A few of my {current} favorites!

Hi beauties! So, these items have stepped up to be very strong contenders to be placed pretty high up on my "loved list." Take a look and see if you deem any of them worthy of lovvve! :)



This shampoo and conditioner... ohmyword. Let me just tell you! I have fallen in shampooconditioner love! I am dead serious. This is the perfect combination of moisture and volume. And it smells just delicious! You have to try it. Plus, since it's new... I've seen lots of coupons to save a few buckaroos! Go get it, you won't be disappointed. Promise. And if you are, um. You can give them to me :)
John Freida Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, $5.99 each (find them at Target)

This shade is the perfect "it's springtime - yippee!" color. Every beauty out there needs coral nails right now... Mr. Winter has run away, far far away, and Mr. I'll-pretend-to-be-spring is here! (I say that because it's already summer here in sunny ole FL, no joke. Today was 90 degrees.). Love this new line that Revlon has come out with. Dries super fast (for those of you like me who do not have the PATIENCE to wait 3 hours to fold laundry/do dishes/button your pants after painting your nails), lasts multiple days, and just makes me happy! Plus, it encourages you to get a tan. Let me teach you some of the only math I know: coral nails + perfect bronzey tan = BEAUTIMOUS! :)
Revlon Top Speed Nail Enamel, $4.99 (find it at Target)

Don't be scared... eyelash curlers are easy AND your friend! Best way to use this little miracle worker (in my opinion, of course): get as close as possible to your eyelid and clamp down for 7-10 seconds... before AND after mascara (wait for it to dry!). Voila - pretty eyelashes that look - gasp - a smidge like the mascara commercials!!!!!! :)
ELF Eyelash Curler, $1.00 (find it at Target)



A little disclaimer: this mascara is not for the faint at heart! If you are looking for a dramatic eyelash, this little purple cutie is for you! If you do not like the dramatic look of bold lashes - skip this part :) This mascara is good for a GNO (girls' night out, for you non-acronym-ers) or a hot date. The good thing? It only takes like... ONE coat, barely! Love it! I'm definitely a mascara lover, and I am loving this one more and more each time I use it. Be careful when applying, it tends to be a little messy at times.
Maybelline The Falsies Volum'Express Mascara in Black Drama, $5.94 (find it Target - hurry! It's on sale!)


Don't you wish someone would tell you step-by-step, exactly what colors of eyeshadow go where? Well! You are in luck. Maybelline has done just that (I might be out of a job as a make-up do-er soon!). Kind of hard to mess up when they have the colors labeled! And, while I am normally a rule-follower... sometimes I bend the directions on these a bit :) get creative! Loving these colors, perfect for a night out but can just as easily be toned down for the office! And - big plus... this eyeshadow stays on very well! Love Maybelline.
Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Natural Smokes, $4.99 (find it at Target... are you surprised?! Target should pay me for all the advertising I am giving them... right?!)

Well, there you have it! Hope you were able to find a new lovable product as a result of my raves on these products! Now go out and get pretty for the weekend. Stay tuned for a smokey eye how-to coming very soon!

Toodles, much love!

My "pretty" favorites

It's time for another favorites post!!! Keep the questions coming, I LOVE questions! P.s. - I answered the last few questions from my last post at the bottom :).

Here are a few of my makeup bag necessities. I've tried lots and lots of different brands, products, colors, consistencies... you name it, and these are the products that, in my opinion, win the "love" title. A little note... Ulta ALWAYS has good sales. Most of the time, their line of makeup has some sort of "buy one, get one" deal going on, as well as the other makeup lines they carry (Maybelline, Revlon, L'Oreal, Almay, Covergirl, etc...).
Clockwise from top left:
1. I've searched long and hard for the perfect moisturizer for my "I'm-not-really-sure-if-I-am-oily-or-dry extremely sensitive skin, and, alas - I triumphed with the WalMart offbrand of Aveeno! Love it - and it's pricetag!
Equate Absolutely Beaming Lotion, $4.96 (find it at WalMart, oh yes)
2. I feel like concealer is one of the trickiest items in a makeup bag. It can very easily draw more attention to your lovely little friends on your face, which is just a HUGE no-no in my book. The combination of these 2 (white first, colored second) creates an oh-so-perfect cover that, quite frankly, I need every once in awhile!
Maybelline Cover Sticks, $5.99 each (find them at Ulta)
3. Makeup brushes are usually hit or miss. Luckily, I scored some amazing, I repeat... A-MAZING, brushes on one of Target's "Daily Deals" for a sweet pricey-price and fell in brush-love. These are the perfect blend of softness and sturdiness. Love.
Sonia Kashuk Natural Wood brush set, $19.99 (find at Target)
4. Bronzer. This word conjures up a vision of a cakey, orange, unnatural mess in my mind. Luckily, Ulta has created a bronzer that is none of the 3. It is light, natural, and blends perfectly to nearly every skin tone (oh, and it is also NOT glittery. I hate gilttery bronzer! I am not 13 anymore, makeup makers! C'mon!). Plus, it lasts a really long time because it comes in quite a large pot!
Ulta Powder Bronzer (one shade only), $10.00 (find it at Ulta, obvi)

Clockwise from bottom left:

1. I always use an eyeshadow base. For multiple reasons, but mainly because I feel as if it makes the eyeshadow stick to my eyelids instead of flying away after batting my eyes a few hundred times throughout the day.
For shimmery shades, I use: ELF Shimmer Palate, $3.00 (find it at eyeslipsface.com)
For matte shades, I use: Revlon Creme Eyeshadow, $5.99 (find it at Ulta)
2. I feel as if I could say this about every item on my both of my lists, but eyeliner is one of the most important items in my bag and I feel like a lot of makeup companies skimp on it. It's very hard to find an eyeliner that stays where you put it, doesn't smear, and just isn't lousy all around. Never to fear, I, the makeup hero, can rescue the day! I have found what is the closest to eyeliner perfection for a pretty perfect little price!
Avon Ultra Luxury Eyeliner, $6.00 (find it avon.com)
3. Ahhhh, mascara. Mascara! What girl can live without it?! This little baby right here is my pride and joy. I've tried many, many, m a n y little black tubes and was always, well, a little let down (as were my lashes - literally). What's a girl to do when every mascara out there is advertised by a model with FAKE lashes?! Helllllooo, we are not stupid, Maybelline. We know that there are approximately 3 girls in the entire world that have eyelashes that look like this when they put mascara on:


You're not fooling anyone. So stop with the tomfoolery and show us how the mascara really works. Ok, I shall step off my soapbox now. I have found THE perfect mascara. Try it. You'll love it. I recommend 3 coats, waiting for one coat to dry before the next goes on.
L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara in Blackest Black, $8.99 (find it at Ulta)
4. I've never been much of a fan of lipstick. Lipstick sounds so... businesswoman/granny. Say it: lipstick. I hear the word and get that taste in my mouth that can't really be described but only known if you've ever worn thick lipstick. Blech. No thank you. This lipstick, however, is marvelous. No weirdy taste, no caking in the corners of the lips, sheer enough to pass as gloss to your boyfriend (boys do not like lipstick.at.all.). I go for more of a sheer shade and use lip balm or gloss over it.
Ulta Silky Wear Sheer Lipcolor in Sheer Shine (say that 7 times fast), $8.00 (find it at Ulta)
5. This is the liquid counterpart to my ranting and raving about pencil eyeliner in number 2. The felt tip makes little room for blotchy errors. Don't be scared, it really is easy.
L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon, $6.50 (find it at Target)
6. Last, but certainly one of the most lurvvvvved pieces in my bag! I believe every makeup bag needs a good smokey/blending eyeshadow. I use a smokey eyeshadow over my liner and in the outer corner of my eye to soften the look of eyeliner and widen the eye (I'll be doing a post later on a "how to" for my perfect smokey eye). This one is my absolute favorite and never has a chance to get lost in the bottom of my bag because I use it so often!
Ulta Eyeshadow in Molten, $7.00 (find it at Ulta)

Some answers!

1) If you have trouble with snail-pace hair growth, my recommendation is to use heat sparsely, condition well, and take a vitamin specifically for hair growth (such as Biotin). My favorites are:
Sundown Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamins, $11.49 (find it a Publix or CVS)
Sundown New Life Hair, $11.49 (find it at Publix or CVS)

2) For sustaining highlights AND moisture, I suggest doing what I do... which is alternating both. I never use the same shampoo EVERY time I wash (it's better for your hair when you switch it up), and then you accomplish both color brightening AND moisture... Voila! :) I wouldn't suggest using one or the other - use both. The more, the merrier! :)

Until next time, much love! Don't forget... ask away, hopefully I will be able to help YOU feel MORE beautiful. Toodles!

Questions... Answers!

I love that you are reading my blog! And I love that you are asking questions :). After my last post, I had a friend ask a few very good questions that I thought deserved a post of their very own! So, here we go... and don't be shy about asking any questions YOU may have... questions are very welcome around here!

1) How many times a week do you wash your hair?
Confession time: I am an everyday washer. I know, I know... I should be shunned as a hair guru! Here's the deal (and obviously this is JUST my opinion/position. I am no professional and don't have any scientific evidence to back up my words.)... everyone's hair is different. While everyday washing may do wonders for some heads, it may do not so wonderful things for others. I have avidly tried multiple times to become an every other day washer, but all it did for me was leave me feeling gross at about 2pm on the second day. My hair is rebellious, it has a mind of its own and doesn't want to be washed every other day! This doesn't mean anything other than my hair is abnormally "moist" on its own. If you are ok with washing every other day and don't notice any difference from day 1 to day 2, GO for it! That's how your hair works and I greatly envy you! However, if you are an everyday washer and are noticing some dryness there are a few things you can do:

-Invest in a good leave in conditioner. However, just as with any other product, don't overdo it or your hair has the potential for greaseball, and we already know that nobody wants that. I like:

Pravana Hydrating Intensive Leave In Treatment, $18 (find it at your salon or you can order it online - I saw it on Amazon) *note: this is a little pricey, but it lasts a good bit of time. I have very long hair and mine lasts me for at least 6 months - it doesn't take more than a few spritzes each use.

-Make sure you are protecting your hair from the heat from all the blowdrying/flattening/curling we love to do to our hair. There are multiple ways to do this (just peruse your local Target shampoo aisle - you'll see what I mean) but I love my trusty Frizz-Ease:

Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat, $5.39 (find it at Target)
Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum, $7.99 (find it at Target)

-See below for some more tips :)

2) Do you have any products you would recommend to get the moisture back into your hair?
A good way to put moisture back into your hair is to do a deep conditioner treatment or hot oil treatment. There are also good shampoo/conditioner combos that help restore moisture. Here are my favorites:

Deep Conditioning Treatment

L'oreal Everstrong Deep Replenishing Mask, $7.74 (find it at Target)
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Hair Mask, $6.04 (find it at Target)*note: the best way to go about a deep conditioning treatment is on a day you don't have much going on: shampoo as normal, apply deep conditioner liberally, let set for several minutes (sometimes I even get out of the shower and let it set on my hair for 15-20 minutes) and then wash. Keep in mind your hair may be a little "moisture rich" after the treatment (ie - look a little greasy)

Hot Oil TreatmentVO5 Hot Oil, $10.68 (find it at WalMart)*note: follow instructions on package - it's pretty easy :)

My favorite Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner (as well as my everyday shamp/cond for the time being)

Dove Therapy Intense Shamp/Cond, $4.99 each (find it at Target)

3)Would you suggest the same brands of color brightening shampoos for brunette hair?
The Drama Clean and Hair Cleansing Cream will do wonders for brunettes as well as blondes. For a warming brunette specific product, I love this (well, I did when I was a brownie!):

John Freida Brilliant Brunette Light Reflecting Shamp/Cond, $4.97 each (find it at WalMart)

I hope my answers have been at least somewhat helpful. Keep the questions coming!

Much love!

Favorites!

I love finding and trying new products. I am always on the lookout for something that has the potential to become a favorite! One of the best ways to do this is by finding out what other beauty lovers love. So, I am feeling a little generous and would love to share a few of my must haves. I'm going to start with my hair product must haves, and share my other beauty secrets later on :).

Because I am always up for trying a new beauty must have, I always, and you can quote me - always - love to find a lovely little morsel at a lovely little PRICE. So, I am not going to talk about a bunch of products that would be great only if you had Paris Hilton's beauty budget. I love finding other blogger's favorites but always get a smack in the face when I scroll down and see that her favorite tube of oh-so-perfect pinky lipstick is $67 cheese-a-roos. I work hard for my money and have no intention whatsoever of using a whole days' pay to buy shampoo and conditioner (as well as the fact that I would not like to be the reason my huzzzband gets deemed clinically insane after watching the $20 dollar bills I just washed my hair with float down the drain). The gist of it is: I just love to try, try, try and don't want to waste my beauty budget on one thing that I may not end up loving.

With that little disclaimer out of the way - here we are, friends! As always, please feel free to let me know of any questions or tidbits of advice you may have.

We all know how those oh-so-fun frizzies can pop up without welcome. I love both of these serums because not only do they help with the frizz, they also help with shine and heat protection. I swear by the 2nd one (Frizz-Ease) and use it everyday. Just be careful to use serums very sparingly, they can easily turn into a grease-ball disaster. Eeeek.
Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss, $11 (find it at your salon)
John Freida Frizz Ease Hair Serum Extra Strength Formula, $8.99 (find it at your local heaven, I mean Target)


Once a week, I like to get the gunk that builds up in my hair from hairsprays/mousse/whatever else ends up in there with a hair cleansing shampoo. I love the way my hair feels after using a cleanser... just feels, well, clean (surprise!). While I love the Hair Cleansing Cream by Redken, Drama Clean by Herbal Essences does a pretty bang up job as well. Just use in place of your regular shampoo whenever you feel a deep clean is necessary. I like to shampoo twice (leave the first on for a little longer) and then use a smaller amount of conditioner than normal (so I don't put all the weight back in after just taking it out).
Redken Hair Cleansing Cream, $17 (find it at your salon)
Herbal Essences Drama Clean, $3 (find it at Target)

Because I am a blondie (ahem... naturally, of course), I also like to use a blonde brightening shampoo every once in awhile when my golden locks are lacking shine or looking shamefully brassy. Blonde friends: we all know that brassy looks just about as bad on your head as it does on a doorknob. I do the same as the hair cleansing cream: use in place of your regular shampoo as you feel the need. While the Jhirmack tends to leave my hair smelling a little grandma-esque, I absolutely adore the softness and brightness it adds to my hair. Hey, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo, $11 (find it at your salon)
Jhirmack Silver Brightening Shampoo, $3 (find it at Walgreens or a similar store)



My hair is naturally "wavy." I use wavy in it's broadest form, because really, my hair is more accurately "just enough curl to make you straighten me/a little tempestuous at the sight of moisture" and there really isn't a word that accurately portrays all that (except "annoying"). Needless to say, my hair requires a little shmoozing when I don't feel like spending 45 minutes in front of the mirror with a blowdryer and flat iron sweating all the clean off that mr. shower just gave me. Here is what I have found to work best for my hair:
1. start with a light-but-still-moisturizing shampoo/conditioner (it's best to find one specifically for curls).
I like: Tresemme Flawless Curls Shamp/Cond, $3.84 each (find them at Target)
2. after shower, scrunch hair while head is upside down with a towel (I know, sounds fun)
3. take your hair out of the towel, my most important part: DON'T BRUSH!
4. spray a curl enhancing mist all over, don't be afraid to be wildly generous (don't wait too long for your hair to dry, because then mr. frizz like to make a visit)
I like: Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Spray, $3.34 (find it at Target)
5. scrunch around your head a few times. Then, turn head upside down (again) and use a palmful of mousse to scrunch all over
I like: Garnier Fructis Curl Construct Mousse, $3.34 (find it at Target)
6. voila! Scrunch a few more times haphazardly around your head while your hair is drying.
7. you are finished, gorgeous! Don't let the 6 steps scare you, I promise - it's easy peasy.

I hope that you were able to get through all of my hair ranting and raving. What I hope even more is that you were able to get at least a few new ideas to try! Be on the lookout for my next Favorites Post!

Much love!

Simple Hair/Makeup

A simple half-pulled back hairstyle and natural makeup made for the perfect duo for this fall family photoshoot! Beautiful!

Classic Bun

Simple. Sweet. Elegant. Perfection!

Simple Curls, Natural Makeup

Simple curls with a beautiful headband for a little pizazz. Natural yet dramatic makeup... isn't she stunning?!