Whirl a style

I'm always looking for things to do with my hair on bad hair days. The old ponytail is the most reliable but I've worn a ponytail so much I'm tired of it. I also don't find a pony tail is the dressiest updo I can have. So when I got a change to try Whirl a Style I was very excited.

There are lots of possible styles with the Whirl a Style and they have a guide on the site. There is also different sizes that you can use depending on the length of your hair and the look you are trying to achieve. 

I was sent a large because my hair is very long. The Whirl a Style is not super easy to use on myself it is hard to wrap in my own hair and it is hard to clasp. The best style I could come up with was a bun and that was very messy because I have so many layers.   It is as an amazing concept but it's much easier to do on someone else. 

I do believe with the Whirl a Style the possibilities are endless as far as the hairstyles you can create. It just takes a little getting used to and styling gel/hairspray. 

I received this product complimentary but the opinion expressed is all mine. Regardless I only recommend products I feel are good for my readers. 

Split Ender

I don't know why but I hate to get my hair cut. I don't like trying to decide which beautician to use or what style I want. I really like my hair long anyway. I tell them to just cut the ends off and I wind up with hair MUCH shorter than I thought. So I stay away from the scissors as often as possible.

When I saw the SplitEnder I really thought it is not possible that this will work the way they say it will. So when I got to try one I was over the moon excited! I love the kit I was sent it has a comb, clip, a cleaning brush and a cute little stand to store everything in.

I couldn't wait to open the kit so I I tore into and like I do with most new things I stared at this it for a little while. I was trying to figure out how it works.. Of course they have directions, very detailed ones too but. that's too easy. So I looked at it and it was very interesting. 

You see that slot above? It opens and your hair goes in there. So the next thing I was scared what if it cut ALL my hair off like a beautician does when I tell her just the ends. So I looked at it a little more and then I looked at my hair. Then I looked at the Split Ender and I did what anybody would have done. I called my daughter so I could try it on her. Now don't judge me, she is adorable and would look great even if she has short hair. 

I ran it through her hair and wow it was all still there! I really was just the tips missing I couldn't see it working and I didn't see that much of a difference in her hair once I was done. But I see a bunch of little blonde hairs in the clear barrel.  So I was amazed and ran it through the rest of her hair. Her hair looked much healthier and I could tell the little dead ends were gone. She was so excited she declared she was never getting a hair cut again she is going to use the Split Ender forever now. 

So pleased with her results I tried it on my hair. When I was in the bathroom using it my husband said oh I heard it cut something. And you know what? He was right. I could hear it removing the little dead ends. Overall this product is AMAZING. I never buy into the too good to be true stories but this is one product that works the way it claims to. 

I received this product complimentary in exchange for my honest uncompensated review but the opinion expressed is all mine. Regardless I only recommend products I feel are good for my readers. 

Instyler Styling tools

I was so excited to be chosen as an Vocal Point Instyler Blogger. I have seen these tools on TV but never had the pleasure of trying them. I was very excited about trying all of them so I didn't know which one to try first.  

The first one I tried was the Tulip Auto Curler I was excited about this one but I hardly ever take the time to curl my hair. I have a hard time with the curling wand and don't like to take all of that time. This is designed to save time and be easier than a curling wand to use. So that intrigued me. 

I was immediately impressed with the choices I have using the Tulip. Not only can I choose medium or high heat, I can choose the amount of time my hair needs for the curl to set, plus the direction the wand will rotate. Believe it or not but changing one of these settings will type of curl you will get. 

                                                   

I LOVE that the Instyler takes all of the guess work out of how long to leave the wand in my hair. It beeps while it is in progress and beeps three times when done. Once done all I have to do is pull the Tulip down and bam beautiful curls. My favorite setting is to have the wand set on A which makes it rotate around.  That is the best for my hair. There is also a tool that tells you exactly how much hair to put in the Tulip so you don't have to guess about that either. 

                                      

I had a very hard time with getting the curls to stay so I have a few tips. Use a strong hold gel, I don't care how long your hair is the gel will help the curls set.  Then once you are done with one side spray a strong hold hair spray and that will help them hold. My curls lasted all night long.  Be VERY careful about only putting the recommended amount of hair in the RIGHT spot. If not your hair can get tangled in the Tulip this happened to me twice but I was much more careful after. 

The next one I was extremely excited about. I have watched lots of commercials and have always wonder what they hype is about the Instyler Rotating Iron Max. This one comes with a comb and a heat resistant mat. 

The Max is  SUPER easy to use. If you can use a flat iron, you can use the Instyler Max. My hair is not thick but it is bulky when I use the right products and this runs easily through my hair.  I actually think this is easier on your hair than a flat iron because the brush is not heated so your hair is only getting heat from one side. 

You can use the Max with the brush on top or on the bottom it is your choice. My favorite is with the brush on top.  My hair came out with lots of volume and shine. I prefer to use this over my flat iron there was no pulling or tugging on my hair. 

The Max can also be used for waves, curls, and beach waves but I have not tried any of those yet. 

The Instyler Ionic Styler Pro is a neat concept but my least favorite of the three. I love that it can be a flat iron or a curling wand but the brushes scare me. I'm very afraid to get this stuck in my hair and have to cut it out. I don't know if that can really happen but when I was younger I got a brush stuck in my friend's hair. So I am scarred.

Since it can be used as a flat iron or a curling wand it locks closed when you use it as a curling wand. It is cool to touch so no more burning your hands. It comes with a styling comb and heat resistant bag for storage.

use this link and the code SAVE30 at checkout to get 30% off when you order one or more the Instyler tools.

alwaysblabbing was given these products complimentary in exchange for an honest uncompensated review but the opinion expressed is all mine. Regardless I only recommend products that are good for my readers. 

Harvey Prince Hello Shampoo and Conditioner - Giveaway

I love trying new hair care. I have never used Harvey Prince Perfume so I was not sure what to expect. But I was very excited to experience their products for the first time.

When I opened this shampoo and conditioner my first thought is it smells AMAZING. It is not your average smelling shampoo it smells very close to perfume. It is by far the best smelling shampoo and conditioner I have ever used. The smell is not strong or overbearing but lingers all day. If one of their perfumes smell identical pairing them together would literally be head to toe amazingness.

The shampoo is color safe, formulated to revitalize, restore, and Repair and good for all hair types. It claims and delivers that it offers intense hydration plus it is sulfate-free, paraben-free, and Cruelty-free. A company that is good to our furry friends is good in my book.

My hair looks and smells amazing. The shampoo lathers just enough to satisfy my lather obsession and washes out clean. It doesn't leave my hair feeling like it has soap residue nor does it feel sticky. It also doesn't take tons of shampoo to create a luxurious lather.

The conditioner is Certified Organic, Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and color safe with RTC Keravectin Technology. It is also Cruelty-free with ingredients like Almond oil, Argan, and coconut you know it is good for your hair.  The first time I used the conditioner I noticed it was on the thin side so I was a little nervous that my hair would be a tangled mess. I only put a small amount and worked it from roots to tip. When my hair dried it looked great and was not knotted or tangled.

I love this shampoo and conditioner my hair looks amazing and smells FANTASTIC!

Harvey Prince is giving one of you the chance to win your own set of shampoo and conditioner so you know I have to go over the rules!

Entries will be accepted from 11/12/14 at midnight - 11/27/14 at midnight

Good luck remember one winner will be randomly chosen through the RaffleCopter. You MUST be following me on Twitter or GFC or like alwaysblabbing on FaceBook to be eligible to win. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing information. alwaysblabbing is not responsible for shipping prize.

Click here if the RaffleCopter widget doesn't load

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest uncompensated review but the opinion expressed is all mine. Regardless I only recommend products I feel are good for my readers. 

Step your costume up a notch with these Halloween Hair tutorials

Hair Tutorial: Halloween Hairstyle Fun

(Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links)

This year, top off your Halloween costume with fun yet easy hairstyles courtesy of Madison Reed. 

• Add mousse to damp hair and blowout (use volumizing blowout tutorial below).
• Back tease the top back sections of your hair to get that slight bouffant look
• Smooth and spray hair, then add a headband to finish off the look

Now a style that can even work even for shorter hair:

• Create a deep side part in your hair
• Gather hair up in the back to create a top pony
• Curl hair in the pony under to create a faux bun
• Pin and spray as needed to keep the curls in place

• Curl all your hair in tight curls
• Use small tupperware container and hot glue some wig hair on it to create a base to place on top of your head
• Backcomb hair and pin locks to the base.
• Pin in lengths of dyed wig hair for color, or color individual locks of your own hair

• Gather hair up into a top side pony
• Do a quick back comb to bangs to get them to stay to one side
• Use hair chalk or pink and blue hair spray to add color to the bangs

Thanks to the team at Madison Reed for providing the images and the step-by-step instructions for these hairstyles.

What are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to try Madison Reed's healthier for you color! Happy October! Take $10 off your first purchase of Madison Reed hair color - just use the offer code OCTOBERLOVE at checkout.

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Hair Tutorial: Voluminous Blowout for Straight Hair

(Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links)

Ever wonder how the professionals get your hair so sleek and full of body? Madison Reed colorist Noelle shows you just how easy it is to achieve this voluminous style right at home in today’s hair tutorial!

NOTE: This style works best on straight or slightly wavy hair to get the most volume.

Full written instructions at the bottom of the page.

1. Wash and condition your hair using Madison Reed nourishing, color enhancing shampoo and conditioner set. Comb through your tresses using a big toothed comb. This will result in the least amount of damage to your wet locks!

2. Use a micro-fiber towel to gently squeeze out all excess moisture. The drier the hair the better the results!

NOTE: Avoid rubbing hair with a towel as it will damage your hair cuticles and make it look more frizzy.

3. Using a comb, section your hair into four horizontal sections (from temple to temple, ear to ear) and twist them into a bun. This will make the drying process MUCH easier.

4. If you have bangs or any shorter fringe around the face, start here as this section will dry the quickest. Using a round brush, swipe your bangs downward and side-to-side. Set your hair dryer to medium heat and direct the air-flow to blow downward from root to tip.

5. Release the bottom section of your hair and position the air flow downward towards the direction you will be brushing. Hold the round brush horizontally and curl your hair inward. Drape hair on your shoulder and allow it to cool off.

Pro tip: Using the cool button on your blow dryer to prolong your style.

6. Release the section of hair above this one and repeat step 5.

7. Release the section of hair above this one and repeat step 5 again. When you reach either side above the ears, the method of drying will change a bit. Hold the brush at a slightly vertical angle and twirl it inward. Don’t forget to use that cool button!

8. The final section at the top of the head is where you can get the most volume. Begin at the crown (back portion of this section) and position your brush horizontally. Round your hair inward and concentrate the air flow downward at the roots to get the most lift.

9. Finally, dry the remaining section of hair apply a light finishing spray.

What are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to try Madison Reed's healthier for you color! Happy October! Take $10 off your first purchase of Madison Reed hair color - just use the offer code OCTOBERLOVE at checkout.

Raise the Roots Review

As I may have mentioned before I am always searching for root lifters or volumizing hair care products. I have the flattest hair you can imagine if I don't work at it.  I usually use a root lifting spray and mousse to achieve ANY volume. I also blow dry my hair with a round brush for a little extra help. Well okay if I have plans I will take the time to blow dry my hair. But that is not exactly my favorite past time and it really takes too long for me.

I was super excited to review Raise the Roots by TruHair  which is a thickening fiber cream. I have used lots of products that claim to give volume but as I mentioned before I use a spray and mousse before I see results. I washed and combed my hair as usual. Then I put a very small amount of Raise the Roots in my hair as instructed I applied from root to tip.

Then I let it air dry like I do most nights. The next morning I woke up and straightened my hair. I was amazed at how nice my hair looked. It wasn't flat and stuck to my head. It also had a beautiful controlled bounce to it even after I straightened it.

I wasn't the only one that noticed when I walked out my husband said his usual you look nice. But this time he said " I really like your hair it looks very nice today." It's not like he has never complimented my hair before but there was a wow factor in his voice. You know what I mean? You can imagine how nice that was without a ton of extra work.

The cream itself is very thick so it takes very little to work. It does not weigh your hair down nor does it make it look greasy or feel sticky. I'm very impressed with Raise the Roots, it does the job of 2 products and a blow dryer.

If you want extra volume apply Raise the Roots before blow drying your hair. If you want to try Raise the Roots you can find it here 

Like TruHair on FaceBook  for the latest news and hair care tips.

I received this product complimentary in exchange for an honest, compensated review. The opinion expressed is all mine. Rest assured I only recommend products I feel are good for my readers.