{Not So} Wordless Wednesday: New Haircut by Mark on Madison Edition! {#Photos}

Yesterday we talked about the Orgullosa Community, and that leads into my not so Wordless Wednesday today. In one of the facebook groups I belong to, one of the bloggers posted a call for New Yorkers who wanted to try out a new salon to let her know. With the year and a half I just went through, while I didn't make formal 'New Year's Resolutions', one of the things I promised myself this year is that I would not just embrace, but actually make change in my life. I know that this year won't be different if I approach it the same way, and do the same things.

I want 2013 to be a whole new year, one where I strive to balance taking more time for myself and still meeting the demands of an ever-changing constantly on the go schedule. Spending so much time last year in the hospital made my hair change a bit because of everything I went through including the crazy meds. So honestly when this opportunity opened up it was a total no brainer for me. And so I decided when I agreed to take it that I would truly let the salon go nuts and make my hair over totally.

Although true to my nature I did do my research!

About Mark on Madison:

Mark landed an apprenticeship with world-renowned hairstylist John Barrett at his Bergdoff Goodman salon (and you can best believe that the iconic salon located on the penthouse floor of Bergdoff Goodman in the heart of Manhattan must have been one amazing training ground as the women there expect no less than the best!)

Mark boasts quite a roster of celeb clientele (I won't name drop here, but you can check out his site www.markonmadison.com for a list).

Mark has worked with publications such as Sports Illustrated and Vanity Fair!

He has also worked a wide variety of high profile events including The Academy Awards, New York Fashion Week and Good Morning America!

Here is my Before:

Left: Ascending Butterfly, Right: Mark Borukhov of Mark on Madison Salon, NYC

I arrived with well below my shoulders curly hair! The first thing he told me was 'throw out your flat iron!' - As a life long wavy girl I wasn't sure at first how possible that would be for me as I normally prefer to wear my hair straight.

Here is my During:

Mark styles Ascending Butterfly at Mark on Madison Salon in New York City

Mark created long side parted fringe layers instead of bangs! He also blew out my hair in what has to be an Olympic Record Speed, and showed me how to section my hair for not only faster results, but also less breakage!

Here is my after:

Mark finalizes the style and the look is complete! Mark on Madison Salon, NYC

Voila!

My Take:

Mark took the time to understand what my real day-to-day is like and gave me his signature cut which not only frames my face, but he also took the time to teach me step by step how to maintain it, so when I left the salon I could keep the same style up at home with less effort than before. He also gave me product recommendations and helped de-bunked one of my product myths. I often avoided products that were labelled for 'curly' hair since I tend to wear my straight, but the for curly products he used on my hair worked well for me, and made me re-consider what I have been using at home.

And when I told him that I love my waves, I just hate the frizz, he gave me ideas to help achieve 'Beachy Waves' but avoid the frizz. He told after washing my hair to try gathering it like making a ponytail, then twist it clockwise and put it in a bun and sleep with it (works best for me with hair towel-dried because I have thin, fine hair that is very frizz prone) and then wake up and just rake the waves with my fingers, and then blow dry the front if I wanted it to be sleeker in the front or on top. I love that idea because it's actually workable for me since I have very little time in the morning. Thankfully I'm already using the right brushes (he recommended blow drying my hair with a boar bristle brush), which helps to make the process not only easier but also produce the desired results.

Oddly enough I went in finally ready to commit to a bigger change, and he didn't really feel I needed it. I don't have grays yet, so he didn't really feel a one process color would be a good idea for my hair type. And because I told him I do take the time out to try and wear my hair straighter, he didn't want me to take off a lot of length.

And if a great cut and styling, way faster than I even expected wasn't enough, we also went to a local coffee shop and talked 'shop' for awhile, you have to love a stylist who splits a cheesecake with you! If that's not down to earth I don't know what is!

I highly recommend Mark! And I also love that I found him on a New York City Bloggers forum, I love when bloggers share great leads! I'm not sure I would have found this salon without the recommendation, so word of mouth definitely pays off!

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Book an Appointment with Mark by calling the salon directly at 212.470-3604

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @MarkOnMadison on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Mark on Facebook too!

When you visit the salon, be sure to tag both Ascending Butterfly and Mark on Madison on Facebook so we can check out your new 'do'.

I don't have an official linky, but bloggers please feel free to comment on this post with a link to your Wordless Wednesday posts so we can check out your pictures too!

Happy Wordless Wednesday and Happy Hair Day Butterfly!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a non-compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received to share my salon experience. I was provided with styling services free of charge for editorial consideration, however as always, all opinions are 100% my own!

SILKtáge™ Rejuvenating Styling Serum Review!

This summer almost ended with a very radical decision, I was at the verge of totally chopping my hair off (which is now well below my shoulder blades), partly because I need a change, and partly because my ends were totally fried. Oddly enough, I didn't blow out my hair as often and only flat-ironed ONCE the entire summer, and my ends were fried central.

While I still may cut it this fall, mostly because I really do still want that change, it's not as much for emergency repair purposes anymore. And I honestly owe it all to one product!  When I'm evaluating a product I stop all others so I really know for sure whether or not it made a difference, and this one made a HUGE difference with my hair! And I'm pretty picky when it comes to WHO and WHAT touch my tresses.

SILKtáge™ Rejuvenating Styling Serum has been the only stylying product I've used on my hair for the past month, and it's made a tremendous difference. I have always battled the frizz monster, and right now, I'm dealing with much less frizz, thanks to SILKtáge™.

About SILKtáge™

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Organic Camellia and Monoi oils are the signature ingredients of SILKtáge™. Enhanced by other organic botanical oils, they combine to rid frizz, add silky shine, soften, smooth, rejuvenate, nourish, and protect hair naturally.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Also known as Green Tea Oil, Camellia Oil is an edible oil that is extracted from seeds of Camellia plants found in Japan. This ancient Asian secret for conditioning and styling hair is renowned for its nourishing and rejuvenating effects. It contains 90% essential fatty acids and extremely high levels of Vitamin E and polyphenols essential for binding moisture, thickening hair, stimulating hair growth, softening texture, and enhancing shine. It supplies abundant nutrients to the hair, skin, and scalp while imparting a silky shine.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Camellia Oil, certified organic by the National Organic Program, is the highest-percentage ingredient in the Rejuvenating Styling Serum, which means you get the full benefit of this remarkable oil. Camellia oil has been referred to as "liquid silk" and is known for making the hair "smooth as silk".

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Monoi Oil - This ancient Polynesian beauty secret is an infusion of Tahitian gardenia flowers soaked in coconut oil—a blend that has been used by the women in the islands of Polynesia for centuries to beautify and nourish the hair. Known for its conditioning and moisturizing properties, it helps repair damaged keratin fibers, smoothes the hair cuticle, adds shine, and makes hair easier to manage and style.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - What's in it: Certified Organic Camellia (green tea) seed oil, Certified Organic Coconut nut oil, Broccoli seed oil, Monoi oil flower extract, Certified Organic Jojoba seed oil, Certified Organic Wheat germ oil, Certified Organic Geranium flower oil, Palmarosa leaf oil, Certified Organic Rosemary flower/leaf oil, Certified Organic Clove bud oil, Certified Organic Essential oil fragrance blend.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - What's NOT in it: Parabens, Silicone, Alchohol, petroleum, preservatives, synthetic ingredients

My Take

What I particularly love most, is that SILKtáge™ helps you battle frizz without changing your hair's natural texture or type! If you have wavy hair, this is NOT going to make it straight, nor will it make straight hair curly, it takes your hair type, knocks out the frizz, and leaves more softness and manageability in it's wake, isn't that exactly what you want the perfect product to do?

It has a subtle scent that it leaves behind that I also like, and it's the most effective frizz fighter I've tried, and trust me, I've tried a ton of haircare products aimed at fighting frizz, and none have been this effective for me. I can wear my hair curlier and not worry about frizz, and when I choose to blow out my hair, this leaves it shinier!

I love that they sell trial size vials, not only for those who haven't tried it, but one permanently stays in my purse for last minute touch ups or refreshers, and the other is in my luggage! I honestly can't imagine not having one at my disposal at all times. And because the oils are all natural if my hair doesn't drink it all, and I have excess on my hands, I just rub into my hands and I swear they look softer too! It's a lightweight formula that leaves no residue.  Total win/win!

If your ends are as fried as mine were when I started using it, then use it as a leave in overnight for the first week, and your hair should be back to normal quickly.

 

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FTC Info: Ascending Butterfly received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for evaluation purposes. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials In Advertising. Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{CLOSED} Zippity Doos children's daily use hair care products review and giveaway!

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This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks so much to our wonderful sponsor Zippity Doo’s™! We look forward to working with you again! The winner is 'Jammie' - CONGRATS! Remember: There are great giveaways active on the upper right hand side of the page!

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Ascending Butterfly's 2 Cool 4 School Giveaway brought to you by:

When I was in elementary school we had mandatory school wide lice checks every semester without fail, which I absolutely hated! Thankfully I never caught head lice, and didn't know anyone who had it either. And the idea that the bugs or anything creepy crawly could possibly get in my hair grossed me out even then! Not to mention I had super long hair back then, way past my waist, and head lice would have been a guaranteed un-wanted haircut!

Here in NYC where bed bugs are becoming a pandemic, I worry about my niece, who much like me when I was her age, has very long hair, so I enlisted her help to facilitate this review!

About Zippity Doo’s™:

Benefits:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mild and safe enough to use daily

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Natural, gentle prevention instead of harsh treatments

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Laboratory Tested

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Paraben Free

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  SLS Free

Use Zippity Doo’s™ :

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Bath Time: Zippity Doo’s™Shampoo and Zippity Doo’s™ Conditioner as first line of defense against lice and other insects.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Every Morning: Zippity Doo’s™ Leave-In Detangler or Zippity Doo’s™ Styling Gel for an added and fresh layer of lice prevention before the kids head off to school or camp.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Daily/As Needed: Apply Zippity Doo’s™ Shield Spray on all surfaces, including hats, helmets, backpacks, pillows, bedding, toys, combs, clips, berets and other items and hair accessories that may harbor lice, nits and other insects.

My niece visited their Facebook Page after trying the products and thought it was super cool that Melanie B from the Spice Girls uses Zippity Doos in her house too! She found the smell of the shampoo a bit strong (I smelled it in the bottle before she used it, and I think she is picking up on the Tea Tree Oil) but liked the smell of the conditioner (which makes sense because the conditioner contains lavendar). Thankfully she has never had lice, and now with this prevention regimen from Zippity Doos I'm sure she never will! She also wanted you all to know that her big brother stole the hair gel! :)

My Take

I didn't personally use them, I let my niece take the entire set, she really liked it, and I'm thinking my nephew nabbing the hair gel is a good sign, he usually doesn't want to try anything with the word  'children' on it!

I did find the shampoo to have a bit of a 'medicinal' smell, but it really does dissapate quickly and if you use the conditioner right afterwards, the lavendar in the conditioner cuts the tea tree oil smell well. Tea Tree Oil is actually very good for the scalp, and is also used often in products for thinning hair as well. My sister and I both love that these products provide health benefits to the hair and scalp while helping prevent lice infestation! And the fact that they are Pediatrician Approved as well is definitely a good thing!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WIN IT! - Ascending Butterfly and our friends at Zippity Doo’s™  have a very special surprise for 1 lucky winner! 1 winner will receive a prevention regimen from Zippity Doo’s™!

Don't you just ♥ Zippity Doo’s™? I know I do!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - How to Win: (1) You must be a PUBLIC follower of Ascending Butterfly to be eligible for this and all giveaways. Indicate in your entry that you follow (if your 'comment name/user id' differs from your profile id, please let me know what name you follow under) and (2)MANDATORY- Answer: What lucky child is this going to? Are you trying to win for your daughter, son, niece, nephew or grandchild? (3) You must also leave your email address somewhere in your comment. (You can format it this way for security, example: ascendingbutterfly AT mail host DOT com). (If your email is clearly visible in your profile, you can just say so, that's OK!) Please follow the easy 1, 2, 3 steps to winning (or in this case, the A,B,C’s of winning!) This giveaway is open to USA who are 18 years of age or older. No PO Boxes. One entry per Household, see Ascending Butterfly Giveaway Rules and Disclosure Policy HERE.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please follow directions or you will be disqualified! All comments are moderated, they may not appear on the site right away (comments like "I want this" or "I want to win" will not be entered). You have from Tuesday, August 30, 2011 until Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at 03:00 PM (EST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win. You will have 48 hours to confirm if we do not hear from you we will be forced to move on to an alternate. (We only notify winners DIRECTLY via email, so if your profile or your comment does not have an email your entry will not be processed)

EXTRA CREDIT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Are you on Blog Lovin? Well so is Ascending Butterfly! Follow us on Blog Lovin for an extra credity entry!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blog about this giveaway, linking to this giveaway post. Leave the URL in a comment. (If your blog post contains more than just a pic and link you'll get 5 extra credit entries! Leave five entries.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Grab our NEW Button and put it on your Blog. Leave the URL where we can see it in a comment (if you have our old one, please swap it out, our URL address has changed!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Tracy_Iglesias on Twitter (this is ascendingbutterfly’s editor) and give me your twitter ID in a comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @zippitydooshair on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ascending1 on Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Tweet this:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ #Win @Ascending1 + @zippitydooshair Childrens #Haircare Prevention Regimen #Giveaway!  Ends 09/06 http://tinyurl.com/3v9g45f

(Leave a comment with the tweet’s url so you can get a valid entry (click on the time your tweet was sent to get the direct URL and then copy and paste it here). You can Tweet TWICE per DAY.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Digg about this giveaway and leave your digg username in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fave this blog on Technorati and leave your Technorati user name in your comment

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Facebook HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' Zippity Doo's Hair Care Prevention and tell them Ascending Butterfly Sent You (I'm sure they'd love for you to tell them who you are trying to win for too!) on Facebook HERE (Please post the link to your facebook comment, you can get that link the same way you get your link to your tweets!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow Ascending Butterfly on Networked Blogs HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Join Ascending Butterfly's NEW Community/Real Time Chat, Group HERE

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - One time only per giveaway, NOT a daily: Vote for Ascending Butterfly on: Fuel My Blog

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you entered another active giveaway on Ascending Butterfly? Let me know which one and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Have you commented on a non-giveaway entry? Let me know which one here and you’ll get more extra credit!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Press the button below and join, you get an extra entry for this giveaway and a shot at more great prizes, lets win together! (one time extra credit, will be verified before entry can be accepted)

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FTC Disclosure Info for this Giveaway: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product and the sponsor are my own experiences. I was provided product to facilitate the review and giveaway. The sponsors are fulfilling directly to prize winner(s), this in no way influenced my opinion of the products. Once a winner is selected and their information has been forwarded to the sponsor, the responsibility of prize fulfillment rests with the sponsor.

Got Frizz? Fight the April Showers with Liqwd!

Does that sound a bit counter-intuitive?

You can actually keep the frizzies at bay with Liqwd! No, not liquid, Liqwd! Let me start by saying this review is super long over-due, but the only benefit to that is that I really got to road test the product under every weather condition imaginable!

An unprecedented capsule collection, LiQWD professional products feature exclusive Nano-Hydrasphere™ and ColorLife® Technologies. Nano-Hydraspheres™ turn vital nutrients and potent volumizers into microscopic particles capable of penetrating the hair shaft to treat and transform critical, previously unreachable, cortex layers. ColorLife® works synergistically with Nanos to lock color brilliance and essential moisture in and environmental hazards out.

I have very fine hair that is wavy and super frizz prone, which is a difficult combo to work with. Not only do the pros have trouble keeping my mane shiny and fab, I have even more trouble! I find myself in a 'hair catch 22'. Taming the frizz, sometimes causes people to use products that 'weigh' the hair down to keep frizz at bay. But with fine hair, that will end up knocking all the body out of your hair, and if the frizz products are oil based and applied from root to tip, most of us with fine hair end up with the front almost greasy looking, but the middle to the ends still dry. Not pretty!

While April will always be my favorite month of the year because it's my Birthday and the start of Spring, it's also the month where 'April Showers bring May Flowers' and while I love Flowers, I do not love April Showers! and I hate what April Showers and humidity does to my hair!

My normal response to bad hair days are to book an appointment, but right now, salon visits are not in the budget! But I do have an arsenal of hair care products that help me keep the frizz at bay between Salon Visits!

Healthy hair is  hydrated hair, so start with the Hydrating Shampoo! The ultimate, moisture-powered solution for hair that’s processed, damaged or just plain parched. The result is fresh, dynamic, treatment-ready hair. I loved the smell and the way my hair felt from the first use. I don't know about you, but I can usually tell even when my hair is still wet, how well my hair will respond to the product. These are definitely salon quality and a little product goes a long way!

Liqwd calls this "The ultimate, everyday treatment for hair that's processed, damaged or just plain parched. The result is vital, voluptuous hair that radiates health, feels phenomenal and performs to perfection." I personally see this as far from 'everyday'. It certainly rivals many 'deep conditioning' treatments I've paid for in pricey salons!

If you noticed that the Volumizing Shampoo has a slightly bigger picture, it's because it is my favorite. It provides the same 'nano-hydration' for healthy, shiny hair, but also builds the volume that my fine, frizzy, thin hair lacks! In the words of Charlie Sheen 'Duh, Winning'!

It's encouraged on their website to mix and match products across their lines to get customized results, and this definitely worked wonders for me. My best results were achieved by using the Hydrating Shampoo, the Volumizing Conditioner, and the Think Big Professional Volumizing Catalyst (if like me you have very fine, thin hair, then I would suggest using LESS than the instructions require!).

And the creative, graphic designer side of me can't help but point out how sleek and wonderfully packaged the products are!

After visiting their blog, I'd definitely love to try the LiQWD Q-Keratin Smoothing Treatment next! It is Formaldehyde and Paraben free!

You can also get social with Liqwd on Facebook HERE. Don't forget to tell them that Ascending Butterfly sent you! I am sorry I don't have a giveaway this time, but hopefully we will soon, might not hurt to mention it while you are visiting their facebook page! ;)

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Active Giveaways!

1) Ends 04/15 - Yanni Truth of Touch CD Review and Giveaway! - Enter HERE!

2) Ends 04/19 - Easter Basket of Your Choice Giveaway! - Enter HERE!

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Vote Needed!

Voting Ends 04/15/11, I need You!!! I am a finalist in Mom Central Consulting's 'Grow Your Personal Brand' Grant Program. I would love your vote, but I would also love for you to read my entry. My essay is entitled 'Project Chrysalis'. A project, which many of you know has already begun. The essay questions I was asked to answer really made me think, about my 'brand' and most importantly about my goals both personally and professionally. I hope reading my entry brings you inspiration! This is a DAILY, 1 click, no registration required vote request. You can vote by pressing the image below or HERE:

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FTC Disclosure: I was not asked to write about Mom Central's Grant Program, nor does writing about it improve my chances. I feel the message they are sending by supporting bloggers efforts to grow their brand is an important and powerful one! This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions regarding the product are expressly my own experiences. I was provided product to review, this in no way influenced my opinion of my experiences with this product.