L'Oreal Paris Root Rescue

I really needed a quick root fix and didn't feel like dealing with the hassle of coloring all of my hair. I normally get Clairol's Root Touch Up but this was on sale. Even though I had a nagging feeling I'd tried it before and didn't like the smell, my frugality won out. If there was a problem with the scent before, they have fixed it. It smelled like hair color. It comes with a bottle of developer, an applicator tip, and a small bottle of color. You just pour in the color, replace the cap, shake it up and switch the cap with the applicator brush. You then squeeze the bottle and use the brush to apply the color to your roots. I found it very easy to apply the color and it wasn't very messy (one of my biggest problems when coloring my own hair). I had enough product to cover my roots but not much left over. I left it on for probably close to 20 minutes. It rinsed out easily in the shower and, my favorite part, it instructs you to wash and condition your hair. After, when I finished drying my hair, all my greys were gone! After a week there was still no sign. After two weeks, they started to show through a little here and there. By the third week I could tell they were beginning to organize again and try to take over and now, almost after 4 weeks, I need to consider coloring again.

I am very impressed with this product and glad my faulty memory allowed me to give it another try.

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Hair/Hair-Color/Root-Touch-Ups/Root-Rescue.aspx?shade=4-Dark-Brown

Vidal Sassoon Salonist™ 3/662 Darkest Intense Violet

This is the story of my life:

 It's hard to make any color changes because my hair is coffee brown (looks black except in bright light) and I don't want the damage of bleaching it. My only options are reddish brown or true black. That doesn't stop me from constantly searching for ways to make a more drastic change. In the end, after reading reviews and thinking about the mess I usually make, I don't bother.

Me (in my dreams)

Recently I got on a kick for eggplant colored hair (thanks Pinterest!) like the one at right. Although the color looks dark in most of the pictures, the reviews I read for OTC colors still said it works best on lighter hair. I did a lot of research and came up with a few options I could buy at the drugstore. Armed with my list I hit the CVS. Of course I couldn't find any on my list! But, I did come across one by Vidal Sassoon that said "violet" instead of "burgundy" or "cherry." Being my only option I bought it and brought it home.

First, it was very nice to see it came with a brush and a little mixing dish. If I learned one thing from eSalon, it's that applying with a brush is much better. It's less messy and applies the color better. The directions on this one were a little different. It said to mix two the color and developer and, using 3/4 of the mix, apply to the roots first with the brush. After finishing that there was a third bottle of "Sassoon serum" which you add to the leftover mix. Then you scoop that out and apply it to the rest of your hair. Sounds messy, right? Amazingly enough, it wasn't. I got less hair color on myself and all over my bathroom than any other product I've used. Then I waited 30 minutes. A little side note, the gloves were nice and thick latex but were almost impossible to get off! I tore them up and turned them inside out so I wasn't able to use them for rinsing. I've said it before, if you often color your hair at home, it's worth it to buy a box of latex gloves from the drugstore. It took almost all the mixture for my mid-back length hair.

After 30 minutes I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed (this stuff was DARK!). Then washed with a color-safe shampoo and used their conditioner which was really nice. When I took the towel off I didn't notice much of a difference except a bit of a reddish-purple glow. When I dried it, the color was dark but vibrant. I know that doesn't seem to make sense but I'm not sure how else to explain it. All my greys were completely covered. It's been almost four weeks since I've colored it and I'm just starting to notice a few greys poking through. Some color does come out every time I cowash it (I only shampoo once every few weeks now but that's for another post) but the color is still holding in my hair. It looks a little more on the red side but not like the black cherry colors I've always hated. Keep in mind the pics below are four weeks in. If I use this color again, I will update with fresher pictures. I tried but I wasn't able to get any good ones (I couldn't use any filters that would change the color lol).


I really liked using this product and the way it performed. It was definitely worth the price and the relatively short time it took to do it. It was enough of a difference to quell my restlessness for a bit. I highly recommend trying this if you like to color at home.




 http://vidalsassoon.com/en-us/products/hair-color/vidal-sassoon-salonist-3_662-darkest-intense-violet

The Wet Brush

Forgive me readers, it's been over 5 months since my last post. This brush claims to be the best, de-tangling brush. I usually start with a wide tooth comb but sometimes still get snags. When I first saw it in the store, I felt the bristles and they were so flexible I thought, "this will never work in my thick hair." Ultimately my curiosity (and the low price) won out. And? It works! Glides through my hair like butter. I also like to use it when I first start blow drying my hair before switching to a brush with half boar's hair bristles and it seems to stand up to the heat. (They have an option with boar's hair which I may try.) It also works on dry hair although doesn't quite go completely through my hair but that's not its claim. So, low price and does what it says? A no-brainer in my book.

http://www.thewetbrush.com/index.php/detangle/the-wet-brush/the-wet-brush-purple.html

Clarks Breeze Mila flip flops

Because of foot injuries, I have a hard time wearing flip flops even though I love them. I mostly stick to Okabashis because they have some arch support and the rubbery strap stays on my foot better (although I do have two pairs of their patent ones which have cloth on the inside of the strap and they're great too). But, I was looking for a grey pair and didn't like any of their styles. I came across these Clarks on the JCPenney website. They had really good reviews and were on sale so I decided to give them a try. I'm so glad I did! The footbed is very cushioned but still feels stable. They are lightweight but still feel secure. The best part is that they are adjustable. The two sides overlap and there is a velcro loop so you can tighten or loosen to suit your needs. I think this is absolute genius and am considering buying more pairs (maybe of a different style I saw online while looking for these).

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens/womens-collection/Breeze-Mila-Pewter-Synthetic/p/26100570

Cute, comfy, trendy shoes by Christian Siriano for Payless

I've decided to branch out and add things other than beauty products to this blog. I feel like when I find an awesome product, I need to share it. And I've found one at Payless. Payless has certainly evolved over the years and by collaborating with top designers, they have some really respectable shoes at decent prices. I like to think that the shoes are a little better quality because the designer has a reputation and "brand" to protect.

I was looking for something trendy for Spring but also, because of foot problems, need them to be comfy as well. I like the look of cut booties or shooties so that was my goal. I found these Perforated Haven Pumps online and the reviews were great. Luckily my size was available at a store near me. I tried them on and loved how they looked. Took them to work the next day (I try them on carpet the first day in case I need to return them) and was able to wear them all day long without problems. There are only two small cons. First, they snap on the outside and are a little hard to get snapped but once you do, they stay closed which is something I was worried about. Second, when you take them off, you will have what looks like a geometric rash for a little while but it also kind of looks like cool alien skin. You would think the pattern would mean the shoes hurt but they don't. I did a lot of online shopping for similar shoes and was really lucky to find a great pair at a really good price. I sometimes find my Payless shoes last longer and wear better than more expensive ones. I highly recommend these in either, or both, colors.

http://www.payless.com/womens-perforated-haven-pump/75849.html?dwvar_75849_color=cognac#prefn1=brand&prefv1=Christian+Siriano+for+Payless&start=12

Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara

Since I started this blog, I have reviewed 18 different mascaras and I've tried even more (I know, bad Diva!). Although I found some good ones, I have never been able to find the perfect mascara...until now. I can't say enough good things about this mascara. My biggest problem with all mascaras is that they smudge. I already have dark circles under my eyes, I really don't need to add to them. To avoid it I would have to get waterproof or the tubes. The tube mascara doesn't smudge but it doesn't really give much volume and once it sets, you can't add layers. Waterproof formulas seem to make your lashes hard plus, some of them still smudge. I don't know what they did to this formula but the regular mascara DOES NOT smudge! Even when I've fallen asleep with my make up on (one of the greatest sins), it looks great when I get up.

Although being smudge-proof is very important, it doesn't count for much if your lashes look like Tammy Faye Baker. The brush for this mascara is different than anything I've come across and it's not just a gimmick. There are bristles of different lengths and thicknesses around the brush. You can use these in different ways to get different looks. For daytime, I mostly use the longer bristles on the top to give a more natural look. At night, I hold the brush sideways close the the base of my lashes, wiggle it a bit and the roll it up to the ends. This gives a very lush, thick lash. Then I use the longer brushes to separate. (I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when applying mascara is not taking enough time.) Sometimes I use an eyelash comb to finish off and sometimes I don't. It lasts a couple of months before starting to get a little clumpy. I noticed that when I did use an eyelash comb, some small flecks would come off so I knew it was time to buy a new tube. The best part is that is available in drug stores at drug store prices.

This is definitely my favorite mascara and I can't see any reason to try another so this may be my last mascara review. So, go, buy it now!

http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Lash-Sensational-Washable-Mascara.aspx

Pond's Luminous Finish BB Cream and Hourglass Illusion® Hyaluronic Skin Tint

I decided to review these two together because I found them to be very similar. The Hourglass name is a bit deceiving as it is thicker than what I would think of when seeing the words "skin tint." Both products area thicker liquid so you have to make sure to blend them really well when applying. I never use a sponge but I believe it would work well. Both offer medium coverage but trying to build that up will mostly cause caking. The Pond's product only comes in two shades but has tone correcting complex which is supposed to help it match your skin tone. Both products need a few minutes to "melt" into your skin and then look pretty natural (the Hourglass is a bit more visible). They both seem to last pretty well throughout the day especially if you set them with powder. They both also have spf 15 protection.

So what is the difference? About 40-45 dollars. The Hourglass is a bit more natural looking and offers a wider range of colors. However, after several days of use it made me breakout in small bumps. Not super noticeable but not something anyone wants. In my opinion, the Hourglass is not worth the price. The Pond's may be slightly inferior but the cost savings outweigh any deficiencies. In the end I returned the Hourglass and kept the Pond's. I just bought some Armani BB Cream to try but I will still keep the Pond's. It's great for weekend days when you want to run some errands. Aside from giving you a little color correction, you're getting some spf protection which is always good.

Pond's http://www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=All&srchtree=1&Ntt=ponds+bb+cream&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&CSRFToken=NrwT4CDQq%2BZbSMkqzdeN81PU7JBH9tnyNABhE6jCZi0%3D

Hourglass http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/illusion-hyaluronic-skin-tint