Category: Reviews
How I Get My Curly Hair
| January 22, 2014 | Advice, Beauty, Reviews |
Many of you recently commented on my Instagram pictures asking about my curly hair.
Let me be honest – I have pin straight, flat, boring hair. Super straight, stringy hair. So how do I get my hair to look like that? I use two tools. First up is the Oribe Maximista thickening spray.
After I am done showering, I spray Oribe Maximista from root to tip and blow dry in sections. I was hesitant to buy this product because my hair is SO thin and flat, I believed nothing could give it volume. Maximista WORKS. Trust me. After my hair is dried, I tease it in sections and go to bed. When I wake up in the morning, my hair is still voluminous. It’s insane really. I actually have good looking bedhead when I wake up in the morning after using this product. If you’d like to purchase the product, click here to be redirected to Amazon for the best price!
So now you know how I get the volume, but how do I get the curls? I use the Sultra Reverse Bombshell Cone, which I believe is the best curling rod on the market. I’ve tried 3 or 4 curling rods in the past and none of them seem to hold the curl as well as Sultra’s curling products. I love how the rod is textured, which really helps add body to the curl.
Unfortunately, I was told that they no longer sell the Reverse Bombshell on their website because they don’t make it anymore, but I found a link on Amazon for you! Click here to be redirected to the Amazon link.
I also have the regular Bombshell Cone and it works just as well and you can purchase that one directly on the Sultra website. I personally just use whichever cone I grab first under my bathroom sink.
The only real difference is the shape of the cone and the texture. The reverse cone goes from skinny to thick when tilted upside down and the regular cone goes from thick to skinny when tilted upside down to curl. See below – the Reverse Bombshell is on the left and the regular Bombshell is on the right.
I don’t know how I lived without these products in the past. I use both of these products almost every single day. So now you know my secret, my friends.
All products mentioned:
Sultra Reverse Bombshell Cone
Sultra Bombshell Cone
Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
Talk to Me
- What are your favorite curling products?
- Have you tried any new hair styles recently?
- What’s your go-to hair style for everyday?
Friday Favorites
| December 20, 2013 | Reviews, Weekend Recap |
I’ve said this in the past. I love start-up companies that are based in the states. Entrepreneurs just have a sense of passion for their business and really do strive to make it as amazing as can be.
I came across San Francisco-based designer Julia Kostreva one day on Instagram. Someone had tagged her in a photo of their iPhone. I wasn’t sure why at the time, but I eventually found her website and saw that she makes gorgeous iPhone covers.
Julia was kind enough to send me one to try out. Lets just say that I was on my phone a LOT before I used this case, but now I’m always reaching for my phone because it looks so pretty! Seriously. The case I picked out is called “Marble-White” and it retails for $38.
Tell me this isn’t gorgeous!
Details from the website:
Featuring a white marble pattern with neutral tones and gold toned flecks.
Protect your iPhone with a one-piece, Hard Case. Impact resistant hard shell case featuring an extremely slim profile, plastic. The lay-flat feature protects the front of your iPhone by extending the bezel above the screen, while a silicone interior liner provides impact cushioning.
If you’re interested in Julia’s other iPhone designs, just check out her website. She has a bunch to choose from and they work with all iPhones generations 4 and above. In the past, I’ve always been quite weary to use iPhone covers that weren’t a store-bought name brand because they’ve been flimsy and barely protected my phone. This case is THE BOMB (yes, I just said that). I’m certain that my phone will be protected if it ever fell + it’s gorgeous to look at.
Talk to Me
- What does your cell phone case look like?
- Do you change your cell phone case often?
- Random: what are you up to this weekend?
JoJo Loves You Sale
| December 13, 2013 | Reviews |
I’m not really a girly-girl. I like wearing a dress every once in a while, but for the most part my wardrobe has a lot of navy, black, camel, and more black. Every once in a while I do like to put on a little sparkle. While I was Instagram-stalking the world a few weeks ago, I saw a photo of a girl wearing these gorgeous stud earrings from JoJo Loves You. I was thrilled when they offered to send me a pair of their Bling earrings for review!
The pair I chose is the Snowflake Bling earring which is made from Swarovski crystal set in a sterling silver post. The earrings are 11mm in size. These are perfect for everyday and for those special occasions when you want to add a bit of bling! (See what I did there? a bit of bling…and they are called Bling earrings)… anyway.
Even better? They are running a HUGE sale on their Bling collection from today until Sunday, December 15th on their online store, www.jojolovesyou.com.
If you are interested in these earrings for yourself or for a friend, this weekend is the time to purchase them.
I’ll be wearing these tomorrow on my BIRTHDAY! I can’t believe I’ll be 25 tomorrow. That’s half a century! Depending on the weather tomorrow, we may travel out to that amusement park I mentioned last Friday. Because of the snow last weekend we had to reschedule. The weather so far says that it’s going to be a wintery mix, so we might need to reschedule yet again. On the positive side, a tradition Bryan and I have is to open presents at midnight on our birthdays/anniversaries. Can’t wait for midnight tonight!
Talk to Me
- What’s the last piece of jewelry you purchased for yourself?
- What’s the one thing you really want for the holidays this year?
- When is your birthday?
Mizuno Wave Rider 17
| December 10, 2013 | Gear, Reviews, Running |
*The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.
I’ll be honest. Before this past month, I’ve never owned a pair of Mizuno running sneakers. GASP!!!! Not one pair. When I started running in 2011, I always wanted a pair but for whatever reason I continued buying sneakers from a brand for which I was familiar. When I was given the opportunity to test out the new Mizuno Wave Rider 17 this past month I was thrilled.
The Mizuno Wave Rider 17 is the lightest Wave Runner yet and is a brand new shoe that was released on December 5, 2013.
Key Features:
- redesigned seamless upper for reduced weight and improved comfort
- new U4iC midsole – virtually 30% lighter than the previous Wave Rider
- lateral forefoot sculpting for smooth touchdown and transition during your run
- blown rubber forefront with deep flex grooves
Thoughts:
- They definitely fit snug. I am usually a size 7 or a 7.5 in Nike sneakers, so for these I also went with a size 7. I found that these are a bit more form fitting than I’m used to.
- As a lot of other bloggers mentioned, if you have a wider foot like I do the sides of the shoe around the ankle tend to press into your skin. It wasn’t a huge deal, but when I run I like to be as comfortable as possible (is that even possible?!)
- Overall the shoe is VERY breathable. The mesh on the top of the shoe is wonderful! My feet were very happy. Nothing is worse than having sweat build up in your shoe. Okay, that’s gross. Sorry.
- I completely agree with the statement from Mizuno that this new Wave Rider is a lightweight shoe. Out of all of the other running sneakers I own, this is by far one of the lightest.
- For being a lightweight shoe, it definitely does have amazing traction. I haven’t tried running with these outside yet because of the snow we’ve been having, but I’m sure it would be suitable for wet road conditions (see image below.)
Since the holidays are here, these shoes are a great gift for the runner in your life. This shoe comes in three different colors for women: dark slate/cabbage/raspberry rose, sugar coral/aurora/dark slate, and the one I received white/dark slate/dewberry.
Talk to Me
- Have you ever tried Mizuno running shoes?
- What’s your favorite running shoe?
- What’s your favorite Mizuno shoe?
Gift Guide for Active Women
| December 4, 2013 | Holiday, Reviews |
If you’re anything like me, you acquire many fitness related items throughout the year. Who needs another work out top? Not me. This year, I wanted to put together a gift guide for active women that included things that most women don’t already have in their closets. So if you have a special woman in your life or if you are an active woman yourself and need to purchase a gift, keep reading!
*This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Koss.
1. Koss FitBuds | $29.99*
These FitBuds are a sweat resistant ear bud that is 33% smaller than any other Koss ear bud. The reason I love these so much is because each set you purchase comes with three different sized ear cushions for the perfect fit. For my ears, I’ve found that the smallest cushions work best. Koss’ female designers teamed up with Gold Medalist Dana Torres to create these headphones which are the first ones designed specifically for women, by women. How sweet is that?
2. Koss FitClips | $29.99*
These FitClips also made by Koss are my all time favorite headphones because they stay put and like the FitBuds, they are sweat resistant and come with three different size ear cushions. With small ears, sometimes it’s difficult to find headphones that wrap around my ear that fit. This version from Koss stays put without having to frequently adjust them!
*Retailers will promote these products at $19.99 this holiday season. You can purchase at: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Kmart, Walgreens and Sears.
Other great options this year:
3. Thera-Roll Firm Roll | $15.95
4. Nike FuelBand | $143.39
5. 5lb Chrome Dumbbells | $39.99
6. Fitness Gear Flexibility Band Kit | $24.99
Talk to Me
- What fitness items are on your wishlist this year?
- Who do you still have left on your gift-buying list?
- What’s the last set of headphones you’ve purchased?
