PH¥TO . PH¥TOPOLLÉINE BOTANICAL SCALP TREATMENT

Prior to a few weeks ago I had never heard of, let alone tried a scalp treatment before, and suddenly this week it seems that it's the only subject that I'm able to formulate sentences about. I'm addicted... but with good reason.

A little background on the brand; Phyto was created by Patrick Ales, a hair stylist who not only invented the hairstyle we now know as the 'blowout', but also patented the technique used and sold it to L'Oreal. With the money he acquired from this deal he purchased a house in France, which was filled with essential oils used by the previous owner, a doctor who created natural concoctions used to treat his patients. Patrick continued this trend, combining the essential oils to create topical hair treatments which he would use on his clients. The first treatment he created was the Phyto Phytopolléine Botanical Scalp Treatment ($50), which is still available in it's original, un-changed formula today.   

 

The Phyto Phytopolléine Botanical Scalp Treatment is a botanical elixir formulated with a concentrate of 72% botanical extracts and corn germ oil to give your scalp and hair a serious boost. The formula harnesses the natural powers of rosemary, sage, cypress, eucalyptus, and lemon to purify the scalp and catalyze microcirculation, which in turn calm the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. In every 25ml bottle of elixir there is a concentration of 4lbs of fresh plants, so you can just imagine how botanical the scent truly is. I've grown very found of the scent, however I can see how it would irritate or repulse others. Fear not, the scent rinses away completely once you shampoo! The treatment is meant to be used once or twice a week as a pre-shampoo. I've found that the easiest way to disperse the product throughout my scalp is to separate my hair into four sections, massaging  the oil in circular motions into each quarter of my hair. I've only been using the treatment for two weeks now but I've already noticed quite a difference in my hair. There is less oil build up forming on my scalp between washing, which means I'm able to go total of three days between washing and my hair has added volume, softness and shine. Considering I've already begun to notice the benefits of this treatment I'm hopeful that extended use will truly help to reconstruct my hair from the root outwards.   
 

Have you tried a scalp treatment? 

AM¥     XO

CURRENT HAIR CARE FAVOURITES

After chopping off a few inches of hair last week I've really struggled with styling the new length. It seems that every haircut is followed by a week-long trial-and-error period, in which you curse in the mirror, search for hats to cover your mistakes, and undoubtedly head out into the streets with a few wonky curls. D'oh. Thankfully, I now have mastered styling my new cut, although I can't take all the credit as I owe my new-found skills primarily to a few of my favourite hair products. 

These 'life-altering' products vary depending on whether I am aiming for a straight, polished look or going for the messy, beach-inspired waves. When I wear my hair straight I opt for products that are going to ensure my look remains sleek. The Living Proof Primer Style Extender has always been my go-to for creating a sleek style that lasts between sleeps. I sometimes even add a dollop when I'm going for the beachy look as well just to extend the style – the less I wash it the better. I also always apply a heat protectant spray, right now I've been using the Chi 44 Iron Guard – it protects my hair and minimizes my split ends, but I am not a fan of the scent. From here I simply section my hair into three sections and pass my Chi Hair Straightener over it, before taming frizz with the Got2B Playful Texturizing Creme Pomade.  

The beach-inspired look begins with the same spritzing with heat protectant spray, however it's followed by products from a line I've spoken about a lot lately, the TRESemmé Perfectly (Un)Done Waves line. The combination of the Wave Creation Sea Foam Mousse and the Sea Salt Spray create a slightly sticky base that allows waves to last for days on end. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I got away without washing or styling my hair for three days thanks to this complete line up. However the line still has little effect on the frizziness of my hair to I once again reach for the Got2B Playful Texturizing Creme Pomade to tame my hairline.

What products make your hair more manageable?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post has been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

TRESEMMÉ . PERFECTL¥ (UN)DONE WAVES

We may be smack dab in the middle of winter in Toronto, but that hasn't stopped me from dreaming of striped cabanas, beautiful beaches, and perfectly waved hair created by a simple dip in the ocean. While I won't be dipping my feet in the salt water any time soon, I have discovered a new line of hair care products to help me achieve touchable, beach-inspired locks at home. The new TRESemmé Perfectly (Un)done Waves Collection is certainly not the first of it's kind, but given that TRESemmé offers salon-quality products at drugstore prices it's definitely a line to acquaint yourself with.

The TRESemmé Perfectly (Un)done Waves Collection consists of 'five wave-enhancing cleansing, conditioning and styling products – comprising shampoo, conditioner, a sea foam, sea salt spray and a hairspray.' The line uses a natural Sea Kelp Extract to help shape and form hair, creating natural looking waves that last all day long. To create the waves shown above, I began by washing and conditioning my hair with the TRESemmé Weightless Silicone Free Shampoo ($8) and Conditioner ($8). The combo is said to 'nourish hair without weighing it down, for a look that's full of body and shine', however I didn't notice a huge difference in comparison to my current shampoo and conditioning regime. Once my hair was towel-dried I applied three pumps of the TRESemmé Wave Creating Sea Foam ($10), as well as a healthy spritzing of the Sea Salt Spray ($10) before blow-drying my hair. I have naturally straight hair, so creating a wave without the use of a curling iron is next to impossible, and most times I'm still not 100% happy with it until it's survived a night of sleep. So of course, it came as no surprise that once blow-dried my hair didn't look anything like the style above, however I did notice that my hair was extraordinarily voluminous. I also noticed a slight stickiness, most likely from the Sea Salt Spray, which I somewhat expected, as you do with any sea salt product. The difference between this Sea Salt Spray and the others that I have tried is the fact that the stickiness subsides dramatically after styling, and it provides added hold to the curl to improve the lasting-power of your waves. Pretty ideal if I do say so myself. I finished the look with a healthy coating of the TRESemmé Ultra-Brushable Hairspray ($7) before finger-combing through my curls to reveal 'perfectly (un)done waves'.

I'm quite smitten with this collection – more so the styling products than the shampoo and conditioner. The products truly help to create beach-inspired waves, and work together to extend the wear time, without compromising style, or leaving you with helmut hair. 

THE PRODUCTS

How do you achieve beach-inspired waves in the winter?

AM¥     XO

[*]The items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

SORR¥ NOT SORR¥ . SEPHORA VIB EVENT HAUL

This weekend marked Sephora's Annual Holiday VIB Event, a time when those holding VIB status or higher receive 20% OFF their entire purchase... all weekend long. Knowing that this weekend was coming up I've held myself back from making large purchases at Sephora, but yesterday I let loose, buying whatever my little eyes desired and God it felt good – retail therapy really is a thing. 

All of the products featured will be reviewed in depth over the upcoming weeks, but being that today is the final day to cash in on the 20% OFF I figured that I would share my haul for some last minute inspiration :). I was also a bit cheeky this morning and ordered one more item online; the Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment ($29) to help with the random breakouts I've been experiencing. Don't tell my Mom.

THE SETS

Peter Thomas Roth | Skinstant Mask Magic ($52) - Despite that this size is unavailable online, there is a slightly smaller version (0.5oz vs. 1.7oz), which still allows you to try this mask trio, including: the Cucumber Gel Mask, Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Mask, and the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. If at any point I go missing this week you can find me getting high off of the intoxicating scent of the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask.

Sephora Favourites | Dare To Oil ($40) - I'm in dire need of a new facial oil – it's reached the point where I have to tip my Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil bottle upside down for 5 minutes before the right amount of product comes out. And while I've had my sights set on the Keihl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, I couldn't pass up the chance to test out 4 more oils before making my final decision. Those on the chopping block include: the Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil Light, Tarte Maracuja Oil, Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Vitamin C Youth Activating Oil, and the Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil. 

Smashbox | Step-By-Step Contour Kit ($52) -This is such a great set for anyone just getting into contouring! The majority of contour kits/palettes simply contains two shades: a contour and highlight, but this palette contains a third, middle shade to help diffuse the contour for a more natural effect. It also comes with a step-by-step guide for placement of the contour based on your face shape, as well as a brush.

THE INDIVIDUALS

Benefit Cosmetics | Gimme Brows in Medium/Deep ($26) - Considering this will be my third or fourth tube of this product I'm sure you can understand how great my love for it is. On days when I'm on the run, Gimme Brows, makes my brows look my best – naturally filled in, in a fraction of the time of my normal routine. 

NARS | Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu ($31) - After my mission for Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 49 Satin Blueberry failed, I turned to the help of a Sephora employee to help me find a similar shade. From the moment Train Bleu was swatched I was sold. 

Hourglass | Veil Mineral Primer Travel-Sized ($21) - I've yet to hear a bad word spoken in regards to this primer. But since I wasn't ready to shell out the $60 for the full sized and the Best Of Houglass Set I had been after was nowhere in sight, I figured this was the best way to see if the hype was legit.

Bumble and Bumble | Sunday Shampoo ($25.50) - I used to relish in a evening of pampering come every Sunday, but between the crazyness of the move and settling into the city I fell of track. I'm hopeful that this clarifying shampoo will give me one more reason to re-start my weekly Sunday rituals.

Bumble and Bumble | Creme de Coco Masque ($32.75) - No Sunday ritual would be complete without a hair mask, and while I originally wanted the Phyto Phytospecific Ultra-Smoothing Mask, the scent of Creme De Coco couldn't be beat. Plus... it's Bumble and Bumble. 

Make Up For Ever | Aqua Matic Eye Pencil ($25) -  After falling in love with these eyeshadow pencils back in September when I tested the shade Iridescent Turquoise, I knew that it wouldn't be long before I grabbed a few of the more versatile shades. I decided to pick up Metallic Golden Taupe and  Diamond Golden Grey to provide a quite pop of colour rimmed around the eye on days when I want to look put together with minimal effort.

THE BONUSES

Jack Black | Performance Ready Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body - Because I wasn't a big fan of this years Women Birthday Gift I decided to ask for the Men version instead. Not only is this a (seriously) deluxe sized sample, I kind of love using mens body wash – the scents make you feel so fresh and so clean, clean.

Urban Decay | Urban Obsession Kit - I rarely cash in my VIB points, but the 500-point perk this month, the Urban Decay Urban Obsession Kit, totally stole my heart. Included in this set are 4 of their best-selling shadows in Skimp, Bust, Guilt, and Oil Slick, as well as their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero- black and a single use of the most-loved Primer Potion. The perfect from day to night on-the-go palette. 

What products did you purchase this weekend? And what products would you like to see reviewed first!?

AM¥     XO