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Best Beauty Bets: göt2b Dry Shampoo

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I hate to use the word “fool-proof” with anything related to beauty. Most people will agree that there isn’t one product that is universally loved by everybody (not even the famous Maybelline Great Lash mascara; sadly, it’s a #fail for me).

So I’ve decided to name this series “Best Beauty Bets” – because darlin’, odds are you’ll love these products too. Here’s my first must-have for Fall 2011:

göt2b rockin’ it encore fresh DRY SHAMPOO: Having long, oily-ish hair that requires a thorough blowdry and style before my head sees daylight, you can bet I’ve tried a dry shampoo or two (or six). Previous contenders were of the powder variety; but maintaining a healthy, shiny look while dousing my hair with a floury substance definitely had it’s issues. (FYI – I’ve found that cornstarch tinted with a little ground cinnamon works just as well.) Therefore, when the good folks at göt2b sent me a variety of products from their rockin’ it line, the first thing I grabbed was the good ol’ snooze-button enabler.

göt2b’s dry shampoo is a spray (hallelujah) and a few short pumps offer a burst of cool, refreshing – and virtually invisible – freshness to the hair. I LOVE it. With no powdery residue and much of my hair’s lustre intact, I’ve been rockin’ it (pun intended) twice per week – allowing me to go at least 3 days between washes.

GRRR OILY ROOTS AND FLAT HAIR
AFTER GOT2B AND A QUICK BRUSH-THROUGH
VOLUME AND FRESH, REJUVENATED LOCKS
I’m also duly impressed by the fact that the day after I use the dry shampoo, I can once again skip a day of washing without a repeat application. So for example, if I wash on Monday and apply rockin’ it on Tuesday, then Wednesday morning my hair is good to go without any intervention at all. End result: three (3) full days of rock-star-fabulous hair.

Ladies, at just $7.99 for a full 122g bottle, y’all need to get this in your beauty bag. Thank me later.

*EDIT* If you live in Canada you can find this product for $1 cheaper than most stores ($6.99) plus FREE shipping from Well.ca.

I’m Back, Baby!

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For the last 9 months, I’ve been feeling a little dark. Dark-haired, actually. For the longest time since I first started highlighting my hair at age 17, I sported my natural colour – a dark, reddish brown.

Nine months!!! Okay, this may not seem long to some, but for those who know me (and my frequent hair colour changes), the longest I’ve ever stuck to natural has been 2-3 months max… then it’s back to the bottle.

So last week, I succumbed to the call of a bright, summer hue… and had strips of blonde put back where they belong. Highlights, how I missed you so!

Unfortunately, it was pouring buckets on the way home from the salon, so my beautifully blown out hair turned into drowned out frizz. But, after a quick towel dry, I couldn’t resist snapping a pic. It’s good to be back, baby!

(Highlights by Jermaine Stewart at Donato Salon and Spa, Square One – he’s been doing my hair for almost 10 years!)

Look out summer, here I come! I think I’ll go a teeny bit blonder next time… didn’t want to shock my tresses with too much peroxide the first time around.

Who’s with me? Anyone else going light for the warmer weather? Or, has anyone cut their hair in anticipation of hot summer nights? Woot!

Spotted: Salon Selectives at Walmart!

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You’re probably tired of me going on and on about how much I love Salon Selectives hairspray. BUT, consider this – according to Google Analytics, the most popular post ever on Listen to Lena! is my review of Salon Selectives hairspray, with over 5,000 hits via Google Search since May 2009! Holy Hannah.

Well, to my fellow SS Junkies, I have wonderful news – you can now find the new, revamped Salon Selectives line at Walmart! To tell the truth, I’m not really a fan of the new design hairspray – I like it about 85% as much as their original formula. However, I’m still loyal to the brand and will choose it over any other hairspray on the market – at under $3, it’s my beauty bargain!

And since today happens to be my 3rd Wedding Anniversary (love you honey!), I thought I’d post a picture of me touching up right before I walked down the aisle – with a quick hit of Salon Selectives, of course!

Way Back Playback: Salon Selectives

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Last year I blogged about Salon Selectives Hair Spray… and the fact that I think it’s the most kick ass hair product ever invented. At the time, I was afraid to come out of the closet as a “cheapie drugstore brand” connoisseur, but since then, honestly can’t believe the amount of comrades that have decided to declare themselves a fan. Without a word of lie, I receive an e-mail at least once per week of someone else who is looking for the coveted brand and wants to swap hair tips.

So I thought it would be appropriate to a) re-post my review, and b) let you know that even though mass retailers no longer sell the product, you can still purchase it online from Well.ca (which offers FREE shipping on every order within Canada)! Enjoy!

Salon Selectives Sit Still and Stay Put Aerosol Hairspray

Yes, you read correctly. I’m blogging about Salon Selectives – a product uncere-moniously banished to the second-last shelf in drugstores. A product so consistently shunned in favour of cooler, more expensive brands. A product that smells (reeks?) of granny smith apples. I am blogging about Salon Selectives Hairspray and I am absolutely, 100%, positively recommending it.

Why? Because it’s a kick ass hairspray, that’s why. I’ve been using it for – oh gosh am I really admitting this? – THIRTEEN years. And anyone who knows me will tell you I’ve had kick ass hair for the last thirteen years. In fact, I’m so loyal to this brand, I brought it along on my wedding day and asked the stylist to use it instead of her $36.00 designer spray. Now that’s trust!

Quite simply, the hairspray:

1. Lasts all day long with just a light application
2. Provides flexible, movable hold (never stiff or sticky)
3. Washes out completely leaving no residue behind
4. Retails for under $4!!!

Still not convinced? While searching for an image of the hairspray, I came across some reviews on Glow.ca, where I noticed it was named Glow Magazine Readers’ Choice 2006 Hairspray Winner. That’s a pretty amazing feat, considering the market is saturated with hair styling products, all seemingly a lot trendier than good ol’ SS.

And since I truly thought I was the last person on the planet still using this stuff, what I want to know is: Where are the rest of those SS groupies with apple-scented hair? Let’s create a Facebook group!

You can still find the hairspray, reasonably priced at just $3.99, at Well.ca, Canada’s online drug store. Stay Put Hairspray. Get in Shape Mousse. Under Firm Control Sculpting Gel. All available for immediate sale. Fantabulous! I talked to friends and discovered that Well.ca also has a bunch of other products that you may not be able to find at your local store, such as specialty creams and discontinued makeup shades. I like this line from their “About Us”: What makes us different? We aim to be the kindest, most friendly company you’ve ever shopped at.

Click here to view Salon Selectives products at Well.ca.