Suave Beach Beauty

This summer, I was asked to review some Suave Products and check out some tips from George Kotsiopoulos(Celebrity Stylist to celebrity moms Courtney Cox Arquette and Heidi Klum). We all know, as busy moms...frazzled, hurried, and lack of time, how we can feel not very pretty or glamorous. Especially when summer is here, and we are dealing with hot, humid air, and our kids are sticking to us like glue. Well, Suave Professionals products are a great way to get quality salon flare, at a fraction of the cost! I got these products to review for Suave for my personal review and opinion:
· Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream
· Suave Professionals Damage Care Shampoo and Conditioner
· Suave Kids Free and Gentle 2 in 1 Shampoo
I really like the Suave hair care products. I like the smell and the way my hair feels when I use them. I think my hair is softer, and shiner after using Suave Professionals. My kids love the smell of the Strawberry Shampoo from Suave! I love the thickness of the shampoo, and how well it lathers up in their hair.

Here are some tips that George would like all moms to know for those hot summer days:
(maybe you have a trip planned for those southern states this winter?)
**To flaunt this summer’s ethnic-inspired fashions, mom can steer clear of pricey department stores and instead do some strolling in the ethnic pockets of her city (think Chinatown and Indiatown). Mom will be sure to turn heads in amazing imports (that she found at great prices!) such as saris, embellished ballet flats and bangles.
**Swimsuit, sandals and sunglasses are the essentials mom needs for a hot day at the beach. She can look for swimsuit separates (rather than sets) to ensure the best fit tailored to her body. For sandals, mom can turn to affordable, rubber flip-flops for her and the family or do some online, comparison shopping to find designer sandal steals. To finish the look, every mom needs a pair of high-style yet low-priced sunglasses in a fun color or classic shape (think Ray-Ban® aviators and “cat eyes”) to add a touch of glam.
**This summer, mom can pass on purchasing a designer tote and instead revive and update her beach bag from last season! Mom can have last year’s sand and surf stains removed from her tote by dropping it off at a local shoe repair shop for a good cleaning. She can then source vintage consignment shops for a one-of-a-kind scarf to tie on her tote’s handle for an instant update.
**When it comes to clothes, keeping up with little ones’ growth spurts can be an expensive endeavor! Instead of purchasing a whole new summer wardrobe, mom can give kids’ clothes a chop to extend their use. Children especially outgrow the length of pants quickly, but a pair of shears (or a trip to the tailor for a more finished look) is a great way to keep khakis and jeans around just a bit longer.
**Although mom might be tempted to stay cool during the summer in a pair of shorts and tee shirt, she can dress it up a notch by opting for easy, breezy dresses that will keep her looking polished and prevent overheating. Choosing shapeless, short shifts is a great way to show off gams and empire styles are a trendy option perfect for hiding the sins of winter (hey, after all the work she put in, mom deserved those holiday treats!).
**Mom can help her hubby lighten up this summer by trading in his heavy denim jeans for a pair of summer trousers in lightweight cotton. Mom can also swap out his heavy leather belt for a super affordable colorful canvas one that can be purchased at a local army/navy surplus store.

“Suavenomics – living beautifully for less” Test!

With the economy struggling financially, and everyone cinching up the belt loops...I am so happy that Suave beauty products are still affordable! I am usually a "Salon only" gal, because my hair is one area that I like to pamper. With our finances being tight, we have to make some changes and cut out extra costs. I know that I don't NEED Salon hair care products, and this is an area that is a luxury not a necessity.
I was thrilled when Suave challenged me to test their products against the name-brand competitors. I knew Suave carried great products, because I was fortunate to review a few of their products once before (see here). What makes Suave great, is that it is comparable to name brand products, but it is so much less the cost. This is so helpful, especially in our economy downfall.
I was sent the Humectant Shampoo and Conditioner from Suave. The Shampoo andConditioner restores moisture to dry or damaged hair~ which leaves it soft and manageable. I can say that with using Suave's Humectant hair products, my hair is soft and manageable. I think my hair looks a little more shiny and healthy from using Suave's Humectant Shampoo and Conditioner. I liked both products, but I would say that the conditioner didn't put enough moisture into my hair. It could be that it is winter here, and my hair is more dry than usual. From being a user of Nexxus hair care products, I can say that Suave's Humectant's Shampoo and Conditioner is comparable in usage, but more affordable. Suave's Humectant costs $1.92-$2.49 (14.5 ounce) and Nexxus costs $8.79-$12.69 (13.5 ounce).
Suave sent me their Freeze Hold Non-Aerosol hairspray. The hairspray held well, and smelled good, too. My hair is very fine, and I usually need a pretty powerful hold hairspray. Suave's Freeze hold met the challenge well. I have used Sebastian's hairspray in the past, and for the cost of Sebastian's, I can buy 3-4 of Suave's Freeze Hold spray. Suave's Freeze hold is $2.17-$2.99 (8.5 ounce) and Sebastian's is $12.49 (8.5 ounce). With them being so similar with their performance, I think that it is more cost effective to go with Suave's hair spray.
I love good smelling body wash. I love feeling clean, smelling good, and not feeling soapy after a shower. Suave's Sweet Pea & Violet body wash smells so good, washes clean, and makes my skin feel soft. When I used the Bath & Body Sweet Pea body wash (which I love, too) it was a similar experience. With the cost of Bath & Body's body wash at $9.00 a bottle, and Suave's Sweet Pea & Violet's wash being $2.50 a bottle...you can notice the savings. Both products deliver a clean, soft, and great smelling person.
I use Lady's Speed stick deodorant, usually. Suave sent me their 24-hour protection invisible solid deodorant (Sweet Pea scent), and I didn't notice any difference. I was very happy with this because I think that Lady's Speed Stick is more expensive. I feel dry all day, and still smelled great at the end of the day. I didn't have any whiteness on my clothes, because the Suave's solid deodorant goes on invisible. Great product for less money!
The last product that I got to test out was the Suave's Skin Therapy Advanced Therapy lotion. My hands are very sensitive to different lotions because I have eczema. Suave's Therapy Advanced lotion left my hands feeling soft (conditioned). My hands didn't break out, either. It is clinically proven to moisturize dry skin better than Jergens Original Body lotion (which I tried, as well). Both lotions felt great, smelled great, and left my hands feeling soft. However, Jergen's costs $6.99 a bottle (21 ounce) and Suave's costs $2.95-3.39 a bottle (18 ounce).
I will say overall that Suave's products meet the challenge of being comparable to that of name brand products. I like to save money when I can, especially now with our finances being tight. So, Suave will be getting my business and I will be letting others know about their products as well! Thank you Suave, for putting me to the test, and for generously letting me try your products! I love that I can live beautifully for less thanks to Suavenomics!