Oily hair and dandruff go together like 'yuck'. I'm not an expert and will never understand how skin can be oily and dry at the same time. Since my dramatic hair transformation last year ('tryna' go black to blonde), I've had major scalp issues. My hair is much more oily and I have dandruff!? Yup - dandruff. It's kinda like 'the' curse word nobody says out loud - DANDRUFF! Ok, now that I've said it aloud, or rather posted it in shouting context, lets talk oil and flakes.  

Amongst the damaged hair treatments and gentle hair care, I've been struggling to combat my oily hair and dry scalp. After just one day, my hair looks greasy (I KNOW). My hair is damaged from bleach and I can't shampoo every day, so I began researching.. My oh so lovely hair stylist recommended I apply Bumble and Bumble All-Style Blowdry to my scalp prior to blow-drying my hair. I also use Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry and Mending Complex on my strands. The All-Style Blowdry formula has oil-absorbing powders and doesn't leave buildup on your scalp. Applying this product after washing my hair has reduced the oil buildup dramatically. 

In all my on-line studies, I realized that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, so I invested in a few treatments. My favorite treatment shampoo is Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo. The charcoal and coconut oil-infused shampoo exfoliates and soothes your scalp. The detox formula is super refreshing. Scalp Revival has a peppermint scent and slightly tingles. I expected a strong cold-tingly feeling but was pleasantly surprised at the subtlety. I use this shampoo every two weeks for a super cleansing, refreshing, detox of the scalp.

Phyto Phytopolléine Botanical Scalp Treatment regulates the scalp, promoting healthy, energized hair. This oil treatment is super strong in scent and sensation. I use it once a month and love how refreshed and revitalized my scalp feels. This elixir is 100 percent pure and natural oils - Approximately four pounds of fresh plants per bottle!

The combination of these three products has allowed me to skip TWO DAYS in between washings. This is a big deal for me (I used to wash every day). My scalp is less itchy, I have fewer flakes and my oil problem has subsided (at least for two days). Washing my hair two-three times a week is so beneficial to the hair-repair process. It never occurred to me to treat the skin on my head, but it makes perfect sense now. I invest so much money in facial serums and creams, of course, I should invest in my scalp.

The damage was irreversible and getting worse, so I went back to black (again). I couldn't handle the greenish blonde, gray roots and orange ends, and another coat of bleach would've completely destroyed my hair. The first black dye job didn't take and I had to go back one week later for another. After just one wash, the color diminished and the greenish/blonde was visible again (pictured here). 

During the first month post botched, bleaching job, I lost a lot of hair in the shower, while styling my hair (I was super gentle with the blow-dryer and absolutely no straightener), and while sleeping. There was hair all over my house! My hair is broken half way and even down to one inch in length in some areas. It feels like slime when I wash it and despite the two Olaplex treatments (one, two and three), I don't see a significant improvement. 

I had to consider a new hair style, cause my straw-like do was terrible. I went to Miami to see my long-time, AMAZING stylist for treatments and a cut. The hair on the top of my head and at the front was more destroyed than the back and had to be chopped off. I was hoping for the Alexa Chung style, but it didn't work with my face, so we cut bangs. 

My stylist in Miami suggested Kérastase Bain Force Architecte shampoo, Kérastase Resistance Cement Anit-usure Strengthening Anti-breakage Cream, Bumble and Bumble Mending Complex and Bumble and Bumble Repair. 

I was harping on Olaplex bad and explained how I was loosing so much hair and saw no improvement. He says Olaplex does work and links the broken bonds in your hair, but mine was so damaged that only time and proper care would repair it. My stylist said that it may not seem like the Olaplex is helping, but maybe if I hadn't been using it, my hair would be in worse condition - I can't imagine it being worse than this! 

I'm no hair specialist, but from my experience, I'm gonna say that Olaplex may work and link the broken bonds in your hair caused by chemical treatments, but there are limits. Olaplex can't immediately repair damage caused by hair bleach and will not maintain your hair through 5+ applications of bleach. Hair stylists may be able to push the envelope further, but Olaplex is not a miracle treatment and won't maintain the integrity of your hair if you push the bleaching process too far. Unfortunately, I've learned this the hard way. The stylists who bleached my hair went too far and greatly compromised the integrity of my hair. For details on my botched, bleaching job see below..

I'm packing for Santorini, Greece (YAY!) and thought I'd share with you my summer vacation essential cosmetics list and vacation beauty advise. Rule #1 - keep your makeup natural and your routine simple.

Opt for a natural glow with Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder and Bobbi Brown Blush and Highlighter Cheek Palette - shades of coral brighten your face and accentuate your bronzed skin. Buxom Mascara in black will make your lashes thicker, longer and give you a naturally enhanced look. I'm a lipstick girl, so it's no surprise I have four lip products in my cosmetic bag - Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme for the ultimate pouty lip, YSL Tint-in-Oil lip gloss to nourish my lips, Dior Addict Lip Glow in coral for the perfect summer shade and Bite Beauty BB for lips to hydrate, prime and protect my lips from sun damage.

Where there are tropical temperatures there is usually humidity which = frizzy, unmanageable hair! Don't fuss over a perfect hairstyle and opt for wavy 'I'm on vacation and I don't care' hair. Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder is a light dry shampoo with a fresh scent (oh and gives great volume when applied to roots). For texture and light hold in your waves use Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Finish.

Protecting your body from sun damage is of the utmost importance. I use Tizo3 sunscreen on my face (day and night, cause it's a great tinted primer), Skin Ceuticals Epidermal Repair for much needed moisturizing after the sun - this cream is used to repair skin after facial procedures and works great on sunburns. After a long day in the sun, the fresh scent of Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (reminds me of blueberries) will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated - this cleanser removes makeup and oil while gently exfoliating your skin. Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash is effective and refreshing.

I've been a dedicated fan of Bumble and Bumble shampoo and conditioner for years, but a few months ago I went on weekend trip and packed samples of Drybar hair products in my carry-on (simply because I was lacking space). I'm so happy I did! I always get samples from beauty stores and hardly ever use them.. this time paid off and I've learned my lesson - try new things! I have been converted and am using Drybar shampoo and conditioner, Texas Tea and Sake Bomb. Texas Tea volumizing shampoo and conditioner provide instant fullness without stripping your hair of moisture. Texas Teas gives you that much needed weightless bounce we all desire. Sake Bomb shampoo and conditioner are nourishing, have a pleasant scent and leaves your hair feeling incredibly silky and most importantly - shinny. I go back and forth between the two, depending on what my hair needs, moisture or volume.

Sake Bomb is available in travel size - the 1.7 oz bottle is flat and convenient when packing too many toiletries (as I often do). Purchase these and other Drybar products at thedrybar.com or Sephora.com. 

*Both Sake Bomb and Texas Tea shampoo and conditioner are free of sulfates, parabens and phthalates.

I recently read an article about the misuse of dry shampoo (I can't recall where I read it though). As do many of you, I applied dry shampoo in the morning when my hair was oily and immediately brushed it through. I've learned that you should apply dry shampoo at your roots before bed - this will allow time for the dry shampoo to combat the oil while you sleep and in the a.m. your hair will look fresh (as fresh as it can be with dry shampoo). This method works great - the results are fresh hair, no oil and less of the heavy residue feel you get with applying in the morning.

I use Bumble and Bumble prêt-á-powder at night - it's too heavy for daily morning use, but a great sleep-on-it dry shampoo. This dry shampoo smells great, the powder is light and blends fairly quickly. Prêt-á-powder is available at www.bumbleandbumble.com and Sephora.

In the spirit of award season, I'm presenting b.a.gorgie beauty product awards to cosmetics I recently discovered and absolutely luv!

Sephora Ultimate Oil-in-Gel Lipstick Remover quickly removes lipstick and lip stains without harsh rubbing. This product is excellent! I wear lip stains often and usually the red and pink stain is still visible days later despite my efforts to scrub it off. This oil-in-gel lipstick remover immediately erases lip color, leaving your lips soft and clean.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine is my new favorite lipstick. The colors are vibrant, slightly shiny and the creamy lipstick allows for easy application. Most importantly, this lipstick doesn't dry your lips. I luv the lipstick casing design - it's unique, pretty and what attracted me to this product.

I know I keep talking about Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish, but it's because this product is amazing. This styling spray adds texture and volume to hair, smells good and comes in a mini purse size for on-the-go touchups. Trust me - you will luv this product.

Bumble and Bumble All-Style Blowdry - This styling product has micro oil-absorbing powders that extend the life of your blow-dry by one day (maybe even two). It adds volume, smells great and leaves your hair feeling clean and fresh.

Givenchy Mister Perfect Instant Makeup Eraser is a makeup removing marker that allows you to correct mistakes on your lips and eyes. No more struggling with q-tips...this remover has a slanted tip for precision removal.

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow adds color and makes your eyebrows appear thicker. I usually fill-in my eyebrows with a dark eyeshadow and will most likely continue this method for full-makeup looks, but for day to day I'm using Gimme Brow.

Congratulations on your b.a.gorgie beauty product awards!

I have a favorite dry shampoo that I've used for years, but I'm always open to trying new products...here's my opinion on "best dry shampoo products" (as per a handful of magazines). Oh and I included two of my own choices, cause I think they reign the dry shampoo arena and deserve mention.

Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder does the job, the scent is nice and it gives great volume. For those of you that have thin hair, this product will give you that much needed boost. Downside - I have black hair (dyed) and the Bumble and Bumble Prêt-a-Powder is hard to work through my hair and ensure no visible powder. Great product for styling, volume and a night out, but may leave residue and kinda heavy for daily use. 

Alterna Cleanse Extend Dry Shampoo - I can't get passed the strong scent; it was unbearable! 

Simply Smooth Xtend Between Dry Shampoo smells fruity and sweet - luv the scent. Simply Smooth's spray dry shampoo does give your hair a slight sheen, which is great for those of us with dark hair. This product leaves no residue and gets the job done, but so do most dry shampoo's! It's ok, but I'm not in awe of the results.

Detox Dry Shampoo is all the fuss in magazines and don't see the appeal. The scent is very strong and smells old-ladyish. This product also leaves residue and feels heavy in your hair.

Sephora Express Dry Shampoo is still my favorite. It smells ok (a little too floral for my taste), but it dissipates quickly. It leaves no residue, gives you volume and you can layer the product depending on how much you need without weighing your hair down. Best part is it retails for $9 at Sephora.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish isn't really a dry shampoo, but I thought I'd throw it in the mix, because it's a great styling product that gives similar results. I often use dry shampoo for volume and texture and that's exactly what this product is meant to do. Dryspun Finish doesn't absorb oil, but will assist you in creating a textured, voluminous look. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dry Spun Finish is my latest prized product.

I cut my hair short a few months ago and seriously struggled to adapt to my new do. I had long straight hair that required little styling and virtually no product (except oil) - My new style is the polar opposite! Don't get me wrong, I luv my bob cut, but there is a major adjustment period. If you are thinking about jumping on the short hair trend-wagon, do it! Short hair is modern, versatile, and youthful.

href="http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/index.tmpl#1">Bumble and Bumble to the rescue. I'm obsessed with this product line and of course my new bob cut product combination consists of Bumble and Bumble products. I tried many brands over the last few months, a plethora of products in my hair and I have come up with the best bob or "lob" product combination.

Step one: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse. Apply to wet hair and focus on your crown for volume. Randomly blow-dry your hair - you're going for a wind-blown look.

Step two: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish. Once your hair is dry, spray Dryspun Finish onto your crown for more lift and sparingly throughout your hair to add thickness.

Step Three: Bumble and Bumble Cityswept Finish. My Favorite! This is your bob or "lob" cuts new best friend. Lift your hair and as it falls spray Cityswept Finish in swift motions. Use your fingers to separate and Voila! You have the perfect effortless, wind-blown look.

Optional: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray. Perfect for waves and loose curls. It is light and manageable.

*Many Bumble and Bumble products come in travel sizes, so you can experiment with these products for a fraction of the cost. Visit www.bumbleandbumble.com and Sephora for the complete product line.