Thursday, July 16, 2015

RedKen Stay High 18

This is a hair post. I was going to start by writing about how I never write about hair stuff but I think I have started a few post with that sentence so I guess I do sometimes write about hair stuff. So here we go again!

I have fine hair. I have a decent amount of it but it is fine none the less. I am always looking for ways to add volume to my sometimes lifeless, pin straight hair. I always said my hair game is holding me back in life. I change the color up a bunch and sometimes will cut bangs in but for the most part, I style it the same all the time because I feel like I don't have a choice. I love sexy, big, voluminous hair with tons of body a la every sexy bombshell pretty much ever. For as much time as I spend on product research for makeup is as little time that I spend on product research for hair.

I mentioned my quest for big hair the last time I was getting my bi-monthly salon visit and on the recommendation of my hair stylist, I purchased Stay High 18 Hair Gel/Mousse by Redken.  

 
So yeah-interesting name. Interesting name for an interesting product. This is a gel that turns into a mousse. Crazy right!? You dispense a little in your hand, it will initially be a clear gel, starts to foam a little and then when you rub your hands together it will miraculously turn into a mousse! As I've said, I don't research too much hair products so I am not sure if a product like this already exist so it was very fascinating for me! It will not be a light, fluffy mousse. This is definitely a heavier mousse that still has a bit of a gel texture to it. I am not sure if the gel to mousse texture does anything special or if it is just a gimmick but I do know that this stuff works! 
My stylist told me to use it at the roots, the bottle says to use it root to tip. Do whatever works for you, this product is not a "crunchy" product so you can use it however you want. I use only at the roots but have done both. The first time I used it I released too much product, decided to use it all, then thought "well you fcked up now" but my hair did not feel too heavy or producty at all once it dried.  

This product leaves your hair full of body with some decent lift at the roots. I have recently taken a blow dry class and that has actually upped my volume game a bit. Everyone should learn how to properly blow dry their hair! I just want to blow dry my hair big and this product, along with the proper technique helps with that!

My one negative critique of this product is as usual with the packaging. This pump dispenser has the tendency to dispense too much product if you are not careful. One quick short pump should do the trick to cover your roots with product. The box is cute and once you open it, it has instructions on how to create 3 different runway looks. Cute idea but honestly, the instructions are way too simple for these runway hair looks.

You can purchase Stay High 18 at Ulta for $24.




Monday, July 13, 2015

Jennifer Aniston Living Proof Product Review


Living Proof
Ok, lets discuss Jennifer Aniston for a minute. She gives good hair, doesn't she? If ever there was a hair icon of our time, it is Jenn Aniston. Of course it doesn't hurt that she is cute as a little, golden button but as soon as she busted out with that now famous "Rachel" haircut (that she has admitted she hated and that Chris McMillan has admitted to being high when he created it) she became one of the most sought after hair legends of our generation, a title that has lasted 20 years now. So it is only fitting that the hair queen has co-created her own hair care line.

I usually don't write post about hair products because I never feel I find good products. I feel my hair holds me back in life and maybe it's because I have been using sucky products? After one of my instructors took pity on my limp locks during a high fashion/runway makeup course, she brought in a sample of Living proof prime style extender (I don't like when titles or names are not capitalized, it bugs me) and it has been a whole new ballgame for me! 

Living Proof Prime Style Extender
Prime style extender is a hair primer that "locks in your style longer". You can use it alone or under other products. What it is supposed to do is "perfect and smooth strands and repel dirt and oil". What it does for me is creates smooth, healthy looking hair while providing a little bit of body so my hair is not so flat and lifeless. I apply a generous dollop of product all over my hair from roots to ends, I don't think you can put too much of this product on as it really is weightless. I very rarely read ingredients in hair products, maybe I should start and I would have better luck picking products so I have no idea what's in this but you can try and read the back if you want.
Living Proof Prime Style Extender
Next up, Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 styling treatment. I picked up a generous sample sized tube at Sephora. This product is supposed to: smooth, volumize, condition, strengthen, and polish. Both of these products suggest applying generously from roots to ends. I would not do that with this product, as it is not as weightless as the prime style extender. I only apply at the roots to get that little bit of volume. ***EDIT*** I would not use this at the roots, it is way too heavy for use at the roots and will weigh the hair down a bit. This is perfect from mid-shaft down to the tip.
living proof perfect hair dayliving proof perfect hair day
So America's sweetheart really got it right. Two really great products that have made a noticeable difference in how my hair looks after it is styled.

 Living proof is available at most Sephora's. 

So I'm still trying to figure out if I screwed up my feeds by switching my website name and address. So please bear with me as I get all this figured out! I really hope you are all still receiving these via email. If not, you can always re-subscribe by hitting the button below!



Veil Cosmetics

Veil Cosmetics Illuminating Complexion Fix for Face and Eyes

A Review

Veil Cosmetics Review

Another product on the I love it so much I'm gonna put a ring on it list! I had been hearing a lot about Veil Cosmetics Illuminating Complexion Fix for Face and Eyes but I thought it's probably just another click pen highlighter~No big deal! We all know that Touche Eclat rules that universe, however there had been a rumor that they changed their formulation and it is not the same as the original that has gained ridiculous cult status. I am not sure if that is true or not but I decided to give Veil a go when my friend Ro, a fellow makeup artist was raving about it. 

This little beauty is unlike anything I have ever tried. First, it comes in 4 shade families with 3 undertones per shade. I purchased 2P in the light family which has a gorgeous light pink undertone which neutralizes out the lovely dark circles I get under my eyes. 

Veil Cosmetics Click Pen Concealer Review

So most click pen highlighters (Touche Eclat included) do exactly that, they highlight. They do not conceal. You still have to use a concealer if you are trying to conceal anything. Veil's click pen will cover and brighten without settling into fine lines. This is a buildable coverage so you can apply as much as you like and it never gets cakey or settles into lines. Never, no matter how much I apply and it stays put really well. 


So here's my one giant complaint:


Veil Cosmetics Review

For those of you not familiar with click pen application, you twist or click (in this case twist) the pen until product is released into the brush applicator. Initially, you have to click it approximately 1026 times before any product is released but then there should be no problem getting product to load onto the brush. Not in this case. It takes forever to get product to load so after like 10 clicks, I get frustrated, lose my patience and click it another 100 times rapidly until I get some product. Sometimes that causes too much product to be released, I use it all and then put the cap back on and throw it in my makeup bag. The next time I use it, it looks like there was a product explosion in the cap because product keeps releasing. I'm not sure if I received a defective one or maybe I am expecting too much product to be released at once but the packaging is my only complaint. 

So there you have it! Regardless of the packaging issue I would definitely repurchase and I recommend this product to anyone. 

Veil Cosmetics Illuminating Complexion Fix cost $40.