Review: NEW Keune Press Wax, Texture and Thickening Creams for Help on the Hair Front!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Keune Press Wax, Texture and Thickening Creams

Hair can be finicky and not always do what you want.  Instead of letting it control you, the way to overcome any hair challenge is with quality professional styling products like those from one of my favorite brands, Keune.   Recently, the company sent along three of their newest styling products with their Press Wax, Texture and Thickening Creams to see what I thought.  Stick around because these three little gems are amazing what they did for my hair.

Though I don’t have fine, thin hair, I do have layers cut into my thick hair that also has some natural curl to it, which boosts to life differently for fullness and effect depending on what type of styling product I use. Keune’s Thickening Cream worked quite well in making my curls fuller while providing some beautiful shine. For using the amount equivalent to about the size of a silver dollar to do my whole, still damp head after shampooing, my hair didn’t feel sticky or weighed down with product once I dried it.

Keune's Press Wax is a liquid wax only in a spray form.  This was nice for my long, layered bang area.  It has what I consider a medium hold and gives hair plenty of gloss along with it. What I found especially great about this product was I just aimed the can where hair needed more hold and this instantly took care of it.

I love the versatile styling options using texture creams for control and shaping.  With Keune’s Texture Cream, I can do both from taming my long sideswept of forceful, down-growing bangs to creating new looks. This product gives hair a strong hold.  At the same time, your style later on will be intact once you take a brush to it.

If you are tired of trusting your hair to just any brand of styling product because it has let you down, I share your frustration.  However, what I like about Keune and their line is that it assures that your hair always will look good.  Do yourself a favor and try these styling products because you will notice a difference!  

**CONTEST!**Sweeten His Look This Valentine's Day With American Crew Styling Products Review + ($55) Giveaway!--February 25, 2013

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

American Crew styling products

Women aren't the only ones that care about their appearance.  Men also like to improve their packaging though they often don't like to admit it.  Just like us, they can be confused at times what styling products to use.  However, I was sent a variety of American Crew's hair styling products for men that I had my own guy test for this review and just in time for Valentine's Day!

Depending on how much hold you need, this company has a styling product to fit.  Forming Cream is a great place to start to gain a medium hold while helping hair to appear thicker with a bit more of a healthy shine.  This product with sucrose as a conditioning agent doesn't make hair look pasted down or hard either but somewhat softer to the touch.  My guy used a small amount after he towel-dried his fairly thick hair and it was enough to keep it in place while it also had movement.

The next day, I replaced that jar with their Pomade for him to try.  Being the good sport he is, my guy applied a little of the product after he showered and shampooed.  Though you can use these products on dry hair as well, his preference always runs the same way as mine, using on damp washed hair. 

The Pomade had a creamy light texture he explained instead of any heavy, waxy feel.  This gave him a firmer pliable hold with an added shine for slicking back his hair for more of a wet look.  Running my hand over it, I noticed it was also was not sticky, crunchy, or greasy to the touch.

Another surprise awaited him when he looked at his dresser.  Once again I replaced the product and left him a replacement.  This time I gave him American Crew's Fiber to use.  He overdid it and ended up with spikes shooting from his hair. However, he teased me and intentionally styled his hair that way since this product enabled him to bend it without making it hard.

To keep him on his toes, I denied him another product and skipped a day of switching.  Usually, he was not one for styling products, but I wanted to see if he would try it again after his fun yesterday.  And once he joined me I noticed he arranged his hair slightly different but more into keeping with his classic style.  This time though it had more control and brilliance.

A good sign, I thought.  Nonetheless, I had one more product left for him to test.  I stole his Fiber and substituted Classic Ultramatte, a liquid styling product that gives hair a matte finish.  All I had left was to wait and see what my guy would do.  From the hallway, I saw him carefully read the new tube he picked up before working a small amount from the top to the ends.

I handed him the blow-dryer and pointed to the plug.  I gave him my brush and he worked his hair up into a Pompadour.  He nodded and then followed my direction.  The next time I came back into the room, I saw him admiring himself with his slightly tousled up thick hair that still looked classic enough for work only with more of a youthful modern edge.

Though he liked this product, I could tell he was debating about the loss of the shine.  I threw him a magazine showing the matte look was a big thing now for men.  I should never have done that because ever since he is fussing with his hair every opportunity now and demanding all his American Crew products returned plus even experimenting with some of mine.  

Ladies, be careful in making your man realize his true handsome potential!  But yet, I have to admit he is looking sexier thanks to America Crew styling products.  

To learn more do visit their website to find salons where to buy and their range of products.

Thanks to American Crew, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the continental United States wins all four American Crew styling products:  Classic Ultramatte (3.3 fl. oz.), Forming Cream (1.75 oz.), Fiber (1.75 oz.), and Pomade (3 oz.) for a total value of $55!


Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then INCLUDE your ***EMAIL*** with name in a comment!

Extra Entries:

(Provide proof once with email when doing each form of entry and number the rest):

Tweet  #Win Sexy Style! #Men'sHairStylingProducts @americancrew #Giveaway ($55) @Nuts4Stuff http://bit.ly/YWTyvA  Ends 2/25  Tweet up to 3 times a day, but at least 3 hours apart for each tweet.)--1 to 3 extra entries to leave in separate comments with proof.

Go to American Crew's website and tell me what other product you would like to try next--2 extra entries left in two separate comments

Share American Crew on your Facebook Wall--5 extra entries to leave in five separate comments (show me the proof) 

"Like" Nuts 4 Stuff on Facebook--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments)

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List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where with proof in one of them)

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Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 2 more extra entries to leave in two separate comments)

Enter another Nuts 4 Stuff giveaway (enter as many as you want, however, only 1 extra entry will count) and tell me which one in a comment--1 extra entry

Enter the SKINJOY Skin Care Products Giveaway--1 extra entry   

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  No PO Boxes just USA-based street addresses.

**Any entries that contain a link or website address for redirecting readers to your site to sell your products will be deleted when found.  I am giving you a chance to win, not advertise for free.*** Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends February 25, 2013 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Umberto Beverly Hills Volumizer Thickening Hairspray Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Umberto Beverly Hills Volumizer Thickening Hairspray

I was originally introduced to Umberto Beverly Hills when I received their Volume Boosting Foam for review, which I really liked for the extra holding power it gave along with plumping up my layers.   Today, I want to give you my take on another salon-inspired product, the Volumizer Thickening Hairspray from the noted Beverly Hills stylist, Umberto. 

Before I even tested it, I liked that this was a non-aerosol product that will not add to environmental problems or have the tendency to clog like many aerosol hairsprays. These are why I am particularly fond of this form.

Umberto Beverly Hills Volumizer Thickening Hairspray will not weigh your hair down with sticky residue or harden your hair like a helmet.  This is more of a light flexible hold  spray that left my hair soft with movement and extra shine. 

I used this product on dry hair to finish my style.  This spray can be used on wet hair before blow-drying to build volume as well.   My preference is using the Volume Boosting Foam first on slightly damp, freshly shampooed hair for how it works on my layered wavy, thick hair and following after drying with the Volumizer Thickening Hairspray. 

Honestly, I encourage anyone with layers in their hair to add volumizing products to their routine for how they can lift and bring out beautiful, full curls.   You will be surprised at the striking difference they can do for you too.

Learn more about Umberto Beverly Hills professional hair care line at their website.

Umberto Beverly Hills products are sold at Target.  The Volumizer Thickening Hairspray retails for $8.99 and the Volume Boosting Foam is $9.99.  
laimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided to facilitate this review.* 

It Factor's Simply It Quick Blowdry Smoothing Lotion Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

It Factor's Simply It Quick Blowdry Smoothing Lotion

Even despite using the highest wattage of blow-dryer, my thick hair can take forever to dry.  Though I'm not complaining about having plenty of hair,  it can slow you down continually blasting heat at those heavy locks before you're able to finish styling.  Fortunately, I found out how to cut my drying time in half thanks to It Factor when I reviewed their Blowdry Shampoos and Conditioners earlier.  Now the company has come up with an exciting new smoothing styling product that also saves you blow-drying time called Simply It Quick Blowdry Smoothing Lotion that I want to tell you about.

Though this product will help you finish your hair routine more quickly, it also conditions, detangles, fights frizz for control as it smooths and offers hold.  And yet, there is more that this one product has with UV and thermal protection.   Think of it as a super styling product that takes care of several hair needs in one without any harsh sulfates, parabens, alcohol, and sodium choloride while being safe enough for color-treated and chemically straightened hair with soothing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, soy protein, wheat amino acids, silk amino acids, extracts of green tea, bottlebrush, and lemon oil.

The directions advise one to three pumps rubbed into your palms will be sufficient to get the job done.  All I did was to follow up with some of that lotion after shampooing and towel-drying my hair.  Since I could always add more as needed, I applied two pumps to my head and proceeded to dry it.  

Due to Simply It Quick Blowdry Smoothing Lotion, I did style my hair in much less time than normal.  At the same time, I noticed the nice feel with shinier hair while it kept the gently turned under smooth hold from my ceramic brushes.  

You can also use this product on dry hair to take care of dryness and help deal with frizz and static problems.  

If you're also like me and would love to speed things up to finish your style with smoothness, gloss, and hold,  I do think you might want to look into getting Simply It Quick Blowdry Smoothing Lotion for yourself!  

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo & Pronto Instant Glossing Cream Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo and Instant Glossing Cream

Whether it's a busy schedule, sickness, or after a workout that keeps you from your normal shampooing, there are times when you simply are unable to do it.  However, I was sent some wonderful Oscar Blandi products to review that can help you out of that horrible hair feeling.

I purposely left my hair unwashed for a few days complete with styling products to test how Oscar Blandi's Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo would work on my hair.  Holding the can about six inches away from my head, I sprayed the product thoroughly over my head, concentrating on my scalp and roots.  This goes on clear and has a nice lemon scent to it with a refreshing cool feel once you work it in.

I wasn't sure how well a water free shampoo would clean all that residue left behind from styling products.  According to the label, this product uses gentle starches to absorb the oil and remove that build-up while Vitamin E and wheat proteins fortify and protect those fragile strands.

After I let the sprayed shampoo dry, I fluffed my hair with my fingers to shake out the excess powder.  Once done, I grabbed my brush and worked at my hair to get rid of the remaining traces of the shampoo. 

My dry hair did look cleaner and fluffed up again with gleaming vitality.  I liked how soft it felt without any greasy or stickiness to it as well.  I honestly was surprised that my hair could look this nice without traditional water and shampoo.  Nonetheless, it did and I was thrilled to have found a reliable product when the conventional form of shampooing is ruled out.

Although my hair had some gloss to it, I wanted to see what their multi-tasking Oscar Blandi Pronto Instant Glossing Cream could do.  Besides the promise of more gloss, this product I learned fights frizz with silicones and saves hair from heat damage from styling tools or the sun.  I worked a small amount through my hair before pulling out my curling iron to style.  This stuff was like the cherry on a sundae for how it topped the overall beauty of my hair as it conditioned and made it hold onto the curl better while intensifying that shine.   

The next day I washed my hair and used my normal shampoo to test if the Pronto Instant Glossing Cream would work any differently.  While my hair was still damp,  I applied some and dried before styling my hair in the same way.  Again, I was deeply impressed with how extra glossy and luxurious my hair felt thanks to this formula with kertain proteins and Pro-Vitamin B5.

I definitely recommend both of these Oscar Blandi products because they are great hair saviors.  So do pick them up and stop worrying because your hair will still look great regardless of  the circumstances!

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received were free products to facilitate this review.*