Great Gifts for You Under $50

Don’t forget yourself! Our editors lined up chic, affordable holiday treats.

Mouhatsuryoku Innovate Hair Nourishment Treatment

We’re hearing buzz about Lion Corps. Mouhatsuryoku Innovate Hair Nourishment Treatment. Called “Innovate” for short, the solution purports to conduct its research at the DNA-level, something no other company claims.

Innovate contains cytopurine, which stimulates hair growth promoting signals, and glyceryl pentadecanoate, which amplifies hair growth promoting signals and provides hair growth energy at the same time. So not only do you stimulate hair growth, but you also create a healthy environment for hair to thrive.

See a helpful diagram of the process at this website. 

 

Overnight Sensation

 

 

 

 

We’ve all heard of hair products that cost an arm and a leg. Add another to the list: Frederic Fekkai Overnight Hair Repair checks in at a whopping $195 for just over 3 ounces!

Directions are to apply to dry hair just before bedtime (one consistency in the reviews we’ve seen is that it does indeed absorb quickly and doesn’t mess up your pillow). Shampoo and condition as usual when you wake up in the morning.

It’s recommended to use every other night for 2-3 weeks, then about 3 times a week thereafter for its cumulative benefits (read: you need to use it several times before you see results).

How about it, reader? Tell us your experience. Fact or folly?

Viviscal Hair Nourishment

Another remedy for thinning hair recently attracted our attention. The Viviscal Hair Nourishment system uses AminoMar C, a refined marine protein complex, to thicken and regrow fine and thinning hair.

The system uses vitamins in regular (18%) and extra strength (22%) for women, and 30% for men. It also features Scalp Lotion, Shampoo, and Conditioner.

For best results, Viviscal recommends users take 2 vitamins daily, use the Scalp Lotion every night, and use the Shampoo and Conditioner at least 3 times per week for a minimum of 6 months.

 

Give Your Hair the Brush-off

Mason Pearson is the Cadillac of hairbrushes. In business since 1885, the company was the first to implement rubber-cushioned brushes used by all hairbrush manufacturers today.

 

The Pocket Bristle model has 5 rings of boar bristle and works well on those who have fine-textured hair to medium-textured hair. Similar Pocket Bristle models have a combination of boar bristle and nylon tufts for those with normal texture, and with all nylon tufts for think, coarse hair.

A Mason Pearson brush is super sturdy and comfortable to use. It’s a true investment in your hair.

The Buzz on Clippers

Summertime usually means shorter haircuts, at least among the male members of our families. Once the hairstylist has established the initial haircut, maintaining it is a snap with the Classic 76 Clipper from Oster.

 

Oster clippers are among the top used by barbers and hairstylists because of their sturdiness, and they’re lightweight and easy to use. I frequently tell my clients to go with Oster if they choose to maintain boys’ buzzcuts at home (no more fighting!).

When you buy, definitely look for the kit that has all the accessories you see to the left; blade oil, brush, and the 7 piece attachment blade guard set. The blade number corresponds with the amount of hair removed (a standard for buzzcuts is with the “2″ guard).

Be sure to gently brush extra hair from the blade after every use, and oil the blade according to directions.

Wax Hair Free with GiGi

 

 

Summer’s in full swing; are you still shaving? Got red bumps and tenderness? We no longer have to suffer in silence.

When it comes to hair removal, GiGi is the grandmama of all waxes. It’s actually the #1 brand used in salons.

Now you can remove hair in the confort of your own home. What’s neat about the microwaveable wax is that it’s great for sensitive skin because it warms slowly and consistently. That also makes it really easy to apply.

The company that maufactures GiGi has a cool website that has a ton of tips:
waxing tips
 

17 Minute Miracle from Joico K-Pak

 

Joico has been a trusted standard in professional hair care for years. The original K-Pak treatment was one of the first, most widely-used in-salon treatments.

Fast forward to 2004, when Joico totally revamped K-Pak and extended it to a full line of shampoos, conditioners, and stylers. It was every hairstylist’s thrill, every client’s dream. 

Now you can use specific products in the line to experience the K-Pak 17 Minute Miracle.

1. Begin with K-PAK Chelating Shampoo to remove any build-up and start with a clean “palette”.
2. Next, towel-dry hair and apply K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor (this stuff is so amazing, it consistently wins Hairstylists’ Choice awards). Work gently through your hair and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse hair with cool water.
3. Seal in all the goodness with Split End Mender, and finish with Liquid Reconstructor (both leave-in treatments). 

You can do this at home once a week. In between, use K-Pak Shampoo, Conditioner, Intense Hydrator, and Leave-In Protectant.

Get more great info & ideas from Joico Online, and while you’re there, read about their patented Quadramine Complex, the science behind K-Pak.

 

Kerastase Bain Satin

I can’t open a magazine without seeing Kerastase, so I’ve decided to get the scoop.

I’m on a healthy hair soapbox lately, and Kerastase’s Bain Satin fills the bill. Bain Satin’s shampoos and conditioners have Glyco-Active complex, which is glucose (to boost strength), protein (repairs and fortifies), and lipids (which protect the hair).

The system is super-easy to understand. The “dosage” of Glyco-Active are categorized from 1-3 according to how dry your hair is. 1 is for Normal to Slightly Dry, 2 is for Dry/Sensitized, and 3 is for Very Dry hair. Each category has shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments.

Learn more about Glyco-Active technology:

Kerastase Bain Satin

The Skinny on Skinny Hair: Kirkland Minoxidil for Women

Finally…products are available to help fight hair loss for women. Sure, men are freaked out by their own baldness. But it’s usually nothing more than a hand-slap to their egos. For us, hair loss can be truly devastating.

Enter Kirkland Minoxidil for Women, a topical, 2% minoxidil solution. Doctors recommend topical treatments for women for safety reasons, and 2% minoxidil (the max approved by the FDA) is the front-runner in the results category.

If you’re going to use Kirkland Minoxidil or any other topical minoxidil treatment, here’s what you need to know:

1. Topical treatments aren’t effective for a receding hairline or hairline baldness.
2. Once you begin treatment, any hair growth you have will stop once you stop using minoxidil.
3. Do a patch test; topical treatments of any kind can cause allergic reactions. Kirkland Minoxidil for Women, while proven effective, has other ingredients you may be sensitive to (like alcohol).
4. Don’t use more product or more frequently than recommended. You won’t have any better results and you’re in danger of causing more allergic reaction.
5. Do NOT use any topical minoxidil designed for men. Many of them contain 5% minoxidil (not approved or recommended for women).
6. If you have any concerns about hair loss, see your doctor.

2 of my fave sources for info on hair loss:
The Womens’ Hair Loss Project
American Hair Loss Association

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