Achieving and keeping that beautiful color!

I think it's time to finally go over my routine for keeping my hair vibrant! Not sure where to start, so I'll just dive right in.

I have been coloring my hair red since 2008, so I can't speak for how well this will work for any other color, but I do know what works on my hair. I think the most important thing to mention is that red takes awhile to really get in the hair. Apparently, this is because red has the largest color molecule and it is harder to get into the hair shaft. In other words, you will need to do it a few times before it really is in there and starts to stick. When I decided to go red, I had been coloring my hair jet black for years. Totally terrified of bleach, I went to Sallys and found L'oreal Hi color.
This is an amazing product for lifting to a lighter shade, while also depositing color. There is no bleaching involved, so it is great for hair that has not been previously colored. The first use gave me crazy hot-root, while barely doing anything to the black parts of my hair. I ended up having to use it every month to gradually get my hair to a vibrant red, but I think that is part of the reason why it has stayed so well. If you've ever bleached your hair and then put color over it, you already know that it won't stick. The color has nothing to hang onto, so it just washes right out of your hair. So, I finally achieved a glorious red that I loved, but I was coming across a problem. Every month, the ends of my hair would end up this AWFUL brown/orange burnt color. Turns out, it was because I was using the hi color every month on my whole head, just damaging and stripping away at the ends. Once you have a nice foundation color, you don't need to be covering your whole head in this product every month! All you really need to do is do roots with hi-color, and then do a nice semi-permanent over the rest.

That is how I accidentally discovered Creative Image Adore. This stuff is amazing. It is completely free of any ammonia, peroxide, and alcohol. It comes in every color imaginable, and you can mix the colors together to get even more options. It sticks in hair like a champ. There is a clear gloss that, on it's own, will make your hair super soft and shiny, and help maintain your color. I can't say enough about this amazing hair color. The best part, is you can get it for cheap on ebay. This particular store had my dye to me in two days: Beauty Faves. They don't always have all of the colors, though, so I would do a search and find out what color you want and then find it on ebay. If you are here in Denver, you can also find this at Beauty Supply Warehouse, which is off of 6th and I-225 (yep, it is the old Skate City!) If you have a specific color you are looking for, I can probably help you out, as I have used every shade of pink, red, and purple in this brand.



I would NOT recommend using manic panic, or color gems for your semi- perm color. They never stay and create an enormous mess. Now that you have your amazing, vibrant hair color, you need to keep it in there! As mentioned before, only use the semi-perm. hair color on everything but the roots from now on. After a few applications, you will start to see a huge difference in the staying power of the color. Try to wash your hair in only cold water, as cold as you can stand. I don't bother with this step and it lasts a month or so, but if you do this on a regular basis, you can extend that a few months! You can also mix your semi- perm color in with your color-protecting conditioner (I VERY highly recommend Feria conditioner, as I have reviewed in the past. It feels amazing every time and somehow extends the color a bit). You want to put enough to tint the conditioner without staining your shower and hands every time. Use the creative image clear gloss in with your conditioner, too, for split ends and for added shine and protection. I do this every time I wash my hair. Of course, try not to wash it every day and use a good dry shampoo if you need to. If you need to heat style, use a good protecting gloss, such as This stuff, which smells good and makes your hair super pretty and shiny, without getting gunky. (really great for ladies who straighten their curls!) If you have fine hair that is easily weighed down, Kiwi Blow Silk is amazing, however it seems to be disappearing. Here is a 3 pack, though: Kiwi Blow Silk.

Make your skin glow (via pinterest)

Pinterest is a great way to waste hours of my day on things that never seem to work out the way they are supposed to. My experience with Pinterest is that half of the DIY things fail miserably. That is why whenever I find something that actually works, I will blog about it so you don't have to learn the hard way. Make your skin glow I came across a pin to this blog and thought that surely it couldn't be this easy to rejuvinate my skin. Lo and Behold, after I rinsed my face off, my skin really did look better! It even looked better after I put makeup on! I wish I could do this every day, but it is kind of harsh for sensitive skin. I noticed that I get the best results when I wash it off with dove soap and exfoliate after, then dry my face and apply lotion.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion

Man have I been slacking on this blog! I thought nobody was reading it, but I got a few comments from people asking about it lately. Guess I was wrong! Ok, this blog is a review of Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs lotion. Some of the most common comments I recieve at work are about my even skin tone. Guess what? Not real. Hate to burst your bubble, but this stuff is a stripper's best friend. Yep, body makeup. Until last week, I was just fine using the spray airbrush legs. The only real complaint was that it's pretty cold coming out of the bottle, and sometimes it doesn't blend super well. No big deal. When I spotted this lotion next to the spray, I thought "Oh what the hell, may as well try it out. Maybe it will blend easier." WRONG. First of all, it was darker than the spray kind. I am a pretty pale person, but I like it that way. Not so happy with how dark the "light" color turned out. Second, this stuff is thick, and it's pretty hard to blend it evenly. It dries way too fast to really get it looking smooth. I actually had to go over it with the spray, because it looked all spotty and streaky. It gets two thumbs down. I'll stick with the spray Airbrush Legs.

Simply Smooth XPRESS Keratin Treatment

Having tried the three day Simply Smooth treatment and LOVED it, I opted for the XPRESS treatment when I ran out and needed more. The original formula takes three days to process completely. While it works unbelievably well, I hated sitting around with greasy hair for days. The Xpress treatment works in just 24 hours, and can be purchased via SleekHair.com (Click HERE) for $321.21. You can only buy it here in the 16 oz bottle, but this one bottle has lasted me 4 applications so far, and is only a little over halfway gone.

The original formula smells like vanilla, and is thick and meant to be applied with a brush.It took a LOT longer to apply.

The Xpress formula doesn't smell awful, but it sure doesn't smell as great as the original. It's more chemical of a smell, which is probably why it works so much faster. I need a fan blowing on my face every time I apply it, as the fumes do irritate my eyes. This is a liquid formula, and is better put in a spray bottle to apply.

The entire process is pretty much the same. (You can read more detailed directions in my previous review)
I dye my hair first (this treatment also locks in color), wash with the special shampoo 2-3 times, blow dry, section the hair up and apply the treatment with a spray bottle and comb to distribute it, let it process for 20 min, blow dry straight, and flat iron on 400 degrees. Then don't get it wet for at least 24 hours.

This treatment does not last as long or seem quite as strong as the original, but I do like it as it is quick to apply and process. I would rather deal with this ever couple months, rather than the other one every four months or so.

Claudia Stevens Foundation Primer

Having noticed this primer at Sally's every time I go to get new hair dye, I thought I would give it a shot. It's only $4.99, so why not? (You can buy it on Sally's website, HERE)

It goes on very smooth, and you only need a tiny bit. I liked it the first few times I used it, but then I noticed the skin on my nose starting to peel off and look very dry and gross. My entire nose looked pretty nasty for a week or so, including around both nostrils, even though I quit using the primer as soon as I saw a problem.

After it healed, I thought I might give it a try JUST on the rest of my face. Surprisingly, it didn't make my skin dry. No, instead it made me break out in tiny pimples all over my face. I never get pimples, so I knew it was from the primer. My little sister told me it made her break out, also.

This primer is TERRIBLE! I do not recommend it at ALL.

L'Oreal Eyelash Boosting Serum

While at the Walgreens a few weeks ago, I came across this Lash Boosting Serum. Although I do use Latisse regularly, I have found that my eyelashes fall out quickly and break off.

I thought, what the hell. I'll give it a shot. It was only $14.99, anyway, so at least it's not a huge loss if it doesn't work!

Basically, you just put the stuff on like you would mascara, and the drag the applicator across your upper lashline. You are supposed to use it before bed and under mascara. I tried only this for about three days before I went to get my new bottle of Latisse.

To my amazement, this stuff actually worked pretty well! I noticed a difference in my eyelashes almost immediately. They were longer, and stronger within three days. It also made my mascara go on much more smoothly.

I started back up with the Latisse and I've noticed a HUGE difference in the way it works. My eyelashes seem more moisturized, and have stopped falling out when I take my makeup off. They don't seem to fall out at all, really. They are more even than when I was only using the Latisse, and they are growing longer as well.

This serum is a great supplement to the Latisse, or even just a great product by itself. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to improve their lashes.

Feria Color Moisturizing Treatement

As a girl who depends heavily on hair dye, I am always searching for the best conditioner out there. Most are all right, nothing to rave about. During a trip to Sally's, I discovered this wonderful Feria conditioner hiding on a bottom shelf.
I remember using Feria dye way back in the day when I was a brunette, and this stuff was always my favorite. It just smelled so good and made my hair amazingly soft.

I grabbed a tube of it and used it after my next hair dye. I am in love. My hair is amazing after I use it! I've never seen it so shiny and vibrant, not to mention SUPER soft and it smells like heaven. It even makes my hair more managable to straighten and curl. I actually mix this with my normal conditioner for every day use, and it still makes my hair amazing every time.

It's a whopping $8.49 at Sally's, but IMO it is well worth the cost. (I'm not the only one, look at the reviews on the website!Definately give this stuff a try if you color your hair, or even if you don't!

Verbena Custom Blends

Verbena Custom Blends

Tiring of my trusty old Calgon Hawaian Ginger body mist, I went off in search of something new. What better place to search than Etsy?
I came upon Verbena Custom Blends. I'm not sure what drew me to these products, maybe it's the fact that everything is made fresh and from scratch. Everything looks absolutely droolworthy!

I had a really hard time picking which lotion and spray I wanted, especially with things like the Pink Sugar Coconut and Chocolate Drizzle cupcake soap and the Creamy coconut and frosted lime cupcake sugar scrub clouding my vision.

Finally, I chose the Pink sugared strawberry marshmellow cream body cream and the Pink sugared strawberry marshmellow Perfume

I eagerly awaited my purchase for the next week, and at long last, I opened my mailbox and there it was! After only a week!

I tore open the packaging and found my order also came with lots of delicious samples! A few lotions and a sugar scrub!
My body cream smells soooooo delicious! It really does smell just like strawberries and marshmellows! It is thick and very moisturizing, perfect for my chronically dry skin. The scent is so long lasting that it smells exactly as good as it did when I put it on several hours ago! The perfume smells just as good. Everything is fantastic, and almost makes me want to eat it.

I LOVE this store, I will definately be ordering from it again! I have nothing but good things to say about it!

Olive Oil

I have been using Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of shaving cream on my legs and underarms, lately.

It's working like a charm. You only need a teeny tiny bit, and it helps to rinse the razor out very well every few strokes (or it gets kind of gummy from the oil). I shaved every day for a week, and my legs were completely soft and smooth every single day. Usually, shaving every day causes bumps and irritation, but I had none of that, and no problem eliminating stubble!

I have let the hair grow for a few days, and it seems softer and more sparse, also. I may be crazy, but I really think the EVOO is making a difference!

I probably wouldn't recommend this if you are prone to breakouts or anything, and certainly using oil on the face seems like a bad idea, but so far it seems to be working for my legs.

Smooth Away

In my long quest for efficient hair removal products, I found myself making a spur of the moment purchase of Smooth Away while at Sally's. A friend of mine told me that it worked for her, so I figured why the hell not?

Well, it's pretty much really fine sandpaper in a fancy package.
The directions told me to gently rub the hair away in small circles. The first thing I noticed was that it was rubbing off my tan, exposing pale spots on my leg. Ok, so it's good at exfoliating at least. (Even though now I had to apply more self tanner after this)

The hair was just NOT disappearing. I tried and tried and it was not removing any hair. I tried it on my boyfriend, though, and it did remove some of his really long leg hair. It left stubble behind.

So, all in all, totally not worth it. Apparently, you have to have hair like an ape or man in order for it to remove anything and it still leaves stubble. It's still easier to shave.

Two thumbs down.

Remington Emi Hairdryer

I saw a review for this crazy looking hairdryer online, and thought I might give it a try. I went on down to target, and to my delight, it was on clearance for $20.00.

I eagerly tore the package open and read the directions. It seems you are supposed to put your wet hair into the weird attachment in little one inch sections, and let it whirl your hair around until it is dry.

Ok, I went and washed my hair, and put a tad bit of smoothing serum in it. I have very curly hair, and crossed my fingers that this thing would make it look pretty without straightening.

Well, after doing my entire head with this thing, which took just as long as my normal $10 conair, I looked like I had dreads all over my head. The directions say you are supposed to finger comb through the mess and you will have perfect waves.

Easier said than done, though, since my naturally curly hair was a knotted mess. It took forever to untangle, and when I was done it looked terrible. My hair looks awful airdried, but it would have looked better than this dryer made it look.

I tried to use the other attachment the next day, a diffuser for straight looks. It took AGES to dry, and wasnt any less frizzy than using my old dryer.

Sadly, this thing did not work at all for me. How dissapointing.

Latisse

I had first posted a review about Revitalash, a few months ago. It didn't work, so I went in search of something that would.
Having read glowing reviews about Latisse online, and looking around on their website...

www.latisse.com

...I went to my plastic surgeon and asked for some. It came out to about $130 bucks.
I got home and opened the package, the contents of which are pictured above. My surgeon told me that I should cut each applicator in half, but everything I read online suggests that you should just trash the applicators altogether, since they waste too much product and are very scratchy. I just took the applicator from my old revitalash and washed it off to use with the Latisse.

I've been using it now for about a month, and I can definately already see a huge difference in my eyelashes. I didn't take a before picture, but my eyelashes were disgracefully short. They have grown a bit in length, and seem to stay curled amazingly well. They are stronger, also, and falling out less.

I will be updating as I continue to use this product, but so far I am very satisfied. I would keep buying it just based on the results after this one month, and am looking forward to the change in the coming months.

Sally Hansen's Spray on Shower off hair remover

I bought this stuff after hearing my sister rave about it. She said it worked really well for her, and her legs stayed smooth for awhile.
It's about $9 a bottle, and I found mine at Walgreens. I went ahead and bought the extra strength formula, since I am plagued with super thick hair.

I got it home and decided that I didn't want to be the guinea pig. My boyfriend willingly let me spray some onto his pubic hair to try it out. It came out of the bottle pretty evenly, and didn't smell too terrible at first. You are supposed to let it sit on the area for 3 minutes, then check and see if it is doing anything.
It wasn't.

We left it on a little longer. The label advises that you not leave it on longer than 10 minutes, so he washed it off after maybe 6 minutes. The smell was getting worse as time went on, but still not as bad as Nair.
In the end, some of his long hair came out, but it was sort of patchy, and didn't work very well.

I tried it myself on my legs a few weeks later, and left it on for the full 10 minutes. I didn't have any burning or anything, no discomfort at all. When I washed it off, none of my stubble was gone. It smelled pretty bad, and was a waste of time.

I would not recommed this stuff. It's way too expensive, and it would take longer than just shaving, anyhow. It didn't seem to work all that well, and now I am stuck with half a bottle of the stuff.

Revitalash

With high hopes, I purchased revitalash on ebay on 1/12/09 for $70.
I had read really good reviews of the old formula, and was hoping that the new formula could live up to it's standards.

I have been using it since then, and I am very dissapointed with it. My eyelashes are not even the slightest bit longer. They do look less clumpy with mascara on, but that is hardly worth the money.

Apparently, they isolated the ingredient in a rx eye drop typically used for glacoma patients, which had a side effect of making thick, long, luxurious eyelashes. Well, apprently the producers of revitalash didn't get proper legal clearance to use said rx, and due to patent laws, as well as the fact the the makers of the eye drop (Allergen) saw they were sitting on a goldmine, revitalash was forced to reformulate.
(source EDN)

You can still get that eye drop, which has been reformulated by Allergen into Latisse. I'm pretty sure you need to get it from a plastic surgeon or something, but there is a doctor finder on their website.

The stuff is crazy expensive, about $120 a month, but from almost every review I have read is incredible.

Hopefully, I will have a review of Latisse in a month or so!