Beauty routine revolutionized
Waking up early, working a full-time career and commuting everyday can be exhausting but this does not in the least limit my "me time." In fact, 2015 is a new year and a new excuse for me in indulge in "me time" a little more often by starting up new habits and ditching the old.
And this last weekend was just the start. I visited a local salon, Salon Riviera in Gig Harbor and I decided it was time to finally commit to taking some length off of my already shoulder length hair to get the old, dead ends of 2014 off and start with a fresh long bob with potential to (finally/hopefully) grow. I usually go for a "trim" but after coloring my hair so often over the course of the last year and using so much heat on it, it was time for more than a trim. I didn't stop there. I also received the Kerastase Treatment for damaged/colored hair and it's like I have a whole new shiny, healthy, glowing head of hair. I highly recommend this treatment as it helps stimulate the roots and keeps the hair shaft protected and smooth by deep conditioning the hair. The best hair appointment (all less than $100) I've ever had.
So this was the start of my inspiration to maintain a healthier and more dedicated beauty lifestyle. I've been committing to a new beauty routine and new products / tricks of the trade that I now swear by that I thought I'd share with you.
Beauty products I'm loving:
(Left to right)
Spring Eden Hand Cream: the most amazing smelling lotion I've tried and perfect for the spring. An excellent moisturizer for the skin and is particularly excellent on the cuticles/hands.
Coconut milk serum: My daily staple. I put this on wet hair from my roots to my ends (don't put too much on or you'll be a grease ball) but enough that will keep your hair smooth and shiny the rest of the day. I also put it on the ends of my dry hair to keep it looking sleek. It is an excellent way to keep hair healthy and helps prevent the ends from splitting.
EOS chapstick: I don't think I can ever use a different chapstick. EOS comes in so many different flavors and it lasts forever. I bought a Costco-sized pack and it's lasted for months. It's compact and well, just adorable.
Kate Spade Live Colorfully perfume: I got this perfume for Christmas in both the large size and the sample size (for my purse) and I don't use anything else. My favorite smells are citrus and a watered down floral scent. I hate anything too strong or too sweet. This embraces all of my favorite scents and let's be real, it's Kate Spade.
Clarisonic Mia: My ultimate favorite beauty-must-have. And I have to admit, I was hesitant to use it at first since I have extremely sensitive skin. However, despite my initial hesitation, I use my Clarisonic Mia everyday to assist in the process of removing dead and dry skin as well as to help deep clean my pores. I can honestly say my skin has never been this vibrant, clear and smooth.
Biotin & Collagen shampoo: I swear by this shampoo. I use it three times a week as a revive for my hair but I limit myself to several times a week so it does not dry my hair out. I like to use it the day following when I apply heat to my hair so it helps to repair my hair from the roots to the ends. I also use the conditioner as a mask once a week (applying to wet hair in the shower and letting sit for 10 minutes before I wash it out) and it basically acts like a deep-conditioner to repair my hair even if it isn't extremely damaged.
Butter nail polish: I'm trying to part ways with shellac/gel nail polish. Partially because I'm so indecisive to sticking with one nail polish color for weeks on end and I've found shellac to be so damaging to my nails making them brittle and flaky. I am an avid nail painter because I suffer from nail biting...a habit I just can't seem to shake. But who wants to bite their nails when they look so pretty? If any of you have tried Butter nail polish, I think you'll agree with how long the color stays on and how smoothly it goes on the nail instead of it being applied bubbly and thick. Also, I'm loving all the colors Butter has to offer.
Bobbi Brown lipstick: Speaking of making it pop, Bobbi Brown's spring lipsticks do just that. I'm particularly loving the bright pinks, corals and reds. I've never used a better lipstick than Bobbi Brown. It's long-lasting (enduring my morning coffees, breakfast and chapstick applications) and vibrant -- adding flare to any outfit you wear.
Beauty tips I'm embracing:
- Taking vitamins. Daily.
- Drinking a lot of water.
- Wearing sunscreen. Every day.
- Using a comb instead of a brush.
- Applying chapstick, constantly.
- Air dry > blow dry. And embracing the wavy hair that is the result.
- Limiting shellac on my nails.
- Not washing my hair every single day.