What are you doing? I'm just feeding my Scalp!

Once the New York City summer humidity starting kicking in, I got a strong urge to chop my hair off, so I did. I cut it in a short, layered sassy style that I absolutely loved. Until I had to re-create it myself that is. I couldn't quite get it to look the same the stylist did. But I also cut it to make sure I nipped split ends in the bud, and now I want to be sure to keep it as healthy as it looked when I cut it.

My hair and I have had a lifelong battle, and I am not sure either of us ever win. We are both stubborn and want things our own way. My hair goes nuts when it's humid out, but I'm over ponytails and pulling it back, that's why I cut it, to force myself to style it more and not cop out with ponytails, buns or some other slicked back hairstyle.

Years ago I read this magazine article where they suggested changing your shampoo and conditioner periodically helps when your hair doesn't seem to be responding to your favorite shampoo and conditioner. With that in mind, I came across something new and thought I'd try it out.  Seems like there may be something to this theory!

When the hair gets frizzy, the hair goes SHOPPING!

Ascending Butterfly holding Duane Read Circular, time to shop!

Can't hurt to check out what's on sale right?

HairCare Aisle, Duane Reade

Look Up - It's the Haircare Aisle!

CLEAR Scalp & Hair THERAPY Shampoo & Conditioner

What's This? I spot the NEW CLEAR Scalp & Hair THERAPY Shampoo and conditioner! There were quite a few choices, after reading the descriptions of each, I selected the one called 'Strong Lengths' for my hair needs, but you can actually pick out which one works for you before even hitting the store, take the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Quiz, it's only 7 easy questions to strong, beautiful hair! There is another interesting test you can take that measures the strength of your hair. 99% of hair's natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp. So feed your scalp right, and you will be feeding your hair right!

I decided on 'Strong Lengths' from Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy

The Strong Lengths Strengthening Serum will help make hair stronger in only 7 days. It's a Scalp & Hair regimen that's ideal for hair prone to breakage. And because I tend to wear ponytails a lot, my hair is definitely more prone to breakage and split ends. (I for one can't imagine working out without picking my hair up and putting in a ponytail or bun, that part I just can't change!).

Duane Reade, What's in my basket?

Found additional sales I just couldn't pass up! AquaFresh Toothpaste on sale for only .99 cents, not the small size, the regular size! Pretty hair and pearly whites too, who can resist?

Ben & Jerry's Display at Duane Reade

RUH ROH! Ben & Jerry's Buy One Get One FREE!!! Sweet Temptation!

Duane Reade Shopping Basket, getting MUCH fuller by the minute!

Wait! How did those two pints of Ben & Jerry's get in MY basket?

I'm thinking it may be time to head to the cashier before I get tempted buy more snacks!

Waiting for a Cashier, Duane Reade

Trying to keep focused and ignore the snacks to my immediate right!

Manager signing a rain check!

Turns out they didn't have enough of the AquaFresh Toothpaste in stock so the manager gave me a raincheck so I could come back when they are back in stock! He was able to find me one (I had selected the wrong ones), so at least I was able to nab one at the great .99 cents sale price! SCORE!

Had to make sure I put the ice cream away first when I got home! They seem quite happy in my freezer next to an organic chicken! LOL

My new shampoo & conditioner and toothpaste!

My new finds in my bathroom on my fave 'zen shelf'

Love how the bottles sleek style totally match my zen shelf!

Got everything stocked and put away where it belongs!

Get more info about the products featured here:

http://www.facebook.com/clearhaircare
http://www.clearhaircare.com/

http://www.facebook.com/clearmen 

http://www.youtube.com/clearhaircare

http://www.duanereade.com/

http://twitter.com/duanereade

http://twitter.com/clearhair


GIVING CAMPAIGN:


You know how much Ascending Butterfly loves it when brands give back! From Monday, June 11th, 2012 through Saturday, August 11th, 2012, $5 for each new Duane Reade Facebook Page 'Like', up to $100,000 will be donated between six participating partners through the Duane Reade Charitable Foundation (DRCF). You can help make a difference in promoting health and wellness within the New York tri-state area. For more info visit www.duanereade.com/charity and don't forget to 'Like' Duane Reade on Facebook to participate!

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I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ but all opinions expressed are my own #CBias #SocialFabric Questions about Ascending Butterfly's Disclosure Policy? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

My Day as a Not So Mystery Shopper in New York City!

Years ago when the 'Mystery Shopper' idea became popular and people were looking for a way to supplement their income, programs cropped up like wildfire, some reputable, others not so much. I won't say the idea didn't intrigue me, but I never had time to pursue it.

The opportunity finally presented itself, well kind of!

As many of you know, I am now a Duane Reade VIP Blogger, it all began with my entry essay blog post where I shared a bit about what Duane Reade meant to me on a personal level which you can check out HERE. When I found I got selected it made that week's Moment of Gratitude, which you can check out HERE.

Here is a Group Shot of myself and fellow fabulous Duane Reade VIP Bloggers:

Can you spot the butterfly?

Being a part of this program has given me the opportunity to take on shopping missions and share with you a bit about my purchase experience, from how I selected what I was going to buy, the path to purchase and then the products getting used at home. It's like being a mystery shopper except without all the mystery!

For me my first shopping 'mission' was all about a lazy weekend and movie night. I knew I didn't feel like cooking, and wanted my favorite snacks at hand for my Movie Night, so I checked out the online  Duane Reader Circular to find out what was on sale before heading out to the store! (Prices in this reader are available through June 2, 2012). I was excited that right on page 1, I spotted my favorite treat, Haagen Daaz (2 pints for $7 which is a super deal) and I circled that, I already knew I'd be doing a bit of cheating on my diet that day, a better choice probably would have been the Good & Delish Veggie Corn with Flaxseed Tortilla Chips and the Good & Delish Organic Salsa. I'll probably pick those up on my next trip to the store (along with the sour cream and onion Pop Chips)!  I had already stocked up on another Duane Reader sales item The Dr. Browns Soda 6 Pack, 2 for $5 (I love the Dark Cherry and Cream Soda's from Dr. Brown's). and the last thing I needed was some eats, so I picked up a DiGiorno Pizza that was also on sale. Making movie night eats and treats complete! All my movie night picks were also on sale which made me extra happy.

During my last few trips to my local store, it was being renovated, and I was happy to see that it had been completed during my recent trip, the aisles are wider and brighter, and it's so much easier to find everything which is a big time saver!

Here are some shots of me on the way to the store, it's a busy shopping district, so it's not so easy to get shots of it without someone invariably passing by and getting in the shot!

Here's me finally inside!

Below: And as soon as I walk in, I find a super friendly employee wearing a Duane Reader tee shirt in one of my favorite colors purple, she agreed to let me take a picture of her!

I wanted to look around and see the renovations so I didn't quite go straight to my aisles.

Of course I got distracted by Beauty Brands, Products and items.

Latina Bella, beauty products made with Latina Skin tones in mind, FAB!

Finally made it to the eats!

MMM.....Pizza!

Then it was on to the treats!

Ice Cream plus warm day means I'll have to run home so it doesn't melt.

Movie Night was a blast, here are my purchases in use:

Eats + Treats = Fun Movie Night!

There are more photos of this shopping experience on Ascending Butterfly's Google+ Page, and you can connect with Duane Reade online, Twitter and Facebook. (Check out the VIP Bloggers Tab on Duane Reade's Facebook Page and you'll see a picture of me! Yay!)

Happy Shopping Butterfly!

If you purchased any specials in the Duane Reader, please be sure to come back here and let us know!

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FTC Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a special social shopper insights study for CollectiveBias. #CBias #DReade #DReadeVIP - However all opinions expressed are 100% my own. Being part of the Duane Reade VIP Blogger Program offers additional incentives for my participation. Questions about Ascending Butterfly's Disclosure Policy? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html