Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask Review

Hey there beauties! I have a product review for you! I was leaving work at CVS on Friday and I decided that over the weekend, I would give my hair a little TLC. I've always been very diligent with deep conditioning my hair. Usually, I do a deep conditioning treatment at least every other week to keep my hair hydrated, shiny, and in tip-top condition. But somehow, I started slacking. I think the summer kind of threw me off because I spent so much time with my hair curly and I would just put a good leave-in conditioner in my hair and go. But now that we are getting into the cooler weather, and I'm finding myself using more heat on my hair (I've been blowdrying my hair straight and flat ironing it...I hate wet hair in cold weather...not a good combo), I felt that I should do something special for Giselle (for those of you who dont know, Giselle is my hair...we have a great relationship and are on a first name basis).

So as I was saying, before leaving the beauty department for the weekend, I strolled down the hair care aisle into the Salon section (I'm a bit of a product snob...I dont use mass brand products usually). For months now, I've been intrigued by the Macadamia Natural Oil hair care brand. I had never tried anything from the line though, so I figured this weekend would be a great time to try their Deep Repair Mask. I didnt want to purchase the full size product because I wasnt sure if I would love it, so instead, I bought a small packet that retails for $5.99 (I received my employee discount though).

On Saturday morning, I taught my Zumba class, came home and jumped in the shower. I washed my hair with Alterna's Bamboo Smooth shampoo, and then cracked open the Macadamia Deep Repair Mask packet. Immediately, the pleasant smell filled my shower. I really cant explain what it smelled like, but it was fabulous...nice and clean, yet fragrant. I squeezed the mask into my hand and knew just from the texture of the product that it was going to be hydrating. The mask wasnt very "thick", but it was creamy...honestly, it almost reminded me of a whipped butter consistency. The product was heavy enough without being heavy...if that makes any sense to you at all lol. I started on my ends and worked the product up to my roots. I have a lot of thick, curly, dry hair, so I ended up using the entire packet.
After applying the Macadamia Deep Repair Mask to my entire head, I split my hair down the middle into two sections, and clipped each section up. Then I went about the rest of my shower business. The mask was in my hair for a total of maybe 12 minutes...I didnt cover my head with a cap or use any heat source other than the heat and steam from the shower water. Once I was done with everything else, I used my trusty, wonderful Denman brush and began to detangle. Detangling was honestly a breeze. Aside from some minor knots that I had to work out (I actually very rarely brush my hair lol...when I wear it curly, I usually detangle with my fingers as not to disturb the curl pattern and create frizz), my brush practically glided through my hair. After I finished detangling and rinsing the mask, my hair felt so hydrated that I didnt even need to use another conditioner like I usually do.

To finish my hair, I used very little styling product...one dropper of Alterna's Kendi Oil, and about 2 pea-sized squirts of Alterna's Caviar Perfect Blowout Creme, focusing mostly on the ends. Blowdrying was also a breeze. I finished blowdrying in about 45 minutes...which is TOTALLY unheard of for me! I usually take over an hour for my whole head of hair to be dried and straight. When my hair was finally dry, it was noticeably more hydrated and felt hydrated as well. Here's what my hair looks like today!

Last, but not least, here are the ingredients. I was very pleased to see that this brand is cruelty free, paraben free, and alcohol free (Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier and conditioner..it is not drying to the hair).

Overall, I was very pleased with this mask. After using it, I can now say that I would definitely purchase a larger size, and I would also keep a few packets on hand for deep conditioning treatments for my on-location clients!

Are Natural Products Important To You

So many cosmetic and skincare brands have jumped on the bandwagon of creating "natural" products that eliminate the use of ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances, and other additives that prove to be harmful. Within the past few months, many brands have either released or revamped product lines in order to stay in line with the trending market of natural product lines.

Personally, it's very important to me that I use a clean product line on my skin and hair. The way that I look at it is that my skin is the largest living organ of my body, and it protects all of my other vital organs. And just like I should feed the inside of my body healthy things to keep my organs performing in top condition, I should do the same for the organ on the outside, too.

So! My question to you is: do you find it important to use products that are natural, or contain natural ingredients?

Do share!

Let Me Make You Beautiful!!

Lately, I've been feeling as though part of me is missing. Let me explain...

For as long as I can remember, I've had a love affair with all things beauty. Even if I didn't have another person to work, I'd use myself as a real-life "mannequin". I can vividly recall long nights back in high school when I would stay up twisting and pinning my hair into intricate styles the night before school so that when I woke up, my 'do would be did and I'd have time in the morning to focus on my makeup. I was probably the only girl who would come to school in 11th grade with a face full of makeup...blue and green eyeshadow included! I've always had a passion for using my hands and imagination to create beauty. And I've always been passionate about sharing that beauty with others, and helping the to feel their most beautiful and relaxed.

Ever since I stopped working in salons, I've felt like part of myself is missing. I love the atmosphere of salons. You can normally find some good music going, ladies laughing and chatting, the smell of shampoo, and just the overall feeling of hospitality, and even friendship. I miss being a stylist in a salon. The problem is that with my current job, its a bit difficult to provide a regular schedule for my clients as to when I could be there. Also, there aren't very many salons here in Rhode Island that I'd like to be in...I'm very picky! Since the salon environment is full of women, I have to be picky because working with women can be a bit tricky! So, in lieu of missing the salon life, I've decided to bring the salon to you!

I am currently offering "At Your Service Beauty Services"! I offer mini-manicures, mini-facials, pedicures, makeovers, and hair services...all at your convenience, right in your own home! My prices are very reasonable, and you will get nothing but the best products (and YES, ARBONNE is included!!) If you have a group of friends who would like to just spend the night in and get mani's, pedi's, and facials, let me know and I'll grab a bottle of wine and make you all beautiful!! There is nothing better in my book than relaxing with some of your closest friends and getting pampered! I am available for all events as well. If you or anyone you know is interested in any of my services, just let me know!! Contact me:

melissawilson@myarbonne.com
mwilson3183@gmail.com
401.678.0179

Eventually, I'll end up back in a salon, but until then, I've gotta keep my skills up and creative juices flowing, and I cant think of a better way!! Let me know if I can make you beautiful!!

Welcome!

Hello there, and welcome to my blog!! Let me introduce myself...

My name is Melissa Wilson. I'm 24 years old, and I am located in Rhode Island (for now!!). I'm a licensed cosmetologist and skin care specialist. I have been studying the beauty industry for almost six years now, and this is something that I am very passionate about. As a cosmetologist, my focus is on hair, skin, and nails, however, my main interest lies with hair and skin. This is because the two go hand in hand: people notice you from the neck up (in most cases lol) when they first meet you, and if you are confident that you look your best, then you will be confident in any situation. I am also very passionate about the health of your skin and hair. Your skin is your body's largest living organ, and your hair is an appendage of the skin...so take care of it!!!

So, let me tell you a little bit about my experience. I worked as an assistant in a salon while in cosmetology school. This means that I shampooed clients for stylists, swept up hair after their cuts, and basically did all the work that nobody else wanted to do. Once I became licensed, I became a stylist. I've worked with many different product lines, and have attended many different trainings for hair styling services. I have worked under and next to numerous stylists, whom I have learned a great deal from. I've also met a lot of great people. My interest in skin care and cosmetics came about while I was living in New Jersey. I began working at Macy's Herald Square in Manhattan as a Clinique Consultant. The knowledge that I gained from working as a Clinique Consultant, combined with my Cosmetology training, gave me the fundamentals I needed in order to speak confidently to others regarding their beauty concerns.

I have been trained in numerous hair care and skin care lines, and I take special interest in learning about what makes each line different and effective. I make it a point to further my experience and education. I am constantly attending trainings, seminars, and tradeshows, or just reading books and online articles about the industry. In addition to my cosmetology and skin care training, I also went to school for Marketing, and am working towards my degree in the field.

Currently, I work as a Certified Beauty Advisor for a national retail store. I also work part time as a Stylist in a salon. I provide hair and skin care services. In addition to those two endeavors, I own and operate a home based online skin care business. I'm quite a busy girl!! In my spare time, I enjoy sleeping (gotta get the beauty rest!!), learning, spending time with friends and family (and my Chihuahua Macho!), and just trying to enjoy life in general.

...So there you have it!! That's Melissa Wilson in a nutshell!! Please feel free to check back on my blog regularly. I plan on posting LOTS of useful information here for anyone interested in the beauty industry, or in the marketing/sales industry. If you have any questions, or if I can help you in any way, please let me know! Hopefully, you will enjoy my blog, and find the content here very useful.

Thanks for reading!!!