Author: Kristine

Younger, Healthier Skin with Illuminessence Handcrafted, Organic Skincare

Younger, Healthier Skin with Illuminessence Handcrafted, Organic Skincare

I have been traveling quite a bit lately and on my last trip, I packed my bag full of Illuminessence products and what a good move that was. I’ve been enjoying several products from Illuminessence, which I’m looking forward to sharing with you. Illuminessence was 

Denim-Inspired Pens and Stationery from Pen Heaven

Denim-Inspired Pens and Stationery from Pen Heaven

This time of year is filled with celebrations of all kinds, but the two that are top of mind for many us right now are graduation parties and father’s day get togethers. Finding the perfect present for the dads and grads can be a challenge, 

Tame the Frizz with Mielle Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz System

Tame the Frizz with Mielle Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz System

Frizzy hair can be frustrating to tame and I especially notice it during the warmer summer months when the humidity kicks into gear. I have been trying out a new products from Mielle that I’m excited to share with you—the Mielle Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz System for textured hair will keep the frizz under control and leave your hair feeling smooth and shiny. Mielle is known as “The Textured Hair Care Authority,” and is the fastest growing Black-founded and women-led beauty brand.

* Complimentary Products Received for Review.

The Mielle Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz System is a 4-step collection featuring proprietary refrigerate-to-activate Cold Application Technology™. For the longest time, the power of cool in hair care has been relegated to the cool rinse at the hair salon, or the cold shot button on your blow dryer—an underestimated feature that helps to smooth down the hair cuticle to create maximum shine and help your style last longer.

Formulated to target frizz triggered by damage, dryness, and humidity, it is recommended to use the entire collection as a system as the products build upon one another. While this might sound complicated, it’s super easy to follow the 4-step process.

Mielle Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz System

Here’s a quick overview of the products:

* Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz Shampoo – This shampoo replenishes moisture and gives the hair a clean slate as it gently removes residue from the hair and scalp. It leaves hair feeling soft, smooth and prepped for frizz-free styling. It also smells amazing!
* Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz Conditioner – This conditioner nourishes and smoothes the surface of the hair for increased manageability and easier detangling. It leaves hair feeling softer, shinier, and prepped for frizz-free styling.
* Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz Slip & Seal Leave-In Conditioner – As a first layer for frizz protection, this leave-in conditioner smoothes the surface of the hair providing instant detangling and slip. It seals cuticles in place and leaves hair soft and shiny with a layer of protection against frizz. This product uses the super innovative Cold Application Technology, which naturally closes hair cuticles tightly in place to block out humidity.
* Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz Curl Perfector – As a second layer of protection for curly hair, it seals the surface of the hair to reduce frizz and adds a layer of protection against frizz while providing long lasting curl definition. It leaves curls soft, shiny and beautiful. This product also incorporates the company’s Cold Application Technology.
* Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz Stay Straight Serum – This serum is for the straight styles, and seals the surface of the hair, shields against up to 450 degree heat and adds a layer of protection against frizz, humidity, and reversion. Use for softer, shinier, long-lasting straight styles. This product also uses the Cold Application Technology and is probably my favorite in the bunch as my hairs seems to play nice with the straight styles.

What Really Makes These Products Special?

In addition to the Cold Application Technology found in three of the five products, there are two key powerhouse ingredients that really set these hair product apart. They are:

Avocado – Studies have shown that the minerals contained in avocados help seal the hair cuticle cells. The combined potassium and magnesium present in avocados will give a smooth and shiny frizz-free appearance to the hair.

Tamanu Oil – It is often used as a skin care ingredient for anti-aging and wound healing, and has been revered in Polynesian countries for centuries because of its incredible healing and nourishing properties. It is the perfect additive for beauty and hair treatments because of its deep-penetrating and lightweight absorption, healing, and shine-inducing abilities. Rich in nutrients like alpha-linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids, Tamanu Oil deeply nourishes the hair follicles.

As mentioned above, for best results, use the entire collection as a system. Here’s the step by step to get the best results possible.

* Step 1 – Gently cleanse with the sulfate-free Anti-Frizz Shampoo.
* Step 2 – Follow with the Conditioner, rinse in cool water for 5 seconds to seal cuticles.
* Step 3 – After rinsing the Conditioner, spray the Anti-Frizz Slip & Seal Leave-In Conditioner on damp hair. Section hair and gently detangle with a wide tooth comb from ends to root for even distribution. Do not rinse.
* Step 4 – Select your style system. Pick the Curl Perfector for curly looks OR Stay Straight Serum for straight looks. Both provide an additional layer of protection against frizz.

* For Curly Looks: apply Leave-In Conditioner, apply Anti-Frizz Curl Perfector on wet detangled hair, section by section. Style as desired. For Wash-n Go styles, define curls layer by layer, using a 9 or 7 row brush or use 2 fingers to smooth product on the hair to clump curls and maintain curl pattern while preventing frizz. Use a diffuser or air dry.

* For Straight Looks: apply Leave-In Conditioner, blow dry hair. Apply a dime size amount of Anti-Frizz Stay Straight Serum, gently rub through hair from root to end and comb. Adjust amounts according to hair type, texture, length, density, and straightening needs. Do not overuse. Proceed to straighten with flat iron.

What I really love about this collection is that you can achieve both curly and straight frizz-free styles, so this truly is a versatile and innovative product. I also really love the price. Each product is only $12.99, which is so affordable. You can purchase them on the Mielle Organics website or at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Sally Beauty to name a few.

These products contain no silicones, parabens, sulfates, paraffins, mineral oil, DEA and are not tested on animals.

Pro Tip: Refrigerate to chill the Cold Application Technology products for 1 hour minimum. Apply cold before styling. Refrigeration recommended for the Avocado & Tamanu Leave-In, Curl Perfector, and Stay Straight Serum, but is NOT required. Shake well before use and do not freeze.

kristine

Disclaimer: Kristine has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ. Please read our official rules for giveaways before entering. Two Classy Chics is not responsible for shipment of this product. 

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint for Stronger, Healthier Hair

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint for Stronger, Healthier Hair

As another year passes and a new one begins, many of us prepare a list of resolutions or perhaps just goals to achieve. I for one, am committed to making more time for self-care—taking better care of my myself—from the inside out. Drinking more water, 

Aromafloria Essentials Sleep Ease for Easing Tension and Promoting Sleep

Aromafloria Essentials Sleep Ease for Easing Tension and Promoting Sleep

A good night’s sleep is something that many people just aren’t getting and according to the Sleep Foundation, 35.2% of all adults in the U.S. report sleeping on average less than seven hours per night. Adults between 18 and 64 need seven to nine hours 

Personalized Gifting Made Easy at Pen Heaven – Pens and Notebooks for Every Budget

Personalized Gifting Made Easy at Pen Heaven – Pens and Notebooks for Every Budget

‘Tis the season for finding the perfect gift for that perfect person. If you are still trying to find something special and unique, Pen Heaven is the place to point your mouse. I have written about this website in the past and the quality of their products are superior to similar products I’ve found elsewhere.

2022 Holiday Gift Guide – Complimentary Products Received.

Personalized Gifting Made Easy at Pen Heaven

Pen Heaven is an online business that provides a wonderful shopping experience for personalized writing gifts—everything from pens, pen refills and leather journals to fantastic gift sets—this site has it all. In addition, Pen Heaven offers pen engraving and embossing on many of its products, so you can personalize your purchases easily to make your gift truly special.

I received a beautiful, high-quality pen and notebook set that I have been using for the last few weeks. I did not get my pen and journal personalized, but as I mentioned above, it can be done easily on the website if you so desire. The Parker Jotter XL Pink Gold Ballpoint Pen and Sorrento Medium Leather Journal Set feel like they were designed just for me. Matching simple lines and streamlined aesthetics, this is an elegant set, but is still perfect for every day. Featuring dusky pastel pink leather (so pretty!) coupled with the monochromatic rose gold Parker ballpoint, this set is on trend, yet feels classic. The notebook is the perfect size for toting in my handbag and the pen is sleek and sophisticated and writes smoothly. I take them to business meetings regularly and I’ve received multiple comments from my co-workers wanting to know where I got the set.

Here are some additional key features of each product:

Ballpoint Pen:

* Monochromatic pink gold finish
* Signature Parker arrow clip
* Fitted with blue ink refill
* Push button mechanism
* Presented in Parker gift box
* 2-year manufacturer warranty

Journal:

* Genuine leather in pastel pink
* 128 pages of acid-free, lined paper
* Made in Italy
* Presented in gift box

Personalized Gifting Made Easy at Pen Heaven

The Parker Jotter XL Pink Gold Ballpoint Pen and Sorrento Medium Leather Journal Set are available on the Pen Heaven website for $40.

With the holiday season approaching, what’s better than a personalized and thoughtful gift from Pen Heaven? Whether it’s a stocking stuffer, a special present under the tree or a Hanukkah holiday gift—whatever you are celebrating—Pen Heaven has something for everyone. You can even finish your purchase off with giftwrap (see photo of how it arrived beautifully wrapped). One stop shopping!

For more information on Pen Heaven and its products, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

kristine

Disclaimer: Kristine has personally reviewed the products listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive free products to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.  This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure policy for this website.

Give Hair Extra Love with Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Refreshing Spray

Give Hair Extra Love with Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Refreshing Spray

It’s a very busy time of year—between work and social engagements, I’m out and about quite a bit. I want to keep my hair looking healthy and some days, I prefer to have my waves/curls more prominent. I recently was introduced to Mielle Organics, which 

Coffee That Gives Back:  Fire Dept. Coffee Nitro-Charged Ready-To-Drink-Coffee

Coffee That Gives Back: Fire Dept. Coffee Nitro-Charged Ready-To-Drink-Coffee

We are coffee drinkers in this house and while I love a nice, hot “cuppa Joe,” I also am a huge fan of a cold brew. I was recently introduced to a new line of nitro cold brews from Fire Dept. Coffee that will definitely