PRODUCT REVIEW - OJON Damage Reverse Restorative Shampoo & Conditioner

This review has been a long time coming. I've been using Ojon's  Damage Reverse Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner since earlier this year when I received a free sample from Sephora (that was a genius marketing offer!) yet somehow I didn't think to do a Review for my beauty blog.  Actually I've neglected reviewing any haircare products so this is my first Haircare Product Review! I have to say that I'm really in love with this shampoo and conditioner.

My hair is very dry and I need products that don't strip away my natural oils and is gentle on my tightly curled hair. Every day, sun, pollution, coloring, heat styling, diet, stress and the natural aging process do a serious number on hair. This shampoo and conditioner is fortified with Ojon oil - "nature’s golden elixir" and helps to mend, strengthen and restore shine to even the most damaged hair. Ojon oil is also rich in essential lipids similar to those in unprocessed, virgin hair. Found only in the rainforests of Central America, harvested and extracted by hand from the nuts of Ojon tree, Ojon oil is an amazing beauty secret used for centuries to restore perfect health and vitality to hair "broken by the blazing sun". 

I first tried Ojon's hair treatment years ago when it first debuted on QVC.  The conditioner worked amazing on my dry hair but it smelled awful! Everytime I moved my head it smelled as if I had treated my hair with compost...it was way too earthy and pungent! And to make it even worse the smell lingered for days...I eventually gave it away even though it cost $50 even back then. Luckily Ojon has worked out its fragrance issues while maintaining the jungle "magic".  The Sephora website describes the Damage Reverse™ Restorative line of product's fragrance as a "creamy, sweet aroma of Tonka Bean, Vetiver and Benjoin" but I just call it delicious!

OJON - Damage Reverse™ Restorative Shampoo ($24)
This luxurious golden gel fortified with nature's golden elixir, Ojon oil, wheat proteins, and creamy coconut-derived cleansers transforms into a rich lather that helps repair damaged hair in the shower. The formula smooths ruffled cuticles and unwinds tangles to prevent breakage.

OJON - Damage Reverse™ Restorative Conditioner ($25)
This lush, concentrated conditioning balm surrounds dry, brittle hair with nourishing lipids including Ojon oil, nature's golden elixir, antioxidant-rich Brazilian Buriti Oil, and Murumuru Butter, helping to seal in vital moisture and create the perfect buffer against daily damage.

What I also like is that Ojon's Damage Reverse™ Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- Triclosan

For any of you ladies with dry, damaged or brittle hair I highly recommend that you give Ojon's Damage Reverse™ Restorative Shampoo and Conditioner a try.  I'm extremely picky when it comes to my hair care products but this Ojon duo makes it to the top of my list. And for Sephora's V.I.B. Holiday Shopping Event, which starts this Thursday, Nov 10th and ends Mon. Nov. 14th, I'll be purchasing the Ojon  Restorative Hair Treatment. If it's as good as the shampoo and conditioner then I'm sure I'll love it too!

SPRING 2011 BEAUTY TRENDS:

With all the cold weather and snowstorms (at least here in the NorthEast) I know it's heard to think of spring but it will be here before you know it. Now is the perfect time to start planning your beauty shopping so I wanted to share with my "Karen's World of Beauty" Readers what the key beauty trends are for Spring 2011. 

 

"Glowing Perfect Skin" - (seen at Gucci and Versace)
Luminious and healthy, perfected skin was a look seen on many spring runways. Say "good-bye" dull, dead-looking winter skin and "hello" to glowing and radiant spring complexions!

 Products To Try:

NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation  ($42)

Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation  ($52)

"Neon Matte" Lips -  (seen at Jill Sander and Diane von Furstenberg)
Strong dramatic lips but done in neon bright shades of pink, orange and red was a hot trend for spring 2011. This look is easy for any woman to pull off using matte lip liner and/or lipstick.

Products To Try:

Tarte - LipSurgence™ Natural Matte Lip Tint   ($24)
Try "Lively" (hot pink) and "Fiery" (matte red)

Lancôme - Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor  ($22)

Try "Wannabe"  (Bright Magenta)

"Nouveau Pastel" Eyes- (seen at Valentino and Christian Dior)
Strutting down the spring 2011 runways were bright pastel eye shadow colors but done with a modern twist.

Products To Try:

Make Up For Ever - Pure Pigment ($19)
Try No. 2 (Yellow), No. 12 (Fuchsia), No. 14 (Violet) and No. 16 (Blue)

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (O.C.C.) - Loose Colour Concentrates ($12)
Try "WASABI" (neon green sheen), "CAVU BLUE" (billiard chalk blue), and "OBERON" (ethereal pink white frost)

"Ballerina Buns" - (seen at Gucci and Nina Ricci)
A trend that's been made more popular due to the "Black Swan" movie...everyone wants to be a prima ballerina.

Products To Try:

Redken - Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray; Maximum Control  ($18)  11oz

Living Proof - Full Thickening Mousse ($24) 5oz 

"Shiny Metal" Nails - (seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Alexander McQueen)
A variety of metallic shades continue to rock the runway this spring. Most popular metallic colors were gray, pewter and gold.

 Products To Try:

Ginger & Liz Nail Polish  ($12)  - "Got My Groove Back"  (Gold)

O.P.I. Nail Polish ($8) - "Lucerne-talinly Look Marvelous" (metallic silver gray)

 ** All spring 2011 Runway Beauty Images: www.Style.com

2010 OSCARS RED CARPET BEAUTY

I'm highlighting my favorite beauty looks from the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.  See below for my top picks of women who rocked the Oscars Red Carpet with their makeup, hair and dress:

 

Jennifer Lopez

Wearing pale pink Armani Privé gown and Cartier jewels.  Modern updo with high crown is paired with a classic and beautiful grey smoky eye, pink cheeks and pink glossy lip. Absolutely lovely!

 

Queen Latifah

Wearing lavender custom-made, beaded Badgley Mischka gown. Dark purple smoky eye paired with glossy lilac lip and soft mauve cheek. Just gorgeous and it totally complements her gown and sleek bun.

 

Kate Winslet

Wearing silver Yves Saint Laurent gown and Tiffany jewels. Retro glam hair that evoked Veronica Lake's waves paired with subtle smoky eye, soft cheek and rosy brown lip color. Perfection!

 

Cameron Diaz

Wearing shimmering beige gown by Oscar de la Renta. Lovely, long layered hair paired with glamorous red lip, nude eyeshadow with black liner and soft pink cheek. Now that's classic Hollywood beauty!

 

Demi Moore

Wearing nude blush Atelier Versace gown and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels.  Demi just gets more beautiful as time goes by! A long tendril caresses her face on the right while the rest of hair is pulled back in an elegant bun. Her soft smoky grey eyes paired with rose blush and pinky-nude lip creates an etheral beauty.  

Photo Credit: WWD and Adriana M. Barraza- © 2010

New York Fashion Week Exclusive!!! Behind the scenes with Style Team for Designer Lois Samuels!

I had the honor of being invited by my friend and fellow Make-Up Artist/Beauty Blogger Felicia Walker Benson to cover backstage at Designer Lois Samuels "the Vessel.by lois" Fashion Show.

 

Lois' collection was shown at the opening of Spring/Summer 2010 New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2009 from 2-3pm at 548 Gallery in Chelsea. Felicia was the Key MUA and worked with the Designer to create a makeup look that would accentuate Lois' distinct clothing line. I got the opportunity to chat briefly with Felicia backstage about the look:

Felicia together with team of artist from makeup sponsor, Youngblood Cosmetics, got all the girls looking gorgeous. I spoke with the lead MUA from Youngblood Cosmetics, the lovely Ms. Valerie P. Hernandez and she gave me the breakdown of the beauty look:

 

 

Youngblood Cosmetics Used:

Natural Mineral Foundation and/or Liquid Mineral Foundation
Hi-DEF Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder
Mineral Radiance Powder in "Sundance"
Crushed Mineral Blush in either "Plumberry" or "Sherbet"
Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in "Storm" and "Merlot"
Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow in "Moonstone" and "Cashmere"
Lipstick in "Barely Nude"
Lip Shine in "Crush"

* Also used were Celazome Moisturizing Sunscreen, Mineral Primer, Minerals in the Mist spray, black mascara, and black eyeliner pencil.

I also spoke with lead Hairstylist, Heather Packer from Cutler Salon who gave us the 411 on inspiration for the hair looks for the show:

 Products Used:

Cutler Volumizing Spray and Redken Workforce 09 Hair Spray 

 

Celebrity Manicurist Myrdith Leon-McCormack, a veteran in the beauty industry for fifteen years, was also part of the beauty team for Lois' Fashion Show.  She used nail polish from her M2M Natural Nail Care line and here's what's Myrdith had to say:

Product used:

M2M nail polish in "Scarlette" (inspired by actress Scarlett Johansson)

I was also lucky enough to have a brief chat with model, author and designer Lois Samuels about her clothing line "the Vessel.by lois":

The show was a smashing success and for my fabulous and fashionable Readers I'm including a video that features all 15 pieces of Lois Samuels' clothing collection "the Vessel.by lois":

Hope you all enjoyed this special post for New York Fashion Week and I look forward to creating more exclusive articles for my wonderful Readers!!!!

*Special Thanks to Jasmin, Felicia's Assistant who helped me with videotaping! You're the best!!!!