Sally Beauty Summer Secrets: easy waves

Some are already thinking about Fall (I mean, it is the season with the best clothes), but I'm still trying to squeeze the most out of my Summer (teacher training starts back next week). Yesterday I dished about one of my favorite Summer beauty hacks - tan-touring (full tutorial here). Today, I'm sharing a Summer hair style that I've perfected for myself, getting it down to a 15 minute endeavor.

Laid-back waves is a style that is "done" without looking over-done. Putting waves in my hair is a foundation for many other hairstyles - rocking a high pony, trying my hand at the half up top-knot, and pulling the front back with bobby-pins or tiny braids.

The only tools/products you need to achieve this look is the BTZ "Super Sexy" styling sauce & a 1" curling iron (I have this one, & this one is high rated from Sally Beauty)

Curling my hair is something that has gotten better with practice & perfection of my technique. Read on to see the tips that make this a quick & easy style!

Step 1: After washing your hair, apply the BTZ "Super Sexy" styling sauce to damp hair (can also be applied to your styled hair after if you would like to add more texture). This product adds texture, volume & great hold (without feeling stiff!) With this product, I get 2 day waves, without having to add any additional hair spray products.

For my mid-length hair, a quarter size amount of the Super Sexy styling product is perfect. I run it from my ears to tips, & then get any remaining product off my hand by adding to my crown.

Step 2: Brush out hair & blow dry (or air dry) as you normally would.

Step 3: Section off hair. To help make this quick & easy, I use two sections. If I wanted to make my hair super curly, I would use more sections to ensure that every single strand got maximally curled, but this style is meant to look more relaxed.

Step 4: Time to curl! I personally love this curling iron because I can use it with the clip or without & the 1" barrel size is perfect for creating tight or loose curls. To create tighter curls, wrap the hair around without any gaps, and hold the hair on the iron for longer.

Starting with the bottom section, I curl alternating pieces of hair towards my face & then away. Moving from one side of my face all the way around, I continue to alternate towards/away until I reach the other side. Continue with all sections of your hair, alternating each piece as you go.

CURLING TIP: To create waves instead of pageant hair, hold the barrel of the iron straight up and down, then when you are finished with each piece, pull the iron straight down.

Step 5: You now have what I call "sausage curls". Using your fingers or comb, brush through the curls to break them up & blend them together. The more relaxed look you are trying to achieve, the more brushing required.

The BTZ Super Sexy styling sauce is the key to giving your curls' beachy texture, while also providing super hold. With this styling product, I don't even apply hair spray afterwards & still enjoy 2 day waves!

What is your go to Summer hair style? What tips do you have for getting the look in less time?

Looking for more Summer style inspiration? Follow along with Sally Beauty on Instagram (I am obsessed with all of the braid and nail polish tutorials!)

Today’s post is sponsored Sally Beauty, by my love for their products is all my own!

Sally Beauty Summer Secrets: Tantouring Tutorial

While my beauty routine would be considered low-key year around, during the Summer I like to take it down to only the bare-bones basics. Summer is a time to throw on a dress, grab your bag and have fun with friends, not spend hours in the bathroom getting ready (especially if you live somewhere humid where your makeup melts off, & your hair falls limp the instant you walk outside). 

Today & tomorrow, I am going to be sharing 2 of my Summer beauty secrets, in partnership with Sally Beauty Supply. Sally Beauty is such a great resource for effective, inexpensive products, & I always feel like I'm tapping into a secret stash of goodies when I'm there - you know, the stuff that salons make you shell out the big bucks for! Today's post features tan-touring tutorial, and tomorrow I will be showing you how to create easy-peasy beachy waves. 

Never heard of tan-touring before? It isn't a new planet in the Star Wars movie, it is the easiest way to get glowing skin without wearing make-up! Tan-touring is using sunless tanner to "contour" your face! I promise it is not as scary as it sounds, lasts for several days to a week, & isn't harmful to your skin (like baking in a tanning bed). 

As all beauty tutorials go, this one starts with a before and after. In the before picture I am wearing my eyelash extensions, moisturizer & lip tint (had it on before I started and it didn't wash off all the way). 

The after shot features my newly tan-toured face, after letting it sit for an hour. Read on to find out how easy this bronzed look is to achieve on your own! 

First up, happy skin is protected and moisturized skin. I love basking outside, but whenever I venture out into the sun I use the Caribbean Gold SPF 30 lotion (smells great!) to keep my skin safe. I also use the Heel to Toe intensive care lotion to keep my feet feeling spa fresh & this also helps to exfoliate the dry skin, making sunless tanner look more natural on the notoriously hard to look natural feet area. 

Next comes the tanning steps! For all of us that grew up in the early 2000s, we each have our own self-tanner horror story (orange hands, blotchy ankles, a missing chunk on the back of your arm…), but the formulas of today's products are so much better & natural looking! 

To prep your skin for the sunless tanning product, use a body scrub (the Tanwise pre-tan body scrub leaves your skin feeling so refreshed!). Next, apply sunless tanning lotion to your body (I used Tanwise sunless tanning lotion), & to your face (Tanwise self-tanning face gel). This is your base before starting the tan-touring. 

And now you are ready to TAN-TOUR! 

Step 1: After applying a base coat of Tanwise self-tanning face gel to your clean face, you are ready to identify the areas to contour. 

Step 2: Suck in your cheeks. Now you have found the areas to shadow under your cheekbones. Using a flat makeup brush (this flat foundation brush is the perfect size), follow the line under your cheeks. I first made a faint line, then went over it with a pretty heavy hand. It will not be this dark when you are finished, most of the color comes from the lotion & does not reflect what will be left on at the end. 

Step 3: Continue applying self-tanning face gel to your jaw line, hair line, & on either side of your nose (I skipped my nose - personal preference). I went darker on my forehead and cheeks, and lighter on my jawline, but this is where you can build your own personalized look. 

Step 4: Let it sit. I left the product on for ~ 1 hour, & was happy with the color that resulted. If you want darker color deposited, let is sit for 2 hours. After waiting for an hour, I rubbed all of the remaining product into my skin, then washed my face. 

Step 5: Enjoy glowing skin without the hassle of make-up!

Looking for more Summer style inspiration? Follow along with Sally Beauty on Instagram (I am obsessed with all of the braid and nail polish tutorials!) And stay tuned for tomorrow's easy beachy waves tutorial!

 

Thank you to Sally Beauty for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to share my summer beauty secrets!

empties & re-fills

It is time for the changing of the guard in my beauty cabinet & I wanted to share the products that I have recently used up & those that I just re-filled. 9 of these products are ones that I LOVE & #10 is one that I'm dying to try. Check out my go-to products, and let everyone know in the comments what you have been loving in your beauty routine now that Spring is here (for most of us!)

Empties:
1. Jergens Natural Glow (+firming) lotion - I use this lotion every few days to keep my Summer glow going without having to fry my skin, & have actually been using it since February, so that when it was time to bare my legs, I wouldn't blind strangers with my ghostly white stems! I recently ran out of my current stock & will definitely be re-ordering! Pros: light scent (not the usual self-tanner smell), builds over time, also a really great lotion.

2. Murad time release Acne Cleanser - really the whole "Anti-Aging Acne" line from Murad is amazing, & after using it consistently for the past year, I really can't remember the last time I had a pimple + my skin has never felt healthier! I was a little surprised that it has zero lather, but I use it with my Clarisonic & it feels very refreshing.

3. Davines Hair refresher "dry cleansing mist" - Ok, I use a LOT of dry shampoo (anything for those extra 15 minutes of sleep!) & actually have different products for different days of my non-hair washing routine. This is my light dry shampoo (see #4 below for the big guns). It really is what the name implies - a nice refresher for your hair after a day or so of going dirty. As a brunette, I have to be weary of dry shampoo turning my hair grey, & this one goes on with very little color, and absorbs immediately. The scent is pretty incredible too. 

4. Klorane dry shampoo - this is my heavy-duty dry shampoo, for days when I have some serious grease to contend with! It is much thicker than the Davines product above, & as such soaks up any grime that I'm dealing with (my hair gets pretty oily by day 2). This is also a great product for giving my hair "hold" if I'm trying to rock an up-do or bun. 

5. Essie "madmoiselle" - I don't know if I have ever used a nail polish bottle all the way to the bottom, but I have been applying this shade to my nails weekly for many months now, & it has finally run dry! I love this color (the perfect light pink), but am actually looking for a new light pink - any suggestions??

Re-fills:
6. Vaseline Lip Therapy "rose lip" lip balm tin - I actually can't remember who gave me the tip (if it's you, holler at me so you can get your much deserved credit), but several years ago I was dealing with some scary chapped Winter lips, & they suggested slathering on Vaseline every night before bed. I now have a huge tub beside my bed, & smaller tins in every bag/desk that I frequent! After seeing these adorable tins, I just couldn't help but add to my collection. The "rosy lips" has a great smell & gives a nice pink tint!

7. It Cosmetics "Vitality Brightening Anti-Aging Face Disk" - I fell in LOVE with It Cosmetics last year at the Southern Blog Society conference & have been almost exclusively using their products in my daily-routine. My favorites include the Bye-Bye under eye concealer &
Bye-Bye pores pressed finishing powder, but the top dog in my make-up bag (like, stranded on a deserted island can only have 1 product item) is the "Vitality Brightening Disk". It is a bronzer/blush/highligher all contained in 1 slim compact, & the colors are so flattering! I totally re-ordered this before I ran all the way out because I couldn't stand the thought of going without it, for even 1 day!

8. Murad active radiance serum -  from the Murad "Environmental Shield" line, this serum is my go-to during Summer months, but I have actually been using it all year. Along with the eye lift firming treatment and hydro-dynamic moisturizer, Murad calls this trio their "model off duty look" - & I agree that these three products make me look rested, dewey & fresh!

9. St. Ives Nourish & Soothe - I love & trust the St. Ives brand to make products that not only fit my needs, but also fit into my lifestyle. This lotion is divine - super moisturizing, without being too thick, absorbs quickly, & smells great! I use their spray lotion during Summer months, but as I am trying to get rid of my Winter alligator skin, this is the perfect formulation for right now!

10. A want to try: The Pixi "GLOW" tonic has been getting rave reviews & with packaging that cute, I don't think my will power will last much longer! Have you tried it?

Shop all the products mentioned in this post here:

Sunday Shopping: It Cosmetics

I have blogged about my beauty routine before, & reviewed some favorite makeup lines including Pla beauty, products from my Birchbox subscription & the skin/hair care products that I believe in most.  

This Summer I was introduced to It Cosmetics, & it is currently all I use for makeup products. You can find all of the It Cosmetics products at Ulta, QVC & It Cosmetics online. The thing I like most about It Cosmetics, is how long lasting they are! Using the products below, my makeup stays looking fresh from when I apply it at 5:30 am until I get finished teaching in the afternoon. I also really appreciate how much thought was put into the packaging of the products, everything is easy to use & exactly what I need!

1. Vitality Brightening Anti-Aging Face Disk - my "if you could only have one beauty product for the rest of your life" item is a toss up between concealer & bronzer, & this bronzer disk is certainly an all you need product. The bronzer is the perfect shade for everyday use & the addition of blush + highlighting powder frees up space in my make-up bag.

2. Heavenly Luxe Wand brush - I have never been much of a diva about my brushes, but this one is so dreamy! The softest thing I have ever used, & the perfect pair for the bronzer disk.

3. Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer - The thick past-like consistency of this concealer might appear to be hard to apply at first, but you only need a tiny amount to completely cover your trouble spots. This stuff truly erases any signs of under eye darkness (& sets for all day coverage with the Bye Bye Pores pressed powder, #10 below)

4. Brow Power Eyebrow Pencil - well defined brows are the finishing frame for your face. The brow pencil builds to allow you to fill in a little or a lot, & the combing brush helps to keep everything in place.

5. Hello Light Anti-Aging Luminizing Crème Stick - I like the highlighting powder in the bronzer disk palette, but when I am doing my make up for going out, I like to touch this luminizing stick on my cheekbones, brow bones, & around my eyes for extra pop. The creamy formula goes on smooth & easily blends in for a natural glow.

6. Hello Lashes 5-IN-1 Mascara - Since getting my lash extensions I don't use mascara anymore, however, over the Summer I seriously rocked this mascara. The crazy looking ball on the end helps to get the mascara on every lash, majorly plumping them up!

7. Your Skin But Better CC Cream (with SPF 50+) - I don't wear foundation every day, but when I do want a little extra coverage, this CC Cream is the perfect extra touch. The product actually has a pump top, which helps to keep the mess factor down. I apply it with my fingers & the coverage is medium.

8. No. 50 Serum Anti-Aging Collagen Veil Primer - One of the keys to all day make up? Primer! This is a collagen packed primer that leaves my skin feeling baby soft! (I guess petting my face all day probably doesn't help the make up last!) 

9. Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain - I love all of my lipsticks, but sometimes I just want moisturized lips with a little hint of color. This product looks clear, but it brings out a natural flush in your lips, subtly accentuating the natural color, while leaving everything nourished! 

10. Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder - My makeup routine goes like this: Primer, CC Cream, under eye concealer, then a finishing layer of this pressed powder. The powder is totally transparent, not adding any additional color, & locking everything in place. 

What makeup products and application tips work best for you? Anyone else struggle to keep make up on your face all day?

Lash Extensions: 10 FAQs

I have gushed about my eyelash extensions before, but even after 3 months of having them, it is true LOVE (makes me think of Princess Bride every time!)! Considering getting extensions for yourself but still not quite sure, read on & let me know if you have any additional questions in the comments :)

1. Will people think I'm a diva for getting eyelash extensions?

Honestly, no. This isn't any different than getting a manicure or blow out. Treat yo' self!

2. Will they feel weird?

At first, the extra weight will feel like you are wearing fake lashes. After the first week, your eyes adjust to the new lashes, & it becomes a new normal.

3. How will my daily routine be negatively affected?

You can't rub your eyes - yup, not even in the shower. And sometimes you can feel the wind blowing through them - this happens to me mostly when I blast the AC in my car.

4. How will my daily routine be improved?

You don't have to wear any eye makeup (I haven't worn eye makeup in 2 months). This also means that you don't have to take off any eye makeup (the worst part about washing your face in my opinion!). Overall, because my lashes look so fabulous, I have been wearing much less makeup as part of my daily routine, & I think this is helping to clear up my skin. The husband even commented the other day that my skin was looking more glow-y than usual - totally out of his typical line of compliments (which include, "you look…uh, pretty…?")

5. How long do they last?

The extensions are glued on to your actual lashes, so they last as long as your normal lashes would, & fall out when you lashes naturally do. Some people have longer/shorter hair growth cycles, but most people will need to get re-fills every 3-4 weeks (I go 4 in-between appointments). 

6. Are they really that great?

Yes, yes & YES! My friends who have also gotten them (because I won't SHUT UP about them) agree!

7. Lash extensions look good on other people, but are they for me?

YASSS girl! If you get a good lash lady she can help you find the right length that will look best for you. I call my length "accentuated natural" - as in, they look like they could actually be my real lashes, but better. My super blonde friend just got hers done, and they look completely natural on her too. This is for everyone!

8. Is it worth it?

Without a doubt. This is my new personal splurge. It is the same as getting gel mani/pedi treatments every month & you will be saving on mascara/eye makeup too!

9. What will people say after I get them?

I have had male co-workers, young children, teenagers in the grocery store & all my friends/family compliment me on my lashes. Not in an "OMG your lashes look CRAZY" way, but more of a "something is slightly different about your face and I really like it way". They truly do frame your face in a perfect way - people will notice!

10. Ok, you've convinced me. So how do I find the right person to do them!

Well, if you are in Nashville, call my lovely lash lady! Shala is the bomb & her prices are super reasonable. Read about her services & schedule an appointment here, & if you have questions, reach her via email. 

Photo: Kate Davis Photography

Summer Beauty Saves

Summer calls for a different beauty routine - from battling the humidity induced sweat fest, to figuring out how to protect your skin/hair/clothes while frolicking in the Summer sun - & as such there are usually a bunch of warm weather tailored products in my bathroom cabinet that only get to be enjoyed May to September. However, this Summer I found some products that will be staying in the line-up even after Summer leaves us. If you too deal with dry skin, frizzy hair, & the curse that is body breakouts, read on, I've got answers!

1. St. Ives "Smooth & Glow" spray lotion // As it turns out, spray lotion is the best! I love how easy it is to apply right after showering, & the apricot smell is light and pleasant!

2. Living Proof "humidity shield" // I have no idea what is in this can, but I can only assume that it is pure magic. The product is 100% weightless, and forms an invisible barrier between your hair and the elements. It is even Nashville humidity tested & passed with flying colors!

3. Murad "acne body wash" // This is just like regular body wash, but better. I love the light scrubby things in it, & it leaves a gentle tingly feeling after you use it. My trouble spots? My chest & back, but this wash clears it right up, without drying out my skin, even if I use it every day.

4. Pinrose "petal pack" // This is a set of transportable perfume "petals" AKA individually wrapped packets of perfume infused towelettes. They are super easy to stow away in your pocket for using after a pool party, workout, or outdoor concert.

5. Murad "cleaning toilettes" // These are my traveling saviors. Toting around face wash is not easy, but with these bad boys, I actually prefer using them to liquid wash my face. One quick use to wash the day away!

What beauty products have been your saviors this Summer season? Any staying in your rotation even into Fall?

Lashes by Shala

I indulge in very few personal luxuries - I paint my nails at home, rarely get my hair cut (coming up on a  year since the last snip), stick to the basics with my makeup & can get ready in 15 minutes (time me!)… BUT, I have a new beauty addiction: LASH. EXTENSIONS. 

These puppies are serious game changers. I literally "wake up like this"… well, just about. My face feels "done" with very little other products (concealer, bronzer, brow fill… done!) & I don't have to put on ANY eye makeup.

I have had eyelash extensions before (for our wedding), & it was a pretty meh experience. But this latest set is leagues above, after 2 weeks they still look the same as they did the day they were done & I am super happy with the length (I call it "va va natural", or "natural with a kick").

The initial investment is a little spendy, but the return is totally worth it. I am fully hooked, & getting re-fills for $75 every 3-4 weeks is now completely reasonable to me. If this all sounds like crazy talk, I urge you to try it at least once! Live a little & treat 'yo self!

Nashville ladies, scroll down for an incredible discount on your first set of lashes & how you can enter to win a free set!

Nashvillians, my lash lady is the bomb! And Shala is running some super specials for Here&Now readers! New clients get $100 of a full set of eyelashes, making it only $120! Additionally, follow Shala on Instagram to be entered to win a free full set ($220 value)! 

To set up an appointment with Shala, contact her via email (williams.shala@yahoo.com), call (615-349-5633) or via her website (www.styleseat.com/shalawilliams). 

Enter to win a free set using the Rafflecopter widget below, a random winner will be selected next weekend.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Shopping: Essence Cosmetics

I have enjoyed testing out some amazing products from Essence Cosmetics over the weekend. I loved what I tried, so I went online to learn more about the brand & was shocked at the prices. All of these amazing products below are under $5! After using them, I had no idea that quality like this was possible at prices like that! The lipstick is very moisturizing & long-lasting, while the bronzer smells amazing (I didn't know that was even a thing!!). I am still a bit of an eyeshadow newbie, so I'm hopeful that the nude eye palette will help me try out the fun colors available for Summer!

What budget beauty buys do you stand by?

{1} Nude eye palette  // {2} eyeliner pen // {3} metal glam eyeshadow // {4} eyebrow designing pencil // {5} bronzing powder // {6} liquid eyeliner // {7} matte fixing powder // {8} brow kit // {9} XXXL shine lipgloss // {10} Long Lasting lipstick

Essence Cosmetics provided me some free samples, but all reviews/opinions are mine. 

Interested in trying Essence for yourself? It is now sold in most Ulta stores! 

where are they now?

As a blogger I have certainly enjoyed the perk of receiving free beauty products to review. I can honestly say that of all the products I have happily welcomed into my home, none have been hated, but there are a select few that have firmly planted themselves in my daily routine. Many I have gone on to purchase with my own money after my sample ran out, & the rest, I will if I need to (shameless plug to receive more samples if anyone is listening!)

You can check out all my beauty product review posts, I especially love this one when I finally embraced moisturizers after year of distain & disgust (AKA where I had to eat my words because these moisturizers are amazing), and shop my forever go-tos below: 

{1} Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Creme - I am not the biggest fan of using heat on my hair (1 part lazy, 1 part protective of my locks) - so if I style my hair, I want it to last for DAYS! With this product, my curls last at least 2 (over my usual half the night)!

{2} Murad Daily Cleansing Foam - this is the product that made me enjoy washing my face. Super refreshing, without leaving my skin feeling tight (as evidenced on Instagram).

{3} Dermalogica After Sun Repair  -  my husband burns like a piece of toast (is that a saying?) & this has come to our rescue many times. A quick application when we get inside from the pool is a miracle worker.

{4} By Terry Rose Lip Balm  - a splurge for sure, but this super smooth & amazing smelling balm makes my lipstick stay put & properly moisturized for hours. I tend to get super self conscious when I wear lipstick (Is it on my teeth? Did it smudge? Has it all cracked off?), so the price tag is worth it to me.

{5} Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme - life long nail & cuticle biter here. Still working on my recovery, but a quick swipe of this while we watch TV at night is certainly helping keep things less scary around my nail beds. 

{6} Murad "Invisiblur" Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 - a fairly recent addition to the family, but it is here to stay. The Invisiblur is a daily SPF & primer/perfecter all in 1. One of the things that I appreciate most about Murad is their thought process not only in the product itself, but also in the packaging, & the experience that you have when using it. This product is very easy to use, & I LOVE that with 1 pump it delivers the perfect amount - not too much, not too little. 

{7} Murad Acne Clearing Solution - I'm still waiting on my teenage acne to go away TOTALLY, but for now, a nightly application of the Acne Clearing Solution keeps most of it at bay.

{8} Jergens Natural Glow Daily Firming Moisturizer - I enjoy going to the pool, but slathered in SPF 50. So to add color (+ a little firming action too!), I try to apply this Jergens gradual self-tanning lotion every 3 days after my shower.

{9} C.O. Bigelow Lemon Sugar Body Scrub - The only way I will shave my legs now! The smooth skin I get from using the sugar scrub & then razoring the fuzz away is leagues above!

{10} Murad Skin Smoothing Polish - the more I read about exfoliation, the more I want to do it on every inch of my skin! I really appreciate that this Skin Smoothing Polish is a gentle enough scrub that I can do it every couple of days, & it feels so good!

I am also super excited about the new Living Proof "No Frizz" Line that landed on my stoop this week - still in the testing process, and I can't wait to share it all with you soon!

What are the beauty products you buy again & again?

Ice Coffee Wrinkles

Murad Products: (L to R) Rapid Collagen Infusion // Soothing Skin and Lip Care // Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips // Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

I am so excited to share with you some new products from Murad! I have been working with Murad for the past year (see some of my posts here), & it truly is a company that I 100% support & adore!

AND - these are some of my favorite products yet.

I might not have lip wrinkles yet, but with my daily ice coffee habit (via a straw), I'm sure that this will be something that I face in the not so near future. The Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips goes on when I get up & when I go to bed & the Soothing Skin and Lip Care has been my constant companion during the past month (screw you Winter).

As I am on the end of my 20s, closer to 30 than 21, protecting against future wrinkles has become one of my top priorities. With Murad I have a One-Two-Punch. Removing any traces of wrinkles/aging skin with the Rapid Collagen Infusion & then preventing any future signs of age with the SPF. I have had a love-hate relationship with sun screen my entire life - I love the benefits, but I hate how greasy it makes my skin feel, not to mention the break outs!

Understand that when I first got the Invisiblur Perfecting Shield (Broad Spectrum SPF 30) I was skeptical. More SPF that makes me break out (yay <-- insert sarcasm font here).

But I wanted to try. So try I did, & I will be the first person to admit it - I. WAS. WRONG!

This is my favorite Murad product to date. This is much much more than a SPF. This is a make-up primer, that leaves my skin looking matte all day (my work day runs 5 am - 5 pm). It is a perfecting base for anything else that you put on your skin. And it just feels amazing!

The bottle says it all: Treats. Blurs. Protects.

{ What I Wore: J.Crew star print top + Winnie knit pants // ShoeMint heels // Kendra Scott cuff // Michael Kors watch }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

What new skin products have you been discovering lately?