Goodbye thin, limp hair - Hello volume!

Hello Beauties! 

I'm really excited to share this with y'all! Some of y'all might freak out about this new tool I found, it could even change your life. 

Introducing the Texturizing Iron from Sam Villa....

No, it's not a crimper. The beauty of this tool is that it gives hair SOO much volume, texture and oomph! Say goodbye to endless teasing and products that cause buildup!

What I love most about it is that it gives my hair that next day texture with freshly washed hair. Y'all all should know by now that I hate hair washing days. Bleh.

How to use it:

Take the top crown of your hair and put it in a clip.

The next section, about 1.5/2 inches of hair from the top section is what you will "crimp". Just crimp the hair as close to your scalp as you can and only crimp once per piece. 

Leave the bottom section and the hair around your face alone. 

Style as usual.

Then voila, hello Texas hair! 

If you need more in depth instructions, let me know in the comment box below and I will do a video tutorial.

Here is the link to purchase, lucky you that it's on sale!

http://www.samvilla.com/products/hair-irons/textur-texturizing-iron/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=mmandlshow&utm_campaign=textur-iron

It would also be a great gift idea to add to your Christmas list.

You're welcome.

xoxo,

Kelly

Tackle dry skin!

November is the month to count your blessings and remember what you’re thankful for.
A few things I am thankful for are; chips & salsa, red wine (duh!), spray tans, Pilates, macaroons and nail polish.

BUT there are a few things that come with November that I’m not so thankful for, daylight savings, Thankful posts on Facebook and dry skin!

I can’t do anything about daylight savings, but I CAN ignore the Facebook posts and use amazing products to beat the dry skin and protect for future damage.

Here is a list of the products and tips that I’m oh so thankful for:

 

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips $14.50

What’s worse than cracked lips? Nothing. I can’t stand it when my lips are dry and some lip balms can actually irritate the skin even more. Once you use it, you will understand why I’m so thankful for it! You can also use this product for split ends, cuticles and sunburns.

 

A tip from the makeup counter: Anything you use for your eyes you can use on your lips. If they need a little more TLC try using your eye cream at night for a few days.

Bliss Fabulips Lip SugarScrub $18.00

This shiz works! When your lips are cracked, flaky and dry it can make the best of the best lipstick or lip gloss look super unsightly. Winter is the worst for dry lips. Use this product and combine it with the Dr. Lipps Nipple Balm for amazing results!
Please don't over exfoliate, you should only use this product the max 3x a week. Over exfoliation can lead to damage of the skin, and make the area even drier than before. No bueno!

Fresh Life Body Oil $48.00

If you have problems with all over dry skin, try using a body oil. This particular one smells incredible and doesn't leave you feeling greasy. Take a nice warm bath at night then apply the oil all over for silky skin. This is also great for the girls who spray tan. Spray tanning can leave your skin drier than normal, use this to maximize your tan and add tons of moisture to your skin.

Laura Mercier Hand Cream $15.00

 

This product is super hydrating without being greasy. My hands have the worst time during the winter; they get so dry and even hurt! This is the go-to, always in my purse product. Get it, love it.

Working out

I know, I know. Once it’s cold out it is extremely hard to get out of the cozy house to work out. But, did you know that there are so many health benefits to sweating glistening? Sweating is a natural way to open your pores and hydrate your skin. My favorite workouts are running and Pilates. Running is free and it feels great to get outdoors, Pilates can be pricey but it’s such a great way to get your body lean and toned. Take this winter as a time to get healthy and to take care of yourself.  I’m really looking forward (and hoping) to not have my yearly freak-out in April when the weather gets warmer.

If you're battling a cold or allergies and taking medication, be sure to double up on the moisturizer at night. You might notice that those types of  medications can easily dry out your skin.

Some exciting news I'd love to share…. Introducing the fabulous Ms. Penny!

 

 

We found her at a pet adoption in PetCo, we locked eyes and the rest is history. Isn't she the cutest?! Always think adoption first!

 

Till next time...

xoxo- Kelly

July Favorites

I can't believe it's already AUGUST! Crazy how fast time flies! Pretty soon we'll be getting ready for the first of football season then BAM it's the Holidays!

Anywho - I thought I'd share with you my all time favorite (& not so favorite) things from the past month... Enjoy!

White nails: I think they are so chic and fresh. I've been rocking them all month long! If you want to do it right make sure you keep up with the chips and shine, if it's not well maintained- it can start looking not so cute and dirty.  My favorite is Essie in Blanc. You can pick it up at your nearest Walgreens or CVS.

Urban Decay -  de-slick Makeup Setting Spray Oil-Control: This shiz works!! If you live in the kind of climate I'm in, 102 degrees and 100% humidity this product is a must! It helps your makeup from moving and the shine from showing while giving your makeup a matte finish. I picked mine up from Ulta, but you can also find it at Sephora. 

Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser: Lately I've been noticing that my skin around my eyes is kind of dull and my eyes look tired, so I picked up this product in "#60 Brightener" when my Mac Pro Longwear Concealer ran out. I love it! I dab the sponge around my eyes and use my beauty blender to work it up around my eye and bring it to my temple. It also can be used on the bridge of your nose and above your eyebrows for highlighting. The price is great and so is the product! You can find it at any drug store and amazon.

This FAB necklace! I can't wait to get my hands on this and wear it all day everyday, who knows I might even wear it to bed. Unforch it's on back order - just shows how great my taste is ;) If you love it you can still order it here to make sure you get it before it's gone forever!

Lastly- There was a product that I didn't love this month :(

Yes To Grapefruit Even Skin Tone Mousturizer: I was really excited to purchase this product, even more excited about the price tag. Unfortunately, I don't love it. The smell is not great and the product it self is thin and doesn't really "brighten" my skin like it says it will do. I've read great things about this product in magazines, so I'll give it a few more days to see if it changes my mind. I hope it does!

Hope you all have an amazing start to your month!
Till next time!
xoxo- Kelly

Prime Time

Hey Ladies!

I'm so excited to tell you all about my glorious new beauty find! It's amazzzzzing!

It's the new Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer from Benefit.
The reason it's so great is because it actually does what it says it'll do. On Saturday I put on my makeup around 10am and got home at 1am and I was shocked that my makeup actually held up and stayed in place!

With the weather all icky and hot outside it's good to use a product that will help your makeup from not creeping into your fine lines, moving and looking cakey- not fun.

Here is my Instagram pic :) Isn't the packaging adorbs?

There is a trick to make it work-
Swipe the stick on one side of your cheek and then immediately apply your foundation, BB cream, tinted moisturizer- whatever you prefer to use and then move from there. The primer itself dries quickly so it's important to use it in steps.

If you try it, I'd love to hear your feedback!

You can find it online and at your nearest Sephora or Ulta.

If you love the nail color it's Essie in Fiesta!

Happy Priming!

xoxo- Kelly

This or That

Hello Lovely Ladies!

HAPPY Friday!

This post I'll be comparing drugstore products against high end. This has been fun to do, and I think you'll be shocked at some of winners!

Well, maybe not as shocked as the announcement of Kim & Kanye's baby name. North West.

Here's This or That:

Foundation: (updated 1/27/14)

Winner is.....  Chanel!
My bank account hates me for it, but it can't get any better than the Chanel Lumiere. Trust me, it's worth it!

Blush:

 

Winner is.... Bobbi Brown!

The colors are pretty identical. I found that e.l.f's blush was a little chalky and didn't stay on quite as well as Bobbi Brown's did. I love this blush- try it out, it's perfect for summer!

 

 

Mascara:

Winner is... L'oreal!
I absolutely love this mascara. The reason why Benefit didn't get my approval is because it dried out super quick, and it clumped easily on my lashes. I also wrote about L'oreal here.

Hairspray:

Winner is... OSis+!
The Elastic Hair Spray is amazing for all hair types! Everything about it is great, unlike the Pantene. The Pantene spray left my hair (and shoulders) sticky. The nozzle had the spray going everywhere and it left my hair really saturated in spray so then my curls fell. So then I learned, if you think your hair can't hold a curl - chances are you might be using the wrong spray for your hair.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Next week I will be having a giveaway! All you have to do is follow my blog and one lucky follower will be selected to win a $50.00 giftcard to either Mac or Sephora! The choice is yours!

Cheers to the weekend!
xoxo- Kelly

Happy almost Weekend!

In this post I will be letting you in on a few secrets- beach waves, my favorite at home tanner OH! and best of all a recipe for my favorite summer cocktail!

Here are a few ways to make you look like you just back from St. Barths :)

Beach waves. There are like a gazillion DIY beach wave products, my favorite happens to be Wella- Ocean Spritz Beach Texture Hairspray. I purchased this product from Ulta and I love it! It's super easy to use and gives your hair a yummy smell and care free beach waves. You can use it on straight dry hair but how I love to use it is spraying the product on day old curls.

 

 

Get a sun kissed glow at home with St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Spray. It's so easy to use and Sephora has a kit you can buy for $39.00 that includes bronzing spray, illuminator and their famous applicator mitt. It lasts for about 5-7 days and doesn't smell bad at all.

How I apply is starting with my lower legs first. I put lotion on my toenails for a barrier and lightly spray from my knees down about 6 inches away from my skin. When you're done spraying use the mitt to even out the spray. Then I work my way up to my face. I don't spray my face directly, what I do is use the mitt with the product on it and wipe my face with it. If you need more direction there are a ton of YouTube videos that you can watch.

Please note- as with all sunless tanning products it does strip off in chlorine and salt water and you still need to use sunscreen when out and about.

 

 

 

This recipe is from Pinnacle Vodka and I LOVE it! It's refreshing and perfect for sitting pool side, beach side or at home. Whatever you fancy.

 

Recipe:

 

6 oz. Orange Juice (Pulp-Free)

2 oz. Pinnacle Whip Cream Vodka

Splash of Pineapple Juice

 

Mix and pour over ice.

 

Super easy and yummy... SEE! I don't just drink wine :)

 

Cheers!

xoxo- Kelly

 



#summer

I'm back ladies! I have to apologize for my absence, but I promise I'll be better this time around.

Summer is officially in full swing! Tis' the season for longer days, warm nights and sitting pool side with  your favorite people with of course with your favorite cocktail (mine- obviously is a goblet of wine... duh) !

The next couple of posts I'm going to touch on a few things I'm loving about summer and how to prepare you for the BEST time of the year!

- The MOST important thing to remember is sunscreen. I recently received the Coola Organic Sunscreen in my birchbox and I loved it! It's moisturizing and not greasy. Make it a daily routine and you'll be happy you wont be rocking burnt skin and wrinkles. (Ew.)

- Bronzer! My absolute favorite bronzer is from Tarte, it looks amazing on your cheeks, temples and can also be used as a body bronzer. Its a matte color- so you wont be a disco ball on bright summer days. (Tarte- Park Avenue Princess) Use with the brush from this post for perfect contouring.

- A great summer read. I have a few books on my list for this summer- I'm in the middle of one that is called "French Women Don't Get Fat" and I love it! It's a quick read and very interesting. Pour yourself a glass of vino and "Do as the french do"! I'll be sure to keep you posted on my next reads!

 

 - Rock a bold hue. Neon is huge! I'm loving the bold lips this season. I think I say that every season... but anyway it's a great way to brighten up your look without trying too hard. If you choose to wear a bright color on the lips, please keep the rest very neutral and choose colors that compliment your skin tone.

 

Colors I'm loving at this moment


Mac- Candy Yum-Yum
Mac- Ruby Woo.. a classic
Smashbox- Pink Petal
Maybeline- Shocking Coral #870
Chanel- Rouge Allure Velvet in "La Favorite" #43
Chanel - Rouge Allure Gloss in "Insolence" # 57
Chanel - Glossimer # 149 (their normal gloss)






 I want to end this by saying I'm happy to be back in action and I hope you keep up with me and my amazing beauty finds!

Till next time....
xoxo- Kelly