Living Proof Curl haircare collection review

          Confession: I'm a curly-haired girl. It's something most people wouldn't know, as I straighten my hair on a daily basis! (Once, a fellow student saw my ID and asked if I used to have a perm...) It's not that I don't love curls; when done right, they add gorgeous texture. But that's the thing ... it's so hard to keep them defined and frizz free that it's easier for me to reach for my ghd. That said, when Living Proof asked if I'd like to try their new 'Curl' haircare line, I decided to give curls another chance!

          If there's anyone I trust my hair with, it's Living Proof. My hair has two major issues: it's fine in caliber and has tons of frizz. Unfortunately, the solution to those two issues are at odds; volumizing products add texture (a.k.a more frizz) whereas the heavy oils and silicones in frizz control products tend to to pancake-flatten thin hair. Living Proof products revolutionized my haircare routine by providing both frizz control and volumization in one (seriously a dream come true!), thanks to their patented OFPMA molecule. As a result, I've become quite the connoisseur of Living Proof haircare; my collection includes numerous products from their No Frizz, Volume, and PHD lines. Today, I have my review and thoughts on the new Living Proof 'Curl' line. Hopefully it will help those of you with curvaceous locks like myself!

          I loved the concept behind the promo photo for the Living Proof 'Curl' line (see above!). 'Curly' describes such a diverse range of hair types, from loose waves to tight tendrils. It's hard to imagine how a one-size-fits-all routine could deal with all these variations. I really appreciate how Living Proof addressed this in their new 'Curl' routine, which offers a number of different layers, and different finishing products depending on the kind of control each individual needs.

The entire Living Proof 'Curl' haircare routine!

           The Living Proof 'Curl routine consists of: Living Proof Curl conditioning wash, Living Proof Curl detangling rinse, Living Proof No Frizz leave-in conditioner, Living Proof Curl styling cream, and Living Proof Curl styling mousse. I'll conduct my review in the order that each product should be used!

Since I'm talking about my curly hair gone wild, I figured I'd share a photo of my orchids... gone wild! I'm lucky that this particular plant seem to be blooming for the third year in a row!

STEP 1: Living Proof Curl conditioning wash

          The Living Proof Curl conditioning wash ($26 for 11.5 oz) is a non-lathering, sulfate-free wash is both cleanser and conditioner in one. I found that the overall result was really soft, well conditioned hair. I feel a slightly heavier finish than other Living Proof shampoos, however this is expected with curl control products. However, like Living Proof products, it achieves a gorgeous finish without an oily or heavy silicone feel (so key!).

         Because Living Proof products uniquely function with their patented OFPMA molecule, I find that cleansing with Living Proof products before using Living Proof styling products enhances their overall effect. If I do use another shampoo brand before styling, I prefer to use deep cleansers that leave my hair free of heavy residue so that the subsequent Living Proof styling products can work their magic.

STEP 2: Living Proof Curl Detangling Rinse

          Tangling is an issue that just comes with the curly hair territory. (Thank you, Living Proof for recognizing this!) The Living Proof Curl detangling rinse ($26 for 11.5oz) is not a conditioner, it's a water activated detangler! After cleansing, the detangling rinse is applied to wet hair, then rinsed immediately. I was initially skeptical as to whether the 'detangling rinse' would make a difference, but was pleasantly surprised! The fruit-scented rinse immediately made it easier for me to run fingers or a comb through my hair. This is my favorite from the 'Curl' routine. I've used it to make my hair more manageable, even when I'm planning on straightening afterwards!

STEP 3: Living Proof No Frizz leave-in conditioner 

          The Living Proof No Frizz leave-in conditioner ($24 for 4 oz) is an optional step to provide an extra dose of conditioning with added frizz protection. I was really happy to see this included in my set, as I was already a big fan of this leave-in-conditioner. (I leave a bottle at my parent's house for the times I visit!) It does such an amazing job of creating soft, non-frizzy hair without weighing things down. It works nicely in the 'Curl' routine, but also well as a single-product for days you want a no-fuss hair solution!

Love this stuff!

STEP 4a: Living Proof Curl defining styling cream 

          The Living Proof Curl defining styling cream ($28 for 8 oz) was designed as a finishing step for curly or coiled curls that can use extra conditioning. The product pumps out in lotion/cream form. To enhance curls, you can scrunch hair afterwards with a towel, whereas to elongated them, comb your locks after application!

STEP 4b: Living Proof Curl enhancing styling mousse

          The Living Proof Curl enhancing styling mousse ($28 for 6 oz) was designed for waves or loose curls that need extra hold for definition (and oomph). Like your typical mousse, start with an egg-sized amount and apply evenly from root to tip, then scrunch the curls! You can finish with air drying or a diffuser.

Tip: if you've used the Living Proof leave-in-conditioner beforehand, cut down on the amount of styling cream or mousse afterwards!

          I tried both the Living Proof defining styling cream and enhancing styling mousse on my hair (at separate times) and noticed improved curl longevity and frizz control with each. So much that I could feel comfortable leaving the house with my hair au natural. Some reviewers have noted great results after sleeping on their hair after using the routine, so I tried this as well. I can't say I woke up with springy locks, but I definitely noticed less frizz. (To be fair, there is no product that will save my hair overnight; it just molds too easily.)

          In terms of the Living Proof defining styling cream vs. enhancing styling mousse, I'm favoring the styling cream as my hair is quite obstinate and needs more hold. I also like how I can comb creams more evenly through my hair. I think the choice between the two depends on your personal formula preference and hair type.

          I have nothing but good things to say about the newest Living Proof 'Curl' routine. (To be fair, I am a brand devotee...). Living Proof's OFPMA based formulas simply work for my hair; they give amazing frizz control without the weight of silicones and oil based formulas. I'm really excited to add curly-hair targeted products to my Living Proof collection. They'll definitely come handy in the summer when I'm going for beach-y waves.

          In terms of an overall routine, I do find that the Living Proof 'Curl' products work best when layered together. If you're looking to collect one by one, I'd start with the Living Proof Styling Cream or mousse depending on your texture preferences. Next, I'd add the Living Proof conditioning wash to really get that extra definition. However, if you're like me and can't quit your deep cleansing shampoos, I'd go instead for the Living Proof Curl detangling rinse (which is my favorite from the Curl lineup!). It's fast, easy, and really works. Finally, the Living Proof No Frizz leave-in-conditioner is a general Living Proof favorite of mine. It works for any hairstyle, straight or curly. I love the soft finish and frizz control (so key!)

          Thanks for reading! Which Living Proof products have you tried? What are your major hair concerns? (If you're a curly girl like me, what's your hair routine?)

Love, Dovey.

P.S. I like to purchase my Living Proof haircare online at www.LivingProof.com. There tend to be great samples and minis!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

A few of my favorite things - Travel edition

          After a brief stint at home in Chicago, I'm on the road again! This time, I'm writing from Midway Airport, en route to ATL. It's been an eventful morning, to say the least. I got here bright and early, only to find out my 8am flight had been cancelled! After some mumbles and grumbles about booking a later flight (and drowning my so-called sorrows in sweet tea), I've found a comfy spot where I can relax and piece together a post! (I'm running on three hours of sleep, so hopefully, I can keep things together and typo-free.)

         Today I thought I'd put together a travel edition of my A few of my favorite things posts, as that seems to be mostly what I've been doing lately! While I don't have a set of bright copper kettles of warm woolen mittens in my luggage, I do have a number of my travel sized beauty and skincare essentials to share with you today. Everything is pictured in my Sonia Kashuk Zig Zag Weekender travel case, which I was sent recently. It's colorful, got tons of pockets for organization, and has been a constant companion during this time. You could say I'm a fan. Now, on to what's within...

         I have a reputation for being a bit of a high maintenance traveler. I feel like my things are well edited, but somehow I always seem to have more bags than anyone else. I'm pretty proud of my makeup edit above, I feel like the combination has worked well for me these past few trips. (I've also linked a lot of my reviews below, so you can read / see more if you're interested)

         I never compromise on my foundation, so I always have CHANEL Perfection Lumière, CHANEL Double Perfection Lumière, and CHANEL Poudre Universelle. It seems like a lot, but I do use all three, usually lightly layered. My current cheek essentials include NARS Gaiety and NARS Oasis, which I've been liking as a contour. I take MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Brow for a long lasting brow. Urban Decay NAKED 3 has been my BFF for eyes; I love how the lightly pink toned mattes in this palette make me look more awake, especially when I'm behind on sleep, like today. NARS Larger Than Life Mascara and MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner, are of course holy grail products for me.

         I try to throw in a few miscellaneous minis for fun. Right now you can see Benefit Watt's Up, a Bobbi Brown shimmer gloss, and TopShop Cream Blush in Afternoon Tea in my bag as well. And of course, I have a number of lip products and mini eyeliner pencils rolling around in my purse on a usual basis.

         In terms of brushes, I try to stick with synthetics, both for cruelty-free and cleansing reasons. It's tough to bring around my beautyblender, so I've been using my Bobbi Brown Foundation brush instead. I've been using MAKE UP FOR EVER 132 (wavy flat brush) for powder; I've become quite the fan of this one. Other essentials include MAKE UP FOR EVER 148 (stippling brush) for cheeks, MAC 263 (angled liner), Bobbi Brown Eye Liner brush, and my Shu curler. I usually take other brushes at whim, usually this includes an EcoTools Angled liner and Concealer brush. I don't like bringing too many or too expensive brushes with me, as they seem easy to lose (knock on wood). However, I do prefer full length handles, so it's not often that I'll pack mini brushes to save space.

These two clear zip pockets conveniently attach via velcro to the second compartment of my Sonia Kashuk travel case. 

        Confession: in terms of skin / hair care, I actually have a lot more random little items (a la Q-tips, etc etc) than shown above. However, they're usually stuffed into the non-clear pockets of my Sonia Kashuk Zig Zag Weekender.

       Hair is another one of those things I just cannot sacrifice on. My curly hair is so frizz prone and capricious that I bring my ghd 1" to straighten it out and thereby keep it under control. Which means, the right heat protection and shampoos are necessary. Lately I've been all about Living Proof, so I purchased a Living Proof 'Full' travel size set, and a mini Living Proof 'Straight' hair spray to keep things under control.

        I've shown a few of my skincare favorites as well. Avalon Organics Vitamin C serum is an old favorite that I've used on and off over the years; I actually picked up this bottle during my trip to Alabama. I love Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate for it's high Vitamin C content as well; it's my preferred foundation base (as opposed to primer). TATCHA Cleansing oil is one of my favorite cleansers and a great way to remove the makeup. The miniature size was a part of the TATCHA Jet Set Travel Kit. It's nice to have a good shower gel as well; I happened to find this little bottle of Bliss Lemon + Sage at Marshalls.

        I hope you've enjoyed this edition of A few of my favorite things. Southern weather is beckoning, and it looks like I'm finally getting on a flight! If you have any questions any of the products above, let me know! I've linked a lot of them to my original reviews for convenience. As for my Sonia Kashuk Zig Zag Weekender ($29.99), I believe the zig zag pattern is currently available at Target, if you're interested!

       Thanks for reading! What are your travel must haves? What case do you pack your beauty and skincare necessities in?

Love, Dovey.

Living Proof No Frizz review: Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-in Conditioner

          Living Proof Frizz products were made for people like me. Long before my hair developed into nice waves, I had frizz. In the summer humidity, I'd get a nice nest of frizz sitting at least an inch above my head. I find that many frizz controlling products are heavy creams that simply weigh down the hair. As someone with an oily scalp and fine hair, a heavy, oily, flatt-ish 'do that really isn't an improvement. Is a product that keeps my hair fluffy, curly, and non-frizzy too much to ask for?

        Enter Living Proof . First, I'll cover the science behind Frizz. Humidity changes the surface texture of hair, causing it to be rougher and increasing friction. Nearly all other frizz control products are silicone or oil derived; they coat the hair and weigh down the hair. However, they don't block humidity, the cause of the frizz. Living Proof's molecule OFPMA (a polyfluoroester) forms a shield around hair that is blocks humidity 70% better than silicone, thus reducing frizz causing friction without the heavy finish. Today I'll review my experience with Living Proof Frizz Shampoo, Living Proof Frizz Conditioner, and Living Proof Frizz Leave-in-Conditioner.

          So what did I think? I loved it! After just one use of the Living Proof Frizz Shampoo and Living Proof Frizz Conditioner, I noticed a difference. My hair was curly, light, and missing much of its usual frizz. The best part was that after a sleeping on it, it still looked good in the morning! (Usually a night of sleep will cause my waves to fall out and my hair to turn into a amorphous blob of frizz the next morning). I continued to use this over the next few days and noticed well behaved tresses. It seemed that my curls loosened after continued use, which is assumedly due to OFPMA buildup. I think this would be great for springier curls, however my hair is more wavy, so I prefer to do without too much control. I think rotating in a clarifying shampoo every few days would give me my ideal results. It's also worth noting that the products are sulfate free and color friendly. There is a light chemical smell to the shampoo and conditioner (which oddly reminds me of something in Chanel Perfection Lumiere). I don't mind since it's a small sacrifice for a hard-working product. I tried Living Proof Frizz Leave-in-Conditioner tonight after clarifying my hair. I didn't feel the need to use it in conjunction with the shampoo and conditioner since they worked so well alone. The conditioner is oil free (awesome) and relies on glycerin and OFPMA for hydration. I worked one squeeze of conditioner into my hair and let it air dry. The result was soft hair with beautiful wavy body, without frizz.

           I know it's just been one week, but I think I love you Living Proof Frizz. I was already a fan of Living Proof, and now I'm a bigger fan. I will definitely consider repurchasing something from the Living Proof Frizz line. If you've thrown up your hands at frizz and want to give them a try, Living Proof Frizz Shampoo ($24 for 8oz.), Living Proof Frizz Conditioner ($24 for 8oz)., and Living Proof Frizz Leave-in-Conditioner ($24 for 4oz.) are available on LivingProof.com, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, and QVC. Travel sizes are available too.

       Thanks for reading! Have you tried Living Proof Frizz or anything else from the Living Proof line? What are your favorite methods for frizz  control?

Love, Dovey.  

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.  

Living Proof Restore Revitalizing Spray review

          It's summer and we've got our skin slathered in sunscreen from head to toe, but what about our hair? Add in some styling with hot tools on top of that UV damage, and we've got ourselves some crispy locks. Not good. Enter Living Proof Restoring Revitalizing Spray. For those unfamiliar with the company, Living Proof is the brainchild of Harvard and MIT scientists. Science + beauty? Yes, please. (Living Proof 'Full' volumizing products are already mainstays in my collection).

          So what exactly is a 'Restoring Revitalizing Spray'? It's a lightweight spray that protects hair from heat and UV damage (think sun and hot tools). Living Proof Restoring Revitalizing Spray lacks the heaviness and oiliness of traditional hair oils and creams. It's key ingredient for hair protection is a polyfluoroester, a moisture controlling molecule that helps reduce surface friction and other stressors that lead to breakage. Living Proof Restoring Revitalizing spray can be used on both wet or dry hair for heat and UV protection.  When I sprayed my hair with the Living Proof Revitalizing Spray, it hit my hair, evaporated, and nothing appeared different. At first, I was perplexed, but then I realized that was the point. This is not a 'styling' product like a mousse or hairspray. It is a protecting product. You don't want it to change your hairstyle! This spray is so lightweight, non-sticky, and non-oily that you can't even feel it there. While there was no immediate textural difference, I did notice a difference when I used a curling iron on treated hair. The ends of my hair felt smoother, shinier, and less dry at the fragile ends. Win!

           I'll definitely be spraying the ends of my hair with Living Proof Restoring Revitalizing Spray anytime I plan on using hot tools or heading to the beach. It's another Living Proof win in my book. If lightweight heat + UV protection sounds like your cup of tea, you can find Living Proof Restore Revitalizing Spray ($26 for 5.5oz) at retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom, or LivingProof.com (always free shipping). Thanks for reading! Have you tried Living Proof before? What are your favorite heat protection products for hair?

Love, Dovey.

 Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Testing, one two three...

          Here's a look at what  I'm testing out and working on for Cute and Mundane this week. (Do you recognize any of them?) I hope your week is off to a beautiful start!

Love, Dovey.

Haircare minis

          I have hair that's sometimes curly, sometimes wavy, and most of the time frizzy. Usually I just throw my hands up and deal with whatever state its in. Lately, however, I've become more interested in exploring haircare and have managed to accumulate a few haircare minis to try out. Today I have a review of Living Proof Full Thickening Cream, Moroccanoil Treatment, and Phyto Phytolisse serum.

         Living Proof Full Thickening Cream is a cream designed for giving thinner hair volume with natural movement. I have very thin hair, so volume is very welcome! The consistency is like a lotion. I usually squirt out a dime sized portion, pat/run it through the roots of wet hair, and distribute it with a comb. I'll finish by blow drying my hair near the roots as I normally would. There is a noticeable difference; my hair normally falls flat, but with Living Proof Full Thickening Cream it stays a little fluffier. I'm sure I could add more for a greater effect, but I'm trying to conserve my little sample and also not overload my scalp with product! I like that it's not crusty like some root lifters and I don't really notice it's there. It also doesn't seem to irritate my scalp, which is good since I don't want my thin hair to get thinner! I liked this enough to buy a full sized product during Sephora Chic week.

Living Proof Full Thickening Cream Ingredients: Water, Polyalkylaminoester-1, Polyacrylate-13, Fragrance, Myristyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Polyisobutene, Oleth-10, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Proprionate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Methylisothiazolinone, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Geraniol

           Moroccanoil's Moroccanoil treatment seems to have all the buzz lately. Even my mom had one when I last visited her! Moracconoil is a finishing product that will keep hair looking sleek. It has a thick oil-like texture. To apply rub a small amount between your hand and apply to wet or damp hair. It is a bit heavier so it works well for keeping hair straight and less frizzy. From the name, I thought that Moroccanoil was a natural oil-based treatment, however you can see from the ingredient list below that the first two ingredients are the silicones cyclomethicone and dimethicone which seem to be pretty standard hair treatment ingredients. Argan oil is the third ingredient. Despite not being as natural as the name suggests, I do like the Moroccanoil. At leas the ingredient list is not that long and it does do a good job keeping hair feeling smooth and in place.

Moroccanoil ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel oil (Argan Oil), Fragrance, Linum Usitatissimum (Lin seed) extract, butylphenyl methylpropional, benzyl benzoate, alphaisomethyl ionone, Cl 26100 (D&C Red No. 17), Cl 47000 (D&C yellow No.11)

          Phyto's Phytolisse serum is another serum for taming frizz. It's more lightweight than Moroccanoil. I think this would work well for someone with not too much frizz or as a frizz treatment that doesn't weight down hair. The light feel is nice, but it won't make your hair look sleek like an oilier product. In theory this should be better for days when I'm trying to make curls show. I tried it once, and wasn't that impressed with the frizz stopping action. Maybe I should have used more, or maybe I just have too much frizz for it to handle. The Phytolisse serum has a strong smell that reminds me of a water scent or men's cologne which I wasn't too fond of either. I will probably have to try it in different situations to see how I can best get it to work.


Phyto Phytolisse serum Ingredients : Cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethiconol, alcohol denat. (Alcool de Betterave), Panthenol (Provitamine B 5) Fragrance. Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Phytantriol


         Thanks for reading my first episode of haircare minis! I've been pleasantly surprised with my experience with these products and hope to explore more. Have you tried these brands? What kind of products do you use in your hair?

Love, Dovey.