Cheapo Degreaser - Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

PP and I have tickets to Greece!

(Yes, financial crisis and all...)

I've already been thinking of all the fun stuff to eat -- I could live off Greek salads and pitas -- and buzzing around the islands on mopeds.

Knowing that it might not be convenient to do the wash/dry/straighten/curl combo every day while we're traveling, I've been thinking about trying a dry shampoo. I don't really have greasy hair, so I haven't ever really needed them, but I thought this trip would be a good time to give it a shot.

I ended up buy this one, Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo, since it happened to be on an end cap at Target for, like, $5. They make a few variations, and I bought the one for dry hair. (They also have volumizing and smoothing versions.)

I tried it on my day-old hair tonight, and shockingly, I loved it.

I took small section and sprayed it on. When I looked closely my hair was just a tiny bit dusty looking. Then I ran a brush through it a few times, and any greasy bits on the temples and around my bangs were gone. No white powder, no dusty look. My hair smelled lightly delish, and looked spruced up. It even felt better on my scalp, ya know, a teensy bit cleaner (is that possible?).

While I wouldn't say it was brand-new hair, it was definitely fresher looking, and wearable for another day. And to me THAT makes it totally worth $5. Other similar salon-brand sprays are $15-30 so this is a good bargain.

I will say that I can't compare it to a lot of other versions, but pros include: totally works, great scent, cheapo price, no white residue. Did I mention cheapo price?

I think even the Greeks could afford this one...

Multi-purpose Hair Stuff - Moroccan Oil

My Aunt Cassie is about as into products as I am. She made me feel super maude when she told me about Moroccan Oil Treatment for All Hair Types  a couple of years ago before it became popular. I bought it sight unseen and instantly loved it.

It's called oil, but it's not greasy or heavy at all. If you've got dry hair, this is great to smooth out your ends, add instant shine, and condition your luscious locks. It absorbs quickly into your hair.

Basically, if you're looking for a multi-tasker to add to your routine, this'll do it.

It's made with Aragon oil, so it smells kinda nutty when you first put it on, but the smell fades quickly so you won't be craving peanut butter clusters all day.

Besides adding shine & smoothness, some people claim it even shortens the amount of time it takes to dry your hair. I didn't experience a huge difference, but it definitely didn't take any longer or make my hair hard to manage in the process.

I have long hair and I pour a dime-sized amount into my hands and rub it into damp hair. Ends first, then the back, the sides and the front. Dry it normally.

When I use Moroccan Oil I somehow don't feel as bad flat-ironing my hair. It doesn't make my hair greasy or leave gross build-up, and overall I do notice softer, shinier hair. When I don't use it I can tell.

You can find it at salons and online all over the place. Starts at about $34, but that'll last you a long time.

So - if you can get over the fact that you're rubbing oil in your hair (and you should), give this a shot.

Summer Suds - Chlorine Shampoo Reviews

My grandma put in a swimming pool the year I was born. All of us grandkids grew up in that pool; it was where we had all the family barbecues, Fourth of July parties, and summer birthdays. I spent many of my summer days there, even during college.

Of all the grandmas with pools, my grandma's was the best. That's not my opinion, it's just a fact. She had a 8 foot tall high-dive (sort of a death dive), a low-dive, and a really deep deep-end. She had every inflatable toy you could want, and the coveted old black mask that provided the best view when we were playing Mermaid  (our names were always Sandy and Shelly). The pool was huge, and had plenty of space around it to sit and eat her famous peanut butter hot fudge sundaes.

On top of swimming at my grandma's most days in the summer, all of us kids were forced onto swim team. Every summer morning it was a 7am start at the club pool, which was always freezing cold. The minute the whistle blew to tell us practice was over, we all ran to the locker room and stood under the hot showers in our swimsuits until someone yelled that our rides were leaving.

All of this leads to the battle between chlorine and my hair. I was chlorine-y from head to toe. Still now, every summer I find myself trying a few chlorine removing shampoos.

A couple of people have asked me about them, so here are three that I've used recently. Outta 5 stars.

• Aveda Sun Care Hair & Body Cleanser
  4 stars from me.
  8.5oz, $21
  This stuff is great. It's safe for color treated hair, which is a total bonus when you're trying to get rid of chlorine and salt, because you don't want something that is too harsh and will strip your color. It also gets rid of product buildup if you have that issue (I sometimes spray sunscreen directly on my scalp and this stuff gets rid of it). It smells really earthly, like Aveda does, and the lather is rich. $21 for even a good shampoo is a little steep, but I do like it.
• Ion Color Defense Clarifying Shampoo
  4 stars from me.
  12oz, $6
  First, it's six bucks. If you need me to go on, let me tell you that this stuff is great for colored hair, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and 100% vegan (huh?). It'll get rid of the crap in your hair, won't overdry, and also smells delish. I find myself using this on days I don't swim; and when I just want my scalp to feel really good.
• Malibu C Swim & Sport
  3-ish stars from me.
  8oz, $6
  Okay in a pinch. Probably not really meant for color treated hair, but definitely good for getting the chlorine smell out of your hair and off your skin. Super great for washing your swimsuits (for reals) and not damaging the fabric. Smells delish, kinda like citrus. You'll want a heavy conditioner after this one.

So if your hair has turned green or is getting there, or you've gunked it up, or you spent some time in chlorine, it's probably a good idea to give your hair the once over with one of these. For me, the bottles have lasted longer than I'd like, but that's because summers seem to have skipped Portland the last couple of years. Hopefully we'll be making up for that this fall...

Spanx for Your Hair - Ion Hair Treatment

I was 17 or so, standing in front of the bathroom mirror in my cheerleading uniform when I saw it for the first time.

The first grey hair.

After a few years of just pulling them out*, I knew they were here to stay.

*DO NOT DO THIS, I found out why people say two grow back in its place: it's because grey hairs stand straight up and wave to rest of the world that you're getting old. There aren't MORE hairs, they're just more obnoxious.

I've been coloring my hair for what feels like forever.

Recently I had a little conversation with myself about accepting the fact that 14 days is the max I can go without coloring my hair. Otherwise, the white grow-out (Grow-out is a beauty school term, we had a whole lesson on it. "Roots" are inside the skin...) looks like my hair is floating on top of my head. Like it's disconnected and might decide to just fly off.



Ion Effective Care
Treatment
$8.49

Since I color so frequently and have long hair, I use moisturizing hair products regularly. But on days when I apply the color I condition afterwards with this for a little extra zing.

Ion Effective Care Treatment. (1 oz for 99c; or 12 oz for $8.49)  This stuff is great. Better than any other treatments I've used.

If you have dry or damaged hair - you should use this. What makes it great is that it adds both moisture and protein to your hair. Think of it as good lingerie for your hair - a good base that makes everything you put on look a little bit better. You know, Spanx for your hair.

Moisture is important because it is what makes your hair soft and manageable. Protein though, makes up 70% of your hair's structure, so it helps keep your hair strong. Treatments that add protein help strengthen your hair and can prevent breakage. 

The consistency is really thick and has good staying power. Great for normal or dry hair, but I wouldn't use this on fine hair.

Best part is that it's totally cheap and you can buy it at Sally's for less than a buck. Oh, and it's vegan! (apparently there's a market for vegan hair care?)

Try it. You know you want to.