Challenge Day 14 - Photo of a hairstyle you'd like to have

Pretty basic long layers but I love this style. My hair is cut similar but it's shorter. Can you tell I'm obsessed with long hair? I miss mine so much!

New Hair Products - Finally!

I have been trying a new hair routine lately - most of my new products do a good job, others to a fabulous job! I wanted to share in case anyone was in the market to try something new...

I've been wanting to give L'Oreal EverPure a chance and about a month ago Rite Aid had it on sale and I had a coupon so I thought it would be a good chance to pick some up. I like it but I don't love it. The Rosemary Mint scent is lovely - clean but not overpowering and smells alot like the Back to Basics shampoos I used when I was in high school. The product info states there are alot of benefits such as UVA/UVB filter that protects color and it is salt and sulfate free - honestly the only thing that I really look for is color protection. I pay a decent amount of money every 10-12 weeks for hair color and I don't want it being stripped out by hair product. Bottom like my hair is soft afterwards and fairly easy to style but I've used better products in the past; for a drugstore formula this one is really good and I'll probably keep a set at my moms house when I move out to use when I come back a visit.

Kenra Platinum Volume Boost Spray. This is a fantastic product and the only thing I've found that I prefer more than my Big Sexy Hair Root Boost. After washing my hair I comb through the tangles and apply this directly at the roots and massage it in with by finger tips. Then I blast with heat and I have amazing volume that lasts for two days. (If I go a third day I use Oscar Blandi's Dry Shampoo which gives me back some volume). It's lightweight and doesn't flake.

WOW Standout Performer!!!!! Every stylist I've been to in the past 2 years has had a bottle of Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss on their counter with GOOD reason. This product is HG status for sure. For 2-3 years I've used CHI silk infusion or Paul Mitchell Super Skinny and they don't stand a chance with this product! I like the smell of this one much better too. After drying my hair I apply two pumps of product to my palm and with both hands I apply from the tops of my ears down concentrating on the very ends of my hair. Any leftover product I run through the top for shine. The product is super lightweight and has the added benefit of heat protection. After I comb through my hair I'm free to use tools - curling iron, hot rollers, or flatiron to create shiny, soft hair.

The sales lady at Ulta recommended this hairspray to me when I complained about the Carolina humidity - now that storm season is here the weather is hot but still very clammy and since it's damp at night when I go out my hair will frizz pretty easily with my old hair routine. Th Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Harder is formulated for humid conditions and so far I love it! It's lightweight and a few light sprays keeps my hair in place all day - especially my bangs, I hate when they're all over my face.

Hair Inspiration

I'm in such a hair rut. I was thinking of making a hair appointment with a new stylist and I was trying to collect a few ideas. I'm not sure if I want it cut into a cute style or if I want to get a trim and let it grow. I'm not sure if I wanted it colored to one shade or if I want to continue with highlights and / or lowlights. I have a long face with long features and I'm fair (MAC NC20) with light eyes. I love how quickly I can style shorter hair - it's easy to blow out and I can get it super straight. I also love long hair because it feels so feminine. Here are a few photos I collected from google images. Natalie Portman - These are bangs similar to mine, I was curious how they'd look with longer hair.

Kate Beckinsale - I love that she has angular pieces around her face instead of chopping bangs, maybe I'll trying growing mine out. I've had a hairstyle similar to this but I never put the time and energy into styling it.

Jennifer Love Hewitt. I love her hair color in this photo, the highlights are so well blended. She is very pale so I love the way the blonde doesn't wash her out.

Carrie Underwood. I love her hair in this photo. This is what I'd hope mine could look like in the transitional phase while I'm growing it out. My hair is about this length now but it needs a trim and some blended layering.

Angelina Jolie. Love her hair color here. This is almost my natural color but it looks like Angelina had lowlights for this photo. Part of me would like to color it all one shade and start all over again, I have a lot of blonde and red in my hair now and the last stylist didn't blend it as well as I would have liked.

Natalie Portman. This is my favorite photo I found, long layers, dark brown with a touch of golden highlight, and angled bangs. Natalie's hair isn't super thick and neither is mine so I think I actually can achieve the look in this photo. Bonus - if I grow out the bangs in this photo I'd have something similar to the Kate Beckinsale photo.

I'm probably going to splurge on new hair care products soon. I'm trying to use up the last of what I have now and replace with a new brand. I'll definitely be doing some research to find the best products for me...it will take several trips to Ulta and Trade Secret I'm sure.

Spin Pins - humidity's worst enemy

I bought the Goody Spin Pins several months ago and during the craziness of my move I had totally forgotten about them. I suppose the title of this post is a misconception because I actually was having a very good hair day this morning. I left it naturally curly day before yesterday and fluffed it up today. However it was so humid and sticky this morning I decided to try my spin pins. They were so easy to use - I twisted my hair into a knot and inserted one pin vertical and one pin horizontal, combed my bangs and I was done. Here's the photographic proof:

PS. I have so much respect for those of you who take photos of yourself. It took SEVERAL tries before I had a shot of my hair and I was looking in a mirror!

Review: David Babaii for Wildaid Volcanic Ash Sculpting Clay

I blogged about this in a recent Sally Beauty Supply Haul - please refer to post for a photo. Every once in a while a product comes along that is so versatile and so spectacular you just can't keep it a secret. The volcanic ash sculpting clay won the 2009 InStyle Best Beauty Buys award. It smells divine, like grape bubblegum and the consistency is soft and gummy (not a paste or a wax). It's mainly used to give the hair texture, the package states: " Apply a small amount to palms and warm before applying to dry or wet hair to create various textures and finish to your style. It is ideal for style definition (curls, spikes, twists) and adds volume and lift while providing medium to firm support." This product is completely unisex and I think it would compliments mens style perfectly as well as giving that piecey look to layers in female hair.

• I've used it on my natural curls when they're dry to seperate and smooth them.
• I used a little on my shortest layers to frame my face after I tossed my hair in a messy bun.
• It worked well on my curled hair (using a curling iron) for texture without taking out the curl.
• I use a tiny amount every morning to smooth down the baby hairs around my forehead.

I don't have bangs but I can imagine you could apply this wet to bangs (or any shorter hair) for great hold and definition after styling. I'm still discovering new uses for it but it's my favorite texturizing product that I've used (I've tried putty, wax, pomade, gel, etc) because I can apply it to Day 1 hair and it's not greasy when I go to wash it on Day 3. I hate using too many products because most won't allow you to go as many days between washings. This product doesn't weigh down my curl and what little volume I have. I paid $4.99 on www.sallybeauty.com for a 4 oz container. The brand is cruelty free and free of sulfates, parabens, and petrochemicals. The company supports Wildaid by donating 10% of all profits for the benefit of global wildlife conservation.

Sally Beauty Supply Product Recommendations

I have been buying products from Sally's for years. My little small town didn't have an Ulta, Target, or a posh Salon but we did have a Sally Beauty Supply! I have a Sally's card which I have to purchase every year for $5, the first receipt after getting the Sally's card will have a coupon for $5 off the next purchase so it more than pays for itself. I thought I'd share current products I own and love from Sally's. China Glaze and Finger Paints Polishes They're easy to find and often go on sale at Sally's. My local store has a nail swatch of every single color which makes it so easy to find the perfect shade. Tanwise Self Tanning Mousse Readily available and works very similar to the St. Tropez on my skin with slightly more lasting power. I have reviewed this before on my blog. Brushes and Combs I've owned several over the years but I wanted to give two recommendations: Mebco High Volume Comb, I've owned 3 of these in my lifetime and I've used this comb since I was 5 years old - I absolutely will not be without one. The other is the Jilbere Tourmaline Oval Cushion Brush which is an amazing quality brush for the price and a must have if you have frizzy hair. Alligator Clips Really all of their hair clips are great but it can be hard to find the packages of metal alligator clips in other stores. I love them and use them everytime I blowdry my hair. Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler This is a huge necessity for me especially if I'm going to have a dark or more matte color on my nails. Sallys also carries the infamous Seche Vite top coat that everyone loves. The Generic Value Product (GVP) Hair Care line You cannot beat the value for the money here and they often go on sale. Basically these are the generic products of popular salon brands - Paul Mitchell, Matrix, and Sebastion to name a few. The container lists the product ingredients against the salon name ingredients. Specific products I recommend: GVP - Matrix Biolage Color Care Conditioner GVP - Matrix Va Voom Fast Drying Hairspray GVP - Matrix Volumizing Fast Drying Hairspray GVP - Matrix Biolage Color Care Shampoo GVP - Joico K-Pak Hair Reconstructor GVP - Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam GVP - CHI Silk Infusion I've debated for a while whether or not I wanted to try to color my hair at home. One day I might get brave and seek the advice of a Sally's saleswomen to find the perfect semipermanent dye for my hair. I think it might be easier than trying to search for a color myself in the drugstore and of course cheaper than getting all over color from a salon.

Tag: Most Worn

1. Lipstick: MAC Angel

My newest lipstick, I got this in a Back to Mac when I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago and I’ve worn it everyday since. I’m totally addicted. I’ve already added this to my list for my next order to MAC so I can get one to leave in my desk at work. Usually I’m a gloss girl so it’s nice to have a few lipsticks that are so wearable.

2. Earrings: Sterling Silver Love Knots

Love knots are classy and perfect for work. These never go in my jewelry box, they sit on my vanity and I wear them a few times a week. The funny thing is, my mom has two pairs and she wears them nearly every day.

3. Dress/Top: Gap Teal Dress

I bought this a few weeks ago and included it in a shopping spree post. It is my go to dress in the afternoons when I get home from work I can change into it and lounge around the house or go out to dinner. It has been 90+ degrees and humid here so this dress keeps me cool and chic.

4. Nail Polish: Esse Mademoiselle

This polish is easy. If I’m pressed for time I can put on one coat and go out or I can put on two for a bit more sheen. The formula is great for not showing imperfections, especially if you don’t have to time reapply a top coat in the week.

5. Shoes: Silver Sandals from Fahrenheit

These are new but I’ve worn them almost every day since I got them. These are the shoes that I reach for when I come home from work to run errands. It’s very convenient that they’re very comfortable and they go with all my skirts and summer dresses. I’ve abandoned my trusty Rainbow Flops for these because they dress up my casual outfits.

6. Hair Product: Chi Silk Infusion or Pravana Curl Enhancing Gel

Depending on whether I want to heat style my hair straight or wear my natural curls.

7. Perfume: Lancome Miracle

I’m bitter about perfume right now. I am trying to use as much of what I have and ask for new ones for Christmas. This bottle has been untouched in the four years I’ve owned it so I’m trying to use it up. This scent is the only one I have that isn’t too strong for work. I don’t love it in a “need it gotta have it” way but I am trying to use it so for now this is my daily perfume. I have two others I am trying to finish that I wear at nights or on weekends.

8. Handbag: Coach Bag

This is a dark red leather bag that I showed in my “what’s in your purse” post. It is my work purse, big enough for all my necessities and chic but not flashy. Which is good, because I work in an area of town that you wouldn’t want to flash any kind of designer logo.

Review: Pravana Curl Enhancer Gel

This product was recommended to me by my stylist for those days when I want to leave my hair naturally curly. I love this gel, it's not sticky and it's really a "no brainer" to use for styling. I would definitely recommend this if you have curly hair or wavy hair that frizzes easily, if this product works in Carolina humidity, it will work anywhere. After I wash my hair I blot my hair dry with the towel. I use about a quarter size amount of product when my hair is still very wet and comb through with a wide tooth comb. Sometimes I hairdry (but rarely). Usually I dry my hair using my FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro 1800 with the diffuser attachment made for curly hair. I flip my hair over my head and place a loose section of hair in the head of the diffuser and scrunch the hair up to the crown of my head. When I style my hair curly I always use a low heat setting. Typically I will dry it 90% before spraying with hairspray and then I let the rest air dry.

Tutorial: Hair Straightening

I am not a hairstylist. I hate styling my hair. I wash my hair every third night, blow it out and straighten it and smile for two glorious days in between when I do basically nothing. That being said - someone, somewhere might be searching for instructions on how a true naturally curly haired girl gets her hair pin straight without pulling her hair out in frustration. It might not be perfect, but it works for me. 1. I wash my hair in salon quality products designed for dry, color treated hair every third night making sure I leave my conditioner in for a good 2-3 minutes before rinsing it out. After the shower I blot my hair dry and comb through with a wide tooth comb. Mine came from Sally Beauty Supply and has been a lifesaver for the past 10 years. 2. I put a small (nickel size) amount of TIGI Bedhead Ego Boost Split-End Mender just on the bottom half of my hair. I comb through again with my wide tooth comb and blot the ends of my hair with a towel if it's still dripping wet. 3. I take Chi Silk Infusion (about a nickle size) and comb though with a medium spaced tooth comb. I bought my last bottle for $11.99 at Target. 4. I take my wide tooth comb and make six section of hair, three on each side of my part and clip them with Alligator clips. 5. Taking each section I blow dry using a tourmaline round brush (mine's make by TIGI and I purchased it at TJ MAXX for about $5.99) and my FHI nano technology hair dryer with diffuser (purchased on sale at Trade Secret for about $60). 6. Once dry I clip my hair again in six sections, just as before and straightened one section at a time using my Sedu Revolution straightener. For this I use a narrow comb from Goody with teeth that are very close together; I use the comb to lift the hair at the roots and clamp the iron directly on the hair behind it and follow the comb as it passes through my hair. I like a lot of volume so I actually iron the hair in the back of my head forward into my face so when I comb it back I have a "better than teased" look. I usually set my iron on 390*. 7. To handle flyaways, breakages, and to add shine to my hair I use TIGI Bedhead After Party (just one small pump) and smooth over the surface of my hair. **I buy my TIGI Bedhead EgoBoost and After Party together in a set that comes out about every Christmas. So far I have gone through two full bottles of each and about half of a second. I think the set sales for $25.00 but I usually wait for it to go clearance on the after Christmas sale. In between washes I'll use dry shampoo and sometimes I'll use large velour rollers for volume or use my flat iron to smooth out any frizzes or loose pieces. Oh and I wear a bright pink Goody brand shower cap when I bathe so I won't have to do anymore work on the in between days.

Review: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo

I've heard so much about this product and it came highly recommended by the sales associate at Sephora. She even gave me a detailed description on how to use it. Before this purchased I used Johnson's Baby Powder which works like a dream but the smell gets on my nerves. The Oscar Blondi smells heavenly, like coconut verbena - and its lightly scented so it doesn't get irritating or compete with your perfume. The top of the bottle comes to a point and per the sales associate you just shake out a desired amount on your part, on your hairline, around you ears, and anywhere else that gets shiny. Then you brush through and style as normal. This method does not work for me. I always end up pouring out too much product or it clumps in tiny balls that I can't brush completely out (leaving me with what looks like dandruff peaking out of my hair). I take a small amount of product in my palm and rub my hands together so both palms are thinly coated and I rub them through my hair. Sometimes I have to do this 2-3 times but it works much more efficiently at diffusing the right amount of product. Then I can brush and style as normal. So far so good. I like the product but I also like the results of cheap baby powder. The one big plus for this product is the smells and my scalp feels refreshed after I use it. The Sephora website gave this dry shampoo it's natural seal as it is formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals, phthalates, GMO, and triclosan. I paid $11 for a 2.5 oz bottle which will probably last about 4-6 months. I will use this bottle and probably try another brand - not because I didn't like this one but by the time I'm out there will probably be a new dry shampoo that catches my eye. Speaking of which, I have heard good things about TIGI Rochaholic...

Review: Sedu Revolution Pro Nano Ceramic Tourmaline 1 inch Straightener

I did months of research reading customer reviews and watching Youtube tutorials using different straightening irons before I chose the Sedu. In my opinion the GHD was too pricey for my current needs, I knew from personal experience I didn't want to go with a CHI, and it seemed like more people had problems with the Solia after a year of use (from what I read). The original Sedu has square plates and many customers complained about dents in their hair so I went with the revolution that has rounded plates (you can actually curl hair with it). My hair is fine and naturally curly - but I have A LOT of hair. My curls are something between waves and corkscrew and without using hair product there is a lot of frizz. This iron has worked really well on my hair, usually it straightens in one pass. I can adjust the heat so its hotter on the days I have washed my hair and I'm straightening for the first time and less hot on the days I don't wash my hair and I'm just trying to get any kinks out from sleeping. I would purchase this styler again in a heartbeat; I'm impressed with the results and I think it would work on all types of hair. I get perfect salon straight hair when I'm finished with no frizz or flyaways. The most important point is that I've used it for two months and my hair has absolutely no damage, its not fried and my hair doesn't snag in the plates. The Sedu is a tourmaline iron so it's less damaging on the hair and it eliminates frizz with the nano technology. The 1 inch size is perfect for smaller sections of hair and the plates are rounded so you don't get the dent on the top of your head where you place the iron. You can choose your heat setting 180*-450* (I usually use mine on 390*). The Sedu has a long cord and comes with a heat safe case which I LOVE because it protects my table when I have to lay the hot iron down between passes and I can use it for travel. I purchased this product from Folica.com for $149.99 and it came with an instructional DVD to learn how to do waves, curls, and volume all with the Sedu hair iron. Folica.com also offers an extended 2 year warranty upgrade with their Sedu products.