Swaggable: Belegenza ILLustrious Shampoo & Cleanser #Review

 

I do not receive that many items when it comes to hair products, but so far the Belegenza line makes any room they are in smell so nice and clean. I have never heard of the brand but I always welcome anything new when it comes to hair care. I have very long hair that is a mixture of normal and fine in texture but not flat or thin…..it’s really just too much hair if you ask me. I pick-up static like a balloon would (frizz central) and the only two positives I can find is it does not break easily and so far no grays (yet) 🙂 You know how people have combination skin problems, well I have those too but also combination hair ones. At least I’m consistent!

I have been using Carol’s Daughter products and very happy but I’m always hunting for something different or better.

I read up on Belegenza and their products on-line. Belengenza’s (bel-a-jen’-za) name is made up of two Italian/Latin words, where Bel meaning beauty and Gen for genesis. The company’s website was very informative and they make hair products that fit everyone’s needs. Their products are gentle but effective and very in tune with nature and using natural ingredients.

Belegenza ILLustrious Shampoo & Cleanser: The shampoo is uses natural extracts that are derived from fruit and vegetables. You have anti-aging extracts like Sugarcane, Apple, Green Tea, Nettle, Sage, Rosemary, Comfrey and Rhizome Root. You also have Castor Beans, 3 types of Seaweeds and Vitamin E and Vitamin B6. No wonder it smells so good but the scent remains welcoming, not over perfume-y. The shampoo is also color safe and free of salt and sulfates. Nothing really synthetic or at all damaging to your hair or scalp. So far I really liked their ingredients and they use an Aloe Vera base versus just selling you products that are just mostly water.

Ingredients as listed on their site:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (Vegetable based) , Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Coconut based), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Coconut based), Hypnea Musciformis (Hawaiian Seaweed) Extract, Gelidiela Acerosa (Gulfweed Seaweed) Extract, Sargassum Filipendula (Red Mapleweed) Extract, Sorbitol, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate (Coconut based), Glycol Stearate (Vegetable based) , Honey, Secret Salon Ingredient, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Rhizome/Root Extract, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Pyridoxine HCL-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6), Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Sorbic Acid (Rowanberry distillate), Polyquaternium-10 (Cellulose/thickener) , Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA(Mineral chelator), Citric Acid (Lemon), Phthalate-free fragrance.

Performance: The product lathers up really good and even though I do not have color or chemically treated hair, the shampoo worked wonders. My hair was left feeling clean but not stripped. Very calming scent while you shower and a clean welcoming natural fragrance is left when hair dries. I liked how my hair not only looked but felt. The frizz level was very low and my hair just looks healthier. I tried both a natural (air) drying and then the second time used a blow dryer, again happy with both results.

Price Point: $22.00

I was satisfied and happy with the shampoo and it actually made me curious as to how a more suited for me formula would perform from Belegenza’s line of hair care products.

For more information on the above product or to view the full Belegenza line, please visit:

• On-line- https://belegenza.com/product/illustrious-shampoo-cleanser/?add-to-cart=100
• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Belegenza
• Twitter- https://twitter.com/Belegenza
• YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/Belegenza

 

I received the above product free of charge from Swaggable and Belegenza.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Smiley: Nature’s Bounty / Optimal Solutions Hair, Skin and Nails Gummies #Review

I’m always a supporter of finding ways to improve my skin’s health to my hair and nails. Smiley and Nature’s Bounty sent me a free bottle of their gummies, which contain Biotin and other supplements that feed your beauty. I was also sent samples to distribute with coupon cards to give away, a few beauty related items, like a compact and nail file, plus a couple of hair bands.

What’s in it:
This is for a serving of 2 gummies with a Daily Value (DV) based on a 2,000 caloric daily intake diet.

• Biotin– 2, 500 mg (833% of your DV) > Biotin is usually found in our intestinal’s bacteria and our bodies usually produce more naturally than what our body requires (DV). Biotin is what our cells need to be able to grow, produce Fatty Acids and aid with metabolizing fats and Amino Acids. Now, there are people who may have metabolic disorders, in which enough Biotin is not produced. You will also find people that have a issues producing enough gastric acid be low on Biotin, as patients who are elderly, people who consume alcohol and/or smoke. Another cause is a Immune System disorders. Another culprit that may make a person deficient in Biotin is consumption of egg whites in their raw form and on a daily basis (functional Avidin). Avidin is destroyed by cooking. Symptoms of a deficiency is hair loss, skin disorders to even neurological disorders like depression, fatigue, lethargy to hallucinations.
• Vitamin C– 15 mg (25% of your DV) > Ascorbic Acid, which is the source listed has been proven to help with oxidative stress. Being that it is classified as an antioxidant, people may see benefits in cardiovascular disease to even those who suffer from inflammation. Vitamin C also helps the immune system and is a natural antihistamine, so you will also find benefits when it comes to allergies.
• Vitamin E– 15 IU (50% of your DV) > You have probably noticed Vitamin E in many beauty products and I personally use the vitamin in oil form to hydrate and protect the skin around my eyes. Vitamin E is another antioxidant and can help with protecting lipids, neurological function, to even reducing oxidative stress.

Other Ingredients listed- Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dicalcium Phosphate, Grape juice color concentrate, Gelatin, Modified Food Starch, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Natural Strawberry flavor, Black Carrot juice color concentrate, Maltodextrin, Fractionated Coconut oil, Carnauba wax, Beeswax and Silica.

Dosage: For adults, Nature’s Bounty recommends a serving of 2 gummies once or twice on a daily basis. They suggest taking them with a meal. A full size bottle comes with 80 gummies in total, so you will run short on a 30-day supply if you go beyond the minimum requirement (once daily).

The Flavor/Taste Test:
The gummies are Strawberry flavored and sweet, with almost a corn starch after-taste. Not your usually clear looking gummy but a more cloudy and waxy consistency.

Overall Performance/Results:
I took the product until I finished the bottle and I must admit I did not like being short on a 30-day supply if I took the product twice daily (total of 4 gummies). It’s just not convenient and not a manner I usually buy or take supplements. I like the amount of Biotin and Vitamin C and E found in the blend. I found taking 1 gummy in the morning and 1 gummy in the afternoon worked best for me because 833% of a my Biotin daily value in one dose is really just going to purge out with the amount of water I tend to drink through out the day. I prefer absorbing my supplements a little through out the day versus flooding my system with higher (mega) doses. I noticed changes mostly in my nails and the growth cycle did speed up. My hair grows quickly as it is, so I could not comment there but I did not notice any significance when it came to changes in my skin. I did not have fewer or more breakouts.

A few things I did find negative when it came to this supplement was the corn syrup as first ingredient, then more sugar, to the clear window where you can see the gummies from. Vitamin C oxidizes and becomes useless when exposed to light and this is why you always see the supplement stored in dark/solid colored bottles. I know people like to view products when buying but not at the cost of potentially losing a benefit when you are seeking to better your health. I know I m not Biotin deficient and could not locate studies where a person who produces, or in our case naturally produce more than needed; needed a mega-dose on top of that to see results in skin, hair, or nails. I have been drinking more water so I know that helps with the aforementioned, and it comes at a lower cost per unit, plus you don’t get shortened on a 30-day supply there 🙂

Price Point: 80 gummy count bottle retails for $5.79 to $7.99. I found the lower price point at Walmart, with Amazon being $0.10 more and Walgreen’s being the most expensive at $7.99.

You can save by signing-up to their Newsletter- $1.00 off coupon http://www.naturesbounty.com/signup/

You can also try the product and if it does not provide you with satisfied results; get your money back here:

• 30 Day Challenge Guarantee form- http://www.naturesbounty.com/challenge/

I am glad I tried the gummies because I do believe in working from within to improve our outside. With the coupon and guarantee, I personally feel that it may be something you wish to try and see if you get results. It’s a win/win in my book!

To find more information on Nature’s Bounty and the above product, please visit them here:

• On-line– http://www.naturesbounty.com/optimalsolutions/053545
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/NaturesBounty
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/NaturesBounty
• Pinterest– http://www.pinterest.com/naturesbounty/

 

I received the above product free of charge from Smiley and Nature’s Bounty/Optimal Solutions.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

FIE: KQC Thermal Shine Spray for Hair

We love our hair. We try to protect (or repair) it all the time. Sometimes we need a little help in the “protection” department. That’s where KQC comes in. I received this product to try out with the flat-iron and after almost a month of using it, I love it. The product not only protects the hair from heat damage but comes with added benefits, like leaving your locks shiny and smooth. My hair has a soft feel to the touch but also looks silky after use. I was concerned with product build-up, since this tends to show up after several applications and with long term use. So, I made sure to really try the spray out before writing up my review. The last thing you want to do is having to use a harsh shampoo to strip your hair clean from the spray, plus it tends to take away your own natural oils. None of that has been needed with the KQC Thermal Shine spray.  My hair feels and remains clean after application and when I wash my hair, it is left naturally healthy. This where you can tell if a product worked, protecting your hair from any heat elements. I can say I am a fan of the spray and can’t imagine being without it because it adds that extra touch of style to my hair, and I also have seen zero damage to my hair. It’s the spray you need so your hair does not looked as stressed as you may feel. 🙂

Application:

I like products that can be used with wet or dry hair and this is one of them. You just spray and style as you would with a flat or curling iron, even a hair dryer. You get a glossy finish that just looks healthy and not greasy. The nozzle has a nice spray pattern so you can easily control and maximize application with little to no waste. The KQC Thermal Shine spray works on all hair types too! A great tip I will share is to spray in the shower! You do not have to worry about overspray residue on your walls, pictures, or even counters. Then the next time you shower, you just wet your shower walls down and no mess to worry about! Just don’t forget to take your socks off before entering your shower (yeah, I did that once and was left with semi-wet slipper socks…booo).

After 30 days:

I found the KQC Thermal Shine spray did not leave any build-up/residue and I was left with a lightweight finish everytime. Some sprays that add shine also add so much oil that your hair not only feels heavy but looks greasy, this is not one of them. No white powder residue or hair left dry after exposure to any heat.  The spray also lasts because I found a light spray all over is all that was needed. That is 2 to 3 seconds of my finger on the button!  The scent is pleasant and smells clean. I also found my hair lasted longer when it came to styles and restyling. I could easily go from an up-do look to a letting my hair down without any signs left of my previous style!

Price Point:

Flat Iron Experts has the KQC Thermal Shine spray priced at a reasonable $15.99 for one can that will last. I also found a better deal from the same seller, FIE via Amazon for $13.99, so use your Amazon bucks and get it today!  You will not be disappointed.

I received the above product free of charge from Flat Iron Experts.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Smiley Mission: Aveeno Active Naturals Nourish+ Dandruff Control

Being a Smiley member, I was able to participate in the Aveeno Active Naturals mission, featuring the Nourish+ Dandruff Control Shampoo and Conditioner. My experience in Summer is always getting an itchy and dry scalp caused by the pool’s water. The chlorine really tends to make me itch and even though I don’t get flakes, you scratch enough and you start mistreating your hair and scalp. I have a regimen where I will use a anti-dandruff shampoo every other time I shampoo my hair because shampoos of this kind….well they tend to not be so nice to my locks.

Smiley sent a coupon that covered the cost in full for each product. I noticed at the store, the supply was low on these two items and I always see that as a good sign. I tried the product for one week and even though I allow usually a full two weeks of use before reporting my results, I was happy and satisfied at the one week point of usage that I decided to blog early (the latter is a rarity for me 🙂 )

I first sniffed the bottles and like very much the scent they have and it stays true to Aveeno’s fragrances, natural and almost coconut like but not overpowering. My scalp after just one use did not itch at all and I like this because I usually had to use a deep conditioner for my hair that tended to leave residue. My scalp would not itch as bad with the former method I used but who wants greasy hair? I then would try to space out the dandruff shampoo use of my former brand, but then that meant every other time I used it, I had to welcome the frizz. The juggling act has been seized with just using these two simple products. Aveeno’s Nourish+ does control the itch but also helps my hair look it’s best. I don’t have to miss out or trade one benefit over another one. My hair is manageable, soft but still has life so my volume is not compromised. I also like that I am left with no frizz so I use less anti-frizz product, usually just on the ends of my hair as a way to protect them.  The product also contains  oat peptide and oat extract, which aids in producing an overall healthier scalp and hair.  Finally improvement when it comes to an anti-dandruff product!!

I am a user of Aveeno’s lotion products that I have raved about before, from the 24 hour body moisturizers to the products for your face….let’s not forget the sunscreens that does not cause me to break out.   Again, Aveeno does not disappoint and I like the instant results and the positive change my hair reflected after just one wash. A girl only has so much patience and I like instant gratification when I can find it!

Aveeno has three different varieties in their Dandruff Control line:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• 2-in-1

I noticed the price point is about $7.99, so why not click this link &  save $3.00 with Smiley360?:

I received the above products from Smiley and Aveeno free of charge.  I am not obligated in providing a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the products, which may differ from yours.