5 Hair Problems SOLVED.

Everyone has different hair and unless you were blessed by the hair God's, you most likely have some sort of hair problem. Luckily, there are thousands of hair products and tools designed to help with just about every hair problem imaginable. I'm breaking down some of the most common hair woes and the latest solutions that I've found to work really well to solve these hair problems.

PROBLEM: Dandruff

Everyone has a buildup of fungus on their head. Yes— even YOU! It's normal; dead skin, oil and yeast are common in the hair. It's when an overabundance of these things build up and slough off and form into flakes that become dandruff. If you have dandruff, I am sure you have tried a multitude of products to get rid of it. A lot of these products are just not very gentle on the hair. Enter Head & Shoulders Nourishing Hair & Scalp Care. Infused with lavender essence, this shampoo and conditioner not only guarantees that your scalp will be 100% flake free, it leaves hair beautifully soft and shiny — with a great scent to boot.

PROBLEM: Dry, Color-Treated Hair

If you regularly color your hair and that has caused it to dry out OR it is simply dry to begin with, you need to treat it with extra special care. Pureology makes an amazing shampoo and conditioner duo formulated specifically for this condition and it works wonders. I should know, because I have very dry hair and I color and highlight my hair! Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner are concentrated sulfate free formulas that feature the brands exclusive AntiFadeComplex. With natural extracts including Peppermint, Sage and Rosemary, hair is left super soft and manageable without being stripped of it's color. In fact, I swear my color looks more vibrant the longer I use it.

PROBLEM: Limp Hair that Needs Texture and Hold

Fine hair or a lot of hair that is thin (like mine) might have a hard time holding volume. If this sounds like you and you've tried everything, listen up; try a Texturizing Spray. 

PROBLEM: Hair that Craves Volume

If you've tried a lot of tools that promise volume and just aren't getting the results you want, get your hands on the InStyler MAX. This rotating hot iron is like unlike that I've ever used. Yes, it straightens or curls your hair depending on how you use it, but I've been using it to add volume to my hair. I do it by rotating the iron through my hair and holding it at my roots for about five seconds before gliding it through the rest of my hair (which I do so quickly). Using it this way adds a bit of a wave and a ton of body. The Instyler MAX works by way of a specially patented design and a tourmaline ceramic polishing rotating cylinder which is easy to control right or left. This combines with ionic bristles that separates your hair as it styles it; it's really unique. I like that there are four heat settings so I can be assured that I am in control and never frying my hair. It heats up fast too — in 30 seconds! I like the larger 1 1/4" barrel which is good for volume and wavy hair styles, but the InStylerMAX is also available in a smaller 3/4" version for curls. Choose from black, purple or pink to suit your personal style.

PROBLEM: Hair that is All Out of Sorts

If you are simply having a lot of hair problems and you can't put your finger on it, you need to reel it in and bring it back to the basics. I do this every few months and give my hair a good "cleansing". Think of it like spring cleaning for the hair. I like to do this with a gentle, more natural shampoo and conditioner that is generally good for all hair types like Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo & Conditioner.  I usually only have to do it for about a week and then go back to specialized hair care. I choose this because it is sulfate-free and gentle. It is a no-fuss system that doesn't promise anything specific, but it washes away the bad and locks in the good to refresh and rebalance the hair. Do it and get your hair back and track. If you have pretty normal hair or don't color or chemically treat, this is a great everyday shampoo and conditioner to use.

Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded.

In case you missed my news a few weeks ago, Urban Decay is celebrating twenty years as a beauty brand! On top of that mega UD XX - 20 Years of Beauty with an Edge vault, the brand has launched a really special limited edition collection Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded eyeshadow palette. This chic palette features 20 (XX) shades of eyeshadow that spans UD’s entire 20 (XX) year history making this a true must have for the Urban Decay fan.

Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded includes a few new shades and several cult favorites from past palettes. It includes some of the brands earlier shades like Midnight Cowboy (one of my all-time faves), Acid Rain and UV-B, to some of their best-sellers in their current line-up.

The complete rundown of shades:

• Suspend - Greige-brown matte
• Oil Slick - Black matte with silver micro-glitter
• Roadstripe - Iridescent white with blue-violet shift
• Gash - Metallic brick red
• Midnight Cowboy - Pink champagne with shimmer with silver glitter
• 501 - Deep metallic blue with copper micro-glitter
• Shallow - Pale taupe-silver satin
• Laced - Pinky-taupe matte
• Hot Pants - Pearly medium pink
• Mildew - Deep metallic green shimmer
• Smog - Deep coppery bronze shimmer
• Misdemeanor - Deep olive green matte with green micro-shimmer
• Freakshow - Bright purple satin
• Asphyxia - Hyacinth shimmer with blue shift
• Acid Rain - Pale yellow-green shimmer with green shift
• Moonflower - Metallic rose-gold with gold micro-shimmer
• UV-B - Bright blue with violet shift
• Goldmiine - Bright Metallic Gold
• Twice Baked - Rich brown satin with gold micro-glitter
• Anonymous - Pale peachy cream matte

My favorites in the palette are Midnight Cowboy, Suspend, Roadstripe, Oil Slick, Swallow, Laced, Smog, Misdemeanor, Asphyxia, Anonymous and Twice Baked. I'm actually getting more use out of this palette than I thought. The shades are truly representative of the brand.

I'm always been a big fan of the Urban Decay eyeshadow formula. They are creamy soft, easy to apply and blend and last the day without caking or creasing. The secret to the shadow formula is the brands Pigment Infusion System™, the proprietary blend of ingredients. I can apply them with or without a primer and have them last the day. Of course, I use a primer, Urban Decay Primer Potion, my favorite, which makes the colors pop and lay down even more smoothly.

Speaking of Urban Decay Primer Potion, The Ultra Violet Edge, Urban Decay's global initiative to empower women is marking its first anniversary. With your help, last year they donated $528,000 to a variety or organizations that support women, including Women's Global Empowerment Fund. Purchase the specially formulated Eyeshadow Primer Potion Enigma, where 100% of the purchase price is donated to women's empowerment nonprofits by The Ultraviolet Edge.

Buy the Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded for $56 now online at urbandecay.com or at Ulta, Nordstrom and Macy's.

Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate.

One of the best things you can do for your skin to keep it looking young and fresh is to exfoliate it on a regular basis. When trying to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, you need to take it a step further and do things like exfoliating peels. I'm sure you have heard of chemical peels — ouch. I much prefer lighter peels, but even lighter peels can be irritating to the skin. Kiehl's has developed Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate which is not only an extremely gentle peel, this new peel is super effective using unique ingredients.

Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate uses Quinoa husk extract, which actually comes from discarded quinoa husks, combined with fruit acids, cactus extract and phytic acid to formulate this effective overnight peel. This peel accelerates cell turnover to reveal refined skin texture, improved skin tone and softer, more radiant skin.

I've been very impressed with the Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate and I've only been using this peel for about two weeks. My skin is super soft and smooth and looking very even in tone. I like that I am able to use a peel overnight. I do not feel like I am using a peel; I have not experienced any burning itching, or redness — any signs of irritation at all. That is pretty incredible because when compared with a 20% Glycolic Peel (the strongest Glycolic that can be used at-home) the results of the Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate are actually proven to show that it works just as well or better than the strong Glycolic Peel but without any of the irritation. I'll take that any day.

It's important to use the Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate in succession with your regular nightly skin care routine. First cleanse and tone your skin, then apply the Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate. I have found that I only need four or five drops to completely work on my face and neck. I then finish with my serum, eye cream and night cream. Because this is a strong peel, your skin is going to be even more susceptible to the sun. It is extremely important to wear a daily SPF, so make sure that your moisturizer has at least an SPF of 30 in it.

Buy Kiehl's Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate for $54 at Kiehl's stores, kiehls.com and department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales or Bergdorf Goodman.