hair

products I’m loving

by Lara on January 17, 2012

in beauty

Just sharing a few things that I’m really diggin right now.

My hair is baby fine and stick straight so to get some great body at my roots, I’ve been adding a small amount of this to my roots and halfway down while my hair is still damp, before I blow dry. My hair gets oily looking fast and this extends my hair a day by just fluffing with a dryer and brush. It doesn’t feel like I have anything in my hair either. Love love this stuff!

Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel

At $47, I doubt I will get the full-size of this foundation but holy moly the sample was amazing! Perfect flawless coverage and a little goes a long way.

Givenchy Photo’Perfexion Fluid Foundation SPF 20 PA+++

For removing glitter polish, those jars with sponge and acetone are the best. The rough sponge surface helps remove glitter much easier than a cotton ball and they last a loooong time. I think any brand will do.

jar polish remover

This is a mixed review – Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter. I was thinking this would be a sheer glossy lip balm of sorts. Nope. It’s almost opaque and what you see in the tube is what you get on your lips. It’s also super moisturizing and shiny right when you put it on but dries out like lipstick soon after. So, if you see a color you like, grab one but expect lipstick.

I got Raspberry Ice – photo via

Have you tried anything new lately?

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the hairs of my life

by Lara on January 10, 2011

in geek

Before I show you my new do, I thought I’d share with you some pics of past haircuts.

1999- (it had been a pixie cut 3 years before this, in high school. Look at those eyebrows!!!)

2002 – Jen and I were going out that night for drinking shenanigans. Don’t know what to say about any of this!

2005 – got me some bangs

January 2006 - one of my fave cuts ever

March 2006 – things changed quickly

February 2008 – emo boy hair

May 2008 – chop chop!

November 2008 – our first pic together, when I started to grow it out again

February 2010 – growing growing!

and without further ado…. January 2011 – my new cut!!! choppy layers!

With it being black, it’s so hard to see. I just washed it, no product, and I tried take a pretty pic… then everything devolved and I quit caring.

Yup. There you go!

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things I won’t change

by Lara on October 25, 2010

in fashion

Naked Without Lipstick did a cute post on the few brands she’s loyal to. I’m definitely loyal to Playtex, Q-tips and Reynolds wrap. I thought I was loyal to my hair dye and mineral foundation but the tides are turning and I realized I’m not loyal to many brands at all!

There are a few tried and true things that I have no desire whatsoever to veer away from though. Here are a few:

  • Big sunglasses.  No designer, cat eye, round, wayfarer, aviator, or funky for me. Just give me some simple big cheap plastic sunglasses with maybe a hint of color, since I always scratch or lose them anyhow.

perfect

  • Big handbags. Other than carrying a clutch for evening, I cannot do little bags for daytime.

ultimate fantasy Burberry Prorsum Knight Studded bag

  • Flats or high heels, no in-between. I will not do a kitten heel or a 2-inch sturdy heel. I envy the comfort and bit of height other women achieve in these sensible shoes but they make me feel frumpy.
  • Dark denim. As my dark jeans fade over time, I still love them and wear them but the purist inside me will not allow a second glance to light or pre-faded jeans.

  • Deep V-neck or scoop neck tees. I feel like I’m getting choked in a classic crew neck. I have the tatas and they want to be freeeeee!
  • No logos!
  • No Apple products. I refuse to be a slave to “geniuses” and over-priced, slick marketing hype.
  • No pink! (only for lingerie)

What are you loyal to?

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Biotera dry shampoo

by Lara on October 9, 2010

in beauty

Confession- 6 days into October and I broke my shopping ban!

I went to Sally’s to get some demi-permanent blue/black dye. (I love me some Feria Starry Night and will still use it once in a while.) To extend my dye job and not be so harsh on my fine mouse hair, I got L’Oreal Color Gems in blue/black (on the advice of a friend who has worked in many a salon). This isn’t where I messed up on the shopping ban because I NEED to dye my roots, and things that I absolutely need are okay. (I’m a pro at justifying.)

What I bought that broke the ban was dry shampoo, which I have been super curious about for a while now. After talking to the check out lady about the woes of fine limp hair, she recommended Biotera dry shampoo. It’s a powder in what looks like a glue bottle to get straight to your roots. I rubbed the nozzle around the top of my scalp, flipped it all over and rubbed it around vigorously and brushed like mad.

I am loving this stuff with my dark hair! You get that bed head effect with a bit of volume at the roots, without the oil. There’s a tea tree scent that banishes those 3 day old hair smellies. My hair felt a little bit more thick, rough and stiff but whatever. It gave me great hair while I was out running errands for hours today. It will be my emergency time-saver so I don’t look like I’ve completely given up on my appearance some days. Also good for messy updos since hair is too slick to stay up well right after a wash.

Of course it takes some of your shine away but what’s shine if  your hair looks greasy? Nastiness! So, I broke my ban but I really wanted to try this stuff and it was $3 off ($7 for what they say will be 60 applications) so there! Pfffft!

I had never heard of this brand before but, Biotera is a product line from Zotos, which is owned by Shiseido.

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products I want to try

by Lara on September 2, 2010

in beauty

I’ve had a running list in the back of my head of products I’ve never tried but want to. Here they are.

Dry shampoo. I have very fine straight long hair that gets limp and stringy looking quickly. I dye it so, I don’t like to wash it every day to prevent the blue/black from fading too fast. Every summer the dry shampoos get reviewed and Klorane usually comes out on top. They offer a smaller, less expensive can that I may have to try out.

Tapered curling irons. By twisting your hair along the cone, as opposed to clamping and rolling on a straight barrel, you’re supposed to get more natural looking waves without dented hair and curly ends that give you triangle head. I’ve found two on the market right now.

Conair Infinity You Curl – $40 at Target

R Session Tools Runway Series tapered curling iron – msrp $50 – this product was mentioned in InStyle’s September issue and of course, it’s nowhere to be found. It has a slightly larger barrel, detachable guide, traditional clamp style if you want it, and it gets 50 degrees hotter than the Conair one (better for coarse hair).

Lip Stain. I really need some recommendations since I’m at at total loss. I’m looking for something that has a bit of coverage but not too dark. Just a nice enhancement of my natural lip color that I can put some lip balm over. It also needs to be easy to apply and have staying power. I may give the Maybelline Color Sensational stuff a try.

And something I wanted to try and finally did:

StriVectin skin products. They’re mostly known for their amazing stretch mark potions and thanks to fun Sephora samples, I got a deluxe trial size of StriVectin Sculpting Cream. In a few days, my mom has already told me how great my skin is looking. She used the word “taut” and mentioned my defined cheek bones. I’m going to milk this sample for all it’s worth.

What are you curious to try out?

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curls

by Lara on February 12, 2010

in beauty

Apparently hot rollers are big for Spring. I’m a huge fan. My mom used them from the time I was little and I’ve always had a set. Loose waves feel more feminine and romantic. The thing I like about them is that unlike a curling iron, you’re not going to burn yourself and your hair sets at pretty much the same rate. You’re not holding the iron up getting arm cramps and, while your hair is setting on its own, you can be busy doing other things.

I use an older set similar to this one by Conair. It comes with an order form and I bought an extra set of the mid-sized rollers for tighter curls. There are also sets that just have the jumbo rollers. If you want softer waves, that’s the one to get.

Remember, the looser the curl, the quicker they’ll fall out. So, you may want to try tighter curls and do them early so that they’ll fall out a bit by the time you’re ready to make your appearance.

I have found that my hair looks best curled when it’s past shoulder length. Like with all hair, the longer it gets, the harder it is to keep your curl because of all the weight. If you have a shorter bob, the large rollers can give you some killer volume. Work with your layers and keep in mind the way you part your hair and the direction you want your curls to fall.

Starting with clean dry hair is best. When your hair is completely dry, work in sections and spray each with a light mist of hairspray for extra hold before you roll it. Section your hair off just like you would when using a curling iron. The smaller the section, the closer you can roll to the roots and get more volume. It’s really something you have to practice a bit to get the right ratio of hair to the amount of curlers that come with your set.

Also, be careful about the tips of your hair. Make sure the tips are smooth against the roller so that you don’t have weird bent ends. Hold your hair straight out from your head, and roll down to your roots, securing tightly with whatever clips you’re provided with. If you have an unruly section, put the roller back and get a fresh hot one and start over.

The best hairspray I’ve ever used is Matrix Amplify. It defies humidity and holds without being stiff or sticky. It will also brush right out and your hair the next day becomes amazing “bed head” perfect for a wild ponytail. It’s a salon brand but you can find it at Target and Ulta. For fine hair, it’s worth every penny and I’ve never found anything better!

Let your hair cool completely before you remove the curlers (10-20 minutes) and NEVER USE A BRUSH!!!! Just lightly loosen your curls with your fingers, style and finish with your favorite hairspray.

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cold air hair repair

by Lara on November 3, 2009

in beauty

I don’t usually endorse products here and when I do, it’s always an easy to find, affordable item that I really love. Winter is on its way and that means static and frizz and dry brittle hair. One product I adore is Dove Advanced Care Moisture Therapy Replenishing Mist. It’s a light leave-in conditioner spray that helps reduce static and fly-aways. It’s also a great refresher if you don’t like to wash your hair every day but need a little boost of shine, softness and scent. You won’t feel like you have any product in your hair but you will feel and see a difference.

My hair is fine and bone straight and this doesn’t weigh it down or make it greasy. From the reviews, it’s also seems great for curly coarse hair and works as a detangler.

They’ve changed the name and bottle design. I’m still using the original baby blue bottle I bought last year. It really is a lifesaver, a very subtle soft lifesaver. At less than $5 a bottle, you won’t regret it.

 Dove

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