hello gorgeous!

08/3/15

Everyday Skin Routine

*This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.*

Since I started blogging, I have reaped so many benefits. I feel constantly pushed to find ways to better myself, through inspirational bloggers I’ve networked with and through my desire to find honest ways to inspire my readers. In an effort to generate new blog topics, I figured I may as well search for ways to improve the things in my life I have been putting off, and at the top of my list was my skin. Instead of bouncing from one product to the next and never feeling satisfied with the results, I’m calling my new approach to my skincare routine my Hands On Hands Off approach- I know, I know, it sounds like an oxymoron, but it makes perfect sense. “Hands On” means finally taking charge of my skin by having a consistent routine using products I have researched and that have been recommended by skincare professionals.

07/31/15

Behind the Chair with Deanna

*This post contains an affiliate link. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.*

In the first post of this hair series “Behind the Chair,” I went behind Chicago hair stylist Deanna Dituri’s chair to see what’s trending and to see how you can get the most out of your hair appointment.

What’s Trending in Hair

Balayage: ba-la-whaaaat?

If you’ve opened a magazine in the last few months, there is no way you escaped the biggest trend in hair color: balayage. Celebrities, beauty bloggers, and the everyday woman are loving this gorgeous style, which is the more natural, fresh version of its ombre counterpart. So what is balayage anyway? Or better yet, how do you pronounce it? Balayge, meaning ‘to sweep’ in French, is a coloring technique that involves hand painting color in a fluid sweeping motion. The result is a very naturally shining highlighted look, and because the color is concentrated on the mid-shaft and dissipated upwards towards the root, it allows an ease of outgrowth that traditional foils do not allow.

07/27/15

Easy Everyday Bun

I always envied girls with that street chic, effortless, slightly tousled everyday bun that looked like they just threw it up as they were running out the door. Though I have mastered the sleek sister version of this somewhat messy bun, I don’t always want to sport the polished top knot.

It couldn’t be so hard though, right? What was I missing? When I attempted to throw my hair up effortlessly the way those girls seemingly did, the result was a lumpy, limp, lifeless bun sagging on top of my head with a weird tale sticking out.

Hmm not quite the style I was going for.

After buckling down and practicing, I have now achieved the easy everyday bun I was hoping for, in 5 easy steps that takes 5 minutes or less. This style works well on my fine, medium-length hair.