Q&A: Will TRESemmé's 7 Day Keratin Smooth System work for you?

I'm all about new hair care innovations. 

When I saw TRESemmé's 7 Day Keratin Smooth System, I had to get the scoop! 

What hair type does it work for? How do you use it? 

Read below to find out everything you need to know about this new smooth system.

How does 7 Day Keratin Smooth System work?
TRESemmé conducted a survey and found that most (66%) of Canadian women would like their hair to be more manageable – the 7-Day Keratin Smooth System was the perfect solution. The new TRESemmé range features three products that work together for frizz-resistant hair that lasts through washes: shampoo, conditioner and a heat activated treatment. The Heat Activated Treatment is simply activated by the heat of flat iron and provides women with smooth hair that lasts for seven days, even through washes.

Here’s how to use:

STEP 1: Prep - Shampoo and condition with TRESemmé 7 Day Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner. Then towel-dry hair.

STEP 2: Section & Apply - Divide hair into 4-6 equal sections. Dispense 2 pumps of the Heat Activated Treatment (per section) into your palm, then rub hands together before applying evenly to each section of your hair.

STEP 3: Distribute - Comb the Heat Activated Treatment through your hair, distributing it from root to tip, to ensure an even, frizz-resistant barrier throughout.

STEP 4: Blow-dry - Blow-dry while using a round brush until hair is completely dry.

STEP 5: Activate - To activate the Thermal Technology, flat iron hair in small sections. Repeat 3 passes per section.

Is it safe for my hair naturally curly hair?
Yes, any product in the lineup is safe to use for naturally curly hair.

Can ladies with chemically processed hair use the new 7 Day Keratin Smooth System?
Yes, it is also safe to use on chemically processed hair, you may want to consider using little more of the product than normal to overcome the damage of hair that caused by chemicals.

What makes 7 Day Keratin Smooth System unique to other brands?
This range delivers 7-Day smooth, frizz control benefit with heat-activated technology, that last through up to three washes and this combination is new and unique than other range currently in market.

Top 3 Favourite Pink Lipsticks from MAC (Guest Post)

With summer just around the corner, pink lips will definitely be trendy. I think MAC makes amazing lipsticks. For the most part they last long and have high pigmentation; however it all depends on the finish of the lipstick.

The following are my favourite pink lipsticks from MAC, ones that I go to all the time in the summer!

Left to right: Flat Out Fabulous, Girl About Town, Please Me

First is Flat Out Fabulous, and it’s my favourite lipstick that I own. It’s exactly what the name says it is. It’s a plummy blue pink with a matte finish so you’re definitely going to need to wear some sort of moisturizer underneath. Women of colour: you’re going to love this because of the blue undertones.

Next is one that I also can’t get enough of. It’s called Girl About Town and I think every girl should have this in their collection. It also as a little bit of a blue undertone and is an amplified finish so it’s going to have your lips moisturized and gorgeous.

The last one is Please Me. This may look scary for some people as it’s more on the paler side, however with a brown lip liner and lightly dabbing it on, I think it looks beautiful. Sometimes I’ll even add a clear gloss over it.

What are your favourite pink lipsticks for summer?

My Favourite S/S’14 makeup look

As most of you all know, I'm apart of P&G #BeautyUnited. This month, we were given a very unique challenge. Pick a favourite S/S’14 Looking Glass look from here: youtube.com/LookingGlass. Then do a DIY of your fave S/S’14 look!

We were given a Walmart gift card to get all the COVERGIRL, Pantene and Olay beauty products needed to complete the  look.

I choose a look called PLAIT PLEASE.
**I have braids in- so I couldn't complete the hair component but it didn't stop me from doing the makeup portion**

I loved the golden/bronze eyes combo with the pink lips. Perfect look to recreate on my skin tone. Plus the gloss is onboard with the latest spring trends.

Sneak Peek: Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser + Self Heating One Minute Mask with Charcoal

I've been waiting for this Bioré line to come here since I've seen tweets about it in January!

Did you know that charcoal is a proven to get rid of blemishes?
I had no idea.

Self Heating One Minute Mask with Charcoal ($9.99 CAN)

Heats on contact and purifies pores in just one minute.

Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser ($9.99 CAN)

Deep cleans 2x better & naturally purifies.

Both are Oil-Free & Dermatologist Tested!

Canadians- I haven't found a place online to purchase it yet. Once I do, I'll update the post.

Americans- You can buy the Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser at Drugstore.com
Self Heating One Minute Mask with Charcoal at Drugstore.com

Review will be up in March.

Covergirl Bombshell Volume by LashBlast Mascara

Calling all girls who cocktail their mascara! Covergirl has a new mascara on the shelves which you may be interested in. It's called bombshell volume by lastblast mascara ($10.99 CDN)!

Flaunt the next big thing in lashes with Bombshell Volume by LashBlast Mascara! The brilliant two-step Bombshell Boost System combines extreme volume with an intensifying top coat for big, sexy bombshell lashes. 

Step One: Apply the extreme volume basecoat. 

Step Two: Finish with the intensifying top coat.

I am the queen of cocktailing mascaras. I find that one mascara is not always enough. I like to experiment with different brushes and formulas.

First off, I will admit it's pretty big.. but it really beats carrying around two mascaras.

My number one rule is wait until the first mascara dries before
you add your second coat. This ensures that it doesn't clump together.

If you are new to the idea of cocktailing mascara- don't be nervous. It's pretty easy because there's a big number one and two showing you which mascara to put on first. If you're a rebel like me- you can start with number two and finish off with number one. It all depends on what you would like.

Check out Covergirl Bombshell Volume by LashBlast Mascara on sale:

Available in:

• Very Black 800
• Black 805
• Black Brown 810
• Brown 815

Canadians you can find this mascara on sale at walmart.ca

Americans you can find this mascara on sale at drugstore.com

Maybelline Color Sensational- The Buffs: Untainted Spice

I love a good nude lipstick. As a woman of colour, it's always hard to find the right shade. Sometimes the colour is ashy or way too light. It's a never ending battle.

I was so excited when the Color Sensational® The Buffs - Lip Color By Maybelline collection ($9.99 CDN) showed up at my doorstep. One thing to know about Maybelline lipsticks: Always pigmented, creamy and long-lasting.

Depending on your skin tone there are 10 colours in the line to choose from. The colour I am showcasing is called untainted spice. It's the second darkest colour in the line.

Colours in the line:
Bare All
Truffle Tease
Blushing Beige
Nude Lust
Maple Kiss
Stormy Sahara
Untainted Spice
Espresso Exposed

Tip: If you are trying to warm up the colour. I would suggest getting a lip pencil that is a little bit darker than your skin tone- feathering it on your lips and then applying lipstick in the middle with a lip brush.

If you see these beauties in your drugstore- I suggest you 

swatch them and find your closest match!

New Spiced Beauty Contributor: Alyssa

I love switching it up and giving other beauty lovers a platform to share what they love. I approached Alyssa a while back to contribute to Spiced Beauty. She's a young- future MUA who definitely knows her stuff. Check out what she has to say about beauty!

Why did you want to contribute to Spiced Beauty?
About a year ago I was on twitter and I was searching for makeup artists in the Toronto area. I came across @JennMUA also known as the founder of spicedbeauty.com and started reading her blog often. I loved her positive reviews and the products she shared with her readers.
Months later, we started messaging each other and I told her I want to be a makeup artist and in the business field. She then offered me to be a guest contributor to her blog. I was honoured, and of course I had to take the offer. I knew this was a great opportunity for me to take, and I was praying for something like this to happen for a very long time. I definitely look forward to working with Spiced Beauty and providing her readers with reviews and swatches.

Favourite Canadian Beauty Brand?
I’d have to say Lise Watier and Annabelle.

Liquid, pencil or gel eye liners?
Liquid eyeliners for sure. No doubt about it.

Tip to get the perfect eyeliner?
Looking down into a mirror and resting your elbow on a flat surface can help keep your hand from shaking. You can also do the tape trick; just make sure to put the tape on the front of your hand so that it removes the majority of the stickiness because the skin around the eye is very sensitive.

Lipsticks or Gloss?
Lipsticks for sure. They last a lot longer, have more pigmentation and are not as sticky.

My ideal mascara is...
I like something that gives me volume and length, preferably in waterproof. My current favourite is the Maybelline The Rocket Volum’ Mascara. For days when I want longer, eye-widening lashes; I use Lancome’s Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara.


My favourite make up remover ...
I use both solutions and wipes to remove my makeup. For days when I’m wearing a full face makeup, I like to use the MAC Cleanse Off Oil. It makes it a lot easier to break up mascara on my lashes. To my oily ladies out there; don’t be afraid of this product! The particles in oil are too big to clog your pores.
When I only have makeup on my eyes and lips, I use Neutrogena’s Hydrating Towelettes. It works great with my dry skin and it can even handle waterproof mascara! Both removers are tough on my makeup, but gentle on the skin and do not leave my face feeling oily or soapy.

My skin care routine ...
I have finally found a skin care routine that actually works for my dry skin. In the morning, I splash my face with cold water and cleanse my face with Purity by Philosophy. Then I apply a very small amount of my favourite product ever; coconut oil. It’s popular in the West Indian culture and my whole family uses it every day. It nourishes the skin, hydrates, and fades away dark spots. It’s amazing. I don’t like having that oily feeling to my skin when I put on my foundation, so I apply my favourite moisturizer which is currently the Cetaphil Ultra Hydrating Lotion.
In the nighttime I do the same routine, but I first remove my makeup with the same Neutrogena wipes I mentioned before, and I don’t put on the Cetaphil lotion. Once a week I use my St. Ives Apricot scrub to exfoliate my skin at night.

Curly or straight hair?
I prefer straight hair; however curly hair is really nice for those days when you want to feel more dolled up.

How many lip products do you have in your purse/makeup bag?
I have 4 in my makeup bag and I just found 1 more at the bottom of my purse. So 5 in total. They are: Vaseline Lip Therapy, Revlon lip butter in Pink Truffle, MAC Spirit lipstick & Whirl lipliner and a Buxom lipgloss in Mwah.