Say Hello to Awesome Hair!

I know you'll aware of this already but I have craaaazzzzyyyyyyy hair.

It's really thick, and dry, and color-treated, and frizzy, and sometimes curly/wavy.....and I like to texturize it myself. Yes, you heard me right. I actually have a pair of texturizing shears at home, from my grandmother, that I use between haircuts. And the worst part is, I think I do such a great job thinning out my own hair and am ALWAYS surprised when my hair stylist says "Christina, stop cutting your hair."

I have used everything to try to tame my unruly mane. Creams, oils, masks, deep conditioners.......(You get my drift). But finally, after spending heaps of coin, I've found my miracle: Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask.

I would go loopy without this product. I'll use this instead of my normal conditioner about three times a week. I shampoo my hair first and then slap this on, leaving on the hair about five minutes prior to washing off. Not only does your hair feel clean, nourished and look impossibly shiny, but it smells divine. ( Like a sweet coconut island vacation...) The product helps to reconstruct your hair by undoing damage done by chemicals and even the environment. (Sun and wind.)

Heeerrrree's the kicker though. It's expensive. I pay about $39 for 250 mL. This size, though, lasts me about three months so $13.50 a month isn't so bad. Plus, since most people don't have crazy hair like I do, you could get away with using this once a week.

Twilight Lip Venom???

No judging......

Yes, I purchased the Twilight Lip Venom. Yes, I love the color. Yes, I know that it's branded as a TWILIGHT product. Yes, it works.

Trust me, I'm as surprised as you are but it does actually plump the lips. Lip Venom, created by DuWop, is usually a clear gloss that enhances the color and shape of your lips by increasing the blood flow. Once on your lips, you can actually smell the spicy cinnamon scent and feel a slight tingly sensation. Needless to say, the tingles do go away and your left with a beautifully glossy pout.

The Twilight Lip Venom is a crimson color. Though I love red and think the color is quite nice, I would prefer this product in it's clear form. That way, you can add your own color should you choose.

Either way, I do recommend this product. Check it out ladies.....full lips are yours for only $15.99......of course, you could always go the botox route......( I jest, I jest...)

Sephora Was Wrong....

I'm upset.

This is about to be the first negative post about a Sephora Brand product. As everyone knows, I am quite the advocate of the ENTIRE Sephora Collection until....well, now.

Don't get me wrong, I still like the line but I was completely unimpressed by the Smoothing Primer. Here's my beef...I don't like pumps OR gel-based products. Though the product does smooth away fine lines and soothes irritation, I found I was actually starting to break out.

I know, unheard of right? Just when I thought I was done waking up to new pimple invasions. I also found that though the product went on silky smooth, it did nothing to prevent shininess. All in all, this product would be fantastic for dry skin but if you are a combination gal like I am, steer clear.

Now, this means that I have a full bottle up for grabs.....Any takers????

Eyelash Re-Growth or Extensions? HELP

I am a sucker for new, fun, and pretty things as I'm sure every girl is.

Now I know that Eyelash Extensions aren't a brand-new thing but they are new to me. I used to work with a girl that got them done once a month and, to be honest, she had extremely large doll eyelashes. Soooooo, having said that, I would never want to be as doe-eyed as her BUT I am still

considering having it done. I mean, how bad can it be right??? Never having to wear, or buy, mascara again is definitely a HUGE benefit....

On the other hand, I'm also thinking that it might be better to try the re-growth option. You know, the product that "guarantees amazing results within four weeks or your money back." Long story short instead of having someone else apply extensions to your existing lashes, you could just grow your own set by applying a Miracle Gro of sorts to your lash line........hmmmmm

I would actually love to hear from you. I'm open to trying any option BUT if I get the extensions, I will need to continue to go back and get them filled whereas with the lash re-growth I only have to use the product for six weeks.....Let me know what you ladies think since I am definitely needing someone else to make this tough decision for me.......

XO

I Want Clean Skin

I realize after all this time, I've yet to post about cleansers.

Cleansers are extremely important whether you're a guy or a girl that doesn't wear makeup. During the day, your skin absorbs dust, grime and oil from your surroundings. (Of course makeup doesn't help with this either.) In order to let your skin breathe again, you must remove all those nasty pollutants. This is why cleansing is vastly important to your skin's radiance.

Speaking of radiance, I'm always on the hunt for a smashing cleanser that actually improves my skin's texture and color and, needless to say, I've found it.

The product is Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser and I use this faithfully about four times a week. This cleanser's main ingredient is Royal Jelly. (Yes, the jelly that is fed to larvae in a bee colony....grossed out yet?) Strange as it sounds, it does work. Within about two weeks, I noticed my fine lines diminishing and my skin appeared plumper. (In a good way.) Anyway, I typically order my Burt's Bees products from their website but you can pick up a sample pack at Shoppers Drug Mart.

My second cleanser of choice is Botanics Skin Brightening Cleanser. I use this one about the three times a week and love that I don't need to get my skin wet. (You apply it to dry skin and wipe off with a cotton pad.) It tingles once on the skin and, after it's removed, my skin feels soft and luxurious. I highly recommend this cleanser for those that want to dissolve redness, irritation and those yucky little skin bumps. Also, this is also the cheapest cleanser I have EVER used as it sells for only $9 in Shoppers.

**Note: As in my previous post, I still use a towelette to remove my makeup first. I find that I use way less cleanser and my skin feels cleaner.

Happy washing ladies!!!

Gone: Puffy Eyes

I am not typically someone who believes, or learns, from other's mistakes or advice.

I have have absolutely no idea why this is BUT I am starting to think it's because I'm an Aries and am EXTREMELY stubborn, pig-headed, and always right. (At least I know my flaws right....ha.) Now, I'm sure my friends would agree that I have, sort of, grown up a bit but I do still like to learn the hard way.

So, when I read a magazine article that praised Garnier for their latest product called Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller, I was veeerrryyyyy skeptical. Instead, of taking their word for it, buying it and trying it right away, I went to the store and attempted Q & A on the sales person. Our conversation went like this....

Me: "Hi. I heard about the Garnier eye roller and I'd like to know more about it please."

Her: "Of course. I'll show you where it is."

Me: "So, what does it do?"

Her: "Well, it has caffeine to reduce puffiness."

Me: "Okay, so it reduces puffiness? Sounds good, anything else?"

Her: "Well, I haven't used it personally but I've never had one returned and we do have a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. In fact, if you don't like it I want you to bring it back to me right away."

So, as you can see, the woman was a twit but I did purchase it anyway. And seriously, thank god I did. I have been using this product for about 6 days, religiously, and it is AMAZING. You put it on twice a day, morning and night, under your eyes and within seconds, you'll notice a drastic improvement to dark circles and puffiness.

Run out and try this if you suffer from dark circles. You will wonder how you lived without it....

NOTE**Ariella, my friend, because you are on your eco-friendly kick (which I love you for) this product is definitely not for you. It does have vitamin B though........well, cucumbers work too!!!

Odds and Ends

New things new things!!!!

It's always so much fun to buy stuff.....here's some of my recent purchases!!!

Look at my brand new earrings! Allan actually bought these for me when we were in Barkerville. Supposedly, they are quite unique as they are Zebra Coral and since they're red, they're my absolute fave!!! Allan bought me a red coral necklace for a past birthday and they're going to look smashing together.

YAY for me!! A new blowdrier. I love this one. My hairdresser actually uses this exact one and I fell in love with it instantly PLUS it doesn't sound like an airplane taking off in my bedroom. Best part is, Renate, who you all know is a hair stylist, got a really great deal on this purdy contraption.

My new handbag. It's a Samsara by Matt & Nat and I lucked out and got this at 50% off. I'm sure that everyone's aware of this already but Matt & Nat is an eco-friendly and vegan product line. They make everything from wallets and bags, to bracelets and belts. Ooo, and another great thing, their purses last forever.....

Isn't shopping the best?

It's Primerific

Can I just say that I actually found a L'Oreal product I like!!!

While snooping through London Drugs in Prince George I stumbled on a new primer/base from

L'Oreal called Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. I thought I would try

it since I'm always on the hunt for an inexpensive primer AND it was only $15.99. I took it home and opened the package immediately.

It's quite cute actually, since it's in a pot and the best part is NO PUMP. ( I know that pumps are more sanitary BUT I'm really not a fan.) This product is one of the first I found that isn't oily. It goes on like a cream, so you can add as much or as little as you want and, once set, it diminishes all of your skin's imperfections.

I will say it again, I am super impressed. Try it out ladies!!

It's Vaaaacation Time!

I realized at exactly 9:08 pm that I haven't posted in two days.

For me this is quite a catastrophe since I typically post everyday. No, I am not running out of things to talk about BUT I am going on holidays for a few days. Here's the kicker.....

For those that know me, I have a feeling you might laugh in a second, but for those that don't, I am going....(wait for it) to my hometown of Prince George to visit some really close friends AND it's the first time that Allan will be coming with me.

Ciao my fellow product junkies. Talk to you on Tuesday!

XO

Are you a Foodie?

So, my smashingly talented friend, Margaret, has started a blog about food.

I'm giving her a shout out since she is practically the best cook I have ever known. I was visiting her the other day and she not only whipped up a pitcher of Sangria BUT also cooked a dish of braised ribs and pasta that literally made my heart stop. (And she even packed some in a doggy bag for Allan, lucky guy.)

All of her recipes are slowly making their way on her blog, Margaret's Cucina, including the Braised Rib dish she made me. Check it out guys!!!

Oh, and Margaret, I'm making the dish today soooooooo expect tons of phone calls.......

XO

Fantastically Coral

My mom used to always wear coral and my sister and I poked fun whenever possible.

I remember waltzing in mom's closet and spinning around while staring at all the coral shirts, dresses, shoes and even handbags. Every time she wore a coral "something", my sister and I would laugh and laugh because back then, coral was NOT our color of choice. (My mom also co-ordinated her lipstick color with her outfits so she had tubes and tubes of coral lipstick, gloss and liners.)

WHO KNEW the day would come when I, too, would love coral.

About two months ago, I had just boarded the coral train and was actively searching for the perfect coral shade. I found it at the MAC counter. I grabbed two products, a lipstick and a gloss, and headed for the till. I was then blown away when the rep said, "Sorry. These shades aren't out for another month. I can, though, pre-order the products for you." I explained that I needed a shade right away and continued on my merry way, all the while slowly cursing MAC in my head.

I finally received my products in the mail a couple days ago (thanks mom!!!!!) and just had to gush about how gorgeous these coral colors are....

The gloss, MAC Dazzleglass in Utterly Posh, is the perfect shade of coral. (Not too orange and not too pink.) Not only is the color perfect, but it's glittery. I completely adore sparkly lips and was blown away by how dimensional this shade is.

The next product is MAC Dazzle Lipstick in Not Sass. This shade is definitely more orange. A beautiful rich cream color with added glittery pigments definitely makes this coral color fun and edgy.

Both products are part of the new Digi-Dazzle Collection, which is available only for a limited time, so I do highly suggest checking them out if you want a fun, different look. (Picture above is the MAC Lipstick in Not Sass.)

More Cheap Tips

I am seriously on a role with these tips.

All women, and maybe some men, need ways to save money and still stay beautiful. (I could probably leave this blog post with that one sentence as it sums everything up....) I mean, who doesn't want to spend less and still stay as radiantly beautiful as they were when spending a fortune......Ummmmm, I know I do!!!!!! Here are some quick tips that use every day items:

1. Shiny, brighter hair with apple-cider vinegar. Weird, I know, but rinse with this sassy stuff and not only will your hair be shiny BUT clean as well. (The apple-cider vinegar works as a clarifying shampoo.)

2. Create a body scrub with honey and brown sugar. Create a paste with the two products and buff your body silky smooth.

3. Prevent pimples with pepto bismal. Yes, weird BUT supposedly it works like a salicylic acid to tighten and reduce redness. Apply a thin layer to skin and remove once dry and hard.

4. Baby shampoo is a great eye make-up remover. Cheap too, since the bottle will last months and months.

5. Steep a bag of green tea and once cool, dab on skin. This works wonders for irritated and puffy skin.

Yes, they might be crazy BUT are inexpensive.....which saves a lot more money for fun things like lip gloss and handbags.......

Budget Conscious Beauty Tips

So, I'm not rich.

For those that know me, you're probably laughing since I spend a lot of money on purses and beauty products. But, having said that, I'm also the first person in line for a good deal.

I was, again, perusing through Shoppers Drug Mart yesterday with my friend, Margaret, looking at the beauty products when we started our hunt for the perfect cleansing cloth. Now, typically, I use Botanics by Boots Quick Fix Cleansing Cloth, which are great, but they cost about $12.99 a package. (Not too much, I know, but I am trying to cut down on my spending.....hear that Allan?) Instead of a pre-packaged brand name cleansing cloth, use baby wipes. They are PHENOMENAL for removing make-up and cost about $3.99 for a package of 64 cloths. (Oh, a quick note ladies....remember to buy the unscented ones.)

Cleansing cloths are fantastic for removing make-up but remember to cleanse your face afterwards. Though they remove the grime, you'll still want something to actually clean your face! Happy baby wiping......

Wanted: Soft Skin

I am laughing so hard right now. I thought I'd spend some time researching my post prior to writing it and now I can barely write since I'm literally almost peeing my pants. I'm laughing because apparently I'm the only one that thinks spending $44 on a cream to "cure" the bumps on your arms ridiculous.

I have always had weird, flesh colored bumps on my arms that can sometimes turn red and blotchy when picked AND, until today, thought it was from either ingrown hairs or dead skin. Supposedly, it's called Keratosis Pilaris (I know, I know...words I know nothing about either.) Regardless, there's a site on the Internet called.....oh my, are you ready for it....www.bumpsonarms.com that explains, quite descriptively, what this condition is.

***Bollocks***

I am not saying they're fools, really, just that I actually found a body scrub that removes those weird little arm bumps. It's called Scrub of Your Life by Soap & Glory. Oh, another nice thing too, it's about $12 a tube which isn't too bad compared to the products recommended on the above noted site. I use it about every third day on a luffa and, trust me, it works MIRACLES. I am down to no bumps on my arms and have only been using it for about two months.

Guest Blog from the Smashing Nav

I have sooooo many amazing friends who have tons of knowledge to contribute. My pal Nav is in love with her long, straight hair BUT, the kicker is, it's not natural. Read on my product chums...all your questions will definitely be answered after this.

Don’t hate me!!! I’ve got extremely low-maintenance poker-straight hair. I can walk out of a pool, convertible, or even a Vancouver rainstorm and it’s generally pretty good once I run my fingers through it a few times. If I’m running late, I can just walk out of the shower, slap on some product and it’ll dry quite nicely. Oh, and it takes about 8 minutes to style when I DO have the time. You’re hating, aren’t you? Well, what if I tell you it’s not luck or genes? It’s chemical straightening that I pay for every year and it’s well worth the cost as far as I’m concerned. Intriguing, right? Let me tell you more…

I figure I get asked about this so often that it’s about time I write about it. And what better platform than my friend Christina’s beauty blog? Before I begin, I just want to stress that I’m not a hair expert by any means. I can also only speak about the results from the point of view of someone with straight-ish, thick Indian hair. However, I’ve had "The Procedure" done a number of times and have spoken about it at length with other girls who’ve “gone under the drier”, so I’ve probably got a few tips and best practices to share. If you’re thinking about straightening, this might help you decide if it’s right for you or not.

As I mentioned, I have what you’d call naturally straight hair… but it’s never straight enough on its own. All I see is frizz and kinks when it grows out to that dreaded unprocessed state. (If you straighten yours, you probably know what I’m talking about. It takes a bit of maintenance to get it right.) I’d heard a few girls rave about how convenient their mornings became after getting theirs chemically straightened. I decided to go for it when I planned a trip to Europe a few years ago and didn’t want to bother with getting an electrical adaptor for my ceramic hair straightener. I’ve had it redone annually ever since and am sooo grateful for my wash-and-go mornings year-round.

I don’t know a lot about the science of the process, but it basically involves a professional stylist using intense chemicals for several hours to permanently change the structure of the hair shaft. Once applied and processed, it doesn’t wash out and will last until the hair grows out. Because it’s an intense (and irreversible) process, it’s a very good idea to do your research ahead of time. A good stylist will do a stand test to start with, in order to get a sense of how your hair takes to the chemicals. (I get mine done at Jason’s Hair Studio on Granville and Broadway and they are always meticulous and thorough. It costs around $120.) You’ll get one solution applied to your hair, then it’s slowly dried, then washed, blow-dried and straightened. After that, you’ll get a serum put on and the whole process is repeated. It takes about 4 hours, depending on the length of your hair. But once that’s done, so are all your hairstyling hassles!

Here are some tips and points to consider:

• Your freshly-straightened hair will need 3 days of preservation to set properly. This means no washing, no sweating at the gym, and no going out in the rain! But you’ll be absolutely amazed when you wash it for the first time after and then sit back and let it dry… You don’t need to do a thing and you’ll end up with glossy, straight tresses. It’s rather amazing because it feels and looks like someone else’s photoshoot hair.
• I’m really not sure how damaging these chemicals are. They sting if they touch your skin and they smell strong during the 3 days of non-washing. Whatever they are, they make my hair damn shiny, so I’m personally not too bothered. But they definitely do change the texture of your hair. I find mine airdries much quicker than it used to and I think it might actually be finer. It doesn’t grow back any differently, though (unfortunately).
• Comb a good leave-in conditioner through your hair when it’s wet to get the best results. It’ll be super soft and shiny.
• You’re not stuck with straight hair if you get bored with it. You can still curl and style it any way you normally would.
• Give this A LOT of thought if you have curly hair. If you use a straightening iron regularly, this process will probably make your life a lot easier. HOWEVER, remember, your hair will grow back in its natural state. This means you’ll end up with what my sister calls the “slouch sock effect” when it’s half grown in… puffy on top and straight at the end. I know curly-haired girls who have gone ahead with it, but that’s because they were so committed to straight hair, it was worth the hassle once it started growing back. But think this one through if you have curly or wavy locks.

Hope this helps! Feel free to send any queries to Christina at cmwolthers@gmail.com if you have any questions for me.