When I was growing up in the '70's, I wanted Farrah Fawcett winged hair. Desperately. I didn't appreciate or understand how to take care of my weird hair - so thick, with tight coils at the nape of my neck, loosening to ringlets and then waves near the crown. Since then, there's been a proliferation of moisturizing and curl-loving hair products, I'm happy to say. Some work better for my type of hair than others, because not all curls are the same. So, I was happy when Redken sent me some products that I think were tailor-made for my hair!
Happy Saturday! I've dug into the vault to bring you some glitter and some glittery gradients that I created way back when, but haven't been seen - until now!
Time for another DIY day, and today, I'm making masks - my favorite, with Pure Mud! If you've never slathered some clay all over your face, then you are missing out. I have a few tips and tricks, and some of my favorite things to add to a mask to tell you about today, too!
No one will ever mistake me for being a celebrity (though I always get told that I look like someone people know..) But a good skincare regimen is essential for having radiant skin, and with Anaiti Luminous Serum for Celebrity Skin, I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Demille!
I took a lot of vitamins growing up, but Vitamin C has always been my favorite. I loved drinking orange juice (and sometimes, we got to mix it with Tang, for more Vitamin C!) and it was the only vitamin that came in yummy chewables. I have good associations with Vitamin C, and even more now that I know how good it is for my skin. I've reviewed a lot of Vitamin C serums - how does this one from Refresh stand up?
The Internet has proclaimed that in 2016, the "Instagram Brow" trend will be a thing of the past. Though I could appreciate the artistry of the brow 'on fleek' (I am a long-time fan of RuPaul's Drag Race, after all..) it was never a trend I picked up. It did, however, clue me in to the importance of the eyebrow - something I pretty much ignored up until that point. Sure, I tweezed my husband's unibrow from time to time, but I pretty much left mine alone.
Seeing all the different styles and shapes of brows has given me an appreciation for the way they can frame the face, and even how they work with my eyeglasses. I have two kits to show you today from Billion Dollar Brows - and I think that with these, you can create any kind of brow you want.
It's time again for Sunday Stamping! I'm so excited about today's theme, because I've been obsessed with this technique for the last few weeks - stamping over a radial gradient!
Masks, masks, masks. I'm obsessed. I want to try ALL the kinds of masks, and Oblige by Nature has some very unique clay masks that I am just loving. They are one small brand of which I'm a big fan! I've tried their French Rose Clay Mask before (for sensitive skin) and today I want to tell you about their French Yellow Clay Mask (for oily skin.)
One thing I love about writing this blog is getting to try some things I might not have otherwise found. I've seen exfoliators that are made with all kinds of things, from sugar and salt to ground nuts, but a newer trend I'm enjoying is the powder 'rice enzyme' exfoliant.
These days, it seems like I am all about the purples! I've re-discovered some old favorites and incorporated some new loves into this total purple look!
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
Maybe we're all doomed to become our parents, because I find myself inadvertently mimicking certain things my mom did when I was growing up! One of the things I remember is that my mom kept bottles of hand lotion all over the house. There was some in the bathroom to use after hand-washing, and some on each nightstand, and in the den, and always a nice bottle in the guest room. Black Canyon Citrus Basil lotion is one I would definitely put in any room in my house, even the guest room!
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
Retinoids, a derivative of Vitamin A, can be a big help in smoothing skin by increasing collagen production and diminishing dark spots. If your skin is starting to look dull, with fine lines, you may want to check out this Super Retinol Serum from Aria Star Beauty.
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
"I like coffee, I like tea, I like the Java Jive, and it likes me!" I enjoy a cup of tea with honey in the evenings, and especially one that helps soothe my nerves and my tummy. I've recently been enjoying this unusual tea - Organic Dandelion Root Tea with Hibiscus and Cinnamon by Kiss Me Organics.
As a kid growing up in the 1970's, we all imagined ourselves to be hippies and made salads of dandelions that grew in our suburban yards. Well, once, maybe. Dandelion greens are pretty bitter, though very healthy. Though I prefer all my teas sweetened, this tea isn't overly bitter by itself. The root, from which this tea is made, is rich in vitamins and minerals (A, C, D and B-complex, Iron, Potassium and Zinc,) and is supposed to aid with digestion, as well as be a tonic for the liver.
I don't know about the liver part, yet, though some days I do like to give my liver a workout, so the idea of preventive maintenance is pretty appealing. I do think this tea aids in digestion, though. The first time I drank it, it made my food digest very quickly, but after that, my system settled down.
I've heard about the effects of cinnamon on blood sugar, though I believe it needs more research. Hibiscus gives this tea a pleasant subtle floral flavor and a slight pink hue. Hopefully, it will help with my blood pressure, as it's been a little on the high side lately.
My Mr. Tea is pretty relaxed, though, don't you think? Just chillaxin' in my monkey mug. He knows that this tea is naturally caffeine-free.
My nailart today is my interpretation of the box art - a gradient of blue to green (Wet 'n Wild Wear Skinny Jeans and Tree Hugger) with dandelion flowers painted with China Glaze Sunshine Pop, Lemon Fizz, and Zoya Arizona)
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
Are you ready for a new neon orange addition to your skincare routine? Orange is not only the new black, but this orange may help you with those black shadows under your eyes, and lines, and wrinkles...
Today's challenge is 'Better Than Jamberry.' I interpreted it as a pattern I liked better than using a nail wrap, but apparently I was supposed to pattern it after an actual nail wrap. Oops. Well, I like how it came out anyway.
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
Even though I have oily skin, I didn't know about blotting paper until only a few years ago. I tried a few different kinds - ones infused with fragrance, store brand, ones with makeup on them.. but none of them are as good as these made by Day by Day. The packaging says #1 blotting paper, and I believe it!
