Nina Garcia Quarterly.co #NGQ05 “Luxe Haircare” Review

Nina Garcia, editor of Marie Claire magazine, curates a box for Quarterly.c. It’s supposed to come out four times a year but really it’s more like three. I’m okay with that as long as the boxes are good. The last box was not my style and I returned it. Now you can’t return boxes because Quarterly changed their policy so it’s a little more dicey to spend $100 on a box. Nina Garcia, however, seems to come through most of the time. I’m not sure what happened with the last box but this box turned out pretty fine!

The theme for this box is “Luxe Haircare” and boy, is it ever! There’s over $200 worth of hair goodies in here. I know, I know. If you’ve been following me, you know I hate hair care but I just couldn’t resist Nina Garcia. I saw an Instagram of her bathroom and she really does like expensive hair stuff.

I will say that I was expecting more in the way of tools and less in the way of gunk for your hair but this box actually turned out really well for me. Why? Probably because Nina has thin hair like me? Maybe. I don’t know. In any case, I think I got my hair care fix for the next year.

The Cost: $100/quarterly (or less often)

What You Get: Cool stuff handpicked by Nina Garcia in home, fashion and beauty genres.

Harry Josh Pro Tools Oval Brush– It features a mix of short boar’s hair and nylon bristles to increase shine and manageability for a smooth, glossy finish. The ergonomic handle and comfort cushion pad ensure painless styling and easy control, making this your go-to hair care tool.
So I’m a little in love with this. I mean, yeah, it’s a horrible color and is made of a stinky weird smooth rubbery type substance but it makes my hair so puffy! I know. Many people don’t want puffy hair but I do! My hair is thin, thin, thin and baby fine. I need all the puff I can get just to look like I *have* hair! I’m keeping this. It’s got a nice combo of boar bristle and acrylic bristles. This is not for wet hair, I would imagine. Luckily I have a Wet Brush from Popsugar that is magic (and I was so skeptical about until I tried it).
Value: $50

Serge Normant Dream Big Instant Volumizing Spray-1.8oz- Dream Big Instant Volumizing Spray is a dual-benefit aerosol spray that volumizes and strengthens hair. The dry, clear formula features ultra-light polymers and protein for weightless, undone volume with touchable texture. Your hair is left looking healthy, voluminous and perfectly imperfect. It’s ideal for anyone seeking volume, especially women with fine or thinning hair or for those seeking a quick pick-me-up.
Well, my thin hair can rejoice! It’s a hairspray for women like me! I haven’t tried this yet but I’m totally keeping it.
Value: $15

Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Primer-5.7oz-Microflex stylane creates a ‘thermal blanket’ of flexible silicone resin that protects hair and helps prevent breakage. Trisiloxane and isododecane allow for quick drying, resulting in a smooth and silky finish.
I don’t like this stuff. I got it last year in the Mother’s Day Glossybox. It’s probably my thin hair but this just makes it feel like it’s coated in… rubber or something. I do not like how it makes my hair feel once I’ve used it. I don’t know if it actually reduced blow dry time but I was so grossed out by how it felt I didn’t continue use.
Value: $22

Sachajuan Hair Repair-100ml- This intensive hair treatment with ocean silk technology for damaged and stressed hair promotes cell regeneration and lends vitality and strength. It’s long lasting effect and ultra frizz reduction leave your hair manageable with a silky shine and a healthy look.
Well, considering hair is dead, there are no cells to regenerate. Now if it said my scalp would regenerate, okay, but hair? No. I refuse to use this on principle. Or I won’t use it because I won’t use it. Because ugh, hair care. And I’m not impressed. Where’s that gymnast gif when I need it.
Value: $14

Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre Shampoo Treatment-75ml-Healthy hair stretches when wet before returning to its original length when dry.
However hair in poor condition snaps and breaks when stretched. Intensely moisturising Elasticizer delivers a rush of moisture to the hair’s cuticle; suppleness, elasticity and bounce appear instantly without weighing down or coating the hair.
I really want to believe this and I want to try it. It’s ridiculously expensive so I think I might as well. I’ve got a billion spit ends and I don’t want my hair to break. I mean, it does break. So if I use this and it helps it just stretch… Although I’m assuming theres a point where hair stops stretching and just breaks to begin with. The drawback is that you have to apply this before showering for 20 minutes and it mentions that fine haired people should go sparingly on it. /sigh Hm. Who knew hair was so complicated? Me, probably. And that’s why I try not to think about it.
Value: $28

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Protector-4oz-This easy-to-use solution gives you one week of shiny, vibrant, and more manageable hair overnight. Apply it before bed (to dry or damp hair), go to sleep, and wake up with shiny hair for days. Our patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA) combined with long-lasting cuticle sealing technology helps smooth the cuticle and reduce pigment loss. More manageable hair. Amino acids condition and protect against your daily styling habits and other environmental assaults
Overnight results that last. These benefits last all week (up to 5 shampoos).
Well, that’s interesting. Shiny hair for days usually means I haven’t washed it. I don’t even know what to think about this. I mean… I kind of want to try it because hey, shiny ends is good even if shiny scalp isnt. Has anyone with thin hair tried this? Tell me what you think? My hair isn’t super oily but it’s not dry either.
Value: $28

Fekkai PRX Reparatives Hair Mask-2oz- Fortify hair intensely once a week with the indulgent care of PrX Reparatives Intense Fortifying Masque. Fekkai’s rich hair repair treatment that helps restore smoothness and shine.
I don’t like this stuff because it makes my hair feel like straw after I use it. I received it last year in a Sample Society box.
Value: $8

Shu Uemura Volume Maker-The first precision hair powder brush that gives instant root lift, texture and body. It also helps to refresh any blow-dry for long lasting hairstyles. Invisible powder works on all hair colors.
This thing came with a book of instructions. My hair care challenged self took one look at that and decided this thing is not for me. I don’t even get it. It’s like… dry shampoo? That you apply with a brush? I have no idea and it’s far beyond my area of expertise. Sheesh. My hair is lucky if I even use a conditioner!
Value: $48

L’Oreal Ultimate Straight Protecting Balm-Smooth things over with this Perfecting Balm. Not only does the treatment sleek-ify every strand before you use your iron, it also tames and protects, leaving your mane less prone to heat styling damage.
Ah, now “sleek-ify” is something I need to do. I have flyaways all the time. Probably from breakage? Or maybe from plucking out those horrid wiry gray hairs. I still can’t believe I’m that old. Old enough to have gray hair?! What the crap? I’m sure I’m still 25! Anyway, this might be low value money-wise but it’s high value to me if it actually works. For $7, if I fall in love with it, it’s even better. Affordable is good!
Value: $6.99

Redken Extreme Length Sealer-1.7oz-New Extreme Length Sealer with biotin builds strength from root to tip and targets split ends. Extreme Length system of Shampoo, Primer and Sealer helps achieve your maximum hair length – up to 6″ in a year.
Now this is something I’m willing desperate to try while crossing my fingers, hoping it will work. My hair is the slowest growing hair ever. I’m lucky if I get a new 2″ a year. Which is really awesome for never having roots but not good when you have to spend 15 years begging your hair to please just grow and dreading a trim.
Do I think this will actually work? No, not really. But do I want it to? Oh hell yes I do! Want to know what’s really weird? The L’Oreal Balm and this Length Sealer have identical ingredients (the first 15 anyway, except for the addition of fragrance in the l’Oreal one).
Value: $24

Last but not least is this Wooden Hair Ornament by MasterPeace. “Masterpeace is a jewelry and accessories brand born out of Moscow in 2012 by Evgenia Linovich. Inspired by the richness of ancient Russian fine arts and crafts, the Masterpeace collection is an avant-garde reinvention of its nation’s noble heritage, preserving 100% of its eccentricity. Each piece is carefully handcrafted by artisans across the Russian Federation to make unique elaborate accessories.”
Well, I saw some pretty quirky things but luckily mine was gorgeous! It’s made from Birch wood and is handcarved. I’m not sure it’s going to stick in my super fine hair but I’m going to try. Evgenia Linovich items are ridiculously expensive (around $300) but I can’t find these hair ornaments anywhere. I would say this is at least worth $50 and probably closer to $100 being handcarved.

VERDICT: Well, this is quite the plethora of products! I was hoping for more tools and less product but that’s okay. I found some things I’ll use (shock!) and the others will be passed on to those who can appreciate them more than I will. Which isn’t saying much, haha! Anyway, the value is pretty spectacular being over $250 and probably more depending on the actual value of the hairpiece. I have to say after seeing all the other things by MasterPeace, a headband would have been pretty awesome, too. I can’t resist getting the next Nina box because she does such a good job (except for that one box).

If you’d like to sign up for a Quarterly.co box they have so many to choose from. Nina Garcia and Rosario are my favorites for value and awesomeness (with a little quirk thrown in).  You aren’t charged until the box ships and you can change your mind as many times as you want up until that point.