Fekkai Golden Shimmer Gelée Mist

What fun! Frédéric Fekkai has introduced a limited-edition Golden Shimmer Gelée Mist ($20) for the holidays. This gleaming and very light golden mist works on my blonde hair.

The mist adds lightweight, "touchable hold" along with very light shimmering shine, delivered by golden micro-particles. It leaves hair more shiny than glittery (good in my opinion). It has a "beachy" coconut fragrance, much like the Fekkai Summer Hair Collection.

I like Fekkai products, and I think this one is a great holiday introduction. I read some reviews on Sephora from women who were not impressed. They wanted more glimmer. Actually, I like this mist because it's not "heavy metal."

It's great for the environment that it comes in a non-aerosol, recyclable container. You might want to try before you buy to ensure that it works well with your hair color. It's available at Sephora, Fekkai, and at department stores where Fekkai products are sold.

There's also a new Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist ($23) that I'd like to try. So many products, so little time!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Did You Go to Saks Today for the Fekkai Special?

We did, and, as I expected, the sales push was aggressive - too aggressive. You will recall that today, if you took a full bottle of any brand of shampoo to Saks, you could exchange it for one of three reformulated Fekkai shampoos - free. In fact, as far as I know, the swap will continue all day - are you going? A friend and I went late afternoon, and we both selected Technician Color Care, a $23 value. Why not? It was basically free.

I was able to resist the sales push, which included the assessment that my hair was a bit dry. After the rep told me that, she asked what shampoo I was using. I couldn't resist saying Fekkai. It wasn't entirely a lie, although I haven't used Fekkai in months [wink]. "You will need a conditioner," she continued. I told her I have the Technician Conditioner and that I would buy more when I need it - and that was true! Then she tried to sell me the mask. Check - already have it.

My friend also got the full-court press, and she ended up buying a conditioner and a styling product. At least they gave her some samples in addition. It was a riot when one said to her, "I will give you some samples because I like you." I guess they didn't like me. Perhaps it was because I kept my wallet in my purse.

Actually, I went with the intention of buying the conditioner! The attitude and their aggressiveness turned me off. I am not sure whose employees they were; they didn't look familiar to me.

Ever get so annoyed with a sales rep that you refuse to buy something you'd like to have?

Photo courtesy of Sephora.

Frederick Fekkai Reformulates Hair Care Products

Frederick Fekkai is introducing a revamped product line for his top-three sellers, Brilliant Glossing, Salon Technician Color Care, and Full Blown Volume. All three will now be sold as Fekkai Advanced, with new packaging and formulas.

Fekkai's line is one of my switch-off lines when I'm not using the marvelous Philip B products. I particularly like the Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo and Technician Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner.

According to WWD's article on the relaunch, the Glossing products use a new micro-encapsulation shine-release technology that coats hair more evenly. The Salon Technician products use a new, silicone polymer to coat the hair to preserve color, along with galanga root to provide protection from ultraviolet rays. Full Blown Volume received the biggest upgrade; it's products now use baobab leaf extract, which amplifies the hair strands, and "weightless" polymers to coat hair strands and deliver volume. In short, Fekkai has added new natural ingredients and technology to their already popular products to improve them.

All items will be priced between $20 and $23 and will be available at Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor, Sephora, and Neiman Marcus. At Saks nationwide on September 17, Fekkai will be hosting a "shampoo swap," a cool event to which customers can bring in any full-sized shampoo they use to get one free full-sized Fekkai Advanced Shampoo of their choice. Wow! The Fekkai Web site also received an upgrade, and you can get a preview of these products there.