Vernon François Mist Nourishing Water Review

One of the hair products that is nearest and dearest to my heart isn't an actual product at all — it's just a spray bottle full of water. Yep. A little tap water, poured into a spray bottle I got at the corner beauty supply shop, and a few drops of peppermint oil for fragrance. I use it nearly every day to refresh my curls and make my hair easier and more malleable for styling. If I find that my hair is getting dry, it's the perfect thing to add a little moisture. I also like to use it before I go in with a curl enhancer or whatever other styling products I may be using. It's simple, but it's a must-have.

So when Vernon François Mist Nourishing Water came across my desk, I was excited. I immediately got the feeling that it would be a nutrient-packed alternative to my Plain Jane peppermint water. And yeah, I was totally right.

Think of it as the Smart Water of hair products. There is hydrogenated castor oil and horehound extract, in addition to amino acids to help promote hair health, repairing and bolstering your strands with every use. It also has a nice, light perfume smell that's there, but not overwhelming. The mist works for all hair types, and I used my bottle during Fashion Week. I'd spent a long day at the office and was running out to an event. That day, I was wearing my hair in a high puff, but by 6 P.M. it needed a refresh as the front part of my hair was looking, well, a little too frizzy for my taste. I took my hair down, sprayed the front and brushed down all the flyaways with a little edge control before re-doing my puff.

My hair returned to its previously fabulous state. While I have to admit I couldn't tell a difference when I touched my hair, I think that's sort of the point. A product that covertly delivers stuff that's good for your hair — kind of like when your mom gave you tasty vitamins when you were little to make you think you were eating candy, but really, you were chomping down on Vitamin B. Either way, my hair looks great, and I'll be keeping this bottle at my desk.

It's a bit of a splurge at $18, but it's a beauty upgrade you can totally afford. Pick it up a bottle of your own at Sephora.