Tarte Sale!

So I had no intentions of posting on the blog today, but when I logged into Facebook this morning, my FAVORITE makeup brand had posted a 30% off code that applies to everything on their website! If you've ever been to Ulta, or Sephora, you have no doubt seen Tarte cosmetics.  Tarte is a brand I have grown to love over the past year, and while they are on the pricey side, they are so worth it.  This line is so eco friendly, and just good for your skin in general.  All of tarte's products are cruelty free, as well as paraben free.  Because tarte is considered 'high end' , it's normally excluded from any coupons you get from Ulta. Plus, the most Ulta ever offers is 20%, so this is even better!  If you spend at least $40, shipping is free, and every purchase comes with a sample of one of their other products.  Did I mention how ADORABLE their packaging is?  In the grand scheme of things, packaging isn't what draws me to them, but isn't it a nice bonus? I placed an order approximately two weeks ago, and the shipping was super fast.  I had my package within three business days. I realize that shelling out big money for makeup is not high on everyone's priority list, but if you're like me, and you like to experiment and splurge every now and then, this would be a great opportunity to do that, and save a little cash at the same time.  Tarte.com also has a program called 'pretty perks' that gives you points for each dollar you spend at their site.  All you have to do is fill out a little of your info, and you're in.  You also get points for referring friends to pretty perks, so if you're thinking of joining, please give me your email, so I can send you the link! I've not tried every product they have to offer, but here are a few of my favorites thus far...

Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Full Coverage Foundation:  This gives great coverage, and lasts all day.  I would say it's best suited for normal to oily skin, as it has a mousse like consistency.

Maracuja Miracle Foundation:  I just ordered this and have used it a couple times, and it's fabulous.  Definitely best suited for dry to normal skin types. It gives great coverage, and leaves you with a dewy finish.

Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blushes:  These are Allure magazine award winning blushes, and by far the best blushes you will ever use.  They stay all day, and give so much pigment!

Amazonian Clay Mineral bronzer in Park Ave Princess:  This bronzer is great to give you a sun kissed look, or to contour your cheekbones, hairline, etc.  When I first saw it in the compact, I thought it was going to be way too dark for my fair skin, but it actually looks perfect.  Not too ashy, and not too orange, just right!

Eyeshadows:  Their eyeshadows are GORGEOUS! They have tons of pigment, and are so easy to work with.  I've got two eyeshadow palettes so far, and love every single color.

Here's the link tarte's site http://tartecosmetics.com/  Be sure to use offer code tarteff to get your 30% off!

Happy shopping everyone! I'd love to know if you end up ordering anything, and of course, what you think of it!

Current favorites: Hair edition

Hello everyone! I am so ashamed to say it's been a year and a half since I posted on this blog. For most of you who know me, you know I've gone through a lot of life changes in this past year and a half! Now that things have settled back down, and I've got some free time on my hands, I'm so ready to get back into blogging. So, here it goes...

In this post, I'm going to share with you my current favorite hair products. Keep in mind that all the products I'm going to mention are salon brands, simply because with my cosmetology license, I'm able to get these products at cost.  I wish I could recommend some drugstore brands, but in all honesty, I haven't used anything from Walmart, Walgreens, etc. in probably three years.  However, if you've found any hidden gems at the drugstore that you think I would love, please feel free to share!

First up, are my favorite shampoo and conditioner of the moment, Redken Diamond Oil.  This line has only been out a few months, but in that short time, I've used it on several clients, and let me tell you, it is AMAZING! Not only does it smell fantastic, but it makes your hair so incredibly soft, and virtually tangle free.  The conditioner is a bit heavy, so for those of you with fine hair, it may not be the best option.  However, if you are someone who feels their hair is a bit dry and/or damaged, this would be a great investment.  These retail for around $17 a bottle, but as concentrated as they are, you only need a small amount per use.

Next up, are my favorite shampoo and conditioner for blondes, Matrix total results Blonde Care.  The reason I love this line so much is because it keeps blonde hair looking bright and shiny.  Blondes tend to start looking dull after a few weeks, due to the fact that blonde hair absorbs all the pollutants in our water, and in the environment.  This shampoo and conditioner nourishes the hair, while also counteracting the brassiness that develops over time.  I also love the fact that this is not a heavy product, so those of you with fine hair can use it without it weighing the hair down. This line also features a detangler/leave in conditioner called 'Flash filler' which I'm a big fan of.  This line by Matrix is also a bit more affordable than most other salon brands.  These retail for around $10 a bottle, and they are totally worth it!

Speaking of  Matrix, they make another product that I'm obsessed with right now, Exquisite Oil Replenishing treatment.  This is an oil that can either be applied to wet, damp, or dry hair. I normally run it through my wet hair before I comb it out. It makes the hair extremely soft, adds shine, and helps to detangle. Occasionally, I'll run it through dry  hair, right after curling or flat ironing, to add shine and seal the ends. I can't tell you how many clients have asked what I put in their hair because they can't believe how soft it feels!  This retails between $15 and $18 , and because you only need a dime sized amount or less, a bottle should last you for months!

Now, onto the one styling product I can't live without, DRY SHAMPOO! This one is TIGI Catwalk Session Series transforming Dry Shampoo (what a mouthful).  I'm a huge advocate of not washing your hair every day.  I know, I know, there are those of you who are not able to go more than a day between shampooings because you have an oily scalp, but for those of you who are like me, and go days without washing, this stuff is a life saver! I've tried almost every dry shampoo on the market, and this one is by far my favorite.  It smells so good (I'm a sucker for smells, if you couldn't tell), and it really gets rid of the oil on my scalp. I usually just spray it at my roots in the front of my head, and at my crown, and voila! Dry shampoo is also great for those of you who just want to add some volume for styling.  This retails for around $20. 

In my world, the bigger the hair, the better, so this next product is great for creating tons of volume. Aquage Uplifting foam is an incredible root lifting mousse. The nozzle is designed so you can spray the product directly on your roots, rather than putting it in your hands and distributing throughout your hair.  I have very thick hair, and it teases well, but when I use this, I have volume for DAYS! After you shampoo, spray this on your roots in the areas you want the most volume, and start blow drying! I use this on days when I know I'm going to use velcro rollers (we'll get to that next).  This retails for approixmately $16.

The last hair related item I want to tell you about are Velcro rollers. If you've never tried them, you MUST!  They give such great volume, and are so much easier to use than hot rollers (does anyone use those anymore?).  After I blow dry, I grab  a section of hair, run the flat iron over it to heat it up, and then roll it into a velcro roller which I secure with a bobby pin.  It might sound difficult, but I promise after a few tries, you'll be able to do it with your eyes closed! These rollers are great because they almost hold themselves into the hair. I always use a bobby pin to hold them in place, just because it makes me feel better. I usually leave them in for about 20 minutes. I get mine at Sally Beauty supply, and they come in a variety of sizes.  The shorter your hair is, the smaller the roller you'll want to get.  I believe I use 2 inch rollers, because my hair is quite long right now. They are very inexpensive, and can be found at Walmart.

  Here is an idea of what the finished product of using velcro rollers look like. Obviously, this is not me, this is Gretchen fom the Real Housewives of Orange County, but this is very similar to what mine looks like after I've used velcro rollers.

I hope you've enjoyed reading this post, because I've enjoyed creating it! If you  have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Talk to you all soon!