Top Hair Dryers for Thin, Fine Hair

December 19, 2017 by 9 Comments

Bad news everyone…after too many times dropping it, my SuperSolano has died. We had a good four year run, but we weren’t meant to be together forever.

In the meantime I picked up a Conair Retractable Cord hair dryer at the drugstore to get me through the week while I researched a replacement. I figured this was a great opportunity to do some research on what might work best on my thin, fine hair. When I finally get my permanent hair dryer, the Conair one will be my back up dryer and/or travel dryer.

For all my girls with thin, fine hair, there are some things to keep in mind when hair dryer shopping. We want something hot enough for a quick dry, but not too hot that it damages the hair – 600 to 1875 Watts is ideal. Flyaways are usually the bane of our existence and definitely doesn’t give us that Jennifer Aniston hair that we would kill for. To combat flyaways we need to find a ceramic dryer that uses crushed tourmaline. This kills the frizz naturally without taking away the ooomph. You also want multiple heat settings so you are using a hotter setting when your hair is really wet and then switching to a lower setting when you are using the round brush. Make sure to get a dryer that has a cool setting so you can lock in the shine and seal your hair cuticle when you are finished styling.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($399)

I am starting with the mac daddy of dryers so you can get over the sticker shock. This model is definitely the most technologically advanced dryer on the market. The pros are a faster drying time, multiple settings, it’s quieter than regular dryers, it extremely lightweight – 1.8 pounds, magnetic attachments, it fits in our range with 1600 Watts, it comes with a non-slip mat, it has a removable filter that you can wipe down and a light alerts you on when to clean it, and it’s so pretty! The con is the price, but I’m more inclined to make an investment in something I use every day versus something that I only use once in a while. It has a two-year warranty so that’s .55 cents a day. WOW that really put it in perspective. This is definitely something I would put on my Christmas list or look for a great Black Friday deal. You can also get it at Bed, Bath & Beyond so it’s a great option for all those leftover registry gift cards. You can also check it out in person at the store. I linked to Nordstrom because this would be a great item to use your Nordstrom card on your triple points day so you earn lots of Notes back in return!

 

RUSK® Engineering W8less® Professional 2000 Watt Dryer ($99.95)

I’ve always liked RUSK products which I feel like are catered towards my fine, thin hair. This model has our ceramic and tourmaline requirements and emits far-infrared heat waves to shorten drying time and eliminate static and frizz. It has 2,000 Watts, which is higher than our range. It has seven different heat/speed settings (and a cool shot button) which is great for styling and weighs 1.1 pounds so it’s extremely lightweight. It emits negative ions which break down the water molecules in the hair while the infrared heat penetrates the hair to get you that fast dry.

T3 Featherweight Luxe 2i ($250)

So the T3 brand of dryer has delivered a different kind of technology. Where other dryers use a hurricane-like wind flow, the T3 uses a cone shaped flow to generate a high volume of air and dry your hair quickly. It also uses negative ions to cancel static. It contains tourmaline and ceramic for sleek, shiny hair. There are two speeds and three heat settings as well as the cool shot button. This one has 1800 Watts which is in our desired range. Many of the reviews I read praised it for how long it lasted compared to other dryers.

Bed Head Hot Head 1875W Hair Dryer for Massive Shine ($27.99)

This one fulfills all of our requirements and includes tourmaline and ceramic technology. The price is low so anyone can invest in this dryer just to get started. According to the manufacturer description this dryer is “pretty AF” and I don’t disagree. Who doesn’t love pink? There are two heat and two speed settings along with a cool shot button and a fun green concentrator. The reviews on this dryer are fantastic for the price and there is really no reason to not have this one on hand.

Twin Turbo 3200 ($132.94)

This dryer has four temperatures and two speeds as well as an anti-overheating device. It uses ceramic technology and has fantastic reviews. In all of the reviews I’ve seen they frequently mentioned having their stylist recommend this dryer which is always what you want to hear.

Super Solano 3500 Lite ($126.91)

My Super Solano is still a fantastic choice at 1800 watts that includes ceramic and tourmaline. It still is a great value for what you get and checks all the boxes for my thin, fine hair. You can see my original review here. This was one of my very first posts <3.

InfinitiPro by Conair Diamond Brilliance ($29.99)

So I was about halfway through this post and my friends at Meijer sent me, not one, but TWO hairdryers to review! What a fun coincidence, they didn’t even know I was working on this post or that my current hair dryer had gone kaput. It definitely worked out for me. Even better is that both of them fit in with my hair dryer guidelines for this post. The InfinitiPro has 1875 watts and uses diamond-infused ceramic with active conditioning ions to dry hair gently and reduce damage. The cool shot on this thing is no joke! That is my favorite part of this dryer. Since I started using it, I’ve definitely used the cool shot way more than on any other hair dryer.

InfinitiPro Conair ($34.99)

This was another Meijer gem fitting our rules of 1875 watts and ceramic technology. To make this, the ceramic is ground up into a powder and added to a high-temperature paint, which is applied as a coating to the outlet grille. The resulting infrared heat helps to provide uniform gentle heat to reduce damage to your hair.

BIO IONIC 10X Pro Ultralight Speed Dryer ($295)

Now if you can’t spring for the Dyson just yet, you may want to take a look at the Bio Ionic Speed Dryer. This baby is no joke when it comes to fast drying and fits our criteria at 1800 watts. It uses natural volcanic minerals to emit negative ions that push water molecules into your hair. It uses 75% electricity and although my hair doesn’t take a long time to dry, it dries 10X faster than other dryers which means you don’t have to subject your hair to heat for as long. Check out this video to see more of the benefits:

I would love to hear from my fine, thin haired sisters out there and hear your blowdrying tips and your favorite dryers. I will try anything on this baby fine hair of mine.

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7 Fall Beauty Products to Find at Meijer

October 20, 2017 by 7 Comments

Disclosure: I received sample products and a gift card from Meijer in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

It’s been a little crazy in my world with the early birth of my niece (that’s a whole post in itself) and a busy fall schedule, so I have to admit that my beauty routine has fallen by the wayside. My goal is to get things back under control and get back on my routine so I was pumped when Meijer decided to send me a box full of beauty goodies to do just that (it’s one of the best days coming home to three boxes on your porch). I’ve been testing things out and will share my top seven fall beauty products that you can pick up during your next grocery outing (I’m all about killing two birds with one stone these days…efficiency).

Read through to the end for a fun fall beauty giveaway!

1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Treatment

Fall is here, which means lots of outdoor activities like tailgating, hayrides, apple orchards and corn mazes. Let’s prevent those chapped lips this year by hydrating them every night whether they need it or not. This special treatment can be used by itself or to prime before applying color.

2. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product

I’m a HUGE fan of this stuff and use it daily as my detangler and leave-in conditioner. It contains Panthenol: a strengthener, sunflower seed extract which is a natural sunscreen and protects against color fading, green tea leaf extract which protects hair from environmental damage, silk amino acids to restore moisture balance and citric acid as an antioxidant. A few tips for using this product: make sure to use a wide-tooth comb after you spray it through your hair and I find that a lot of the product clumps in the bottom so when I get to the end I just put a little water in it and shake it up so I can finish out the bottle.

3. Gillette Venus Swirl Razor

What I’m about to say might be foreign to some of you – I shave my legs every day. Yes, it’s true. I can’t stand to go a day without doing it – it sort of grosses me out. This way I’m always prepared for any eventuality and I can wear whatever I want whenever I want. Another thing to think about is when you shave, you are exfoliating; so I hope that helps my legs look fantastic for many years to come. I like this razor because its FLEXIBALL design and 5 adjusting Contour blades help me with my underarm curves and around my knees.

4. Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint Collection

I loved the scent of fresh squeezed citrus, clean mint, and velvety peach in this line from Herbal Essences. It promises to bring your hair back to life in just 21 days. I haven’t hit 21 yet, but I like that it gives your hair body and contains zero parabens. This is a great choice for people with thin, fine hair like mine. I also got blasted at the hair dresser recently for using my round brush again so I need to work on the volume part without damaging what little hair I do have.

5. Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer

So I mentioned shaving my legs everyday and as soon as I get out of the shower and towel off, I lotion up. It’s important to moisturize while your pores are still open from your shower and lock in that moisture for the day. I love lotion that comes with a pump and this one contains a unique illuminating HYDRALUCENCE blend and Vitamins C, E, and B5 to keep your skin looking fabulous.

6. Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus

I must confess…I am a volume addict and mousse is my drug of choice. This is one of my favorites when you need va-va-voom volume. This is made for people with thick, coarse hair, so I only need to use a teeny, tiny amount on my thin, fine hair to get results.

7. Fall Scents

I LOVE perfume commercials. You can never have enough. Sometimes you need different scents for different moods, events and people. Meijer sent me two fun perfumes to try.

The first is a new twist on a classic – Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Night. Elizabeths have to stick together and if I can take any pages out of her book I will consider myself a success. This scent was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the launch of the White Diamonds scent. This is different than the traditional White Diamonds and is more crisp and sensual than the regular version. It opens with sparkling mandarin and bergamot on the top, the middle notes include night blooming jasmine and it ends with velvet musk and creamy sandalwood. In honor of Elizabeth here is a little throwback for you:

The second is Juicy Couture’s Hollywood Royal scent. The bottle is inspired by Hollywood Boulevard and has notes of candied apple, jasmine and gardenia. It finishes with marshmallow and vanilla. This one is just fun for a night out with the girls.

Now for the big finale – I am giving away a Remington T Studio Flat Iron to one lucky reader! This flat iron uses professional grade advanced ceramic plates infused with real silk proteins for a silky smooth salon finish. Just enter below and I will announce the winner on October 29th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What fall beauty products have you spotted at Meijer?

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Fall 2017 Favorites

October 11, 2017 by 4 Comments

It’s fall y’all! The weather has started to cool down here in Michigan and I’m finally ready to break out some fall stuff. Goodbye summer maxi dresses – hello leggings!

Faux Fur Vest ($180)

I’m pretty sure I have something similar on my list every year but I haven’t bit the bullet yet and ordered it. I just keep thinking about how soft and cozy this would be – I need to get on it this year.

OPI Less is Norse ($10.50)

I’m a little obsessed with OPI’s collection releases and I love the video for the new Icelandic Collection. I’m going with Less is Norse for my fall favorite, but I do like Turn On The Northern Lights and Reykjavik Has All The Hot Spots too.

Twist Front Cozy Fleece Pullover ($49)

I’m sort of in love with the cut of this top and by how many color options are available. Just having “cozy” in the name screams fall.

Petite Herkimer Quartz Necklace ($74)

Salame Jewelry Designs are my favorite and this little stunner just came up in my feed the other day. I love how dainty it is. According to the description “Quartz in its natural raw form is perfect for keeping positive energy flowing.”

Flare Sleeve Sheath Dress ($139)

This reminded me of this old Pinspired post – it would be the perfect dress to mix and match with. It would also be a great dress to pair with my red pumps (which are on sale btw).

Lash Split Shaft Bootie ($159.95)

I’m missing some cute booties from my wardrobe and these ones from Kristin Cavallari are darling! A good reason to use those Nordstrom Notes!

Zella Live-In High Waist Leggings ($65)

I’ve found the answer to my leather leggings problem. Not that you even knew I had a problem, but I just can’t pull off the leather leggings look. Plus I’m mostly afraid of getting into a Ross’ leather pants situation a la Friends. So these Zella leggings in Black Laminate are the perfect solution. They have a cool sheen/glimmer to them that would be perfect for a night out without the embarrassing baby powder/lotion situation (if you haven’t seen this episode watch it immediately).

Mini Tassel Earrings ($34.50)

These are super duper cute! Tassels are just fun.

Water Resistant Trench Cape ($168)

I could have used this all last week – this is so chic I can’t even stand it! Very Olivia Pope…

Cinnamon Pretzel Twist Candle ($22.50)

OMG! This is the holy grail of candles – It smells like a Cinnabon store.

Merino Blend 2-in-1 Sweater ($98)

This looks super cozy. I like that it is a cowl style, but not low cut where my girls are hanging out.

Michael Kors Lena Large Shoulder Bag ($178.80)

I love this aubergine color or as they call it here “damson.” I really need more of a hobo bag to haul all my stuff around.

Relaxed Cross-Strap Tunic for Women ($18)

Speaking of that color – it is hot for fall and I love it on this tunic from Old Navy. You can’t beat the price and you can wear it with leggings!

Hunter Over-the-Knee Lace Up Boot ($53.40)

Avenue is pretty much my favorite place to buy boots. Great prices and they work on my wide calf every time! These are so different than anything else I’ve seen out there and I love them!

Splendid Dirt – Nutrient Mud Mask with Organic Pumpkin Puree ($23)

Oprah is a big fan of the FarmHouse Fresh Brands and I love their Whoopie Pie Lotion. I’m a huge fan of any mask that “will seriously de-gunk and help purify even the most congested skin.”

What are your favorites for fall?

You can stock up on all my previous fall favorites for 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013 if you want to take a look back.



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That Skin Tho……How To Get The Glow – Part 1

September 7, 2017 by 8 Comments

As you may have noticed from this blog and my social media channels, I have some fantastic girlfriends in my life, all thanks to my experience with Phi Sigma Sigma. Many of my post ideas and topics come from chats with my friends and my sincerest hope for my blog is that it feels like a fun conversation (maybe with a glass of wine) with your girls. Well today I have a special treat for you. My friend Chandra has gone through a complete holistic transformation and has been my health and beauty guru. Some of her tips and tricks are working wonderfully for me and I thought it was high time to share them with you. So I’ve asked Chandra to contribute a post today and hopefully many more in the future.

Chandra, Me and our mutual bestie, Jen at last week’s Michigan Alumni Tailgate in Texas.

Without further adieu, welcome to the blog Chandra!

 

Hey everyone!

I’m really excited to join Detroit Duchess in her blogging adventures! I want to tell you about my experience of getting glowing radiant skin. It happened accidentally but the results have been amazing!

I had some health issues earlier this year and as result I started on a quest for more holistic / natural life and started changing everything in my diet, in my exercise plan, in my stress levels, etc. I’ll be telling you more about that in the future but for now, let’s focus on the surprise result I got which is radiant glowing skin. Now before I tell you my secrets, I must confess that I do have some fantastic products and skin routines that I follow which I will tell you about in Part 2 next week.

Ready to learn how to get the glow???? Here’s a day in the life for me!

I start my day with ½ of fresh squeezed organic lemon juice added to 1 cup room temp filtered water. You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper for added boost. I take the weekends off from making this as I find that too much lemon will hurt my teeth so doing this 4 – 5 days a week keeps that from happening. I’ll be honest this doesn’t taste the greatest so I take almost like a shot. Bottoms up!

Next up is coffee!!! I make my morning coffee using organic medium roast coffee and when I am at home, I throw it in the blender with 1 tsp of coconut oil and 1 scoop of Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate. The results are a frothy latte like coffee with amazing skin boosting powers and no artificial ingredients or chemicals. As a bonus, you get a healthy dose of protein from the collagen. Trade in your sugary coffee drinks for this protein packed coffee and watch your skin glow! When I travel, I skip the coconut oil (no blender) and use Collagen Peptides travel pack from Vital Proteins.

Let’s talk about collagen in case you are not familiar with it. Collagen reduces cellulite and adds elasticity back to your skin. It also is healing for your stomach and joints and strengthens your hair and nails. In my mind, it’s a MUST HAVE addition into your daily routine! The brands I mentioned above do not have any flavor or smell so you can add it to your tea, soup, oatmeal, whatever and reap the benefits. Your skin will thank you every day!

I end my day with an after dinner drink of 6 oz of bone broth. Okay, you may be going EWWWWWW right now but trust me it’s not bad at all. It has amino acids, collagen and minerals in it. Like the collagen powder, it is great for your skin and has been touted as creating youthful looking skin. Bone broth has many other health benefits. It too provides a protein boost to keep you feeling full. I have it after dinner and it keeps the late night cravings away.

This is something you can make on your own (there are plenty of recipes online) or buy. I LOVE Kettle and Fire Bone Broth! If you order from their website kettleandfire.com you get some great entertaining welcome to the family emails.

My skin is soft and glowing after following this routine now for weeks. Not to mention the benefits of following this for my health and the increased protein which results in less hunger which means…..weight loss!!! Yes, while working on your skin you may even lose a few pounds.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of That Skin Tho….How To Get The Glow and I’ll tell you about some amazing skin care products, facials and detoxes.

Do you have any questions for Chandra? Let us know in the comments.

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Viktor&Rolf Magic Collection

July 7, 2017 by 4 Comments

I received a complimentary bottle of Viktor&Rolf’s Dirty Trick fragrance from Saks Fifth Avenue in order to provide a review. All opinions are my own. 

Lately I’ve been working on building up my fragrance collection instead of just buying one bottle and using it until it’s gone. Now that I have a few bottles, I can collect different fragrances for each occasion. When I was asked to review Viktor&Rolf’s Dirty Trick fragrance I was excited to add to my fragrance library.

Every fragrance collection looks to tap into a specific lifestyle and Viktor&Rolf’s Magic Collection is no different. There are six scents in the collection and they look to bring a little magic into everyday life.

Each of the six fragrances has a two-word name to represent their olfactory and magical elements. Each scent contains an innovative ingredient that has never been used in perfumery and pairs it with a traditional ingredient. The entire collection is unisex (John didn’t seem too excited about trying this fragrance himself, which is fine because that means more for me!).

The Magic Collection includes:

  • Lavender Illusion – the illusion of the classic lavender magically turned into a precious flower
  • Liquid Diamonds – the transformation of the hardest precious stone into liquid
  • Dirty Trick – the ubiquity of precious iris and provocative ink
  • Sage Spell – the addiction of sage becoming a transcending plant
  • Sparkling Secret – the sublimation of a fusing cologne
  • Dancing Roses – the captivating dream of levitating rose petals

I tried Dirty Trick, which is elegantly sensual with notes of suede accord, cedarwood essence, and benzoin (it’s a resin from a specific type of tree – I had to look it up).

Dirty Trick combines the elegant and precious Iris and the mischievous and provocative Chinese Ink into a concoction of disruptive and animalistic sensuality. It arrests the senses with a mischievous combination of iris and ink. Sparkling bergamot and clary sage are interrupted by spicy and sweet incense to compose the top notes, while powdery iris and violet leaves blend harmoniously with ink to create a metallic and smoky heart.

This fragrance retails for $220 at Saks Fifth Avenue and comes in an apothecary-inspired bottle. I love that Dirty Trick is such a sensual fragrance and I can see myself saving this for a romantic date with my husband or a special night out when I want to look and feel my best.

Which scent from Viktor&Rolf’s Magic Collection would you like to try?

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Summer 2017 Favorites

June 28, 2017 by 3 Comments

Just like Olaf, I too am ready for all things summer!

Sand in my toes, sun on my face, cold drink in my hand. Here are all my favorites things for summer this year:

Lands’ End Ponte Portrait Collar Dress (Sale $34.99)

I saw an article on this sheath in US Weekly and apparently people are going nuts over this dress. I ordered one for myself and will post an update. I got the navy version, but if I like it I’ll probably get the pink version too.

Summer Boardwalk – Salted Caramel Popcorn Candle (Sale $12.50)

So I liked the smell of this candle – so fun for summer and then I read the reviews and noticed people talking about “throw” and had no idea what that meant. Google to the rescue in case you are curious too. A candle’s throw is how it smells, the cold throw is the scent you get when you smell it before you light it and the hot throw is how the candle smells when lit and how far away you can be and still smell it.

Tory Burch Minnie Travel Sandal ($198)

You have to check out the video for these sandals. They first caught my eye with the rose metallic color and then I discovered that they are convertible sandals! You can wear them as a sandal or move the strap to convert them to a slip on! And they fold up so you can travel with them – amazing! They also come in black, tan, white and blue. 

OPI Hotter Than You Pink ($10.49)

This color is originally from the OPI Neon Collection released in 2014 but it is the perfect pick for summer. I did like their new California Dreaming Collection, but it doesn’t come in Gel colors. While your toes are on display in the summer months this hot pink will give you a pop of color! It also has a little shimmer to it.

Banana Republic Ruffle Crossback Tank ($49.50)

I love this pink color and I LOVE the back of this top!

Colorescience Sunforgettable Loose Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 50 ($64)

This is an awesome concept! If you’re like me, you don’t want to apply sunscreen on your face every few hours once you’ve already put on your makeup. With this you can just do a little powder touch up and voila instant protection. I also love it because you can powder your scalp line too which is where I always get burnt.

Cherry Charm Cuff Bracelet ($24.50)

This is so adorable and would make a cute accessory to any summer outfit.

Cold Shoulder Flounce Dress ($79.50)

I have another Loft dress that I just LOVE for the summer and thought that this would be a nice addition. I’m not really a shorts person so dresses are my go to summer outfit.

Banana Republic Enamel Tassel Pendant ($32.50)

I love that this is pink AND it has flowers too!

Melissa Floral Crossbody Clutch ($34)

I know florals for summer are cliche but I love em!

Merino Off-the-Shoulder Bow Top ($78)

Off-the-shoulder is the hot look for summer and I love the color of this top. I can’t resist a bow!

Colada Pineapple Vase-Planter ($6.95)

Why not bring a little bit of summer inside with this cute little planter?

What are your favorite things for summer?

You can also check out my Summer 2016, Summer 2015, Summer 2014, and Summer 2013 Favorites.



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Step It Up in April with Sephora PLAY!

May 2, 2017 by 1 Comment

I’ve finally succumbed to subscription box mania (besides Barkbox for Sport). I’ve resisted signing up for other beauty boxes because I’m pretty particular about my makeup products. I felt that I would rather spend the money on a full size product. I changed my mind when I saw that Sephora had their own version called PLAY! for just $10/month! You cannot beat that price for what you get.

Sephora PLAY! is in demand so you do have to sign up and be accepted to start receiving your box. I got accepted right away so I guess it depends how demand is when you decide to sign up. It includes five skin care, makeup or hair care samples and a fragrance. Everyone gets something a little different depending on the answers you provide when you set up your profile. Each box comes with an adorable bag that has a different theme. You also get a PLAY! Pass that you can redeem in the store for 50 bonus Beauty Insider points and a free tutorial. You get a ton of other tutorials and instructions along with your box as well.

April’s box was themed “Step it Up” to focus on stepping up your beauty routine. I received five great products and lots of tips.

Philosophy Made Simple Face Cleanser ($24)

I’ve never tried the Philosophy cleanser before, but it’s so gentle you can even use it to clean your makeup brushes!

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover ($11)

The extra bonus in this eye makeup remover is a lash-strengthening complex full of flavonoids and olive wood extracts. So you can get rid of that pesky mascara while building your lashes at the same time. Win-win.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream ($52)

This moisturizer contains 30 percent hyaluronic acid, which I discovered constantly attracts and retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water from moisture in the atmosphere. It also include ceramides to lock in moisture, ProHyal+ to improve hydration and elderberry to curb aging with antioxidants. It packs a lot of punch for one product.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36)

This has been one of my long-time staples. I like to test out new primers but always come back to this one. I normally prefer the light version. Fun fact: This is the first product that Smashbox ever created.

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner ($21)

This eyeliner is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner which always makes me take notice. The reviews seem pretty negative about it staying put on the waterline, but I will have to try it out and let you know.

MIU MIU L’eau Bleue ($68)

This is a fun take on the original Miu Miu perfume and updates the bottle using a glittering transparent glass. Scent notes include lily of the valley, wild rose and akigalawood. I LOVE fragrance commercials, I could probably watch them all day, and I especially love this song from Dirty Dancing!

Did you get a PLAY! box this month and get something different? I’m curious to know what you purchased with your PLAY! pass. I got a refill of Dior’s Fix It 2-In-1 Concealer that I was out of.

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Tools of the Trade: PMD Personal Microderm

April 18, 2017 by 8 Comments

The first time I heard of the Personal Microderm was on the MMandL Show from my favorite Bachelor contestant, Michelle Money. If you have a few minutes you can watch the original video that first sucked me in:

You may have heard of microdermabrasion before and thought it was an expensive procedure or that it was too harsh for your sensitive skin. Those sentiments are just myths. Exfoliation is one of the main reasons why men’s skin looks so much better than women’s skin as we age – men exfoliate their face and neck every day when they shave. One way you can exfoliate your skin is through microdermabrasion which removes dead skin sells from the top layer of your skin. It can help fight against fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. By removing the dead skin cells, you are cleaning out your pores and triggering your body to “heal” the skin by replacing the old skin cells with healthy new ones.

acne-microdermabrasion

PMD has created a video detailing how this works…it definitely makes you feel better about using expensive creams:

I got my PMD as a gift a long time ago before they had all the fun colors so I have the classic grey. If I was buying it now I would get the hot pink one! The Classic Personal Microderm runs $159 and you can get it from Sephora. They also carry the replacement discs so you can earn those points.

The PMD has eight different discs and they are good for about 3-4 uses. You can use the PMD all over your body, not just your face. Think neck, feet, legs, arms, and hands. The discs are made from aluminum oxide crystals which are a natural element and extremely hard. The crystals are hypoallergenic and antibacterial which helps prevent reactions and reduces bacteria spreading.

When you first receive your PMD they send a white training disc in the box. I recommend using that first until you get the hang of it. Then you can gradually move up through grey, blue, green, orange, and red if you feel like you need it. I’m currently on the green disc but think I am ready to try the orange disc now. I like this image because it shows a great plan for how to do your whole face in an organized fashion. Make sure you don’t go over any spot more than twice. I have been fine with no more than two passes, but it really is up to your skin. Start with just one pass and see how you do. I have very sensitive skin but I’ve never had any problems.

I try to stay consistent and use my PMD once a week. I will say that it is hard to keep up with ordering new discs. Mine definitely need to be replaced and I’m not as good about that as I should be. The PMD website has a subscription service to help with this and you can save 15%.

I do want to mention one other important thing, what to do after you use your PMD. Keep in mind that after you’ve used the PMD you’ve essentially taken off the top layer of the Stratum Corneum. After you do this your skin is ready to receive your best product, so think of a face mask, serum or moisturizer that you want to feed your skin immediately after you do this. I take into consideration how my skin is on that particular day – is it dry, oily, breaking out? Then I use the appropriate product.

The PMD is a great at home product that will pay for itself in just a few uses. I haven’t used the body discs much and would love to try them out more on my arms and maybe feet so I’ll have to report back on that. I would love to know if you’ve had good results with the PMD or other tools.

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Spring 2017 Favorites

April 3, 2017 by 8 Comments

After being sick most of winter, I am BEYOND ready for spring. Let’s get some fresh air in here and add a pop of color to our life! Here are my favorite things for spring.

Christian Siriano Kadence Slingback ($17.99)

I love getting a fun spring shoe. The only rule is that it must be colorful!

OPI Two Timing the Zones ($12.50)

I was pumped that OPI did a Fiji Collection for spring. Fiji is still on my bucket list and wearing these colors will make me think about it every time!

Lilly Pulitzer Short Sloane Dress ($178)

I love Lilly for spring! Every girl needs a go to sundress for the season and this is perfect.

Bath & Body Works Happy Easter – Sugared Candy Bunny Candle ($12.50)

I love a candle and this one combines Easter and vanilla and cinnamon. It would make your house smell great during Easter dinner.

Calvin Klein Saffiano Satchel ($228)

I walked by this bag in the store and LOVED it. I would carry this every day this season!

Yes to Shower Cocktail Body Wash ($5.99)

This body wash is in a cocktail shaker – how fun is that? There are three different versions for revitalizing, hydrating, and detoxifying.

Connected Floral-Print Faux-Wrap Dress ($54.99)

This is my pick for an Easter dress this year. I love that it is navy and combines florals.

Christian Siriano Marilyn Crossbody ($14.99)

I like to get a spring clutch every year which is a great addition to any plain colored outfit. You can grab it on the way out the door and instantly have a new look.

Make Lemonade Kitchen Towel ($10)

OMG I love this Kate Spade lemon series! I want to deck out the kitchen and dining room with them! The apron, tablecloth and placemats are just too cute! Honey if you’re reading this these would make awesome anniversary/birthday presents.

Tulle Ball Skirt ($198)

YES, YES, and YES.

Lilly Crystal Earrings ($58)

I needed to add an accessory to this list and I just love these earrings for all of the fun spring clothes!

Vince Camuto High/Low Top ($79)

I thought this was a great transition piece for spring because you could still pair it with leggings and booties or summer it up depending on the weather.

What are your Spring favorites this year?

I still love my previous lists which you can view here: Spring 2016, Spring 2015 and Spring 2014.



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Beauty Commandments with Meijer Beauty

March 10, 2017 by 8 Comments

Disclosure: I received sample products and a gift card from Meijer in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Meijer just sent me some fantastic loot to try out and it got me thinking about a few of my beauty routines. We all have those things that we know we should do, but half the time we forget, or don’t have time, or are just lazy. I thought I would take this opportunity to share some of my beauty commandments and this year actually stick to them.  Some of these I am better at than others, but I will tell you that I am never sorry about doing them.

Always Take Off Your Makeup

I would like to say that I wash my face every night and do my full 5-step beauty routine. I should…but I don’t. The one thing I am consistent about is always taking off my makeup. Without fail I always use a facial wipe to remove my makeup and clean my face before bed. If you have ever gone on a trip with me or stayed the night at my house, I will offer you one too. These facial wipes from Yesto are perfect for sensitive skin with the cucumber or for problem skin with the tomato.

Have a Foot Routine

This sounds funny, but it’s necessary. I get bi-monthly pedicures but I still have cracked heels. This is why I need to be better about my nightly foot routine. Always slather on your foot cream before bed and then put socks on your feet. You will see a difference after just one night! Click here to check out my recommendation for a good foot cream. You should also be using the Amope in between pedicures to keep the dead skin to a minimum.

Treat Yo’ Self with a Face Mask

You should be a using a face mask at least once per week. Why is this so hard? It can be 10-30 minutes depending on the mask, but I’m not doing it as consistently as I should be. I have so many masks that I could probably use a different one for every day in the month (there’s a blog post idea), but I’m really digging these L’Oreal Pure Clay Masks. They are great at pulling out impurities and clearing out your pores. Every week I try to use my Biore porestrips, do my at home microdermabrasion, and then put on a mask. It’s like going to the spa – I don’t know why I’m not trying to sneak it in every day!

Moisturize!

I am great at this one. After my daily shower, I always use a good moisturizer. Check out this post for a few suggestions. It’s best to apply lotion after you shower and your pores are open. It helps lock in the moisturizer for the whole day.

Brush and Floss

I’m a stickler for this one. My best feature is my smile, so it’s important to have good dental health. You can also perk up that smile with a little help from the Colgate Optic White system. Especially with all that red wine you had the night before (who me?).

If you need an extra whitening boost, you can also try out these Crest Whitestrips. I would save them for a special occasion, like before a big event or when you are going to be photographed.

Wash Your Makeup Brushes

I’m the worst at this, but washing your brushes once a week will help prevent acne, infections and will extend the life of your brush. It also will help reduce the amount of facial oils that get into your shadows, blushes, and powders. This would actually be the perfect thing to do while you’re waiting on that face mask to dry.

Protect Yourself

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! The sun is your worst enemy in the fight against aging. You should be applying sunscreen to your face (preferably everywhere that sees the light) every day before you add your foundation. This will help prevent sun damage and reduce age spots, wrinkles, and maybe even skin cancer. Don’t forget to apply it to your hands and décolletage as well!

Discard Your Mascara Every Three Months

If you are trying to remember when you opened that last tube then throw it out right now because it’s probably too old. This one baffles me because mascara is probably one of the least expensive products out there but we keep it FOREVER. I try to track mine by quarters so I know that on April 1, it’s time for a new tube.

 Condition Your Hair

Let’s be honest…our hair takes a beating. From daily washes, to hairdryers, to curling irons and bleach it’s no wonder that our hair gives us split ends and breakage. A weekly hair mask is a must – it can help repair some of that damage. Now, your hair is dead so it’s not like its miraculously going to recover or repair itself, but a moisturizing hair mask can act as a band-aid for those split ends until you decide to trim them. The first one is the L’Oreal Everpure Repair Remedy Balm to restore strength and brilliance. Then there is this Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo Mask that is for oily roots (me, me, me!) and you use this one before you shampoo to absorb oils and impurities on the scalp.

Hydrate

This is the hardest one for me because I’m terrible at drinking water, but it makes such a difference in your skin. The elasticity, plumpness, redness and irritation are all affected by how much water you take in.

For one special reader, I’m giving away the Colgate Optic White toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, along with 3 boxes of Crest Whitestrips. Enter the giveaway below to get in the running for a pearly white smile:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are your beauty commandments? Do you follow any of these?

For more Meijer posts, click here.



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