John Frieda Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars

COST: $7.99 for 3.5 ounces

THE SKINNY: John Frieda's Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray is my secret late-winter weapon for lightening up my dark blonde hair and making me feel like spring is right around the corner.

This lightening spray contains citrus, chamomile and hydrogen peroxide and is heat activated. Spray onto damp hair and then blow dry. Following with a flat iron or curling iron will add a few extra highlights.

The spray has little scent, doesn't feel sticky and really works. You'll see your hair lighten in about three to five applications.

I've used this spray for some time and never had it damage or dry out my fine locks. I spray a little on the top layers of my hair and comb through, which helps add subtle, natural-looking highlights. I get no reddish hues at all -- and my dark blonde hair has dark brown, salon-added low lights in it.

I love it, especially in late February and early March when my hair is at its darkest. My hair lightens quickly in summer sunlight, which I think helps with this product. I'm also not a big fan of the rest of John Frieda's Sheer Blonde line -- it does dry out my hair and leave it feeling like straw.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. Add some blonde sparkle back into your hair before the summer sun arrives.

CHECK IT OUT: Get tips on how to use this spray at John Frieda's website.

-- Tested by Shay

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo and Conditioner

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $6.50 each

THE SKINNY: This is my summertime go-to shampoo for keeping my blonde locks looking bright and sun-kissed.

Several of the John Frieda shampoos irritate my scalp, but this is not one of them.

This is a decent shampoo that leaves my hair soft and manageable. As an added benefit, it helps to lighten my hair a tiny amount each time, chasing away dull color and adding natural-looking highlights.

The shampoo uses lemon and chamomile to lighten (and I'm sure the heat of my blow-dryer helps a bit). It's ammonia and peroxide-free, so the shampoo is safe for everyday use.

We also liked John Frieda's Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray. Truth to tell, I've used all three products at the same time.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I use this combination all summer.

CHECK IT OUT: Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo is for all levels of blonde. The company also makes other shampoos for lighter or darker blondes.

-- Tested by Shay

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $5.19 each

THE SKINNY: John Frieda products can be pretty hit or miss. I didn't get any extra volume and a case of itchy scalp after using the Luxurious Volume Shampoo and Conditioner for a week. That's disappointing, to say the least.

The shampoo is supposed to be gentle as it cleans and detangles fine hair and then adds volume boosters. Paired with the conditioner, it's supposed to thicken strands, too, which adds more volume.

But my hair seemed a little flat and it only got worse with repeated uses.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: John Frieda has a blow-out spray and a root booster in the Luxurious Volume line.

-- Tested by Shay

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $5 each

THE SKINNY: This was a great travel combo – I totally love samples that have everything you need. The John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start package included shampoo, conditioner and hair serum.

The shampoo and conditioner were nice at first; the shampoo had a rich lather and the conditioner really made my hair smooth. My issue with this product – and many other smoothing shampoos as well – is that they seem to smooth hair by weighing it down. For the first couple hours, I looked great and my hair felt soft and shiny.

But that only lasted a few hours. After that my hair really just started to look and feel limp.

The hair serum is also not not one of my favorite items. A big problem for me has always been static. (Nothing is worse than strands that stick straight up and out or cling to your face all day.) This product did not help combat that frizz energy at all. And the texture -- you have to apply it by hand -- grossed me out a bit.

KEEP OR TOSS: I doubt will will buy a full size of this product.

CHECK IT OUT: Just because I did not like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Smooth Start does not mean there is not something in the line for you. Find out which product the company suggests for yourself.

-- Tested by Carrie

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Blow‑Dry Lotion Root Booster

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $6.49 for 6.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: I really liked the Blow‑Dry Lotion Root Booster the first time I used it.

If you have fine hair, you know all about my plight. My hair looks great for maybe 30 minutes after I style it. Then it goes limp and just looks sad. I'm forever looking for a good product to help boost volume and body.

John Frieda's Blow‑Dry Lotion Root Booster is a light spray that you add to damp hair. Blow your hair dry, preferably holding your head upside down.

I loved the effect the first time I used the spray, and the volume lasted all day long. work friends even noticed that my hair looked bouncier!

But subsequent uses haven't produced quite the same result. All the bounce and volume seems to disappear by mid-day. It's left me a little puzzled, but I really can't complain. This isn't a product that will break the bank.

The Blow‑Dry Lotion Root Booster does include heat-protection, and for those of us who blow dry our hair every day, that's a great thing.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I'll use it every once in a while.

CHECK IT OUT: Find out about other products in the Luxurious Volume line at the John Frieda website.

-- Tested by Shay

John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

RATING (out of 5 stars):3.5 stars

COST: $5

THE SKINNY: John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner claims to be a “weightless solution for overworked hair” and it delivers.

Although the shampoo did not lather quite as much as I would have liked, it left my hair feeling super clean and looking great. The repairing formula contains an Omega 3-rich ingredient (Inca Inchi, which I have never actually heard of) which helps counteract the effects of daily heat and product use.

I really liked the softness I felt after using the shampoo and conditioner and my hair was super light and touchable. Things that I can't usually say after I use a shampoo designed to repair damaged hair.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This seems like a great weekly treatment for my color-treated hair.

CHECK IT OUT: Check out John FriedaFull Repair and find out more about the Omega 3 Inca Inchi ingredient. The company also offers a few (almost common sense) tips for dealing with damaged hair. You can also request a free sample (while they last).

-- Tested by Carrie

Best of 2012 (Shay's Picks)

With 2012 almost in the books, we thought we'd recap some of the best products we tested at Beauty Test Dummies this year. Take a look at Shay's favorites ... and coming Monday, Carrie's top picks. We'd also love to hear what products you loved this year ... share them in the comments or on Facebook.

Favorite Products

Urban Decay Naked 2 palette
I use this collection of neutrals almost every day. Layer colors for a simple look or something more dramatic.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
This rice-based enzyme powder helps smooth and polish your skin. It does the work of an exfoliator without the harsh grit.

John Frieda Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray
My secret weapon for adding a hint of highlights to dull blonde hair, especially in winter.

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil–Free UV Protector
SPF 42! This is extremely lightweight and perfect for summer. Or skiing.

Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner
A creamy pencil that goes on smooth and straight and stays put all day long.

And If Money Grew on Trees

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder
I was skeptical at first, but it's a nice powder billed as being able to "reduces fine lines and wrinkles in 10 minutes" because of a patented hydration system. It's $59. (No, that isn't a typo.)

L'Occitane Divine Cream
One of the best moisturizers I've ever put on my face. Of course, it's $98 for 1.7 ounces.

Kerastase Bain Substantif Shampoo
This left my hair silky and bouncy and, best of all, it stayed that way all day long. So this is what thicker hair feels like. Sadly, it's $36 a bottle.

Philosophy Full of Promise
It left my face feeling silky soft immediately. Heck, it even made my fingers feel silky soft from applying it. It's $65 for 2 ounces. Yikes.

-- Tested by Shay

New Samples Galore!

I opened my mailbox today and inside was a sample pack I ordered from Target a while back. Yes, some major retailers offer samples occasionally -- but they do go fast, so you may have to check back often.

This week's samples are for all new products that I have yet to try and they all came in a great (and super-cute) reusable makeup bag.

Here's a preview of what I will be sampling the in upcoming days from the Target bag:

* Burt's Bees Radiance Day Lotion with SPF 15: I am anxious to see if I like this better than the recently-tested sensitive formula that was lacking SPF.

* John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner: This has always been one of my favorite brands (Brilliant Brunette, anyone?) and restoring formulas are a must for my color-treated hair. It also came with a coupon -- double yay!

* Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo and Conditioner: This promises to be a "green" formula and does not contain silicone, paraben or dye. It also claims to be 94 percent biodegradable. I had no clue that shampoos and conditioners were not biodegradable. I'll give you the skinny on that with the review.

* Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe: The Pond's product claims to remove waterproof mascara and is a 2010 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner.

* Loreal Youth Code Day/Night Cream: I have never been one to believe all of the claims of day or night creams but an all-in-one? We'll see.

* TreSemme Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner: Another reputable brand with a "greener" formula. This shampoo contains "lower sulfates" and the conditioner is silicone free.

It's a Giveaway

We haven't given anything away in a while, so ....

Now it's your time to share in the fun of beauty product samples. We have a great grab bag to give away that includes 20 beauty product samples, including 2 full-size Julep nail polishes and two bareMinerals eye colors (the polishes and eye colors are valued at $14 each!).

 
Entering is simple, just use the Rafflecopter below (and you can enter daily).

Thanks everyone for reading Beauty Test Dummies and remember to share this blog with your friends and join the conversation with us on Facebook and Pinterest (where we pin a lot of beauty tips as well).

Good luck!

Here's what's inside the grab bag (make sure to check out the reviews):

• Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm
• Billionaire Boyfriend fragrance
• Neutrogena Hand Cream
• Incredible by Victoria's Secret fragrance
• Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo
• Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Conditioner
• Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea Body Butter
• Tom's Toothpaste
• Miss Jessie's Baby Butter Creme
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter
• John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo and Conditioner
• Olay Pro X Skin Analyzer
• Crest 3D Whitestrips
• Stila Foundation
• Philosophy Hope in a Jar
• Sephora Smoothing and Mattifying Primer
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Foundation
• 2 Full-Size Julep Nail Polishes
• 2 Full-Size bareMinerals Eyeshadows
• Plus a $5 off Urban Decay coupon and 2-year planner

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Facebook Fans Giveaway

Thanks to all our new Facebook fans -- more than 100 of you liked us in just one week.

As promised we have a giveaway for you. All you have to do to enter is like the Facebook page, but there are a couple optional entries as well.

The prize is a bag of samples -- woot!!

Some of these are items you can find reviews for right here on the blog. Others are for products with reviews to come soon.

Some of the goodies include: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Burt's Bees Sensitive Mousturizer, Playtext Sport Body Wipes, Bare Minerals Lip Gloss, Michael Kors Gold fragrance, Catwalk hair gel, John Frieda Frizz-Ease sample set, Bare Escentuals Loose Eyeshadow and Clear Shampoo and Conditioner.

Entering is simple. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Once prize will be given away after the contest ends on June 19.

Thanks for reading Beauty Test Dummies! And don't forget to share us with your friends! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Travel and Samples

Any time spent away from home is a great time to test out some of those samples you have been collecting.

They are small and light, probably won't leak in your bag and you can toss the packaging when you come back home.

I have a full supply of sample products I am traveling with this weekend.

I am taking Pond's makeup remover towelettes (see previous post), two different types of shampoo and conditioner (both are brands I trust -- Head and Shoulders and John Frieda), Crest toothpaste, Curel lotion, Rare Minerals moisturizer and Spehora eye shadow.

Most of these are products I am somewhat familiar with -- I would not want to have a bad reaction away from home -- and best of all I my big will be a little lighter for the return trip!

How do you use sample-sized products? Please share your tips.