Beauty, Hair, Photos, Reviews

The cheaper I go, the longer it’ll grow

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I’m going back to the cheap route of doing my hair. It may be the biggest mistake of my life, but I won’t know until I keep trying (or screw up).

My mom used to cut my hair back in the day. Believe it or not the first time I went to a hair dresser I was in my early twenties. It was at what I thought was a fancy hair salon in the local mall. Turns out it was the one of the worst hair cuts in my life. She said oops, while she was cutting it. I never went back.

For years I thought expensive meant better; and sure, I left it up to the experts for the past few years or so, but my hair wasn’t growing longer. Recently I’ve been going to get my hair trimmed every 14 weeks. I have pretty fine hair so I really need the ends trimmed off every few months or it’ll look ratty and damaged.

My co-worker goes to this one woman who has a hair salon in her basement. Have to admit, I’m uncomfortable there, since it’s a little old and a bit sketch, but for a $15 hair cut I can live with it. My hair has been growing at a steady rate ever since. I don’t know why. Maybe they listen to what I say? Maybe she doesn’t go wild with the scissors? It just works.

In about two weeks I’m due for a hair trim. I may not even go for another month or two yet. Why? Because I got these hair cutting scissors (thanks to Flat Iron Experts) and I’ve been trimming off the dead ends myself.cutting-my-hair

My hair cut is pretty simple since I don’t have any layers. Though, it’s not long enough yet to cut the back, nor do I really want to depend on a blind eye to trim the back. I don’t want to mess things up. So there aren’t any before/after photos. I cleaned up the split ends in the front so it feels nice and fresh.

I forgot how sharp hair cutting scissors are compared to paper scissors. Have to admit, I almost got a little out of hand trimming off the dead ends. After I was done, my hair was just as healthy as if I had paid someone to trim it for me.dannyco-scissors

Great little Japanese motif design on the Dannyco scissors, don’t you think?

dannyco-hair-scissors

Some features of the Dannyco scissors:

  • High-grade Japanese stainless steel blades
  • Hollow-ground blades
  • Zinc alloy, lightweight ergonomic handles
  • Adjustable stainless steel screw to set the cutting tension
  • Removable finger rest

Dannyco hair scissors retail for $76.99 on Flat Iron Experts website.

How often do you get your hair cut?

Who cuts your hair?

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Beauty, Photos, Reviews

Clarisonic Mia2 review

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I’m a late bloomer. Always have been, probably always will be.

A few years ago I discovered the fine art of self-tanning at home. It took me years to get the guts and try it our for myself. I’ve heard complaints in the past about streaking products or looking orange. Then came along St. Moriz, and St. Tropez — and even then I didn’t buy it right away. Why? When I spend money on something, I want it to work. I don’t want to ever be put into an embarrassing situation of my tan looking splotchy or remotely carrot colored. You think I’m going off topic here, but I’m really not, you see the same goes for the Clarisonic…ClarisonicMia2-in-hand

I’ve heard about it for a few years. Initially I saw it being talked about on YouTube. Was it really for me? I don’t have troubled skin. Would a $100+ over sized toothbrush be good for my delicate skin? I still don’t understand the two speeds for your face. Are we on a race track? It does the same thing, no?

Why spend $100 when you can get similar products at the drug store for a fraction of the cost? There is a difference between the Clarisonic and other exfoliating tools.ClarisonicMia2

The Clarisonic vibrates using a very soft oscillation movement, where as some have a rotary brush head. Meaning that the Clarisonic is so much more gentle and not abrasive at all on the skin.

Opened the box and I wasn’t sure how to set up the charger onto the Mia.Clarisonic-plugin

Oh buddy, how fancy is this? I nodded to myself as soon as I figured it out, as my Boyfriend laughed at my antics. The charger is magnetized and just clicks right onto the top of the Mia. It also blinks (or glows in and out, slowly) when charging. ClarisonicMia2-plugged-in

I didn’t really know what to expect when I tried it out for the first time. There’s always a bit of uncertainty when trying out new products. The instructions stated my skin could go through a purging phase. Would I? All these unanswered questions. So I manned up and charged the Mia 2 for 20 hours and used it for the first time on Sunday, March 3 and I’ve been using it every single day since. EVERY DAY.

Start off by wetting your face with some luke warm water, and then wet the brush head. Put a little squirt of your cleanser — any cleanser works, and I’ve researched! So that’s good news bears, right? I am using up the sample sized cleanser that came with the kit, but my go-to cleanser is Purity by Philosophy. I try to never stray from that amazing one.

Here’s the set up you’re supposed to follow:

  • 20 seconds on forehead
  • 20 seconds on nose and chin area
  • 10 seconds per cheek

I started on my right cheek. First mistake was that I forgot to count how many seconds it was rubbing my cheek for. I was waiting for the beep but remembered that it was only supposed to be on each cheek for 10 seconds at a time. Whoops.

My face wasn’t even red after the first use (as it always does, when I touch it, or wash it — I have sensitive skin). I washed the access facial cleansing gel off my face and I didn’t feel like my skin was tight. Perhaps it’s because I moisturized right away? Perhaps the Clarisonic is a miracle?

Scrubbing the face with the little Mia2.Clarisonic-on-my-face

But get this. Before I applied my Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, I couldn’t stop touching my face. Coincidence? I think not. It was like a miniature spa retreat and you get a minute of pure bliss.

After I’ve been using it for a few weeks I can finally give a review on it. My skin did not go through a purging phase. I didn’t break out (thank the baby you-know-what) and I’m even considering using it twice a day. But let’s not go too over board here now. I still have sensitive skin. I may introduce this though, soon. Clarisonic-before-and-afterBefore and after using the Clarisonic Mia2.

I can now see why it has become some people’s staple in their beauty routine. The first time I used the Clarisonic, I didn’t wear make up for two days as it was the weekend. I was disturbed but pleasantly surprised at the Clarisonic’s actions that there were traces of dirt on the brush head after the 1 minute of use. Guess it really does clean 6x better than your hands alone. On the box it says your skin is receptive to treatments, lotions and serums. Meaning, the products you use will absorb into your skin better.

The best analogy as how your skin will feel after the first use, not one word of a lie? Touch the inside of your forearm. That is exactly how smooth and soft the skin on your face will feel after using the Clarisonic. It’s just one of those things where you’re going to have to test it out for yourself to believe me. I didn’t believe the hype either, until I flippin tried it and now I can’t stop using it. It feels like my skin is 10 years younger. Madness. I can’t get over it. Sephora Clarisonic BrushesA few different brush heads are available at Sephora for $29, so you can swap them out for your skin type.

  • Normal
  • Sensitive
  • Delicate
  • Deep Pore (for oily or large pores)
  • Acne
  • Body (it’s a little larger but you can only use this with the Clarisonic Plus model)

Make sure to replace those brush heads every 3-4 months! The Clarisonic Mia 2 comes with a sensitive skin brush and a refreshing gel cleanser, so we’re set. I was a bit hesitant about bringing it into the shower with me, but I’ve certainly got over that fear. It’ll slough off your days make up (always remove your mascara first. Then again, you’re not really going over the eye area with it), or gently exfoliates off your dead skin cells, ready to grow and emerge some new baby soft skin. Hoo yeah.

All in all? BUY IT. That’s right, I just yelled that at you. I’d wait for a sale at Sephora though, if you’re a VIB or have a friend that is — until you can get it at 20% off.

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Beauty, Daily, Photos, Reviews

Top face cream winner

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Philosophy has been my favorite skin care line for the past two years. Ever since I went down to California and tried it at BlogHer’11, I’ve been hooked.You guys already know how much I rave about their purity cleanser (here and here). Well. I’ve got another favorite, product. Dear I say holy grail? Is that over used too much? Apologies if you’re sick of hearing that term phrase. But it’s my new favorite product.

Philosophy-Hope-In-a-JarI did not know that they made more than one hope in a jar formulation, however. That part was a bit disappointing since I bought the dry skin formula thinking it would be exactly the same as the normal skin type cream. I was wrong.

You can tell from the photo below that the creams are two very different in consistency. Also, on your face.

Hope-In-a-Jar-openThe one on the left is the dry skin, the one on the right is the one I’d like to rave about.

It’s a lightweight whipped consistency that is a dream to apply. You only need a smidge of it and your makeup just glides on top.

I’m not the biggest fan of the dry skin forumula, because it’s too hydrating for my skin. My makeup slips off and it’s just a mess. I cannot return it to Sephora since it came in a trio set. Thankfully it’s only the smaller jar and I’ve revoked its duties for my day time skin, and now I ocassionaly use it on my skin before bed.

Back to my fav product – Hope In a Jar for normal skin.

PROS:

  •  Soo hydrating on winter skin
  • Does not leave oily residue ontop of skin, sinks in beautifully
  • A little dab’l do ya
  • Smells nice

CONS:

  • Read the label before you buy it! (lol) – Make sure you’re getting normal forumla, not dry skin.
  • It’s pricy

I’m not sure how this moisturizer will be on my skin during the summer time. Since it’s a light weight formulation, I’m excited to try it in hopes that it won’t be too heavy. So, we’ll see! I’ll report back :)

OVERALL:
This is my favorite facial moisturizer for winter. It keeps my skin hydrated and plump. My makeup as I said above, just glides on like a dream. Using this in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia2, I don’t have any dry patchy skin. Then again, winter is pretty much over. So maybe it’s the weather, ha ha. 

Try a sample out next time you pop into Sephora, and let me know what you guys think of it!

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