Toni&Guy – New Favorite Hair Products

I got a sample of their sea salt texturizing spray in one of my Birchboxes, and I finally got around to actually using it.  I have had bad luck with sea salt sprays in the past – they just made my hair crunchy and dirty-looking – so I was reluctant to try this.  I was happily surprised when, not only did this stuff smell amazing, but it also works great!  Adds texture and that beachy wavy look I wanted, without the negative side effects I had previously encountered.  I liked it so much that when I happened upon the brand at Target last week, I also decided to try the smoothing lotion and the heat protectant spray.  Both are also great!  Definitely impressed so far, so I recommend giving the brand a try!

New Monthly Box: Julep Maven

My Birchbox subscription finally ended, and I decided that I wanted to try something new.  One of my friends recommended that I try Julep Maven, and with their first box free, I thought… why not??  I wasn’t disappointed, and I have really enjoyed getting a new box each month.  Some of the pros of the Julep Maven box are:

• The primary focus is nail polish, which, as you know, I LOVE.
• You get to take a fun “style quiz” that pairs you up with a general style they think you’ll enjoy.  Not to worry, though, if you disagree.  You can always switch before your box goes in the mail! (See the next bullet point!)
• You have a window each month that allows you to choose from a number of options for what you will be sent that month.  This is awesome because it gives you an opportunity to make changes and pick things you really want.
• You can skip months if nothing looks good!
• There’s an option to add items to your box each month at a huge discount from their normal prices.
• Each item or box you order earns you points, which can later be applied to discount your orders!
• The product quality is great.  The nail polish colors are fun and vibrant.  I am IN LOVE with their lip gloss (I picked Enchanted).  It doesn’t get sticky, lasts a long time, and really moisturizes.  Plus, the color is fabulous!
• They have tons of promotions each month, so it’s easy to get good deals on their products.
• You can get your first trial box FREE!  Just click HERE to get started!

This is the first box I picked after my welcome box! They seem to always include a little surprise with your order. This time it was this adorable pink and blue candy stick!

 

Do you have any fun monthly subscriptions?  Please share them in the comments!

Favorites of 2013

This year, I’ve made an effort to expand my collection of beauty products.  I’ve tried a lot of new things, in part thanks to my Birchbox subscription.  I thought it might be helpful to share my new favorites from this year!  Here we go!

Favorite Leave In Conditioner

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

Seriously, this stuff is AH-MAY-ZING.  It’s $21.95 for the full-size bottle and is available exclusively through Birchbox.  I have never had a conditioner leave my hair so soft and silky, especially without weighing it down.  It’s also helped in my endeavor to grow my hair longer because it reduces tangling and makes my hair healthier.  Seriously in LOVE with this stuff.

Favorite Concealer

fakeup Concealer by Benefit

Fakeup concealer by Benefit is awesome.  I have really terrible under-eye circles because my allergies are so terrible.  There’s nothing I can do but cover them up, which has been nearly impossible.  I got a sample of this in my Birchbox one month, and I went to pick up the full size at Ulta within a week!  It moisturizes, conceals, and brightens… all without caking or creasing.  I opted for the light color, and it blends really well with my skin tone.  At $24 for the full size, it’s a bit on the pricier side, but definitely worth it!

Favorite Blush

Hot Mama The Balm

My previous favorite blush somehow managed to break into a million little pieces, so I was searching for just the right replacement hue.  This perfect peachy pink shimmer popped up in my Birchbox at just the right time, and I really love the color!  It’s not too pink, not too brown, not too coral-y… it’s just the right blend of warm and cool tones for my shin and really brightens up my face.  At $20, it’s a little more pricey than its drugstore counterparts, but I looked everywhere and couldn’t find a color I liked even half as much.  Love it!

Favorite Shampoo and Conditioner

Pureology Hydrate

As I explained in my earlier post about growing out my hair, I discovered that using good hair products really does make a difference.  This is my favorite shampoo and conditioner duo.  Not only does it leave my hair silky, smooth, and healthy, but the conditioner smells fantastic and leaves a spa-like tingly sensation on your scalp.  Again, more pricey than the stuff you can buy at your local grocery store, but worth every single penny!

Favorite Eye Shadow Palette

Naked Basics

I am such a fan of this nude-hued matte palette.  The range of shades lets you go from natural to dramatic, and there’s no shimmer or glitter to irritate my eyes.   It’s great for everyday makeup looks!  Not only that, but the quality is amazing.  It’s so much smoother and lasts so much longer than the drugstore shadows I had previously been buying!  It’s $27, which initially seemed like a lot to me.  Then I added up how much it would cost me to build my own matte palette like this one, and $27 started to seem like a good deal.  Besides, it blows the drugstore brands out of the water with its quality.

Favorite Eyeshadow Primer

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

I had never used an eyeshadow primer before I tried a travel size of this, but I’m so glad that I did!  It definitely does make a difference… eyeshadow goes on smoother and more evenly, lasts longer, and doesn’t crease or smear.  Awesome to use every day, but especially on special occasions!  At $12 for the travel size and $20 for the full size, it’s definitely worth the investment!

Favorite Mascara

L’Oreal Telescopic Original Mascara in Carbon Black

One of my friends gifted me with this miracle mascara, and it’s great!  Makes my lashes look longer without any clumping, and comes off relatively easily without smudging.  Plus, since this isn’t one of the big name brands, it’s relatively inexpensive.  It’s less than $8 at most places I’ve seen it.  Good stuff!

Favorite Nail Polish

butter LONDON Dodgy Barnett

Anyone who knows me knows how difficult it is for me to choose ONE favorite nail polish for the year.  I am obsessed and feel like I love them all!  But I keep coming back to this one.  It works throughout every season, and it’s a good balance of sparkly fun without being overdone.  The holographic silver shimmers so pretty in the sunlight, but it’s not an overpowering chunky glitter that’s inappropriate for more formal settings.  I like it so much that I’ve already gone through about half the bottle!  Although butter LONDON lacquers are $15 a pop, I’m willing to spend the extra cash for colors that I adore, like this one.

Favorite Lip Color

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Rose

I actually haven’t bought the full size of this one yet ($22.50) because I’m still working on the sample I got from Sephora.  I pretty much always forget about my lips when I do my makeup, so I appreciate that this is easy to carry along.  It is light and fresh and goes on more like a chapstick or lip balm than a gloss or lipstick.  I really like the consistency, and it adds just enough color to bring life to my lips without making a big statement.

What are some of your favorite beauty finds from this year?  Or classics that you just can’t get enough of?  Please share them in the comments!  I’m always looking for something new to try, and I’m much more likely to do so with a recommendation than just browsing a store.  Hope you enjoyed!

Growing Out My Hair

I have been trying to grow out my hair for… years.  Granted, a huge part of the problem is that 1) I get bored easily and ask my stylist for a cut that “looks like I just got my hair cut” (often chopping off an inch or more) once in a while and 2) I had tons of relatively short layers that take ages to grow out.  But, I have a wedding in 6 months, so I’m getting more serious about hair health and growth.

 

Just today, I came across this really helpful blog post on Lauren Conrad’s site.  She has tons of great advice that I think is really helpful!  If you’re looking to grow out your hair, I recommend taking a look!

As for me, this is what I’ve learned:

1. I didn’t believe it in years past, but I really think that the quality of the products you use on your hair makes a big difference.  About 4 months ago, I stopped using shampoos and conditioners that you can buy at your local grocery store or drugstore.  Instead, I only use the kinds I can buy at salons and beauty supply stores.  I get my hair highlighted, so it needs a lot of extra TLC.  I primarily use Pureology Hydrate shampoo and conditioner.  It works fantastically (my hair is healthier and silkier than ever) and because it’s more concentrated, it lasts a long time.  You only have to use a small amount, unlike some brands where you have to just pour it on.  As an added bonus, the conditioner has a peppermint ingredient that smells amazing and makes your scalp feel awesome!  I can’t say enough about this stuff!  Then, about once a week or every two weeks (depending on how my hair is looking), I use this purple shampoo and conditioner to cut down on brassiness.  Obviously, I’m a fan considering I wrote an entire post on it.  It’s still working for me, and I haven’t had to buy more since I wrote that post almost a year ago!
2. It matters where you get your hair done.  If you go to a cheap stylist who doesn’t care about the health of your hair, it will be a problem over time.
3. If you have processed or color treated hair, it requires a lot of extra help!  Everyone has different hair types and needs.  Just because your friend uses a certain product, doesn’t mean it will work for you.
4. Always, ALWAYS use a heat protectant when you use straighteners, curling irons, blow dryers, etc.!
5. Yes, these products and stylists are significantly more expensive than the stuff you buy at Wal Mart.  I know, that was why I didn’t used to invest in it.  But then I started thinking about it, and is it more important to save a few bucks, or have awesome hair?  I have to “wear” my hair every single day.  Why wouldn’t I spend the money to take care of it when I’m willing to spend that much on a shirt that I might wear once or twice a month?

After following all of these tips for the past few months, I finally feel like my hair is “getting long.”

 

I hope you find this helpful!  Do you have any tips for growing out your hair?  If so, please share them in the comments!

Make Your Hair Silky

I have been growing out my hair, which can be a difficult process.  Especially considering that I also highlight my hair, it’s tough to keep it healthy enough to grow enough to make up for the necessary trims.  I’ve found that keeping my hair as healthy as possible is really helpful.

I recently found an inexpensive product that makes a big difference: Organix Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist.  You can find it at a few places, but  Walmart has it the cheapest I’ve found for less than $6.  I love that this product makes my hair silky, soft, and smooth without weighing it down or making it oily and greasy, like some leave-in conditioners and oils.  I noticed a difference in how healthy the ends of my hair were after less than a week of using it.   Oh, and it smells pretty, too!

Anyway, I highly recommend it!  Do you have any tips or favorite products to help hair stay healthy?  Please share them in the comments, I can use all the help I can get!

Hair Chalk

Have you wanted to try something new and funky with your hair without the commitment?

I’m in law school, so it’s difficult for me to do much crazy with my style or appearance.  I’m a professional individual, but I’m an individual nonetheless!  Sometimes, I just want to try something fun, like putting purple streaks in my blonde hair.  But I have to go to class, I have interviews, and I’m an adult.  So how can I do both?

I saw the idea for hair chalking in a few places.  Lauren Conrad mentioned it on her blog some time ago, and I’ve also seen it on Pinterest.  I happened to be near a beauty supply store, and I stopped in to see what they had available.  I picked up Beyond the Zone Color Buzz Party Purple hair chalk, and I was anxious to see how it would turn out.

Pros:

• It washed out pretty easily.  Some spots took two full washes, but most of it came out in the first shower.
• It looked pretty cool!
• You can put the streaks wherever you want.
• It was fun to do something different for one day/night.
• Hair chalk comes in a bunch of colors.

Cons:

• IT GOT EVERYWHERE.  Definitely do not do this to your hair without covering up everything you don’t want covered in chalk dust.  I’m still finding it in my bathroom months later.  Absolutely cover your clothes with a towel or something similar, I recommend wearing gloves if you can, and maybe do it in the shower or something so it doesn’t land all over counters, sinks, and floors.  If you’re wearing your hair down, do NOT wear a light color shirt!
• When I ran a brush through my hair, it blended the color and made the streaks less pronounced.
• I expected the color to come out in the first wash (with two shampoos), but some of it didn’t.  I wouldn’t recommend this technique if you have something important to do the following day.
• It was a little expensive (about $8) for something I don’t foresee using very often.  If it wasn’t SO messy, I would probably consider using it more frequently.  But like I said, my entire bathroom was basically covered in purple dust.

Here are some photos:

 

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps!  Please let me know if you have any questions or recommendations in the comments!

Friday Favorites: My First Birchbox

Have you heard of Birchbox?  I hadn’t until recently, when a good friend of mine signed up and posted photos of her first box.  Once I looked into it, I decided to order a subscription for myself as a reward for submitting the final draft of my Law Review comment.  (I think it’s important to reward yourself after working hard on a project!)

And… What better way than a surprise gift that I get in my mailbox EVERY MONTH?!  Birchbox sends you a box full of beauty product samples once a month for only $10/month including shipping.  Heck, for most online orders, shipping alone costs almost that.  And this way, I get introduced to products that 1) I wouldn’t find on my own and 2) I would be too scared to spend the money on a full size.  Oh, and I have something to look forward to every month!  It’s like getting a birthday present in the mail EVERY month!

If you want more information, or you want to sign up, click here.

Anyway, here’s my first box!  I can’t wait to try all of these samples! (The chocolate is already gone… oops!)

Favorite Fragrance – Burberry London

This summer, I managed to kill two very important birds with one stone:

1.  I bought my first Burberry!

2.  I found a fantastic new perfume.

How did I achieve this goal?  Burberry London

 

Click the image to be redirected to Burberry’s site, where I got this photo.

 

As I’ve said in earlier posts, I have very sensitive allergies and have a hard time finding perfumes that don’t aggravate them.  I also am pretty picky about my scents, so it’s really difficult for me to find something I both like and can wear without sneezing or coughing.

I actually bought it at the same time as I bought my Butter London All Hail the Queen nail polish, making it a very London (and successful) shopping experience!  Thanks, Ulta!

 

 

Sephora describes Burberry London on their site:

“Burberry’s new fragrance embodies the elegant, yet modern spirit of Burberry London. It epitomizes the cosmopolitan London lifestyle with independence and relaxed confidence.

Notes:
Clementine, Honeysuckle, English Garden Rose, Tiare Flower, Jasmine, Peony, Veil of Musks, Indian Sandalwood, Patchouli.
Style:
Elegant. Modern. Feminine.”

 

Honeysuckle and jasmine are two of my favorite floral scents, so I’m not really surprised that I fell in love with this.  I wear it every day now, and I have had tons of compliments at work, at school, and from friends.  It’s a light and sweet scent, but a little goes a long way.  Overall, I really love this and wouldn’t hesitite to replenish my supply when it runs low!

 

Do you have any favorite perfumes?  Please share in the comments!

 

XOXO

All Hail New Nails

Have you been looking for a new nail polish to try?

I had my eye on this Butter London shade since I saw it on Pinterest months ago.  I happened to notice that Butter London was available (finally!) at the Ulta near my house.  I checked, and saw that they had the color I had been envying, but after looking at the price tag, I decided against it.  Well, I just couldn’t get it out of my head, and I ended up going back a couple days later specifically to pick it up!  The polish I drove back for?

Butter London’s All Hail the Queen:

 

Um, hai.  This color is FANTASTIC.  It’s a great nude color, so it goes with anything.  But the underlying shimmer and sparkle adds just a little something that makes it appropriate for party time, too!  Also, it looks crazy cool in the sun!  It’s hard to explain and pretty much impossible to photograph, but trust me, it’s awesome.  $14 is a little more than I would normally like to spend on nail polish because for me, I prefer quantity over quality when it comes to nail colors.  BUT, after trying this one color, Butter London has made a believer out of me!  Absolutely worth $14, in my opinion.

I tried to get a shot of how cool it looks in the sun. This definitely doesn’t do it justice, but you can kind of see the sparkle! You can check out this link for a much better picture!

I think this color is great for any season, too.  That’s one of the benefits of a nude, it can be perfect anytime.  That also really helps me justify the price tag because I know I won’t be limited to only wearing it during the summer.  Basically, I recommend this one for sure!  In fact, I liked it so much, and one of my friends was so jealous, that I ended up buying it for her for her birthday, too!

 

Do you have any favorite nail polish shades or brands?  Please share in the comments!

 

Blonde Hair, DO Care

Do you have blonde hair?  Do you hate when it gets brassy over time?  Me too!

I have tried so many different things to try to help prevent the inevitable brassy color that creeps in a couple of weeks after getting my hair highlighted at the salon.  I really don’t care for the brassy, golden tone, and I would much prefer the cooler color.  I’ve had a couple stylists recommend “purple shampoo” because the purple color counteracts the brassy yellow color and brings your hair back tot he cooler blonde.  The trouble is finding it!

I’ve tried a few different brandsover the years, but I recently discovered Joico’s Color Endure Violet Shampoo and Conditioner.  LOVE.  Like, L-O-V-E love.  It’s got a ton of purple pigment (think of it this way: the purpler the shampoo, the less brassy your hair will be!), and it also smells delightful.  Aside from that, it definitely works better than any of the others I’ve tried in the past.

In addition, many of the “purple shamppos” I’ve tried in the past seem to dry my hair out a lot.  I’m not sure whether that’s because I was using that instead of the extra-hydrating color protect kinds that I normally used, or if it was that the purple kind was actually drying it out.  Either way, I do NOT have that problem with the Joico kind!  All in all, I highly recommend it!  I got mine on sale at Ulta, but I’m sure you can find it elsewhere, too.

 

 

Basically, this stuff is UH-MAY-ZING.  I don’t usually recommend particular beauty products because I have such a hard time finding anything I really like, but this is definitely worth it!

Do you have any good products for blonde hair?  Please share them in the comments!