Going Blonde!

In October I decided to try going BLONDE!  I found some amazing inspiration on Pinterest and decided I wanted something similar to this.

Source (original source unknown)

So I went to this awesome lady and we set out to recreate this color.  She knew I wanted to keep my hair as damage free as possible because I like to keep it long.  So when my color pulled red (due to how my hair naturally goes when it lightens and hormones due to breast feeding) we just went with what we got.

It was actually surprisingly very flattering with my skin tone and eyes.  The only problem was that sometimes it looked very blonde-ish orange instead of blonde or red or light brown.  I went in search of an awesome purple shampoo.  

Purple shampoos help blonde hair stay more cool toned and fight orange or yellow tones by leaving a touch of blue violet in your hair.  If your hair is very light blonde you need to be careful to use it once or twice a week or else your hair will start to look purple.  If that happens just don't use the purple shampoo again until it is all washed out and has started to go back to almost looking yellow or brassy.

So I choose my favorite shampoo at Sally Beauty Supply based on ingredients and smell read the review here.  I felt like it was helping, but it is a gradual change as it builds up.  A week or two after I started using it though my husband actually said that he thought the purple shampoo was actually working and that my hair was not as orange.  :)

The two left pictures were right after I had my hair done and the right picture is a few months later (obviously they are in very different lighting but my hair looks much more blonde in the right picture).

I am just about ready to go back in and we're going to have another try for more blonde and more like the inspiration, but in the meantime I have loved my new hair color.  :)

Thanks for reading!  Do you have a fun hair coloring story?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments below :)

Gift Guide 2014 for the Beauty Obsessed

I love all of the beauty gift sets that come out around this time of year!  There are so many affordable options for sampling high cost brands.  I found a few that really intrigued me, and that had high reviews, to put together this post.

Two years ago I bought a benefit gift set at a great price and I was so excited about it.  I actually ended up hating all of the products, but I was so glad that I was able to try them at well below full price.  After that experience I have started looking at reviews closer and trying to find products that will work for me.

All of the products above had high reviews :)

1. Too Faced Bronzer Wardrobe Collection $22 Sephora

This set comes with four bronzer shades, including two of Too Faced's famous chocolate bronzers and a brush for applying.  It has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on sephora.com the most common complaint is that the packaging is cardboard.  I don't really care what it's in as long as it is amazing :)

2.  Benefit The Real Steal $24 Ulta

The Real Steal features the cult favorites They're Real mascara and Push Up liner and They're Real remover, the liner has an amazing applicator for precise liner.  The set is rated 4 out of 5 stars on Ulta.com.

3.  Caviar Stone Bracelet $14 Vanity

I know this isn't technically a beauty item, but I wanted to include some pretty jewelry too.  This bracelet is from Vanity.com and I think it is stunning.

4.  EOS. A Ray of Holiday Sunshine Rachel Roy $6 Ulta

I can't get over this price for 3 EOS balms!  The trendy balm's moisturizing properties are up for debate in the review section, but they still earned a 4.5 out of 5 rating.  At this price it would be a great way to try them.

5.  Sephora Favorites Spray of Sunshine Fragrance Sampler For Her $24 Sephora

I read about what a great deal these samplers were over and over again last holiday season.  The set includes samples of multiple high end fragrances.  You use the samples and determine which is your favorite, you then turn in a card that is in the sampler for a rollerball of your chosen fragrance.  The reviews were favorable with the exception that you can only get the rollerball at a Sephora store that is not in JCP.

6.  Tarte Golden Days and Sultry Nights Amazonian Clay Collector's Shadow Palette $24 Sephora

The colors in this palette are so gorgeous!  They apply as more of a sheer shade and are not as dramatic as they appear in the palette.  The palette itself is gorgeous and contains full size shadows.

7.  Gem Stone Head Wrap $9 Vanity

This wrap has some nice chunky stones that would be gorgeous for any dressy look.

8.  Sexy Hair Voluptuous Volume $16 Ulta

Pump up the volume in your hair with Spray and Play hairspray and Root Pump Plus, this kit has a perfect 5 out of 5 stars rating with two rave reviews.

9.  Beaded Dream Catcher Earrings $7 Forever21

These are the most gorgeous earrings in my book!  They have beautiful details and are perfect mini dream catchers.  There are a lot of other pretty jewelry options on F21's site.

10.  Sephora Collection Bronzed and Blushing Face Palette $15

A large mirror and three decent sized powders come in this kit.  The blushes and bronzers are super pigmented and a little goes a long way.  This set has a 4.1 out of 5 star rating on Sephora.com.

11.  NYX Butter Lip Gloss Sugar Rush Set $10 Ulta

These lip glosses are very hydrating and non-sticky and come in three yummy flavors.  This set has a 5 out of 5 star rating on Ulta and the Butter Lip Glosses have a 4.5 rating.

12.  BareMinerals Beauty Obsessed $25 Ulta

This kit comes with trial sized eyeliner, mascara, bronzer and blush duo, and lipgloss.  The set has a 4.5 out of 5 star average rating on Ulta.com.

13.  Faux Crystal and Feather Pendant Necklace $5 Forever 21

I really like the look of these stacked single pendant necklaces that is trendy right now.  I also love the boho feel of the crystal and the feather on this one.

14.  Lorac Party Eyeshadow Palette $24 Ulta

This palette is so pretty!  The shades are super pigmented and shimmery.  Perfect for a party!  It is brand, spankin' new so there are no reviews on Ulta, but searching online I found a rave review and it was enough to convince me to keep it in this guide.

Do you have a beauty wish list this holiday season?  Let me know in the comments below.

How to shop at Victoria's Secret

VS can be a very expensive store to shop at, but thay have some amazing things. Super comfy sweats, beautiful bras and panties, great beauty and fragrance items, gorgeous and practical workout gear, and the best swimwear.

The great thing about VS is how much you can save on their products. I have gotten so many great deals and many free items throughout the years. Yes, completely free :) The even greater thing is that you don't have to spend a ton to save a ton.

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Semi-annual sale:

This is the best! It happens at the beginning of June and January each year. You can get bras for $15 each and bath and body products for $3.

Before the sale starts go in and get sized and try on their sample bras. They have plain bras in each model in the dressing room so you can figure out what you like. Then write this info down. They typically have little cards for this.

Go back during the first few days of the sale and find the bins with your size and find the models that you liked and get what you want.

They mark everything down more each day that the sale goes on, but they have a price adjustment policy. Look at your receipt to see how many days you have and how much longer the sale goes on. Come back within your price adjustment period close to the last day of the sale (make sure you go in before the sale ends). 

In the past I have done this and have been able to get what I want before everything is picked over. Then I came back and had the price adjusted to the lowest sale price ($14.99).

Look over the clearance clothes and body care too if you like that stuff. You'll love what they have and how cheap it is. I always stock up on lotions and body wash for me and to give as gifts.

2. Clearance:

I have a swimming suit that I love from VS that I got for a really good deal from their online clearance. I even had to exchange the bottom for another size, and I still would do it again in a heart beat. I also have two pairs of their PINK brand sweat pants that I got on clearance. One pair was $25 and one was $15. If you've ever looked at those pants you know that's a great deal. They typically cost around $50 each.

I don't usually find much on clearance in stores. So I shop clearance online. Shipping and handling does cut into your savings a bit, so you'll have to factor that in. Returns and exchanges for me have been painless and once you've paid shipping on the item you don't pay again for an exchange.

3. Coupons:

Being in VS's mailing system is a beautiful thing. When they send you coupons they are good coupons. So good that you don't even have to buy anything and get a free pair of panties.

They do this to get you back in the store to buy something, but you don't have to. I have used the coupons both with and without a purchase. Remember they sent you the promotion because you have spent money in their store and they want you to continue to be a customer. 

They also will send out a coupon for $10 off a bra. You will save more by shopping at the semi-annual sale, but if you can't wait until the next sale, at least make sure you use one of these coupons. 

I'm also including secret rewards in this category. When they do a secret rewards promotion they give you a card with each purchase that is worth at least $10. So when I bought my PINK pants I bought the first pair then the second and used the card and actually received another card that I used to buy the hair mousse they used in the fashion show last year. It was $14.50, I used my card and got it for $4.50.


Have fun shopping and saving!!




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