Think Pink!

A couple years ago I was in this phase where I dyed the bottom half of my hair a couple different colors (dark brown, auburn, pink). I recently was looking through old pictures and had a nostalgic feeling for my pink hair. It's a temporary hair product (manic panic), so it washes out within a couple weeks. It starts out a really bright fuscia pink, but gradually goes light without looking like kool-aid (you know exactly what I mean!) But I also really liked how it lightly seeped into my hair on top half on my ends. I found a picture from when I did it before. You can't get the exact idea, but it's there (it had been a couple weeks at that point so it's a little "weak" in the color).

So, in the poll above let me know what you think!!! :)

Curly Sue-Velcro Curlers!

There are about 5 different ways I curl my hair and since I always get asked how I do it, I figured I'd break it down from softest to curliest :)

One of the best ways to get tons of volume and big soft curls is by using velcro curlers.

The set comes in 5 different sizes, so you can adjust the volume you want. Usually I like do this in the summer because I can just pop them in, sit on the deck in the sun and let my hair set. But because the luxury of time is short, and the sun has gone away we need to adjust.
Once out of the shower and your hair is toweled dry, put a little amount of your favorite volumizing product in (gel, mousse, spray) and put throughout your entire hair, root to tip. I say a little because you want it to look soft and natural, not crunchy.
IF you have time, try to let it air dry a little on it's own. If not, use the hair dryer on low and dry your hair about 50%.
Time to place them in! How you do this is entirely up to you. I put the large ones on the crown of my head down to the smallest at the nape of my neck. In the front I put my bangs back with smaller curlers so they curl more. I also set them away from my face.

Once the curlers are in let them sit for as long as you can. Do your make-up, get dressed, etc. Again, if you don't have the time take your hair dryer and dry it at high heat. The great thing about these curlers is that they are breathable so your hair will dry fast.
When you are ready to take them out grab them by the end and lightly pull them out. 

After all the curlers are out you can easy manipulate the curls in the direction you want them to go. Use your fingers to comb thru the hair and if need be use a big rounded brush to adjust and soften. Once you have the effect you want spray all over with hairspray.

Eminence Contest!

My favorite brand of skin care is having a contest! The grand prize is a trip for 2 to Florida!
Don't know much about Eminence? Here's your chance to win some treatments and products as well! Check it out below:


http://www.eminenceorganics.com/en-ca/news-and-events/contests.aspx

All Dried Up

Nothing is more comforting in the fall/winter than coming in from the brisk outdoors and running a hot bath. Sinking into that tub is one of the best feelings in the world. Unfortunetly as you may or may not know, this is extremely harsh on your skin.
Ever wonder why your skin is so dry and itchy in the winter months? The constant temperature change from outdoors to indoors and the hot baths and showers takes all the moisture out, and because you aren't sweating it's not getting put back in.
I'm a sucker for a hot bath and shower. An extremely hot bath is my favorite. I know it's bad, but I'm a cold person! But because I have very dry skin normally it would itch and flake so badly when the weather turned cold.
There are solutions:  When you take a bath use oils--baby oil is great, but of course the Body Shop, Shoppers, etc will have some as well. Your skin will feel so soft and amazing after! (When you get out, try not to rub it all off, dab your body)
If you're using a soap or gel based body wash switch to one that is cream based. Oil of Olay with the ribbons in it is the best I've found.
As soon as you get out of the tub or shower, put on lotion!!!!! Because your skin is moist, it will suck up and trap the lotion. The best brand I have found is Clinique's Deep Comfort Body Butter. It's wonderfully thick and not at all greasy. You don't need a lot! (Also, spray your perfume on at this time as well--it will stay on longer)

We need our skin to be comfortable so we can wear those beautiful itchy wool sweaters! ;)

Fall for Color!

I was going through the check-out the other day when a lady said to me, "Your make-up is amazing! I would never be able to pull that color off!"
Now, I was wearing my normal make-up. Yes I wear lots of color, and yes it's usually a crazy color, but that day was an orange day. And in saying that, orange looks good on everyone. They say you're supposed to work with a palette that contrasts your eye color--blonds should do golds, bronzes, etc. Browns should be blues and purples, while green eyes should also use purple and browns. I don't do that. I wear my golds and browns every once in a awhile, but it's boring. Color makes me happy. Especially in the fall and winter months when my clothes have toned down, you need that splash of color somewhere!
This lady had beautiful jet black hair and dark blue eyes. She was absolutely gorgeous. I told her that not only could she definetly pull this off but it would make her hair, her eyes and her face radiant (she was pale).
The problem I find with people is that they are scared to try it. Why not? The best part is is that it will wash right off if you don't like it!! If you don't have a color palette, or don't want to spend a lot of money to try it out, go to the dollar store. Or even shoppers has cheap eyeshadow (Wet and Wild). Or go to Sephora and get some trials done! You might end up trying out a deep purple or a vibrant green and end up loving it!
The colors I had on were MAC. The orange is called Fab & Flashy. I bought it a couple years ago during a summer collection, and while they don't have it anymore they still have awesome oranges.

I also used a a shimmery gold pink shadow on the inner edges of my eyes and under my brows. It's also from MAC. It's a cream eyeshadow that goes on dry. Normally I'm wary about cream eye shadows (they've always creased for me) but if you do buy higher end they are worth it! This is called Rubenesque, in the paint pots.

Topped off with black eyeliner and black mascara, it's a wonderful effect!

Raising Eyebrows

There are a couple ways out there to do your eyebrows. You can pluck them, wax them or thread them. Which ever way you get them done, there are always the pro's and cons. Some people pluck their own because it's a cheaper at home solution. But once you start to pluck, you usually tend to over do it. Waxing can be done at home as well but you have to be extra careful of wax temperature, and pulling out too much hair, proper shaping, etc.
Threading is an art form. I've come across it a couple years ago when a friend recommended it. I went to try it out, cause it was the same price as a wax. So basically what it entails is that the esthetician holds 2 threads--one in her mouth, the other in her hand. She basically scissors the thread across your eyebrows and it pulls the hair out of the root. Does it hurt? YES! It made my eyes water like crazy! But that being said, the results were amazing. My skin usually flares up red and swollen after a brow wax. After a threading, my brows were a little pink, but it went away quickly. I also noticed that the shape was perfect! The esthetician also informed me that while waxing pulls your skin (which could lead to sagging and bleeding), threading just pulls out the hair.
You can do this method at home (I've actually tried!) but I've found it too be too hard and yes, it hurt way too much! I've left it to the professionals! If you see how it works or try it out, check out the link below:

Scrub Me Down!

Do you know why you should exfoliate? Even though it's the end of summer, you still want that glow on your skin. But there's more to exfoliating than that. When you exfoliate you get rid of all the dead skin cells on top of your skin, erases fine lines, and it evens out the rough patches and helps with ingrown hairs.
If you use it for your face, the grain texture should be very fine. Almost like sand. A lot of people use St. Ives Apricot scrub, and I cannot stress enough that that product will rip your face up! You can't see it on the surface, but because the grain is so big (and sharp!) it's tearing your most sensitive skin.
I love the Eminence line, and one of my staple items is the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. It's super fine, and it lasts FOREVER! Here's more information: http://us.eminenceorganics.com/Strawberry-Rhubarb-Dermafoliant_p_323.html

The best way to use this product is to start washing your face, then while your wash is still on put a small amount of dermafoliant in your hand, and another small amount of your wash, and gently apply in a circular motion. Do this for about 30 seconds to a minute. You can use this product every day, it's that mild--but so effective at the same time! This is how fine it is...a mix between fine sand and flour:

      

If you're going to exfoliate your body, any type of product will do. The best result is exfoliating while your skin is dry. That way you don't create a barrier of moisture between your skin and the product. Hop in the shower and scrub down, then proceed to leave it on while washing your hair, etc. The best product I found for the body is Clinique's Sparkle Skin body exfoliating cream. Not only does it last forever, but it has this amazing mint smell to it. And your whole body feels tingly and minty after.

Glow on!