Keratin Infusion: Inova Professional

▣▣▣

Keratin is a type of fibrous protein that makes-up part of your hair, skin and nails. We are constantly depleting the keratin in our hair through chemical processing, heat, environmental factors and age. All of these factors can break-down the keratin creating weak, damaged hair. New innovations in hair care have found that product rich in keratin can help secure stronger and healthier hair.

Inova Professional specializes in keratin-packed products and treatments. They specialize in frizzy, unruly and unmanageable hair. I have never used products containing keratin until now and am not sure why I waited so long.

The Silk Keratin Smooth Protection Sulfate Free Shampoo is a wonderfully rich shampoo. Creamy and thick, you would never guess this product is sulfate-free. It gently cleanses the hair and removes build-up, infusing the hair with strengthening keratin, nourishing coconut oil and vitamin-c. Hair rinses feeling smoother and conditioned for increased manageability and shine.

The Silk Keratin Smooth Hydration Conditioner  infuses hair with strengthening keratin to help rebuild the hair and silk proteins to seal the hair cuticle. The result is hair that is instantly smoothed of frizz, detangled and increasingly shiny.

The Silk Keratin Miracle Mask is a weekly treatment you can use at home. Formulated with white carnation oil, avocado oil, silk protein and keratin protein, it repairs split ends and other symptoms of dry, weak, and damaged hair. One of the best hair masks I have ever used – you will notice a difference the instance you apply and rinse. Hair feels coated and protected, but not weighed down. After styling, hair is noticeably smooth and silky and remains that way until next wash.

Formulated for all hair types, but is ideal for chemically treated or thermo-reconditioned hair, Inova Professional products are a ‘treatment’ for the hair. Yes, they smell wonderful and feel luxurious, but all of that aside – I feel and notice a difference in my hair. After 1-2 uses, I noticed smooth and silky locks. After 5-10 uses, I have noticed stronger, healthier hair.

About Inova Professional:

Inova Professional was founded by Daniel Babishov and Simon Aminov, two NYC salon owners and senior hair stylists. With over 40 years of combined experience, they both specialize in unruly, curly, frizzy hair. After many years of seeing clients’ hair become increasingly unmanageable and frizzy due to color processing, relaxing, and various other chemical processes, they wanted to develop a treatment that would not only salvage their clients’ hair, but also act as a conditioning treatment to keep hair healthy and shiny. Their goal was to develop a solution for unmanageable hair, as well as a cohesive hair-care system for clients to prolong it’s long-lasting results.

With this goal in mind they developed the Pure Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatment, a revolutionary hair smoothing technology designed primarily to eliminate frizz and secondarily to straighten hair. The Pure Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatment is formulated with keratin and collagen proteins, as well as mineral oil and cacao extract to rebuild and strengthen the hair where it has been damaged, as well as protect and smooth the hair.

Inspired by this treatment, they also developed a line of Silk Keratin retail hair-care products to be used in conjunction with the treatment, or on their own. All of the Inova Professional products are developed with our signature keratin complex and other essential ingredients.

Tried & Tested: Dior Hydra Life BB Crème

ΔΔΔ

The BB Cream craze has officially arrived stateside. Prestige brands are now formulating their own versions of these “magical creams.”

To read more on the meaning and creation of the BB Cream, read my previous post, here.

I admit, I jumped on the BB Cream bandwagon a couple years ago. I starting with traditional Asian brands and have worked my way up to my current favorite, Dior.

The difference between traditional BB Creams and the BB Creams now available at your local counters, is color and consistency. The majority of the traditional brands offer a selection of only one or two shades, developed primarily for Asian skin tones. These shades are often very light and have greyish-undertones. Traditional BB Creams are thick in consistency and provide medium to full coverage as well as excellent sun protection, anti-aging benefits and skin-regenerating properties. The majority of the “new” BB Creams are no different than a tinted moisturizer with higher SPF. The coverage of these products can be very sheer, but most offer a better selection of shades.

Dior Hydra Life BB Crème has a thicker, full-coverage texture that is more in line with traditional BB Creams. Formulated with the Hydra Life skincare line, this cream is packed with moisturizing and age-defying benefits. The smooth velevety-texture has complexion-enhancing properties that produce a dewy, radiant glow. With SPF 30 PA+++ protection, this is a great product to reach for in the warmer months. The one caveat is, similar to traditional BB Creams, Dior Hydra Life BB Crème is available in one only shade. It is important to test this product before purchasing.

The BB Cream craze is confirmable, who wouldn’t want a single-step cream that will balance skin, correct the complexion and protect a youthful appearance?

Silicone Synopsis: Makeup Primers

⨝⨝⨝

Face primers are a great way to smooth, prep and perfect the skin before applying foundation. If you have acne scars, fine lines or large pores, a makeup primer can spackle those spaces for an even coverage. However, some people can be allergic or sensitive to the main ingredient found in most makeup primers, silicone.

Silicone is a chemically derived product that sits on top of the skin to protect and keep moisture in. Any product used with that “slippery/silky” feel to it, more than likely contains some kind of silicone. To identify silicone in a product, look for Dimethicone or Methicone in the ingredient list. The general rule of thumb is that anything ending in “cone” is likely to be silicone. Opinions however, are divided as to whether silicone is indeed good or bad for the skin.

Unless you have a sensitivity to silicone and your skin reacts with break-outs or irritation, it seems quite harmless. Silicone is used in almost every product we use on the body from haircare to skincare. To immediately confirm sensitivity to silicone, notice if you breakout on your back from the hair conditioners used. Silicone is abundant in these products and can be the culprit for reoccurring back acne.

Currently, I have two favorite face primers, one silicone-based, one silicone-free. The main activities I look for in a primer are: skincare properties (I do not believe in adding another step to my daily routine – unless it is good for the skin), ability to smooth the skin and longevity.

Hourglass – Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15: This is a wonderful silicone-based primer. It applies effortlessly, smooths the skin, increases the longevity of my face makeup and gives the skin a subtly glow. It contains anti-aging benefits and restores moisture to dehydrated skin. I use this primer for “special occasions” – mostly when I am wearing a full face of makeup. I have found that mixing a small amount of this primer with your foundation produces a flawless, airbrushed-look.

Fresh – Rose Freshface Primer: This is the first silicone-free primer I have tried and now can’t live without. I use this primer on a daily basis and sometimes as my primary moisturizer. Packed with rosewater and cucumber extracts, this lightweight lotion immedietly soothes redness and evens out my skintone. It contains vitamins and botanicals that are beneficial to the skin and smells like a bouquet of roses.

I do notice a difference between the two products, in terms of skin smoothing. Silicone is currently the best ingredient for reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. This is why the majority of  makeup primers on the market contain them. However, there are many silicone-free products on the market and I assume many more will emerge in the future.

Tried & Tested: Micellar Cleansing Waters

✯✯✯

Micellar Cleansing Water is used to remove impurities, tone and hydrate the skin without the need of water. These delicate waters immediately eliminate makeup, dirt and oil from the skin with one sweep.

Based on a micelle principle, these technologically advanced products release softening agents to hydrate and calm the skin while effectively removing all traces of make-up on face, eyes and lips. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, (some brands provide a separate sensitive-skin formula) these refreshing waters cleanse and tone the skin without irritation.

The difference between Micellar Cleansing Water and simple makeup removers…

According to Bernard Pochic, Bioderma’s National Trainer, “Micellar Cleansers dissolve the bond between cosmetic pigments and your skin so you can wipe it off.” Doesn’t sound all that different, simple makeup removers primarily smear the cosmetic pigments allowing an easy removal when you wash your face. The Micellar Cleansers is a one-step process that eliminates the need for a second cleanse.

Simply apply product to cotton pad and wipe gently where needed. These products will dissolve even the most stubborn or waterproof product.

Primarily made by French skincare brands, Micellar Cleansers are now popping up everywhere. Here are a few of my favorites, all but one (Bioderma) can be found online, in drugstores or beauty supply.

Vichy – Purete Thermale Cleansing Micellar Lotion, Avene – Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover, Embryolisse – Micellar Lotion , La Roche-Posay – Physiological Micellar Solution, Bioderma – Sensibio H20 Micellar Solution