ALL ABOUT HAIR! Products, Tools, & Maintenance

Hello Beautiful ladies, 
You guessed it, this blog is all about hair! If any of you who know me personally you can agree with me on the simple fact that I have had a variety of styles, colors, and cuts on my hair since the age of fifteen to my current age, 19. I don't consider myself an expert on hair care but I know what has worked for me in the past! 
For the ladies who don't know me personally I will insert some of my past and current hair styles below: 

My most current hair color and cut

Long Length Golden to Dark Brown May-June 2014

Winter 2013 Color and Cut

Medium to Long Length Auburn Color 

Winter 2012 Color and Cut

Medium to Long Length Ombré

 Spring 2013 Color and Cut 

Short-Medium Length Dark and Subtle Ombré

 Fall 2013 Color and Cut

Medium Length Darkest Brown 

Late Fall to Early Winter 2013 Color and Cut 

Medium to Long Length Red Brown Color 

Winter-Spring 2013

Long Length Golden Brown with Blonde Highlights All Over

2011 Color and Cut

Long Length Dark with Red Tone Browns 

2012 Color and Cut

Medium to Long Length Jet Black Color 

As you can tell from the pictures above my hair has underwent not only a lot of chemical treatments, but I constantly curl and straighten it. I am well aware that my hair has gone through a lot of damaging and harsh processes. Because of this I have to make sure I am using the right and most affective products in my hair to give it a healthy looking appearance. Here's a little more description about my hair, I have extremely thick hair, not only is it thick, I have a lot of it. This girl has a full head of hair (as you can tell). It grows extremely fast which can be a blessing and curse. Please keep these descriptions in note while I talk about some of the products I use for my hair and for it's maintenance. Please stick around till the end because I will share some tips on how to maintain your hair looking healthy and luscious. 

Shampoos (High End) 

Redken-Color Extend Shampoo $25.00: Some people will never buy high-end shampoos because let's face it, they run out fast. I know that when I dye my hair (especially a light color) it is very costly. When people tell me how they don't understand why I pay so much for a shampoo and conditioner I always go back to the point that it's truly a waste of money to dye your hair if you don't use a shampoo and conditioner that'll treat your hair or make the color stay on longer. I only recommend this shampoo if you have just dyed you hair and would want the color to stay on extra longer. A lot of color shampoos are sulfate-free and don't actually clean your hair. This shampoo does contain sulfate so you are ensured that it not only adds vitamins and proteins to strengthen hair but will actually clean it. If you are interested in buying this product I recommend you buying it with the conditioner (I also use that one with this shampoo) so you save money. Their is always specials at the JC Penny salon. You can purchase this shampoo there, at any beauty salon or at Utla (I think even Walgreens sells it). 

Matrix Bioloage Colorcaretherapie Color Care Shampoo $17.00: This is another shampoo I recommend that will straighten your hair if you have recently dyed it. If you bleach your hair you know how much moisture can leave you hair strands and become brittle because of this. Biolage color care shampoo has ginseng and gingko biloba that moisturizes and protects so that color stays true and hair is left softer, shinier and more manageable. This shampoo has enliven my color-treated hair with vibrant radiance and has enhanced color protection and preservation. The formula has purifying citrus and nourishing soy protein that bring our hair's natural brilliance to light. It also has a shielding UV filter and sunflower seed antioxidant that help diminish sun and heat damage in hair. If you're interested in buying this product you can always buy it with the conditioner at the JC Penny salon, at any beauty salon and at Wal-Mart

Shampoos (Drugstore)

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hair Care- Total Repair Restoring Shampoo $5.00: This shampoo is actually really new in the L'Oreal brand. I purchased this when I decided to dye my hair back to dark after I was blonde. I didn't need a shampoo for color treated hair, I needed one that would make my hair healthier. I am at a point where I need to give my hair a break. It was severely damaged due to the bleach and I needed help fast. This was the best $5 I ever spent. This shampoo instantly and over time helps repair the five visible signs of damaged hair - split ends, weakness, roughness, dullness and dehydration - without weighing hair down. I noticed an improvement in my hairs health and definitely repurchased after I ran out. You can buy this at Target or to get more info on this product click on the link: http://www.lorealparisusa.com/hair-care

Suave Professionals- Natural Infusion Macadamia Moisturizing Shampoo $2-3.00: I've been using this shampoo since who knows... It's great and super cheap! It contains macadamia oil that does a fantastic job of leaving my hair moisturized and soft. I especially use this shampoo when my hair is feeling dry or when I get out of the pool. It just restores my hair with the crucial oils to give it a healthier looking appearance. Everyone always says my hair looks silky and it's probably because of this guy right here. You can buy this a Target, Walgreens, or any drugstore. 

Conditioner (Drugstore)

Aussie Deep- Moist 3 Minutes Miracle Deep Conditioner $3-4: I bought this leave in conditioner when I heard that it won Allure's 2011 Best of Beauty Award. I did not disappoint! This is a super quick fix for damaged hair. I would recommend applying this 2 to 3 times a week for super damaged hair and 1 time per 2 weeks as a daily procedure. It has natural Australian Aloe and Jojoba Seed Oil to moisturize your hair. You can buy this at most drugstores. 

L'Oreal Advanced Skincare-Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm $7 : This stuff is the best. I got it the same time I purchased the L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hair Care- Total Repair Restoring Shampoo. I really really really love conditioner.  It's a rinse-out reconstructing balm that repairs up to one year of damage in 1 use.  The balm instantly repairs 5 signs of damage- split ends, weakness, roughness, dullness, and dehydration. The first time I used it I instantly noticed a difference in my hair. I love products that can give you signs to show that it's working right away. A little bit of product goes a long way. This lasted a lot longer than the shampoo and I will definitely repurchase after it is done. 

Hair Tools:

Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth 1.25 Hair Straightener Flat Iron $120: I got this straightener as a present from my sister because my previous straightener was falling apart (I'm not kidding). The other one I had I owned for a really long time but it wasn't heating properly. I am so glad this straightener can go up to 400 degrees F in just one minute. I know more on the pricier side, well to me it is because I would only buy like tops $50 straighteners. If you are interested in buying this amazing straightener you can purchase it on Amazon for only $90 +free shipping!!! Here's the link Amazon: Paul Mitchell

Conair Infiniti 1 -1/2" Professional Tourmaline Curling Iron $16-20.00: I use this curling iron more than my straightener. I just love curling my hair as you can tell from the pictures of my hair in the beginning. If you are curious with what type of curl you can create with this iron just scroll back to the top and it's the first, third and fourth picture of my hair. The barrel is wide enough to give me big and voluminous curls. The curler is super inexpensive it's literally a bargain for how great it works. It'll only go up to 395 degrees F and it does take 3-5 minutes to completely heat up but I don't mind. If you are interested in buying this amazing curling iron you can purchase it on Amazon for only $17!!! Here's the link Amazon: Conair Infiniti you can also purchase this curling iron at Target and Walmart

Hot Tools® 1¼" Gold Curling Iron $47: This curling iron is smaller than the one above, and the reason I have two different barrel sizes is because (if it isn't obvious) I want to create different curls. I actually don't use this the curling iron for its standard use, I use it as a wand. I just wrap my hair strands on the barrel like you would in a wand and it creates literally the same type of curl. If you want to see what type of curl this curling iron will leave you can scroll to the top of the page and it's the eighth picture of my hair. This curling iron goes up to 430 degrees F and heats up in 2-3 minutes so it's a little faster than my other curling iron. If you are interesting in buying this curling iron you can purchase it on Amazon for $27!! (They also have different barrel sizes of the same curling iron. Here's the link Amazon: Hot Tools

Styling Products 

Chi 44 Iron Guard $15: Whenever I straighten or curl my hair, or even blow dry (I hardly blow dry my hair) I always use a heat protectant. The one I am currently raving about the one above. It does a great job for not only protecting but strengthening my hair while I use my daily heat tools. Since I do like to style my hair 4 times a week it's crucial that I protect it because it's not the healthiest thing to be applying to much heat to my hair on the daily. 

TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray $6: I just wanted to add another heat protectant spray that's cheaper than the CHI one. 

TRESemme Smooth Iron Style and Hold $6: Okay so this is another thermal heat protectant spray but it ALSO acts as a hair spray all in one. I'm not the type of person that likes applying hair spray to my curls. I don't like it for many reasons, one, because my hair is thick enough to actually hold a curl by itself and two, because I don't like the feeling of hard crunchy hair. If you are like me I recommend this styling tool. It kills two birds with one stone and it doesn't make my hair crunchy like a regular hair spray would. You can apply this after you style your hair as well. It can be purchased at Target, Walmart, Ulta and Walgreens. 

Kenra Perfect Medium Spray 13 $17: Since I did talk a little about hair sprays I wanted to bring up my all time favorite hair spray. I discovered this beauty a couple months ago. Like I said I used to never apply hair spray because of the stiffness I didn't like it leaving. This spray is literally a perfect medium spray. It's a medium hold for movable and touchable style finish. If you don't need a strong hold hair spray like me, I recommend this one. You can purchase this hairspray at Walgreens, link provided Walgreens: Kenra

TRESemme Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo $5-6.00: I'm not the biggest fan of dry shampoo, I don't really use it to when I need to make my hair look less greasy.. I just take a shower. But I do use this one whenever I want to give my roots a little lift. This product is great for those who lack volume. I don't necessarily lack it with my big ass hair but there are those specific hair styles (like braids) that can really weigh your hair down so this just solves the problem. You can purchase this at any normal drugstore. 

Sexy Hair- Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment $21.95: If you are someone who lacks shine or moisture this is the perfect product for you. Apply a small amount on your damp or dry hair to add instant shine and protection, control frizz, boost moisture, increase elasticity and help smooth hair. I've also noticed that whenever I apply this to my hair it speeds up drying time. I highly highly recommend this product, worth the money. If you're interested buying it you can purchase it at Ulta. 

It's a 10- Miracle Leave-In Product $18.00: I saved the best for last. If there is one product in the world that you should have and no other one... it's THIS one. This is the best thing that has ever happened to my hair, I'm not kidding lol. This product can repair dry damaged hair while adding shine. It also smooths and controls frizz, seals and protects hair color, detangles, prevents split ends, stops hair breakage, creates silkiness, enhances natural body, flat iron and thermal protector. This is an excellent nourishing treatment that can be used alone and/or as a restorative styling product that leaves hair soft and bouncy. It works on all hair types and can be used on wet hair for extra shine or dry hair in place of a styling cream. If you aren't convinced with any other hair product I have mentioned, be convinced with this one! You can buy this at Target. 

Tips and Tricks: 

-Make sure to know what type of comb works best for you!

1. Paddle Brush: works best for medium to long hair and great for untangling 
2. Pin Brush: it's an oval headed brush with metal pins that's best for thick and curly hair
3. Round/Radial Brushes: works for blow drying hair because of the vents in the barrel. the wider the brush, the bigger the curl. 
4. Quill Brush: works for ALL types of hair
5. Wide-Tooth Comb: great for detangling knots within hair and also while washing your hair it does a great job at distributing shampoo and conditioner
6. Rat Tail Combs: great for parting your hair and sectioning your hair off while you dye or style it. 

-Home remedies for the perfect hair treatment

1. Volumize: add a full beer and full glass of water to your hair then wash
2. Shine: add half an orange and 3 teaspoons of honey, leave-in then wash
3. Repair Damage: add one egg, and olive it, leave-in then wash (make sure it's cold water or else you'll have scrambled eggs in your hair)

- brushing wet hair will weaken the hair strands. instead detangle with a wide-tooth comb

I hope this works out for many of you and if you do decide

 to be interested in it please let me know how your transformation goes! That's it guys! I hope you guys enjoyed this post.  If you have any questions don't hesitate 

to comment below or ask in "Contact Page"

Stay Connected With Me! 

Yours truly,

A Healthier You! "It Works" Body Wraps + More!

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 
Before I get into more beauty tips that focus on our outer appearance, I wanted to create a series that focuses on the most important part of our bodies, what's inside of us. I plan on posting entries that focus on diet, nutrition and exercise. There is NO point to maintaining a presentable appearance from the outside if our health is suffering. As much as I rave and am obsessed with makeup, it is not something that is going to solve my acne or health. 
For a really long time, since middle school, I have struggled with my weight. It's been a roller coaster ever since then. There would be periods of times where I would lose weight dramatically and then there would be periods of times where I would gain it all right back. Everyone is different, for some it's easy to lose body fat and for others not so much. It's really HARD for me to lose weight, I have to work x2 more to keep up with the average person. I am not a skinny person giving another person advice on how to be skinner or healthier. I am just a regular girl battling the same struggles as many of you to becoming healthier and achieving our desirable body weight. 

In this entry, I want to talk about a company that focuses on selling nutritional products and body wraps that I feel has been transformed the bodies of many people. The company is called "It Works" (I will provide their official website's link so you can check just how legit they are) http://www.myitworks.com  you can also check out their Facebook page for more information https://www.facebook.com/itworksglobal . The company concentrates on providing their clients with a non-surgical treatment -- where you are literally wrapped up, usually in some combination of organic material and gauze that is intended to burn fat, tone, firm and tighten.Not only does this company sell detox wraps, but they also have hair and nail growth pills that are amazing. They have facial masks, stretch mark creams, and juice cleanse. 

*DISCLAIMER: I am not sponsored or endorsed or have any business affiliations with the IT WORKS company. These are products that I have seen work on many people and I personally believe it will work on you too! 

The Detox Wrap:

This is their ultimate applicator wrap. If any of you would want to try one wrap or a full treatment which is four wraps, you only need to wear the wrap for 45 minutes. The Ultimate Body Applicator is a non-woven cloth wrap that has been infused with a powerful, botanically-based formula to deliver maximum tightening, toning and firm results where applied to the skin. It also minimizes cellulite appearance, improves skin texture and tightness. It mess-free and simple to use. All is made with NATURAL ingredients. Here is a result of my friend who did not mind posting her results.  

Everyone who has tried this product has loved it, including myself. Please note that everyone's skin type is different so one individual might see more results after the first wrap, while another individual might not see results till after the second or third wrap. One of the most important things to take note is that this is a detox wrap NOT a water weight wrap. They actually encourage you to drink as much water as you can being that this wrap is a detox and toner. 

Hair and Nails:

They have these pills that work miracles in length and strength with 10,000 BCG. Here's my friend's result:

GREENS:

They have a drink that they call "greens". It's to boost immune, cleanse your body within, and each drink gives  you a days serving of both fruits and veggies. They have a lot of chemo patients who use this drink to gain back energy and maintain their health through treatment. 

** greens have also shown the decrease in acne in some patient's skin

I didn't want to add TOO much information on these products because my friend can let you know A LOT MORE about each and every one of these products I have mentioned above. If you are interested in learning more what IT WORKS can offer you than please contact my friend: Destiny Ruiz, she has provided me her email information D.ruiz03@yahoo.com  

she is located in the San Fernando Valley and is willing to inform and sell to anyone who is seriously interested. If you would like her personal number please contact her or I and we will gladly give it to you.

I hope this works out for many of you and if you do decide

 to be interested in it please let me know how your transformation goes! That's it guys! I hope you guys enjoyed this post.  If you have any questions don't hesitate 

to comment below or ask in my "Contact Page"

Stay Connected With Me! 

Yours truly,

Summer Outfit & Summer Makeup Look!

Hello beautiful babes,

I finally made post on the "fashion" side of my blog, my Summer Outfit/Summer Makeup Look. Knowing me I always have to incorporate some type of makeup aspect to my posts. I've been meaning to to do a fashion post but didn't know how to come about it. Every girl has a different type of style and preferences in clothing. I don't even know what to call my style. I'm all over the place to be honest. I love comfort but I also like dressing up. This look is definitely more on the dress up side but still super comfortable, it's an outfit I'd wear to go to the Pier, the beach, the park or a theme park. This look is very versatile as well as the makeup look so I hope you girls enjoy and get something out of it no matter what type of style you are!

The Summer Outfit 

The Crop Top: I purchased this floral crop top at Macy's a couple weeks ago. The original price says $34 but I'm pretty sure I got some type of discount. Summer is the only time of the year I like to experiment with colors. I'm a "black" outfit type of girl so when summer comes around I know I have to add some life back into my closet. Floral prints have been very trendy over the past years. Make sure you have a couple floral prints in your closet this season. 

The High Waisted Shorts: I admit it, I'm a high waited shorts/jeans addict. Lately this is the only type of style I've been wearing. I make sure to wear high waisted anything whenever I wear crop tops. I don't like to show too much skin. I got these at T.J. Maxx for $16.99 

The Sun Hat: These big Sun hats for women have definitely become a trend during the summer of 2014. I've been seeing them a lot more often. They're perfect for music festivals or just when you need to protect your face from the sun's UV rays. I got mine at Target for around $10.

The Sandals: It's always essential to stock up on many different kinds and styles of sandals. I wear sandals throughout the whole year (I'm not kidding). I can walk miles in them, I blame my flat foot. These sandals are nude with an accent of gold. Make sure to buy some nudes ones if those are the only ones you buy (they go with everything). 

The Earrings: I paired these gold Egyptian looking hoop earrings with the outfit. Since the sandals have gold accents I wanted the earrings to be gold as well. 

The Bracelet: I didn't want anything heavy for my bracelet. Since my earrings are bold, I wanted to keep the rest simple. It's just a thin rusted gold bracelet. 

The Rings: This is just pure preference for me. I like silver rings over gold. I chose two knuckle rings: (left) one with a bow and (right) one with a black heart. 

The Summer Makeup 

Overall Makeup tips for Summer: Try not to use foundation, those tend to melt off because of the hot sun. Try to go easy on makeup over all, you're going to be sweating, going inside of the water, and whatnot. 

On Top and Under your face. 

Primer: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS apply a primer.  No matter what season it is. That's the first thing you should apply when you start doing your makeup. Makeup in general will last longer if you apply a primer. You need makeup to last longer because the heat will work against that notion. The one I use during my daily summer days are (RIGHT) Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser that retails for $7. 

Evian Mineral Water Spray: (LEFT) I talked about this product in my ALL ABOUT SKIN BLOG POST. It's a water spray that you apply after you put on makeup that restores moisture into your skin. Apply this throughout the day. This product is essential for me during the summer. Retails for $12

"Coverage"

B.B. Cream: (RIGHT) This is Boscia's B.B. Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 27 PA++. I lean towards B.B and C.C. Creams during the summer season. It's light weight on my face and gives me the coverage I would get with a foundation. This also protects me from the sun's powerful and harmful rays. Retails for $38 in Sephora. 

Luminizer: (LEFT) This is the Buxom Divine Goddess Luminzer in Venus that retails for $28 in Sephora. I love to wear luminizer's in the summer because it gives my complexion an incandescent glow and sheer lightweight creaminess. You achieve that glow and sun kissed appearance for the summer. Apply it alone, under, or over your foundation. 

 Eyeliner: Make sure to purchase a waterproof eyeliner if you're going to use one. You can totally skip this makeup step in the summer. But knowing me I always have to rock a dramatic wing eyeliner. This one is my current favorite, Maybelline's Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner in Black that retails for $8 at any drugstore. 

Mascara: Mascara is a must in any type of makeup look. Make sure you purchase a waterproof one for the summer. My favorite waterproof mascara that I know won't come off in the pool or beach is L'Oreal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara is Blackest Black that retails around $7-8 at any drugstore. 

Eyeshadow: In general, not just summer, I've always been a neutral eyeshadow type of girl. I leave the experiment with colors to the true makeup artist, my sister. But for summer especially I try to stick to the gold, brown, and pink shades for eye shadows. I think these are just great to keep that gold and bronzed look going. I know some girls actually like to prefer experimenting with brighter eye shadows for the summer, and by all means do yaaa thang girl! But for this look, if you remember the outfit I chose, the shirt is already colorful. So to keep this completed look balanced, go for a more neutral palette. The one I chose was KAT VON D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette that retails at Sephora for $36. ***This palette also comes with KAT VON D black eyeliner (sorry I took it out and didn't include in the picture) 

Highlighter: I never use to wear a highlighter under my eyes, about a month ago I started to and let me tell you, one of the best things I have done yet. Highlighting the high points of your face (nose, upper cheeks, chin, and forehead) brightens your overall face complexion. The one I chose for this look was MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter. You can use this over makeup for highlights and under makeup to brighten and prime. This retails for $25 at any MAC store or their website MAC COSMETICS

Powdered Highlighter: Whenever I use a liquid highlighter I make sure to set it with a powdered highlighter. TIP: always set liquid foundations, highlighters, blushes, and bronzers with a powder. I use the shade on the (RIGHT) "The Shinning Moment" from bareMinerals READY Luminizer to set the MAC's Prep+Prime. A lot of ladies don't prefer shimmer highlighters or bronzers but for this look I think it's perfect. This highlighter retails for $25 at Sephora or $24 in their website bareMinerals

Blush: You can never do a makeup look without a blush. My skin tone prefers blushes with yellow and orange undertones. For the summer peach and coral blushes are definitely a trend. These shades go perfect with my skin tone because they have those yellow undertones. A coral blush will be great with most summer looks. This one is NYX Powder Blush- Pinched that retails for $5. 

Bronzer: Bronzer IS life. This is my favorite part of any makeup look (it use to be applying mascara). For summer I lean towards bronzers that have a dark chocolate feel. But for this look I thought it was necessary to dim it down and shimmer it up. For this look I chose E.L.F.'s Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder that retails for $3.

Eyebrows: You can totally skip this step during the summer. Try not to go heavy on filling in your eyebrows in general but be really careful in the summer. You don't want your eyebrows to wipe away haha! Use powder to fill them in if necessary, this gives you the most natural eyebrow.  I chose Benefit Cosmetics-Brow Zings that retails for $32 in Sephor. I rave more about the Brow Zings in my Benefit Cosmetics Favorite Products post, check it out if you're interested in knowing more about this amazing product.

Lips: Lips color is something I tend to go all out with. Everything from this look has been settle and natural. I wanted to give a POP of color to the makeup so I went with a fuchsia lip color. I use to be totally against brighter lip colors because I was scared I wouldn't be able to pull them off but seriously, any girl can! Summer is the perfect time of the year to grab yourself a bright pink or purple lipstick and rock it. The one I chose for this look was part of the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain- Forever Fuchsia that retails for $13 in their store and website Sephora

The look is now complete!..... BUT! you can't leave the door without ...???

Perfume: This is essential ladies. We should be smelling beautiful all the time but always be more conscious of it during the heat. Body odor is not pretty my darling so spray on! The one I chose was Victoria's Secret PINK Secret Spring Break Passionfruit Hibiscus Body Mist that retails at Victoria Secret for $18. 

That's it guys I hope you enjoyed it! 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to comment below

or ask in my "Contact Page" 
Stay Connected With Me! 

Yours truly,