Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup
Sprial Curls for Short Hair Tutorial
- Wide tooth comb
- John Frieda Frizz Ease Go Curlier
- Blow dryer with diffuser (diffuser optional)
- Hair clip
- Curling iron
1 - Comb through clean and towel tried hair with a wide tooth comb, adjusting part to where it usually falls.
2 - Spritz John Frieda Frizz Ease from roots to ends (this product discontinued, so try this version). The bottle suggests starting with 10-12 sprays, more or less depending on your hair length and thickness. I always like to scrunch my hair after applying product for curls, to help the curls form. The above picture shows you the slight wave I have in my hair without blow drying and straightening.
3 - Gently blow dry hair with diffuser (I didn't have a diffuser available, so I used my blow dryer on the lowest setting, and kept scrunching as I went along).
4 - After hair is completely dry, go through small to medium sections (depending on how much help with curls your hair needs) and use the curling iron to add spirals. I used a small spiral iron, in which I have to use my hand to wrap the hair around (this takes practice to do without burning fingers!). The below pictures shows you how my hair looks just after drying without using a round brush (left side) and how it looks after using the curling iron in it (right side).
5 - I took small sections of my hair and positioned the iron behind the section of hair, and then wrapped the hair away from my face.
6 - After curling, you can comb through curls to loosen them up and make them look more natural.
Voila! Spiral Curls for Short Hair is complete!
Along with my Signature Straight tutorial last week, I posted about the Frizz Ease Never Pull Back Instagram challenge. All you have to do is show off your fierce hairstyles on Instagram with the #downfor30 & #sweeps hashtag for the chance to win an EPIC NYC adventure. Each post with the #downfor30 & #sweeps hashtag (up to one a day) earns you a chance to win. If you’ve already submitted a picture, keep posting for more chances for win! And if you haven’t entered yet, what are you waiting for?
The amazing prize package includes the following:
· - Round trip airfare for two (2) to NYC
· - Four (4) nights at the W Hotel Times Square
· - Breathtaking helicopter tour of Lady Liberty, whose newly-liberated locks are featured in our video: A Girl's Got to Be Free
· - Ground transportation via private sedan
· - Dinner at Stella 34 Trattoria with views of the Empire State Building
· - Brunch cruise for two (2) around Manhattan
· - Garment District Diva Trek for two (2)
· - Makeover at the John Frieda Salon
· - $750 cash to fund all your fun
· - A year of Frizz Ease® products so you can keep putting your fiercest hair forward
You can find more details about this contest, as well as down style inspirations, at www.neverpullback.com. I would love for a Lipgloss Break reader to win…good luck!
Frizz-Ease believes that when you pull your hair back, you also pull yourself back. So we're challenging women everywhere to take on the world hair-first and wear their hair #downfor30 days straight with the help their favorite Frizz-Ease products. Join the movement at NeverPullBack.com.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by KAO via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of KAO.
*Post contains affiliate links
Belli Pregnancy Products Review
When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately started doing research on beauty products and ingredients that are safe to use during pregnancy. I turned to my fellow beauty bloggers at the Beauty Blogger Coalition for advice, as well as baby sites such as Baby Center.
I've been using this 2-3 times a week on my belly, and about once a week on my legs. I use it on my legs to prep for shaving (remember, it's gentle!) and on my belly to prime my skin for the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream. A 6.5 oz tube retails for $24 at Buy Buy Baby or Ulta.
Belli Stretchmark Minimizing Cream
This cream is suppose to be used to treat existing stretch marks, but since I started to use this when I was newly pregnant, I've been using it on my belly to hopefully help prevent marks. This cream contains ingredients scientifically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of stretchmark depth and length. Key ingredients include ginseng (similar to the treatment scrub) to even out skin tone and avocado oil to soften and moisturize.
I've been using this every day after showering. The directions advise to apply twice daily for four weeks, and then use once daily until desired results are achieved. A 6.5 oz tube retails for $49.
Sheer Comfort Lip Balm
If you follow my blog, you know I'm obsessed with lip balm. I keep one in every area of my life, in every purse, in every pocket. This balm is a hypoallergenic lanolin balm that relives dry lips. It contains the highest medial grade, ultra-purified lanolin oil, and nothing else. It goes on super smooth and is really shiny. I feel like it brings out the color in my lips along with glossiness. I love the slanted applicator and how long it lasts. Definitely one of the top balms I've ever tested out.
This balm has been highly tested to ensure safety of use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A 0.3 oz tube retails for $12.
Overall I was extremely impressed with this line. It will also hold a special place in my heart since it was the first pregnancy line I tried out :) It's nice having the peace of mind knowing that the products I'm putting on my skin are safe for my baby. The Belli slogan is "Expect Beautiful Skin. Enjoy Peace of Mind, " which is so true. Just because I'm pregnant, doesn't mean my skincare routine has to suffer. If anything, I should be pampering myself more, which I will do with additional Belli products!
Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.
There are several lines out there that are safe to use during pregnancy, and some that are dedicated to mothers and moms-to-be. The first line I tested out as a newly pregnant woman is Belli, appropriately named to pamper us ladies with growing bellies :) I was fortunate to try Belli Skincare's Fresh Start Treatment Scrub, Stretchmark Minimizing Cream and Sheer Treatment Lip Balm.
This gentle exfoliate can be used on face or body, but I have just tested it out on my body. It's considered a micro scrub, which isn't very abrasive. You can't even see the exfoliate beads in the cream, they are so small. It features antioxidant-rich ginseng and green tea, as well as aromatherapy benefits of peppermint oil, which gently tingles when you massage it on, and leaves a light, refreshing smell after it's rinsed off. Other benefits and features include:
- Free of teratogens (ingredients linked to birth defects) and OB/GYN recommended
- LactMed screened to avoid ingredients that may be harmful if passed through in a mother's breast milk. It's safe to use while breastfeeding.
- Allergy tested. Free of parabens, BPA, phthalates and artificial dyes
I've been using this 2-3 times a week on my belly, and about once a week on my legs. I use it on my legs to prep for shaving (remember, it's gentle!) and on my belly to prime my skin for the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream. A 6.5 oz tube retails for $24 at Buy Buy Baby or Ulta.Belli Stretchmark Minimizing Cream
This cream is suppose to be used to treat existing stretch marks, but since I started to use this when I was newly pregnant, I've been using it on my belly to hopefully help prevent marks. This cream contains ingredients scientifically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of stretchmark depth and length. Key ingredients include ginseng (similar to the treatment scrub) to even out skin tone and avocado oil to soften and moisturize.
I've been using this every day after showering. The directions advise to apply twice daily for four weeks, and then use once daily until desired results are achieved. A 6.5 oz tube retails for $49.
Sheer Comfort Lip Balm
If you follow my blog, you know I'm obsessed with lip balm. I keep one in every area of my life, in every purse, in every pocket. This balm is a hypoallergenic lanolin balm that relives dry lips. It contains the highest medial grade, ultra-purified lanolin oil, and nothing else. It goes on super smooth and is really shiny. I feel like it brings out the color in my lips along with glossiness. I love the slanted applicator and how long it lasts. Definitely one of the top balms I've ever tested out. This balm has been highly tested to ensure safety of use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A 0.3 oz tube retails for $12.
Overall I was extremely impressed with this line. It will also hold a special place in my heart since it was the first pregnancy line I tried out :) It's nice having the peace of mind knowing that the products I'm putting on my skin are safe for my baby. The Belli slogan is "Expect Beautiful Skin. Enjoy Peace of Mind, " which is so true. Just because I'm pregnant, doesn't mean my skincare routine has to suffer. If anything, I should be pampering myself more, which I will do with additional Belli products!
Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.
Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Round Up - May 12
Happy Mother's Day!
To all of the Moms that read my blog....HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! Enjoy the special day - thank you for all that you do :)
'Signature Straight' Hair Style Tutorial with John Frieda Frizz Ease
Not just for the humid weather, but year round, I turn to John Frieda's Frizz Ease products to tame fly-aways and keep my hair from frizzing. One essential product for me is John Frieda's Straight Fixation styling cream. I use this daily to get my 'signature straight' hair style. Here are the steps I take to get this look:
Tools and products I use:
- round brush
- clip(s)
- comb
- hair dryer
- flat iron
- Straight Fixation styling cream
1 - Comb through clean hair with wide tooth comb and part your hair where it usually falls or off to the side.
2 - Apply a dime size amount of Frizz Ease Straight Fixation to your hair and evenly distribute with a comb (use more or less depending on the thickness and length of hair)
3 - Divide your hair into sections with your clip(s) (I usually start with one side and section into 3 parts at a time)
4 - Use hair dryer and round brush to blow dry each section at a time. I use my brush to roll my hair straight out, away from my face, and then under, making sure the hair dryer stays pointed at the round brush and hair until the very end, so the ends are straight.
5 - After all the sections are done, I like to take the front chunk of my hair, on both sides of my part (maybe still a little damp), and blow dry it forward, and then re-part it. My hair dresser gave me this trick. It helps to give lift and body to the front portion of my hair, so it doesn't lay flat against my forehead.
6 - When my hair is completely dry I go through the sections again (without clipping) with my flat iron. I don't use a very hot iron. I usually set my temperature to around 250-300 degrees.
7 - Voila! My 'signature straight' hair style.
Now that summer is creeping up,
everyone should be armed with Frizz Ease products to help fight the humidity
and frizz! Just because it’s summer it doesn’t mean you can’t wear your hair
down and proud! Show off your fierce hairstyles on Instagram with the #downfor30 hashtag for the chance to win an
EPIC NYC adventure. Each post with the #downfor30 & #sweeps hashtag (up to one a day)
earns you a chance to win.
The amazing prize package
includes the following:
- Round trip airfare for two (2) to NYC
- Four (4) nights at the W Hotel Times Square
- Breathtaking helicopter tour of Lady Liberty, whose newly-liberated locks are featured in our video: A Girl's Got to Be Free
- Ground transportation via private sedan
- Dinner at Stella 34 Trattoria with views of the Empire State Building
- Brunch cruise for two (2) around Manhattan
- Garment District Diva Trek for two (2)
- Makeover at the John Frieda Salon
- $750 cash to fund all your fun
- A year of Frizz Ease® products so you can keep putting your fiercest hair forward
You can find more details
about this contest, as well as down style inspirations, at www.neverpullback.com. Good luck!
Frizz-Ease believes that when you pull your hair back, you also pull yourself back. So we're challenging women everywhere to take on the world hair-first and wear their hair #downfor30 days straight with the help their favorite Frizz-Ease products. Join the movement at NeverPullBack.com.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by KAO via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of KAO.
NARS at the 2014 Met Gala
I love looking at the dresses from the Met Gala. If only I could be a fly on the wall at the actual event!
Two beautiful stars looked fabulous wearing NARS this year. Here are the details from their look....
SARAH JESSICA PARKER
NARS worked with celebrity makeup artist Leslie Lopez to create SJP's look for the Met. "Her makeup look is a modern version of something we'd see from the 1950s," says Lopez. Here are the products she used to achieve this look:
- Giove Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (new for summer 2014)
SOLANGE KNOWLES
NARS worked with celebrity artist Benjamin Puckey to create Solange's look. After seeing her dress, Benjamin decided that her focus should be her eyes. Here are the products he used:
- Subra Dual - Intensity Eyeshadow (new for Summer 2014)
Jose Eber Hair Tools - 25% off & Free Shipping
Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup - May 3
15% off at Dermalogica.com
I hope everyone saw my rave review of Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Booster. If you'd like to try it out yourself, I have a coupon for you! The coupon code is: BOOST and will get you 15% off any purchase from Dermalogica.com now until May 31st! Happy Shopping :)
Giveaway Break - Epic Blend Premium Lip Balm
They have tons of flavors to choose from, including Pineapple-Mint, Coconut (fun for summer) and Citrus Kick.
Epic Blend lip balms are $3.49 per lip balm, or $12 for a 4-pack of lip balms. These are sold at retailers throughout Canada. Not Canadian? You can purchase online at EpicBlend.com. Or, you can enter to win a set of your own below!
***Giveaway***
Enter to win a set of 10 Epic Blend lip balms!
Fill out the form below to win! There are also several different ways you can get extra entries: sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me & retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest, add me to one of your Google+ circles, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook. Make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day to increase your chances of winning!
This giveaway is open to US & CA residents only. The contest will end on Thursday, May 29th. I will randomly select a winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!
Clean Eating Crockpot Lasagna
Lately I've been trying to cook a 2-night meal on Sunday nights, so we can eat the leftovers on Monday. More often than not, they end up being crockpot meals.
I have done a ton of research on clean crockpot meals, and incorporating several recipes, I put together my own Clean Eating Crockpot Lasagna recipe. Trust me when I say, it's phenomenal. It takes about 20 minutes to prep and 4 hours to cook in the slow cooker. It serves about 6 people, but since my husband usually eats 2 helpings, it only lasts us two dinners :)
Ingredients:
1/2 package of whole grain or whole wheat uncooked lasagna noodles (I used Ronzoni Whole Grain)
1 package of lean turkey
1 jar of all natural tomato sauce
2.5 cups of part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
15 oz container of part skim ricotta (you can substitute cottage cheese for this, but since I'm pregnant and can't find pasteurized cottage cheese, I went back to using ricotta)
1 package of mushrooms
3 cups of spinach
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
1. Brown the turkey, mixing in garlic and red pepper flakes
2. While meat is browning, mix the ricotta with 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese
3. Once meat is brown, add 3/4 of the jar of tomato sauce to the pan and stir, making a meat sauce
4. Line the base of your crockpot with lasagna noodles (you may need to break a few apart to fit)
5. Add a layer of the meat sauce on top of the noodles
6. Add a layer of the cheese mixture on top of the meat sauce
7. Add a layer of mushrooms on top of the cheese mixture
8. Add a layer of spinach on top of the mushrooms
9. Repeat steps 5-8 one more time
10. Add one more layer of the meat sauce & cheese if you have any left over, along with the rest of the pasta sauce
11. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top and cook in crockpot for 4 hours on low.
You really can't mess this up. If your proportions and layers are off, it's okay! Trust me, no two lasagnas will be the same. As I'm typing this, I'm finishing my 2nd bowl of this lasagna and my hubby is on his 3rd :) Once it cools in the crockpot I'll be putting the leftovers into tupperware for a fast, healthy dinner tomorrow night.
Enjoy!
I have done a ton of research on clean crockpot meals, and incorporating several recipes, I put together my own Clean Eating Crockpot Lasagna recipe. Trust me when I say, it's phenomenal. It takes about 20 minutes to prep and 4 hours to cook in the slow cooker. It serves about 6 people, but since my husband usually eats 2 helpings, it only lasts us two dinners :)
Ingredients:
1/2 package of whole grain or whole wheat uncooked lasagna noodles (I used Ronzoni Whole Grain)
1 package of lean turkey
1 jar of all natural tomato sauce
2.5 cups of part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
15 oz container of part skim ricotta (you can substitute cottage cheese for this, but since I'm pregnant and can't find pasteurized cottage cheese, I went back to using ricotta)
1 package of mushrooms
3 cups of spinach
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
1. Brown the turkey, mixing in garlic and red pepper flakes
2. While meat is browning, mix the ricotta with 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese
3. Once meat is brown, add 3/4 of the jar of tomato sauce to the pan and stir, making a meat sauce
4. Line the base of your crockpot with lasagna noodles (you may need to break a few apart to fit)
5. Add a layer of the meat sauce on top of the noodles
6. Add a layer of the cheese mixture on top of the meat sauce
7. Add a layer of mushrooms on top of the cheese mixture
8. Add a layer of spinach on top of the mushrooms
9. Repeat steps 5-8 one more time
10. Add one more layer of the meat sauce & cheese if you have any left over, along with the rest of the pasta sauce
11. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top and cook in crockpot for 4 hours on low.
You really can't mess this up. If your proportions and layers are off, it's okay! Trust me, no two lasagnas will be the same. As I'm typing this, I'm finishing my 2nd bowl of this lasagna and my hubby is on his 3rd :) Once it cools in the crockpot I'll be putting the leftovers into tupperware for a fast, healthy dinner tomorrow night.
Enjoy!
Beauty Blogger Weekly Roundup - April 27, 2014
MAC Lorde
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster Review
It's now mid-April in Michigan, and it's been 70 and sunny the last few days, but just a week ago, it snowed! I'm sure everyone from the south are tired of hearing about this harsh winter, but trust me, it's taking a toll on everyone involved, both mentally and physically. When it's sunny out everyone seems to be in a great mood! But when it's cold, it's a downer! And it doesn't just have an effect on my mood. My poor, dry skin, has been suffering this winter too.Normally I don't do much testing with skincare products. I have really sensitive skin and I usually don't like to rock the boat. But since we've had this extremely cold and dry weather, I've caved. I've been testing out several different moisturizers and treatments to help protect my skin against this weather.
One of the moisturizers I was able to test was Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster. I've seen great results from this product! I've been using it religiously under my moisturizer for about 3 weeks now and have been extremely happy with the results: softer skin, less redness in the morning, and no breakouts.
The consistency of this product is just like water, which is also the first ingredient. According to the site, it's suppose to not only help with redness but also with fine lines. It also contains hyaluronic acid, panthenol, glycolipids and algae extract. No artificial fragrances or colors are added.
The directions on the box suggest mixing this with your existing moisturizing, but I've been applying it directly to my skin, and then a layer of my moisturizer over it (sometimes). A little goes a long way, so I can see this 1 oz bottle lasting awhile.
![]() |
| It's hard to see because it looks like water! |
Have you tried Dermalogica products before? If so, which are your favorite?
Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.
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