Saturday, June 22, 2013

Review: New Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzer in Matte Medium

New 2013 Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzer in Matte Medium

Maybelline has come out with some new bronzers just in time for summer!  I recently purchased this at my local CVS for $9 but I'm sure you can find it for a cheaper price at other stores.
 
I purchased Matte Medium because I mostly use bronzers for contouring.  My husband had made a comment about my face looking red and shortly later on that day in the car I did notice my face looking red.  Well it was my bronzer that had red undertones (no good).  So I told him to pull over and let me find something quick.


As you can see this bronzer is not that pigmented, it's not sheer but it's not heavily pigmented.  So girls who are scared to over apply bronzer, this one would work great.  I personally prefer a pigmented bronzer, so I can use a light hand and I get more for my money.

PROS
-Can be found at drugstores
-Won't have a hard time over applying
-Matte (shimmer isn't for everyone)
 
CONS
-price is okay, I personally would value this around $5-$6
-size is kind of small for a bronzer

Hope this review helped you if you're thinking about purchasing a new bronzer.  I honestly won't repurchase this unless it is on clearance.  ;)

Friday, June 21, 2013

DIY: How to Lighten Hair Without Bleaching

I've been coloring my hair since 2005, and bleaching is one thing I absolutely hate to do.  I love my hair lighter than my usual dark brown/black with red tones. 

Please note that I am not a professional hairstylist/cosmetologist, I posted this because I figured there are other people who want to try to do it on their own, or have had bad experiences having others do it. 

 This is the product I used which is found at Sally's Beauty Supply.  I have never had any "brassy" "orange" issues using lifting products.
 
"Lifting" hair is when you lighten hair in levels 20, 30, and 40.  Obviously the lighter you want it, the higher the number.

I usually buy Clairol's Soy 4Plex 30 Developer. My scalp is used to hair coloring so it's not so sensitive to developers.  If you find your scalp burns or itches a lot, try purchasing a developer made for sensitive scalps.
 
**The ratio for the developer is 1:1 so if the hair color is 2oz then you want 2oz of developer.  I used 2oz of developer with the hair color. 
 
 
Preparing to lift your hair, make sure you have gathered these products:
gloves
hair color applicator bottle
developer
hair color
a deep conditioner
 
 
My application process:
-turn on music
-part hair
-put gloves on
-mix developer and hair color, let it sit for a few minutes for the mix to process
**-start applying on ends, then roots last (because the heat from your scalp will cause the color to process faster on the roots leaving "hot roots")If you haven't colored your hair before, leave the mix on your ends for 15 minutes and watch the color develop.  Once you are achieving the color you want, apply on the roots.  If it's not lifting leave it in longer.
 
 

Monday, June 3, 2013

DIY Fairy Light Vanity Area ♥ [original]


I'm obsessed with lights at night.  I think that's my favorite part of Christmas actually, the tree.  Our new place has open space and high ceilings so I wanted to fill up our room with more warmth. ;)


Materials used:

tulle curtains from Ikea - $5
white string mini lights (target) - $6
a mirror (if you don't have one already) (I bought mine from Bed Bath and Beyond)

I bundled up the top of the curtains and tied them together into a small circle with a metal wire then hung it on a nail.  I strung the lights onto the nail too. 

Simple..yet it makes me happy :)