• Asian,  Austin,  Australia,  Baltimore,  Bitty,  Chicago,  Las Vegas,  London,  Los Angeles,  Miami,  My dog Cami,  My Dog Jacob,  New York,  Photography,  Seoul,  Technology,  Toronto,  Vancouver,  WorldWide

    The Art of Mastering The Perfect Blowout

    It is time to drop your weekly hair appointment to the salon, and pick up the blow dryer yourself! You know what they say, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Okay so maybe it’s not that big of a deal, but what if your favorite hair dresser is on vacation and you have an important date? It wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep these skills in your pocket for a rainy day. Mastering the perfect blowout isn’t as hard as you think. Check out my tips below!

    The perfect blowout starts in the shower with a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for your hair. I have fine and frizzy hair so I like to use sulfate-free shampoos. My personal favorites are the Moroccan Oil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. The gentle hydrating shampoo and conditioner has antioxidant argon oil & replenishing nutrients to help cleanse & hydrate dehydrated hair. Make sure to get all the product out of your hair to make sure you have a long-lasting blowout. The conditioner leaves an oily residue in your hair that makes your blowout look greasy.

    Price: $9.50/$10.00 for a 2.4 oz bottle

    Apply a heat protecting spray to damp clean hair to avoid damaging your hair when using the dryer. I love the TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave‑In Spray. I have used this spray since High School when I flat-ironed my hair daily *cringe*. You can get it at Target for $4 and it works just as well as any fancy brand.

    Price: $3.99

    Next up, divide the hair into small sections. I divide my hair into 5 sections because my arm gets tired quite fast( I really need to hit the gym) and my hair is very thin making it easier to dry. There is no magic number for how many sections you can have but stick to working with a small amount of hair at a time to make sure that the hair is properly dried.

    Here’s a more visual description provided by NEXXUS:

    Start in the back of your head and using a large round brush wrap the hair around the brush. Start drying your hair with the brush vertically. Make sure the blow dryer isn’t directly touching your hair to avoid damaging your strands. Take your time with each section and add volume by putting the brush under the hair at the crown of your head. Twirl hair away from your face for that desired bouncy effect.

    Conair – Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer

    Price: $32.99

    Ceramic + Ion Thermal Hairbrush

    Price: $19.95

    Spray your hair with a finishing spray to avoid any fly aways. I personally use HASK Flexible Finish HairSpray- Light Hold. It helps seal my hair without making my hair stiff.

    Price: $4

  • Asian,  Austin,  Australia,  Baltimore,  Bitty,  Chicago,  Las Vegas,  London,  Los Angeles,  Miami,  My dog Cami,  My Dog Jacob,  New York,  Photography,  Seoul,  Technology,  Toronto,  Vancouver,  WorldWide

    NY + Company: Gabrielle Union Collection Review

    After months of teasing on Instagram, Gabrielle Union FINALLY debuted her highly anticipated New York + Company collaboration this week. The collection is available exclusively in store and online. The 51-piece collaboration is described as polished, sophisticated, smart and edgy and includes everything from pencil skirts, peplum jackets, Kimonos, cropped pants, blouses, shells, and dresses. Did I mention that every single piece in this collection retails for less than $150?

    Gabrielle Union’s impeccable style was a driving influence in this collection. It features versatile separates in bold prints and modern silhouettes, with a trendsetting twist. So if you are looking for pieces to spice up your work wardrobe this fall, I highly suggest you check out this NY + Co x Gabrielle Union collection. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

    Here are some of my personal highlights from the collection!

     

    Cutout Jumpsuit

    Price: $89.95

    V-Neck Sheath Dress

    Price: $79.95

    Choker Blouse

    Price: $54.95

    Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater

    Price:$49.95

    Long Floral Kimono

    Price: $129.95

  • Chicago

    Trend Alert: Cute Summer Rompers for Under $50

    Summer may feel like it’s quickly approaching its end, but let’s get real: summer fashion doesn’t end until mid-October. With the wacky weather in NYC, it’s important that you keep a few transitional pieces that can help your wardrobe smoothly transition from summer to fall. Rompers should be at the top of your list. This one-piece outfit is not only easy to wear, but it can also be used for layering in the fall! Here are best romper styles for under $50.

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  • Asian,  Austin,  Australia,  Baltimore,  Bitty,  Chicago,  Las Vegas,  London,  Los Angeles,  Miami,  New York,  Photography,  Seoul,  Technology,  Toronto,  Vancouver,  WorldWide

    Best Summer Beauty Products

    There are so many great things about summer, but one thing I can completely live without is the damage it does to your skin. Everything from the sun burns to the excessive sweating makes it hard to keep your traditional skincare routine during this time of year. It is important to tweak  your skincare routines in the summer to meet your needs. Here’s a list of the best beauty products to try this summer!

    Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lotion – SPF 100

     

    This sunscreen offers the highest combined UVA/UVB protection, and is proven to protect skin from over 99% sunburn damage. Plus, with an unbeatable PFA, nothing provides better UVA protection. Infused with a light, fresh scent, this elegant formulation is fast-absorbing, non-whitening, water resistant and lightweight. Neutrogena’s Dry-Touch technology provides an ultra-light, non-shiny finish and leaves skin soft and smooth.

    Price: $9.79

    Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea

    An invigorating mist formulated with an infusion of nutrient-rich botanicals and cucumber essential water to revive dull, tired skin. Aloe vera and cucumber – both rich in essential vitamins and minerals – deliver a cooling boost of hydration as green tea provides powerful antioxidant protection. Skin is left feeling refreshed and revitalized.

    Price: $7.00

    Confidence In Your Glow

     

    Get the look of an instant all-over vitality-filled glow, plus a boost of brightening and radiant warmth, in one simple step! From the sensorial experience of the fresh orange scent to the powerful vitamin C-infused radiance-boosting and brightening formula, Confidence in Your Glow transforms your complexion with high-performance, anti-aging ingredients and talc-free, ultra-luxe pigments.

    Price: $32.00

    Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF30

     

    Sun Bum Lip Balm SPF 30 protects your lips from sun and wind damage. Aloe vera soothes dry, chapped lips while cocoa butter softens, repairs and enhances skin renewal. Use over bare lips or under your favorite lip color for added skin protection.

    Price: $3.99

    City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub

    A 5-minute dual-action detoxifying and exfoliating clay mask. Appropriate for all skin types.

    Purifies and polishes skin for a delightful deep-clean treatment. Natural bamboo charcoal and kaolin clay help remove pollution and impurities, while natural silica beads gently refine texture.

    Price: $28.00

    Ultra Facial Cream

    This ultra facial cream helps reduce moisture loss while drawing and absorbing moisture from the air. It is the best you are constantly sweating. With continuous moisture replenishment throughout the day, leaves skin smooth, soft and healthy-looking.

    Price: $27.00

    Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30

    This multitasking BB water with SPF 30 is an ultra-hydrating and oil-free formula that creates a sheer, radiant finish that lasts all day. It delivers a demi-matte complexion that’s never flat, creating a natural-looking canvas, and it minimizes the look of fine lines, pores, and blemishes. This unique BB water allows you to build coverage and does not cause any drying, cracking, or caking during wear.

    Price: $42.00

     

     

     

     

  • WorldWide

    Why Organic Skincare is The Best Care

    With virtually not a sea, but an entire ocean of organic skincare products, a girl can find herself completely perplexed. There are products out there that claim to do wonders, but once you learn how to decode labels and learn which potentially toxic ingredients to steer clear from, you will reconsider your skincare choices and turn to the bright side – which is, of course, the organic side. Aside from all natural and organic ingredients that clearly send the message that what you see is what you get, opting for organic lifestyle comes with numerous benefits you can practically write a book about. We will try to keep it short and sweet, while providing you with all the information as to why the organic route is the best (and only) route for you, so stay tuned.

     

    Taking care of Mother Nature

    Mother Nature has been so kind to us, and it’s high time we start returning the favor. Of course, recycling and going green in other aspects of life has a huge positive impact, but even baby steps like opting for organic cosmetics do their due diligence. Conventional beauty products are made with ingredients that were harvested with pesticides and other harmful chemicals, which can greatly damage the soil. On the other hand, by using natural and organic products, you are promoting the manufacturing of cleaner products. The ingredients are made from chemical-free farms, the processing method is cleaner, and the cycle is then normally completed with more recycling-friendly containers, such as Ilia Beauty whose product come in recycled aluminum packaging. All of this helps to promote a healthier planet. As for animals, our furry and less-furry co-habitants, they are kept from harm’s way as well, as all organic companies have a strict cruelty-free policy.

    Equal care for all

    The scary thing about synthetic products is that you never know if you are allergic to a certain ingredient because you can barely pronounce them, let alone understand them. Even though the front label might indicate which skin type a given product is best suited for, that’s not a guarantee that a product is adequate for you. Another perk of using organic products is that they are frill-free. As all the ingredients are natural, like it is the case with Dr Hauschka products. They are suitable for all skin types, there is little to absolutely no risk of developing irritation or rashes. Organic beauty products are hypo-allergenic and ensure that your skin is well taken care of. What’s more, unlike chemical-filled products, they are very gentle.

    Something for every wallet

    Having nurtured, well-cared for skin is important, but so is not going bankrupt in the process. This is yet another benefit that comes with going organic – it won’t cost you a million to look like a million. Not only are these products way less pricey than synthetic ones, but they’re also often sold for a cheap price during sales. Just be resourceful enough to look for great deals.

    Skin-aging obliterated

    Sun exposure, stress, unhealthy lifestyle and synthetic makeup take a toll on your skin. The lesson is, use sunblock, foster a healthy lifestyle and diet, and rethink the choices lying in your makeup bag. Makeup made with natural minerals generally provides a certain level of sun protection. The skin on the face is thinner and more susceptible to UV-related skin aging, so choosing a mineral-rich organic cosmetic product may help support healthy, and youthful-looking skin. Because of their structure, these products don’t dehydrate your skin and are not aggressive. Given that most organic beauty products contain natural oils, vitamins, as well as titanium oxide, zinc oxide and iron oxide, not only will your skin be nourished and hydrated, it will also be shielded from negative effects of sun exposure.

    Celebrity stamp of approval

    This may not be as important as other reasons, but if we take into account that most celebrities have a flawless complexion, it wouldn’t hurt to follow in their footsteps. For instance, if you’re looking for an all-natural (anti-aging) lip tint, take a cue from Leighton Meester and try out the tints from Bite Beauty. Other all-natural celebrity favorites are Tata Harper, whose entire line is highly praised by Gwyneth Paltrow; and let’s not forget Miranda Kerr and Jessica Alba who even founded their own organic and natural cosmetics companies, Kora Organics and the Honest Company respectively.  

     

  • Las Vegas

    Vote for Cantu

    For those of you who do not know, the curlBOX Awards recognize the most innovative hair products and brands of the year.

    This year Cantu Beauty has been nominated in the following categories:

    • Best Cleanser – Cantu Complete Conditioning Co-Wash and Cantu Refresh Root Rinse
    • Best Leave-In Conditioner – Cantu Smoothing Leave-In Conditioning Lotion
    • Best Treatment – Cantu Refresh Root Relief and Cantu Tea Tree & Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil

     

    With this very exciting news, Cantu would LOVE your help in voting! Voting begins today, Wednesday, May 17th. The process is simple, just go to Curlbox.com/vote and vote Cantu for each prospective category.