Brighten that Blonde

I took my own advice and got some purple shampoo. Deep colored purple shampoo like this Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo ($8 at Sally's) helps brighten blonde hair and remove brassiness. I used this for the first time last night and LOVE it. Not only does it smell good but helped brighten the blonde in my hair. Don't be caught off guard at how purple this shampoo is - just use it! Do NOT use this every time you wash your hair. I would suggest maybe twice a month. 

Drugstore Products I Can't Live Without: Hair Edition

I've been growing my hair out for what seems like decades. It's like a whole new world. So maybe options! Every morning I have a series of thoughts..."Curls? Straight? Curly pony? Top knot? Braid? Craaaap. I'm shaving it off. Britney Spears did it." With long hair comes a bit of maintenance. I do believe in the occasional splurge but I'm here to tell you there are some fab products hiding at your local CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc. I'm here to save you the time and money and tell you exactly what to snatch up.

This Dove shampoo and condition with pure oil is LIFE CHANGING. Not only is the scent blissful but it makes you hair so soft. It feels like silk after just the shampoo, pre-conditioner. That's a winner in my book.

It's a 10 ...well, I'd be surprised if you haven't heard of it. It's truly a miracle. It's performs 10 duties...volume, shine, detangling, etc. What's not to love here?

This L'Oreal hairspray is perhaps more than Tresemme or a Pantene hairspray but...Rachel Zoe uses it. It's a classic, it does some heavy duty holding and has a scent that I'm crazy about.

Shower caps...sure make you look like a granny instantly but hey, they work. My hair made a 180 when I stopped washing it so often. I try to keep it down to 2-3 times a week. This cuts down on the drying, styling and overall stripping of my hair's natural oils. Another tip? Air dry those locks! I haven't used a hair dryer in over a month and a half and can tell a big difference.

Suave Keratin Dry Shampoo - this is my main secret. As I mentioned, since I don't wash my hair as much these days, dry shampoo is essential. This particular kind is under $3 and smells AH-MAZING! Spray at your roots and brush out your hair. I spray a little before bed and when I wake up. Give it a go!

This Organix oil is the perfect product for post shower wet locks. It smells heavenly and soaks into your hair easily. I only put this product on the bottom 3-4 inches of my hair and only use about a drop the size of a quarter. Always go for less first...you don't want to end up over doing it and having to rewash your hair (my worst nightmare).

Enjoy these drugstore products - less fancy but major bang for your buck! Happy shopping!

Oil Does The Body Good

I used to be terrified of oil. Why would I want to add oil to my skin, hair, face, etc? Well, I'm on board and I'm preaching to the world. I started with sunscreen oil from L'Oreal, which not only has a lovely light scent but isn't the typical heavy oil. It protects you from the sun's rays AND nourishes your skin. Next, I moved on to hair oil. My girlfriend, Sarah, was hooked on Moroccan Oil in college and I was always obsessed with the scent. Now, I have my own fixation with it. Facial oils doesn't seem like something I'd love but Josie Maran's facial argan oil is a game-changer.
From top left, clockwise:
Love Boo Boo Massage Oil
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil 
B The Eyebrows Experts Nourishing Brow Oil
Moroccan Oil Treatment Light 
Fig + Yarrow Bath and Body Oil
Free Spirit Perfume Oil 
Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Sunscreen Oil 

Spray Away

If you're a female and you're breathing, then you depend on dry shampoo for basic survival. However, most dry shampoos are white-ish and leave brown hair looking grey. If you're a blonde (natural or not...), you're golden...if anything, it calms down my exposed brown roots - thank goodness. For my gal pals with darker hair, I've found this product that is invisible. Spray away, my friends.
Find this product at Sephora.

Hella Hydration

As part of my L'Oreal package of goodies, I received these three Power Moisture products. I'm always hesitant about using cheaper shampoos or conditioners because as someone who some would say "over-processes" their hair, you have to be sensitive when selecting products. However, not only did the shampoo and conditioner above smell heavenly, but it also left my hair feeling soft post-shower. In addition, I tried the mask (to the left) for the first time tonight and loved it! While the mask calls for only a 3-5 minute saturation time, I left it on my hair for an hour (so sue me) and after showering, I'd say it's safe to say my hair appreciated the extra 55 minutes of love. If you are looking for a less expensive line up to add to your hair product rotation, these have my blessings. 

These are a Few of My Favorite Things: Hair Edition

I'm not in denial...I am, in fact, a product junkie. I'll try anything to see if it gets my hair softer, longer more quickly, higher, bigger, more conditioned. Luckily, hopefully by reading these posts, you don't have to shop around nearly as often as I do. Above are some of my favorite hair products that are tried and true. Top left is Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi Keratin Intensive Treatment. This heavy duty conditioner does miracles. Leave on during your entire shower, washing out at the end and voila - silky hair. To the right of the conditioner is my favorite post-shower serum. This "renewing" Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil by Organix is a must-have. At right at $6, there is no reason to not buy it. This product restores shine and softness and strengthens your hair. A girlfriend of mine at work even runs it through her hair during the work day to counteract mid-day dry hair issues. To the right of the oil is a hair pick. Of course, if you know me, you know I carry around a much "rattier" version from the 80's (it was my mother's and is a heirloom in my eyes). Back-combing is not just something you do to your hair - it's a way of life. Big hair, honey. It's everything. Next, we have Peter Coppola's argan oil finishing spray. Not only does it smell heavenly but it's perfect for non-hairspray lovers (I happen to LOVE hairspray). When wearing my hair curly, I use this as an all-over spray to help the curls hold without a crunchy, hard look. In the middle is my Conair sock bun maker. Buy one, try one, love one. Perfect for second day hair and an effortless up-do. Bottom left is my trust leopard print J.Crew headband. I use this thing to get the hair out of my face while doing my makeup, washing my face and for a fun day outing. Bonus - it's not cheap looking leopard print. 

Silky AND Savvy

With nearly 15 shampoos, conditioners, face washes and soaps, it's a must for this product-obsessed gal to be smart. I hate to sit down and think about the amount of money I've spent on all these bottles of soap. But, luckily for me, I learned a trick from my mama years and years ago that has saved me money and made my legs silky smooth the whole time. Swap out your shaving cream for cheap conditioner. Shaving with condition instead of shaving cream will save you money for two reasons. One, cheap conditioner is $1 (Suave comes in a million fabulous scents). Two, one bottle lasts forever. Your legs...and your boyfriend...will thank me (or better yet, my mom!). 

Keratin's Killin' It

I maintain after trying a million different dry shampoos that Suave is my favorite. However, they have really outdone themselves with this Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo. Not only does it smell amazing (hair perfume), but it does wonders for your tresses. Over time, your hair's natural keratin is stripped, making it frizzy, unmanageable and difficult to style. This product pumps keratin back into your locks, helping absorb oil, refreshing hair and even extending your blowout. Eat your heart out, bargain shoppers. 

Chalk it Up to (Temporary) Change



I get lost in this hair funk every now and then...I'm trying to grow my hair out and I'm happy with my color but I just need a little change to spice it up. After doing a little research, I decided hair chalk might be just what I need to try. I found a set of 24 colors on eBay and made the purchase. I feel like Picaso with a lovely canvas of blonde hair to paint. I haven't gone extreme yet...just a streak of purple here or there. What's genius about hair chalk is that it washes out in the shower, making this the perfect solution to impulsive hair desires. Try a dramatic ponytail like Lauren Conrad...mama likes. Find other inspiring looks on Pinterest.



Sky-High Hair

If there is one thing I know in life, it's teased hair. I've got it down to a science. Finding the perfect teasing comb or brush is crucial to getting that hair big and voluminous. If you are going to go the brush route, I'd suggest this one by Paul Mitchell. It'll help you get the poof sky-high.

Forever Blonde

I have tried every hair product there is so I feel that I'm the perfect person to let it be known when I find a keeper. This line by Paul Mitchell, Forever Blonde, does everything it says it does. My favorite is the Forever Blonde Shampoo because the scent is simply delicious. Purple shampoos like this one intensifies blonde and white toned hair. This color-depositing shampoo brightens hair and prevents brassiness. Trying this shampoo was a suggestion from my stylist who was trying to take my hair from damaged from being over-processed and styled to silky smooth. Mission accomplished...my hair is the healthiest it's been in years. Between this line and their Awapuhi keratin collection, Paul Mitchell is winning my heart over more and more. 

L'Oreal Love

I have been screaming from the rooftops about this hairspray since I came out of the womb. Finally, someone else recognizes. Elnett is the MVP of hairsprays. I don't know if it's the chic gold can or the way it man-handles my hair, but I don't love this hairspray...I'm IN LOVE with it. Celeb hairstylists swear by it and so do I. Buy it. Spray it. Love it. 

Keratin Cures

Some ladies swear by expensive hair products and some don't. I've always been somewhere in the middle...until a recent trip to the salon. As this sassy flamboyant male stylist pointed out...my hair was having a crisis. Since moving to Florida, my hair has been stressed with not only the normal bleaching and styling but now also salt water, chlorine and a larger than life dose of sunshine. My hair was having a mental breakdown and I was at fault. I tried my first Kertain treatment from Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi line. Heaven on earth. These treatments can be as expensive as $100...mine was $18. I have slowly been accumulating other products from this life-changing line. My hair has made a 180. The scent is to die - wild ginger. Try it and thank me later.