Advice Sisters Blog - Beauty, Fashion, Luxury

Alison Blackman (The Advice Sisters) is a popular advice, beauty and lifestyles expert, offering advice, views, reviews and reports of topics of interest to adults, everywhere. The focus is on beauty, fashion, travel events, lifestyle, relationships, and general topics. Follow Alison on Twitter @advicesisters

OUR NEW CONTENT IS AT - www.advicesisters.com

Friday, March 30, 2018

 The Advicesisters Blog is now the Advice Sisters Beauty and Style website at https://www.advicesisters.com. Please make a note of it.

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EXCITING NEWS! This Blog Moved to the Advicesisters Web Site (now Advice Sisters Beauty and Style) : Please make a note of it. 


Copyright ©Alison BlackmanDunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information visit https://www.advicesisters.com  You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters)

Monday, August 01, 2011

The Advice Sisters Blog has moved to the Advice Sisters Website @advicesisters #advicesisters




The Advice Sisters Blog has moved to the revised, Advice Sisters Website at  http://advicesisters.com   Feel free to read the blog posts we wrote here, but for new, daily, original content visit http://advicesisters.com 

 

New! The Advice Sisters also has a new kind of advice website : Leather and Lace Advice at http://leatherandlaceadvice.com featuring The Advice Sisters Signature "Double-Take" with two very different views on the same subject -- but with a twist!  Please check it out, ask a question, leave a comment via our secure (and private--no personal details used, ever) FORM: http://leatherandlaceadvice.com/ask-a-t/
 


If you like The Advice Sisters, sign up for The Advice Sisters'  mailing list or follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters).  I am also a national columnist for Examiner.com for Beauty, NY Cosmetics, Luxury LifestyleDating , MakeupSpas,



Copyright 2013 ©Alison BlackmanDunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me. You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me onFacebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). *I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the
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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Two new products lines, and a great shine-enhancer, from Redken

Perhaps you’ve heard the expression “never go to extremes.” That might be sound advice in some circumstances, but when it comes to hair care, extreme hair care is often what's needed to bring your strands back to something like silk, not straw.

Extreme Care by Redken has just the thing for hair that needs extra, extra care. Their groundbreaking technology , a dual patented Fortifying Complex and Interlock Protein Network, penetrates the hair shaft to prevent breakage, and create stronger, healthier hair. Without getting too technical, the smaller particles penetrate deeper within the cortex of the hair shaft and the larger ones are attracted to the surface.  There are all sorts of high-tech ingredients and proteins that work within the hair, either separately or together, to give you hair shine, strength, and protection. 

The Redken Extreme line includes 7 products: Extreme Shampoo; Conditioner; Strength Building Fortifying Rinse Out Mask, (new & improved with heat protection); Anti-Snap leave –in treatment ,  CAT Protein Reconstructing Treatment; and there's also an Extreme Chemistry In-salon Treatment (it gives a powerful boost of protein for deep internal repair and support).  Redken shampoos and conditioners always feel so pampering, but they are reasonably priced for high quality hair care. The new Extreme shampoo lathers nicely, and gently cleanses the hair. The conditioner helps hair look and feel healthy and soft, and silky and shiny (all the things you want).  But the big bonus with the Redken Extreme line is that, with continued use, the conditioning will become more apparent and lasting.

If your hair is dry, abused, colored and chemically treated, you either have to cut it off, or find something that will give it some tough love and lots of nurturing.  While all of the Redken lines will help, this one is a double-shot of love for distressed hair. Like everything else, your satisfaction with the results will fit your expectations. If you want better looking, nicer feeling hair, and right now your hair looks dry and frizzled, these products will help make it feel softer and look better.  Used properly and over time, these products really do help, but they aren’t going to take totally fried hair and mend it to the point where you can't tell there was ever any damage. he only cure for truly bad split ends and damaged hair is a good trim every 6-8 weeks until the new hair grows in. But all in all, it's a great line for badly damaged hair that you'll want to try.

starter kit
I guess it might be easy to grouse abused and damaged hair as long as you have a lot of it, but what about those who don't have enough? For those with thinning hair, Redken has a new line of densifying products called Intra Force. These are supposed to create thicker, fuller hair within 30 days. The line has more than nine products (if I counted correctly) plus an in-salon treatment called “Purify” (a microdermabrasion-inspired treatment for thinning hair that provides gentle exfoliation for thinning hair to make it look thicker, and accelerate cellular turnover by 25%). 

As someone with super-thick hair, I couldn’t try this personally, but did distribute the shampoo, condition and some of the other products in this line to several people who have thin hair. So far, the general consensus is that the products do make hair look and feel thicker. With most of the products ranging around $16.00 commensurate with other Redken treatment and styling products, it's something to try.  

Two products in this line are the intensive, leave-in scalp treatment called Intra Force Micro Boost (for low-density hairlines) is $45.00 for 3.4 oz. and the intensive, single-serve  treatment for noticeably thinning hair all over, the Intra Force Hair Advance is also $45.00 for 10 treatments in a box.  These are than most of Redken’s treatments, but they are also very specific and intense.   TIP:  you can get and Intra Force Starter Kit with shampoo, toner and a scalp treatment for $35.00 


No matter what type of hair you have, as long as you have some, there's another recent Redken product that gives your hair instant gratification -- a brilliant sheen.  If your hair is normal, the shine will be enhanced, but if your hair needs TLC, this product will be just the thing after coloring, sun,sand,chlorine and salt has left it dull.  This Redken product is Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist ($17.00 4.4 oz.).  The shine-boosting spray has camelina oil and nourishing Vitamin B5. All you need to do is lightly mist it onto dry hair, and re-apply it when you want more (be careful though, too much will weigh down your hair). It multi-tasks as a frizz-fighter to tame fly-aways hair, too.  Simply spray it on your brush and gently running the brush through your hair. Use it after flat ironing for a more polished finish, or, for a popular ponytail option, mist it on your palms and run them over the tail to smooth it down and make it rock-star, silky (you'll be seeing this look a lot in the Fall, as ponys were all over the Fashion Week runways). Take a tip from Guido, Redken’s Creative Consultant, and keep it on hand for a pick-me-up before you go out for the evening. He used it right before the models hit the runways during fashion week to give their hair that extra sleek, extra shiny look.   You can use it for your entrance, no matter where it is. Just spray lightly—less is more.

Be sure the RedkenRedken salon.  Visit www.redken.com to find an authorized salon near you



 
Note from The Advice Sisters: This the last official blog post on the Advice Sisters Blog. Please visit the Advice Sisters completely revised, all new, Advice Sisters Web Site).

Please check out the new site and let me know what you think?
You can also subscribe to the Advice Sisters mailing list or follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics columnon the Examiner.com.
The Advice Sisters love comments! You can find the "comments" section(in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first (but no spammers or shamelss self-promotion, please)! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.The Advice Sisters love comments! You can find the "comments" section(in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first (but no spammers or shamelss self-promotion, please)! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.
Copyright ©Alison BlackmanDunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me. You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com. *I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Pop N Go is pretty great in the rain, and elsewhere



As I sat down to write this review of the Pop-N-Go Rain Scarf, I heard a large clap of thunder, and saw some lightening.  Luckily, I'm inside, but this Summer has been exceptionally rainy.If I was outside, I'd be happy to have a Pop-N-Go Rain Scarf in my bag "just in case."  If you don't want to lug an umbrella everywhere, or if you are on the road and can't always be certain you'll have your "bumbershoot" with you, the Pop-N-Go Rain Scarf might safe your head, well...at least your hair....literally.

These patent-pending scarves are long, silky, reversible, and stylish, but they also serve another purpose (besides decoration, or keeping your head and/or neck warm or out of the sun). These scarves are water repellent, and large enough to keep your hair covered when the wind is blowing, or there's wet rain or snow.   Put it around your neck as a regular scarf, but when the heavens open up, it'll protect your hair from harm.  After the deluge, simply shake off the rain drops (it is very water-repellent--I saw the creators dump a pitcher of water on the scarf and the water just rolled off). then pack it flat in your purse or pocket (or tote, or suitcase).   The specs? The scarves are 72" long and 18.4" widemade of re-useable, environmentally friendly synthetic fabric that is custom treated and dyed. The scarves are also 100% machine washable.

The best news? The Pop-N-Go scarves are just range from around $24.99 to $29.99, You can get them on the Pop-N-Go Web site.  Creator Deena Perry is a busy entrepreneur and mom, who really knew how to fill a need for busy women, everywhere. The signature collection features reversible designs (one solid side, one print side) and the french collection features ruffles with ruched satin detail on one side, signature fabrics on the others. There are new designs coming out soon -- can't wait to see what's coming out, next.

DEAR READERS: you've been hearing about the fact that I've moved the Advice Sisters Daily Blog to the new and improved Advice Sisters Web Site for a few days now. Just in case you didn't get the message yet--this blog will be combined in the new Advice Sisters Web site, officially, on 8/2/11. The posts that have appeared on this blog will still be available here, but now you should follow me on www.advicesisters.net if you want to continue to see more of the high quality content you've come to expect from the Advice Sisters. I hope you will LOVE the re-do that combines www.advicesisters.net and www.advicesisters.com plus this blog, into one, mega-site!

I have also launched a new web site that showcases the writing and photography of Alison Blackman at www.alisonblackman.info. I'd love it if you'd check it out and leave your comments, there as well.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters), and read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics columnon the Examiner.com

Friday, July 29, 2011

The Advice Sisters Daily Blog has moved!


I am excited to announce that the advice sisters daily blog is now a part of the completely revised,  Advices Sisters Web Site. Please make a note of it and bookmark www.advicesisters.net for daily content -- everything to make life easier, more successful, more fun, more beautiful, and more exciting! Please visit and let me know what you think.   I have also launched a new web site that showcases the writing and photography of Alison Blackman at www.alisonblackman.info.  I'd love it if you'd check it out and leave your comments, there as well.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters), and read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics columnon the Examiner.com.

 
The Advice Sisters love comments! You can find the "comments" section(in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first (but no spammers or shamelss self-promotion, please)! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.The Advice Sisters love comments! You can find the "comments" section(in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first (but no spammers or shamelss self-promotion, please)! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.


Copyright ©Alison BlackmanDunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me. You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me onFacebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com. *I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Pop Beauty Themes Pink and Apricot into a Summer Kit to Covet

When I think of Spring and Summer colors, or warm weather resort colors, two that immediately come to mind are warm shades of apricot and pink. Although these are colors I love all year round, they work so well in the warmer months to flatter a tan, or perk up pale skin that never sees a real or faux tan. 

The right shades of apricot and pink can make you not only look better, but feel better, too. They're simply, happy colors.  

I can't think of anything better than a face-in-a-case kit presenting these popular colors for eyes, lips and cheeks.  And; POP Beauty has just such a kit, and it's under $10.00.  Yes!  The Pop Beauty Lollipop Kit is $9.99 at Ulta stores, and ulta.com -- and you can get it now!


Nestled into a long, slim, rectangular, laminated cardboard box with interior mirror and cute, "lollipop" graphics is a bunch of beauty booty designed to get you through a day, weekend, week or longer. These are easy-to-wear, sheer, natural shades that are universally flattering. First, there's a slightly shimmered medium peach blush that adds just a hint of warmth. The middle part of the compact has four tiny rectangles of shimmery eye shadow in ivory, peach, and light and dark nude, enhanced with Vitamin E to benefit your eyelids. For lips, there's a nearly-clear, shiny peach lip gloss that will give you a "Kardashian" pout, in seconds. It's Summer, and it's hot.  You don't necessarily need a lot of intense color to get out the door looking "polished."

Who is behind all this easy glamour?   POP Beauty creator, makeup artist and singer Sara Strand, whose philosophy is that beauty should be fun.  Through POP, Sara has created a range of products that encourage young women to try something new and slightly edgy. Her products are not only beautifully packaged and fun to wear, but they help young and old stay trendy, but not scary! Even better, these products work well but they're affordably priced.

Have a peachy-pinky-keen Summer!  Check out Pop Beauty and this adorable kit, at Ulta stores and www.ulta.com





Read this note!   I am moving this blog to the completely revised, all new, Advice Sisters Web Site). You can continue to enjoy new blog posts on theis advice sisters blog here on blogger.com until August 3, 2011. Then it will be be moving for good to www.advicesisters.net. But RIGHT NOW you can also enjoy more new posts in bost places. So check back here until AUgust 3rd, but also visit www.advicesisters.net for even more new posts. Do check out the new site and let me know what you think?


You can also subscribe to the Advice Sisters mailing list or follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics columnon the Examiner.com.
The Advice Sisters love comments! You can find the "comments" section(in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first (but no spammers or shamelss self-promotion, please)! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.The Advice Sisters love comments! You can find the "comments" section(in green) at the bottom of each post next to: "Posted by Alison" If Comments has a (0) next to it, I would especially appreciate yours being the first (but no spammers or shamelss self-promotion, please)! Thanks in advance for interacting with me.
Copyright ©Alison BlackmanDunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me. You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column and NY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com. *I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Alison Blackman's AdviceSisters Daily Content has MOVED




I am excited to announce that the advice sisters daily blog is now a part of the completely revised, Advices Sisters Web Site. Please make a note of it and bookmark www.advicesisters.net for daily content -- everything to make life easier, more successful, more fun, more beautiful, and more exciting! Please visit and let me know what you think. I have also launched a new web site that showcases the writing and photography of Alison Blackman at www.alisonblackman.info. I'd love it if you'd check it out and leave your comments, there as well.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@advicesisters), and read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com.




Copyright ©Alison BlackmanDunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied without written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally. For more information, Email Me. You can show your interest and support by subscribing, leaving comments on my posts, and by following me onFacebook and Twitter (@advicesisters). You can also read and subscribe to my National Luxury Lifestyles Column andNY Cosmetics column on the Examiner.com. *I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of the Advice Sisters What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion Review column