Prod Review: fantastic new drugstore hair shine product!
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free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:31 am

The full name of my new find is "Paves Professional Flawless In the Spotlight Greaseless Essential Oil Shine Serum for Dry, Damaged Hair," but obviously that wouldn't fit in the subject line for this review! Now that I've properly identified this product by its full, legal name, let's get down to business:

I love shiny hair. Which is pretty da*n inconvenient because I also color-treat and highlight my hair, which are two of the biggest enemies to healthy, shiny-looking hair. Unfortunately, I hate the way that most shine products weigh hair down. I'm a hair product whore and I think it's safe to say that I've tried just about shine product out there on the market, whether it's a spray, serum, cream, whatever. My all-time fave product for shine is Aveda Brilliant Universal Styling Creme -- it leaves my hair with an almost mirror-like shine but if I use too much, it can leave my hair looking seriously weighed down and -- horrors -- greasy-looking. I'm also a huge fan of Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum as an alternative to the sneakily evil Biosilk Silk Therapy, which tricks users into believing it is a holy grail, all the while stealthily damaging and drying out your hair almost beyond repair with all that alcohol. I like the Rene Furterer Spray Gloss, too, if I need a quick "shine refresher" when I'm going out after work and can't get home to freshen up.

At the moment, I'm using a combination of the Purelogy shine serum drops (that's not the exact product name!) which I smooth through my towel-dried hair, then apply a tiny dollop of Fredric Fekkai Glossing Cream mixed with a dollop of Purelogy styling paste (again, that ain't the proper name!), simply because those happened to be the two shine products I unthinkingly tossed into my beauty/skincare suitcase when packing up my belongings after selling my house while I live in a hotel while (still) waiting for renovations on my new house to be completed. This particular combination gives me *some* shine, but it's not the brilliant, mirror finish that I hanker for.

This morning I had to stop at Walgreens on the way to work to get one of my migraine prescriptions filled and to pick up a bottle of Paves "No Sulfates Allowed" shampoo because I'm nearly out of my Purelogy sulfate-free shampoo and I don't have time to stop at the special boutique that carries the Purelogy line for a refill. I spied this product on the Walgreen's shelf, right next to the Paves shampoo, and bought it on a whim (cost: $5.99USD), figuring it wouldn't be any better than all of the other shine products that previously littered my "reject" drawer/s in the bathroom before I metaphorically cleaned house and tossed all of the unwanted/unused items in the dumpster (should I confess that I managed to fill up *two* such big, green residential garbage cans with all of my discarded hair products???), but I figured WTH and applied a bit of this when I got to work.

I pumped out a pea-sized amount and warmed it up between my palms to "emulsify" it then ran my hands through my hair several times to distribute it evenly. Right after I applied it, I got busy on my job and forgot about it until I happened to glance in the mirror while washing my hands on a pee-break. Holy cow, my hair looks fantastic!! This stuff gives a BELIEVABLE amount of shine, like my hair is just naturally healthy and shiny, rather than dried out and color-treated. It's not the same sort of mirror-like shine that I get from the Aveda Brilliant Styling Creme, which is sort of obvious that the shine came out of a bottle rather than being something that could occur in nature, if that makes any sense. This Paves shine stuff makes my hair look shiny and healthy in the way that "virgin," uncolored hair is shiny and healthy. I want to use this stuff again -- perhaps on freshly washed, towel-dried hair before blow drying -- to make sure the results I saw weren't a fluke, but so far I'm thinking that I found a winner! I will update this review if it turns out my successive results are contradictory to this endorsement so stay tuned.....

Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:13 am

Oooo! I'll be watching this thread! Looking forward to the update Carrie.

I swore off hair color for ages and used only henna. Then, last week, I went to a new hairdresser and booked myself in for a haircut. She managed to convince me that dying my hair darker and then putting two colours of streaks through it would work very well. I must have been feeling really weak that day because after all that time of avoiding hair colours I caved. I don't regret it at all based on the how it looks, but it's not really feeling all that healthy. It's looking a bit dried out Sad

I'm using the FF Glossing Cream and quite like this but if there's something better out there then I'm listening.... Smile

Btw, I'm trying out new shampoo now as well given that my hair has been coloured. I bought the L'Oreal Vitamino range for fine coloured hair. So far so good colour-wise but my hair seems to be getting oilier quicker. Also, hair feels very soft but still looks a bit dry. Perhaps I should have bought the normal Vitamino range but was afraid it would weigh down my hair.

Btw, Carrie - have you tried TiGi Shine Junkie? I've got this and the shine is fab IMO but it's difficult to get the right amount of it. A little too much and my hair looks oily.

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:36 am

Have you tried Kerastase's new Reflection Line? I am eagerly awaiting its arrival on my doorstep. I'll let you know how it is once I try it out.

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:35 am

Speaking of haircare as I'm going to be off to Vegas (hold those death threats a moment Laughing

) I want to find a good shampoo and conditioner, preferably with more natural ingredients and low cost. Last time I was there the weather played havock with my skin which went from oily to very dry. My scalp suffered as well, I have currently been using Faith in Nature which is good but I want a change. Any suggestions?
Also looking for mouse and styling spray.

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:49 am

Thanks Carekate for sharing, I am going to look for it in Walmart this weekend. I do not have dry damaged hair, you think it will be too greasy?

K.

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:29 am

Okay, it’s official: this stuff is a winner! I think my life-long quest for the greatest hair-shine product is at last over and I can toss all the others in the trash. The “grease-less” part in the name really says it all. This stuff absolutely does not weigh down the hair!

This morning I used it after I towel-dried but before I blow-dried, in lieu of my Purelogy and Glossing Cream and my hair turned out so shiny and healthy looking. It shines the way that a young child’s hair does, or like virgin hair that’s never had any chemical processing: just very natural and healthy-looking, not at all like you put a shine product in your hair to disguise it’s true, damaged nature!

This afternoon I’m going to buy myself another (pump) bottle of this so I can have one in my bathroom and another one in my desk at work for emergencies. It takes a very special hair product to earn this honor from me!!

For anyone else who wants to try this, if I’m not mistaken, the only retailer in the U.S. that carries the Paves’ line is Walgreens drugstores....

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:00 am

Kk1668 wrote:

I do not have dry damaged hair, you think it will be too greasy?

Honestly, I think this product would be suitable for any hair type, not just dry or damaged, because it truly is greaseless and weightless.

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:04 am

Mabsy wrote:

Btw, Carrie - have you tried TiGi Shine Junkie? I've got this and the shine is fab IMO but it's difficult to get the right amount of it. A little too much and my hair looks oily.

Yes, I've tried it. I loved it the first time I used it, but the thrill was gone very quickly. It's way too easy to apply too much and end up looking like you poured a bottle of Crisco over your head! This Paves stuff puts Shine Junkie to shame.

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:12 am

Ooh, Carrie this sounds very nice!!! Must try it.

I see you mentioned a couple of Pureology products. I am a Pureology FREAK! My hair loves this stuff, and at my last hair salon visit, I bought their new thickening masque - which is made of volcanic ash or some such thing, and you emulsify it in your hands and it turns all warm then run it through your hair before conditioning. MAN, does it make your hair THICK, but not dry. I was going to rave about it eventually....

I highlight my hair as well and I love products that make it shiny!! Will have to try the Paves product.

Maria Laughing

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:14 am

I hate pureology
i guess my hair doesnt react nicely with that stuff

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:51 am

Mariav wrote:

I see you mentioned a couple of Pureology products. I am a Pureology FREAK! My hair loves this stuff, and at my last hair salon visit, I bought their new thickening masque - which is made of volcanic ash or some such thing, and you emulsify it in your hands and it turns all warm then run it through your hair before conditioning. MAN, does it make your hair THICK, but not dry. I was going to rave about it eventually....

Wow, that sounds great for fine-haired girls and those who feel they need more fullness. I guess I’m fortunate because the one thing my hair doesn’t need is more thickness! I seriously have enough hair on my head for two people! Whenever I go to my beloved stylist, Chau, for a haircut, all the other stylists comment about the amount of clippings on the floor, saying that they can’t believe all that hair came from just one person. Keep in mind that I wear my hair Halle Berry-short, so you can imagine how much hair it would take on the floor to make it look like more than one person had been in the chair. Of course, it takes forever an a damn day to blow dry my super-short hair, but on the bright side: I don’t need to panic too much if I see a bunch of shedded hairs on the shower floor since I’ve got plenty to spare!

Anyway, yes, this Paves shine stuff is amazing. Their “No Sulfates Allowed” shampoo and conditioning milk is pretty good for those on a budget (Purelogy is so bloody expensive, but worth every penny! I’ve got the volumizing shampoo and condition, and the reconstructor conditioner) or for those who can’t easily get hold of Purelogy products.

BTW, when I was at Ulta the other day, they had a buy-one, get-the 2nd-half-off deal on Goldwell products, so I’m finally getting to try their “Color & Highlights” line. I’m perfectly satisfied with my Purelogy shampoo (with the Paves as backup), so I got their conditioning treatment which is lovely because it is silicone free. In addition, I got a Goldwell color enhancing conditioner in “copper” (can’t remember the exact name of this product, sorry) to refresh my highlights, but haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I plan to give it a go tonight when I do my weekly beauty/pampering treatments, so I’ll let all the other un-natural redheads out there if I like the Goldwell better than my holy grail, Aveda Anatto color enhancing/depositing conditioner....

BTW, Maria, since you are a Purelogy addict, have you tried their shine serum stuff? The Paves shine stuff turned out to be what I had hoped the Purelogy version would be!

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:52 am

BCgirl wrote:

I hate pureology
i guess my hair doesnt react nicely with that stuff

Do you color-treat your hair? If not, Purelogy wouldn't be the right line for you as it is made strictly for the needs of color treated hair....

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:25 pm

I can't wait to stop at Walgreen's on my way home from work today! Where do you buy the Purelogy?

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:29 pm

yes i colortreat my hair.
I just didnt find pureology moisturizing enough

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:45 pm

I know Carrie - it is so freakin expensive, but I can't help myself. I also try to get the biggie size when they go on sale. I hate the small bottle b/c it's a pain in the a** to get the shampoo and conditioner out of them with that long neck. They should change the design of those bloody things. I use the volumizing shampoo, condition and reconstructor too. I've tried their volumizing gel (pink bottle) their style gel, thickening paste, and root lifter (yellow bottles) and now the masque. No, I've never tried their shine drops -- but now I won't need to! Laughing

You're so lucky to have thick hair. I am not so fortunate - I wish I could just wash, gel, and go, but I have to blow dry and still have to use a curling iron to make it stay in the style I want.

I love trying new hair products, and can't wait to get my hands on the Paves stuff.

The one thing though that I find I can not get away from is Sebastian's Shaper Hair spray. I have tried so many others, but for some reason, this is THE one for me...used it for over 15 years now!!!

BCgirl -
I assume you were using the hydrating line from Pureology? Boy, that's too bad that it wasn't moisturizing enough. What do you use that works for you?

Debra - I get mine at my hair salon, but try to wait till the big bottles go on sale before buying. I think a small bottle of shampoo is something like $18.00. Do you have the Hair Excitement franchise in your area? I know they carry it. Someone online does too - beautydeals.net maybe?

Maria

free skin care · Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:52 pm

I like Citre Shine Polishing Serum. Don't know whats in it though Confused

I don't find it too greasy but then again my hair is pretty dry and damaged. I have also used their straighting balm and like that as well. However I do not like their shampoos or conditioners.

Sat Jul 09, 2005 2:42 am

carekate wrote:

Yes, I've tried it. I loved it the first time I used it, but the thrill was gone very quickly. It's way too easy to apply too much and end up looking like you poured a bottle of Crisco over your head! This Paves stuff puts Shine Junkie to shame.

Yeah, I've got the same problems. I hear that they changed the formulation and also the packaging now but I'm not willing to buy it and find out again. The other problem with it is that even if I apply the right amount (and when I do my hair DOES look great) I find that my hair gets oily quicker when I use this. Did you notice that with the Paves as well?

free skin care · Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:04 am

Wow Carrie....I'll have to try this stuff! I am a shine product junkie! I actually have only been using the Bio-Silk Shine In spray lately b/c it doesn't weigh down my hair. But it is expensive. So I'll have to look for this new product!
Thanks!

free skin care · Sat Jul 09, 2005 8:23 am

Wow great review Carrie!! Does anyone know if this is available in Canada??? I love hair care products! I had Halle Berry short hair for about 4 years and I loved it but found it was more trouble than long hair. If I didn't drench it in styling products it would stick up all over because my hair is thick. I used Tigi's Ego Boost to paster it down with because it's more of a leave in conditioner so it isn't crunchy or flakey.

Now my hair is shoulder length and I've started really experimenting with products, I like volume so no straightening stuff for me. Bumble and Bumble is my current fav. I used to fight with my thick hair now I realise how lucky I am. Sort of cancels out the big zit growing on my forehead or so I like to think. (at 34 I've had quite enough of zits thank-you-very-much)

free skin care · Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:05 am

Oh, I just love this website; now can't wait to try Pave's serum! I have damaged, dry (but very thick) hair and am always on the lookout for something really good.
THANK YOU Carekate!
BCgirl, I, too dislike Pureology; a great hairstylist suggested it and I bought both the shampoo/conditioner but my scalp didn't like some ingred and became flaky! It was terrible and took me a week to calm my scalp down!
And I too, like Aveda's brillance but just had to be sooo careful in using it or it made my hair too oily...
So THANKS!
My favorite hair product right now is Bb's (Bumble & Bumble) "tonic"; its a spray "lotion" that I apply to damp hair and it adds some "health" to my hair; and only need a tiny bit. I bought a "sample" spray (about $5) about a month ago and still have 1/2 bottle. But it adds smoothness but not shine.
I like it better than Infusium-23 that add too much thickness to my already thick hair and its a bit.. un-natural. Bb's tonic has much more of a natural hair effect.
(I did not like Bb's hair powder; it was suppose to remove some of the oiliness so no daily shampooing, but it looked like baby powder in my hair and I had to wash it out anyway!)
Thanks again; Walgreen's here I come. Vanessa
.
Smile

free skin care · Mon Jul 11, 2005 5:05 am

hivanessa28 wrote:

(I did not like Bb's hair powder; it was suppose to remove some of the oiliness so no daily shampooing, but it looked like baby powder in my hair and I had to wash it out anyway!)

Actually, that’s probably what one of the main ingredients is! One of the “home remedies” that I’ve read about in tons of beauty/fashion magazines is the one about shaking a bit of baby powder on your hairbrush and brushing it through your hair to sop up oil if you don’t have time to wash your hair....Anyway, the active ingredient in most of those “dry shampoos” is talc powder.

free skin care · Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:24 am

Thanks for the lowdown on this product Carrie Very Happy

I'll be in the US later this week and will pick some up for sure!

Anya

free skin care · Mon Jul 11, 2005 5:06 pm

AVEDA elements smoothing fluid is my secret weapon on hair before a photo-shoot...just amazing...and that bottle has lasted me over a year! Very Happy

free skin care · Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:33 pm

Since I'd been using Pave "It's A Wrap" Repairing Defining Finishing Cream and liking it (to groom loose ends when I wear a ponytail or to moisturize dried ends), I took carekate's advice and tried "In The Spotlight". She's right -- it's great! It shines without causing greasiness or heaviness (and I've tried a dozen brands). Her description of the effect is quite accurate. I'm running low on shampoo and conditioner and was thinking of going back to Goldwell Kerasilk, but now I think I'll give the Pave stuff a try.

Thanks for the recommendation Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:41 am

m.april wrote:

...I took carekate's advice and tried "In The Spotlight". She's right -- it's great!...Her description of the effect is quite accurate. Thanks for the recommendation Very Happy

Thank you – it’s always nice to be validated! Wink

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