i recently tried some new products that i wanted to share with you all. i don’t normally do product reviews but i love these products i’ve been using so i figured, hey why not?!

just a few things to know – i have highlighted hair so i have to be conscious about the products that i use and i have very thick hair that takes forever to dry.

1. l’oreal color vibrancy. i LOVE this shampoo & conditioner. highly recommend. i usually use salon shampoo & conditioner because drugstore brands typically dry my hair out. this absolutely does not and you should try it if you are looking for a better shampoo that has an accessible price point.

2. l’oreal power moisture mask. this is awesome. i melted a patch of my hair – that’s right, melted, not burned. this is helping rehab it when nothing has been able to fix it in the past year.

3. pureology precious oil. this stuff is unbelievable. it is expensive, especially in salons. if you want to buy it use the link i shared earlier here – it is half off on amazon. just a tiny dot and your hair will be shiny and smooth. it’s the best hair oil i’ve ever used. just be mindful that if you put it on your roots – it may make your hair look greasy. also, use half a dot if you have thin or fine hair.

4. T3 bodywaver curling iron. this is the 1.75″ version. i have shoulder length hair and like the way this gives a little bit bigger wave versus a tighter curl. the bodywaver is an expensive curling iron but if you’re like me and curl your hair daily, it’s a good buy that leaves your hair nice and shiny whereas some cheaper curling irons i’ve used have not left any shine.

5. goody styling essentials round brush. you can go expensive on a brush if you want but i have been trying out different brushes lately as i recently cut 8 inches off my hair and can’t quite figure out which brush i like best. if you are going to blow out your hair straight, check out chi brushes, they’re really nice. if you want to dry your hair with loose curls make sure you opt for a brush with a wooden or plastic handle – nothing with that gel type material or anything that can grab your hair. if you have never experienced that before, just trust me on it and don’t do it. it doesn’t feel good.

6. chi hair dryer. i mean, you just can’t go wrong! if you are having a hard time working the kinks out of your hair, try upgrading your dryer, especially before you go for something like keratin.

what are your hair care essentials? i would love to hear about them!

when it comes to summer, florals, citrus and overall light fragrances reign supreme. these 5 fragrances are your perfect scents for summer (and all reasonably priced). my personal favorite this summer is bobbi brown beach – it literally smells like the beach. it’s a little salty mixed with lillies and coppertone and is just overall perfection.

the rest are all incredibly sexy fragrances that i definitely think you should try the next time you’re at the perfume counter. you can even ask the salespeople if they have samples of them to try before you buy – perfume is a commitment and it says something about you. what you smell like is part of memories for other people, and for yourself. pick up the right scent and not only will it smell like “you” to other people, but you’ll remember having a great summer every time you smell that scent.

so, what is your summer fragrance?

1. l’eau de chloe

2. bobbi brown beach

3. ysl paris premieres roses

4. lanvin me

5. dolce & gabbana desire

i’ve been growing my hair out now since 2008 and it’s finally extra long – we’re talking practically kardashian long. and it’s thick. and heavy. and really (really) hot this time of year. i’m also completely bored and wear it up every day and i’m just over it.

i’ve decided that it’s time to cut it off, start things fresh. my style aesthetic is changing a little as i get older and i need a change so we are chopping off the long (almost to my waist) locks and going for a gal meets glam, sequins & stripes, and cupcakes and cashmere fresh look.

so today’s the day! what do we think?

hey y’all! now, i’m totally not a haul blogger, never done this, but i have been reading so many beauty blogs and watching so many beauty vloggers lately that i decided to pick up a few of the products i was hearing great reviews about. then i liked some and hated others so i thought i would share some of my reviews with you.

1. ELF daily moisture stick. i was watching one of beauty broadcast’s videos and emily mentioned the ELF daily moisture stick and how it helped keep her under eye concealer in place. i wanted to try this product because my under eye concelear always rubs off and my eye liner always ends up down there. so far so good! i also swiped it quickly on the drier parts of my face (i have combination skin) and like it so far – but i did use my normal moisturizer before applying.

2. revlon lip butters. i have had a few of these and watched/read allison of amarixe‘s write ups about a few colors, so i picked up wild watermelon and sorbet. really love these! they are very light and sheer, so you can layer on or go for sheer – don’t be intimidated by the brightness! the only thing is that it comes out a little matte in a few minutes – 5-10 i would say. swipe on a complimenting gloss or a clear gloss to keep it looking youthful.

3. target brand beauty blender. i wanted to try a beauty blender because i see so many bloggers using it. some say it’s better than using their fingers. for me, it was exactly the same effect as using my fingers. maybe i need to try an actual beauty blender (like the brand one)?

4. revlon photo ready bb cream. i used this today and feel very -meh- about it. i like smashbox bb the best so far of all the ones that i’ve tried. i wouldn’t buy this again.

5. tigi catwalk curls rock amplifier. my salon posted about this product on their facebook page as a go-to product to finish off your hair when it air dries. i haven’t tried this yet, so we’ll see!

6. l’oreal ever cream intense nourishing conditioner. another recommendation from amarixe that i have yet to try.

7. biore strips. i have’t used these in a few years but decided to pick up a box and clear out some pores – they seem to get clogged much more often since i’ve started crossfit. seems to be one of those timeless products of our generation, eh?

8. maybelline rocket mascara in blackest black. again, amarixe. i do love this. allison mentioned she had issues taking it off though, which i haven’t tried so i can’t tell you if i had the same issue. it goes on nicely and feels thin but thickens up my lashes well.

9. sunny bronzer by NYC. i just needed something cheap and so far so good. something like this that you use every day and goes all over your face always seems like something i would pay a little extra for. i just haven’t found a high end brozer i like – i used stila for a while and was eh about it.

10. sonia kashuk concealer palette. i wanted to try this after i saw kandee use it in her more recent prom look video. i liked that there were a variety of shades to use on the eye lid and underneath. i’m undecided on this though. the “translucent” powder included in the palette has a shimmer to it which seems weird to me…

11. ELF transclucent powder. i wish i had opted for the NYC one on this or really sucked it up and bought the NARS one. i am not a fan. wouldn’t buy this again and wouldn’t recommend it. it’s messy and it feels a little too dry to me. i have tried ones that aren’t as dry…now if i could just remember which ones they were…

12. garnier under eye roller. it’s supposed to help with under eye circles and discoloration.  i picked up one that has a light tint to the gel so it actually provides cover up, which you blend in quickly. i don’t normally have under eye circles or puffiness but i do need to start anti-aging routines now that i am over 25, plus it just sounds like it would feel nice to have a cool roller under your eyes in the morning. something refreshing about that…but the jury’s out on this since it’s my first foray into this type of product.

so if you’re like me and have long, heavy and dark (which soaks up heat) hair you are probably with me when i say that during the summer it’s essential to have a way to keep your hair up. even with air conditioning on, i just cannot handle being in the bathroom with a blow dryer and a curling iron – too hot!

it’s that time of year now to practice your braids and updos before it gets exceptionally hot – especially if you have hair like mine.

here’s a little dose of summer hair inspiration to get you going – how about trying one this weekend?!

a braided pony is a great way to keep those strands off your next during the weekend – casual put still put together.

a low and refined chignon is great for the office. start with a pony tail held with a clear elastic, then fold it up and wrap with another piece of hair and pin in place. if you have heavy and extra long hair this might take a little extra work or heavier duty hair ties.

front braids with a low messy bun can be great for the office (if you’re in a little more casual setting), drinks outside and running errands on the weekends. i have definitely been known to sport this look any time of year and for any occasion – i will do anything to get this mop off my neck!

i am loving this side braid into a low pony – great for second day hair after beach waves or big curls. add a flower for a little extra sweetness, or don’t 🙂

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spring is a time for floral prints and pastel colors. everything is saccharine sweet come spring and while there are certainly yearly trends, we always seem to revert back to the sweetness that is synonymous with spring.

so today i charge you to be bold this spring. try new things. try new colors. try bright colors. especially when it comes to beauty. you only live once, right? get it girl!

here are six lip glosses, sticks and stains in many shades of orange. keep the color fresh and young with dewy skin, light rosey cheeks and a neutral lid.

i’m always looking for new things to do with my hair that are quick and easy for the work week. i like to look pulled together when i’m at the office, but sometimes i like to sleep a little extra and cut corners wherever i can.

here is a tutorial from the glitter guide to get a vintage inspired look!