The Glam Series: Hair

Current hair color: blonde highlights and low-lights

Natural hair color: dirty blonde/light brown 

Hair type: thick/wavy

Preferred hair style: blow-dried straight

My blow-drying process typically looks like this: I clip my hair up and blow-dry in sections. It gets quite frizzy at first and slowly the heat tames the frizz and waves. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to go from wet & wavy to dry & straight.

I can usually get my hair about 95% straight from blow-drying and then use the flat-iron to straighten out any extra frizz which takes a minute or two. 

Hair secret: Keratin treatments approx every 6 months to tame frizz and waves.

Since I started getting Keratin treatments about 2 years ago, I use Keratin products to prolong it's effects. Most Keratin products can be a bit pricey but you can find the Organix product line at any drug store for half the price. I use both Keratin Complex by Coppola and Organix Keratin Therapy shampoo and conditioners. (Organix smells better and is cheaper).

Redken Hair & Scalp Treatments · Keratin Complex Hair Care · Chi Blow Dryers & Irons

Keratin Replenishing Treatment: I use this as a
blow-drying treatment. I rub a penny size amount throughout my wet hair before blow-drying. It's supposed to open cuticles and infuse keratin proteins and emollients into the hair

Ionic blow dryer: I recommend any Ionic or Tourmaline blow dryer. Mine works great and has cut blow-drying time in half since I upgraded from a cheap hair dryer.

Chi Hair straightener: This is my baby and wouldn't recommend a better flat iron. They are also becoming more reasonable in price from places like Ulta & Sephora.

Hair serum: I own a number of different brand hair serums. These are the perfect final touch after styling/flat-ironing to calm any fly-aways or frizzies.

I've got straightening my hair down pat but still totally suck at curling my hair. I just bought a new curling iron and really need advice on how to get some nice, loose curls.

Joining Jordan today for The Glam Series.

    What's your hair secrets?

The Glam Series: Lips

Before I get started, I'm excited to be featured today on Lisa @ Showered with Design's blog for her new Wedding Q & A Series.  Feel free to hop over to read more about my Lakeside wedding in Orlando.

Now onto one of my favorite topics ~ Makeup ~ more specifically Lips.

I'm not a huge lipstick person so my collection isn't very big but I do use lip balm fanatically and lip gloss when I remember. Lipstick is more of a special occasion thing for me but I do have my favorites lip products and brands.

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm: ($3.49)  I carry this in my purse and use as an everyday lip moisturizer.

NYX Butter Gloss: ($4.99) This lip gloss is a recent find of mine and I love it especially for the very affordable price. I'm very picky when it comes to textures of lip gloss and lipstick and can't stand anything that's too sticky. This butter gloss applies very smoothly with some shine and I love the soft pink color (Eclair) I chose.

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss: ($9.00) I've been using this gloss for about 2 years now. I like that they offer over 20 different shades so you're bound to find a color that suits you. However, I must admit, I prefer the NYX gloss which is almost half the price, mainly because the VS Beauty Rush glosses are bit more on the sticky side.

Stila Color Balm Lipstick: ($22) This is my latest find and I love the range of colors that they offer. I searched high and low in Sephora and Ulta for a bright purple lipstick and Stila was the only brand that offered exactly what I was looking for (color: Gemma). I don't wear lipstick everyday but it's always good to own a pretty colors to go with different outfits & occasions.

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick: ($18) I received this lipstick in a VoxBox about a year ago from Influenster to test and it has remained one of my favorites. I keep it in my purse and use it more often than any lipstick. This lipstick has a smooth and creamy texture, very similar to lip balm so I love using it just to moisturize my lips and add a hint of color.

Joining Jordan today for The Glam Series.

Day & Night Makeup Favorites

Decided to talk about some of my favorite beauty products that I use regularly and have come to love over the years. 

Daytime Makeup: 

I aim for a more natural look during the day so I use very basic products and neutral colors for my eyes.

Revlon Liquid Foundation · Ulta Eyeliner · M·A·C Eye Shadow

~Almay liquid liner (upper eye)
~Ulta gel eyeliner in black (lower eye)
~ Clinique True Bronze pressed powder bronzer - (to prevent the pasty white look)
~Maybelline Flasies mascara
~ Mac powder eyeshadow pigments

~ Revlon PhotoReady foundation

Nighttime Makeup: 

I use many of the same daytime products plus a few extras to "step it up a notch" and achieve more a bold look especially for my eyes. I rarely wear bright lipsticks or dark eye shadow colors since my skin is on the fair side.

M·A·C Mascara · Sephora Makeup · Smashbox Eyes Concealer/Shadow Base

~ Urban Decay eye shadow primer
~Smashbox concealer (for blemishes or dark spots)
~Tarte foundation (for heavier coverage)
 ~Sephora Luminizer
~The original Naked Palette of eye shadow colors - absolute favorite!

~Mac Haute & Naughty Mascara: Has two brushes-in-one-tube for either a natural look or dramatic eyes. I really love this mascara for achieving bolder eyes for going out at night.

What's your favorite beauty product to get bold eyes for nighttime wear?

Weekend Fun & Pampering

The weather in Central Florida has this bad habit of being beautiful and sunny all week and then on the weekends when we finally get to play it's cold, wet and gloomy. So it was a lazy weekend for me. K was in Vegas for a bachelor party so I had the weekend to myself. I did a lot of pampering and a little bit of drinking and eating.

On Friday,  I went for oysters for a coworkers birthday. You can't beat $6.95 per dozen!

After work I went for happy hour with two girl friends and then picked up my favorite beer - Sea Dog Blueberry beer and went home to watch to relax after along work week.

On Saturday, I finally got my hair fixed with some new highlights and lowlights. I've been doing my own color (blonde box dye) for several months and it was in dire need of some professional help. It looks A LOT healthier now.

 

On Sunday, I went to use a gift certificate that I got back in December for my birthday for the cutest spa in town. I got my nails done and they have a "gravity chair" which flips you backward to do a pedicure. It was super comfortable!

Linking up with Sami for Weekend Shenanigans.

I really enjoyed my relaxing weekend. Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

H54F: Girls Weekend

Happy Friday! So excited the weekend is here :-)

1. Excited for our girls tripped planned to Tampa on Saturday. We're headed to a bridal shower downtown Tampa then booked a hotel room so we can go out bar hopping in the night. 

2. My festive nails for the weekend. Bought these colorful nail art stick ons from CVS.

3. Love my new Coral peep-toe wedges that I got on sale from Kohl's.

4. Thai food = delish. My team and I went out for Thai lunch today. Pad Thai with chicken and shrimp is awesome!

5. K and I are going with his company to a hockey game tonight. I'm not exactly a huge hockey fan but can't beat free tickets and drinks on his boss ;-)

I'm joining Lauren today for High Five For Friday. 

  

I hope everyone has a fun weekend!

 

Happy Friday: The Nail Files

Happy Friday everyone!

I ran across the Nail Files Linkup today and thought it would be fun to join in. 2012 was really my year of experimenting with different color combinations and funky styles.

 

Linking up with Tara and Vicki for The Nail Files.

I think my favorite was black nails with hot pink on my ring finger.

I also had sparkly nails for Christmas and NYE.

 BUT I recently removed the gel and polish to give my nails a breather so this is what I've been rocking for 2013 so far :-(

I'm already itching to try one of these styles I found on Pinterest for 2013. 

 Have a great weekend!

Beauty Buys for ma Birthday

G'morning!

I had a little fun shopping online at Ulta.com recently and decided that my birthday this week was a good enough excuse, right? I've been bored with my makeup and wanted some new additions so I can start experimenting with different "looks".

I got the Brow Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills for fuller, more defined eyebrows.

High Definition Liquid Concealer by Smashbox to cover up blemishes and lighten under the eyes.

I got a few different pairs of false eyelashes to wear at upcoming parties & weddings.

 

Also the Sunless Tinted Lotion by Banana Boat to try to keep somewhat of a tan going during the colder months, even though it's still like 80 degrees here in Florida...in December. Craziness!!

And I got this 10-piece beauty bag free for spending over $35. 

I am still experimenting with my Naked palette & have recently resorted to watching YouTube tutorials to learn new tricks ;-) (I still suck though).

I'm also linking up for the Tell Me About It Tuesday blog hop.

   

Hope you have a great day!

WILW & Beauty Pinterests

Happy hump day everyone! We're almost there :-)

Check out Jaime's blog and link up for What I'm Loving Wednesday. What's on your list?

Today, I'm loving my new bow earrings: 

I'm loving that all of my indoor Chirstmas decorations are up and I've gotten a few gifts wrapped ;-)

I'm loving my weekly Wednesday Zumba class at our gym. So much fun!

I'm loving that store gifts and coupons are already arriving in the mail for my birthday. Got a $10 off from VS this week. Sweet deal!

 

I'm loving the Macy's Friends and Family sale is going on today offering an extra 25% off using code: FRIEND. Not that more shopping is necessary after Black Friday but I might pass this on to the hubby and mention that my birthday is in 2 weeks ~ Can you say Michael Kors? *wink*

I'm loving Channing Tatum. Yup, that's right. LOL

I'm adoring these beauty finds from Pinterest:

 

And these sassy nails:

Enjoy the rest of your hump day!

Product Review: Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

A couple months ago I received this small purple bottle along with some items that I ordered online from ULTA. I had no clue what Maracuja oil was so I put it to the side and kind of forgot about it. Last week I decided to do some research online.

Turns out Maracuja oil is a nighttime facial moisturizer. After reading about all the benefits mainly the 3 listed below, I decided I must try it:

Smoother: Moisture-rich formula replenishes & hydrates skin
Firmer: Nutrient-rich essential fatty acids repair & rejuvenate skin
Brighter: Vitamin C awakens skin for a healthy, radiant complexion

I have been using it every night for the past week and I LOVE it!  It makes your skin extremely smooth and is perfect for this time of year when the cold weather tends to dry out your skin. It isn't oily and absorbs very quickly also it doesn't have a bad smell...it smells okay. For the past 10 or so year, I was using an Oil of Olay facial moisturizer daily and nightly and so far I prefer how my face feels and looks with Maracuja oil, at least for the nighttime. 

Instructions: After you get out of the shower, rub 2 to 3 drops into the palms of your hands and then spread evenly on your face and neck.

Downside: The tiny bottle of Tarte Maracuja oil is $46 retail at Sephora and Ulta, which is a huge bummer!!