Legit. My stylist friend Alis — hair whisperer/red lipstick enthusiast/friend to the kittehs — used Oribe Gold Lust Pre-Shampoo Intensive Treatment pre-shampoo mask on me last Sunday, and my hair still feels like silk. It’s like sexy slow-mo Super Bowl commercial hair.
My brush slides right through it, all the way down, zooooop, and when I run my fingers through it, the strands feels soft and moisturized, like slippery, twirly cooked spaghetti.
Beyond boosting moisture, the mask is also supposed to reduce split ends and breakage long term and protect your color, thanks to UV filters.
Alis applied the mask, which smells like sandalwood and jasmine and feels like a hybrid gel-balm, on my dry hair from midshaft to the ends while my color processed on my roots.
Between the chatting, tea drinking and shameless reading of Us Weekly magazine (even the reeeeeeally old ones), I lose track of time at the salon, but I think it was on there for 30 minutes or so.
Then, Alis rinsed it out, worked shampoo and conditioner through, and styled.
Even now, days later and after a co-wash with Drybar Double Standard (more on this in a few) and a styling session with my trusty ghd curling iron, I can still feel the after effects of the mask’s softness and bounce, and seriously, where the heck did all the knots I usually have go? I have, like, no tangles.
See, this is why I listen when Alis raves about something, because the results are otherworldly hair.
The last thing she got me hooked on was R+Co High Dive…and now I’m on my third bottle. Did I really need to fall in love with a $69 (!) hair mask? Probably not… But man, it’s really, REALLY good.
Trying to be hardcore when you’re more like no core
I’m pretty sure I don’t have any muscles in my core. Instead, there are tumbleweeds and fluffy clouds in my abs…
I’ve never naturally had much core strength, and the C-section obliterated what little strength I did have before, but I’ve been on a mission to strengthen my core lately.
It’s something to do, LOL! Also, I like to switch things up in my workouts, because one thing I’ve learned from doing HIIT this year is that switching things up keeps it interesting.
Your core will love you and hate you at the same time.
I’ve been doing lots of Pilates-based core work, and it’s really hard, dude! This beginners abs workout by Blogilates is one of my current faves. Even after two weeks of it, my lower abdominals feel stronger (and my lower back aches less). I discovered muscles down there that I didn’t know I had. Or, maybe I did know I had them before, but I forgot they were there.
I used to think Pilates was really boring, and I still kinda do, but this video goes through everything you need to execute each of the moves correctly, like where you need to squeeze and how to hold your body.
It’s thorough, and when you’re trying really hard to squeeze the crap outta your quads, your booty and your stomach, thorough helps.
By the end of this video, I’m dripping in sweat.
Anyway, long story short, try it sometime!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy humpday!
Linda Libra Loca says
December 20th, 2017 at 7:56 amI did a lot of Popilates after my first pregnancy to get some strength back, but at the moment I am relying on HIIT only. And on constantly chasing two kids. And on cycling to work. Anything you can do without loosing too much time.
I should do one of her videos again!
Linda Libra Loca recently posted … Winter Evening Skincare Routine 2017 – Atmospheric inversion
Karen says
December 20th, 2017 at 3:55 pmYou should!
Kim says
December 20th, 2017 at 8:45 amAlis is really great with the hair recs for you! As you know, I’m on the fine/no need for extra moisture side, but I’ll bet anyone with thick hair would love this mask. 🙂
I got the Windsor Pilates DVDs when they came out (100 years ago) and still do the advanced workout from time to time. Some of those moves/holds are killer. You’ve just inspired me to do it this afternoon. Hopefully I’ll have more time to workout. Only 15 more minutes and I’m off until January 2nd. A much needed holiday break!
Karen says
December 20th, 2017 at 3:53 pmHi Kim,
I’m testing some new products from Herbal Essences that you might like — foam conditioners made for fine hair! They add moisture without weight, and there’s different versions of them (one for dry hair, one for regular, etc.). Will let you know if they’re any good.
Hope you have a wonderful break. If I don’t chat with you until after the 2nd have a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
Rachel says
December 20th, 2017 at 11:34 amI would call your car picture more “smizing” than “deer in headlights”! If I know I am going to shampoo, I’ll put some oil on my ends before. And speaking of core exercise, I’m sure I have a core its just covered in beer belly! Oh well!
Karen says
December 20th, 2017 at 3:42 pmHi Rachel,
That’s so smart to put oil on your ends to prep them. I’m going to do that tonight with some Shu Uemura hair oil. Do you give them a few minutes to soak up the oil? Or do you just slick it on before you hop in the shower?
Rachel says
December 20th, 2017 at 6:22 pmI try to let it soak in a while but usually don’t remember!
Tatiana says
December 20th, 2017 at 12:09 pmThere was a sample of some type of Oribe Gold Lust Masque in the last Barney’s gift bag I got and man, I loved that tube. My hair was so soft and moisturized every time I used it. I need to buy some. Sigh.
Pilates bores the daylights out of me. My friend recommended a new dressage instructor for me, so I think I’ll just those lessons to strengthen my abs. It seems like neither of my trainers likes to do ab work themselves, so they never torture their clients with it.
Karen says
December 20th, 2017 at 3:35 pmHmm, I wonder if it was this one? This pre-shampoo mask is relatively new. There’s also the Transformative Mask, which I think works more like a traditional conditioning mask. If it’s anything like this one I’m sure it’s fabulous.
So, pilates is hella boring to me, but when I try doing the moves correctly (try being the key word here) it’s much more interesting. The cool thing about core work is that it’s so much more than abs. You’re working your back, your booty, your quads, your obliques… It’s good stuff! Try the video sometime.
Tatiana says
December 20th, 2017 at 8:38 pmIt’s the Gold Lust Transformative Masque. It really makes my hair so soft and silky and shiny even. It’s $66 for 5 oz.
I’ve tried pilates in a studio with several different instructors, some of who came very highly recommended. Longest hours of my life. I like workouts where after an hour I’m upset the hour is up. With pilates I’m watching the clock after 10 min. Just not my thing.
Chelsea says
December 21st, 2017 at 4:20 pmI have a lot of core strength, but it definitely doesn’t look it because I have a belly (I’m overweight, and that is where my weight tends to go). Aerial really kills it for getting the core strength (and upper body strength!).
Buffy Hamilton says
January 21st, 2018 at 2:42 pmKaren, thanks for sharing your experience with this awesome mask. Because of your post, I ordered some, and I looooooooooooooooove it. I make sure to emulsify it in my hands, apply to midlengths and ends only, and 10 minutes is good for me. I wash with the Oribe color shampoo and the volume shampoo; I end with the Oribe color conditioner. It really soothes my menopausal hair that has become crazy oil at the scalp and dry on the ends. This does not make my hair oily anywhere and makes it much cooperative!