{The Hi-Lo Vanity} Conditioner

The price of haircare often makes me balk. (So, too, does the price of hair services. I understand well that it can be an art, but most peeps to whom I've shelled out $150+ are no Piacsso with the scissors or dye.) But, like skincare, I do think you get what you pay for. I have tried many drugstore shampoos and conditioners under $10 (ok, under $7) and have been left with a nearly-full bottle for ages because it was underwhelming...but I also don't like to waste. (To be in this head, let me tell you.)

That being said, conditioner may or may not be something about which you give a hoot. I color my hair every once in a blue moon and want to protect that investment, and I put it through the ringer with styling (read: taming), so I am quite picky on this front.

 

{Lo} Matrix Biolage Colorcaretherapie Conditioner $20*

Biolage has been my go-to (and was for my mom, as well) for probably a decade, at least. It's a salon-quality product for not a whole lot more expensive than anything I'd use from the drugstore. It smells good and seems to treat my hair right, so there you go. (If/when you see the liters on sale, grab them. Great savings and you'll use the whole thing.)

 

{Hi} Kerastase Masque Chroma Riche $62.50**

Oh, this stuff. I rue the day I ever used this stuff because it ruined me. Completely. My hair was ridiculous (in the good way) while using the Kerastase regimen. I was, however, given the products to use while employed for a salon that sold the high-end Loreal line. I couldn't rationalize buying it myself once I scraped the last, fleeting, sad goop of conditioner out of the tub. And my hair has never been the same since. Dramatic? Yes. But it's truf, y'all.

 

Your turn! Scrimp or spend on conditioner?

 

* Price as of publish date per Drugstore.com
** Price as of publish date per kerastase.com

I am not being compensated for any of this, and I will always give heads up if any posts are sponsored, so this is legit opinion and nothing more.

{The Hi-Lo Vanity} Dry Shampoo

Back in the day, baby powder is all that was available to us to combat days-old hair. That's right: good ol' corn starch. Now, we have all kinds of options when it comes to fighting an oily scalp situation, without necessitating constant shampooing and restyling. (Sometimes, though, you just need a shower, m'kay?)

One of the keys to having good luck with dry shampoo? Use as directed. It sounds simple, but it makes all the difference. Be methodical in your application, or don't complain in the morning when you look George Washington-esque with your powdered 'do.

I like to use my finger to take sections of my hair (both from forehead-back, and ear-to-ear, making a basket pattern across my crown since I don't usually treat any lower than that unless it's a serious situation), spray a bit at the roots from the recommended distance, let it sit for a few moments once it's all sprayed, and then flip my head over and work it out with my fingers a bit. Volume-palooza, right? This product, whether you go hi or lo, is actually great for styling, even with perfectly clean hair.

 

{Lo} TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo $5.50*

This is a staple in our household. It's easy to find, priced affordably, and works quite nicely. The smell can feel like a lot (it's not bad, just potent), and I do notice that my scalp can feel a bit itchy after using it for several days (probably for realsies shampoo time, as I mentioned earlier), but it gets the job done. As with all dry shampoo, I definitely recommend applying at night. That gives is time to work it's magic and will reduce the appearance of powder by morning (assuming you followed directions and didn't go nuts). In a pinch, grab some regular baby powder and a big puff brush.

 

{Hi} Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo $23*

I only splurged on this a few times, but it was a treat every time that I did. It works well, didn't leave me itchy ever, and left very little residue. (Still, use at night and be methodical in application.) It looks like Oscar Blandi now has an invisible spray shampoo, so that might be worth taking a look at. When it comes to pricier dry shampoos, I feel confident in recommending Blandi. I tried the Bumble and Bumble hair powder that is brown, thinking it'd be a great way to avoid the white look all together, but it was a mess. (Perhaps operator error, but I ruined a bath mat and a few nightgowns before throwing it out.)

 

Your turn! Are you on the dry shampoo bandwagon? If so, what do you use?

 

* Price as of publish date per Ulta.com
I am not being compensated for any of this, and I will always give heads up if any posts are sponsored, so this is legit opinion and nothing more.

Check out all the Hi-Lo Vanity posts!

{The Hi-Lo Vanity} Cleanser

I am a huge advocate of good skincare. I can be exhausted--we're talking zombie status--and I still go into auto-pilot to wash my face. (Makeup remover wipes have made this process much easier these days. I'll be sure to give a shout out to my favorites here soon. That being said, I don't wash my face in the morning. (Gasp! I know.) I have combination skin and have adjusted my routine to treat it accordingly (thanks to a lot of trial and error), but I do still have to combat blackheads and overall tone issues, so double cleansing can be way too much given the other steps I take in my regimen (such as exfoliating, treating breakouts, etc.). 

I prefer gel cleansers that remove makeup and refine pores, while still being gentle enough to use over my eyes and won't exacerbate areas of dryness or sensitivity. Here are my faves...
 

 

{Lo} Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser $8*

Hubs and I both use this product, and it's an absolute winner in my book. It's readily available (drug stores, big box chains, grocery stores, beauty supply), it's effective, and it isn't tested on animals. No harsh chemicals, dyes, parabens, sulfates, etc., and the salicylic acid is naturally-derived, which I find to be more gentle than synthetics (yet still powerful). 

 

{Hi} Skinceuticals Simply Clean $34**

This cleanser is awesome for combo skin. Hydroxy acids help exfoliate while botanical ingredients soothe, so it's the best of both worlds and is also great at removing makeup. If you tend to be pretty dry, this might not be your cup of tea (at least not during the winter), but that is probably true of any gel cleanser (some of the lotion-based cleansers may be right up your alley).

 

Your turn! What is your favorite cleanser? Do you save or splurge on skincare?

 

* Price as of publish date per Ulta.com
**Price as of publish date per Skinceuticals.com
I am not being compensated for any of this, and I will always give heads up if any posts are sponsored, so this is legit opinion and nothing more.

{The Hi-Lo Vanity} Shine Spray

Hi, my name is Natalie and I like shiny things. (Hi, Natalie...) 

One of the reasons I get my hair colored (aside from the plethora of wiry, unholy gray hairs that are creeping in my part) is how healthy and glowing my tresses look afterward, but I simply cannot shell out the benjamins every few months to maintain the silky pretty. And while there are some great finishing lotions out there that boost the gloss factor (I'm sure I'll cover those at a later date), I gravitate toward the convenience of a quick spritz-and-go.
 

 

{Lo} Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist $6*

I've had a hard time tracking down this particular product since I went spray-happy at the sight of my glistening locks months ago, but it's worth keeping an eye out for. I've tried other drug store shine sprays (Garnier Fructis, most recently), and they're just meh. For the price, this is a keeper. In addition to shine, it also helps your style stay smooth.

 

{Hi} Rene Furterer Gloss spray $23**

This baby is even harder to find, but also well worth the effort. (I used to purchase mine from my hair stylist/ninja, so check out reputable salons.) The shine is incredible, it smells great, and it has just a wee bit o' hold that I really like. (On a good hair day, this is all the product you need.) This is one of those people-stopping-you-on-the-street-to-ogle products. You've been warned.

 

Your turn! What makes your hair shine?

 

* Price as of publish date per Ulta.com
**Price as of publish date per Amazon.com
I am not being compensated for any of this, and I will always give heads up if any posts are sponsored, so this is legit opinion and nothing more.

{The Hi-Lo Vanity} Perfect Pink Polish

I've only recently given my nails the TLC they deserve (and by that, I mean that I've stopped chewing on them like a pup going after a pig ear), and while I tend toward darker colors or seasonally-appropriate hues, my corporate job calls for a more conservative palette. Really, I don't mind too much, because classic, manicured pink nails really do look quite lovely. 
 

 

{Lo} Wet N Wild Megalast in Sugar Coat $2*

Without a decent top coat, you're probably looking at about a day-and-a-half of chip-free nails. But the color is really nice, and the brush is actually pretty sweet, too. Reminds me very much of its Hi counterpart, and the price is hard to beat.

 

{Hi} Essie in Ballet Slippers $8**

Very rarely do I buy the same color polish when I run out (or when the bottle gets gloopy on me), but several bottles of this timeless shade have graced my medicine cabinet shelves over the years. It's the perfect color pink, and Essie hasn't messed with the formula on this one, so it's as lovely as it's always been (unlike another fave pink of mine which has never been the same since one beauty brand decided it needed a facelift...I won't mention any names, but their initials are O.P.I.)

 

Your turn! What's your favorite pink polish? Do you splurge or save on nail products?

 

* Price as of publish date per CVS.com
**Price as of publish date per Ulta.com
I am not being compensated for any of this, and I will always give heads up if any posts are sponsored, so this is legit opinion and nothing more.

{The Hi-Lo Vanity} Hairspray

{via}

Having worked in the aesthetic industry for ages (cosmetic surgery, medical spa, dermatology, modeling, blah blah blah), I am admittedly a product junkie. I was exposed to awesome, high-end goods for pennies, if not free. But as I exited the biz, so too did the perks of those gigs get left behind. And ever the pragmatist, there is just only so much I am willing to (and can) spend on creams, lotions and potions.

I'm still quite picky, though, so I am going to share with y'all some of my favorite products via a new series: "The Hi-Lo Vanity." Each post will feature two favorite products to try out at your dressing table (or medicine cabinet, or plastic bin caked in old makeup...we don't judge): the "lo" bargain buy (available at your local drug store or big box chain store) and the "hi" pricier buy (available at salons, specialty stores, or derm/med spa locations).

 

Today we talk...  

 

My hair is cray, y'all. It's thin and curly (but there's a lot of it), which is an interesting mix...especially in the south. I am fortunate, however, in that my hair will usually behave however I have it styled (blown-out straight or wild and curly). Hairspray is not something I can skimp on (mostly to avoid a Diana Ross 'fro, which this little girl cannot pull off...trust), but I am also past the days of news anchor hair (oh yes, there were those days). My selling points for a good hairspray are decent hold, low on the sticky/crispy factor, and doesn't smell like bug spray.

 

{Lo} TRESemme Tres Two Extra Firm Hairspray $5*

This is my go-to every day spray. You can layer it on for more hold, or spray on a quick once-over to defrizz and give shape to your style. Works great for keeping fly-aways at bay, and keeps perfectly-poufed ponies sleek.

 

{Hi} Tigi Bed Head Hard Head Hairspray $18*

When my last bottle ran out, I convinced myself that I would be fine without it. And then my bangs started growing out. If you usually maintain face-framing fringe, I swear by this spray. It's the difference between the perfect side swoop and "If you touch your bangs again during this conversation, we're no longer friends." There is more build up with this guy (versus the TRESemme), but it's so worth it (and nothing a quick bang bird bath can't fix. You know what I'm talking about...)

 

Your turn! What's your favorite hairspray? Is your longtime favorite a Hi or a Lo?

 

* Prices as of publish date per Ulta.com.
I am not being compensated for any of this, and I will always give heads up if any posts are sponsored, so this is legit opinion and nothing more.