Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Bronzed 10 Minute Look

I was in a super rush this morning but I didn't want to look like I just rolled out of bed so I did my 10 minute bronzed look. Here's how to do it:


1. Moisturize as normal. 

2. Apply e.l.f. smudge pot in COCO CUTIE to your eye lids.

3. Apply a coat of Benefit They're Real mascara to your lashes.

4. Use e.l.f. Treat Tame on your browser.

5. Apply L'Oréal Magic BB Cream to your face and neck.

6. Do a quick contour for the NYX Wonder Stick. See picture. Then blend.



8. Swipe e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in MOONLIGHT PEARL on the tops of your cheekbones.


Quick and painless with a nice bronzed glow.










Monday, April 25, 2016

Instagram #ootd Roundup April 18th-24th

Spring is here! Finally, and it will be gone in a week or two tops. So here's what I'm wearing in the mild weather.

Tuesday: Preschool Visit





Classic Coach Satchel (find one on eBay)

Stella & Dot Rose Gold Pave Triangle Pendant (sold out but here's a similar style for $59)




Thursday: Pizza Night 



Old Navy Chambray Shirt $28

Banana Republic Ripped Grey Ankle Jeans (the grey are from last season but here's is the same jean in blue)

DSW Gold Gladiator Sandals (mine are old but here's a similar style for $40)

Moldavite and Pearl Jewlery  (check of the Wikipedia article about Moldavite and here's a great alternative ring for $32 and pendant for $26 from Anna Silver)

Turkish Love Cuff (here's a beautiful similar style from National Geographic for $159)

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote in Beige  $125

eBay White Round Sunnies $2


Friday: Girls Night Out 



Nordstrom Rack High Low Blouse (here's a similar style from Nordstrom for $54)

Nordstrom Ripped White Jeans $58

Old Navy Mules $40 (on sale in the store)

ETSY Leopard Clutch $73 (look on eBay for a better deal)

JTV Pearls (multi-strand $88 and 11-12mm $150)

eBay Nail Braclet $2

eBay Screw Head Love Bracelet $12

Ruby Ring (mine was my Grandmother's that my Grandfather grew in his lab at NIH here's a similar one from Sears for $485)

Saturday: Birthday Party 



Nordstrom Sweatshirt Tunic (mine's last season but here's a similar one for $41)

H&M Skinny Dark Denim Jeans $20

Hunter Boots (the pale pink is still sold out but the darker shade is on sale for $105)

Nordstrom Reversible Tote in Pale Pink $48

Bauble Bar Rabbit Fur Pom Pom Charm $20 (pink's sold out but you can find it on eBay)

Stella & Dot Rose Gold Monogram Pendant $69

Stella & Dot Rose Gold Triangle Bracelet $34

eBay Nail Rose Gold Braclet $2

eBay Rose Gold Turquoise Bracelet $4.50

Amazon Pink Cat Eye Sunnies $14 (the pink is sold out but the blue are so cute)


Sunday: Church



Loft Stripped Long Sleeve Tee $39.50

SheIn Faux Leather Leggings $14

Charlotte Russe Red Plaid Flannel Shirt $12.50

OTBT Shoes Booties $124

eBay Evil Eye Bracelets $4

eBay Evil Eye Charm Braclet $1.25

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote in Beige  $125

eBay Frosted Sunnies $3



Saturday, April 23, 2016

Let's Talk about My Hair...

I can't put this post office any longer everyone wants me to talk about my hair so here we go.


The first thing you need to know is that everyone's hair chemistry is different so what works for me may not work for you. The second most important thing you need to know is that having bright dyed hair requires massive amounts of maintenence. If you can't follow the rules your color will fade within days and it will be no one's fault but your own. Here's my guidelines and rules:

1. Don't start with bleaching your whole head and going full on right off the bat. Do it gradually for three reasons. First, because it's stressful on your hair. Second, because you need time to get used to the maitence. Third, you should figure out what brands work for you. I started with a bleached ombre and worked up to my full head over 3 years.

2. Get a professional to bleach it. You can do the color yourself or ask your sister like I do but bleaching should be done by someone who went to beauty school. Period. Mine was done by Tunde Kulina at Mason and Friends. It took 6 hours so bring a charger or reading materials.

3. Finding a dye that works for you is just trial and error, but if you don't follow the rules don't blame the dye. The two brands that work best for me are Splat (which you can buy at CVS) and Adore (which has to be bought at a speciality store). Manic Panic, Sparks, and Vivid wash out with in days. When I follow the rules Splat lasts 6 weeks, yeah 6 weeks that's it. It gets brassy and fades and my sister has to touch it up. Chances are your local salon doesn't use a brand that works for you so be prepared to touch it up soon after. You also should factor in the cost of having to dye your hair every 6 weeks rather then every 3 months.

4. So what are these rules you speak of Mandie? OK here we go:
  • Only wash your hair TWICE a week. That's the real secret. The good news the more bleached it is the drier it is and doesn't get as oily. I shower everyday and 5 days a week I wear a shower cap. Shampoo kills the color. Don't do it.
  • Use sulfate free color safe shampoo. Check the ingredients don't just read the label. I use L'Oréal EverPure Color Care.
  • Use a deep conditioner every time you shampoo it. I use L'Oréal EverPure Moisture Repair Hair Masque.
  • Use color safe dry shampoo (and if you're only washing your hair twice a week you use a lot of dry shampoo). I see people all the time who use safe regular shampoo but use toxic dry shampoo. Come on use your brain!  I use Suave Professional Keratin Infusion Color Care Dry Shampoo  (which only ever seems to be in stock at Walmart).
  • No products that aren't sulfate free. I really can't harp on the sulfate thing enough.
  • No pools! No chlorine! This seems obvious but I see people doing it all the time. Frankly the pool's owner won't appreciate your purple dye in their pool anyway. Salt water, i.e. the ocean, isn't great either.
  • Wear a hat in the sun, it WILL fade your dye.
5. Love the ombre, hate streaks. That cool galaxy blue, purple, green thing you see on instagram DOESN'T last. As soon as you wash it the colors fade into each other and it looks awful. Don't do it. I don't even really have pictures because it faded so quickly. Ombre colors on the other hand fade into each other naturally. The smoke stack is really only cool if you wear your hair up which I rarely do or it's curled the right way. See the pictures below of my current do.

6. YouTube is your friend. Watch videos but be realistic about what you or your sister can pull off and how long it will take.

That's all I can think of for now. I hope I cleared some things up for people and I'll ask my sister to write a few sentences on her technique. She's pretty stellar...

The Smoke Stack (note the darkest purple is only underneath)

The Ombre (as the color fades the separation will become less pronounced)

Monday, April 18, 2016

Illuminated 10 Minute Look

I've been asked to do some looks with my glasses on so here's a good one that's easy to do when you can't see very well. Chunky eyeliners work well because they don't require precision but make your eyes pop. I like this illuminated look because your skin glows from under your glasses. Try it out.


1. Moisturize as normal but skip the essential oil if you use the Physicians Formula Aragon Oil BB cream.

2. Use a liquid eyeshadow  (I used Starlooks which I got in my ipsy bag but can't find online so here's an Almay version) on your eye lids then let it dry for a few minutes. 

3. Mix L'Oréal Lumi and Physicians Formula Aragon Oil BB Cream together and apply all over your face and neck. 

4. Now that your eyeshadow is dry take a fat black pencil liner (I used e.l.f. Kohl Liner) and line your top lid and the inside of your bottom lid, aka the waterline.

5. Quickly treat and tame your browser with e.l.f. Treat and Tame.

6. Apply a dramatic mascara like L'Oréal Voluminous False Fibers Lashes

7. I have a huge zit (I dare you to find it, I also used a bit of green concealer) so I needed my best concealer e.l.f. Cover All Concealer

8. Quickly contour your cheekbones and jawline with bronzer and apply blush to the apples of your cheek. I used Nars Bronzer/Blush Duo.

9. Almost done, take a highlight like Benefit Watts Up and apply above and below your eyebrows, the bridge of your nose, above your cheekbones, and right above your top lip.

10. Finish off with a sparkly lip gloss like NYX Glam Lip Gloss in VIP.

This will probably take you 20 minutes the first time but like they say practice makes perfect. 


Sunday, April 17, 2016

Instagram #ootd Roundup April 11th - 17th

It's starting to warm up but there are still a few sweaters in my wardrobe. My 4 year old is getting better at taking my picture too. Here's what I wore.

Monday: Girls Night Out


Nordstrom BP Shaw (this won't be available again till fall but it's super soft and pretty warm)




Tory Burch Necklace (mine is old but here's a similar style from Nordstrom for $175)

Tory Burch Cuff (mine's old but here's a similar style from Bloomingdale's for $150)

Fendi Baguette (this was an old beat up bag and I spruced it up with a new thick gold chain, a rabbit fur puff, and a leather tassle with a B charm)




Wednesday: Zoo Trip



New York and Company Sweater


Aldo Strappy Flat Boots (mine are ancient but here's a great alternative from Nordstrom on sale for $160)

eBay Sunnies $3 (mine are frosted frames with green mirrored lenses and they are pretty dark fyi)

Tausche Bag $100 (I bought this bag in Germany and it's is super useful and durable, I have 3 covers and it's lasted me 10 years)


Thursday: Pizza Night


Old Navy Sweater


Sequin Boat Shoes (mine are old but you can buy them on poshmark)






Saturday: Birthday Party



Forever 21 Sweater




Luis Vuitton Bag (mine's old but here's a similar style for $1,400 but you can buy them on eBay for $400)

Tory Burch Necklace  (mine's old but here's a similar style from Nordstrom for $175)




Sunday: Church and the Theater



Express Leopard Shirt Dress (mine's old but here's a cute one from Juicy Couture for $130)


Wilson Leather Jacket $100 (it's 40% off right now)

JTV Amber Pendant  (mine's old but here's a similar style for $51)


My Mother's Silver Bracelet (I love this piece and I really should polish it. Here's a similar style from David Yurman for $1,200 and here's a cute faux one from Amazon.)


It finally hit the 70s this weekend so hopefully we'll get some fun spring outfits next week.







Saturday, April 16, 2016

Top 10 Drug Store Beauty Products

I spend a lot of time waiting around CVS for prescriptions which is how I end up with most of my cheap make up. However some of it is great and can replace much more expensive versions. You can always get a great deal with your Extra Care Card. Here's my top 10.



1. L'Oreal Beautifier BB Cream $11 This is my favorite BB cream. It perfects my complexion quickly and smoothly. Starts out white but blends to the perfect color.

2. L'Oréal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator $13 Mix this with your primer or BB cream for instant glow.

3. Maybelline Fit Me! Dewy + Smooth Foundation  $8 This is by far the best Maybelline formula for me. It has a dewy but not oily finish to it that doesn't require a powder for a nice finish.

4. L'Oréal Infallible Blackbuster Liner $9 One of my favorite fat felt black liners. It's super black and precise but when it's dead it's dead and you need to toss it.

5. NYX Dark Circle Concealer  $6 Orange is opposite blue and purple on the color wheel so this is how you make those dark circles go away.

6. NYX Color Concealer $5 Got red zits or spots this will help cover them up. You can also get purple if you have yellow or sallow spots.

7. Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick $12 This is my favorite lip stain on the market. It lasts forever if you put on two coats and don't drink for 20 minutes to seal the color. My sister and I both love Top Tomato.

8. L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss $10 Great matte lip gloss. Doesn't dry out your lips at all and comes in a range of colors. My favorite is Statement Nude.

9. Simple Micellar Cleansing Water $8 My favorite micellar Cleanser. Soft and gentle but highly effective for cleaning off products on your face and neck.

10. Lumene Bright Now Vitamin Hyaluronic Essance $26 This a fantastic and cheap serum I use over my toner and under my moisturizer. It's cool and silky and helps brighten my skin. I always use my extra care bucks on it.

Give them a try and let me know how it goes.


Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Tarte Product Review

I love Tarte Cosmetics that's no secret and there are lots of new Tarte products on the market. Sephora (and only Sephora) has the Rainforest of the Sea line and there's some great stuff and some sub part stuff. I will also review some older but fabulous products that I'm hoping you'll try. Sephora is still having their sale so get it soon.



This an amazing deal and these products are generally fantastic and I bought the full size during this weekend's sale. The sample will probably last you a few weeks and I'm giving one away. Check out my instagram account @pinkhairfloosie for details.

Deep Dive Cleanser: ($25) I'm not a big fan of soap on my face. Generally it dries out your skin and upsets the ph balance. This is soft and gentle, which means it can't be giving you a serious clean but I only use it in conjunction with micellular water which does give you a great clean but sometimes isn't enough with a thick layer of makeup. 

Marine Boosting Mist: ($25) Normally I use Reviva Labs Rosewater Facial Spray underneath my night cream and I can't say enough good things about it's hydrating powers and at $8 a bottle this a great deal. That being said the Tarte doubles as a makeup primer and finisher so I've almost used up my sample.

Drink H2O Hydrating Boost: ($39) This gel is fantastic!!! My skin has never felt so tight. It's perfect for summer, light weight and moisturizing bit not greasy at all. Can't wait to buy more but this .25oz is going to last me awhile because it only takes a small amount.


I don't love this. It requires a lot of primer and needs a powder to set it. Once you've done that it looks great but the Ulta exclusive Tarte Hybrid Gel requires less work and has a better finish, and it's the same price. I used Tarte Smooth Operator on top of the Rainforest foundation. Here's what it looked like.



The sample pack is sold out unfortunately but they really are tiny. But I'd spring for the full size. This lipstick is undeniably hydrating and the color is a perfect nude shade.




This is a dry matte formula that I'm not crazy about. The color is nice but there are many other cheaper drugstore matte formulas I prefer. L'Oréal Infallible Pro Matte Lip Gloss and NYX Lip Lingerie are better options.



This is the most amazing deal. The products individually are worth $99. I loved alost all of it. Here are the details.

Lip Sculptor Lipstick & Gloss in VIP: ($24) This is a great product. It lasted a good long while and was a great color. The lipstick alone is moist and pretty but the lip gloss gave it shine and sealed in the lipstick to last for hours. It held up fine against the bottle of water I was drinking all morning. 

Color Clay Bronzer in Pink Bronze: ($30) This is a great blush and an ok bronzer but as part of this deal it's totally worth it. The colors are separated so you can use them independently or swirl them together. 

Double Duty Beauty The Eye Architect Double Ended Liner and Shadow: ($24) This is a good idea in theory but the reality falls a bit short. The eyeliner works just fine but I hardly use a pencil liner and rarely in a light brown. The eyeshadow is difficult to apply and even harder to get more out of the little cap. I can't see it lasting very long either. If you want a quick solution this is not a bad product. I may give it to my sister who spends less than 10 minutes a day getting ready. 

Lights, Camera, Flashes and Lash Fibers: ($21) This doesn't really work I bought the full size when it first came out and I've never been impressed with the fibers. Furthermore they get in my eyes and it hurts. But the mascara alone is a good every day mascara. 


Tarte Chiseling Charmers Deluxe Contour Set: ($24) This is fantastic. Highly recommended especially for the price. Both the contour and the highlighter colors are subtle but not underwhelming. They are creamy and smooth and the blender brush is perfect.



Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara: ($23) This is my favorite statement mascara. It has a huge impact and does not clump or dry out like the diorshow. 


Hope you found something you want to try. Let me know how it goes. And check out my instagram account @pinkhairfloosie for my giveaway of the Skin Savers Sampler.




Sunday, April 10, 2016

This Week's Instagram #ootd Roundup April 4th - 10th

It was bloody cold this week and wet. It rained, hailed, and snowed so mostly I didn't get dressed. I lived in winter running gear and was still freezing at soccer practice Friday. So no spring for Maryland. Here's what I did wear.

Thursday


Nordstrom Rack Stripped Sweatshirt Dress (mine's sold out but here's a similar one for $20)

Hunter Original Tall Pink Rainboots $105 (this color is sold out but the darker Pink is $45 off!)





Saturday 






Forever 21 Gold Chain Link Necklaces (mine are old here's a similar style on Amazon for $40)

Fendi Baguette (you can find them on eBay)

Sunday Morning 


Old Navy V-Neck Sweater (you can't buy a good sweater at this time of year so hopefully I won't be wearingiving many more)



Qupid Black Booties (mine are old but here's a similar style for $36)




Sunday Evening 



LuLaRoe Grey Tunic $30

LuLaRoe Camouflage Leggings $30

Massimo Bejeweled Slip Ons (mine are from last season but here's a pair from Khols $30)

eBay Evil Eye Bracelets $5 (gold, blue & red)

Coach Classic Crossbody Leather Bag (you can find them on eBay)






Sunday, April 3, 2016

This Week's Instagram #ootd Round Up March 28th - April 3rd

I was hoping for a slightly warmer spring break then we got but that's MD weather for you. OK here's what I wore.

Wednesday


Stripped Gap Tank $20 (mine's old but here's a alternative)



eBay Multicolor Statement Necklace $3 (majorly awesome find!)


Thursday



SheIn White Blouse $15 (mine's sold out already but here's a nice alternative)


My Grandmother's Old Beaded Necklace (here's a very similar Stella & Dot version for $120)

Friday



Charlotte Russe Navy Sheath Dress (mine's sold out online but here's an amazing one with a caplet for $30)


Alice Evans Designs Clutch  (they're all one of a kind but I highly recommend these fabulous bags)

Alice Evans Designs Anchor Ring (this one's not available but her Camila rings are so perfect)



Saturday



Wet Seal Superman Sweater (it's old but here's a black & white sweatshirt from Forever 21 for $20)




Let's hope it warms up this week. I'm tired of wearing coats and sweaters and my toes are cold.