Dirty Hair Quick Fix: Dry Shampoo!

Let's face it, sometimes we are too lazy or do not have time to wash our hair even when we know we need it. But guess what?! There is a hair product that will resolve that instantly! Dry shampoos! This kind of product has been in the market for a while but there are many people who either don't know about it or are apprehensive of trying it. Everyone should definitely give it a try because it's a great quick fix for unwashed/greasy hair. You just have to spray it into the roots, massage it into your scalp and you are ready to go. It obviously never compares to having your hair recently washed with regular water and shampoo, but it will instantly give your hair a boost of freshness and volume in moments of desperation. I do recommend using it when your hair is just starting to get greasy because when the hair has just too much oil the dry shampoo won't necessarily work at its best. Remember its a quick fix, not a miracle! But I just love using it since it prolongs the days of my blowout and I do not have to wash my hair so often which can dry the hair out. My favorite one is Batiste in the scent Fresh because I find that it works great on banishing the oil in my roots, the spray is direct and powerful (instead of diffused and weak), and it smells very clean without leaving an overpowering scent. Previous to this one, I tried the Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo and even do I do used it up, I really didn't like it as much because it had a strong, kind of perfume-like scent to it which really bothered me and also the degree of oil banishing was not as good as with Batiste.

So tell me girls, have you tried dry shampoos? What do you think about it?

New Hair Care Line from L'Oreal

L'Oreal Paris has recently launched their new and innovative line of hair care products called ADVANCED HAIRCARE. I am so exited to try this products since I am a fan of the brand and have repurchased several times their EverPure Conditioner. The line consists of 5 sets of products that contain different ingredients to treat specific hair needs. The common ingredient among all the products is Arginine which is an aminoacid that will help repair and enhance cells, making your hair get better from the inside out. Below are each of the 5 sets of products and their claims.

COLOR VIBRANCY is for color-treated hair and contains antioxidants and UV filters to protect your hair color from fading and damage due to exposure to the sun. The company claims that it will leave your hair color vibrant for up to 8 weeks. This is definetly the first one I'm trying since I have Auburn-colored hair and it tends to fade and look dull really fast.

SMOOTH INTENSE contains Oleo-Keratin which is a combination of an oil and a protein that will adhere to the structure of your hair to control frizz and the company claims that it will keep up the work for up to 72 hours. This sounds very interesting, especially for those of us who live in humid places as I do where hair can get really crazy during the day.

TOTAL REPAIR 5 claims to treat five symptoms of damaged hair: open ends, weakness, dryness, dullness, lost of movement. The key ingredient of these products is Ceramide which is a strutural intracellular molecule that will help repair damaged hair. This would be great for those of us who are constantly treating our hair with heat, dyes, harsh treatments, etc.

TRIPLE RESIST is for weak hair that is very prone to breakage. The ingredient that will do this is Arginine which will nourish and reinforce your hair and prevent hair fall due to breakage.

POWER MOISTURE contains Hyaluronic which the company claims that will provide 10X more hydration to dry strands without weighting down your hair. Hairstylists recommend using a deep hydrating mask 1-2 times a week, so I think this mask would be one to try.

So this is the new line! I am eager to try some of these products and really hope that they accomplish what they claim.

Are any of you thinking about trying this new line? What would be your choice of product(s)? I love to hear from you girls so please let me know what you think in the comments below :)

Look to try: Green Eyeliner

There's a big hype around Emerald Green which was named by Pantone as the ''Color of the Year'' (see my post on this!) and one simple way of adding this hue to your makeup is by using an eyeliner of this color. I usually like to stay within neutral eye makeup, but I think this color can look very subtle and pretty while getting you out of your normal makeup routine. You could use it with a bone or light beige shadow all over the eye lid. You could also add a highlighter under your brow bone and in the inner corner of your eyes to make your eyes stand out more and sparkle a little. I recently bought the Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 05 Green. This eyeliner glides on smoothly while providing a light shimmer and has a very long staying power. The liner comes with a smudging sponge at the end so you can decide to use it as a concentrated colored line or as smudged line.

Are any of you trying new colored eyeliners this season? Let me know in the comments below!

Simple Lids with Matte Pink Lips

I love this makeup for any day use because it's very easy to pull off in a few minutes while giving you a fresh and modern look. This was seen in the Chalayan Spring 2013 Paris runway show and was done by makeup artist Lucia Pica. It is a combination of a dewy face, simple eye lids, and a matte pink lipstick. To recreate the look:

• Apply moisturizer to your skin and a foundation with a luminous finish for your face to look flawless and lustruous.

• Add highlighter to the bridge of your nose, Cupid's bow, temples, and at the upper part of your cheekbones.

• Apply a shimmery white gel shadow to your lids. I would personally add mascara, but that's your choice.

• Use a matte finish lipstick in a bubble gum pink shade. Apply it with your finger for it to look like a stain in your lips.

And you're ready! Hope you liked and recreate this look. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Beauty Resolutions 2013!

New year, new opportunities for change! So why not start with your beauty to feel daring and renovated?! Here are some ideas:

1. Finally dare to use that punch of color in your lips! Try using a classic red or a fun bright berry color. You can't go wrong with any of those two colors and I assure you compliments will come your way.

2. Try using a highlighter to give your face a healthy glow and accentuate your cheekbones. It is such an easy step to add to your routine and the difference is subtle yet very refreshing. You can see my review on one easy-to-use highlighter here!

3. Repeat after me: I PROMISE not to go to sleep without removing my makeup and washing my face! ... And really keep this promise, your face will thank you SO much.

4. Every now and then try new products! BB creams! Cream blush! Gel shadows?! Any product you feel daring to try...who knows...you can find your new staple product and make everyone ask themselves what is different in her and why is she looking so good?!

5. Find a delicious and luxurious smelling body spray to spritz on after every shower, I swear to you, it will make you feel like a million bucks!

Hope you girls add these resolutions to your list and have lots of fun with them. Happy 2013 to you all!

Neutral Nails

Finally 2013 is here! I have been very sick since the year started and today I felt a little better, so I decided to come back and write a post. My manicure was absolutely terrible since I had no energy to primp myself up but today I went to the drugstore and decided to buy a new nail polish. During the past New York Fashion Week for the Spring/Summer 2013 Collections, some of the designers opted for white polish for their models such as Rag and Bone. While I loved how it looked, bright white nail polish is not my favorite for my nails and skin color so I opted for a grayish/white beige from L'Oreal called Walk on the Beach. Its a great alternative to white for those of us whose skin color doesn't go with plain white polish, as well as for almost any skin color. Also this is a neutral so it goes with absolutely any outfit...I'm in love!

New Year's Eve Makeup Idea

The big end of the year celebration is tomorrow and I know some of you have already been thinking about the makeup you are going to rock out, right? At least I have! Here I give you one of my favorite makeup inspirations. This look appeared in the Marie Claire Magazine December 2012 Issue and it shows a beautiful plum colored lid using Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Amethyst. If you are going to recreate this look:

• Always start by using an eye primer such as Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion so that your look will stay put all night without creasing.

• For the eyelid you could use the E.L.F. Long-lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow (a gel eyeshadow) in Soiree under your favorite pinkish plum eyeshadow. Apply both eye shadows onto the entire lid and use a blending brush to blend it in the crease to achieve that perfectly blended transition between lid and brow bone. By using a cream or gel eyeshadow as a base you will make the color that you put on top stand out more and will give the lid a lacquered look that is huge this season.

• Add a darker plum hue in the outer corner of the eye and lightly into the crease to add more dimension. For both the pinkish and the darker plum shadows you could use the two plum hues in the BHCosmetics Standard Shimmer Eyeshadow 88 Color Palette.

• If you wish, you could add a very thin black line to the upper lid with a pencil or liquid eyeliner to define the eye.

• Add the darker plum hue you used earlier, but in the lower lashes (again, just a thin line of color).

• Add some mascara such as Benefit They're Real Mascara which is the one I'm currently using and feel free to add some false eyelashes if desired.

• For the blush, go for a soft pink hue that will lightly color your cheeks for a very subtle and natural look.

• To finish off the look, use a nude lipstick with a pink undertone to it. You could try the L'Oreal Colour Riche in Fairest Nude with or without a nude gloss on top.

And voilà! There you have a very sultry elegant look to say goodbye to 2012 and greet the new year! Hope all of you have a great New Year's celebration and that 2013 brings you health, happiness, and lots of new wonderful memories to treasure. See you next year!