You Keep Asking How to Maintain White Blonde….

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Every single day, I am asked by strangers how I keep my hair white blonde without it being dry, brittle and orange tinted.  I’ve done product reviews for hair products that really help, but the ones I’m listing here are my main loves.

First of all, people want to know who it is that does my hair…well, it’s me.  I use a 40 volume developer which to me, is key.  The main thing with being blonde, is to NOT overlap!  No one cares more about me burning off my hair, than ME…so I choose to be mad at myself for free than mad at the hairdresser and paying her $200 to burn off my hair. Or be orange. Or yellow. I also do it every 4 weeks so I don’t have all day to sit in a salon.

On the rare occasion I may take it off too soon…then I use a 10 or 20 volume to hit the roots again the next time I wash it for a few minutes, to correct the yellow.

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I always use the “Purple Shampoo” that you all know about, but here’s the difference…if I really want a snow white color, I will put the Shimmer Lights Shampoo for Blonde & Silver on my hair while it is still dry.  Slowly, I will work it in, lather it up with small amounts of water and let it sit all lathered up for about 5 minutes on my head before rinsing.  Most people tell me that the purple shampoo does not work for them, but I really noticed the biggest difference once I started putting it on dry hair.  Also, come on ladies…if your hair dresser gave you orange highlights, nothing is going to make it blonde.  Just sayin.

Before blow drying, I use Biosilk Silk Therapy as a heat protector/smoother.  I’ve used this for a zillion years and keep going back to it. I feel that it keeps my hair from drying out and breaking off!

I’ve considered filming a video of the self bleaching process, but it’s very important that people know that it’s very hard to color your entire head blonde all at once.  I would advise going into chunkier and chunkier pieces first, until most of the head is blonde before attempting to go all the way.

Of course, once it is all the way blonde, you could, in theory, then start coloring it on your own, because there is only the root retouch to do.  The self root retouch is what I’m considering filming. It’s not hard at all and I love myself when there’s still $200 in my wallet after my hair is freshly done!

-SDS

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MOTHER’S DAY: TOP 5 SURE BET FRAGRANCE PICKS!

Choosing a fragrance for another person can be stressful.  What I’ve learned, is that when gift giving times such as Mother’s Day roll around, it’s best to stay with the safe bets.  Of course, a lot of ladies prefer that you simply give them their typical refill fragrance, but I feel like I want people to have what I want them to have.  It shouldn’t be the obligatory refill situation year after year.    It gives the illusion that you actually might care when you choose something new and great.

Fragrance is a luxury.  It creates a feeling. For Mother’s Day, the feeling it from a perfume gift should be love.

What I have complied here, are the safe gift bets for Mother’s Day this year.  These are new-ish fragrances that will appeal to the good taste of most females in every age range. Unless Mom is a patchouli loving hippie, you can be sure that these fragrance picks will be a nice surprise and perfect for Spring so check them out!

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1.  VERSACE EROS POUR FEMME

This scent is soft, yet sexy. Yes, mom’s like a little sexiness, too….how do you think you got here?  This one is new, having arrived on shelves in Italy this December. The packages says bold, but the scent is perfect for literally anyone of any age.  It’s a citrus, woody, white floral with peony jasmine and musk, among other things. Very nice. Very glam. Get mom some glam. Perfume is a luxury after all.

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2. EMOZIONE by SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

Emozione arrived on the market in February and is just now hitting some retailers.  A very soft powdery floral with rose and a musky/woody/fresh accord…this one is very smooth.  Not too much, not too little and perfect for sexy summer nights. (There I go again.)  A modern, soft floral. Not a cheap, thin floral.  Nobody hates this one and most people I’ve asked, love her.  Yes, her.  She’s a lady.

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3.  DAHLIA DIVIN by GIVENCHY

This one launched in the fall, but I think it’s perfect for Spring and Summer. It’s a beautiful and long lasting white floral with a touch of spice…and even a hint of Patchouli for the hippies.  This fragrance is very classy, not overbearing and again…I’ve not found one person that doesn’t love it.  My personal description would be a soft, white, classy jasmine heart with a soft woody base. BAM! If Mom returns this one then she’s just a picky bitch because it’s pretty close to perfect.

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4.  PEONY AND BLUSH SUEDE by JO MALONE

While I am not a floral person in my heart of hearts, this one is one that I wear often.  My husband loves it when I put this on before bed or when going to church.  I’ve been known to wear too much perfume so this is one for those times I want to appear to be respectable.  It’s the one I always recommend for people who are gift giving and not too sure about the receiver’s taste preferences.  I’ve seen girls from 17 to 70 fall in love in within seconds of smelling this fragrance.  It’s a tastefully sweet floral, perfect for Mother’s Day and is great to layer with other Jo Malone scents or body cremes for a custom fit.  I layer mine with the Pomegranate Noir for a deeper, richer feel.  Of course, by nature I prefer rich and thick fragrance but it’s so nice to step out of my comfort zone and wear a rich, sweet, innocent floral now and then. Again, I often times recommend this one for gift giving because it’s a sure bet and I’ve never known of anyone to hate it or return their gift!

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5.  SI by GIORGIO ARMANI

This one is another sure thing.  Men love it due to the vanilla base but the grapefruit zest makes it modern and light.  The largest percent of women who smell this one, love it and want to own it.  I feel as if it’s a modern version of Calvin Klein’s Obsession for Women.  That one was deeper and richer, but rich and super deep are not really in fashion in the fragrance realm anymore. If mom was a hottie in the late 80’s or 90’s… then she will love this one.  Again…I’ve seen young girls in their 20’s love it as well as older ladies in their 60’s and beyond.

The fragrances I’ve listed above would appeal to a wide variety of women, so check them all out…one of them surely has to make mom happy.  Tell her you wanted her to up her fragrance game and freshen up with a new, trendy/sexy/cool scent and step out of her comfort zone.  Scent is power and power is good…the last time I checked.

-SDS

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WICKED CROWN HAIR

 

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I was really excited to try all the colors of the Wicked Crown hair Chalk.  However, when I came across some YouTube videos where different people were trying out the product, I got scared!  It appeared to be a super messy process of wetting the hair, using gloves, chalk getting all over your clothes.

I decided to do it my own way, so I styled my hair, then only wet the end of the chalk, and proceeded to paint the pieces that I’d wanted colored.  I would then go over each colored hair section lightly with the flat iron to smooth. BAM!  That was it.

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My next issue of concern, was whether or not it would wash out easily, since my hair is white.  It washed out fine in one shampoo.

Now that I know more about the ease of process, I can continue to try out all the colors.  I did blue tips at the bottom with pink around the face the first time.  I can’t wait to continue using!

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You can find Wicked Crown Hair Chalk on Amazon or places such as Walgreens! Wicked Crown Temporary Hair Color Chalk: http://www.chrislie.com/temporary-hair-color-chalk-12-color-set.html

 

-SDS

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NeoStrata Eye


http://youtu.be/mNbVjANKJTU?list=UUWo6f6Rx7ngN4y9O7J3WqZQ

NeoStrata Eye Therapy is made to target all key areas of concern in the eye area!  Sagging, puffiness, crow’s feet and discoloration are all combated by this eye treatment.

It’s made to help plump the eye area.

  • SynerG Formula 6.0 builds and plumps layers of the skin for exceptional results
  • Peptides stimulate matrix components to produce more collagen
  • NeoGlucosamine® helps reinforce collagen’s surrounding support structure
  • Caffeine helps deflate under eye puffiness

Check it out for yourself at http://www.neostrata.com

 

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HOW TO BATHE FABULOUSLY

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My dad met and began dating a woman years ago that was always trying out new things. She would read and educate herself on different home remedies and other things.  Once, she had peppermint bubble bath of some sort years ago, so I tried it out after she raved about how wonderful it was. I tried it, and the peppermint bath was actually refreshing.

Flash forward to a million years later, when Instanatural  offered to send some samples of some of their products, and one of which was Peppermint Oil.  I got excited since it reminded me of the peppermint bath product from years before.

When my products arrived, I was thrilled to jump into the tub the very first night and try out the  Peppermint Oil. Apparently, there is a huge difference in quality between what she was using, and the products by Instanatural.  I failed to read up on Peppermint Essential Oil before jumping in the tub, and put way too much in!

This is 100% pure essential oil.  The peppermint is supposed to be very good for swelling, and aching muscles, which makes sense because peppermint is methol! After 20 minutes in the tub, it was like having Icy/Hot menthol muscle rub all over my entire body!   The next time, I was smarter, and used way less!  My bath had a revitalizing aroma, my body felt relaxed, and I didn’t kill myself with menthol this time!

I’ve used it quite a few times since, and it is amazing!  It is the most refreshing thing I’ve ever used in the tub. Ever.  My feet feel better and less swollen after a long day in heels with just 20 minutes soaking in the tub with my Coconut scented bubble bath, and of course some Peppermint oil thrown in for therapeutic benefits and a spa-like aroma.

Last night, I even put a few drops of the Argan Oil in the tub as well, and my skin felt softer after wards.

As far as the lemon oil goes, the scent is highly refreshing and I’m still researching the many uses that Essential Lemon Oil has! Instanatural.com also has other oils, such as the Lavender Oil that I am wanting to try! This is what I’ve learned about the Peppermint and the Lemon Oils so far;

InstaNatural’s Peppermint Essential Oil is a multi-purpose oil that cools, energizes and refreshes the body and mind. This steam-distilled oil is extracted from dried or fresh leaves from the Mentha Piperita herb, giving it a sharp, menthol fragrance. Its pleasantly sweet and minty aroma makes it a premium choice for aromatherapy to improve the mind and lift the spirits.

Their Lemon Essential Oil is extracted from the rinds of lemon, which lends its fresh citrus fragrance. This cold-pressed oil has a strong bright scent that is both refreshing and uplifting. Its astringent and purifying properties also make it a great aid to help cleanse and tone the skin, while delivering a boost of Vitamin C antioxidant benefits.

InstaNatural is a leading online and global distributor of more than a dozen nature inspired beauty and cosmetics products. Their products are one of the top sellers on Amazon and can also be found in leading spas, salons and aesthetic centers in the US, as well as internationally in UAE, UK and Canada!

As far as the woman my dad met years ago, they got married and she’s still always ahead of her time with new and wonderful ideas! As for me? I’ve learned to put a little effort into every day things, such as bathing…and turn it into a fabulous experience!

 -SDS

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MARCH BEAUTY FAVORITES (video!)

     This is just a quick video of new beauty favorites I’m in love with this month!  The links to some of the items or to learn more, are here below and the other items shown on the video are available at most department stores or Sephora!

-SDS

 

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