1. BENEFIT 'ERASE PASTE' | 2. LIP FUSION XXL | 3. OLAY REGENERIST | 4. GRANDE LASH | 5. TARTE 'SMOOTH OPERATOR'
It's been a while since I did a product haul! These 5 items are currently in heavy rotation in my beauty routine. In fact, I have been using all of them for a few months now (some even longer!) and they are all products that yield real results for me that I would highly recommend to friends & fam...aka you guys. HI! Lemme break it down.
1. BENEFIT 'ERASE PASTE': This stuffff. You guys. My friend Ashley introduced me to this little miracle worker and I love it so much. It covers the puffiest and most tired of eyes. Sometimes I wear just this on a day off and I feel totally fine showing my face in public. I got it in 'Fair' because I like for my under-eye area to be lighter than the rest of my face.
2. LIP FUSION XXL: I ordered this pretty recently and have been using it religiously. It makes your lips plump almost instantly, but my favorite part about it is that it has long-lasting effects giving you fuller lips the longer you use it. All about those Kylie Jenna lips.
3. OLAY REGENERIST MOISTURIZER: I have been using Olay for-ev-er. I used to sneak pumps of my mom's night cream when I was little and now it is a constant staple in my routine. I have pretty dry skin so I definitely need moisturizer, but I hateee to feel greasy. This is heavy enough to use at bedtime, but also light enough that I can use it in the morning under my make-up. Plus, you can just scoop it from CVS. Love a good drugstore buy.
4. GRANDE LASH SERUM: I have raved about this before, but I am still loving it and still seeing results so I had to include it in this post! I use this at night before bed and I swear you guys, my lashes are so long that even the girl that does my eyebrows asked if I had lash extensions. It works.
5. TARTE 'SMOOTH OPERATOR': This is another fave I have had for as long as I can remember. I apply it with this brush after I put on my foundation and concealer, but before my bronzer. It sets everything, removes shine and keeps my make-up in place longer.
So there you have it. Also, I have been thinking about doing a make-up tutorial. Any interest? Ooh you girls keep me young. Kisses!
KERATIN T(HAIR)APY: SALON BAR ATLANTA.
MY HAIR TEXTURE: So let me start by saying I have very curly, frizz-prone hair. My dad had extremely curly hair, my mom has extremely curly hair...I was doomed from birth. Basically I fear humidity, rain, and getting my hair wet in social settings. I end up looking like Mufasa, and not in a good way. The nice part about having rudely coarse hair like mine is that it holds curl well and I can usually go about 2-3 days in between washes without it getting greasy. That being said, I have longed for wash and go, shiny, silky hair since I turned 13 and realized there were more options for hair than the low, nape-of-neck pony I had been rocking for so long. It just wasn't ever in the cards for me...until now.
THE SAVIOR: I met the adorable Tori Banks the way I meet everyone these days...Instagram (find her @salonbar_atlanta)! After going over my hair-woes, Tori recommended that I come in for a keratin treatment...something I had always wanted to try. I loved the way Tori actually talked to me before the appointment and discussed what would actually be the best option for me and, more importantly, for the health of my hair.
THE TREATMENT: Tori used the GKhair Keratin Treatment on me, which is formaldehyde-free, and actually works to repair the hair while taming it. Basically, this 1.5 hour treatment rejuvenates damaged hair while also straightening and smoothing it for up to 5 months with proper care (sulfate-free shampoo, etc.). AMAZING, RIGHT?!
MAINTENANCE: You guys. When I washed my hair after the mandatory two-day waiting period and started to blow it dry...I almost cried. NOT A JOKE. I blew my hair stick straight with a vented paddle brush (no round brush needed!) and DID NOT HAVE TO USE A FLAT IRON AT ALL. For me, this was completely unheard of. I have tried just about every straightening product out there. This blew my mind. I am still in shock, honestly. Not only is my hair easier to manage, but it dries in about half the time and is so soft and silky that even my colorist was blown away! He actually said the words, "this is a totally different head of hair." TEARS OF JOY, PEOPLE.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? I cannot say yes to this fast enough. Of course, this just applies to me specifically, but if my hair sounds similar to what you are used to, call Tori immediately. Thank me later.
I cannot get over how sleek and shiny it is!
SIMILAR FAUX FUR COAT (mine is H&M) / 'X' EARRING
WEEK IN REVIEW: EIGHT GREATS.
We just had a majorly downpourish summery thunderstorm. Isn't that the best!? While it was all boom boom clap outside my window, I pulled together a little week in review for you to feast on.
1. SUNNIES / 2. YSL EYELINER (CHEAPIE VERSION HERE!) / 3. LINER BRUSH / 4. SWEATER / 5. FUR JACKET / 6. GLADIATORS / 7. GIGI RUG / 8. NYX BUTTER GLOSS
1. Express is ON POINT this year with their sunglasses. I've bought two pairs (including this one) in the past three weeks.
2. Ashley convinced me to try this magical little glory-pot last time she was in town. Long story short, I love it, especially the longer-wear it gives my water line on the bottom. The Loreal brand is just as good if you want to test-drive it first!
3. I prefer an angled brush like this one, but any liner brush will do. Hint: choose a finer tip to leave less room for error/panda-eye.
4 & 5. Sooo, my friends and I are planning a wine-tasting tour in October, which naturally led to me shopping for the occasion. This sweater and this fur jacket are both UNDER TWENTY DOLLARS. weeee! Bring it on, Fall.
6. I have worn my tan Sam Edelman gladiators so much this year, these black beauties are absolutely going to be one of my last summer buys.
7. I have mentally redecorated my entire living room around this girly rug. Get on my floor, Gigi.
8. These drugstore glosses rival my beloved NARS collection. I scooped up Creme Brulee this week and it smells as good as it looks.
We made it GILTIES, Friday is upon us. Let's celebrate with some Thursday bevs, shall we?
SUMMER SAVERS: BEAUTY HAUL.
Hi my beach babes! (In a previous life, my AOL screen name was beachbabe42000...can't.) Summer is comin' in HOT and that means a whole mess of new beauty issues to tackle. Have I ever mentioned that I have the largest hair in America? More than once I have contemplated the Britney rage-shave. More than once. Anyway, I have been dabbling in products, new skincare, new hair-glosses, new shampoos and new gadgets and these are the ones that are here to stay[cation] with me this summer.
1. LIVING PROOF NO-FRIZZ SHAMPOO: As I was saying, my hair has a very rude, very REAL tendency to become large and in charge at even the slightest bit of humidity. The fact that I attended the College of Charleston is ridiculous when you take this information into consideration. I have dedicated years of my life to taming this beast, and so far, the Living Proof No-Frizz line is my very best bet, aside from salon-grade procedures, of course. You can find it online, or in-store at Sephora & Ulta.
2. EMJOI MICRO-PEDI: Like any good gel-fanatic, I get my nails done almost every 2/2.5 weeks, but I cannot say the same for my pedicures. I like to stretch them out a bit further, because a. I am poor, and because b. I can touch them up myself much easier in between. The main reason for that has been my intro to the micro-pedi. This mini machine is like a battery operated pumice stone (no tired hands!) and it has worked miracles on my piggies. When I DO finally cave and treat myself to a real spa-pedi, they barely have to scrub at all and my pedicurist calls my feet "baby feet!" This little guy is definitely worth the price, which conveniently is less than ONE pedicure. Now walk it out.
3. RODAN + FIELDS: This is a new one for me, and what a game-changer. As I have mentioned before, I have combination skin...meaning it's conveniently both dry and sometimes oily. COOL. I am constantly trying to mosturize without overdoing it and causing breakouts. Now that I am in my (EW) late-twenties, I am also concerned about fine lines and preventative care. Thanks a lot, Ultra Tan. My sweet friend Jillian had mentioned that she was working for R+F and I could not have jumped faster at the chance to try the line. Mind you, these are the same docs that came up with Proactiv, so my expectations were pretty high. So far, the results have absolutely lived up to the hype. My favorite regimen has been the mini-facial. The mini-facial includes a microdermabrasion mask, night renewing serum and a lip renewing serum (one of my faves!). Since using the mini-facial regimen for about 3 weeks now, my skin has felt SO soft, has not dried out (!!), has held my spray tan more evenly and has looked so much more rested. I am out of my samples and I am PANICKED PEOPLE.
Want to try it for yourself? Click here, complete the Solutions Tool and send the results over to Jillian. [jillianringram@gmail.com] If you are interested in hearing more, make sure to mention GAC as my readers will get a special discount!
4. LOREAL EVERPURE BLONDE TREATMENT: This product is a 3-5 minute mask that promises to banish brassiness from your blonde. So far, I have been using it about once a week and have definitely noticed an added shine in my color. Anything to lengthen the time between expensive trips to the salon! I got this at Target for around $7.
5. BOSS BABE BODY SCRUB: You guys have heard me rave about Boss Babe before, but this is so much more than just your average exfoliant. Yes, it removes dry, dead skin and leaves a baby soft layer of magic underneath, BUT it also banishes hateful cellulite, stretch marks, and makes your skin into a perfect canvas for your level 3 bronze spray. What? I do nothing below full-on bronze. Sorry not sorry.
What are you even waiting for? Go get your beauty on. I am off to a doggy fashion show tonight, so I need to polish these paws for sure. Happy Saturday, GILTIES!
WEEK IN REVIEW.
1. LOUD WORKOUT WEAR.
2. THE SPARKBOARD.
My beautiful and talented friend Tina launched her brainchild, The Sparkboard, this week and it is every bit as amazing & inspiring as it sounds. Real art pieces, reclaimed wood, an endless platform for your own creativity? Do yourself a favor and check her out here. You can even support her launch if you feel like your own spark has been #ignited.
Two products I cannot get enough of right now. First up, Complexion Rescue by Bare Minerals (Thanks to Megan over at Holy City Chic for selling me on this one!). I have been using it for just over two weeks now and am totally in love! I am more of a full-coverage girl, and this works perfectly under my Make up Forever foundation.
Secondly, after a little skinformation sesh with my best girl Amanda, I decided to test drive the Laura Mercier primer this week over my usual Smashbox pick. I have really been happy with how much more hydrating it is! Definitely keeping this one around in the beauty arsenal.
If you are like me, you are always looking for new beauty products, and more importantly, trying to figure out how the heck to wear them. Check out my beautiful friend Mahlon's blog MAHKEUP to keep up on all of the latest! Bonus points for that name, girlfriend.
WISH LIST.
2009, you were beautiful.
BEST FACE FORWARD: MY MAKE-UP BAG.
1. SMASHBOX PRIMER / 2. MAYBELLINE FIT(Color: 120)
3. MAKE UP FOREVER(Color: 128) / 4. NARS BLUSH(Color: Orgasm) / 5. HOOLA BRONZER
6. BOBBI BROWN BRONZER / 7. BENEFIT BROW / 8. MAKE UP FOREVER LINER
9. NARS BRONZER(Color: Laguna) / 10. RIMMEL LINER / 11. LOREAL MASCARA / 12. YSL
13. SEPHORA BRONZER BRUSH / 14. TARTE SMOOTH OPERATOR
MASK MONDAY.
It's barely 9pm and I've already done a hair mask, a face scrub, a face mask and a Crest 3D Whitestrip. Can you guys just hear the relaxation in my e-voice? I know! Lemme break it dowwwn.
SUMMER STAPLES: PRODUCT EDITION.
1. Boss Bitch Body Scrub
Did you guys watch Big Rich Atlanta? Be honest, we all did. Enter BRA's HBIC, Ashlee Wilson Hawn. Ashlee deemed herself a "boss bitch" from day one on screen, and she is just further proving it now with the launch of her new exfoliating body scrub line, Boss Bitch Body.
POST-WEEKEND RECAP.
So far today, that shiz list has included setting up Coco's new kitty carrier (all leopard, all the time), doing the 21 Day Fix Cardio workout with my presh friend Megan/briefly lying on my floor immediately after that, a trip to Publix for 21 Day Fix approved meals & now finally, a date with you over a Glam Glow Mud Mask. I am leaving for Europe with the boy in just 10 short days and am really trying to put my best face forward. Priorities people.
Here are a few snaps from my weekend. If you are already following my Instagram(s), you have probably already seen these. If you aren't that's kind of rude, so go follow me @harrisonsapp4 and @giltyaschgd so you won't miss a single thing!
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| Scooped up these minis for Europe at Sephora & scored the presh travel bag for free! |
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| Final outfit choice for Tim Mcgraw: Top: TOBI / Cut-offs: True Religion |
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| Best $5 I've ever spent. |
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| Did I mention my boss took me? Incredible. Love her. |
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| Coco girl loving on her new ride. |
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| A little outfit planning for Europe. Tags to come! |
T-HAIR-APY.
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| Tonight at my favorite place on Earth. |
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| The end result: Au Naturel. |
STAR SPANGLED TANNER.
Bronze on, beauts.