Hello beauties!
Today I recieved my Influenster Summer VoxBox, it's packed full of goodies and I can not wait to share with you the reviews of the wonderful products they sent me. But before I post the review, let me explain a little more about Influenster.
What is Influenster? Its a beauty website you sign up for where you unlock "badges" to explain your interests. Influenster sends out VoxBoxes every few months (think Birchbox, MyGlam etc) with deluxe or FULL sized beauty products.
How much does it cost? Influenster is completely FREE.
Does everyone recieve a Voxbox? No, Influenster will send you a VoxBox based on the badges you have.
That pretty much sums up Influenster, for more info go to www.influenster.com and make a profile! :)
This months VoxBox contained: Sally Hansen Magnetic nail polish, Sally Hansen 24hr moisture hand and cuticle cream, Clear scalp & hair therapy total care shampoo and conditioner, Hawaiian Tropic Silk hydration lotion sunscreen SPF 30, Quaker Banna Nut Bread soft baked bars, and Tampax Always Radiant tampon and pad sampler.
After I try out all the products I will be reviewing them :)
Hope everyone has a wonderful, sparkly, beautiful 4th of July!
Brit.
**Disclaimer: Influenster sent me this VoxBox completely free of charge. They sent me these products for reviewing purpose. All oppions and thoughts are my own. Once again, I was sent these products for free to review them.**
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Tanning 101: Introduction
Just wanted to post a quick blog to let you guys know what to expect in the next week or so. I will be starting a "Tanning 101" blog series to tell you all about different ways to get bronzed skin without worring about getting skin cancer or looking like Snooki. In the past two years, I have tried out a multitude of different bronzers, self tanners, daily replenshers, etc and I think I finally found the ones that work the best and smell the best.
Also I will be posting some tips to keep your skin safe and glowing when you are outside at the pool or lake.
Anyway, be on the look out for the first official part in this series "Tanning 101: Sunlight Safety" :)
Also I will be posting some tips to keep your skin safe and glowing when you are outside at the pool or lake.
Anyway, be on the look out for the first official part in this series "Tanning 101: Sunlight Safety" :)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
DIY Face Scrub
Just thought I'd post a quick little DIY facial scrub recipe. I found this diy in a magazine a year or so ago, I tweaked the recipe just a tad and there you have it--a quick and easy facial scrub. This is awesome to do if you feel like your face is really dry and could just use a pick me up. You can also use this on your legs, arms, etc.
Facial Scrub
What you need...
Sugar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Honey
A bowl
&
a spoon
What you do...
Using a 2:1 ratio, mix the sugar and olive oil in a bowl. I usally use 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water, this normally makes enough to do my face, legs, arms and leaves me a little left over. Stir the sugar/oil mixture the texture should be slightly "gritty" not too watery. Then add 1/4 tablespoon honey to the mixture (this step can be ommitted if you don't have honey handy.) Mix well and you're all done! The mix should last up to a week in a covered bowl in the fridge.
How to use it...
For a face scrub, dip out a small amount into your hands, rub onto your face in a circular motion, rinse with water and follow with a facial cleanser of your choice.
For a body scrub, apply a generous amount on legs, arms, etc while in the shower, rinse with water.
Hugs && Glitz
Brit
Facial Scrub
What you need...
Sugar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Honey
A bowl
&
a spoon
What you do...
Using a 2:1 ratio, mix the sugar and olive oil in a bowl. I usally use 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water, this normally makes enough to do my face, legs, arms and leaves me a little left over. Stir the sugar/oil mixture the texture should be slightly "gritty" not too watery. Then add 1/4 tablespoon honey to the mixture (this step can be ommitted if you don't have honey handy.) Mix well and you're all done! The mix should last up to a week in a covered bowl in the fridge.
How to use it...
For a face scrub, dip out a small amount into your hands, rub onto your face in a circular motion, rinse with water and follow with a facial cleanser of your choice.
For a body scrub, apply a generous amount on legs, arms, etc while in the shower, rinse with water.
Hugs && Glitz
Brit
Amazing Hair Products For Every Budget
It can be difficult to find the perfect hair care products, sometimes it can even be a long grueling search throw having a budget into the mix and it makes it even more challenging. Well, I composed a list below of amazing hair care products (tried and true) no matter what budget or hair type you have. Me personally, I have thick, dry, color treated, curly hair.
If you're a saver...
This is Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner. I think if you use heat products EVER you need to deep condition your hair atleast once every two weeks. This deep conditioner is amazing and only takes 3 minutes to begin working. It has a very fresh scent and it makes your hair feel wonderful.
$3.99
If you're a saver...
My shampoo/ conditioner pick for the saver is Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. This has been one of my long time favorites since I was in highschool. Like I mentioned before, I have dry hair so this stuff is amazing! It has a amazing smell (like coconuts, very beachy) And I just love this product. Herbal Essences has a variety of shampoos to choose from, this one is just my personal fave. $3.99each.
$3.99
Aussie MEGA hairspray. This spray holds your hair for hours, helps keep frizz down and smells good.
$3.99
Sauve Detangling spray in double dutch apple. I rediscovered this product at the beach a couple years ago. My hair became so tangled because of all the salt water I couldn't run a brush through it. I picked this up at the local dollar store and it worked wonders. Not everyone needs detangling spray, but if you do this stuff works.
$2.99
My favorite "saver" lines would be herbal essences and aussie. I have never been dissappointed with any of the products from either of those lines. I also like the suave professional line.
If you're savy...
Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner. Sulfate free, all organic, and not tested on animals, what could be better? It smells good too! I also like the nourishing coconut milk shampoo/conditioner from this line.
$5.00
Organix Moroccan argan oil renewing treatment. My deep conditioner of choice, do it once a week for extra shine and super healthy locks.
$6.47
John Frieda Frizz Ease hairspray. Keeps frizzes down and has a nice light weight hold that provides you with bouncy hair.
$5.00
John Frieda, Organix and TRESemme are my favorite "savy" lines. TRESemme has a wonderful heat proctectant spray that I really like.
If you're a "splurger"...
Joico K-Pak Shampoo/Conditioner. This is the BEST shampoo I have ever used. I keep this stuff stocked at my house. The scent of it reminds me a little bit of bananas. Joico is kinda pricey but it WORKS, it balances the pH of your hair to make it stronger, healthier and more managable.
$18.50
When it comes to deep conditioning, hair spray and styling I reach for bedhead. I like Bed head Mastermind hair spray (for a light hold) Bed Head After Party smoother to calm down and fly aways and frizz and the Bed Head peppermint hair mask once a week for deep conditioning.
Products range from $9.55-$20.00
Joico, Bed Head, Rockstar, and Paul Mitchell are my favorite "splurger" products.
Regardless of any budget, heres a few items I think every girl should have.
A heat protector
Styling Mousse
A Texturizing spray
Argan Oil
Wide tooth comb
Teasing brush
bobby pins
and
a cute hair flower.
Leave a comment and let me know your favorite hair lines!
Hugs && Glitz
Brit
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Holy Grail of Blonde Hair
Has a cosmetologist I religiously highlight and color my hair.
Naturally, I have light brunette hair I, as many other brunettes and blondes, highlight my hair during the summer time. Nothing boosts my confidence more than when I receive a set of killer blonde highlights that look natural. Fast forward two months later and I have a inch and a half of new growth, yep when your stubborn natural hair color comes creeping back out and you have a very noticiable line of demarcation.
A good cosmetologist should recommend you get your roots touched up every 6 weeks. Now we live in a very busy world, most people just do not have the time to sit two-four hours at a salon every 6 weeks. Even myself, working in the business, I can not muster up the time to get my highlights touched up that often. Not to mention, highlights can get veryyy expensive and in these tough economical times, most people just can not do it.
Back when I was in highschool I began experimenting with coloring and highlighting my hair myself. I am going to say this once, please do not dye/highlight your hair at home, just don't. I know it can be very tempting to grab a thing of L'oreal* hair color in that gorgoues auburn color at Walmart and slap it on yourself in the comforts of your own house and let it process while you're cooking dinner, but please don't do it. What those sneaky packages don't tell you is that the chemistry of the L'oreal color has ingrediants that can counteract when you highlight your hair at a salon. Even if its been 2 years since you colored your hair at home, it can still mess with salon products and instead of a pretty carmel blonde you end up with green (not a good look on anyone unless you're Katy Perry.) So pretty much if you ever plan to get your hair colored or highlighted at a salon EVER in your lifetime, please just save yourself and your hair dresser the trouble and skip the cheaper hair dye. If you insist of DYI-ing your hair, go to your local Sally's or other beauty supply store and buy your dye there, yes you will spend a tad more money but the result is worth it and won't counteract later when you go to a salon for summer highlights.
Moving on to the holy grail of blonde hair. Like I mentioned earlier, I have blonde highlights. Recently I was about to go on a girl's weekend out, I was looking in the mirror and noticed I had about 2 inches of new growth! I was leaving for my trip in less than two weeks and I didn't have time to get my hair highlighted. I went to my local Walmart and was browsing for new shampoo (herbal essences is my favorite drugstore brand) when I came across....
Naturally, I have light brunette hair I, as many other brunettes and blondes, highlight my hair during the summer time. Nothing boosts my confidence more than when I receive a set of killer blonde highlights that look natural. Fast forward two months later and I have a inch and a half of new growth, yep when your stubborn natural hair color comes creeping back out and you have a very noticiable line of demarcation.
A good cosmetologist should recommend you get your roots touched up every 6 weeks. Now we live in a very busy world, most people just do not have the time to sit two-four hours at a salon every 6 weeks. Even myself, working in the business, I can not muster up the time to get my highlights touched up that often. Not to mention, highlights can get veryyy expensive and in these tough economical times, most people just can not do it.
Back when I was in highschool I began experimenting with coloring and highlighting my hair myself. I am going to say this once, please do not dye/highlight your hair at home, just don't. I know it can be very tempting to grab a thing of L'oreal* hair color in that gorgoues auburn color at Walmart and slap it on yourself in the comforts of your own house and let it process while you're cooking dinner, but please don't do it. What those sneaky packages don't tell you is that the chemistry of the L'oreal color has ingrediants that can counteract when you highlight your hair at a salon. Even if its been 2 years since you colored your hair at home, it can still mess with salon products and instead of a pretty carmel blonde you end up with green (not a good look on anyone unless you're Katy Perry.) So pretty much if you ever plan to get your hair colored or highlighted at a salon EVER in your lifetime, please just save yourself and your hair dresser the trouble and skip the cheaper hair dye. If you insist of DYI-ing your hair, go to your local Sally's or other beauty supply store and buy your dye there, yes you will spend a tad more money but the result is worth it and won't counteract later when you go to a salon for summer highlights.
Moving on to the holy grail of blonde hair. Like I mentioned earlier, I have blonde highlights. Recently I was about to go on a girl's weekend out, I was looking in the mirror and noticed I had about 2 inches of new growth! I was leaving for my trip in less than two weeks and I didn't have time to get my hair highlighted. I went to my local Walmart and was browsing for new shampoo (herbal essences is my favorite drugstore brand) when I came across....
The John Frieda Sheer blonde go blonder controlled lightening spray!
It was only $9.99 so I decided why not? I have always liked John Frieda hair products, I use to use the leave in conditioner they made. John Frieda reminds me alot of Paul Mitchell hair products, I personally do not know if they have anything in common but the quality seems to be similar. Anyway, I got home and immediately tried the product. All you do is spray a little bit of this baby on your roots (wet or dry hair) and then apply the heat of either a blow dryer or a flat iron (if you use it on your ends) I was honestly a little afraid this stuff would be like Sun In and turn my hair a awful brassy orange color but I was pleasantly surprised. This stuff lightened my natural hair one shade and blended my roots to make the color difference less noticiable. It took only 4 uses before my hair was almost perfectly blended! It says on the bottle "for blonde hair only" but if you have blonde/light brown hair you'll be fine, however I do not suggest using this product if you have red, dark brown or black hair. I also do not suggest trying to use this product for a all over highlight unless maybe you want a ombre look. I also tried this product on my Mom's roots (who is a natural blonde) and after just one application it blended her hair wonderful!
Overall I say if you are in a bind (time wise and finacially) and are in major need of a root touch up go out and give this product a shot. The controlled lightening is wonderful and it is very easy to use. Like I said, I wouldn't try to subsitute this for an actual highlight but for root blending in a pinch it works wonderfully! I will continue to use this product and reccomend it to my friends, family, and clients. It works wonders!
Hugs && Glitz,
Brit
*I am not trying to pick on the L'oreal hair care brand. Any box dye is damaging and can cause hair color trouble.
May 2012 Birchbox vs. MyGlam Bag
Last month, I signed up for the beauty subscription companies birchbox and myglam bag. It's pretty much like a montly magazine subscription, you pay 10.00$ per month and you get beauty samples in the mail at your doorstep. There has been a lot of competition between all these different beauty subscription companies (there are more than I can count!) so I thought I would try out these two and see which one had the better box/bag of the month, so keep reading to see my oppion of the companies and to see which one I picked as the "winner".
Round 1: Birchbox
Birchbox is a very well known company, its been around for almost two years (it started up August 2010.) I signed up to be on the waitlist back in March of this year, in April I was able to order the May box. This month's theme was "Gossip Girl" I don't watch the show, but I did read one of the books back in the day. The shipping is free and super fast (it took 2 days to get to me) and the customer service is great. Let's take a look at the box...
The over view of the box.
Round 1: Birchbox
Birchbox is a very well known company, its been around for almost two years (it started up August 2010.) I signed up to be on the waitlist back in March of this year, in April I was able to order the May box. This month's theme was "Gossip Girl" I don't watch the show, but I did read one of the books back in the day. The shipping is free and super fast (it took 2 days to get to me) and the customer service is great. Let's take a look at the box...
This is the Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF in glow. It's suppose to "give your skin a added glow while covering up scars and blemishes." Personally, I am not a huge fan of this product. It does go on nice and smooth but it had SO much glitter in it that I felt like I looked like a disco ball..not a good look.
Kiehl's Abyssine Cream. This is a anti aging cream that helps prevent wrinkles. I received a decent amount (enough for maybe 3 weeks usage.) This stuff is amazing and it left my skin feeling baby soft and moisterized for hours after. Added bonus, if you apply it before your morning foundation routine it makes your makeup glide on.
Color Club Nail Polish in Clambake Coral. This is a beautiful color and it doesn't chip easily but honestly I like OPI nail polish a tad bit better.
Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette Spray. This smells okay,(like "lotus, bamboo and pear") but my sample was halfway empty when I received it. Not worth my 10.00$
Twistband Hair Tie. Ehh..its okay, it accomplishes what it's suppose to. Bonus points because its pink.
This was the "extra". A blank note card...really Birchbox..Really?
Over all I do feel like I got my 10$ worth but it could of been better. My favorite thing about birchbox is that you can review these products on there website for 10 points each review. 100 points=10$ off any order from the website.
To get your own Birchbox go to www.birchbox.com
Swatches: Right-Color Club Nail Polish, Left: Miracle Skin in Glow
Round 2: My Glam Bag
Now onto MyGlam bag. This is a newer company that came into the scene December 2011. This company was created by Michelle Phan and a couple other youtubers..
Miss Beauty Nail Bling: I think these are pretty cute actually. I wouldn't wear them on every nail but on just the ring finger it would work. Some people were complaining that these looked "cheap and tacky" but I think I can make them work. The application is super easy and they claim to last up to 10 days.
Philosopy Love Sweet Love Spray. I really like the light and girly smell. Its slightly fruity and I think it would be perfect for a lunch date.
Studio Gear Complete Color Lipstick in Pink Blush. The color is more of a red than a pink but it goes on smoothly and has amazing color pay off. It "plumps" your lips and moisturizes them. It's very creamy and lasts for awhile, plus its FULL SIZED.
MyGlam Concealer and Defining Eyeliner Brush. These are cute little brushes, the quality seems okay (think slightly better than ELF brushes) but to be honest I haven't used them yet. We shall see...
Swatch of Studio Gear lipstick.
I am very happy with Myglam bag this month, I know its not some people's personal taste but I like it and feel sastifyed that I got more than my 10$ worth. Get your own myglam bag here www.myglam.com
The winner...
MyGlam Bag
I was happy with both myglam bag and birchbox but myglam took it this month in my oppion. Not only did I get 4 FULL SIZED products but I really do like the lipstick color. Birchbox was so-so this month, even though I got my money's worth I ended up with a notecard I will never use, a pink hair tie, half used perfume sample and a sparkly skin transformer (sidenote: I prefer to not look like Edward Cullen in the sun) the saving grace in my birchbox was the nail polish and abyssine cream. I will continue with both beauty subscriptions and am excited as to what next month will bring! Until next time..
Hugs && Glitz,
Brit
What they didn't tell me about beauty school.
I am a cosmetologist.
I attended beauty school.
I had no idea what I was getting into.
Let me start off by saying, everything you hear about beauty school is false. It's not a place full of ditzy young women who haven't a clue about life, you do not spend all day playing in makeup and experimenting with glitter, it's not a place filled with highschool drop outs, and it's not a place you go because its a easy career. That being said, let me tell you all about my personal experiance.
I enrolled in cosmetology school on a whim. I was out one day and I was bored, I happened to be in the same shopping center that my local beauty school was in. I went in, applied, got accepted, and set up my start date. My first week at school was a nightmare, I couldn't figure out how to roll hair, I hadn't a clue what "45 degree angle" meant, what was all this talk of "pediculosis capitis", and where exactly was the occipital bone located at? Theory class was not easy, actually, it was hard. Not only was I going to have to learn anatomy, physics, electricity, and chemistry I had to remember the proper terms to use. They had tests scheduled three times a week, hours of practical work I had to do, and the dreaded practice State Board test I had to take each month. It took about a week and a half to learn this was not what I had been told school would be like.
The longer I was at the school, the more backwards it was. People that would ride the time clock to graduate in 6 months instead of 24, students would complain when asked to do a client, and if you were rich you got away with whatever you wanted to do. Now keep in mind, not everyone at the school was like this but the majority of people were. Everyone took beauty school as a joke, but it was serious to me I mean, it was going to be my future career and lively hood.
Long story short, I worked my butt off , studied hard, stayed 12 hour days and I graduated. Then came State Board time, I was nervous....VERY nervous. Let me tell you, what you learn during school you only apply maybe 10 % of that at state board. All you have to know to pass stateboard (and any master cosmetoligst will tell you this) is sanitation rules. They didn't care about my haircut, the didn't care my sculptered nail looked like a bird beak, they didn't care about how big my roller sections were, they cared about how many times I sanitized my hands and if I changed my comb after each "client". The theory section of the test was common sense questions, I passed it all.
This was the moment I understood that beauty school teaches you the basics...the very, most simple basics of cosmetology. Beauty school isn't easy, you actually have to work at it to be good.
If I could go back to my first day at school and tell myself one thing, it would be this: "Pay attention to your instructors and how they do hair on the clinic floor, ask questions this is how you'll learn the most." Beauty school teaches you what you need to get by (and a lot of semi useless information about electricity.) but experiance teaches you everything. Take school seriously even if your fellow classmates take it as a joke and learn to take positive critic. Finally, never let someone tell you that you can't do it or that beauty school is for "dummies" do what makes you happy and do it with all you have. Enjoy the ride, the beauty industry is one of the most enjoyable ones you can get into!
Hugs && Glitz,
Brit
I attended beauty school.
I had no idea what I was getting into.
Let me start off by saying, everything you hear about beauty school is false. It's not a place full of ditzy young women who haven't a clue about life, you do not spend all day playing in makeup and experimenting with glitter, it's not a place filled with highschool drop outs, and it's not a place you go because its a easy career. That being said, let me tell you all about my personal experiance.
I enrolled in cosmetology school on a whim. I was out one day and I was bored, I happened to be in the same shopping center that my local beauty school was in. I went in, applied, got accepted, and set up my start date. My first week at school was a nightmare, I couldn't figure out how to roll hair, I hadn't a clue what "45 degree angle" meant, what was all this talk of "pediculosis capitis", and where exactly was the occipital bone located at? Theory class was not easy, actually, it was hard. Not only was I going to have to learn anatomy, physics, electricity, and chemistry I had to remember the proper terms to use. They had tests scheduled three times a week, hours of practical work I had to do, and the dreaded practice State Board test I had to take each month. It took about a week and a half to learn this was not what I had been told school would be like.
The longer I was at the school, the more backwards it was. People that would ride the time clock to graduate in 6 months instead of 24, students would complain when asked to do a client, and if you were rich you got away with whatever you wanted to do. Now keep in mind, not everyone at the school was like this but the majority of people were. Everyone took beauty school as a joke, but it was serious to me I mean, it was going to be my future career and lively hood.
Long story short, I worked my butt off , studied hard, stayed 12 hour days and I graduated. Then came State Board time, I was nervous....VERY nervous. Let me tell you, what you learn during school you only apply maybe 10 % of that at state board. All you have to know to pass stateboard (and any master cosmetoligst will tell you this) is sanitation rules. They didn't care about my haircut, the didn't care my sculptered nail looked like a bird beak, they didn't care about how big my roller sections were, they cared about how many times I sanitized my hands and if I changed my comb after each "client". The theory section of the test was common sense questions, I passed it all.
This was the moment I understood that beauty school teaches you the basics...the very, most simple basics of cosmetology. Beauty school isn't easy, you actually have to work at it to be good.
If I could go back to my first day at school and tell myself one thing, it would be this: "Pay attention to your instructors and how they do hair on the clinic floor, ask questions this is how you'll learn the most." Beauty school teaches you what you need to get by (and a lot of semi useless information about electricity.) but experiance teaches you everything. Take school seriously even if your fellow classmates take it as a joke and learn to take positive critic. Finally, never let someone tell you that you can't do it or that beauty school is for "dummies" do what makes you happy and do it with all you have. Enjoy the ride, the beauty industry is one of the most enjoyable ones you can get into!
Hugs && Glitz,
Brit
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)