Dove Damage Therapy Color Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

By request! A review on budget-friendly hair care for colored hair.

As you have seen by now, I am a bit obsessed with hair care. I do not mind spending money on quality products. However, a friend pointed out that not everyone wants to shell out big bucks to have good hair. If that sounds like you, and you have color-treated hair, meet your new friends!

At under $5/each for a 12 0z bottle, this product is a steal. I have been using it for a week now and my hair looks great-healthy, shiny, but not weighed down. I have tried other drugstore brands and had poor results. Many will coat the hair follicles, making it hard to hold a style. This is especially true of those green bottles that start with a G, and the other well-known drugstore brand that starts with a P. I am sure you know what I am talking about. STAY AWAY!

I have also had Dove recommended to me by two wonderful hair stylists. They wouldn't go on the record, but one confessed she used this when she wanted her hair to smell good for her honey, and the other whispered that this is the only drugstore brand worth trying.

Dove claims this shampoo/conditioner combo is superior because they contain micro-moisture serum and fiber actives, which reportedly "penetrate to help reconstruct hair from within". Although I haven't tried any complicated hair styles since using these, my everyday blowout looks good and I am happy with the results. I do find I have to use a bit more of this product than salon brands, because salon brands tend to be more concentrated, but still, this is a bargain and I would recommend it to anyone with color-treated hair.

Have any of you used other Dove hair products and enjoyed them?

Bumble and bumble Mending Shampoo and Conditioner

Inhale....ahh, bliss.

Shower happiness, thy name is Bumble and bumble Mending shampoo and conditioner.

IF, like me you regularly blow-dry, curl, flat-iron, or color your hair, it probably needs a little extra love.

IF you are not on a tight budget....splurge and try the newest from Bumble and bumble.

The shampoo is very concentrated and one only needs a little for rich lather that smells heavenly and doesn't strip the hair. The conditioner is not too slippery but nourishes. I like that I can use this and not weigh my hair down, while knowing I am getting enough conditioning for my stressed-out hair.

After using the Mending shampoo and conditioner, I still use my favorite post-shower maintenance products, Redken Anti-Snap and Moroccan Oil. Read more here:

http://dishfromtrish.blogspot.com/2010/04/shining-streaming-gleaming-flaxen-waxen.html

I am still loving my Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, and alternately use Biolage Color care and Redken color products.

What shampoo and conditioners do you swear by?

Steak and Broccoli Stir-fry

Another awesome recipe from Cook's Country!

I cooked this for my friend Shannon's visit last night. I wanted something I could do most of the prep for in the morning, and then just throw in the skillet when we returned from our zoo adventure. I liked it, but wasn't sure if she would be down for stir-fry. Guess what? She had seconds!

You can do all your veggie chopping in the morning, as well as cook your rice. Then, when you get home, it is just a matter of whisking up the sauce and cooking everything together. This dish is great for people who like the steaks and sauce of traditional stir-fry, but maybe not all the funkier vegetables. The first few ingredients are easy to find in the "ethnic" section of most major grocery stores.

Did you know....if you don't have a big enough non-stick skillet for stir-frying, you can use a bigger regular pot, just increase the oil by 1-2 more tablespoons to keep everything from sticking. Remember, get that oil really hot, it will make everything cook quickly and get a nice brown on the steak. Also, keeping the veggies cut into similar size pieces helps everything cook evenly.

Photo courtesy of everyday health, since I don't photograph food very well.

(also, my kitchen gets MESSY :)

Cook's Country Steak and Broccoli Stir-fry (serves 4)

Recipe courtesy of September 2010 issue

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon Asian chili-garlic sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds), sliced thin*

1 pound broccoli, florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stems peeled and cut into 1/4 inch rounds

2 carrots ( I used 3), peeled and cute into 1/4 inch rounds

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 in chunks ( I added this, yay me)

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (this is really important, use FRESH not dried)

1 tablespoon sesame seeds**

1. Cook your rice and toast your sesame seeds

2. Combine hoisin, water, soy and chili-garlic sauce in bowl; set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook half of steak until browned, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and repeat with additional 2 teaspoons oil and remaining steak.

3. Add remaining oil, broccoli STEMS and carrots to now-empty skillet and cook, COVERED until nearly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Add hoisin mixture, broccoli FLORETS and any accumulated beef juices and simmer until sauce is thickened and vegetables are tender, 3-5 minutes. Stir in beef and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

* Slice the beef with the grain into three long strips, then cut each strip across the grain into 1/4 inch thick slices. For easiest slicing, freeze the steaks for 15 minutes beforehand.

** Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a few minutes over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning.

Quick Chicken Pad Thai

The Dish from Trish can't be just make-up! I will keep including fun recipes as I experiment in the kitchen.

Lately, I have been loving the 30-Minute Supper recipes from Cook's Country. I would highly suggest getting a subscription if you love food but don't have a lot of time in the evenings. Given the choice, I would gladly spend an hour in the kitchen each night, because I love to cook, but that is just not realistic for me. Since I started using these recipes, I am still able to cook from a variety of cuisines and feel like I am eating healthfully and frugally!

This recipe is super easy since it uses an already cooked rotisserie chicken. If you keep some basics on hand, you just have to pop to the shop for chicken and cilantro, and maybe bean sprouts. Because asian food items are so readily available now, you shouldn't have any trouble finding ingredients.

You can enjoy a 14-day trial subscription by clicking here:

http://www.cookscountry.com/pwlogin.asp?did=4170&area=recipe&iseason=

Last night we had Quick Chicken Pad Thai.

For my kitchen novices--did you know you should read through a recipe a couple of times before you start cooking? I have found with these quick-cooking asian-inspired dishes, having all the ingredients measured and ready to go means I don't panic when I have a skillet full of hot oil! We are not all those show-off chefs at Big Bowl, ok?

Cook's Country Quick Chicken Pad Thai (serves 4)

Recipe available courtesy of May 2007 issue

8 ounces dried rice stick noodles, about 1/8 inch wide*

3/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup fish sauce**

1/4 cup juice from 2 limes

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)

4 garlic cloves, minced ( I used 6 cloves, Ialways add more garlic than is called for)

1/4 cup bean sprouts ( I omitted these, mine smelled funny!)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup chopped scallions

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

lime wedges and additional cilantro, for garnish

1. Cover rice sticks with hot tap water (I just boiled water in my tea-kettle while I started shredding the chicken, I live with an Irishman so we use the tea kettle alot!) and soak until softened but not fully tender, about 20 minutes. Drain noodles. While noodles are soaking, whisk 3/4 cup warm water, fish sauce, lime juice and sugar in bowl until sugar is dissolved.

2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking***. Add chicken and garlic and cook until lightly browned and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add noodles and fish sauce mixture and cook until noodles are coated with sauce, about 3 minutes ( I tossed the noodles with rubber-ended tongs). Scatter bean sprouts and cilantro over noodles and continue to cook, tossing constantly, until noodles are fully tender. Serve, topping with chopped scallions and peanuts if desired. I also garnished with additional cilantro and lime wedges.

*I used Golden Pak Rice Vermicelli

**I used Kikkoman Oyster Sauce

(You can also substitute 4 minced anchovy fillets in 1/4 cup soy sauce)

***This is CRUCIAL! Get that skillet hot so you can really brown the chicken!

Clean up is quick! Chopping board, some bowls, skillet....not too bad! And we ate all of it-no leftovers. This will definitely go into regular rotation!

Let me know what you think!

CoverGirl LashBlast and other drugstore mascara reviews

Two confessions:

First, I am currently putting off making a video post until I fix my hair. Mama needs a touch-up!

Second, you DO NOT need to spend a ton of money to get a great mascara!

THERE---I SAID IT!

Videos will be made, hopefully soon, but this mascara review just could not wait. I do lurve high-quality make-up, and my collection proves I don't mind spending money on it, but seriously, you do not need to fork over big bucks for a great mascara. Keep reading and learn about my favorites as well as some to avoid!

CoverGirl Lash Blast

I have a crush on this mascara. It is perfect for everyday use. The brush allows you to build volume and length equally for beautiful lashes. As with all CoverGirl mascaras, this comes in a variety of colors. I like the Black. If you are very fair, opt for the Black/Brown.

My friend used the waterproof version on her wedding day, and it really lasted, without flaking or clumping. I am looking forward to trying the fusion option, with brighter colors and shimmer.

If you need a perfect mascara for daily use, check this out. It retails for around $7.

Maybelline The Falsies Volum Express Waterproof

Perhaps the most disappointing mascara I have ever used!

I wanted the look of false lashes. Somedays, I feel like I just want huge, long, gorgeous lashes, and I thought this would be the ticket. WRONG! Clumpy, clumpy, clumpy. Honey, if I can't make a mascara look good, it ain't good! The formula doesn't work for me, and I found the brush cumbersome. I cannot WAIT to throw this one away.

I have used the regular Volum Express and found it to be satisfactory. Not amazing, but ok.

Maybelline Great Lash BIG Mascara

Meh.

Maybelline Great Lash has long been a favorite of make-up artists, and the basic Great Lash is good. It's a classic. For $5, you simply can't go wrong. I don't love the BIG though. I think it is trying to be Benefit's BADgal Lash, but it's not as luxurious. I could survive with this mascara, but I am not in love. If you crave a really big brush and can splurge, go for the Benefit-it's the original, and retails for $19. If you want to stay under $5, go for the Maybelline, but don't say I didn't warn you.

CoverGirl LashBlast Length

Ok, I know I already said I love the regular CoverGirl LashBlast. But this mascara is SO GOOD! The nylon in the formula is what is credited for keeping it from flaking. I have found my lashes keep that soft, flexible look, so they appear real, not caked-on and gross. The skinny long brush distributes the product evenly along the entire length of each lash. You can layer this one on and not get clumps.

If you want to go for a bit more length, this is the mascara for you. I am using the Black, but think when I stock up, I am going to get the Very Black as well, for ultra-glam nights out. Retails for $7-8 bucks, and absolutely worth it. As with the other CoverGirls....if you are very fair opt for Black/Brown.

I hope you found this helpful! Let me know what you think!

New Make-up!

I applied for my MAC Pro card last week! This is big news! It means I get to purchase MAC products at a discount....an advantage of being "in the field". I am so excited. I will get my card in a few weeks, but I did get to purchase items that day, with the discount. I exercised restraint, but did pick up a few brushes I have been coveting...

The 217 Blending Brush

The 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

And I am also now obsessed with the blush recommended by one of my favorite beauty bloggers, Amy, at http://www.makeupandbeauty.ie/

She recommended M.A.C.'s Springsheen, and I have been loving it this past month. I layer it over Benefit's Posietint, and am constantly asked what I am wearing on my cheeks. I love it because it looks good whether or not I have a tan.

I am still searching for the secret to taking better self-portraits so that I can share different looks with you. I don't know if it's my camera, the way I hold my giant head, or the fact that I have small eyes, but I never can take a good shot! So, until I figure that out.....here goes nothing!

Once I get the hang of better pictures, I start posting some how-to tutorials!

My other current favorite product is Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl! It came out last month and I am sooooo enjoying how it gives my skin a glow!!

It is a "liquid pearl for face", basically, a golden-pink highlighter that I have been using on cheekbones and cheeks, and down the center of the nose and a bit on the forehead. So pretty and girly!

I am just starting to get excited for fall make-up....a return to jewel tones and smooth, matte luminous skin. I will have to think up some fun new looks!