Honey Hair Mask

My hair was in need of some extra moisture since I have been washing & heat styling it a lot lately!  So on Saturday I decided to give it just that & do a homemade hair mask.  If you've read any of my other DIY beauty posts then you know that I prefer homemade natural products to chemical filled store brought ones.  I'm not some weird hippie with this stuff it's just that my body is allergic to so many different things, & I take a lot of medication, so when it comes to beauty I prefer to keep it simple & avoid chemicals when I can.  Hair masks are something that are easily made at home with ingredients you have in your kitchen & I would argue that they moisturize your hair better then pricey hair masks I've tried in the past.  When I was younger I used to a honey & olive oil hair mask that I think I read about in Seventeen or a magazine like that, so with what I remembered from that mask & the addition of avocado oil I came up with my very own Honey Hair Mask recipe that seriously works wonders.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, making sure to mix them together thoroughly.  Next, apply to hair making sure to evenly distribute; I recommend turing your head upside down while applying.  You need to do this over the sink or an area that can be easily cleaned, I did mine at my bathroom sink/vanity area.  When you've saturated your hair with the mask (only use enough to coat your hair, there was a small amount left when I did it so I just got rid of it), put a shower cap, or towel on to lock it in.  Leave on for a minimum of 30 minutes, but longer is better, I left mine on for 3 hours.
After at least 30 minutes you need to wash your hair.  First try to rinse out as much as you can with just water.  Then shampoo* your hair from roots to tips & rinse.  I recommend shampooing again, but only your roots, to be sure that you removed all the oil & honey.  You can then condition, with a small amount of conditioner,  & style as usual. *While I typically wash my hair with the Baking Soda Shampoo Alternative, but I have found that it does not completely remove an oil treatment for you hair.  When I need to wash my hair after a mask like this I use L'Oreal Paris EverCrème Nourishing Shampoo, which has no sulfates & is super gentle on hair (& doesn't make my head itchy!).
This mask made my hair so incredibly soft, smooth, & shiny.  It really gave it the extra moisture it needed, & has made it look so healthy.  If your hair is feeling dry or a little lackluster I definitely recommend giving it a try, you will love it too!
Do you have any natural hair remedies?  If you do please share them in the comments!

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SAG Awards 2014 Gowns

Overall I was a little underwhelmed by the dresses at the SAG Awards after the gorgeous gowns at the Golden Globes.  Nonetheless there were a few stunners, so here I bring you my best dressed list & who's dresses I am a little unsure of.
Best Dressed

All of these dresses were so pretty & the actresses looked amazing!  Tina Fey is on her own because not only was she one of the best dressed of the night, but she had the cutest date too!
Unsure Of

-Amy Adams: I love the color of this dress, it's gorgeous & looks amazing on her.  However the neckline is what is making me unsure, I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about it I'm just not loving. -Kaley Cuoco:  The silhouette of this gown is so pretty, but I wish it didn't have that little sash on the hip & was a brighter color! -Isla Fisher: I think it's the material that I'm not loving about this dress; to be honest I'm really surprised this is an Oscar de la Renta gown because I feel like the material cheapens the gown. -Hannah Simone: This gown is perfection except for the busy neckline, I feel like the little tulle flowers ruined it for me. -Jennifer Lawrence: I know this dress made tons of best dressed lists, & I do like the gown, but I really don't like the pattern the sequins makes it's just odd.
What are your thoughts on the SAG Awards dresses?  Also do you prefer the gowns from the Golden Globes or the SAGs?

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What I Can't Live Without {Right Now}

1. Look by M Cotton Leggings in Black I got 2 pairs of these for Christmas & have been living in them lately.  They are thicker then a typical legging & are so cozy.  These are definitely a winter style staple for me, & it's great that they are chic, comfortable, & warm!  If you're on the market for winter leggings I highly recommend these. 2. Essie Nail Color in Ballet Slippers I typically go for darker polish colors, especially in the winter, but Ballet Slippers is a classic & one of my favorite polish colors.  It's so clean & instantly makes you look put together.  I've been really wanting to use it lately so when I got a pedicure yesterday it was a no brainer.  Sometime this weekend I will definitely be painting my nails with this too! 3. Ronzoni Gluten Free Pasta Ronzoni recently came out with this & it is hands down my favorite gluten free pasta.  It tastes so much like real pasta, it's crazy, & with quinoa as ingredient there is some hidden protein in it too. 4. Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System I included this in my post the other day & seriously cannot say enough good things about it.  It has really helped to improve my skin & I love it!  5. Crayola Washable Glitter Glue With all the crafting I've been doing lately for the new members of our sorority I couldn't survive without my glitter glue (I know I'm being dramatic, but I seriously need this stuff!).  If you have any projects coming up this is something you have to get!

What are your must haves of the moment?

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Shower Tips

So from all of my obsessive beauty research over the years I have learned so many showering tips that make for the most efficient beauty shower out there.  

Hair

-Start with hair first.

-If using a Baking Soda Shampoo Alternative apply to dry hair & scrub scalp for 30 seconds - 1 minute.

-If using shampoo, make sure your hair is saturated with water before you apply your shampoo.

-Only shampoo the roots of your hair.

-Rinse out shampoo or baking soda for at least 1 minute to remove all residue.

-Squeeze out as much water as you can before you apply conditioner.

-Apply conditioner to the bottom 2/3 of hair, avoid the roots.

-Comb conditioner through hair (comb from roots to tips for less hair loss).

-Leave in for as long as you can (I usually leave in while I shave my underarms & legs).

-Rinse out conditioner with cold water to boost shine.

Face & Body

-Wash underarms once before shaving to remove deodorant that can build up in your razor.

-Use a deodorizing soap to wash underarms & feet.

-After washing underarms once, soap up again to shave; underarm hair grows in all directions so you need to shave up, down, & from each side (4 directions total).

-Keep one razor in the shower for shaving underarms, keep the razor facing up & away from the spray of the shower.  
-Keep another razor outside of the shower for legs & bikini line, I've found keeping it outside of the shower & brining it in only when shaving it helps to prevent ingrown hairs.

-Wash your face after you rinse out conditioner.

-Wash your chest & back last with anti acne wash to remove all the residue from washing your hair.
-Scrubbing your face & body is most effective when in the shower, as the warm water & steam open up the skin's pores.

After Shower

-Make sure to clean ears throughly with a cotton swab to avoid unsightly & painful ear pimples.

-Apply lotion to face & body as soon as you get out of the shower to lock in moisture.

-When applying hair products to damp hair avoid applying to the roots.

-Use a heat defense spray or cream to protect hair.

-Allow hair to air dry a little before blowdrying.

-Make sure your hair is 100% dry before flat ironing or curling to avoid damage; there is a difference between hot hair & dry hair so let your hair cool down after blowdrying to make sure that it is really dry.

-Apply makeup after styling hair so it doesn't get ruined or melt in to skin (causing breakouts!) while drying, flat ironing, or curling.

-When applying perfume after a shower make sure to do it in the buff, you want the perfume to cling to your skin, not your clothes.

I know this all seems like a lot when written down, but when you actually put it to use it doesn't take too much time.

Do you have any great shower tips?  What are they?

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10 Beauty Mistakes I Used to Make

When I first saw Kallie's post on this topic I loved it, but when I scrolled to the bottom of the page & found out she had tagged me to do one of my own I was ecstatic.  I think that this is an awesome idea because everyone has made a few beauty mistakes along the way.  When I was thinking of ideas for what I used to do wrong, I realized that it's crazy how much my beauty endeavors have evolved over the years.  I'm happy to share what I did wrong & how I fixed it so if any of you are making the same mistakes you can stop too!

1. Using shampoo. I know this sounds very odd!  Shampoo had always made my head extremely itchy, when I started researching more natural alternatives I found out about washing your hair with baking soda.  After one wash with baking soda my head was no longer itchy!  A big bonus is there is no damaging sulfates like in shampoo & the baking soda has really improved my hair texture.

2. Applying concealer with my finger. I used to apply my concealer with my middle finger, but was not happy with how it came out because it looked like I was caking on my concealer.  When I went to Sephora to learn what I was doing wrong the makeup artist explained that using a concealer brush allows you to apply concealer so it looks natural & helps to blend it.  I no longer have that caked on look! {Mary Kay Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush}

3. Using the wrong powder to set my concealer. I used to use a "translucent" powder to set my concealer under my eyes.  The problem is that the power wasn't really translucent & would show up darker then my skin when I used it.  I started using Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder & it has worked so much better. {Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder}

4. Not using a under eye concealer primer. I never knew that they made primer specifically for concealer.  It helps to keep your concealer in place, & when I apply it my concealer doesn't budge for hours.  This has worked wonders for me! {Benefit Stay Don't Stray}

5. Not putting concealer on the inner rims of my eyes. When I went to Sephora to learn about doing my under eye concealer better, the makeup artist showed me that the part of your face between the eye & nose bridge, & under your eyebrow, actually needs concealer applied to it.  I never would have thought of it, but doing this has helped to make my eyes look much brighter. {Benefit Boi-ing}

6. Using blotting sheets under my eyes before applying makeup. I used to think that I had problems with my under eye concealer because the area was too oily so I would using a blotting sheet to absorb the oil before application.  One day I figured out that the skin under my eyes was actually super dry from this; I now apply cream around my eyes before makeup application & do not blot!

7. Not using AHA's to fight keratosis pilaris. I did an entire post on how AHA's have helped to fight the keratosis pilaris (aka chicken skin) on my arms.  AHA's are really the only way to treat keratosis pilaris & have really improved my skin. {DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub}

8. Not using an eyeshadow primer. I used to not use eyeshadow primer & after about an hour or so my eye makeup would be all messed up & collecting around the crease because of the oil that had accumulated.  When I started using primer this problem banished & a bonus is that primer makes shadows more intense! {Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion}

9. Not using an exfoliating brush. Using an exfoliating brush has seriously improved the texture of my skin.  It has really helped with flaking, dryness, & pimples. {Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System}

10. Not applying enough lip balm. Lately I've started using lip balm a lot more & I don't understand why I didn't before.  For as long as I can remember I've put lip balm on before bed, but have always shied away from using it during the day.  My lips started to get really dry because of this, but now I use it all day long! {Kiss My Face Organic Coconut Pineapple Lip Balm}

I hope that sharing my mistakes can help you to avoid making them yourself!  I'm always researching & learning things about beauty so I'm sure I will be doing another one of these at some point.  Kallie created her's as a tag so I tag:  Mascara and Maltesers Sprinkles & Sundresses The Retail Therapist Glossy Blonde Karly Kim Love, Lipstick, and Pearls The Tiny Heart Turquoise Blonde
What are some beauty mistakes you used to make?  Feel free to do a post like this even if you aren't tagged & make sure to let me know so I can check it out!

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Golden Globes 2014 Gowns

Award Show Season is finally here!  As promised yesterday I'm bringing you my views about the dresses on the Golden Globes's Red Carpet.  There were some gorgeous gowns & a few misses.  Here we have my favorites & a couple that I am unsure about.
Favorites

-Leslie Mann in Dolce & Gabbana. -Sofia Vergara in Zac Posen. -Emma Roberts in Lanvin.

-Louise Roe in Monique Lhuillier. -Amy Adams in Valentino.  -Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph Lauren Collection -Taylor Swift in Carolina Herrera.

-Tatiana Maslany in Jenny Packham. -Margot Robbie in Gucci. -Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad. -Naomi Watts in Tom Ford.

-Taylor Schilling in Thakoon. -Maria Menounos in Max Azria Atielier. -Allison Williams in Alexander McQueen. -Olivia Wilde in Gucci Premiere.
Each of these ladies looked beyond amazing.  I loved the variety of colors, silhouettes, & textures.  I cannot wait to see what they wear for coming award shows!
Unsure Of

-Lily Rabe in Georges Hobeika. -Reese Witherspoon in Calvin Klein Collection. -Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture. -Giuliana Rancic in Lorena Sarbu.
I cannot decide how I feel about these dresses, part of me loves them & part of me doesn't like them at all.  I need your help deciding so make sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments!
This is my sum up of the Golden Globes & I cannot wait for the dresses that are to come this season!

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We Did It!

My sorority has officially completed it's first formal recruitment ever, & I cannot explain how amazing that feels.  Since the day we received our charter last April we have worked so hard for this moment, & we were so lucky to have the most wonderful recruitment team!  This past week has been exciting, exhausting, trying, incredible, & just an all over emotional roller-coaster.  I cannot even put into words how happy I am to have a new pledge class & to show them all the amazing things that Alpha Gamma Delta has to offer.  

I also cannot describe how much closer I have become with all of my sisters this week.  Being a member of Alpha Gam has been so many things, & I can definitely say that joining was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  Through Alpha Gam I've learned so much & met such great girls who I feel so lucky to call my sisters.  These girls make me proud to be a member of our Chapter, & I feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.

To My Sisters: Thank you for being who you are & loving me for who I am.  I would not have wanted to go through this week with any other group of girls.
To My New Sisters: Most of you don't know me yet, but I am so excited to meet each & every one of you.  I already love you & cannot wait to get to know you better!

Aside from all this sorority stuff, today is the first day of second semester.  I cannot believe break is already over, it's crazy!  Later in the week I will cover that, I may be wearing a Christmas present.  I will also share my views on the Golden Globes & all the gorgeous gowns later in the week!  Wish me luck, & have a great day!
Were you or are you in a sorority?  Tell me about it in the comments!

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Finally Friday

Hello everyone!  I hope you enjoyed the post from my sister yesterday, I was really excited to share it with all of you & it was such a huge help to me!  I cannot believe we are already to Friday!  Two days down of rush & two more to go.  I am loving rush, but am getting so tired.  So since I'm lacking on time this week I am going to cut right to the chase & share my Five on Friday.

{1.} Best Dressed at People's Choice Awards

Jessica Alba in Jason Wu.

Britney Spears in Mikael D.

Nina Dobrev in Jenny Packham.
{2.} Nina Dobrev's Hair

So I found this on People & had to share!  They are calling this style the 'knothawk' because of its intricate knotted design that creates a mohawk look.  The editors at People loved it, but I cannot decide.  I love Nina, & she looked gorgeous at the event (see above!), but I don't think I'm loving the style.  What do you guys think?  Share below in the comments, I'm dying to know!!
{3.} What You May Have Missed This Week

East Coast Chic - From North to South: Sequins My new collaborative series with Whitney from The Retail Therapist.

Post From My Bestie My best friend of forever was blessed with beautiful curly hair & shared some great tips for taking care of curly hair!

Celebrity Style Obsession: Olivia Palermo My favorite looks from the always impeccably dressed & newly engaged star.

Kristin's Going to Change the Title Anyway So It Really Doesn't Matter What I Make It This post was done by my sassy (& awesome!) younger sister, and yes that was the title she sent me!
{4.} No Comment Reply Bloggers

This is something that I've been wanting to talk about for a while.  It makes me so sad when I get a comment from a no comment reply blogger.  I always wonder if they don't know if they are no comment reply & I don't want them to think I've ignored them because I love connecting with my readers.  I was wondering if anyone had any advice on this?  I turned my no comment reply off when I first started blogging & don't even remember how to do it, but someone recently share a link with me.  {http://happyhourprojects.com/blog-tips-are-you-noreply-commentblogger-com/} If you are no comment reply please take the few minutes to do the easy steps.  It will mean the world to me if I can respond to the comments you leave here!
{5.} I'm tired, so tired from rush, & my brain is running a little slow because of it.  I cannot come up with a #5 for the life of me so I'm just going to share never befre seen on here pictures of me & Coco.  I don't know what else to do, so I hope you like this & don't think I'm crazy, which I may be at this point.

These are circa 2010 when I was heading to a concert, & apparently Coco thought I needed help getting my shoes on for it!

That's all I have for today.  Have a great weekend everyone!

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