Hair Care Routine

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

Updated hair care routine.

Before: I have dry, frizzy, fine, thinning, and coarse hair, and oily scalp. I have picked these products to nourish, repair, moisturize, and hopefully get my hair looking and feeling better.

Inkey List salicylic acid scalp treatment. Apply to scalp before shampooing. This helps with itchiness, oily scalp, and dry, flaky scalp. Exfoliates the scalp and helps irritation.

Redken acid bonding concentrate intensive treatment for moisture and repair. I do a quick shampoo before applying this, let it sit, then do a second shampoo.

OGX coconut miracle oil. I use this as a pre-shampoo protection treatment, after applying the Redken acid bonding concentrate.

Snobgirls Hydramend shampoo and Strong Force conditioner. The shampoo is particularly great for oily scalp and cleanses buildup very well. The conditioner makes hair moisturized and silky.

Pureology Color Fanatic leave-in conditioner moisturizes, nurtures, and smooths.

K18 Peptide Prep clarifying shampoo cleanses buildup and makes hair soft.

K18 molecular repair mask reverses damage and restores strength. I use this every couple weeks.

OGX argan oil mask applied every couple weeks.

After washing my hair, I dry with the LUS brands cotton t-shirt towel. Absorbs water without causing frizz.

I got the Suprent big round brush on Amazon, which is great. It does not tug on the hair and helps with a nice blowout, but at my front hairline, I was brushing too hard and getting breakage at my bangs, so I either flat iron them or use the Conair hot rollers. For the breakage, I tried the Ibiza brush with the white bristles that is for fragile hair, which turned out to be one of the worse brushes I have used. It tangled my hair, caused more breakage, and got stuck. I use the Wet Brush to detangle my hair when wet and to distribute conditioner, hair styling products, and oils. The wooden comb I use on non-wash days to detangle. The hairdryer I use is the Babyliss Pro TT, which is fine, but I am disappointed in the cool shot. It is not very cool; the Conair hair dryer that is 20 years old has a cool shot button and the air is cold.

Color Wow Dream Coat blocks humidity, prevents frizz, smooths, and adds shine while blow drying.

Redken Big Blowout provides heat protection while providing volume when blow drying.

Redken thermal spray high hold provides heat protection and hold while flat ironing, curling, or using hot rollers.

My thin hair lacks volume, so I use a couple of the Conair hot rollers on the top of my head and at my bangs.

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue nourishing overnight serum softens, nourishes, and smooths overnight.

These are favorite hair oils that I rotate through; Olaplex bonding oil, Kerastase Eilixir Ultime hydrating oil serum, OGX argan oil, and Shu Uemura Essence Absolue nourishing protective hair oil.

Redken dry shampoo paste absorbs oil, adds texture, and helps hold curls and braids.

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Hairmetto Topical Saw Palmetto Serum Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

Hairmetto topical serum for thinning hair is a non-greasy gel serum treatment formulated for daytime use that claims to soothe scalp inflammation and stimulate the hair follicle to promote new growth, where regrowth can be visible within 3 to 6 months.

Medicinal ingredients: cornmint essential oil (Mentha arvensis), rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus offinalis)

Other ingredients: saw palmetto extract, stinging nettle extract, aqua (deionized), gelling agent, sodium polyacrylate, preservative (Germall Plus).

This hair serum is water-based and alcohol free. It is formulated with saw palmetto, a plant that contains essential fatty acids extracted from the berries, and blocks 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, responsible for hair loss. Rosemary oil has antibacterial properties and there have been small studies that have shown rosemary can be effective in the treatment of hair loss. Cornmint essential oil, also known as Japanese peppermint, has a high concentration of menthol. Menthol increases blood circulation to the scalp, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Stinging nettle extract, in combination with saw palmetto, works against the enzyme causing hair loss, along with anti-inflammatory properties and soothing of the scalp to combat hair loss.

Directions: Can be used day or night. Part the hair and apply to thinning areas. Massage in. Can be air dried or blow dried.

I first noticed thinning hair around age 35 I believe, around the front hairline and front and mids areas. I used The Ordinary’s multipeptide hair serum back in 2018 at age 37 for 6 months, where I did not really notice results. I also used the leave-in root treatment by Alterna Caviar in 2020, hoping for results. I am 42 now. Looking back at 2018, my thinning hair looks relatively the same to now, however, I have noticed, when getting a fringe again maybe about a year ago, the hair was significantly thinner around that area, and the fringe less full than it had been previously. I do not really have any scalp issues; dryness, dandruff, inflammation, etc., but my scalp is very often itchy. I have an oily scalp and dry hair.

Hairmetto topical serum is a lightweight, gel serum that smells strongly of mint. I applied the serum daily in the evening to the hairline and crown, massaging in to the scalp for a minute, then putting on a plastic shower cap, trapping the heat from the scalp, hoping to get a bit longer cooling, tingling sensation from the mint. Without the shower cap, the sensation lasts a few minutes while it dries, maybe a couple more minutes with the shower cap. This is non-greasy, leaving no residue on the hair (I wash my hair every 3 days in the evening). I used this product for 1 year.

In the photos above, I see no results after 1 year of use. I did not notice any difference with scalp itchiness. While Hairmetto Topical Saw Palmetto Serum stimulated the scalp, felt nice with a cooling, tingling sensation, and seems to have the “right” ingredients for hair regrowth, this did not improve my thinning hair. I will not repurchase, and plan to start Rogaine (minoxidil). Rogaine remains the only FDA approved topical ingredient to regrow hair.

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Bushbalm Nourishing Body Wash Review

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Bushbalm’s Nourishing Body Wash, also called All Over Feminine Wash, is a daily body wash that claims to nourish, moisturize, and soften the skin while providing a deep cleanse without stripping the skin of natural oils. It is pH balanced to use everywhere. The body wash comes in Bushbalm’s signature scent, Spa Day, a citrus/eucalyptus fragrance, and unscented.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cetyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Dicaprylyl Ether, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Chloride

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cetyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, and Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate are surfactants/cleansing agents. Dicaprylyl Ether is an emollient. Decyl Glucoside is a surfactant that foams well and is gentle on the skin. Glyceryl Oleate is made from natural fats and is an emollient. Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a conditioning agent. Glycerin is a humectant. The body wash contains aloe, vitamin E and jojoba oil.

The body wash has a clear, very smooth gel texture. It is strongly scented with eucalyptus; I do not smell citrus. I do not really like the scent, but prefer scented body washes over unscented. The scent is, however, a bit invigorating, and a nice pick-me-up, particularly in the morning. The scent does not really stay on the skin after rinsing. This makes a big, somewhat soft, very moisturizing lather (the lather on cream body washes are softer) and the bubbles last for a good amount of time on the skin, allowing enough time to shave my legs. It cleanses well, rinses clean with no residue, and has very noticeable hydration. I need to use a generous squeeze, a bit more than other body washes that contain sulphates, to get enough for a good lather on my whole body. After rinsing and drying the skin, there is good overall moisture, surprisingly better than a number of cream body washes I have tried, Drunk Elephant’s Kamili Cream Body Cleanser included.

Previous to the Bushbalm body wash, I was using Bioderma Atoderm Shower Gel for a long while, which also claims to moisturize and soften the skin. I have gone through a bottle of the Bushbalm body wash thus far and my skin is in better condition than previous, hydrated and soft, and it also seems to soften body hair. There is no dryness or itchiness on my back or legs, which is often the case with other body washes. It pairs very well with First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser for very smooth, moisturized skin.

Bushbalm’s Nourishing Body Wash is a pH balanced wash that cleanses well, moisturizes, hydrates, and softens skin and body hair. I hope that Bushbalm comes out with another fragrance for the body wash; the same scent as the Curve Cream (formerly Tush Cream), its signature scent, Summer Vacay, vanilla blossom and warm almond, would be lovely.

Bushbalm’s body wash is a repurchase, and I have bought two more bottles.

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Slurp Laboratories Gel Review

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Slurp Laboratories is a Korean skin care company. Their latest product, Gel, is a cleanser that double cleanses (where one would first use an oil-based cleanser, a balm or liquid, then water-based) in one step, using an acrylate network, enabling oil and foam to be used in the same formula, working independently without canceling each other out, first melting down makeup and waterproof impurities, then deep cleansing.

Gel works in three ways, oils to break down makeup, sunscreen and dirt, then surfactants for cleansing and purification, and finally, a moisturizing rinse. From Slurp Lab’s website; Gel releases two cleanser esters that break down waterproof, oil-based impurities like makeup, sunscreen, and pollution from the skin’s surface and within pores that water-based cleansers alone cannot effectively cleanse. While oil cleansing, Gel purifies with cleansing minerals, clay and gemstone, loosens dead skin cells and “sterilizes” with sulfur and sea salt, and supplements the skin with purifying minerals in Blue Lagoon water. The minerals in the formula are responsible for the blue color of Gel.

After water is added, Gel’s lather is activated, trapping the impurities, rinsing clean with skin renewed.

Ingredients: Water, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Trehalose, Ethylhexyl Pelargonate, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Sea Water, Malachite Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Sea Salt, Tocopherol, Montmorillonite, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Tromethamine, Buteth-3, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Illite, Kaolin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Malt Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Tributyl Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin

Gel contains five non-ionic surfactants in different molecular size (type of surfactant does not interact / bond with skin’s proteins and lipids (barrier), and one anionic surfactant derived from amino acid glycine, which is a main component of human skin collagen.

Directions: When cleansing makeup, sunscreen and other waterproof impurities, use 1 to 2 pumps on damp palms, and massage onto dry skin. Add water and massage, then rinse with lukewarm water. In the morning, or when no sunscreen or makeup is present, massage 1 to 2 pumps onto damp skin, massage, then rinse.

In the evening, I had been cleansing with an oil-based cleanser, either The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser or Sulwhasoo’s Gentle Oil Cleanser, followed lately by Soon Jung’s 5.5 Foam Cleanser.

I got Gel a few months ago and use it in the evening to cleanse sunscreen, makeup when I wear it, and silicone-based skin care, as a replacement for both my usual oil-based cleanser and foam cleanser. Generally, after skin care, I just use Drmtlgy’s Universal Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 46 and a setting powder over top. I also periodically use Gel in the morning as well. I have oily and congested skin.

Gel is thick, but spreads easily, and has a little bit of a medicinal scent, but is pleasant. It lathers well with water, but is not over-bubbly. It rinses clean and the skin is not overly squeaky. Gel does not dry out the skin, and the skin is left feeling smooth and refreshed.

Using two pumps of Gel on a dry face and dry hands, I massage until it dries on the skin, about 20 seconds, then wet my palms and massage for another 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse. Gel cleanses foundation, eye makeup, and sunscreen very well, with no mascara left stuck between the eyelashes or streaked on the eyelids. I follow with Soon Jung’s pH 5.5 Relief Toner, swiping with Klairs Toner Mate 2-in-1 Cotton Pad, and there is no makeup or tinted sunscreen residue on the pad, which I was rather surprised to see, particularly as a one-step cleanser. Also surprisingly, my skin feels smoother after rinsing and drying. One thing Gel does not do as well as an oil cleanser or my go-to morning balm/mask, Niod’s Sanskrit Saponins, is cleansing away accumulations along the eyelash line after sleep.

Slurp Laboratories Gel is a 2-in-1 cleanser, very effectively cleansing away makeup and sunscreen, and leaving the skin nourished and smooth. A new favorite, I will be repurchasing.

Thanks for visiting.

Drmtlgy Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

The Pumpkin Enzyme Mask by Drmtlgy is a self-warming, 4-in-1 mask that claims to gently exfoliate, nourish, hydrate, and reduce the appearance of large pores, and leaves the skin soft and glowing. This is suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients: PEG-8, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Steareth-21, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), Colloidal Silver, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Talc, Water/Aqua/Eau, Red 30, Iron Oxides, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol

PEG-8 and glycerin are humectants. Kaolin is a clay that is used for oil control and helps to minimize the look of large pores. The mask contains jojoba beads that provide gentle physical exfoliation and replenish moisture as they activate on contact with the skin. Pumpkin fruit extract contains carotenoids to help with oxidative damage and improving skin tone, and vitamins. Colloidal silver is an antibacterial and has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Directions: Apply a generous amount to clean, dry skin. Massage until warming sensation dissipates. Leave on for 10 minutes. Wet hands and massage again. Rinse with warm water. Can be used 2 to 3 times a week.

I had not intended to purchase this product as I am not much of a mask person, but this was a free gift with purchase from a Drmtlgy promotion and I was getting sunscreen anyhow. I have fine lines, large pores, oily T-zone, dry and dehydrated cheeks, and blackheads.

The mask is heavy and sticky, and works better with a generous amount, dotting the face and allowing it to warm and soften a little on the skin. I had applied a thin layer the first use, but it did not seem to do much. It has a pumpkin spice scent. I have been using once to twice a week for a few months now. The mask is supposed to self-warm as it is massaged into the skin, but that has not happened for me. It does get a little warm for about 10 seconds once I add a bit of water and massage again after the 10 minutes. There are tiny bits of jojoba left after the 10 minutes that allows for further exfoliation.

From the first use, this provides gentle exfoliation, moisture/hydration and softness to the skin. It softens blackheads and sebaceous filaments, so I like to use a BHA product after the mask (I have recently been using Slurp Laboratories Decalt). My skin appears cleaner and clearer, glowy, supple, bouncy and feels so smooth and soft. My pores look a little smaller, perhaps because of the cleansing properties of the kaolin clay. I did not really notice a difference in fine lines; there are other products that improve fine lines that I like to use rather than relying on a weekly mask, such as an AHA and/or retinol.

I much prefer the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask to Drmtlgy’s microdermabrasion scrub. The mask does not really warm up like it is supposed to, however, is a definite repurchase and a product that I have added to my favorites. So glad Drmtlgy was offering this; I would not have tried it otherwise.

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