Dirty Secret

I've got a dirty secret: I don't wash my hair every day...not even every other day. My hair is naturally curly/wavy, so it tends to be dry already, and with heat styling on top of that...it can be a recipe for disaster if I don't show my hair a lot of love. In the spring I started seeing a new hair stylist and she urged me to stretch my washes out for three days to help keep my hair healthy. Sounds ironic how washing your hair often can cause it to become even more dry, but it's true. Shampooing daily strips your hair of natural oils and with the harsh detergents used (you know you've of heard them...the sodium lauryl sulfates and parabens), they just strip and damage your hair instead of repairing it. If you're like me, you'd blow out your hair too, maybe finish with the flat iron to get it super straight or add some waves with a curling iron. Think about what we put our hair through! It needs a break, but I'm sure most of you will agree, not much is better than having freshly washed, squeaky-clean hair. So, after my new stylist urged me to stretch my washes out for three days, I headed straight to the drugstore to purchase the aerosol dry shampoo to help refresh my style between washings. But what about the ends of my hair? They're dry and need the TLC of a conditioner more often than every three days. What should I do? The whole purpose is to limit the amount of washes and heat styling, so I shouldn't just "wash" with conditioner. 

The solution? TIGI's Dirty Secret Dry Conditioner. 

TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Conditioner. Source: Amazon.com

Dry conditioner? That sounds like an oxymoron. Here's the deal: it comes as an aerosol spray and is sprayed from midstrand to the ends to hydrate and protect the rest of your hair dry shampoo isn't designed for. Genius! It makes my hair soft and shiny, not sticky and gummy. It helps moisturizer my ends until the next time I shampoo and condition.

So far this is the only brand I've tried, but more and more companies are creating these products. My inner product whore is getting very excited! 

Ridin' Duuurrrty

Do you use dry conditioner? Which one is your favorite?
Want to try Dirty Secret? Buy it here and let me know what you think!

Not Your Ordinary Denim

With today being the first day of fall, what better time to post about a fall fashion trend?

Printed denim made it's debut this past spring with fun, floral prints. If you missed out on this trend, you're in luck...it has transitioned into fall fashion. At Fashion's Night Out a few weeks ago, I noticed lots of denim brands have jumped on board the printed denim wagon, with at least one print among their fall assortment. From classic prints like leopard and snake skin to extravagant brocade, printed denim is definitely a trend to wear this season.

Printed Denim

7 for all mankind
cusp.com

J Brand j-brand jeans
stylebop.com

Paige Denim plaid skinny jeans
nordstrom.com

Current/Elliott low rise skinny jeans
net-a-porter.com

Citizens of Humanity printed jeans
net-a-porter.com



 
Not sure how to wear this trend? Depends on your personality...
You can easily pair a printed jean with a solid color top to really emphasize the jean. Or, if you like taking risks, let your top be another bold print. This trend is all about having fun with your fashion...so grab and pair and mix and match away!
 

The Flawless Face

I'm obsessed with the flawless face...that beautiful, even, glowing, natural-looking radiance.  One of my pet peeves is seeing women with an inch-thick layer of foundation and powder on their face. What are you trying to hide and who do you think you're fooling? Heavy makeup is not meant for every day wear. It's meant for evening when the lights are dim, and on stage to make your features stand out. It's not to run errands or wear to work.

Let me share with you how I've been able to create the "flawless face". From my first post, you learned that a good skincare regimen is the foundation for great skin as well as great makeup. You'll never achieve the flawless look if you're not taking care of your skin! There are two products I swear by and each is suited for different needs: Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer and Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Both are extremely popular among celebrity makeup artists and receive rave reviews and editors' choice awards (both have consistently won InStyle's Beauty Awards). I'll break each one down.

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer:

Credit: Sephora

I can't remember who introduced me to this product, but I should really thank them. I've been using this tinted moisturizer for at least 4 years now and it's one of my all-time favorite products. Laura Mercier is known for creating the "flawless face." What I love most about this product is how light it is. It goes on so smoothly and has a subtle shimmer that really makes your skin look alive, youthful, and bright. It also has SPF 20 to help protect against the damaging UV rays. Some of you may be thinking a tinted moisturizer just doesn't do the job, but you can build to the coverage you need (build gradually though and you may need to add a light dusting of powder so you don't look like a disco ball...or just use the regular tinted moisturizer that doesn't have the added shimmer). It really gives you a natural, glowy finish. I can't recommend this product enough!

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation:

Credit: Bloomingdales

I've just recently become obsessed with this product. I've read about it for quite some time, and I've never felt the need to shell out that kind of money for a foundation, but in the August 3rd edition of WWD, Armani's newest foundation formula, Maestro, was on the cover. So, me being the product whore, I decided to mozy over to Bloomingdales after work and see what Armani foundation is all about.
This product didn't win InStyle Magazine's Best Liquid Foundation award for nothing. It is clearly that and more! It has build-able coverage so if you are looking for something a bit sheer, not a problem! If you're looking for something with more coverage for uneven areas, piece of cake! The product is a silky liquid that melts into your skin for the easiest blending you'll ever find in a foundation. The best part? It lasts...all day...and all night. It doesn't slide off my face during the grotesquely hot, humid days in the city and never feels greasy or gooey on my skin.

The reason I'm discussing both of these products is because they can be used for separate occasions. I use the tinted moisturizer on weekends and days when I want a minimal makeup look. The foundation I use for work, going out, or when I feel I need the extra coverage. Both are fantastic products and will be permanently found in my makeup arsenal.


Interested in buying these products? Want to learn more? Click the links below...

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
InStyle's Best Beauty Buys

Already a fan of these products? Leave me a comment below and tell me what you think!

Blazers & Baggy Pants

Theory blazer, James Perse tank, Buffalo David Bitton crop pant, Lauren Conrad shoes, Tory Burch messenger bag, Alex and Ani bracelets, Oliver Peoples sunglasses

You might think these two types of clothing don't belong together, but I believe they need each other. A tailored blazer can be too strict and professional. If not styled properly, you'll look like you're heading to the office and not a fun day out. Baggy pants, on the other hand, can look really sloppy. If the fit is wrong you'll look ridiculous, seriously. So a word of advice...be careful when buying these loose-fit bottoms...they may be trendy, but if the fit isn't right...WALK AWAY! Ok? Moving on...

 Now, if you put the two together they balance each other out. It's a look that's not sloppy because of the tailored blazer, and it's not too rigid due to the baggy pants. Be mindful of what top you wear underneath the blazer as well because if you need to remove the blazer, you still want to look chic. I chose the striped loose tank to still have a fun, relaxed look without being too oversized and frumpy.

Top off the look with a high platform heel. It's a must...period.

I also accessorized with some gold bracelets and my Tory Burch messenger bag (I'M OBSESSED WITH IT...will post about it soon). And the cherry on top is my Oliver People's sunglasses. Aviators would be a good look as well, but I chose the Oliver Peoples because they're just more feminine. I feel you should always have that feminine touch to your outfits.

Here's where you can find the above items:

Theory Gabe blazer
James Perse striped tank (not exactly the same, but close)
Buffalo David Bitton Misake crop pant
Lauren Conrad shoes (last season's, but here's some on ebay)
Tory Burch messenger bag
Alex and Ani bracelets
Oliver Peoples sunglasses (mine are several years old, but they have amazing new styles)

Back to the Basics

How can I write a blog about my skincare obsession and not start with the first and most crucial step in skincare 101? Your skin is a blank canvas...you've got to make sure it's in tip-top shape before slathering makeup all over it. Otherwise, you'll never achieve the "flawless face" that's so popular today. 

My skincare regimen has changed drastically over the years...especially after moving to NYC and trying to figure out how to care for my dry skin during the cold winters. Now don't get me wrong, moisturizing and treating are definitely important steps in skincare, but I've found that how I cleanse my skin makes such a difference in the overall appearance of my skin. I swear by this gadget and don't go on trips without it! 

It's the Clarisonic Mia 2 cleanser.

My mother introduced it to me (she's a product whore as well...she just doesn't admit to it). She saw a demonstration on TV and ordered one for my younger sister. I traveled home to Mississippi during Christmas and found this little monster in the bathroom. I was curious and eager to try it out. I have dry, sensitive skin, so I was concerned the bristles and the movement would irritate my delicate skin. Not the case! I continued using it while I was at my parents', then after returning to NYC, I noticed that my skin didn't look the same. I first blamed it on coming back to such cold, dry weather, but finally realized it was the Clarisonic Mia 2 that I was missing. Immediately I purchased one at Sephora and it's become my skincare BFF.

Not to toot my own horn, but I get lots of compliments on my skin. I very rarely have a breakout (and if I do it's because I haven't cleansed with my Mia 2), and I have never gotten a professional facial. Don't really need one now with this thing!

Clarisonic Mia 2 with Delicate brush head

Ok, so enough about why I'm OBSESSED with this product, let's get technical.
You can buy the most expensive moisturizers and anti-aging products, but if you're not thoroughly cleansing your skin, you're wasting these products (and let's be honest...some of these amazing creams and treatments aren't cheap)! You must deep cleanse and get rid of the dirt, bacteria, and dead skin so your serums, creams, and moisturizers can be absorbed and more beneficial. Makes total sense, right? 

There are two speeds and a 1 minute timer that pulses to alert you to move to a different section of your face (20 seconds on your forehead, 20 seconds on your nose and chin, and 10 seconds for each cheek). There are also several types of brush heads to choose from (normal, deep pore, sensitive, gentle, and acne). I prefer the gentle brushes because my skin is so sensitive. Brushes should be changed every 3 months and you can buy twin packs. Oh, and another perk? It comes with a handy travel case so you can take this bad boy anywhere!

Here's my skin without any makeup...love lazy Sundays with our boxer, Brooklyn =)

I swear by this mean little machine and it has completely changed my skin! I have even skin tone, my pores have minimized, and I'm getting the most from the rest of my skincare regimen. Check out the Clarisonic and Sephora websites.