Shu Uemura Art of Hair Muroto Volume Shampoo and Conditioner for Fine Hair

Have fine hair? Shu Uemura Art of Hair has created a wonderful Muroto Volume line for you - and me. Shu Uemura's Muroto Volume Amplifying Shampoo ($48) and Conditioner ($58) worked magic on my hair. These products are said to purify and tone the hair fiber, providing lightweight conditioning and shine, leaving full hair from root to tips. After using both products for a week, I agree.

Volumimizing hair products usually work in two ways, both of them bad from my perspective. Either they coat fine hair, which makes my hair limp and lifeless, or they strip the hair, adding volume at the expense of natural moisture. Somehow, these products work without either of those undesirable effects. They leave my fine hair with volume and moisture, but easy to comb out and without any coating that I can detect.

The shampoo and conditioner contain Shu Uemura's "depsea water," which is described as unpolluted and free of bacteria (I would hope!) drawn from 200 meters below the surface of the seas of Japan. Matured over hundreds of years, the water is a rich source of minerals and nutrients that provide hydration. I sincerely hope the waters around Japan haven't been polluted by radiation that would kill sea life.

There is a fragrance to these products, and it's luscious. Green florals are enveloped in lily of the valley. The scent is light and heavenly. It makes the whole hair-care process a treat.

I was curious about Shu Uemura's packaging choices. The shampoo comes in a container that pours. The conditioner comes in a wonderful pump container. I got confused the first time I used the set and started by trying to wash my hair with the conditioner. I figured it out pretty quickly, but I'll admit to being caught off-guard. I'd be more pleased if both containers had pumps.

I've found Muroto Volume leaves my hair shiny and with plenty of volume, and I can comb through my hair easily after use. My hair tangles in a heartbeat, so I'm pleased when the comb-out is fast and painless. My hair has styled nicely, meaning it isn't weighted down at all - and the style hold. I'm totally happy.

These are glorious and luxurious. pricey products. Mine were provided by Shu Uemura. The test will be whether I purchase them when I run out. Right now, I think the answer is yes. I'll watch for specials at the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Web site.

Photos courtesy of Shu Uemura

A Special Hurricane Irene Giveaway Contest from AVEENO

Congratulations to Dlori and Holstrom4!

We’re nearing the end of summer, and we need to concentrate on beauty, not Hurricane Irene! While everyone's sad to see this fun-filled season drawing to an end this way, AVEENO gathered some styling and hair tips from celebrity hairstylist Patrick Melville to get you through the next few months.

Patrick gave AVEENO his tips for transitioning your hair from summer to fall. By following these tips, you’re sure to be a stand-out beauty this coming season. Patrick says, “When going to the beach those final days of summer, apply any of the AVEENO NOURISH+ conditioners throughout your hair to protect it from UV rays. In addition, always bring a hat or scarf to cover your hair from the sun. Coming out of the pool or ocean, make sure to rinse hair well with fresh water, apply some NOURISH+ conditioner, and comb it evenly through your hair. This will remove the chlorine or salt from your hair and put moisture back in.”

“After the hot summer, you'll want to cut off those beach/pool frizzy ends. Shampoo and condition your hair with AVEENO NOURISH+ to restore hair vitality and elasticity. If you color your hair, it's time to go a little warmer with your color. Try using AVEENO LIVING COLOR to help restore shine to your hair - shine that was lifted out by the UV rays during the summer months.”

“Once we’ve finally beat the humidity, hair will be a little smoother, and you will be adding more shine to your blow dry. Coming out of summer, I always feel hair length should be brought up the neckline a bit. This also helps rejuvenate the hair after the summer months.”

AVEENO is offering two lucky Best Things in Beauty readers an opportunity to win a shampoo and conditioner from the NOURISH+ Revitalize or NOURISH+ Volumize lines. Interested? Here's the "fine print" for the contest.

There are a few simple steps to enter. First, all you really have to do is leave a comment on this feature and tell us whether you prefer a Revitalize or Volumize set. After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest mentioning AVEENO in your tweet. I tweeted the contest, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry. I appreciate multiple tweets, but it's not necessary.

The deadline for entries will be Tuesday, August 30, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winners. I will e-mail the winners on Tuesday. The winners will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

The contest is only open to U.S. residents, and the prize will be mailed to the winners by AVEENO or Recyclebank. Wasn't it nice of them to give us something to get our minds off Irene? Good luck!

Photo and contest courtesy of AVEENO

Tassi - To Keep Your Hair Outta There

Tassi is one of those "simple genius" products - you'll wonder why you never thought of this hair-wrapping wonder.

Everything I've used in the past to keep my hair out of my face while I was washing my face, using a treatment mask, or bending over for any purpose has had negative effects on my hair style. Hair clips create crimps; elastic ponytail holders rearrange my hair style; headbands give me hat hair (flat on top). I've never used an ideal solution - until now.

I was sent a bright pink Tassi to try. I was captivated the first time I used it. Granted, I look totally dorky in it - something like granny in a pink bonnet. It's not a look you want to share outside of your immediate family, even though Tassi is available in a range of colors and prints. Tassi is a tool you won't want to be without. Once you try a Tassi, you'll be hooked.
Just slip a Tassi over your head, roll it up over your hairline, and slip any long hair into the gently elasticized ring. It's as fast as any other method, but way more effective if you wish to preserve your hair style.

There's a sale underway. Instead of the usual price of $14.99 per Tassi, you can purchase one for $10.04, a holiday discount price. Buy two so that you can share this little miracle with a friend over the holidays, and shipping will be free. Can't beat that for a stocking stuffer!

Don't want pink? How about Purple or Aquamarine? Don't want a solid? How about Leopard or Zebra? Charlie might be startled by the new cat in the room, but I'd be right in style. Got a kid with a small head? You can buy a Tiny Tassi, 30% smaller than the regular Tassi (regular works for me).

Interested in more simple genius products? Check out Simple Health and Beauty. You can link to Tassi from there, but you'll find many more items to simplify your life. I already know and like Strap Tamers. I am a member of the age group that finds visible bra straps unacceptable. I'm intrigued by Exfolia, a microexfoliation cloth for face and body. I may have to order one this week.

Photos courtesy of Tassi

Nick Chavez Launches iPhone Application

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills recently launched an iPhone application! You can find it at the following link.

itms://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nick-chavez-beverly-hills/id349855536?mt=8

Here's a chance for iPhone users to get to know Nick's hair care products better. What fun! I need an iPhone. I so wish I could have one on the Verizon network!

Photo courtesy of Nick Chavez