We Talk Shop

I love Fekkai products, especially the glossing cream that shopgirl_joyce just reviewed. When I first saw this glossing product, I knew I had to try it, but was disappointed that it didn’t live up to my expectations, or to the quality I expect from this brand. The product promises a “lightweight, brilliant shine,” but I think someone forgot to add the shine to my bottle. Fekkai products aren’t cheap, and I stubbornly have used almost the entire 5 fl. oz. bottle, convincing myself it must be doing something other than smelling good (I had to award one star just for that.)

Forget it: Skip it and go for the glossing cream instead. But you want to try the mist anyway, you can find it on Amazon, Sephora, and Bath and Body Works for around $22.

I’ve been using this cream for the past two years. My hair is very thick and wavy and I straighten it about 3x a week. I put a small amount of this after I shower on the ends of my hair and a little bit after I straighten it. The result is bouncy, soft, shiny hair! It doesn’t weigh my hair down at all, however you have to be careful not to put any of this on or near your roots. It may not be suitable for those with fine hair since this product does contain some olive oil. The smell of this cream is heavenly- if they ever make a perfume like this I’ll probably buy it. I also like the tube packaging so you can get every little drop of product out of it. It is expensive but for those who blowdry and straighten their hair a lot like I do, it’s definitely worth every penny. It protects your hair from drying out and getting damaged.

Git it: Pricey at $26.50, but look for this in your local Bath and Body Works, some stores have started carrying this and you can get it cheaper when they give out those $10 off $35 coupons (provided you buy something in addition to make the total of $35. I usually just get additional antibacterial stuff).

This summer I was hanging out with my family at my nephew’s wedding when I came across a product that I knew I wanted to try — Tresemme’s Shampoo and Conditioner. Yes, I know this sounds strange, but stick with me and you’ll see the picture.

My very cool, teenage neice was standing near me; the top of her head is about the exact height of my chin (you catching on yet?). I kept smelling this wonderful, fresh smell every time I was standing near her. Finally, I sniffed her head and asked her what product she is using. She said that she loves Tresemme! Oh, Tresemme I thought — that’s so very Project Runway! I must try! So try I did.

The results are average. It’s not bad, but just not as great as I had hoped. I’m not even sure I can put it into words except to say that I don’t feel the shampoo is thick enough for my tastes. And, the results are so-so. I don’t think that my hair looks as glossy, shiny or as great as my neices’ hair does. 

Get it: Cost is great — it’s only about $5 for a large bottle and you can buy it practically anywhere, including the grocery store.  

I had time to peruse a couple of my favorite beauty websites this weekend and what do I find? Fresh.com is having a sale! Starts August 22nd to August 25 (I hope my fellow shopgirls will remind me since I tend to forget these things sometimes). I’ve never bought anything from them online, but I have used a couple things from Fresh. However I must warn you that their products are uber-expensive, so proceed to the website with caution. Of course knowing me I didn’t pay full price for the Fresh products that I have. I highly recommend their glosses (Gloss absolute in Desire is my favorite color) and some of their Sugar products (sugar shea butter, sugar face polish, and lemon sugar perfume). I will probably review these products soon.
Let me know if you buy anything! Just don’t complain to me about the ridiculous prices!

Recently, I went on a work outing to a most wonderous, magical place (sadly, I don’t mean Disney). ‘Twas the Spa Nails Tan Palace. Ahh yes, I can see it now. Conveniently located across from the Florida Mall at 1355 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL, (mapquest it!) I stepped out of my car expecting a little hole-in-the-wall, plaza nail salon and to my surprise found a one-stop-beauty location. Spa Nails Tan Palace wasn’t just a nail salon. Oh, no…It included a glass enclosed hair salon and nail area, an open area pedicure area (of which contained a good 20-30 available stations at a time) and private rooms where waxing, tanning and massage services were offered. I walked into a plethora of leather recliners to choose from (and that was just the waiting area). Flat screened TVs lined the walls up high so customers could involve themselves in a good soccer game or see a good battle of “who’s more fabulous than whom” on VH1. Regardless my taste, I had a screen to watch. Better yet, I struck up convo with my service provider. Her name was Suysana. She was friendly, upbeat and fun to be accompanied with. She even managed to talk me through the foot scrubbing (as I tried with all my will not to squirm at my ticklish toesies). It was a place where I could relax alongside my hardworking peeps. I came for a pedicure, but left with the comfort and knowledge that I could always come back for more than just my toes. *Ten toes up*

Git there, or be square: $27 pedicure (group rate and $5 french manicure fee included; regular $25); Located at 1355 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL

I’m talking about Aussie 3-Minute Miracle. It’s a leave-in conditioner by the makers of Aussie. After much reading about a random hair model in some popular magazine (I’m sure) deep-conditioning her hair once a week. I thought hey! With all the ironing I’ve been doing on my hair lately, no wonder my hair is dry. And heck! If I want to follow in the foot steps of said random hair model, I betta git ta steppin’!

And I did just that. I slathered my hair in 3-Minute Miracle for….3 minutes and VOILA! My boyfriend just couldn’t stop running his fingers through my hair. Oh wait, that was me. Nevertheless! My hair was smooth as a baby’s bottom. Let me tell you, that’s pretty smooth! I have to say though, I do have Asian hair so I don’t know the effects on other types of hair. Try it out and let me know!

Git it: $3.97 at your local Wal-mart or any store that carries Aussie Hair products