Recently in the category Hair Care

I can't tell you what my natural hair color is because I've been dyeing it since I was in middle school. And with good reason, whether it's a new, bold change or even just a simple rinse, dying your hair can make you feel like a new person. The only problem is--it can be a pain to make that new found shine and brilliance last much longer than a month...unless you have a great shampoo and conditioner. Below, some suggestions of brands that I tried in 2009. Give them a shot and let us know what you think!

Aquage SeaExtend Silkening Shampoo and Conditioner
www.aquage.com
The Aquage SeaExtend line uses botanical blends to seal in the hair cuticle and lock in hair color, which I thought worked pretty well. My hair color didn't last longer than usual, but it definitely didn't wash out quickly either. My hair was shiny, and bonus--the line creates a heat-activated shield so your hair doesn't dry out when you blow dry or use heat styling tools.

John Frieda Root Awakening® Strength Restoring ™Shampoo and Conditioner
www.johnfrieda.com
It's not too often that I pick up shampoo and conditioner from a drugstore (okay, so I'm spoiled), but I'm really glad I stumbled across the John Frieda Root Awakening line recently. The product gets a big thumbs up because they use just enough eucalyptus to wake you up in the morning--not too much, just enough. It cleans your hair well, the scent is nice, and the conditioner is great for unruly hair like mine. I opted for Strength Restoring, but there's also Health Infusing for normal hair and Nourishing Moisture for dry hair. Best of all, the formulas are safe on color-treated hair.

Rahua Organic Shampoo and Conditioner by Amazon Beauty
www.shop.amazonbeautysecret.com
A great shampoo and conditioner for those who like to use products that contain 100% natural ingredients. The scent is light, my hair felt smooth without feeling heavy, and my color lasted pretty well.

Phytonectar Shampooing and Phytokarite Mask for Ultra-Dry Hair
www.drugstore.com
Fans of Phyto products are very loyal and understandably so. Upon first use of the Phytonectar Shampooing formula, I noticed that it didn't lather quickly--which is a good thing. It means it doesn't contain sulphate or other ingredients that are actually bad for your hair. The scent is nice because it's light and is the essence of the ingredients it's made with. Same with the Phytokarite Mask--different scent from the shampoo, but only because it has different ingredients to make it effective. I coated my hair with it and left it on for 5 minutes. Once rinsed, my hair felt smooth and clean. (Free Beauty Samples members got to try these products in our November mailing!)

Want to win a stylish and sleek Hana mini flat iron? Check out the BeautyXpose.com for more information!

We're not going to lie. No matter how many times our dermatologist says not to, we still lay out in the sun. It's true that tanning leads to premature wrinkles, increases our risk of skin cancer, and at the very least sets us up for some nasty sunburns, but once the summer arrives, the solar rays seem to beckon.

So as much as we should tell you to load up on SPF, wear a big hat, and stay out of the sun, we'll give you a break and share with you some products that can be useful. Because, whether you worship the sun or not, everyone needs some after-sun care to keep their skin silky smooth and as youthful as, ahem, possible.

NIA 24
NIA 24 is a must-have skin care line for anyone who has spent time in the sun--whether to tan, while playing sports, sight-seeing, you name it. UV rays damage our skin every time we step outside and Nia 24 is here to fix it. The system uses a patented ingredient called Pro-Niacin to stimulate the skin's natural repair process and fix damaged DNA so your skin heals itself. It's so effective that it's been chosen by the National Cancer Institute for development as a potential skin cancer prevention agent.

Luckily, Free Beauty Samples members get to try it for FREE! Be on the look out for your NIA 24 sample in the next round of mailings.
For more information visit: NIA24.com.

Lalicious Natural Body Oil
The summer sun sure can make your skin feel dry and flaky, that's why the best product to keep in your beach bag is Lalicious Natural Body Oil to rub on once your done baking. Available in seven yummy scents like Coconut Cream and Tahitian Flower, Lalicious products are made with natural ingredients and are sulfate and paraben-free to condition and moisturize your skin in the best way possible.
For more information visit: Lalicious.com.

REDKEN Color Extend Sun After-Sun Mask
Once you're finished giving your skin some attention, don't forget to love your hair as well. Make sure your locks are silky and hydrated with REDKEN Color Extend Sun After-Sun Mask. Comb this super-rich conditioner through your hair after shampooing and leave on for 5 - 15 minutes. Once you're done, pat yourself on the back and take that solar rays.
For more information visit: Redken.com.

Ever dyed your hair yourself and it came out just a little too dark? Turns out one of the BeautyXpose staffers recently suffered from this unfortunate beauty blunder. In a panic to find a quick fix (without spending tons of money on professional color correction), she searched high and low for the most effective solution.

Here's what she found for options*:

1. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo (they tend to have a stripping quality)
2. Lather up with Dawn dishwashing detergent (although this will leave your hair very dry)
3. Repeatedly wash with a clarifying shampoo (like Neutrogena anti-residue shampoo)
4. Apply three parts lemon juice to one part conditioner
5. Try L'Oreal's Color Zap for an at-home color reversal
6. Mix baking soda into your shampoo
7. Take it to the salon (but beware - this is going to cost you!)

After thoughtful consideration, she decided she did not want to take any action that could potentially further the damage, but she did want results. To find out her plan of attack, read more at: www.beautyxpose.com.