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. 

Surface Awaken Therapeutic Protein Mousse Giveaway

I have never heard of Surface hair care products but I was very excited to try this mousse.  It is formulated to strength and rejuvenate thinning hair and maintain a health scalp, all while protecting your hair and giving your style the volume and control.

My hair is slightly thinning because I lose a lot of hair so anything that can help me stop from having thin hair is a good thing. The Awaken Therapeutic Protein Mousse is by Surface. Surface makes all natural, gluten free, 100% vegan beauty products.

The mousse comes out very thick and has a pleasant smell. It takes very little to work through my entire head of hair and my hair is down to my bra strap.  I put it in my damp hair every night now. It's not sticky and when it dries it doesn't' leave my hair feeling stiff. There is no residue in my hair at all.


Using this product makes my hair look amazing.  My hair is vibrant with lots of volume.  The first time I used this mousse and a volume product and I had an over abundance of volume. I didn't think I would have such a problem but now I leave out the extra volume product.

There is a line of Surface Awaken Therapeutic Protein Hair care including shampoo and conditioner.   The line has an antiaging aid that helps in cellular renewal and proteins that strengthen new growths. I would love to see how they all work together.

You can buy these and lots of other amazing beauty products at beautycarechoice.com. Check them out for salon quality products at a discount price.

BeautyCareChoices is giving one of you a chance to win your own bottle of Surface Awaken Therapeutic Protein Mousse. So if your hair needs the help read the rules and then enter!

Entries will be accepted from 12/6/14 - 12/21/14 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 24 hours to contact me with their mailing information. alwaysblabbing is not responsible for shipping prize.

Don't forget to come back once a day and share for extra entries.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

5 Pro Tips for Silky, Shiny Hair

5 Pro Tips for Silky, Shiny Hair

(Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links)

Shiny hair often translates to healthier-looking hair as well. Here are 5 tips for achieving this lustrous look courtesy of Madison Reed. 

1. Protect from Heat:

Be sure to apply a heat protectant product to your hair before your heat styling or blow drying regimen to protect your hair from increased damage.

2. Banish Build Up:

All of the product we use to protect our hair or achieve a particular style can sometimes stick to the hair shaft and create build up. Performing a deep hair cleanse is a great way to restore shine and remove excess build up. Try using apple cider vinegar with a mixture of water to treat and cleanse your mane. Mix a one-to-one ratio of each and apply the mixture in the shower. Shampoo while the mixture is still on your hair and condition as usual.

3. Chill Out:

Finish a shower or bath with a cup of cold water on your hair. This will help lock down the hair cuticles, making the surface smoother, which reflects more light and offers incredible shine.

Water saving tip: Fill a big cup or pitcher with cold water while waiting for the water to warm up before your shower.

The Cool Shot Button: Use your hairdryer nozzle to direct cool air down the hair shaft. It will smooth out the cuticle and add a nice shine to your hair.

4. Stay Hydrated:

Drink plenty of water! Hydrated hair will shine from the inside out.

5. Condition, Condition, Condition:

Using a deep conditioner or a leave-in conditioner is essential when trying to achieve a shinier, healthier head of hair. Remember, hydrated hair is happy hair.

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.

$10 off your first purchase at MadisonReed.com - non-damaging hair color Yes that's a real thing

5 Hair-Damaging Chemicals in Hair Color
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links

In the world of hair color there are quite a few choices, but not many of them good. It’s as if the drugstore box colors and other online brands have dropped the “care” from hair care. Focusing instead on making the least expensive product that fries your hair and doesn’t take your health in consideration at all.

Madison Reed

Here are five hair-damaging chemicals found in most hair dyes:

1. Ammonia / Ammonium Hydroxide:

From our inception we created a formula that does not need ammonia. Other colors use it to increase shelf life, add hair pH, and blast open the hair shaft so their color can penetrate the cuticle.

Ammonia is harsh on hair leaving it dull and limp
Responsible for the pungent smell of most hair dyes
Increases hair porosity, which weakens hair causing frizz and split ends, and leads to color fading
Exposure to ammonia fumes can irritate skin, eyes, throat, and lungs, causing watery eyes, itchy scalps, coughing, and burning
2. Resorcinol:

A common ingredient in many hair colors, resorcinol is used as a dye. Our formula doesn’t need resorcinol.

Resorcinol is frequent cause of allergic reactions to hair dye
Can be toxic to the immune system
3. PPD (para-phenylenediamine):

A pigment used to create darker shades. We’ve eliminated PPD from all of our colors and instead use a safer alternative to create our rich, dark shades.

A high skin sensitizer, PPD is proven to trigger allergic reactions to hair dye which can result in severe dermatitis, swelling, eye irritation, and tearing

The EPA warns that long-term exposure can lead to asthma, gastritis, renal failure, vertigo, tremors, convulsions, and coma in humans

4. Ethanol Alcohol (isopropyl alcohol):

Known as Alcohol Denat, it’s used in the dye absorption process. We’ve replaced this alcohol with a naturally derived alternative that doesn’t dry hair the way ethanol does.

Ethanol Alcohol is often the cause of dried out hair after dyeing
5. Parabens:

Known to be a controversial preservative, parabens are said to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. We don’t add parabens to our formulas.

Parabens have little evidence to support their effectiveness
We care what we put in your hair, that’s why Madison Reed has eliminated these ingredients from our hair color formula.

We re-engineered hair color by replacing harsh ingredients that are traditionally used in the coloring process with ingredients that are gentler on your hair and leave it healthier with longer lasting, salon-quality results.

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.