With a name like Crohnically Blonde it is only fitting that I at least am a LITTLE bit into haircare. Fun fact: I did go to hair school and I have my barbering license, what whattttt. But also fun fact, I hate doing hair now, especially my own. Weird right? Not so much. I went to hair school kind of on a limb (an expensive one), and I love the concepts behind everything I did I just hated the school that I went to; therefore, lost the love of it and went on to pursue makeup sales to fulfill my beauty junkie side until I hit the corporate world. I never really thought that doing hair would be my forever career, I just thought it would be a cool way to make some extra dollahs while in college. That was the case but I actually enjoyed the science behind the products more than I did the actual artistry. Also weird, right? Well it helped me sell haircare products and to this day, that knowledge helps me select what I want to use on my hair. Now I am no expert anymore but I am a self proclaimed guinea pig for many things hair related. Since quite a few years of experimenting with some less than flattering and often wild hair (thanks hair school), I finally went back to my roots (pun intended) and settled on blonde. Full disclosure: my roots are more of a mousey, dirty blonde but still..... Anyone who had bleached their hair or went through any extent of serious processing knows that it can be a rough time for your hair's health. Me, personally, I have so really freaking thin hair that is flat and gets greasy super easily and also breaks off by just looking at it the wrong way. I may shed more than my dogs. Not. Kidding. My entire life I have HATED my hair. Like really hated it. But now with the right stylist, the right products, and the right extensions (occasionally), I have finally started the journey to kind of loving my haircare routine. I received quite a few questions about how I maintain a cool toned blonde look. To be full disclosure, my hair girl, Lauren, absolutely kills it and hooks me up with the perfect cocktail of toner that is equal parts Stassi Schroeder and Pinterest success. So she should get all of the credit. The problem is, let's get real, going to the salon is expensive. I can honestly say I try and stretch my appointments as far out as I can to save money. I started getting my highlights painted in, instead of just regular highlights which really helps them grow out more naturally, but the problem I run into isn't my roots. The ombre trend has really helped us money saving girls out but the tone of my hair is the problem. I HATE when my hair gets brassy and recently it has been out of control on the brassy bus. I was using a moisturizing shampoo to help with my dry ends but totally neglecting the color maintenance at home. Let me just go on the record here and say: PURPLE SHAMPOO IS EVERYTHING.But you have to get the right one. I have been through so many and finally found my cocktail of two shampoo/conditioner combos that keep my hair up to my standards. The first one is Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo and Conditioner. You can get the shampoo and conditioner for around $30 for both at Ulta, but often times they have deals like "2 for $20" and stuff like that which is great. This shampoo and conditioner combo is actually great for every time you wash your hair because it doesn't have a huge color payoff. It definitely tones but doesn't cause an insanely noticeable difference. This is my go to, every wash kind of stuff. It is also decently moisturizing without leaving your hair greasy. Yay. When I get towards the latter end of my time I can go between salon appointments, it is time to bring out the heavy duty hitter. AKA Clairol Shimmer Lights. Okay, I know I sounds like a 75 year old woman but let me tell you, this stuff freaking works! The smell isn't fabulous but the color payoff is out of control. So much so that I can only use this combo maybe once per week. When I first got it, I was so obsessed with the cool toned results that I definitely overkilled and got a grayish lavender tone to my hair for a couple of days which is super cool but not for my corporate life. I highly recommend this combination to use once per week if you are looking to cut the brassiness in your blonde. The best part.... it is SO cheap. You can get each of these products on Amazon for under $12. SCORE. Next up on my hair necessities are hair extensions. I have been through some really, really bad extensions. Like soooo bad. But I finally have found some that I am liking. They took a bit to master styling just right but now I have them down pat and only have to ask Matt maybe three times if you can see my clips before we go out.... thin haired girls, you know the struggle. I have always had super fine hair and not a lot of it for my entire life. Between various periods of lacking nutrients due to medical reasons and a slew of medication side effects to follow, my hair just continues to suffer. I am a firm believer that if there is something small you can do to make you feel better about yourself and more confident then why not do it? Hence, my love of hair extensions. My huge hair extension tip is: GET THEM COLORED AND CUT TO MATCH YOUR HAIR BY YOUR STYLIST.My stylist, a hair extension enthusiast herself, did a killer job of taking my extensions and making them look like they grew out of my head. I made the mistake at first of wearing them super long when my hair was around collar bone length. She made them blend really well but they just still looked stingy at the ends because of the lack of hair. Things changed BIG TIME when she cut them only about two inches longer than my natural hair and we went for volume not length. The scraggly ends were gone and my hair actually looked nice and full for the first time that I can remember. She also carefully toned my extensions to match my hair exactly. Big warning here, do not try and tone them at home, especially if you are a blonde. Having super blonde extensions, they will just suck up the color so it is best to let a professional do their work. I like to purchase a more blonde extension than I actually need because it is easier to deposit color/toner as opposed to lifting color out of them. I like THESE, the Piccolina Ash Blonde 120g 18" from Bellami. Since I have thin hair, anything more than the 120g would be too much and anything longer than 18" would be unnecessary since I mainly use them for volume. These are only around $120 (you can get promo codes all over Instagram for various percentages off as well), which isn't bad compare to what I have seen other brands come out to. These bad boys have lasted me for OVER a year which is amazing. I only wash them once every few wears which I know may sound gross but I don't wear them for physically active events. I usually only wear them on weekends for events which only last a couple of hours, which has definitely help me extend the life of these.
The only downsides are that since my hair is so thin sometimes you can see the clips if they aren't styled perfectly. That is more of a me problem than an extensions problem. The other downside, they are too much upkeep to wear everyday. For more of a permanent look (thinking engagement, wedding, honeymoon situation, hint hint wink wink) I am thinking of getting some tape ins. Believe me there will be a WHOLE other Crohnically Blonde post about that. Anyway, I hope this post helps! I know I scour endless blogs trying to discover what the best of the best is when it comes to keeping blonde hair blonde and when it comes to making my hair not look so wimpy. My last tip is to realize that a lot of the hair you see today is fake so don't be hard on yourself. I tell myself this almost 24/7. For the longest time I would admire reality TV stars and wonder how the hell they all were blessed with such perfect hair. Now don't get me wrong, some of them are, Brittany Cartwright I'm looking at you. But a majority of them utilize the secrets (and the staff) that we all wish we had. That being said, DO NOT hold yourself to unrealistic standards. You are beautiful no matter what you hair looks like. So own it. And if taking these tips and putting them into action makes you feel a little better and more confident, then I say go for it. xx
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Too many cocktails. Flights. Long days of traveling. Medications. Lots of salty food (aka all of my favorites, olives, chips, pickles).
These are just a few of the things that are precursors to the dreaded morning puffy skin. No amount of contour can help. You know what I'm talking about. I have spent many mornings trying to figure out what to do with this little problem. Everything from eye creams, to cooling serums, to compresses have been tested in my routine but it took me up until recently to find something that really gets the job done. I heard about ice rollers from The Skinny Confidential (post here) and I figured I would give it a try. I completely fell in love with this handy little tool when it arrived via Amazon Prime to my house. (Get it HERE) Here is how it works. There is a little detachable roller that you put into the freezer for about 15 minutes or so. When it is nice and frozen you pull it out, attach it to the handle, and roll away! I roll it in a downward motion all over my face. neck, and chest. I really focus on my jawline and my eye area. I know it sounds so simple but the depuffing effects are insane. It also helps a lot with pain. I grind my teeth like crazy 24/7 (especially when I sleep) and always wake up with a super sore jaw. I've been recently using this on my jaw when I wake up and it has really helped to reduce my pain. Also, this thing is a LIFE SAVER when you have a few too many glasses of wine and that sugar/dehydration headache kicks in. For real, I wish I knew about this in college. Also, my dogs are obsessed with it. At least, Charleston is. The first time I brought it out he started sniffing it so I started to roll it down his back. Now I have one specifically for the dogs and roll them to relax them. Charleston has some serious anxiety so this definitely calms him, especially at night. So that is tip number one. Tip number two.... These eye pads (HERE) are amazing. Uh-may-zing. I got them as samples, I think from Birchbox, and tried them after my work trip in Orlando. I figured that was the best time to test their true depuffing power. It was four days of little sleep, lots of work, traveling disasters, and, of course, some libations. I really doubted that these would actually do the job to make me look like I was at least a somewhat functioning human. I was very pleasantly surprised! These tiny little pads are packed with collagen serum cling nicely to your face so you don't have to lay their like a zombie while you have them on. I was walking around the house, doing laundry, reading, many activities, all while wearing them. I left them on for about 20 minutes and, boom, my bags under my eyes are essentially gone, my skin looks plump and lifted, and I officially have a new favorite under eye product. The best thing about this is the results actually lasted all day. You can get them on Amazon for only $18. SUCH A STEAL. To lock in the moisture I like to use Sephora Brand's Total Age Defy For Eyes & Lips. I just went to buy it again the other day and I think they discontinued it which is really upsetting. Now that I have the rest of my routine down I need to find a replacement for this! I love it because you can use it on your eye area and your lips for a plumping and moisturizing effect. I will be searching for something comparable that doesn't cost a fortune. If any of my CB readers have any suggestions please send them my way. I actually came across a great guide recently (check it out here) that breaks down and reviews the best eye creams for different conditions. Their picks for depuffing seem pretty legit. The one from Honest Beauty is at the top of my wish list right now! Hopefully this post is helpful and you can depuff this weekend and go into Monday with a fresh feel! Like I said, any recommendations for eye creams are greatly welcomed. Also, if there are any requests for posts please send them my way! I've have gotten a few so far which I definitely take to heart and have added them into my list of posts to do! I also recently changed my Instagram handle to @crohnicallyblonde to be cohesive with my brand so follow my page to stay updated on new posts and share your feedback with me! xx Just a few of my favorite things! With May right around the corner I wanted to do a round up of things I have been loving this past month. I've always loved reading posts like these on the blogs that I follow. I like to think they give a cool insight into what the "vibe" of that person's life has been like lately and also they are a great way to pick up some ideas of things to implement into my own life or routine. I will try and get into a habit or doing these posts each month and I would love to hear ya'll's feedback on what you like/have tried/are into right now as well! Enjoy! 1. Fresh Tulips- I have been absolutely loving having fresh tulips in the house this spring. Every week or so I have been trying to pick up some fresh blooms from our local Wegmans. They are only $6 for a simple bouquet and add some charm to my dining room. Recently I've been going to lavender and purple hued ones. I've also been reading a lot about starting a thriving garden of my own. A couple weeks ago we planted some tomatoes, herbs, and hibiscuses in the backyard and I definitely have plans to add some more blooms to my outdoor collection.
2. Pineapple Decor- Call me basic, but I am loving pineapple themed decor items. Between pineapple statues, candles, notebooks, and even adorable straws, pineapples are completely taking over my home. I've been using them to add more of a summery feel to the decorations I already have throughout my home. I've seen a ton of cute pineapple decor at Target but my favorite place that I've been able to pick up some home accessories lately is TJ Maxx! They have a ton of great items that are a fraction of the price of other stores. It definitely takes a bit of hunting but it is completely worth it for the steals you can find. 3. Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel- I love a good peel. And I have been all about glowing, radiant skin since the weather has been getting warmer. I usually like to do a peel or an intense exfoliating situation at least once per week. I like to do them right before my spray tan days so that I can start with a fresh face. I also like to use either a really heavy moisturizer or a moisturizing mask a couple of times per week as well to keep my skin looking full. Murad's Radiance Peel is one of my favorites right now because it leaves your skin feel super squeaky clean and renewed but isn't to harsh. I also really like to put a little bit on the backs of my hands as well. Hands are something that so many people forget to consistently take care of. They are one of the places on your body that really show age if you don't treat them well! Overall, I love everything that I have ever used from Murad and this product is no different. I also recommend grabbing one of their trial kits that have samples of usually four of their products that you can try and see how you like them. 4. The Lady Gang Podcast- If you want to feel like you are hanging out with three of your best friends, this podcast is for you. I am a podcast fanatic and I am always looking for ones to add to my weekly list. The Lady Gang makes me laugh until I cry and are so relatable they make me feel like the crazy weird things that are happening in my life are completely normal. They're always a fun start to my mornings to listen to while I get ready and on my way to work and I literally feel like I know their personal lives better than I know my best friend's. 5. The Art of Southern Charm- Patricia is literally my definition of goals right now. I devoured this book in one weekend and was actually taking notes of things I need to implement into my own life. I loved the book because it gave me a totally new perspective on her by hearing about her whole life story. I also loved the advice that she gave on life in general. It is a quick read and I definitely recommend it. Whether you are a Southern Charm fan or not, it is a great read for any woman who is interested in classing things up a little. 6. humm Kombucha- I have been all about the booch. I am currently still in the process of brewing my own and trying to discover some different flavor combinations. Usually I drink G.T. brand but the other day my mom brought over some humm kombucha and I fell in love. The flavors are so refreshing and are definitely providing me with some inspiration for flavor ideas for my own batch. I hope this provided some inspiration for things to try! Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback on these! xx Happy Hump Day Spoonies! I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I just got back from LA and Maui on Monday and I absolutely cannot wait to share all of the details with you guys! My first post, though, had to be about the amazing surprise that was awaiting me upon my arrival back in Maryland. If you guys are regular Crohnically Blonde readers, you probably saw my post about working with Spoonie Essentials Box (if you messed it, click here to get up to speed). I am so excited to have the opportunity to review their first box and let me tell you it was just that much sweeter that I came home to my box delivery after almost 24 hours straight of traveling. I figured what better way to showcase all of the goodies (and the serious usefulness of all of them for us Spoonies) than catch my jet lagged self chatting about it all on video. My brain was too tired to properly write sentences so why not blab about the awesomeness! Check out my review and if you like what you see head over to SpoonieEssentialsBox.com to pick your subscription and sign up! Also, follow them on Instagram @Spoonie_Essentials_Box for some more fun reviews and discount codes. As always, feel free to comment or email with any questions or comments. I always look forward to hearing from you all! When I was preparing for my vacation I had to dig through my piles of favorite makeup to decide what the tried and true items were that would make the journey with me. I figured it would be a great time for me to share my picks that are absolute must haves of the moment that I literally couldn't leave home without. I've tried a plethora of different products and over time I have realized what is worth the investment and what items you can go drugstore brand or store brand on. Recently I have really fallen in love with a lot of the Sephora brand products. It started with their foundations which I realized do well even with my sensitive skin and then I branched off from there, so that's why you are seeing so much of that! All products can actually be found at Sephora or Sephora.com besides the bag which was a hilarious Nordstrom Rack find via Matt. I can't make any promises about the smaller sizes being online or in store because I got them from special edition kits and such but the full sizes should be readily available. 1. Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation- At only $28 per bottle this stuff is a STEAL. It has a buildable coverage that looks insanely natural and lasts, not kidding, all day. Honestly, I had wanted to try this for a while because I love airbrush foundations but the price tags on some higher end brand formulas were not so appealing. I thought that a lower price tag meant lower quality but on this product I have not felt that to be the case. I heard Stassi raving about it on her podcast so I took the plunge and here we are. I'm obsessed. 2. Kat Von D Lock It Hydrating Primer- This is a newer find of mine that I really am loving. I wanted a primer that was smoothing but a lot of the "blur" ones I came across are too drying and my foundation didn't set right over them. This primer is the best of both worlds because it has a blur effect but is still hydrating. 3. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highligher in Moonstone- Under the brows, on the checks, on the eyelids. This stuff can go anywhere and I love it. Its a perfect highlighter because it isn't too shimmery and the finish is creamy not sticky. I use it mainly as a highlighter but also as a cream shadow if I am in a pinch or just want a natural glow. The Moonstone is my favorite because the gold tone makes me feel a little summery. 4. Sephora Bright Set Pressed Finishing Powder- This formula is both mattifying and brightening, meanwhile still delivery a blending effect to finish a look off. This is a triple threat that I cannot get enough of AND it is at a perfect price of $16. Spoiler Alert: The formula doesn't even upset my sensitive skin. Thank you Sephora! 5. Sephora Collection Bronzer Powder in Los Cabos- This is described as a "matte universal tan" and it is just that! I am obsessed with the color, finish, and staying power of this formula. For contouring purposes, layering over cream contour formulas, and an overall glow this bronzer is amazing. Dare I say.... this bronzer seems comparable to NARS Laguna..... Yup....I SAID IT. 6. Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara- Volumizing, lengthening, and packing a serious punch with pigment, this mascara is the bomb. The gentle formula doesn't irritate my eyes which is something that I often struggle with (hence why I love using Tarte mascara)! Not going to lie, this mascara is the closest I have gotten to "falsies" without actually applying fake lashes. Proof: Even Matt was fooled. He tried to pull my lashes mid Starbucks visit in the airport asking me why I was wearing fake lashes already (aka who was I trying to look good for hahah). When I screamed "owch those are freakin real!!!!) I think he got the point. You should too. 7. Sephora Collection Brow Thickener in Blonde- This is an easy way to add some amp to your brows in an effortless way. I also like the brow pencil from the Sephora Collection! 8. Ardency Inn Modster Liner- The finish is matte black which is very comparable to Perversion by Urban Decay. The staying power is also great and even lasted through 24 hours straight of traveling. I love layering this as my last step after false lashes because it gives such a sexy, thickening effect! 9. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Roller Ball- This perfume has been a long time favorite of mine. The crisp, fresh smell makes it perfect for any occasion which means it is a must have for your travel bag or purse. I also find that it blends well if I have some other fragrant product on either in my hair or on my body. Since it doesn't conflict, I don't have to worry.
10. A sassy bag- Enough said. I am SO excited to announce that I have just partnered with Spoonie Essentials Box to help them promote their newly launching product as well as reviewing their box on Crohnically Blonde! The way I like to explain the concept of the S.E.B. is it is like a Birchbox (something I am already obsessed with), just completely tailored for those suffering with chronic illness. HOW COOL IS THAT. They are officially launching in January 2017 and the online spoonie community is seriously buzzing about it. My explanation doesn't do it justice so here it is straight from the source: "The Spoonie Essentials Box is not just a beauty box, it's a box inspired by spoonies, just for spoonies! Each month us spoonies over at S.E.B carefully select products, goods, and services built around the culture of being an invisible-illness warrior & chronic disease ninja! Our selections are intended to support us spoonies on the bad days, compliment us on the good days, and enhance our always amazing infusion or hospital stay-cations! " I cannot even begin to explain to you guys how on brand this box is for what Crohnically Blonde is all about! It embodies all of the beauty, strength, and sass that chronic warriors have while at the same time providing that sweet little boost of positivity that you need to get through those less than ideal days.
Recently on their Instagram (@spoonie_essentials_box) they have revealed a few of their products/box items for January 2017 and I can't get enough. From adorable and inspirational keychains, to pill dispensing water bottles, to hospital stay totes, I feel like S.E.B. is presenting me with options I need but didn't even know I needed. I am extremely excited to have the privellage to review this box come January and be a part of this online community. On top of all of this excitement, get this.... until New Year's Eve at midnight you can get 10% off all monthly subscription boxes with the code WELCOME17. Let me know if you sign up and how excited you are! If you are waiting for a review before you pull the trigger, rest assured, one will be happening ASAP so stay tuned. Check out the Spoonie Essentials Box website, linked below. xx Tis the season of gift exchanges, parties where host gifts are required, and wrapping your brain around what to get not only for these events but for the regulars on your Christmas gifting list. I am ALL about girl gifts. Sisters, friends, coworkers.... I think it is selfishly because it is like I am living vicariously through what I am buying for them but hey, it is what it is. It is always my goal each year to think of unique and thoughtful gifts that my friends and family will actually use. I am all about cute monogrammed items and things that are probably something you wouldn't buy for yourself. Fun fact: This year my sisters and I were featured in the Land's End catalog to showcase our matching monogrammed moccasins from Christmas 2015! Showing off all of the girl gift love! This year I tried a different approach and started listing cool things that I came across throughout the year so that by time Christmas came I had a unique compilation of ideas. Whether it was something I tried and loved, gotten as a gift and thought it was great, or was dying to try... it went on the list. I know it sounds like I was making a list for myself (maybe, sort of) but my friends and family on the ladies side of things are pretty similar to me as far as taste goes. I put together this list to hopefully make this last weekend of shopping a bit easier for you! Some of these can be purchased in the store and others online, which I why I wanted to push this post out before it would be to late to get things shipped before Christmas! The other great thing is, they're all under $50! Click the set below to shop my picks. WHY THESE?1. Heartspring Co Lip Balm- Literally my favorite lip balm ever! The new all natural brand was created by Kristina Kelly (you may know her from Bravo's Vanderpump Rules). They are so soothing especially in the cold weather and the fact that they are all natural is a huge win in my book. Get your friend one of these and she will be immediately addicted. Kristina puts all the TLC into these, hand bottling the formulas in her Santa Monica apartment and it really shows in the quality of these!
2. Lyte Planner- For your super organized giftee there is nothing better than a fresh new planner! Some of my favorites are from Lyte Planner which not only are super stylish but have a clean layout that just clicks with how my brain works. OCD that is. 3. Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist- One of my coworkers had this and after I tried it I became totally obsessed. If you are looking for a pick me up that is both soothing and refreshing AND has a ton of skincare benefits, this has got you covered. This is one of those items that you don't know you need until someone gets it for you. 4. 'Cravings' Serving Board- Sometimes a little something for the home is in order and I can't get over how cute this serving board is. Whether you're using it to serve a delicious cheese plate or just to look beautiful on your dining room table, this gift is a winner. 5. Tarte Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette- You cannot go wrong with this palette. The colors and matte finish are universally flattering and Tarte's products are approved for sensitive skin. This is another item that you wouldn't necessarily think to buy yourself (I would but that's just me) but once you get it you don't know how you lived without it. You're. Welcome. 6. The Magnolia Story- Chip and Jo #goals. If this book doesn't warm your heart while simultaneously make you want to redo your entire house you are a real Grinch. 7. Modern Mix Faux Fur Throw Blanket- Furry throws are a must for getting cozy and binging on Netflix. This is an affordable version from Target that gives all the comfy with less of the price tag. 8. Fringe Snood- Another cozy winter favorite right here. Not going to lie, Aerie makes a great scarf/snood. Well constructed, trendy, and warm as anything. Your Secret Santa will be thanking you as soon as the temperature drops below 40. 9. Monogrammed Wine Glasses- I really enjoy a good monogrammed home situation. These wine glasses are both useful and will look great in and Instagram picture. #priorities 10. Home for Christmas Lush Giftset- Nothing says treat yo self like a giftset devoted to doing just that. All natural goodness and relaxation is just what everyone wants but doesn't want to splurge on for themselves. Do your friends and family a favor and make them take some time for themselves! Relaxing is a skill. A skill that I am not very good at. My brain is wired for two things: full speed ahead and sleeping. My capability of "non productive time" is something I have not found they key to tapping into. For example, today I am home with a stomach bug and instead of sleeping and resting... here I am, hey everyone. Per doctor's orders I am working on it... slowly but surely. Everyone needs some time to chill the eff out sometimes and for me that happy place just happens to be with bubble baths. Not only do bubble baths actually force me to not be running around doing things but they also help to detox the body and reduce aches and pains. Score. During this quest for relaxation I have narrowed down some truly awesome bath products that are the best of the best as well as a few of my other relaxation must haves. 1. Rose Bath Salts- Bath salts in general are amazing. Great detox, awesome for your skin, the smell is armatically relaxing. Basically you can't go wrong. Rose bath salts are my new favorite at the moment.
2. Alex and Ani Candle- Love love love Alex and Ani candles. They burn forever and the smell is perfectly subtle. 3. Lush Bath Bombs- So many to choose from! These are my go to bath bombs but I also like to pick up some other homemade ones from local shops whenever I travel. Eucalyptus is my favorite. 4. Coconut Hydrating Mask- Multitasking while bubble bathing is the best. I always slap on a face mask and sometimes even a hair mask and let it alllll sink in. 5. Adult Coloring Book- Sometimes my brain just will not stop working when I am trying to relax and adult coloring books are one of my favorite ways to keep my mind working but in a relaxing way. To shop these picks, click the picture above. I have a lot more specific recommendations so feel free to reach out for any other suggestions. Happy relaxing Crohnies! I've already shared my skincare must haves of the moment so I figured hair is up next! Recently I just got my locks cut short again. Usually a shorter do is my go to but every so often I think that my super straight and fine hair can actually grow out to create a Real Housewives worthy look, sans extensions. After it gets about 6 months overdue of a good cut I always come to, to the harsh reality that I will be forever embracing "short hair don't care". Now I'm not complaining about this because I have a BOMB stylist who makes sure that my bob is more of a lob and anything but soccer mommish. I take pride in the fact that this time around I feel like I have achieved Pinterest worthy hair (even though I have zero talent associated with this feat, I just picked out the inspiration photo, go me!). I figured to commemorate this moment I would share my current must haves in the haircare department. Here we go! 1. ColorProof Control Craze Styling Creme- I picked this up from my salon and use it on my damp hair to give my ends a piecey look. A little bit goes a long way and it leaves zero crispy feel or yucky residue. 2. Label M Texturising Volume Spray- This stuff is probably my favorite thing I have ever put onto my scalp. For real. I also picked this up from my salon. With super fine hair like mine sometimes you need a little extra grit and texture when your hair is freshly washed. For years I was spraying dry shampoo onto my perfectly clean hair just to give it some volume. This spray does exactly what your dry shampoo would do, just without the yucky residue and with an actually lift and hold. A++ on the product scale for me! 3. Not Your Mother's Bach Babe Soft Waves Sea Salt Spray- This is honestly the best sea salt spray I have ever tried and is phenomenal for texturizing short hair curls. I have tried everything under the sun as far as sea salt sprays but this one packs the most punch for an extremely low price. You do have to use a bit more than the more expensive alternatives but it never builds up to feels sticky or crunchy. 4. Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo- I have tried a ridiculous amount of dry shampoos, mostly because I really hate washing my hair. I got this product free for testing from Influenster and to be honest I did not think I was going to be impressed. Joke is on me though because day one when I tried this stuff it was actually pretty awesome. It didn't leave a weird white residue in my hair, it didn't increase the frizz (it actually seemed to control it!), and my hair was still malleable enough to style. Officially added to my daily routine. I hope you enjoyed hearing about my hair care faves! In the comments please feel free to ask me any questions, give me recommendations, and let me know what you would like to see me post about/review next! Season after season, I am constantly adapting my skincare routine. Partially because I am a beauty product junkie (thank you five years in makeup sales!) and partially because my skin changes with the weather. This year I am all about deep cleansing, serious moisture without the greasy feel, and protection from the UV rays. Self tanners are in there as well but they deserve their own post, mainly because I just have too much to say. Almost all of these products can be purchased at my alma mater, Ulta. Cleansing: As a die hard Clarisonic fan, I never thought that I would make the switch to the Clinique Sonic System. When my Clarisonic Mia broke I had a mini break down and needed to get a new brush ASAP before I left for vacation in a few days. I opted for the Clinique option in all honesty because it was a cheaper option. Thanks to my frugal moment I found my new favorite skincare tool. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin but does the job as far as exfoliation goes. At only $89.50, this brush gives you some serious savings from its pricier rivals. I paired it with the Foaming Sonic Facial Soap which leaves my skin feeling super clean without leaving any kind of residue. My additional "must have" pictured? Coola face SPF. I got it in my Birchbox a few months back and cannot get enough. It is perfectly lightweight and has zero greasy after effects. Moisturizing: Bee-cause I am obsessed with honey product right now. This obsession all started when I heard Scheana Shay on one podcast or another raving about her Manuka honey skincare obsession. I began frantically Googling this phenomenon and wondering why I was so late on discovering this miracle ingredient. Thanks to my research I discovered the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of ingesting Manuka honey. This was a major "aha" moment for someone who a) has an inflammatory disease and b) can't take regular antibiotics. At this point, I am in a car for a six hour drive to a beach vacation, mid Crohn's flare up which, of course causes my skin to freak out as well. I frantically Amazon Prime this Manuka honey skin cream to my destination and that was probably the best impulse buy I've made in a while. This stuff literally worked miracles on my skin. My mixture of cystic/hives bump situation was cured within days and my face has never felt so moisturized. My advice is to definitely get this cream if you have any type of skin condition that needs some extra TLC. It is best for a night time routine in my opinion due to the thickness. To get my daytime honey fix, I've been using the Honey Dew Me Up primer by NYX. It delivers the right amount of glow without leaving your skin looking greasy on a summer day. It soaks into your skin quickly with very little drying time and allows for almost immediate application of your concealer/foundation afterwards. I've not only noticed the increased moisturizing effects but also the stay power of my face makeup has improved as well! For a drugstore brand price point, this stuff definitely holds its own against big name contenders in my book. Suncare: As a reformed tanning bed fanatic, years ago I could have never seen myself willfully reaching for the SPF. As if all of the increasing articles and studies about skin cancer weren't enough to scare me, one of the side effects of my immunosuppressant is "increased risk of skin cancer". Suncare is clearly not something to take lightly, not only because of cancer risks but because overall you are aging your skin. Your skin is your largest organ so why shouldn't you care for it and protect it like it is.
Sunbum is my absolute go to when it comes to suncare. Between their face stick to lip balm to easy to apply spray lotion, I am a fan all around. Due to my back to back vacations full of on the go activities these two products have been heroes this season. The spray lotion is easy to apply on the run, stays put through multiple activities, and is gentle on sensitive skin. The Cool Down Aloe Gel is perfect for those spots that may have gotten too much sun by accident or in this case, for my boyfriend who missed getting lotion on an entire arm before our Cozumel boating excursion..... If you like what you see shop my picks via the links below: Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush Bee Real Advanced Skin Cream NYX Cosmetics Honey Dew Me Up Skin Serum & Primer Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing After Sun Gel Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 |
Blonde babe.
Millennial mom. Crohn's crusher. Mental health advocate. Sharing my raw and real journey through motherhood and navigating Crohn’s Disease. CrohnicallyBlonde is a place where I serve up my unfiltered commentary on chronic illness, mental health, pregnancy, and motherhood alongside lighter lifestyle content like beauty product reviews, travel tips, and book recommendations. My hope is that by authentically sharing my story I can help others going through similar situations not feel so alone and maybe even laugh along with me. categories
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