Smooth Operator

Aveda has been aggressively marketing their Smooth Infusion line, so since I was up for some new shampoo and conditioner, I decided to try it. I purchased the full-sized Shampoo (8.5 ounce) and Conditioner (6.7 ounce), which retailed for $21 apiece, so they are not cheap, even by Aveda standards. The sales person also gave me samples of the Style Prep Smoother ($24 for 3.4 ounces) and the Glossing Straightener ($21 for 4.2 ounces.) You can also purchase a starter kit (pictured above) for $87, which includes the four products plus a comb.

The premise of this line is that it moisturizes the hair and reduces frizz through plant-based ingredients such as aloe, maize and guar. Since I've been highlighting my hair for almost a year, and just decided to go darker for the fall, my hair definitely needed the moisturization. Everything in this line has a light, natural scent, cited as "a fresh spicy citrus-floral featuring certified organic bergamot, certified organic palmarosa, Bulgarian rose and Australian sandalwood." It's not at all cloying or over-powering. The shampoo lathers up quite well, and when I rinsed it out, my hair did feel softer. When I followed with the conditioner, my hair felt softer and silkier than it had in a long time.

The first two times I used this, I used it without the Style Prep Smoother and the Glossing Straightener, and I found it did have a relaxing quality to my naturally wavy hair, but definitely didn't make it look like I'd used a flatiron or anything, so I decided to try the other two items.

The Style Prep Smoother has a lotion-y sort of consistency, and its active ingredients are tapioca and wheat protein, to protect against humidity as well as protect the hair from heat styling. I applied this from root to tip on towel dried hair, and combed through. The Glossing Straightener is more clear-looking, and has more of a gel-like consistency, I think due in part to its main ingredient of cellulose. I used this on the bottom 3/4 of my hair, after the Style Prep Smoother, to my damp hair.

After blow-drying, I did find that my hair was incredibly smooth, glossy, and quite straight, like I had quickly run through the lengths with a flatiron. I've never had any effects like this, even with my beloved Phytodefrisant, so I do have to commend Aveda on this line.

Unfortunately, as per Aveda's promise, this effect is only guaranteed for 12 hours. Because I only wash my hair every other day, I do find that my hair kind of goes back to normal after the first day. I do feel a little bit like Cinderella after the clock strikes midnight, when all of the magic effects disappear.

That's my only call-out so far. I haven't had any other issues, and my hair doesn't feel built-up, heavy, or weird. I think this is definitely worth a try if you are super lazy like I am, but like having straight hair.

TOP PICK: Elnett Hairspray (French version)

I have to preface this with the statement that I don't use many styling products. I hate having my hair bogged down with anything, much less hairspray. However, Elnett is in its own category.

I first read about this legend in the pages of my magazines many years ago. Unfortunately, my first trip to Paris wasn't until 2006, which was when I got my first bottle. (It was unavailable in the U.S.) When I tried to buy it here, stores like Zitomer were selling it for upwards of $30USD, which is insane.

This spray is amazing, though. What makes it great is that it holds without any sort of stiffness, and you can brush through it without experiencing any sort of flakiness or "hairspray dandruff." It feels like your hair, but with more control and body. Now, if you like the shellacked look, then this is not for you. But if you are looking for natural-looking hold, like your hair is just naturally obedient, then try this!

I do have to add a disclaimer, however. Elnett recently became available in the U.S., sold exclusively at Target for about $12-$13USD, and unfortunately, this doesn't quite compare. Because of the different drug as well as environmental regulations in America, this has a different propellant. Even if you hold the bottles in your hand, you'll notice the American one seems heavier, even though the bottles are the same size and contain the same amount.

The mist on the U.S. one is not quite a fine, which means that unfortunately, you will get that hairspray stiffness in certain parts of your hair. Plus, it feels heavier and like it doesn't hold as well. This is quite sad, because it means acquiring this product is still a bit difficult. Luckily, my friend Aurelie just sent me 3 bottles - yay!

I Need Proof!

Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair (wow, that is a mouthful!) is a fairly new product release designed to fight frizziness and make hair smooth. Since I do have processed, highlighted hair and naturally wavy hair, I was intrigued by this product, particularly since is was invented by MIT scientists.

According to Sephora's website:

"Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair offers the first new anti-frizz technology in over 30 years. No Frizz addresses the two causes of frizz—humidity and friction. It provides a superior, extremely thin humidity barrier on hair, while reducing surface friction. The result is the most effective, lightweight frizz fighter on the market today. Hair is left sleek and manageable without becoming greasy or heavy.

No Frizz formulas efficiently deliver PolyfluoroEster to the surface of the hair in one even, perfect layer—devoid of any extraneous additives. This advanced styling aid works great on color-treated hair and is terrific for smoothing split ends. No Frizz also repels dirt and oil so you can go longer between shampoos. "

The ingredients list is fairly short:

Water, PolyfluoroEster, Myristyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, PEG-8 Stearate, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Sorbic Acid.

I purchased the 2.0 ounce travel size for $14USD, which is a decent price for the results. There definitely is no greasiness, and it does not weigh down the hair. The scent is fresh and pleasant. I've been applying to towel-dried hair (it says to apply a quarter-sized amount), blowdrying, and then flat-ironing to set it. Thus far, I've been left with smooth strands that stay that way. until my next shampoo.

I do notice that my hair is a teensy bit stiff when I use this, and not glossy or extremely shiny, unlike when I use Phytodefrisant (which I also reviewed.) Comparatively, I do prefer the Phyto, especially since Phyto is vegetable based.

Phytodefrisant

When I don't get Japanese hair straightening, my hair is quite wavy and has a tendency to frizz a bit, especially at the roots, which is quite unattractive. Enter Phytodefrisant. This was my first Phyto product, and I love how Phyto's products are all naturally derived.

This comes from plant origins, and is odorless. The consistency is gel-like, and somewhat clear-ish. You apply generously to sopping wet hair and comb through from roots to ends. For my hair, which is about shoulder-length and quite thick, I use about a quarter-sized dab for the entire head.

I normally dry with a blowdryer, and this leaves my hair feeling very smooth and looking quite healthy without adding any extra weight. I wash my hair every other day, so the non-frizzy effects last even in humid, rainy days till the next wash.

Phytodefrisant comes in 3 different sizes, but all in aluminum squeeze tubes. The packaging is definitely not elite or super attractive, but it is quite simple and relatively environmentally-friendly. The largest is 5.9 ounces, and retails for $34USD. The next size down is 3.3 ounces and retails for $26USD. If you just want to try it, there is a travel size which I've seen at Sephora, that retails for about $12USD and lasts quite a while.