pants:Charlotte Russe
blazer: Mango
top: Boohoo
choker: Christian Dior
purse: Mango
shoes: Gianvito Rossi
perfume: Chanel
lipstick: Lime Crime

As difficult as it is to believe, I’ve always struggled with achieving the perfect wave in my hair. I’ve tried using a flat iron, a standard curler, a wand, but I just didn’t turn out looking like all those girls with the flawless curls. So my hair was and has always been in constant straight mode. Except for the dirty gym hair bun :)

In come the Conair Infiniti Pro Curl Secret. To be honest with you, I was a little hesitant in trying it. What if my hair gets tangled in it and I had to chop it off? I just kept on envisioning the disaster of the woman who takes on the rotating corn challenge and gets her hair caught, leaving her with a huge bald spot right on the top of her head. EEK!!!!! But…I mustered up the courage to give it a try…starting with a strand from the back under my head of course. I’m adventurous but I’m no dummy :) So far so good, and attained a perfect wave. A mere 5 minutes later, I managed to complete my entire head and let me tell you…I LOVE IT!!!! Where has this tool been all my life? The curler has 2 heat settings and 3 timer settings. The higher the setting, the tighter the curl. I used the lowest setting for both along with no products (my hair was freshly cleaned and blow dried as of that morning) and it left me with a beautiful beach wave. No hair was lost, no fingers were burned and no patience had run out in the process. This curler from heaven comes highly recommended by me, the woman who’s tried everything imaginable to get even a slight wave in her hair. Thumbs up Conair!

Aside from Fashion Week, we seed a great deal of style and beauty inspiration from Festival Season. Coachella, Governers Ball, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, and Osheaga to just name a few.

It's hot, you'll be dancing, which will result in limp, smelly, sweaty hair. Big faux pas unless you're the actual performer who's getting paid millions to which at that point..no f**ks given. But you're not a performer (and if you are and reading this...thumbs up to me!) therefore you need a no fuss hairdo that's stylish but also hassle free.

In come the double French braids. Funky, trendy, cool, and you will avoid looking like a wet dog. Score!

 

Let me start off by saying that this is not a sponsored review. I just truly love this product and thought I’d share the goodness.

 

 

I was asked to review the book The New Braiding Handbook by Abby Smith. Naturally I said yes because who doesn't want to know different ways to style their hair.

This book is a full-color guide that will help you master the trendiest twists, buns, fishtails and updos. With easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos, you'll master gorgeous new looks, including the Waterfall Braid, Fishtail Bun, Twisted Bohemian Updo, French Braided Pompadour, Celtic Knot, Topsy Tail High Bun and so much more.

This book will give you the perfect look for every occasion, whether you're meeting your besties for brunch, attending an important meeting or walking down the aisle! It's also packed with tips for eliminating pesky hair problems - split ends, slow growing tresses, oily hair, etc.

With "The New Braiding Handbook", you'll have locks to envy!

 

Here's an example of one fairly simple trick from the book that I tried and love the outcome. It's how to achieve the perfect ponytail. It's a great trick for adding length and creating volume.

I have a hairdresser appointment this coming Sunday and yes, I'm still debating cutting my hair into a long bob. Not because I don't think it'll look good but only because I'm not used to it. I find comfort in my hair. Is that weird?

During a conversation I was having with a friend of mine, about my hair course, I mean are there really other more important topics to talk about? Just kidding!! not really Anyway, she said something that resonated with me. "Don't cut your hair short. Long hair is more 'bombshell'."

 

Is it really? How so?

 

Is it because longer tresses are the epitome of femininity? Are men not comfortable with their sexuality to find a woman with short attractive? Or are they just jealous because they are follicly challenged.

 

Looking back at all the paintings of goddesses' etc., they all have long flowy locks, therefore making long hair more traditional. So does chopping it all off make you more in with the modern times? Does it make you appear more confident and powerful which in turn makes most some men feel inferior?

 

In my opinion, all this doesn't matter. A woman should wear her hair how she wants and the way that makes her feel beautiful. Simple as that!

 

At the end of the day, it's not the hair that makes the bombshell, it's the bombshell that makes the hair!

Myth #1: You should brush after every meal
If you’ve just had something acidic like an apple or even an acidic drink, brushing straight after will result in erosion of enamel. Wait for around an hour after the meal before brushing the teeth.

Myth #2: You can get rid of cellulite
Cellulite is fat deposited below the surface of the skin that gives an uneven and dimpling look. Luck of the gene pool mostly determines who will and won't get cellulite. It doesn't matter whether you're fat or thin. There is no way to get rid of cellulite completely, even with liposuction. Many creams, massage treatments and other "remedies" are short term at best. Exercise and healthy diet are the best way to reduce the appearance long term, but if you have it, most likely it will always be there to some degree.

Myth #3: For every grey hair you pluck, two will grow back
Plucking a grey hair will not cause an increase in the number of hairs that grow back. While it sounds like a plausible statement, wouldn’t that mean the same would happen for coloured hair? If so, it would be the million dollar cure for hair loss or balding!

Myth #4: You can shrink your pores
It's actually impossible to change the size of pores (you can thank your genes for that), but you can make them look smaller by helping to clear what is clogging and stretching the pore. The most effective products dissolve pore clogging impurities and normalize oil production to reduce the risk of future clogs. When pores are healthy and clear, they surely look smaller.

Myth #5: To take proper care of your skin you need to use a different cream for day time vs night time
This one is sometimes trotted out by cosmetics companies who want you to spend a lot of money on a SPECIAL night cream which has different ingredients that only work on skin at night when actually you don’t need to. They usually state that skin does more repair work at night, so needs more "nourishing" ingredients to assist this nightly renewal process. If that's the case there isn't a shred of research or a list anywhere of what those ingredients should be. Skin is repairing itself and producing skin cells every second of the day, and night. Helping skin do that in as healthy a manner as possible doesn't change based on the time of day. The only difference that you need between your day cream and your night cream is that your day cream should contain a sunscreen. Other than that, a simple moisturiser at night is sufficient for your skin.

Myth #6: If you have oily skin, you shouldn’t use oil-based cleansers
Oily skin types scan labels for “oil-free,” fearing breakouts and clogged pores. However, oil-based cleansers are actually great for oily skin. Contrary to what some make think – they don’t add any oil to your skin – they simply dissolve dirt and oil without stripping with harsh ingredients like soap. The one oil-based ingredient to avoid if you’re breakout prone: mineral oil as it can clog pores.

Myth #7: Shaving will make your hair grow back darker and thicker
Hair that hasn't been cut grows to a point. It's widest at the base and narrowest at the tip. When you shave a hair, you cut it at the base. The widest part then grows out, and the hair appears thicker. But shaving doesn't change the width, density, or color of hair.

Myth #8: Splashing my face with cold water will keep me looking young
It might momentarily firm and freshen your skin, but in the long run it will cause more damage than good. Skin loves being undisturbed and it loves a consistent, moderate temperature. Sharp increases or decreases in temperature can cause permanent damage especially if your skin is fine, thin or fragile or if you do it repetitively.

Myth #9: A tingly sensation means the product is working
A cooling or tingling sensation is your skin telling you it’s being irritated, nothing more. In fact, products that produce this sensation can damage your skin’s healing process, make scarring worse, cause collagen and elastin to break down and increase the growth of bacteria that cause acne.

Myth #10: Drinking water will rehydrate my skin
This is one of the biggest myths out there. Drinking water will no more hydrate your skin than taking a bath would quench your thirst. What keeps skin moist is oil, not water. There is absolutely no medical or scientific proof to suggest that drinking water directly hydrates the skin. Now it is incredibly important for overall health, however don't be fooled into thinking any of those 8 glasses a day go straight to your skin. If you are suffering from dry skin and need a quick fix, reach for a good moisturiser instead of a glass of water. After showering with warm water (showering with hot water will only make the problem worse), apply a good moisturiser onto the skin within 3 minutes. This will not only hydrate the skin but lock in the moisture absorbed from the shower.


Do you have any beauty myths to share?

A few days ago, a friend came up to me and told me the following:

"My husband came up to me and asked me what I was doing different with my workout/diet because I look leaner and he noticed that my belly was flatter. I told him that I was taking 2tsps of Apple Cider Vinegar before my supper."

Now obviously, this intrigued me as it would any woman right? So I did my research...Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV as the hipsters will call it. What pros can this acidic liquid possibly have to your body? Well, I found plenty so naturally off to the store I went to purchase Omega Nutrition's Apple Cider Vinegar. 

List of Benefits

* tame tummy troubles

* prevent indigestion

* help clear stuffy nose

* help for hiccups

* soothe a sore throat

* reduce swelling

* extinguish exhaustion

* banish bad breathe

* fight yeast infections

* fight foot or skin fungus

* control blood sugars

* boost weight loss

* lower blood cholesterol

* promotes hair growth, leaves hair shiny, cures dandruff

* a good facial mask

* skin toner

* soothing bath soak

* teethe whitener

* invigorating foot soak

* sunburn remedy

* alleviate age spots

* ease varicose veins

* natural deodorant

* acne remedy

* wart removal

* relieve arthritis pain

* improve bone health

See more in detail here.

 

 

I have started taking this last night.

2tsps in an 8oz glass of water 3x/day before my meals

 

 

 

Have you guys tried ACV? Do you have any stories to share?

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!! On a fresh face I begin by putting on Clarins Vital Light Day SPF 15. This is lovely light feeling cream that really does make the skin appear brighter. It's not sticky and doesn't leave my skin oily. An absolute must for those of us with maturing skin. Your skin feels soft after application and is a brilliant base if you use foundation. Your skin will thank you!

 

2. Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Dark Spot Correcting: Love this primer for the fact that it's not only a primer but a dark spot corrector as well. In my earlier years, I was a tanning salon addict. Which in turn gave me somewhat noticeable dark spots near my cheekbone/eye area. I've only been using this product once a day and I already see an improvement after about 1 month's time. They recommend using it twice a day so you can just imagine the results you can achieve. They haven't disappeared but they have lightened. As for primer, I love it. It minimizes your pores and gives you a smoother appearance prior to your foundation or any other make-up.

 

3. MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer: This magic in a bottle concealer hides the dark circles under my eyes and any other little imperfections like there's no tomorrow. It's a little thicker than most concealer's but I guess that's why it does the trick :) On a moisturized face, this product goes on smooth and feels light once on. The packaging is small but will last you a long time.

 

4. Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder - Shine Control: Amazing translucent powder which is great for shine control. Truly a "no color" beautiful addition to any foundation or on clean skin. The most natural look available as it also doesn't leave a heavy powder trail on your face.

5. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: It works great on any eye shape and doesn't require a lot of pressure to get that perfect curl. Curls my straight thick lashes in just 3 seconds. Wouldn't use another eyelash curler after having used this one!

6. Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara: I love how this makes my eyelashes look. It adds volume and length without clumping. Really separates the lashes perfectly.

7. Dior Lip Maximizer: I love the way it erases all lines on my lips and it does actually plump them up. My husband noticed instantly! Also doesn't give that burning sensation as other lip plumpers do. The best thing to do is to follow the advice inside the box: use it day and night as an intensive treatment. It works.

 

Trending right now!

camel coat: check

ripped knee jeans: check

heavy knit sweater: check

ankle boots: check

small cross body bag: check

burgundy lipstick: check

jeans: ASOS
coat: PersunMall
sweater: PersunMall
lipstick: Nars
bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
boots: PersunMall