Just The Tip.

It's been over a year now, since I died my hair platinum blonde and I have to say... I still LOVE it.  Like, love it.  Love with every fiber of my being.  I keep telling my girlfriend, it's like it was always meant to be this way, I'm never changing it!  Also, I'm still very content with my mid length hair.  I find it completely shocking that right now I have no desire to cut or grow it, and for someone who is never content with their hair, this is a good thing.  

Or is it?  

See, I've started to realize something about myself.  When we are in the throws of winter, I get restless.  I start needing to do something big.  Anything just to get excited.  A change is always needed.  My hair is usually the thing that gets changed, mostly because it's not that expensive, it's semi permanent, and well, it's just hair, but thinking back this is also when I started to dream of tattoos, re upholstery jobs, and tile.  Winter is cold and dark and it's so long. Yes, there are about a million things that we are so blessed with, but that doesn't make it any warmer or light any longer. 

I need to do something. 

I 've figured out what that something is.

I think I'm going to die my hair pink on Tuesday.  (gasp)

But not all my hair, just the tip.  Not even the whole tip, maybe just a few pieces painted on around the ends.  Kind of like ombre, but not that aggressive. 

Part of me (a big part) thinks this is a terrible idea.  I'm a 35 year old mother of two.  As much as I want to be Nicole Ritchie, I am not.  

BUT...

The other part of me is like, "why not."  It's just hair.  It won't be that crazy.  I'm already a little weird, and by the time fall rolls around I can just chop off the ends and be done with it.  Plus, my little sister said she would have no problem with me having in her wedding. 

Tuesday, I'm going in for my regular all over dye job and I'm going to see what my guy thinks.  For inspiration I'm bringing in these pictures of the lovely Caroline Ventura.  She did pink in a way that pink should always be done; subtle and beautiful.  I love the way it looks in this top photo.  That is exactly what my cut looks like, which makes me think this is a great idea.  

If my guy thinks he can do it, I'm going for it.  My husband and kids are only halfway on board, which makes me a little nervous.  It is possible that I'll chicken out, but I'm already obsessively thinking about it which means it's probably going to happen. 

You will be the first I tell.

If you want to weigh in, in the comments section I would love to hear what you think.  Do it!!!!!! is also welcome. 

You know there are going to be some pictures to follow. 

Winter Beauty.

 

Baby, it's cold outside!  So cold in fact that Gray's school was cancelled today.  Yep, it's THAT cold in New England right now.  I don't know about you all, but nothing ages me more than winter.  From frizzy hair, dry skin and nails, to random breakouts and skin that looks a few years older just because it's so damn thirsty.  I'm telling you, it's months like these that really want me to run to the nearest needle or move to California!  I have to keep reminding myself that soon soon there will again be moisture in the air again, and when that day comes I will resemble my 35 year old self. Sadly, that day is just a really, really, really long time from now. 

 Since I won't be getting any plumping done, or relocating any time soon, I feel as though you really have to rely on great products to get you through what can sometimes be a 5 month long winter.  I really do try replicate that beautiful summer glow as much as I can during the colder months, and after some trial and error these six products have become the cornerstone of my cold weather beauty arsenal.  For those of you looking for something to combat the winter blues, I can't rave about them enough.  When you can't have dewy skin, you sure as hell can fake it, and when the thermostat reads -2, really it's the little things that make all the difference.  Here are the products that this New Englander refuses to be without.  

These top two products by Perricone are probably my favorite things in the entire beauty world.  After reading about them in magazine after magazine, my girlfriend and I tried them for ourselves a few months back, and both of us as been thrilled with the results.  The top is a blush that only comes in one color, that somehow looks amazing on everyone, and the bottom is a foundation.  A dewy, oil free, illuminating, color correcting foundation.  What makes these products so insane is that they actually aren't makeup but instead are actually tined sunscreens.  Yeah, let that soak in.  Sunscreen!  Both are light, non greasy, and stay on forever.  I'm pretty sure they are made by a witch because there are very few things in life that make you beautiful, that are actually beneficial.  I always forget sunscreen in the winter, and I love that you can remember by just doing your regular routine.  My girlfriend picked up all the other makeup products by this brand, and constantly raves about them, but if you are on the fence start with the foundation and blush.  You will not be disappointed!

This overnight moisturizer/ mask is a godsend in the winter.  I hate wearing a face full of heavy moisturizer during the day, always feeling greasy, so I love slathering this on at night and waking up to plump skin.  The moisture I get from it lasts all day, and does wonders to combat the acne products I use on a daily basis.  

From what I've heard, if you are ever looking to get a chemical peel, the winter is the time to do it.  Probably because you are forced to be inside more and out of the sun, but also because your skin doesn't get as hot.  I am not a big chemical peel fan, having had a few to try to get my acne under control a few years back, but I have to say that I've been loving these pads.  I started using them about a month ago,  and can definitely tell the difference.  They say that they are for everyday use, but my skin only handle it about once or twice a week without getting red and blotchy.  I have noticed a difference in my skin's texture and "glow" and am excited to see the results with continued use. 

This non-shampoo shampoo is amazing.  It doesn't lather like regular shampoo so you have to get used to it, but it makes your hair feel like baby hair and is so incredibly moisturizing without weighing your hair down. No conditioner necessary!  I have fine hair, so I use this sparingly but am definitely a fan and don't miss the lather (or the dryness) one bit!

Lastly, my girlfriend turned me on to this balm the last time we went to Paris, and I've been hooked ever since.  It used to be that you could only get it oversees but recently I've been able to find it on Amazon   It's basically like Aquaphor, but less sticky and more moisturizing.  I use this on my hands and nails, but in the past I've used it on burns, diaper rash, and blisters. There is nothing this stuff won't cure!

There you have it, the things I can't live without when the temperature drops.  I'd love to know, is there anything you swear by to get you through winter... besides lots of wine, of course!

Really, really, really, REALLY long hair.

 The other day my sister and I were flipping through the channels when we were both stopped in our tracks when we fell upon an old Sex and the City episode.  No, it wasn't the actual content (although, c'mon, it's still pretty good even though it's definitely on the cheesy side) but what had both of the wheels in our head spinning was her hair... her really, really, really, REALLY long hair.  Obviously, she was wearing extensions, which I personally won't be getting ever, but it did make me question whether I should give long, long, long hair one more go.  It's not that I don't love short hair, but you know, you always want what you don't have.  I'm not sure I have the patience to really go for it, but it's definitely one to file away for the future. 

Here's a little long hair inspiration.  Proof that young or old this is one style that is always on trend. 

On Skin, Part 2.

 Last year I wrote about my decade long struggle with adult acne, and how this product pretty much changed my skin and how I felt about my appearance in general.  I still use it every day, and believe that if there is one miracle product this is it.  Well, I think there might actually be two miracle products because after getting my first facial since Gray was born, the woman enthusiastically recommended that I use a serum, specifically this serum, to help with the dullness and fine lines that I was complaining about and OH MAH GAWD, this stuff is a miracle.  Seriously.  I basically cleaned out my beauty arsenal leaving only the Acnefree, the serum, and a light moisturizer with SPF (I love this one) and that's it.  Every morning I wash my face, apply 4 drops of the serum (which at first feels a little matte and sticky) and after that has absorbed, apply the moisturizer.  The serum only needs to be used in the mornings, and lasts 2-3 days, even after washing your face.  I've been using it for about a week now, and I cannot believe how amazing my sin looks.  Dewy without being oily, uniform with no colored tint, and my fine lines have basically disappeared, leaving behind plump, soft skin that I haven't seen since my early 20's.  I seriously feel like I have been photoshopped, without taking a picture.  It's that good.  I have never used a serum before, so maybe they are all that good, but this one is oil free, doesn't contribute to my acne situation, and is lightweight. As I said, a miracle product.  If you are looking for something to reboot your skin, I cannot recommend this enough!

A Genius Trick for Thin Eyebrows!

 I've mentioned here before, that if I could change one thing about my physical appearance, it would most definitely be my eyebrows!  I don't know if it's from over plucking as a teen (damn you Drew Barrymore) or if it's just the genetic short stick, but whatever the case I am destined to dream of thick brows, all the while living with anything but.  I truly believe that nothing ages you more than thin brows, so while there are worse things to deal with, this was most definitely one that bothered me...probably more than it should. 

For the past few years, I tried pretty much everything on the market to make the grow/ thicken to no avail.  Eventually I gave in to faking it, with this product, which is fine when I have a full face of makeup (ummmm almost never) but not so great with bare skin.  I had pretty much figured it was a lost cause, until one day I had an idea.... why not lighten them? 

It was around the time I died my hair platinum, and I casually asked my stylist what his thoughts were on throwing a little bleach on my eyebrows as well.  He was game, and about 10 minutes later, I couldn't believe my eyes!  It's not that my eyebrows were thicker, but rather they were just so much less noticeable.  That was about four months ago, and I can tell you I will never go back.  Once a month or so, I pop in for a little free touch up, when I'm in the neighborhood, and I think it has made such a difference.  I feel as though I look younger, but also generally warmer.  It's such an easy fix, I just can't believe I didn't think of it sooner.  Obviously, this is great for blondes, but I wonder it it would work the same for someone with a darker hue, just not taking it as light? 

For those of you who are longing for a fuller brow, you have to give this one a try!

Photo via this site. 

Spring's Most Wanted.

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My Favorite New Beauty Products.

My daily beauty routine is one that pretty much never changes, consisting of my tried-and-true skincare regime, and not a whole lot more.  Honestly, most days I run out of the house with wet hair, a moisturized face, and if I'm lucky a swipe of chap stick on my lips.  After years of struggling with, and finally overcoming cystic acne, I consider this to be my dream "made up" face, so you won't really get that many complaints from me.  Of course, this doesn't mean that I don't love to play with makeup, and lately I've had a bit of a renewed social life outside of the boys, so I was in desperate need of some new products.  I've been bookmarking a few things I would read about in magazines, and yesterday my best friend and I hit up Sephora to try them out.  Sephora really is like Target, where you go in for paper towels, and 2 hours and $300 later you come out, so while I went in for eyeliner, we both left with new routine of some great new products (to us) mixing in some of the more recent finds that I've been loving for the past few months.  Now all we need is the next girl's night so we have a reason to try it all out!

Behold, my new favorite beauty products. 

Stila Liquid Eyeliner in Black

 Last week, I mentioned that I was dying to try out a thick cat eye (a la Nicole Richie) and I was told that this is the best foolproof liner.  After a tutorial, I have to say it definitely does the trick, but I would have had no idea how to master the look without a demo.  The liner itself is great, once you get the hang of it and it lasts forever without smudging. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara

 I have a hate/ hate relationship with mascara, meaning I hate wearing it, and I hate wearing it.  I was dying to get my lashes tinted in hopes of avoiding this product forever, but since I've found out that's actually illegal here (oops) I'm back on the mascara train.  This one came highly recommended by the artist at Sephora, and so far I have to admit I'm loving it.  The key seems to be the brush, which gives seriously thick lashes, without the clumps. 

Urban Decay eyeliner in Chaos

 It's Spring, which means I need to get some color in my life.  I don't wear a whole lot of it on my body, so I figured why not put a little on my face.  Colored eyeliner is a huge trend this season, and after trying on this perfect shade of blue, I can see why.  This is one thing that I plan to add to my daily routine immediately. The best part is that I actually like the look more without mascara, which for reasons I mentioned above makes me very happy.

Benefit gimmeBrow

You know those women with thick eyebrows, that are constantly complaining about how often they have to get their brows waxed?  Yes?  Well, I hate those women, because despite my best efforts I can pretty much grow hair anywhere on my body except for my eyebrows.  I feel like I have spent the last 20 years of my life trying products to make them seem fuller, and this one most definitely is the best.  You just swipe it on, and somehow it picks up those itty bitty hairs, that you can't see on their own, but make for a fuller brow when colored.  I really shouldn't ever leave the house without this; note to self. 

Benefit Big Easy Beauty Creme

This is another awesome product that my sister and I have been using for a while now.  After my battle with my skin, I'm not a huge foundation person, and I would find that some of the BB and CC cremes would make me too shiny, and too red.  This BB creme is light, and goes on liquid, but then magically changes to a perfect powder finish, that absorbs oil with no red undertones.  It goes on evenly and provides great coverage.  Oh, and it has SPF 35 in it.  I would buy stock in this if I could... it's that good. 

Neutrogena Deep Recovery Hair Mask

 Another product I've been loving, especially since I went platinum blonde, is this inexpensive hair mask.  Once a week I use this in the shower, and it really has saved my hair from all the damage I've done to it.  When I got back from Costa last month, my hair was like straw, but after 5 minutes of this on it, it was silky smooth. 

GlamGlow Youthmud Mask

Finally, who doesn't love a good mask?  Right now I'm beyond obsessed with this GlamGlow brand, and after using this I swear it feels like I've had a professional facial!  A few weeks back my girlfriend asked me if I had microdermabrasion done, but it really was just the after effect from using the mask the night before.  That's what I call a ringing endorsement!

So, there you have it... my new favorite beauty products. I don't know why I haven't tried Benefit cosmetics that much before, the brand really seems to be killing it! I would love to know if there is anything new or old that you are loving right now. Do tell!

Pastel Colored Hair... I'm In!

 Have you guys SEEN what Nicole Richie did to her golden locks? 

GAH! I'm so in to it!!!!!

So chic, so unexpected, so modern. I love everything about it.

Now, I realize there are only two types of people who can pull this look off 1) uber hip celebrities and socialites, and 2) Girls in their teens and twenties. Since I am neither, I most definitely will be sitting this one out, but I have to say, I really can't get enough of it!

For those of you who are cool/ brave/ young enough here is a little more pastel colored hair inspiration that's slightly more subdued for us mere mortals!

You can't say it doesn't make a statement!

P.S. I have to laugh a little, because about 12 years ago when I was dating my husband, I bought one of those color tinted shampoos to try to tone down my too golden hair. After one two many washes my hair turned purple, and we were spending the weekend at my future in-laws! I seriously cried the whole way up. Little did I know, that 12 years later I would be dying over this same color! Damn, that's what you get for being a decade-too-early trendsetter! ;)