Schwarzkopf

With the official first day of summer just a couple of weeks away, our friends at Schwarzkopf Professional want to celebrate with a summer giveaway featuring the newly relaunched BLONDME product range!

The BLONDME care range has everything you need to keep your blonde perfect from the beach, to the barbeque and anywhere in between! Whether you’re a bleach blonde, or just testing the blonde waters with highlights or ombre, there’s something for everyone. And with the line being co-created by celebrity colorist Kim Vo, you know your strands are in good hands!

Launched earlier this year, with celebrity stylist and Global BLONDME Ambassador Kim Vo, this innovative range provides options for all blonde varieties to keep shades crystal bright and vibrant. “Whether you want to whisper, talk or shout with your hair colour, BLONDME has you covered from trendy ultra blonde with pastel highlights to lightened
brown bases with ombré!”, says Vo.

Following your favourite BLONDME service at a Schwarzkopf Professional partner salon, keep your strands perfectly sunkissed all summer long with the below options:

Keratin Restore Blonde Shampoo, 250mL $16.95
Keratin Restore Blonde Conditioner, 200mL $17.95
Keratin Restore Blonde Mask, 200mL $25.95

A range developed for blondes of all shades, to maintain and condition in between salon visits. Keratin strengthens hair
against breakage after lightening procedures, and leaves it smooth, soft and shiny. The Keratin Restore Blonde Mask adds a boost of added moisture and repair.

Color Enhancing Blonde Shampoo (Cool-Ice), 250mL $16.95
Color Enhancing Blonde Shampoo (Rich-Caramel), 250mL $16.95

Shade perfection shampoos designed to enhance and refresh blonde tones. Two formulas allow for tailored cleansing, and leave behind clear unaltered blonde shades free of dullness and brassiness.

Shine Enhancing Spray Conditioner, 150mL $16.95

A great option for boosting luminousity on all blondes! This easy use, spray leave-in conditioner, contains golden shimmer pigments for a subtle gorgeous glow. Just shake to activate and finish all styles!

Color Correcting Spray Conditioner (Cool Ice), 150mL $16.95

A spray leave-in conditioner for cool blondes, that instantly neutralizes unwanted yellow tinges for a perfectly clear, icy
shade.

For further information on the new BLONDME Care Range please visit www.schwarzkopf-professional.ca & www.salonfinder.ca for a Schwarzkopf Professional partner salon near you!

I had the opportunity to test drive BLONDME’s Keratin Restore Blonde Shampoo, Keratin Restore Blonde Conditioner, and the Shine Enhancing Spray Conditioner, all at a perfect time as my hair had been high-lighted quite a few levels lighter than my natural shade. A creamy shampoo with a soft, salon-treatment scent, it provided a great cleanse and protected my hair, while the conditioner was deeply nourishing. Considering it was not a mask or a deep conditioner, the Keratin Restore softened my hair and made it feel amazing and shiny! The Shine Enhancing Spray, when settled, appears clear, but give it a good shake and its golden pigments come to life, leaving your hair with an instant gorgeous shiny finish with a delicious scent!

And now you get a chance to try BLONDME for yourself! Win a prize pack of all seven products by heading over to Twitter and tweeting to @SKProfessional and @the_Obsessed what you are most looking forward to this #BLONDMEsummer!

The contest entry link can be found on my Facebook page, or
enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here!

Though open to Canadians only, if you have a Canadian address you can ship the prize to, you can enter 🙂

(Contest open to Canadian addresses only. Contest runs until June 21, 2014 at 11:59 pm ET. All entries will be verified.)

Prize package is valued at $130 (Cdn)!

~Good luck!

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

2013 Favourites! Part 2

January 1, 2014

BC Bonacure, Beauty, Butter LONDON, Dior, Elizabeth Arden, göt2b, Kevin.Murphy, Kiehl's, Nail care, Nailpolish, Obsessed, OSiS+, Qtica, Schwarzkopf

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Happy New Year everyone! Can you believe that 2014 is already here?

Yesterday I rounded up some of my favourites for you, including my top ten polishes and top ten nail art looks. Today I will share some of my favourite beauty and hair care products! Believe me when I say it was tough to narrow them down to just a few. Hope you enjoy these posts as much as I enjoy writing them, and let me know in the comments what some of your favourites are!!

This year I finally tried Butter LONDON’s Lippy, a liquid lipstick/gloss hybrid, and fell in love. My favourite of them was Wine Gums, second from left below.

Two products that I cannot live without are from my manicure essentials post: cuticle oil, like Qtica’s amazing Solid Gold and a cuticle eraser stick like the one below. (Get both at Nail Polish Canada.) Another great cuticle cream is Lemony Flutter from Lush!

A product I was excited to try this year, and absolutely cannot live without now, was Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour® Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm. I use this product religiously before bed, and it has helped so much, especially through the winter months. Speaking of which, it’s time to hit the EA counter for a backup….

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is another must-have, not only because of the non-greasy texture that helps your skin look refreshed every morning, but because of its delicious, soft, natural essential oil scent. I literally inhale deeply as I apply this each evening – dare I say it is intoxicating?

Another new line I had the pleasure of trying this year was Kevin Murphy, an Australian hairstylist’s innovative hair care line. My favourite was the Young.Again.Masque, a deep conditioning treatment that my processed hair just loves. Another great product with a delicious, soft scent!

If you have long, especially chemically-processed hair, you must know that daily washing is a no-no. Dry shampoos are what saves us, and two I absolutely love are göt2b’s Rockin’ it Dry Shampoo and OSiS+ Refresh Dust by Schwarzkopf Professional! Both come in a handy spray bottle (so nice for keeping one in your gym bag), and both bodify your hair in the process. OSiS+ was even released in a triple-size bottle and was named “best dry shampoo” in Salon Magazine’s 2013 Reader’s Choice Awards!

One more hair product favourite this year was BC Bonacure Oil Miracle Finishing Treatment. Offered in regular and light versions and containing Marula and Argan oils, I never skip applying this to towel-dried hair. It helps protect your hair from heat styling, and moisturizes those pesky ends. And again, it smells so amazing!

I confess a love for… Dior. 2013 saw Dior launch the incredible Diorshow Fusion Mono eyeshadows, single pots of a gel-mousse eyeshadow formula that can be used wet or dry… and when used wet, they leave behind a metallic, high-shine, incredible finish. I am head-over heels! (Think it would be wrong to collect the other 4 metallics that I don’t have?)

And speaking of Dior… are you a Dior Addict? With the Mystic Metallics launch, Dior added a few more Dior Addict Gloss shades, including the lovely, nude yet sparkly Charm. These glosses are phenomenal for the range of shades that are offered, from wisps of colour to saturated hues that smell amazing, apply and wear phenomenally, and best of all, offer a non-sticky finish. Absolute favourite!

Just a couple of months ago I discovered Dior’s Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil, applied to a wet or dry face to dissolve all traces of makeup, including pesky eye makeup. Rated as one of InStyle’s Best Summer Skincare Products for 2013, it is a godsend, allowing me to rub my makeup off and not leaving behind any oiliness. Love!

Finally, another new discovery for me was the Lip Glow from Dior – a lip balm that hydrates and also enhances the natural colour of your lips (in its original pink formula)! Below is the newest addition to the Lip Glow family, a Coral shade to be launched on January 15th!

I hope you enjoyed my 2013 Favourites posts!

What are some of your favourite beauty products?

~xo

BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatments

September 24, 2013

BC Bonacure, Hair, Schwarzkopf

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One of the first shampoo lines I became obsessed with was Schwarzkopf’s Bonacure line… The products were great for my long colour-treated hair, and I became wise enough to start buying Bonacure’s Repair line in bulk. When I learned about their new BC Oil Miracle line, I knew I had to try it!

Some info on the line:

BC Oil Miracle offers a full care range for indulgent services in-salon and premium Oil Care regimes for:

• Opulent shine
• Caressable softness
• Non-overburdening

BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatments are based on the breakthrough Evaporating Technology, bestowing precious softness & opulent shine without leaving residues on the hair or overburdening it.

BC Oil Miracle Shampoo with Micro Emulsion Oil Technology‚ ensures that just the right amount of nourishing oil remains at the porous spots of the hair surface whilst smoothening it at the same time – resulting in fascinating suppleness and opulent shine.

Ingredients include:

Argan Oil

The fruits of the Argan tree have a very hard kernel which contain up to three seeds. From these seeds it is possible to extract luxurious, precious oil which is a common and well known cosmetic ingredient. It delivers high anti-oxidative properties, is known to work against free-radicals and contains an exceptionally high amount of unsaturated fatty acids which help to refresh the natural lipid barrier of hair. Therefore it fortifies the hair, giving it brilliance, suppleness, smoothness and a shiny finish. It leaves the hair soft with a silky touch and a natural look.

Marula Oil

Marula Oil is extracted from the nut of the Marula tree fruit kernels, a tree native to the Sub-Saharan-Africa. It is rich in anti-oxidants and oleic acid. A marvellous feature of the Marula Oil is its high amount of Vitamin C which is said to be four times higher than in oranges. The mixture of high nutritional value and outstanding stability due to its high content of Vitamin C makes it a supreme selection for cosmetic formulas. It nourishes, protects, moisturises and imparts elasticity to damaged hair. It is also commonly used in aromatherapy.

I had an opportunity to review the Finishing Treatments of this line: the BC Oil Miracle Light Finishing Treatment and the BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatment. The difference between the two is that the Light formula is made for finer hair, so as not to weigh down your hair, while the regular formula is a hint richer for normal/thicker hair types. Both smell amazing, with a slight floral yet musky scent. The scent lingers ever so slightly if you don’t blow-dry and I just love shaking my hair out and smelling it!

The directions call for applying a pea-sized amount into towel-dried hair, then blow-drying or styling as usual. I also like to use a couple of drops on dry hair, to help smooth some of the frizziness and give my hair a little bit of moisture, especially at the ends.

Like my previous experience with Bonacure, these two products do not disappoint. I personally prefer the regular BC Oil Miracle due to my thicker, wavy hair, but I would absolutely use the Light formula, especially on dry hair. I’ve used the products both on towel-dried hair that I then styled/blow-dried, but I’ve also let my hair dry naturally and found it to help reduce frizziness. (That is my ultimate test: natural drying!) If I then flat-iron my dry hair, it lends an incredible shine and helps protect from the heat styling. I just loved Oil Miracle!

If you are a fan of treatment oils such as argan oil, then one of these products should definitely be in your haircare arsenal!

The new BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatment and Treatment Light is now available at
Schwarzkopf Professional partner salons.

~xo

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

OSiS+ Refresh Dust

August 13, 2013

Hair, OSiS+, Press release, Schwarzkopf

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Bigger is Always Better – Schwarzkopf Professional Presents Award-Winning OSiS+ Refresh Dust in Triple-Size for a Limited Time!

No time to wash your hair before the party? Greasy roots and lack of volume getting you down? Updos simply not staying up? A high quality dry shampoo is a quick and simple solution to all these daunting hair woes, and beloved OSiS+ Refresh Dust by Schwarzkopf Professional is second to none! Just named ‘Best Dry Shampoo’ in Salon Magazine’s 2013 Reader’s Choice Awards, and available soon in triple-the-size for a limited time, OSiS+ Refresh Dust can be used either to refresh hair in between shampoos, or to instantly add more volume, grip and structure to hair before styling – making it a beauty essential for stylists and style-conscious women alike!

OSiS+ Refresh Dust bodyfying dry shampoo by Schwarzkopf Professional is ultra-fine, allowing the powder to be sprayed and distributed evenly for ease of use. Hair is given incredible volume, stays fresh for longer and styling becomes a breeze. The exceptionally fine powder and pleasantly fresh fragrance of OSiS+ Refresh Dust delivers optimised results, leaving no doubt as to why the
limited-time grown up size is a must!

The formulation with Oryza Sativa Starch, a great oil-banishing ingredient found in rice, has absorbing properties to energize hair from the root. Used as a styling aid, OSiS+ Refresh Dust gives fresh volume, structure and natural control. Used on freshly washed hair, it provides more hold and makes hair easier to style – so you can create the perfect trendy voluminous styles or the latest updos even on soft hair right out of the shower. Simply spray the product in short, even bursts onto the root area of already dry hair, leave to dry for two minutes and then brush out well to remove any residue.

Schwarzkopf Professional knows bigger is always better, and for a limited time you can get your hands on award-winning OSiS+ Refresh Dust in a triple-size 300 mL can! OSiS+ Refresh Dust in new 300mL size is available as of September 2013 exclusively at all Schwarzkopf Professional Partner salons for $23.50 CAD.

For further information please visit www.schwarzkopf-professional.com or www.press.henkel.com or visit the Facebook fan page!

Schwarzkopf Professional BC Fibre Force

August 9, 2013

BC Bonacure, Hair, Press release, Schwarzkopf

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Your Choice for a Second Chance – BC Fibre Force

Bring Your Hair Back to Gorgeous!

100% More Strength

95% Less Breakage

Wouldn’t it be great to send damaged, lifeless hair off on a ten-week spa retreat to recharge and come back as good as new? With the new BC Fibre Force line, Schwarzkopf Professional is introducing a fresh dimension in hair transition, allowing even the most damaged hair to be strengthened and restored to an optimal level of force and resilience – in only four to ten weeks! Formulated with keratin components like those naturally found in your hair, BC Fibre Force penetrates deeply to fortify the hair structure. The results of this intensive care? Hair feels reborn with 100% more strength and up to 95% less breakage! The new BC Fibre Force line is available at Schwarzkopf Professional partner salons across Canada beginning September 2013.

Until now, the only option for facing badly damaged hair was to cover it or accept a never ending struggle. But times are changing, and with new BC Fibre Force you can decide which style to wear at any moment without a second thought about the strength of your hair! The new BC Fibre Force gives severely stressed and damaged hair a second chance. After usage of four to ten weeks, hair is regenerated and restored to its optimum level of strength.

BC Fibre Force – Rebuild your Hair’s Resilience

The new BC Fibre Force is not only effective, but also unique in that you can start the process in-salon and then continue it at home! The range includes a shampoo, conditioner, spray conditioner and treatment which immediately replenishes deeply damaged with a high concentration of keratins. The range is suitable for all hair types and structures, making it the ultimate product range for hair repair. Plus, after just four to ten weeks, you can feel confident continuing your regular routine of colour and heat styling knowing your hair is fortified!

The BC Fibre Force Range Includes:

BC FIBRE FORCE SHAMPOO, 200mL – The BC Fibre Force Shampoo gently cleanses the hair and deeply conditions even fine hair without weighing it down. Suggested retail price: $15.95.

BC FIBRE FORCE CONDITIONER, 150mL – The BC Fibre Force Conditioner restores the hair structure from the inside. It restores the moisture balance and seals the hair’s surface. Suggested retail price: $16.95.

BC FIBRE FORCE SPRAY CONDITIONER, 150mL – The BC Fibre Force Spray Conditioner detangles very damaged hair and refills it with keratin. The inner structure of the hair is improved and the hair’s surface is sealed. Suggested retail price: $16.95.

BC FIBRE FORCE FORTIFYING TREATMENT, 150mL – The BC Fibre Force Fortifying Treatment fills the hair from the inside and strengthens it. It penetrates deep into the hair and regenerates the inner hair structure. Suggested retail price: $25.95.

For further information please visit www.schwarzkopf-professional.ca .

Schwarzkopf BC Oil

July 27, 2013

BC Bonacure, Hair, Press release, Schwarzkopf

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Let the BC Miracle continue!

Schwarzkopf Professional Extends their Miraculous Care Range with NEW BC Oil Miracle Volume Amplifier 5 & Divine Polish!

It’s a golden time for hair in need of radiant shine! Based on precious oils, Schwarzkopf Professional’s already highly acclaimed BC Oil Miracle range provides hair with opulent shine, excellent nourishment and caressable softness for a glamourous finish. NEW for 2013, the miracle continues with the launch of BC Oil Miracle Volume Amplifier 5 and BC Oil Miracle Divine Polish!

Recently, the long established benefits of oil in skin care have been extended as must-have ingredients in the hair industry. Their precious effects, especially seen with the results of Argan oil in the BC Oil Miracle line, are unmatched in delivering divine smoothness.

Suitable for all hair types, the BC Oil Miracle collection is complemented by two appealing new products. BC Oil Miracle Volume Amplifier 5 nourishes hair with a marvelous combination of five different oils. Formulated with Argan, Marula, Almond, Macadamia and Jojoba oils, this daily leave-in finish gives hair velvet shine and suppleness along with instant grip and volume. The milky elixir includes glitter particles for subtle sheen, and helps to protect the hair from styling heat. For those who wish for an even hair surface, new BC Oil Miracle Divine Polish is an excellent choice! Applied to dry hair, the pump spray gives mirror-like gloss and a soft touchable feel without overburdening the hair.

The new BC Oil Miracle Volume Amplifier 5 and BC Oil Miracle Divine Polish will be available at
Schwarzkopf Professional partner salons from July 2013 for a suggested retail price of $17.95 CAD
each per 100ml bottle.

For further information on the complete BC Oil Miracle product range, please visit
www.schwarzkopf-professional.ca.

göt2b Rockin’ it Dry Shampoo

July 14, 2013

göt2b, Hair, Schwarzkopf

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Having long, colour-treated hair like I do, it can sometimes feel like an agonizing chore to wash and blow-dry it. And cutting it is not an option – I just love long hair too much! (I know, I know, I just can’t win with myself!)

So what options does a girl have? Well… as it turns out, we have one really good one.

I recently had the opportunity to try göt2b’s Dry Shampoo from Rockin’ it, a high-quality professional line based on Schwarzkopf technology that includes the Dry Shampoo, Rockin’ it Hairspray, and Gel, all at affordable prices.

A little about the product:

Rockin’ it Dry Shampoo effectively removes oil from hair to instantly refresh your style without having to shampoo. Perfect for women-on-the-go, those whose styling routine is too extensive for daily washing or those looking to preserve their hair colour. As an added bonus, Rockin’ it Dry Shampoo offers incredible hold and volume. Suggested retail price is $7.99, 122g.

Final Verdict:

Having relied on dry shampoo to freshen up my hair for some time now, this was admittedly my first attempt using a spray-on dry shampoo. My previous products were wonderful, but were messy to apply and difficult to control as they were in a loose powder form (think, baby powder-like). Rockin’ It Dry Shampoo applies with an even mist, in strong, powerful bursts. It smells fantastic, and does apply whitish (due to the powder); however, the white quickly dissipates with a quick brushing. I found the product freshened up my scalp and hair immediately, and it really delivers on its volume promise. This might have become my new favourite dry shampoo….

The new Rockin’ it line is available at mass retail locations including Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Loblaws PharmaPlus, London Drugs, Metro, Sobeys, Jean Coutu and Zellers across Canada.

(Product provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

göt2b Oil-licious

May 28, 2013

göt2b, Hair, Schwarzkopf

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Journey to Hair Oasis and Get the Best of Both Worlds with NEW göt2b Oil-licious Shampoo & Conditioner!

Coming off the success of the styling oil, göt2b recently introduced NEW Oil-licious Opulent Smooth Shampoo and Golden Shimmer Conditioner – a deliciously-scented duo to complement all hair types. Containing Argan Oil, Marula Oil and White Grape Seed Oil, the Smooth Shampoo and Golden Shimmer Conditioner provides lightweight manageability and touchable silkiness without the greasy feel sometimes associated with rich hair products.

As I like to do with beauty products whenever possible in order to provide an accurate review, I have been using the Oil-licious Opulent Smooth Shampoo and Golden Shimmer Conditioner for a few weeks on my wavy, colour-treated hair, and I am so obsessed that today I picked up a ton of backup!!

The Oil-licious Opulent Smooth Shampoo is slightly musky, sweetly scented in a clear, golden formula of smoothing oils. I have to warn you, a small amount of product goes quite a long way, cleansing without sudsing up to a huge lather… The first time I tried it, I thought I needed more shampoo, but it is a great product, cleansing well, allowing me to go a full 3 days between shampoos (which I do not do often!). That is saying a lot considering this a moisturizing shampoo. My hair felt not only cleansed, but protected and soft after use. And the continuous use is helping keep my hair shiny, soft and protected from all of the heat-straightening and curling I put my hair through.

Oil-licious Opulent Smooth Shampoo offers:

Micro-emulsion technology providing sumptuous shine and touchable smoothness.
Improvement of shine more than 100% versus untreated hair!

The Golden Shimmer Conditioner actually contains tiny traces of golden shimmer, which at first made me nervous… was it going to sparkle in my hair? Was it a special-occasion product? Rest assured that the shimmer simply serves to add additional shine to your hair once you rinse it out – no glitter here! It provides a light condition to protect your hair without weighing it down. And the slightly musky scent is delicious!!!

Oil-licious Golden Shimmer Conditioner delivers:

Effective detangling while nourishing hair with indulgent care of precious oils.
Restoration of damaged hair even before blow-drying!
Infused with Mica to impart a delightful golden shimmer.

The Oil-licious line was such a hit in my home that once again, I was finding myself “borrowing” the products from hubby’s shower. The unisex scent is delicious on my hair, and equally yummy when hubby uses it. Today I finally picked up backup so we each could have our own bottles! I’ve also purchased the famous Oil-licious Styling Oil and will hopefully be able to bring you a review soon!

göt2b NEW Oil-licious Opulent Smooth Shampoo and Golden Shimmer Conditioner retail for $7.99 each and are available at mass retail locations across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, PharmaPlus, Loblaws, Jean Coutu and Target Canada.

(Product provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

—The Obsessed

The Obsessions and musings of a product junkie…

Archive

Schwarzkopf

BLONDME by Schwarzkopf Professional Giveaway!

The contest entry link can be found on my Facebook page, or
enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here!

2013 Favourites! Part 2

BC Oil Miracle Finishing Treatments

OSiS+ Refresh Dust

Bigger is Always Better – Schwarzkopf Professional Presents Award-Winning OSiS+ Refresh Dust in Triple-Size for a Limited Time!

Schwarzkopf Professional BC Fibre Force