Life Hacks Every Girl Needs To Know

I was on a girls trip in Tahoe a few weeks ago and my girlfriends laughed at how many little tips and tricks I knew (mostly how to keep wine cool and fresh LOL). They said "life hacks by Thea" and right then I noticed how many little life tips and tricks over the years I've learned from friends, family members or just by being in dire need for a quick fix. Here are some life hacks that I think every girl will benefit from knowing.


DRINKS:

Champagne!
Who doesn't love a great glass of champagne? Sometimes we just want 1 glass and another a while later, but the bubbles stop being so fizzy. Well, there's a life hack for that. All you have to do is put a spoon in your champagne (bowl up and handle in the bottle). This will preserve the bubbles. Crazy, right? It works!!

Wine
Do you ever go to the store and get home wanting to pop that bottle.... BUT it's not cold yet :( Well, I have just the tip to speed up the cooling process
- Get a wash cloth or a bundle of paper towels 
- Soak them under wet water
- Wrap the wet towel around your bottle
- Place bottle wrapped in wet towel in the freezer

- Should be chilled within 10-15 minutes

BEAUTY:

Dry shampoo
Have you ever been running around and you feel like your hair looks a bit oily, but you don't have any dry shampoo? What about when you are at home heading out and you run out of your dry shampoo? Is there anything worse? I have a hack for you! This happened to me recently and I used my translucent powder in place of dry shampoo, it worked like a miracle! I just put the powder on my hands and worked it through the base of my hair. The result was fresh looking non-oily hair! Whatever loose translucent powder you have should do the trick!

Toothbrushes are like liquid gold
Flyaways- do you have weird flyaways or baby hairs that always annoy you? I got your back. All you need to do is spray some hairspray on a toothbrush and push those flyaways out of your face. I promise they will stay put!
Brows-Are you on a trip and your brows are looking wild? A tooth brush will do the trick to tame those guys!

Hair dye- Dying your hair at home, but you literally suck and always get die on your forehead? Put some die on a toothbrush and use this to apply around your forehead and ear area. 

Makeup remover
I always run out of makeup remover, so a super cheap and easy way to remove your makeup is using an organic conditioner. It works wonders and I just completely stopped buying makeup remover. Just place it on your eyes and rub away the makeup- all you need to make sure of is that it isn't super scented (most aren't).

Top knot bun
You know how everyone buys these things for the perfect bun? Well if you don't have one, a sock will do. Yeah seriously, grab yourself a long tube sock (dark hair use a dark sock, light hair use a light sock)
- Cut the closed end off the toes of the sock
- Roll the sock up to look like a donut
- Put your hair in a pony
- Place the "donut" at the end of your hair
- Roll your hair in to a bun.

I saw this video years ago and have been using this technique ever since.

Smooth looking lipstick
Don't you hate having cracks in your lipstick or visible dry skin? All you need to do is take your toothbrush and brush your lips. Yes, this will exfoliate and get rid of dry skin! Another thing that works well is mixing brown sugar with just enough honey (or olive oil) and scrubbing your lips, then washing it off with a warm washcloth.


How to not bloat when flying
Do you bloat and/or your feet swell when you're traveling? Me too. There's a trick around it. Green tea. Get to the airport and get a large green tea from Sbux or Peet's and drink throughout the flight. Alternately, you can pick up green tea extract and pop a few before you travel. Green tea is a natural 


CLOTHING:

Off the shoulder tops
Have you ever worn an off the shoulder top that keeps creeping up over your shoulders? It's so annoying when the sleeves won't stay down. I watched this video, and it changed the game for me. Now, I do this and have ZERO issues with my tops scrunching up. 

Double sided tape
Low cut top- are you nervous you're going to flash the world with either your bra or your nip? Just apply some double sided tape on either your skin to the fabric or from your bra to the fabric.
Bra straps- are your bra straps showing in your tank top? Apply some double sided tape from your bra to the fabric, and that should help. Also if your bra in the back of your top keeps showing you can do the same.

Washing whites
Do you have a stain, but aren't sure how to get it out and not burn a hole through it. The trick is to throw some soap in to the bottom of your washer with some bleach and start the washer with Nothing in it for about 1 minute. Once the soap and bleach have blended with the hot water you can toss in your whites. Works like a charm every time!


If you think your friends or family can learn a thing or two from this post, please share :)

Links I Love

1. I love peeking on Oxygen's website to see the workouts the post, it gives me ideas on how to incorporate new moves in to my training.

2. I joined this group BOSSBABE a while back and love listening to their new podcasts and signing up for their podcasts.

3. I check out 7x7 pretty often and since San Francisco opens and closes new stores so frequently, this site keeps me in "the know". I always know what festivals are happening, restaurants that are opening, and shops to stop by. They also cover some other towns in The Bay, so check it out!

4. If you're in to this kind of stuff, I am always checking my Horoscope online. 

5. Refinery29 has some really fun content on their site. If I want to read up on the latest gossip, learn what new makeup has been released, or even read up on feminism.. I can stop here!

6. I love fashion, and love that Revolve features new brands and looks weekly. It gives me ideas on how to style what's in my closet.

The Best Hair Products To Take When You Travel

I always love having small products with me whether I'm traveling or just headed out for a full day. These products are my favorites and since there are SO many product out there I want to let you know why these ones are my go-to's.

Drybar- Money Maker- This is my favorite hairspray. I've been using this for about 2 years and I just love it. Some of the reasons I like it are a)the smell (people think I'm wearing a fresh perfume, even though it's just my hairspray) b) the fact that it isn't heavy, sticky and it doesn't leave any white flakes c) it's buildable, so you can keep adding over days and it won't look like you have tons of hairspray in your hair.

R+Co- Outer Space- This hairspray is great to take to an event or if you need your hair to stay! It is a little heavier than the Drybar one, but it has more of a hold. It would be the perfect thing to pack if you were going to be out dancing all night or taking a lot of photos!

Oribe- Thick Dry Finishing Spray- This stuff is perfect if you have thin hair and want to create a bit more volume and texture. I like taking this one on vacation, so I can keep beachy hair that doesnt look too frizzy. This product is great for messy beachy waves.

R+Co- Dry Desert Dry Shampoo- This spray comes with me wherever I go. It's in my suitcase, my backpack and sometimes even my purse. It's the best dry shampoo I've ever tried. I love it because it doesn't leave tons of white residue on your hair, and similar to the Money Maker it is buildable over days and you can keep touching up!

Oribe- Split End Seal- This product is great to use when you've just finished styling your hair and you either see a few dry ends OR you have fly aways. This product will hydrate those ends and also give you a really nice finish.

Oribe- Gold Lust Conditioner- This is the holy grail of conditioners. I have bleached hair on my ends, and I credit this conditioner to my hair still being healthy! I have been using this one for 2.5 years and have no interest in switching anytime soon. I used to have to use TONS of conditioner to make my hair feel smooth. This one the product goes a really long way, so even though it's on the pricier end I have saved money because I don't need to use very much at all.

Oribe- Gold Lust Hair Oil- This paired with the Oribe Conditioner are the two most hydrating products i've found on the market. This is another one I can't live without. I have tried so many hair oils and they either seem too oily, or that they don't hydrate enough. This one is the perfect mix!

Let's Get Nudes

Firstly, get your head out of the gutter! We are talking about the best nude lipsticks here. There are SO many amazing lip colors out right now and I want to share two of my most recent discoveries.

I have a few of Kylie's colors (will post about these soon), but my friend introduced these two to me this weekend and I wore them all day and all night. Both are a definite must have.

Jeffree Star: Mannequin
This is an absolutely amazing matte. I can't get enough of it, it goes on so smooth. One thing I dislike about most matte lipsticks is they get extremely dry and clumpy, well not these! I am going to buy a few more, because I love them so much.

Tarte: Tartiest- Obvi

This lip color is beautiful. It isn't as matte as the one above, so I acutally threw it on over the Jeffree Star color for an added glam! This stuff goes on super smooth and lasts all day and all night! Another huge plus is the color looks good on just about anyone.

What are your favorite nudes? I want to know!

Summertime favorites

It's so hard to try new products or items when you have so many things you already love. I got recommendations by some really beautiful women who have amazing skin and had to try what they love. I already have a lot of "stuff", but each of these items have been amazing and are now my must-haves.

Laura Mercier: Mineral Illuminating Powder in Stardust
This is my most recent find. My friend Lindsay's skin is always glowing. It's dewy looking and looks absolutely perfect in photos. What's her trick? This highlighter that she actually applies all over her face. No joke. I started doing it and love the look. I first use my tinted moisture all over my face and conceal my under eyes. Next is a light powder to soak up any oils, this one works great. Then I apply this powder all over my face before I bronze, blush, and highlight.

RMS Uncover-up Concealer in Light
My friend Brittany has the nicest skin out of anyone I know. It's flawlessly bright, clear and glowing. Check out her skincare routine here. She started using all organic makeup and urged me to try this concealer. At first I wasn't sure if it would give me enough coverage, but I bought it and  I am obsessed! It's very light and doesn't leave any streak marks. The color I'm using is Light #11.

Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara- 10 Noir
My friends snapchatted me their obsession with this mascara. I literally watched them apply and saw their eyelashes transform, so of course I needed to get my hands on it after they raved about it. I have tried mascaras in the past that tend to clump my lashes, but I just love how it separates and lengthens. Also, something to note; for it being Chanel, the price isn't completely outrageous!

QUAY Sunnies

All my love: I discovered the brand Quay a few years ago and bought some really fun sunnies. I recently bought this pair and can't get enough of them. They are a bit different, but definitely chic. I've gotten so many compliments and am already eyeballing a few more pairs on Quays webpage.

Gorgeous Hair: The Best Toner Around

Do you die or highlight your hair? If your answer to that question is yes, then this product is for you. During the summer months often times the sunshine oxidizes died hair color and makes it look not so fresh. BLNDN created a toner and treatment to keep your hair tone picture perfect. Whether you are blonde, red head or brunette; this product will keep your hair from getting super brassy looking or too "orangey".

I bought their brightening trio which comes with a purple shampoo, purple toner & conditioning treatment (& it's on sale). I just started using it and had to share, and no this isn't a sponsored post I just really like their stuff. The longer you keep in the purple the more toned down your color will be.

The coolest part about this product is that it is actually clinically proven to work. Yes, they did studies on hair oxidation and this product helped prevent it!

I suggest you use:

If you're any shade of blonde

If you're brunette and have blonde highlights or even caramel highlights

Red head and don't love the way the sun hits your color

Check out their insta: here

The Best Makeup for Green Eyes

If you have green eyes like me you may or may not know what eyeshadows make your eyes "pop". Purple is usually the suggested color, but to be honest I just don't love purple eyeshadow. My go-to's are golds, browns and surprisingly oranges. I have discovered a few favorites and want to share them with you.

Tom Ford: Duo Cream & Eye powder color
Color: Naked Bronze
This is my new favorite. It is on the pricier end, but I am completely SOLD on the product. You can literally apply the cream with your fingers and it looks like you just left getting your makeup done ( a little goes a long way so it lasts forever. I love how smooth and easy it is to apply & when you want to give a little extra, the gold powder is EVERYTHING.

Kevyn Aucoin: The Loose Shimmer Eyeshadow
Color: Kunzite
I got this in a free gift bag about a year ago and I use it just about every time I go out. I use it with a blender brush just in the crease in my eye and also dust right under my outer lower lash. It is beautiful and build-able, so you can keep adding for a more dramatic look.

Urban Decay: 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil

Color: Bourbon

I don't wear a ton of eyeliner, but when I go out and want an extra soultry look I add this liner. It is shimmery, but not too glittery. I love how smoothly it glides on and it doesn't run!

Too Faced: Eye Shadow Palette
Color: Neutral Eye shadow collection (I love Honey Pot)
Ok, so I am VERY picky with what gold eyeshadows I like. Some are too glittery and don't stick to your eyelid, some are too yellow, too orange, too matte or they don't have enough pigment. Honey Pot from the Too Faced Palette is PERFECT. The only downside is, they don't sell it separate from the palette. If you can get your hands on it you'll know what I mean.

Mac: Eyeshadow

Color: Saddle

This color is the perfect neutral. I love it because I can put this in the crease of my eye and blend it during the day, then go back and touch up to add more and build it to an evening look. I will add some under my lower lashes and it softly enhances my greens. It was my first "green eye" purchase that I noticeably felt made my eyes look extra green.

Charlotte Tilbury: Color Chameleon

Color: Bronzed Garnet

I havent tried this yet, but it's in the mail. I've read multiple articles on how amazing it is, and I can't wait! It looks absolutely stunning.

Nars: Eyeshadow Duo

Color:Portobello 

This Nars duo is perfect for day time. The lighter color looks great on the base of your eyelid and the darker shade works well on the crease. This is less dramatic, but is sure to make your eyes stand out!

Lancome: Hypnose Drama

Color: Excessive Black

Don't forget Mascara! My all-time favorite mascara is this one.

Now you should be well prepared to create even more show-stopping eyes everyday!

My New (Affordable) Beauty Routine

Ok, let's admit it. There are millions of beauty products out there. When you start looking and reading about all of them you may end up walking away with way too many products that you may even discontinue using over time, what a waste of money! We also have to agree that having a routine with 10 products a night gets super expensive. I am trying this new routine and I've been loving it, so I thought I'd share!

The more I read the more I'm learning that the more natural the products the better. Too many beauty lines are harsh on your skin and leave your skin freaking out! My best friend is a little hippi, yogi, beautiful human. Thanks to her I am able to write this post, because she intro'd me to this new routine that I love.

1. Dr. Bronners Soap

This soap will stand the test of time. I don't know if you know this brand, but people use it on EVERYTHING. I am not kidding. On their hair, face, clothes, sink, pets, etc. Its amazing and affordable! I wash my face with this morning and night. For directions on uses, look here.

2. Dr. Gross Peel

Let me start by saying, this one isn't for everyone! I started using this after my facialist noticed I had very slight discoloration on my face called Melasma from birth control. I am lucky to have had someone notice it early, before it got too bad and she said it is SUPER likely when you take birth control. She suggested these Alpha Beta peels every few days in the evening. I love them and and feel like they've really helped keep my skin tone pretty even. If you feel like you have some skin discoloration I highly recommend trying them after you wash and dry your face.

2. Rose hip oil

I have been reading about all the antioxidant properties of rose hip oil and had been wondering about it for a while. Once I heard great reviews from someone I trust, I knew I had to try it. This is the one I've been using and I love it. I use it in the evening after washing my face. It makes me feel bright and fresh! I swear it makes a difference. I use this after I wash my face.

4. Vitamin A & E

Some anti-wrinkle creams are an upwards of $50. For $13 you have a near endless supply of an amazing anti-aging oil. This product promotes soft and supple skin. It's 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, GMO-free. I put this under my eyes and all over my eyelids before bed. I love it.

My Beauty Philosophy: Where I Save and Spend

I have enjoyed reading up on some of my favorite bloggers social media posts on how much they spend on their beauty services and which they prioritize. Let's face it, we ALL have a routine. Some may spend less & others spend more, but everyone spends on maintenance. It's usually fun, we enjoy the pampering, and we love to feel great about ourselves. However, it can get super pricey. I like to splurge on certain things, and save on others. Here's my current beauty breakdown.

SPLURGE: Hair color
I spend more than I like to admit on hair color. To me this is my biggest spend. I was tired of hating my hair and having to spend a lot getting it done every 6 weeks, so after doing some research I found a solution. I found someone amazing and get my hair done less often (2-3x a year instead of going 6-8x a year which meant getting it done every 6-8 weeks). After doing the math I spend about the same, but now I LOVE my hair and before I was impartial to it. I see Johnny Ramirez from Ramirez|Tran Salon. He is the King of Color and I suggest EVERYONE see him once in their life.

SAVE: Eyebrows
I don't get my eyebrows done as often as I used to. I can't believe salons in SF can charge as much as they do. Instead of going every 2 weeks, I go every 4-6. In between going, I pluck and trim at my house. This saves me a lot :)

SPEND: Haircuts
Hair is everything to me. As I mentioned earlier, I have gotten so many bad dye jobs and cuts I don't mind spending on amazing color or cuts. I see Anh Co Tran from Ramirez|Tran Salon. He is a sweetheart and amazing at what he does. It doesn't hurt that he has a rolodex of celebrity clientele, see it for yourself.

SAVE: Spray Tans
I LOVE a good spray tan, but I only get them for special occasions. I have girlfriends who love getting them regularly and I don't blame them. It's just not a must for me. I have used some great self-tanning products that keep me a decent color year round. My favorite is St. Tropez bronzing mousse. Make sure you wear a glove with this one. I also really like this lotion.

SPEND: Gel Manicure's
I am someone who just loves having my nails done. I don't know why, but I love a gel manicure. I think this started when I was a personal trainer. Wearing workout clothes all the time sometimes made me feel less feminine, so I made sure to always have my nails done. I don't mind spending the money as this is a little "me time" I look forward to.

SAVE: Waxing
OK. This one depends on the person FOR SURE. I don't mind going to the cheaper salon I've been going to for years. There are other salons that cost 2-3x the price, that I personally am not willing to go broke over.

SPEND: Blowouts
I love a good blowout. I am VERY particular with what I like, but every time I tell drybar exactly what I'm looking for they deliver! I splurge a little on this as it is $65 a month for 2 blowouts. With this, I can get a 20% discount on everything in store & I can also gift blowouts to friends.

SAVE: Massages
I don't get frequent massages. Since I workout a ton, I do sometimes feel like I need to get a massage. I make this happen on a budget by going to an affordable foot spa down the street. It's way more affordable than a nice spa and another bonus is I can usually just walk in when I feel like I need a massage.

SAVE: Facials
I love a good facial, but I don't frequent to the esthetician. I try to go 2x a year, rather than a monthly visit. Over time, this may change.

I'd love to hear where you spend and save, please share!

My Hair Regimen & Favorite Hair Products

I have a new regimen for my hair and I am seriously loving it. My hair is blonder than it's been in a while, therefore, I assume it will be more damaged due to the bleach. Well these new products I'm using are saving the day. 

To be honest, the real reason I wasn't using these products before was the price. They are on the higher range of price on the hair product spectrum. However, I feel like if you don't spend he money you will be spending a lot more down the line. 

Now that I use great product I only have to cut my hair every 5-6 months, when before I had to every 6-7 weeks. It's saving me money on haircuts, and also is allowing me to grow my hair out.

My favorite products at the moment are:

oribe : Beautiful color shampoo (here)

oribe : Gold lust transformitive masque (here)

oribe : Gold lust hair oil (here)

oribe : Split end sealer (here)

R&co : Death Valley dry shampoo (here)
thedrybar : Money maker hairspray (here)

thedrybar : 1" curling wand (here)

Step 1: Wash your hair with oribe beautiful color shampoo & rinse.

Step 2: Use a small amount of gold lust conditioner (mostly on ends of hair) and let it sit for 2-5 minutes. Rinse out with cold water as this will help seal in moisture. 

Step 3: Pump some hair oil and split end seal in to the Palm of your hand. Run these products through on damp or wet hair.

Step 4: Blowdry your hair.

Step 5: For a little bit of texture use the R&co dry shampoo throughout hair.

Step 6: Starting with the bottom section of your hair use your hair wand to curl. Move your way up (I like to curl away from the face). 

Step 7: Set your curls with money maker.

This is the routine that works best for me. I'm loving my hair and how healthy it is. Try these products out and see if they work as well you as they do me! 

For The Girls: My Hair Cut & Color

I am frequently asked where I get my hair cut and colored. People stop me on the street to ask me. Most people say "I can't find someone who does great color in SF". I have personally tried a ton of different colorists and to be honest haven't fallen in love with my hair after leaving the salon. People either made the ombre way too drastic where they died my roots a dark brown and bleached my tips. Others did it and it ended up super BRASSY (which I can't stand). I've also gone places where they make sure to tone it so it is more ASHY, but over time it would oxidize in the sun and change colors. I was going to the hair salon every six weeks and spending around $200 each time coming out of the salon not even liking what I just spent a fortune on.

One of my clients I do styling for was having similar experiences at SF salons, so I suggested she go to LA to get her hair done by one of the best. We ended up going together and she insisted I try them out. We went to Ramirez|Tran Salon in Beverly Hills while on a girls trip. Ever since we went there and got the best haircut and color of my life, I am hooked. 

The process took about 7 hours, and no I am not exaggerating. They really put in work, and make sure your hair is the perfect color. Johnny Ramirez is the hair color god and Anh Co Tran is the hair cutting god. Both guys are super awesome, and the best of the best. Their clientele include Jessica Alba, Faith Hill, Anne Hathaway, Ginnifer Goodwin, Alessandra Ambrosia, Gwenyth Paltrow, Selma Blair, Whitney Port, and Victoria Beckham (to name a few). This is the most expensive haircut and color I've ever gotten, which totaled to about $600. The thing is you only need to go every 6 months. When you add up the total of this celebrity cut and color, it actually is CHEAPER than getting my hair done in SF every 6 weeks. It also looks 300x better. The best part about the whole thing, is they now come to SF every few months!

If you have been wanting a change in your hair cut or color I couldn't recommend Ramirez|Tran more highly. You will LOVE your hair. Hurry & book this week, because they still have openings in SF!

Here's some press articles if you aren't sold yet Refinery29, NYMag, Vogue, & The Coveteur.

Check out their pics on Instagram @johnnyramirez1 @anhcotran @ramireztransalon

Coachella Part 4: Makeup

When you head to a festival you want to hit the ground running. You want to look like a movie star, drink like a rockstar, and stay model flawless throughout the day.

In my experience, in order to stay flawless in the desert you can't cake it on (or it will melt off). There is no time to touch up, redo, or wash off. Take note from some of these looks for inspiration.

You need:

Tinted moisture with SPF (my favorite here)

SPF setting powder (my favorite here)

Concealer (my favorite here)

Bronzer (my favorite here)

Blush (my favorite here)
Highlighter (my favorite here)

Waterproof Mascara (my favorite here)

Gold eyeshadow (my favorite here)

Liner (my favorite here)

Face & Body Paint (my favorite here)

Good Hair: Why it's worth the $$

Have you ever had a bad haircut? How about a really horrible die job? I unfortunately have had both. When I was young I went in to a SuperCuts with a photo of a short chin length bob (what all little girls love) and I came out with a Leonardo DiCaprio boys haircut. I cried, wore hats, and was constantly mistaken for a little boy. Hair doesn't define me in any way, but it does help me express myself. I love trying hairstyles on myself, but also love doing my friends before a night out. I realized having a good hair day can change my confidence and mood.

After spending a ton of money on hair in SF I still felt like it wasn't quite right. I was being overcharged for a haircut and dye that only would last 6-8 weeks & would turn to a really awkward brassy color over the weeks. Hundreds of dollars for a very temporary fix. I started researching hairstylists and I found Johnny Ramirez & Anh Co Tran on Instagram and Pinterest. Since I am a personal stylist, I told my client (who also couldn't find a great hairdresser) that we should go.  We ended up booking appointments at Ramirez Tran Salon while we were in LA. This place is really expensive, BUT you only have to get your hair done every 6 months! It ends up costing less than me going to an "ok" hairdresser that I have to see again in 6 weeks.

Johnny and Anh love what they do. They work super long hours, and take the time to perfect each and every persons hair who walks in to their salon. Their clientele include Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Faith Hill, Whitney Port, Ginnifer Goodwin, Gweneyth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, and Allesandra Ambrosia to name a few.

The best news of this all is they are coming to SF. If your hair is in need of a pick me up and you have some $$ to spend, then try out these guys!

Lips That Say Happy Holidays

Tis' the season for amazing red lipstick! Getting that perfect red lipstick isn't always as easy as it seems. Too pink, too brown, too purple, too bright, a little dry, or too shiny. I have tested out SO many lip colors that I have boiled it down to the list below. Now to be afraid to add a little pop of color to your look this Holiday season.

Kevin Aucoin: Blood Roses

MAC: Ruby Woo

ELF: Rich Red (only $3!!!)

Lancome: Smouldering Mauve 

 

 Givenchy: Rose Ruban 

   

Wet n' Wild: Rose bud (for only $1.99) 

 

Summer Hairspiration

Last week I realized one huge thing.

Hair is everything. Yes, I said it. 
Hear me out. 

Picture yourself leaving the hair salon with a really great cut and style. You know that feeling? Hair bouncing and you have a huge smile on your face. You love the way you feel. 

Now, picture yourself leaving the hair salon in tears. The stylist did not do what you asked, and you leave with a really bad cut. I know this feeling all too well. When I got an accidental bad haircut as a kid, I was often mistaken for a boy for a summer!

My friend got her hair cut last week, and hated it. She wore her hair in a pony tail this whole week. It was definitely something that could be fixed, but we once again realized "hair is everything". It doesn't mean you need long luscious hair. All hair is great short, brown, red, long, purple, medium length; just as long as it's what you want and feel comfortable with! 

Since I know the power a good hair style can have over my confidence, I started playing and styling with my hair. I look up styles on Pinterest, or in magazines and dedicate some time to get good at doing them. Here are my favorites for the summer.

You might look at these and think that they look way too complicated to do on yourself. If you practice, I promise you can get most of them down (if not all of them). Here are some styles I've been playing around with.

Think to yourself this week about trying something new, you might just get a new found confidence! 

What's In My Makeup Bag?

Summer is here! I am all about highlight and bronzed makeup for the summer. Here are my summer beauty essentials:

Face:
Start with a good moisturizer: In the summer I like to use Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Face Cream

I then add a tinted illuminating moisturizer with SPF: My favorite is Joeur in the color Golden

For concearler and highlighter my favorite is: Kevyn Aucoin skin enhancer in the color SX02

Next, I love a good bronzer: I use Tarte's Park Avenue Princess.

I love to highlight in the summer with: MAC Global Glow

My favorite summer blush is a light pink: MAC Dainty

Finally, I love finishing my look with a simple nude gloss or Chapstick.