The Wet Brush

After our stylist gave her permission to use The Wet Brush, my mom kept raving about it to me...

Now, we never use anything but wide tooth combs on our hair - so when she kept telling me about it I resisted for a while... especially because I had seen many ads and reviews on these "tangle teezers" and knock offs like it. 

Needless to say, I finally caved and made the purchase. 

Surprisingly, I like this brush. It's definitely not like most brushes and works really well for those occasions where your hair is just a bit more tangled and ratty than usual.

Worth the buy, I'm glad I got it.

Hair Halo

The first year I was in Texas, I went to a trade show.

Out of the few items I picked up, one was a hair halo. 

I've found this little hair tool quite useful... and really a great idea. 

You can pull it up tight, or a bit more loose depending on the look you want.

(the picture above was pretty tight, as my hair was wet - I was creating curls)

You can create smaller or larger curls/wraps which will make the look different also.

I like to wrap my hair when it's wet, and when I take it down - it makes for beautiful, easy curls!

Other times, I just wrap it up softly for a more boho vibe.

Big Sexy Hair

I hadn't repurchased my normal Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play in a while, but I was glad I did. 

I have the Root Pump Plus,  which works great - and ever since high School I've loved the Hairspray.

This time, I also decided to try their thickening spray Get Layered (which I love now).

They really do have great products if you're looking for big, sexy hair ;-P

Real Techniques

These Real Techniques brushes are worth your money.

I've tried a lot of different makeup brushes, some impressive, some not so impressive

A while back I went out and purchased a couple more real techniques because they're affordable and work really well.

Decent makeup brushes are a must.

They make such a difference.

Temporary Hair Chalk/Spray

For the babes Christmas party, I wanted to do something different... add some color to my hair to spice my look up a bit (I had an all black dress, will post pics soon)

I tried all of these leading up to the party....

My final thoughts:

Splat Hair Chalk in Violet Sky

This was the WORST. 

I don't know why I thought putting chalk in your hair would somehow work?

It's really pigmented when you first apply it, but you literally cannot do anything or else it *poof*  disappears into the air, leaving you with hair that just feels kind of.... gross.

Beyond the Zone - Ruthless Red

This spray was better... I use that term loosely. The pictures lead you to believe you can get a Ronald McDonald head of hair with this can. 

Not True. 

It takes a few coats to get it to show up (however, my hair is on the dark side), but by that time? Your hair is sticky, and hard, and looks dirty. This was ok if you're going for subtlety, one coat wasn't bad. 

Jerome Russell - BBlonde

Ok, temporary highlights is definitely not the way to describe this. LOL

Basically, it makes your hair kind of gold? but it takes alot to get there with hair the color of mine.

Better off getting a can of gold spray paint.

Needless to say, these sucked. I was not impressed.

Next time I will opt for a temporary dye.

Mani Monday

I picked up a new Shellac shade:

Powder My Nose from the Open Road Collection

A semi-sheer peachy nude color that's very pretty, feminine and clean. I actually had went to the supply store with a different shade in mind, but this one caught my attention. 

I added a minimalist black detail and voila! Something different for the week!

(It's a strikingly close match to OPI's "Samoan Sand" that I picked up a few months ago)

True Match Lumi

I've used the same brand of foundation for years... probably since High School. 

I've tried plenty, always hoping to stumble across something better. 

I've never had much luck, until now. 

This foundation surprised me, and the primer is amazing too.

Glad I decided to try them. 

Nume Titan 3

I finally did it...

I had been looking at getting a set for a while now, but couldn't decide exactly what it was I wanted. I referenced my dilemna in an earlier post. 

After researching, I decided on the Nume Titan 3. This set includes 3 titanium barrels, instead of tourmaline. Also, since I already knew I am not a huge fan of the reverse wands, I liked that this set came with the 3 barrels that were practical for most looks and regular use.

I'm really excited about this wand. I can't wait to see the difference, and mess around with it!

Joico

A few months back, I decided to switch from using solely Biolage to try the Joico Color Endure Violet line. While I don't necessarily need color endure, since I don't color my hair - and I also don't need a violet shampoo, since I am not blonde - I was hoping that the violet would tone the sometimes brassy look of my hair down (Texas water = eek!), and it's also sulfate-free which was a must-have for me. 

This line definitely did what I was hoping for, however - after using it as my daily care system for a few weeks, I switched back to using Biolage for routine treatment - and use the the Joico line once a week or so. Since I am not blonde, nor do I have colored hair... this method seems to work great :)

I also picked up the Joico Leave-In Protectant to try. While I absolutely love the way this works - I find that I use it less than some of my others because of the dispenser. I'd much rather spray directly into my hair vs. using a pump like this. That being said - it really is a great product... I just wish it was a spray! 

Joico Color Endure Violet Sulfate Free Conditioner (10oz bottle)

Joico K-Pak Leave-in Protectant

Joico Color Endure Violet Sulfate Free Conditioner (Small 10oz)

Color of Conditioner

Joico Color Endure Violet Sulfate Free Shampoo (Large 1L)

Joico Color Endure Violet Sulfate Free Conditioner (Large 1L)

Color of Shampoo

haircuts

There's only one person I trust with my hair. That's always been the case. 

The only problem with that? She's in Michigan. 

So I've had to get creative in keeping my hair trimmed during the "in betweens" of my trips home.

I've been considering a "big chop" over Christmas while I'm home....

Love Locks

 

 

I bought a curling wand, to see if I would like it.

 

Surprisingly, I do - and have used it a bit more than I thought I would.

However, the one I have is a reverse - & because it's a bit larger, it's limited on the curls it creates.

 

I'm debating&deciding between the Nume or Bellami set.

 

I like the idea of having several size wands for different types of curls, so I think the sets are worth having.

 

 

 

On another note: I'm constantly considering cutting my hair....

 

I just can't seem to make a decision.

 

Samoan Sand

 

 

My most recent nude polish. 

 

Samoan Sand - OPI

 

OPI describes it as "A warm beige-pink."

 

When I first used it, I thought it was going to be a bit too pink/peach for my liking. After a few days of wearing it, I started to warm up to it. 

 

I still prefer my Essie - Sand Tropez as my favorite nude, but Samoan Sand is a nice addition to my collection.

 

 

False Fiber Lashes

A girlfriend of mine bought the Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes and let me try it out. 

Let me just say: I was totally impressed. 

I struggle with spending $29 on mascara, since it goes bad so quickly :-/ 

So when I seen this new L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara for $9, I had to see if it compared. 

I wouldn't say it's as good as the Younique - but I would say it's better than alot of mascaras I've tried - and for the same price as most other drugstore mascaras too. 

It's definitely made it's way to one of my favorites. 

Tubing San Marcos

This past weekend a large group of us camped and went tubing in San Marcos.

 

It was roughly a 4 hour float, and it was a blast.

 

There were so many people on the water, and our group was pretty huge. It was one of the guys birthdays in our group - so everyone made it a point to sing Happy Birthday to him multiple times on the float.

 

Also, at the end of the float there was a rope swing.

 

I swung from the highest perch. Definitely worth it!!

 

Not everyone camped, since we had peeps in our group from Austin and Houston - some drove back to Austin instead of camping, while the rest of us stayed and left in the morning.

 

 

I picked up this adorable white floppy hat from Sun&Sand before the trip. It was the perfect accessory for the river.

I was glad I had it.

 

 

 

**Obviously, I didn't get any pictures on the water, since I wasn't going to risk losing my camera or phone - but I did get a shot of my new hat!**

 

Bouffant Babe

 

 

 I always go back&forth about chopping my hair off....

 

BUT.....

 

I do enjoy playing with it and being able to do fun things with it!

 

 

 

*For this look, I just did a simple bouffant to give me some volume up top. Then, to spice it up a bit and complete and compliment the look of the outfit I was wearing - I added the black sash but kept the sash concealed it in the front!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Shellac

I had bought a kit a long while back to do my own Shellac

(of course, it was a cheaper, drugstore kit -- so it was no where near the quality of professionals)

Then recently, a few girlfriends and I went to the salon - and they talked me into trying Shellac.

I loved it.

It allowed me to keep my own nails, not ruin them - yet provide me with some more strength so they wouldn't break as easy.

Well, I wasn't going to pay $45 bucks every time I wanted my nails done - and $50 every time I wanted my toes done....

 So I caved.

Because of my manicuring license I was able to get this for a reasonable price.

I've done my hands and feet multiple times now - It's already paid for itself!!

I bought a deep red, a bright pink, a dark (almost black) purple, and a nude color. I also picked up a white and clear :)

These pics don't really do it justice. I am going to try and be better about getting pics of my weekly manicures!

I've loved it so far - My next attempt will be a french manicure with Shellac!!

 :-D

Luxe

 

I always like to play with different makeup looks...

 

I used a bright purple on my lower lash line, and a neutral on my eyelids.

 

It worked perfectly with the overall look and outfit.



 

Rockin' my Prince tee and a black blazer with my hair braided to the side

 

 

I paired it with black zippered leggings and mary jane pumps.

 

 



 



Karrueche

I totally fuckin' adore this chick.

Rihanna will always be #1,
but I ain't gon' lie...
 

Karrueche has been one of my new favs <3

Karrueche Tran

.FLAWLESS.

 

 

 

 

Wake up *flawless*

Post up *flawless*

Ridin' round in it *flawless*

Flossin' on that *flawless*

This diamond *flawless*

My diamond *flawless*

This rock *flawless*

My rock *flawless*

.I woke up like this.

 

 

 

#bowdownbitches

 

 

 

 

 

Beyoncé - Flawless

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~mehndi~*

A few girlfriends and I decided to drink wine and play with art on our bodies <3