Coquette

Volaire Hair Volumizing System

Since my last post earlier this year about Volaire's Air Magic Texturizing Spray, I've been able to try the entire hair line by Volaire!

I am really impressed with the Volaire Shampoo and Conditioner. My long hair has gotten so much more volume! I also love how the shampoo and conditioner dispense from the containers sort of like how shaving gel does. It's very lightweight. It's also ingenious to me that the conditioner is in a smaller bottle, since you usually don't use as much of it as shampoo. I always hate when my shampoo always runs out before my conditioner so they never finish at the same time. My hair feels strong and shiny, and I love the volume and bounce I have to my hair now.

The Volaire Uplift Volumizing Mist is such an added surprise. I use this on my hair when I get out of the shower when it's still wet. It helps protect my hair when I blow dry and it nourishes the scalp. Made with kelp and algae extracts as well as sea salt this helps give your hair some added vitamins and minerals and the sea salt helps absorb excess oils from hair.

Purchase the entire set of four Volaire products above for $29.95 at Volaire.com.

Review products provided by Volaire

Volaire Air Magic Texturizing Spray

Last year I got my long hair on track to become really healthy. It's no longer brittle or dry so I've recently been experimenting more with giving my flat, straight hair more volume. I can't rave enough over the Volaire Air Magic Texturizing Spray ($34). It's really a mix of things -- one part texturizing spray, hair spray, and almost like a dry shampoo because it has oil absorbing properties to extend the life of your hair.

I am using it to give some body to my hair by spraying underneath to my roots and then use my fingers to squish and add volume to it. This product is also perfect when I am curling my hair. My hair is so stick straight, curls usually don't last long in my hair. This spray has given my hair new life with the body I now crave for my hair! Once I'm done curling with the curling iron, I use the same technique of spraying underneath to the roots and then I do a spray all over and around the top.

Let's talk ingredients because you know how much I love good ingredients. Volaire container kelp and algae extracts to help nourish your hair and keep it shiny. Zeolite, a detoxifying mineral, also helps with oil absorption so your hair always looks fresh. Finally, it contains sunflower seed extract that is rich in vitamin E to help give your hair bounce and movement and prevents your hair from drying out and getting brittle.

I really love that this spray isn't heavy feeling or sticky in my hair. My hair feels light, and looks naturally shiny and soft!
There's also a nice, really light soft scent when you first spray it in your hair. If you are looking to up your hair game for 2018, please try the Volaire Air Magic Texturizing Spray. One little bottle can do so much for your hair!

Purchase the Volaire Air Magic Texturizing Spray at Volaire.com.

Review product provided by Volaire

Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo + Conditioner

Even though for the most part my hair is straight, I always felt like it lacked the shine I wanted, especially with my color-treated hair. My hair has never been looking better since I started using Mineral Fusion three months ago. I saw it in the beauty aisle at Whole Foods and just decided I wanted something chemical free, with good ingredients but nothing expensive anymore. Fast forward to two weeks ago, my long time hairdresser of 11 years remarked that he's never seen my hair looks so good and feel so healthy. That's when it all clicked in my head that this Mineral Fusion was like gold! It was really working!

I use the Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo ($9.99 on Amazon) and the Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine ($9.99 on Amazon). There are actually a few different kinds based on your hair type or problem (Smoothing, Hair Repair, Strengthening, Curl Care, Lasting Color, Volumizing, Fortifying and Anti-Dandruff). I have never seen my hair more shiny and smooth! There is a light citrus smelling fragrance that smells wonderful when you are in the shower. Light-reflecting minerals and panthenol in the shampoo help with the shine, while mineral-rich clay gently cleanses your hair. The argan and sunflower oils in the conditioner help to polish and smooth hair. I really love the shine my hair has! The products are 100% vegan, sulfate free, gluten free, cruelty free, paraben free and is safe for color-treated hair. There is soy contained in the product so if you are allergic, be aware. All of the ingredients are here for the shampoo and here for the conditioner (click on ingredients tab).

I wash my hair every other day and my hair never feels like it's weighted down with product. It always feels clean and light. I'm done with overpriced hair products! This is full of natural and organic ingredients and it works amazingly well for my hair.

Shop Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Mineral Fusion Vibrant Shine on Amazon.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

I've started to become a dry shampoo lover. I was using Dry Bar's dry shampoo up until recently but I didn't like the overly sweet candy smell it had. I discovered Klorane's Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk ($20 at Sephora) and haven't looked back. It absorbs all the excess oil in your scalp so you can go longer between hair washes. I actually find that this has helped kept my hair stronger and prevents breakage. I was washing my hair everyday, stripping it of it's natural oils. Now I can go 3 days between washing my hair. The whole process takes only a few minutes. I hold the spray about 10 inches away from my hair and spray the top roots area. I hold areas of my hair and spray underneath to get the scalp well. You'll see a find powder on your hair. Just use your hands to work it all in or a hairbrush to brush it out. There's no residue left over and it's not overly scented. It only takes a minute and then my hair looks great!

Here's a video on how to get volume for your hair in 2 minutes:

Purchase the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk at Sephora.com.

Natural Argan Oil Hair Products from artnaturals

Has your hair been feeling flat and dry with all the cold weather outside and indoor heating? I decided not to color my hair anymore and am growing out my ends that show the last bit of light brown color I got a year and a half ago. Therefore my hair has been feeling extra brittle and has been falling out. When I was given a chance to try artnaturals' natural hair care products -- how could I refuse?

Based in Los Angeles, CA, art naturals creates beauty products made from the finest ingredients and extracts from nature. (You can see their ingredients page.) I love this concept and their eco-friendly mantra is a plus. I also love how affordable they are too. I started using these products two weeks ago and already can't believe the amazing results. My hair feels softer, especially at the ends and I have such pretty natural shine.

I have been using the Argan Oil Shampoo Hair Growth Therapy ($26 at artnaturals) and can't tell you how much I love it. My hair doesn't feel stripped after I wash it. I used to have a lot of long hair trapped in my drain catcher after I shower and now I barely have any! I can tell my hair is feeling stronger and surprisingly, it feels so much silkier. The shampoo is made with Aloe Vera, White Willow Bark, Burdock Root, Rosemary and Thyme -- these ingredients will help stimulate cell renewal to help your hair grow strong without any chemicals.

For conditioner, I am using the regular Argan Oil Conditioner ($15 at artnaturals). Made from Aloe Vera, Argan Oil, Rosemary and Thyme, I use this conditioner on my long hair from the back of my head down. This conditioner feels different than others I use because after I rinse out my hair, I can feel that it's really moisturized.

After I towel dry, I put a pump of the Argan Oil Leave-in Conditioner ($14 at artnaturals) which helps me detangle and heat protect my hair when I blow dry. This conditioner is magic! It says it gives you frizz-free hair and that's so true. Usually after I blow dry, I'll need to flat iron my hair if I really want it to be straight and soft looking. I no longer need to do this! Honestly, I am sure it's all these products working in conjuction but I've been using post-shower hair balms or oils before I blow dry and none of them have given me the beautiful texture that I have post blow dry as this one.

Browse for more hair care and more at artnaturals.com.

Review products provided by art naturals

Top 15 Beauty Favorites of 2016

Hi Lovelies!
Welcome to my top skincare and beauty favorites from last year!

Last year, I discovered the world of Korean Beauty and have incorporated a lot of Korean products into my daily beauty routine. For me it's all about masks, masks and masks! They have really help to keep my dry skin hydrated (as well as drinking more water). Right now, I just started doing a 7 day mask cleanse to really give my skin a clear boost. At the end of the week, my skin will be more hydrated and have that healthy bounce.

I also tried a lot of cushion compacts this year, but my favorite by far is the AMOREPACIFIC Age Correcting Foundation Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 25. It give me medium to full coverage but feels super light. it's a great everyday cushion because they look is just flawless looking skin!

Here's the top 15 products that I have loved this year and that I use all the time.

Enjoy!

1. AMOREPACIFIC Age Correcting Foundation Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 25 ($80 at Nordstrom)
This is the perfect everyday cushion. I love the whisper light texture that is really buildable if you need more coverage. I am shade 204 light/medium and it works perfectly with my skin tone. It's pricey for the cushion but it comes with an extra refill so one of these compacts should last you all year. You can flip the sponge over after a couple of months to really use up the foundation. This cushion is fortified with AMOREPACIFIC's wonderful skincare and has SPF 25. They don't have this anti-aging cushion version at Sephora but they do at Nordstrom. If you happen to have an AMOREPACIFIC counter at your Nordstrom, I recommend you try it out. I told my girlfriend about it and once she tried it at the counter, she bought it right away! (full review)

2. Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo ($37 at Chanel.com)
I have this lipstick in 3 colors now. My first one in 214 Message I got back in March. Message is such a pretty rose/red. The texture is amazing. It glides on the lips so easily and the colors are gorgeous. It's the perfect mix of lipstick and lipgloss so you have shine without any stickiness. They don't last as long on the lips after you eat or throughout the day but the colors are just gorgeous. I also have it in 216 Lettre, a perfect everyday rose shade and 218 script, a wonderful nude. (full review 1, 2)

3. Drybar Hair Products: Drybar Let it Blow!The Ultimate Travel Essentials Kit ($135 at Sephora) and Drybar The 3-Day Bender 1.25" Digital Curling Iron ($135 at Sephora)
I'm consistently impressed with all of Drybar's hair devices as well as hair styling products. I bought their hairdryer earlier in the year in a special Sephora box set. Looks like this Let it Blow! boxset is available now but for the travel dryer and comes with the small brush (love!) and styling products. It's such a good deal for $135! This is limited edition so hurry. The curling iron has been great at giving my hair some large wavy, loose curls. My hair also feels extra soft after I apply some of their Shine Cream. (full review 1, 2, 3)

4. Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48 at Sephora)
I have been using this cleanser regularly everyday since I bought it back in July. I massage this on my face dry to loosen all the makeup. I love that it gets rid of all my makeup (even eye makeup) and doesn't strip my skin when I rinse it. The cleanser emulsifies once it touches water and clears away all the dirt and makeup. It's truly hydrating and my skin has been really clean and clear because of this. This is great for sensitive skin. I loved this cleanser much I also bought the travel size (0.8 oz) ($15) for my recent trip to France.
(full review)

5.Dior Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade 0.4 oz ($33 at Sephora)
This is a oil-gel lip balm that works with your pH to give you a natural, rosy tint. I love the shine so to me, it's like a beautiful lip gloss. You can wear it alone or over your favorite lipstick. It's really nourishing and I found it hydrated my lips wonderfully i cold weather when I was on vacation in France. (full review)

6. Yves Saint Laurent Souffle D'Eclat Finishing Veil ($60 at Nordstrom)
This is the perfect loose powder to finish and set your makeup. I sometimes just wear this over my moisturizer on days I don't need a lot of makeup coverage. It's light and feels really good on the skin. It also helps to even out my skin tone too. It also looks pretty on my bathroom counter next to my perfume bottles! (full review)

7. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lip Color in 09 Rose Stiletto ($37 at Nordstrom)
This is my favorite everyday neutral/nude lipstick! My SA at YSL Beauty says it's one of the most popular colors and is frequently sold out. I think what makes this color so appealing is that it doesn't wash out your face. It's got a pretty hint of berry. I used this everyday for a long time and need to buy a new one soon to replace it. (full review)

8. Dior Diorskin Nude Air Glow Powder in 002 Fresh Light ($56 at Sephora)
I have been using this almost everyday since I received it. I use it like a bronzer but I feel like it's much more than a bronzer. It gives my skin a nice warm glow that I like to use not only on my cheeks but also as a base for my eyelids. I can't imagine my makeup routine without this. The silver compact with Dior cannage pattern is really beautiful and luxe. It comes with a small brush that works pretty well. I only use the small brush when I'm traveling. (full review)

9. La Mer Creme de la Mer ($170 for 1 oz at Bloomingdales)
I have been using this famous La Mer cream since June as a night cream and I love how my skin feels with it. The cream contains it's secret "miracle broth" that is made with sea kelp harvested off the shores of Vancouver. It's a rich cream so a little goes a long way. Use the scoop that comes with the jar and scoop a small amount. You'll need to warm it in your hands first and then gently pat it on your face to apply. (full review)

10. Kiehl's Apothecary Preparations ($95 at select Kiehl's boutiques)
Kiehl's goes back to it's apothecary roots with this special customized to you serum that you can only purchase in select Kiehl's boutiques. I have been using mine every night since I received it and it's made a difference in my skin. I love the light soft scent from the essential oils and I plan to go back to Kiehl's to get a new one once this serum is finished. So far I am not even halfway through since using it from late October. (full review)

11. Korean Face Masks
I love using Korean face masks and usually purchase them at Japantown in San Francisco. (See my Korean Beauty Map on Racked SF.) I love Tony Moly and The Face Shop mask the best and I find that they really keep my skin at their best if I use them regularly. Prices for masks are really inexpensive -- anywhere from $2 up to $10 each. Beauteque just rebranded themselves as a Korean Beauty e-shop into a e-commerce Korean face mask shop so you can find lots of brands online there. Pictured above is Tony Moly's I'm Real Coconut Face Mask (2 pack for $7.50).

12. Korean Beauty Secrets: A Practical Guide to Cutting-Edge Skincare & Makeup ($16.60 on Amazon)
This book was written by beauty bloggers Kerry Thompson and Coco Park and goes in depth on skincare and makeup brands and their benefits. It's a great overview into Korean Beauty and to discover how to get really clear, flawless skin. There are example skincare routines for different skin types and makeup tutorials. If you'd like more reading, I also really liked The Little Book of Skin Care: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin by Charlotte Cho ($16.46 on Amazon).

13. SK-II Pitera Essence Set ($99 at Sephora)
This year I decided to splurge again for the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. I like this set because it also comes with a face mask and a travel size clear lotion. The smaller bottle works for me because it's perfect for traveling. I also found the larger bottle heavier and harder to store because it's taller. I use this twice a day - in the morning and night right after I clean my face.

14. AmorePacific Intensive Vitalizing Eye Essence 0.5 oz/ 15 mL($95 at Sephora)
Don't think you don't need any eye cream or eye serum. The key is to start using these in your 20's so you can avoid wrinkles in your 30's and 40's. This AMOREPACIFIC Eye Essence is amazing. You click the top of the "pen" so the clear gel serum can come out and then you use the cooling roller ball to apply this under your eyes. It feels so good! It works to de-puff your eyes and helps brighten and moisturize the eye area. (full review)

15. Cocokind Organic Chlorophyll Mask($18.99 at Cocokind) and Cocokind Organic Baby Oil ($13.99 at Cocokind)
Cocokind is a brand that is dear to my heart. I use their products everyday in one way or another. This year they launched two products that I use regularly. I love that their products are organic and natural. Their Chlorophyll Mask helps detox and clean your skin (see my mask face on Instagram). It contains natural chlorophyll from chlorella, spiraling and wheatgrass. Their baby oil is something my daughter (8 years old) and I both use out of the shower to moisturize our skin. She has really sensitive skin so it is perfect for her. For me, I love how it makes my skin so darn soft and the light coconut scent is wonderful. It's not greasy and absorbs quickly! (full review 1, 2)

Drybar's Amazing Hair Products

I recently had my first Drybar blowout experience and they really made my hair look amazing for my 10th wedding anniversary. I'm trying to reproduce what I experienced there with some of their products. I am happy to report that I am able to reproduce some of it, at least the volume and shine part of things with these products. I just ordered the Drybar The 3-Day Bender 1" Barrel Digital Curling Iron online from Sephora to get some natural waves going. It should be coming this week so I hope to have that in another review for you.

I'm tired of my hair looking stick straight and flat for everyday that I started giving my hair a little volume with this amazing mousse. The Drybar Southern Belle Volumizing Mousse ($26 at Sephora) isn't sticky and is so lightweight in my hair. A little goes a long way and it helps give me a little volume and bounce when I blow dry my hair. My hair still feels soft and not crunchy like a typical mousse.

I'm also letting the color grow out of my hair and right now I have a bit of ombré brown highlights on the lower half of my hair. I've found that coloring my hair left my hair really dry and coarse. It's finally getting back to smooth shape now that I've stopped. But the colored portions of my hair are hit and miss. This is where I have discovered the Drybar The Chaser Shine Cream ($29 at Sephora) After I blow dry, I use this cream on the lower-half of my hair and ends and it really makes my hair shiny without weighing it down! It tames frizzes and flyaways.

Drybar Merry Mini Must-Haves Blowout Extending Essentials To Go ($29 at Sephora). This limited edition holiday set contains three of their key products that I really wanted to try out. (Psst! This makes a great stocking stuffer!) There is the Detox Dry Shampoo (1.4 oz), Detox Dry Conditioner (1.3 oz) and the Triple Sec 3-in-1 (1.6 oz). The Triple Sec 3-in-1 is my go to item to give my hair volume after I've curled it. I flip my hair over and spray my hair underneath. Then when I flip my hair back, I've increased my hair volume and also locked in the curls. I also like that it smells so sweet, kinda like cupcakes.

I also really love both the dry shampoo and conditioner. I had previously tried the Living Proof version and didn't like the sticky color it put on my hair. The Drybar ones don't feel heavy and it really keeps my hair oil-free and makes my blowout last a little longer. The dry conditioner is great to detangle my hair too.

Drybar hair products are formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates This cruelty-free product is not tested on animals and it is safe for color treated and keratin treated hair.

To find out a Drybar salon near you, visit thedrybar.com. You can purchase Drybar products at Sephora.