Battling Frizz with Redken’s NEW Frizz Dismiss

Redken’s NEW Frizz Dismiss Haircare Collection is perfect for anyone living in Florida, or any other area prone to humidity. The smell is fresh and has a light scent that lasts a few hours after washing and styling your hair.

With my many fly-aways and everyday battles with frizz -- I love the assistance this product gives me. Frizz is the #1 complaint from women about their hair. Redken’s new Frizz Dismiss boasts 82% less frizz after one use of their Sufate-Free Shampoo, Conditioner and the Frizz Protection Factor (FPF) 30 Instant Deflate.

Ulta Beauty sent me 5 products from the line to try it out before it’s release this month. They also sent me a wheel to help pick which products to use based off of the humidity level each day.

First off is their sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner; these are standard to the line. As I said before the scent is great, it smells like a day of pampering at the salon. I really liked the conditioner because it didn’t weigh down my hair and easily washed out while leaving my hair smoother.

My hair is medium to coarse so I have been using the FPF 20 and FPF 30 the most. The FPF 20 is for lower humidity days and is in a spray bottle. While the FPF 30 is a serum, I only use 2-3 pumps in all of my hair paying most attention to the ends (from about my ears down).

I always have to dry the from first - my cow-licks and waves are crazy up there!

Split up your hair to make it more manageable to dry.  

The FPF 10 is a nice finisher or touch up. They look like fabric sheets don’t they?! ☺ A fun new way to get rid of frizz and I have no problem sticking a couple in my purse since I know they aren’t going to leak or anything.

Fly aways first.

 When I use the Frizz Dismiss line I can wait 3 days before washing it destroying it with more heat tools. Normally I can only go 2 days. I’m not really a fan of blow-drying my hair straight. It’s time consuming, damaging, and I haven’t mastered blowing it straight with a brush at this length so less washes is definitely a good thing.

Before & After using the FPF 10 sheets. 95% or more decrease in fly aways!

I like to wear my hair wavy/curly a lot and this product helps me fight the frizz when styled that way as well. I will use the shampoo, conditioner, and FPF 20 if I’m going wavy.

Disclosure: This product was supplied to me by Ulta Beauty in exchange for this post. I wouldn’t have blogged about it if I didn’t enjoy it, these are my true opinions on the product.

Have you found a product that helps you in the ongoing 

battle against frizz? Share with us in the comments below. 

5 Skincare Products I Can't Live Without

The heat running constantly has my skin drying out. To avoid a patchy mess on my face I can't get enough of these products.

1. I picked up the bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser two years ago when I was having issues with mineral makeup breaking me out. Needless to say it worked and I'm still using it. I'm usually the person that can never find something that they like and switches brands all the time, but I've stuck with this face wash.
2. I use my Clarisonic Mia at least twice a week. You are supposed to be able to wash your face with it everyday but my skin is a tad too sensitive for that. When I use it daily, I break out - no bueno.
3. Cetaphil's Daily Facial Moisturizer is another one that I've bought more than once. It works for my combo skin in the summer and through the winter. Not greasy, and with an SPF of 15 it is a necessity for everyday here in Florida. 
4. Over top of my Cetaphil Moisturizer I use Tarte's Tinted Treatment. In the summer I'll sometimes go with just the Tinted Treatment, otherwise I need to apply powder too. I get decent coverage with this (it tones down the redness in my cheeks), but still often apply something under my eyes too.
5. Lypsyll is by far my favorite chapstick, a little bit of mint flavor with a lot of moisture. I apply it every morning and don't have to apply it again until about 3:00.

What are your must have skincare products? Do you use any of these?

Snip Snip - I Cut off 9 Inches for Children With Hair Loss

After growing my hair out for the last 5 years I took the plunge and chopped off 9 inches for Children With Hair Loss (CWHL). My hair had never been as long as it was yesterday at 3:00 before my appointment. I grew it long partly for my wedding, and as it's almost our one year anniversary I figured it was time to cut it. After finding an organization that took color treated hair with an 8 inch minimum I started hunting for the perfect new cut.

I cut off my long hair for a long angled bob. Going shorter next month. ;)

Yes of course it was scary and I had grown a little attached to my long do. But it was to the point that it would take me 10 minutes to just comb my hair out - ridiculous.

It's easy to donate your hair to Children With Hair Loss. Make sure your hair falls within their requirements, print the form, and head to your stylist to have it cut. After you mail your hair in they will send you back a certificate for your kindness. CWHL donates to over 300 children every year.

Knowing that a child will be given a wig with part of my contribution, and have a little more self confidence to tackle the world after an illness is what pushed me to go for it. If you are considering a major hair change keep Children With Hair Loss in mind.

Self Tanning "Life Hack"

The older I get, the more cautious I try to be about the sun and its skin-damaging rays. I have skin cancer in my family, (who doesn't it seems) so I really need to be careful and there's no excuse not to wear sunscreen. However, I still want that sun-kissed look in the summer so thank goodness for self-tanner and powdered bronzer.

Last summer I bought the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse and only used it twice. It gave me great color, but it was streaky, and my hands were stained for days even if I immediately washed them after applying it. I was frustrated and disappointed and pushed it to the back of my cabinet. As we are creeping back up to sundress weather, I felt the need to try the foam again. Like I said the color was great, I've since found out I was applying it wrong.

I searched for tanning tips online and found my lifesaver. If you don't feel like spending money on a tanning mitt, place a plastic bag over your hand and then put a sock over that. It worked like gold! The result was a no streak tan with even color, and my hands were not orange at all thanks to the plastic bag.

Other Tanning Tips I've Learned:

• Exfoliate and shave before self-tanning.
• Wait for the color to fully develop (the bottle should tell you how long it takes) before adding another coat, you don't want to end up looking too dark. There is such a thing as being too dark!
  
• Apply lotion at least an hour before using self-tanner. You don't want your elbows and knees to be darker than the rest of you, but you also don't want to dilute the tanner with having lotion sitting wet on your skin.
• Start from the tops of your feet and work your way up.
• Moisturize! The next day and going forward be sure you are moisturizing to make the tan last longer, this goes for actual sun tanning too!
• If you must tan in the sun use SPF more than 15 please, 30 or more would really be better.
• Beach umbrellas are a must if you are going to be out for more than an hour. With a surfing husband, we can be at the beach for a couple hours if the waves are good.
• Reapply your sunscreen! Even if it's waterproof, I try to reapply after going in the water, or at least once an hour.
• Tanning beds, just say no!! I'm guilty of using them in the past too but let's not be ignorant of the facts and think, "oh well by the time I'm older they will have a cure for that." Just say no!

I am not a skincare professional; these are just my opinions from what I've learned through experience.

What is your favorite self-tanner? Do you have any tips for an even tan and making it last?

HUGE Ulta Beauty Giveaway to Celebrate Grand Opening in St. Augustine, FL

The Grand Opening of Ulta Beauty in Saint Augustine is April 11th. The opening event is all weekend long; April 11, 12 and 13th there will be free makeovers, free consultations, special deals and beauty treats. The first 100 guests each day will get a free gift certificate ranging from $5-$100, AND a free skin or hair service at their full service salon!

To celebrate their Grand Opening Ulta Beauty has sent me over $300 worth of beauty products and tools for a Giveaway to one lucky follower!

Giveaway Includes:

Tangle Teezer (pink)  $9.99
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PHD) $26.00
ULTA Beauty Smoothie in Dragonfruit Frappe (travel size) $4.00
ULTA Bronze Glow Daily Moisturizer (for face) $6.99
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Rollerball (fragrance) $25
ULTA Foaming Face Wash  $9.00
ULTA Fabulous Face Foundation Primer $12.50
Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush in Peachy Dream $24
ULTA Retractable Kabuki Brush $18.00
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara  $19
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Corrupt $20
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Ransom $20
Urban Decay Grind House $10
Urban Decay Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion $19
Urban Decay Melt Down Makeup Remover $24
Butter London Nail  Lacquer in The Black Knight $15
ULTA Salon Formula Nail Lacquer in Vintage Violet $6
Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Color in Punta Cana $22
NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu $4.99
ULTA Lip Color in Fuchsia Fever $8
ULTA Glitter Eye Top Coat in Glam Rock $8
Revlon Slanted Tweezers  $3.49

Purple Cosmetic Bag (no longer available)

Total Retail Value: $314.96 (purple makeup bag is considered complimentary as no longer available for sale)

Be sure to join the ULTAmate Rewards program, it's free and for every $1 spent you earn 1 point, double points during your birthday month (perfect time for me, I'm an April baby)! You'll also get valuable coupons and early looks at special offers. Sign up online or in store.

The new Ulta Beauty in St. Augustine will also feature a full-service salon. The salon will offer services from haircuts and color, to brow design and specialty facials.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Will I see you at the Grand Opening? Be sure to use the Rafflecopter widget and enter to win the giveaway now, it will end April 11th!

Ulta Beauty is Coming to St. Augustine

Some really exciting news has hit St. Augustine, we're getting an Ulta Beauty! No more driving to Jacksonville or Daytona for your beauty products. Woohoo!

The signs are up!

The grand opening of Ulta Beauty is Friday, April 11, 2014 in St. Augustine's Seabridge Square in between Marshall's and Ross. The opening event is all weekend long; April 11, 12 and 13th there will be free makeovers, free consultations, special deals and beauty treats. The first 100 guests each day will get a free gift certificate ranging from $5-$100, AND a free skin or hair service at their full service salon! Who else is making plans to get there way before 10:00 AM besides this girl? :)

I have joined up with Ulta Beauty to bring you an amazing giveaway. I have over $300 in beauty products from Ulta Beauty that one lucky reader will win! I'm not giving any more details yet, other than the fact that I really don't want to give this Butter polish away. ;)

Note: Soft opening of Ulta Beauty Friday April 4, 2014.

Fall Necessities

Only 1 more day until Friday! Hope you are having a productive week so far. I'm on a total shopping hold right now, but here are a couple of items that need to be mine for fall.

Forever 21 open knit cardigan / TOMS hemp shoes / Fringe shawl / Bare Minerals Pressed Foundation / Cargo Skinnies / Shrine earrings raw citrine turquoise jade by SailorsOmen / essie Nail Color #884 Carry On

1. I am head over heels for burgundy right now and cardigans are great to keep on hand to make a summer outfit cold weather friendly.
2. Burgundy Toms, I love that the soles are colored too and not a contrasting white. I wear Toms to work 95% of the time and I need to add this vegan pair to my weekly shoe circulation.
3. Green cargo skinnies, no explanation needed. So many pairing options I can think of for date nights and work attire.
4. Essie nail polish in Carry On, yes burgundy again. :)
5. A light, tan scarf that will match almost any outfit from fall and into winter.
6. The raw/roughness of these earrings feels transitional and perfect for the changing seasons. Of course you could wear these throughout the year.
7. If you've been using a tinted moisturizer and are looking for a change I fully recommend the pressed foundations from Bare Minerals. I've been using it for about a year now and it really is moisturizing(somehow). If you've tried the loose powder version of Bare Minerals in the past and shied away from it due to the powder cloud when you open the top, try this! It's build-able and lasts all day, especially if you remember to apply their primer first.

Diamond Candles Pumpkin Chai Candle

A pumpkin or other fall scented candle is on my Fall Necessities list too. Have you entered my giveaway to win a Diamond Candle yet? You have 5 more days, and don't forget you can tweet everyday about the giveaway to gain more entries.

Is there anything else you feel is a necessity for fall 2013?

Kat Von D Obsession

I lightly touched on my closet love affair with Kat Von D in this post. She's so fun, edgy and stylish. I also probably really like her for her ability to not care what anyone else thinks about her. Come on anyone with that many tattoos clearly doesn't give a flying... well you know, they don't care what people think.
I've got 3 tattoos of my own, most people don't know that though because they're hidden. One on my low back, one on my ribs and another on my foot. And then there's many others I Must Resist the Urge to get done.
While the resisting currently ensues, I'm falling in love with Kat Von D's makeup line from Sephora. I am now the proud owner of that beautiful eye palette that looks more like a 50's cigarette tin. The colors are shimmery/shiny but not glittery, and super high pigmented. The eyeliner pencil in the kit is great too, smooth application and long lasting. I can't wait to try out her mascara and lipsticks next.

Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette - Saint / Kat Von D Mascara / Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick 

Have you tried any of Kat Von D's make up?

This post was published on Lucky Community

Manicure Monday

I went for an ombre nail look with tart deco from Essie by adding a bit of French White Tip from NYC to make each nail lighter then the last. Here was my outcome, I will definitely be using this technique again with different colors. I always forget you can mix the colors and make a new one.

Next time Chloe said she wants in on Mani Monday! :)

newspaper nails

http://trashfashiononline.blogspot.com/2011/04/project-diy-newspaper-nails.html

Check out Emily's DIY on newspaper nails, I'm working on my own right now and will post pictures if they turn out.  

...waiting for my first coat to dry right now, I hope they work!!

::UPDATE::  Here they are! :)  It worked, it will take some practice to perfect but the final product is cute.

I was trying to put a few designs on some nails, next time I think I'll stick to words.