Dry Shampoo Review

     As part of maintaining my blonde hair, washing less frequently has been a necessity, and with that of course, comes finding a way to get rid of grease in between washes. I naturally tend to have oily hair, so dry shampoo has been a product that I've been using for a while. Recently, I feel that I've come across products that have really left an impression on me and obviously, I'd like to share the knowledge!

Osis+ Refresh Dust

     This dry shampoo was one of the first salon brands that I tested out and Schwarzkopf as a brand has some really great products, so I expected just as much from their dry shampoo. This particular dry shampoo works best for short-term use (i.e. we are just trying to extend in between a wash or so), but doesn't really do well for heavy duty use (at least not in my hair). Although it isn't my number one, it still is on my top five list mainly because it smells great and it does a great job not leaving a grey-cast in my hair.

AG Hair Simply Dry Dry Shampoo

     Ever since trying AG hair products in March, this product has been my ride-or-die. This dry shampoo does an excellent job keeping up with me no matter how long I would like to go in between washes (Which is typically around every three days...maybe four if necessary). Something that I've also noticed is that this is one of those dry shampoos that I don't have to pile on. I can put some on one day and the next day it still has pretty good oil control. As with other AG products, the scent is lovely, and it sprays on without leaving a residue. 

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

     This product was a recent discovery for me and let me tell you, I was impressed. I picked this up on a whim because I wasn't going to get a chance to make it to a salon store with my sister, so I bought this one at my local Target. This was pretty much the only dry shampoo that I used during SPP, and I thought it worked just as well as my beloved AG Simply Dry. Best part? It was only 5!!! So for the people that want to stay at a drugstore price point, I highly recommend that you try this one as it's probably the best drugstore dry shampoo that I've tried. 

Using Dry Shampoo

     

     To get the most out of your dry shampoo, it is best to apply about 4-7 inches away from your scalp and then give it some time to soak in. I typically will apply my dry shampoo and then will go off to do my makeup. When you've given it some time to settle, just use your fingers to work it into your scalp and then massage out the rest. In general, your hair will take some time getting used to not being washed as frequently, but using dry shampoo can help while you are in transition. Over time, your hair will get used to going longer between washes and you won't need to use as much dry shampoo.

     So, for the days that you woke up a bit late from your post-all-nighter nap and you don't have a lot of time to wash your hair, dry shampoo can be your best friend. Also, it is a great thing to use to freshen up after hitting the gym, when you don't want to walk out looking a hot mess, in case you run into the cute Histology T.A. 

I hope you are having a wonderful start to your week, and I will be talking to you soon! 

~Genesis<3

     

Current Beauty Faves: May 2016

     As a beauty lover, I enjoy trying new products to see if I can find new favorites. For this post, I wanted to share some of the repeat offenders that I've been loving as well as some new things that I've picked up and have been enjoying!

Hair

AG Hair Simply Dry Dry Shampoo

      Part of maintaining long and color-treated hair involves washing your hair less frequently. In order to fight off an oily scalp between washes, I enlist the help of a dry shampoo. Now, I've tried quite a few dry shampoos on the market and they can be hit or miss.  But, this one has to be one of my favorites. It smells lovely and it doesn't leave any residue which is always a concern for me because I have dark roots. Another really cool thing is that I don't have to re-apply every day. If I apply it one day, the next day my hair doesn't really get oily. So, I don't have to keep piling up product in my hair. The brand also offers tinted options within their dry shampoo range, which is also really nice.

Schwarzkopf Color Save Silver Shampoo

     In order to prevent my blonde hair from turning brassy, I've been using a purple shampoo. My sister recommended this one and It's been working really well. It's actually pretty fun to use because it comes out a really deep purple and the suds it creates have a lilac tinge. It smells great and It cleans my hair without stripping my color.

Blondme Keratin Restore Mask

     I've been using this product in place of conditioner as I want something a bit thicker since having blonde hair can be drying on your ends. When I have this in my hair, my hair feels super silky. About every other wash, I'll use it as an actual mask. So, I'll apply it, tie my hair up, leave it in for about 20 minutes and then wash it out. This leaves my hair feeling super soft and conditioned. I know that it is marketed towards blondes, but I'm pretty sure anyone who just needs a deep repair mask can use it as it's not tinted.

Traceless Hair Ring

     One of the perks of having a hairstylist for a sister is being able to find great, inexpensive hair products. One of the most recent hair trends has been the Invisibobble traceless hair ring. When we were picking up some hair supplies, we stumbled upon a knock-off version and it has become my new fave. Having long hair can get hot sometimes and tying up my hair was always a struggle because I didn't always want to commit to the annoying ponytail indent in my hair. Now, that's not an issue. I can put up and take down my hair and it still looks great. I got mine for around 99 cents and the original retails for around $8. If you can find a cheaper version, I say totally go for it. Is the $8 justifiable? I'd say kind of. You'll only need one and if you don't lose it, you will have it for a pretty long time. I love mine because I can use it in the shower and all I have to do is rinse and dry it after, which is something I couldn't do with a traditional ponytail holder.

Skin

Boots Botanics Shine Away Mattifying Day Cream

     I'll be honest, when it comes to skincare, I am not always up on my game. I am pretty lax about moisturizing, but I do know it's really important. So, I made it a goal of mine to try to incorporate it into my routine. I picked up this little guy at Target and it has made it on the repeat offender list ( I am currently on my third jar!). I like it because it's pretty light weight and I've noticed that my skin hasn't gotten as oily. I will say that if you use this with makeup, you do want to give it a second to settle in. But otherwise, it works really well. The price isn't that bad either ($13), when you can easily spend $40+ on a good moisturizer.

Simple Cleansing Face Wipes

   One of my staples for my beauty routine is a good set of face wipes. I like to use them to remove my makeup before washing my face and on the very rare occasion, in place of face washing. I like these because they do a really good job at removing makeup (even waterproof) and they don't sting my eyes, which I have experienced with some other face wipes. They are also available at pretty much any drugstore so they are easy to get ahold of. They've been my go-to face wipes for a couple months now and I believe I'm on my at least 5th or 6th pack.

Makeup

CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation

     I picked up this little guy about a month ago while I was perusing through the beauty aisle at Target. I was rather annoyed with the last foundation I tried (The Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation by BECCA) because it didn't work for me at all and it was rather expensive. As I hadn't tried a drugstore one in a while, I figured I'd give this one a go. I'll say, that I am rather impressed. It has been working much better than the BECCA foundation and the price point is really great. I picked mine up for around $7 which is on the lower end of the foundation spectrum (drugstore foundations usually run around the $10-$15 dollar range). I've been currently using this one as my everyday foundation and It lasts pretty well on my skin. The color doesn't oxidize and the color I chose matches my skin rather well. Is it the most amazing foundation I've ever tried? Not exactly. But, for the price, I am pretty content until I find something else higher end I'd like to try. SN: It currently holds up well, but I am interested to see how it performs during warmer weather.

Absolute New York Nano Liner and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

     I picked up the Anastasia brow definer the day after getting my hair dyed. I was looking for something that would help soften the look of my brows as they are naturally rather dark and I didn't want them to be too overwhelming with my blonde hair. My brows are naturally pretty full, so filling them in can make them look pretty intense sometimes. With this brow product, I don't really have that issue. The color is really great for my hair color (I use the shade soft brown). If you've been looking to try a brow product, this one is pretty great. Also, I went with the brow definer rather than the popular brow wiz because you get twice as much product in the brow definer for the same price.

     I got the Absolute New York Nano Liner in an ipsy bag a couple months ago and I am pretty impressed. I am a huge classic makeup fan, so naturally winged liner is a must-have for me. I tend to struggle with liners, though, because my eyes get watery from time-to-time and it causes my liner to run. Surprisingly, with this liner, I don't have that issue. The formula is pretty great and the tip of the liner is super fine, so it's really easy to use. If you are trying to get into winged liner or an easier application, I'd suggest finding something that has a fine tip like this one.

     So, that was a little glimpse into what I've currently been using. I have a couple other products that I just picked up and after I test them a bit, I'll most likely let you know what I think. I'm trying to streamline my makeup collection, so I'll hopefully be doing a bit of beauty clean up as well. I hope you guys are having a great week and that you enjoy your weekend. I'll talk to you soon!

~ Genesis<3

Beauty Products For Spring

     One of my favorite things to do every season is to switch out some of the products that I have in my makeup bag. Now that it has been feeling a lot like Spring, I thought it was the best time to do this. 

     Obviously, the best way to present this was to make a video so that I could better describe the products, but I'll put some pictures of the products below, so you can get a better look at what I show in the video.

Products Mentioned:

AG Hair Texture Kit

Powder Blushes

(L) Hikari blush in Tango (R) Sephora blush in Orange Pop

Cream Blushes

(L) MAC Casual Colour Lip and Cheek Colour in Relaxation (R) Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink

Lip Products and Makeup Brush

Brush is the Contour Brush from the Real Techniques Core Collection Lipsticks: (Top) Rimmel Colour Rush in Lady Marmalade (Bottom) Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in  Showy

Bronzer

Tarte Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Nail Polish

(L) OPI Nail Polish in "Do You Take Lei Away?" (R) OPI Nail Polish in "Rich Girls & Po-Boys"

Swatches

(L) Rimmel Colour Rush in Lady Marmalade (R) Revlon Colorburst in  Showy

(L-R) MAC-Relaxation, Bobbi Brown-Pale Pink, Sephora-Orange Pop, Hikari- Tango

   I hope you have a great weekend and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

   

Hair Care!

     Today's post is going to veer in a different direction from my typical posts, but as someone who is a beauty lover, you can expect quite a few beauty related posts on this blog. Today's focus, Hair. 

    Now, for some reason, I feel that this year I have developed an awesome relationship with my hair. A lot of this does have to do with the fact that my sister is a hairstylist and helps me keep my hair healthy. But, I would also say that I've been more conscious about what I do to my hair to maintain it. As I feel that my system is going pretty well, I wanted to share what I do with you guys. 

Current hair situation. My sister recently re-toned it with an ashy undertone.

My Hair

     If you've been following my blog, you probably remember me mentioning that I've been more daring. Well, my hair definitely was part of that as 2015 was the first time that I had ever colored my hair. I was partly inspired by the need to be daring and also by the fact that my sister dyed her hair green ( Sounds weird, but she pulls it off really well!). I was falling behind on the daring, so I decided to take the leap and try something new. Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVED my natural hair color, and that was the main reason that I had refrained from coloring my hair, but with all the pretty hair coloring I'd seen on Instagram and Pinterest, I was ready to try it myself. So, in October, we decided to go for a copper-brown balayage ( mine turned out slightly more on the highlight side initially, but it has grown into more of a balayage). Not going to lie, at first, I felt odd and unsure about my hair, but after a couple weeks and loads of compliments, I really loved it. When my sister dyed my hair, she also did a keratin treatment making my hair super soft which definitely added to my hair love. After a couple months, the initial color had faded out and it started to look like the picture below, which I did really like, but as it is winter, we re-toned it with a more ashy tone ( seen in the picture above) instead of a copper undertone.

My previous hair color with copper undertones.

Taking Care of Your Hair

     

     Since I do have long, color-treated hair, your routine might differ from mine, but I do still believe that some of these tips can work well for anyone.

          1.) Get your hair cut regularly: I try to get mine cut every 6-8 weeks, but then again not everyone has a hairstylist sister, so I'd say aim for at least every 3 months if you are growing it out so that it can grow healthy. You really want to try to prevent split ends and getting it cut regularly will ensure that your ends remain fresh and free from breakage.

          2.) Don't wash it every day:

 For someone with long hair, it has always been a given that I shouldn't wash my hair every day as it really dries out my ends, but now that I have color-treated hair it is super essential not to. I would say that now I wash my hair every third day. I did previously have oily hair but over time, I feel that my hair has gotten used to being washed less. For the days that it does happen to look a little greasy and I don't want to wash it, I used a dry shampoo to freshen it up until it's time to wash it again. 

       

The dry shampoo currently in my rotation. It's a pretty inexpensive drugstore one and this particular scent is lovely.

   3.) Be aware of your products: 

     I would say that this was definitely a big one for me and also a game changer for my hair. As soon as my sister learned about hair products in beauty school, the hair products I was allowed to purchase from the drugstore became very limited. A majority of the drugstore shampoos contain sulfates and parabens which can strip your hair of its natural oils and make it less manageable. When I switched over to products that had limited or no amounts of these agents, I could really tell the difference. Initially, I was using a volumizing line from the Sebastian brand that I really loved, but when I switched over to a Lush Shampoo bar for oily hair ( this is the one I was using), I noticed my hair wasn't getting as oily as it previously would. I used the shampoo bar until I got the keratin treatment ( The shampoo bar still has some sulfate in it, but nowhere near as many as regular shampoos and it doesn't have any parabens.) and I had to remove all sulfates from my products. Currently, I use R+co products, mainly because they sell them at the salon where my sister works, but also because they are keratin safe. I LOVE these products, not only do they make my hair feel awesome, but they smell sooooo good. It's safe to same I'm addicted lol. They are a tad bit on the pricey side ( I'm lucky and my sister gets them at a discount), but I'd say they are totally worth it if you want your hair looking pretty.

R+co products! I am currently using the Gemstone shampoo Dallas Conditioner, and Tinsel hair oil for my ends.

    4.) Less heat:

I'm pretty sure you've probably heard this one everywhere, but I am going to say it again. Too much heat can damage your ends. I will definitely reach for my straightener or curling iron every so often, but I reserve my blow dryer for only when I really really need it (i.e. I just showered before going out and I need to get myself put together quickly). For me, it probably wouldn't be super bad as I don't wash it super often, but I still want to keep damage at a minimum so I let my hair air dry whenever possible.

That's pretty much all that I have been doing and my hair has been really soft and healthy, even after being color treated. I hope my tips were helpful and that you guys are having a great start to your week!

~Genesis<3