I started liking my hair after the invention of the flat iron, so I was excited to be able to review the new Hana Mini Flat Iron.  I was intrigued by the ingenious design in which a standard sized 8″ long flat iron could collapse to a compact 5″ length for travel. The Hana Mini has a fixed heat of 410° F, tourmaline ceramic 5/8″ width plates, and a 6 foot salon swivel cord.  There is an on/off switch and a red light that glows when the iron is on. It comes with a cute zippered silver travel bag and a metal container to store it.

Now to put the Hana Mini to the real test!  My hair is very coarse, extremely thick, and naturally frizzy.  If a flat iron can transform my hair into luxurious, silky, shiny hair that resists humidity, then it is a winner!

I began by blow drying my hair. I decided to flat iron the right side with the Hana Mini and the left hand side with my trusty Sedu Flat Iron on the 410° F setting. In each case, I sectioned my hair into small pieces and used a comb followed by the flat iron.

With the Hana Mini, it took several passes with the flat iron to smooth my hair, and of course, because the blades are shorter (2-3/4″) than the Sedu’s (3-1/2″), I used narrower 2″ sections as suggested by Hana’s instruction booklet. It took me two to three times longer to flat iron with the Hana Mini. Although both flat irons had a  410° F, the Hana Mini was not as hot as the Sedu. The heat of the Sedu stayed even and consistent while the Hana took longer to recover its heat during passes. All in all, the Hana Mini did straighten my hair, but it did not look nearly as silky and smooth as the Sedu side. And it did not resist humidity or stay smooth throughout the day.

Perhaps the Hana Mini is not suitable for my type of hair which is long, very coarse, frizzy and thick.  I think my hair was too much for the Mini! For me, I will stick with my Sedu because it is faster, hotter, and gives me great results.

However, the Hana Mini will be great for touch-ups. I think the Hana Mini’s power will be sufficient for short, fine or medium-textured hair, which needs less heat to smooth and straighten. It can also be used to flip the ends or curl hair. It is lightweight and very convenient for travel in its chic travel pouch. You can easily toss the travel bag in your purse, tote, gym bag, office drawer, or glove compartment. And as far as flat irons go, it doesn’t get any cuter than the Hana Mini’s compact blue or pink design!

Click on the thumbnails below for packaging, before & after, and comparison photos, along with descriptions.

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A number of readers have written in asking how to apply Folligen ($18 at the TIA store) to their eyelashes- A clever question since nowhere on Folligen’s instructions does it indicate that this bright blue potion can double as an eyelash growth product. Skin Biology’s Folligen cream is intended for use on the scalp, where its copper peptides make the hair follicles grow in strong and thick. But thanks to a tip from a reader, Marta discovered that the product’s effectiveness at restoring sparse patches of hair extends to the eye area as well.

If your eyelashes or eyebrows could use some filling in, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better buy than Folligen. Not only does a little go a very long way, but it has so many uses and is far more natural than many traditional remedies. Instead of the glaucoma drug called prostaglandins (found in most eyelash growth products on the market today) or dihydrotestosteone (found in most hair growth treatments), Folligen uses copper peptides. This active ingredient triggers hair growth by stimulating the capillaries to help follicles switch from the dormant telogen phase into the hair-growing anagen phase.

Using Folligen on your scalp is self-explanatory. All it takes is a dollop rubbed into your hairline or patch of thinning hair. To apply Folligen to your eyebrows, dip your pinkie or a Q-tip in the mouth of the bottle until it is coated in blue liquid. Then, trace a precise line where you are pining for a bushier brow. Getting Folligen to elongate your eyelashes is a trickier task, best explained by following the photo slideshow below. A quick disclaimer: more liquid does not lead to longer lashes. If you use Folligen sparingly, just as you would a liquid eyeliner, you should experience no irritation and gradual lash growth.

Ingredients in Folligen cream:

Purified water, squalane, octyl palmitate, PEG-100 stearate (glycerol stearate + PEG-100 stearate), cetyl alcohol, copper peptides (hydrolyzed soy protein and copper chloride), stearic acid, saw palmetto oil, allantoin, polypropylene glycol, diazolinydinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, herbal fragrance, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, ergocalciferol

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As we discovered last week, Kate is a fan of Head Organics’ hair spray and leave-in conditioner. We like that Head Organics deserves high fives from Mother Nature (no faux green going on here) while managing to produce hair care products that do their job efficiently and effectively. Call us superficial, but the packaging is cool too.

Now, if you’d like to experience Head Organics, we have one  500ml bottle of Head Organics 2-in-1 Fortifying Shampoo Plus Conditioner. And we are so confident that you’ll become a fan that we are throwing in a t-shirt and hat (seriously!).  The 2-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner is sulfate free, paraben free, glycol free and gluten free. What it does have is green tea, aloe and pomegranate.

As you know, not much comes for free at Truth In Aging, so we expect our generosity to be returned by getting your honest feedback. Leave a comment and email us at samples@truthinaging.com with your shipping address and Head Organics in the subject line.

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Ingredients

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, CocamidopropylBetaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Acylates Copoplymer, Sodium Lauroly Sarcosinate, Phenoxyethanol, Botanical Fragrance, Guar Hydroxpropyltrimonium, Chloride, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Camellia Sinensis (Green & White Tea) Leaf Extract*, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*, Sodium Chloride.*Certified Organic Ingredients*

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Posted by Marta

At last a conditioner that doesn’t leave my hair limp and heavy, or fickle and flyaway. Nutra-Lift has taken its skincare philosophy – good ingredients at a fair price – to haircare. I like all the botanicals and am even more impressed by the serum-quality actives: di-panthenol (vitamin B), hyaluronic acid (for moisture), vitamins A, E, B and C, plus antioxidant CoQ10 and green tea. And there’s nothing not to like.

This is the best conditioner I have found so far. But don’t take my word for it. The hair gods have entreated me to share the love and I have a full size bottle for one of you to review. Take note, this has a volumizing effect – so don’t apply if you want a conditioner that flattens and tames.

Leave a comment to convince us that you are as good as your word and email us at samples@truthinaging.com with your shipping address and ‘nutra-lift hair’ in the subject line.

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Reviewed and recommended: Nutra-Lift Daily Moisture Hair Conditioner

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Reviewed and recommended: Nutra-Lift Rejuvenating Therapy

Ingredients:

Water, di-panthenol. hyaluronic acid, linoleic acid, infusion of the following natural extracts: burdock, buckhorn, chaparral, comfrey, cranesbill, nettle, jojoba, rosemary, horsetail, hops, ivy, horse chestnut, slippery elm, olive leaf, milk thistle, golden seal, bilberry, butchers broom, passion flower, red clover, sage, willow bark, mulberry, jasmine, calendula, elder flower, orange blosson, fennel, yarrow, liposomes, coenzyme Q-10, grapeseed extract, pycogenal, msn, retinyl palmitate (vit A), mixed tocopherols, vitamin E, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C calcium ascorbate, mixed flavinoids, organic royal jelly, hydroxylpropyl guar, natural cetyl esters, plant derived behenyl tms, plant derived egms, almond extract, melon extract, collodial minerals.

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What do Jessica Alba and Tyra Banks have in common? This is not a trick question. Both celebs (in these photos at least) sport sleek, healthy-looking hair. It’s always nice to see red carpet regulars do away with the updo and let their hair down. With the summer approaching and humidity levels rising, it becomes more necessary than ever to have the right products for moisturizing your mane and taming frizz. To help you achieve Hollywood-worthy hair, we are giving away the brand-new Marula Natural Therapy collection by the long-standing multicultural hair care brand Motions.

Each product in the Marula line is enriched with 100% pure marula oil from the legendary Marula tree in the heart of Africa. This hair-strengthening oil is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals, which provide intense hydration to the scalp and hair. The Marula collection’s unique formulas combine honey, aloe, collagen, shea butter, and vitamins C & E to replenish moisture and elasticity to dry, damaged hair and reduce strand breakage after just one use.

Here is what one lucky winner will receive in the Marula Natural Therapy giveaway:

Strengthening Shampoo- cleanses, hydrates, and restores healthy shine with a blend of marula, honey, and vitamins C & E.
Strengthening Conditioner- strengthens, softens, and delivers volume to dull, fine strands with the help of shea butter and collagen.
Strengthening Thermal Oil Treatment- infuses hair and scalp with moisture through an in-shower that uses shea butter and honey combined with heat.
Hair Strengthening Moisturizer- keeps hair flexible, shiny, and protected from sun damage through a formula filled with emollients, essential minerals and amino acids, and UV protectors.
Hair Treatment Balm- moisturizes hair and scalp while minimizing heat damage and helping tame stray, split ends with marula oil and shea butter.
Hair & Scalp Oil- revitalizes and adds shine to heat-styled hair via chamomile and lavender extracts.

The Marula collection promises to leave coarse, thick, and curly hair strong and revitalized. As a salon-quality hair care line known for excellence in ethnic beauty, Motions’ new collection can be yours for simply leaving a comment under this post. The first respondent will win the giveaway. Anyone else can find these Motions products (for $6.99 each) at mass market retailers across the country, or on Amazon below.

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