Keeping the ENVY in Nail Envy

If you don't know about it yet, you should. Nail Envy is a savior for all things fingertips. However, the product offerings are not all the same. As a faithful user of the original Nail Envy, I decided to try Nail Envy Matte. Thought that sometimes it would be nice to have a strong nail without the shine.

Unfortunately, while the original delivers on every promise, the matte does not. It wears off easily and takes on a blueish cast as it wears. By two days in, it's dirty and unkempt. No good in my books.

The original is still a good buy, and the rest may be good!
x.opi.com/trNenvy.asp
Where to get it: available at most salons, beauty supply stores and the occasional drug store.
Cost: $20

More on the dry shampoo

Good friend has something to add on the dry shampoo front...
This is from one of my Diva friends. Important to note that she would spend as much as needed for a good product, so if she chooses on that's cheaper, you KNOW it's good...

The one I like the most is Batiste, which I've found at Shoppers Drug Mart for around $8-9.

http://www.batistehair.co.uk/

The scent seems strong when applying but isn't that strong when it's dried and set, and it effectively sops up the oil and gives you a bit of oomph. All the other ones I've tried (baby powder, TresEmme, the higher end ones at Sephora, etc.) have either not been effective or have clogged up at the spray opening so you can't use it after 1 or 2 uses! So my suggestion is to try Batiste.

What's the deal with oil?

To Moroccan or Macadamia?
Hmm, there's really not a clear cut choice here I'm afraid. I've tried both, and here's the deciding factor - what type of hair do you have?

Both are great products, and will protect your hair from humidity while rebuilding it's strength and shine. However, if you have fine hair that easily gets oily, then Moroccan oil is the clear choice. If, however, you are unblessed with hair like mine - kinky, curly, and will turn into a frizz ball at the drop of a hat - you want to go with the Macadamia. It's a little bit thicker, and will give you that added boost of shine and protection against humidity.

Moroccan oil, as already said, will work great if you have finer hair that gets weighed down by to much product. I have many friends (blessed with lovely Barbie like hair - hate 'em all) who use it and swear by it.

Moroccan Oil

Macadamia Oil

Luscious lips on the go

I'm a busy girl and I must admit that although my purse if FULL of lipstick, I never remember to apply it. When I finally do, my lips are so dry that I just don't want to use a traditional lipstick.

Clinique Almost Lipstick
Where to get it: available at most department stores and cosmetics stores (such as Sephora).
Cost: $18
My solution? Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It's touted as their best selling lipstick ever, and believe me - there is a reason for that. This half gloss/half lipstick is a warm raspberry shade that suits almost any complexion. It also cures dry lips instantly. While it's price tag is a little higher than most of the lipsticks that I buy, it's worth it since it's the only one I actually USE.

I've recommended this product to almost all of my friends, and they have been thrilled as well. I've been stocking up on the stuff since 2008. LOVE IT!

I've finally cleared my purse out of all those old lipsticks, except for one other. Will spill soon...

Dry Shampoo

All hairdressers tell you to wash your hair as little as possible to keep it as healthy as possible. But I hate the feeling of 2nd day hair and have always had a problem going more than a day. Enter Dry Shampoo - my favorite cure for the 2nd day blues. I've tried a couple and here's how they rate.


Johnson's Baby Powder
Where to get it: available at any grocery and drugstores, usually in the baby section.
Cost: $4

Not so good.
The old stand by, and what was first recommended to me, is Johnson's Baby Powder. While it does soak up the oily feeling, it replaces it with the smell of diapers (or your grandma) and leaves a slight grayish look to your hair. In my opinion, damaged hair is better.



KMS Hairplay Makeover Spray
Where to get it: available at most salons and beauty supply stores.
Cost: $19

The best so far.
KMS makes a product called Hairplay Makeover Spray. Although it comes with a steep price tag (approximately $20 a bottle), it is by far the best product I've used. The only downside that I can find is that the bottle doesn't last very long.

It has a light minty grape scent that smells really clean and doesn't discolor your hair. The added bonus is that it adds volume to your locks to give you a little boost - and who doesn't like that?



TRESemme Freshstart
Where to get it: available at most grocery and drugstores.
Cost: $6

Not as good, but works on a budget.
While I LOVE the KMS product, I wanted to see if I could get the equivalent in a cheaper product. Who doesn't want to save a buck? So, I tried TRESemme Freshstart. It comes at a fraction of the cost (around $5 per bottle), and promises to leave your hair clean and refreshed. I found the scent to be a little to strong for my liking, but if you're into heavy scents this might be for you. It also left a bit of a gray cast to my hair, but rubbing it in seemed to help the problem. In a nutshell, it's nowhere as good as KMS, but if you're on a budget it will do the trick in a pinch.