inexpensive
Easy to hold and use
Lightweight
Curved edges allow easy curling
Heats up quickly even when changing settings
Seems durable

Cons:

Plates are too small
Doesn't indicate if "titanium" plates can be used on wet hair (though I wouldn't use it for that purpose anyway)
Moderate cool down time

Image courtesy of http://www.canterlotradio.com/?cat=20&paged=2

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I highly recommend this product especially for those who do not want to comprise quality even with a tight budget. I hope this review helped any readers out there looking to buy this flat iron. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me, information is in my bio.

Have you purchased yours? How did you find it? Comment and let me know!

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Product Review: Casa Cellophane (Watsons Series)

Beauty 6/26/2015 03:05:00 PM

Image courtesy of https://ladybug026.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/pharmacy-internship-watsons-philippines-list-of-qualified-students-in-national-university2012-summer/

This is part 2 of my Watsons hair treatment product review series. Click here to read about part 1 (product reviewed: Hair Fix Intense Straight) or click the Watsons label located at the right hand side of the page.

This is about as close as I can get to dying. My stylist finds it puzzling that my hair can take so much heat and chemicals from hours of rebonding but can't bear permanent color application even for just a few minutes.

Priced a little over Php200 (if my memory serves me right), it includes a tube of the actual product, a pair of plastic gloves, and a plastic hair cap. I wish there more pairs of gloves - obviously I can't finish this whole tube in one treatment session, and I highly doubt anyone would.

Casa Cellophane claims to deliver temporary hair color and deep conditioning effects for extra shine and softness. It is ammonia and peroxide free which makes it safe for colored hair. Available in two shades, I purchased the lighter one which is ash brown.

The directions say: "After shampoo, towel off excess water. Apply the cream onto hair making sure the hair is fully covered with cream. Wrap the hair in warm moist towel or use a shower cap. Leave on for about 45 minutes. Rinse hair thoroughly with water. Style as desired." Could use a little bit of editing right?

The consistency is like that of our local conditioners, only pigmented. It felt awkward using the plastic gloves so I chose to apply the product with bare hands. Major regret afterwards!!! The stain is very hard to remove, even after using alcohol and washing several times so be warned.

Day of first treatment session. Shampoo was used. Minimal heat styling involved.

The result was impressive. My hair felt silkier and smoother. It did provide extra shine. Heat styling was easier after using this product compared to others. The ends didn't feel dry as well.

Second treatment session after one week. Shampoo was used. Minimal heat styling involved.

My hair felt relatively lighter after the second use. And it looked better too!

Two weeks after 2nd session. Minimal heat styling involved.

The product gave favorable results, but not as good as the second treatment session. It was as if this was the first time I've used it.

Pros:

Easy to use
Smells good
Can be used several times depending on hair type and length
May produce promising results after weeks of continued use
Great for relaxed/rebonded hair

Cons:

Can be very messy, best if applied by someone else
Hard to remove color stain from hands
Color is not as visible compared to cellophane done in a salon
Gives better results if used on a weekly basis (otherwise you're back to square one)
Price (a hair treatment session with better results at a local salon in my area starts at Php300)

Image courtesy of http://www.deliciousreads.com/2015/01/book-review-eye-of-minds-by-james.html

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Note: Effects may vary depending on hair type, condition, length, and other external factors.

The cons offset the number of pros. Casa does very well in treating my dry hair but it lacks in the color department. I will repurchase only if I can commit a weekly session until the tube is emptied. If you're after the color enhancing traits of a cellophane aside from its treatment capabilities, a salon visit may be more beneficial.

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Tips and Tricks: Home Hair Treatment

Beauty 6/08/2015 02:21:00 PM

Image courtesy of http://magazine.foxnews.com/style-beauty/care-your-hair-pumpkin-sweet-potatoes-champagne-and-more

Summer is favored by a lot of Filipinos due to the countless activities that are available during this period. However it is equally dreaded because intense heat and high humidity in the country can wreak damage to our tresses. The general majority turn to salons for a quick fix. But why spend so much money when you can save more by doing the hair treatment yourself? I know the season is about to end but it is not an excuse. Your hair should always get some good old TLC. Here are my tips:

Make it a habit

I recommend setting at least an hour and a half every weekend for this task. If that doesn’t work a bi-monthly schedule would do. Point is, do it as often as possible. Frequency will not only produce better results, it also helps prevent future damage.

Image courtesy of http://www.goddessweaves.com/damaged-dry-hair-treatments

Chemical or Natural?

Natural treatment methods such as coconut oil or the likes, most of the time, will not work with chemically treated locks (with the exception of Argan Oil). Chemical processes alter the composition of hair preventing it to fully absorb nutrients from natural substances. It will just sit on top and will get washed off easily.

Shampoo Tricks

Like animals adapting to their environment for survival, hair too, will get accustomed to any given merchandise that is frequently used. Switch it up on treatment day! By introducing a different shampoo, hair will react differently because the chemical formula is not something it is familiar with. Doing so will increase the possible benefits of hair treatment.

Leave the shampoo on for 5 to 10 minutes depending on hair type. The feeling will be extra dry after washing but the cuticles will open, allowing more of the product to be absorbed.

Treatment Dos

Strictly follow the recommended time frame. Leaving it on for an extended period doesn’t guarantee a better outcome, but it could actually cause more damage. Using a hair cap or hot towel may help, but do check if it is suggested. Bottom line is: read instructions carefully before using.

Water Talk

Use lukewarm water during shampoo to help open the hair cuticles. Use cold water when rinsing treatment product to seal it.

Next Day Routine

Try to avoid washing hair for at least 24 hours. As majority of treatment products will not show immediate effects, natural oils may increase the possibility of an enhanced turn out. However, I am also aware that this is out of the question during summer. An [itchy] alternative is skipping shampoo for the next one or two bathing sessions. They are formulated to clean, thus will also remove any treatment product easily or whatever is left of it. Stick to your favorite conditioner (it’s easier said than done). Who knows, you might be up for a silkier surprise!

Image courtesy of http://braziliansignature.com/blog/hair-straighteners-choose-great-hair-straightening-treatment/

Styling

The use of hot tools is not recommended as this will increase the possible damage inflicted to your hair. The temperature is bad enough but adding more stress to the tresses by utilizing curling irons, flat irons, or blow dryers in high setting during this season will greatly speed up mane mayhem.

Treatment Products

Change it up once in a while. Do I still have to blabber about how hair adapts? You get the point.

Also, don’t just buy random products off the counter. Research is key to get the optimal result. Find out which ones are proven to be effective. Click the “Product Review” or “Hair” link under labels (right hand corner of the page) to see the items I’ve been using lately!

Conditioner Break

This is more of a pet peeve than a tip. But believe it or not, some people still use conditioner during treatment day! No. Nope. Just no.

Image courtesy of http://www.fashion-trend.co.uk/?p=1074

Salon Visits

Though a lot of at-home hair treatment products are out there, it is still important to get an expert’s opinion. Visit your stylist and get a salon treatment at least every quarter.

I hope this short article helped! I came up with these tips and tricks after years of getting hair treatment at salons and doing it myself at home. Comment on this post and share your best practices! I'd love to try them out myself!

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Product Review: Hair Fix Intense Straight (Watsons Series)

Beauty 3/02/2015 08:58:00 AM

Image courtesy of https://ladybug026.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/pharmacy-internship-watsons-philippines-list-of-qualified-students-in-national-university2012-summer/

Do you use hot tools almost every single day? I do. Are you tired of wasting precious time and money on salon treatments that do not always work? I am. My goal this year: to find the most effective yet affordable at-home hair treatment product.

Watsons is famous for being a one-stop-shop on everything beauty and health. What they have on the racks is obviously on top of my list. Scouring thru every isle, every nook, and every cranny of their SM Megamall Bridgeway branch I picked up several different items. And I am excited to share with you the results of the first one I tried!

The Hair Fix Hair Treatment line comes in several variants. First one on my list: Intense Straight. It has Coconut Milk and Silk Protein which claims to eliminate dry, frizzy and unmanageable hair. It also claims to improve hair elasticity and restore smoothness.

It is pretty simple to use. First, get rid of excess water in the hair. Apply the product on damp hair and leave on for 5-10 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Usage of hair cap during treatment is optional.

You get two long sachets for Php49.00 with product that can be used 3-4 times depending on hair type and length. Because I have long and thick hair, I decided to empty one whole sachet in one session.

The consistency is thicker than what I expected, which is a good sign.

Hair pic BEFORE product testing. A little heat styling (blow dry and flat iron) involved.

Hair is shiny and appears a little bit healthy. But notice the frizz despite heat styling. Hair also appears to have a lot of static.

Day of hair treatment with shampoo. No conditioner. No heat styling involved.

Notice that the frizz was minimized in the middle section. Frizz at the middle-bottom part has also tamed down. Zero static after brushing.

This is how my rebonded hair normally looks like if it dries on its own. The broom-like ends are a result of getting my hair straightened and heat-styled for years.

Day 1 after hair treatment. No shampoo. Conditioner used. Minimal heat styling involved.

Notice that the hair appears to be thinner. Shine and luster greatly improved compared to "before" pic. Frizz at the middle part significantly decreased. Zero static after brushing.

Day 2 after hair treatment. Shampoo and conditioner used. No heat styling involved.

I didn't have time to blow dry before going to work. It dried on its own. Even if my hair is rebonded, I still have bad hair days. This was definitely one of those days.

Despite the fact that it looks very nasty, do notice that my hair still appears to be thinner compared to the day treatment first started.

Day 3 after hair treatment. Shampoo and conditioner used. Minimal heat styling involved.

This was probably the best day in week 1 of product testing. Notice that the hair appears to be thinner. Shine and luster greatly improved compared to "before" pic. Frizz at significantly decreased. Zero static after brushing.

Day 1 Week 2 of hair treatment. Shampoo w/o conditioner. No heat styling involved.

Day 3 Week 2. Shampoo and conditioner used. Minimal heat styling involved.

Frizz at the bottom was caused by resting on the couch without fixing hair position.

Pros:

Affordable
Easy to use
Smells good
Can be used 3-4 times depending on hair type and length
May produce promising results after weeks of continued use
Great for relaxed/rebonded hair

Cons:

Hair feels heavy

Image courtesy of http://www.imagekb.com/5-out-of-5-star-rating

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Note: Effects may vary depending on hair type, condition, length, and other external factors.

Despite the many pros listed against the only con I could find in this product, I hate the fact that my hair feels heavier than it should be. This variant isn't for me. I still do recommend using it though.

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Pages

The Bitch is back!

Product Review: Hair Fix Deep Repair (Watsons Series)

Product Review: Hair Treats Hair Spa (Watsons Series)

Product Review: Ahglow Keratin Hair Protek (Hortaleza Series)

Product Review: EpSA PRO Flat Hair Iron

Product Review: Casa Cellophane (Watsons Series)

Tips and Tricks: Home Hair Treatment

Product Review: Hair Fix Intense Straight (Watsons Series)

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