Setting Your Hair Without Rollers, or How to Look Like a Victoria Secret Model pt. 2

     In one of my favorite posts on this blog Setting Your Hair With Rollers and How to Look Like a Victoria Secret Model, I went over how to set your hair using hot rollers and velcro rollers. This method is similar but only requires duck bill clips, no rollers at all. All you need is:

• Blow Dryer of your choice, I use a Paul Mitchell ProTools Express Ion Dry v.1
• Cricket Tourmaline Thermal Round Brush anywhere from 1 1/2 - 3 1/4 inches in diameter
• Duckbill Clips

With freshly washed and damp hair add volumizing product of your choice, I used Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep, Confixor Liquid Gel and Phomollient Styling Foam. Next dry hair with fingers until it's about 80% dry, remember to keep your blow dryer pointing down your hair shaft and use a nozzle to avoid placing the heating coils directly on your hair. Once your hair is 80% dry section into 2-3 inch wide sections and start round brushing, after you've finished a section while the hair is still warm begin to wrap it around two fingers until it's formed into a barrel curl at the base of your scalp. This part may look intimidating, but the key is to work with warm hair and if it seems too difficult try using a smaller section. Place a duckbill clip inside of each curl and move onto the next section going up the head, remember not to move onto a section without setting the curls in the last one!  

The process of rolling and clipping a Barrel Curl to create those famous Victoria Secret Waves!

     Spray with a setting spray of your liking, I wanted a strong hold so I used Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Spray. Then let the curls cool for 5-10 minutes before removing the clips and gently combing through your hair with your fingers to loosen up the curl. Spray again and you're done!

   
xo.

Aveda Gift Set - Shimmer

      Aveda Gift Sets come with many different products to fit anyone on your list, they're all pre wrapped in beautiful handcrafted Lokta Bark paper from Nepal. Aveda has created a harmonious partnership with Nepali people to make this paper to cover our fantastic gift sets every holiday season. Over the next seven weeks I'm going to highlight a new gift set each week to get everyone set for their holiday shopping.

     The first and my personal favorite gift set this year is the gift of Shimmer. This set includes 2 limited edition mini Aveda Lip Glazes, in beautiful unique colors inspired by our partnership with the Nepali people and it's under 20 dollars! The first shade is Himalayan Snow, which is a clear glaze filled with multi-color micro glitter so your lips glisten and shine like new fallen snow. The second color is Nepali Berry which is a deep classic red filled with red micro glitter so lips shine all season long. These colors are great used separately or together, and as always contain organic vanilla, mint flavor and pomegranet which is a natural antioxidant to help fight free radicals.

xo.

Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner

     Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner is a creamy clay based scrub exfoliates using bamboo extract and contains tourmaline to leave skin radiant and refreshed. This amazing exfoliating scrub used to be a professional use only Aveda product, but a little under a year ago Aveda made it available for every Aveda-lover to purchase. It helps by removing dead skin cells and leaves dull skin rejuvenated.

     Radiant Skin refiner is the perfect profuct for an at home facial, with spa quality results. You can use Skin Refiner on damp skin, or on dry skin for a more aggressive exfoilator. For damp skin, apply all over damp areas and gently massage, remove with damp towels, blot dry and brush away particles. For using on dry skin you apply the radiant skin refiner all over clean skin and let sit for 1-2 minutes, then scrub the product off slowly. Follow with Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque for an added glow.

xo.

Highlighting and Contouring, So You Can Have Glowing Skin All Year Long-

     During Fall & Winter months it's easy to neglect our skin, which can cause dullness. One way to work around having "dull" skin all winter long is by highlighting and contouring. This is a quick and effective way to have glowing skin all winter long! All you need is:

Highlight areas like cheekbones, cupids bow,
bridge of nose, brow bone and inner corner
the eye. Contour areas around the nose,
under cheekbones, around hairline
and chin.

• Eyeshadow or highlighter one shade lighter than your skin, I used Petal Essence Illumination Single Eye Color by Aveda
• Bronzer or warm brown eyeshadow 1-2 shades darker than your skin, I used Brazilian Sun Uruku Bronzer by Aveda
• Medium sized blending brush, I used this one from Sephora
• Kabuki brush, here's the one I used from Aveda

We'll start with a simple guide of where to highlight and where to contour. This can change depending on your face and eye shape, bone structure and skin type. So take into consideration what highlighting and contouring do first. Anywhere you apply your highlight is going to bring the area out and enhance raised areas on the face where light naturally hits (tops of cheeks, cupids bow, bridge of nose, etc.) Contouring is using a darker color or bronzer to further darken natural shadows giving a more angular defined appearance, think you don't have cheekbones? Think again.

This is me with my base foundation, eyebrows filled in & ONLY a highlight applied.

You can see my cheekbones, cupids bow, brow bone, the bridge of my nose and forehead are catching and reflecting more light than the rest of my face. 

Now I've gone through and added my contour under my cheekbones and around my nose and chin. You can see what a dramatic effect it gives. Blending and working in small areas is key in contouring, that's why I recommend using an eyeshadow blending brush for working in small areas like around the nose.

Some different lighting so you can see the difference
natural vs. artificial lighting makes.

Highlighting and contouring can be your secret to glowing skin all Winter long, and it's a lot easier than you may have thought! You don't have to have Kim Kardashians makeup artist to highlight and contour, as a matter of fact I bet you have everything you need in your makeup bag right now! So don't be intimidated by this simple technique, give it a go!

xo.

beautifying composition

Aveda's Beautifying Composition Oil is a multi-use oil that replenishes skin and seals in moisture. It is great to use any time of the year, but especially in the dry Winter months. Beautifying Composition can be used on hair, skin or your scalp to provide extra moisture. It contains nourishing jojoba oil and essences of rosemary and bergamot. Some of my favorite ways to use the Beautifying Composition are:

• After a shower or bath-apply a few drops of Beautifying Composition to damp skin to seal in moisture.
• To condition hair and scalp-massage onto dry scalp let sit for 1-5 minutes; then shampoo.
• Add 10-15 drops to running bath water to condition dry skin.
• For  dry ends add 1-2 drops in the palm of your hand and run throughout dry or damp hair.
• Use for an aromatic scalp and body massage.
• 1-2 drops on a cotton ball or swab to remove stubborn eye makeup.

xo.

Lips for Fall.

As I've mentioned before in my Passion Flower Sneak Peak post, Aveda has a new 2012 Fall/Winter makeup collection out called Passion Flower. It has three new lipstick shades called Wild Fuchsia, Rare Orchid and Snap Dragon. I've used myself and the lovely Jessica as models to show you what these colors look like on.

All Aveda lipsticks go on smooth and hydrate lips all day, each has an organic vanilla and spearmint aroma, increases moisture and smooths lines up to 26% and 75% of women noticed fuller lips after 2 weeks of use.

in order of appearance: Tarragona Lip Pencil - Snap Dragon Lip Color - Wild Fuchsia Lip Color - Rare Orchid Lip Color

1. Start by hydrating lips with Nourish-Mint Renewing Lip Treatment for smoother lips and better application of color.

2. Outline and fill lips with either Foxglove, Tarragona or Nourish-Mint Lip Definer. This prevents feathering and makes lip color last longer. I used Tarragona under Snap Dragon, Foxglove under Wild Fuchsia and the Lip Definer under Rare Orchid.

3. Fill lips with chosen color, make sure to pay extra close attention to areas like the cupids bow and corners of the mouth.

xo.

Aveda Hand Relief - Lend a Helping Hand

The incredibly rich moisture therapy in Hand Relief soothes dry, chapped hands-leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants-including vitamins A and E help diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief. Hand Relief increases moisture levels and elasticity in skin with continued use. Hand relief is a must have for me during the dry winter months, it moisturizes just enough without feeling greasy and saves me from having chapped hands.

     Also, during the month of October, Aveda will donate $4.00 from the purchase price of every Aveda Hand Relief to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to support cruelty-free research, a cause very close to my heart. Stop by the nearest Aveda experience center or salon today to get your own Hand Relief to lend a helping hand to breast cancer research!

xo.

Green Science Firming Eye Cream

Aveda's Green Science Firming Eye Cream is some amazing stuff, I've recently started using it every morning and night and I love the results! It helps moisturize, smooth fine lines, reduce puffiness and dark circles. It uses lady's thistle, organic argan oil and cactus formula helps to moisturize skin and smooth fine lines. Peptides* and plant-derived buckwheat wax help with minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Preventative care with anti-aging products is extremely important, so if you start using products like this while you're young wrinkles won't be such a problem down the road.

*Peptides are complexes that produce collagen, strengthen capillaries, increase micro circulation and increase cellular circulation.

xo.

Balancing Chakra Mists

Aveda Balancing Chakra Mists are an authentic blend of pure essential oils made to balance each individual chakra according to the art of Ayurveda, the ancient healing art of India. To learn more about each chakra and how to balance them visit misterchakra.com.

“The Chakra System is the symbolic presentation of energies which exist in the body influenced by the subconscious mind. Yoga and meditation help you awaken those energies for the most balanced state of the body, mind and soul.” —THE DRS. UPADHYAY, MAHARSHI BHARDWAJ CLINIC & RESEARCH CENTRE, INDIA

xo.

dry remedy moisturizing treatment masque

Did you know that cooler and drier weather can really take a toll on your hair? Winter weather is harsh on hair, but it's nothing a little product can't fix. I'm talking about Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Treatment Masque, this ultra rich and luxurious formula uses buriti oil, pomegranate and palm-derived conditioners to penetrate deep into the most dry and brittle hair. This amazing masque improves dry hair up to 63% and has a relaxing aroma including certified organic palmarosa, ylang ylang and rose geranium, plus a hint of vanilla. The Dry Remedy Masque is best used once a week on damp hair for 2-10 minutes, it is also safe for color treated hair. Using this hair masque regularly will dramatically improve the condition of your hair, especially in the dry winter months to come.

xo.

All Sensitive Skin Collection & Tips for Sensitive Skin

Did you know Aveda has a very extensive skin care line? From dealing with acne to aging Aveda is there to help you with personalized skin care. The All Sensitive line is great for those just starting out with a skin care regimen or those who have tried every product with no success, the All Sensitive line is great because it works on any skin type without causing irritation or excessive oil. This line includes the All Sensitive Cleanser, All Sensitive Moisturizer and the All Sensitive Body Formula Oil. Everything in the line is aroma free and dermatologist tested to ensure it's safe for even the most sensitive sin types. Try out this awesome skin care line by finding an Aveda salon or Experience Center near you today!

If you have sensitive skin using a gentle product like the All Sensitive Line is perfect for you, however there are some other simple tips you can use to treat your overly sensitive skin;
-Keep skin hydrated by drinking lots of water and moisturizing every night and morning.
-Dampen your skin very lightly before applying moisturizer, this evens out the skins surface and reduces dry spots.
-Avoid spicy foods, highly caffeinated drinks or alcoholic drinks since all of these things can dry out your skin and body.
-Be aware of aromas and perfumes in products, and make sure to always get dermatologist tested products.
-Avoid over exfoliating, try exfoliating gently 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin cells without damaging the skin.

xo.

Aveda Renewing Lip Treatment

Nourish-Mint Renewing Lip Treatment is a must have for me. Living in an extremely dry climate is harsh on my lips and I wear this stuff as much as I can. This colorless lip treatment increases moisture by 26%, smooths the appearance of fine lines by 26% and has an organic vanilla and spearmint flavor. You can wear it alone or under lip color for some extra moisture, or line and fill lips first then layer the renewing lip treatment for a hint of color and for an overnight intensive conditioning treatment apply at bedtime.

xo.

smoothing body polish, for radiant skin.

with the seasons about to change, one thing that usually gets neglected is your skin. no i'm not talking about your face, because most people do update on their face routine as seasons change. i'm talking about your body, especially here in utah the change from summer to fall/winter is a drastic one leaving skin dry, flaky and begging for moisture. i'll give you some tips on how to transition your body care routine for the upcoming fall months so you're radiant and soft all winter long.

one of the best products to use this time of year is smoothing body polish. it gently polishes away dead surface cells and skin dulling debris to reveal smoother, softer skin beneath. using a blend of finely ground walnut shells, kelp, aloe, lavender and herbal extracts to help exfoliate and soften skin. use the smoothing body polish on moist skin or right after a shower, rinse off when done.

after exfoliating with smoothing body polish you want to make sure to moisturize the skin as well, my go to moisturizer is always the replenishing body moisturizer. this moisturizer restores suppleness to dry skin with a moisture binding blend of vitamins, natural humectants and oils-including meadow foam. the refreshingly aromatic blend with pure plant and flower essences can't be beat. the best time to use the replenishing body moisturizer is right after a shower when pores are open and begging for moisture.

xo.

scalp detoxifying treatment & botanical hair therapy treatments

i feel the salon world always has a slight disadvantage to the spa world, don't get me wrong getting your hair done is fabulous but it's hard to compete with a full body massage, body treatment or facial. but things are changing in a great way! both the scalp detox & botanical treatment are like a facial for your hair, one giving a refreshing detox to the scalp to remove build up and the other repairing the hair from the inside out with quiona and buriti oil!

the scalp detoxifying treatment starts with a scalp massage using an essential oil blend. then the scalp detoxifying treatment is applied all over the scalp and massaged in to remove any clogged pores and eliminate product buildup using wintergreen-derived salicylic acid that gently exfoliates your scalp leaving a minty tingle. so who should get a scalp detox? anyone really, if you color your hair often, use product daily, workout, have thin hair, swim/stay in the sun a lot and the benefits are awesome for invati users.

on the other hand the botanical hair therapy treatment adds essential protiens and humectants back into the hair, this leaves your hair looking shiny and healthy. there are two different treatments, damage remedy and dry remedy, damage remedy uses quinoa protein and sugar beet-derived amino acid to repair hair up to 86% in the first use. dry remedy is an answered prayer for all my clients since the dry utah weather is so brutal on hair and skin, dry remedy treatment utilizes buriti and pomegranate oils and repairs 84% in the first use. these treatments are for anyone who feels like they have dry, brittle or damaged split hair.

on friday august 10th the salon i have the pleasure of working at, azalea say spa & salon is having a skinny hair detox using the scalp detoxifying treatment. it's only $25 dollars to attend which includes tons of relaxing scalp massage, the scalp detox treatment and a blow dry style. plus you're able to spend the $25 on product after the service! this is such a great deal and it's going to be so so fun! call the salon to book your appointment today!

xo.

how to create volume for fine & thin hair

yesterday i showed you the perfect product to use to create volume, and now i'll tell you some of my tips, tricks and favorite products that give amazing volume!


first of all lets talk about hair and the difference between fine and thin hair. fine hair is referring to a single strand of hair, it can be fine, medium or coarse. thin or thick hair is referring to the density or how many hairs you have on your head. you can have any combination of these two categories, but most of these tips are geared towards people with fine & thin hair or just thin hair.


short is usually better, not saying you need to try a pixie if you have thin hair but i'd say not much longer than the shoulders would be a good length. when cutting thin hair a lot of stylists don't feel the need to add layers because it will make the hair appear thinner, however i usually always add some light layering in thin hair to help create volume. so shorter hair and layers is a good place to start.


using product that is designed for fine or thin hair will make such a difference, all products designed for thin hair need to be lightweight while still providing volume and hold. here's a list of some of my favorites.

♥pure abundance volumizing shampoo- this shampoo lifts fine hair to make it appear fuller and feel thicker, it uses certified organic acacia gum to thicken hair and the aroma contains jasmine, certified organic peppermint, palmarosa and ylang ylang.
♥pure abundance clay conditioner- uses breakthrough blend of kaolin clay and certified organic acacia gum to lift up and fill out hair and the aroma also contains jasmine, certified organic peppermint, palmarosa and ylang ylang.
♥pure abundance style prep- thickens strands with a botanical blend of passion fruit, rice bran, açaí oil, organic aloe and acacia gum. boosts volume with a natural corn-derived polymer helping give fine, limp strands the hold they need for body that lasts all day. weightless conditioners detangle to help prevent breakage from combing. helps refresh volume on non-shampoo days without adding weight.
♥pure abundance hair potion- innovative formula transforms in your hands from a powder to a light, absorbent lotion then makes magic in your hair, increasing its diameter and creating an abundance of texture and volume. instantly thickens hair by 17% relies on natural bulking agents acacia gum and kaolin clay creates matte texture great for creating a gritty, "second-day hair" look.
♥pure abundance volumizing hair spray- extra-firm hold, style-expanding micro-mist. formula infused with certified organic acacia gum a natural bulking agent so hair looks fuller and feels thicker. dries quickly for a hard finish and stays resistant to humidly.
♥phomollient styling foam- formula which includes certified organic honey, burdock and marshmallow root creates weightless volume on fine and medium hair. adds shine without build-up or weight. uses air-infused technology to create volume.
♥volumizing tonic- creates maximum volume on fine and medium hair. With certified organic aloe and wheat amino acids to help build body and add shine.


blow drying volume into the hair is a very important step as well. once you apply your pre-blowdrying products, you’ll need to dry your hair. for the smoothest results, use a round brush and dry sections that are a couple inches wide, starting in the nape of your neck and working your way up to the crown. if a round brush seems like too much trouble, you can just hold sections of your hair straight up as you blow dry the roots, or turn your head upside down while blow drying. the point is to dry your roots in the opposite direction that your hair will be laying, for extra lift. and if you aren’t much for blow drying, you can also try setting your hair (especially the crown) in big rollers and letting it air dry.


and the final step, backcombing. if you still need extra lift in your crown area, hold a section of hair straight up, and using a backcombing brush (or other brush with bristles that are very close together), brush the hair starting about 2 inches away from your scalp, firmly down toward your scalp. repeat a few times to create a little poof, and then spray with hairspray underneath to lock it in place. Smooth out the top with your backcombing brush, and spray again.

xo.

pure abundance style prep

pure abundance style prep spray is the newest product specifically made to give weightless natural volume all day. pure abundance style prep utilizes a botanical blend of passion fruit, rice bran, açaí oil, organic aloe and acacia gum to thicken strands. weightless conditioners detangle hair to prevent breakage when combing. style prep also uses corn derived polymers to give fine hair hold to last all day, or be used on dirty hair days to add volume and not weight.

$24

xo.

protect your summer tresses with sun hair care.

the elements during the summer months are known to take a toll on your hair, most commonly from sun, chlorine or salt water. Aveda makes a few different products to help up your defenses against the harsh summer elements. there are three different products in the sun care collection, they are; after sun hair masque, protective sun veil and sun care hair & body cleanser.

sun care protective hair veil - a lightweight, water-resistant UV defense mist that protects hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours, to minimize color fadage, damage and dryness.

sun care after-sun hair masque - an intensive cream masque that restores sun-exposed hair, moisturizes, and helps defend against free radicals

sun care hair and body cleanser - a color-safe formula that gently and effectively removes chlorine, salt and product build-up, while helping to maintain moisture balance.

xo.

feeling stressed, try stress fix!

are you stressed out? whenever i'm feeling some extra stress i turn to one of my new favorite Aveda product lines, stress fix! the stress fix line includes body lotion, soaking salts and a portable oil rollerball of the stress fix concentrate. the stress fix line all has the aroma of organically grown lavender, lavandin, and clary sage which are all clinically proven to relieve the feelings of stress.

the stress fix lotion is great to calm irritated and stressed skin down and also can be great for people who type (or do hair..) or other repetitive movements throughout the day. when using the stress fix lotion always apply to hands and then under your nose and take a few relaxing deep breaths, apply in circular motions to tense areas like the neck, shoulders, forearms and wrists.

stress fix soaking salts are the ultimate way to relax and can be used for soaking or as an exfoliant. to exfoliate use as a scrub before/while in the bath, but no worries because once water is applied soaking salts gently dissolve leaving no gritty feeling. to use only for soaking draw a warm bath and add 1 - 2 tablespoons of soaking salts to the water and soak in the tub, preferably with a lit candle and no distractions.

the stress fix rollerball concentrate is perfect to take anywhere incase a stressful situation arrises, there's a simple ritual that you can do almost anywhere. apply stress fix concentrate to the inside of your wrists, then hold over your nose and take deep breaths. you can also apply stress fix to the top point of your neck, and using a press and release motion along the top of the shoulders to relieve tension. if this worked for me during rush hour in Los Angeles, then it will work for you!

xo.

beauty tip of the day: getting the most out of your shampoo & conditioner

it's no secret that professional product is a little more pricey than the stuff you can get at the grocery store or target, however; there is a major difference between the two! professional product leaves your hair in much better condition than the "other stuff" and you have to use much much less of it! i've got a few secrets about washing and conditioning hair that everyone may or may not know.

first, you're using way way too much shampoo, plain and simple! i know i'm not in the shower with you watching, but i know you are. how much shampoo you actually use is based on the length and thickness of your hair, but for my hair which is about 4 inches past my collarbones and medium thickness i use a little bit over the size of a quarter. how do i do this? most professional shampoos, specifically Aveda, are super concentrated and formulated with much less water than grocery store brands. this means you need to add the water yourself, so after applying your shampoo quickly dip your head back into the water and you'll get an awesome lather. when shampooing your hair really focus on scrubbing the roots and scalp first then move down to the mid shaft and ends. i always always give myself an awesome head massage in the shower it's relaxing and gets blood circulating in your scalp which promotes hair growth and a healthy scalp.

second, conditioner should not be applied directly to your roots. you should start with squeezing out the excess water in your hair, then apply conditioner to the ends of the hair and work your way up to the mid shaft, and finally with what little bit is left on your hands massage into the roots and scalp. this will give maximum moisture to the dry split ends of the hair and also by not applying directly to the roots you're hair won't get greasy as quickly! as always start with a small amount of conditioner and if you need more add from there. a small amount of conditioner spreads a long way.

third, try shampooing less often. this trick doesn't work for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to try. instead of shampooing every single time, try only using conditioner every other time you wash your hair. just give the roots a good scrub using only water and then condition the ends like normal. like i said this may not work for everyone, but i love switching to a routine similar to this in the summer.

buying quality hair product is an investment especially when getting your hair colored. hair color and shampoo are specifically formulated to work with each other, so no matter what brand of hair color you're using i would always recommend using the corresponding shampoo and conditioner to go with. by using these tips and tricks not only will your shampoo and conditioner last long, they will yield better results as well.
xo.

my favorite product: brilliant universal styling cream

even though it is really hard to pick one favorite Aveda product, i can say my decision is made. the brilliant universal styling cream is such a "universal" product that can work with almost any hair type to add shine, smooth down fly aways, protect from heat, reduce frizziness and it can be used on damp or dry hair!

the key to using universal styling cream successfully is the amount you're using, for thick coarse hair i would recommend using no bigger than a quarter amount on damp hair and no more than a nickel size on dry hair. for medium to thin hair a dime size amount will do for use on damp and dry hair. experimenting with product is one of my favorite things to do, and with Aveda products it's easy to use less since Aveda concentrates all of their products using pure flower and plant essences. so start with a small amount and add more if you feel the need.

i personally love using the universal styling cream before i use a flat iron or other heat styling tools on my hair, it gives great protection and gives hair a glossy smooth finish. the humectants (or moisturizing ingredients) in brilliant universal styling cream help keep moisture in the hair instead of drying it out, and of course Aveda uses only the best ingredients in their products. universal styling cream uses 100% certified organic aloe to moisturize the hair from the inside out!

keep checking back for a giveaway soon for a chance to win some universal styling cream!

xo.