Frédéric Fekkai The One

The One by Frédéric Fekkai 

THE TAMED ONE COLLECTION

The One by Frédéric Fekkai The Tamed One Collection was sent to me by the brand reps on Thursday, just in time after battling the week-long heat, rain and humidity in New York City.  I was already armed with a top curly bun, determined to fight frizz. After one use, I can't get enough of how amazing my hair feels - and smells! WHAT IS IT? An amazing trio: Frédéric Fekkai Anti-frizz Shampoo ($28.00 8.5 oz.), Anti-Frizz Conditioner ($28.00 8.5 oz.) and Anti-frizz balm ($28.00 3.4 oz.) that is infused with hydrating French Sea Lavender, and provides up to 72 hours of frizz-fighting protection. WHO IS IT FOR? Frizzy/Hard to Manage Hair. This curl-gurl is raising her hand (you just can't see me.) #EvApproved

FRAGRANCE: The sparkling and vibrant scent evokes the mystery of the ocean through an enveloping wave of refreshing, watery accords and the embrace of addictive, sensual musks that will transport you to the luxurious Mediterranean Sea. This high-performance Anti-Frizz collection is formulated with nutrient-rich French Sea Lavender to help tame tresses and lock out humidity for smoother, more manageable hair.

KEY INGREDIENTS/BENEFITS: Powerful NORWEGIAN SEA EXTRACT: Fédéric Fekkai's exclusive marine technology helps transform hair from the inside out by protecting against external pollutants and environmental conditions.

• Helps to repair damaged strands
• Powerful environmental protectors
• Prevents against future damage
• Hydrating, lightweight formula
• Split end mending ability
• Sulfate & Paraben-Free
• Locks out humidity

PRICING and availability: Available at Ulta Beauty stores nationwide, Ulta.com and Frédéric Fekkai Salon Locations.

THE TAMED ONE Anti-Frizz Shampoo 8.5 oz $28

THE TAMED ONE Anti-Frizz Conditioner 8.5 oz $28

THE TAMED ONE Anti-Frizz Balm 3.4 oz $28

NEW Cantu TXTR

TXTR BY CANTU

FOR TEXTURED HAIR

A few days ago I kicked it with Cantu at an early morning launch preview for their NEW salon-inspired collection: TXTR (pronounced texture). TXTR by Cantu is custom made for textured hair (waves, curls and coils), contain NO silicone, sulfates, mineral oil or parabens, and is only available at ULTA Beauty. Also on hand, were a few new additions to Cantu: Hypoallergenic Shampoo and Conditioner - for sensitive scalps, and a Frizz Fighting trio: Cantu Curl Stretcher, Mega Hold Styling Stay Glue Gel and Style Stay Frizz-Free Finisher. I grabbed my empty Cantu tote and selected my hair picks (note: I tend to go for hair gels. Always. See below). #MyCantu

Pick your path with NEW Cantu TXTR

Ouidad Climate Control

NEW OUIDAD ADVANCED

CLIMATE CONTROL COLLECTION

OUIDAD Climate Control is without a doubt, my go-to curl styling gel since 2011. The Climate Control Heat and Humidity Styling Gel is always in my cabinet, front-and-center. So when they launched a NEW Advanced Climate Control line earlier this spring (shampoo, conditioner, gel and detangling heat spray), I immediately jumped to test drive during a week-long rain spell. My curls remained controlled, shiny and bouncy (and we know that's not easy with this hair) See my day two and three curls, after shampooing:

NOW (launching September 2017) OUIDAD is introducing Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream. Perfect for the frizz-free, pillow soft curls of your dreams! My take on it: loved the clean scent and  weightless, no-feel hold that lasted all day.



Benefits:  

• Defines curls, with a weightless, no-feel hold - won't weigh hair down
• Locks out humidity and helps protect curls from heat and UV damage
• Prevents frizz, flyaways and unwanted volume

OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream will be available in 2.5 oz. ($10.00) and 5.7 oz. ($26.00 - pictured above) September 2017, at Ouidad.com, Ouidad salons,ULTA Beauty and Ulta.com. 

#KENRAcurl

KENRA PROFESSIONAL

CURL COLLECTION

When it comes to curl care, I have pretty much tried and tested them all, sometimes creating my own cocktail of multiple products. Now this curl care line isn't new (launched last year, sent to me by reps in November and I've been hooked ever since), but the NEW Kenra Professional Curl Collection is a curl~girl's best friend: smells divine (seriously), the hold is great - I tend to touch and tousle my hair throughout the day, creating frizz - and is perfect products for those with loose waves, to tight coils. My curls are moisturized and look (and smell) great. #KenraCurl is Ev~Approved! 👍😊

The Kenra Professional Curl Collection includes: 

Curlee Girlee Book

CURLEE GIRLEE BOOK: 

CREATING CONFIDENCE ONE CURL, ONE GIRL AT A TIME!

Curlee Gurlee book launch at Dylan's Candy Bar November 17, 2016

Seriously, where was this book for curly girls when I was little? CURLEE GIRLEE by Atara Twersky is a fun, witty, curl~curious filled story with whirls and wonder; a must-read for any curlee girlee (especially the parent of one!) I have been curly since BIRTH - not just since the curl movement took over - so I remember all too well every struggle I faced trying to understand, embrace and manage my curls on my own. Growing up around friends with silky straight hair, I suffered long hours getting my hair heat straightened and would have given anything for this book. Would have spared me the agony of cutting, frying, oh goodness, even shaving a huge chunk of my hair at one point! The moment I received my autographed copy of Curlee Girlee from Atara, I read TWICE and laughed every second of it... a must read, and have, for all my curl~friends. 

**GIVEAWAY** 

Just in time for the holidays, EvCurlGurl & Curlee Girlee have teamed up and will be giving away a copy of the CURLEE GIRLEE book to FOUR (4) lucky winners! You must be "in it to win it", so please enter below! *Giveaway rules*: comment below (via Rafflecopter) ↓ and share this post. Four lucky winners will be chosen and notified on Monday, December 19, 2016! Good luck curl~friends!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much Atara

Always curly: EvCurlgurl at age 3!

Evcurlgurl.com 3rd Anniversary

CELEBRATING THREE YEARS

OF BEAUTY & BLISS

Seems like it was only yesterday, yet at the same time it feels like an eternity. After only three years in the beauty industry (what started out as me modeling my curls for Ouidad), I was at a crossroad debating which path to take with regards to my passion for beauty. So, exactly three years ago today on Thanksgiving Day, as my turkey was cooking in the wee hours of the early morning, I took out my laptop and within ten minutes I launched Evcurlgurl.com. Just like that. I'd like to say that "my hair got me there, but the writing added flair!" I like to keep it simple, with the focus on pictures, products and presentation!

The moment it all began.... March 2011

Fast-forward to TODAY: to over 1 MILLION views, over 1,000 events attended, hundreds of NYFW coverage (my Superbowl, lol), countless of readers and over 300 brands that continue to believe in my passion for branding and marketing... I sincerely thank you ALL for giving me the inspiration, drive and determination to keep going. Products are my passion and I'm only getting started...

~Evelyn Lugo

Ouidad Curl Immersion

NEW OUIDAD CURL IMMERSION

KINKY CURL CARE COLLECTION

Kinky curl~gurls can rejoice with the launch of Ouidad's latest curl care line, formulated just for their curls (kinky curls = very very tight curls with a visible Z-pattern and known to be baby fine and delicate.) Introducing the new OUIDAD Curl Immersion Collection, which consists of five products and is also available in a travel set (my favorite!) I attended an intimated meeting with the Ouidad team last month prior to the launch and even though I have the "classic curl" pattern (looser curl type), I still benefited from the ultra moisturizing formulas containing grapeseed, coconut, rosemary and sage oils. Plus they smell amazing.

NEW Ouidad Curl Immersion products are free of heavy silicones and waxes, and feature the brand's distinctive blend of breathable, water-soluble and plant-based ingredients. This kinky curl care collection includes: 

1. Low-Lather Coconut Cleansing Conditioner ($36, 16 oz) - a low-lather, sulfate-free, foaming co-wash for weekly use, to remove build-up at the scalp and hydrate curls. 

2. No-Lather Coconut Cream Cleansing Conditioner ($36, 16 oz) - a no lather, creamy, moisturizing co-wash ideal for extremely dry hair. 

3. Hi-defining Custard ($28, 8 oz) - a weightless oil-in-gel moisturizing styler, formulated with Kalahari melon seed oil; ideal for wash-and-go styles, braid-outs, and defining curls. 

4. Triple Treat Deep Conditioner ($38, 12 oz) - a deep-penetrating conditioner that softens hair and restores curls to the natural shape; features coconut and grapeseed oils. 

5. Silky Souffle Setting Cream ($28, 8 oz) - an emollient-rich cream with Mafura butter that softens and primes, and quickly hydrates and elongates curls prior to and during styling. 

Also, check out the Luxury Travel Set ($36 2 - 2.5 oz each)

Quote from Ouidad Founder and Queen of Curls: "We care for curls in a prescriptive way tailored to four curl types: loose, classic, tight and kinky". This curl type requires the most nourishment because the tighter the curl, the less moisturizing sebum is able to travel from the scalp down the hair shaft. Without hydration, hair becomes dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. 

Visit www.ouidad.com/curl-immersion to purchase the new Ouidad Curl Immersion products mentioned above, and to see more amazing products in the entire curl collection.

NEW invisibobble® #SecretGarden

LIMITED-EDITION INVISIBOBBLE®

ORIGINAL HAIR RINGS: SECRET GARDEN

Whether you look in my bathroom (hugging my spray bottle), my hair (bun/ponytail) or my wrist (see above), you can be sure to find me with an invisibobble traceless hair ring - at all times! I've been religiously hooked on these fabulous hair accessories since their launch, so of course I was elated when invisibobble® sent me their NEW, limited-edition collection for summer:  invisibobble Original Secret Garden!  And yes, these coiled hair rings are absolutely PERFECT for curls. The design is unparalleled! 

NEW Redken Curvaceous

JOIN REDKEN'S CURL REBELLION:

NEW CURVACEOUS CURL LINE

Oh yes, here is a curl care launch that this curl~gurl has been waiting for. I'm already a fan of Curvaceous curl line since the original 2012 launch (even attended the event back then), so it's no secret that I joined the REDKEN #CurlRebellion. Available in salons now, introducing the NEW Curvaceous, a professional customizable system that styles and transforms all curl types, whether waves, curls, and spirals. Suitable for color-treated hair, Redken Curvaceous is the first professional system to address top curl concerns including dryness, frizz, fragility and dullness, while also providing three days of curl definition and 97% frizz reduction. 

Featured in each of the 10 Curvaceous products, is the exclusive Curl Memory Complex, a combination of sugar crystals to attract moisture and reactivate shape, moringa oil to drench dehydrated curls with a boost of moisture, and UV filters to shield hair from environmental aggressors and protect color-treated waves, curls and spirals from fading.

Curls: Camille Rose Naturals

CAMILLE ROSE NATURALS

CURL CARE

As a curl~gurl, I love trying many different curl care products, learning about the formulas and how they came to be. I was especially intrigued when Camille Rose Naturals founder Janell Stephens held an intimate round-table discussion in January, where she explained how she started whipping up recipes to care for her natural hair in her very own kitchen! Janelle took her passion for her natural hair care and packaged it. Today, her amazing hair care line is available at Target, Whole Foods, Walgreen's and Bed Bath & Beyond!

After the press event, I took home a generous tote bag containing an apron (remember how she created "hair recipes in her own kitchen) and products from the Camille Rose Naturals line - both hair and skincare. I love all of the product and my favorite is the Curl Maker ($22.00 12.oz pump - defining jelly enriched with smoothing marshmallow and agave extract...smells yummy!)

Let's take a look at the products in detail.... 

Curls: John Frieda Frizz Ease®

JOHN FRIEDA FRIZZ EASE 

CURLS: TORI KELLY

THE LOOK: A modern interpretation of old Hollywood style

INSPIRATION: Celebrity hairstylist Nikki Providence was inspired by Kelly's one shoulder green dress. "I wanted to let her natural texture shine through a classic pincurl set,” she said.

How To Get The Look:

• Nikki started with clean wet hair, and prepped the roots with John Frieda Frizz Ease® Curl Reviver Mousse and sprayed 12 sprays of the John Frieda Frizz Ease® Go Curlier™ Heat-Activated Spray throughout the hair.

• Then she used a wide-tooth comb to shape the front and sides into sculpted waves, clipping each section into position.

• She twisted the remainder of the hair in 2-inch sections and dried her with a diffuser before taking the clips out.

• Nikki used her hands to smooth and sculpt the final shape, applying a thin coat of John Frieda Frizz Ease® Secret Weapon® Touch-Up Crème on her hands to make sure her fingers glided over the hair for a final touch of smoothness.

• Then she used a 3/4 inch curling iron to touch up any areas that needed extra hold or curl.

She finished off the look with John Frieda Frizz Ease® KeraFLEX™ Flexible Hold Hairspray.

Be sure to join John Frieda on social media post with the following tags:

#MeandJohn

#FrizzFreeHairGoals

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @JohnFriedaUS

JOICO Curl

WHAT A CURL WANTS: 

INTRODUCING JOICO CURL

Hey curl~friends, from the healthy hair company that's bringing the joy back to your hair, comes the new JOICO CURL, a "curl's best friend", helping curly girlies get rid of those curly woes, by adding that extra spring in your step and curls with triple-action CurlRepair Technology and adding 100% Curl Confidence with their new six products. 

So let's take a look at the entire JOICO CURL product line-up in detail....

Alex Anthony Salon & Event Invite

MY ALEX ANTHONY SALON

CURL EXPERIENCE

Let's shift focus to CURLS, since it is after all "all about the hair." Two weeks ago I visited my good friend Alex at the Alex Anthony Salon, located at 10 Downing Street in NYC, and got a much needed curl cut. You may have seen my previous review the Alex Anthony Curl System (see it here) but I was still long overdue for a trim. If anyone knows how to cater to curls, it's Alex (we go back to 2011 to my infamous cut and style at Ouidad.) I wasn't worried about my hair, since I knew I was in good hands. My experience at her salon, absolutely pampered me like nothing else. 

Alex Anthony Curl System

NEW Garnier Curl Collection

NEW GARNIER FRUCTIS 

CURL COLLECTION

Calling all curl~friends: by now I'm sure you're heard about Garnier Frutis' NEW Curl Collection (I shared news back in January when the brand sent me this fabulous package - including a t-shirt for "hair plopping"), but if you haven't, keep reading and I'll explain hair plopping later. If you have dry hair and have to fight frizz, Garnier's new curl care collection will help hydrate and define your curls with their five breakthrough products (sulfate-free and paraben-free formulas!) I'm hoping that Garnier adds a gel to the collection, since my curls do better with gels, than with creams. Overall, I love how this collection smells, smooths my curls and fights frizz!