Saturday, April 28, 2012

Dry shampoo

Ok so I know what your thinking, how can shampoo be dry? Ok maybe your not thinking that and maybe I'm the only one who googled it intensely after hearing about it a few years ago on a reality show. Well, let me tell you it's the best thing since sliced bread if you have fine or oily hair or are wearing a weave. First off there is no water involved is the best part, so no sitting under a hot dryer either like I'm currently doing as I inform you guys about this product :( It's not as easy to find unless your looking for it because the bottles look so similar to hair spray but what I use is Tresemme dry shampoo. They often have it on sale at CVS and target but otherwise it runs around $17 (I think, I'm still on my first bottle I bought last year). After a good workout or a few days of your being unwashed it will build up oils in the hair that may make your look greasy and dirty. So to get the hair soft, bouncy and flowing again spray the product all over your hair (real or not) and finger it through lightly, then just let it sit for a few minutes. It will start to absorb the oils and moisture. Then brush the product out of your and your done. Your notice that it looks fresh again and you'll be on your way without worrying about wetting your braid underneath. Warning do not buy the version that says foam on it as it will not give the same effects am describing! Also the product will spray on white and if you have dark hair make sure not to use too much because you'll end up with a dusty look instead of a fresh one. I have only tried the Tresemme brand but i am planning on buying the Batiste dry shampoo because it comes in different versions for for blondes and brunettes. So, tell me how it works out for you with this product or if you've found something better!

Pauline's hair is it worth it?

Ok so a few months ago I decided that I was tired of styling my hair everyday and needed something quick, simple and fabulous! The only option I came up with was to get a sew in weave/ extensions. This way my own hair (which is a little past shoulder length) could grow and I could give it a break. I researched tons of YouTube videos and sites to find what the best hair was to buy to blend with my hair and that I could reuse. I found a place in Los Angeles called Pauline's which apparently all the stars get their hair. Or at least that's what they claim. The shop was a hole in the wall and in a sketchy neighborhood and I was wishing I had brought someone with me. They did however have very helpful staff and almost every length and texture of hair you could image of virgin Indian hair. They sell by the ounce and I bought 8oz but they gave me about an oz for free so I was very happy. I purchased 4oz of 20" natural wave which ended up being about 24" when straightened! The remaining hair was half 12" and 16" so I could get a fuller look and not have to layer the hair. I did have it installed professionally at Isis hair salon in Los Angeles and a month later all tracks are still in place and not requiring to be tightened. The hair does shed a few as a regular humans hair would when being brushed in the morning. However I do not find hair all over the place like previous installs with beauty supply hair! Also it does tangle whatsoever even with it being waist length (I am 5'11"). I get complimented everywhere with this hair and it does in fact blend great with my natural hair color and texture even when not fully straighten. I do go to the gym 4-5 days a week and it is easy to quickly gather myself when needing to go to work shortly after. I would definitely recommend this product. I will let you know what tricks I have to maintain it in future posts do stay tuned!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Nail game

Anyone who knows me knows I love nail polish. I think I change the polish at least once every other day. And everyone is always commenting on my nails so I figured I'd keep you all updated on what I'm doing with them. Also I've gone through a lot of trial and error with them so it's only right to share some tips and maybe save you all some money. St this point I have collected so many polishes however I am still trying to wear them all so I have some favorites which I will mention as I review them. Today however I am wearing a polish I got about a year as part of a trio set. I decided to switch it up because I feel like I've been only getting  and wearing purples the last few weeks so now I'm Zoya in Pheobe. I like it because it is a bright matte blue and it goes on really creamy with a satin finish so I only needed 2 coats. To add some flare I used my Essie luxeffects topcoat in "as gold it gets" on my ring fingers. I did get this to coat from last months teen vogue edition birch box and it goes greatwith almost every color. I really was tempted to use a topcoat on the other nails but I resisted to stay true top the matte look!






Saturday, April 21, 2012

My Birch Box

So at the beginning of this week I received April Birch Box! Since earth day is tomorrow they decided to go with the Eco friendly theme. The box lived up to my standards and provided a new full sized Zoya nail polish for me to try as well as about 4 other deluxe sized samples. This is the second month I've subscribed and have not been disappointed yet. If you're not familiar the subscription costs $10 a month here in the US at least. They are said to have about 25 different boxes go out each month with a variety of different samples of beauty products, so based on your original profile it's unlikely you'll get the same box contents as your friends. This does make it pretty exciting because it is sort of customized. This also makes the service pretty unique unlike services such as my glam bag which I received last week, where every member gets the same exact samples. I took a few pics of the what I received this month and I will be reviewing the products as I use them.


Welcome card with descriptions of product on back


All my beautifully wrapped goodies!

Left to right: Taylor Swft Wonderstruck perfume; Juice Beauty moisturizer; Amika hair masque; Zoya polish in Lotus; and Dropps laundry detergent

Saturday, April 14, 2012

My glam bag april

So I do subscribe to a few monthly beauty subscriptions including my glam bag, birch box and most recently julep maven. If you aren't familiar these are companies that send you a handful of deluxe samples or full sized products. My glam bag arrived earlier than ever yesterday, and to my surprise I received 2 bags. I think they were attempting to make up for not being able to send me my bag last month due to the fact that they didn't have the capability of updating my billing info when my card expired. I was pretty upset that they hadn't notified me that payment didn't go through until I inquired about not getting the bag. I dint really need 2 of the same bags as they don't mix up the samples as birch box does. So I probably will just send one to the first person that subscribes and asks for the bag of goodies. the bag included a lip moisturiser, 2 makeup brushes and and few other items which I can't recall at the given moment but will post pics of soon. Last month in which I missed included another makeup brush and brush holder so I wish I had that to complete the set and store the brushes. But since that won't happen I guess I will keep then in the little bag all the items came in for now.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Hello all!

This is my first blog post and so I figured it'd only be right to introduce myself. I am a little bit of a shopping addict always on the hunt for new things to make my life easier and more beautiful. But while searching for the latest and greatest of anything from nail polish to shoes to electronics, I love to use my techno savvyness (I think I made up that word) to search for reviews and opinions before I take a leap. That's not to say I don't impulse buy, because I do! But, why not spend a few extra minutes and potentially save myself disappointment by googling a few items in advance. Though many times there seems to be no one out there reviewing or telling about the things I want and need! So, I decided hey, why not tell the world about all the things I've tested and save you all some cash and headaches.