Want Stunning Locks? Do this.

About a month ago, I started using Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask twice a week.

Since then, my over-processed hair has been looking and feeling amazing. So much so, that I find I'm getting more and more compliments on my hair. And as an added bonus, anyone who touches it can't believe how soft it is (pro stylists included).

Turns out that protein is key in repairing damaged hair. "The Restorative Hair Mask plumps up hair by delivering a blast of protein," says Moroccanoil stylist Steven Turpin. "It is designed to strengthen over-processed or damaged hair."

Now that my hair is optimal condition, I use it once an week in the shower and leave on for about 5 minutes.

Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask costs for $40.80 and is available at fine salons and spas across the country.

What's your favourite deep-conditioning treatment?

New Bar Blos into Bayview

I work super close to Bayview Village. So imagine how excited I was when I was invited to a sneak preview of the new Blo Blow Dry Bar.

I'm always on the lookout for a great place for a blow out that's reasonably priced and of course - FAST!

Blo Blow Dry Bar in Bayview Village meets all those requirements and more! It's super convenient with hours before and after work (as well as all day) and blow drys are a flat rate of $35 - so you gals out there with long locks like me don't have to pay an extra premium!

Choose from a variety of blos from their menu, including the Executive Sweet (sleek, straight locks) and the Red Carpet (a classic blow-out).

For those of you who work or live near Bayview Village, I highly recommend it! I know I will be a frequent visitor!

For more information, or to book your Blo, visit: www.blomedry.com.

Are you fan of getting your hair blown out?

Hawaiian Tropic Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest!

Since our first winner never claimed the prize. I've randomly selected another winner.

The new winner is....@kdevito

Congratulations Katie!

To everyone else - thank you for entering and check back often for more giveaways!

Guest Post: Sail through Security

I recently did a guest post on Chic Savvy Travels, discussing packing tips. I've done a follow-up post discussing how to pack your liquids and gels so getting through security is a breeze. You can read it here.

How do you get all your must-have products through security?

Image courtesy of passportmagazine.com.

Wedding Woes

Well it's upon us - wedding season. As we all scramble to find dresses to wear to the often multiple weddings we are invited to in the summer, we struggle not only with the desire to use the invite as an excuse to buy a new dress - but also with making sure we have the right undergarments to go with said dress.

Let's face it, buying a new dress is the fun part. Making sure no straps show and ensuring no slip-ups occur can be tedious - and expensive. Sometimes it would be nice to have a personal stylist on hand to help prevent any wardrobe malfunctions.

Enter Soul Beautiful's ToolKit collection. From bra extenders and fashion tape to strap solutions, Soul Beautiful's ToolKit collection is like having a personal stylist without the price tag.

Pick-up Soul Beautiful's ToolKit collection at Murale or Wal-Mart. Priced from $5.99 to $39.99, you can ensure you look perfect all night long without breaking the bank. Just remember, don't outshine the bride!

What are your secrets for surviving wedding season?

Image of William and Kate courtesy of telegraph.co.uk.

The Ultimate Beauty Crime

According to a study by Clairol, visible roots are the ultimate beauty crime. In the study, 25 per cent of women said exposed roots and unnatural looking hair (23 per cent) are the worst offenders for beauty faux-pas. This makes me even more happy I saw my colourist this week and I'm no longer suffering with this look.

So if you’re going to colour your hair, make sure that it looks natural and before you leave the salon, take the extra ten minutes to book an appointment for a touch-up so you’re not begging your colourist to squeeze you in when you simply can’t stand your hair any longer.

Some other interesting stats from the survey include:

• 85 percent of Canadian women have changed their hair colour at least once, and 20 per cent have changed it more than 20 times

• Women in Quebec have coloured their hair slightly less often than in the rest of the country while women in Western Canada have changed it the most often

• In Quebec, natural-looking colour is less important than in the rest of Canada (42 per cent in Quebec vs. 55 per cent national average, whereas seasonal trends are more important to them (26 per cent in Quebec vs. 19 per cent national average)

• In Atlantic Canada, seasonal trends matter the least, and 52 per cent seek natural-looking hair colour above all else

• 22 per cent of Canadian women change their hair colour after an emotional situation, with Ontario and Quebec leading the pack

Do you ever commit the ultimate beauty crime?

Image courtesy of realbeauty.com.

Giveaway: Hawaiian Tropic

With the first official day of summer just around the corner, it means that it’s time for pool parties, cottage weekends and a summer giveaway!

To help keep your skin protected and feeling great while you enjoy the outdoors, enter to win a Hawaiian Tropic summer essentials gift package worth over $100!

The prize package includes:

· Beach tote, hat and sunglasses
· Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer SPF 15
· Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer After Sun
· Hawaiian Tropic Lightweight Sheer Touch SPF 30
· Hawaiian Tropic Lightweight Sheer Touch SPF 60
· Hawaiian Tropic Crème 10

To enter, do any one or more of the following:
- Leave a comment on this post
- Follow Style and Error on Facebook
- Become a follower using Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Twitter @mdulos
- Tweet/Facebook post about this giveaway by clicking the buttons below this post
- Mention this giveaway on your blog (include a link to your blog in your comment if you do this)
- Retweet one of my tweets about the contest

Contest closes June 20, 2011 (11:59 pm EST).

Guest Post: Style Tips for Moms

Being a Mom and having good style don't need to be mutually exclusive.

Check out my guest post on Multiple Mayhem Mamma for simple tips for Moms on how to up the style quotient.

Do you have any style dilemmas?

Images courtesy of freshkarat.com.

Pucker Up

It seems like more of us are turning to lip colour for a little pick-me-up. A simple, affordable and quick way to change your entire look, I think lipstick (or gloss for that matter) is always a good investment and it appears I’m not the only one.

According to a recent study completed by NPD Group, the sales of the prestige lip segment (lip colour, lip liner, lip gloss, lip applicators)were up by 7% in U.S department stores from January to April 2011.

Karen Grant, vice president and senior global industry analyst, The NPD Group, weighed in on the results:

"What is particularly noteworthy of the trend in lip color is that we are seeing these significant increases in sales at a time when overall usage of lip color appeared to be dropping off. Coming out of the recession, it seems that the consumers thirst for color and play was reawakened."

The top five brands so far this year are:
1. Mac Lipstick
2. Lancome L’Absolu Rouge
3. Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstic
4. Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Shine
5. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

What is your favourite lipstick brand/colour? Have you noticed more colors in your lipstick arsenal lately?

Image courtesy of spoiledpretty.blogspot.com

Canadians Prefer Blondes

If a recent Ipsos Reid Poll is right, it seems that Canadians love blonde hair. The poll, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional showed that 59% of Canadians believe that "blondes are sexy" and given the choice to choose any hair colour for a day, one third of Canadians would choose to go blonde or stay blonde.

I've been both blonde and brunette, and while I can't say one is better than the other, I can say the upkeep of blonde locks is much more time-consuming (and expensive!) than brunette hair.

The poll also showed that 88% of Canadians agree that hair is an important part of one's appearance. So the next time you're running late in the morning, spend more time on your hair than your make-up!

What hair colour do you prefer? Do blondes really have more fun?

Image courtesy of graphicshunt.com.

No Cuts, All Glory.

I admit it. I broke a cardinal beauty rule: don’t cut your hair before a big event. I broke another one too - at the same time – don’t pick this time to try a new stylist as well!

Before heading out on a business trip to NYC, I decided I couldn’t stand another day with my unkempt, desperately-in-need-of-a-trim hair. So, I went to a new stylist. And it was fine. It’s not that I got a bad cut or anything. In fact, I liked it.

But when I had very little in time in NYC to spend on coiffing my ‘do, it became apparent that my go-to tricks weren’t working with my new cut. The 10 minutes I set aside for hairstyling, quickly turned into 45, which made me scramble to get out the door on time. Not so fun.

So, learn from my mistakes… you need at least a week with a new cut before you go to any major event to get used to it and to learn how to style it properly.

What beauty rules have you broken?

Image courtesy of badlittlehairdays.blogspot.com.