L'Oreal EverSleek Shampoo and Conditioner- I Still Love Sulfates

I must admit, I have frequently watched the sulfate-free Wen shampoo/conditioner infomercial with owner Chaz Dean for a couple years now, and continue to watch it every time it comes on during the weekends. I have become more obsessed since Chaz Dean has started appearing on the Bravo show Flipping Out, as one of  Jeff Lewis's friends and customers. His affection for a homeless person (refusing to move their make-shift home from the side of his salon even though customers complained), won my heart even more than his shaggy-mullet hairdo. But, I digress...Love Chaz as I do, Wen products are not cheap. According to the Wen website, sulfates, although they are the ingredient that cause soaps to "lather", can strip your hair and scalp of essential oils. Hair products that are devoid of sulfates supposedly leave your hair healthier and shinier, and if you choose to color your hair, your haircolor will last longer. Even so, sulfates are in almost every shampoo and soap on the market and have been for decades. Crystal Gayle, that 70's and 80's icon who sang "Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue" had hair almost down to her feet, and she had sulfates in her shampoo! Anyways...Wen shampoo/conditioner can run anywhere from between $29.95 and up. Spending that much on shampoo just seems ridiculous to me. My one hair-splurge are my highlights every 6 weeks, and that breaks the bank on its' own.

Crystal Gayle Had Sulfates in Her Shampoo

Imagine my delight when a couple of years back, Loreal introduced their own inexpensive, non-infomercial, sulfate-free line, called EverPure. I tried it, and have to admit that the shampoo and conditioner was way too heavy for my dry, but fine hair. My hair felt weighed down, and the hard-to-reach hair areas closest to my neck seemed coated in product. I used the rest of this shampoo and conditioner on and off few months, only when I knew I was not going anywhere special, in case my hair turned out super greasy.

Despite my trial-and-error with EverPure, I am a sucker for a good Eva Longoria ad, and I decided to try my luck again with Loreal's new shampoo for severely dry and damaged hair, called EverSleek. Like Ever Pure, EverSleek has no sulfates, but it is designed to be even more gentle and nourishing for people that have chemically altered hair.

Unfortunately, my experience with EverSleek has been pretty much the same as the EverPure experience. I have had days where my hair looked great after using it. My hair was super soft and manageable, and really healthy looking.  However; on other days, my hair was greasy, flat, and seemed coated with oil. I don't know if I am not washing my hair clean enough to use this shampoo and conditioner combo or not, but I am not doing anything different from what I do normally when I wash my hair, and why should I? I will not be re-purchasing this product. EverSleek is like a box of chocolates, I never know what I am going to get grease-wise, and that is just not good enough for me.  I will happily stick with my shampoos and conditoners that contain sulfates. Who wants to wash their hair and have it not feel clean? Even after doing research online, I was not able to find any specific reserach proving that sulfates are proven to be harmful to hair.

Bottom Line- I like sulfates. I want my hair to lather, and a little bit of stripping suits me just fine. Let me know if you have used this product and have experienced similar or better results.

Where to purchase- Drugstores everywhere, or amazon.com

Polyvore.com- Mix and match your own fashion pieces to create your own style!




I created the following look on Polyvore.com! A great place to mix and match styles and have fun with fashion! These items are a little pricey, but I think the idea is to create a style you love and keep your eyes open for similar styles at lower prices! Visit polyvore.com to create your own "set" It is like the old 70's toy,the iconic Fashion Plates, but for adults! I am addicted!

 

Stripes by Megan featuring a cashmere shawl

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania short top
$291 - farfetch.com

Victoria Beckham jeans

Yves Saint Laurent flat shoes
$485 - net-a-porter.com

South sea pearl earrings
$30 - witchery.com.au

Michael Kors cashmere shawl
$395 - net-a-porter.com

Rolling for No Sleep- Garnier Skin-Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller

I will admit...The Garnier Skin-Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller has not made a significant difference in my horrendously dark circles, and I have used it for over 3 months, but it is a nice concept. My dark circles do look slightly lighter, but not enough for me to stop wearing concealer.

According to the ads: "Instantly roll away dark circles. Caffeine Gel + Rollerball energizes and stimulates microcirculation. Lemon Essence brightens. Tinted mineral pigments instantly corrects dark circles."

The product also contains Vitamin B5.

Well, like I said, this product did not work any miracles, but the rollerball is nice and cool in the morning when I am tired, and the concealing pigments are better at concealing than I would have thought (I do still need to use additional concealer in addition to this one. But my dark circles are mah-juh). I would not rely soley on this product to nourish the eye area or to do any significant damage to your dark circles on its' own, but in addition to another product, this eye-roller is a refreshingly cool, pretty heavy duty concealer.

Bottom Line- Don't expect miracles from the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller. Use this product in addition to another anti-wrinkle, anti-dark circle eye cream. An additional dab of your normal concealer may be needed if your dark circles are heavy. This is a nice product for the money. The rollerball cools and feels nice on tired eyes, and the tinted pigments in the concealer work well.

Where to purchase-  $12.99 at Your local drugstore, or Ulta.com

Feathered Fancy- Inexpensive and Trendy Feather Earrings

Love the new feather trend, but not sure if you want to make the commitment to feathered hair extensions? Feathered earrings are a great way to be a part of the trend without paying a lot of money or putting something in your hair that you feel uncomfortable wearing to the office.  See below for some inexpensive, trendy and fun ways to give it the bird!



Black Feather and Beaded Earrings, Bonanza, $6.99



Long Tribal Feather Earrings, from Etsy, $34.00 (only 1 available)

Love, love, love these- must have! White feather and crystal earrings 11.99, on ebay (6 available)

Classic Hackle with Guinea Spots $20.00 from ebay

Love these!!! Silver Peacock Disc Earrings, The Fashionaholic , $20.00