March Birchbox

Another month, another Birchbox. I can't believe it, but we're coming up on my two year birchbox anniversary (something else has an anniversary this week too, stay tuned)! I was absolutely thrilled with this month's box! So many great products and fantastic samples! 

Wish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

This is a blueberry scented shaving cream. Perfect because spring is coming, so I need be a tad more vigilant about shaving. It's super creamy and smells SO good. Plus my legs stay super moisturized after I use it! Loving this stuff so far, but not sure it's really worth $20 price tag for the full size, but I'm loving the sample!

MAKE Satin Finish Eyeshadow

I got this sample in the gorgeous grey color called: great lakes. Now we all know how much I love grey, so this is perfect! Plus I don't have a single mid-toned matte grey in my collection. Thanks Birchbox! I really love the formulation of this shadow. It's not hyper pigmented, but it blends well and is very buildable for more color impact. Plus 30% of every MAKE product goes straight to charity! Love that.  

MAKE Face Primer SPF 30

More MAKE stuff. I'm really impressed with this new brand because this primer is right up my alley. I love that it has 30 SPF, because this girl doesn't want any more wrinkles or skin cancer while were at it.  This primer is awesome. It's kind of tacky when you apply it, so it doesn't blend super well. You need a decent amount to properly cover your face, but I feel like the texture really binds with my foundation, so that stuff is not moving! Definitely considering buying this in full size.

Nick Chavez® Beverly Hills Color-Saver Sulfate Free Shampoo

Once again, birchbox knows me so well. I'm almost out of my super expensive shampoo that I was talked in to last summer. MAN was I stingy with that stuff. 1-2 times a week MAX. Anyways, I'm super excited to try this stuff out!

Plus they send me a great floral emery board! and lord knows I always need more of those. So what did you get in your box this month? Have you gotten it yet?

September Birchbox

It's time for another round of

This month's Birchbox was not my favorite ever, but once again I picked up a few good things.  First off they threw in a twistband. I seriously love these y'all. If you haven't picked one up, you need to! They are super flexible and don't crimp your hair!

Twistband

Then I got a pack of the La Fresh Instant Body Soothers. These are wipes for your hands, face body, etc. that are supposed to sooth skin. They smell great and are definitely refreshing, but I don't think I'd invest in them. 

La Fresh Instant Body Soother

This Custom Color Club Polish was my favorite find of the box. Birchbox and Color Club teamed up this month to put together a few of the hottest colors of the season. I got the rose gold metallic color called "put a pin in it" I'm OBSESSED. This is definitely worth the $8 investment

Custom Color Club Polish

They also threw in a few of these brush guards. Definitely a nice thing to have when traveling. These are supposed to protect your brushes and help them keep their shape. They're essentially like those chinese finger traps and they can expand around pretty much any brush.

Brush Guard

Boscia Purfiying Cleansing Gel is preservative free, which is great. I've only tested it out once, so I don't feel like I can give you a recommendation one way or another, but so far so good!

Boscia Purfiying Cleansing Gel

I think I'm just not a Beauty Balm person. I need/want more coverage. While this Dr. Jart Beauty Balm is by far the best I've ever tried, I still got oily and felt like my imperfections were obvious a few hours into wear. I do have super oily skin and am constantly battling all of my products to extend the wear, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. 

Dr. Jart Beauty Balm

So that's it. My September Birchbox. Want to see more? Here's my August, July, June, and April reviews.

AND. Don't forget about the Starbucks GIVEAWAY 

Braided Crowns

Thank you all for your sweet comments from my post on monday. I'm definitely a little nervous to get into fashion posts, but all of your overwhelmingly positive notes and emails make it worth it. I got quite a few questions about the braided head band.  I pinned a tutorial on pinterest, but I thought y'all would like me to take you through it, and since this pin was so perfect (and I've been living under a pile of LSAT books---aka no time to put together my own tutorial)

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I'm SO loving this look. It's really easy, and such a cute option to spice up up your everyday do. 

I would recommend a few adjustments. I like a little more poof. Shocking I know. So tease away my friends. 

You may want to practice the braid a few times, because you have to braid "up" or straight out (not down). You'll understand when you try it. Just warning you... your arms may get tired. 

Braid all the way to the end of your hair (or else you'll get weird fly-a-ways)

Hope this helps girls. 

I came across a similar tutorial from one of my favorite beauty/fashion bloggers, Keiko Lynn and I thought this was another cute take on the braided headband idea. I just wish my hair was long enough to try it!

via | Keiko Lynn

Happy Wednesday!

August Birchbox Brag

It's time for another round of 

Are you excited? I know I am. 

Since a few of you have asked recently, Birchbox provides a monthly delivery of high end samples, tailored to your beauty profile. Most of the time you get a nice size sample, but every now and again they surprise you with a full size! It costs $10 a month, but the value of the products you receive is always well above that.   Plus have access to the website, where you can purchase full size products. For every dollar you spend you earn 1 BB point. For every product you review, you receive 10 points. Every 100 points = $10 off your purchases. I'm a bit of a point hoarder... so I generally splurge on crazy expensive products that I would never otherwise get. 

Y'all, I can't rave enough. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my birchbox, and would highly recommend it to you.

with all that said, August's box was not my favorite ever. 

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

I think everyone got this in their box this month. While it's not a beauty sample per say, it is a pretty awesome razor. I'd definitely recommend it to y'all. Big handle and like 5 blades (side note, when are they going to stop adding blades?). Love how much longer a shave lasts with this. Dare I say it, I can go three days between shaves. Love that.

TALIKA lipocils expert

I have very thin, short, sparse, light (really what's not wrong) lashes. I'm not going to lie, I've been tempted by those lash serums a time or two. I was really excited for this deluxe size sample. You apply this botanical serum to your lash line twice a day. A month later, you supposedly see longer, thicker and darker lashes. I've been using it for a week, and have yet to see a change. HOWEVER, I am giving it a full month and will definitely follow up.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

This was super random. I saw it, and kind of had a WTH moment. But, this is a fabulously moisturizing cream. This would be great for super chapped skin in the winter. However... this is summer. I do have a moisture problem... but mine is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I think that this is one of those products that if you like it, you'll love it, and probably never be with out it ever again. But it just didn't really do it for me. I don't see much of a difference from petroleum jelly, honestly, and I'd much rather spend like $2 for a big jar of Vaseline than 15 for a medium sized tube of this stuff.

Beauty Fixation Lipstick Touch-up

These are cool... I guess. It's one of those pre-filled q-tips where you snap the tip and let the product drain to one end before you apply. I don't know... I feel like I don't really have a problem with lipstick running... so I don't really need these. But if you do, these are awesome. I don't though, so... not going to be purchasing.

Viva La Juicy La Fleur

Okay. LOVE this scent. Love is actually an understatement. I am obsessed with Viva la Juicy, but I think this one is even better. It's super soft and very floral, but it's so light and delicate at the same time. This will DEFINITELY be making an appearance on my Christmas 2012 list.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo

I've sampled shampoo from this brand before. It's great, my hair is super soft, thick, and smooth after I use it. But for me it's just not worth the almost $50 price tag. It's shampoo... come on.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Treatment

This however is something I would definitely consider shelling out some money for. (Let's be honest though, $65 is still too much). This treatment did wonders for my hair. I don't know that I really saw the "shimmer" but the deep conditioning aspect definitely did a lot for my tired tresses. 

So that was my August Birchbox. What did you think? Did you love this month or were you just kind of... ehh like me? Want to hop on the Birchbox train? click here to sign up.

{Beauty Tuesday} Birchbox Brag--- WAY LATE

*OMG y'all. This is my 100th Post on Blue Dog Belle* 

I cannot believe how much this little bloggy has grown already! Thanks to all of you who spend a little part of you day with me right here. 

So in my craziness last week, I completely missed Birchbox Brag with Tara and Katie. I seriously cant even believe it. Look, we even tweeted about it! 

But better late than never right ladies? I am thrilled with this month's box. THRILLED. I have found a product that has completed my life. I can't even tell you how much I'm obsessed with it. 

The Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black is AMAZING. 

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Not going to lie. I have worn this EVERY SINGLE DAY since I got this in my box. I love that its a marker (way easier to deal with than a brush), I love how quickly it dries, and I LOVE how thin it is. Now. For those of you who are liquid liner experts take my review with a slight grain of salt. I am not new to liquid liners, but I've only ever used my Wet and Wild MegaLiner matte black (don't judge me, it got good reviews and I'm a fan. and its $3). The eyeko is a whole new world though. It took a few times to master a slightly altered technique, but y'all I can't tell you enough how much I love it. 

Next up Hello by Harvey Prince

Love this. Citrus and Flowers, but not too sweet. It's probably my favorite Birchbox perfume sample so far (Kate Spade Twirl is a close second though).

Alterna Bamboo UV + Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide 

Why have I never thought that you might need sunscreen for your hair? Makes sense. and I'll tell you a secret... my hair is heavily highlighted... I may not be a natural blonde... shocking I know. I pay a good amount of money to have my color changed. Why would I let the sun mess it up?  

*OMG. pause. It's a sad life when I start seeing formal logic arguments in my blog posts. #LSATnerd*

Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum

Love this. It's super light weight, and great under makeup. I'm bad about putting sunscreen on for an average day. If I'm out and about, and I know I'm going to be in the sun I'm great. But on a typical M-F work day I rely on the spf's in my moisturizer or make up... but I jump around so much (and not all of my products contain SPF) I'm sure there are many days that I miss. Needless to say this is a good product. A tad expensive for what it is, but I appreciate the samples. 

Tea Forte minteas: Ginger Peach

I love this little treat in the bbox this month. Took me a while to figure out how to open it, but they taste great!

and finally these super fun Neon Ear Buds.... 

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Birchbox... how did you know I'm always loosing my ear buds? I needed some new ones, and these are FAB! 

Also, please don't forget to enter the Kiki and CoCo giveaway here

{Beauty Tuesday} Pin Curls

Confession. I love curly hair. I have stick straight, flat, fine, blonde hair. It doesn't hold a curl with out a lot of help (and even then not in this humidity). Every hair product I own is "volumizing."Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me why it is so important to actually put some effort into my hair. It was just one of those Monday mornings where the snooze sounds better than a shower. well I snoozed a few too many times and had to take a power shower, in and out in 5 minutes (and I even shaved my legs!) I sped through my make up and I was still late (thank goodness my usual 9:00 am meeting was cancelled), but I had no time for my usual blow dry. So I wore somewhat wet hair to work. By 10:30 I was SO regretting it. With the humidity, what little damage I have from coloring went wild. the rest went limp, and the ends stringy. okay. maybe it wasn't that bad, but it was NOT good.

Don't get me wrong. I love my hair. It's super easy to style, I can pretty much do whatever I want to it, and after I discovered dry shampoo a few years ago, I no longer have to wash it every single day. winning.

That said, I really wish I could wear pretty curls more often. I am pretty good with a curling iron, but I haven't mastered the speed curl. It takes me at LEAST 15 minutes and that's if I'm doing well. Maybe I don't let it set enough, or use enough product before hand, but my curls are usually gone with in an hour or two.

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But I'm attempting to change all that. I'm planning on bringing back the pin curl. Well... it's probably one of those looks that never really goes away, but none the less. The pin curl has been the foundation for fabulous hair for decades. Flappers in the 20's? Starlets of the 1940s? seriously good style never really goes out of fashion.

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The way I've been doing pin curls as of late isn't exactly the traditional style. (Apologizing in advance, I didn't do a picture tutorial, but I think it should make sense). Like I said I love volume. This is the general technique I use for "quick" curls. (because I rarely have enough foresight to do my hair the night before)

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Pretty easy right? Now, normally when I curl my hair, I set it in velcro rollers. For Pin Curls I use "pins" or bobby pins, which make a tighter curl. 

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I went on a "pinning" streak  looking for pin curls the other day. If you don't already, I'd love for you to follow me on pinterest here

Here are a few more of my tips for long lasting pin curls:

go light on the conditioner when you wash your hair.  

Use a LOT of mousse, gel or curl enhancing spray (whatever you want). Like use more than you think.

lightly mist hairspray every step of the way. 

Time is your best friend. the longer the curls set the better.

Don't OVER brush. 

did I mention hairspray?

Now go curl your hair, the styling possibilities are endless. 

Girls Night Out

It's been almost two weeks now, but I still need to update you on the fabulous event I went to in NoVa a few weeks ago. It was the "Girls Night Out" fashion event hosted by Northern Virginia Magazine. They had giveaways, swag bags, and a fashion show. I had my make up done at the Smashbox counter at Nordstrom. I picked up a BUNCH of samples and I want to tell you about my favorites.

not the greatest pictures ever, but hey, not too bad for an iphone right? The hair and make up was great, and all done by the W Salon! I'm definitely going to check them out.

I went to Aveda for a hair consultation and picked up some large samples.  I'm loving:

damage remedy shampoo

color conserve conditioner 

color conserve leave in

 Then I hit up bareMinerals for a free make under (which I rescheduled) and a sample. I was SHOCKED when the girl color matched me to be a MEDIUM. WHAT? ME? Medium? I'm like beyond fair. Thank you sunless tanner, you are making me feel like a real person.

I also did some shopping, The Limited was having an AWESOME sale, on top of a discount from that night. So I picked up a new pencil skirt which I LOVE and a cute color blocked sweater. I'm dying to go back after these white jeans though

all in all a very successful evening. 

Hair Love

I'm in a bit of a hair rut lately. I've been too lazy in the mornings to do much of anything beyond a top knot (which I love, but isn't the most professional look in the world). I am just lacking the motivation to pick up the blow dryer or the curling iron in the mornings. 

So for some inspiration I took to pinterest (where else) and found some exciting new style options

But I love me some beachy summery waves. 

What could be prettier? I found this recipe for homemade sea spray, and I'm totally trying it once I get home from Puerto Rico. I'll let you know if my thin fine hair can stand this kind of styling.

P.S. I think I'm depressed for my hair, because come mid may in DC the humidity around here ramps up like nobody's business. I think it's worse than Georgia. MEANING my hair wont hold the curls I work on so hard. I mean really, they generally fall out by the time I get to work. 

Beauty Tuesday's: Getting the Hair You Want

Happy Tuesday! I want to share with you a little about my hair history. I'm almost always been blonde. Naturally I have what we in the South call dishwater blonde aka not quite a brunette but not blonde either. I started dying when I was 12 and I've never really gone back. I tried being a red head for a bit, but while it was fun it wasn't quite me. I've also died my hair darker to a medium brown, but I never really felt like ME with dark hair.



Winter 2006

Winter 2007

Spring 2008

Fall 2008

Spring 2010

Spring 2011

Fall 2011

Spring 2012

Okay... so I didn't want to inudate you with pictures, but there were a LOT of blonde moments in between those brunette winters I've had the past few years. So now that you know I change my hair color a whole bunch, let me tell you a story.

It's the Summer of 2011. My hair is extremely damaged. I have crazy split ends, horrible flyaways and a general strawlike texture I can't seem to get rid of. Fast forward 9 months and I couldn't be happier with my hair. It's long (for me) but not too long. It's soft, it holds a curl for more than a few hours, no fly aways, no more straw growing out of my head. Yay!

I did a LOT of research on how to fix my hair and consulted with my trusted hairstylist (Krystal, who has since left my salon and I can't find her!! But thats a story for another time) this is what I did.

Clear Glazes

 Are translucent, demi-permanent or semi-permanent haircolor that can do a lot in less than 15 minutes! Available in a full range of sheer colors, as well as clear, this deposit-only, ammonia-free salon treatment lasts from two to six weeks (depending upon application and the condition of your hair) and boosts color but will not lighten it. If you’re not interested in color, but would love long-lasting shine, ask your stylist for a clear shine glazing treatment after every haircut. It makes hair feel thicker, too!

A Good Hair Cut

Cut off as much of your damaged hair as you can. You need to stop the cycle of split ends before it gets worse. Your hair will grow back eventually, and look healthier imediately. 

Use Heat Sparingly

This was the source of my problems. Daily blowdries, curling irons, straightening we put our hair through the ringer. Give it a break when you can.

Use Heat Protectant

I'm sure you all do this already, but I didn't and I can't believe the difference it has made.

Rock a Dirty Hair Style

I always thought I had super oily hair that needed washing daily, but if you avoid brushing it throughout the day (with a brush or your hand) and use a little dry shampoo the next day you'll be amazed how it can last. My go to 2nd day doo's are the top knot, a poofalishous pony or the "Sarah Palin"

Products

I DIE over its a 10. If you buy one product for your hair, it needs to be this. It claims to do 10 things: repairs dry damaged hair, adds shine, smooths and controls frizz, seals and protects color, heat protectant, detangles, prevents breakage, creats silkiness, enhances natural body and prevents split ends. Honestly it really does all this. They aren't paying me to say so *but feel free to send me more!

Amika Oil Treatment

Birchbox: "Obliphica and argan oil pump hydration into damaged strands, smoothing the outer cuticle for noticeably sleeker, shinier strands. This nourishing formula also improves overall hair health, from elasticity to dehydrated ends." First off this smells amazing. I use this on days where I'm giving my hair a break from all other heat and styling products. Its silky smooth, a little goes a long way and it add a ton of shine.

That's all I've got for you today. I'll save my other styling products for another post, but try these steps and see what your hair is like in a month or two. I promise you won't be disappointed! Let me know if you have any other suggestions on how to improve the condition of your hair!