Today’s post – Hair and Nails – is the second of three posts on my favorite beauty products that I tried during 2016. The final one will be Bath & Body and Beauty Tools favorites.
Hair
This was a great year for me in terms of trying new haircare products. I had so many shampoo and conditioner duos, I had to give some away. But I have really enjoyed getting to figure out which products work best for my thick, coarse, color-treated hair.
StriVectin Shampoo & Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair and All Smooth for Frizz-Prone Hair: StriVectin Shampoo & Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair were the first of the new haircare products from StriVectin that I got to try out. They worked so well for my hair. I thought they were the best I could get. Until I tried the Anti-Frizz duo. Wow, how could it be that they’re even better for my hair? But they are. My hair isn’t exactly frizzy, though it does get huge and frizzyish in humid weather. It’s coarse. My hair must be flat ironed or pulled very tight with a brush during my blow dry or it’ll look too big. The Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner make my hair after flat ironing, as straight as it can be, and the straightness lasts for 4 days. I love these products. The shampoo gives me a bit of a squeak so my hair feels clean, and the conditioner makes my hair manageable and smooth.
Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Luster Lock Instant Shine & Repair Treatment: Oh, this is the best treatment product, and it doesn’t break the bank. It gives my hair a super conditioning treatment and enhances the color. Sometimes I just use it on my ends if the rest of my hair is in good shape.
It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: When I received the travel size bottle in one of my Ipsy bags, I was annoyed because I seem to get too many haircare products. But after I tried it, I changed my mind. This multitasker that protects color-treated hair from fading, controls frizz, and protects against the heat of the blow dryer and flat ironing is just amazing. I was blown away at how perfect my hair comes out whenever I use it. So happy to have discovered this.
Wink Lash and Brow Enhancing Oil: I’ve been using a number of lash and brow enhancing products this year, and wow, do they work! My lashes are very long and also thicker than they were. Although I don’t remember to use it on my brows every night, they are less sparse than they were. I couldn’t believe the change when I looked at some old photos.
I’ve tried two brands including Wink as well as affordable castor oil, and Wink is my favorite. I love the built in brush applicator that makes applying the oil so easy. And the formula is not irritating at all to my very sensitive eyes.
Nails
Natrol Biotin 5000 mcg: I’ve been taking biotin for at least 5 years, and once I started taking enough of it (5-10K mcg/day), it definitely works. My nails and hair are much stronger and grow much faster. So aren’t all biotin pills the same? In terms of how they work, they very well may be, but after trying a number of brands, I strongly prefer Natrol’s delicious Fast Dissolve small tablets. Plus they are very affordable. The brand I started out with years ago was ridiculously expensive. I buy Natrol at Costco 😀
Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish and Topcoat: This relatively new line of polishes from Essie is supposed to last a week or more. I get about a week from it whereas most other polishes chip at the tips after a day or two. Also you don’t need to apply the polish over a base coat. I like saving a step. And I really like this polish, but I wish they had more interesting shades. I have two shades that I like, but there aren’t enough shades that are appealing IMHO. Hope they’ll come out with some more. I have tried the Essie Gel Couture Topcoat with other polish brands, but I don’t get the superior wear when I use it with a different polish.
Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream: Since taking biotin, I don’t use nail strengtheners as often as I did years ago. But I do sometimes especially in winter. I like Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream – it’s an easy to use cream, and it does help make my nails less brittle and even stronger. Good stuff.
What are some of your favorite hair or nail products from 2016?
What a great selection of favorites! I really need to try the StriVectin Frizz range!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Empties Post Volume L: December 2016
I think you’d love this haircare line, Helen!
I love the Natrol Biotin.
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I really want to try the Anti-Frizz from Strivectin. I’ve been very happy with the line for color treated hair and want to avoid having my hair straightened.
Great pics! Still need to try more from StriVectin!
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Thanks, Kat! StriVectin’s new haircare sure was a win for me
I wanted so badly to like the Joico product, but it was too heavy for my hair 🙁 I did enjoy StriVectin though, and I always adore It’s a 10 products!
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I have thick, very coarse hair so Joico is a win for me. The StriVectin haircare really is one of my favorite new product launches for 2016
I agree with Strivectin and It’s a 10!
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I haven’t worn Essie in a long time, I need to revisit it!
The new Gel Couture line is very good in terms of lastingness. I hope they’ll add some more interesting shades this year
In love with Barielle’s Nail Strengthener Cream!
Such an underrated product!
Glad you agree, Annie! It’s a keeper!
I’ve been using Barielle nail care for awhile and love it!
Yeah, Barielle has some great stuff!