Au revoir

I hope you all enjoyed these product reviews, or at least one of them was a little helpful to you. I know so far all it's been is product reviews, but they're the easiest to do so.... I would make YouTube videos, but my mom has raised my so paranoid of online predators that I'm a little wary of putting my face online. We'll see how things go. Just remember when reading this long 3-in-1 PR that the first post is the very last one, and the last post is the post directly under this one. It's a pain, I know, but we all just have to deal with it.

Have a good day and I'll talk to you when I talk to you (who knows when I'll get my next chance).

~Stacie

PR: One 'n Only Brazilian Tech Keratin Smoothing Treatment

*Exhale* Yay, only one more to go!

Only raving about this product from me! I picked it up because I have pretty curly hair (but not tight curls like a fro) and it can get pretty frizzy. Over the summer I was told by a hairdresser friend of mine that curly hair is lacking in keratin and that's a major reason for its frizziness. Ever since I've been looking for some kind of keratin something and this was the first thing I found. I figured it would have about the same effect as a leave in conditioner (check out this site for instructions).

It wasn't exactly like a deep conditioner, but it was close. It smells sooooooo good, and it keeps smelling good for a long time, even when your hair is dry (I air dry my hair, so I don't know if it still smells when you blow dry your hair). I could feel the difference as soon as I rinsed the stuff out and towel dried my hair. I used it Sunday night and all the time Amazing Race was playing I was running my fingers through my hair. It's so soft! I loooooove it! It felt good all yesterday too. I think I even feel some effects today as well.

I would totally recommend this to anyone and everyone. Great, great product. It smells sorta coconut-y so it would go well with the Super Skinny Serum as a follow-up product after you shower. I would also recommend using this one to two times a week (but I'm saving it, so I'm limiting myself to once a week).

Pic credit: http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/1435/350_BT_keratintreat.jpg

PR: Venus Breeze Razor

The first time I used this razor, it worked great! I didn't need to use a layer of suds or shaving cream, just like the description said. By the third time things were still okay, but I was noticing that the shave wasn't as close as the first time. By the fourth or fifth time I saw some patches of missed hair, especially on my legs. So now I have to use soap or conditioner. I knew the day was going to come. I'm just sad it lasted such a short time.

Although the gel strips don't work anymore, the blade is still good so I still use it. It would be a ridiculous waste to throw it away just because the silly product gimmick didn't work anymore. All I was looking for was a decent razor anyway, so having to use a shaving medium is just fine with me :D And even though the gel strips don't work, they still give off a nice smell. So, extra yay! there.

**As a money-saving shaving tip (try saying that five times fast), use left over conditioner to shave. A while ago I would just go out and buy a thing of Suave conditioner (for around 99 cents) for shaving cream and it worked really well and smelled good too. I got out of practice when my mom just started bringing home soap and I stopped asking for conditioner. But if you're determined to not use soap, try conditioner.

It's also really nice that it comes with a case that sticks to your shower stall and it also comes with another razor head so you don't have to go out for a new one immediately after you dull out the first razor head.

Pic credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7EE6RniGWw_icOcW9A4-59rA9eV9hjdMAlK1Jj6sWER88zTv1yd7zwhR1RDnFzxPdfLBoACuIE9RAuiS4HPZrFjlEe_Hl04oZv0DWfqKFrXXjknu50O84UkIOqYUEGQjonXM9DwmHxgl/s400/Venus-Breeze-Razor-de.jpg

PR: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

This is going to be a really long PR because I haven’t done one in a while so I’m just going to do a really long one now consisting of three different PRs. Actually, no I’m just going to break them up into individual ones so it’s easier to search for in the future, but I’ll continue on in each post as if it were a long post. So I won’t sign off until the last one.

First one: Mint Julep Masque

So as stated in the last post, I got this facial masque from Sally Beauty Supply. It’s the Mint Julep Masque by Queen Helene. I saw results in the first use! My skin was smoother, softer, and it helped with some of the zits that were on my face. I used it again Sunday night and it worked even better! My pores were reduced and the blackhead-like bumps around my eyes were smoothed out and are still smoothed out as I type.

The bumps around my eyes have been a problem of mine lately because I used a slightly heavy concealer around my eye area to make me look more awake, and those bumps would always become more noticeable. Thanks to this masque, the bumps hardly show up at all! And it’s only been used twice!!! That’s what I was hoping this masque would do, and it certainly delivered great results.

So, obviously I'm happy with the results. I wasn't too fond of the smell when I first opened it, but now I've come to really like it. It's sort of comforting, in a way. I don't know how often you're supposed to use this stuff, but I'm guess you wouldn't want to exceed 2-3 times a week (it doesn't give a suggestion on the packaging). You could see how your own skin reacts by using it as often as you want and then spreading out the applications if your skin starts to get dry or irritated.

Also, I've seen pictures of people's faces with the masque (for their own reviews I'm guessing) and they all seem to pile it on really thick. I only use a tiny bit of it and it's enough to cover my face and give wonderful results. I only have the 3 oz. container and I'm thinking it will last me a while (but I'm definitely buying the bigger one when I run out because I love this stuff!). The thing to take away from this PR is that a little masque goes a long way. :D

Pic credit: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-uF5bb6NL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

**Just a little price side note: I got this for $3.49 before tax, so it's a fairly priced item I think. I don't know how much it will be in your area though.

Sorry for the weird formatting of the paragraphs. I started this post somewhere else and emailed it to myself so when I copied and pasted it, it got weird. Things would definitely be easier if I had a mouse, but I won't get into that mess right now. :D

New stuff

I got two new things this past Saturday and I'm about to go try them out. I'm so excited! The first is my new Venus Breeze razor. It says you don't need to add soap, but when I used an Intuition razor (that also didn't require soap/shaving cream) I actually ended up needing to use soap. So I'm probably gonna end up needing soap again. But it would be nice if the product actually lived up to its description/purpose.

The second thing is a Mint Julep Masque that I got from Sally's. I had heard xsparkage (YouTube) go on about it and she also mentioned that a lot of other YouTube gurus love it too, so I decided to get the small tub for around $3 and see how it went.

So I'm gonna go try them both out now and I'll let you know how they work soon. Toodles :D

~Stacie

BTW Today was a GrEaT day in school. Just had to put that out there. :D

PR: Garnier Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk

This might be a little longer than the first PR (on PM Super Skinny Serum). It's mostly because I have mixed feelings. Sometimes it helps my hair, and sometimes it has no effect whatsoever. And sometimes it gives my hair a weird crunchy feeling. Granted, that goes away after I brush my hair out and start working with it, but it really shouldn't be feeling like that at all unless I use a mousse or something. Just keep in mind that I'm still in school and to make it easier on myself I take my shower at night and then put this stuff in my hair and go to bed, so that could be adding to it, but still, I don't like it. Nothing else does that. Well, actually something does, but I'll talk about that on a later date.

A good thing about this product is its ability to mix with other things. I love to spray my silicone heat protection spray into the milk and then run it through my hair. The spray is way intense on its own, but mixed with this smoothing milk, it adds for a nice texture. So that's good. I'll have to find that spray and do a review on that later too... I just can't remember the brand name.

Another thing: I have two pictures because one is the way the first bottle of this stuff looked (I got that... oh, five years ago) and it seemed to have more in it. The pump made it a little harder to get the product out when it got to the bottom, but the bottle seemed to have more in it than the new bottle I got last year. Maybe it's the packaging because the new bottle feels like it has a heavier plastic used. Also, the new bottle says "Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk," while the old one just said, "Smoothing Milk," I think. I'm pretty sure. So I don't know if they changed the formula at all during those five years, or just added the "Anti-Humidity" to make it sound/look better.

Over-all... I guess I would give it a 2.5 since it's pretty good when mixed with the right products and a good amount is found for your hair.

Have a wonderful day and talk to you soon! ;D

~Stacie

Top pic credit: http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr225/laleewhimsy/1240934675-37401_full.jpg

Bottom picture credit: http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/2b/2a/68/24291823-177x150-0-0.jpg

PR: Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum (from the smoothing line)

I'm actually planning on doing two product reviews today (but we'll see if it actually happens).

So this is one of those products that I got for buy one get one for 88 cents at JCPenney's (same time I got the glossifier). I thought I was going to go through this thing super fast because I only had a 5.1 ouncer and that was a big reason for me going out and buying two more. But it turns out that this stuff lasts for a while. Now maybe I should be using more, and I will start doing that since I don't want my other two bottles to go to waste. I read somewhere that it is suggested that short haired people use one pump, and longer hair use two. You can of course use the product to your hair needs. I only use a tiny pump, and I will definitely be increasing the amount since I seem to have the everlasting bottle of Super Skinny Serum.

Now for the actual review part (instead of just bantering on):

It definitely makes my hair softer. I can sooooo feel its effect on my hair when I put it in because my hair is so SOFT I just have to touch it. As to the fact of it actually straightening my curly hair... no. But it doesn't claim to straighten anything, just smooth and condition. Which is what it does, wonderfully. I am soooo falling in love with Paul Mitchell (legit) products. I really want to try their spray wax. Anyway, I don't know if you maybe combined all the products in the line if it would help straighten curly hair, but most likely not if you just air dry.

I notice a huge difference when I blow out my hair. It says it helps reduce drying time which I totally believe because I've noticed it. I usually combine this with Kiwi's blow serum, my glossifier (to protect my scalp from the heat--it helps!), and the Aveeno shine cream. My hair ends up so smooth and I don't notice as many split ends as I used to. The frizz is controlled and I love it. :D With the success of this product, I'm kind of wanting to try the shampoo and conditioner... maybe sometime when I have some money and I feel like it.

BTW I got the bottle sitting in front of me for about 17 bucks from Ulta. I got it in a buy 2 get 1 free deal, so I was like yay!

Just a really good product to have, no matter what your hair type is (unless you think you're hair is extreeeeeeeemely greasy, then I would ask a hairdresser for a sample or something maybe). I think it's definitely worth a shot and I would so try and get it for some sale price of some kind.

Think kind thoughts, do good deeds, and smile a beautiful smile :D

~Stacie

Pic credit: http://s.ecrater.com/stores/88020/4923515ccb25c_88020n.jpg

Places where you can most likely get it: Regis, Trade Secret, Ulta, JCPenney, or any other higher end salons. Also, if you go to the Paul Mitchell site, you can find an actual Paul Mitchell salon near you. Have fun product shopping!!!

(And might I add: Wow! This was actually a pretty short PR!)

PR: Hard Candy's Blush Crush Baked Blush (in Living Doll)

This probably has to be one of my HG (holy grail) blushes. It has this beautiful marbling of gold throughout the hot pink that just makes you GLOW! I decided to get this after watching a Kandee Johnson video when she mentioned that a hot pinky color goes well on anyone's skin tone. So I HAD TO GET!!! (And PS, if you don't know who Kandee Johnson is, go to YouTube and look her up! She is AMAZING! In every way. You'll love her) So when I got it I tried it out the moment I got home I was soooo excited. And it turned out so pretty, I was so impressed... and IN LOVE! So it became one of the main blushes I used in my routine (I used the others every once in a while so they didn't feel left out lol) and I would just throw it in my makeup bag with all the rest of the stuff. Well... that makeup bag fell off the counter a couple times and really got some abuse. And.... my favorite blush... broke. I was soooooo upset. I couldn't just throw it out, so I had to find another container that could at least tide me over until I broke down and bought another one.

Well that day of breakdown was yesterday. I feel so ashamed! But no, seriously! I needed another blush. I just got this bad feeling that they were going to discontinue the blush when I really actually needed to get one, so I made a deal with the devil (my parents, not really :D I love them!) for some money to get the new blush.

What I'm liking as I look at the new blush is that it doesn't have as much gold marble in it as my first one did. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that there's gold in it, because it really adds that lively-ness and shimmery finish that is so beautiful. But when my blush broke, it left a huge platform of gold, and there was more marbling in that blush as well. Everything is good at the right time, in the proper proportions. So sometimes when I'm going for a gold effect all over my face, I just use that part as the highlight.

This is such a great blush I would recommend it for everyone and anyone (well, except guys, that's weird)! But on all skin tones, it would look gorgeous! It's a no-fail kind of deal. I'm looking forward to buying more of the blushes by Hard Candy (only at Wal-Mart btw) and I'm planning on eventually buying all four of them because sometimes the craziest looking blushes end up being really pretty on you. But the next one I think I'll buy is Honeymoon because it looks so pretty and can even be used as a highlighter.

Be beautiful to others and they will reflect that beauty to you!

~Stacie

Pic credit: http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTnCpEXl8_DJZpMM7IYp8RMJHlDMjS-gYzCxyF3q6_5NGR4Umg&t=1&h=167&w=167&usg=__oWigOFPwxd4Y0GR8_dQhxqfDT6I=

Other info: I got this blush at Wal-Mart for $7, and that's mostly what I'm seeing on other people's reviews, but when I first got it it was $9, so the price could be anywhere in between. It should be closer to $7 now because the line isn't as new and things have kinda calmed down. :D

PR: The Avlon KeraCare Glossifier (Step 3) for Dry&Itchy Scalp

Okay, I can't find a really big image but this will do. At the end I'll add a link with more information if you're interested. :D

It actually turns out that this stuff is aimed more towards African Americans. Well, nice to know that now. But I don't care because my scalp is under very similar conditions. I have very curly hair. Not afro tight, but pretty curly. I'll have to take a picture some time. Anyway, it has a lot to do with your skin type and mine can be pretty dry in the winter. In the summer it's more toward the dry/combination side of things. The more dry your skin, the more curly your hair. That's why people with oily skin usually have pretty straight hair (like my mom).

So there was this huge "Buy one get one for 88 cents" deal and Penny's and I had to jump on that. I really wanted to get some more Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum and to get it for practically BOGO free? I was so there. But while I was there I saw this product. The first thing that caught my eye was the "Kera" part of the name. I had learned from my beautician friend over the summer that curly hair is low in keratin, so I had been looking for something to help replenish my supply of the shinifying protein.

After I saw the "Kera" thing, I saw "Glossifier." Hey cool! I also wanted to get a glossifying thingy. I love shine, and sometimes my hair can look a bit dull. And to top it off, in the very top of the label was a box with the words "Dry&Itchy Scalp." That was it! I was gettin this stuff no matter what! I have a very itchy scalp that started a few years ago and I can't figure out what is causing it. So I'm always trying to find stuff to help.

Well actually, not anymore! I've found it!!! This stuff works WONDERFULLY! I can really tell when I don't use the stuff because my head will be killing me all day long. It's absolutely AWFUL! And it's so embarrassing to scratch your head around other people. Plus when you wear black it shows up. :P Ick.

Thing only thing that is a slight downer about this product is that it can look like too much really fast. You only need a VERY LITTLE. Very little. I learned this the hard way. I put too much in when I first got it and then straightened my hair. It looked like I hadn't showered in a week. So what I do now is I rub my fingertips in a few circles on the top of the product, then spread the product (what I got on my fingertips) down the length of my fingers and then rub it all over my scalp. I'm thinking it could definitely be used as an all-over glossifier, but it's only meant for your scalp so it's up to you.

It has menthol in it which is weird to me because I heard that menthol on your lips only dries them out more, and since you have a dry scalp that you're trying to cure, why would you want to dry it out more? But it works and I love it. You can even smell the menthol a little bit. They did try to cover it up with some other smell though.

I got this for somewhere between $7-8 (4 oz.), but if you try to get it online it could cost more or less. It's all where you look. But I would make sure you have an authorized source because if it's not, you could be getting a bad product. I would try to find it at a salon near you!

~Stacie

Pic credit: http://www.jinnysmall.com/product_images/t/383/5__85038_std.gif

Site to learn more: [link] The site has a different looking container, but I think it's the same thing, they must just be transitioning between packaging.

PR: Aveeno Nourish+Style Smoothing Shine Crème

PR stands for Product Review (just for future reference because there are going to be many MANY more of these!). So yay, first product review!!!

This product is a staple in my hair routine. No matter what I'm doing, I use this! There's no exception. One time I forgot to use it and when I thought my hair felt different I was like "Oh yah!" That's a huge "Duh" on my part. I don't notice that it actually makes my hair shinier, but I use so many products that claim to make my hair shinier, who can tell if any of them actually do? Plus, I have blonde hair so it's hard to make your hair noticeably shiny without looking like you haven't showered all month. But my hair isn't dull, so I guess it is making it sort of shiny. I did notice that when I started using it my hair felt better after a week or so. But now I use it all the time so I don't really notice. I DO notice when I don't use it. My hair feels really soft just with this and my anti-dandruff salve so I'm pretty satisfied. I'm actually running pretty low so I'm gonna have to go out and by some more soon. Can't live without!

Have a wonderful day and talk to you soon!

~Stacie

Pic credit: http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2010/gallery/021910-Hair-400.jpg

So... yay!

Another blog. I guess we all knew it was bound to happen. Whenever I obsess over something new, whup! another blog gets made. But it's cool. I need a blog where I can just talk about the shallow things and little life events that don't apply to my other blogs (those are just for art). But I don't really want a blog just to talk about life because then I start to sound really... selfish and that's just not cool.

I love clothes, makeup, and hair, and all that comes with it. I don't do it because I'm vain and I think I'm the best dang thing that hit this planet. Nope. I do it because I'm an artist and I love to play with color and shapes and I just have so much fun getting ready in the morning! It's crazy. I have a feeling that this is going to end up being my profession. Besides loving color so much, I love emphasizing what God has given us to work with. By making us the way He did, He gave us this beautiful canvas to start on and add colors that brings out our gorgeous eyes or red lips or whatever. It's like having a perfect spot for gardening with rich soil and abundant water and adding a bunch of lush and beautiful plants. I would never endorse starving yourself or having plastic surgery to change how you look. God make you look the way He knows you should look, so don't change His work people. He loves you and wants you to love yourself the way He loves you. You may not look like a supermodel but that's good! We can't all look the same because that would be so BORING! We NEED to look different. So many times I look at an advertorial and think that all the girls look the same (but if you look closely they ARE in fact different girls).

So please, love yourself, and love others. I love you!

~Stacie