Weekend Plans

The weather has taken a cold turn today, and it looks like it will be staying all weekend. What are your plans? Here are mine. Come join me!

&

Hope to see you there! 

Feature Friday {Neutrogena Build a Tan}

I know, I know, I am terrible lately! I have SO many ideas and drafts I just need to get around to posting. No excuses. Anyways, I wanted to share a product feature...it is my new love.

I am so white. My dear husband even called my skin "see through" once because I am so white. I burn easily, but I love me some color! Spray tanning, and any other form of sunless tanning have always made me super nervous. It is always risky, but when you are as white as me its flirting with disaster. I always fear turning out oompa loompa style. Anyways. A lot of the lotions that have great reviews also cost a TON. And sadly, spending big dollars to get a sunless glow is not in my gradstudentwife budget. SO enough talking. I found something magical!

Neutrogena Build a Tan! It is marvelous! I have put it on about 4 times now...and I can totally see a difference BUT. No orange, no streaks, and no nasty smell. This stuff is fabulous. I even put it on my FACE people. It is great! As always use precautions like rubbing it alllllll the way in and make it as even as you can AND always wash your hands right after you put it on. Be extra careful on ankles, feet, knees, elbows and your face. Ready for the best news? I paid well under $10 for by bottle at the Wal Mart. Picked it up while grocery shopping...how convenient.

Even my "see through white" skin is taking it beautifully. TRY IT. Get yourself summer ready with NO damage to your skin. WONDERFUL. Go buy some. Now.

$8000

So I recently saw something on TV that reminded me of a topic I have been meaning to discuss forever. Celebrities.

One time while watching a movie with my older, wiser, and beautiful sister, I complained that I was just so ugly compared to insert celebrity of choice. I don't even remember which one it was, but I often find myself falling short of the beauty of the stars. My sister replied with, "if you had all the help she has, you would look that glamorous too." It made me think.

Since then I have preached that attitude. If we all had a personal stylist, makeup artist, trainer, personal chef/dietitian, and everything else along with the money to fund it all...chances are we would all be perfectly glamorous. Well, recently this article proved me right. Jennifer Aniston reportedly spends $8000 a month maintaining herself. Talk about help? She has it. 

Now I am not judging Jenifer (though like she'd care if I did). If I had her bank account I wouldn't mind dropping some serious cash on self preservation. But the next time you feel blah compared to the rich and famous, remember they aren't doing it alone, or on a budget. It is not realistic for us normal folks. So don't get down. You are beautiful. Sounds cliche but it is a strong belief of mine. No matter what, you are beautiful. 

Pamper yourself sometimes, and make the best of what you have. Everyone deserves to feel glamorous, but more importantly, everyone deserves to FEEL beautiful.

A Bridal Affair

I have mentioned before how much I love working with brides. Well last week was a special treat. My very dear friend, who often works as my model on this blog, got married! The day was beautiful, and since you all probably feel like you know her by now, I thought I would share her wedding hair with you.I would ask her permission, but who wants to hear from their hairstylist on their honeymoon...I don't think she will care. She was a beautiful bride.

Gorgeous girl, right? Photography by Amanda Peterson, who (whom?) I also love.

Tuesday How To on Wednesday

Just another way to put your hair up. It can be done a million ways, and the less perfect the better. Take a look.

This can be done with shorter hair and you will just need one knot. You could also do more sections to make it knottier. 

Think about it.

Happy Day of Love everyone! I hope you all do something you love today, and I hope you are all loving your hair! I did something drastic last night and it inspired me to share something with you all. Let's talk a little bit about pixie haircuts. I love them, but they are not something you should ever jump into on a whim. They are a commitment. Allow me to explain 5 things you should consider before taking the plunge.

1. Hair texture. I think pixie cuts work best on finer, softer hair types. Coarse hair can be really hard to work with at such a short length. I also think straight hair tends to transition to super short cuts a little bit better. Getting crazy curls to do what you want can be nearly impossible. These are generalizations though, your stylist can give you an individual consult to see if a pixie is right for your hair. The right curl can actually be amazing for a short style.
2. Face shape. This should always be a consideration when choosing a hair style. We often use a haircut to mask things you don't love about your face shape, and accentuate the things you do love. With a pixie, there is no hiding. It really opens up and exposes your face. For this reason, I think they work best on oval or heart shaped faces.
3. The grow out. Pixie hair cuts are seriously rough to grow out, and they go through some awkward, funky stages before becoming something you will love again. It isn't a reason to NOT cut your hair short, but you deserve to know the truth. Life will be rough for a few months, though there are always things to make your life easier. (side extensions anyone?)
4. Lack of material. Though I think short hair can be very versatile (wait for my pixie styling post), you are also limited. Especially with really short styles, things like curling, braiding, and any fort of ponytail are not really possible. If you love to do all sorts of things like that, you might miss your length.
5. The type of pixie. Pixie is a generic term for short hair, but you have a lot of options when it comes to going short. Take the time to do your research. Look at all the pictures you can and identify what you like and don't like. Also consult with your stylist to work around any cowlicks you might have. TAKE YOUR TIME. You should want to cut a pixie for at least a month before you do it. That way you know you really want it. 

Always talk to your stylist about your specific hair and any concerns you might have. Pixie cuts are SO much fun, but not always for everyone. 

I thought I would show you MY hair! And if you were wondering, yes. I felt awkward taking pictures of myself in my front yard, but it seemed more awkward to ask someone else to do it for me. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Tuesday How To

This is a simple and SO versatile style. I have super short hair, but love this as a way to get my bangs back. If you have longer hair is a fun way to get it all up, or pushed to one side. Watch!

Quick, easy, and a nice change up from french braiding...also easier in my opinion. Enjoy!