Introducing The Hair Bungee

surgebeauty.com

Unlike ordinary hair elastics that are shaped like a ring, a hair bungee is a single piece of silicone with hooks on both ends. Hook one end of the cord into your hair, wrap around the ponytail as snug as you like, then fasten with the other hook.

This new hair tie, designed by a hairstylist in Australia to meet the professional demands of high fashion, has taken runway shows around the world by storm. 

A hair bungee is perfect for creating smooth ponytails, polished up-dos and "controlling thick, curly or unruly hair,'' says the manufacturer. The cord is easy to put in and remove. With tension, the silicone material locks the hair in place. The tie will not slip out, and it will not pull or tug the hair.

The first hair bungees were made in three colors for blond, brown and black hair. Now they also come in bright rainbow colors.

A ponytail that stays pulled up all day, plus wrapping and unwrapping hair without damaging it is fantastic. Let the hair bungee hook you!

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New Hair Product Launches: Garnier, Shea Moisture and Schwarzkepf

 Whenever you walk into a drugstore or beauty store with free samples, take one. See if you like a newly launched product without risks. The following items were introduced to me as free samples, and I highly recommend each of them:

Enlarge to read benefits

1) Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Leave-in Conditioner - In general I'm not a big fan of leave-in conditioners, but the moment I rubbed a dab of this one between my fingers I knew I'd like it in my hair. Non-greasy, no perfume, and it doesn't leave a residue on my skin. Moisturizing and clean on my skin ... to moisturizing and clean with no residue in my hair. My no-fail test for any hair conditioner is how clean it feels on my hands. Readers may recall I normally spray Tsesumme Heat Tamer and Protector on my hair before blow drying it daily, but I think this Garnier new product works as well. So now I have two options, not just one hair protector and can buy the lowest priced when I go to replenish.

Click to enlarge.

2) Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intense Hydration Treatment Masque with Fig Extract & Baobab Oil - Let me cut to the chase, I highly recommend every beauty item this company makes, and they are many. I use them all for my skin or hair type, and I've never bought a failed skin or hair care product from the Shea Moisture line. I regularly use the soaps, moisturizers and treatments on my face, body and hair. The products are organic, affordable and fantastic!💙💙💙

3) Schwarzkopf Got2b Insta Hold High Hold Hairspray - Honestly I don't use hairspray much, but was happy to see the half tin-sized sample at CVS because, indeed, I needed some. Over the years, I've used a light spitz of hairspray in my hair on high humid or rainy days to tame and get the locks to behave. In NYC we've had several days in a row of high humidity this spring, and I'm not detecting any stickiness nor residue after a light spray. I brush through my hair after a spitz to avoid stiffness. Got2b stops flyways and unruly hair from doing its own thing.

Thanks Garnier, Shea Moisture and Schwarzkepf for the samples. I'm your newest customer -- numbers: 1, 2 and 3 are SAVVY SHOPPER approved!

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4U By Tia Is Created For Curly Hair

Although all hair textures are biologically the same, made mostly of protein, namely keratin, curly hair forms deep in the scalp from a curved bulb and takes its spiral shape from irregularly distributed keratin.

Curls are naturally drier and more porous than straight hair. They are more fragile plus tend to take more abuse from daily styling; and finally due to their shape, conditioners have a tougher time migrating from the root to the end of curly hair.

4U by Tia is a brand founded by actress Tia Mowry offering a line of natural hair care products based on science for curly hair. 

Although not dirt cheap, it is created with good clean ingredients and sold at Walmart and Target so regular people on a budget can afford high-performance haircare to "elevate their curls." 

4U By Tia has lavish products to clean and condition your naturally curly hair; nourish and treat it; or tame and style it.

Because products designed for curly-and-people-of-color are made to be mild for hair that tends to be drier and more delicate, I think nearly every head can use it. 

Surprised? Here's why: Clean, natural ingredients made to stop stripping your scalp of its natural oils can benefit every hair type. I've had no issues using gentle formulas on my straight Caucasian hair.

Wishing a Happy Juneteenth to my fellow Americans and a few other countries who observe it!

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Top Heat Protectors For Blow Dryer And Flat Iron Users

Photo: Farouk

Every day I wash and blow dry my hair. Some days I also get out my flat iron to eliminate frizz. If you apply heat to your locks daily like I do, it is essential for the health of your hair to use a spray on/leave in hair protector before you blast and fry your locks dry.

Usually I don't like styling products in my hair. What's the point of a wash if your hair feels stiff from mousse, gels and volumizers? So I don't use them. The one exception is a heat protector:

My favorite is Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer. While it guards against heat damage during a blow dry, I can't feel the product in my hair. It leaves my hair clean, soft and shiny. It seems to reduce frizz too. On windy days, I also spray it on dry hair to get out tangles. 

Garnier's Frutis Style Flat Iron Perfector is another effective spray-on treatment. It's a close second only because I do feel product coating my mop of fine hair after a blow dry. For coarse hair, this may not be the case. Containing argon oil, it is sold as a straightening mist. The spray tames frizz and leaves hair looking sleek.

Choice is good! Tresemme (about $6.50 for 8 ounces) is slightly more expensive than Garnier (about $3.50 for 6 ounces), but both are sold at the corner drug store where there is often a 2 for 1 deal, so you can try them both to decide which is best for the texture of your hair. Thereafter, you can benefit when one of them goes on sale.

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Hairstyles: Pretty Braids

Genetics are fascinating.  Often times when children are born, recessive genes win out.  Both of my parents had curly hair, but my hair is straight.  (My mom is still trying to understand how and why.)  My curly-haired friend, Cara S., also has a daughter with straight hair.  Some people said Lindsay looked like me, a remark that delighted her growing up, since I got to be the fun Auntie, who came for visits.  But I'm digressing.

As a teenager, my mom thought I should have curly hair and encouraged me to roll it.  It's a good thing, I totally ignored her.  Curly ringlets are pretty, but I never once minded having straight hair.  Straight hair is an easy style to maintain, and yet, you can do a lot with it.  In the summer, it's fun to braid sections of it.  I love YouTube for its hair tutorials, showing you how to braid hair, step-by-step.  Right now, my favorites are a waterfall braid (here) and one called a same-side lace braid (here).  Click on The Cute Girl's Hairstyle channel (here) for other ideas.

How in the world did any of us learn anything before YouTube?

And a word to my parent, who continues to have an opinion about my hair:  Mom, there are two types of people on the planet: People who have straight hair (me!), and people who wish they had straight hair (you!).  

All kidding aside, my mom has lovely curls, which flatter her face.  Obviously, there is no one standard of beauty (mom!).  Embrace whatever your hair type is ... and work with it.  Curly, wavy, or straight, it's all good.

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Difeel Shampoos and Conditioners

I discover so many fantastic organic and natural personal care brands at T.J. Maxx for less. As needed, I buy them for both myself and my senior mom. I don't know when Difeel, a US-based beauty company, launched its line of hair products, but several varieties of its shampoo and conditioner landed on the shelves at TJ Maxx this week. Not knowing the brand, I waited a beat to buy a set. When I returned a day later, the Rosemary and Mint sets were gone, but I was still able to buy a Rosemary and Mint conditioner and Castor Pro-Growth Shampoo for my mother. I washed her hair this morning. Two winners -- both selections are gentle and clean -- free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Difeel's formulas are infused with biotin to help promote healthy hair growth. All its formulas stimulate the scalp and moisturize and strengthen the hair. Biotin plays a role in the health of your hair, skin, and nails.

We love how it cleans the hair and leaves it fresh with no residue. 

If you can get to TJ Maxx in time, you can score the large 33.8-ounce size bottles with a pump (another love of mine -- big quantities that last a while). The sets are an unbeatable $12.99 each and the singles are an unbeatable $6.99 -- about the same price you might pay for Dollar Store subpar shampoo or conditioner. Although an incredible, unbeatable steal, they are also reasonably priced on Amazon, Walmart, and at other stores.

Lucky us, my hesitation didn't cause my mother to miss out. I highly recommend Difeel ... for all hair types, especially hair that needs nourishment and a little tender loving care. This week TJ Maxx has the entire Difeel line of shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments in stock! Run!! They're flying off the shelves!!!

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Dove Hair Therapy Collection

eBay sellers are offering the entire collection. Also sold at Walmart and Target.

The CVS Pharmacy near my home always has free samples. I applaud the beauty manager at this location for offering us free samples consistently, as other locations are not as diligent.

On Saturday I walked into the drugstore, and there they were in the beauty aisle: Sample packs of Dove Hair Therapy shampoo and conditioner. It's a multi-formula collection ... the Hydration Spa option, I did not try. What I grabbed was the formula marked Breakage Remedy. Though I gravitate towards hair products that strengthen or tame locks, I'll try whatever freebies are offered. The Dove Hair Therapy Collection includes a leave-in condition which I also didn't try.

Today I used the shampoo and conditioner and love the fresh, clean, pleasant scent. The formula feels luxurious and leaves the hair clean, tame, and free of tangles. The new Dove Therapy Collection, according to the company, is created to strengthen the hair at its cellular level to achieve 97% less breakage. It's free of sulfates and safe for all hair types.

For sure, it smells magnificent; washes out clean; and leaves a consumer with a soft head of hair. Dove is better known for its soap, now we know the shampoo and condition is good too. Costing under $7 for 13.5 oz, the going rate, CVS offers a $3 coupon + the usual future promotions, making the brand affordable. Definitely, as the price is right I'll stock up with a pair and a spare to continue using it.

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Best Oils For Skin, Hair And Nails

Photo: Seebiz.net

At one time I used baby oil after showering to protect my skin from dryness. Right after bathing is the best time to seal in moisture. What's more, one of the changes I made over the last year was to replace baby oil with nature's organic oils. 

But nature's organic oils are more costly per ounce, and if you shower every day as lots of us do, the expense can really add up! Plus in comparing the various types of organic oils, some are 2-5 times more expensive then others. Are they worth it? And, is one type better for your skin and another for your hair? 

I do think switching to an organic oil is worth the extra money for a product you slather on your skin everyday, but you don't have to use the most expensive, or the rarer, harder-to-produce ones to benefit.

A dub of the more common types of organic oil does the trick of moisturizing your skin, hair and nails. In general, I use a richer coconut oil in winter and argon oil or olive oil in the summer. But I don't sweat the difference too much and stick to lower price choices from reputable manufactures, since we need a lot of product over a year's time. 

Here are 10 fabulous organic oils to consider:

Argon Oil - Comes from the fruit of Moroccan argon trees. It has high levels of vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Reportedly, it reduces

inflammation also (which keeps skin looking young). Great for skin, hair and nails.

Coconut Oil - Has Vitamin E, protein and lots of fatty acids. One of the heavier oils, making it perfect for winter's brutal cold. Good for skin, hair and nails.

Grapeseed oil - High in antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to moisturize, tighten and tone the skin. Not as rare (and thus lower in cost) than some of the others, but just as powerful for beautiful skin.

Jojoba Oil - Contains vitamins B and E, as well as, minerals like zinc and copper. It absorbs easily into the skin. Yes, I love it, but it's one of the more expensive natural oils, so I don't buy it as often as I'd like. Great for skin or hair especially if you have oily skin or scalp.

Marula Oil - is known as Africa's beauty secret. Naturally soothing and healing, it is light and absorbs well into the skin. Rich in vitamins C (4 times the potency than in an orange), vitamin E, omega 3, omega 6 and linoletic acid. Protects the skin against free radical damage and promotes the production of collagen and elastin. Boosts skin firmness and density. Great for skin, hair or nails.

Olive Oil - An affordable all around fantastic moisturizing oil for skin, hair and nails. Has vitamin E, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and seems to be a barrier from the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays. As a teenager, I borrowed the extra virgin olive oil from my mother's kitchen to use as an after-bath-skin-oil, a practice that didn't last long. She didn't approve and hid the bottle from me. So you see, Mom, I was ahead of my time!

Rose Hip Seed Oil - Has Vitamins A and C, omega fatty acids and linoletic acid. Excellent for uneven skin tone, acne and aging skin. For the skin, it speeds up cell turnover and the production of collagen. One of the more expensive oils, but if you need it, pay the piper.

Sweet Almond Oil - Almond oil comes in 2 varieties: sweet and bitter. While bitter, has a few benefits, it's the oil from sweet edible almonds that are the most popular. Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin A, B, E. It soothes and treats dryness and inflammation. Almond oil removes impurities and dead skin cells. Improves circulation and helps firm dull, aging skin. Almond oil adds lustre to hair and moisturizes nails also.

Add drops of the next two oils to coconut oil, rosehip seed oil, or olive oil (in lieu of using them alone) to promote healthy skin and hair growth:

Clary Sage Oil - Reduces inflammation of the skin; controls oily skin and acne; stimulates hair growth and gets rid of dandruff.

Geranium Oil - Improves circulation and reduces inflammation, which slows down aging and promotes a healthy scalp and younger looking skin; speeds up the healing of wounds.

You can click the links below for previous posts pointing you to retailers (I personally use) who offer affordable prices for top-notch pure organic oils. I order from Puritan's Pride and use Sonoma Naturals.

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Hair Tools: Goody Spin Pins

I have fine hair, but lots of it. Although cut uniform in length, it's slippery, or something. Bobby pins and barrettes will slide out of my hair even before I step away from the mirror, but these spin pins will secure an updo. I have no idea how they work, but they do. Hair stays in place. Each of the spin pins claim to do the job of 20 bobby pins. You simply twirl you hair up, twist it into a bun and literally screw the pins in.  

When you want to take your bun out and let your hair down, you unscrew the spin pins by turning them in the opposite direction, as you would with regular screws. They have round edges and don't seem to harm the hair. The only mistake you can make is twisting your bun too tight. A tight bun is too dense, and you won't be able to spin the pins through your hair with ease. Using them, you can create a polished or messy bun. Available in two colors: light (for blonds) or dark (for everybody else). Costs: $6.

Photo: BabesInHairland, their channel here

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Are Expensive Flat Irons Better?

The IZUTECH Flat Iron is $200 smackers

Yes, sometimes they are better, but not necessarily. When you use a flat iron to straighten, you are frying your hair. Just like a good kitchen skillet, a good flat iron gets hot quickly and conducts heat evenly. It lets you straighten strains of hair with a single pass. The frizz is conquered while doing the least amount of damage to the hair.

Look for ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline plates. Some of the super cheap flat irons might be made of materials that don't conduct heat as well as ceramic, titanium or tourmaline does; or have a thin ceramic, or titanium coating (over aluminum) that wears out fast. Look for solid not coated plates.

One-inch plates are perfect. Smaller than one inch, and the process of straightening takes all day; and over one inch is hard to control. Speaking of control, look for a flat iron that allows you to adjust the heat. Smooth, floating plates -- they extend beyond the surface -- won't pull or break off your hair.

Personally, I own a $19.99 model, called the BioSilk Ergonomic Tourmaline Flat Iron that I got at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It is made by Farouk, the same manufacturer of the popular, high end CHI Flat Irons. It heats in 10 seconds. Purchasing it was pure dumb luck. I give it 5 stars for performance and durability.

While I wouldn't settle for a lemon, I don't like paying $100+ for a flat iron since they all burn out eventually with use. So if you take a chance on a flat iron for less, go with one made by a company well known in the hair industry. They know the terrain, and you can return what doesn't work out. Also examine the flat iron: Like the looks and feel of it.

The Remington Anti-Frizz Therapy Straightener is getting raves. Under $45, it has the important features, plus excellent customer satisfaction. Again, I'd rather replace two of these than one $100+ flat iron. Pay the piper only if you get value. Unfortunately, hair appliances don't last twice as long because they are twice the cost. So perhaps you don't need the top of the line, you just need a straightener that performs as it should. Leave some bucks in your wallet on this buy!

Next I'll write a follow up blog on heat protectors, a hair styling essential when frying your hair. :) Stay tuned!

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HIP CHIC Grape Vinegar Rinse

I received a free sample of HIP CHIC Grape Vinegar Rinse for scalp and hair care. Silicone-free, it's created to use after shampooing to rinse your hair of product buildup and impurities to soften, smooth, and add shine to your hair.

As a teenager, I remember being told that cider vinegar is a good hair rinse and vinegar is indeed a traditional hair and scalp treatment.

I will say this rinse has a mild, not unpleasant earthy smell sans the scent of vinegar. It contains vinegar, grape, and raspberry fruit extracts.

The slender bottle and narrow spout make it easy to apply the solution to the scalp. (In fact, the empty bottle is worth the purchase price to keep and refill.) You are supposed to rub the solution into the scape and through your hair, let it soak in for 2 minutes, and then rinse it out with water. Easy enough!

The formula has a light conditioning effect. So if you're looking for ingredients your grandmother likely used such as vinegar (with a few extra ingredients) as a scalp and hair treatment without having to mix it yourself ... this is it. I have a ton of fine hair and was not able to use it as a stand-alone conditioner, but it's not advertised as one. To put a comb through the tangles of my hair, I had to apply a regular conditioner. For everyday care, I'll stay with 2 steps of effort -- shampoo and condition and add this 3rd treatment occasionally.

 The HIP Chic brand is distributed by Clean Story and sells at Walmart for half the price of competitor vinegar rinses.

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What Would You Do If You Were Losing Your Hair?

I feel for men who are going bald. Today baldness is considered hip, but thinning hair has to be traumatic. Hair is such a big part of our identity, a symbol of youth and not everyone looks good with a bald head.

According to several medical sources, male pattern badness affects about 40 million men in the US alone.  Men have a 4 in 7 chance of inheriting the baldness gene.  Studies indicate that early baldness is passed on through the X chromosome, but the Y chromosome plays a part too.  Castrated men don't go bald.  Interesting fact, but yikes!  Don't try it at home.

Male pattern baldness begins with a receding hairline (from the lateral sides of the forehead).  Usually, a woman's hair doesn't start to thin until she is in her 80s.  

In spite of websites that claim to treat baldness, there's not much you can do to slow it down, or regrow your hair.  Two FDA approved treatments, finasteride [Propecia] and minoxidel [Rogaine] have limited success.  And hair implants are costly, painful and not very effective either.

Hollywood types like William Shatner, Nicolas Cage, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Cryer, Jude Law and Gene Simmons are rumored to wear hairpieces while in the public eye.  As did Michael Jackson.  Elton John does too.  It doesn't take experience to know that fake hair is an ordeal to wear.

I don't blame a person for doing whatever he has to do to deal with hair loss.  If it were me, I'd get some tony, happening hats like Micky Dolenz and Cee Lo Green.

Life is change.  Since the beginning of time.  Every body changes.  But, you're in good company.  Many other men are going bald too.  Hopefully, losing one's hair makes a person a little more compassionate.  No one is perfect, and if it's not one thing, surely, it will be something else.

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Puritan's Pride Beauty Products

I can't praise Puritan's Pride enough. The e-company offers top vitamin and nutritional supplements, as well as, organic and natural body care products at discount prices. You can afford to use them every single day!

Recently, I added two more of Puritan's Pride products to my beauty arsenal. Previously I used the company's seven ounce Coconut Oil For Skin and Hair, which I still love, but its larger 16 ounce Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is the same value per ounce, and you can use this 2nd one in your cooking and baking too. So I will continue to buy it from now on. I keep a tub of the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in my bathroom to moisterize skin, hair and nails after a shower. It feels and smells lovely!

Next up: Nature's Gate Pomegrante's Sunflower Hair Defense Conditioner has seven healthy hair nutrients - panthenol, soy proteins, vegetable proteins, jojoba oil, borage flower seed oil, vitamin C and vitamin E. 

I bought a bottle mainly because of it's generous 18 ounce size. Hair conditioner (like shampoo) needs to last for a while. This formula does, plus more importantly, it works to untangle and tame my long locks. The conditioner does everything I want it to do: It leaves my hair feeling light, clean and healthy. The true test: If I don't feel a residue on my hands, I know there won't be any left in my hair to weigh it down. The conditioner is a thick consistency and has no harmful chemicals. At $5.99 for 18 ounces, it's a keeper!

Two fabulous beauty finds without breaking the bank! (For a roundup of other inexpensive botanicals, click the links below.)

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The Ordinary: Haircare Rooted In Skincare

The Ordinary, famous for offering effective skincare based on science at fair and affordable prices, just launched new haircare products on March 8th that are also rooted in the science of skincare.

Introducing a trio of products led by science to gently cleanse, condition, and hydrate the scalp and hair. It makes perfect sense: After all the scalp is an area of the body consisting of skin with oil glands. The new hair products which are rooted in skincare include:

Sulphante 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair - It contains SLES-2, a milder sulfate formulated to be gentle on the scalp and clean the hair without color fade. Usually we think of sulfates as bad, but The Ordinary re-engineered the chemicals to make them mild and effective.

Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner - Lightly coats the hair strands for a soft, smooth effect that tames and conditions the hair without weighing it down.

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp -  A milky serum that includes hyaluronic acid and squalene (ingredients naturally produced within the skin) to hydrate and protect the scalp skin barrier. Massage a few drops into your scalp daily for treatment.

This trio of new products join a 4th older one:

Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density - A concentrated peptide serum created to make hair look thicker, denser, fuller, and healthier.

These hair products come from a company committed to giving customers budget-friendly products with good, clean ingredients backed by science that truly work. One or more of them may be right for you!

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